Weekly Current Affairs One Liners
Your Weekly Dose of Important News & Events from Around the World
📅 29th June to 5th July, 2026
Welcome back, dear
📰 Weekly Current Affairs One Liners
Your Weekly Dose of Important News & Events from Around the World
📅 29th June to 5th July, 2026Welcome back, dear readers! This week has been packed with significant developments across India and the globe. From PM Modi's diplomatic visits to the launch of revolutionary digital health initiatives, from major trade agreements to groundbreaking space technology tests — we've got it all covered for you in simple, easy-to-remember one-liners. Whether you're preparing for competitive exams or just want to stay informed, this article is your go-to guide. Let's dive right in! 🚀
📑 Quick Navigation
National Affairs
This week saw several landmark decisions and launches by the Indian government that will shape the country's future. Here are the key highlights:
- VB-G RAM G Act Replaces MGNREGA: The new Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act came into force across rural India on 1st July 2026, replacing the 20-year-old MGNREGA scheme. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called it the dawn of a "new era in the lives of labourers" aimed at building "developed villages" as a foundation for a "developed India."
- GST Completes 9 Glorious Years: On 1st July 2026, India celebrated 9 years of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) since its rollout under the 101st Constitutional Amendment. The number of registered taxpayers surged from 66.5 lakh in 2017 to nearly 1.65 crore by May 2026, while gross GST revenue grew from ₹7.4 lakh crore (2017-18) to a massive ₹22.27 lakh crore in 2025-26!
- Union Cabinet Approves ₹30,000 Crore Additional Investment in NIIF: The Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved an additional ₹30,000 crore investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), taking the government's total commitment to ₹60,000 crore. This will fund NIIF Infrastructure Fund II focusing on transportation, energy, digital infrastructure, urban infrastructure, and e-mobility.
- Aarogya Setu 2.0 Launched as National Digital Health App: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched Aarogya Setu 2.0 on 29th June 2026, transforming the COVID-era contact tracing app into India's National Digital Health App under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). It now offers ABHA creation, AI-powered health insights, wearable integration, PM-JAY services, and family health management.
- PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) Pilot Launched in Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the pilot project of the PM Family Care Tracker in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 28th June 2026. This integrated digital platform monitors health, nutrition, education, and welfare benefits of children from pregnancy to 18 years, integrating 18 government schemes with real-time alerts.
- Bharat Taxi Expands to 7 Major Cities: The government's cooperative-based mobility platform Bharat Taxi, launched under the "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" vision, began operations in Gujarat and is set to expand to 7 major Indian cities by 31st July 2026, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Kolkata.
- Union Health Minister Launches Multiple Healthcare Initiatives: At the 16th CCHFW Conference, J.P. Nadda launched the Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK), revamped Anaemia Mukt Bharat guidelines, and SUMAN Roadmap 2030 — aiming to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio below 70 per lakh live births by 2030.
- MoSPI Releases 2026 SDG Publications: On 29th June 2026 (20th Statistics Day), the Ministry of Statistics released SDG progress reports covering 277 national indicators across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals under the National Indicator Framework.
- Digital Push for Criminal Justice System: From 1st January 2027, all investigation and trial procedures under new criminal laws will be recorded digitally through the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), integrating Police, Courts, Jails, Forensic Labs, and Prosecution.
- 10 Years of PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): The flagship irrigation scheme completed 10+ years of advancing irrigation-led agricultural transformation under the vision of 'Har Khet Ko Pani' (Water to Every Field) and 'Per Drop More Crop'.
Key Takeaway: This week marked a major policy shift with VB-G RAM G replacing MGNREGA, while digital governance initiatives like Aarogya Setu 2.0 and PM-FCT signal India's push toward tech-driven welfare delivery.
International Affairs
The global stage witnessed significant diplomatic moves, humanitarian missions, and critical international reports this week:
- PM Modi Visits Seychelles as Guest of Honour: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles as the Guest of Honour during the country's 50th Independence Day (Golden Jubilee) celebrations. India extended a ₹1,250 crore Line of Credit and gifted a Fast Patrol Vessel, 10 utility vehicles, and 5 Laser Radial boats to strengthen Seychelles' coastal security.
- India-Mauritius Strategic Ties Boosted: PM Modi met with the Mauritian counterpart in Victoria, Mahe on the sidelines of Seychelles' Golden Jubilee celebrations, reinforcing the exceptionally close relationship based on shared history and civilizational links.
- India Announces $175 Million Package for Seychelles: Earlier in February 2026, India announced a $175 million special economic package for Seychelles, including $125 million in rupee-denominated Line of Credit and $50 million in grant assistance for development cooperation, capacity building, and maritime security.
- India-UK CETA to Enter Force on 15th July 2026: The landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) will come into effect on 15th July 2026. CETA provides zero-duty access on ~99% of India's exports to the UK, covering nearly 100% of trade value!
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal's UK Visit: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited London from 25-27 June 2026 ahead of CETA implementation, launching the UK-India CETA Business Utilisation Manual and announcing 1,000 advisory personnel across India to help businesses maximize benefits.
