Daily Current Affairs - Week 28, 2026 (06 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2026)
Generated by AllJobAlerts on 28 September 2026
Weekly Current Affairs
- India's ACME Green Molecules signed a long-term deal with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company on July 3, 2026, to supply 100,000 tonnes per annum of green methanol from its Odisha facility.
- India and Mali held their inaugural India–Mali Forum for Promotion of Exports in Bamako on July 3, 2026, to deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation across sectors like textiles, mining, and pharmaceuticals.
- India Emerges as World's Largest Retail & FMCG GCC Hub with 180 Centres Employing 272,000 Professionals.
- EPFO launched the centralised CITES 2.01 IT platform, consolidating 340 million member accounts into a single national system.
Weekly Current Affairs
- Microsoft and Lightstorm are leading a consortium to build the 3,600-km I-2SEA undersea cable system by Q4 2029, connecting India, Malaysia, and Singapore to boost high-capacity AI and cloud connectivity.
- The AI for Good Global Commission was launched on July 3, 2026, with top Indian business leaders joining over 40 global icons to promote ethical and inclusive AI development.
- ISRO successfully conducted the ground test of the solid motor for SOLVE vehicle under the Gaganyaan programme.
- The US Department of Commerce approved a wider rollout of OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 model under the new voluntary oversight framework.
- DRDO successfully tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket on July 8, 2026 at Chandipur, meeting all performance parameters.
Weekly Current Affairs
- The Uttar Pradesh Government continues its UP Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2026 to empower traditional artisans with free skill training, toolkits, and financial assistance.
- The Andhra Pradesh Government introduced nutrient-rich peanut millet jaggery chikki in government school mid-day meals starting 6 July 2026 to enhance student nutrition.
- Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Policy 2026 to attract ₹2 lakh crore investment and create 2 GW capacity with focus on green and AI-enabled centres.
- The West Bengal government approved a ₹313.3 crore package under Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana for education, healthcare and infrastructure of tea garden workers.
- Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved renaming of Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district to Parashurampuri.
- Tripura Makes National Anthem Jana Gana Mana and Song Vande Mataram Compulsory in All Schools.
- Uttar Pradesh launched the “Guru Dakshina” cashless medical scheme for free hospitalization benefits to 10 lakh education staff.
Weekly Current Affairs
- The International Booker Prize will be renamed the Bukhman International Booker Prize from 2027 following a 10-year funding deal, with the prize money doubling to £100,000.
- ICMR's flagship project ICMR-MINDS won the Gold Award under the Innovation in AI category at the National Awards for e-Governance 2026.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) won the Gold Award for its AI-powered mental health platform, ICMR-MINDS, at the National Awards for e-Governance 2026.
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto conferred Indonesia’s highest civilian award ‘Bintang Adipurna’ on PM Narendra Modi.
- Acharya Ranchhodlalji Goswami Wins Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025.
- Acharya Ranchhodlal Goswami received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 for preserving Haveli Sangeet tradition.
Weekly Current Affairs
- The International Day of Cooperatives was observed globally on July 4, 2026, under the UN theme "Cooperatives for a Peaceful World!" to highlight the role of cooperatives in social justice and economic equality.
- World Zoonoses Day was observed globally on 6 July 2026 to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases and commemorate Louis Pasteur’s first successful rabies vaccine administration in 1885.
Weekly Current Affairs
- Canada reduced the Super Visa processing time for Indian applicants to 50 days as of July 3, 2026, making it faster for parents and grandparents to secure long-stay entries.
- India is chairing the Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy at UNCTAD in Geneva.
- India is hosting the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting in Guwahati to focus on operational cooperation against synthetic drugs and trafficking.
- India is chairing the three-day Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in Geneva from 6th to 8th July 2026.
- India slipped one position to rank 125th out of 197 countries in the Global Passport Index 2026 by Global Citizen Solutions, despite achieving a record composite score of 45.1.
- India and Rwanda Hold Second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting in New Delhi.
- Switzerland will host the Geneva AI Summit on June 21–22, 2027 at Palexpo, focusing on unified global AI governance, innovation, safety and ethics.
- Jaipur secured 6th rank in the Global Happy City Index 2026, becoming the only Indian city in the top 10.
- India and Myanmar held the 23rd Border Coordination Meeting in New Delhi on July 7-8, 2026 to strengthen border security cooperation.
Weekly Current Affairs
- The Indian Air Force defeated the Indian Navy 2-1 to win the 7th Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament held at Air Force Station Jalahalli from June 23 to July 3, 2026.
- Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to represent India in international cricket during a T20I match against England at Old Trafford.
- Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. announced his retirement from international football at the age of 34 following Brazil's 2-1 defeat against Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- 17-year-old S. Aswath from Tamil Nadu became India’s 98th Chess Grandmaster on July 8, 2026.
Weekly Current Affairs
- The Delhi government launched the ‘Delhi Next – Code, Create and Change’ programme on July 2, 2026, to pilot 60 technology-driven solutions for critical urban challenges like traffic and waterlogging.
- The Unique Identification Authority of India has enabled holders to update or add their email IDs directly and for free through the official Aadhaar App.
- The National Commission for Women has launched a 24x7 toll-free women helpline number, 14490, to provide immediate support, complaint registration, and counseling.
- West Bengal has secured GI tags for three Hooghly district products, namely Jalbhara Sandesh, Manohara, and traditional wooden Dingi Boats.
- The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences has launched a research textbook, a scholar programme, and a digital dashboard to strengthen Ayurvedic research.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Viksit UDAN' regional connectivity scheme and inaugurated a new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport.
- CG SEMI's OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat, has commenced commercial production to manufacture semiconductor chips for automobiles and industrial equipment.
- The Delhi Government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has launched 'Mission Kayakalp' to modernize and upgrade infrastructure in government schools.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, to boost India's semiconductor value chain.
- India commemorated the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a prominent nationalist educationist and founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, on 6 July 2026.
- Sirsa Kinnow from Haryana became the first fruit from the state to receive the GI tag.
- IIM Bangalore announced its first overseas campus in Singhasari, Indonesia.
- Navi Mumbai Airport Notified as Authorised Drug Import Port, Taking Total to 42.
- Cabinet Approves ₹60,000 Crore PM-SETU Scheme for Nationwide ITI Upgradation.
- TribeX Digital Platform Launched for Preserving Tribal Arts, Culture and Knowledge.
- Mizoram University’s Natural History Museum Designated as India’s 21st Biodiversity Repository.
- Karnataka Recommends Hampi, Mysuru & Lakkundi for Global Destination Development Project.
- Four States Sign Historic Payment Agreement on Narmada Projects in New Delhi.
Weekly Current Affairs
- IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram was appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 2, 2026, while continuing to hold additional charge as the CBSE Chairperson.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Alok Kumar Mittal as DG BPR&D, Amit Garg as Director NCRB, and Sujeet Pandey as Director SVPNPA.
- Sanjeev Jain (IFS 2008) was appointed as India’s next Ambassador to North Korea.
- Mahesh Muralidhar Pai was appointed MD & CEO of South Indian Bank for a three-year term beginning October 1, 2026.
Weekly Current Affairs
- Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, known as the ‘Bridge Man of India’, passed away at 76.
EPFO Launches Centralised IT Platform CITES 2.01
- Digital Overhaul: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the CITES 2.01 platform, migrating 340 million member accounts from 120 decentralized databases into a single national interface.
- Financial Upgrades: The FY2025–26 EPF interest of 8.25% (worth ₹1.44 lakh crore) will be credited by July 15, 2026. The manual auto-settlement limit for advance claims has risen from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
- Key Features: The platform offers real-time error alerts, dynamic interest calculations up to the actual payment date, and a revised withdrawal framework allowing members to withdraw up to 75% of balances.
DRDO Successfully Tests Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket
- The Test: DRDO conducted a successful flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) on July 8, 2026, at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.
- Performance Metrics: The precision rocket achieved all targets, confirming complex in-flight maneuvers and meeting a user-defined minimum operational range of 60 kilometers.
- Indigenous Development: Led by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) alongside other DRDO labs, this homegrown system advances battlefield precision and supports the self-reliant Aatmanirbhar Bharat defense initiative.
US Approves Wider Access to OpenAI’s GPT-5.6
- Latest Action: The US Department of Commerce approved a broader rollout of OpenAI's GPT-5.6 model following an evaluation by the Center for AI Standards and Innovation.
- The Framework: Evaluated under a new voluntary oversight framework initiated by a 2026 Executive Order from President Donald Trump, the review process mandates a safety window of up to 30 days before deployment.
- Security Priorities: The structured delay balances technological innovation with national security concerns, specifically targeting advanced cyber offenses, malware creation, mass misinformation, and potential exploitation by strategic foreign competitors.
UP Launches "Guru Dakshina" Cashless Medical Scheme
- The Initiative: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath introduced the Chief Minister Teacher Cashless Medical Scheme, branded as "Guru Dakshina," to provide free hospitalization benefits to 10 lakh education staff.
- Funding & Scope: The state will bear the ₹447 crore annual premium through SACHIS, covering over 1,900 treatment packages for major critical illnesses in empanelled hospitals, excluding outpatient OPD care.
