The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched Gramodyam, an entrepreneurship development programme designed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of rural India on its 45th Foundation Day.
Launched by Shaji KV, Chairman of NABARD, this initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The initiative will be implemented through Institute for Industrial Development.
Gramodyam seeks to identify, nurture, mentor and empower aspiring entrepreneurs by equipping them with industry-relevant skills, entrepreneurial competencies and access to essential support systems.
By enabling young innovators to convert ideas into viable enterprises, Gramodyam aims to transform local opportunities into engines of sustainable economic growth and employment generation.
Gramodyam offers an integrated support framework encompassing business opportunity identification, business planning, enterprise management training, credit facilitation, market linkages, mentorship and post-establishment handholding.
All beneficiaries enrolled under the programme will undergo e-KYC verification through NSDC, ensuring transparency and authenticity of participation. During the pilot phase, Gramodyam aims to support the creation of approximately 4,000 rural entrepreneurs over a period of three years through a scalable and organic delivery mechanism.
Participants will receive expert support in preparing bankable detailed project reports, establishing linkages with NABARD-supported regional rural banks, and other financial institutions for credit support.
The programme will provide digital loan application assistance and guidance on relevant government schemes and incentives, thereby improving access to formal finance and reducing barriers to enterprise creation.
The programme delivery architecture will be integrated with the digital platform of NSDC, enabling real-time monitoring and tracking of participant progress.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts reached the International Space Station with hugs and handshakes in the early hours of July 15, 2026 onboard Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft after a little over three-hour journey.
The Roscosmos spacecraft carrying Mr. Menon and Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off from Baikonur at 8:17 pm IST on July 14, 2026 just as the orbital laboratory flew over the cosmodrome.
After an eight-minute climb to the preliminary orbit, the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft began a nearly three-hour chase to the International Space Station to dock at the Prichal module at 11:52 p.m. (IST).
The astronaut then began a series of checks in the spacecraft and the space station before opening the hatch at about 2:00 a.m. (IST).
This marks Mr. Menon's first spaceflight and the second flight for the Russian cosmonauts, according to NASA.
Incidentally, the live video feed from the space station was cut off at the time the hatch of the spacecraft was about to open due to loss of signal from the tracking and data relay satellites.
The link was established 12 minutes later as the satellites were in range again to relay signals.
Mr. Menon's family members, including astronaut wife Anna Wilhelm and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, were at the Baikonur cosmodrome for the spaceflight.
The trio joined NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, and Chris Williams, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev, and Andrey Fedyaev.
Mr. Menon, Mr. Dubrov and Ms. Kikina's mission will last about eight months, and they are scheduled to return to Earth in April 2027.
India finished the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 held in Ordos, the People's Republic of China, with 16 medals - three gold, four silver and nine bronze.
The inaugural edition of the U23 continental meet, which ran from July 9 to 12, saw close to 50 Indian athletes compete for medals across both track and field events.
The relay teams led the charge for India. They accounted for four medals, including gold in both the mixed and women's 4x400m relays, while the men's 4x400m and women's 4x100m teams added silver medals.
Shravani Sachin Sangle was the most successful Indian athlete, returning with three medals, including a gold each from the mixed 4x400m and women's 4x400m relays.
She also bagged a bronze in the 400m hurdles.
Sandramol Sabu, Setu Mishra and Astik Pradhan also featured in multiple relay medal-winning teams, while Shivaji Parashuram completed a distance-running double with two silver medals.
India’s other two gold medals came on the final day of competition with Anand Singh winning the men's javelin throw competition with a new personal best of 80.57m. Shivam Lohakare claimed bronze in the same event.
The women’s 4x400m relay quartet of Shravani Sangle, Sandramol Sabu, Pravallika Narimalla and Nofisa Khatun accounted for the third gold.
The 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) has approved India’s proposal to undertake new work for the development of a Codex standard for cashew kernels. It adopted seven Codex standards and guidelines developed under India’s chairmanship and co-chairmanship in Geneva.
Led by Rajit Punhani, CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Indian delegation participated actively in the Commission’s deliberations along with technical experts from FSSAI and the Spices Board.
The Commission adopted the Codex Standards for dried coriander seeds and fresh curry leaves, both developed under India’s chairmanship.
India's total exports of merchandise and services rose 11.37 per cent year-on-year to an estimated USD 232.73 billion in the April-June quarter of FY27, driven by robust growth in merchandise shipments, particularly engineering goods, gems and jewellery, electronics and chemicals. However, faster growth in imports widened the country's trade deficit during the quarter.
