Top Current Affairs in English – 20-25 July 2026 Weekly Summary
A comprehensive compilation of important and analytical current affairs from 20 to 25 July 2026 for UPSC, SSC, State PCS, and other competitive examinations.
1. 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026
Historical Background
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) was established in the year 1930, with its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s most prestigious football tournament held every 4 years. Brazil has won this title a record 5 times.
Current Affairs Connection
The 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026 was jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
- Final Match: Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the title. Spain became champion for the second time since 2010 (Spain is champion in both men’s and women’s categories).
- Major Awards:
- Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France) – for the second consecutive time.
- Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain).
- Golden Gloves: Unai Simon (Spain).
- Prize Money: Spain received $50 million and Argentina received $33 million.
- Tournament Stats: A total of 48 teams and 104 matches were played. Mascots – Clutch (Bald Eagle), Mapple (Moose), and Zayu (Jaguar).
Government Exam Relevance
This topic is highly relevant for the Sports Current Affairs section of UPSC, SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, and State PCS examinations.
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Which country has won the title of the 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026?
Answer: (B) Spain
2. Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026
Historical Background
This award is given annually on August 1st (his death anniversary) since 1983 in memory of freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a citation. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was bestowed with the title “Lokmanya”, and his famous slogan was – “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.”
Current Affairs Connection
The prestigious “Lokmanya Tilak National Award” for the year 2026 has been conferred upon National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval for his outstanding contribution to national security.
- Previous Winners: Nitin Gadkari in 2025, Sudha Murty in 2024, and Narendra Modi in 2023 received this award.
Government Exam Relevance
Questions related to prestigious national awards and recipients are regularly asked in UPSC, State PCS, Banking, and SSC examinations.
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Who has been conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award for the year 2026?
Answer: (B) Ajit Doval
3. Semiconductor 2.0 Project (India Semiconductor Mission)
Historical Background
The Government of India launched the ‘India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)’ in 2021 with an outlay of Rs. 76,000 crore to make the country an electronics manufacturing and semiconductor hub.
Current Affairs Connection
Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the **Semicon 2.0 Project**, under which a massive budget of Rs. 1,27,500 crore has been allocated.
- Implementation: By the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) for 5 years (from 2026-27 to 2030-31).
- Main Targets: Rs. 4 lakh crore investment, Rs. 2 lakh crore production, and Rs. 1 lakh crore exports.
Government Exam Relevance
Extremely important for questions related to economy, government schemes, and technological development (UPSC GS Paper-3 / SSC).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: What is the total budget allocated for the ‘Semicon 2.0 Project’?
Answer: (C) Rs. 1,27,500 crore
4. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report
Historical Background
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs to collect and compile Indian crimes and statistics.
Current Affairs Connection
According to the latest ‘Crime in India’ report released by NCRB, a total of **1,01,928** cybercrime cases were registered in the year 2024.
- Top State: Telangana (27,230 cases) > Karnataka (21,993 cases) > Uttar Pradesh (11,073 cases).
- Recent Appointment: Amit Garg has been appointed as the new head of NCRB.
Government Exam Relevance
Data-driven important questions for State PCS, UPSC, Internal Security, and police examinations.
Probable Question for Exam
Question: According to the NCRB report, which state registered the highest number of cybercrime cases in the year 2024?
Answer: (C) Telangana
5. QDENGA Vaccine (Dengue Vaccine)
Historical Background
Research on effective vaccines has been ongoing for a long time to control the rising cases of dengue in India. India has become the 44th country in the world to grant official approval to this vaccine.
Current Affairs Connection
DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) has approved Takeda Pharmaceutical India’s **QDENGA** dengue vaccine.
- Features: It is meant for the 4 to 60 years age group. Pre-screening for dengue is not required. Two doses are administered at a 3-month interval.
- Other Vaccines: EnteroMix (Cancer vaccine), R21/Matrix-M, and AdfalciVax (Indigenous malaria vaccine).
