Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 26&27 July, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
26&27 July , 2026

International Affairs

1. NATO Ankara Summit 2026

Source: The Hindu

Context

The NATO Ankara Summit, the alliance’s 36th summit, was held on 7–8 July 2026 at the Beştepe presidential complex, Ankara, concluding with the Ankara Summit Declaration. It was a follow-up to the 2025 Hague Summit, focused on enforcing long-term defence spending targets and scaling industrial production.

What a NATO Summit Is

• A high-level politico-military conference where leaders of NATO’s 32 member nations review defence progress, align security priorities, and convert political commitments into operational capabilities.
• Secretary General: Mark Rutte.
• This was the second NATO summit hosted by Türkiye; the first was at Istanbul in 2004, months after the “Big Bang” enlargement of seven new members. The next summit will be in Albania.

Key Terms

• NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a collective defence alliance founded by the Washington Treaty, 1949, headquartered in Brussels. It now has 32 members, the latest being Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024).
• Article 5: The collective defence clause under which an armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. It has been invoked only once, after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
• Article 4: The provision allowing any member to request consultations when its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened. It is invoked far more often than Article 5.
• Washington Treaty, 1949: NATO’s founding treaty signed by 12 original members. Its Article 10 governs the accession of new members by unanimous consent.

2. Henley Passport Index 2026

Context

Henley & Partners, a British investment-migration consultancy, released the 20th anniversary edition of the Henley Passport Index on 21 July 2026. India dropped to 81st globally with access to 55 destinations, down from 75th in the February 2026 edition, sharing the rank with Mauritania and Algeria.

Top of the Index

• 1st — Singapore: 192 destinations.
• 2nd — Japan, South Korea and the UAE: 188 destinations.
• 3rd — Sweden: 187 destinations.
• The UAE’s rise is the standout story, reflecting sustained diplomatic engagement and visa liberalisation, overtaking several Western states.

Bottom of the Index

• Afghanistan remains lowest, with access to only 22 destinations.
• Syria (103rd, 25), Iraq (102nd, 28), Pakistan (101st, 29) and Yemen (100th, 30) complete the bottom five.

Methodology

• Uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• Covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.
• Counts visa-free, visa-on-arrival and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) access — not e-visas requiring prior approval.
• Updated periodically through the year, which is why rankings move between editions.

India’s Twenty-Year Journey

• 2006: 71st at the index’s launch.
• Slipped to 82nd by 2012, briefly improved to 74th in 2013.
• Weakest ever: 90th in 2021 (pandemic-era restrictions).
• Recovered to 80th in 2024, slipped to 85th in 2025, and now 81st in 2026.
• Net effect: India is worse off in rank than in 2006, even though the world as a whole has become more mobile.

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the Henley Passport Index 2026, consider the following statements:

1. India ranked 81st with access to 55 destinations, down from 75th in the February 2026 edition.
2. Singapore retained the top position with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
3. The index uses data from the International Air Transport Association and covers 199 passports and 227 destinations.
4. Afghanistan ranked lowest in the index, with access to only 22 destinations.

How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Q2. With reference to the Henley Passport Index and related concepts, consider the following statements:

1. The index counts visa-free, visa-on-arrival and Electronic Travel Authorization access, but not e-visas requiring prior approval.
2. Since the index’s launch in 2006, average visa-free access has risen from 58 to 108 destinations.
3. The Henley Openness Index measures how many nationalities a country admits without a prior visa.
4. The Henley Passport Index is compiled and published by the International Air Transport Association.

How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Answer Key

1. (d) — All four statements are correct.
2. (c) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the index is compiled by Henley & Partners, a British investment-migration consultancy; it merely uses IATA data.

National Affairs

1. Securities Markets Code (SMC) Bill

Source: Business Standard

Context

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Bhartruhari Mahtab, has tabled its report on the Securities Markets Code Bill, which consolidates India’s securities laws into a single framework. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 18 December 2025 and referred to the Committee for scrutiny.

What the SMC Bill Does

• Consolidates and replaces three statutes: the SEBI Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, and the Depositories Act, 1996.
• The Bill has 157 clauses; the Committee accepted more than 85 suggestions during clause-by-clause examination.
• Stakeholders consulted included RBI, SEBI, chartered accountants, stock exchanges, investors and banks.

Recommendation 1 – Revised Preamble & Long Title

• Preamble should clearly state the objectives: investor protection, securities market development, and effective regulation, not merely consolidation of existing laws.

Recommendation 2 – Delete Clause 93(g)

• Remove Clause 93(g) as it gives SEBI excessive power to create criminal offences, amounting to excessive legislative delegation.

