Daily Current Affairs – 22-07-2026

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu’s First Government Primary School Receives ISO Certification

Kondappanayakkanpatti Government Panchayat Union Primary School in Salem became the first Government Primary School in Tamil Nadu to receive ISO Quality Certification. The school secured the certification after inspections covering classroom infrastructure, teaching methods, digital library, drinking water, sanitation facilities, CCTV surveillance, teacher strength, and school cleanliness. The school is headed by Headmaster Anthony. The ISO certification team conducted three inspections before awarding the certification. The application for the certification was made following the suggestion of the school's alumnus Chandrasekar.

Tamil Nadu Third in Sewer and Septic Tank Cleaning Deaths

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale informed Parliament that Tamil Nadu recorded 38 deaths during sewer and septic tank cleaning over the last five years, making it the third-highest State in India. The information was provided in reply to a question raised by Villupuram MP D. Ravikumar. According to the State-wise data, 332 people died across India while cleaning septic tanks during the last five years. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of deaths with 58, followed by Haryana with 47, and Tamil Nadu with 38.

Tamil Nadu’s Merchandise Exports Reach US$58.95 Billion in 2025–26

Tamil Nadu remained India’s third-largest exporting State for the third consecutive year since 2023–24, with merchandise exports reaching US$58.95 billion in 2025–26, according to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Replying in Parliament, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal stated that Tamil Nadu accounted for 33.38% of India’s motor vehicles and cars exports, 23.13% of textiles and allied products, 41.63% of electronics exports, 35.59% of leather and leather manufactures, and 16.66% of engineering goods exports during 2025–26. The State’s share in electronics exports increased from 32.84% in 2023–24 to 38% in 2024–25, and further to 41.63% in 2025–26. Tamil Nadu’s merchandise exports increased from US$43.22 billion in 2023–24 to US$51.83 billion in 2024–25, and US$58.95 billion in 2025–26. To strengthen export infrastructure, 94 projects with an investment of ₹12,523 crore were implemented at Tamil Nadu’s major ports between 2014–15 and 2025–26.

Tamil Nadu Government to Present First Budget on August 5

The first Budget of the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu Government will be presented by Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 5, 2026, for the financial year 2026–27. The Agriculture Budget will be presented on August 6, 2026, by Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Vinoth. The Business Advisory Committee will meet on August 5 after the presentation of the Finance Budget to decide the schedule of the Budget session. The Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar stated that Assembly Rules 291 and 292 specify the circumstances requiring the Speaker's consent for the arrest of an MLA, and that if an MLA is kept in custody for more than 24 hours, the Speaker must formally inform the Legislative Assembly.

V. Siva Appointed Chairman of Tamil Nadu Housing Board

The Government of Tamil Nadu has appointed V. Siva as the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) following the resignation of Poochi S. Murugan, who stepped down from the post on May 5, as stated in a Government Order issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department. V. Siva is the TVK North Chennai District Secretary and previously served as the party's in-charge for the Perambur Assembly Constituency.

States’ News

Madhya Pradesh Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill was passed by voice vote in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly on July 21. The Bill provides for uniform procedures relating to marriage, divorce, and adoption across all religions. It makes the registration of all marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships mandatory, prohibits polygamy, and exempts tribal communities from its provisions. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav introduced the Bill in the Assembly. With the passage of this legislation, Madhya Pradesh became the fourth State to implement the Uniform Civil Code, after Goa, Assam, and Uttarakhand.

Supreme Court Relieves Kerala Waqf Board from State Government Supervision

The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, set aside the Kerala High Court’s interim direction requiring the Kerala Waqf Board to function under the supervision of a Joint/Additional Secretary of the State government. The order was passed while hearing the Board’s appeal against the Kerala High Court’s interim order dated July 15. The petitions had challenged the constitution of the Board under the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, 2025, which mandates the inclusion of two non-Muslim members and one Shia member in the Board. The Supreme Court permitted the Joint/Additional Secretary to continue only as an ex-officio member of the Board.

National News

India’s Renewable Energy Capacity Reaches 288.58 GW

The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that India's renewable energy generation capacity increased from 76.38 GW in 2014 to 288.58 GW as of June 2026. In a written reply, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik stated that the total renewable energy capacity comprises 162.15 GW of solar power, 57.44 GW of wind power, 11.75 GW of bio-power, and 57.24 GW of hydropower. As of June 30, 2026, the country's non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity stood at 297.36 GW, including 288.58 GW of renewable energy and 8.78 GW of nuclear power. The renewable energy sector attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth $45.72 billion (approximately ₹4.40 lakh crore) between 2014 and FY 2025-26.

Debt-to-GDP Ratio Declines to 58.2% in FY 2025-26

The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that India's Debt-to-GDP Ratio declined to 58.2% in FY 2025-26, compared with 58.5% in FY 2024-25. In a written reply, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that the Central Government's total debt stood at ₹201.17 lakh crore (provisional estimate) as on March 31, 2026. The debt service to revenue receipts ratio declined from 41.6% in 2020-21 to 37.6% in 2025-26 (provisional). The 2026-27 Union Budget projected effective capital expenditure of ₹17.15 lakh crore, which is higher than the fiscal deficit of ₹16.96 lakh crore. The Central Government incurred ₹44.03 lakh crore as capital expenditure during FY 2021 to FY 2026. The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme, PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy, and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal are being implemented to strengthen infrastructure development.

