Daily Current Affairs – 07-07-2026

International News

China Conducts Strategic Missile Test in the Pacific Ocean

China conducted a test of a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead in the Pacific Ocean using a nuclear submarine. New Zealand stated that the test involved a nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile, although China's Defence Ministry and Foreign Ministry did not confirm whether it was an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The test came two years after China's Rocket Force launched an ICBM into international waters near French Polynesia. Following the missile test, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Taiwan expressed concern over regional security. On the same day, China and Russia began their annual joint naval exercises near Qingdao, involving drills on joint reconnaissance, air and missile defence, and weapons operations.

Hamas Dissolves Gaza Government Under Ceasefire Framework

Hamas announced the dissolution of its government in Gaza as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement and stated that administrative responsibilities would be transferred to a United Nations-backed technical committee. The technocratic committee, chaired by Ali Shaath, has been assigned to restore essential services and oversee civilian administration under the supervision of the United Nations and the Board of Peace. OTT negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled over the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza. According to the report, the October 7 attack resulted in about 1,200 deaths in Israel and 251 hostages, while Gaza's Health Ministry stated that 73,098 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military offensive.

Indonesia to Celebrate the Centenary of Rabindranath Tagore’s Visit

Indonesia will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore's historic visit with a 15-month programme during 2026–2027. The commemorative events will be launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia and will include exhibitions and year-long cultural programmes highlighting the cultural ties between India and Indonesia. Rabindranath Tagore visited Indonesia in 1927 and later encouraged cultural exchanges by sending his associates to study the country's art, dance, culture and architecture. During his visit to Java, he introduced the Indonesian Batik wax-resist textile technique to West Bengal, which later developed as Shantiniketan Batik. The Tagore–Dewantara Educational and Cultural Exchange Programme will also be launched during the commemorative period. Ki Hajar Dewantara, the first Education Minister of Indonesia, was inspired by Tagore's Shantiniketan model and established Taman Siswa schools based on its principles. A newly compiled book on Rabindranath Tagore's visit to Indonesia will also be presented during the Prime Minister's visit.

Japan’s Hayabusa2 Conducts Close Flyby of Asteroid Torifune

Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe, developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), successfully conducted a close flyby of the near-Earth asteroid Torifune on 6 July 2026 as part of a planetary defence technology test. The spacecraft was planned to pass within 800 metres of the asteroid to test its ability to precisely control its trajectory for future asteroid-deflection missions. Unlike NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which successfully altered the orbit of Dimorphos in 2022 by deliberately impacting the asteroid, Hayabusa2 did not collide with Torifune. The mission also collected data on the asteroid's surface features, texture and temperature, which are important for future planetary defence missions. Hayabusa2, launched in 2014, had previously collected samples from the asteroid Ryugu and returned them to Earth. After completing the Torifune flyby, the spacecraft is expected to attempt a rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26 in 2031.

National News

New Appointments to BPRD, NCRB and SVPNPA

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Alok Mittal, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, as the Director-General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), and Amit Garg, also a 1993-batch IPS officer, as the Director of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Sujeet Pandey, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed Director of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA). Alok Mittal is currently serving as Director-General, Prisons, Haryana, while Amit Garg was serving as Director of SVPNPA before his appointment to NCRB.

Government Introduces Mandatory ‘Sagar Mein Yog’ Wellness Programme for Seafarers

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), formerly known as the Directorate General of Shipping, has introduced a mandatory yoga-based wellness programme called Sagar Mein Yog (SMY) for Indian seafarers. The programme will be delivered through a Learning Management System (LMS), and all seafarers holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) must complete the course within one year. The programme is also mandatory for trainees in DGS-approved Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs). The SMY course consists of 10 wellness pillars with a total duration of 19 hours and 14 minutes, covering social, occupational, physical, intellectual, economic, cultural, and spiritual wellness. The spiritual wellness module includes meditation, chanting, mudras, pranayama, Bhramari (Bee Breath), Dhyana Mudra, and Apana Mudra.

