Current Affairs - July 22, 2026 Current Affairs

France has passed a landmark law that will prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, with full implementation beginning in January 2027. The legislation requires mandatory age verification for both new and existing user accounts and aims to protect minors from harmful online content, cyberbullying, exploitation, and mental health risks. Introduced as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s child safety initiative, France became the first European country to adopt such a nationwide measure. The move reflects a growing global trend toward stricter online safety regulations for children, although concerns remain regarding privacy, data protection, and effective enforcement.

IIT Kanpur is establishing the Centre of Excellence on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen (ECOGEN) under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024. Approved by the Uttar Pradesh Government and supported by UPNEDA, the centre will focus on green hydrogen production, storage, utilisation, and system integration. It aims to develop affordable hydrogen technologies, encourage industrial adoption, promote research and innovation, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, and support India's transition to clean energy. The initiative also contributes to the country's sustainability objectives and long-term net-zero emissions goals.

Chhattisgarh became the first Indian state to enact the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, introducing a comprehensive trust-based and risk-based business permission framework. The Act classifies businesses according to risk levels, allowing low-risk enterprises to obtain approvals through self-certification or certification by licensed professionals. It also introduces an auto-approval mechanism when departments fail to act within prescribed timelines, removes annual renewal requirements for certain licenses, and initially covers 43 services across eight departments. The reform is expected to reduce compliance costs and simplify business operations for nearly 1.5 million MSMEs in the state.

Norway partnered with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to establish India's first 500-kW River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Project under the India–Norway Green Partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on July 14, 2026, between the Centre for Earth Sciences & Himalayan Studies (CES&HS) and Norway's Tidal Sail AS. The project is supported by India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Innovation Norway. It aims to harness the kinetic energy of Himalayan rivers to generate clean electricity, strengthen renewable energy research, and promote sustainable infrastructure through international collaboration.

National Flag Day is observed every year on July 22 to commemorate the adoption of the Indian National Flag by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947. The day recognises the Tiranga as a symbol of India's independence, unity, sovereignty, and constitutional values. It also pays tribute to the sacrifices of freedom fighters who carried the national flag during the freedom struggle. Educational institutions and organisations conduct awareness programs to promote respect for the Tiranga and educate citizens about its history, symbolism, the Ashoka Chakra, and the provisions of the Flag Code of India governing its proper use and display.

World Brain Day is observed every year on July 22 to raise awareness about neurological disorders and the importance of brain health. The day also marks the establishment of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) on July 22, 1957. In 2026, the theme is "Brain Health: Access For All," emphasising equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and quality neurological care for everyone. The campaign encourages governments, healthcare professionals, and communities to improve brain health services, promote research, support early detection, and educate people about preventing neurological disorders through awareness and healthy lifestyles.

Assam was the focus of Operation Jal Rahat, launched by the Indian Army on July 21, 2026, to carry out large-scale rescue and relief operations in flood-affected areas. The mission covered seven affected districts, including Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat, with support from the Assam Rifles and coordination from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). More than 57,100 people were affected by the floods, with Charaideo being the worst-hit district. The Indian Air Force was also placed on standby to provide aerial assistance if the flood situation worsened.

Germany signed a technical cooperation agreement with India's Ministry of Coal through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on July 22, 2026, in New Delhi. The agreement focuses on scientific mine closure, technical cooperation for mines nearing closure, and the exchange of international best practices. During the event, the Ministry also released the AAROH report documenting the scientific closure of 42 coal mines, inaugurated Coal NEER plants for sustainable drinking water, and introduced frameworks such as RECLAIM, L.I.V.E.S., and SUVIKALP to support sustainable mine closure, land repurposing, and community engagement.

Bengaluru hosted the 8th Global Real Estate Brand Awards on July 21, 2026. The event recognised excellence, innovation, and leadership in the global real estate sector, bringing together leading developers, industry experts, and brand leaders. It provided a platform to celebrate outstanding achievements while encouraging discussions on the future growth of the property market. The awards also highlighted the importance of innovation in shaping the real estate industry. In India, the sector is regulated by the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), which promotes transparency, accountability, and consumer protection.

Maharashtra is set to establish India's first AI-powered bird sanctuary at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary through a ₹45-crore Eco-Nature Park project. The sanctuary will feature AI-based cameras and monitoring systems capable of identifying bird species, tracking migratory movements, and collecting valuable ecological data for research. Located near Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the sanctuary is an important wetland along the Central Asian Flyway and attracts thousands of migratory birds every year. The initiative aims to strengthen wildlife conservation, promote scientific research, improve visitor experiences through interactive AI displays, and encourage sustainable eco-tourism while preserving the fragile wetland ecosystem.