Current Affairs - July 13, 2026 Current Affairs

NAMASTE Day is observed annually on July 14 to recognise the invaluable contribution of sanitation workers, including sewer workers, septic tank workers, waste pickers, and former manual scavengers. The observance also marks the anniversary of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, launched during the 2023–24 financial year. The initiative promotes mechanised sanitation, occupational safety, social inclusion, and improved livelihoods for sanitation workers. Across the country, awareness programmes, health camps, safety training, demonstrations of mechanised equipment, and welfare activities are organised to honour their service and encourage dignified and safe sanitation practices.

The unveiling of the statue of renowned social reformer Mannathu Padmanabhan and the inauguration of the Mannam Smrithi Mandapam took place in New Delhi at the Mannam International Centre in Dwarka. The event was organised by the Nair Service Society (NSS), Delhi, and attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, along with other dignitaries. The memorial honours Padmanabhan's lifelong efforts toward social justice, equality, and reform. The ceremony also included a tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation alongside commemorating his legacy.

ISRO successfully completed three major qualification tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module as part of preparations for India's first human spaceflight mission. The tests validated the Crew Module Uprighting System (CMUS), the Crew-Service Umbilical Unit (CSU-2) separation mechanism, and the Apex Cover Separation System. These systems are essential for ensuring astronaut safety during splashdown, atmospheric re-entry, parachute deployment, and post-landing recovery. The successful completion of these tests significantly improves mission readiness, reduces operational risks, and brings India closer to achieving its goal of independently sending astronauts into low Earth orbit and safely returning them to Earth.

A total of 12 nations, together with the United States and the United Kingdom, joined in issuing a joint statement reaffirming the 2016 Hague Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea. Altogether, the declaration was supported by 14 countries, which emphasised that China's expansive maritime claims have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The statement marked the tenth anniversary of the landmark arbitral award, reaffirmed the importance of international law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful dispute resolution, and expressed concern over actions that could undermine regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Under the ESIC 2.0 reforms, the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme has been implemented across all 33 districts of Telangana, expanding access to social security and healthcare services for insured workers and their families. Telangana has played a significant role in the ESI Scheme since it was first introduced in the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad on 30 March 1975. Today, the state provides social security benefits to more than 19 lakh insured persons, demonstrating the extensive coverage and importance of the scheme in supporting the welfare of employees.

Uttarakhand became the first state in India to collaborate with the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for organising the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv under the PM VIKAS Scheme. Held at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, the festival showcased traditional handicrafts, textiles, and indigenous products through 150 exhibition stalls. Around 90 women artisans participated, highlighting the theme of Nari Shakti, while 40% of the stalls were dedicated to the state's crafts and arts. The event also promoted entrepreneurship, facilitated buyer-seller interactions, and supported artisans through digital marketing initiatives, contributing to cultural preservation and sustainable livelihoods.

India and New Zealand elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership and signed several agreements covering maritime security, defence cooperation, trade, agriculture, disaster management, tourism, and cultural collaboration. The two countries adopted a Roadmap to 2030 with the goal of doubling bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion by 2030. Key agreements included mutual logistics support between their naval forces, hydrography and nautical cartography cooperation, and disaster resilience initiatives. New Zealand also joined the Maritime Security pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the Global Biofuels Alliance, strengthening cooperation across strategic, economic, and environmental sectors.

JAXA successfully conducted Japan's first lift-off and vertical landing test of a reusable prototype rocket at its test facility in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture. During the test, the rocket reached an altitude of about 10 metres and completed a safe landing after a 40-second flight. The reusable launch technology is intended to recover the first-stage booster, the most expensive part of a rocket, thereby reducing the cost of future space missions. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Japan's space programme and strengthens its capabilities in developing cost-effective and sustainable space transportation systems.

The 16th edition of Aero India, Asia's largest airshow and aviation exhibition, will be held in Bengaluru from February 8 to 12, 2027, at the Yelahanka Air Force Station. The event is organised with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the nodal agency, supported by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Aero India is a biennial event that showcases India's defence and aerospace capabilities while providing a platform for domestic and international companies to display advanced technologies. The event also supports the government's vision of increasing indigenous defence manufacturing and strengthening India's position in the global aerospace sector.

Ahmedabad created a Guinness World Record by planting 361,000 saplings in just one hour using the Miyawaki afforestation method. The plantation drive was organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on July 12, 2026, at Bhadaj near the Gota-Godhavi Canal with the participation of more than 25,000 volunteers. Around 35 indigenous tree species suitable for Gujarat's climate were planted to promote biodiversity and ecological restoration. The Miyawaki method enables dense forest growth in smaller areas with minimal maintenance, making it an effective approach for increasing green cover and combating climate change.