Daily Current Affairs – 15 July 2026

Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, State PSCs, and Railway exams. The 15 July 2026 current affairs cover EAM Jaishankar's UNSC 2028-29 campaign launch with 'SHANTI' theme, India's WPI at 9.87%, Bharat Tex 2026, MeitY's NIDAR 2.0, AS-HAPS airship programme, Ladakh's first apricot export to UAE, Tamil Nadu's Nalam TN portal, EPFO Amnesty Scheme, and key appointments and important days that frequently appear in the General Awareness section of government exams.

India – National Current Affairs

• EAM Jaishankar Officially Launches India's UNSC 2028-29 Campaign with 'SHANTI' Theme at UN Headquarters – External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar officially launched India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term on 13 July 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. India's campaign theme is "SHANTI" - an acronym for "Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity" - rooted in India's philosophy of peace and its commitment to a rules-based multilateral world order. Jaishankar also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, discussing geopolitical developments including the West Asia situation, Ukraine, and Sudan, and reinforcing India-UN cooperation. Exam importance: The UNSC elections for the 2028-29 term will be held at the UN General Assembly in June 2027 during its 82nd session; India is competing with Tajikistan for the single seat available in the Asia-Pacific Group category - Tajikistan has the support of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since 2023; this will be India's 9th time on the Security Council if elected (previous terms: 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12, and most recently 2021-22); India had an unopposed campaign in the 2021-22 term; India has deployed nearly 3,00,000 personnel across approximately 50 UN peacekeeping missions since the UN's founding - the largest cumulative contribution among all countries; India currently has 4,300 UN peacekeepers across 10 of 11 active missions; Key priorities in India's SHANTI campaign: (1) Strengthening the voice of the Global South; (2) Counter-terrorism financing; (3) UN peacekeeping reforms; (4) Climate justice; (5) Maritime security; (6) Technology governance; India also highlighted its development partnership with 79 countries; the UNSC has 15 members - 5 permanent (P5: USA, UK, France, Russia, China) and 10 non-permanent elected for 2-year terms; EAM Jaishankar subsequently flew to Brussels, Belgium, for the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting on 14–15 July 2026.
• India's WPI Inflation Surges to 9.87% in June 2026 - Highest in 28 Months – India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation surged to 9.87% in June 2026 (year-on-year), the highest level in 28 months (since February 2024), primarily driven by a sharp rise in food prices - particularly vegetables, fruits, and edible oils - along with higher fuel and power prices, as per data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Exam importance: WPI measures price changes at the producer/wholesale level (upstream prices); it covers Primary Articles (22.62% weight), Fuel & Power (13.15%), and Manufactured Products (64.23%); the WPI base year in India is 2011-12; the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA) under MoC&I releases WPI data monthly; India's CPI inflation was at 3.5% (May 2026), still within the RBI's 4% ± 2% tolerance band; high WPI inflation signals potential future pass-through to retail consumer prices if sustained; the surge is linked to elevated global commodity prices following the West Asia conflict and its supply chain disruptions, along with a below-normal pre-monsoon season impacting food supply.
• Bharat Tex 2026 - One of the World's Largest Textile Exhibitions Opens at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi – Bharat Tex 2026, one of the world's largest textile and apparel exhibitions, was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 14 July 2026, running from 14–17 July 2026. The mega-event showcases India's entire textile value chain from fibre to finished garments across technical textiles, apparel, home textiles, sustainable textiles, and machinery. Exam importance: Bharat Tex is organised by the Ministry of Textiles in partnership with 11 apex industry bodies including AEPC, CCI, CITI, PDEXCIL, SRTEPC, TEXPROCIL, and FIEO; the first edition of Bharat Tex was held in February 2024 at Bharat Mandapam; India is the world's 2nd largest textile & apparel exporter (after China); India's textile sector is the 2nd largest employer after agriculture, with approximately 4.5 crore direct and 6 crore indirect jobs; India targets USD 350 billion in textile sector revenue and USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030 under the National Textile Policy; the PLI Scheme for Textiles (2021) covers MMF fabrics, apparel, and technical textiles with an outlay of ₹10,683 crore; Union Minister of Textiles: Giriraj Singh.
