Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs July 22 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

India Becomes 123rd Member of WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement 
On 20 July 2026,  India became a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) by depositing its Instrument of Acceptance, becoming the 123rd WTO member to join the Agreement.

• The instrument was handed over by Rajesh Agrawal (Secretary), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Commerce (MoC&I), to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

About the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement: 
Background:  Adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), Geneva, Switzerland (June 2022), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) is the first WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability objective and entered into force on 15 September 2025.
Purpose:  The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies aims to promote sustainable fisheries and marine resource conservation by prohibiting subsidies linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing of depleted stocks, and harmful fishing practices.
Benefit:  The Agreement supports traditional and small-scale fishers by regulating harmful subsidies to large industrial fishing fleets, safeguarding their livelihoods and policy space, and enhances India’s credibility as a responsible seafood exporter.

Bharat Tex 2026 Held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from July 14 -17, 2026 
In July 2026, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Textiles (MoT), inaugurated the 3rd edition of Bharat Tex, India’s flagship global textile event, held from 14 to 17 July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi.

• Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita, MoT; Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of MoT; among others, were present at the event.

About Bharat Tex 2026:
CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2026: On the sidelines of Bharat Tex 2026, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) hosted the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2026, recognising the organisations, institutions and individuals for their exceptional contributions across seven focus areas.
Key Outcomes: CITI forged a collaboration with the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) to establish a bilateral industry platform i.e. the European Union (EU)-India Textile and Apparel Dialogue (TAD), to support the effective implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for the textile and apparel sector.

• The Bharat Tex 2026 concluded successfully with the generation of  business enquiries worth about USD 2.8 billion and the textile investment commitments worth Rs 14,300 crore across various states.

Over 30 MoUs were signed by the participating states, including Andhra Pradesh (AP) (worth Rs 4,100 crore);Karnataka (Rs 2,821 crore); Bihar (Rs 1,476 crore) and Maharashtra (Rs 1,095 crore).

GoI Raises Windfall Tax on Diesel, ATF Exports; Lowered Tax on Petrol Exports
In July 2026, the Government of India (GoI) increased the windfall gains tax on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) exports, while reducing the tax on petrol exports.

• As per the Ministry of Finance (MoF) notification, the revised tax rates came into effect from 16 July 2026.

Key Details:
Windfall Tax: It is a government-imposed tax on specific industries that have experienced sudden high profits due to external events such as geopolitical crises. The key objective is to redirect these profits towards societal benefits.
Export Duty on Diesel & ATF: As per the official notification, the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on diesel exports has been increased from Rs 8.5/litre (l) to Rs 15.5/l.

• Similarly, the SAED on ATF exports have also been increased from Rs 7.5/l to Rs 14.5/l.

Export Duty on Petrol: The GoI has reduced the export duty on petrol from the existing Rs 4/l to Rs 2.5/l.
Background: Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the GoI imposed an export duty on diesel and ATF on 27 March 2026 and has been revising the rates every fortnight.

Union Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates ‘Shabdalok’, India’s First Immersive Language Museum in Kolkata, WB
In July 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Cooperation, inaugurated the first phase of ‘Shabdalok (The Museum of Word)’, India’s first immersive language museum, developed at a cost of Rs 41 crore in the Belvedere House within the National Library campus, Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).

• The first phase features 2,282 square metres( sq. m.) of exhibition space on the first floor, with later phases adding ground-floor galleries, a Souvenir Shop, Café, and façade projection mapping.

About Shabdalok :
Heritage: Developed by the National Library under the Ministry of Culture , the first phase of ‘Shabdalok’ showcases the diversity of Indian languages, scripts, and literary traditions.
Linguistics: The museum features nine galleries showcasing nearly 380 Indian languages, including 121 languages recorded in the Census 2011 and several historical languages that are no longer spoken.
Interaction: The museum combines immersive technologies like digital displays, holograms, motion sensors, audio-visual (AV) installations, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), interactive exhibits, audio-visual presentations, and artefacts to present a comprehensive story of India’s spoken and written heritage.
National Library: India’s largest by collection volume, was established in 1953 under the Change of Name Act, 1948, evolving from the Imperial Library (1891) and Calcutta Public Library (1836).

India Approves First Dengue Vaccine ‘QDENGA’ After DCGI Clearance
In July 2026, India approved its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA (TAK-003), after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Private Limited under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019.