Recommendation 3 – Criminal Offences in the Code

• All criminal market abuse offences should be explicitly listed in the Code, not left to SEBI’s regulations.

Recommendation 4 – Limit Delegated Legislation

• Prohibit delegation of essential legislative functions and clearly define Parliament’s and SEBI’s respective roles.

Recommendation 5 – Investigation Notices

• Prior notice applies only to the person under investigation, with exceptions where evidence may be destroyed or tampered with.

Recommendation 6 – Ombudsperson

• Retains SEBI officer as ombudsperson; 120-day timeline prescribed for grievance redressal.

Recommendation 7 – Surplus Transfer Retained

• SEBI’s annual surplus will continue to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund of India, while 25% is kept in a reserve fund (subject to the prescribed cap). Critics argue this may blur the distinction between a regulatory fee and a tax.

Key Terms

• Securities Markets Code (SMC): A proposed single consolidated statute merging the SEBI Act, 1992, the SCRA, 1956, and the Depositories Act, 1996. It follows the model of the Labour Codes and the Income Tax Bill in consolidating fragmented law.

2. Sarnath Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

Source: The Hindu

Context

The “Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath” in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 25 July 2026, during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee at Busan, Republic of Korea, making it India’s 45th World Heritage Site. It is Uttar Pradesh’s fourth site, after the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all in the Agra region.

Key Facts

The Inscription

• India now has 45 World Heritage Sites, placing it sixth in the world and second in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India submitted the dossier titled “Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath” for the 2025–26 nomination cycle; under the Operational Guidelines, 2024, only one property may be submitted per cycle, and the process takes about 1.5 years.
• The nomination was evaluated by ICOMOS, the advisory body for cultural properties.

What the Property Comprises

• The legacy survives in two protected archaeological sites: the Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath, which include the Dhamek Stupa and the Dharmarajika Stupa.
• The Chaukhandi Stupa is a lofty brick structure crowned by an octagonal Mughal tower built by Govardhan, son of Raja Todar Mal, in AD 1588, to commemorate Humayun’s visit.
• The second group contains stupas, monasteries, temples and the Ashokan column, in brick and stone, datable from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE.

Historical Significance

• According to Buddhist texts, the Buddha travelled to Sarnath in the sixth century BCE after attaining enlightenment, met his first five disciples and delivered his first sermon — regarded as the beginning of the spread of Buddhist teachings.
• Known in ancient texts as Mrigadava (Deer Park), Rishipattana and Isipatana.
• The first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, expounded the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, and marked the founding of the Sangha.
• Sarnath evolved into a major centre of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage, one of the four principal Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.
• The Ashokan Pillar here bears the Lion Capital, adopted as India’s National Emblem in 1950, with the Dharmachakra appearing on the national flag.
• Sarnath also produced the famed Gupta-period Buddha in dharmachakra-pravartana mudra, a masterpiece of the Sarnath school of sculpture.

Buddhist Pilgrimage Circuit

• The four principal sites: Lumbini (birth, Nepal), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment, Bihar), Sarnath (first sermon, UP) and Kushinagar (mahaparinirvana, UP).
• With Sarnath, three of these four are now on the World Heritage List — Lumbini (1997), Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya (2002), and now Sarnath; Kushinagar remains uninscribed.

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the inscription of Sarnath on the UNESCO World Heritage List, consider the following statements:

1. It was inscribed during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, Republic of Korea.
2. It is India’s 45th World Heritage Site and Uttar Pradesh’s fourth.
3. The inscribed property includes the Chaukhandi Stupa and the archaeological remains containing the Dhamek and Dharmarajika stupas.
4. Sarnath was placed on UNESCO’s Tentative List only in 2020, shortly before its nomination.

How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Q2. With reference to Sarnath and Buddhist heritage, consider the following statements:

1. Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, an event known as the Dharmachakra Pravartana.
2. The Lion Capital of Ashoka, adopted as India’s State Emblem, originally surmounted a pillar at Sarnath.
3. Sarnath is known in ancient texts as Mrigadava or Deer Park.
4. With Sarnath’s inscription, all four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Answer Key

1. (c) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Sarnath was placed on the Tentative List on 3 July 1998, 28 years before inscription.
2. (c) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Kushinagar, the site of the Buddha’s mahaparinirvana, is not yet inscribed; three of the four — Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath — are.

3. Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026

Source: The Hindu

Context

The Union government has proposed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a copy of which was circulated among Members of Parliament on Saturday, 25 July 2026.

