1. Cabinet Approves Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore, succeeding the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (PLI-LSEM), whose tenure ended on 31 March 2026.

Key Points

• Tenure: MPMS will operate for five years, from FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
• Target: Aims to achieve cumulative mobile phone production of approximately ₹39 lakh crore during the scheme period.
• Incentive structure: Provides incentive support on eligible sales at differentiated rates ranging from 2.25% to 5%, with an additional incentive of up to 1.5% linked to domestic sourcing of key components/sub-assemblies.
• Objectives: Scale up production, deepen domestic value addition, strengthen supply chain resilience, build Indian mobile phone brands, and promote patents in design and R&D.
• Employment: Expected to generate around 60,000 direct jobs.
• Context: Smartphones became India's largest exported product category in 2025, surpassing diesel and cut diamonds; India is now the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume, with 99.2% of phones used domestically being made in India.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Static Knowledge

• PLI scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing was notified on 1 April 2020.
• "Make in India" initiative was launched in September 2014.
• MeitY was carved out as an independent ministry in 2016.
• Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector is a focus area under the National Policy on Electronics 2019.

2. India-UK CETA and Double Contribution Convention Come Into Force

Why in News?

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), along with the Double Contribution Convention (DCC)/Social Security Agreement, came into effect on 15 July 2026.

Key Points

• CETA was signed in London in July 2025 after 14 rounds of negotiation; the DCC was signed on 10 February 2026.
• The agreement provides duty-free access for 99% of India's exports to the UK across nearly the entire trade basket.
• UK tariffs of up to 70% on processed foods, 21.5% on marine products, 18% on engineering goods/auto components, 16% on leather/footwear, and 12% on textiles will be eliminated.
• India will reduce/remove tariffs on 90% of tariff lines from the UK, covering 92% of existing UK goods imports, with tariff elimination phased over 10 years for sensitive lines.
• The DCC allows Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK to avoid double social security contributions for up to three years.
• Sectors expected to benefit: textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, auto components, and organic chemicals.
• Goal: Double bilateral trade in goods and services from USD 56 billion to USD 112 billion.

Static Knowledge

• CETA is India's most comprehensive trade agreement with a G7 economy.
• India has existing FTAs/CEPAs with UAE, Australia (ECTA), and ASEAN.
• The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, negotiates India's FTAs.

3. Skyroot Aerospace Launches Vikram-1, India's First Private Orbital Rocket

Why in News?

Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on 18 July 2026, under "Mission Aagaman."

Key Points

• India became the third country (after the USA and China) with private orbital launch capability.
• The rocket lifted off at approximately 12:05 pm IST and placed its payload into a 450 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) about 15 minutes after liftoff.
• Vikram-1 is a four-stage, all-carbon composite rocket capable of carrying payloads up to 350 kg to LEO, powered by in-house 3D-printed engines and solid-fuel boosters.
• Named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the "Father of India's Space Programme."
• Payloads included Grahaa Space's SOLARAS S3 satellite, Cosmoserve Space's debris-capture robotic arm "Embrace," a DCUBED technology demonstrator, and Skyroot's own SCOPE satellite.
• Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018 and based in Hyderabad, earlier launched Vikram-S (India's first private suborbital rocket) in November 2022.
• Launch facilitated under IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) framework.

Static Knowledge

• IN-SPACe was established in 2020 to enable private-sector participation in the space sector.
• ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre is located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• India's space sector was opened to private players following the Space Policy reforms of 2020.
• Other Indian private space start-ups include Agnikul Cosmos and Bellatrix Aerospace.

4. NITI Aayog Releases First Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026

Why in News?

NITI Aayog released India's first-ever Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026, ranking states and Union Territories on their ability to attract and sustain private investment.

Key Points

• Gujarat topped the index among major states with a score of 56.6/100, followed by Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3).
• The index assessed 28 states and 8 Union Territories across 84 indicators under 8 pillars: infrastructure, business climate, resources, government policy, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health, and environmental resilience.
• Top performers (score above 50): Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
• Lakshadweep, Ladakh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands ranked lowest.
• Uttarakhand topped among Himalayan/North-Eastern states.
• The index originated from a task assigned by PM Modi during the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog (July 2024) and was announced in Union Budget 2025-26.
• Over 1,850 investors and 165 stakeholders were consulted in preparing the framework.
• Intended as a reform and peer-learning tool rather than a mere ranking exercise, supporting the "Viksit Rajya @2047" vision.