• QDENGA has been approved for the prevention of dengue in individuals aged 4 to 60 years.

About QDENGA:
Vaccine: It is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4).

• It is administered as two subcutaneous doses of 0.5 millilitres (mL) given three months apart.

Prequalification: QDENGA has received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification, confirming its compliance with global standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and making it eligible for procurement by international agencies such as UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Clinical Trials: The approval of QDENGA in India was supported by Takeda’s global clinical program, including 19 Phase I–III trials involving over 28,000 participants, the Phase III TIDES (DEN-301) trial with more than 20,000 participants across 8 countries, and data from the DEN-302 Phase III trial conducted among Indian participants.
Dengue Burden: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease affecting over 125 countries worldwide and remains a major public health challenge. India contributes nearly one-third of the global dengue burden.

USA Delivered 21st MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter to Indian Navy, Strengthening India-USA Defence Partnership 
In July 2026, The United States of America (USA) delivered 21st MH-60R Seahawk multi-role maritime helicopter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, to the Indian Navy (IN) at Kochi, Kerala, reinforcing the India–USA defence partnership and enhancing India’s maritime security capabilities.

• IN will further enhance its operational readiness, strengthen its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and improve interoperability with the USA Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Highlights of MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters: 
Procurement: India signed a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the USA in February 2020 to procure 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters at a cost of USD 2.6 billion to replace the ageing Sea King fleet, strengthen naval aviation capabilities, with 21 have been delivered, two more are scheduled for delivery, and the final helicopter remains pending.
Capabilities: The “Romeo” MH-60R Seahawk is an all-weather, multi-role shipborne maritime helicopter as a maritime variant of the Black Hawk, capable of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), surveillance, intelligence gathering, search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical replenishment and shipborne operations.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

IAF Participates in 45th Edition of Exercise ‘Pitch Black 2026’ in Australia
In July 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the 45th Edition of Exercise Pitch Black 2026, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at RAAF Base Darwin in northern Australia, which starts from 20 July 2026 and continues till 7 August 2026.

• Exercise Pitch Black is the RAAF’s premier Biennial (every 2 years) multinational air combat exercise, bringing together air forces from 20 nations, including the United States of America (USA), France, Germany, Spain, Japan, and South Korea.
• 44th Edition, Exercise Pitch Black 2024 was held from 12 July to 02 August 2024 hosted by the RAAF at RAAF Base Darwin in northern Australia

IAF Fleet Deployment:
Participation: IAF deployed an integrated frontline combat and support team of over 120 Air Warriors, including pilots, flight test engineers, technicians, air traffic controllers, and subject-matter experts.

• Rafale Jets (4): Multi-role combat aircraft for air superiority, strike, and precision engagement missions
• C-17 Globemaster III (2): Strategic airlift of troops, equipment, and logistics
• IL-78 MKI: Air-to-Air Refueling aircraft to extend combat endurance and operational reach

BANKING & FINANCE

DoLR & RBI Innovation Hub Explore Digital Land-Credit Infrastructure for Rural Lending 
In July 2026, the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) held a high-level meeting with the Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub (RBIH) to explore the convergence of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for land governance and digital lending.

• The initiative aims to create a secure, interoperable land-credit ecosystem to improve institutional credit access for farmers and rural citizens.

Key Highlights : 
Chair: The meeting was chaired by Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary, DoLR, who interacted with Sahil Kini, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), RBIH, along with senior officials from both organisations.
Focus: The discussions focused on integrating the DoLR’s digital land governance initiatives with the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) to enable secure, seamless, and consent-based credit delivery, particularly for farmers and rural citizens.
Key Areas of Collaboration: The discussions covered secure access to authenticated digital land records, faster digital delivery of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and agricultural loans, improved loan processing, mortgage risk management, and greater financial inclusion through digital land-based credit.

• The meeting also emphasized common data standards, API interoperability, wider adoption of Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) (Bhu-Aadhaar), and stronger collaboration between land governance and financial sector stakeholders.

About ULI:  Developed by the RBI as a DPI for lending, ULI enables faster and seamless credit delivery through data interoperability with consent-based sharing of information between borrowers, data providers, and lenders.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

NSA Ajit Doval Selected for Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026
In July 2026, Dr. Rohit Tilak, President of the Lokmanya Tilak Trust announced the selection of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval for Lokmanya Tilak National Award for 2026.

