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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Monday, 13 July 2026
35 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay to inaugurate Perambur MLA office; visits PDS shop and MTC EV charging depot
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay continues constituency-level outreach as part of early governance activities, with visits to public distribution and EV infrastructure sites. (GS: State governance, EV policy) - Tamil Nadu to shift KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme, hike aid to ₹1,500
— The Vijay government plans to transition eligible Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam beneficiaries aged 60+ to the pension scheme and increase financial assistance, signalling a welfare restructuring. (GS: Social welfare schemes, women empowerment) - VB-GRAMG controversy puts Vijay government in a political spot
— A scheme-related political storm has emerged around the TVK government; opposition parties have raised governance and accountability concerns. (GS: TN politics, state schemes) - CM Vijay takes a cue from DMK on National Education Policy stance
— The TVK government is reviewing its position on NEP, reportedly continuing the previous government's resistance while navigating pressure from allies like MDMK's Vaiko who urge rejection of PM SHRI's three-language formula. (GS: Education policy, two-language policy, Centre-State relations) - Tamil Nadu drew lower quantity of rice than its share under Antyodaya Anna Yojana in five of last seven years
— From 2019–20 to 2025–26, TN consistently under-drew its AAY rice allocation, with near-full utilisation only during COVID-19 (2020–21, ~98% of ~6.99 lakh tonnes). (GS: Food security, PDS, AAY scheme) - Vietnam boat tragedy claims lives of Tamil Nadu residents from Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, and Tiruchi
— At least five TN residents including C. Vinaya Kumar, S. Ravisankar, N. Balaji, A.M. Sheikh Abdullah, and S. Alagurajan were killed; they were part of a trip organised by Lava Mobiles. (GS: Diaspora welfare, MEA consular services)
India — National
- Indian seafarer missing after ship hit in Strait of Hormuz; MEA condemns attack
— As the US–Iran standoff escalates over the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian crew member is missing following an attack on a commercial vessel; the Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong condemnation. (GS: India's maritime interests, MEA, foreign policy) - India to observe one-day national mourning as Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies
— India announced a one-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the former Qatari Emir, reflecting India–Qatar diplomatic ties. (GS: India–Gulf relations, diplomatic protocol) - Mehbooba Mufti placed under house arrest ahead of Martyrs' Day in Kashmir
— PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti were detained ahead of July 13 Martyrs' Day commemorations; PDP raised concerns over democratic rights. (GS: J&K, Article 19, civil liberties) - ISRO successfully tests Gaganyaan crew module systems including umbilical mechanism separation
— The test validated the separation of the umbilical mechanism linking the crew module (where astronauts live) to the service module (propulsion); a critical milestone for India's human spaceflight programme. (GS: ISRO, Gaganyaan, Science & Tech) - Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma drives road roller over seized narcotics, launches anti-drug campaign
— Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a high-profile week-long anti-drug drive in Assam, symbolically destroying confiscated narcotics. (GS: Drug policy, state governance) - Assam activist protesting Kaziranga luxury hotel project detained; Opposition raises alarm
— An activist opposing hotel construction near Kaziranga National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was detained, triggering criticism over suppression of environmental dissent. (GS: Environment, wildlife protection, Article 19) - Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurates projects worth ₹1,047 crore
— Projects focused on women's economic empowerment and entrepreneurship were launched to strengthen Bihar's economy. (GS: State development, women empowerment)
Economy & Finance
- India and New Zealand ink "historic" Free Trade Agreement, to be implemented later this year
— Negotiations were announced in March 2025, concluded in December 2025, making it one of India's fastest-negotiated FTAs; implementation expected by end of 2026. (GS: International trade, FTA, Commerce Ministry) - India lays out tariffs and quotas for UK vehicles under trade deal
— DGFT notification allows 20,000 completely built units (CBUs) of petrol and diesel passenger vehicles from the UK at concessional tariffs under the India–UK FTA. (GS: India–UK FTA, DGFT, trade policy) - Goldman Sachs hikes India's GDP growth forecast
— The US investment bank revised upward its growth projection for India, reflecting resilience in domestic consumption and investment. (GS: GDP, macroeconomics) - RBI Monthly Bulletin warns monsoon shortfall could weigh on growth and inflation in FY27
— The RBI flagged risks from below-normal monsoon to both agricultural output and food inflation, echoing HDFC Bank MD Sashidhar Jagdishan's similar concerns. (GS: RBI, monetary policy, inflation) - India's first indigenously made EXIM container by DCM Shriram Group unveiled under ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme
— The Union Budget 2026–27 scheme's first tangible outcome emerged on July 3, addressing India's container vulnerability exposed by global shipping shocks. (GS: Union Budget, Make in India, logistics)
