Agriculture & Environmental Policy

1. Union Cabinet Approves National Investment Policy for Urea (NIPU)-2026

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Investment Policy for Urea (NIPU)-2026, a major initiative aimed at strengthening India's fertilizer sector. The policy provides attractive incentives for setting up new domestic gas-based urea manufacturing plants and expanding existing production facilities. The government's primary objective is to reduce India's heavy dependence on imported urea, which currently exceeds 10 million tonnes annually.

Alongside this policy, the government has also approved the commercial use of anhydrous ammonia as a direct nitrogen fertilizer. Containing nearly 82% nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia is significantly more concentrated than conventional urea and is expected to improve fertilizer efficiency while lowering production and transportation costs. The move is expected to enhance India's fertilizer self-reliance, reduce import bills, and strengthen food security.

Key Highlights

• National Investment Policy for Urea (NIPU)-2026 approved.

• Incentives for domestic gas-based fertilizer plants.

• Commercial use of anhydrous ammonia approved.

• Aims to reduce over 10 million tonnes of annual urea imports.

• Supports fertilizer self-sufficiency and agricultural productivity.

2. Chhattisgarh Launches DWEEPTI Yojana

Chhattisgarh has become the first Indian state to introduce a women-led distributed renewable energy programme named DWEEPTI Yojana. Under the scheme, women belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will receive technical training to become "Solar Didis."

These trained women will install, operate, and maintain rooftop solar power systems in villages and urban areas. Besides generating clean energy, the initiative aims to create employment opportunities, encourage women entrepreneurship, and promote decentralized renewable energy production.

The programme supports India's clean energy transition while empowering rural women economically.

Key Highlights

• First women-led distributed renewable energy model in India.

• SHG members trained as Solar Didis.

• Focus on rooftop solar installations.

• Promotes women empowerment and green energy.

• Supports sustainable rural development.

3. Maharashtra Approves India's First AI Bird Monitoring Centre

The Maharashtra government has approved India's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bird Monitoring Centre at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.

The centre will use AI-powered cameras, advanced sensors, and automated monitoring systems to observe migratory birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway. Scientists will receive real-time information regarding bird populations, migration routes, breeding behaviour, and environmental changes.

The project is expected to improve wildlife conservation, biodiversity research, and environmental monitoring using modern technology.

Key Highlights

• India's first AI Bird Monitoring Centre.

• Located at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.

• Uses AI sensors for bird tracking.

• Monitors migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.

• Strengthens wildlife conservation efforts.

Science, Technology & Space

4. 2026 Fields Medals Announced

The International Mathematical Union (IMU) has announced the winners of the prestigious 2026 Fields Medal, often called the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics."

The recipients are:

• Yu Deng

• John Pardon

• Jacob Tsimerman

• Hong Wang

A historic achievement was recorded as Hong Wang became only the third woman in the medal's 90-year history to receive this prestigious honour.

The Fields Medal is awarded every four years to mathematicians under the age of 40 for exceptional contributions to mathematics.

Key Highlights

• Four mathematicians received the 2026 Fields Medal.

• Hong Wang became the third female recipient.

• Highest honour in mathematics.

• Awarded every four years.

5. SpaceX Successfully Completes Starship's 13th Test Flight

SpaceX successfully carried out the 13th integrated test flight of its giant Starship launch system from Texas, USA.

The mission successfully deployed 20 advanced Version 3 Starlink satellites into orbit before the spacecraft executed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

The successful mission represents another important milestone in SpaceX's long-term goal of developing fully reusable spacecraft for lunar, Martian, and deep-space exploration.

Key Highlights

• 13th integrated Starship flight completed.

• 20 Version 3 Starlink satellites deployed.

• Controlled splashdown achieved.

• Supports future Moon and Mars missions.

6. CERN Begins Major LHC Upgrade

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has officially shut down the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for a four-year modernization programme called Long Shutdown 3 (LS3).

The $1.5 billion upgrade will convert the existing collider into the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), enabling scientists to produce significantly more particle collisions and collect higher-quality experimental data.

The upgrade will improve research on dark matter, the Higgs boson, and the fundamental structure of the universe.

Key Highlights

• CERN begins Long Shutdown 3.

• LHC upgraded to HL-LHC.

• Four-year modernization programme.

• Better particle collision capability.

• Advances particle physics research.

Banking, Economy & Infrastructure

7. RBI Reopens Licensing for Urban Co-operative Banks

After a gap of 22 years, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reopened the licensing window for establishing Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).

The RBI has fixed a minimum capital requirement of ₹300 crore and will give priority to well-managed cooperative credit societies seeking conversion into full-fledged Urban Co-operative Banks.

The move aims to improve financial inclusion, expand banking services, and strengthen the cooperative banking sector.

Key Highlights

• First licensing window since 2004.

• Minimum capital requirement: ₹300 crore.

• Priority to well-managed cooperative societies.

• Strengthens cooperative banking.

8. RBI to Test Polymer Banknotes

The Ministry of Finance informed Parliament that the Reserve Bank of India has been authorized to conduct field trials of polymer ₹10 and ₹20 banknotes.

Around 1 billion notes of each denomination will be circulated across multiple cities to evaluate durability, security, and resistance to counterfeiting.

Polymer notes generally last longer than paper currency and are more difficult to counterfeit.

Key Highlights

• Polymer ₹10 and ₹20 notes approved for trials.

• One billion notes of each denomination.

• Multi-city testing.

• Better durability and security.

9. Vizhinjam Port Receives Customs Clearance

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has officially notified the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala as a Customs Port.

With this approval, the Adani-developed deep-water port can now begin direct Export-Import (EXIM) cargo operations, reducing dependence on foreign transshipment hubs.

The port is expected to significantly strengthen India's maritime trade and logistics network.

Key Highlights

• Vizhinjam becomes an official Customs Port.

• Direct EXIM operations approved.

• Boosts India's maritime infrastructure.

• Reduces dependence on foreign ports.

Judicial & Health

10. Supreme Court to Frame National Protest Guidelines

The Supreme Court of India announced that it will prepare a uniform national protocol governing police action during public protests.

The Court observed that the use of pellet guns or projectile weapons against peaceful demonstrators is disproportionate and violates the constitutional right to peaceful assembly under Article 19(1)(b).

The proposed guidelines aim to ensure a balance between public order and citizens' fundamental rights.

Key Highlights

• Uniform protest guidelines to be framed.

• Pellet guns declared disproportionate.

• Protects Article 19(1)(b).

• Promotes peaceful policing.

11. World Hepatitis Day 2026

On 28 July (World Hepatitis Day), the Ministry of Health announced significant progress under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP).

According to the ministry, more than 21 crore people have been screened through 1,153 decentralized healthcare centres across India. The programme aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, in line with global health targets.

The initiative focuses on early diagnosis, treatment, awareness, and prevention.

Key Highlights

• World Hepatitis Day: 28 July.

• Over 21 crore people screened.

• 1,153 decentralized screening centres.

• Goal: Eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.