• He will receive the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening the country’s national security, counter-terrorism, and border security.

About Lokmanya Tilak National Award:
Ceremony: Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will present the award on August 01, 2026 in Pune (Maharashtra) on the occasion of the 106th death anniversary of a freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, widely known as Lokmany Tilak.
Background: The award was instituted in 1983, to recognise the individuals for their outstanding contributions to the country’s progress and development.

• Socialist Leader SM Joshi was the 1st recipient of Lokmanya Tilak National Award

Presented: The award is presented annually on August 01, by  Lokmanya Tilak Trust.
Prize: The recipient of the award receives a memento, a citation and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
Previous Winners: Since its inception, the award has been presented to several distinguished personalities such as Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, former PMs of the country (Dr. Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee) and former President of India Dr. Pranab Mukherjee and veteran leader and founder of CP Sharad Pawar.
Ajit Doval: Doval, a 1968-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Kerala cadre, is the currently India’s longest-serving NSA.

• During his career, he play a major role in several national security initiatives such as: Operation Black Thunder, Balakot air-strike.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Andy Burnham Takes Charge as UK’s New Prime Minister 
In July 2026, Andy Burnham became the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) after Keir Starmer resigned from the post. He was invited by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace to form a new government in a traditional ceremony known as “kissing hands.”

• He secured nearly 55% of the vote in the leadership election, defeating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by a margin of more than 9,000 votes, with a record turnout of 59%.

About Andy Burnham: 
Early Life:  Born in Aintree, Lancashire, Andy Burnham joined the Labour Party at the age of 15 and worked in journalism before becoming a parliamentary researcher.
Political Career:  Elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Leigh in 2001, Andy Burnham served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary, and Health Secretary under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and later held key Shadow Cabinet roles.
Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–2026):  He became the first Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017 and launched the Bee Network, bringing local bus services under public control. He was recognised as the “King of the North” for advocating Northern England’s interests.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Faye Elected As New Chairman Of ECOWAS 
In July 2026, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of Senegal, was elected as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

• He will serve a mandatory one-year term and succeed President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who has served as Chairman since June 2025.
• Senegal assumes the ECOWAS top post for the first time since the bloc’s establishment in 1975.

Key Details of Appointment: 
Other Appointments: Biram Diop was appointed as President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding Dr Omar Touray for the 2026 to 2030 term.
Role: Faye will focus on revitalizing regional cooperation, sustaining diplomatic dialogue with breakaway states, and implementing reforms to strengthen governance, accountability, and youth participation.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA Webb Telescope Discovered New Exoplanet ‘Beta Pictoris d’
In July 2026, Astronomers using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), discovered a new giant exoplanet called ‘Beta Pictoris d’ located 63 light-years from Earth and about 23 million years old.

• With this latest discovery, Beta Pictoris has become only the second known planetary system with at least three directly imaged planets.

About Beta Pictoris d:
Variants: The new exoplanet orbits the nearby star Beta Pictoris, which was already known to be home of Beta Pictoris b, one of the 1st exoplanets ever directly imaged, and Beta Pictoris c.
Discovery: Unlike its previous two variants (Beta Pictoris b and c), JWST’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) detected the unique chemical fingerprint of the exoplanet’s  atmosphere.
Size and Orbit: The newly discovered exoplanet is estimated to be at least two-times the mass of Jupiter, making it the smallest of the three known giant planets in the Beta Pictoris system.

• Further, the exoplanet orbits nearly 30 Astronomical Units (AU) from its star, which places it at a distance comparable to planet Neptune.

The USA Air Force’s YFQ-44A Fury drone successfully fired its first live AIM-120 AMRAAM 
In July 2026, the United States of America (USA) Air Force’s YFQ-44A Fury drone, successfully fired its first live Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120 Advanced Medium-Range  Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) at a digital target at Edwards Air Force Base over the Mojave desert  in California, the USA.

• This marked the 1st live missile launch by a US Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Key Details:
Team: The live-fire test of the aircraft was conducted in coordination with the 412th Test Wing’s Air Dominance Combined Test Force, which included active-duty military, government civilians, and government contractors, who have expertise in validating the models required for a safe live-fire execution.
Developed by: YFQ-44A Fury drone, an advanced, semi-automatic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), was developed by Anduril Industries
Key Functions: The aircraft operates with crewed fighters like: the F-35 and F-22, facilitating additional sensors, weapons, and operational support during missions.

