1 Indian-origin MP Kanishka becomes Britain’s first AI minister
On July 20 , Indian-origin MP Kanishka Narain was appointed Britain’s first Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI) . This is the first time Britain has appointed a minister for AI. Kanishka’s appointment came after the cabinet expansion of new British PM Andy Burnham. He was serving as the Minister for AI and Online Safety from September 2025. Kanishka was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar and moved to Wales (Cardiff) with his family at the age of 12. Kanishka became Wales’ first minority MP in 2024. Before joining politics, he has worked for the British government.
2 Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launches pilot phase of Gems of India Challenge
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched the pilot phase of the Gems of India Challenge . It is an initiative to identify, promote, and foster grassroots digital creators across the country. Based on the My Waves platform under Waves OTT, the challenge invites people to create short videos showcasing the unique stories and cultural heritage of their districts . Participants can upload one- to three-minute videos to the My Waves section on the Waves OTT platform between August 1st and 31st . This phase will cover the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , Arunachal Pradesh , Chandigarh , Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu , Goa , and Ladakh . Under this initiative, 20 creators per district will be awarded district-level prizes of ₹50,000 each, state-level prizes of ₹2 lakh, and national prizes of ₹5 lakh each when implemented nationwide. The Ministry stated that based on the success of the initial phase, the program will be expanded to all states and union territories.
3 Harjit Singh Grewal assumed charge as Chairman of National Commission for Minorities
Harjit Singh Grewal National Commission for Minorities . The Ministry of Minority Affairs issued a notification of his appointment on the 16th of this month.
4 ‘Operation Southern Readiness’ begins in Kochi, with participants from 26 countries
Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training exercise, commenced at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on July 20, 2026. Organized by Southern Naval Command, the exercise is being conducted under the aegis of the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF-154) in collaboration with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). 254 participants from 26 countries participated in the exercise. are participating, supported by 74 instructors, four international organizations, and various subject matter experts. This is the first Operation Southern Readiness exercise being conducted in India. It is considered a significant milestone in the growing cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Combined Maritime Force. Combined Task Force 154, the dedicated training task force of the Combined Maritime Force, is currently operational under the leadership of the Indian Navy and aims to strengthen the capability, interoperability, and professional readiness of participating nations through multinational maritime training.
5 Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched ‘Mission Golden Spice’
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, along with the Honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya , Shri Conrad K. Sangma , launched the ” Mission Golden Spice – Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Promotion Project, ” a ₹175.45 crore coordinated initiative for turmeric cultivation and value chain development in the state of Meghalaya. The Mission is designed as a five-year (2025–2030) phased roadmap , to be implemented in two phases—the first phase to strengthen the value chain and the second phase to expand and scale up. It aims to promote Meghalaya’s Unique Spot (USP), the GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric.
6 Tourism Ministry approves 117 projects worth Rs 5,756.62 crore
The Ministry of Tourism has approved 117 projects worth ₹5,756.62 crore for tourism infrastructure development, digital promotion, and infrastructure expansion across the country over the past two years . This information was provided by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The Minister stated that the Ministry of Tourism is providing central financial assistance to states and union territories under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge-based Destination Development, Pilgrimage Revival and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Campaign (PRASHAD), Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development, and Dharti Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JUGA). Additionally, assistance was provided to states for tourism projects in 2024-25 under the “Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Globally Iconic Tourism Destination” initiative. The Ministry of Tourism is providing integrated digital services to domestic and foreign tourists through the “Incredible India Digital Platform.” Launched in September 2024, the portal is available in multiple languages and offers facilities like booking tickets for flights, hotels, cabs, buses and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monuments.
