TOP NEWS
1. Assam Budget Session Commences with Opposition Walkout
Dispute over adjournment motion on state power crisis
The first day of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly's Budget Session saw significant disruptions, culminating in a walkout by opposition legislators. The protest was triggered after the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition seeking an urgent discussion on the state's worsening power supply. Members highlighted the severe public distress caused by frequent power cuts, erratic electricity supply, and poor maintenance of transformers, challenging previous claims of providing round-the-clock uninterrupted power to citizens.
2. Guwahati Hosts BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting
Narcotics Control Bureau leads international anti-narcotics dialogue
Under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) hosted the high-level BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting in Guwahati, Assam. The international convention focused on strengthening cooperative frameworks among member nations to combat the global illicit drug trade and disrupt international narcotics networks. This gathering serves as a critical platform for sharing intelligence, standardizing enforcement protocols, and forming unified strategies against cross-border drug trafficking operations.
3. India Issues Stern Notice to Meta Over CSAM Advertisements
Ministry demands immediate removal of exploitative content on Instagram
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology served a stringent notice to Meta regarding the proliferation of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) found in paid advertisements on Instagram. The government ordered the immediate disabling of all advertisements and content that promote or facilitate access to such illegal material. Meta was issued a seven-day deadline to provide a detailed explanation regarding the breakdown in moderation protocols that allowed this content to be monetized and distributed on the platform.
4. NITI Aayog Unveils Strategic Roadmap for Globalizing Ayurveda
New framework targets global acceptance and workforce expansion
NITI Aayog officially released the "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global," a comprehensive policy document aiming to elevate the traditional Indian medical system on the world stage by 2047. The roadmap focuses on three main pillars: global practice and workforce expansion, international exports and manufacturing, and research and development partnerships. It addresses current challenges such as the lack of uniform international regulations and the shortage of certified practitioners abroad by proposing standardized global education, strict product quality control, and the integration of Ayurveda into global health insurance frameworks.
5. Launch of the VB-GRAM G Scheme for Rural Livelihoods
Initiative targets sustainable employment and digital rural economy
The 'Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)' (VB-GRAM G) scheme was officially launched nationwide from Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious program is designed to generate sustainable rural employment, improve baseline livelihoods, and foster entrepreneurship in villages across India. Special emphasis has been embedded in the scheme to support women, youth, and self-help groups through dedicated skill development programs and initiatives aimed at strengthening the digital rural economy.
6. ISRO Conducts First Ground Test for Gaganyaan's SOLVE Motor
Crucial milestone achieved at Sriharikota for upcoming space missions
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed the first ground test of the Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) solid motor at the Static Test Facility in the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The SOLVE solid motor is a highly critical component required for conducting the upcoming Gaganyaan Test Missions. This successful static test validates the structural integrity and performance parameters of the propulsion system, paving the way for further sub-orbital flight testing.
7. Devastating Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in Southern Europe
Thousands displaced as historic heatwave fuels rapidly spreading infernos
Massive wildfires swept across multiple Southern European nations, including France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, devastating over 19,000 hectares of land. In southwestern France alone, thousands of residents and tourists were evacuated as extreme heat and exceptionally dry winds caused the fires to triple in size within hours. The crisis has prompted international firefighting deployments and forced the alteration of major public sporting events, highlighting the severe environmental impact of an early summer heatwave pushing temperatures past 40°C across the Mediterranean basin.
8. Indian Army Unveils 'VIJAY' Roadmap for Strategic Transformation
New modernization doctrine focuses on futuristic warfare capabilities
The Indian Army officially unveiled the 'VIJAY' roadmap, a comprehensive blueprint aimed at transforming and modernizing the nation's ground forces. The strategic document outlines a phased approach to integrating advanced technologies, enhancing operational readiness, and restructuring combat units to meet contemporary and futuristic geopolitical security challenges. The roadmap heavily emphasizes self-reliance in defense manufacturing, the incorporation of artificial intelligence in tactical operations, and the overall optimization of troop deployments.
