Updates on 31 July 2026
All of July 2026 →Mission Shakti App: Enhancing Women and Child Safety in India
The Mission Shakti App is a flagship Government of India digital initiative launched during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26) to ensure safety and empowerment of women and children. Integrating seven critical helpline services—including Women Helpline 181, Emergency Response System 112, National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, and Child Helpline 1098—the app serves as a comprehensive tool for emergency support, legal aid, mental health assistance, and welfare schemes. Key sub-schemes include Sambal for safety and Samarthya for empowerment. The app's multilingual accessibility is enhanced by integration with Bhashini, offering translation support across 22 languages. Mission Shakti Phase-5.0 was launched in Uttar Pradesh on 20 September 2025, reinforcing efforts towards women's dignity, self-reliance, health, and empowerment.
Death of Franco Baresi, Legendary AC Milan Captain and Italian Football Icon
Franco Baresi, the celebrated Italian footballer and former AC Milan captain, passed away on 31 July 2026 at 66. He dedicated his entire senior club career (1977-1997) to AC Milan, making 719 appearances and securing six Serie A titles alongside three European Cup/UEFA Champions League trophies. Internationally, Baresi was a member of Italy's 1982 FIFA World Cup-winning squad and captained the nation to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final. AC Milan honored him by retiring his No. 6 jersey. His final public appearance was in February 2026 at the Milan Cortina Winter Games torch ceremony held at San Siro stadium.
Assam's Directorate of Sainik Welfare Contributes Rs 25 Lakh to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Flood Victims
On 29 July 2026, the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam, contributed Rs 25 lakh to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. This donation aims to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for families affected by floods in Upper Assam. The contribution was handed over by Brigadier Polash Chowdhury, SM (Retd), along with Air Marshal Anjan Kumar Gogoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), and Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd). Assam is frequently affected by floods, particularly in the Brahmaputra valley region, necessitating immediate assistance via such relief funds. Ex-servicemen from Assam actively participate in disaster relief alongside the civil administration.
Lovepreet Singh Clinches Silver in Men’s +110kg Weightlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026
Lovepreet Singh secured a silver medal for India in the men’s +110kg weightlifting category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. He lifted a combined total of 388kg, setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with 176kg. The gold was narrowly taken by New Zealand’s David Liti with a total lift of 389kg. This achievement marks an important progression from Lovepreet's previous bronze in the 109kg category at Birmingham 2022, highlighting his rise in the super-heavyweight category.
India Clinches Both Men’s and Women’s Team Titles at 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026
At the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships held from 27 July to 2 August 2026 at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, India achieved a historic double victory by winning both the men’s and women’s team events. The Indian men's team narrowly defeated Malaysia 3-2 in the final, with Manush Shah winning two singles matches including the decisive rubber. The Indian women's team won convincingly 3-0 against Malaysia, with Swastika Ghosh, Sreeja Akula, and Yashaswini Ghorpade each securing a win. England secured bronze medals in both categories. This biennial event showcases top Commonwealth table tennis talent, underscoring India's growing prominence in the sport.
APEDA Facilitates First Air Shipment of Karnataka Mangoes to Maldives
On 30 July 2026, APEDA facilitated the first-ever air shipment of Neelam and Totapuri mangoes from Kolar district in Karnataka to the Maldives, weighing one metric tonne. This milestone highlights the role of Farmers Producer Companies and women entrepreneurs in boosting India's mango export market. APEDA continues its mandate to promote scheduled agricultural exports, thereby opening new markets and enhancing India-Maldives trade relations in the agricultural sector.
Former Indian Army Chief General V.N. Sharma Passes Away
General Vishwa Nath Sharma, the 14th Chief of the Indian Army and the first post-Independence commissioned officer to hold that position, died on 31 July 2026 in New Delhi. Commissioned into the 16th Light Cavalry in 1950, he played a significant role as Eastern Army Commander during the 1987 Sumdorong Chu stand-off with China. His younger brother Major Som Nath Sharma was the first Param Vir Chakra recipient of independent India. General Sharma was cremated at Brar Square, Delhi Cantonment, with condolences from senior defence officials.
Indian Army Launches Indigenous Xtreme Weather Grade Diesel for Extreme Cold Conditions
On 31 July 2026, General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff, launched the indigenously developed Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel in New Delhi. Developed jointly by the Indian Army and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, XWG Diesel is designed to function effectively at temperatures as low as minus 42°C, ensuring reliable operation of combat and logistics vehicles in severe winter and high-altitude conditions without requiring any modifications to the vehicles. The fuel complies with BS-VI emission standards and IS 1460:2025 specifications, enhancing mobility, safety, and mission readiness in extreme climates and supporting the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Real-time Digital Transfers Begin Between Maldives and India via Favara-UPI Corridor
On 30 July 2026, the Maldives and India launched the Favara-UPI cross-border payment corridor enabling instant person-to-person digital money transfers. This corridor connects the Maldives’ Favara instant payment system with India’s real-time Unified Payments Interface (UPI), allowing Maldivian residents to send money instantly to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India. Initial access is limited to customers of Bank of Maldives Plc and Maldives Islamic Bank Plc, with monthly transfer limits capped at INR 24,000 per customer. The facility supports remittances for family maintenance, education, medical treatment, and gifts, including transfers for Maldivians on long-term medical visas. This strategic financial link was established through cooperation among the Maldives Monetary Authority, Reserve Bank of India, and NPCI International Payments Limited, marking a significant milestone in cross-border digital payments between the two nations.