Current affairs grouped by GS paper (filter view; topic-level grouping uses syllabus_topic).
A PIB Backgrounder of 16 July 2026 traces how India's rural credit moved from moneylenders to banks, RRBs, cooperatives and NABARD. NABARD's May 2026 survey found about 51% of rural households rely only on formal credit. The agriculture credit target for FY 2025-26 was ₹32.50 lakh crore, up from ₹8 lakh crore in FY 2014-15.
16 Jul 2026
The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted three global standards, for large cardamom, coriander and vanilla, at its 49th session (CAC49) in Geneva from 6 to 10 July 2026, the Commerce Ministry said on 16 July. They were finalised by the India-hosted Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs. India will also co-chair a new working group.
16 Jul 2026
The Ministry of Power circulated the draft Corporate Average Fuel Economy 2027 Norms (CAFE-III) for stakeholder consultation on 16 July 2026. They cover M1 passenger vehicles made or imported for sale in India from 2027-28 to 2031-32. Comments were due by 6 August 2026. The final norms were notified on 30 September 2026.
16 Jul 2026
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research marked its 98th Foundation Day on 16 July 2026. The Agriculture Minister said ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops in the past year: 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified. 43 varieties, 17 technologies and 14 publications were released, and 72 MoUs were signed with 51 industry partners.
16 Jul 2026
Indian Railways is set to flag off India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset, the Railway Ministry said on 16 July 2026. The 10-coach train carries about 2,600 passengers and will run on the 89 km Jind-Sonipat section at 75 kmph. It makes electricity onboard from hydrogen and oxygen, leaving only water vapour and heat.
16 Jul 2026
Self-sufficiency in urea.
15 Jul 2026
Transparent coal trading.
15 Jul 2026
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Agreement on Social Security, or Double Contribution Convention, entered into force on 15 July 2026. CETA gives zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India's exports to the UK. On day one, over 50 consignments worth over USD 140 million were flagged off.
15 Jul 2026
The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) met for the third time in Brussels on 15 July 2026. India and the EU agreed to begin formal talks on India joining Horizon Europe, set up a first Innovation Hub on EV charging, and explore a DigiLocker-EU wallet pilot and a joint AI roadmap.
15 Jul 2026
The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 on 15 July 2026 with a budget outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore to build India's semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem. It rests on six pillars: design, machines and materials, more fabs, ATMP/OSAT, R&D and talent. Under Semicon 1.0, twelve units worth over ₹1.64 lakh crore were approved.
15 Jul 2026