Polity Judiciary Supreme Court Quashes Criminal Proceedings Against Former PM Manmohan Singh in Coal Case Supreme Court quashed all criminal proceedings against former PM Manmohan Singh in a long-pending coal block allocation case.
Economy Banking RBI Accepts ₹12,604 Crore in Government Securities Buyback Against ₹20,000 Crore Target RBI conducted a G-Sec buyback auction accepting ₹12,604 crore against ₹20,000 crore notified target to manage liquidity.
Polity Judiciary Supreme Court Rejects Lokpal Challenge Over CBI Probe Into Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh Supreme Court rejected Lokpal's challenge affirming High Court jurisdiction over preliminary anti-corruption inquiries.
IR Sanctions U.S. Senate Fast-Tracks Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 U.S. Senate fast-tracked bipartisan legislation expanding secondary sanctions on entities trading with Russian and Iranian defense sectors.
Health Governance Maharashtra Bans High-Fat, Sugar, and Salt Foods Around School Campuses Maharashtra government issued executive order banning HFSS junk food sales within 50 meters of all school campuses.
Polity Judiciary Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe into Student Protest Violence, Bars Coercive Action Supreme Court ordered an independent SIT probe into student protest clashes while barring coercive action against student leaders.
Health Science Ebola Outbreak in Congo Hits 3,200 Cases, Near Record Levels WHO reported Ebola virus outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo reached 3,200 cases, triggering international health alerts.
Economy Agriculture India's Fertiliser Import Dependence Climbs to 34.5 Per Cent in Fiscal Year 2026 Official data revealed India's fertilizer import dependence reached 34.5% in FY 2026 highlighting raw material import requirements.
Economy Banking Delhi High Court Orders Winding Up of Paytm Payments Bank and Appoints Liquidator Delhi High Court ordered winding up of Paytm Payments Bank and appointed an official liquidator under Banking Regulation Act.
IR International Law Chad Announces Intent to Withdraw from International Criminal Court Chad announced its intention to initiate formal withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Polity Parliament Lok Sabha Debates Public Examinations Amendment Bill Amid Growing NTA Backlash Lok Sabha held intense debate on Public Examinations Amendment Bill strengthening penal provisions for paper leak syndicates.
Disaster Geography Earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, Results in Deaths at Aeon Mall A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture in Japan causing structural collapses and emergency responses.
India National Kalpasar Project-India and Netherlands Partner to Build Gujarat Freshwater Reservoir Project India and the Netherlands signed a historic Letter of Intent on 17 May 2026 for technical cooperation on Gujarat's ambitious Kalpasar Project — an engineering marvel that aims to build a 60.13 km dyke across the Gulf of Khambhat, creating the world's largest freshwater reservoir in a marine environment. The pact was sealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Netherlands, where he inspected the iconic Afsluitdijk dam alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The LoI, signed between India's Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands' Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, leverages Dutch expertise in marine dam construction to overcome decades of engineering challenges. The project's DPR is at finalization stage, with construction targeted for completion in 8 years post-approval. The Rs 1,00,200 crore project will store 7,800 million cubic meters of freshwater, irrigate 10.54 lakh hectares, reduce travel distance between Saurashtra and South Gujarat from 240 km to 60 km, and generate 2,500 MW of renewable energy. The accompanying Bhadbhut barrage is already 53% complete and slated for full operation by June 2027.
India National NEET 2026 Cancelled: How a 'Guess Paper' from Rajasthan Brought Down India's Biggest Medical Entrance Exam The NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3 for over 22.79 lakh medical aspirants, was cancelled on May 12 after a Rajasthan Special Operations Group investigation uncovered a "guess paper" containing approximately 120 questions that matched the actual exam paper. The CBI has arrested five people across Maharashtra, Haryana, and Rajasthan, including three members of a Jaipur family. The re-exam date remains unannounced, leaving lakhs of students in limbo.
India National Ministry of Home Affairs Sets 2027 for Nationwide Census of India The Ministry of Home Affairs has scheduled the next decennial Census of India for 2027. Originally due in 2021, the census was delayed by the pandemic, and will mark India's first digital census with self-enumeration.
