Updates on 20 July 2026
All of July 2026 →46th Raising Day of 21st Bihar Battalion Observed
The 21st Bihar Battalion marked its 46th Raising Day on 20 July 2026 at the Bihar Regiment Centre located in Danapur cantonment. Established on 20 July 1981 by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Mansoor Malik, the battalion has served notably in internal security and operational deployments such as Palampur (1982-85), Operation Bajrang (1990-91), Operation Rakshak (1999-2003), and Operation Alert (2014). The observance ceremony was led by Brigadier Rakesh Kumar Bora, including wreath laying at Veer Smriti Sthal, with attendance by serving officers and veterans. This day commemorates the battalion's formation and distinguished service within the Indian Army's Bihar Regiment.
Pakistan to Host 14th South Asian Games in 2027
Pakistan is set to host the 14th edition of the South Asian Games from March 23 to March 31, 2027. The multi-sport event will take place across three cities—Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad—featuring participation from over 3,500 athletes representing eight South Asian countries competing in 27 sports. This will be Pakistan's third time hosting the Games and the first time events will be spread beyond Islamabad. The event, governed by the South Asian Olympic Council, was announced in December 2019 and has experienced several postponements since its initial 2023 schedule.
Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister in 2026
On 20 July 2026, Andy Burnham took office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after receiving an invitation from King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. He became the leader of the Labour Party on 17 July 2026 in an uncontested leadership election and succeeded Keir Starmer, who resigned amidst local election pressures. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Burnham served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since May 2017 and was re-elected in 2021 and 2024.
Helium-Rich Atmosphere Detected on Rocky Exoplanet LHS 1140b in Habitable Zone
LHS 1140b is a rocky super-Earth exoplanet located approximately 48 to 49 light-years away in the constellation Cetus. It orbits within the habitable zone of its red dwarf star, making the presence of liquid water on its surface possible depending on its atmospheric conditions. Researchers detected helium escaping from its atmosphere in 2024 using the Warm Infrared Echelle Spectrograph on the Magellan Clay Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. Subsequent observations in 2025 did not detect helium escape, indicating variability in atmospheric loss over time. This helium detection confirms the existence of a helium-rich upper atmosphere and suggests the presence of heavier volatiles like water at lower altitudes. LHS 1140b has retained an atmosphere for at least 3.1 billion years, making it a critical subject for astrobiological research and studies on planetary atmospheric evolution.
James Gray to Receive Pardo alla Carriera at 79th Locarno Film Festival
American filmmaker James Gray is set to receive the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera, an honorary lifetime achievement award, at the 79th Locarno Film Festival held in Locarno, Switzerland. The award ceremony will be held on 9 August 2026 at Piazza Grande, one of Europe’s largest open-air cinema venues. Gray is renowned for character-driven films like We Own the Night, Two Lovers, and Paper Tiger, which premiered at Cannes in 2026. This recognition highlights his long-term contributions to cinema and is significant for film enthusiasts and competitive exam aspirants focusing on international cultural awards and events.
Delhi Government Approves PARIVARTAN Scheme for Vehicle Renewal
On 20 July 2026, the Delhi Government approved the PARIVARTAN scheme, a Centre-backed vehicle scrappage and replacement programme targeting commercial BS-IV or older vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region. With a total outlay of Rs. 9,585 crore, including Rs. 5,041 crore support from the Central Government, the scheme aims to reduce transport air pollution by incentivizing the replacement of old commercial vehicles with cleaner BS-VI or electric alternatives. Key incentives include a 10-year 100% motor vehicle tax exemption, registration fee waivers, interest subsidies, and OEM discounts. The scheme will benefit approximately 2.07 lakh truck and bus owners and is linked with the Delhi EV Policy 2026 and administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and National Capital Region Planning Board.
Khalil al-Hayya Elected Hamas Political Bureau Chief
Khalil al-Hayya, born in 1960 in the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas leader and founding member since 1987, was elected head of Hamas's political bureau in 2025 following the death of Yahya Sinwar. He has been a key external political figure and lead negotiator in ceasefire and hostage talks with Israel during ongoing conflict.
Debadatta Priyadarshi Wins Gold at 58th International Chemistry Olympiad 2026
Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, won a gold medal at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 10 to 19 July 2026. India achieved its best-ever performance at the event, winning four gold medals and finishing joint first in the country-wise medal tally along with China, Vietnam, and Russia's Individual Participants Group B. The competition featured 363 students from 93 countries. Debadatta had previously earned a silver medal at the 57th IChO held in Dubai in July 2025, where India won two gold and two silver medals and finished sixth overall.
