Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launches Mission “Golden Spice” for Meghalaya’s Lakadong Turmeric
The Rs 175.45-crore convergence-led initiative designed as a phased, five-year roadmap (2025–2030) aimed at transforming Meghalaya’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Lakadong turmeric into a globally competitive premium spice.
The Mission will be implemented as Value Chain Strengthening (Phase 1) and Expansion & Scale-up (Phase 2) for promotion of Meghalaya’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP), GI-tagged Lakadong Turmeric.
MHI Data: Maharashtra tops PLI-Auto scheme with 66 manufacturing units; Tamil Nadu has 38
In July 2026, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) presented data in the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Parliament) that showed Maharashtra topped among states in terms of manufacturing units established under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile and auto component industry, with 66 units (as of March 31, 2026).
It is followed by Tamil Nadu (TN) (with 38 units); Haryana (35 units) and Karnataka (35 units), among the top 3 states with highest number of manufacturing units under the scheme.
ISRO’s VSSC and CSIR-IICT Sign MoU to Develop Indigenous Eco-Friendly Blowing Agent Technology
In July 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) to jointly develop indigenous technology for next-generation, environmentally sustainable blowing agents.
The strategic partnership aims to support advanced space applications, reduce India’s reliance on imported fluorochemicals, and bolster the country’s capabilities in strategic materials research.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Pilot Phase of ‘Gems of India’ Challenge
Gems of India’ Challenge, a national initiative to identify, nurture and promote grassroots digital creators under the emerging Orange Economy.
The challenge is hosted on MyWAVES platform, enabling creators to showcase their district’s culture, heritage, tourism, traditions, history and unique achievements through digital storytelling
ISSDA and GSSE Partner to Promote Stainless Steel for India’s Clean Energy Transition
On 20 July 2026, the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) and the Global Stainless Steel Expo (GSSE) entered into a strategic partnership to promote stainless steel as a key enabler of India’s clean energy transition and sustainable industrial growth.
The collaboration aims to expand stainless steel use in green hydrogen, renewable energy, mobility, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
Outlook: India’s stainless steel market is projected to reach USD 15.8 billion (Rs. 1.36 lakh crore) by 2030.
- India has 7.5 million tonnes(MT) stainless steel production capacity, 60–65% capacity utilisation, and 25–28% import dependency.
IAMAI Officially Launches E-Commerce Council of India in Bengaluru, Karnataka
In July 2026, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) formally launched the Electronic (E)-Commerce Council of India (ECCI), a nationwide platform, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to strengthen India’s digital commerce ecosystem through collaboration among industry, government, and other key stakeholders.
About E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI):
Members: The ECCI initiative has onboarded 70–80 members, including major companies like Amazon, Flipkart, IndiaMART, ixigo, Uber, Rapido, Shiprocket, eBay, Urban Company, and Meesho.
Focus: ECCI will focus on digital commerce through electronic commerce (e-commerce) for products and services, digital trade, logistics & supply chain, mobility, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises(MSME) enablement, market access, and travel technology.
IIT Kanpur to Set up Centre of Excellence for Green Hydrogen
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh(UP), announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen (ECOGEN) under the UP Green Hydrogen Policy 2024.
- The CoE will be led by Dr. Prabodh Bajpai, Professor in the Sustainable Energy Engineering Department of IIT Kanpur, as Principal Investigator.
IIPA and ICAI Sign MoU to Strengthen Municipal Financial Governance
Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen municipal accounting systems and improve financial management through research, training, and institutional capacity building.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of State(MoS) Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Framework: The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration in research, knowledge development, training, advisory services, and technical support to strengthen municipal accounting systems and financial management.
India’s outward FDI Drops 47.9% to USD 3 billion in June 2026: RBI Data
In July 2026, according to provisional data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) declined by 47.9% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) to USD 3 billion in June 2026, compared to USD 5.74 billion in June 2025. It also decreased from USD 4.5 billion in May 2026.
- All three components of Outward FDI commitments: equity, debt, and guarantees, witnessed a decline in June 2026.
Eight-Year-Old Iya Krish Becomes Youngest Asian to Summit North Africa’s Highest Peak ‘Mount Toubkal’
Iya Krish, an eight-year-old mountaineer from Thrissur, Kerala, successfully scaled Mount Toubkal (4,167 metre, m), the highest peak in North Africa, in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, becoming the youngest person from Asia to achieve the feat after a three-day expedition led by Greenway Adventures Travel & Tourism LLC.
The summit involved covering approximately 42 kilometers (km) with an elevation gain of over 2,900 m.
Indian Navy Commissions INS Malvan Warship to Strengthen Coastal Anti-Submarine Capabilities
The Indian Navy (IN) commissioned Indian Naval Ship (INS) Malvan (Yard 524), Second of Eighth Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), during a ceremony held at Naval Base Karwar, Karnataka.
- The ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (COAS), in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala.
- INS Malvan becomes the first Indian naval vessel ever to be commissioned at Karwar and the 7th warship inducted by the Navy in 2026.
Paninian India Launches India’s First Private-Sector Turbofan Engine Programme
Paninian India Private Limited, a deep-tech and aerospace startup, launched the Yantur 4.5 kilo-Newton (kN) Turbofan engine programme, envisaged as India’s first privately developed turbofan engine in its class.
- The newly launched programme marks a significant step towards establishing indigenous private-sector capability in compact aerospace propulsion for next generation autonomous systems.
ARI Discovers Five New Allographa Lichen Species in Western Ghats
In July 2026, researchers from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, Maharashtra, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), discovered five new Allographa lichen-forming fungi species in the Western Ghats, Kerala.
- The newly identified species are Allographa keralensis (named after Kerala), Allographa nayakae (named in honour of Indian lichenologist Dr. Sanjeeva Nayaka), Allographa paraconsanguinea, Allographa persistinspersa, and Allographa semicarbonisata.
Menuires International Chess Championship 2026: Indian GMs S. Rohith Krishna & Raja Rithvik Win Gold & Silver
Grandmaster (GM) S. Rohith Krishna of Tamil Nadu (TN) won the gold medal, while GM Raja Rithvik of Telangana secured the silver medal at the inaugural Menuires International Chess Championship 2026 held at Le Break des Menuires, Savoie, France on 11–18 July 2026.
- Both players finished unbeaten on 7 points from 9 rounds, with Rohith Krishna clinching the title on a superior tie-break score of 43 ahead of Raja Rithvik, who recorded a tie-break score of 41.5.
Pi Approximation Day 2026 – July 22
Pi Approximation Day (Casual Pi Day) is observed annually on 22 July to celebrate the mathematical constant Pi (π), represented by the Greek letter π, and to promote its importance in mathematics and science.
World Brain Day 2026 – July 22
World Brain Day (WBD) is observed annually across the world on 22 July to raise awareness about brain health and neurological disorders.
- 2026 Theme: “Brain Health: Access for All”
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang Presents Rs 19,215 Cr Annual Budget for FY27, Prioritising Healthcare, Infrastructure and Social Welfare
In July 2026, the Sikkim Chief Minister (CM) and Finance Minister (FM) Prem Singh Tamang presented the ‘Annual Budget for the Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27)’, with a total outlay of Rs 19,215 crore, in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly at Gangtok, Sikkim.
APEDB and UAE Sign MoU to Establish Food Cluster for Horticulture Exports
On 21 July 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Food Cluster to establish a food processing cluster in AP in the presence of AP’s Chief Minister (CM) N. Chandrababu Naidu and Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri at Amaravati, AP.
- The MoU was signed in the presence of N. Chandrababu Naidu, CM of AP and Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, at Amaravati, AP.