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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Thursday, 23 July 2026
35 items
Tamil Nadu
- TN Governor's Address — Investor Promotion Commission announced
— The TVK government will establish an Investor Promotion Commission to fast-track project approvals, signalling a key economic governance reform under CM Vijay. (GS: State government schemes, industrial policy) - Free Breakfast Scheme extended to Middle School students
— The Vijay government has announced expansion of the free breakfast scheme (originally launched by the previous Stalin government at primary level) to middle school students, broadening its coverage. (GS: Social welfare schemes, education) - No change in two-language policy, confirms TN Minister
— The TVK government has reaffirmed Tamil Nadu's longstanding two-language (Tamil and English) policy, maintaining continuity with the state's historical stand against the three-language formula. (GS: Language policy, federalism) - Threat to CM Vijay — Vilathikulam DMK MLA's bail plea dismissed
— A court dismissed the bail plea of a DMK MLA from Vilathikulam who allegedly issued threats to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, with prosecution citing the serious nature of the threat. (GS: Constitutional security of elected representatives) - Madras HC dismisses Senthilbalaji's plea against police action
— Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan ruled that no direction barring police from questioning Senthilbalaji and his brother can be issued since anticipatory bail is already in place in pending cases. (GS: Judiciary, Rule of Law) - Southern Railway constructs new FOBs and lifts at four stations
— Foot-over bridges and lifts are being added at Walajah, Virunchipuram, Gudiyatham, and Melattur stations, each serving over 3,000 daily commuters. (GS: Railway infrastructure, accessibility)
India — National
- Parliament disrupted for third consecutive day over NEET paper leak
— The Lok Sabha faced a third straight day of logjam as the Opposition pressed for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation; the Centre offered a detailed debate but rejected an adjournment motion. (GS: Parliament procedures, NEET controversy) - Jantar Mantar protest swells despite heavy security deployment
— Thousands of students continued their protest demanding accountability over NEET paper leaks; Sonam Wangchuk also sought written assurance that no protester would face retaliatory legal action. (GS: Fundamental Rights, Art. 19 — right to protest) - NHPC's 2024 report had recorded gas fires in Teesta-VI tunnels before fatal July 20 blast
— Internal NHPC records show earlier gas fire incidents in tunnel 4B, raising serious questions about safety protocols in the ecologically fragile Sikkim region. (GS: Disaster management, infrastructure safety, environment) - Assam floods — death toll rises to 41, CM Himanta calls damage 'greater than anticipated'
— More bodies are being recovered; heavy rains forecast over the next four days continue to threaten displaced communities across multiple districts. (GS: Disaster Management Act, Northeast India) - J&K government identifies 654 vulnerable villages amid wet weather
— As a precautionary measure, 1,505 people have been shifted to rescue centres, with evacuation plans in place for additional vulnerable locations. (GS: Disaster preparedness, J&K administration) - Delhi HC dismisses PIL over Sonam Wangchuk's removal from Jantar Mantar
— Court noted that the petitioner could approach authorities under Section 173 of BNSS regarding the solitary incident cited in the PIL. (GS: BNSS, Judiciary) - Ram Temple Trust defers CEO selection by a month after 5,200+ applications
— The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust reconstituted its committee of seers amid a donation theft controversy; an interim secretary will be appointed until a CEO is selected. (GS: Cultural institutions, governance)
Economy & Finance
- RBI Bulletin: Indian economy navigated external uncertainties well
— The bulletin noted firm industrial and services indicators but flagged uneven southwest monsoon, adding that comfortable foodgrain stocks may cushion food inflation impact. (GS: RBI, macroeconomics) - Net FDI turns negative again in May 2026 — outflows exceed inflows by $74 million
— RBI data shows a three-month positive inflow streak has ended, as inflows slowed more sharply than outflows, raising concerns about investment sentiment. (GS: Balance of Payments, FDI policy) - Inflation crossed 4% in June 2026 after 16 months
— The rise was driven by fuel price hikes and weak monsoon-related food price pressures rather than excess demand, according to Indian Express analysis. (GS: CPI inflation, monetary policy) - Goldman Sachs raises India's GDP growth forecast
— The revision reflects continued resilience in domestic consumption and services, even as global headwinds persist. (GS: GDP, economic indicators) - SBI Mutual Fund lists with ambition to add 10 crore investors in 5 years
— Against India's current mutual fund investor base of ~10 crore out of 140 crore population, SBI FM's listing signals major financial inclusion ambitions. (GS: Capital markets, financial inclusion) - India–UK trade pact (CETA) termed a 'win-win'