9. India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement Enters into Force
Pact designed to boost cross-border capital flows and economic ties
The Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) between India and Israel officially came into effect, marking a significant milestone in the economic partnership between the two nations. The treaty is structured to provide a secure and predictable regulatory environment for investors, ensuring fair treatment, protection against expropriation, and a streamlined dispute resolution mechanism. The operationalization of the BIA is expected to accelerate joint ventures, particularly in the fields of technology, agriculture, defense, and renewable energy.
10. Delhi Government Introduces 'Swachh Hawa, Swasth Delhi' Plan
Multi-billion rupee project targets comprehensive air quality improvement
In a major environmental policy shift, the Delhi Government launched the 'Swachh Hawa, Swasth Delhi' initiative, a massive 7-year air pollution mitigation plan backed by an ₹8,300 crore budget and support from the World Bank. The comprehensive framework targets the root causes of the National Capital Region's severe air quality crisis through aggressive vehicular emission controls, industrial regulations, dust management, and large-scale afforestation. It also includes the deployment of advanced real-time monitoring infrastructure to track local pollution hotspots.
11. Climate Change Induces Severe Crisis in India's Dairy Sector
Rising heat stress drastically reduces milk yields in the Gangetic Plains
A newly published scientific study revealed that climate change and escalating heat stress are causing a sharp decline in milk production across India's primary dairy belts, particularly in the trans-Gangetic plains of Haryana. Data analysis over fifteen years demonstrates that cross-bred cattle and buffaloes are highly vulnerable to extreme heatwaves, leading to reduced yields and rising feed costs due to lower fodder availability. Conversely, indigenous cattle breeds like Sahiwal demonstrated higher resilience, prompting calls for strategic breeding programs to safeguard the rural dairy economy.
12. External Affairs Minister Commences Extensive Multi-Nation Diplomatic Tour
Focus shifts to West Asian security and bilateral strategic cooperation
India's External Affairs Minister embarked on a comprehensive six-nation diplomatic tour, beginning with engagements across critical West Asian countries before heading to the United States. The diplomatic mission is heavily focused on addressing regional security dynamics, ensuring the safety of maritime trade routes, and expanding bilateral economic cooperation in energy and infrastructure. The tour is a key component of India's broader foreign policy strategy to solidify its geopolitical presence and diplomatic ties amid shifting global alliances.
13. Assam Advances Green Energy with Compressed Biogas Plant Agreement
New memorandum aimed at sustainable waste management and energy generation
The Assam state government took a significant step toward expanding its renewable energy infrastructure by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a state-of-the-art compressed biogas plant. This green energy initiative is designed to process agricultural residue and municipal organic waste, converting it into clean fuel and high-quality organic fertilizers. The project is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate local waste management burdens, and create new economic avenues for rural communities supplying raw materials.
14. Intense Monsoon Rains Disrupt Infrastructure Across Multiple States
Aviation and daily life heavily impacted as IMD issues regional alerts
A vigorous active monsoon phase brought torrential rains across the Indian subcontinent, severely disrupting daily life and infrastructure in states like Maharashtra, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh. In Mumbai, intense downpours led to tragic casualties, widespread waterlogging, school closures, and significant delays in both domestic and international flight operations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintained severe weather alerts for several regions, warning of continued heavy rainfall, localized flooding, and potential landslides in vulnerable hilly terrains.
15. Novak Djokovic Achieves Historic Milestone at Wimbledon
Serbian player surpasses Federer's all-time tournament victory record
In a landmark achievement in international tennis, Novak Djokovic reached the men's singles quarter-finals at Wimbledon by defeating Russia's Roman Safiullin. This triumph marked his 106th singles victory at the All England Club, officially surpassing Roger Federer's long-standing record of 105 Wimbledon men's singles wins. The victory firmly cements Djokovic's legacy on grass courts and advances his campaign for another Grand Slam title in a highly competitive tournament season.
4-5 July 2026 Top News for APSC | Most Important Updates, Schemes & Reports You Must Know