Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 15 July 2026, Daily Roundup
Current Affairs – 15 July 2026
National Affairs & Economy
1. India–UK CETA Comes into Force: The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) became operational on 15 July 2026.
Exam Relevance (GS III): Free Trade Agreements, international trade, services.
Key Points:
- Zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK.
- Covers digital trade, services, MSMEs, green technology and public procurement.
- DCC removes double social security contributions for Indian professionals on temporary assignments in the UK.
2. Paraquat Herbicide Banned: The Ministry of Agriculture imposed a complete ban on Paraquat under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
Importance:
- Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide with no specific antidote.
- Ban aims to protect farmers’ health, soil ecology and environmental safety.
3. India Post Achieves Record Revenue: India Post recorded its highest-ever Q1 revenue of ₹4,009 crore in FY 2026–27.
Highlights:
- Citizen-centric services: +86%
- Parcel logistics: +50%
- Best-performing circles: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
4. India’s First Index of Services Production (ISP) Released: The Government released the trial Index of Services Production (ISP) with 2024–25 as the base year.
Importance:
- Measures monthly performance of the formal services sector.
- Covers 19 sub-sectors, representing nearly 60% of India’s services economy.
- To be released monthly (29th of every month).
5. Bharat Tex 2026 Begins: India’s largest textile exhibition, Bharat Tex 2026, commenced at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, focusing on textiles, apparel, sustainability and exports.
International Current Affairs
1. India Launches Campaign for UNSC Membership: India formally launched its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2028–29).
2. India–Japan 8th Defence Policy Dialogue: Held in Tokyo, both countries reaffirmed commitment to a Free, Open and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific and reviewed progress in bilateral defence cooperation.
3. India Protests Strait of Hormuz Attack: India strongly protested to Iran after missile attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz killed one Indian sailor and injured several others.
Importance: Energy security, maritime trade, Indian diaspora.
4. India–US Trade Talks Continue: Both India and the United States rejected reports of a breakdown in trade negotiations, stating that the proposed trade agreement is progressing positively.
5. World News
- Bastille Day celebrated in France with a major military parade.
- The developing 2026–27 El Niño is projected to become one of the strongest in over a century.
- The US reinstated a maritime blockade around Iranian ports, increasing tensions in West Asia.
Defence & Science & Technology
1. India Launches ₹15,000-Crore AS-HAPS Programme: India launched the Air Ship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) programme.
Key Features:
- Stratospheric airships operating above 20 km altitude.
- Designed for persistent surveillance, intelligence gathering and communications.
- Private sector participation invited.
2. DRDO Developing Advanced S-Band Tracking Radar: DRDO is developing an indigenous S-Band Instrumentation Tracking Radar capable of tracking multiple missiles and aerospace targets simultaneously.
3. Indigenous Drone & Missile Ecosystem Expands: Major developments include:
- Indigenous Vinashaka-10 precision strike UAV.
- Proposal for private-sector production of Pralay tactical ballistic missile.
- Army plans acquisition of AI-enabled long-range attack drones (up to 1,000 km range).
Sports
1. FIFA World Cup 2026
- Spain 2–0 France
- Spain entered the FIFA World Cup Final.
2. Amaravati Championship 2.0 Begins: Andhra Pradesh launched one of India’s largest grassroots sporting events.
- 12 sports disciplines
- U-17 & U-23 categories
- Competitions across all 175 Assembly constituencies.
3. Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship: Delhi unveiled the official mascot for the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship, to be held from 27 July–2 August.
Observance Day
World Youth Skills Day (15 July)
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
- Election Commission extended Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Haryana and Andhra Pradesh till 24 July.
- Dholera International Airport (Gujarat) to become operational within three months.
- NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the snakebite incident involving students in Jharkhand.
- Poonch (J&K) ranked 2nd in Jammu Division for sterilisation services (FY 2025–26).
- Assam destroyed narcotics worth ₹472.51 crore and inaugurated its first narcotics incinerator.
- Supreme Court stayed the Madras High Court order restricting cow and calf slaughter in Tamil Nadu.
- Latehar Police (Jharkhand) arrested Maoist commander Ravindra Ganjhu (₹20 lakh reward).
