Current affairs — 7 July 2026

Prelims pointers

• Tamil Nadu had 18,733 POCSO cases pending across its 38 districts as of June 2026, according to the article.
• The POCSO Court in Madurai had 1,000 unresolved cases, while Tiruppur’s Fast Track Mahila Court had 790 pending cases.
• A 2019 Supreme Court direction required an exclusive POCSO court in any judicial district with more than 100 pending POCSO cases.
• In Tamil Nadu, 37 of 38 districts had more than 100 pending POCSO cases, but the State had only 20 POCSO courts.
• Child rights activists said child witness deposition rooms were available only in 16 districts in Tamil Nadu.

Prelims pointers

• The present AAY entitlement cited in the article is 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month, irrespective of family size.
• The proposed NFSA change is described as 7 kg per person per month, subject to an overall ceiling of 35 kg per household.
• Tamil Nadu has 18,64,600 AAY ration cards covering 69,26,983 beneficiaries, according to the Chief Minister’s letter.
• The proposed amendment concerns the first proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
• The article says AAY eligibility includes vulnerable groups such as widows’ families, persons with disabilities, tribal families and landless labourers.

Prelims pointers

• The Safe Footpath Campaign in Bengaluru led to hundreds of street vendors being evicted and their wares seized in one week.
• Krishna Byre Gowda announced that at least 1,500 km of arterial and subarterial roads, about 10% of Bengaluru’s road network, would be no-vending zones.
• Vendor unions invoked The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
• The article says the 2024 survey registered only 34,000 street vendors, while over 80,000 had taken PM SVANidhi loans.
• Six street vendor unions formed a Street Vendors’ Joint Action Committee and announced a hawker strike in Bengaluru on July 8.

Prelims pointers

• Mumbai lies on a peninsula built mostly on reclaimed land, former marshes, tidal flats and low-lying coastal areas.
• High tides reduced the efficiency of Mumbai’s stormwater drainage during the heavy rainfall described in the article.
• After the July 2005 floods, when Mumbai received 944 mm in 24 hours, the city launched the BRIMSTOWAD project.
• The BRIMSTOWAD works included widened drains, pumping stations and pre-monsoon de-silting, though many works remain incomplete.
• The article says Mumbai’s accountability is split across BMC, IMD, NDRF, two Railway zones, the State government and highway authorities.

Prelims pointers

• The Census rehearsal began in 16 States and Union Territories on July 6, 2026, and uses an open column for caste.
• Officials said the open-column method is a pre-test and final methodology will be based on feedback after the exercise ends on July 20.
• Census 2027 is described as the first digital Census and the first caste enumeration in independent India.
• Population Enumeration will be conducted in February 2027 nationwide, with Ladakh and snowbound areas completing it by September 30.
• The article says the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census returned over 46 lakh caste names, while the 1931 Census counted 4,147 castes.

Prelims pointers

• Madhya Pradesh became the first State to reorganise its Waqf Board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, according to the report.
• A July 4 gazette notification announced a new 10-member Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board with two Hindu members.
• Manoj Malpani of Indore and Animesh Bhargava of Guna district were named as the two non-Muslim members.
• The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 was notified in April 2025 and made women and non-Muslim members mandatory, according to the article.
• The Supreme Court’s September 2025 interim order capped non-Muslims at four in the 22-member Central Waqf Council and three in 11-member State Waqf Boards.

Prelims pointers

• “Sagar Mein Yog” will be delivered through a dedicated Learning Management System for seafarer wellness training.
• All seafarers with a valid Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate must complete the course within one year.
• Candidates at DGS-approved Maritime Training Institutes are also required to finish the Sagar Mein Yog modules.
• The course has 10 thematic wellness pillars and a cumulative duration of 19 hours and 14 minutes.
• The circular links Sagar Mein Yog with the STCW Convention, STCW Rules 2014, and Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

Prelims pointers

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed Meta to disable ads and content allegedly facilitating access to CSEAM on Instagram.
• The government sought a detailed explanation from Meta within seven days.
• The issue followed a BBC Eye investigation into paid Instagram advertisements allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material in India.
• The IT Rules require social media intermediaries to remove such content within 24 hours after actual knowledge or a valid complaint.
• Failure to comply can result in loss of safe-harbour protection for intermediaries from liability for third-party content.

