Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (8th July 2026) |

National News

NHM Mizoram Declared India’s 21st Designated Repository Under Biological Diversity Act

NHM of Mizoram University was notified as India’s 21st Designated Repository.
The notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
It was declared under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The recognition came on 19 June 2026 following the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
A Designated Repository preserves authenticated biological specimens for scientific use.
NHM is located in Aizawl, Mizoram, within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.
The museum specializes in plants, fungi, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects and butterflies.
It maintains voucher specimens and type specimens for biodiversity research.
More than 500 biological specimens have already been collected.
The recognition strengthens biodiversity conservation, research, ecological restoration and scientific collaboration.

Key Fact: NHM Mizoram became India’s 21st Designated Repository under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Government Extends New NPS Investment Options to Central Autonomous Body Employees

The Union Government expanded NPS investment choices for Central Autonomous Body (CAB) employees.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Finance on 7 July 2026.
Earlier, these investment options were available only to Central Government employees.
Employees can now choose between LC-75 High Fund and the Aggressive Life Cycle Fund.
LC-75 High allows equity exposure of up to 75%.
The Aggressive Life Cycle Fund offers around 50% equity exposure.
The options help employees invest according to their risk appetite.
The move improves retirement planning flexibility.
It also enhances subscriber choice under the National Pension System.
The facility will be available through the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA).

Key Fact: CAB employees can now choose LC-75 High and Aggressive Life Cycle Fund under NPS.

Kamarajar Port Becomes India’s Second Port with 18-Metre Operational Draft

Kamarajar Port is located in Tamil Nadu.
It became India’s second port with an 18-metre operational draft.
The achievement followed completion of the ₹440-crore Capital Dredging Phase VI Project.
Only Visakhapatnam Port had previously achieved this capability.
The port can now handle fully loaded Capesize vessels.
These vessels can carry up to 1,70,000 DWT cargo.
Navigation channels and berth depths were significantly deepened.
The port is now classified as Cape Compliant.
The upgrade will reduce logistics costs and improve cargo handling.
It will also strengthen India’s maritime trade and EXIM competitiveness.

Key Fact: Kamarajar Port became India’s second 18-metre operational draft port after Visakhapatnam.

Four States Sign Narmada Project Payment Agreement to Resolve Financial Disputes

Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra signed the agreement.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on 7 July 2026.
It resolves long-pending financial issues under the NWDT Award.
It covers the Sardar Sarovar and Indira Sagar projects.
Issues include cost-sharing, compensation and rehabilitation expenses.
The agreement also settles pending financial dues among states.
The event was attended by Amit Shah and C. R. Patil.
NWDT was constituted under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act.
The agreement promotes better interstate water governance.
It strengthens cooperative federalism among Narmada basin states.

Key Fact: Four states resolved financial disputes related to the Sardar Sarovar and Indira Sagar Projects under the NWDT Award.

PM-SETU Scheme Gets Nationwide Rollout with ₹60,000 Crore Investment to Upgrade ITIs

The Government of India approved the nationwide rollout of the PM-SETU scheme.
The approval was given during the 4th National Steering Committee meeting on 7 July 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE.
The scheme has a total investment of ₹60,000 crore over five years.
It aims to modernise 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
Funding includes ₹30,000 crore (Centre), ₹20,000 crore (States), and ₹10,000 crore (Industry).
Upgraded ITIs will receive modern labs, digital infrastructure, and advanced equipment.
The curriculum will be updated to meet industry requirements and improve employability.
Five National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) will be established using the hub-and-spoke model.
The scheme will strengthen industry-academia collaboration and create a future-ready skilled workforce.

Key Fact: PM-SETU will modernise 1,000 Government ITIs with an investment of ₹60,000 crore.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Launches TribeX, India’s First Digital Platform for Tribal Heritage

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched TribeX on 7 July 2026.
TribeX is India’s first digital learning platform dedicated to tribal heritage.
It was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram.
The launch took place during the National Workshop on Strengthening Tribal Research Institutes in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The platform promotes tribal arts, culture, languages, and traditional knowledge.
It currently offers 20 free certificate courses.
The number of courses will be expanded to more than 100.
TribeX also provides five UGC-recognised one-year hybrid postgraduate diploma programmes.
An MoU was signed with Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, for academic collaboration.
The initiative supports research, employment opportunities, and preservation of tribal heritage.