ZEE5 Removes ‘Satluj’ Following Government Notice Under IT Rules, 2021

ZEE5 removed the film ‘Satluj’, starring Diljit Dosanjh, after receiving a notice from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) citing security concerns and compliance under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The film was released on ZEE5 without cuts and was removed two days later. The film is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Punjab-based human rights activist who disappeared in 1995. In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted for his abduction and murder and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, and in 2007, the Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced the sentence to life imprisonment. The film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 under the title ‘Punjab 95’, but the producers did not accept the 127 cuts and title change suggested by the CBFC. OTT content is governed by the IT Rules, 2021 and not by the CBFC. The Code of Ethics under the IT Rules requires OTT platforms to avoid content prohibited by law, classify content based on age, and exercise caution regarding content affecting India’s sovereignty, integrity, security, public order, and friendly relations with foreign countries. The Bombay High Court has granted an interim pan-India stay on Rules 9(1) and 9(3) of the IT Rules, 2021, relating to the Code of Ethics and the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism.

Indigenous Stealth Frigate Mahendragiri to Join the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy will commission INS Mahendragiri, the sixth indigenous stealth frigate built under Project 17A, at Visakhapatnam. The warship features reduced radar signature, a high degree of automation, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems, electronic warfare capabilities, anti-submarine warfare systems, and an Integrated Combat Management System. It is designed for maritime security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), search and rescue, power projection, and surveillance missions. The ship is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. INS Mahendragiri was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. Under Project 17A, a total of seven warships are being constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

Foundation Stone Laid for 125-Foot Statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for a 125-foot statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, in Kolkata during the celebration of his 125th birth anniversary. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on 6 July 1901 and died on 23 June 1953 while in preventive detention. He advocated the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and the removal of Article 370. Article 370 was repealed by the Government of India on 5 August 2019.

New Cooperative Life Insurance Company Announced

Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah announced that the Government will establish a new Cooperative Life Insurance Company during the event marking the 5th anniversary of the Union Ministry of Cooperation. He stated that 8.5 lakh cooperative societies with 30 crore members are functioning across India. The Bharat Taxi service launched under the cooperative model will be expanded to 500 more cities within two years. The National Seed Cooperative Society has also been established for seed production and is expected to become the country's largest non-governmental seed production organisation within three years. A cooperative sector data platform has also been launched to support the expansion and modernization of the cooperative sector. The Union Ministry of Cooperation will continue to assist States in policy formulation and strengthening the cooperative movement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Three-Nation Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking a three-nation visit covering Indonesia (6–8 July), Australia (8–10 July), and New Zealand (10–11 July). During his visit to Indonesia, he was received at Jakarta by President Prabowo Subianto and was accorded a state welcome. The visit includes a trip to the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and interactions with the Indian diaspora. Prime Minister Modi's 2018 visit to Indonesia elevated India–Indonesia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During his visit to Australia, he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on defence, defence equipment, trade and investment, education, and people-to-people ties, and interact with the Indian community in Melbourne. In New Zealand, he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on economic cooperation and trade, besides meeting the Indian diaspora.

Proposal to Increase Permanent Absorption of Agniveers

The Ministry of Defence is considering a proposal to increase the permanent absorption of Agniveers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force from the existing 25% to 50%–75% based on recommendations submitted by the three armed forces. The Agni Path Scheme was launched in 2022 based on the recommendations of a committee constituted after the 1999 Kargil War, comprising K. Subrahmanyam (Retired IAS Officer), Lieutenant General K.K. Hazari, Verghese, Satish Chandra, and Brajesh Mishra. Under the scheme, men and women aged 17.5 to 21 years are recruited for 4 years on a contractual basis. Agniveers retiring under the scheme receive a financial package of ₹11.71 lakh, ₹48 lakh insurance cover during service, and other service benefits, but they are not eligible for pension. Special schemes have also been introduced to facilitate the recruitment of Agniveers into security forces under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the police departments of various State Governments.