Prelims pointers

• Mission Drishti was launched on May 3, 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, California.
• The satellite was developed by Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye.
• Mission Drishti was described as the world’s first OptoSAR satellite combining optical cameras and all-weather radar.
• The anomaly occurred during the final stage of the Launch and Early Orbit Phase, or LEOP.
• GalaxEye said radiation effects associated with a geomagnetic solar storm likely impacted a critical onboard system before communication was lost.

Prelims pointers

• IMD forecast July rainfall as below normal, meaning less than 94% of what is usual for the month.
• June rainfall was 99.5 mm against a long-period average of 165.3 mm, a 39.8% fall from normal.
• The article says a poor monsoon can hurt agricultural output, rural income and aggregate demand.
• The article identifies food prices and inflation as a channel through which weak monsoon affects the economy.
• Below-normal rainfall was warned to challenge agriculture, water resources, hydropower generation, ecosystem sustainability and drinking water availability.

Prelims pointers

• Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the BrahMos deal with Vietnam had already been signed.
• He said the Indonesia BrahMos pact was in the final stages; Indonesia had said in March that it had an agreement with India.
• The Philippines signed a nearly $375 million contract in 2022 and was the first foreign buyer of BrahMos from India.
• ASEAN is described as comprising 11 member States, including Timor-Leste.
• Several ASEAN members, including the Philippines and Vietnam, have overlapping maritime claims with China in the South China Sea.

Prelims pointers

• Plants need at least around 10 ppm of carbon dioxide in the air to survive, according to the article.
• Earlier simplified climate models estimated the biosphere’s twilight at 100 million to 900 million years.
• The new study used a model accounting for clouds, humidity and planetary circulation effects on temperature.
• The new estimate gives around 1.68 billion years for land plants.
• The article states total extinction is estimated by 1.87 billion years.

Prelims pointers

• Eight wildlife sanctuaries and 281 reserve forests are under encroachment in Assam, according to the State Forest Minister.
• As on February 12, 2016, 315,996.1251 hectares in protected areas and reserve forests were under illegal occupation.
• The State has evicted squatters from 25,588.7675 hectares, including 16,937.2466 hectares in the last five years.
• Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary has the largest encroached area at 10,000 hectares; Laokhowa has the least at 11.7 hectares.
• Human-elephant conflict has claimed 1,150 human lives in Assam since 2016, with 53 deaths between January and June 2026.

Prelims pointers

• Türkiye acquired the Russian S-400 Air Defence System in 2019.
• Washington imposed sanctions on a major Turkish defence company in 2020 and removed Türkiye from the F-35 programme.
• Congress passed a law prohibiting F-35 sales to Türkiye as long as Ankara retained the S-400s.
• The Trump administration had notified Congress of a planned sale of jet engines worth more than $700 million for Türkiye’s first indigenous combat jet.
• One discussed solution was to send the Russian S-400 system to a third country, though no agreement had been sealed.

Prelims pointers

• Super Typhoon Bavi directly hit Rota on Monday, July 6, 2026.
• The storm brought winds up to 290 km per hour, or 180 miles per hour.
• Rota, home to about 1,500 people, was reported without electricity, running water and mobile network service.
• Saipan and Tinian, the two main islands of the Northern Marianas, are home to around 40,000 people.
• Guam is a U.S. territory near Rota and is home to major military bases, according to the article.

Prelims pointers

• Amnesty’s report was titled “City Under Siege, Children Under Fire: Rapid Support Forces’ Crimes Against Humanity in North Darfur”.
• The investigation ran over eight months between August 2025 and April 2026.
• It was based on interviews with 247 people, including 208 survivors: 169 adults and 39 children.
• Sudan’s war since April 2023 is between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
• Amnesty verified 89 videos and analysed satellite imagery from North Darfur.

Prelims pointers

• The NATO summit was held in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8, 2026.
• NATO has 32 member countries, according to the article.
• President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted the summit at the Bestepe Presidential Compound.
• Top officials from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand joined NATO partners for parts of the summit engagement.
• A NATO-Ukraine Council meeting and discussions with Indo-Pacific counterparts were scheduled during the summit events.

Prelims pointers

• Three tankers were struck by projectiles on July 7, 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British military.
• One tanker travelling off the coast of Oman caught fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre.
• Two other tankers were hit; one was struck by a drone, and no one was injured in those attacks.
• The Strait of Hormuz is described as the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.
• In peacetime, a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through the Strait of Hormuz channel.

