Union Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0 with Rs.1.27 Lakh Crore Outlay to Boost India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
- The new initiative builds on the momentum of Semicon 1.0, reaffirms the Government of India (GoI)’s commitment to position India as a major global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and innovation through a holistic ecosystem-based approach.
- Key Pillars: The latest version of semicon programme has been structured around six main pillars which include: Design, Machines & Materials, Setting up More Fabs, ATMP/OSAT industry, Research & Development (R&D) and Talent development.
Union Cabinet Approves ‘Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme’ with Rs.62,500 Crore Outlay
- MPMS was approved under the Make in India initiative, the scheme aims to strengthen domestic mobile phone manufacturing, increase value addition, boost exports, and enhance India’s global competitiveness in the electronics manufacturing sector.
- The MPMS will be implemented for 5 years (from Financial Year 2026-27(FY27) to FY31 and succeeds the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (PLI-LSEM), which concluded on 31 March 2026.
- Aims to achieve Rs. 39 lakh crore cumulative mobile phone production, Rs. 15 lakh crore exports, and create around 60,000 direct jobs opportunities.
MoSPI Releases the First Trial Index of Services Production for India’s Services Sector
In July 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the 1st trial Sub-sectoral “Index of Services Production (ISP)”, India’s first official monthly indicator of services-sector output, complementing the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Objective: The ISP is a new macroeconomic indicator to capture the performance of the services sector.
- It is India’s first high-frequency indicator dedicated to measuring services sector output.
- It tracks short-term changes in the volume of output produced by the formal services sector relative to a specified base year.
Railways unveils 8 more reforms under ‘Reform Express’ to modernise freight operations
These reforms are part of the MoR’s target to implement 52 reforms in 52 weeks to enhance efficiency, promote innovation and strengthen the railway ecosystem.
8 New Strategic Reforms:
Modernisation: The new reforms will impact freight transportation, logistics, construction methods, project execution, wagon design, workforce skilling, and ease of doing business.
- Reform 10: Fly Ash Transportation
- Reform 11: Reforms in the Container Sector
- Reform 12: Fertilizer Transportation
- Reform 13: Policy for Skilling Artisans in Railway Projects and Works
- Reform 14: Construction Reforms
- Reform 15: Policy for Wagon Design Approval
- Reform 16: Petroleum Products Transportation
- Reform 17: Foodgrains, Flour and Pulses Transportation
India Launches Campaign For UNSC Non-Permanent Seat For 2028–29 Term
The campaign, themed “SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity”, highlights India’s commitment to global peace, security, equitable development, and reformed multilateralism.
- Priority Areas: The GoI has identified areas like: countering terror financing, strengthening maritime security and promoting responsible governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as its key priorities for 2028-29 term.
- Elections: The elections for UNSC non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 scheduled in June 2027. During these elections, India will compete against Tajikistan for the only seat in the Asia-Pacific group.
- About UNSC: It is one of the six principal organs of the UN, mainly responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- It comprises 15 members of which 5 are permanent members with veto power: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA).
- And, the remaining 10 are non-permanent members who are elected annually by UNGA for a two-year term.
- In June 2026, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) elected 5 countries namely: Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe, as UNSC non-permanent members for 2027-28 term.
MoFPI and NIFTEM, Thanjavur Launch Pilot ‘Short-Term Skill Training Programme’ at ITC-Trichy
In July 2026, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) in collaboration with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (TN), launched a pilot ‘Short-Term Skill Training Programme (STSTP)’ on Assistant Baking Technician (NSQF Level 3) Certificate Programme at Imperial Tobacco Company of India- Integrated Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Logistics (ITC–ICML) facility at Trichy, TN.
UN Releases First Scientific Report on AI, Urges Stronger Global Governance
In July 2026, the United Nations (UN) released the Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the first UN-commissioned scientific assessment of AI.
- The report warns that AI development is outpacing global governance and urges governments to strengthen regulatory frameworks.
Delhivery’s financial services arm receives RBI nod for Type II NBFC licence
In July 2026, Delhivery Financial Services Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of logistics firm, Delhivery Limited, received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval for the grant of a Certificate of Registration (CoR) as a Type-II Non-Banking Financial Company-Non-Deposit Taking (NBFC-ND).
- However, RBI has clarified that the issuance of the CoR is subject to submission of certain documents to the satisfaction of the central bank., as specified in the approval letter.
