Updates on 24 July 2026
All of July 2026 →KWIN City Full Form and Karnataka's Planned Semiconductor Park
KWIN means Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation. Understand the broader city project near Bengaluru and the semiconductor park's announced December 2026 target.
Government Bars Telecom Data Sharing Abroad
On 24 July 2026, the Indian government prohibited telecom infrastructure providers from sharing telecommunication data outside India, mandating that all telecom data, including logs, cloud network information, mobile towers, and satellite gateway data, be stored within the country. The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, issued this notification dated 20 July 2026 as part of a regulatory framework established by the Telecommunications Act, 2023, aiming to protect critical digital infrastructure and enhance national cybersecurity. The government also empowered itself to inspect, audit, and enforce compliance without prior notice when necessary.
HCLTech to Establish ₹14,257 Crore AI Data Centre in Odisha
On 24 July 2026, HCLTech announced a major investment of ₹14,257 crore to build its first AI Data Centre in Odisha. The centre will be part of the upcoming Odisha Sovereign AI Park, developed in partnership with Indian AI startup Sarvam and the Odisha government. This project aligns with India's sovereign AI strategy and aims to support multilingual, sector-specific AI applications across public and private sectors. It is expected to generate around 5,000 jobs, boost the AI infrastructure of Odisha, and strengthen indigenous AI capabilities.
India and Romania Sign Three Key Agreements during President Droupadi Murmu’s 2026 Visit
On 23 July 2026, India and Romania signed three significant agreements in Bucharest encompassing science and technology cooperation, sports collaboration, and Indian studies. These agreements were inked during President Droupadi Murmu's state visit, marking the first visit by an Indian head of state to Romania in over three decades. Key initiatives include joint research programs, establishment of an Indian Studies Chair at the University of Bucharest, and a bilateral commitment to double trade within three years, focusing on advanced sectors like AI, renewable energy, and healthcare.
Indian Scientists Develop Low-Cost Zinc-Air Battery Technology
In 2024-2025, Indian researchers made significant advancements in zinc-air battery technologies, developing stable nanofluid electrolytes, copper-doped catalysts, and mechanically rechargeable systems. Key institutions such as SASTRA Deemed University, IIT Madras, and IISc contributed to these innovations, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Collaboration between Hindustan Zinc Limited and IIT Madras aims to produce a 1 kWh electrically rechargeable zinc-air battery prototype using water-based, non-flammable electrolytes. The batteries offer high theoretical energy density, utilize abundant zinc metal, and present a safer, cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, targeting electric vehicles and stationary energy storage applications.
Cabinet Approves BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme for Developing Three Chemical Parks
The Union Cabinet approved the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme on 24 July 2026 to allocate ₹3,030 crore over five years (FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31) for establishing three dedicated chemical parks in India. Each park must have at least 2,000 acres of contiguous and encumbrance-free land. The Central Government will contribute up to ₹1,000 crore per park, requiring a minimum state government contribution of ₹500 crore. The parks will provide shared infrastructure—including common effluent treatment and hazardous waste management facilities—to improve efficiency and environment compliance in the chemical sector.
Union Cabinet Approves Ballari-Guntakal Rail Multitracking Project
On 24 July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the Ballari-Guntakal rail multitracking project spanning Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, at an estimated cost of ₹1,264 crore. This project involves laying third and fourth railway lines along the existing 46 km Ballari-Guntakal section, enhancing rail capacity and freight movement. Scheduled for completion by 2028-29 under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, it aims to increase freight handling by 16.22 million tonnes annually and provide employment benefits to approximately 99 villages, generating 31 lakh human-days of work.
India's Plan to Develop Five Indigenous Small Modular Reactors by 2033
India aims to develop and operationalise at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033 as part of its nuclear energy expansion plans. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is designing three reactor types, including the 220-MWe Bharat SMR, 55-MWe SMR, and an up to 5-MWth High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR). These reactors will be deployed at Tarapur in Maharashtra and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative supports India's Nuclear Energy Mission to reach 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, with an intermediate target of around 22 GW by 2031-32. The Small Modular Reactor and Hydrogen Initiative for Nuclear Technology Act, 2025, facilitates private sector participation and integration of hydrogen technology with nuclear power.
India Hosts 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting Under BRICS Chairship 2026
From 22 to 24 July 2026, India hosted the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh during its 2026 BRICS Chairship. The event included health ministers and experts from the expanded 11-member BRICS group: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia. Key discussions focused on universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, digital health, equitable medicine access, and mental wellness. India proposed a BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Mental Wellness with NIMHANS Bengaluru as coordinator. A working group on traditional medicine was also approved. The meeting reinforced cooperation on health security, innovation, and sustainability among emerging economies.
India's Private Space Investment Surges Beyond $618 Million by March 2026
By 31 March 2026, private investment in India's space sector reached USD 618.5 million, a significant rise from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22. This growth reflects expanding private sector involvement in satellite systems, launch services, and downstream applications, supported by policy reforms including the India Space Policy 2023 and institutional support from IN-SPACe, which has issued 105 authorisations by mid-2026. The number of active space startups grew from just one in 2014 to over 400 by 2026, indicating a robust ecosystem fostered by government initiatives such as dedicated venture capital and seed funds.
Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim President of International Chess Federation (FIDE)
On July 24, 2026, five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand assumed office as the interim president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) following the suspension of former president Arkady Dvorkovich due to EU and Swiss sanctions. Anand, who was elected FIDE Deputy President in August 2022 and is India’s first chess grandmaster, is playing a pivotal role ahead of the upcoming FIDE elections scheduled in September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This leadership change is significant for global chess governance and India's presence in international sports administration.
ICAR-CMFRI Launches DeepDATA Mobile App for Deep-Sea Fish Documentation
On 23 July 2026, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) launched DeepDATA, a mobile app aimed at documenting deep-sea fish species across India. Developed under the Deep Ocean Mission and available on the Google Play Store, the app offers scientifically verified data on taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status, while enabling users—including students, researchers, and fishermen—to upload photographic observations. This citizen science initiative strengthens marine biodiversity assessment and aids in national ocean resource management.