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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Sunday, 19 July 2026
33 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay announces Tamil Nadu will celebrate State's history on both July 18 and November 1
— The TVK government has decided to honour Tamil Nadu's history on two dates; November 1 (Tamil Nadu Day, earlier announced by AIADMK's EPS) will be retained alongside July 18, signalling continuity with a political dimension. (Polity — State Government decisions) - Tamil Nadu government to extend free breakfast scheme to middle school students
— The Vijay government plans to expand the existing free breakfast scheme (originally launched under the previous DMK government) beyond primary schools to middle school students. (Welfare schemes — GS Paper II) - One-gram gold ring for babies born in Tamil Nadu government hospitals
— CM Vijay's government has announced a scheme to gift a one-gram gold ring to newborns in government hospitals, part of Day-1 welfare announcements. (State welfare scheme — exam-probable fact) - Tamil Nadu government contemplating reducing VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
— The state is considering a VAT reduction on ATF to boost civil aviation and reduce operational costs for airlines. (Fiscal policy — State taxation) - Tamil Nadu to move KMUT (Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam) beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme, hike aid to ₹1,500
— The Vijay government is restructuring the women's financial assistance scheme to channel elderly beneficiaries into pension coverage with enhanced monthly support. (Social welfare — GS Paper II) - Rice federation urges CM Vijay to take up GST waiver on rice at 57th GST Council
— The Tamil Nadu Rice Merchants Association has petitioned the CM ahead of the upcoming GST Council meeting to press for rice waiver restoration. (GST policy — Economy)
India — National
- Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 successfully places payloads into orbit in 'Mission Aagaman'
— Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, successfully completed its mission, making India one of a select group of nations with private orbital launch capability; PM Modi called it a "defining moment." (Space policy — private sector, GS Paper III) - Sonam Wangchuk continues hunger strike in hospital; AIIMS expert recommends immediate medical intervention
— The climate activist and Ladakh advocate was moved from his protest site (reportedly due to Parliament session and rally plans) and is now hospitalised; an independent AIIMS expert has concurred he needs urgent care. (Ladakh statehood issue — Article 3, GS Paper II) - Amarnath and Vaishno Devi Yatras suspended from July 19 due to adverse weather
— The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board suspended the Yatra from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes as a precautionary measure following IMD's inclement weather forecast. (Pilgrimage management — J&K administration) - J&K Police order SIT probe into Doda youth's death during anti-militancy operation
— A 30-year-old civilian was killed during an operation in Chenab Valley, triggering a shutdown; police have constituted a Special Investigation Team. (Internal security — J&K, GS Paper III) - PDP chief Mufti lists conditions for joining NC's Delhi protest, including restoration of Article 370
— Mehbooba Mufti told Farooq Abdullah her party may skip the agitation unless demands include restoration of Article 370, release of political prisoners, and lifting the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami J&K. (Constitutional issue — Article 370, GS Paper II) - Government lists Bill in Parliament to replace Ordinance exempting FIIs from capital gains tax
— The Bill seeks to regularise the June Ordinance that exempted Foreign Institutional Investors and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) from capital gains tax and interest tax. (Parliament — Ordinance vs. legislation, GS Paper II) - Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project: Second Tunnel Boring Machine begins excavating India's first undersea tunnel
— The second TBM has commenced work on the undersea segment of the bullet train corridor, a landmark in Indian infrastructure. (Infrastructure — GS Paper III)
Economy & Finance
- Gujarat tops NITI Aayog's first Investment Friendliness Index 2026
— Gujarat scored 56.6 points, ahead of Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3), in NITI Aayog's maiden assessment of 17 major States on investment climate. (NITI Aayog index — exam-probable ranking) - India's retail inflation crossed 4% in June after a gap of 16 months
— Fuel price hikes and weak monsoon rains pushed CPI inflation above the RBI's 4% target for the first time in 16 months, leaving little room for interest rate cuts. (Monetary policy — RBI, GS Paper III) - RBI Governor flags West Asia crisis and uncertain monsoon as major risks to growth
— The RBI's Monthly Bulletin cautioned that a monsoon shortfall combined with geopolitical tensions in West Asia could weigh on India's growth and inflation outlook. (RBI policy — GS Paper III) - Goldman Sachs raises India's GDP growth forecast
— The global investment bank upgraded its projection for India's GDP growth, citing resilient domestic consumption, particularly from the middle class. (GDP — Economy GS Paper III) - Government working on FTA Utilisation Plan; Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal meets industry bodies
