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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs July 15 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

CPWD Celebrates 172nd Annual Day at Vigyan Bhavan, MoH&UA unveils SANKALP framework
On 12 July 2026, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a premier engineering organization under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoH&UA) of the Government of India (GoI), celebrated its 172nd Annual Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

• During this celebration, the Union Minister Manohar Lal, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoH&UA) unveiled the ‘SANKALP’ framework.

CPWD Celebration Highlights
Key Members: Along with the Union Minister, Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, (MoH&UA), Satinder Pal Singh, Director General (DG), CPWD, Mohd. Kamal Ahmad, Director General (Training), CPWD, Pradeep Kumar Jha, Joint Secretary (Works & Central Vista), (MoH&UA) also graced the occasion.
Books Released: On the occasion, the Union Minister also released the following books:

• India’s Urban Transformation: Reflections from Policy and Practice and

• the MoH&UA’s coffee table book “India’s Urban Momentum: Towards Making Our Cities Liveable“, highlighting India’s remarkable urban development journey.

MeitY Releases 2nd Edition of ‘Digital Threat Report 2025-26’ for India’s BFSI and Payments Ecosystem
In July 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), released the second edition of the Digital Threat Report 2025–26 for the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and payments ecosystem.

• The report was jointly released by the MeitY, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the Computer Security Incident Response Team in Finance (CSIRT- Fin) and SISA (SISA Information Security).

Highlights of the Report:
Research Foundation: The report is based on extensive Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) research, analysis aligned with CERT-In and CSIRT-Fin observations, and in-depth research on adversarial Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Timeline: The report sets out an 18-month roadmap for financial institutions.
New Framework: The report introduces a new analytical framework called the ‘Anatomy of Cyber Failure – 4 layer Gap Archetype Framework’.

• It is a model that explains how a cyberattack progresses from initial weakness to a full-scale security breach by identifying gaps across four layers of an organisation’s cybersecurity.

DoT Signs MoU with TSDSI to Strengthen India’s Global Telecom Standards Ecosystem 
In July 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications , signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI) during the 9th TSDSI Technical Deep Dive (TTDD) 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi.
Highlights of the MoU:
Objective: The MoU was signed under the Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme to strengthen India’s participation in global Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), promote indigenous telecom innovation, and support startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Bharat 6G Mission.
Financial Support: The scheme provides financial assistance for participation in global standards bodies such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), oneM2M (global Machine-to-Machine and Internet of Things standards initiative), global standards meetings and support for 3GPP Individual Membership (IM) fees.
Benefits:  Eligible Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)-recognised startups and MSMEs will receive up to 98% support (turnover up to Rs. 10 crore) and 80% support (turnover Rs. 10–500 crore), along with up to 80% travel assistance (maximum Rs. 5 lakh per international meeting).
TDIP Scheme:  Launched by the DoT in 2026 with an outlay of Rs. 203 crore for 2026–2031, the scheme promotes indigenous telecom innovation under the Bharat 6G Mission.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to New Zealand from July 10 to July 11, 2026
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited New Zealand, the final leg of his three-nation tour (Indonesia and Australia) from July 10 to July 11, 2026, at the invitation of Christopher Luxon, PM of New Zealand.

• PM Modi arrived in Auckland, where he was received by New Zealand’s PM Luxon at the airport, marking the 1st ever visit by an Indian PM to New Zealand in 40 years.

Highlights of Visit:
Ceremonial Welcome: During the visit, PM  Modi received a traditional Māori powhiri ceremonial welcome at Government House in Auckland (New Zealand), which reflected the Kiwi country’s rich indigenous heritage and cultural traditions.
Bilateral Meeting: PM  Modi held wide-ranging bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon at Government House (in Auckland).
Key Outcomes: The bilateral meeting between the PMs of India and New Zealand resulted in 18 major outcomes, including 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) which cover areas like: defence, trade, maritime security, disaster management, agriculture, tourism, sports, culture and scientific research; and elevation of India-New Zealand bilateral ties to Strategic Partnership (SP) and adoption of Roadmap to 2030.
Key Announcements: Some of the key announcements include:

• Doubling of bilateral trade i.e. NZD 7 billion (around Rs 35,000 crore) by 2030;
• Setting up  a Maritime Security Dialogue.
• New Zealand nominated Maritime Security as the priority pillar under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) initiative;
• New Zealand announced to join the GoI-led Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), among others.

