1. Union Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0 Programme (₹1.27 Lakh Crore)

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved Semicon 2.0, a new semiconductor incentive programme, to build on India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0.

Key Points

• Total outlay: ₹1,27,500 crore.
• Structured around six pillars: Design, Machines & Materials, Setting up More Fabs, ATMP/OSAT industry, R&D, and Talent Development.
• Under ISM 1.0, 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects have been approved with cumulative investment exceeding ₹1.64 lakh crore.
• 24 semiconductor design projects from startups/MSMEs approved for financial support; EDA tool access extended to 105 startups/MSMEs.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Static Knowledge

• India Semiconductor Mission was launched in December 2021 under a Digital India Corporation umbrella.
• Semiconductor fabs approved earlier include those in Gujarat (Dholera) and Assam.
• ATMP = Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging; OSAT = Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test.

2. Union Cabinet Approves Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)

Why in News?

Cabinet approved MPMS with ₹62,500 crore outlay on 15 July 2026, succeeding the PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (PLI-LSEM), which ended 31 March 2026.

Key Points

• Implementation period: FY27 to FY31 (5 years).
• Sales-linked incentives: 2.25% to 5%.
• Additional incentive up to 1.5% for higher domestic sourcing of components/sub-assemblies.
• Additional 3% incentive for Indian brands investing in product design and R&D.
• Targets: ₹39 lakh crore cumulative mobile phone production; ₹15 lakh crore exports; ~60,000 direct jobs.
• Administered under Make in India initiative by MeitY.

Static Knowledge

• PLI schemes were first introduced in 2020 across 14 sectors.
• India is currently the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer.

3. India Launches Campaign for UNSC Non-Permanent Seat (2028–29)

Why in News?

EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar formally launched India's campaign at UN Headquarters, New York, themed "SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity."

Key Points

• Priority areas: countering terror financing, maritime security, responsible AI governance.
• Elections for the 2028–29 term scheduled for June 2027; India will contest against Tajikistan for the sole Asia-Pacific seat.
• India has served as a non-permanent UNSC member 8 times: 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12, 2021-22.
• In June 2026, UNGA elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe as non-permanent members for 2027-28.

Static Knowledge

• UNSC has 15 members: 5 permanent (China, France, Russia, UK, USA) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent elected by UNGA for 2-year terms.
• Non-permanent members are elected on a regional rotation basis by a two-thirds UNGA majority.

4. MoSPI Releases First Trial Index of Services Production (ISP)

Why in News?

The National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI launched India's first official monthly indicator of services-sector output.

Key Points

• ISP complements the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• It is India's first high-frequency indicator tracking short-term changes in formal services-sector output relative to a base year.
• Services sector has contributed over 50% of India's Gross Value Added (GVA) since 2013-14.

Static Knowledge

• IIP base year is currently 2011-12.
• MoSPI also releases CPI, WPI, and GDP estimates.

5. Railways Unveils 8 More Reforms Under "Reform Express"

Why in News?

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced 8 additional structural reforms, raising the total to 17 under the "52 reforms in 52 weeks" programme.

Key Points

• New reforms cover: Fly Ash Transportation, Container Sector, Fertilizer Transportation, Skilling Policy for Artisans, Construction Reforms, Wagon Design Approval Policy, Petroleum Products Transportation, and Foodgrains/Flour/Pulses Transportation.
• Aim: enhance freight efficiency, logistics, and ease of doing business.

Static Knowledge

• Indian Railways is the world's fourth-largest railway network by size.
• Freight loading targets are set annually by the Ministry of Railways.

6. UN Releases First Scientific Report on Artificial Intelligence

Why in News?

The UN released the Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, the first UN-commissioned scientific AI assessment.

Key Points

• Prepared by a 40-member panel, co-chaired by Yoshua Bengio (Turing Award laureate) and Maria Ressa (Nobel Peace Prize laureate).
• Warns that frontier AI development is outpacing global governance frameworks.
• Compute capacity distribution: USA 75% (59 AI models); China 15% (35 AI models); Rest of World 10% (13 AI models).
• Covers AI's impact on science, healthcare, education, agriculture, security, democracy, and human rights.

Static Knowledge

• The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on AI governance in 2024, leading to formation of this panel.
• India has proposed a global AI governance framework at various G20 forums.

7. Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026

Why in News?

Brand Finance released its annual brand valuation report; Adani Group became the fastest company to enter India's Top 10 most valuable brands.

Key Points

• Tata Group retained top position for 10th consecutive year (brand value: USD 33.6 billion).
• Infosys and LIC Group tied for 2nd/3rd position at USD 15.3 billion each.
• Adani Group rose to 8th spot from 13th.
• Total valuation of India's Top 100 brands: USD 252.8 billion (up 7% YoY).
• Suzlon Energy: fastest-growing Indian brand, up 114% YoY to USD 418 million.
• Taj Hotels: India's strongest brand for 5th consecutive year (USD 878 million, up 32%).

Static Knowledge

• Brand Finance is a UK-based independent brand valuation consultancy.
• It also publishes the Global 500 and Nation Brands rankings.

8. CDSCO Approves Wegovy (Semaglutide) in India

Why in News?

India's drug regulator CDSCO approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy injection for treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-linked conditions.

Key Points

• Approved on 17 July 2026 for semaglutide injection 2.4 mg dosage.
• CDSCO functions under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Reflects growing regulatory focus on obesity/metabolic disease drugs in India.

Static Knowledge

• CDSCO is India's national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, headed by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
• It functions under the Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW.

9. Judo Federation of India Gets Conditional Recognition

Why in News?

MYAS granted conditional recognition to JFI, restoring its authority to conduct championships and select athletes.

Key Points

• JFI was under a court-appointed administrator since 2022.
• Following a Delhi High Court ruling (February 2026), JFI held its AGM and aligned with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
• Interim Executive Committee: Mukesh Kumar (President), Banee Brata Das (Secretary General), Shailesh Shrikant Tilak (Treasurer).
• Condition: compliance with National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.

Static Knowledge

• National Sports Governance Act, 2025 aims to bring transparency and accountability to National Sports Federations.
• MYAS = Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

10. Draft CAFE III Norms Released

Why in News?

Government released draft Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) III norms for M1 category passenger vehicles on 16 July 2026.

Key Points

• Aims to further tighten fuel-efficiency/emission standards for passenger cars manufactured after the notified date.
• Part of India's roadmap toward decarbonising the transport sector.

Static Knowledge

• CAFE norms regulate average fuel consumption across a manufacturer's entire fleet, not individual models.
• India's CAFE I and II norms were implemented in 2017 and 2022 respectively.

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