Key Facts

• Correction to the Earlier Note
  • Investigation must be completed within 60 days (not three months). The three-month timeline applies to trial completion after filing of the chargesheet.
• Enhanced Penalties
  • Maximum imprisonment increased, with financial penalties up to ₹10 crore for organised crime networks.
• Specialised Enforcement Units
  • Union Government may constitute Special Task Forces (STFs) for exclusive investigation. All investigations must conclude within 60 days.
• Special Fast Track Courts
  • States/UTs may designate Courts of Session as Special Fast Track Courts. Trials will be conducted day-to-day and completed within three months of chargesheet filing.
• New Sections 12A & 12B
  • Introduce a continuous procedural pipeline by restricting adjournments beyond the next day except for recorded exceptional reasons.
• Appellate Timelines
  • Appeals to be heard by a Division Bench and disposed of within three months. Appeals must be filed within 30 days, with a maximum 90-day condonation period.
• Transfer of Pending Cases
  • Pending cases under the 2024 Act will be transferred to Special Fast Track Courts and completed within three months of transfer.
• Special Public Prosecutors
  • States and UTs must appoint Special Public Prosecutors under the BNSS, 2023 to exclusively conduct these trials.

4. Fast-Track Courts (FTCs)

Source: TOI

Context

The Prime Minister announced the establishment of fast-track courts to deliver swift and stringent justice for offences related to examination paper leaks. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 gives statutory backing to Special Fast Track Courts for such offences.

What They Are

• Special, usually temporary judicial benches for expedited trial of specific, high-priority offences, complex corporate frauds, or cases involving vulnerable groups.
• They aim to reduce backlog by holding daily hearings and adhering to strict timelines, bypassing routine adjournments.
• Most are designated existing courts rather than newly created ones — the core structural weakness.

Constitutional and Judicial Framework

• Article 14 (equality before law): the Supreme Court has held that Fast Track or Special Courts must comply with Article 14 — classification of offences for special treatment must be reasonable and have a rational nexus with the objective.
• Article 21: the right to a speedy trial was read into the right to life in Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979).
• Article 247: empowers Parliament to establish additional courts for better administration of laws made by it.
• Brij Mohan Lal v. Union of India (2012): the Supreme Court examined the FTC scheme and directed that States either continue FTCs on a permanent basis or phase them out, rather than run them on uncertain ad hoc extensions.

Evolution of the Scheme

• 11th Finance Commission (2000–2005): originally recommended and funded 1,734 Fast Track Courts for long-pending sessions and undertrial cases.
• 14th Finance Commission (2015–2020): recommended setting up 1,800 FTCs for heinous crimes such as murder and kidnapping, and civil and property disputes pending over five years.
• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), October 2019: a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded partly through the Nirbhaya Fund, dedicated exclusively to rape and POCSO Act cases.
• BNSS, 2023: prescribes time limits for criminal trials — including completion of sexual offence trials within two months of the chargesheet.

Banking/Finance

1. NABARD Study — Rural Fintech Credit Adoption Remains Negligible

Source: Mint

Context

A NABARD study finds that less than 2% of rural households reported borrowing from fintech entities, despite India being the world’s third-largest fintech ecosystem. The expected breakthrough in last-mile financial inclusion through fintech-led credit has not materialised, even as banks expanded digital infrastructure and the government built robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

Key Highlights

• Core Finding
  • Less than 2% of rural households borrow from fintech lenders. The main barriers are trust, awareness, and suitability, not digital infrastructure.
• What Rural Households Prefer
  • Rural borrowers rely on PACS functioning as Common Service Centres (CSCs) because they are locally trusted, physically accessible, and offer multiple services, including input supply, procurement, deposits, and e-services.
• Fintech Market Context
  • India is the world’s third-largest fintech ecosystem (after the US and UK), with the market projected to exceed $400 billion by 2028–29.
• Institutional Response
  • Queries sent to the Finance Ministry, Rural Development Ministry, NABARD, RBI, and the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) received no response.

Why Fintech Credit Has Not Penetrated Rural India

• Credit assessment models rely on digital footprints, salary slips and formal bureau scores that most rural borrowers lack.
• Thin-file and no-file borrowers — agricultural incomes are seasonal, irregular and undocumented.
• Absence of collateral recognition — fintechs cannot lend against land as cooperatives and banks do.
• Interest rates of digital lenders are typically far above subsidised KCC credit at 7% under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.
• Digital literacy and language barriers, plus reluctance to grant app permissions.
• Trust deficit, worsened by publicised illegal loan-app scandals, harassment and data misuse.
• Grievance redressal is remote — no branch, no local officer to approach.
• Smartphone and connectivity gaps persist despite high overall mobile penetration.