- Social Security: Alongside the health cover, an SBI MoU brings up to ₹1 crore in accident insurance for permanent teachers, while ongoing student DBT transfers provide ₹1,200 directly for school materials.
Acharya Ranchhodlal Goswami Wins Yuva Puraskar 2025
- The Honour: The Sangeet Natak Akademi selected 32-year-old Acharya Ranchhodlal Goswami for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 under the Union Ministry of Culture.
- Heritage Preservation: The award honors his contributions to safeguarding Haveli Sangeet, a 550-year-old classical Pushtimarg devotional music style tracking daily rituals, seasons, and festivals.
- Background: As the 16th-generation Acharya of a 450-year-old Ahmedabad haveli, Goswami has composed over 22,000 verses in multiple languages, written eight books, and developed academic university curricula.
India and Myanmar Hold 23rd Border Coordination Meeting
- Bilateral Dialogue: The 23rd National-Level Border Coordination Meeting took place on July 7–8, 2026, in New Delhi to address mutual border and regional security concerns.
- Delegation Leaders: The high-level talks were co-led by Indian Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Major General Min Thu.
- Strategic Focus: Managing the 1,643-kilometer international boundary, the two nations agreed to boost intelligence sharing and operational coordination to counter insurgency, cross-border terrorism, narcotics trafficking, weapon smuggling, and transnational cybercrime.
Jaipur Ranks 6th in Global Happy City Index 2026
- Global Milestone: Jaipur secured the 6th spot globally in the Happy City Index 2026, making it the only Indian city featured in the top 10. London claimed the top ranking worldwide.
- Evaluation Criteria: Cities were evaluated on performance across governance, public health, environmental sustainability, economic stability, transport mobility, and overall urban well-being.
- Key Drivers: Jaipur's high rank is driven by its successful balance of rich cultural heritage preservation with smart city infrastructure projects, clean public spaces, robust tourism, and civic involvement.
Switzerland to Host Geneva AI Summit
- Event Details: Switzerland will host the Geneva AI Summit on June 21–22, 2027, at Palexpo, Geneva, strategically scheduled alongside the ITU's AI for Good Global Summit.
- Core Objectives: Formulated by Swiss Minister Albert Rosti, the summit aims to build a global platform for unified AI governance and innovation, building upon past summits in New Delhi, Bletchley Park, Seoul, and Paris.
- Dual Strategic Goals: The event will focus on enhancing human lives (through healthcare, education, and sustainability) and establishing trustworthy AI (focusing on safety, ethics, and international regulations).
S. Aswath Becomes India’s 98th Chess Grandmaster
- The Achievement: 17-year-old S. Aswath from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, became India's 98th Grandmaster (and Tamil Nadu’s 38th) on July 8, 2026.
- The Final Norm: He secured his third and final Grandmaster norm by finishing second with 7/9 points at the Pune International GM Round Robin Tournament, defeating USA's FM Kannan Vaidyanathan.
- Journey to Title: Aswath secured his previous norms at the 2025 Grenke Open and Budapest's First Saturday tournament, successfully crossing the mandatory 2500 FIDE rating milestone despite a six-month academic break.
Mahesh Muralidhar Pai Appointed MD & CEO of South Indian Bank
- New Leadership: The RBI approved Mahesh Muralidhar Pai as the new MD & CEO of South Indian Bank for a three-year term starting October 1, 2026.
- The Transition: Pai, who will succeed P.R. Seshadri at the Thrissur-headquartered bank, faces a board meeting on July 16, 2026, followed by mandatory shareholder approval.
- Professional Profile: At 50 years old, Pai brings nearly 30 years of banking experience, currently managing Canara Bank's Digital Banking and Innovation vertical alongside multiple international board assignments.
India Emerges as Global Retail & FMCG GCC Hub
- India has become the world’s largest hub for retail and FMCG Global Capability Centres (GCCs) with 180 centres employing over 272,000 professionals as of 8 July 2026.
- The Indian retail GCC workforce is 34% larger than the combined total of Poland, Philippines, Mexico, Germany, and Egypt.
- Key hubs: Bengaluru (84,000 professionals), Delhi NCR (66,000), and Hyderabad (45,000).
- AI workforce penetration rose from 2.1% (2022) to 4.8% (2025), projected at 7.2% by 2026. Hiring nearly doubled in 2024-25 with 52,000+ jobs created.
- Technology, customer success, and supply chain roles dominate; data analytics and GenAI roles are fastest growing.
Tripura Makes National Anthem & Song Compulsory in Schools
- On 7 July 2026, Tripura government made the full version of National Song Vande Mataram and National Anthem Jana Gana Mana compulsory in all schools, including government aided, private schools, and recognised madrassas.
