- MoC launches Key Initiatives at the 5th Foundation Day, Plans to establish a Cooperative Life Insurance Company
- The Government of India (GoI) plans to establish a Cooperative Life Insurance Company as an effort to expand the cooperative sector. This vision of GoI aims to strengthen the cooperative movement across the country.
- Overview of FM Sitharaman’s visit to France from July 1-4, 2026
- Critical Minerals: Both countries have agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals as part of a wider conversation on securing resilient supply chains.
- Future Roadmap: FMs of both countries committed to use the EFD as a key platform to address economic, financial, technological, investment and trade issues between India and France; and also agreed to explore the possibility of conducting the next edition of dialogue in 2027.
- ITER Visit: She also visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project at Cadarache, aimed at reinforcing scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.
- GCS’s Global Passport Index 2026: Sweden Tops the Rankings; India Ranked 125th
- Sweden topped the rankings as the world’s strongest passport with an overall score of 96.05. It is followed by Switzerland, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands, securing 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions, respectively.
- Global Biofuel Alliance Selected 15 Fellows Including 2 Indians for GBCF Programme
- These selected global fellows will act as GBA Ambassadors over the next two years, to accelerate sustainable bioenergy solutions and global clean energy partnerships.
- Indian Representation: The selected cohort of GBCF includes two researchers from India: Ruchi Agrawal from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) (Delhi) and Abhishek Sahoo from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) (Delhi).
- Nepal’s Jestha Varna Mahavihar receives 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award; restored with India’s grant assistance
- It was recognised by UNESCO for its exemplary community-centred approach, combining modern seismic retrofitting with the preservation of Newari woodcarvings and architecture, while sustaining the living heritage and practices of the Newar Buddhist community.
- Also known as Jyaba Bahi or Chakrabahil, it is a historic site located just 300 meters from the UNESCO-listed Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur.
- Govt Appoints New Chiefs for BPR&D, NCRB and SVPNPA
- Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D): Alok Kumar Mittal, a 1993-batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre, as Director General (DG). He will serve from the date of assuming charge until June 30, 2029 (his superannuation), or until further orders, whichever comes first.
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): Amit Garg, a 1993-batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh (AP) Cadre, as Director. He will serve as NCRB Director until October 31, 2027, or until further orders. He succeeds Alok Ranjan, a 1991-batch IPS officer.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA): Sujeet Pandey, a 1994-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre, as Director. He will serve until July 31, 2028, the date of his retirement, or until further orders.
- NPCI’s Dilip Asbe Appointed to SWIFT Global Supervisory Board
- In July 2026, Dilip Asbe, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), was appointed to the Supervisory Board of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT).
- China Launched New Marine Satellite “HY-2E” For Enhanced Marine Monitoring
- This marked China’s 47th space mission in 2026 and 654th flight of the Long March rocket series.
- Replaces Previous Variant: The HY-2E satellite is designed to replace the HY-2B satellite (launched in 2018).
- Also, it will work alongside the existing operational HY-2 series satellites (HY-2C and HY-2D) for monitoring the global marine dynamic environment.
- Developed by: The newly launched marine satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
- India Secures 41 Medals at the U15, U20 Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand
- Indian wrestlers secured 20 medals in the U20 category, including 4 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze medals, and 21 medals in the U15 category, comprising 8 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze medals.
- Padma Shri Awardee & ‘Bridge Man of India’ Girish Bharadwaj Passed Away
- He was conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by the Government of India (GoI) in 2017 for his contributions to the field of Social Work.
- World Kiswahili Language Day 2026 – July 7
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observes World Kiswahili Language Day annually on 7 July to recognise Kiswahili’s role in fostering unity, peace and cultural exchange across Africa and beyond.
- 2026 Theme: “Kiswahili for Peace, Solidarity and Global Economic Diplomacy.”
- World Bioproduct Day 2026 – July 7
- World Bioproduct Day is observed annually across the world on 7 July to raise global awareness about the importance of bioproducts and their role in promoting environmental sustainability, climate action and a circular bioeconomy.