Static Knowledge

• NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.
• NITI Aayog also releases the SDG India Index, Export Preparedness Index, and Multidimensional Poverty Index.
• Current NITI Aayog Vice Chairman: Ashok Kumar Lahiri (as referenced in this release).

5. India Commissions First and Deepest Geothermal Wells in Ladakh's Puga Valley

Why in News?

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, V.K. Saxena, commissioned India's first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley, eastern Ladakh, on 17 July 2026, advancing India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.

Key Points

• Two production wells, each drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres at an altitude exceeding 14,000 feet, were executed by the ONGC Energy Centre.
• The wells support a 1 MW pilot geothermal power project — India's first demonstration-scale geothermal energy project.
• First well reached target depth on 22 May 2026; the second was completed on 8 July 2026.
• A maximum temperature of 135°C was recorded during drilling at a depth of 400 metres.
• The project had faced delays after the expiry of a tripartite MoU between the Ladakh Administration, LAHDC Leh, and ONGC Energy Centre; the MoU was renewed for five years.
• Aims to reduce dependence on diesel generators, support Net Zero goals, and make Ladakh a carbon-neutral region.
• Puga and Chumathang in eastern Ladakh are India's most promising geothermal fields; India's estimated geothermal potential is around 10 GW (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy/GSI estimates).

Static Knowledge

• Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth's interior, generally at tectonic plate boundaries.
• Unlike solar/wind, geothermal energy provides continuous (baseload) power generation.
• ONGC Energy Centre is the R&D and diversification arm of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

6. 72nd National Film Awards 2026 Announced

Why in News?

The 72nd National Film Awards, honouring Indian films certified between January 2024 and December 2024, were announced in New Delhi on 18 July 2026 by an 11-member jury headed by filmmaker Jayaraj.

Key Points

• Best Feature Film: Article 370 (Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale).
• Best Actor (shared): Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty (Bramayugam) — first National Award for both.
• Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370) — her first National Award.
• Best Debut Film of a Director: Randeep Hooda for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kalki 2898 AD (Nag Ashwin).
• Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values: Captain Miller.
• Best Hindi Film: Srikanth.
• Other notable films recognised: Amaran, Pushpa: The Rule, Maharaja.
• Awards administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals, under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Static Knowledge

• National Film Awards were instituted in 1954; India's highest film honour is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
• Awards are presented in Feature Film, Non-Feature Film, and Best Writing on Cinema categories.
• The 71st National Film Awards (2025) had honoured Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, and Rani Mukerji.

7. BRICS Anti-Drug and Labour Ministerial Meetings Hosted by India

Why in News?

India hosted two major BRICS ministerial meetings in July 2026 under its BRICS Chairship — the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting in Guwahati and the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting in Hyderabad.

Key Points

• Anti-Drug Meeting (Guwahati, Assam, 6–7 July 2026): Organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs; focused on curbing synthetic drugs, precursor chemical diversion, and intelligence-sharing. Members unanimously adopted the "Guwahati Declaration."
• Labour Ministers' Meeting (Hyderabad, Telangana): Held under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." Concluded with adoption of the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Declaration and launch of BRICS CONNECT — an Indian initiative for technical cooperation and capacity building among BRICS nations.
• India holds the BRICS Chairship for 2026.

Static Knowledge

• BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa; expanded membership now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and others (post-2024 expansion).
• NCB is the apex coordinating agency for drug law enforcement in India, established in 1986 under the NDPS Act, 1985.

8. PLFS Monthly Bulletin – June 2026: Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 5.5%

Why in News?

The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for June 2026, the 15th in the monthly series.

