Current Affairs - July 23, 2026 Current Affairs

Indian Grandmaster Rohith Krishna won the gold medal at the Menuires International Chess Championship held in France on July 21, 2026. He secured the title by winning the tie-break with a score of 43 after finishing unbeaten with 7 points in 9 rounds. Fellow Indian player Raja Rithvik claimed the silver medal with a tie-break score of 41.5, while French Grandmaster Omelja Artem finished third with 6.5 points. The tournament featured 86 players from several countries, highlighting India's growing strength and consistent success in international chess competitions.

Yantur 4.5kN is an indigenous turbofan engine unveiled by Paninian India Private Ltd on July 20, 2026, to power combat drones and long-range cruise missiles. The engine generates 4.5 kN of thrust and can be scaled up to 12.5 kN for larger autonomous combat platforms. It has been developed to support the Ministry of Defence's Make-I programme for the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). The project incorporates advanced technologies, including compressor innovations, digital-twin health monitoring, and indigenous manufacturing techniques, strengthening India's self-reliance in aerospace propulsion systems and reducing dependence on foreign technology.

India officially became the 123rd member to deposit its Instrument of Acceptance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on July 20, 2026. The agreement, adopted during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, aims to curb harmful fisheries subsidies by prohibiting support for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and activities involving overfished stocks. In India, its implementation is supported by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and sustainable fisheries regulations, while safeguarding the interests of small-scale fishers and promoting responsible marine resource management.

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, has been selected for the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening the country's national security framework. The award, announced by the Tilak Smarak Trust, will be presented on August 1, 2026, in Pune by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A retired IPS officer of the 1968 Kerala cadre, Doval has played a vital role in intelligence coordination, counter-terrorism operations, and protecting India's strategic interests, making him one of the country's most respected security strategists.

Killai, located in Cuddalore district near the ecologically significant Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, has become Tamil Nadu's first Climate-Resilient Village. The village has adopted a community-based approach to address climate challenges such as cyclones, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. Its model integrates scientific planning, ecosystem conservation, climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable water management, disaster preparedness, and climate-smart livelihoods. The initiative demonstrates how active community participation and nature-based solutions can strengthen resilience, protect livelihoods, and serve as a model for other vulnerable coastal regions across India.

IIT Tirupati is hosting the 5th BRICS Working Group meeting on geospatial technology in Andhra Pradesh from July 20 to July 23, 2026, in collaboration with the IIT Madras Technology Innovation Hub's Geospatial Living Lab. The meeting brings together BRICS members and newly inducted nations to discuss AI-based geospatial analytics, positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technologies, and geospatial infrastructure for sustainable development. The event aims to establish common geospatial data standards, improve information sharing, and strengthen international cooperation in natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience.

Kanishka Narayan, an Indian-origin Member of Parliament from the Labour Party, was appointed as the United Kingdom's first-ever Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (AI) on July 21, 2026, in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cabinet. Born in Bihar, India, and raised in Cardiff, he also became the first ethnic minority MP elected from Wales, representing the Vale of Glamorgan constituency. His appointment marks a significant milestone in the UK's governance of emerging technologies and reflects the government's growing focus on artificial intelligence, innovation, and digital transformation.

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje in North Macedonia during her three-nation tour of Europe. The ceremony was attended by North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and highlighted the shared commitment of both countries to peace, non-violence, and mutual respect. The bust symbolises the strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between India and North Macedonia while promoting Mahatma Gandhi's enduring ideals of truth and non-violence. During the visit, President Murmu also paid tribute at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, further reinforcing the historical and cultural connections between the two nations.

National Broadcasting Day is celebrated every year on July 23 to mark the anniversary of India's first official radio broadcast, which took place on July 23, 1927, by the Indian Broadcasting Company in Bombay (now Mumbai). The day highlights the remarkable journey of Indian broadcasting from traditional radio to FM, satellite radio, internet streaming, podcasts, and other digital audio platforms. It also recognises the contributions of broadcasters, journalists, engineers, and communication professionals while emphasising the vital role broadcasting continues to play in providing reliable news, education, cultural promotion, disaster communication, and public awareness across the country.

Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new CEO of NITI Aayog by the Central Government with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He succeeds in the role at a crucial time as India advances its Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. With nearly four decades of administrative experience in both the state and central governments, Jain has contributed significantly to governance, industrial policy, and infrastructure development. His appointment is expected to strengthen NITI Aayog’s role in policy formulation, implementation, and driving economic and institutional reforms across the country.

Rahul Himalian, a 1999-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) following the resignation of Sanjay Kumar Jain. He continues to serve as Director (Tourism & Marketing) while taking on the new responsibilities. With over 26 years of experience in railway operations, tourism, marketing, and administration, Rahul Himalian has played a significant role in IRCTC's growth. He is also known for his exceptional academic achievements, including a President's Gold Medal from IIT Delhi and a Gold Medal from NIT Hamirpur.