Key Fact: TribeX is India’s first digital learning platform for tribal arts, culture, and traditional knowledge.

IIM Bangalore to Open First Overseas Campus in Indonesia

IIM Bangalore will establish its first overseas campus in Indonesia.
The campus will be located in the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Malang, East Java.
The announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta.
The project will be developed through an MoU with PT Intelegensia Grahatama.
It supports the internationalisation goals of NEP 2020.
The first phase will offer executive education and leadership development programmes.
The second phase will introduce full-time management degree programmes.
Courses will focus on AI, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Management, Climate Sustainability, and Healthcare Management.
The campus will strengthen India–Indonesia cooperation in higher education and innovation.
It joins other overseas campuses established by Indian institutions.

Key Fact: IIM Bangalore’s first international campus will be established in Indonesia.

State News

Tripura Makes Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana Mandatory in Schools

The Tripura Government made Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana compulsory in schools.
The rule applies to government, aided, private schools, and recognised madrassas.
Students, teachers, and staff must stand at attention during the singing.
The order follows Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.
The directive was issued by the School Education Department.
The Tripura Council of Ministers approved the policy on 25 June 2026.
The policy came into effect on 3 July 2026.
The full version of Vande Mataram will be sung before the National Anthem every school day.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed Vande Mataram.
Rabindranath Tagore composed Jana Gana Mana, adopted as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.

Key Fact: Tripura made the full Vande Mataram followed by Jana Gana Mana compulsory in all recognised schools.

International News

India and Indonesia Strengthen Strategic Partnership with 14 Agreements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jakarta, Indonesia on 7 July 2026.
India and Indonesia signed 14 agreements under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The agreements cover defence, maritime security, trade, digital payments, education, space, healthcare, and critical minerals.
Indonesia decided to procure BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India.
It also approved the purchase of Astra Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs).
The defence deal is valued at over US$600 million.
Indonesia became the third Southeast Asian country to acquire BrahMos after the Philippines and Vietnam.
Both nations reaffirmed support for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The leaders emphasized ASEAN Centrality, maritime cooperation, and regional stability.
The agreements further strengthen India’s defence exports and strategic partnership with Indonesia.

Key Fact: India and Indonesia signed 14 agreements, and Indonesia became the third Southeast Asian country to procure BrahMos missiles.

India and Rwanda Expand Defence Cooperation at 2nd JDCC Meeting

India and Rwanda held the 2nd Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting.
The meeting took place in New Delhi on 6–7 July 2026.
It builds upon the 2018 India–Rwanda Defence Cooperation Agreement.
Both countries adopted an implementation plan with defined timelines.
Cooperation will expand in military training, joint exercises, defence manufacturing, and military medicine.
The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad and Brigadier General Louis Kanobayire.
Officials from DRDO, Ministry of Defence, MEA, and Armed Forces Medical Services participated.
The Rwandan delegation met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The delegation also interacted with India’s defence industry under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Rwanda’s delegation visited Army Hospital (Referral & Research), New Delhi to enhance military healthcare cooperation.

Key Fact: India and Rwanda expanded defence ties during the 2nd JDCC Meeting held in New Delhi.

Economy News

India to Launch Index of Services Production (ISP) for Monthly Tracking of Services Sector

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will launch the Index of Services Production (ISP).
The proposed base year for the index is 2024–25.
The trial release is scheduled for 14 July 2026.
ISP will become India’s first monthly indicator for measuring the formal services sector.
The services sector contributes nearly 53% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA).
The index will complement the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
It will follow the Laspeyres Volume Index methodology.
Data will be compiled using GST returns, administrative records, and ASISSE data.
The index will be prepared at the 2-digit NIC 2025 classification level.
It was developed under the Technical Advisory Committee on ISP, chaired by Debjani Ghosh.

Key Fact: The Index of Services Production (ISP) will use 2024–25 as the base year and its trial release is on 14 July 2026.

Sports News

India Unveils Eco-Friendly Jute Apparel for Commonwealth Games 2026

India will become the first country to use jute-viscose blended apparel at an international multi-sport event.
The apparel has been developed for the Commonwealth Games 2026.
The Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
The apparel was developed by the National Jute Board (NJB) under the Ministry of Textiles.
It was created in collaboration with Gloster Jute Mills and NIFT.
The fabric is made from 100% biodegradable jute-viscose blend.
The initiative promotes sustainable textiles, eco-friendly natural fibres, and the Make in India campaign.
India’s 124-member contingent (78 men and 46 women) will wear the apparel during official ceremonies.
The official kit was unveiled in New Delhi on 7 July 2026.
Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Giriraj Singh, Raksha Khadse, and IOA President P. T. Usha attended the unveiling ceremony.