Gifts: PM Modi presented two gifts, including a hockey stick signed by the entire Indian Women’s Hockey team (celebrating their win at FIH Hockey Women’s nations cup held in New Zealand); Dhokra tree of life sculpture (Bastar, Chhattisgarh)and a traditional Uttarakhandi Cap, to New Zealand’s PM Luxon. He  also gifted a Zari Zardosi Wall Hanging (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, UP) to New Zealand’s Opposition leader Chris Hipkins.

• Gifts for Australian Leadership: PM  Modi gifted a Dhokra boat sculpture; premium Indian coffee and vinyl edition of the Colonial cousins album, to Anthony Albanese MP, PM of Australia; a wool embroidered stole (Kashmir) to Jodie Haydon, spouse of Australian PM Albanese; Madhubani painting (from Mithila region of Bihar) to Margaret Gardner, Governor of Victoria; a marble inlay work box to Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of Australia; and a hand-carved elephant sculpture with latticework (from Rajasthan) to Australia’s Opposition Leader, Angus Taylor.

• Gifts for Indonesian Leadership: PM Modi gifted a Manohari Gold Tea (from Assam), one of India’s finest speciality teas; Aipan art of Shiva (Uttarakhand) and traditional Kashmiri Papier-Mache bowl, to Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia; and  Odisha Ikat (locally known as Banda) to Puan Maharani, Speaker of Indonesian Parliament.

BANKING & FINANCE

Bank of Maharashtra Launched FinSpark’26, a National Level Cybersecurity Hackathon 
In July 2026, Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), one of India’s leading Public Sector Banks (PSBs), launched “FinSpark’26”, a national-level cybersecurity hackathon, under the theme “Securing the Future of Banking”.

• The nationwide hackathon is designed to encourage students and dropouts across the country to develop solutions for real-world challenges in the banking sector.

About FinSpark’26:
Key Offerings: The new initiative offers a prize pool of more than Rs 10 lakh. In addition, top 20 teams will get an opportunity to showcase their solutions at the Grand Finale at College of Engineering Pune (COEP) Technological University (Pune, Maharashtra).

• Also, winning teams will get a chance to demonstrate at Global FinTech Fest 2026.

Organising Partners: BoM is organised FinSpark’26 in association with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Government of India(GoI), and COEP Technological University to encourage students and cybersecurity innovators to develop solutions for real-world banking security challenges.
Focus Areas: The cybersecurity hackathon will focus on critical areas like: banking security, including insider threat detection; privileged access misuse; Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven correlation of cybersecurity telemetry; transaction behaviour analysis; fraud prevention and proactive threat identification.
Registration Process: Eligible participants are allowed to register for  the hackathon either individually or in a group of maximum 4 members.
Evaluation: Following the registration, the participants are required to select a problem statement, develop a structured idea or prototype and then, their submissions will be evaluated based on parameters like: business potential and relevance, security considerations, uniqueness of approach, user experience, scalability, and ease of development and maintenance.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

FIU-IND Named as  Runner-up at BECA  2026 For its Case Regarding Large-scale Cyber Fraud 
In July 2026, the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) was named runner-up at Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026, one of the Egmont Group’s highest honours, for uncovering a large-scale cyber fraud and demonstrating excellence in financial intelligence and global cooperation.

• Anil Mohan Govil, Director of FIU-IND, received the award during the Egmont Group Plenary held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Key Details:
Key Accomplishment: During its investigation, the FIU-IND traced a sophisticated money laundering network which involved cyber fraud proceeds of nearly Rs 868 crore, over 5,000 mule bank accounts and complex cryptocurrency transactions spanning multiple transactions.
Key Outcome of Investigation: Based on FIU-IND’s investigation findings, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) seized Rs 47 lakh in cash and cryptocurrency (USDT) valued at approximately Rs 13.6 crore.