According to data released by the Commerce Ministry on Monday, merchandise exports increased 15.92 per cent to USD 129.32 billion during April-June 2026-27, compared with USD 111.57 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier. Non-petroleum exports also recorded healthy growth, rising 12.44 per cent to USD 106.30 billion.
The government has released the country’s first trial Index of Services Production (ISP) for 19 sub-sectors, providing, for the first time, a monthly measure of short-term activity in the formal services sector. The inaugural index, with 2024-25 as the base year, covers April 2026 and accounts for nearly 60 per cent of India’s services sector.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) described the sub-sectoral ISP as a major milestone in improving the measurement of India’s services sector and strengthening the country’s statistical system.
It said the comprehensive overall Index of Services Production will be introduced after evaluating the stability of the trial series and expanding its coverage-the first set of data points to broad-based growth in the services sector.
Fourteen of the 19 sub-sectors recorded double-digit growth in April this year compared to the corresponding month last year, while almost all remaining sectors also registered positive growth. The fastest-growing sectors are accommodation and food services with 37.2 per cent and Retail Trade with 30.8 per cent.
MoSPI said the data will be available on e- sankhyiki portal as well. On the occasion, Secretary, MoSPI, Dr Saurabh Garg, said that the launch of the Index marks a significant step in strengthening India’s statistical system. He also explained that the ISP is an output indicator and should not be equated with the Gross Value Added (GVA) used in GDP estimation.
Logistics company Delhivery has received the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) approval for its wholly owned subsidiary, Delhivery Financial Services Private Limited, to obtain a Certificate of Registration (CoR) as a Type II non-banking financial company – non-deposit taking (NBFC-ND).
According to a regulatory filing, the approval was granted on 13 July 2026. The company said the CoR will be issued after Delhivery Financial Services submits the documents specified in the RBI's approval letter and satisfies the prescribed conditions.
The approval comes after Delhivery reported a mixed financial performance for the fourth quarter of FY26.
Consolidated profit after tax (Pat) slipped 0.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 72.4 crore from Rs 72.6 crore in the corresponding quarter a year earlier. Excluding Ecom integration costs and exceptional items, Pat stood at Rs 87 crore.
Revenue from operations rose 30 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2,850 crore from Rs 2,191.6 crore in the year-ago period. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased 80 per cent to Rs 214.2 crore from Rs 119.1 crore, while the Ebitda margin expanded to 7.5 per cent from 5.4 per cent.
For FY26, Delhivery reported positive free cash flow of Rs 89 crore, while revenue from services crossed Rs 10,486 crore.
The company handled one billion express parcel shipments during the year, while part-truckload (PTL) freight volumes reached around 2 million metric tonne, marking 17 per cent year-on-year growth.
FY26 Ebitda stood at Rs 764 crore, with a margin of 7.3 per cent, nearly double the previous financial year's level. Pat before Ecom integration costs and exceptional items came in at Rs 347 crore, while consolidated Pat stood at Rs 153 crore.
Ukraine’s parliament approved Serhii Koretskyi, as the country’s new prime minister, as part of a major government reshuffle. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nominated Koretskyi, citing his record in the energy sector and arguing that he was best placed to help prepare Ukraine for another wartime winter.
Koretskyi had been serving as CEO of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s national oil and gas company, since May 2025. The appointment came as hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament to oppose President Zelenskyy’s dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after just six months in office. Critics warned that the move could disrupt military reforms while the war continues.
He was voted in with 289 votes in favour.
C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India, formally released a book, 'The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks ', at the Vice-President's Enclave, New Delhi. It features a curated collection of former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai's speeches.The book launch was presided over by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and also saw the presence of Justice Vikram Nath
Referring to the book’s reflections on the Constitution, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said it rightly presents the Constitution of India as a living and evolving document that has balanced continuity with change, authority with accountability, and rights with duties over the past seventy-five years.
The book was edited by Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar and published by Thomson Reuters in association with the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (C.L.E.A.), the volume brings together speeches, lectures and reflections of former Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai.
Researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) have discovered two new species of solitary bees in Arunachal Pradesh.
The species, which belong to the genera Elaphropoda and Habropoda, have been named Elaphropoda triangulata, after the triangle-shaped markings on its abdomen, and Habropoda adi, after the Adi indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh, which inhabits the region where the bees were collected.