Key Fact: India will become the first country to use jute-based apparel for its contingent at an international multi-sport event.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Confirmed: Full Schedule, Fixtures, Venues and Semifinal Bracket

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the quarterfinal stage.
Eight teams qualified: France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland.
Argentina defeated Egypt 3–2 in the Round of 16.
Switzerland advanced after defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout.
Quarterfinals will be played from 10–12 July 2026 (IST).
The confirmed fixtures are France vs Morocco and Spain vs Belgium.
The remaining matches are Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland.
Winners of France–Morocco and Spain–Belgium will play in the first semifinal.
Winners of Norway–England and Argentina–Switzerland will contest the second semifinal.
The tournament has been reduced from 48 teams to the final eight.

Key Fact: The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals feature France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland.

Schemes News

UP Mahila Samarthya Yojana 2026: Empowering Rural Women Through Skill Development

UP Mahila Samarthya Yojana was launched in 2021 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The scheme is implemented through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM).
Its objective is to empower rural women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Eligible SHGs receive free skill training in eight employment-oriented sectors.
Each eligible SHG is provided a ₹15,000 revolving fund.
The scheme also offers entrepreneurship support and market linkages through Cluster Level Enterprises (CLEs).
Beneficiaries include rural women aged 18–60 years who are members of registered UPSRLM SHGs.
Priority is given to BPL families, SC/ST communities, women with disabilities, and Aspirational Districts.
The initiative promotes women-led enterprises, financial inclusion, and rural employment.
It contributes to sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic development in Uttar Pradesh.

Key Fact: UP Mahila Samarthya Yojana provides a ₹15,000 revolving fund and free skill training to eligible Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Science & Technology News

DeepSeek Develops Custom AI Chip to Strengthen China’s AI Ecosystem

DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence startup based in Hangzhou.
The company is developing a custom AI chip for AI inference workloads.
The project began around July 2025.
The chip aims to reduce China’s dependence on foreign semiconductor technology.
DeepSeek is working with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).
SMIC currently manufactures chips using a 7-nanometre process.
The company’s V4-Pro and V4-Flash AI models were released in April 2026.
These models are optimized for Huawei Ascend processors.
The development comes amid U.S. and Dutch restrictions on advanced chip exports to China.
DeepSeek is seeking about US$7 billion in funding at a valuation of US$52–59 billion.

Key Fact: DeepSeek is developing a custom AI inference chip to strengthen China’s domestic AI ecosystem.

FDA Approves Vepdegestrant, First PROTAC Drug for Advanced Breast Cancer

The U.S. FDA approved Vepdegestrant (Veppanu) on 1 May 2026.
It is approved for ER-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced breast cancer.
The drug was developed by Arvinas Operations Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
It is the world’s first FDA-approved PROTAC drug.
Approval was based on the Phase 3 VERITAC-2 trial.
The drug improved median progression-free survival to 5.0 months.
The comparator drug Fulvestrant achieved 2.1 months progression-free survival.
The FDA also approved Guardant360 CDx as a companion diagnostic test.
The recommended dosage is 200 mg orally once daily with food.
Important safety warnings include QTc interval prolongation and embryo-fetal toxicity.

Key Fact: Vepdegestrant (Veppanu) is the first FDA-approved PROTAC drug for advanced breast cancer.

Obituaries News

‘Bridge Man of India’ Girish Bharadwaj Passes Away at 76

Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj passed away on 7 July 2026 at the age of 76.
He was popularly known as the “Bridge Man of India.”
Bharadwaj was a mechanical engineer and grassroots innovator.
He built more than 140 low-cost suspension bridges across rural India.
His bridges connected villages with schools, hospitals, markets, and public services.
His work covered Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha.
His first suspension bridge was built in 1989 across the Payaswini River.
He received the Padma Shri in 2017 for rural infrastructure development.
His affordable bridge designs transformed connectivity in remote regions.
His contributions remain a lasting example of sustainable and inclusive rural development.

Key Fact: Girish Bharadwaj, known as the “Bridge Man of India,” built 140+ low-cost suspension bridges and received the Padma Shri in 2017.