— The government is developing a strategy to maximise benefits from existing Free Trade Agreements after low utilisation rates were identified as a key gap. (Trade policy — GS Paper III)
Science & Technology
- Vikram-1 — India's first private orbital-class rocket — successfully completes 'Mission Aagaman'
— Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, a seven-storey, multi-stage, all-carbon composite rocket powered by in-house propulsion systems, placed tech payloads and postcards into orbit in a 15.46-minute flight covering 14 phases. (Space technology — FIRST: private orbital launch, GS Paper III) - Oceansat-3A likely to be launched by year-end, says NRSC Director
— A coastal observation research laboratory was also inaugurated at Andhra University's Centre for Studies on Bay of Bengal, in connection with the announcement. (ISRO/NRSC — Ocean observation satellite) - New Excel-based tool developed by WRI to help cities quantify greenhouse gas emissions from food waste
— The tool by the World Resources Institute estimates emissions from transportation, treatment, and disposal of food waste, aiding cities and businesses in emission reduction planning. (Climate tech — Environment GS Paper III) - Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train's undersea tunnel marks India's first such infrastructure achievement
— The second TBM beginning undersea excavation represents a significant engineering and technology milestone for Indian rail infrastructure. (Engineering/Infrastructure tech)
Environment
- Quicksand crisis in Chennai's Pallikaranai marshland amid unplanned urban expansion
— Rapid development along Chennai's southern IT corridor has encroached on the Pallikaranai marshland, an ecologically sensitive wetland, raising serious concerns about urban sustainability. (Wetland conservation — GS Paper III, Environment) - Amarnath Yatra suspended due to IMD weather warning — inclement conditions in J&K highlands
— The suspension highlights the intersection of climate variability and pilgrimage management in ecologically fragile high-altitude zones. (Climate/Ecology — Himalayan ecosystem)
Sports
- Kylian Mbappé becomes all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals
— Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi's record (16 goals previously held jointly) during France's third-place play-off against England, finishing with 10 goals in the 2026 tournament. (FIFA World Cup 2026 — exam-probable fact) - England beat France 6–4 in FIFA World Cup third-place bronze match
— Dean Henderson's strong goalkeeping performance helped England secure third place in a high-scoring encounter; Argentina await the final. (FIFA World Cup 2026 — Sports GS) - V. Rathanvel becomes India's 99th Chess Grandmaster
— The 25-year-old from Coimbatore, who had completed his three GM norms in 2022 but struggled with the rating requirement, has finally sealed the title, bringing India within one of the Grandmaster century mark. (Chess — India's GM count, exam-probable) - Argentine coach Scaloni hails Messi ahead of FIFA World Cup Final
— Argentina, with Messi, are in the World Cup Final; Scaloni called Messi "a legend" who has already delivered a World Cup and back-to-back Copa Americas. (FIFA World Cup 2026 — contextual)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice K.T. Thomas to receive Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for landmark judgments including in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is among eight Malayalees recognised; others include V.S. Achuthanandan and actor Mammootty with Padma awards. (Padma Awards — GS Paper II, exam-probable) - 72nd National Film Awards — Telugu cinema wins 9 awards
— Kalki 2898 AD, Committee Kurrollu, and Pushpa 2: The Rule won two awards each; Lucky Baskhar won one — Telugu cinema's strongest-ever showing at the National Awards. (National Film Awards — Arts & Culture)
International
- Iran–US tensions escalate after ceasefire collapse; Supreme Leader warns of "unforgettable lessons"
— Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared the US President's signature "worthless" after Washington and Tehran exchanged strikes following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement, raising fears of renewed full-scale conflict in West Asia. (West Asia crisis — India's energy security, GS Paper II) - US to impose 25% tariff on some Brazilian imports from July 22, citing unfair trade practices
— The move, with exemptions for goods not produced in the US, signals continued American trade protectionism with potential ripple effects on global supply chains. (Trade war — GS Paper II/III) - US new immigration rule threatens stay of over 3 lakh Indian students on F-1 visas
— A new rule targeting F-1 student visa holders could affect an estimated 3 lakh Indian students studying in the United States. (India–US relations — Diaspora, GS Paper II)
- Quick Revision:
- 🚀 Vikram-1 by Skyroot Aerospace = India's first private orbital-class rocket; mission name: 'Mission Aagaman'; flight duration: 15.46 minutes, 14 phases
- 🏆 Gujarat tops NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index 2026 (score: 56.6); Tamil Nadu ranks 3rd (53.3); V. Rathanvel is India's 99th Chess Grandmaster (from Coimbatore)
- ⚽ Kylian Mbappé now holds the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record with 22 goals, surpassing Messi; Justice K.T. Thomas to receive Padma Vibhushan