News of The Day –  15th July 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Art & Culture)

• About Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026 
• ‘Mayur’ (Peacock) unveiled as the official championship mascot.
  • National Bird
  • Symbolises grace, pride and cultural heritage.
  • Promotes sports awareness and public engagement.

(GS-1: Art & Culture)

• Jodhpuri Mojari is a traditional handcrafted leather footwear of Rajasthan.
• Reflects India’s rich artisan and leather craft heritage.
• Revival driven by innovation, branding and exports.
• Supports MSMEs, livelihoods and cultural preservation.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Supreme Court is considering a 24×7 emergency judicial protocol for urgent constitutional matters.
• Covers cases involving Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
• Intended for illegal detention, demolitions, deportation and similar emergencies.
• Aims to ensure speedy judicial access and protection of fundamental rights.

• About ‘trial in absentia’
• Trial conducted without the physical presence of the accused.
• Permitted under the Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
• Prevents deliberate evasion of justice.
• Includes procedural safeguards to ensure fairness.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• About National Health Research Policy
  • Prepared by the Department of Health Research
• Coverage: Biomedical science, clinical medicine, public health, epidemiology, digital health, health systems, behavioural sciences and emerging technologies
• Seeks to modernise India’s health research ecosystem.
• Promotes ethical and high-quality biomedical research.
• Encourages digital health data sharing and public-private partnerships.

• Amendment proposed to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
• Includes victims with permanent internal injuries caused by acid ingestion.
• Extends disability rights, rehabilitation and welfare benefits.
• Strengthens the rights-based approach towards disability inclusion.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• CapaCITIES is a capacity-building initiative for urban local bodies.
• Enhances skills of urban planners and municipal officials.
• Promotes better governance, planning and service delivery.
• Supports sustainable urban development and smart city objectives.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• India and Maldives completed the first round of FTA negotiations.
• Aims to boost bilateral trade and investment.
• Supports India’s Neighbourhood First and Vision MAHASAGAR initiatives.
• About India-Maldives Relation

(GS-2: International Relations)

• India launched its campaign for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat (2028–29).
• EAM unveiled the SHANTI vision for global cooperation.
• Focuses on peace, dialogue, inclusivity and multilateralism.
• Reinforces India’s leadership role and Global South priorities.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• The UN released its first scientific assessment on Artificial Intelligence.
• Calls for global AI governance and ethical standards.
• Warns against risks such as misinformation, bias and job displacement.
• Advocates transparency, accountability and international cooperation.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• Scientists detected complex sugar molecules in interstellar space.
• Supports theories on the chemical origin of life.
• Organic molecules form naturally in molecular clouds.
• Advances research in astrochemistry and planetary evolution.

(GS-3: Environment)

• The government has banned Paraquat Dichloride, a highly toxic herbicide.
• Linked to serious health and environmental hazards.
• Encourages use of safer alternatives in agriculture.

(GS-3: Environment)

• CREA identifies coal-fired thermal power plants as the largest source of SO₂ around Delhi.
• Several plants are exempted from timely installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
• SO₂ contributes to PM2.5 formation, acid rain and respiratory illnesses.
• Highlights the need for stricter emission compliance.