Weekly Current Affairs Test : 1st to 7th July 2026

The Flamingo Revolution is a mass environmental and civil society protest movement in Albania. It opposes a US$1.6 billion luxury coastal resort project linked to Jared Kushner. Protesters have raised concerns over environmental damage, lack of public consultation, and changes to protected-area laws. The movement aims to stop the resort project, protect biodiversity, promote transparent governance, and oppose corruption.

In the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Nalanda University for reviving the ancient tradition of Shastrarth. Shastrarth is an ancient Indian tradition of structured scholarly debate, where ideas are tested through logic and evidence. The term is derived from Shastra (scriptures/knowledge) and Artha (meaning/interpretation). Its roots lie in the Vedic and Upanishadic period and it was widely practiced in ancient universities such as Nalanda University, Vikramashila, and Takshashila.

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.”

The Global Environment Facility approved US$1.26 million for a conservation project led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The project will be implemented in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the largest protected Sudanian savanna ecosystems in West Africa, covering nearly 913,000 hectares. The park is located in southeastern Senegal, near the Guinea border.

The United States officially launched Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 in Hawaii. RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise, aimed at enhancing global maritime security and cooperation. The exercise will continue until 31 July 2026. It is hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet and began with an opening ceremony and press conference in Hawaii. The theme of RIMPAC 2026 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared”, highlighting joint readiness and collaboration among participating nations. Around 30 countries are participating in the exercise, making it a major multinational naval training event.

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) are creating a trusted digital ecosystem for academic records. Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a digital platform launched by the Ministry of Education. It is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It enables students to store, manage, transfer, and redeem academic credits earned from recognised educational institutions. It aims to create a flexible and learner-friendly education system by recognising and preserving learning achievements throughout a learner’s life.

A United Nations ESCAP report has warned that developing economies in the Asia-Pacific face an annual climate finance gap of nearly USD 800 billion. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1947. It aims to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation and integration. The headquarters is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has invited applications under the Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI). The Scheme is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It aims to promote domestic manufacturing and strengthen India’s medical device industry. The scheme focuses on manufacturing key components, skill development, clinical studies, common infrastructure, and industry promotion.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare recently launched the Unified Health Interface (UHI). United Health Interface is an interoperable digital network under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). It serves as the service layer of ABDM, enabling seamless access to digital health services. It aims to improve accessibility, transparency, and wider choice of verified healthcare providers. UHI operates through open protocols on the ABDM Gateway, developed and maintained by the National Health Authority (NHA). It enables citizens to discover, book, and access health services through any UHI-enabled application.

Researchers discovered five new species of Impatiens (flowering plants) in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The new species are Impatiens berchmansiensis, I. ninanii, I. filcyii, I. xanthopetala, and I. flavispicata. These species belong to the genus Impatiens of the Balsaminaceae family. Most of the new species were discovered in Idukki and Ernakulam districts. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity and endemic flora of the Western Ghats.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the PaleoIndia Portal. It is a digital platform developed jointly by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, using Geological Survey of India (GSI) geological maps. The portal documents fossil fauna from all 28 States and 8 Union Territories. It contains information on fossils of mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, amphibians, molluscs, arthropods, foraminifera, echinoderms, and ichnofossils.

The Sangon clan in Arunachal Pradesh has launched an initiative to conserve the Transcaspian marinka (Schizothorax pelzami). It is a ray-finned fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family. It is locally known as Ngarsing in the Nyishi language. The species is mainly distributed in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. It inhabits freshwater rivers, streams, springs, and qanats.

The Ministry of Culture has invited applications under the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY) for Grant Year 2026–27.
The scheme provides financial assistance to artists, cultural organisations, NGOs, researchers, and institutions. It aims to preserve, promote, and strengthen India’s rich cultural heritage. The scheme supports diverse cultural activities, including the promotion and preservation of arts and cultural heritage. The Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY) is implemented by the Ministry of Culture.

