• The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for rail and road infrastructure projects worth over ₹5,470 crore in Jalandhar.
• These included the inauguration of the 30.9-km-long 'Package-6' of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS):

• An ambitious national initiative launched by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, aimed at the modernization and transformation of railway stations across the country.
• Launch: December 2022, by the Ministry of Railways
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Railways
• Objective: To identify 1,309 railway stations in India and redevelop them in a phased manner under long-term master plans.
• Core Approach: The scheme is tailored to the specific needs of each station rather than following a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

• India's first high-speed rail.
• Route: Mumbai (Maharashtra) to Sabarmati (Gujarat).
• Stations: 12 stations (Bandra Kurla Complex, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Sabarmati).
• Financing: Soft loan (over 80%) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
• Implementing Agency: Project managed by the National High Speed ​​Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
• Partner Country: Japan (the project is based on Japanese Shinkansen technology).
• Funding Agency: JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is providing a soft loan covering more than 80% of the project cost.
• Nodal Agency: NHSRCL (National High Speed ​​Rail Corporation Limited) is managing and constructing the project.
• Train Series: Japan will provide the E20 train series (or an advanced E10 version) to India, which is expected to arrive in the early 2030s.
• Under-Sea Tunnel: India's first 7-kilometer-long under-sea rail tunnel is being constructed at Thane Creek (Maharashtra). It is part of a total 21-km-long underground tunnel.
• First Operational Section: The target is to launch the country's first bullet train between Surat and Bilimora (47 km) on August 15, 2027.
• Indigenous Trains: 'Made in India' high-speed trains (manufactured by BEML) will be used on the bullet train route during the initial phase.

• The event saw participation from over 1,600 exhibitors representing 138 countries and more than 11,000 buyers, including over 6,000 international buyers.
• The event facilitated over 28,000 business-to-business (B2B) meetings and more than 100 government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-government (B2G) interactions.
• Investment commitments exceeding ₹14,300 crore were secured during the event.
• When was it held? July 14 to 17, 2026
• Where was it held? Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Who were the organizers? Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and the Ministry of Textiles.
• What was the main theme/basis? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's '5F Vision'
• Who is the Union Minister of Textiles? Giriraj Singh
• MSME Participation: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) accounted for approximately 70% of the participants in the fair.
• 5F Vision: Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, Foreign (Foreign markets/Exports)

• Official Invitation: President Mwinyi has arrived in India at the invitation of India's Vice President, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan.
• IIT Madras Convocation: He attended the 63rd convocation ceremony of IIT Madras in Chennai on July 17, 2026, as the chief guest.
• Bilateral Meetings: During this visit, he will meet with India's Vice President and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to review India-Tanzania relations.

Zanzibar:

• It is a semi-autonomous archipelago of Tanzania located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa.
• What is Zanzibar?: It is a semi-autonomous archipelago belonging to Tanzania, situated in the Indian Ocean.
• Capital of Tanzania: Dodoma (Note: Dar es Salaam is the country's largest city).
• Currency of Tanzania: Tanzanian Shilling.
• President of Tanzania: Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania's first female President).
• Nickname of Zanzibar: It is known globally as the 'Spice Island' (famous for clove production).
• World Heritage Site: Zanzibar's historic city, 'Stone Town', is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• States: Primarily Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• Region: Districts in the Satpura mountain range of Madhya Pradesh (Khandwa, Burhanpur, Betul, Chhindwara) and the Amravati district of Maharashtra (Melghat region).
• Linguistic Group: This tribe belongs to the Austro-Asiatic / Munda language family.
• Major Folk Dance: 'Chatkora' is the most famous dance of the Korku tribe.
• Khamb Swang: This is a very famous traditional folk drama of the tribe, primarily associated with the worship of Meghnad (Ravana's son).
• Gatha / Munda Pillar: There is a custom of erecting a carved wooden pillar in memory of the deceased, known as 'Munda'.
• Meaning of the word 'Korku': The literal meaning of this word is "a group of humans."
• Marriage Customs: Practices such as 'Lamzhana' (service marriage), 'Rajibaji' (love marriage), and 'Hath Vivah' (marriage by insistence/force) are prevalent among them.
• Village Head: The village head is known as 'Patel'.