- Operation Amistad — India Sends Aid to Venezuela: India launched Operation Amistad (Spanish for "Friendship") on 27th June 2026 to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela. Two IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft carried 30 tonnes of relief material, 6 tonnes of medicines, and a 41-member rescue and medical team with BHISHM Cube portable hospitals.
- UN Commission Accuses Israel of Deliberately Targeting Palestinian Children: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry released a report on 23rd June 2026 stating that Israeli authorities have deliberately targeted Palestinian children, resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Gaza. At least 20,179 children killed and 44,143 injured since October 2023.
- India Participates in RIMPAC 2026: The Indian Navy is participating in the 30th edition of RIMPAC, the world's largest multinational maritime exercise, being held from 24th June to 31st July 2026 in Hawaii, USA. The theme is "Partners: Integrated and Prepared."
- Gulf Remittances to India Rise 70%: Despite the West Asia crisis, net remittances from the Gulf region to India rose to $16 billion in April 2026, up 70% year-on-year. Total FY26 remittances hit a record $155.1 billion, up 14.5% from FY25.
- Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow: The 23rd Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from 23rd July to 2nd August 2026. The opening ceremony will take place at the iconic OVO Hydro — the first time in an indoor venue in Games history!
Key Takeaway: India's diplomatic outreach in the Indian Ocean region (Seychelles, Mauritius) combined with the historic India-UK CETA and humanitarian missions showcase India's growing global footprint.
Economy, Finance & Business
The economic landscape saw major policy decisions, investment approvals, and market developments this week:
- RBI Issues Draft Master Directions for Government Securities: The Reserve Bank of India proposed allowing individual investors to buy and sell Government Securities through demat accounts via the NDS-OM platform, with a minimum transaction size of ₹10,000, promoting retail investor participation.
- States' Rising Fiscal Stress: According to RBI's Annual Report 2025-26, States raised ₹12.76 lakh crore through State Development Loans in 2025-26, up from ₹10.73 lakh crore in 2024-25. Market borrowings financed 76.3% of States' gross fiscal deficit.
- PayGlocal Launches Google Pay Integration: India's cross-border payments platform PayGlocal launched Google Pay Card Payments on its International Payment Gateway, enabling Indian merchants to access over 1 billion customers across 90+ countries through a single integration.
- Tourism & Hospitality Sector Report Released: The Ministry of Tourism and NITI Aayog released the report "Unlocking Growth in Tourism and Hospitality Sector". India recorded 2.9 billion domestic tourist visits in 2024 (surpassing pre-pandemic peak of 2.3 billion in 2019) and welcomed 9.95 million foreign tourists, earning nearly USD 35 billion in tourism receipts.
- Kakinada Cooperative Town Bank Achieves Tier-III Status: The bank attained Tier-III status after deposits surpassed ₹2,000 crore, with net profit of ₹16.18 crore and a declared 12% dividend.
- MCA-IIT Madras MoU for Corporate Mitra Scheme: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs signed an MoU with IIT Madras to launch the Corporate Mitra Scheme for MSMEs, offering specialized training with 50% fee concession for women and candidates from North Eastern States.
- India's Medical Tourism Market Booming: Valued at USD 7.7 billion in 2024, India's medical tourism market is projected to reach USD 16 billion by 2030, with plans to add 34,000 new hospital beds by 2029.
- Hotel Industry on Growth Trajectory: India's hotel industry, estimated at USD 32 billion in FY20, is expected to grow to USD 52 billion by FY27. Premium hotel occupancy is projected at 72-74% in FY26.
₹22.27L Cr
GST Revenue 2025-26
1.65 Cr
GST Taxpayers
₹60,000 Cr
NIIF Total Commitment
$155.1B
FY26 Remittances
Defence & Security
India's defence preparedness and international military cooperation took center stage this week:
- Indian Navy at RIMPAC 2026: The Indian Navy deployed its P-8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft to Hawaii for RIMPAC 2026. The exercise involves 31 nations, 40 surface ships, 5 submarines, 140+ aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.
- India Gifts Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles: As part of PM Modi's visit, India handed over the Fast Patrol Vessel PS Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard, along with 10 utility vehicles and 5 Laser Radial boats to boost maritime security.
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Becomes Vice Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the 51st Vice Chief of Air Staff on 1st July 2026.
- Operation Amistad — Humanitarian Mission to Venezuela: The IAF deployed two C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying BHISHM Cube portable hospitals (modular field hospitals for rapid deployment) and an Indian Army Field Hospital unit for earthquake relief operations.
Science & Technology
India's space program and digital infrastructure saw remarkable achievements this week:
- ISRO Successfully Tests Semi-Cryogenic Engine: On 24th June 2026, ISRO conducted a hot test of its SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine at Mahendragiri, reaching 175 tonnes of thrust (88% of target). The SC120 stage uses liquid oxygen and kerosene and will replace the L110 core stage of LVM3, with operational entry targeted for 2027.