- Daily assemblies will begin with Vande Mataram, followed by Jana Gana Mana; everyone must stand at attention.
- The directive aligns with Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines (28 Jan 2026) and was approved by the state Cabinet on 25 June 2026.
- Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee; Jana Gana Mana by Rabindranath Tagore.
Ranchhodlalji Goswami Honoured with Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
- Acharya Shri Ranchhodlalji Goswami, the 16th Acharya of the historic Goswami Haveli in Ahmedabad, has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar-2025 by Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- At just 32 years old, he is a leading exponent of the 550-year-old Pushtimarg Haveli Sangeet tradition founded by Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharyaji.
- He has composed over 22,000 devotional padas, authored eight books, and serves as faculty at Gujarat University while pursuing a PhD.
- The award recognises the rich heritage of Haveli Sangeet, which preserves ancient forms like Dhrupad and Dhamar.
- Ranchhodlalji described the honour as a tribute to India’s devotional music and cultural legacy.
India-Rwanda Hold Second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting
- India and Rwanda held the second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi on 6-7 July 2026.
- Co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad (MoD) and Brigadier General Louis Kanobayier (Rwanda Defence Force).
- Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in military training, joint exercises, medical collaboration, and defence industries.
- An implementation plan with timelines was finalised. The first MoU on defence was signed in July 2018 during PM Modi’s visit to Rwanda.
Narmada Project Payment Agreement
- Four states — Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra — signed a historic payment agreement in New Delhi on July 7, 2026.
- The pact resolves long-pending financial issues related to the Sardar Sarovar and Indira Sagar projects as per the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) Award.
- It finalizes cost-sharing, rehabilitation expenses, compensation for submerged lands, construction costs, interest on borrowings, and settlement of dues.
- The agreement was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil.
- This development marks a significant step towards cooperative federalism and improved inter-state water management in the Narmada basin.
Karnataka Recommends Hampi, Mysuru & Lakkundi for Global Destination Development
- On 7 July 2026, the Karnataka government decided to recommend Hampi, Mysuru, and Lakkundi for the Union Tourism Ministry’s Global Destination Development project.
- The proposal was finalised after a state-level meeting in Hampi (6-7 July 2026).
- Selected sites will receive ₹800 crore central assistance (₹500 cr in Phase 1, ₹300 cr in Phase 2) for infrastructure, connectivity, heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism.
- Hampi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) will get digital preservation and heritage station redevelopment.
Mizoram University’s Natural History Museum Designated as Biodiversity Repository
- On 7 July 2026, the Union Environment Ministry designated the Natural History Museum at Mizoram University (Aizawl) as a repository under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- It is India’s 21st such repository, following recommendation by the National Biodiversity Authority.
- The museum will preserve voucher and type specimens of regional flora (pteridophytes, macrofungi) and fauna (reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects).
- Located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, it supports research and conservation in North-East India.
TribeX Digital Platform Launched for Tribal Knowledge
- Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram launched the TribeX digital learning platform on 7 July 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
- The platform preserves and disseminates India’s tribal arts, languages, culture, and traditional knowledge.
- Offers 20 free certificate courses on tribal paintings, handicrafts, and musical instruments; also UGC-recognised PG diploma programmes.
- Features a heritage archive with 5,000+ multimedia resources (audio, video, literature). Plans to expand to 100+ courses and 10,000+ resources.
- Developed in partnership with Sampurnanand Sanskrit University.
Cabinet Approves Nationwide PM-SETU Scheme for ITI Upgradation
- On 7 July 2026, the government approved the nationwide rollout of Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme.
- Total outlay: ₹60,000 crore over five years (Centre ₹30,000 cr, States ₹20,000 cr, Industry ₹10,000 cr).
- Aims to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs across 200 clusters and establish five National Centres of Excellence in hub-and-spoke model.
- Focuses on industry-led curriculum, infrastructure, and training in manufacturing, services, and construction sectors.
Navi Mumbai Airport Notified as Drug Import Port
- On 8 July 2026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified Navi Mumbai Airport as an authorised port for drug imports by amending Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
- This increases the total notified ports of entry for drugs in India to 42.
- The decision followed consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- The airport will serve as a key gateway for pharmaceuticals, APIs, and healthcare products in western India, supporting trade facilitation near Maharashtra’s manufacturing clusters.
Girish Bharadwaj, ‘Bridge Man of India’, Passes Away at 76
- Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, known as the “Bridge Man of India”, died on 7 July 2026 in Sullia, Karnataka, due to heart-related issues.
