Current Affairs 17 July 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0 with Rs.1.27 Lakh Crore Outlay to Boost India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
In July 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the Semicon 2.0 programme a new semiconductor incentive programme with a total budget outlay of Rs 1,27,500 crore, aimed to develop India’s semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem.

• The new initiative builds on the momentum of Semicon 1.0, reaffirms the Government of India (GoI)’s commitment to position India as a major global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and innovation through a holistic ecosystem-based approach.

About Semicon 2.0:
Key Pillars: The latest version of semicon programme has been structured around six main pillars which include: Design, Machines & Materials, Setting up More Fabs, ATMP/OSAT industry, Research & Development (R&D) and Talent development.
Key Progress of ISM 1.0: So far, the GoI has approved 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects under India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0,  with a cumulative investment  of more than Rs 1.64 lakh crore.

• Design: Till date, a total of 24 semiconductor design projects from startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been approved for financial support. Also, GoI has provided access to EDA tools to 105 startups and MSMEs.

Union Cabinet Approves ‘Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme’ with Rs.62,500 Crore Outlay 
On July 15 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved the ‘Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)’ under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 62,500 crore.

• MPMS was approved under the Make in India initiative, the scheme aims to strengthen domestic mobile phone manufacturing, increase value addition, boost exports, and enhance India’s global competitiveness in the electronics manufacturing sector.

About Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS):

Implementation: The MPMS will be implemented for 5 years (from Financial Year 2026-27(FY27) to FY31 and succeeds the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (PLI-LSEM), which concluded on 31 March 2026.

Incentives: Under the MPMS, eligible manufacturers will receive sales-linked incentives ranging from 2.25% to 5%.

• An additional up to 1.5% incentive will be provided for higher domestic sourcing of key components and sub-assemblies, while Indian brands investing in product design and R&D will be eligible for an additional 3% incentive on eligible sales.

Targets: Aims to achieve Rs. 39 lakh crore cumulative mobile phone production, Rs. 15 lakh crore exports, and create around 60,000 direct jobs opportunities.

MoSPI Releases the First Trial Index of Services Production for India’s Services Sector
In July 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the 1st trial Sub-sectoral “Index of Services Production (ISP)”, India’s first official monthly indicator of services-sector output, complementing the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). 
ISP Purpose
Objective: The ISP is a new macroeconomic indicator to capture the performance of the services sector.

• It is India’s first high-frequency indicator dedicated to measuring services sector output.

• It tracks short-term changes in the volume of output produced by the formal services sector relative to a specified base year.

Service Sector Significance: Service Sector is the largest contributor to India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), contributing over 50% of the Gross Value Added (GVA) since 2013-14.

Railways unveils 8 more reforms under ‘Reform Express’ to modernise freight operations 
In July 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR) implemented 8 more structural reforms under ‘Reform Express’ initiative at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, raising the total reforms under the programme to 17.

• These reforms are part of the MoR’s target to implement 52 reforms in 52 weeks to enhance efficiency, promote innovation and strengthen the railway ecosystem.

8 New Strategic Reforms:
Modernisation: The new reforms will impact freight transportation, logistics, construction methods, project execution, wagon design, workforce skilling, and ease of doing business.

• Reform 10: Fly Ash Transportation
• Reform 11: Reforms in the Container Sector
• Reform 12: Fertilizer Transportation
• Reform 13: Policy for Skilling Artisans in Railway Projects and Works
• Reform 14: Construction Reforms
• Reform 15: Policy for Wagon Design Approval
• Reform 16: Petroleum Products Transportation
• Reform 17: Foodgrains, Flour and Pulses Transportation

India Launches Campaign For UNSC Non-Permanent Seat For 2028–29 Term 
In July 2026, Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially launched India’s campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA).

• The campaign, themed “SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity”, highlights India’s commitment to global peace, security, equitable development, and reformed multilateralism.

Key Details of Campaign:
Priority Areas: The GoI has identified areas like: countering terror financing, strengthening maritime security and promoting responsible governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as its key priorities for 2028-29 term.
Elections: The elections for UNSC non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 scheduled in June 2027. During these elections, India will compete against Tajikistan for the only seat in the Asia-Pacific group.
India’s Representation at UNSC: So far, India has served 8-times as a non-permanent member at UNSC (i.e. 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12, and 2021-22).
About UNSC: It is one of the six principal organs of the UN, mainly responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

• It comprises 15 members of which 5 are permanent members with veto power: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA).
• And, the remaining 10 are non-permanent members who are elected annually  by UNGA for a two-year term.
• In June 2026, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) elected  5 countries namely: Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe, as UNSC non-permanent members for 2027-28 term.