TCS Expands Partnership with ABB to Transform Global Network Operations
In July 2026, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), an Indian multinational technology company, signed a multi-million, multi-year agreement with ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, to transform its global network operations using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- The agreement marks the next phase of the 20-year partnership between TCS and ABB, expanding TCS’s role to deliver end-to-end AI-driven global network operations.
- Objective: Transform ABB’s global network into a standardised, centrally managed, AI-driven digital infrastructure through an integrated Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) model.
Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026: Adani Group Fastest to Enter India’s top 10 Most Valuable Brands
In July 2026, Brand Finance, world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy, released the latest edition of “Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026”. As per the report, the Adani Group ranked at 8th spot (up from 13th spot in last year), thereby becoming the fastest company to enter into India’s ‘Top 10 Most Valuable Brands’.
- Tata Group retained its position as India’s most valuable brand for the 10th consecutive year with a brand value of USD 33.6 billion, followed by Infosys (USD 15.3 billion) and LIC Group (USD 15.3 billion) in the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.
Ukraine’s Parliament Appoints Serhii Koretskyi as Prime Minister
Nomination: He was nominated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the post of PM as part of a cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening governance during the ongoing war.
Reason for Appointment: Selected for his energy sector leadership, Sergii Koretskyi assumes his first government role to strengthen Ukraine’s winter preparedness, energy security, and critical infrastructure, despite having no prior political experience or party affiliation.
HEX20 Launches Second Satellite KOYO aboard SpaceX Transporter-17
In July 2026, Kerala based HEX20, a private spacetech startup, successfully launched its second satellite KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer) aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, the United States of America (USA).
- The satellite, carrying 81 payloads, successfully entered orbit as a multi-payload test platform for in-orbit technology validation and commissioning of international payloads.
- Technology: The mission validated several HEX20-developed technologies, including a new solar panel deployment mechanism, deployable monopole antenna, hinge system, and the company’s AX CubeSat platform.
ATREE Researchers Discover Two New Rare Solitary Bee Species in Siang Valley, AR
In July 2026, researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru (Karnataka), discovered two new species of rare solitary bees, named ‘Elaphropoda triangulata’ and ‘Habropoda adi’, during the Siang Expedition in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh (AR).
- The findings, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy, highlight the exceptional biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas.
- Species: Elaphropoda triangulata was named after its distinctive triangular abdominal markings while Habropoda adi honours the indigenous Adi community of AR.
- Ecology: Both species are solitary ground-nesting bees that build individual nests instead of colonies, play a vital role in pollinating wild plants and agricultural crops, and are currently known only from a single male specimen each.
- Global Significance: Globally, only 13 species of Elaphropoda and 55 species of Habropoda are known, with each newly discovered species currently represented by a single male specimen.
MYAS Grants Conditional Recognition to Judo Federation of India
In July 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) granted conditional recognition to the Judo Federation of India (JFI), enabling it to resume governance of the sport and participate in national and international competitions.
Vice-President Releases Book ‘The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks’
The launch event was presided over by Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Insights: The book compiles speeches delivered by Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai during his tenure as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India and the 52nd CJI.
Objective: The publication aims to inspire law students, academicians, and legal professionals, providing a comprehensive understanding of judicial decision-making and reasoning.
World Youth Skills Day 2026 – July 15
The United Nations (UN) annually observes World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) on 15 July to emphasise the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.
- 2026 Theme: “ Skills for a Shared Future”
TN CM C. JosephVijay Launched “Nalam TN” AI-powered Whatsapp Chatbot” for OP Registration
In July 2026, C. Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) launched “Nalam TN”, an integrated digital platform designed to provide fast and remote Outpatient (OP) registration and appointments at the government hospitals across the state, at an event held in Presidency College Auditorium, Chennai (TN).
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered WhatsApp chatbot enables users to book appointments remotely, eliminating physical registration queues and enhancing accessibility to healthcare services.
MP Secures USD 2 Billion Semiconductor Investment from Spain’s Submer
- The investment was announced during the MP Tech Growth Conclave 3.0: GCC – Data Centres and Semiconductors held in Bhopal, MP.
- Facilities: The USD 2 billion investment will establish wafer fabrication, assembly, testing, and packaging (ATMP) facilities for advanced integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing.
- Aim: The project aims to strengthen local semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and support India’s Semiconductor Mission and semiconductor policy.
- MoU Exchange: During the conclave, a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between Google Play India and the MP State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) to strengthen the state’s digital ecosystem.