According to Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny and Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, who conducted the study, these species belong to the bee subfamily Anthophorinae, which consists largely of ground-nesting solitary bees. They noted that, as vital pollinators, solitary bees have increasingly gained research and conservation attention in recent years.
These bees were collected using Malaise traps, a passive sampling method that captures flying insects over extended periods and is particularly effective in detecting elusive or low-density species that conventional netting often misses.
Of the 483 new species discovered in India last year, 65 were from Arunachal Pradesh.
After successfully launching its second satellite onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission, Thiruvananthapuram-based space-tech start-up HEX20 has six more lined up for the next 12 months—two of which are named after the popular comic book characters Mayavi and Dingan.
KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer), HEX20’s second satellite, was successfully launched for the National Central University (NCU), Taiwan, on July 7, 2026. Now the Technopark-based small satellite manufacturing firm has a busy schedule ahead.
Satellites scheduled for launch in the coming months include NILA III, a CubeSat meant to qualify U.K.-based OhmSpace’s propulsion system; SAISI, a ship identification satellite for NCU;
COSPAR-1, a space weather measurement satellite, which is a collaborative effort with the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); and a lander module, which will be part of the Emirates Mission to the asteroid belt.
The remaining two satellites are HEX20’s own MAYA-V1 and DINK-N1.
The acronyms have been inspired by ‘Mayavi’ and ‘Dingan,’ the popular characters from children’s books, Aravind M.B., co-founder and chief operating officer of HEX20 told The Hindu. MAYA-V1 is short for ‘Multi Application Yearly Assimilated Vehicle,’ and ‘DINK-N1,’ for ‘Direct Imaging Network Node.’ The latter is a 30-35 kg satellite, while the former is a smaller payload.
For HEX20, KOYO was a big step forward from its first satellite ‘Nila’ launched in 2025 in partnership with the U.S.-based SpaceX.
NIFTEM-T has launched the Short-term Skill Training on Assistant Baking Technician (NSQF Level 3) Certificate Programme in coordination with ITC Ltd - Integrated Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Logistics (ICML), Trichy on 03rd July 2026 at ITC-ICML, Trichy. Prof. V. Palanimuthu, Director, NIFTEM-Thanjavur inaugurated the programme.
The first batch of 18 trainees will undergo industry-integrated training from 07 July to 20 August 2026, in which the practical skill development training will be imparted to them in the industrial facility itself and these trainees are already assured of employment at ITC Ltd.
These industry-integrated skill development programmes in Food Processing will award nationally recognized certifications. As an NCVET-recognized Deemed Awarding Body, NIFTEM-Thanjavur continues to deliver NSQF-aligned training, supporting MoFPI's mission of building an industry-ready workforce.
India will work for a secure, peaceful and equitable world where the voice of the Global South is heard in equal measure, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on July 13, 2026.
Mr. Jaishankar made these remarks as he launched India's official campaign for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC for the 2028–29 term.
He outlined in detail India’s approach to the United Nations, emphasising that it is rooted in ‘Shanti: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust, Integrity’ as he launched India’s campaign for the two-year tenure at an event in the UN headquarters attended by UN Ambassadors, diplomats and officials.
Mr. Jaishankar will also meet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres later in the day. He had undertaken an official visit to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman from July 5-10 and arrived in New York over the weekend.
From New York, he will go to Brussels on July 14-15, where he will attend the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting and interact with his EU and Belgian counterparts.
Elections for the 2028-29 term will be held in June next year, when India and Tajikistan will compete for the sole seat in the Asia-Pacific Group.
The UNSC elections will come amid significant geopolitical shifts as the world continues to grapple with challenges such as the Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict and the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
India last sat at the UN horseshoe table for the 2021-22 term, its eighth time in the UN Security Council after stints in 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992, 2011-2012.
India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts for achieving reform of the Security Council, including expansion in both its permanent and non-permanent categories, saying the 15-nation Council, founded in 1945, is not fit for purpose in the 21st Century and does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
India’s 100 most valuable brands are now collectively worth $252.8 billion in 2026, marking a 7 per cent increase over last year, according to the Brand Finance India 100 2026 report. The report highlights the resilience of India’s biggest brands, with nine of the top 10 registering growth in brand value despite a difficult global economic environment.