MoFPI and NIFTEM, Thanjavur Launch Pilot ‘Short-Term Skill Training Programme’ at ITC-Trichy
In July 2026, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) in collaboration with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (TN), launched a pilot ‘Short-Term Skill Training Programme (STSTP)’ on Assistant Baking Technician (NSQF Level 3) Certificate Programme at Imperial Tobacco Company of India- Integrated Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Logistics (ITC–ICML) facility at Trichy, TN.

• The programme was inaugurated by Prof. V. Palanimuthu, Director, NIFTEM, Thanjavur and Surjeet Singh Roria, General Manager (GM) & Head of ITC-ICML.

About Short-Term Skill Training Programme (STSTP):
Objective: The programme aims to upskill youth in food processing, manufacturing, and allied sectors, enhancing employability and promoting entrepreneurship in the food processing industry.
Certification:The programme will provide nationally recognised certifications for food processing skills, aligned with the NSQF.
Industry Training: The inaugural batch of 18 trainees will undergo practical on-site training under the Industry-Integrated Training (IIT) programme from 7 July to 20 August 2026, and all trainees are assured employment at ITC Limited.
Awarding Body: As a National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) recognised Deemed Awarding Body, NIFTEM-Thanjavur continues to deliver National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned programs under MoFPI.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

UN Releases First Scientific Report on AI, Urges Stronger Global Governance 
In July 2026, the United Nations (UN) released the Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the first UN-commissioned scientific assessment of AI.

• The report warns that AI development is outpacing global governance and urges governments to strengthen regulatory frameworks.

Highlights of the Report:
Panel: Prepared by a 40-member Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, comprising scientists and experts from all five UN regions, co-chaired by Turing Award laureate Yoshua Bengio and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa.
Objective: Provides an independent scientific assessment of AI opportunities, risks, and governance for evidence-based policymaking.
Coverage: Evaluates AI’s impact across science, healthcare, education, agriculture, economy, security, environment, human rights, democracy, governance, and reliability.
Key Concern:  The report warns that frontier AI development is advancing faster than global governance, causing fragmented safeguards and concentration of AI capabilities among a few countries and companies.

• The report highlights the global AI imbalance, with the United States of America (USA) leading with 75% of global compute capacity and 59 AI models, followed by China with 15% compute capacity and 35 AI models, while the Rest of the World accounts for 10% compute capacity and 13 AI models.

BANKING & FINANCE

Delhivery’s financial services arm receives RBI nod for Type II NBFC licence 
In July 2026, Delhivery Financial Services Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of logistics firm, Delhivery Limited, received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval for the grant of a Certificate of Registration (CoR) as a Type-II Non-Banking Financial Company-Non-Deposit Taking (NBFC-ND).

• However, RBI has clarified that the issuance of the CoR is subject to submission of certain documents to the satisfaction of the central bank., as specified in the approval letter.

Key Details:
Significance: The approval will enable the company to expand its financial services offerings for its logistics ecosystem.
Key Plan: The company plans to reinforce Delhivery’s logistics network by providing access to credit, payment solutions, FasTag aggregation, fuel cards and insurance for truckers, fleet owners, among others.
Delhivery Financial Services Pvt. Ltd.: The financial arm of Delhivery Limited was incorporated in January 2026 as a dedicated business vertical that aims to strengthen the company’s logistics network through financial products.
About NBFC: It is a financial institution registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or Companies Act, 2013, offering loans and Advances, and acquiring stock, equities, and debts issued by the government or any other local authority. NBFCs are primarily regulated by RBI under the RBI Act, 1934.

• In terms of the type of liabilities, NBFCs have been categorised into NBFC-Deposit-taking (NBFC-D) and NBFC-ND.
• NBFC-ND has been further classified into two categories: Type-I NBFC-ND (which do not accept public funds and do not have a customer interface) and Type-II NBFC-ND (accept public funds and have customer interface).

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

TCS Expands Partnership with ABB to Transform Global Network Operations 
In July 2026, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), an Indian multinational technology company, signed a multi-million, multi-year agreement with ABB, a  global technology leader in electrification and automation, to transform its global network operations using Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

• The agreement marks the next phase of the 20-year partnership between TCS and ABB, expanding TCS’s role to deliver end-to-end AI-driven global network operations.