- A mechanical engineer, he built over 140 low-cost suspension bridges across remote areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha since 1989.
- His bridges improved access to schools, hospitals, and markets for rural communities.
- He received the Padma Shri in 2017 for contributions to rural infrastructure.
ISRO Successfully Tests Solid Motor for SOLVE in Gaganyaan Programme
- On 3 July 2026, ISRO conducted the first ground test of the solid motor for the Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) at Sriharikota.
- The test validated the propulsion system for parachute and crew module recovery trials.
- SOLVE will launch the crew module to 10–17 km altitude, test parachute deployment, and ensure safe water landing.
- This is a key milestone for India’s first indigenous human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan.
Jalalabad in UP Renamed to Parashurampuri
- On 6 July 2026, the UP Cabinet under CM Yogi Adityanath approved renaming Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district to Parashurampuri.
- The proposal received no objections from the Central Government.
- The change reflects the town’s historical and religious significance as the birthplace of Lord Parashurama (sixth avatar of Vishnu).
- The town was originally named during the Mughal era after Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar.
West Bengal Implements ₹313.3 Crore Package for Tea Garden Workers
- West Bengal government approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana with ₹313.3 crore package for over 300,000 tea garden workers in North Bengal.
- Fund distribution: ₹177 crore for education (Cha Shramik Shiksha Yojana), ₹72 crore for healthcare (Cha Shramik Swasthya Suraksha Yojana), and ₹63 crore for worker infrastructure (321 resting sheds under Cha Shramik Ashray Yojana).
- NBDD will implement the scheme in coordination with health and education departments.
Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Policy 2026
- The UP Cabinet under CM Yogi Adityanath approved the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Policy 2026 to position the state as a global hub for green and AI-enabled data centres.
- Targets: Attract ₹2 lakh crore investment and add 2 GW capacity.
- Key features: Incentives for GPU-based tech, extra subsidies for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions, support for Tier III & IV centres, and emphasis on energy efficiency.
- Expected outcomes: 50,000 jobs during construction and 7,500 in operations & maintenance; boost to IT, cloud computing, and related sectors.
PM Narendra Modi Conferred Indonesia’s Highest Civilian Award
- On 7 July 2026, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto conferred the ‘Bintang Adipurna’ – Indonesia’s highest civilian award – on PM Narendra Modi in Jakarta.
- The award recognizes Modi’s contributions to strengthening India-Indonesia ties.
- PM Modi dedicated the honour to 1.4 billion Indians and thanked Indonesia for its goodwill.
- Key areas of cooperation: Trade, investment, digital payments (UPI), critical minerals, maritime security, and cultural ties.
IIM Bangalore to Set Up First Overseas Campus in Indonesia
- On 7 July 2026, during PM Modi’s visit to Jakarta, IIM Bangalore announced its first international campus in Singhasari Special Economic Zone, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
- Developed in partnership with PT Intelegensia Grahatama.
- Implementation in two phases: Starting with executive education, followed by full management degree programmes.
- Focus areas: Global supply chain, digital transformation, AI, sustainability, and healthcare management.
Sirsa Kinnow Gets GI Tag – First from Haryana
- Sirsa Kinnow became the first fruit from Haryana to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, granted by the GI Registry in Chennai.
- Registration certificate issued on 28 March 2026 to Kharisuverian Farmer Producer Company (application filed on 16 June 2023).
- Unique qualities: Sweet taste, high juice content, large size, and vibrant colour due to Sirsa’s climatic conditions.
- Benefits: Higher market price, protection from imitation, better exports, and stronger brand identity for Haryana’s horticulture.
Sanjeev Jain Appointed as India’s Ambassador to North Korea
- On 6 July 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs announced the appointment of Sanjeev Jain (IFS 2008 batch) as India’s next Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).
- Jain will assume the role after completing his current assignment as Ambassador to Cabo Verde.
- He brings extensive diplomatic experience in strengthening bilateral relations.
- The appointment reflects India’s continued engagement with East Asian nations.
New Appointments in Key Police Institutions (6 June 2026)
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved new heads for BPR&D, NCRB, and SVPNPA.
- Alok Kumar Mittal (1993 batch IPS, Haryana cadre) appointed as DG of BPR&D till 30 June 2029. BPR&D focuses on police research, modernization, and policy development.
- Amit Garg (1993 batch IPS, Andhra Pradesh cadre) appointed as Director of NCRB (post upgraded to DG level). NCRB is the central repository for crime statistics.
- Sujeet Pandey (1994 batch IPS, UP cadre) named Director of SVPNPA, Hyderabad, till 31 July 2028. SVPNPA is the premier training academy for IPS officers.