Government Exam Relevance
Science & Technology and health-based current affairs (UPSC/State PCS).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Recently approved by DCGI, ‘QDENGA’ is a vaccine for which disease?
Answer: (B) Dengue
6. WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Historical Background
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995 as the successor to GATT (established in 1948). Its headquarters is in Geneva, and it has 166 member countries.
Current Affairs Connection
India has become the **123rd member** to accept the WTO agreement relating to fisheries subsidies. This agreement has come into effect from September 15, 2025, with the primary objective of environmental sustainability.
Government Exam Relevance
International organizations and trade treaties (UPSC Prelims).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: India has become which member to accept the WTO fisheries subsidies agreement?
Answer: (B) 123rd
7. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – 4th State
Historical Background
**Article 44** under Part-IV (Directive Principles of State Policy – DPSP) of the Indian Constitution contains the provision for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Current Affairs Connection
Madhya Pradesh has become the **4th state** in the country to implement UCC. (Prior to this, 1st Uttarakhand, 2nd Gujarat, and 3rd Assam advanced the process).
- Legal Framework: There will be uniform laws for civil matters (marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance), whereas criminal matters are governed by BNS, BNSS, and BSA-2023.
Government Exam Relevance
Indian Polity, Constitution, and state-specific examinations (MPPSC, UPSC).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Which article of the Indian Constitution mentions the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
Answer: (B) Article 44
69th Summit of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS
Historical Background
ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) was established in 1975. Its headquarters is in Abuja, Nigeria, and it comprises 15 West African countries.
Current Affairs Connection
At the 69th summit of ECOWAS, Guimaou Diomaye Faye (President of Senegal) has been appointed as the new Chairperson.
Government Exam Relevance
International Relations and global organizations (UPSC / State PCS).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Where is the headquarters of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) located?
Answer: (B) Abuja, Nigeria
9. First AI Minister & Global AI Milestones
Historical Background
Amidst the increasing globalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI), various countries are making new administrative and ministerial arrangements to promote technology.
Current Affairs Connection
Person of Indian Origin **Kanishka Narayan** (who hails from Muzaffarpur, Bihar) has been appointed as **Britain’s first AI Minister** in the UK Labour Party government.
- Other Global AI Milestones:
- Albania: World’s first AI robot minister ‘Disla’.
- Ukraine: World’s first AI spokesperson ‘Victoria Shi’.
- Kerala: First state in India to establish an AI department.
Government Exam Relevance
Current affairs, international personalities, and technological development (UPSC / SSC / BPSC).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Recently, which country has appointed person of Indian origin Kanishka Narayan as its first ‘AI Minister’?
Answer: (B) Britain
10. Recent High-Level Constitutional Appointments
Historical Background
Chairpersons of constitutional and statutory commissions are appointed by the central government under specific acts.
Current Affairs Connection
Important appointments have recently been made to key commissions:
- Harjeet Singh Grewal: Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities.
- Antar Singh Arya: Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
- V. Ramasubramanian: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
- Other Key Appointments (2026): Mahesh Dixit (IB Chief), Amit Garg (NCRB), Pragya Jain (RAW), Praveen Sood (CBI).
Government Exam Relevance
Extremely important for the ‘Who’s Who’ section of all one-day examinations (SSC, Banking, Railway, State PCS).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)?
Answer: (C) V. Ramasubramanian
11. National Flag Adoption Day (22 July)
Historical Background
The current national flag was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on July 22, 1947. Its design was created by Pingali Venkayya in 1921. The Chairman of the Ad hoc Flag Committee of the Constituent Assembly was Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Current Affairs Connection
Every year on **July 22**, National Flag Adoption Day is celebrated. The ratio of the length to the width of the national flag is 3:2, and its Ashoka Chakra contains 24 spokes.
