Lakhanpur in J&K Selected for PM SVANidhi Street Food Hub Initiative
In July 2026, Lakhanpur in Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) was selected among the first towns in India for the development of a Street Food Hub under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
– The project was announced by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) to establish a Street Food Hub across two clusters in Lakhanpur Market, promoting Dogra cuisine, tourism, and street vendors.
Chitkara University Launches Rs. 20-Crore Atal Incubation Centre for Deep-Tech Startups
In July 2026, Chitkara University, Punjab, launched the Atal Incubation Centre–Chitkara Incubation Foundation (AIC-CIF) and AIC-PRIDE Labs with a combined investment of Rs. 20 crore over five years to strengthen India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem by supporting startups in Drone Technologies, Agritech, and Renewable Energy.
– Objective: The incubation centre will promote research commercialisation, entrepreneurship and technology-led economic growth by supporting deep-tech startups.
– Collaboration: The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Government of India (GoI), and Chitkara University.
DoP and TRAI Signed MoU for India’s Largest Village-Level Telecom Network Survey
In July 2026, the Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi, Delhi to conduct India’s largest village-level telecom network performance survey. The objective is to identify mobile connectivity gaps and support evidence-based telecom policy for improving rural telecom infrastructure.
– The one-year initiative will assess the mobile network performance of Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) across over 5.68 lakh villages using an Android-based mobile application developed by TRAI.
DBN, GFGNL, and BSNL Sign Addendum for Rs.5,629 Crore BharatNet Rural Broadband Rollout in Gujarat
In July 2026, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Government of Gujarat (GoG), Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL), and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) signed an addendum to the existing agreement for implementing the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) in Gujarat under the State-led model, with a total outlay of Rs. 5,629 crore, at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
– Significance: The agreement aims to strengthen rural digital broadband connectivity, enhancing last-mile connectivity and promoting inclusive digital growth across the state.
– Implementation: GFGNL will implement the programme across 14,287 GPs, providing over 5 lakh rural home fibre connections and extending connectivity to 3,895 villages on a demand basis to strengthen last-mile broadband connectivity.
– About BharatNet: Launched as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) in 2011 and renamed BharatNet in 2015, it aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to around 2.5 lakh GPs across India.
Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Australia from July 8-10, 2026 – Part – II
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi participated in the 3rd India-Australia Annual Leaders’ Summit hosted by Australian PM Anthony Albanese MP, in Melbourne, Australia.
– Following the annual summit, both countries unveiled a list of the 18 major agreements and initiatives, spanning defence, maritime security, clean energy, critical technologies, education, skill development and cultural cooperation.
– Earlier, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Margaret Garnder AC, Governor of Victoria, at the Government House in Melbourne, where he signed the visitor’s Book.
– Key Outcomes:
Nuclear Cooperation: One of the key outcomes of PM Modi’s visit to Australia was the finalization of Administrative Arrangement of India-Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement (originally signed in 2014), facilitating the commercial supply of Australian uranium for India’s civilian nuclear power programme.
JDDSC: India and Australia signed a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (JDDSC) replacing the existing joint declaration on security(adopted in 2009).
Education: Both countries announced several initiatives to strengthen academic and vocational collaboration in the education sector such as the handing over a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Flinders University to set up a campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka (India); and receiving of approval by Australia’s Victoria University (VU) to operationalise its campus in Gurugram, Haryana (India) from August 2026.
Repatriation of Indian artifacts: Australia voluntarily announced to repatriate three significant Indian artefacts: granite Nandi sculpture (origins back to the 11th-12th century); a bronze trident bearing the image of Goddess Bhadrakali (11th Century)and a basalt sculpture of six-headed Skanda (Karttikeya) (12th-century).
WIPO Report 2026 Reaffirms India as Global Innovation Powerhouse; Intangible Investment Grows 7.9%
In July 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School (LBS) released the 3rd edition of World Intangible Investment Report 2026, highlighting India as the fastest-growing major economy in intangible investments.
– India’s intangible investment reached USD 78.2 billion in 2023 after 7.9% annual growth, driven by software, Research and Development (R&D), intellectual property, and innovation.
