1 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted indigenous stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into the Navy
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today commissioned the indigenous stealth frigate, INS Mahendragiri, into the Navy’s Eastern Fleet in Visakhapatnam. This Project 17A warship is a symbol of India’s growing maritime power and indigenous defence capabilities. INS Mahendragiri is the sixth indigenous stealth frigate under Project 17A to be inducted into the Indian Navy in just a year and a half. The first ship in the series, INS Nilgiri, was commissioned in January 2025, followed by INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri in August, INS Taragiri in April this year, and INS Dunagiri last month. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mumbai- based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), the frigate is capable of carrying out maritime missions including air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interception, surveillance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). Built with over 75 percent indigenous material, the warship has a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and is capable of speeds of up to 28 knots. It is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and a multi-role helicopter, along with advanced stealth features, modern sensors, network-centric warfare systems, and state-of-the-art weaponry.
The 16th edition of Asia ‘s largest airshow, ‘Aero India 2027 ‘ will be held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 8 to 12, 2027. The biennial event is organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the nodal agency and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as the partner organization. The event will feature aircraft manufacturers, defense companies, military delegations, and aviation professionals from around the world. Held biennially, Aero India provides a global platform for India’s airspace and defense sector. The previous edition, the 15th Aero India 2025, was held at Yelahanka from February 10 to 14, 2025. The theme for the previous two editions was “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” which focused on enhancing airspace construction in India, domestic innovation, and global partnerships.
According to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation , Sikkim remains India’s richest state in terms of per capita income . This northeastern state recorded a per capita GSDP of ₹707,179 in fiscal year 2023-24 , which is about 327% of the national average , despite having a much smaller population. Bihar, on the other hand, has a per capita GSDP of just ₹68,624. , has a per capita GSDP of only ₹68,624, which is about 32% of the national figure. Sikkim leads the list, followed by Goa, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Telangana. Among states with a population of more than 30 million, Telangana tops the list, ahead of Karnataka, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.
NABARD announced on Friday, July 10, 2026 , that it has facilitated Geographical Indication (GI) registration for 28 new products . These include traditional handicrafts, handloom textiles, and bamboo crafts , bringing the total number of GI-registered products across the country to 176. The recently registered items include handicrafts, handloom textiles, bamboo crafts, metalwork, pottery, paintings, and musical instruments. They reflect India’s diverse craft traditions, which are now supported by legal protection and export potential.
Bihar : Nalanda Bawanbuti sarees and fabrics, Gaya Pattharkatti stone crafts
Jharkhand : Kuchai silk sarees and fabrics
Assam : Baa craft (bamboo craft), Bihu Pepa
Himachal Pradesh : Himachal wood carving crafts
Madhya Pradesh : Khajuraho metal crafts
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a mark used on products whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are associated with a specific geographical region. GI registration in India is done under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 .
On July 10, state-owned telecom company BSNL launched its new satellite phone service . Priced at approximately ₹1.34 lakh , this satellite phone allows for calls directly via satellite without the need for a mobile tower . Designed specifically for those working in disaster zones, dense forests, and maritime borders , it will prove to be a reliable means of communication in difficult terrain. BSNL developed this handset in partnership with global satellite network provider Inmarsat . Government approval is required to purchase this satellite phone. It will not be available over-the-counter like other common phones or gadgets. India has strict regulations regarding satellite phones. Users must obtain approval or authorization from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before purchasing or using one. Possessing or operating a satellite phone without government approval could result in legal action under Indian regulations. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is competing in the global satellite communications market with this technology.
Union Minister J.P. Nadda will lay the foundation stone for the ICMR High Altitude Medicine Center in Keylong , Himachal Pradesh . The ICMR center will conduct research on diseases occurring in high altitude areas . Run by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the center will serve military personnel and local residents. living at high altitudes. It will address health problems related to oxygen deprivation and cold. It will feature modern laboratories and emergency medical facilities. It will also promote medical tourism and research in the Himalayan region. The Centre’s areas of expertise will include maternal and child health, disaster medicine, climate change-related diseases, digital health, and telemedicine. The Centre will collaborate with the Armed Forces Medical Services, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Himachal Pradesh government, and national and international research institutions.
