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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Wednesday, 15 July 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay inaugurates sub health centres in Vellore and Ranipet
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay virtually inaugurated new sub health centres in these districts, fulfilling a long-standing demand of rural residents; also launched a chatbot-based healthcare initiative to reduce hospital queue times. - TN Governor's address: TVK govt to establish Investor Promotion Commission
— The government announced a new commission to fast-track investment approvals for companies, signalling a shift in industrial policy under CM Vijay's administration. - TN to extend Free Breakfast Scheme to middle school students
— The current TVK government announced the expansion of the free breakfast programme (originally launched by the previous DMK government) to middle school students, broadening its coverage. - KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to be moved to pension scheme; aid hiked to ₹1,500
— Tamil Nadu announced the transition of Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) beneficiaries aged above 60 to the pension scheme, with monthly aid raised to ₹1,500. - TN reaffirms two-language policy; MDMK's Vaiko urges CM Vijay to reject PM SHRI three-language scheme
— A state minister confirmed no change in Tamil Nadu's two-language policy, while MDMK chief Vaiko asked CM Vijay to reject the Centre's PM SHRI scheme over alleged Hindi imposition concerns. - TN police recover 1,034 kg of ganja in July; mount vigil on six long-distance trains
— In July 2026 so far, 1,270 persons arrested, 1,020 drug cases booked, and 4,579 narcotic tablets seized across Tamil Nadu in an intensified anti-ganja drive.
India — National
- India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) comes into force on July 15
— Described as India's "most ambitious and aspirational" FTA, the deal sees the U.K. reduce or eliminate tariffs on 98.8% of its tariff lines and 99.5% of trade value. (Relevant: Trade Policy, GS-II/III) - India-U.S. trade deal: Commerce Secretary says deal is 'ready' but comparative advantage aspects remain
— Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal indicated the deal could be signed before U.S. trade investigations are completed; delays attributed to India's Russian oil purchases and legal battles in Washington. (GS-II: India's foreign trade) - India bans import of goods made using forced labour
— New policy prohibits import of goods produced through forced labour even as the U.S. finalises its own tariff decisions on countries insufficiently addressing the issue. (GS-II: International trade law) - Supreme Court rules call records alone are not cogent proof
— The apex court acquitted a woman convicted of her husband's murder, holding that telephone records cannot substitute substantive evidence of motive. (GS-II: Judiciary, Evidence Act) - Supreme Court questions use of 'indigenous language' term in CBSE circular on three-language policy
— SC asked whether English could be considered an indigenous Indian language, scrutinising the Constitutional spirit behind the three-language formula. (GS-II: Article 351, Education Policy) - Election Commission extends Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana by 10 days
— The poll body extended the electoral roll revision exercise, also agreeing to frame guidelines on children's influence on voter behaviour in Tamil Nadu. (GS-II: Election Commission) - West Bengal allocates 1,000 km of land for 172 km BSF border fence
— CM Suvendu Adhikari confirmed expedited land transfer to BSF for fencing along the international border, a key internal security measure. (GS-III: Border Management)
Economy & Finance
- Retail inflation rises to 18-month high of 4.4% in June 2026
— Driven by higher food and fuel prices; economists warn July inflation may rise further due to a weak monsoon. (GS-III: Inflation, RBI Monetary Policy) - India-U.K. CETA enters into force on July 15
— U.K. will reduce tariffs on 98.8% of tariff lines; a landmark for India's FTA strategy. (GS-III: Trade) - Direct tax collections grow 16% to ₹6.51 lakh crore in FY2026-27 so far
— Net corporate tax up 22% to ₹2.40 lakh crore; non-corporate (individual/HUF/firm) tax up 12% to ₹3.84 lakh crore. (GS-III: Fiscal Policy) - Goldman Sachs hikes India's GDP growth forecast
— Upward revision signals improved confidence in India's economic trajectory despite monsoon concerns flagged in the RBI Monthly Bulletin. (GS-III: GDP, Economic Survey) - 14 service sectors recorded double-digit growth in April per inaugural Index of Services Production
— New index covers 19 sub-sectors accounting for ~60% of India's services sector output; first such official measure. (GS-III: National Income Statistics)