Founder of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani Received Fortune India MPW Honour
In July 2026, Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, felicitated with the Fortune India Most Powerful Women (MPW) honour for her visionary leadership, commitment to building institutions and inclusive development across India, at the Fortune India MPW event held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Indian Navy commissions indigenous stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into Eastern Fleet
In July 2026, the Indian Navy (IN) commissioned the indigenous stealth frigate Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mahendragiri (Pennant Number: F38), the sixth Nilgiri-class (Project-17A) frigate, into the Eastern Fleet (Sunrise Fleet), strengthening maritime warfare and stealth capabilities under the vision of MAHASAGAR (Maritime Security Strategy for the Indian Ocean Region).
– Naming: The ship is named after the Mahendragiri mountain peak located in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, it symbolises strength, steadfastness and indomitable resolve, and bears the motto ‘Mighty, Majestic, Matchless’
– Design: It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Wimbledon Championships 2026: Jannik Sinner and Linda Nosková Won Men’s and Women’s Singles Titles
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships, a major tennis tournament, was held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in Wimbledon, London, England from 29 June to 12 July 2026.
– World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy won the men’s singles title by defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 in the final, securing his fifth Grand Slam singles title.
– Linda Nosková of the Czech Republic, the ninth seed, won the 2026 Wimbledon women’s singles title by defeating fellow Czech Karolína Muchová, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, the 10th seed, in the final.
Legendary Playback Singer S. Janaki Passed Away at 88
In July 2026, legendary playback singer Sistla Sreeramamurthy (S.) Janaki, popularly known as the “Nightingale of South India”, passed away at the age of 88 at Mysuru, Karnataka.
– Achievement: With a career spanning over six decades (1957–2017), she recorded over 48,000 songs in nearly 20 Indian languages, becoming one of India’s most celebrated playback singers.
– Awards: She won 4 National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer for “Senthoora Poove” (16 Vayathinile, Tamil, 1977), “Ettumanoor Ambalathil” (Oppol, Malayalam, 1981), “Vennello Godari Andam” (Sitara, Telugu, 1984), and “Inji Iduppazhagi” (Thevar Magan, Tamil, 1992). She also received 33 State Film Awards.
– Declined: She was selected for the Padma Bhushan (in the field of arts) in 2013, which she declined.
Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Passed Away
In July 2026, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, passed away at the age of 74. He ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before voluntarily abdicating in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, becoming one of the first modern Arab leaders to peacefully transfer power.
– He was born in 1952 into the Al Thani royal family, which has ruled Qatar since 1851.
World Population Day 2026 – July 11
The United Nations (UN’s) World Population Day is annually observed across the globe on July 11 to raise awareness about pressing population issues and emphasize the interrelationship between population dynamics, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development.
– 2026 Theme: “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future.”
International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica 2026 – 11 July
The United Nations (UN) annually observes the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica on 11 July to honour the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and promote justice, remembrance and reconciliation.
– 11 July 2026 marks the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide.
World Horse Day 2026 – July 11
The United Nations (UN) observes World Horse Day (WHD) annually on 11 July to recognise, celebrate, and protect the significant contribution of horses to human society worldwide.
– 11 July 2026 marked the 2nd observance of WHD.
Assam FM Jayanta Malla Baruah Presents Rs 2.85 Lakh Cr budget for FY27
In July 2026, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Finance Minister(FM) of Assam, presented the State Budget for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) with a total outlay of Rs 2,85,084 crore(Cr) in the Assam Legislative Assembly in Dispur, Assam.
Highlights:
– Receipts & Expenditure: The total receipts in the Consolidated Fund of Assam for FY27 are estimated at Rs. 1,51,843.23 Cr.
– The total expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of Assam is projected at Rs. 1,56,714.88 Cr.
– Key Allocations: Infrastructure remained a key focus area of the Assam Budget 2026-27.
– The Assam Budget 2026-27 allocated more than Rs. 6,000 crore for flagship welfare schemes, including Orunodoi, pensions, student assistance, farmer support, and tea garden welfare programmes.
– The Assam Budget 2026-27 announced a Rs. 77,353 crore investment pipeline for the power sector to transform Assam into a power-surplus state.
– The Assam Government proposed an irrigation expansion programme with an estimated investment of Rs. 3,000–4,000 crore over the next five years.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Renames Ayodhya’s Bhadarsa Town As ‘Bharat Nagar’
In July 2026, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister (CM), Uttar Pradesh (UP) renamed the ‘Bhadarsa town’ in Ayodhya district as ‘Bharat Nagar’ to honor the town’s cultural and spiritual heritage and its connection to the nearby historical site of Bharat Kund.
– Significance: The renaming aims to strengthen tourism and civic awareness, linking the town’s identity with India’s broader cultural narrative.