News of The Day –  16th July 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

• Ravidassias are followers of the teachings of Guru Ravidas, the 15th-century Bhakti saint.
• They seek a separate religious identity in the Census to distinguish themselves from broader Sikh and Hindu categories. 
• The demand relates to issues of identity, social recognition and enumeration.
• Raises questions regarding census classification and religious demographics.

(GS-1: Art & Culture)

• Conservation of Sri Vikrama Choliswaram Temple at Thukkachi received UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage recognition.
• The temple belongs to the Chola period and reflects Dravidian temple architecture.
• Restoration followed scientific conservation principles using traditional materials and techniques.
• Highlights India’s commitment to cultural heritage conservation.

(GS-1: Geography)

• The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed inland water body.
• Declining water levels are driven by climate change, rising temperatures and reduced river inflows, especially from the Volga.
• Threatens biodiversity, fisheries, ports and coastal livelihoods.
• Highlights climate impacts on transboundary water bodies.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• Digitisation is transforming investigation, prosecution and court administration under the criminal justice reforms.
• e-FIR, e-Sakshya, e-Summons and interoperable criminal justice databases improve efficiency and transparency. 
• Supports implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
• Challenges include privacy, cybersecurity, digital divide and capacity building.

• France approved legislation permitting medically assisted dying under strict safeguards.
• Applicable to eligible adults suffering from incurable illnesses with unbearable suffering.
• About Assisted Dying and provision in India.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Cabinet approved the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
• Encourages production of components, value addition and employment generation.
• Aims to integrate India into global electronics value chains.
• Supports Make in India, Digital India and export competitiveness.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Semicon Mission 2.0 seeks to deepen India’s semiconductor ecosystem beyond fabrication.
• Focus on chip design, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, R&D and skilled workforce. 
• Aims to reduce import dependence and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India and strategic industries

(GS-3: Economy)

• RBI released a comprehensive framework to strengthen data governance in banks. 
• Covers data quality, integrity, security, ownership, accountability and lifecycle management. 
• Enhances risk management, regulatory compliance and customer protection.
• Supports digital banking and financial stability. 

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• NPCIL clarified that the reported cyber incident did not affect reactor operations or nuclear safety systems.
• Critical operational networks remain isolated from external internet access (air-gapped). 
• Highlights importance of cyber resilience for critical infrastructure.
• Reinforces India’s focus on nuclear cybersecurity.

• The Three-North Shelterbelt Programme (“Great Green Wall”) is one of the world’s largest afforestation projects.
• Launched to combat desertification, dust storms and land degradation.
• Extends across northern China through large-scale tree plantation
• Faces challenges such as water scarcity, monoculture plantations and long-term ecological sustainability.