Key Points

• Overall Unemployment Rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above remained unchanged at 5.5% in June 2026.
• Rural UR declined marginally from 5.1% (May 2026) to 5.0% (June 2026).
• Urban UR rose slightly from 6.4% to 6.6%.
• The bulletin also tracks the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for rural and urban India.

Static Knowledge

• PLFS was launched by NSO in April 2017; annual reports began in 2017-18, with monthly bulletins introduced later for more frequent monitoring.
• Usual Status and Current Weekly Status (CWS) are two key approaches used in PLFS for employment measurement.

9. Union Cabinet Approves Rs 7,834 Crore for Arunachal Pradesh Schemes

Why in News?

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet approved ₹7,834 crore for four major schemes and announced 20% reservation for retired Agniveers in state police recruitment.

Key Points

• The reservation move aligns with the Union Government's broader push to provide employment avenues for Agniveers completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath Scheme.
• Several states have similarly announced reservations for Agniveers in police and paramilitary recruitment.

Static Knowledge

• Agnipath Scheme was launched in June 2022 for recruitment of soldiers (Agniveers) into the Armed Forces for a four-year tenure.
• Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles provide 10% reservation for Agniveers in recruitment.

10. Exercise Pitch Black 2026 and India's Defence Diplomacy

Why in News?

The Indian Air Force deployed four Rafale fighter jets, two C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and over 120 air warriors to Darwin, Australia, for the multinational Exercise Pitch Black 2026.

Key Points

• Pitch Black is a biennial, multinational large-force employment exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• The exercise enhances interoperability among participating air forces in complex, multi-domain combat scenarios.
• Reflects growing India-Australia defence cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Static Knowledge

• India and Australia elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.
• India is also part of the Quad grouping along with the USA, Japan, and Australia.
• IAF's Rafale fighters are stationed at Ambala and Hasimara air bases.

11. National Mission for Clean Ganga Introduces Small River Rejuvenation (SRR) Framework

Why in News?

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) introduced a draft Small River Rejuvenation (SRR) Framework for restoring India's smaller rivers.

Key Points

• The framework separates small river rejuvenation planning from the mainstream Ganga rejuvenation approach, recognising distinct hydrological and ecological needs.
• Aims to address pollution, encroachment, and flow depletion in smaller tributary rivers often overlooked in larger river-basin management.

Static Knowledge

• NMCG was established in 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and serves as the implementation arm of the Namami Gange Programme (launched 2014).
• Namami Gange is a Central Sector Scheme with a budgetary outlay for Ganga rejuvenation, pollution abatement, and conservation.

12. India's First Subterranean Fish Species Discovered in Assam

Why in News?

Scientists discovered Gitchak Nakana, India's first known subterranean (cave-dwelling) fish species, in Assam.

Key Points

• The discovery adds to India's freshwater biodiversity records and highlights unexplored subterranean ecosystems.
• Subterranean fish species typically show adaptations such as reduced pigmentation and eyesight due to permanent darkness.

Static Knowledge

• India is home to four biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands).
• Assam falls within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

13. Draft CAFE-III Fuel Efficiency Norms Released

Why in News?

The Ministry of Power, along with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), released the Draft Corporate Average Fuel Economy-III (CAFE-III) norms for public and industry consultation.

Key Points

• CAFE norms regulate average fuel consumption/emissions across a manufacturer's vehicle fleet rather than individual models.
• CAFE-III aims to further tighten fuel efficiency and emission standards for passenger vehicles, supporting India's decarbonisation and energy security goals.

Static Knowledge

• BEE was established in 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, under the Ministry of Power.
• CAFE norms in India were first notified in 2017 (CAFE-I) and revised in 2022 (CAFE-II).

14. Supreme Court Approves Kukrail Night Safari and Day Zoo Project, Lucknow

Why in News?

The Supreme Court granted final approval on 16 July 2026 for the Kukrail Night Safari and Day Zoo project in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• The project involves the Kukrail Reserve Forest area and had earlier faced legal and environmental scrutiny regarding forest land diversion.
• Supreme Court clearance paves the way for eco-tourism infrastructure development in the region.

Static Knowledge

• Diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes is governed by the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (renamed Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023).
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, governs zoo and safari operations in India.

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