• MeitY Launches NIDAR 2.0 Under SwaYaan Initiative to Accelerate Indigenous Drone Innovation – The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) 2.0 for 2026-27 in collaboration with the Drone Federation India (DFI) under the SwaYaan initiative - MeitY's flagship programme for accelerating drone technology development and commercialisation in India. Exam importance: NIDAR 2.0 invites innovators, startups, and academic institutions to develop cutting-edge drone technologies in focus areas including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, AI-enabled autonomous navigation, anti-drone systems, swarm drone technologies, and agricultural drone applications; SwaYaan was launched in 2024 to make India a global drone hub by 2030; India's drone industry is targeted to reach USD 23 billion by 2030 under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drones (₹120 crore outlay) and the Drone Rules, 2021; India is the world's 3rd largest drone market; MeitY Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw; Drone Federation of India (DFI) is the apex industry body for drones in India.
• India Initiates AS-HAPS Programme for Indigenous Stratospheric Airships -₹15,000 Crore Outlay – India initiated the Airship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) programme to develop indigenous stratospheric airships designed for long-endurance surveillance, telecommunications, and Earth observation missions, at an estimated outlay of ₹15,000 crore. Exam importance: HAPS platforms operate at altitudes of 20-50 km (stratosphere), above weather systems and air traffic but below satellites, providing the coverage of satellites at a fraction of the cost; they can be used for border surveillance, maritime domain awareness, communications relay, disaster management, and intelligence gathering; the AS-HAPS programme is under DRDO in partnership with the aerospace industry; similar programmes exist in the US (Lockheed Martin P-791), Japan (SoftBank's HAPSMobile Sunglider), and Europe (Airbus Zephyr); the programme aligns with India's DAC clearance for Fixed-Wing HAPS for the IAF (cleared in July 2026); DRDO Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamat.
• Ladakh Sends First-Ever Fresh Apricot Export Consignment to UAE – Ladakh dispatched its first-ever fresh apricot export consignment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 14 July 2026, opening a new global market for Ladakhi farmers and signalling the maturation of India's cold-chain agricultural export infrastructure for high-altitude produce. The export is part of a 1,000 metric tonne target for fresh apricot exports from Ladakh. Exam importance: Ladakh is one of the world's highest-altitude apricot-growing regions; apricots are integral to Ladakhi culture and the local economy; the export is facilitated under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; it aligns with India's goal of doubling agri-exports under the Agriculture Export Policy 2018 and the PM FME scheme; the Ladakhi apricot - especially the Nubra valley variety - is renowned for its sweet taste and high nutritional value; UT of Ladakh: LG Vinai Kumar Saxena.
• Tamil Nadu Launches 'Nalam TN' Integrated Digital Health Portal in Chennai – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the 'Nalam TN' integrated digital health portal in Chennai on 14 July 2026, providing citizens with seamless access to government health services including online appointment booking, health records management, telemedicine consultations, and wellness programmes through a single digital interface. Exam importance: Nalam TN complements India's national Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and is integrated with the ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID system; it aligns with TN's CM's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) and Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme; Tamil Nadu CM: C. Joseph Vijay; Tamil Nadu has a robust public health infrastructure, including the largest government hospital network in India; the portal also provides access to Tamil Nadu e-Pharmacy, Tele-MANAS (mental health), and NCD management programmes.
• Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026 - Delhi Unveils 'Mayur' as Mascot – The Delhi Government unveiled 'Mayur' (the peacock) as the official mascot for the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026 on 14 July 2026 in New Delhi. Exam importance: The 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026 will be held at Thyagaraj Sports Complex, New Delhi; the peacock (Pavo cristatus) is India's National Bird and is thus a fitting symbol; the championships are organised by the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation (CTTF); India has historically been a strong performer in Commonwealth Table Tennis events; Table Tennis was introduced to the Commonwealth Games in 2002; Indian TT players: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Achanta Sharath Kamal.
• EPFO Launches Amnesty Scheme 2026 for Exempted Provident Fund Trusts – The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) launched an Amnesty Scheme 2026, providing a six-month window (July–December 2026) for exempted provident fund trusts to regularise pending compliance matters, settle arrears, and clear legal disputes without penal interest or prosecution. Exam importance: Exempted PF Trusts are private companies or establishments that maintain their own PF trust (instead of depositing with EPFO) with EPFO's permission under Para 27A of the EPF Scheme, 1952; approximately 1,450 establishments in India maintain exempted PF trusts; EPFO is under the Ministry of Labour and Employment; EPFO has over 7 crore active contributors; EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) is governed by the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952; Central PF Commissioner: Neelam Shami Rao; the Amnesty Scheme aims to reduce the legacy burden of litigation and improve compliance in the PF ecosystem.