India National Home Minister to Introduce Bill Criminalizing Insults to National Song Vande Mataram Home Minister Amit Shah is set to table the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to criminalize insults to the National Song 'Vande Mataram'.
World Global US Reinstates Iran Maritime Blockade Following Jordan Missile Strikes The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet has reinstated a comprehensive maritime blockade on Iranian shipping in the Persian Gulf. The escalation follows a missile strike launched on a joint U.S.-Jordanian military outpost on July 14, 2026.
India National EAM Jaishankar Launches India's Bid for 2028-29 UNSC Non-Permanent Seat External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has officially launched India's campaign for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council seat for the 2028-29 term. The election in June 2027 will feature a direct contest with Tajikistan for the sole Asia-Pacific seat.
India National Supreme Court Affirms Governor's Constitutional Remission Power Overrides CrPC Provisions The Supreme Court recently clarified that sentence remission policies issued under the Governor's constitutional prerogative (Article 161) supersede statutory provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Sections 432, 433). A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh declared the 2021 State of Haryana v. Raj Kumar judgment as per incuriam, thereby reinstating the 2010 Jagdish case precedent. This ruling establishes that the remission policy applicable at the time of a prisoner's conviction governs eligibility, preventing the retrospective application of stricter statutory norms.
National Regulations IT Amendment Rules 2026 Enforced: Strict 3-Hour Deepfake Takedown Mandate and Safe Harbor Immunity Rules The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the IT Amendment Rules 2026, establishing a strict 3-hour deepfake takedown window.
India National Odisha Government Announces Free Education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate Level On June 12, 2026, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a historic policy to provide completely free education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate level in all government-run institutions across the state.
India National Supreme Court Declares Homemakers "Nation Builders," Valuation Set at ₹30,000 Minimum Notional Income In a historic verdict delivered on June 11, 2026, the Supreme Court of India recognized homemakers as "nation builders." The Court ruled that unpaid domestic work must be economically valued, setting a minimum notional monthly income of ₹30,000.
India National NFHS-6 Reports India's Total Fertility Rate Stabilized Below Replacement Level at 2.0 The Union Health Ministry officially released the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) report on May 29, 2026. The findings confirm that India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has stabilized at 2.0, dropping below the replacement level of 2.1.
India National Zojila Tunnel Project Reaches Milestone with Final Excavation Breakthrough The strategic Zojila Tunnel project achieved its final excavation breakthrough on June 9, 2026. Once operational, the 13.15-kilometer tunnel will provide crucial all-weather road connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
India National Supreme Court Rules Homemakers Unpaid Work Worth At Least ₹30,000 Per Month: A Landmark Legal Recognition In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the unpaid domestic labor of homemakers must be valued at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month when calculating compensation in motor accident claims, recognizing them as "nation builders."
World United Kingdom Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister, Pledging to 'Rewire' Britain Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has taken office as UK Prime Minister as of July 20, 2026, pledging utility reform and immediately cancelling the digital ID project.
World Global US and Iran Exchange Direct Strikes, Leaving Dozens Dead in Middle East Tensions in the Middle East reached a breaking point on July 19, 2026, as the US and Iran traded direct military strikes, leaving dozens dead and risking Strait of Hormuz shipping.
World Venezuela Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 5,000; IMF Releases Emergency Relief Funds The death toll from a devastating earthquake in Venezuela has climbed to 5,069, with most casualties reported in the coastal region. To assist with recovery, the IMF has released emergency financing.
India National RBI Reports $2 Billion Current Account Deficit for May 2026 as Trade Gap Widens The Reserve Bank of India has reported a Current Account Deficit (CAD) of $2 billion for May 2026. The deficit is attributed to a widening merchandise trade gap driven by increased oil and gold imports.
India National India-UK Trade Deal: Zero Duty Access for Textiles and Gems Begins Zero duty access for Indian textile and gemstone exports to the United Kingdom has formally commenced on July 15, 2026. The trade concessions mark the initial phase of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
World Global Trump Notifies Congress of Resumed Iran Conflict, Reinstates Gulf Naval Blockade President Donald Trump formally notified Congress on July 13, 2026, that active conflict with Iran has resumed following the collapse of an interim agreement. The U.S. has reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and committed to securing the Strait of Hormuz.
