NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Go East Initiative: Odisha Launches Investment Acceleration Programme: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the “Go East” initiative to boost industrial investment in Odisha and eastern India through a dedicated investment facilitation mechanism. The initiative establishes a high-level Special Task Force, a “Go East Cell” within IPICOL, and a digital “Go Swift” platform for real-time monitoring of investment approvals and project implementation. The proposed amendments to the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR)-2022 classify 15 economically backward districts as Thrust Sector areas for non-mineral-based industries, providing them with priority incentives and faster industrial approvals.
2. Haryana–Rajasthan Sign Yamuna Water Project Agreement: In the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Governments of Haryana and Rajasthan signed the Yamuna Water Project Agreement in New Delhi, resolving a nearly 30-year-old inter-state water dispute through mutual dialogue. Under the agreement, around 580 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of Yamuna water will be supplied to Rajasthan through three underground pipelines from the Hathnikund Barrage via the Western Yamuna Canal system during the monsoon season. The project will provide long-term drinking water security to water-scarce districts of Rajasthan, including Churu, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu, while also benefiting people in Haryana.
3. Gujarat Police Signs MoU with Bharat Taxi to Enhance Public Safety and Urban Mobility: Gujarat Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Taxi (Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited) to strengthen public safety, traffic management, and urban mobility across the state. The MoU was signed during the launch of Bharat Taxi in Gandhinagar in the presence of Amit Shah, highlighting collaboration between law enforcement and the cooperative transport sector.
4. IIT Delhi and Sorbonne University Launch Joint Master’s & PhD Programmes: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Sorbonne University have launched a joint Master’s programme in Biological Science and a joint PhD programme to strengthen academic collaboration, advanced research, innovation, and student mobility. A high-level IIT Delhi delegation led by Director Prof. Banerjee visited Sorbonne University to deepen bilateral cooperation and explore collaborations in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Robotics, Material Science, Informatics, and other interdisciplinary fields. The partnership is anchored by the France-Indian Integrated Health Campus, which promotes interdisciplinary research by bringing together experts in engineering, medicine, life sciences, social sciences, and digital technologies to develop innovative solutions for modern healthcare challenges.
5. Union Cabinet Approves ₹30,000 Crore Additional Investment in NIIF: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Narendra Modi, approved an additional ₹30,000 crore investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, increasing the Government of India’s total commitment to ₹60,000 crore. The additional investment will support the launch of NIIF Infrastructure Fund II, a successor to its flagship infrastructure fund, with a target corpus of around ₹30,000 crore for investments in transportation, energy, digital infrastructure, urban infrastructure, and e-mobility. The fresh capital infusion will enable NIIF to raise larger funds, attract global investors, and expand new bilateral and strategic fund initiatives, strengthening long-term infrastructure financing and economic growth in India.
6. State Bank of India Celebrates 71st Foundation Day: State Bank of India celebrated its 71st Foundation Day on 1 July, marking over seven decades of service as India’s largest public sector bank. Established on 1 July 1955, SBI was formed through the nationalisation of the Imperial Bank of India under the State Bank of India Act, 1955. SBI plays a vital role in India’s banking sector by providing retail banking, corporate banking, digital banking, financial inclusion, and international banking services across an extensive domestic and global network.
7. 2 July – National Anisette Day: National Anisette Day is observed annually on 2 July to celebrate Anisette, a sweet, anise-flavoured liqueur traditionally enjoyed in several European and Mediterranean countries. Anisette is made by infusing anise seeds or star anise with alcohol and sugar, giving it a distinctive liquorice-like flavour. It is commonly served as an after-dinner digestif or used in cocktails and desserts.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 2 July – World UFO Day: World UFO Day is observed annually on 2 July to raise awareness about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), encourage scientific inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, and promote discussions on the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The date commemorates the Roswell incident of 2 July 1947, when an alleged unidentified flying object reportedly crashed near Roswell, making it one of the most famous UFO incidents in history.