7 ICMR’s three new biomedical technologies will strengthen the treatment of cancer and infections.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has transferred three indigenous biomedical technologies related to the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases to leading pharmaceutical and vaccine companies in the country for development, manufacturing, and commercialization, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Tuesday. The transferred technologies include a new treatment called SHetA2 , developed for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) . This technology has been licensed to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited . SHetA2 was developed in collaboration with Dr. Shoket Hussain, a scientist at the ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) , and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma, USA . This technology targets and eliminates precancerous and cervical cancer cells caused by HPV infection , while sparing healthy cells. According to the ministry, this could provide a safe, affordable, and less invasive treatment option for cervical cancer. Additionally, two next-generation vaccine technologies developed by the ICMR-National Institute of Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI), Kolkata, have been licensed to Biological E Limited . These include a novel typhoid vaccine technology based on the outer membrane protein of Salmonella typhi . The second technology is intended to provide broad protection against infections caused by bacteria such as Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, and Shigella .
8 Controversial map on one rupee coin in Nepal
On July 21 , the Nepal government rejected a proposal to remove the controversial national map from the one rupee coin . This map depicts India’s Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepal . However, the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) had previously proposed replacing the controversial map of Nepal on the one rupee coin with an image of the historic monastery in Mustang . Following this controversy, the Ministry directed the Nepal Rastra Bank to include the national map of Nepal along with the Buddhist monastery in the design. The Nepal Rastra Bank will prepare a new design based on the cabinet’s instructions. The new coins will include both the national map and the Lo Ghekar Monastery. Previously, during Nepal’s monarchy, images of King Mahendra, King Birendra, and King Gyanendra were printed on banknotes and coins. Following the 2006 political transition, these images were replaced with images of Mount Everest, wildlife, national monuments, and cultural symbols. The Lo Ghekar Monastery is located in Upper Mustang, Nepal, and was founded by Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in the 8th century. Historians consider it one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the entire Himalayan region. The India–Nepal border dispute occurred in 2020. India inaugurated a road to the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. Nepal protested, releasing a new political map in May 2020, showing Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura as part of its territory.
9 Five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa have been discovered from the Western Ghats.
Researchers have discovered five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats . The Ministry of Science and Technology stated that lichen-forming fungi are important indicators of forest and environmental quality due to their sensitivity to pollution and habitat changes. The Ministry stated that researchers from the M.A.C.S. Agharkar Research Institute, a Pune -based autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology , conducted the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of Allographa species in the Western Ghats region. The study resulted in the discovery of five new species: Allographa keralensis, Allographa nayakae, Allographa paraconsanguinea, Allographa persistinospersa, and Allographa semicarbonisata . The researchers also generated new molecular data for several previously known species, including Allographa calcea, Allographa macella, Allographa aquilonia, Allographa rimulosa, and Allographa effusoredica.
10 National Flag Adoption Day
The Indian national flag is not just a tricolor flag, but a symbol of the country’s freedom struggle, democratic values, national unity, and the sentiments of millions of Indians. The Indian tricolor is not just a flag, but an immortal symbol of India’s soul, valor, sacrifice, unity, democracy, and self-respect. National Flag Adoption Day is celebrated every year on July 22nd . On this day in 1947 , the Constituent Assembly unanimously adopted the tricolor as the national flag of independent India. This historic decision was taken approximately three weeks before India’s independence. With India’s independence on August 15th, 1947, the tricolor became the official identity of the independent nation and a symbol of national pride. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru introduced a resolution regarding the national flag in the Constituent Assembly, which was unanimously accepted by the members. With this, the tricolor became the national flag of independent India. The national flag of India is rectangular in shape, with a length-to-width ratio of 3:2. It consists of three equal horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green, respectively, from top to bottom. In the center of the white stripe is a dark blue Ashoka Chakra, which has 24 spokes.
11 National Mango Day
National Mango Day is celebrated every year on July 22nd to honor the taste, health benefits, and cultural, social, and economic importance of the king of fruits, mango . The National Horticulture Board of India established this day in 1987 to honor and promote mangoes. It also highlights the importance of farmers, biodiversity, and the agro-economy. Mango is not only a delicious fruit but has also been an integral part of Indian civilization and culture. It is believed to have originated in the regions of Northeast India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The mango is mentioned in the Vedas, Puranas, and the works of the great poet Kalidasa, where it is described as a symbol of life, love, and prosperity.