India National Russia Delivers Fourth AI-Enabled S-400 Squadron to India Russia delivered the fourth AI-enabled S-400 squadron to India on June 3, 2026, following delays attributed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Three squadrons are already in service. Russia delivers fourth squadron of AI-enabled S Three S-400 squadrons have already been inducted into service; the fourth has now arrived, following delays linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict
National Governance EPFO 3.0 Digital Upgrade: Auto-Settlement Limit Raised to ₹5 Lakh and Aadhaar-Linked UPI Withdrawals Launched The Ministry of Labour has rolled out the EPFO 3.0 digital upgrade, introducing auto-settlement up to ₹5 lakh and Aadhaar-linked UPI withdrawals.
India National RBI's June 2026 FSR Confirms Resilient Indian Financial System Stability The Reserve Bank of India's latest Financial Stability Report for June 2026 affirms the continued robustness of the nation's financial system, demonstrating strong resilience amidst an evolving global landscape. It highlights healthy capital and liquidity buffers across Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), alongside improved asset quality. The report underscores the sector's capacity to withstand potential adverse shocks, reinforcing confidence in India's economic stability despite persistent external volatilities and geopolitical tensions.
India National Bureau of Indian Standards Releases First National Standard for Community Seed Banks (IS 20201:2026) The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released IS 20201:2026, the country's first national standard for Community Seed Bank (CSB) Management. This voluntary standard aims to preserve indigenous crop varieties and boost biodiversity.
India National ICAR Launches "Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra" Multilingual AI WhatsApp Chatbot for Farmers The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched 'Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra,' a WhatsApp-based multilingual AI advisory platform (+91 4024598180). Developed by ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad, the tool provides 24/7 agricultural guidance.
India National RBI Seeks Public Comments on Draft Directions to Revise NBFC-UL Identification Methodology The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft amendment directions seeking public comments until May 04, 2026, on revising the methodology for identifying Non-Banking Financial Companies in the Upper Layer (NBFC-UL). The proposed changes aim for a transparent asset-size-based criterion of ₹1,00,000 crore or more, replacing the existing two-pronged approach. Additionally, Government-owned NBFCs will now be considered for NBFC-UL inclusion, aligning with an ownership-neutral regulatory regime. The amendments also propose allowing NBFC-ULs to use.
World Global US Eases 500% Russian Oil Tariff Threat for India and China The United States administration has eased its proposed threat of 500% secondary tariffs on Russian oil imports for India and China. The decision aims to avoid severe disruption in global energy markets and prevent a price shock.
India National Congress Urges Allies to Protect 1971 Census Freeze for Delimitation The Congress party is urging allies like the DMK and TDP to defend the 1971 Census baseline for seat allocation, warning that redrawing boundaries based on current data would penalize states with successful population control.
India National RBI Schedules ₹1.25 Lakh Crore Variable Rate Repo Auction for July 20 To address evolving liquidity conditions, the Reserve Bank of India will conduct a Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction on July 20, 2026. The central bank has notified an amount of ₹1,25,000 crore for a seven-day tenor.
World Humanitarian Crisis UN agencies report over 500 Rohingya feared dead in Bay of Bengal boat capsizes UN agencies have reported that over 500 Rohingya refugees are feared dead following multiple boat capsizes in the Bay of Bengal during the monsoon. The crisis highlights the risks faced by displaced populations.
India National RBI Issues Draft Guidance on Data Governance for Regulated Entities The Reserve Bank of India has released draft guidelines on data governance for banks and financial institutions. The framework aims to ensure data privacy, security, and integrity across regulated entities.
World Iraq U.S. and Iraq Finalize Timeline for Combat Troop Withdrawal by September 2026 The United States and Iraq have finalized a joint agreement to end the coalition's military mission in Iraq. The withdrawal of all combat forces is scheduled to be completed by September 2026, transitioning to a bilateral security partnership.