States’ News

Uttar Pradesh Approves Renaming of Jalalabad as Parashurampuri

The Uttar Pradesh Government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the proposal to rename Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district as Parashurampuri. The decision was taken during a State Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. According to State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, the proposal was based on a long-standing demand from local residents citing the town’s historical and religious significance. The Central Government conveyed that it had no objection to the proposal before the State Government granted approval. Jalalabad, named during the Mughal period after Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, is regarded as the birthplace of Lord Parashuram. The concerned department will complete the required administrative and legal formalities for implementing the name change.

Gujarat to Construct Rubber Dams on Heran and Ambika Rivers

The Government of Gujarat has planned to construct two South Korean technology-based air-filled rubber dams on the Heran River in Chhota Udepur district and the Ambika River in Tapi district at a combined cost of more than ₹160 crore. This is the first use of such rubber dam technology in the State and aims to improve irrigation, groundwater recharge, and flood control. The Heran River project at Rajvasana, Bodeli taluka, under a cost of over ₹82.97 crore, is about 75% complete, is expected to be completed within 30 months, and will provide irrigation to 3,420 hectares across 25 villages. The Ambika River project at Pathakwadi village, Dolvan taluka, costing over ₹79.13 crore, is nearly 90% complete and will provide assured irrigation to around 650 hectares of farmland. The projects use rubber bladder technology mounted on a concrete base and include SCADA-based automation for automatic inflation and deflation. Both projects are also expected to improve groundwater levels, ensure stable irrigation and drinking water supply, and strengthen flood management.

Sports News

India Wins 20 Medals at the Asian U20 Wrestling Championship

At the Asian U20 Wrestling Championship held in Pattaya, Thailand, India won a total of 20 medals, comprising 4 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze. In the women's category, India finished second with 184 points, behind China, which secured 189 points, while the Indian men's freestyle team won the overall bronze medal with 152 points. Parveen (50 kg), Muskan (53 kg), Kajal (76 kg), and Sumit Kumar (70 kg) won the gold medals for India. Manya Rajput (57 kg), Savita (62 kg), Manisha (72 kg), Pushp (61 kg), Saurav Yadav (79 kg), and Ronak (125 kg) won silver medals. India also secured one silver and three bronze medals in the Greco-Roman category.

Novak Djokovic Sets New Wimbledon Match-Win Record

At the Wimbledon Championships, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Roman Safiullin of Russia in the pre-quarterfinals to register his 106th Wimbledon match victory, surpassing Roger Federer's record of 105 wins and becoming the player with the most match wins in Wimbledon history. In other men's singles matches, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy defeated Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan, while Flavio Cobolli of Italy defeated Alex de Minaur of Australia. In the women's singles, Naomi Osaka of Japan defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus to qualify for the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time and also recorded her first victory over a World No. 1 player since 2019. Coco Gauff of the United States reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time by defeating Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, while Jasmine Paolini of Italy defeated Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.

Tamil Nadu News

2,500-Year-Old Staircase Well Discovered at Malaiyadippatti Excavation

A 2,500-year-old Sangam-era brick-built well with a staircase structure has been discovered at the Malaiyadippatti excavation site near Karivalamvandanallur in Tenkasi district by the Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology. The square-shaped well measures 4 × 4 metres and is believed to be the first staircase well discovered in an archaeological excavation in Tamil Nadu. The brick structure is similar to those found at Keeladi, Kaveripoompattinam, and Arikamedu. Excavations are being carried out in 16 trenches, along with 2 burial pits, where urn burials (Mudumakkal Thazhi) and three painted pots have been unearthed. Other archaeological findings include Black-and-Red Ware pottery, graffiti-marked pottery, glass beads, terracotta figurines, gaming stones, stone tools, iron objects, iron slag, hematite iron ore, and tin-bronze fragments. Archaeological evidence indicates that the site was inhabited during the Microlithic Age, Iron Age, Early Historic Period, and Historic Period. The discovery of six gold coins at Karichathan village in 1930 also suggests that the region may have been an ancient commercial centre.