Prelims pointers

• Karnataka selected Hampi, Mysuru and Lakkundi for recommendation under the Global Destination Development project.
• The selected destinations are expected to receive ₹800 crore central assistance: ₹500 crore in the first phase and ₹300 crore in the second phase.
• The proposal will prioritise world-class infrastructure, tourist experience, connectivity, heritage conservation, sustainable development and private investment.
• Development of Hampi will involve coordination with the Urban Development Department, Hampi Development Authority, ASI and State Archaeology Department.
• The State plans to organise Hampi Utsava on the model of Mysuru Dasara at national and international level.

Prelims pointers

• TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in December 2024, according to the article.
• More than 28 crore vulnerable individuals have been screened under the campaign since launch.
• The campaign has notified 39 lakh TB patients, including 12.93 lakh asymptomatic patients identified through active screening.
• The meeting involved the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Youth Affairs and Sports, Labour and Employment, and Defence.
• The Health Minister asked for youth and NCC volunteer engagement, TB screening at workplaces, and community outreach through defence personnel and cadets.

Prelims pointers

• UDISE+ 2025-26 reported 1,02,73,020 teachers, compared with 94,83,294 teachers in 2022-23.
• The report states that the number of teachers increased by 8.3% during 2025-26 compared with 2022-23.
• Pupil-teacher ratios were reported as 10 at Foundational, 12 at Preparatory, 17 at Middle and 21 at Secondary levels.
• The report is the Unified District Information System for Education Plus report on School Education in India.
• The Education Ministry released the UDISE+ 2025-26 report and presented key findings on teachers and school education indicators.

Prelims pointers

• ECLGS 5.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on 5 May 2026.
• Since launch, 4,11,497 guarantees were issued under ECLGS 5.0, with guaranteed amount reaching ₹1,55,229 crore.
• The scheme provides 100% guarantee coverage to additional loans of MSMEs and 90% to other business segments.
• By number, 98% of guarantees issued under ECLGS 5.0 benefited MSMEs.
• By guaranteed amount, 82% of the total guaranteed amount under ECLGS 5.0 was towards MSMEs.

Prelims pointers

• The second India-Rwanda Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting was held in New Delhi on July 6 and 7, 2026.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad from India’s Ministry of Defence and Brig Gen Louis Kanobayier from Rwanda.
• The partnership areas identified were military training, military exercises, medical cooperation and defence industries.
• An implementation plan with timelines for action items from the JDCC meeting was agreed during the meeting.
• The Rwandan delegation visited Army Hospital (Referral & Research) to see India’s military medical capabilities.

Prelims pointers

• India’s school education system was described as having more than 14.67 lakh schools, 1.03 crore teachers and nearly 24.72 crore students.
• PGI for States and UTs has a total weightage of 1000 points across 70 indicators.
• PGI-S indicators are grouped under Outcome and Governance & Management, covering six domains including learning outcomes, access, infrastructure, equity and governance.
• The PGI-S framework is aligned with UDISE+, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, PM POSHAN, PRABAND and Vidyanjali portals.
• PGI-D has a total weightage of 600 points across 70 indicators under categories including outcomes, classroom transaction, school safety and digital learning.

Prelims pointers

• Mission 70 Lakh Plantation was launched under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign in Delhi.
• The Delhi Government declared 5,000 hectares of the Ridge area as forest land, giving it legal protection.
• The Ridge rejuvenation plan includes native, long-lived species such as Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun and Jamun.
• More than 70 ponds, water bodies and archaeological structures in the Delhi Ridge are proposed to be restored and enriched.
• The Working Plan Document 2026-36, Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan and Biodiversity Atlas were described as part of the green ecosystem effort.

Prelims pointers

• The agreement covers pending payment issues among Narmada Award beneficiary States: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• The agreement relates to cost-sharing arrangements for construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project.
• The settlement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
• The Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed the agreement.
• The article describes the resolution as a one-time settlement of pending dues among the beneficiary States.

Prelims pointers

• The first India-Costa Rica Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting was held virtually on 6-7 July 2026.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Vimal Anand from India’s Department of Commerce and Adriana Castro from Costa Rica.
• Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Costa Rica was noted at approximately USD 391 million in 2025-26.
• The two sides discussed standards, accreditation, certification, food safety, pharmaceutical regulation and export certification.
• JETCO was established under the Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation between India and Costa Rica.