Bangladesh and United States Launch Tiger Lightning 2026 Military Exercise
The annual bilateral military exercise Tiger Lightning 2026 between Bangladesh and the United States commenced on 19 July 2026 and will continue for 13 days until 31 July 2026. Involving over 160 service members, the exercise focuses on jungle operations, counter-terrorism training, and tactical combat casualty care. Conducted by the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army Pacific Command, Tiger Lightning began in 2017 and recommenced after a COVID-19-related pause. The opening ceremony was held at the Para Commando Brigade in Sylhet, highlighting the strengthening military cooperation between the two nations.
Tamil Nadu Archaeology Uncovers Over 1,000 Artefacts at Vellalore
The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology has excavated more than 1,000 artefacts at Vellalore along the Noyyal riverbed, reflecting a vast ancient settlement from the early historical period through the British era. Key finds include Roman copper coins, evidence of multiple crafts, and structural remains over 100 acres. The excavation, led by K. Suresh from April to October 2026, confirms Vellalore's historical significance as a trade centre linking Tamil Nadu's coastal routes.
India and Spain Advance UPI-Bizum Payment Interoperability Talks
On 19-20 July 2026, India and Spain agreed to advance technical discussions regarding interoperability between India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Spain's Bizum payment platform. This linkage aims to facilitate seamless cross-border digital payments for travellers and businesses, enhancing financial connectivity between the two nations. UPI, launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India, supports instant mobile-based bank transfers, while Bizum is a widely-used Spanish mobile payment service. The UPI internationalization aligns with India's broader strategy of expanding digital payment systems globally.
Madhya Pradesh Approves Uniform Civil Code Bill in July 2026
On 19 July 2026, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, aiming to unify civil laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships across religions. The Bill prohibits polygamy, nikah halala, and triple talaq, mandates compulsory marriage registration, and ensures equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters. Scheduled Tribes with distinct customary practices are exempt. Following extensive public consultations receiving over 9.5 lakh suggestions, the Bill is set for introduction in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session starting 20 July 2026. Madhya Pradesh is poised to become the fourth state in India to implement UCC, following Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam. This aligns with Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which envisions a Uniform Civil Code as a Directive Principle of State Policy.
Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 Introduced to Increase Judges Strength
On 20 July 2026, during the Monsoon Session, the Lok Sabha introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to raise the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. This legislative change aims to reduce the backlog of 92,385 pending cases and improve the apex court's efficiency. The Bill amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 and requires only a simple majority in Parliament, as it does not alter the Constitution.
India Approves QDENGA as First Dengue Vaccine
On 20 July 2026, India authorized the use of QDENGA (TAK-003), developed by Japan's Takeda Biopharmaceuticals, through the Drug Controller General of India. QDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine effective against all four dengue virus serotypes and approved for people aged 4 to 60 years without the need for prior screening. Partnering with Indian manufacturer Biological E, which plans to produce 50 million doses annually, QDENGA aims to tackle India’s significant dengue burden of over 113,000 cases in 2025—the highest globally.
India's Policy Framework to Introduce Ethanol as Household Cooking Fuel
India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is developing a policy framework to introduce ethanol as household cooking fuel, utilizing India's surplus ethanol production to reduce LPG import dependence. Ethanol, mainly derived from sugarcane and other biomass, is already used extensively in transport fuel blending under the E20 programme (20% ethanol in petrol). The policy will encourage development of ethanol stoves and dispensing infrastructure, including ethanol refill points known as ethanol ATMs, possibly supported by financial incentives. This initiative aims to diversify and clean India's cooking fuel options while enhancing energy security.
China Suspends Rare Earth Exports to Japan Amid Diplomatic Tensions
China has suspended exports of several critical minerals, including rare earth elements such as dysprosium, terbium, yttrium, and scandium, to Japan starting January 2026. This followed diplomatic friction triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's November 2025 remarks regarding a possible Taiwan contingency. These minerals are vital for defense, automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries. China dominates over 90% of global rare earth magnet production and refining. In response, Japan and the US launched a critical minerals action plan in March 2026. This move reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain concerns in East Asia, harking back to similar export controls imposed by China during the 2010 Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute.
Food Delivery Rider Wang Jibing Wins China’s Lu Xun Literary Prize (2026)
On 15 July 2026, Wang Jibing, a food delivery rider and poet from Jiangsu province, won the prestigious poetry category of China's Lu Xun Literary Prize for his collection 'Low Flight'. This prize, established in 1996 in memory of the renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun, is awarded every four years to outstanding literary works across several categories. Wang’s poetry draws deeply on the lives and challenges of gig economy workers, uniquely highlighting contemporary social realities through his experiences.