Weekly Current Affairs Test : 15th to 21st July 2026

The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel was recently spotted in Ramnagar forests, Uttarakhand, for the first time in nearly 12 years. It is a nocturnal, arboreal rodent belonging to the Sciuridae (squirrel) family. It glides between trees using a patagium (skin membrane) stretched between its front and hind limbs. It is found in South and Southeast Asia, inhabiting dry deciduous and evergreen forests, mainly at higher elevations. The IUCN Red List status of the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel is Least Concern.

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the 31st Divya Kala Mela at Ravindra Sadan, Kolkata. The 8-day event (14–22 July 2026) is the first Divya Kala Mela jointly organised by the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal. The Mela features around 40 stalls, providing a national platform for Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase and market their products. Launched in December 2022, the initiative promotes self-reliance, dignity, inclusion, and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan).

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has declared leprosy a notifiable disease with immediate effect. The move aims to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and prevent transmission. It supports the national objective of achieving a Leprosy-Free India. Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is a chronic bacterial infection caused by bacteria Mycobacterium leprae affecting skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes, which can cause permanent disabilities if untreated.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the All India Water Secretaries’ Conference 2026 in New Delhi, chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. The conference discussed water management, irrigation, dam safety and water conservation. The conference focused on key agenda areas, including the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) Scheme, the Catch the Rain Campaign, irrigation reforms, and implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. The Ministry set a target to complete comprehensive dam safety evaluations by December 2026.

Jharkhand showcased six GI-tagged handloom products at Bharat Tex 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam. The showcased products include Tassar Silk, Kuchai Silk, Bhagaiya Saree & Fabric, Tumka Chadar, Bhoya Saree & Fabric, and Pancho Saree & Fabric. The initiative aims to promote Jharkhand’s textile heritage in national and international markets. It seeks to create employment opportunities for artisans and reduce migration.

India achieved significant milestones at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) held in Geneva, Switzerland. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the international food standards-setting body. It was established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its objective is to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in international food trade. The Commission is headquartered in Rome, Italy. Codex standards serve as global benchmarks for food safety, quality, and international trade.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, through MY Bharat, is organised the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme (VBYCP) from 16 July to 15 August 2026. The 2026 theme is “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat.” The programme aims to promote Viksit Bharat@2047 while spreading awareness against substance abuse. It targets 15–25-year-old youth from rural, urban, and tribal communities.

Delhi will receive 2,800 new air-conditioned low-floor electric buses under the PM E-Drive Scheme. The initiative aims to strengthen Delhi’s public transport fleet and improve last-mile connectivity. The PM E-DRIVE Scheme is implemented and administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). It was launched to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across India. The scheme also aims to expand EV charging infrastructure nationwide. It provides demand incentives/subsidies for the purchase of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, and electric buses.

India hosted the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi. The meeting emphasised stronger regional cooperation to tackle terrorism, cyber threats, maritime security, transnational crime, and emerging security challenges. BIMSTEC represents around 1.7 billion people (22% of the global population) with a combined GDP of approximately USD 5 trillion. The grouping reflects India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.

Researchers have confirmed the discovery of Colobus congoensis, a new species of African monkey, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was found in the rainforests between the Lomami and Congo (Lualaba) rivers. Locally known as the Likweli, it is only the fifth new monkey species discovered in Africa in the last 75 years. The species is distinguished by its glossy black coat, orange-cream facial markings, long tail, and roaring call. Due to its restricted range, small population, hunting, and habitat loss, researchers have recommended its classification as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The West Bengal Government recently decided to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary from 5 km to 1 km. The sanctuary is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It lies in the foothills of the Himalayas, between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers. It was primarily created to protect the Indian Bison (Gaur) and the Royal Bengal Tiger. Its vegetation ranges from riverine forests to dense mixed wet forests.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of cyber fraud complaints in India during January–June 2026, with 1.85 lakh cases. It was followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Bihar. Nationwide, more than 12.71 lakh complaints involving fraud worth ₹10,178 crore were reported. Maharashtra recorded the highest financial loss at ₹1,637.66 crore. Major cyber frauds included online investment scams, digital arrest scams, phishing, loan app fraud, and impersonation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan, organised the Videsh Sampark Programme in Jaipur. The programme aims to strengthen Centre–State coordination on diaspora engagement, consular services, safe migration, and international cooperation. It was launched by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2017 as an outreach initiative for closer engagement with States and Union Territories. The programme also explored opportunities to promote trade, investment, employment, and international cooperation. It provides a platform for sharing best practices and improving inter-agency coordination.