• BIS to Unveil India's First Mangrove Restoration Standards – The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to launch India's first national standards for mangrove restoration, with a draft standard promoting the use of biodegradable bags and native fruit trees that support local livelihoods alongside ecological restoration. Exam importance: BIS is India's national standards body, established under the BIS Act, 2016 (replacing the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986); BIS HQ: New Delhi; BIS DG: Pramod Kumar Tiwari; India has approximately 4,992 sq km of mangroves (State of Forest Report 2023) - the world's largest area of Sundarbans mangroves (shared with Bangladesh) accounts for a significant portion; mangroves are protected under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019; key mangrove regions: Sundarbans (WB/Bangladesh), Bhitarkanika (Odisha), Pichavaram (TN), and Andaman & Nicobar; this standard aligns with India's commitment under the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) launched at COP27 (2022).
• West Bengal Enacts Laws for Detention Without Trial and Property Attachment of Rioters – West Bengal enacted two new state laws allowing detention without trial and property attachment of individuals involved in riots, with all detention orders requiring state government approval within fifteen days and an advisory board led by a High Court judge to review cases within three weeks. Exam importance: WB CM: Suvendu Adhikari (BJP); this is a significant public order legislation from a state government; preventive detention in India is governed by Article 22 of the Constitution (allowing detention without trial for specified periods); the National Security Act (NSA), 1980 is the central preventive detention law; similar preventive detention laws include the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities (PD) Act and Gujarat's Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act provisions; the property attachment provision mirrors similar laws in UP (Goonda/Gangster Acts) and Maharashtra's anti-riot provisions.
• All-India Water Resources Secretaries Conference Held in Delhi Under Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil – Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil chaired the All-India Water Resources Secretaries Conference in New Delhi on 13 July 2026, focusing on Centre-State coordination for national water programmes. Exam importance: Key agenda items included: Catch the Rain 2.0 Campaign; dam safety evaluations to be completed by December 2026 under the Dam Safety Act, 2021; irrigation census update; State Water Reforms Framework; National Groundwater Management Programme (NGMP); and implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY); Ministry of Jal Shakti is headed by C.R. Patil; it was created in 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation; key programmes: Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Namami Gange, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and AMRUT.
• 8th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue Held in Tokyo – India and Japan held the 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on 13 July 2026, with the Indian delegation led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. Exam importance: The dialogue focused on defence industrial cooperation, cybersecurity, and space security, and both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific region; this builds directly on the outcomes of the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit (2 July 2026) where the first-ever defence co-development agreement was signed; India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership was established in 2014 during PM Modi's Japan visit; the two nations conduct bilateral military exercises including Dharma Guardian (Army), JIMEX (Navy), and Shinyuu Maitri (Air Force).
• Ahmedabad Sets Guinness World Record by Planting 3.61 Lakh Saplings in One Hour – Ahmedabad, Gujarat set a Guinness World Record (GWR) on 13 July 2026 by planting 3.61 lakh (361,000) saplings in just one hour at a single venue, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree for Mother) campaign launched by PM Modi. Exam importance: Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam was launched on World Environment Day (5 June 2024) by PM Modi to encourage citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers; the campaign is linked to India's target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030 (NDC commitment); Ahmedabad is a UNESCO World Heritage City (2017); the Guinness Book of World Records (GWR) was first published in 1955; GWR is headquartered in London, UK; the previous GWR for most trees planted in one hour at a single location was held by China.