The Institutional Alternative Is Being Strengthened

• PACS computerisation: an ERP-based national project with an outlay of about ₹2,516 crore covering roughly one lakh functional PACS, though implementation is uneven across states.
• PACS are being converted into multipurpose societies delivering CSC services, fair price shops, PM-KUSUM, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and more.
• eKisanCredit (eKCC), a fully digital loan origination system for cooperative banks, PACS and RRBs, integrating land records, Aadhaar, eKYC and core banking; NABARD acquired a 10% stake in the developer, 24×7 Moneyworks, in 2025.
• NABARD is working with the RBI on the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2.0.

Agriculture

1. India’s Rice Fields as Methane Hotspots

Source: The Hindu

Context

The Nature Food study finds global paddy GHG emissions doubled since the 1960s, reaching 1.1 billion tonnes CO₂e annually in 2011–2020 — a 90.4% rise over 1961–1980. India tops world rice production at 154 million tonnes in 2025–26, and its irrigated paddy releases about 3.9 million tonnes of methane annually. Eastern India is among the global methane hotspots, with Odisha’s paddy fields contributing most to the state’s GHG emissions.

Key Highlights

• Why Indian Paddy Emits High GHGs
  • Continuous flooding creates anaerobic conditions that produce methane, while residue incorporation and rising nitrogen fertiliser use increase methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Eastern India is a major global methane hotspot.
• Loss of Soil Carbon
  • Besides methane emissions, paddy fields are losing soil organic carbon. Many fields have shifted from being carbon sinks to net emitters, with about half of the emission increase linked to soil carbon loss.
• Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
  • Periodic drying of fields can reduce methane emissions by 30–70% and save 15–30% irrigation water, but requires reliable irrigation infrastructure.
• Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)
  • Direct sowing reduces methane emissions, water use, and labour, though adoption is limited by weed management challenges and the need for level fields.
• System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
  • Uses young seedlings, wider spacing, and intermittent irrigation to increase yields while reducing water use and methane emissions. However, it is labour-intensive and requires farmer training.
• Crop Diversification
  • Promotes shifting from paddy to millets, pulses, oilseeds, and maize in unsuitable regions. Adoption remains limited due to MSP, assured procurement, and subsidised electricity favouring paddy cultivation.
• Other Mitigation Measures
  • Includes optimised fertiliser use (nano urea, neem-coated urea), Soil Health Cards, PM-PRANAM, reduced tillage, biochar/straw management, and carbon credit incentives.
• Core Policy Challenge
  • India balances food security and climate goals. Rice supports the PDS and NFSA, agriculture is excluded from India’s NDC mitigation targets, and India has not joined the Global Methane Pledge, citing livelihood concerns for small farmers. Even with improved practices, global rice emissions may decline by only about 10% by mid-century.

Key Terms

• Odisha Millet Mission (Shree Anna Abhiyan): A state programme launched in 2017, among India’s most successful millet revival efforts, combining seed systems, farmer training, and millet inclusion in the PDS and mid-day meals. It is the standard example of procurement-backed diversification working.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): One of the eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008), promoting climate-resilient practices, water-use efficiency and soil health.
• Phosphogypsum: A by-product of phosphoric acid manufacture supplying calcium and sulphur, usable as a soil amendment. Being trialled as a partial substitute for lime in acidic Kerala soils, with observed emission benefits.
• Soil Acidity and Liming: Acidic soils limit nutrient availability; lime (calcium carbonate) is applied to neutralise them. Lime application also affects soil carbon and gas fluxes, which is why the substitution matters.

Facts To Remember

1. Mirabai Chanu Wins Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026

Mirabai Chanu won the women’s 48 kg gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, securing India’s first gold medal of the Games. She created new Games records in the snatch (85 kg), clean & jerk (105 kg), and total lift (190 kg), completing a historic hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold medals after Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. Chanambam Rishikanta Singh also won the silver medal in the men’s 60 kg category.

2. U Mumba TT Retains Ultimate Table Tennis Title

U Mumba TT successfully defended its Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 title by defeating Dempo Goa Challengers 8–5 in the final held at Panaji, Goa. The victory ended Goa’s unbeaten run, with Manush Shah and teammates delivering crucial performances to help U Mumba retain the championship through superior depth and composure.

3. CPCB Flags New ‘Green’ Firecrackers

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the Supreme Court that there is no consensus on permitting the commercial production of next-generation green firecrackers. While some agencies support their introduction, others have raised concerns over the use of a banned chemical, prompting the Centre to leave the final decision to the Supreme Court.