2. India-Japan Deepen AI, Defence and Economic Security Ties: India and Japan expanded their strategic partnership at the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi on 2-3 July 2026. The two sides signed agreements on artificial intelligence, defence co-development, and economic security cooperation. The Japan-India AI Cooperation Initiative, also called JAI, was launched to build a safe, secure, trustworthy, and human-centric AI ecosystem. The initiative covers AI governance, safety, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, semiconductors, and multilingual large language models. Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that enables machines to perform tasks linked with learning, reasoning, and language processing. Multilingual large language models are AI systems trained to process and generate text in multiple languages.
3. What is the India, Malaysia and Singapore Submarine Cable Project?: I-2SEA is a new submarine cable system unveiled on 2 July 2026 for connectivity between Singapore, India and Malaysia. The consortium includes Lightstorm, Microsoft, Singtel and Tata Communications, and the system supplier is NEC Corporation. The I-2SEA system is estimated to span 3,600 kilometres from Singapore to Machilipatnam in India. It will also have a second landing at South Chennai, giving the project two Indian landing points. Machilipatnam is planned as the landing point with the shortest subsea access to Hyderabad. South Chennai is a major coastal landing location for several undersea communication systems in India. NEC Corporation has been appointed as the system supplier for the cable project. ASEAN Cableship, based in Singapore, will serve as the marine installation partner for the I-2SEA system. Lightstorm is the majority owner of I-2SEA. The companies involved have not disclosed the investment size for the project.
4. Mount Erebus Gold Crystals: Mount Erebus is an active volcano on Ross Island in East Antarctica, about 1,350 kilometres from the South Pole. It is the southernmost active volcano on Earth and has been continuously erupting since 1972. The volcano releases microscopic crystals of elemental gold into the atmosphere, and the crystals can travel up to 1,000 kilometres from the volcano. The gold-crystal phenomenon was first documented in a 1991 paper in Geophysical Research Letters. The study included geochemist Kimberly Meeker of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Scientists have not established a single confirmed mechanism for the formation of these crystals. The volcano is reported to emit about 80 grams of gold each day. This quantity is valued at about 6,000 US dollars per day and about 2.19 million US dollars per year. The gold occurs as microscopic crystals that can measure up to about 60 micrometres across.
5. White-rumped Vulture Conservation Challenges: The white-rumped vulture is a Critically Endangered scavenger bird listed under the IUCN Red List. It occurs in South and South-East Asia, and its conservation involves poisoning control, carcass management, captive breeding, and protection from power line hazards. The white-rumped vulture is scientifically known as Gyps bengalensis. It is one of the three South Asian vulture species that suffered steep population declines after exposure to diclofenac and other toxic veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Vultures feed on animal carcasses and help remove carrion from the environment. Their decline has been linked to carcass poisoning, habitat change, and electrocution from overhead power infrastructure.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Takes Charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force on 1 July 2026. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 6 December 1986. During his nearly four-decade-long career, he has participated in major operations such as Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India, and Operation Sindoor, and has been honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), and Vayu Sena Medal (2006) for his distinguished service.
2. India Approves First PinS Helicopter Approach: India approved its first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations on 1 July 2026. The procedure was approved for Undavalli Heliport in Andhra Pradesh and was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) before clearance by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A PinS Instrument Approach Procedure is a satellite-based helicopter approach procedure used for operations at heliports that do not have conventional instrument landing systems. It uses instrument flight rules and navigation data to guide helicopters to a defined point near the heliport. The procedure is designed for helicopter operations in low-visibility conditions and in locations where ground-based navigation aids are unavailable. It is part of modern aviation navigation systems that use global navigation satellite system technology.
SPORTS
1. Indian Women’s Cricket Team Qualifies for LA 2028 Olympics: The Indian women’s cricket team has secured qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics, becoming one of the first teams to book a place in the women’s T20 cricket competition alongside Australia, Great Britain, and South Africa. The women’s qualification was decided through the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup, where the best-performing eligible team from each continent earned a direct Olympic berth, unlike the men’s event, which is based on ICC T20 rankings. For the men’s event, India must finish as Asia’s highest-ranked eligible team in the ICC Men’s T20 rankings by the end of the year to secure direct qualification. Cricket will return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028 after a 128-year gap, with six teams each competing in the men’s and women’s T20 tournaments.