Government Exam Relevance
Indian history, polity, and important days (UPSC/SSC/Polity).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: When was the National Flag of India adopted by the Constituent Assembly?
Answer: (B) July 22, 1947
12. NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index (IFI)
Historical Background
NITI Aayog releases various indices to measure the investment-friendly environment, ease of doing business, and infrastructure across states in the country.
Current Affairs Connection
The **Investment Friendliness Index (IFI)** published by NITI Aayog covers 28 states and 8 union territories.
- Top States: Gujarat > Maharashtra > Tamil Nadu.
- Hilly / North-Eastern Category: Uttarakhand > Assam > Himachal Pradesh.
- Top Union Territories / Urban States: Goa > Delhi > Chandigarh.
- Bihar’s Status: Score 41.2; ranked 26th out of 36 in the ‘Emerging Performer State’ category.
- Base Indicators: This index is primarily based on 8 indicators such as infrastructure and business environment.
Government Exam Relevance
Economic development, NITI Aayog reports, and state-based rankings (UPSC / State PCS).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Which state secured the top position in the large states category in the ‘Investment Friendliness Index’ released by NITI Aayog?
Answer: (B) Gujarat
13. Mission Golden Spice (Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Development Project)
Historical Background
Meghalaya’s ‘Lakadong Turmeric’ received the GI Tag in 2024 for its superior medicinal quality (high curcumin content).
Current Affairs Connection
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern States (Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia) has launched **Mission Golden Spice**.
- Project Details: With a total outlay of Rs. 175.45 crore, this project will run from 2025-26 to 2029-30, aiming to give Lakadong turmeric global label promotion (CM of Meghalaya: Conrad Sangma).
Government Exam Relevance
North-East India development, agriculture, and GI Tags (UPSC/State PCS).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: ‘Mission Golden Spice’ is related to which of the following?
Answer: (B) Lakadong turmeric value chain development
14. Saushrutam 2026 (Ayurveda Summit)
Historical Background
Various conferences are organized by the Ministry of AYUSH to promote Ayurveda, India’s ancient medical system, globally.
Current Affairs Connection
Between July 15-17, 2026, **’Saushrutam 2026’** was organized at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi.
- Inauguration: By President Droupadi Murmu under the Ministry of AYUSH.
- Key Highlights: A state-of-the-art 3-Tesla high-field MRI system was launched. Objective: To develop global collaboration in surgery, research, and innovation. Representatives from Thailand, Nepal, Australia, Israel, UK, Sri Lanka, and Greece participated.
Government Exam Relevance
Health policies, traditional medicine, and science (UPSC Prelims / State Exams).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Where was the ‘Saushrutam 2026’ Ayurveda conference held?
Answer: (B) New Delhi
15. World’s Largest Yogurt Production Plant (AMUL)
Historical Background
India has become the world’s largest milk-producing country through the ‘White Revolution’. Currently, India ranks first and the United States ranks second in milk production globally.
Current Affairs Connection
The world’s largest yogurt production plant is being established at Howrah Food Park, West Bengal, which is a major project of AMUL.
- Inauguration: By Amit Shah (Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation).
- Cost & Capacity: Built at a cost of around Rs. 700 crore, this plant will have a capacity of 10 lakh kg per day of yogurt production.
Government Exam Relevance
Agriculture, cooperative sector, and economy (UPSC/SSC/Banking).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: In which state is the world’s largest yogurt production plant being established by AMUL?
Answer: (C) West Bengal
16. PV Sindhu: Japan Open 2026 Historic Win
Historical Background
P.V. Sindhu is one of India’s most successful badminton players. She has previously been honored with the Arjuna Award (2013), Padma Shri (2015), and Padma Bhushan (2020).
Current Affairs Connection
In the **Japan Open 2026** held in Tokyo in July 2026 (counted among major badminton tournaments), P.V. Sindhu made history by winning the women’s singles title. She has become the first Indian shuttler to win this title.
