TOP NEWS
1. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Defends Police Action Against Drug Traffickers
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly defended the state police for using retaliatory force against drug traffickers during a session in the Assam Assembly. Replying to a motion on a “Drug-Free Assam,” the Chief Minister stated that law enforcement must be empowered to take decisive action when confronted with violent resistance. He highlighted that drug supply chains often trace back to the international border with Myanmar through transit routes in Mizoram and Manipur, and emphasized the necessity of strengthening rehabilitation efforts for youths affected by substance abuse.
2. BRICS Nations Adopt 'Guwahati Declaration' to Combat Drug Trafficking
In a major international initiative hosted in Assam, BRICS nations adopted the 'Guwahati Declaration' to tackle transnational drug syndicates. The declaration was finalized following a high-level meeting of BRICS anti-drug agencies in Guwahati. During the session, India called for a robust partnership built on speed, trust, and seamless real-time intelligence sharing. The agreement underscores a coordinated approach to dismantle illicit drug networks and curb cross-border smuggling across member states.
3. Habbey Teron Elected Deputy Speaker of Assam Assembly
First-time BJP legislator Habbey Teron has been unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The election marks a significant milestone in state politics, bringing fresh leadership to the legislative process. Teron's appointment reflects the ruling party's strategy of empowering new political faces to guide legislative debates and manage assembly proceedings effectively.
4. Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Restoration Drive Launched at Delhi Ridge
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a massive environmental restoration campaign named 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' at the Delhi Ridge. The initiative aims to plant over one crore native trees across 6,300 hectares over the next four years. Native species such as neem and peepal will be utilized to rejuvenate the region's ecological balance. Alongside the launch, a comprehensive Working Plan Document for 2036 was unveiled for the sustainable management of the Ridge ecosystem.
5. Uttar Pradesh Renames Jalalabad Town as Parashurampuri
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has officially approved the renaming of Jalalabad town in the Shahjahanpur district to Parashurampuri. The town is widely regarded in Hindu mythology as the birthplace of the sage Lord Parashuram. The state government’s decision follows a no-objection clearance from the Union Government, changing the town's historical nomenclature, which was previously named after the Mughal emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar.
6. Mizoram Museum Designated as India’s 21st Biodiversity Repository
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has officially notified a museum in Mizoram as India’s 21st Designated Repository under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Established in 2022 under Mizoram University and located within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, the facility houses an extensive collection of flora and fauna voucher specimens, including rare pteridophytes and beetles. This status will enhance scientific research and conservation efforts in the Northeast region.
7. PM Modi Conferred with Indonesia's Highest Civilian Honour
During a bilateral visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with the Indonesian President to strengthen strategic and economic ties between the two nations. In recognition of his efforts to bolster bilateral relations and his global leadership, PM Modi was conferred with Indonesia's highest civilian honor. The discussions focused on maritime security, trade, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
8. India Hosts BRICS Women’s Ministerial Meeting in Kochi
As part of its 2026 BRICS Chairship, India is hosting the BRICS Women’s Ministerial Meeting in Kochi, Kerala, on July 8 and 9. The summit centers around themes of women-led development, leadership, and financial inclusion. It aims to build resilience, innovation, and sustainability across member nations. The ministerial meeting was preceded by a Working Group session aimed at cementing cooperative frameworks among BRICS countries to empower women economically and socially.
9. Tanker Attacked in Strait of Hormuz Amid Regional Tensions
A commercial tanker was set ablaze after being struck by a projectile in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. The incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions as Iran observes a period of mourning for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The attack raises serious concerns over the security of international maritime trade routes and the global oil supply chain, prompting international maritime authorities to urge extreme caution in the region.
10. GIFT City Signs MoU with Vietnam’s Da Nang Financial Hub
India’s premier international financial services center, GIFT City, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam’s Da Nang financial hub. The agreement is designed to facilitate the sharing of institutional knowledge and best practices in fintech and innovation. By strengthening cross-border investment linkages, the partnership aims to boost financial technology collaborations between India and Vietnam, leveraging Da Nang's robust banking assets and GIFT City's expanding global footprint.
11. UP Cabinet Approves New Startup and Data Centre Policies
To boost its digital economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved comprehensive new Startup and Data Centre policies. Under the revised guidelines, the monthly startup allowance has been increased to ₹20,000 for a duration of two years, while prototype grants have been doubled to ₹10 lakh and seed funding raised to ₹15 lakh. Additionally, the new data center policy sets ambitious targets to achieve 2 gigawatts of capacity, aiming to attract ₹2 lakh crore in investments.
12. Health Ministry Launches Comprehensive Zoonotic Disease Strategy
Coinciding with World Zoonoses Day, the Union Health Ministry launched a new national plan in New Delhi to combat priority zoonotic diseases. The strategy adopts a 'One Health' approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors. A newly released Learning Resource Package details protocols for managing ten priority diseases, including Rabies and Zika. Furthermore, disease surveillance will be deeply integrated into the digital IHIP 2.0 platform for rapid response and monitoring.
13. Haryana’s Sirsa Kinnow Granted Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
The Sirsa Kinnow, a premium citrus fruit grown in Haryana, has officially been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the GI Registry in Chennai under Class 31. This marks the first time an agricultural product from Haryana has secured an exclusive GI tag. Sirsa district contributes over half of the state’s annual kinnow production, yielding approximately 4.40 lakh metric tonnes. The recognition is expected to significantly boost the fruit's market value and export potential.
14. Passing of 'Bridge Man of India' Girish Bharadwaj
Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, fondly known as the 'Bridge Man of India,' passed away at the age of 76. An engineer and social worker, Bharadwaj was celebrated for his immense contribution to rural infrastructure by constructing over a hundred low-cost suspension bridges across remote villages in India, primarily in the Western Ghats. His innovative engineering solutions connected isolated communities, fundamentally transforming rural mobility and access to essential services.
15. Argentina Secures Dramatic Victory in FIFA World Cup 2026
In a thrilling encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina pulled off a wild escape against Egypt to advance in the tournament. The highly contested match featured spectacular offensive plays and critical defensive stands. Argentina's dramatic late-game performance saved them from early elimination, keeping their World Cup aspirations alive and sending their global fanbase into a frenzy.
16. Former Afghan Cricketer Shapoor Zadran Passes Away
The cricketing world mourned the loss of former Afghan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, who passed away at the age of 38 following a prolonged illness. Zadran, who represented Afghanistan in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is between 2009 and 2020, was instrumental in establishing his nation's presence on the international cricket stage. Treated in New Delhi for stage four Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, the Afghanistan Cricket Board hailed him as a pioneer of Afghan cricket.
8 July 2026 Top News for APSC | Most Important Updates, Schemes & Reports You Must Know