Prelims pointers

• The outcomes included extension of the framework agreement on peaceful exploration and uses of outer space.
• CDSCO and BPOM signed an MoU on cooperation in the field of medical products regulation.
• India and Indonesia listed cooperation in minerals and technology of the steel supply chain among the visit outcomes.
• The outcomes included an MoU between India’s NDMA and Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management.
• The Election Commission of India and Indonesia’s General Elections Commission, KPU, signed an MoU listed among the outcomes.

Prelims pointers

• The third Outreach Workshop on Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme was held in Kochi, Kerala, on 7 July 2026.
• The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj with Kerala’s Local Self Government Department.
• More than 800 Panchayats participated in the hybrid workshop, according to the release.
• The programme emphasised own-source revenue, sustainable financial management and bankable development projects.
• The Panchayati Raj Secretary linked financially empowered Panchayats with the journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Prelims pointers

• Kapas Kanti is the Mission for Cotton Productivity discussed at Uprashtrapati Bhavan with the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development.
• The briefing identified three components: productivity through research and technology, quality cotton through KASTURI certification and Kisan Kapas App, and new-age natural fibres.
• KASTURI Cotton certification and the Kisan Kapas App were cited as tools to ensure a steady supply of superior quality cotton.
• The Vice-President called for time-bound approvals, measurable targets for per-acre cotton yield and stronger global competitiveness.
• The Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Textiles were both represented, showing the farm-to-textile value-chain design of the mission.

Prelims pointers

• The high-level review was chaired by Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, at Seva Theerth on 7 July 2026.
• Secretaries or officials from more than fifteen ministries and bodies attended, including Agriculture, Power, Health, Economic Affairs, IMD and the Central Water Commission.
• IMD reported that after rainfall up to 7 July 2026, the all-India monsoon deficit had reduced to minus 12%.
• The article states that July receives more than 30% of the monsoon season’s rainfall, making the month critical for monitoring.
• Weak to moderate El Niño was expected in July and August, while ministries were told to coordinate with States on inputs and essential food commodities.

Prelims pointers

• APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated export of 2 metric tonnes of Amrapali mangoes to Dubai on 3 July 2026.
• The mangoes came from the Aspirational District of Gumla and the Aspirational Block of Deoghar in Jharkhand.
• The consignment was exported by M/s Fair Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd. for retail distribution across Lulu stores in Dubai.
• The orchards were developed by tribal women farmers under Birsa Harit Gram Yojana in convergence with MGNREGA.
• The women-led farmer producer companies realised nearly 180% higher returns than prevailing local market prices.

Prelims pointers

• The Department of Expenditure extended the Department of Financial Services notification dated 13 November 2025 to Central Autonomous Body employees covered under NPS.
• Aggressive Life Cycle Fund, LC-75, is now named LC-75-High and allows equity exposure up to 75%.
• Balanced Life Cycle Fund is now named Aggressive Life Cycle Fund and caps equity exposure at 50%.
• The 50% equity option begins gradual reduction in equity allocation from the age of 45 years.
• The extension applies to eligible employees of Central Autonomous Bodies who are National Pension System subscribers.

Prelims pointers

• The Natural History Museum, Mizoram University, Aizawl, was notified as a Designated Repository on 19 June 2026.
• The notification was issued under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, on the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority.
• With this notification, the Mizoram University museum became India’s 21st Designated Repository.
• The museum will maintain voucher specimens of flora such as pteridophytes and macrofungi and fauna such as reptiles, amphibians, fishes, moths, beetles and butterflies.
• The institution is located within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot; Mizoram and the wider North-east harbour more than 7,500 flowering plant species and over 2,000 faunal species.

Prelims pointers

• India and Indonesia signed 14 agreements and MoUs during Prime Minister Modi’s Jakarta visit.
• Two in-principle agreements concerned BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra Mk-1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
• Astra Mk-1 is operational with the Indian Air Force and has an engagement range of approximately 80-110 km.
• BrahMos is jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia and travels up to Mach 2.8.
• Indonesia conferred Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia on Modi; Jawaharlal Nehru received it posthumously on December 12, 1995.