2. 135th Durand Cup to Begin on 25 July 2026: The Durand Cup will be held from 25 July to 23 August 2026 across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong, and Guwahati, with Kolkata serving as the tournament’s main hub. For the first time, Ranchi will host Durand Cup matches, with the Birsa Munda Stadium staging league matches and one quarter-final, marking the city’s debut as a tournament venue. The teams include Indian Super League clubs, I-League sides, Services teams, emerging domestic outfits and overseas teams. Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and Meghalaya Premier League champions Nongkseh Sports, Social and Cultural Club are among the debutants.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Mission ShakthiSAT: World’s First All-Girls International Lunar Mission: Gautam Buddha University, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), Space Kidz India, and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre have partnered to support Mission ShakthiSAT, the world’s first all-girls international lunar mission. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to promote space technology, STEM education, and women-led leadership by encouraging greater participation of girls in the global space sector. The mission seeks to empower 12,000 girls from 108 countries through hands-on training in satellite development, space technology, and scientific research, fostering the next generation of women space leaders.
2. Odisha Approves Deep Sea Fishing Mission: Odisha Cabinet approved the Deep Sea Fishing Mission on 1 July 2026. The mission is a flagship initiative of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department under the administrative control of the Odisha government. The mission will run for 10 years, from 2026 to 2036. The estimated investment is ₹2,295.45 crore to ₹2,295.46 crore, and some references describe it as over ₹2,000 crore. The mission will be implemented in phases through central and state funding, beneficiary participation, institutional finance, and Public-Private Partnerships. A dedicated Blue Economy Hub, or B-Hub, will function as the knowledge, innovation, and coordination centre for the mission. The term blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic activity, fisheries, transport, and marine-based livelihoods.
3. GAGAN Satellite-Based Augmentation System: GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. It is India’s indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The system has been operational since 2015 and supports satellite navigation for aircraft operations in Indian airspace. A Satellite-Based Augmentation System is a regional navigation system that improves the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of Global Positioning System signals. SBAS uses ground reference stations, master control centres, uplink stations, and geostationary satellites to correct navigation errors and provide precision approach services.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Cabinet Approves ₹14,115 Crore for Delhi Tunnel, Kanpur-Kabrai Highway: On 1 July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved two highway infrastructure projects with a combined cost of ₹14,114.81 crore. The projects include an 8.1-km six-lane road tunnel in Delhi and a 117.7-km access-controlled highway in Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi project covers an 8.1-km six-lane road tunnel on NH-148AE. It will connect Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj and has an estimated cost of ₹6,969.67 crore. The project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode, or HAM, and has a completion period of about five years. The tunnel includes a 3.14-km twin-tube section beneath the Southern Ridge Forest, and Tunnel Boring Machine technology will be used in that section.
2. eSARAS Digital SHG Marketplace: eSARAS is the official online marketplace of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for products made by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations. The platform was launched on 28 October 2022 by Union Minister of State for Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste and was developed by the Digital India Corporation under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. DAY-NRLM is a flagship rural livelihoods programme of the Ministry of Rural Development. eSARAS provides marketing, branding, and logistics support for SHG products and connects rural producers with national markets. The platform is linked to the Ministry of Rural Development’s network, and 85% of its users were directly linked to that network as of February 2024.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Parveen Shaikh and Barkha Subba Win Prestigious ‘Green Oscar’ (Whitley Award) for Wildlife Conservation: Indian conservationists Parveen Shaikh and Barkha Subba were among six global winners of the prestigious Whitley Award, popularly known as the “Green Oscar“, for their outstanding community-based wildlife conservation efforts. Parveen Shaikh received the award for protecting the endangered Indian Skimmer through the “Guardians of the Skimmer” initiative, launched with the Bombay Natural History Society along the Chambal River, where local volunteers safeguard bird nesting sites. The initiative has delivered significant conservation results, increasing the local Indian Skimmer population from around 400 birds in 2017 to nearly 1,000 birds, while substantially improving nest survival rates by reducing threats such as sand mining, pollution, predators, and human disturbance. Other Winners are Moreangels Mbizah (Zimbabwe); Issah Seidu (Ghana); Marina Kameni (Cameroon); Paola Sangolqui (Ecuador) and Farwiza Farhan (Whitely Gold Award).
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