- Aarogya Setu 2.0 — India's Digital Health Revolution: The revamped app integrates with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which has generated over 90 crore ABHA IDs and registered 4,80,000+ health facilities and 9,50,000+ doctors as of June 2026.
- National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) Launched: Alongside Aarogya Setu 2.0, the government launched NHCX to standardize health insurance claims between hospitals and insurers for faster settlement and reduced errors.
- TRL Compass Platform Launched: The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) launched the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Compass platform in partnership with DSCI to standardize TRL assessment across sectors, supporting ANRF and RDI Fund implementation.
- Quantum Time Flow Breakthrough: Scientists achieved a stunning breakthrough by making quantum time flow backward using quantum control techniques — a major leap in physics!
- "Pink Planet" Mystery Solved: Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope cracked the mystery of the famous "Pink Planet" located 57 light-years away, solving a decade-old puzzle.
Sports
From badminton courts to cricket fields, Indian athletes made headlines this week:
- India Women's Cricket Team Qualifies for LA 2028 Olympics: The Indian women's cricket team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games by finishing ahead of Sri Lanka on Net Run Rate (NRR) in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Cricket returns to Olympics after 128 years!
- Kidambi Srikanth Finishes Runner-Up at US Open 2026: Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth finished as the runner-up in the men's singles at the US Open Badminton 2026 (Super 300 event), losing to Chinese Taipei's Su Li-yang in the final.
- George Russell Wins Austrian Grand Prix 2026: George Russell of Mercedes secured his 7th F1 Grand Prix victory at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, finishing 1.611 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.
- Commonwealth Games 2026 Countdown Begins: Rehearsals kicked off for the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony on 23rd July at the OVO Hydro. The Games will feature 10 sports across 4 venues with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Ongoing: The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across USA, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled for 19th July 2026.
Important Days & Observances
July is packed with significant national and international observances. Here are the key dates to remember:
1 July
National Doctor's Day
Honours doctors and commemorates Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy's birth and death anniversary.
1 July
Chartered Accountants Day
Marks the establishment of ICAI in 1949, recognizing CAs' contribution to the economy.
1 July
GST Day
Commemorates the implementation of GST in India in 2017 under the 101st Constitutional Amendment.
1 July
National Postal Worker Day
Global observance appreciating postal employees for reliable delivery services.
3 July
International Plastic Bag Free Day
Raises awareness about the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags.
4 July
Independence Day (USA)
Celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
4 July
International Day of Cooperatives
Recognizes cooperative societies' role in sustainable development and employment.
6 July
World Zoonoses Day
Commemorates Louis Pasteur's first successful rabies vaccination in 1885.
7 July
World Chocolate Day
Celebrated globally by chocolate lovers to appreciate this beloved treat!
11 July
World Population Day
Focuses on population issues including family planning, gender equality, and sustainable development.
12 July
Malala Day
Honours Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and promotes girls' education globally.
15 July
World Youth Skills Day
Promotes skill development among youth for employment and entrepreneurship.
📊 Weekly Round-Up at a Glance
🇮🇳
VB-G RAM G replaces MGNREGA
🤝
India-UK CETA from July 15
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Aarogya Setu 2.0 Launched
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ISRO Semi-Cryogenic Test
🏏
Women's Cricket in Olympics!
🔗 Source Links & References
- VB-G RAM G Act Replaces MGNREGA: The Hindu - VB-G RAM G to come into force on July 1
- Nine Years of GST: Next IAS - Nine Years of GST
- NIIF Additional ₹30,000 Crore Investment: The Hindu - Union Cabinet approves ₹30,000 crore additional investment in NIIF
- Aarogya Setu 2.0 Launch: GK Today - Aarogya Setu 2.0 and ABDM Launch
- PM Family Care Tracker: Guidely - Daily Current Affairs 1st July 2026
- Bharat Taxi Launch: Economic Times - Bharat Taxi launched
- PM Modi Seychelles Visit: Next IAS - PM Modi Visit to Seychelles
- India-UK CETA: PIB - India-UK CETA to enter into force on 15th July 2026
- Operation Amistad Venezuela: GK Today - Operation Amistad Sends Indian Aid to Venezuela
- UN Commission Gaza Report: UN.org - Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children
- RIMPAC 2026: Clarity UPSC - RIMPAC 2026
- ISRO Semi-Cryogenic Engine Test: GK Today - ISRO Tests Semi-Cryogenic Rocket Engine
- India Women Cricket Olympics Qualification: Affairs Cloud - Current Affairs 1 July 2026
- Commonwealth Games 2026: Wikipedia - 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Tourism & Hospitality Report: Insights on India - Unlocking Growth in Tourism and Hospitality Sector
- Gulf Remittances Data: Next IAS - Rise in Gulf Remittances
- Important Days in July 2026: Vajiram & Ravi - Important Days in July 2026
- India $175 Million Package for Seychelles: The Hindu - India announces $175 million economic package to Seychelles
- RBI Draft Master Directions: Guidely - RBI Issues Draft Master Directions for Government Securities
- PayGlocal Google Pay Integration: Affairs Cloud - PayGlocal Launches Google Pay Card Payments
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