• The agency further attached assets worth Rs 8.67 crore, and filed two Prosecution Complaints under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Winner: Taiwan’s Anti-Money Laundering Division (AMLD) won the BECA 2026 for its complex investigation, innovative financial intelligence, and strong international cooperation.
FIU-IND: Established in November 2004 as a central national agency, FIU-IND is mainly responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing and segregating information related to suspicious financial transactions.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Successfully Carries Out Three Major Tests of Gaganyaan Crew Module Systems
In July 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted 3 critical tests of the Gaganyaan Crew Module (CM) systems as part of India’s human spaceflight programme.
Tests: The three tests were conducted successfully are:

• Float inflation test for the Crew Module Up-Righting system (CMUS)
• Umbilical Separation Testing of the Connect-Disconnect System (CS-CDS)
• Crew module structure qualification test for Apex Cover separation loads.

Validation: It validates splashdown recovery, module separation and parachute deployment of the crew module marks significant milestone towards India’s first crewed orbital mission.

Japan Successfully Conducts First Lift-off and Landing Test of Reusable Rocket Prototype 
In July 2026, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully conducted the first lift-off and landing test of its RV-X reusable rocket prototype at the Noshiro Testing Center, Akita Prefecture, Japan.

• The prototype rose to about 10 metres (33 feet), remained in flight for around 40 seconds, and landed safely, marking a major step towards developing reusable launch vehicle technology and reducing space launch costs.

Highlights of the Test:
Mission:  RV-X successfully completed Japan’s first lift-off and landing test of a reusable rocket prototype, demonstrating vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTVL)  technology.
Features:  Jointly developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the RV-X is 7.3 metres long and 1.8 metres in diameter, featuring an enhanced-durability engine and four shock-absorbing landing legs.
Significance:   The successful test advances Japan’s reusable launch vehicle programme, supporting the development of next-generation reusable launch systems to succeed the single-use H3 launch vehicle, reduce launch costs, and strengthen Japan’s global competitiveness.

SPORTS

Indian Women’s Cricket Team Defeats England in Women’s Test at Lord’s, London
In July 2026, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated England by 270 runs in the first-ever Women’s Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, successfully defending a target of 457 runs, marking India’s second-largest win by runs in Women’s Tests and the fourth-largest overall.
About India’s Historic Women’s Test Victory at Lord’s:
Result: India scored 285 in the first innings and 341/7 declared in the second innings to set England 457 runs (the second-highest target in Women’s Tests), before dismissing them for 170 and 186.
Batting: Yastika Bhatia (113) became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s and entered the honours board, Smriti Mandhana scored 70 and registered half-centuries in both innings, while Harmanpreet Kaur (62) and Richa Ghosh also contributed valuable half-centuries.
Bowling: Debutant Kranti Gaud claimed 5/37 in the first innings and 7/91 in the match to become the first woman to take a five-wicket haul in a Women’s Test at Lord’s, while Sneh Rana (4/42), Deepti Sharma (3 wickets), and Sayali Satghare provided effective support.

Padma Shri Anjum Chopra and Kevin Pietersen Were Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame 
In July 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) inducted former Indian women’s cricket captain Anjum Chopra and former England captain Kevin Pietersen into the ICC Hall of Fame during its Annual Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, recognising their outstanding contributions and exceptional performances in international cricket.

• Anjum Chopra became the 3rd Indian woman after Diana Edulji and Neetu David, and the 13th Indian overall to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, taking the total number of inductees to 125.

About ICC Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees:
Anjum Chopra: She was a former captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team and represented India from 1995 to 2012. During a 17-year international career, she became the first Indian woman to feature in 100 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and reached 1,000 ODI runs.

• The Government of India (GoI) awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, to Anjum Chopra in 2014 for her contributions to the field of Sports (Cricket)

Kevin Pietersen: Pietersen’s induction recognises a career built on fearless batting and match-winning performances, contributing to England’s rise in international cricket during his tenure.

OBITUARY

Sahitya Akademi Award-Winning Tamil Writer Poomani Passed Away 
In July 2026, Tamil writer and novelist Poomani (Pulithurai Manickavasagam) passed away at the age of 79 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). He was born on 12 May 1947 in Andipatti, in Thoothukudi district, TN.

• He was honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 in the Tamil language category for his novel ‘Agnaadi’, based on the Kazhugumalai (1895) and Sivakasi (1899) communal conflicts.

About Poomani:
Overview: He adopted the pen name Poomani and became known for his realistic portrayal of life in the Karisal Bhoomi region of southern TN.
Notable Works: Authored Agnaadi, Vekkai, and Piragu, depicting rural life and marginalized communities.

