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Current Affairs — Tuesday, 21 July 2026
33 items
Tamil Nadu
- Vilathikulam DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan arrested
— Arrested for allegedly making threatening remarks against CM C. Joseph Vijay; DMK leaders M.K. Stalin and Kanimozhi condemned the arrest, accusing the TVK government of targeting Opposition leaders. (Polity: State-Centre relations, freedom of speech, Article 19) - Tamil Nadu Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar defends MLA arrest
— Stated that issuing a death threat against a Chief Minister is a law-and-order issue, justifying the use of criminal law; editorial note in The Hindu termed use of criminal law to protect rulers' reputation as "condemnable." (GS Paper 2: Civil liberties vs. state power) - Cauvery Water Management Authority meeting amid deficit
— Since June 1, Tamil Nadu has received less than 4 tmc ft out of ~30 tmc ft received at Cauvery basin reservoirs, flagging an acute water shortfall ahead of CWMA deliberations. (GS Paper 1/2: River water disputes, inter-state relations) - Tamil Nadu scales up ABHA creation; 2.54 crore covered
— The state has enrolled 2.54 crore citizens under Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), the 14-digit unique health identifier under the Union government's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), launched in 2021. (GS Paper 2: Health governance, digital India) - TVK government to establish Investor Promotion Commission
— As announced in the Governor's address, the Vijay government plans a dedicated commission to fast-track regulatory approvals for companies investing in Tamil Nadu. (GS Paper 2: State economic policy, governance) - Tamil Nadu to extend Free Breakfast Scheme to Middle School students
— The Vijay government announced expansion of the free breakfast programme (originally launched under the previous Stalin government for primary classes) to middle school students. (GS Paper 2: Social welfare schemes)
India — National
- Parliament Monsoon Session opens amid stormy protests
— Opposition MPs (Congress, SP, TMC, DMK) disrupted both Houses over NEET paper leak and Ram Temple donation embezzlement; Lok Sabha adjourned repeatedly on Day 1; PM Modi urged "constructive spirit" and respect for facts. (GS Paper 2: Parliamentary procedures) - Supreme Court proposes SIT probe into Ram Temple funds case
— The bench suggested a Special Investigation Team inquiry into alleged embezzlement of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust donations, asking petitioners not to "play politics"; complainants had sought CBI probe. (GS Paper 2: Judiciary, Article 32) - Seven killed in Jammu & Kashmir landslide; monsoon toll hits 21
— A landslide at Domail Dhok killed seven people; J&K Police and other agencies conducted rescue operations; cumulative rain-related deaths in J&K reached 21. (GS Paper 1: Disaster management, Himalayas) - At least six killed in Northeast floods and landslips
— Train services in Assam cancelled, diverted, or short-terminated; at least 25 killed across four northeastern states since late June. (GS Paper 1: Disaster management, Northeast India) - Four Indian seafarers killed near Odessa, Ukraine
— A Russian missile strike hit a cargo ship near the Ukrainian port of Odessa, killing four Indian sailors; five crew members remain missing; raises concern over Indian nationals in conflict zones. (GS Paper 2: Diaspora safety, India-Ukraine-Russia relations) - Government lists Bill in Parliament to replace FII tax exemption Ordinance
— Bill introduced to replace the June 2026 Ordinance that exempted foreign institutional investors and Bank of International Settlements from capital gains tax and interest income tax. (GS Paper 2: Parliament, Ordinance powers, Article 123) - Indus Waters Treaty: Government focus on Chenab projects and renegotiation
— India is prioritising development of Chenab river projects and pushing for renegotiation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. (GS Paper 2: International treaties, India-Pakistan)
Economy & Finance
- Core sector growth at five-month high of 5% in June 2026
— Government released a new Index of Core Industries with a new base year, expanded sector coverage, and revised weightages; eight core sectors registered 5% growth — a five-month high. (GS Paper 3: Economy — industrial output, ICI) - Gujarat tops NITI Aayog's first Investment Friendliness Index 2026
— Gujarat scored 56.6 points, followed by Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3), in NITI Aayog's inaugural index assessing 17 major states on ease of investment. (GS Paper 3: NITI Aayog, investment climate) - Goldman Sachs raises India's GDP growth forecast
— The investment bank revised upward its growth projection for India, citing resilient domestic consumption; FM Sitharaman credited middle-class consumption as a key driver at a panel in France. (GS Paper 3: GDP, economic growth) - Retail inflation crossed 4% in June after 16 months