A unique Shivling, hidden for centuries, was recently discovered in the Amrit Kund inside the Trimbakeshwar Temple complex in Nashik, Maharashtra. The Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is located at Trimbak village in Nashik district, Maharashtra, near Brahmagiri Hill, the origin of the Godavari River. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.
The temple is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Padma Purana.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) concluded the 2nd National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi. MPEDA is a statutory body established under an Act of Parliament in 1972 to promote the export of marine products. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The headquarters is located in Kerala. It also has Trade Promotion Offices in New Delhi, Tokyo, and New York.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal chaired the Board of Trade (BoT) meeting and urged States to prioritise exports. He called for active participation in the BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme and alignment of State policies with Central export initiatives. BHAVYA (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It aims to develop investment-ready, world-class industrial parks across India. The scheme focuses on creating plug-and-play industrial ecosystems to attract domestic and global investments.

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) conducted Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas (PYA), the third national-level mock drill under the National One Health Mission. The 5-day exercise was held from 29 June–3 July 2026 at Khari village, Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh. It aimed to test India’s preparedness, coordination, and emergency response for zoonotic disease outbreaks using the One Health approach. The drill simulated an Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in animals with the potential to spill over to humans and wildlife.

Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) have crossed ₹13,814 crore in Assets Under Management (AUM) shortly after their introduction. Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) is a new investment product introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It aims to bridge the gap between mutual funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS). The framework was introduced through amendments to the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. SIF investment strategies are divided into Equity-oriented, Debt-oriented, and Hybrid strategies. Currently, only one strategy per category is permitted for each SIF.

The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) is spreading rapidly in Tirunavaya panchayat, Kerala, including school campuses. It is considered one of the world’s worst invasive species. It is native to East Africa but has spread globally through the pet trade, food use, and accidental introduction. It thrives in warm, humid tropical climates. It is found in agricultural fields, wetlands, forests, scrublands, coastal areas, and urban regions.

The LokOS (Lok = People, OS = Operating System) platform has expanded across India, driving the digital transformation of Self-Help Groups and community institutions on a large scale. LokOS is a web and mobile platform under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). It provides a digital solution for managing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The web application is used for creating and approving SHGs, Village Organizations (VOs), Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), and members. The mobile application helps in field-level recording and management of CBO activities.

Scientists at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi discovered a new deep-sea fish species named Cyttopsis indica. It was found in the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala. It belongs to the genus Cyttopsis, commonly known as dories. It has been given the common name Indian Dory. It survives deep-sea pressure by storing high levels of waxy compounds, making it unsuitable for direct human consumption.

Recently, researchers discovered a new plant species, Canscora agni, in the fire-prone savannas of western India. It was discovered on Sus Hill in Pune district, Maharashtra. The species is named “agni” (meaning fire) because it thrives in ecosystems maintained by natural fires. It is a small dwarf herb with white petals and distinctive winged stems, clearly different from its closest relative, Canscora alata. Researchers have recommended classifying Canscora agni as Critically Endangered.

Recently, researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi studied rutile oxides and found a significant difference between metals and insulators that could not be explained by an existing mathematical model. Rutile is a mineral composed mainly of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and is the most common and stable form of titanium dioxide in nature. It is one of the three principal titanium minerals, along with ilmenite and leucoxene. Rutile occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and is commonly mined from heavy mineral sands. In India, major rutile deposits are found in the coastal sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.

India chaired the 9th Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, organised by United Nations Trade and Development in Geneva, Switzerland. The session focused on global consumer protection, including product safety, sustainable consumption, and cross-border consumer protection. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, represented India as the Chairperson. India highlighted initiatives such as the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and the AI-enabled e-Jagriti platform for digital consumer dispute resolution.

Recently, ICMR-MINDS, the flagship initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research, received the Gold Award under the Innovation by Use of AI and Other New Age Technologies category at the National Awards for e-Governance 2026. ICMR-MINDS is a National Health Research Priority project that integrates the screening and management of mental and substance use disorders with other non-communicable diseases. Its Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) enables trained frontline healthcare workers to provide standardized mental healthcare with AI-based digital decision support. The initiative is being implemented across 7 states through 7 collaborating institutions.