The Tata Group has retained its position as India’s most valuable brand for the 10th consecutive year. Its brand value rose 7 per cent to $33.6 billion, widening its lead over competitors. The report attributes this growth to the group’s investments in electronics, semiconductors, digital infrastructure and electric mobility, along with a recovery in its stock value.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched Nalam TN - an integrated digital platform - to facilitate quick and remote OP registration and appointments at the government medical facilities across the state
One can activate the booking by texting "Hi" to the AI Whatsapp chatbot on 9619222999 and skip physical outpatient registration queues in the hospitals.
The digital platform is currently live on a pilot basis in 22 districts, including Chennai and Chengalpattu.
The platform also allows people, including corporates, to directly sponsor medical equipment or donate transparently to specific government hospitals to improve the facilities.
The chief minister launched the portal at an event held under the aegis of the state health and family welfare department at the Presidency College Auditorium.
Vijay inaugurated healthcare infrastructure worth Rs 139.47 crore focusing on expansion of medical facilities, including patient wards and diagnostic equipment.
The Indian Navy will host Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training engagement, at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi from July 20 to 23, bringing together personnel from around 25 countries in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The exercise will be conducted under the aegis of the Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), the CMF’s dedicated Training Task Force. Participating nations include Australia, Canada, Japan, Thailand, the UAE, Oman, Djibouti, Seychelles, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Designed to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability, the programme will provide professional maritime security training, practical exposure and an exchange of best practices among personnel from CMF partner nations.
The engagement underscores the Navy’s growing role in regional capacity building through its association with the CMF, a multinational maritime partnership comprising over 40 nations.
The training will combine classroom instruction, simulator-based modules and practical exercises. Key subjects include maritime law, maritime domain awareness and information sharing, counter-narcotics operations, force protection, asymmetric threats and maritime uncrewed systems.
T Srinivasa Kumar, former head of the Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), has been appointed the new Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, a government order.
Srinivasa was currently working as the head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) secretariat in Perth, Australia.Srinivasa has been appointed for two years.
He succeeds M Ravichandran, who retired in May this year after a nearly five-year stint in office.
Srinivasa is one of the architects of India’s tsunami early warning system, having served as its project director.
Chennai headquartered MRF Tyres has been ranked as India’s Most Valuable and Strongest Tyre Brand and features among the world’s top three strongest tyre brands. The company which began its journey in 1946, is also among the top 50 most valuable brands in India across all industries in the ‘Brand Finance India 100- 2026’ report.
The industries include automobiles, hospitality, banking, food and oil and gas. The report, unveiled under the theme “Powering India’s Global Ascent,” recognises the country’s most influential and valuable brands, with the combined value of the Top 100 crossing $236.5 billion this year.
The recognition caps a defining year for the brand. In Brand Finance’s dedicated global Tyres 25- 2026 report, MRF was named amongst the TOP 3 strongest tyre brand in the world, with a Brand Strength Index score of 87.7 out of 100.
In India, MRF continues to stand unmatched as the country’s Most Valuable and Strongest Tyre Brand, a position built on decades of consumer trust, product performance and engineering excellence.
Ukraine and nine other countries announced they were forming a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles, utilizing Kyiv's experience in fighting Russia's full-scale invasion for over four years.
Zelenskyy and the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom said they recognized "the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles," which are harder to stop than cruise missiles or drones.
The 10 nations said in a statement in Paris that their goal is to build a shared ballistic missile defence capability for Europe, taking advantage of Kyiv’s experience of fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion for over four years.
Tripura has made a significant stride by signing an MoU with Google to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, cloud infrastructure and modernisation of citizen services.
The partnership reflects Tripura’s commitment to a digital future and its ambition to lead in technology-driven governance in the Northeast, IT secretary Kiran Gitte said.
In 2024, Tripura implemented the fastest and most extensive e-office network in India, scaling up from a pilot launch at the state secretariat in May 2023 o achieving full compliance across all three tiers of Panchayati Raj by mid-2024.
ripura has set the stage for this with investment-friendly policies, competitive power tariffs and flexible land leasing, alongside initiatives like the UNNOTI Digital Public Infrastructure platform and a Cyber Security Policy to promote responsible AI adoption.
The planned Tripura IT & Data Ecosystem Zone, covering 5.81 acres in Agartala, and an upcoming 10-acre IT Park with an AI Centre of Excellence will erve as the physical backbone for these initiatives.
Moreover, Tripura is the first state to complete work in all 51 priority areas outlined in the Centre’s Deregulation Initiative, earning recognition as a ‘Top Achiever’ under the Business Reform Action Plan 2024.
The extensive training programme is designed to ultivate a local talent pool for future data centres, AI facilities and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
