1. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Supreme Court Amendment Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha . The bill aims to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India , from the current 33 to 37. In May this year, President Draupadi Murmu promulgated an ordinance to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37.
India has taken a significant step towards dengue prevention by approving its first dengue vaccine, Qdenga . The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved this vaccine from Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India . The vaccine is approved for use by people aged 4 to 60 years . Its unique feature is that prior dengue testing is not required. Eligible individuals can receive the vaccine regardless of whether they have had dengue. According to the company, Qdenga has been approved in 43 countries since 2022, and more than 32 million doses have been distributed worldwide. This vaccine will be administered in two 0.5 ml doses , administered three months apart .
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has enhanced digital services on the Highway Yatra mobile app with the launch of Digital Local Pass and Margamitra Helpline to make national highway travel more convenient and traveler-friendly . The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that travelers eligible for the new Digital Local Pass can purchase monthly toll passes online through the Highway Yatra mobile app without visiting the toll plaza. This facility has been launched at the Mundka-Bakkarwala toll plaza in Delhi and will be expanded to other toll plazas across the country in the coming months. The authority has also launched Margamitra Helpline, a digital assistance platform integrated into the Highway Yatra mobile app. It helps users get information, lodge complaints, and seek assistance through text or voice in 22 Indian languages.
India has officially become a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (AFS) by submitting its instrument of accession . The Commerce Secretary submitted the instrument of accession on behalf of India to the WTO Director-General on July 20, 2026. The government stated that this step reflects India’s commitment to the conservation of marine resources, sustainable fisheries management, and the livelihoods, food security, and employment of coastal communities. The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement was unanimously adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Geneva in June 2022. It is the first multilateral WTO agreement designed with the objective of environmental sustainability. After receiving the approval of two-thirds of WTO members, the agreement entered into force on September 15, 2025. India became the 123rd WTO member to accession the agreement . The agreement relates to subsidies provided for marine wild fisheries and related activities in the ocean. However, aquaculture and inland fisheries are excluded from its scope. According to the government, the agreement aims to curb illegal, unauthorized, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and harmful subsidy provisions associated with overexploited fish stocks.
5 Senegalese President Bassiro Fay becomes new ECOWAS President
President Basiro Diomé Fay of Senegal has been elected President of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) . He will replace outgoing President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone . The new President was elected at the 69th Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Sierra Leone. Mr. Basiro Fay’s presidency is expected to give new impetus to ECOWAS’s reform programs.
Keir Starmer, while giving his last address as the Prime Minister of Britain , said that his tenure is over. Before going to Buckingham Palace and formally submitting his resignation to King Charles III, Mr. Starmer said that he is now handing over the responsibility to Andy Burnham . He said that he has his full support to Labour leader Andy Burnham. On July 20, Labour Party leader Andy Burnham took charge as the 59th PM of Britain . Burnham took charge after meeting King Charles III. Burnham has become the 7th Prime Minister of Britain in the last 10 years.
On July 19 , the Indian government implemented amendments to the India-Sri Lanka Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) . This notification was issued on July 16 and will strengthen the tax partnership between India and Sri Lanka. These changes are designed to prevent treaty shopping. Following this rule, DTAA benefits will not be available for any transaction or arrangement. Any individual or company shopping to avoid taxes will lose the treaty benefits. Treaty shopping is a practice where individuals attempt to reduce taxes by bypassing a third country. This rule will come into effect in India from the financial year 2027-28 (FY28) and is intended to promote economic cooperation. The amendments to the DTAA are based on the OECD/G20’s BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) standards. India and Sri Lanka already have a DTAA. To combat tax evasion and artificial structures worldwide, both countries have implemented these amendments. The old treaty has been updated.
On July 19 , the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved a proposal to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state . This decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav . Madhya Pradesh is the second state in the country to approve the UCC , after Uttarakhand . The UCC aims to create uniform laws for all citizens in matters such as marriage, divorce, and property . The bill will now be introduced in the monsoon session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. However, the government has excluded Scheduled Tribes from the scope of this law due to their beliefs. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the state to implement the Uniform Civil Code. It is a law that replaces separate personal laws based on religion or community and provides a uniform civil code for all citizens in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance.
9 Bengali language is mandatory for all government work in West Bengal.
On July 20 , West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made Bengali compulsory for all government work in the state . Starting September 1, Bengali will be mandatory for all official work and communication related to the state government. The report of the Justice Sushanta Chatterjee Commission, constituted by the government , will also be made public. The report will provide a full account of the commission’s recommendations and the implementation of these recommendations. Bengali will be mandatory for all government work, applications, forms, certificates, and portals. However, correspondence with the central government will continue to be conducted in Hindi. The official language department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, will be operated by the Indian Languages Division’s bilingual software, “Anuvad Sarathi,” which will translate all work as needed. This step has been taken to promote the Bengali language in administrative work in West Bengal and to strengthen the state’s linguistic and cultural identity. This announcement was made after Home Minister Amit Shah sent a letter written in Bengali to CM Suvendu to promote the preservation, promotion, development and study of the Bengali language.
10 Army launches ‘Operation Jal Rahat’ in Assam for rescue and relief operations
The Army in Assam has launched ‘ Operation Jal Rahat ‘ to carry out massive rescue and relief operations amid the continuously worsening flood situation in several parts of eastern Assam . The flood situation in Assam has worsened due to incessant rains, affecting thousands of people in several districts of Upper Assam. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed for rescue operations in the worst-hit flood districts – Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.
11 Spain midfielder Rodri named FIFA World Cup 2026 Player of the Year, winning the Golden Ball
Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026 title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final . Spanish midfielder Rodri won the ” Golden Ball ” for his impressive performance in the tournament . This award is given to the “Player of the Tournament” at the FIFA World Cup. He became only the 11th player in football history to win the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d’Or. After winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024, he also won the World Cup’s “Golden Ball.” Previously, he also won the European Championship’s Best Player award. Spain ‘s Pau Cubarci was named ” Young Player of the Tournament ,” while goalkeeper Unai Simon won the ” Golden Glove ” award for his seven clean sheets. France’s Kylian Mbappé scored the most goals at the 2026 World Cup. Kylian won the Golden Boot with 10 goals and four assists throughout the tournament . Spain coach Luis de la Fuente became the oldest coach to win the World Cup. The FIFA tournament was jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11.