— Analysis suggests the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement can boost investment flows, create quality jobs, and drive India toward a more innovation-driven economy. (GS: International trade, bilateral agreements)
Science & Technology
- RBI moves further toward polymer banknotes
— The Reserve Bank of India has taken another step toward printing polymer currency notes, which are more durable and counterfeit-resistant than paper notes. (GS: RBI functions, currency management) - Centre weighs curbs on AI autonomy and deepfake consent rules under new law
— The government is considering regulations mandating consent mechanisms for deepfake content and limiting autonomous AI decision-making under a proposed digital law. (GS: IT policy, data governance) - New Jupiter-sized planet discovered orbiting a young star after decade-long search
— The planet, slightly larger than Jupiter, takes 91 years to complete one orbit — comparable to Uranus's orbital period around the Sun. (GS: Space science, general awareness) - Space Exploration Day observed — focus on astronaut training and mission components
— Feature pieces highlight the rigorous simulation, spacewalk, and systems training astronauts undergo, and explain the roles of launch vehicles, orbiters, landers, and rovers. (GS: Space awareness)
Environment
- Budget 2026–27: Air quality management outlay cut by 10%, pollution control also reduced
— Down To Earth reports that both air quality management and pollution control budgetary allocations have been reduced, raising concerns among environmentalists. (GS: Environment budget, air pollution policy) - Sikkim tunnel accident highlights risks of infrastructure in ecologically fragile zones
— The Hindu editorial notes that the NHPC Teesta-VI blast underscores the recurring costs — human and ecological — of large projects in geologically sensitive Himalayan areas. (GS: Environment vs. development, Himalayan ecology)
Sports
- P.V. Sindhu and Ayush Shetty advance at China Open
— Sindhu defeated Hooda while Shetty caused an upset by beating world No. 11 Farhan, boosting India's badminton campaign at the China Open. (GS: Sports, Indian badminton) - Indian shooters struggle in final Asian Games tune-up; China sweeps opening-day golds
— India's 10m air pistol mixed team event produced no medals in their last global outing before the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games (September 19 – October 4). (GS: Sports, Asian Games 2026) - Anahat Singh and Aryaveer advance to round-of-16 at World Junior Squash
— Top-seeded Anahat beat Hong Kong's Pui Yin Chole Lo in straight games and will next face Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee. (GS: Sports, squash) - New Zealand wins ODI series vs West Indies 3–2
— New Zealand clinched the five-match series by winning Games 2, 3, and 4 despite West Indies' seven-wicket win in the opener and a 2-wicket win in Game 5. (GS: Cricket)
Appointments & Awards
- Veteran IPS officer K. Vijay Kumar to receive Padma Shri from President Murmu
— K. Vijay Kumar, known for his role in anti-naxal and anti-insurgency operations, is among the recipients of the Padma Shri in the 2026 cycle. (GS: Padma Awards, IPS distinguished service) - Padma Vibhushan for Justice K.T. Thomas (retd. Supreme Court judge)
— Justice Thomas, known for his notable judgments including views on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is to receive the Padma Vibhushan. (GS: Padma Awards, Judiciary)
International
- EAM Jaishankar meets U.S. Secretary of State Rubio in Philippines; interim trade deal near
— The two sides signalled that a U.S.–India interim trade deal is nearly ready, a major diplomatic development ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline on generic drugs. (GS: India–US relations, trade diplomacy) - U.S. House passes record $1.15 trillion Defence Bill (NDAA 2027) in a narrow 216–212 vote
— The polarised vote for the 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act reflects growing congressional divisions under the current U.S. administration. (GS: International relations, US defence policy) - U.S. announces civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
— The agreement lays the legal foundation for a multi-billion-dollar, decades-long nuclear energy partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with strategic and economic implications for West Asia. (GS: Nuclear diplomacy, West Asia geopolitics) - Trump threatens to destroy Iranian infrastructure for each Hormuz attack; U.S. strikes Tehran
— Amid escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, Trump warned of targeting bridges or power plants for any Iranian move in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint. (GS: Geopolitics, energy security, Strait of Hormuz)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 Net FDI turned negative in May 2026 — outflows exceeded inflows by $74 million, snapping a three-month positive streak (RBI data)
- 🔑 Asian Games 2026 to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026 — India's shooters had a poor final tune-up
- 🔑 Justice K.T. Thomas (retd. SC judge) — Padma Vibhushan; K. Vijay Kumar (IPS) — Padma Shri, both announced in 2026 Padma Awards cycle