PM Modi bats for two-state solution on Israel-Palestine

Prime Minister reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict during his Indonesia visit.

Delhi-Jakarta seal key deals on missiles, minerals and port

India and Indonesia signed important agreements covering defence (including Astra missiles), critical minerals and port development cooperation.

Delhi Government approves ₹8,300 crore Clean Air Project

The “Clean Air, Healthy Delhi” project was cleared to reduce air pollution and strengthen environmental protection measures in the national capital.

Contact lost with Drishti, world’s first OptoSAR satellite

Communication was lost with the Drishti satellite, described as the world’s first OptoSAR (optical + synthetic aperture radar) satellite.

ISRO completes first static ground test of SOLVE

Indian Space Research Organisation successfully conducted the first static ground test of the Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE), advancing reusable launch vehicle technology.

India’s external debt rises to US$762.8 billion

As of 31 March 2026, India’s external debt stood at US$762.8 billion, reflecting an annual increase of US$26.3 billion according to RBI data.

UP Cabinet renames Jalalabad as Parashurampuri

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the proposal to rename Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district as Parashurampuri.

RBI imposes penalties on multiple NBFCs

Reserve Bank of India penalised Five Star Business Finance, Can Fin Homes, Pahal Financial Services and Repco Home Finance for KYC and Fair Practices Code violations.

West Bengal approves PM Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana framework

State government approved the implementation framework of the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana to improve livelihoods of tea garden workers.

Four States reach pact on Narmada project payments

Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan reached an agreement on pending payments related to the Narmada project.

School dropout rate falls across key stages

A new report showed that school dropout rates have declined across primary, upper primary and secondary stages.

BRICS nations call for timely exchange of drug-related information

BRICS countries emphasised the need for faster sharing of intelligence and information to combat drug trafficking.

U.S. charges Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar in Nijjar killing

United States authorities charged gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his aide Goldy Brar for ordering the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

High-level probe ordered into Badrinath shrine donations

Uttarakhand government constituted a three-member committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at Badrinath temple.

INS Mahendragiri to be commissioned on 11 July

The sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate is scheduled for commissioning at Visakhapatnam on 11 July 2026.

Plea claims ‘silent compulsion’ in E20 petrol roll-out

A petition raised concerns that consumers are being forced into E20 petrol without adequate choice or information.

WhatsApp username debate raises informational privacy issues

Discussions around WhatsApp’s username feature brought informational privacy and data protection concerns to the forefront.

U.S. strikes Iran after Hormuz attacks

United States forces launched strikes on Iran following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional tensions.

India-Australia ties: Beyond three Cs

Editorial highlighted the evolving lexicon of India-Australia partnership beyond the traditional three Cs of commerce, culture and cricket.

Index of Services Production to rely heavily on GST data

The upcoming Index of Services Production is expected to draw significantly from GST figures for more accurate measurement of the services sector.

Clean Air Project for Delhi

The ₹8,300 crore initiative aims to improve air quality through multi-sectoral interventions in the National Capital Territory.

OptoSAR satellite loses contact

Loss of communication with Drishti raises questions about the status of the innovative optical-radar satellite mission.

Reusable launch vehicle progress

Successful static test of SOLVE marks an important milestone in ISRO’s efforts towards reusable launch systems.

External debt data released

Rise in external debt remains within manageable levels relative to the size of the Indian economy.

Place renaming in Uttar Pradesh

Renaming of Jalalabad as Parashurampuri continues the trend of changing place names with historical or cultural significance.

NBFC regulatory action by RBI

Penalties underline the central bank’s continued focus on compliance with KYC and customer protection norms.

Tea garden workers welfare scheme

Implementation of PMCSPY in West Bengal aims to improve socio-economic conditions of workers in the tea sector.

Inter-state Narmada payment agreement

Pact among the four riparian states is expected to ease financial disputes related to the Narmada project.

Education indicators improve

Decline in dropout rates across stages reflects positive outcomes of various school education interventions.

Anti-drug cooperation under BRICS

Call for timely information exchange strengthens the multilateral response to transnational drug networks.

Transnational crime charges in U.S.

Charges against Bishnoi and Brar highlight the international dimension of organised crime and Khalistani-related violence.

Temple donation probe in Uttarakhand

High-level committee will examine alleged irregularities in the management of offerings at the Badrinath shrine.

Project 17A frigate induction

Commissioning of Mahendragiri will further strengthen the Indian Navy’s indigenous surface combatant capability.

Ethanol blending concerns raised

Petition on ‘silent compulsion’ in E20 petrol highlights consumer choice and transparency issues in fuel policy.

Privacy implications of messaging platforms

WhatsApp username feature debate underscores the importance of informational privacy in digital communication.

West Asia tensions escalate

U.S. strikes on Iran following Hormuz incidents add another layer of complexity to the already volatile regional situation.

India-Australia strategic partnership evolves

Partnership is expanding into new domains of security, technology and Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Better measurement of services sector

Use of GST data in the Index of Services Production is expected to improve the quality of economic statistics.

Air quality intervention in Delhi

Large financial allocation for clean air measures signals continued priority given to pollution control in the capital.

Space technology setback

Loss of contact with Drishti is a reminder of the inherent risks in experimental satellite missions.

Reusable rocket technology advances

SOLVE static test is part of ISRO’s broader programme to reduce launch costs through reusability.

External sector indicators

External debt figures remain a key parameter for assessing India’s external vulnerability.

Cultural renaming continues

Renaming of places with historical associations remains a recurring feature of state-level policy.

Regulatory enforcement in financial sector

RBI’s penalties reinforce the importance of customer protection and compliance in the NBFC space.

Welfare of tea garden workers

Scheme implementation in West Bengal is expected to address long-standing livelihood issues in the tea industry.

Inter-state water project cooperation

Agreement on Narmada payments is a positive step towards resolving inter-state financial disputes.

Positive education outcomes

Falling dropout rates indicate gradual improvement in school retention and learning continuity.

Multilateral anti-narcotics effort

BRICS emphasis on information exchange supports the global fight against drug trafficking networks.

Strategic defence and economic deals with Indonesia

Agreements on missiles, minerals and ports deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Key developments across diplomacy, space and governance

8 July 2026 featured important updates on India-Indonesia deals, Clean Air Project for Delhi, SOLVE test, external debt data, Drishti satellite, school dropout trends and major court and regulatory actions — all relevant for competitive exams.