Union Government Strengthens Cybercrime Prevention

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar informed the Lok Sabha that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has established Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) in Mewat, Jamtara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, and Guwahati to prevent cybercrime in coordination with State law enforcement agencies. I4C has developed the Samanvaya Portal for cybercrime data sharing, analysis, and management, through which 29,837 cybercriminals have been arrested and action has been taken on 2.33 lakh complaints. Up to June 30, action on 32.80 lakh complaints received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) helped protect ₹11,158 crore. Between 2021 and 2025, 65.89 lakh complaints involving financial fraud worth ₹55,050 crore were received, and 1.95 lakh cases were registered. The CyTrain learning portal has registered 1.63 lakh police and judicial officers, with 1.61 lakh certificates issued. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrime complaints increased from 50,035 in 2020 to 1.01 lakh in 2024.

PLI Schemes Attract Major Investments and Employment

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed the Lok Sabha that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes have attracted ₹2.60 lakh crore in investments up to March 2026, generating over 14.15 lakh direct and indirect jobs and enabling exports worth over ₹15.2 lakh crore. The highest investments were received in High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules (₹64,873 crore), followed by Pharmaceuticals (₹45,158 crore), Automobiles (₹44,326 crore), Specialty Steel (₹23,896 crore), and Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing (₹20,580 crore). Under the ₹945-crore Startup Support Scheme, ₹650 crore has been disbursed to 219 early-stage startups. Indian companies invested US$15.9 billion in the United States over the last five years. Under the FDI Policy, 100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route in single-brand retail trading, while 51% FDI is allowed in multi-brand retail trading. Between April 2021 and March 2026, single-brand retail trading received US$1,528.66 million and multi-brand retail trading received US$34.38 million in FDI.

Lupin Licences Two Oncology Programmes to Kaveri Therapeutics

Lupin, a global pharmaceutical company, has licensed two oncology programmes—LNP7457 (PRMT5) and LNP8701 (SOS1)—to Kaveri Therapeutics Inc. under an exclusive perpetual licence agreement valued at US$1.6 million. Through the agreement, Lupin Inc. (LI), the company's wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, will provide seed funding to Kaveri Therapeutics Inc. In return, Lupin Inc. received 3,32,000 common shares, increasing its stake in Kaveri Therapeutics Inc. to 82.2%.

New Curriculum for Classes IV–XII to Include Emerging Technologies

The School Education Department is preparing a new curriculum for Classes IV–XII that will include Emerging Technologies, Prompt Engineering, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Education, and Digital Awareness. The Curriculum Design Committee met in Chennai to formulate the curriculum. School Education Minister Rajmohan stated that TNSPARK is already being taught in government schools and that Prompt Engineering will also be introduced. The committee approved the development of a new curriculum, syllabus, and textbooks for Classes IV–VIII for implementation from the next academic year. After this, the curriculum, syllabus, and textbooks for Classes IX–XII will be developed for implementation in 2027–28.

Sports News

Remco Evenepoel Wins Tour de France Individual Time Trial

Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel of Belgium won the 26.1 km Individual Time Trial stage of the Tour de France, completing the course in 32 minutes 19 seconds. Tadej Pogacar, the defending champion, finished second, 28 seconds behind the winner, while Mattias Skjelmose secured third place with a time of 33 minutes 23 seconds.

Spain Tops FIFA World Rankings

World champion Spain has moved to No. 1 in the latest FIFA World Rankings, replacing Argentina. France is ranked third, ahead of England. Brazil climbed to fifth place and Morocco to sixth, both moving ahead of Portugal. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Mexico complete the top 10 in the latest FIFA rankings.

International News

U.S. Imposes 50% Tariffs on Canadian Goods

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, citing Canada's alleged discrimination against American automobiles, alcohol, and dairy products. According to the White House, the tariffs will come into effect after 30 days. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada remains prepared to negotiate with the U.S. administration and noted that the country has signed more than 20 new economic and security partnerships.

Ed Miliband Appointed U.K. Foreign Secretary

Ed Miliband, former Labour Party leader, has been appointed as the U.K. Foreign Secretary. He previously served as Energy Minister and co-chaired the Fourth India–U.K. Energy Dialogue during his visit to India in February 2025. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated him and referred to the India–U.K. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the implementation of CETA. Yvette Cooper was appointed Health Secretary, John Healey became Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister), Shabana Mahmood continued as Home Secretary, Wes Streeting was appointed Defence Secretary, Lisa Nandy continued as Culture Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh became Energy Secretary, and Alex Norris was appointed Justice Secretary. India-born Kanishka Narayan, Member of Parliament from Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, was appointed AI Minister.

Indian Government Bonds Decline as Brent Crude Crosses US$90

Indian government bonds declined after Brent crude oil prices increased by 1% to US$90.16 per barrel, amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The rise in crude oil prices raised concerns over inflation, fiscal stability, and India’s external balance. The benchmark 6.94% Government Bond (2036) recorded a yield of 6.79%, rising by 2 basis points (bps).

Reports and Indices

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Launch Heat Stress Health Study

A heat stress health impact study has been launched in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to assess the effects of heat on physical and mental health and to develop a personalised heat-impact metric tool for individuals, households and communities. The study is being conducted by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with the State Governments, SCARF, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and ICMR institutions, namely the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, and the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai. The study will also evaluate the preparedness of the health system to manage heat stress. In Tamil Nadu, the study sites are Perungudi (Chennai) and Poompuhar (Mayiladuthurai), while in Karnataka, the sites are Sirwar (Raichur) and Challakere (Chitradurga). 1,200 households have been selected at each site. The study also aims to develop a personalised Early Warning System App for heat stress.