On July 10 , the World Bank approved US$890 million (approximately ₹7,400 crore) in financial assistance for India’s rooftop solar program . The World Bank approved this funding under the Har Ghar Free Electricity Scheme. . This will promote clean energy in the country. Its benefits will be reflected in the electricity used in homes. This will promote the expansion of clean and renewable energy and promote electricity self-sufficiency. It was launched in the year 2024. Under this scheme, people are given subsidy for installing solar panels on their rooftops. Under this scheme, people get subsidy of up to 40% of the cost of solar panels. The government’s aim is to encourage more people to generate electricity by installing solar panels on the vacant rooftops of their houses.
8 New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Jai Prakash Narayan Public Library.
Home Minister Amit Shah at Jai Prakash Narayan Public Library in New Delhi . On this occasion, Mr. Shah urged young people to visit libraries, saying that books play a vital role in personality development. He noted that the great revolutionary and thinker, Jai Prakash Narayan, made a significant contribution to the country’s development. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Jai Prakash Narayan Public Library building houses a collection of over 30,000 books. It has dedicated facilities for researchers, a multipurpose modern auditorium, a modern reading area, a kids’ zone, a research center, and an e-library, where 10 million books can be read online. Wi-Fi is free. Numerous monitors have been installed, allowing visitors to take notes, download books, and further their thinking.
9 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to celebrate 3rd Namaste Day on 14th July in Kolkata, West Bengal
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will celebrate the third Namaste Day on July 14 , marking the completion of three years since the launch of the National Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (Namaste) Scheme in 2023. The main event, along with the Divya Kala Mela, The main event, featuring the Divya Kala Mela, will be held at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata, West Bengal, while parallel events will be held in urban local bodies (ULBs) across the country. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, is expected to attend the event, which will also be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Namaste Day is dedicated to honoring sanitation workers (including sewer and septic tank workers, waste pickers, and former manual scavengers) who play a vital role in protecting public health and environmental sanitation. The day reflects the government’s commitment to improving their safety, dignity, and livelihoods through mechanized sanitation, skill development, protective equipment, and sustainable employment opportunities.
10 FIU-IND case related to large-scale cyber fraud recognized as runner-up in the Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026 at the Egmont Group Plenary held in Baku, Azerbaijan
The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) received another significant international recognition for a case involving large-scale cyber fraud , securing the runner-up position in the prestigious Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026, presented during the Egmont Group Plenary Session held in Baku, Azerbaijan . , under the dynamic leadership of FIU-IND Director Mr. Amit Mohan Govil. The Best Egmont Case Award, one of the Egmont Group’s highest honors, recognizes outstanding cases demonstrating excellence in financial intelligence, international cooperation, and combating money laundering and terrorist financing. FIU-IND’s case was selected as one of the final two final cases from applications received from the Egmont Group’s 182 member jurisdictions, and was declared the runner-up at the Plenary Session.
11 Women’s team played cricket at Lord’s after 142 years
On July 10th, a women’s team played a Test match for the first time at Lord’s , the Mecca of cricket . The first men’s Test match was played at Lord’s between England and Australia in July 1884. 142 years later, a women’s Test match will be held at this ground, pitting India and England against each other. Lord’s is also known as the Home of Cricket , and this will be the 153rd Test match in women’s cricket history. The first women’s ODI at Lord’s was played between England and Australia on August 4, 1976. India and England have played 15 women’s Tests so far. India has won three of these matches, while England has won one, while 11 have ended in draws. The Indian team is captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana is vice-captain. India has included Harleen Deol, spinner Shree Charani, and fast bowler Nandani Sharma in the Test squad for the first time. England’s captain is Nat Sciver-Brunt.
12 Nightingale of the South and renowned playback singer S. Janaki passes away at 88
Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, known as the Nightingale of the South, passed away at the age of 88 in Mysore, Karnataka . She had been battling age-related health issues. In a career spanning over six decades, she sang nearly 48,000 songs in several languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. She was the voice of film stars across generations. She was honored with four National Film Awards, 33 State Awards, and the Padma Bhushan . S. Janaki, whose full name was Sistla Janaki, was a playback singer and music composer. S. Janaki was known as the “Nightingale of the South Indian industry,” and was also fondly called “Janaki Amma” within the industry. In 2013, the Government of India announced the Padma Bhushan award to S. Janaki , but she declined .