Major Tribes of India:

• Gond Tribe: Primarily found in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. It is one of the largest tribal groups in India. They celebrate the 'Madai' festival, and the 'Karma' and 'Saila' dances are very popular among them.
• Bhil Tribe: Primarily found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In terms of population, it is the largest tribe in India. They are famous for the 'Beneshwar Fair', and the 'Ghoomar' and 'Gair' dances are prominent among them.
• Santhal Tribe: Primarily found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. It is the largest tribe in Jharkhand. They are renowned for the 'Lagde' and 'Dahar' dances, and the 'Santhal Rebellion' of 1855–56 took place under the leadership of Sidhu and Kanhu. President Droupadi Murmu belongs to this tribe.
• Tharu Tribe: They are primarily found in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh and in Uttarakhand. It is one of the major tribes of Uttar Pradesh. They observe Diwali as a day of mourning, and the custom of 'Badla Vivah' (exchange marriage) is prevalent among them.
• Jaunsari Tribe: They are primarily found in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of the major tribes of Uttarakhand. The practice of 'polyandry' has traditionally existed among them, and 'Bishu' is their major festival.
• Toda Tribe: They are primarily found in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. It is a pastoral tribe known for buffalo rearing. The practice of 'polyandry' is also found among them.
• Gaddi Tribe: They are primarily found in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. It is a semi-nomadic pastoral tribe that migrates according to the season. They are known for rearing sheep and goats.
• Bakarwal Tribe: They are primarily found in Jammu & Kashmir. It is a nomadic pastoral tribe that practices seasonal migration (transhumance). Their primary occupation is sheep and goat rearing.
• Khasi Tribe: They are primarily found in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. It is known for a matrilineal society, where the youngest daughter inherits the property. Their major festival is 'Nongkrem'.
• Garo Tribe: They are primarily found in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. It is also known for a matrilineal society. Their major festival is 'Wangala'.
• Jaintia Tribe: They are primarily found in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. It is one of the major tribes of Meghalaya. Their major festival is 'Behdienkhlam'.
• Lepcha Tribe: They are primarily found in Sikkim. They are considered indigenous to Sikkim. Their major festival is 'Namsong'.
• Bhutia Tribe: They are primarily found in the high mountain regions of Sikkim. They are known for their woolen garments and mountain culture. They celebrate the festivals of 'Losar' and 'Losong'.
• Jarawa Tribe: They are primarily found in the Andaman Islands. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in India. They maintain limited contact with the outside world.
• Sentinelese Tribe: They are primarily found on North Sentinel Island (Andaman and Nicobar). They are one of the most isolated tribes in the world, remaining almost completely cut off from outside contact.
• Chenchu ​​Tribe: They are primarily found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Their traditional way of life is based on hunting and forest produce.
• Kuki Tribe: They are primarily found in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland. They are one of the major tribes of Northeast India. Their major festival is 'Mim Kut'.
• Meitei Tribe: They are primarily found in Manipur. They constitute the largest community in Manipur. Their major festival is 'Lai Haraoba'.

• Released by: NITI Aayog
• Date of Release: July 17, 2026
• Budget Connection: This index was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
• Total Pillars: The index is based on 8 pillars and 84 indicators.
• Top Performers: Gujarat (1st), Maharashtra (2nd), Tamil Nadu (3rd), Goa, and Odisha.
• Leaders: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, etc. (Total 15 states).
• Emerging Performers: Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, etc. (Total 8 states/UTs).
• Aspiring States: Northeastern states, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, etc. (Total 8 states/UTs).

Top in Geographical Sub-categories:

• Among Large States: Gujarat
• Among Hilly and Northeastern States: Uttarakhand
• Among City-States and Union Territories: Goa
• Key Reasons for Gujarat Topping the List:
• Robust Infrastructure: Efficient port operations and uninterrupted power supply.
• Regulatory Ease: Simplification of government regulations regarding business start-ups and approval processes.
• Financial Stability: The state's strong fiscal position and prudent debt management.