Science & Technology
- ISRO successfully tests Gaganyaan crew module umbilical mechanism separation
— This critical test confirms the mechanism that severs the link between the crew module and service module works correctly, advancing India's first crewed spaceflight programme. (GS: ISRO, Gaganyaan, human spaceflight) - Madurai student's bacteria-powered energy project selected by NASA
— A student from Madurai has been chosen by NASA for a project using bacteria as a sustainable energy source, marking a significant recognition for Indian student innovation. (GS: Science, space, student achievement) - US regulator approves launch of giant orbital mirror satellite Eärendil-1
— The satellite, named after a Tolkien character, will be placed in a non-geostationary orbit; raises questions about space regulation and light pollution. (GS: Space technology, international space policy) - Dolphin death in Kerala exposes India's marine plastic pollution crisis
— Necropsy of an endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin that washed ashore at Kozhikode revealed fatal ingestion of plastic fishing nets, highlighting threats to Schedule I wildlife. (GS: Marine pollution, Wildlife Protection Act, biodiversity)
Environment
- Chinese geologists question safety of Brahmaputra Mega-Dam in Tibet built over active seismic fault
— The $167.8-billion dam, whose formal construction began in July 2025, faces internal safety concerns; India has repeatedly flagged downstream risks for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. (GS: India–China relations, transboundary rivers, disaster management) - Monsoon failure threatens kharif cultivation in Telangana; over 63% mandals record deficient rainfall
— Water levels in reservoirs remain critically low, with kharif sowing prospects bleak across 32 rural districts. (GS: Agriculture, monsoon, food security) - Kaziranga National Park vicinity faces development pressure amid activist detention
— Opposition to luxury hotel projects near the UNESCO-listed Kaziranga raises concerns over eco-sensitive zone violations and wildlife corridor protection. (GS: Environment law, Wildlife Protection Act, UNESCO heritage)
Sports
- Jannik Sinner defeats Alexander Zverev to retain Wimbledon title 2026
— The Italian world No. 1 becomes the fourth man in 25 years to successfully defend his Wimbledon crown, after Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz. (GS: Sports awards, Wimbledon) - FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals: France vs Spain and England vs Argentina (Messi) set up
— Spain has conceded only one goal in the tournament; the England–Argentina clash revives one of football's most charged historical rivalries. (GS: FIFA World Cup 2026) - FIFA President Infantino hints at possible World Cup expansion to 64 teams post-2026
— The proposal will be examined in committees after the current edition; logistical and hosting challenges are key considerations. (GS: Sports governance, FIFA) - Rahul Dravid among leading contenders for England Test head coach role after Brendon McCullum's sacking
— Former India head coach Dravid, along with Andy Flower and Richard Dawson, is being considered; McCullum retains ODI/T20I charge. (GS: Cricket administration, Indian coaches)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari sworn in as 55th Chief Justice of Madras High Court
— His appointment is significant for Tamil Nadu's judiciary and will be a key fact for TNPSC and state-level exams. (GS: Judiciary, High Court appointments) - Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred with Padma Bhushan
— The first female judge of the Supreme Court of India has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, recognising her historic contribution to Indian judiciary. (GS: Padma Awards, Supreme Court, women in judiciary) - Justice K.T. Thomas recommended for Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for landmark judgments including views on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, is among Padma Vibhushan awardees. (GS: Padma Awards, Supreme Court)
International
- US launches multiple strikes on Iran as Strait of Hormuz standoff escalates; Indian seafarer missing
— US strikes targeted Iranian missile systems, air defence, and Revolutionary Guard boats; Tehran retaliated by hitting Arab states. The escalation threatens global oil supply and directly impacts India's energy security and maritime trade. (GS: India–Iran relations, energy security, Strait of Hormuz) - India–New Zealand FTA concluded and set for implementation in 2026
— One of the fastest FTAs India has negotiated (March 2025 announcement to December 2025 conclusion), covering goods, services, and investment. (GS: Trade agreements, Ministry of Commerce) - Myanmar tells ASEAN that Aung San Suu Kyi will be looked after; sentence partially commuted
— Suu Kyi's 27-year sentence has been commuted by one-third; Myanmar's ASEAN engagement remains strained over the military junta's democratic backsliding. (GS: India's neighbourhood policy, ASEAN, human rights)
- Quick Revision:
- 🏛️ Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari sworn in as the 55th Chief Justice of Madras High Court (July 2026)
- 🚀 ISRO successfully tested the umbilical mechanism separation of the Gaganyaan crew module — a critical milestone before India's first crewed spaceflight
- 🎾 Jannik Sinner retained the Wimbledon 2026 title, becoming only the 4th man in 25 years to defend it (after Federer, Djokovic, Alcaraz); and India–New Zealand FTA is one of India's fastest-negotiated trade agreements (9 months: March–December 2025)