— Driven by fuel price hikes and weak monsoon impact on food prices; RBI Governor flagged West Asia crisis and uncertain monsoon as major growth risks; no near-term rate cut likely. (GS Paper 3: Monetary policy, inflation targeting — RBI's 4% target) - Rupee falls 12 paise to 96.42 against dollar; markets slide
— Sensex dropped 593 points to 77,557; Nifty fell 169 points to 24,165; decline driven by HDFC Bank selling and crude oil price spike. (GS Paper 3: Currency, capital markets)
Science & Technology
- India's first hydrogen train faces viral misinformation
— Indian Railways officially responded to a viral video claiming a stone was pelted at India's first hydrogen-powered train, clarifying facts; highlights India's push into green rail technology. (GS Paper 3: Railways, green technology) - IIT Madras announces GATE 2027 schedule and syllabus revision
— IIT-M, the organising institute for GATE 2027, will open the application portal in mid-August; syllabus has been revised for the upcoming exam. (GS Paper 2: Higher education institutions) - BSF studies 90-km Sundarbans fence plan amid ecological concerns
— The Border Security Force is evaluating erecting fences along a 90-km mangrove stretch on the Indo-Bangladesh border; environmentalists warn of damage to the Sundarbans ecosystem. (GS Paper 3: Internal security vs. environment; Sundarbans — UNESCO site)
Environment
- Budget 2026-27: Air quality management outlay cut by 10%
— The Union Budget reduced allocations for air quality management and pollution control, raising concerns among environmentalists ahead of the winter pollution season. (GS Paper 3: Environment policy, air pollution) - Global shark populations down 71% since 1970; Dakar flagged as fins hotspot
— A study found shark populations have declined 71% due to industrial fishing; Dakar port identified as a major hub for illegal shark fin trade. (GS Paper 3: Biodiversity, CITES, illegal wildlife trade)
Sports
- Spain wins FIFA World Cup 2026; Torres scores match-winning goal
— Fernando Torres stated "the goal belongs to 47 million people," as Spain claimed the World Cup title; the tournament was held in 2026. (Sports GK: FIFA World Cup 2026 winner — Spain) - India U-19 in command in 2nd Youth Test; Kushagra Ojha scores century
— India Under-19 reached 253/3 in 65 overs with Kushagra Ojha's hundred; play was called off due to bad light. (Sports: Emerging Indian cricketers) - Kevin Keegan, England football icon, dies at 75
— Newcastle United confirmed the death of the former player and coach on July 20; Keegan had disclosed his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis last month. (Sports GK: Notable deaths) - Rudi Garcia exits as Belgium coach after World Cup quarterfinal exit
— Garcia failed to reach a contract extension agreement with the Belgian Football Federation following Belgium's quarterfinal elimination. (Sports GK: International football)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
— India's first female Supreme Court judge, Justice M. Fathima Beevi, was awarded the Padma Bhushan; she was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1989. (GS Paper 2: Judiciary firsts; Padma Awards) - Justice K.T. Thomas recommended for Padma Vibhushan
— Former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas, known for his stance in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is to receive the Padma Vibhushan. (GS Paper 2: Supreme Court, Padma Awards) - NLC India Renewables Limited appoints BRLMs for IPO
— The subsidiary of NLC India Limited (a Navratna PSU under Ministry of Coal) appointed book running lead managers for its upcoming IPO, a step toward listing. (GS Paper 3: PSU disinvestment, capital markets)
International
- West Asia crisis escalates; Brent crude crosses $91/barrel
— US-Iran tensions over Strait of Hormuz transit led to two oil tanker explosions; Brent crude rose above $91/barrel — highest since June 11 — posing inflation and energy security risks for India. (GS Paper 2/3: Energy security, India's import dependence on West Asia) - India and Moldova discuss UNSC reforms and counter-terrorism
— Bilateral talks covered India's push for permanent UNSC membership and cooperation on combating terrorism. (GS Paper 2: India's foreign policy, UN reforms) - Flash floods kill 20+ in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province
— Severe floods in Parun city and other areas of Nuristan killed at least 20 and left over 100 missing, according to Afghan authorities. (GS Paper 1: Disaster geography — South Asia)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 Gujarat ranked #1 in NITI Aayog's first-ever Investment Friendliness Index 2026 (Score: 56.6); Tamil Nadu ranked 3rd (53.3)
- 🔑 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — India's first woman Supreme Court judge — awarded Padma Bhushan in 2026
- 🔑 Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026; India's retail inflation crossed 4% in June 2026 for the first time in 16 months, limiting RBI rate-cut scope