• His novel Vekkai was adapted into the acclaimed film Asuran (2019) directed by Vetrimaaran.

Film Direction: Directed Karuvelam Pookkal (1996) for the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), highlighting child labour in the Sivakasi–Kovilpatti match factory region.
Honours: His honours include the Vishnupuram Award (2011), Gitanjali Literary Prize (2012), and Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize (1996).

Veteran INC Leader and Former MP H. Hanumanthappa Passed Away
In July 2026, Veteran leader of Indian National Congress (INC) party and  former Member of Parliament (MP) H. Hanumanthapa passed away at the age of 94 in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

• He was born on 13 May 1932 in Guddadarangenahalli of Chitradurga district, Karnataka.

About H. Hanumanthappa:
Parliamentary Role: He served three terms as a Rajya Sabha MP, representing Karnataka.
Key Roles: In addition, he also held key positions at various central departments such as: served as two-time chairman of the Central Silk Board (CSB) which works under the Ministry of Textiles (MoT).
Activism: He led various public-welfare related issues like: for the implementation of the UpperBhadra Project to bring water to the drought-prone area of Chitradurga and worked for the implementation of various agricultural projects in the district.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Launches Debut Book ‘The Second Orbit’
In July 2026, Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launched his debut book, ‘The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man… Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts’, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• The book, published by Penguin Random House India, was launched in the presence of former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairpersons A. S. Kiran Kumar and S. Somanath.

About the Book:
Insights: The book chronicles Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey from an aspiring student to an astronaut, covering his training, Axiom-4 mission experiences, challenges of human spaceflight, and India’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
Purpose: The book aims to inspire young Indians to pursue careers in science, astronomy and space exploration while encouraging wider public participation in India’s expanding space programme.
Inspiration: The title pays tribute to Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut, and his historic 1984 space mission.
About Shubhanshu Shukla: As the pilot of Axiom Mission 4, he spent 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducted seven Indian scientific experiments, and gained experience supporting India’s Gaganyaan programme.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Malala Day 2026 – July 12
International Malala Day is observed annually across the world on 12 July to commemorate the birth anniversary of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, and promotes girls’ education and the right to education for all worldwide.
Background: 
First UN Speech: On 12 July 2013, her 16th birthday, Malala Yousafzai delivered her first address at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA).

• Her speech advocated equal access to education for girls worldwide, establishing her as a global symbol for girls’ education.

Malala Day: The United Nations (UN) officially declared 12 July as Malala Day, first observed internationally in 2013.
GEFI Support: The observance supported the UN Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative (GEFI), a five-year programme launched to promote quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all by 2015.

International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms 2026 – 12 July
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) is annually observed across the globe  on 12 July to raise awareness about the health, environmental, and socio-economic impacts of sand and dust storms and promote sustainable land and water management.
Background:
UNGA Resolution: On 8 June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/77/294, proclaiming 12 July as the annual International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms.
First Observance: The first International Day was observed on 12 July 2023. 
UN Decade on Combating SDS : The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2025–2034 as theUN Decade on Combating SDS, promoting coordinated global action against SDS.
2026 Event: On 12 July 2026, the International Day of Combating SDS event was held at the UN Headquarters, New York, the United States of America (USA) under the theme “From Source to Impact: Protecting Land and Life from Sand and Dust Storms.”

STATE NEWS

AP Launches ‘Pillale Sampada‘ Initiative to Promote Balanced Population Growth 
In July 2026, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM) of Andhra Pradesh (AP), launched the ‘Pillale Sampada(Children are Wealth)’ initiative during the World Population Day(July 11) programme in Vijayawada, AP.

• The initiative aims to encourage balanced population growth by addressing declining fertility rates and the challenges of an ageing population.

About Pillale Sampada Initiative:
Financial Assistance: Under the scheme, families will receive Rs. 30,000 for the birth of a third child and Rs. 40,000 for the birth of a fourth child.
Focus Areas: Prioritises women’s education, healthcare, maternal and child welfare, workplace childcare, and shared parenting responsibilities
Awareness Campaign: The programme focuses on creating public awareness about the importance of maintaining a balanced population through community outreach, awareness drives, and citizen engagement.
Implementation: The initiative will be implemented after stakeholder consultations as part of the State’s new population policy.

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