Key Details of Agreement:
Objective: Transform ABB’s global network into a standardised, centrally managed, AI-driven digital infrastructure through an integrated Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) model.
Key Features: TCS will manage end-to-end global network operations using Service Integration and Management (SIAM), a Global Network Operations Centre (GNOC), advanced security, and modernised Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) systems.
Benefits: Enhances user experience, operational efficiency, security, compliance, scalability, and AI-powered monitoring.
ABB: A Swedish-Swiss technology company, formed in 1988 through the merger of ASEA (Sweden) and Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) (Switzerland), specialising in electrification and automation. It was headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026: Adani Group Fastest to Enter India’s top 10 Most Valuable Brands
In July 2026, Brand Finance, world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy, released the latest edition of “Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026”. As per the report, the Adani Group ranked at 8th spot (up from 13th spot in last year), thereby becoming the fastest company to enter into India’s ‘Top 10 Most Valuable Brands’.

• Tata Group retained its position as India’s most valuable brand for the 10th consecutive year with a brand value of USD 33.6 billion, followed by Infosys (USD 15.3 billion) and LIC Group (USD 15.3 billion) in the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.

Key Findings:
Total Valuation : As per the report, the total valuation of India’s 100 leading brands stands at USD 252.8 billion, marking an increase of 7% compared to the last year.
Fastest-growing Indian Brand:  As per the report Suzlon Energy emerged as the fastest-growing Indian brand in 2026, with its brand valuation surged 114% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) to USD 418 million.
Top 3 India’s Strongest Brands: Taj Hotels with total brand valuation of USD 878 million, marking an increase of 32% compared to the previous year, has emerged as India’s strongest brand for the 5th consecutive year.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Ukraine’s Parliament Appoints Serhii Koretskyi as Prime Minister
On 16 July 2026, Ukraine’s Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) approved the appointment of Sergii Koretskyi,  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Naftogaz of Ukraine, as the country’s Prime Minister (PM), succeeding Yulia Svyrydenko.

• He secured 289 votes in the 450-member Parliament, paving the way for his appointment as Ukraine’s PM.

Background:
Nomination: He was nominated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the post of PM as part of a cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening governance during the ongoing war.
Reason for Appointment: Selected for his energy sector leadership, Sergii Koretskyi assumes his first government role to strengthen Ukraine’s winter preparedness, energy security, and critical infrastructure, despite having no prior political experience or party affiliation.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

HEX20 Launches Second Satellite KOYO aboard SpaceX Transporter-17 
In July 2026, Kerala based HEX20, a private spacetech startup, successfully launched its second satellite KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer) aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, the United States of America (USA).

• The satellite, carrying 81 payloads, successfully entered orbit as a multi-payload test platform for in-orbit technology validation and commissioning of international payloads.

About HEX20’s KOYO Mission:
Mission: KOYO functions as a technology demonstration satellite for qualifying space hardware before operational deployment, carrying payloads from international partners including Aegiverse (Taiwan), Amplified Space (USA), National Central University (Taiwan), and ET Space Power.
Technology: The mission validated several HEX20-developed technologies, including a new solar panel deployment mechanism, deployable monopole antenna, hinge system, and the company’s AX CubeSat platform.
Operations: Designed to operate for 18–24 months, KOYO successfully decoded over 1,500 beacon packets and executed more than 75 ground commands during commissioning, confirming stable performance before payload operations.
Background: Building on the success of NILA (2025), India’s first private-sector rideshare satellite and Kerala’s first privately built satellite, HEX20 plans to expand its commercial portfolio with six upcoming missions: NILA III, SAISI, COSPAR-1, MAYA-V1, DINK-N1, and the Emirates Asteroid Mission Asteroid (EMA) Impactor Probe.

ENVIRONMENT

ATREE Researchers Discover Two New Rare Solitary Bee Species in Siang Valley, AR
In July 2026, researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru (Karnataka), discovered two new species of rare solitary bees, named ‘Elaphropoda triangulata’ and ‘Habropoda adi’, during the Siang Expedition in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh (AR).

• The findings, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy, highlight the exceptional biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas.

About New Solitary Bee Species:
Species: Elaphropoda triangulata was named after its distinctive triangular abdominal markings while Habropoda adi honours the indigenous Adi community of AR.
Ecology: Both species are solitary ground-nesting bees that build individual nests instead of colonies, play a vital role in pollinating wild plants and agricultural crops, and are currently known only from a single male specimen each.
Global Significance: Globally, only 13 species of Elaphropoda and 55 species of Habropoda are known, with each newly discovered species currently represented by a single male specimen.
Conservation: The discovery underscores the need for further surveys and stronger conservation of the Eastern Himalayan forests to protect these rare bee species from habitat loss and human-induced disturbances.

