Current Affairs

Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 03 July 2026, Daily Roundup

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Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 03 July 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 3 July 2026

National Affairs

1. 16th India–Japan Annual Summit Held in New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in economic security, technology, energy and defence.

Key Outcomes

  • Both countries signed a Joint Declaration on Economic Security focusing on:
    • Semiconductors
    • Critical minerals
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
    • Supply chain resilience
  • Launched the India–Japan Cooperative Biogas for Growth (CBG) Initiative to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertiliser plants across India through dairy cooperatives.
  • Signed an Energy Resilience Statement for cooperation in strategic petroleum reserves and crude oil stockpiling.
  • Japan reiterated support for India’s full membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
  • Prime Minister Modi addressed the India–Japan Joint Economic Forum, highlighting the strong strategic and economic partnership between the two countries.

2. Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026 Notified : The Union Government notified the new Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing the EPF Scheme of 1952.

Major Reforms

  • EPFO brought fully under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
  • Introduced the legal concept of Principal Employer, making the main employer responsible for PF contributions if contractors default.
  • Simplified withdrawal provisions into three categories:
    • Essential needs
    • Housing needs
    • Special circumstances
  • Pension claims delayed without valid reason will attract 12% annual interest, recoverable from the salary of the concerned EPFO official.

3. India Improves Rank in SDG Index 2026 : The Sustainable Development Report 2026 ranked India 94th among 167 countries, with an overall score of 68.3.

Highlights

  • India’s ranking improved due to:
    • Better electricity access (SDG-7)
    • Improved digital connectivity (SDG-9)
  • Challenges remain in:
    • Child nutrition
    • Stunting and wasting
    • Press Freedom indicators (SDG-16)

International Current Affairs

1. India–Japan Relations Strengthened Further

Apart from the Annual Summit, India and Japan:

  • Deepened cooperation on:
    • Strategic petroleum reserves
    • Maritime energy transport
    • Supply-chain resilience
  • Reaffirmed commitment to a Free, Open and Inclusive Indo-Pacific.

2. Other International Developments

  • India and Malaysia reviewed bilateral military cooperation during the 12th Sub-Committee Meeting.
  • I-2SEA, a new submarine cable connecting India, Singapore and Malaysia, was unveiled.
  • India received renewed support at the United Nations for its proposal on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
  • Indirect Iran–US talks resumed in Doha.
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met BNP Paribas officials in Paris.
  • People of Venezuela appreciated India’s humanitarian assistance under Operation Amistad.The UK Government formally apologised for the historical practice of separating unmarried mothers from their babies.
  • Severe wildfires continued in southern France.
  • Taiwan detected 22 Chinese military aircraft near its Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
  • Russia launched major drone and missile attacks on Kyiv.
  • Seven tourists died after a boat capsized in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Defence & Science & Technology

1. Defence Acquisition and Security

  • Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Army Staff.
  • Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann became the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command.
  • Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth felicitated Havildar Lakshay and Havildar Ujjwal Kumar Singh for winning India’s first-ever Gold Medal at the World Rowing Cup.
  • INS Trikand successfully responded to a piracy attempt on merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal in the Gulf of Aden.
  • Eastern Fleet ships INS Udaygiri, INS Kavaratti and INS Shakti reached Singapore for operational deployment.
  • India and Malaysia reviewed military cooperation ahead of the Defence Cooperation Meeting.

2. GAGAN Navigation System : India’s GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) system continued to strengthen aviation navigation.

About GAGAN

  • Developed jointly by ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
  • India’s Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
  • Operational since 2015.
  • Improves aircraft navigation accuracy and safety.

World News

Sports Events

  • ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
    • England defeated South Africa by 40 runs in the second semifinal.
    • Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt.
    • England will face Australia in the final.
  • The first India vs England T20I was abandoned due to rain.
  • The 135th Durand Cup will be held from 25 July to 23 August across Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati and Ranchi.
  • Belgium defeated Senegal 3–2 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
  • England defeated DR Congo 2–1.
  • Mexico defeated Ecuador 2–0.
  • France defeated Sweden 3–0.
  • Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2–1 to reach the Round of 16.

Miscellaneous Current Affairs

  • IMD issued Red Alert for heavy rainfall over parts of western and central India.
  • Telangana forecast to receive heavy rainfall in five districts.
  • PIB Fact Check refuted fake investment schemes circulating in the Finance Minister’s name.
  • DRI seized a large consignment of banned cough syrup in Tripura.
  • Government rejected fake social media claims regarding former Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
  • Ministry of Electronics and IT issued notices to Telegram and Signal over username features, similar to the earlier notice to WhatsApp.
  • The Supreme Court reiterated that Income Tax Returns (ITRs) should normally be the basis for assessing income in motor accident compensation cases.
  • CISF recovered a country-made pistol and live cartridge during security checks at Delhi Metro.Election Commission announced Assembly by-elections in Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on 30 July 2026.
  • Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a National Workshop of State Panchayati Raj Ministers to discuss recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission.
  • Odisha Cabinet approved the Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036).
  • Ministry of Women & Child Development invited nominations for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026.
  • Government announced plans to expand India’s oil refining capacity to 300 million metric tonnes.
  • NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri emphasized global promotion of Ayurveda.
  • The National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition concluded during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi.
  • The first batch of pilgrims reached the base camps for the 57-day Shri Amarnath Yatra.
  • AIR SUVIDHA 2.0 portal was launched for Ebola health screening at international airports.

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