Government Exam Relevance
Sports world and major achievements (SSC CGL, Banking, Railway, PCS).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Who has become the first Indian shuttler to win the women’s singles title at the Japan Open 2026?
Answer: (B) P.V. Sindhu
17. First Indian Indigenously Developed Hydrogen Train
Historical Background
To promote eco-friendly transport, the world’s first hydrogen train was run in Germany in 2018. In India, the first long-distance hydrogen rail project ‘Rudrastra’ was run from Gajraula to Garhmukteshwar.
Current Affairs Connection
Recently, operations of India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen train have started between Jind and Sonipat.
- Key Facts:
- Name: Namo Green Rail.
- Manufacture: Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
- Flagged off by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Feature: This train will emit only water vapor and has a capacity of 2,600 passengers.
Government Exam Relevance
Railway exams (RRB NTPC, Group D), UPSC, and environment-based questions.
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Between which two stations has India’s first indigenous hydrogen train ‘Namo Green Rail’ been run?
Answer: (B) Jind to Sonipat
18. 72nd National Film Awards
Historical Background
The National Film Awards are presented annually by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, for excellence in cinema.
Current Affairs Connection
The major winners of the **72nd National Film Awards** announced in New Delhi are as follows:
- Best Film: Article 370
- Best Actor: Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion)
- Best Director: Anand L. Rai (Rajkumar Periasamy – Amaran)
- Best Actress: Yami Gautam
- Best Hindi Film: Srikanth
- Jury Chairperson: Jayaraj for feature films and Asim Kumar Sinha for non-feature films.
Government Exam Relevance
Art and culture, national awards (UPSC, State PCS, SSC).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Which film won the award for ‘Best Film’ at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Answer: (C) Article 370
19. Index of Service Production (ISP) by MoSPI
Historical Background
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) develops various indices to measure the country’s economic indicators.
Current Affairs Connection
MoSPI has released India’s first trial **Index of Service Production (ISP)**.
- Feature: This index is based on the report of a technical advisory committee constituted under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog Distinguished Fellow Devyani Ghosh.
- Key Data: Out of 19 sub-sectors in the trial index, 14 sub-sectors recorded double-digit growth, including accommodation and food (+37.2%), retail trade (+30.8%), administrative services (+28.7%), real estate (+27.7%), and telecommunications (+22.8%). (Base year of ISP: 2024-2025).
Government Exam Relevance
Indian economy, national statistics, and financial current affairs (UPSC / Banking / RBI Grade B).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Recently, which ministry has released India’s first trial ‘Index of Service Production’ (ISP)?
Answer: (C) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
20. Historic Bhairav Yatra of Rajouri
Historical Background
Traditions linked to folk culture and religious faith have existed since ancient times in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to legend, a severe famine and crisis occurred in the Rajouri region in ancient times, to remedy which this tradition was started on the instructions of Bhairav Dev.
Current Affairs Connection
On the initiative of the Rajouri district administration and the J&K Department of Culture, the historic **’Bhairav Yatra’** has been granted the status of India’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’.
- Location: Rajouri city and Jawahar Nagar (J&K).
- Significance: This yatra marks the beginning of the Holi festival and is an integral part of the 7-day Holi celebrations starting from the eve of Holi.
Government Exam Relevance
Art, culture, and heritage (UPSC / J&K State Exams / SSC).
Probable Question for Exam
Question: Recently, the historic ‘Bhairav Yatra’ of which state/union territory has been granted intangible cultural heritage status?
Answer: (C) Jammu and Kashmir
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External Links for the Article
- 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026
- Hindustan Times: FIFA World Cup 2026 Award Winners
- Times of India: Spain’s Historic World Cup Triumph & Record Details
- Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026
- Times of India: Ajit Doval to Receive Tilak National Award
- Telangana Today: Ajit Doval Selected for Lokmanya Tilak Award
- Semiconductor 2.0 Project