Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (16th July 2026)

National News

President Murmu Inaugurates Saushrutam 2026, Promotes Ayurveda Globally

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Saushrutam 2026 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi.
• The three-day international seminar was inaugurated on 15 July 2026.
• The event was organized to mark Sushruta Jayanti.
• President Murmu also inaugurated the MRI section at AIIA.
• She paid tribute to Acharya Sushruta, regarded as the Father of Surgery.
• The President highlighted Sushruta’s contributions to plastic surgery, cataract surgery, and surgical science.
• She emphasized integrating Ayurveda with modern scientific research and evidence-based medicine.
• Young researchers were encouraged to focus on innovation, ethics, and compassionate healthcare.
• The seminar aims to strengthen global collaboration in Ayurvedic surgery and research.
• The initiative seeks to promote Ayurveda as an important pillar of modern healthcare worldwide.
• Key Fact: Acharya Sushruta authored the Sushruta Samhita, one of the world’s oldest surgical texts.

Government Invites Bids for ACC Battery Manufacturing Under PLI

• The Ministry of Heavy Industries invited bids for 10 GWh ACC battery manufacturing capacity.
• The initiative is under the ₹18,100 crore Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
• This is the final allocation phase of the ACC PLI Scheme.
• The scheme aims to establish a 50 GWh domestic battery ecosystem.
• Around 40 GWh capacity has already been allocated.
• The programme was originally launched in 2021.
• ACC batteries provide higher energy density and faster charging.
• The batteries are crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
• The scheme will reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
• It will support India’s clean energy transition and energy security.
• Key Fact: ACC stands for Advanced Chemistry Cell, a next-generation battery technology.

Indian Railways Launches Reform Express to Modernise Freight Network

• Indian Railways launched the Reform Express initiative.
• The initiative introduces eight major freight reforms.
• It was announced on 14 July 2026.
• A total of 17 reforms have now been completed out of the planned 52.
• The reforms focus on expanding containerized cargo movement.
• Licensing for container train operators has been simplified.
• The Rail Bhoomi Portal will digitize land acquisition processes.
• Freight tariff rationalisation will improve competitiveness.
• The reforms aim to reduce logistics costs and increase private participation.
• The initiative supports India’s multimodal logistics and infrastructure goals.
• Key Fact: The programme targets 52 reforms in 52 weeks.

Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0 to Boost India’s Chip Ecosystem

• The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0.
• The scheme has a total outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore.
• It aims to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
• The initiative builds upon the success of Semicon 1.0.
• The programme focuses on chip design, fabrication, packaging and R&D.
• Workforce development is one of its six strategic pillars.
• Semiconductors are essential for AI, EVs, telecom, healthcare and defence.
• Under Semicon 1.0, 12 manufacturing projects were approved.
• Those projects involved investments worth ₹1.64 lakh crore.
• Semicon 2.0 seeks to make India a trusted global semiconductor hub.
• Key Fact: The scheme aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported semiconductor chips.

Cabinet Approves ₹25,400 Crore Road Projects for Varanasi Decongestion

• The Cabinet approved two major highway projects under the Varanasi Decongestion Plan.
• The total investment exceeds ₹25,400 crore.
• The first project will construct a 43.218-km elevated corridor.
• It will run along the Varuna River.
• Travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station will reduce from 40 to 20 minutes.
• The second project includes a 46.039-km six-lane elevated corridor.
• It will run along the Ganga River.
• The project includes a 910-metre cable-stayed bridge.
• A 1.32-km foot overbridge with travelators will connect visitors to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
• Both projects will be implemented by NHAI under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
• Key Fact: NHAI stands for National Highways Authority of India.

State News

Kolkata Metro Set to Launch Driverless Train Services Soon

• Kolkata Metro will soon introduce driverless train operations on the Green and Purple Lines.
• The project has received safety clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).
• The Green Line connects Howrah Maidan with Salt Lake Sector V.
• The corridor is 16.6 km long with 12 stations.
• It includes India’s first underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River.
• The trains will operate using Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology.
• The system will function with Grade of Automation 4 (GoA-4), enabling fully automated operations.
• Operations will be monitored through a Central Control Room.
• Safety features include platform screen doors, obstacle detection, emergency braking, and smart signalling.
• Kolkata will join Delhi and Bengaluru among Indian cities with fully automated metro services.
• Key Fact: GoA-4 is the highest level of metro automation, requiring no onboard driver.

International News

India Hosts 5th BIMSTEC Security Advisers’ Meeting in Delhi

• India is hosting the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi.
• The meeting is being held on 16 July 2026.
• Senior security officials from all seven BIMSTEC member countries are participating.
• Discussions focus on cyber security, terrorism, and transnational crime.
• Other agenda items include trafficking, information sharing, and satellite cooperation.
• Bangladesh, the current BIMSTEC Chair, is participating in the meeting.
• BIMSTEC was established in 1997.
• The organization connects countries around the Bay of Bengal.
• India has been promoting regional cyber security cooperation through joint action plans.
• The meeting aims to strengthen regional peace and security cooperation.
• Key Fact: BIMSTEC has 7 member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

India Leads Global Food Safety Standards at CAC49 Session

• India played a leading role at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49).
• The session was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 6–10 July 2026.
• India led the adoption of seven Codex standards and guidelines.
• The Indian delegation was headed by Rajit Punhani, CEO of FSSAI.
• India chaired standards for dried coriander seeds and fresh curry leaves.
• It also co-chaired guidelines on vanilla, large cardamom, and food processing water safety.
• India proposed a global Codex standard for cashew kernels.
• The country was elected Co-Chair of the working group on New Food Sources and Production Systems.
• The achievement strengthens India’s position in global food safety governance.
• It is expected to promote safer international food trade.
• Key Fact: Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is jointly established by the FAO and WHO to develop international food standards.

Banking News

BHASHINI and PNB Partner for Multilingual AI Banking Services

• The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) signed an MoU with Punjab National Bank (PNB).
• The partnership was announced on 15 July 2026.
• It aims to introduce AI-powered multilingual banking services.
• The initiative comes under BHASHINI for Seva/Sanchalan.
• Customers will be able to access banking services in their preferred Indian languages.
• BHASHINI technologies include AI translation, voice services, and language models.
• The services will be integrated into PNB’s digital banking platforms.
• The initiative will improve banking accessibility for rural and regional users.
• It supports India’s vision of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
• The collaboration is expected to strengthen financial inclusion across the country.
• Key Fact: BHASHINI is India’s AI-based multilingual language technology platform under the Digital India Mission.

Economy News

Government Revises Windfall Tax on Petroleum Product Exports

• The Government revised the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petroleum exports.
• The revised rates came into effect on 16 July 2026.
• Export duty on diesel was increased from ₹8.5 to ₹15.5 per litre.
• Export duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) rose from ₹7.5 to ₹14.5 per litre.
• Export duty on petrol was reduced from ₹4 to ₹2.5 per litre.
• The revision aims to ensure adequate domestic fuel availability.
• The move discourages excessive exports amid high global crude oil prices.
• It also strengthens India’s energy security amid West Asia tensions.
• The revised duties will remain in force until the next fortnightly review.
• Domestic excise duties on petrol and diesel remain unchanged.
• Key Fact: SAED (Special Additional Excise Duty) is commonly known as the Windfall Tax on petroleum products.