4. Banks to Launch CKYC 2.0 in August 2026

Banks and insurance companies will launch Central Know Your Customer (CKYC) 2.0 in August 2026, with mutual funds joining later. The upgraded system enables institutions to retrieve customers’ verified KYC records from a central registry after OTP-based consent, eliminating the need to repeatedly submit PAN, Aadhaar, or address proof.

5. India Witnesses First Drone-Based Transport of Tea Leaves

A tea company has introduced India’s first drone-based transport system for moving freshly harvested tea leaves from plantations to processing centres in Idukki, Kerala. The initiative, undertaken by Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML) in collaboration with Tropoworks, aims to reduce transport time, lower fuel costs, and improve plantation logistics.

6. Cabinet Approves ₹3,030-Crore BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme

The Union Cabinet approved the ₹3,030-crore BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme to establish three large chemical parks across India over FY27–FY31. The scheme will provide ₹3,000 crore for common infrastructure and utilities, while parks will be developed by state governments through a challenge-based selection process, with each requiring at least 2,000 acres of land.

7. Cabinet Approves Ballari–Guntakal Railway Multitracking Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the 3rd and 4th railway lines on the Ballari–Guntakal section across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh at a cost of nearly ₹1,264 crore. The 46-km project, targeted for completion by 2028–29, will improve connectivity to around 99 villages with a population of nearly 7 lakh.

8. CSIR Transfers Four Indigenous Technologies to Industry

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) transferred four indigenous technologies to industry and commercially launched an IoT-enabled Smart Rural Water Monitoring System during a Technology Transfer Event in New Delhi. Organised by CSIR-CSIO, the event also saw BEL receive licensed defence technologies, while CSIR earned ₹1.67 crore in royalties.

9. Bihar to Establish NSTI-W Campus and Skill India International Centre

The Government of Bihar and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced the establishment of a permanent National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI-W) campus at Bihta and a Skill India International Centre (SIIC) in Patna. The projects, with investments of ₹99.97 crore and ₹7 crore, aim to promote women’s skilling and global employment opportunities.

10. ICAR-CMFRI Launches DeepDATA App

ICAR-CMFRI launched the DeepDATA mobile application under the Deep Ocean Mission to provide scientifically verified information on deep-sea fish species. The app enables citizen participation in documenting marine biodiversity while supporting marine research, conservation, and sustainable fisheries management.

11. Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim President of FIDE

India’s five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand assumed charge as the Interim President of FIDE after Arkady Dvorkovich suspended his duties. Anand, who has served as FIDE Deputy President since 2022, became the first Indian to lead the International Chess Federation in an interim capacity.

12. Infosys Appoints Ashiss Kumar Dash as CEO-Designate

Infosys appointed Ashiss Kumar Dash as its CEO-Designate, with effect from 1 April 2027, succeeding Salil Parekh. Dash, an Infosys veteran with over 30 years of experience, has been appointed for a five-year term (2027–2032), subject to shareholders’ approval.

13. ZSI Discovers Two New Spider Species

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new spider species—Simonia lawbah from Meghalaya and Hamataliwa papikonda from Andhra Pradesh. The discoveries mark the first Indian record of the genus Simonia and the first record of Hamataliwa in Andhra Pradesh, enriching India’s biodiversity records.

14. Nicolás Otamendi Retires from International Football

Argentina’s veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international football after a distinguished 17-year career. He represented Argentina in 139 international matches, won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles, and retired after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

15. World IVF Day Observed on 25 July

World In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Day, also known as World Embryologist Day, is observed annually on 25 July to promote awareness about IVF technology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The day commemorates the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, born in 1978.

16. International Day for Judicial Well-being Observed on 25 July

The International Day for Judicial Well-being is observed annually on 25 July to promote the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of judges and magistrates. The day commemorates the adoption of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being (2024) and was officially proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2025.

17. International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent Observed

The United Nations observed the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent on 25 July 2026 with the theme “Right to Health – A Fundamental Right Still Denied.” The observance highlights the rights, leadership, and contributions of women and girls of African descent while addressing inequalities in healthcare access and social inclusion.

18. Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Underway

The 2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2026) are being held from 23 July to 2 August 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. The XXIII Commonwealth Games are a scaled-back, low-cost edition after Victoria (Australia) withdrew in 2023 due to cost escalation. The quadrennial multi-sport event, governed by Commonwealth Sport, features athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, while Scotland hosts the Games for the fourth time after Edinburgh (1970 & 1986) and Glasgow (2014).