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Economy & Banking

• 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council Meeting Held in Brussels (14–15 July 2026) – EAM S. Jaishankar attended the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Brussels, Belgium on 14-15 July 2026, co-chaired with the European Commission's Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager (Competitiveness) and Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. Exam importance: The India-EU TTC was established in April 2023 during PM Modi's visit to Brussels; it focuses on four pillars: Strategic Technologies and Digital Governance; Green and Clean Energy Technologies; Trade; and Resilient Value Chains and Semiconductors; the 1st TTC was held in Brussels (May 2023) and the 2nd in New Delhi (March 2025); EU-India bilateral trade: approximately USD 170 billion (FY26) - India's 2nd largest trading partner after the USA; the EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations (BTIA - Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement) have been ongoing since 2007, with negotiations relaunched in 2021; EU is a bloc of 27 member states; European Commission President: Ursula von der Leyen.
• RBI's New Integrated Ombudsman Scheme Features Enhanced Digital Complaint Mechanism – The RBI's revamped Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, effective from 1 July 2026, features enhanced digital complaint filing, real-time tracking of grievances, AI-assisted complaint categorisation, and a new 'Alternate Dispute Resolution' (ADR) layer for faster resolution of consumer complaints against banks, NBFCs, and payment system operators. Exam importance: The Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (IOS) was first introduced by RBI in November 2021, replacing three separate ombudsman schemes for banking, NBFCs, and digital payments; the scheme provides a cost-free grievance redressal mechanism; complaints can be filed on the Complaint Management System (CMS) portal at cms.rbi.org.in or through the toll-free number 14448; RBI Ombudsman offices are located in 22 cities across India; the scheme covers banking services, credit card services, digital payment issues, and NBFC-related complaints.
• India's External Debt Climbs to USD 762.8 Billion in FY26 – India's external debt rose to USD 762.8 billion as of March 2026 (end-FY26), up from USD 698.2 billion in March 2025, reflecting increased commercial borrowings, NRI deposits, and multilateral loan drawdowns, according to the RBI's latest External Debt Statistics. Exam importance: India's external debt to GDP ratio stands at approximately 21.4% (FY26) - considered manageable by international standards (below the IMF's warning threshold of 40%); short-term debt (original maturity of up to one year) accounts for approximately 20.8% of total external debt; the US dollar accounts for approximately 54% of India's external debt (largest share); multilateral debt (World Bank, ADB, etc.) accounts for approximately 7.8%; NRI deposits (NRE, NRO, FCNR-B) form a key component; RBI publishes external debt data quarterly.

Environment & Science

• Two New Solitary Bee Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh – Two new solitary bee species - Elaphropoda triangulata and Habropoda adi - were identified in Arunachal Pradesh on 11 July 2026, by researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and collaborators from Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo. Exam importance: Both species belong to the family Apidae; Elaphropoda triangulata is only the 3rd species in its globally recognised genus; Habropoda adi (named after the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh) belongs to a rarely studied group; Arunachal Pradesh forms part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, one of the world's 35 biodiversity hotspots identified by Conservation International; ATREE is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka; solitary bees are critical pollinators for agricultural and wild ecosystems - unlike honeybees, they do not form colonies; this discovery adds to the 709 new faunal species added to India's biodiversity database in 2025.
• Conservation and Recovery Action Plan for River Dolphins, Project Snow Leopard Phase-II Approved – The Governing Body of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved the Conservation and Recovery Action Plan (CRAP) for River Dolphins and the Phase-II framework for Project Snow Leopard, under the chairmanship of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Exam importance: The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is India's National Aquatic Animal; it is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; Project Dolphin was launched on 15 August 2020 by PM Modi; key threats: bycatch, habitat degradation, river traffic, sand mining; Project Snow Leopard was launched in 2009; India has 718 snow leopards (2024 assessment); Phase-II will expand the programme to all 5 snow leopard-inhabited states (J&K/Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh); NBWL is chaired by the PM and has a 47-member body including conservationists and state wildlife ministers.
• IISCO Steel Plant's 84,000 m³ Water Reservoir Inaugurated at Burnpur – Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (Ministry of Steel) inaugurated an 84,000 m³ Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) water reservoir at the IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur, West Bengal, supporting the plant's 4.08 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity expansion and water recycling with closed-loop water management systems. Exam importance: IISCO Steel Plant (Indian Iron and Steel Company) is a unit of SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) located in Burnpur (Asansol), West Bengal; SAIL is a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Steel; IISCO was established in 1918 and is one of India's oldest steel plants; SAIL Chairman: Amarendu Prakash; the closed-loop water system will significantly reduce freshwater consumption and is aligned with India's Jal Shakti Abhiyan (Water Conservation Mission); Union Minister of Steel: H.D. Kumaraswamy.