India National Supreme Court Rules Government Can Revise Mineral Royalty Rates Irrespective of Lease Deeds A 9-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has ruled that the government has the sovereign power to revise mineral royalty rates, overriding terms in historical mining lease deeds. The court reaffirmed that mineral royalty is not a tax.
India National Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026: Understanding the NGO Regulations Controversy The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes the creation of a Designated Authority to vest and manage assets of NGOs whose registration is cancelled or expired, sparking a debate on civil society autonomy.
World Global US and Iran Leave Door Open for Dialogue, Potential Fresh Talks in Pakistan Following tense discussions, the United States and Iran have indicated a willingness to keep the door open for dialogue, with President Trump suggesting fresh talks could resume in Pakistan within the 'next two days'. This development, reported on April 14-15, 2026, highlights ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and explore diplomatic solutions amidst a backdrop of regional conflict and US maritime blockades.
India National Indian Passport is a Travel Document, Not Conclusive Proof of Citizenship: MEA The Ministry of External Affairs clarified at the 14th Passport Seva Divas that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document attesting to nationality for international compliance, and does not serve as a final judicial proof of citizenship.
World Sports Algeria Defeats Jordan 2-1 in a Comeback Victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Algeria kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive with a hard-fought 2–1 comeback victory over debutants Jordan in Group J. Jordan's Nizar Al-Rashdan opened the scoring, but second-half goals from Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri sealed the win for Algeria, eliminating Jordan from the tournament.
Defense Security Satellite Imagery Confirms 11 Chinese J-20 Stealth Jets Stationed Near Indian Border Commercial satellite imagery confirmed 11 J-20 stealth fighters deployed at Shigatse air base near Sikkim border.
India National RBI to Auction State Government Securities Worth ₹21,700 Crore on July 21 The Reserve Bank of India has scheduled an auction for state government securities totaling ₹21,700 crore on July 21, 2026. Twelve states and Union Territories will participate.
World United States DHS Adjusts F, J, and I Visa Policies for Indian and Chinese Nationals The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has introduced changes to F, J, and I visa categories, citing national security risks associated with students, journalists, and exchange visitors from India and China.
World Middle East Two US Soldiers Killed and One Missing After Strikes in Jordan United States Central Command confirmed that two U.S. service members were killed and one is missing following strikes in Jordan. Identities will be released 24 hours after formal notification of the next of kin.
India Maharashtra RBI Restricts Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Co-operative Bank Operations The RBI has placed Nashik-based Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Co-operative Bank under strict operational restrictions starting July 17, 2026. Citing supervisory concerns, the regulator has capped individual withdrawals at ₹1 lakh and prohibited the bank from issuing new loans or accepting fresh deposits for six months.
India National PM Modi to Launch India’s First Hydrogen Train and ₹25,000 Crore Infrastructure Projects Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch India's first hydrogen-powered passenger train and inaugurate development projects worth ₹25,000 crore. The initiatives aim to promote green energy in railways.
India National RBI Financial Inclusion Index Hits 70.0 in FY26, Usage Drives Gains The Reserve Bank of India's Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) rose to 70.0 for the financial year ended March 2026. The improvement was driven primarily by gains in the financial usage parameter.
World China China GDP Growth Slows to 4.3% in Second Quarter 2026 China's economic growth slowed to 4.3% in the second quarter of 2026. The slowdown is attributed to a property market depression, high local government debt, and weak consumer demand.
India Tamil Nadu Ransomware Group Posts Data Linked to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant on Dark Web A cybercriminal ransomware gang has leaked internal data allegedly linked to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant on the dark web. Officials have initiated investigations to assess potential security breaches.
India National RBI Overhauls Bank Governance Norms to Prioritize Strategic Board Oversight The Reserve Bank of India has issued revised corporate governance norms for commercial banks. The guidelines separate executive management from board oversight and cap the tenure of independent directors at 15 years.
India National RBI Sets Premature Redemption Price for Sovereign Gold Bond 2020-21 Series IV The Reserve Bank of India has fixed the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond 2020-21 Series-IV at ₹14,307 per unit. Investors who subscribed to this tranche in July 2020 can exit on July 14, 2026.