• Host Country: This exercise is hosted by Australia (Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF).
• Frequency: It is a biennial exercise, meaning it takes place once every two years.
• Venue: Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley Air Force bases (Northern Australia).
• Indian Aircraft: India is participating with Rafale and C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft.
• First Time: This marks the first time Indian Rafale fighter jets are participating in the Pitch Black exercise.
• Participating Nations: Air forces from a total of 19 countries are participating in the exercise this year.
• Nature of Exercise: It is a multinational air combat exercise.

Other Military Exercises between India and Australia:

• AUSINDEX: Between the navies of India and Australia.
• AUSTRA HIND: Between the armies of India and Australia.
• MALABAR: Joint naval exercise involving India, Australia, the USA, and Japan (Quad nations).

• Theme for this year: “It is still in our hands”
• It emphasizes public participation in eradicating poverty and inequality.
• In 2015, the United Nations expanded the scope of this day to include the rights of prisoners and the contributions of prison staff.

Nelson Mandela:

• Full Name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
• Birth: July 18, 1918 – Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa
• Death: December 5, 2013 – Johannesburg, South Africa
• Key Identity: First Black President of South Africa (1994–1999), icon of the anti-apartheid movement, leader of the African National Congress (ANC)
• Presidency Term: May 10, 1994, to June 14, 1999
• Famous Titles: "Madiba" (his tribal honorific name), "Father of the Nation"
• Awards: Nobel Peace Prize (1993) – shared with Frederik Willem de Klerk; Bharat Ratna (1990)

• Which country passed it? France passed the assisted dying (death with medical assistance) bill.
• Which house gave final approval? National Assembly (the lower house of the French Parliament).
• Voting ratio: 291 votes in favor of the bill and 241 against.
• Eligibility age: Only seriously ill citizens aged 18 or older will be eligible.

France:

• Capital: Paris
• Continent: Europe
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Official Language: French
• National Day: July 14 (Bastille Day)
• National Symbol: Gallic Rooster
• Borders: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Andorra
• Famous Landmark: Eiffel Tower
• President: Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister: Sébastien Lecornu
• Lower House: National Assembly
• Upper House: Senate

Appointments and Committees:

• ICC Governance Review Committee: Its newly appointed Chairman is Devajit Saikia. He is currently also the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• Other committee members: Dr. Mohammed Moosajee (South Africa) and Dr. Ross Rivaz (ICC Independent Director).
• Franchise Leagues Committee: Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh Cricket Board official and former captain) is the Chairman of this newly formed ICC committee. Devajit Saikia is a member of this committee as well.

ICC Membership and Countries:

• New Member Country (111th): Mauritius has recently been inducted as the 111th member country of the ICC.
• Suspended Country: The suspension of Cricket Canada remains in effect by the ICC.
• Country on Notice: The ICC has officially issued a notice to France Cricket for violating regulations.
• Loan Assistance: The ICC has approved a loan of US$ 12.82 million to Cricket West Indies (CWI) to help it overcome a financial crisis.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI):

• It is the national governing body for cricket in India.
• It is the wealthiest cricket board in the world and is part of the "Big Three" of international cricket (alongside Australia and England).
• Establishment: Established as an entity in December 1928 under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act.
• Headquarters: Cricket Centre, Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate, Mumbai. Affiliation: It is a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC)

International Cricket Council (ICC):

• The global governing body for cricket
• Established: 1909
• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Current Chairman: Jay Shah

• Appointment: Rabab Fatima has been appointed as the new Head of UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan).
• Country: She is a senior female diplomat from Bangladesh.
• Succeeded: She has succeeded Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan.
• Appointed by: This appointment was made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
• Notable Record: Rabab Fatima was the first woman to be elected Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in 2022.
• Full form of UNAMA: United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
• Year of Establishment: UNAMA was established on March 28, 2002.
• Headquarters: Kabul, Afghanistan.
• Establishment of the United Nations (UN): October 24, 1945 (also known as United Nations Day).
• UN Headquarters: New York, USA.