• Also, CCA platforms are designed to perform multiple tasks other than missile carriage, like: electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and other battlefield operations.

SPORTS

FIFA World Cup 2026: Prize Money, Retirements & Records – Part II
In July 2026, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced a record USD 871 million prize pool for the FIFA World Cup 2026, making it the most lucrative tournament in football history.

• Following Spain’s victory over Argentina in the final, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) received USD 51 million as champions, while runners-up Argentina Football Association (AFA) earned USD 34 million and England received USD 30 million for finishing third.

Highlights:
Retirements: FIFA World Cup 2026 marked the end of an era as Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Neymar Jr. (Brazil), Manuel Neuer (Germany), and Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) confirmed that it had been their final appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Records: Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal enjoyed one of the greatest breakthrough tournaments in football history by becoming the first teenager to play in both the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Championship final and FIFA World Cup final.

Pakistan to Host 14th Edition of SAF Games in March 2027
In July 2026, Pakistan will host the 14th edition of the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games from March 23rd to 31st, 2027. This will be the 3rd time that Pakistan will host games after 1989 and 2004.
About SAF Games 2027:
Host Cities: Pakistan’s 3 cities namely, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Lahore, will host the SAF Games 2027.
Participation: The multi sports event is expected to witness the participation of 3500 athletes from the 8 South Asian countries.
About SAF Games: SAF Games, established on November 26, 1981 in New Delhi, Delhi, aimed to promote friendship and goodwill among the member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).

OBITUARY

England Football Legend Joseph Kevin Keegan Passed Away 
On 20 July 2026, England football legend Joseph Kevin Keegan, former England footballer and manager who played for Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburger SV, Southampton, and Newcastle United, passed away at the age of 75 in the United Kingdom (UK). He was born in Armthorpe, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England on 14 February 1951.

• Kevin Keegan remains the only English player to have won the Ballon d’Or twice, earning football’s most prestigious individual award in consecutive years in 1978 and 1979.

About Joseph Kevin Keegan:
Overview: He was one of England’s greatest footballers, renowned for his leadership, dribbling ability, goalscoring record, distinguished playing and managerial careers, and lasting legacy as “King Kev” and “Mighty Mouse,” transforming Newcastle United into Premier League title challengers
International: He later won the Bundesliga and consecutive Ballon d’Or awards with Hamburger SV, while earning 63 England caps, scoring 21 goals, and captaining the national team 31 times.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

VP C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book ‘RSS @ 100: A Century of Service, Unity & Sacrifice’
In July 2026, Vice President (VP) C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book ‘RSS @100: A Century of Service, Unity & Sacrifice’ at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi marking the centenary journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
About the Book: 
Author: The book was authored by Shyam Jaju and Anupam Trivedi, published by Prabhat Prakashan.
Insights: The book documents the history, growth, and activities of the RSS since its establishment in 1925. It covers various initiatives undertaken by the organisation in areas such as social welfare, education, disaster relief, community service, and promoting social unity.
Chapter:  The book traces Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi’s journey from a Swayamsevak to Pradhan Sevak, highlighting his focus on seva (selfless service) and the principle of ‘Rashtra Pratham’ (Nation First) as key elements of governance. It reflects the RSS’s emphasis on service, unity, and nation-building.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Moon Day 2026 – July 20
International Moon Day (IMD) is observed every year on 20 July to mark the Apollo 11 Moon landing (1969), when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon. The day also promotes space exploration, scientific learning, and the peaceful and sustainable use of lunar resources.

• 20 July 2026 marks the 5th IMD and the 57th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

Background: 
Proposal for IMD: During the 65th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the Moon Village Association (MVA) submitted a proposal through the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to designate 20 July as International Moon Day (IMD).
UN Recognition: On 9 December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/76/76, officially proclaiming 20 July as International Moon Day under the agenda “International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.”
First Observance: The first International Moon Day was officially observed on 20 July 2022.
2026 Event: The IMD 2026 main event was held on 20 July 2026 at the Maloka Museo Interactivo in Bogotá, Colombia.

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