International Affairs

• Andy Burnham Poised to Become Britain's Next Prime Minister After Overwhelming Labour Support – Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and popular Labour figure, emerged as the frontrunner to become Britain's next Prime Minister after receiving overwhelming backing from Labour Party members and MPs following the resignation of Keir Starmer (announced 23 June 2026). Exam importance: Andy Burnham served as Secretary of State for Health (2009-10) and Culture, Media and Sport (2008-09) under PM Gordon Brown; he has been Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017; Keir Starmer served as UK PM from 5 July 2024 to his resignation announcement on 23 June 2026; UK Head of State: King Charles III; UK Parliament: House of Commons (650 seats) + House of Lords; the Labour Party was founded in 1900; HQ: London; the UK follows Westminster parliamentary system where the leader of the majority party becomes PM.
• EAM Jaishankar's 4-Nation Gulf Tour (5–10 July 2026) Concludes – EAM S. Jaishankar concluded his 4-nation Gulf tour covering Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman (5–10 July 2026), reviewing India's bilateral relations with each country and coordinating positions on West Asia stability following the Iran-US ceasefire. Exam importance: India has over 9 million diaspora across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, making the region vital for India's diaspora engagement and remittance flows (GCC remittances to India: approximately USD 50 billion/year); India-Oman CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) came into force on 1 June 2026; India's bilateral trade with Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman has grown significantly post-Iran ceasefire; EAM Jaishankar is one of India's longest-serving External Affairs Ministers, serving since May 2019.

Appointments

• Sourav Ganguly Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame – Cricket legend and former India captain Sourav Ganguly was officially inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame, becoming the 12th Indian cricketer to receive this honour. Exam importance: Sourav Ganguly (born 8 July 1972, Kolkata) captained India in 146 ODIs and 49 Tests, winning 76 ODIs (win rate: 52%) and 21 Tests; he is credited with transforming India into a world-beating team by blooding young talents including Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag, and MS Dhoni; he scored 11,363 ODI runs (6th highest ever at retirement) and 7,212 Test runs; he was the first Indian to win the ICC ODI Player of the Year award; he served as BCCI President (2019–2022); ICC Hall of Fame was established in 2009; Indian cricketers previously inducted: Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, BS Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, and MS Dhoni; ICC HQ: Dubai, UAE.

Important Days

• 15 July - World Youth Skills Day 2026 (11th Observance) – World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is observed annually on 15 July to raise awareness about the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The 2026 theme is "Skills for Digital and Green Transitions: Empowering Youth for Tomorrow's World." Exam importance: WYSD was proclaimed by the UNGA through Resolution A/RES/69/145 on 18 December 2014; first observed on 15 July 2015; 2026 marks the 12th observance; the day is led by UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO); India's Skill India Mission (launched 15 July 2015) was specifically launched on WYSD; India celebrates its National Skill Development Day on the same date; key schemes: PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana), Jan Shikshan Sansthan, and Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme; India needs to skill 500 million people by 2030 (Skill India Mission target); Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) MoS: Jayant Chaudhary.