1 India jumps 25 places to 57th in global improvement ranking
India has climbed 25 places in a global ranking of structural and pro-competitive reforms, moving from 82nd to 57th . This is according to a report titled ” India’s Next Growth Frontier: Reducing Anti-competitive Market Distortions to Build on India’s 2010-2023 Reform Progress” released by the Competere Foundation . The report assesses India’s performance under its Market Distortion Performance Index, examining the country’s reform path between 2010 and 2023 , and attributes the improvement to sustained efforts to reduce market distortions and strengthen competitiveness. The report assesses market distortions across three broad pillars: protection of property rights, domestic competition, and international competition. It highlights reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), improvements in the regulatory environment, and the modernization of the trade facilitation system. It also examines developments related to competition, investment conditions, digital markets and external regulatory constraints affecting India’s competitiveness and participation in international trade.
The Ministry of Tourism and IndiGo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the ‘ Incredible India Initiative ‘. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a social media post that India has an extraordinary tourism story that the government and IndiGo are jointly showcasing to the world. He said that this MoU marks the beginning of ‘Incredible India’ which will leverage IndiGo’s extensive global network to showcase the country’s unique cultural, spiritual, natural and wellness tourism destinations to attract millions of tourists from across the world.
The Department of Telecommunications and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi to establish the first phase of India’s first telecom manufacturing zone in Gwalior . The initiative aims to create a world-class manufacturing ecosystem for telecom equipment and related technologies . The agreement will promote indigenous telecom manufacturing, attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen India’s progress towards a self-reliant India.
Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation agency, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association in New Delhi . The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said the MoU aims to strengthen collaboration between the government and the global medical technology industry to promote investment, innovation and sustainable growth in India’s medical technology sector . The ministry said the partnership will strengthen domestic manufacturing, encourage local value addition, enhance ease of doing business and deepen integration with global medical technology value chains.
5 Indian Navy receives second indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’
The Indian Navy on Thursday achieved another significant milestone in the field of indigenous defense manufacturing . The second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), “Nipun,” built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), was handed over to the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam . Built with approximately 75% indigenous content, the vessel will significantly strengthen the capability for deep-sea diving and search and rescue operations. “Nipun” has been designed and built in accordance with the classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The Sanskrit word “Nipun” means skilled, competent, and proficient. The vessel is equipped with modern diving equipment, enabling it to undertake complex and long-duration operations such as deep-sea saturation diving. Additionally, it is equipped with a side diving stage, enabling it to conduct a variety of marine diving operations more effectively.
6 Deendayal Port Authority became the best non-container port in the country, won the India Maritime Award 2026
Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla has been awarded the ‘ Best Port of the Year (Non-Containerized) ‘ category at the India Maritime Awards 2026. The honour was given for the port’s outstanding performance and operational efficiency. Ratna Shekhar Rao, Traffic Manager, Deendayal Port Authority, received the award at a ceremony organised by the Daily Shipping Times in Mumbai . Furthermore, the Offshore Oil Terminal at Vadinar also set a new record by handling 509,101 metric tonnes of liquid cargo in 24 hours. This achievement was attributed to the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in the port and logistics sector.
7 Google launches ‘Gemini Spark’ in India
On July 30th , tech giant Google launched its new AI agent, “Gemini Spark,” in India . It’s a 24/7 personal AI assistant that helps users with their daily tasks and is based on the 3.6 model. It can find local events based on a user’s interests and automatically add details to Google Doc files. It can retrieve information from third-party apps and send alerts on specific topics. It can also autonomously summarize meeting notes and important emails for users. It runs on Google’s cloud, allowing work to continue even when the phone is locked or the laptop is closed. Gemini Spark can integrate directly with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and other Google Workspace services. Currently, Gemini Spark is available to users with Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscriptions. Gemini Spark has been specifically designed for the Indian market and local needs. This AI tool can be useful in improving education, business, and personal growth. Google has also introduced a selfie video sign-in feature. According to Google, Gemini Spark will ask users for permission before performing more extensive tasks.
8 IIT Gandhinagar signs MoU with Indian AI Research Organisation
On July 30 , the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar) signed an MoU with India’s leading AI research organization (IAIRO) . Under this MoU, both institutions will work together to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, innovation, and skill development . The objective of this MoU is to conduct joint research in the AI sector and provide co-supervision to PhD students. Following this MoU, both institutions will work together for national and international research grants. Under this MoU, they will organize short-term courses, certificate programs, seminars, workshops, and conferences related to AI. In this, IIT Gandhinagar researchers will train IAIRO scientists, while IAIRO experts will collaborate in teaching and research at IITGN.
9 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Lovepreet Singh wins silver in weightlifting and Seema Kaliraman wins bronze in discus throw
Indian weightlifter Lovepreet Singh won the silver medal in the men’s 110 kg category , while Seema Kaliramana won the bronze medal in the women’s discus throw at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games . Australia remained at the top of the medal table with 110 medals on the eighth day, while India finished 10th with 17 medals . India’s medal tally included three gold, 10 silver and four bronze medals. Lovepreet set a Games record in the snatch and narrowly missed the gold medal. New Zealand’s David Littie won the gold medal with a total of 389 kg, while England’s Andrew Griffiths won the bronze medal with a total of 356 kg. Seema Kaliramana won the bronze medal in the women’s discus throw with a throw of 58.65 metres, while her compatriot Nidhi Rani finished fourth. Jamaica’s Samantha Hall won the gold medal with a best throw of 61.66 metres, while Canada’s Julia Tunks took the silver with 60.67 metres.
10 India’s Nikita Sehrawat won silver medal in the Under-17 World Wrestling Championship
Indian wrestler Nikita Sehrawat won the silver medal while Kamna Babul and Garima won bronze medals in the women’s category at the Under-17 World Championships in Baku , Azerbaijan . Nikita lost to Epenesa Ellison of the USA by 0-6 in the 57 kg category final. Kamna Babul defeated Irina Tsidieva of Russia 3-2 in the play-off for the third place in the 49 kg category . Garima defeated Paula Benaixa Perez of Spain by technical superiority in the bronze medal match of the 73 kg category .
11 Hockey India changed the colour of players’ jerseys
Hockey India has given clarification on the question raised by former captain Viren Rasquinha regarding the change in the colour of the Indian team’s jersey . Hockey India has said that the similar colour of the ground and the jersey was affecting the players’ game and visibility. It is noteworthy that on Monday, Hockey India launched the new jersey of the Indian team before the FIH World Cup . The colour of the jersey has been changed from blue to orange and along with this, some changes have also been made in the design of the jersey. It was regarding this that former captain Viren Rasquinha had expressed his displeasure.
12 Senior Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket
Senior Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect . Rahane was last included in the Indian Test team for the West Indies tour in 2023. His last ODI match was against England in 2018. 38-year-old Rahane has played a total of 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20 Internationals in his career that began in 2013. Rahane will always be remembered as the captain who led India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy win on the tour of Australia in 2020-21. In the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, he led the young team to a historic series win for India.
13 GOT fame Tom Chadbon passes away
British actor Tom Chadbon passed away on July 30th . He was 80 years old. Tom has worked in popular films and TV series like Game of Thrones (GOT) and Doctor Who . Tom played the role of High Septon Maynard in the famous series Game of Thrones. Tom also starred in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. Tom’s acting career spanned nearly five decades and he worked in more than 100 TV and film projects.