Science & Technology
- NASA astronaut Anil Menon (Indian-origin, Malayali descent) blasts off for 8-month ISS mission
— Menon, NASA's first astronaut of Malayali origin, launched alongside two Russian cosmonauts to the International Space Station to conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations. (GS-III: Space, Indian diaspora) - Norway firm to set up India's first river kinetic energy demonstration plant in Arunachal Pradesh
— The technology generates electricity from river currents without major civil infrastructure; announced by Science & Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul as an environmentally responsible energy solution. (GS-III: Renewable Energy, Technology) - Inaugural Index of Services Production launched; 14 of 19 sub-sectors grew in double digits in April
— The new government index is the first formal statistical measure of services sector output in India. (GS-III: Economic Statistics)
Environment
- Budget 2026-27: Air quality management outlay cut by 10%; pollution control also sees reduction
— The reduction in environment-related budgetary allocations raises concerns about India's air quality targets. (GS-III: Environment Policy, Budget) - Union Environment Minister inaugurates 18 Namo Oxygen Parks in Delhi
— Launched on World Environment Day 2026 as part of joint Union-Delhi government green initiatives to improve urban air quality. (GS-III: Urban Environment) - Lack of trees blamed for intensifying heatwaves in Karnataka; environmentalists call for afforestation
— Study links deforestation in Karnataka to rising temperatures and disrupted monsoon patterns. (GS-III: Climate Change, Afforestation)
Sports
- Spain defeats France 2-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal; advances to final
— Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro; Spain equals Italy's record of 37 consecutive unbeaten matches and reaches its second-ever World Cup final. (Sports GK: FIFA World Cup 2026) - Wimbledon 2026: Men's draw marked by consistency; women's draw sees major upsets
— The Hindu editorial notes contrasting narratives between the men's and women's singles draws at this year's championships. (Sports GK) - India women's cricket team registers a notable win under Harmanpreet Kaur
— The result was praised as a "great win" while also drawing lessons for the men's team. (Sports GK: Women's Cricket)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari sworn in as 55th Chief Justice of Madras High Court
— Key judicial appointment relevant to Tamil Nadu and national judiciary. (GS-II: Judiciary) - Justice K.T. Thomas conferred Padma Vibhushan
— Former Supreme Court judge known for landmark judgments, including in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, receives India's second-highest civilian honour. (GS-II: Awards) - Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
— First female judge of the Supreme Court of India receives the Padma Bhushan, recognising her historic contribution to the judiciary. (GS-II: Judiciary, Firsts) - Justice Manikumar appointed Chairman of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
— New appointment to SHRC; relevant to Human Rights institutions in India. (GS-II: Constitutional Bodies)
International
- Iran retaliates against U.S. strikes; Bahrain and Kuwait come under missile/drone attack in West Asia escalation
— Iran fired missiles and drones at Gulf states after the U.S. reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports; India summoned Iran's envoy after an Indian national was killed in an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. (GS-II: India's Foreign Policy, West Asia) - India summons Iran envoy; sets up seafarer dashboard amid Strait of Hormuz crisis
— After an Indian sailor was killed in an Iranian attack on a UAE tanker, the MEA conveyed "deepest concerns" and urged de-escalation; Government launched a dashboard to monitor Indian seafarers in the region. (GS-II: Diaspora, Foreign Policy) - India blames Pakistan for protests in PoK; calls for international accountability
— MEA spokesperson stated India expects the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for "egregious abuses" in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (GS-II: India-Pakistan, PoK)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 India-U.K. CETA came into force on July 15, 2026 — U.K. to reduce tariffs on 98.8% of tariff lines and 99.5% of trade value
- 🔑 Anil Menon — NASA's first astronaut of Malayali origin, launched on an 8-month ISS mission on July 15, 2026
- 🔑 Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari sworn in as 55th Chief Justice of Madras High Court; Direct tax collections up 16% to ₹6.51 lakh crore in FY27 so far