PM Narendra Modi Constitutes Exam Reform Task Force Led by Nandan Nilekani
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi announced the constitution of six member high-powered task force, under the leadership of Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms to the examination system in India.
Task Force Details:
Driving Factors: The panel was formed in response to nationwide protests over education reforms and concerns regarding exam paper leaks, particularly after the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test)-UG (Under Graduate) paper leak controversy.
BRICS Science Academies Forum Meeting 2026 Held at IIT Hyderabad, Telangana
The 2nd meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Science Academies Forum 2026 held from July 22 to 23 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) in Hyderabad, Telangana under the theme of “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation”.
Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List; Becomes India’s 45th WHS
In July 2026, the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh (UP) was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Busan, South Korea.
- The inscription became India’s 45th World Heritage Site (WHS) and the fourth for UP after Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri.
Overview of President Droupadi Murmu’s visits to Moldova, North Macedonia & Romania From July 19-25, 2026
President of India Droupadi Murmu was on a week-long state visit to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania from July 19 to 25, 2026, aimed at promoting relations in trade, technology, tourism and other sectors.
Highlights of the Visit:
Moldova: President Droupadi Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Presidential Palace, where she was warmly received by Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova.
- Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy (RE), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and innovation. India also unveiled the 3Ts Roadmap (Trade, Technology, and Talent) to deepen bilateral ties.
VIYONA Receives BBPS Approval to Offer Digital Bill Payment Services
In July 2026,VIYONA Fintech, a fintech infrastructure startup, received approval from the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), now known as Bharat Connect, to operate as a Customer Operating Unit (COU), enabling it to provide interoperable digital bill payment services across India.
About Payment Services:
Services: The certification enables VIYONA to offer Bharat Connect-powered bill payment services across multiple categories, including electricity, water, gas, broadband, mobile recharges, Direct-to-Home (DTH) subscriptions, insurance premiums, loan Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs), educational fees, and other approved bill payments.
Integration: Furthermore, the approval enables Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), banks, fintech companies, enterprises, and government organisations to integrate Bharat Connect services through VIYONA’s platform.
NSE Launches India’s First Domestic Benchmark-Based Natural Gas Futures
In July 2026, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the launch of India’s first exchange-traded energy derivative the ‘Indian Natural Gas Futures’, linked to a domestic benchmark, with trading set to commence from 27 July 2026.
EIL and CSIR-IMMT Signs MoU for Critical Minerals R&D
In July 2026, Engineers India Limited (EIL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha to strengthen collaboration in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and the critical and strategic minerals value chain.
- The MoU was signed by Rajiv Agarwal, Director (technical), EIL and Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT.
Vizhinjam International Seaport Gets Customs Approval for EXIM Operations
Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited(VISL), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, received final approval from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to commence Export-Import (EXIM) cargo operations from 18 August 2026.
About Customs Approval:
Approval: The CBIC notified the VISL as a Customs Port under the Customs Act, 1962, enabling direct EXIM operations, reducing reliance on foreign transshipment hubs, and enhancing India’s international trade efficiency.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Takes Additional Charge as Education Minister
In July 2026, Union Minister Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) was given additional charge as the 10th Union Minister of Education of India following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan at Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi.
- Acting on the advice of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.
SpaceX’s Starship Completes 13th Test Flight, Deploys 20 Starlink V3 Satellites
SpaceX successfully completed the 13th integrated test flight of its Starship launch system from Starbase, Texas, United States of America (USA), deploying 20 next-generation Starlink Version 3 (V3) satellites for the first time before making a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
- The mission, which marked the second test flight of Starship V3, was closely monitored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for its future ‘Artemis’ lunar missions.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026 – July 26
Kargil Vijay Diwas, also known as Kargil Victory Day, is observed annually across India on 26 July, to commemorate the Indian Army’s (IA) victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War through Operation Vijay and honours the courage, valour, and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
- 26 July 2026 marks the 27th observance of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.
International day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems 2026 – July 26
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observes the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July to promote mangrove conservation. Mangroves are unique land-sea ecosystems that provide ecological, climatic and socio-economic benefits.
2026 marks the 11th observance of International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems.
HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Launches ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana’ to Support Reservoir Fishermen
In July 2026, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister (CM), Himachal Pradesh (HP), launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana ’, a welfare-oriented scheme designed to provide financial assistance and social security to fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries during the annual fishing ban period.
- The scheme is implemented at an estimated annual state expenditure of Rs.1.20 crore, providing eligible fishermen a lump-sum grant of Rs.3,500 each during the fishing ban period.
Odisha Signs MoUs with HCL, Sarvam AI for Rs 14,257 crore AI Data Centre
Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HCL Technologies (HCLTech) and Sarvam AI to establish its first artificial intelligence (AI) data centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with an outlay of Rs. 14,257 crore.
- The MoU was signed in the presence of Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha; Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson, HCLTech; C Vijayakumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), HCLTech; and Pratyush Kumar, Co-Founder, Sarvam AI.