SPORTS

MYAS Grants Conditional Recognition to Judo Federation of India 
In July 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) granted conditional recognition to the Judo Federation of India (JFI), enabling it to resume governance of the sport and participate in national and international competitions.
Key Details of Recognition:
Significance: The recognition restores stability in Indian judo by enabling JFI to conduct activities, organise championships, select athletes, and ensure India’s participation in domestic and international events.
Condition: The recognition was issued after the federation agreed to comply with the MYAS’s directives and the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 (Sports Code).
Governance Reform: The JFI was under a court-appointed administrator since 2022. Following a Delhi High Court(HC) ruling in February 2026, the federation conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and aligned with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

• An interim Executive Committee was elected, led by Mukesh Kumar (President), Banee Brata Das (Secretary General), and Shailesh Shrikant Tilak (Treasurer).

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Vice-President Releases Book ‘The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks’
In July 2026, C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India, released the book titled ‘The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks’, edited by Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi. The book was published by Thomson Reuters in association with the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA).

• The launch event was presided over by Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India (CJI).

About the Book:
Insights: The book compiles speeches delivered by Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai during his tenure as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India and the 52nd CJI.
Objective: The publication aims to inspire law students, academicians, and legal professionals, providing a comprehensive understanding of judicial decision-making and reasoning.
Structure: The book is divided into three parts: Constitutional Soul (Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Article 39A on free legal aid), Implementation Grids (practical enforcement challenges), and Modern Adaptations (Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), technology-enabled courts, and global judicial cooperation).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Youth Skills Day 2026 – July 15 
The United Nations (UN) annually observes World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) on 15 July to emphasise the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.

• 2026 Theme: “ Skills for a Shared Future”

Background: 
UN Declaration: On 18 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/69/145, proclaiming 15 July as World Youth Skills Day (WYSD). The resolution was proposed by Sri Lanka with the support of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China.
Resolution: The resolution remains Sri Lanka’s only UNGA resolution sponsored at the UN Headquarters, New York, USA, since 1999.
First Observance: The first World Youth Skills Day was observed on 15 July 2015.
2026 Event:  The WYSD 2026 webinar was held on 15 July 2026, hosted by the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC) in Bonn, Germany.

STATE NEWS

TN CM C. JosephVijay Launched “Nalam TN” AI-powered Whatsapp Chatbot” for OP Registration

In July 2026, C. Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) launched “Nalam TN”, an integrated digital platform designed to provide fast and remote Outpatient (OP) registration and appointments at the government hospitals across the state, at an event held in Presidency College Auditorium, Chennai (TN).

• The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered WhatsApp chatbot enables users to book appointments remotely, eliminating physical registration queues and enhancing accessibility to healthcare services.

Key Details:
Pilot-basis Launch: For the initial phase, the new health digital platform is live in 22 districts, including Chennai, and Chengalpattu, of the state.
Portal: He also launched the Tamil Nadu Health Foundation (Nalam TN) portal, a Section 8 non-profit company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, and functioning under the Tamil Nadu Health & Family Welfare Department, enabling individuals and corporates to transparently sponsor medical equipment or donate directly to specific government hospitals.
Other Key Launch: In addition, TN CM Vijay inaugurated healthcare infrastructure worth Rs 139.47 crore, aimed to expand medical facilities, including patient wards and diagnostic equipment; and handed over appointment orders to over 2,000 newly recruited healthcare professionals.

MP Secures USD 2 Billion Semiconductor Investment from Spain’s Submer 
In July 2026, Spain-based Submer Group, a technology company specialising in sustainable data centre cooling solutions, announced an investment of USD 2 billion (around Rs 19,000 crore) in Madhya Pradesh‘s (MP) semiconductor sector.

• The investment was announced during the MP Tech Growth Conclave 3.0: GCC – Data Centres and Semiconductors held in Bhopal, MP.

Key Details of Investment:
Facilities: The USD 2 billion investment will establish wafer fabrication, assembly, testing, and packaging (ATMP) facilities for advanced integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing.
Aim: The project aims to strengthen local semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and support India’s Semiconductor Mission and semiconductor policy.
MoU Exchange: During the conclave, a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between Google Play India and the MP State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) to strengthen the state’s digital ecosystem.

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