A team of odonatologists has discovered a new species of spreadwing damselfly, Lestes paloti, from the Western Ghats in Kerala. It is the first new species of the genus Lestes described from India since Lestes garoensis (1987). It inhabits scrub vegetation around homesteads and laterite hillocks, often away from open water bodies. It changes colour from brown in the dry season to bluish during the monsoon. Damselflies are predatory aerial insects belonging to the order Odonata. They are mainly found near shallow freshwater habitats and are smaller and more delicate than dragonflies.

The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Malvan, strengthening India’s coastal defence capabilities. Malvan is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) of the Indian Navy. It has been indigenously designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. The vessel is named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra and carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Malvan. It has a displacement of about 1,100 tonnes and is waterjet-propelled. It is equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars, and sonar systems.

The Defence Minister recently addressed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Strategic Infrastructure Conclave in New Delhi. He highlighted the critical role of strategic infrastructure in modern warfare and national security.The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is India’s premier border infrastructure agency. It was established on 7 May 1960 to develop strategic infrastructure and secure India’s border areas. Since 2015–16, BRO has functioned fully under the Ministry of Defence. It operates across 19 States, 3 Union Territories (including Andaman & Nicobar Islands), and friendly neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) recently launched the E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI). It is the first national platform dedicated to strengthening and unifying India’s digital commerce ecosystem. The ECCI aims to bring together policymakers, e-commerce platforms, brands, retailers, logistics providers, technology firms, payment providers, startups, MSMEs, exporters, industry experts, and academic institutions. It promotes collaboration between industry and government for the growth of digital commerce.

India has commissioned its first-ever geothermal wells at Puga Valley, Ladakh. The project will pave the way for India’s first 1 MW geothermal power project. The wells have been drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. The project aims to harness the Earth’s natural heat for clean, renewable, and round-the-clock energy. The initiative supports India’s renewable energy goals and the vision of Net Zero and a carbon-neutral future.

The 4th National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC) 2026 concluded in New Delhi. It was organised by the School of Business Environment (SBE), Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The conference focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) for Viksit Bharat.

Ana Sagar Lake was recently in the news due to the death of a large number of fish. It is an artificial lake located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The lake was built by Arnoraja Chauhan between 1135–1150 AD by damming the Luni (Lavanavari) River. It is named after Arnoraja Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. The lake also features a central island accessible by boat.

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued directions to the Andhra Pradesh government regarding illegal fish ponds and environmental degradation in the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary. Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. It was established in 1999 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The sanctuary protects part of Kolleru Lake, a Ramsar Site since 2002, and is an important wetland ecosystem.

India’s first immersive language museum, Museum of Word (Shabdalok), was inaugurated at the National Library, Kolkata. Developed by the National Library under the Union Ministry of Culture, it showcases India’s linguistic heritage through interactive, technology-driven exhibits. The museum features nine galleries highlighting the evolution of Indian languages, scripts, and literature. It celebrates India’s 22 official languages, tracing their journey from oral traditions and ancient manuscripts to modern digital texts.

The Ministry of Culture implements the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY), a Central Sector Scheme providing financial assistance to eligible cultural organisations and individual artists, including tribal and rural performing artists. Funds are released from the Consolidated Fund of India through the annual Union Budget. The Government also promotes folk and tribal culture through 7 Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) located at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur, and Thanjavur. To strengthen the cultural and creative economy, the Ministry has launched Rachnatmak Bharat, focusing on capacity building, market access, innovation, digital enablement, and institutional strengthening.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the world’s largest curd manufacturing plant under the Amul Bengal Dairy Project in Kolkata, West Bengal. The ₹700 crore project, being developed at the Howrah Food Park, aims to strengthen White Revolution 2.0 and the cooperative movement. Once completed, the plant will process 30 lakh litres of milk per day and produce 10 lakh kg of curd and cultured dairy products daily. The first phase will process 10 lakh litres of milk daily, benefiting around 1.20 lakh milk-producing livestock rearers in West Bengal.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network released the 2026 Sustainable Development Report during the third Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) 2026. The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) is a prominent hybrid global platform held annually in Hamburg, Germany. Its primary goal is to rescue the unraveling UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by building practical economic, digital, and environmental alliances between the Global North and Global South. The first HSC was held on 7–8 October 2024. The theme of Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2026 is “Together we co-create sustainable development.”