CURRENT AFFAIRS 08-09 July, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 08-09 July, 2026

1. POSHAN TRACKER: INDIA’S REAL-TIME NUTRITION MONITORING PLATFORM –

• Poshan Tracker has emerged as India’s real-time nutrition monitoring platform, achieving coverage across all 28 States and 8 UTs and registering over 8.93 crore beneficiaries (May 2026). It has become a Digital India success story by enabling real-time nutrition monitoring, Aadhaar-based beneficiary tracking, and evidence-based governance under Mission Poshan 2.0.

What are the Key Facts About Poshan Tracker?

• About: Poshan Tracker is a mobile-based governance application that serves as the digital backbone of POSHAN Abhiyaan and Mission Poshan 2.0.
• It was launched in March 2021 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division.
• It enables near real-time monitoring of nutrition services delivered through Anganwadi Centres across India.
• Objective: It strengthens nutrition governance through technology-based monitoring, beneficiary tracking, and evidence-based decision-making. It aims to improve service delivery for children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
• Beneficiary Monitoring: The platform tracks beneficiaries across key categories such as children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. It maintains a live monthly database for over 7.7 crore children using Aadhaar-authenticated data.
• Growth Monitoring: It tracks indicators such as stunting, wasting, underweight, severe acute malnutrition, moderate acute malnutrition, and overweight or obesity. Poshan Tracker enables growth monitoring of children aged 0–5 years. As of May 2026, it monitored over 6.3 crore children, covering nearly 94% of registered beneficiaries.

2. JAIPUR RANKED AMONG THE WORLD’S HAPPIEST CITIES IN HAPPY CITY INDEX 2026 –

• Jaipur made a remarkable global achievement, as the city became the only Indian city to be included in the top 10 in the Happy City Index 2026, and it ranked 6th globally. Jaipur was acknowledged for the quality of life, rich heritage, good governance, and developing urban infrastructure. As per the latest report of the Happy City Index 2026, which recognises cities for their governance, health, environment, mobility, economy, and overall well-being. By the way, Jaiipur is the only Indian city in the list, with London being the number one-ranked city in the world.

Jaipur Becomes India’s Happiest City in 2026

• Jaipur, popularly called the Pink City, has achieved the distinction of being as the happiest city in India, based on the findings of the latest Happy City Index 2026.
• Jaipur has shone in blending the old world charm with the latest urban facilities and city planning which earned it the 6th spot in the global rankings.

3. IMF CUTS INDIA’S FY27 GROWTH FORECAST TO 6.4%, CITING HIGHER ENERGY PRICES –

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised the India’s growth projection for FY2026-27 (FY27) and has estimated the growth rate of 6.4%, it is down from the previous projection of 6.5% released in the April 2026. This adjustment is made as per the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) update by IMF which suggests that the IMF is worried about the rising global energy prices will overtake the robustness of the Indian economy.

India’s Growth Predictions are Changed by the IMF

• According to the IMF’s July update for 2026, India’s economy exhibits constant strong growth. It’s especially visible in private consumption and the service industry sector, where the economy remains strong.
• At the same time, the situation with global oil and power prices has caused some revisions in India’s short-term forecasts.

The updated numbers are,

• FY27 GDP Growth: 6.4% vs. 6.5% in the April forecast
• FY28 GDP Growth: 6.7% vs. 6.5%

4. DRDO SUCCESSFULLY FLIGHT-TESTS PINAKA LONG RANGE GUIDED ROCKET, BOOSTING INDIA’S PRECISION STRIKE CAPABILITY –

• Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on 8th of July, 2026. The rocket was tested for a user defined minimum range of 60 kms. The Pinaka LRGR followed its planned trajectory perfectly and hit its target with great accuracy.

What Is the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket?

• The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) is an innovative guided artillery rocket intended to improve the striking power of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system of the Indian Army.
• As opposed to normal rockets, the LRGR uses high-tech guidance technology to hit specific targets accurately and deal with enemies from a considerable distance away.
• This system allows for enhancing the effectiveness in the battlefield due to the combination of distance with high precision of strikes.

5. PM MODI VISITS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE PRAMBANAN TEMPLE IN INDONESIA –

• Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid visit to iconic Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogakarta, Indonesia on 8th of July, 2026, it reaffirms centuries old cultural and civilizational ties between India and Indonesia. Along with him, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto accompanied the Indian Prime Minister during the visit, and both leaders unveiled a commemorative plaque which marks the commencement of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)’s conservation and restoration project.

PM Modi Visits the Historic Prambanan Temple Complex

• Honorable PM Modi visited the Prambanan Temple Complex, it is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex, and it is one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable examples of Hindu architecture.
• This visit was marked by the unveiling of a plaque, which launched the ASI-led conservation and restoration project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  The Prambanan Temple Complex, recently seen in the news, is located in which country ?

1. a) Malaysia
2. b) Indonesia
3. c) Japan
4. d) Vietnam

Q2.  Which country won the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 ?

1. a) England
2. b) Australia
3. c) India
4. d) New Zealand

Q3.  Recently, the Durand Cup 2026 was in the news. The Durand Cup is associated with which of the following sports ?

1. a) Hockey
2. b) Football
3. c) Cricket
4. d) Polo

Q4.  With reference to the Gaganyaan Mission, consider the following statements:

1. The mission aims to send three astronauts to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 400 km for a mission lasting up to seven days.
2. The mission will be launched using the Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3) launch vehicle.
3. Before the crewed mission, ISRO plans to conduct uncrewed flights, including one carrying the humanoid robot Vyommitra.
4. The Crew Escape System (CES) is designed primarily to provide propulsion for orbital manoeuvres after the spacecraft reaches orbit.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1, 2 and 3 only
2. b) 1, 3 and 4 only
3. c) 1, 2 and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

         Statement 1 – Correct: Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight mission, aiming to send three astronauts to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of around 400 km for a mission of up to seven days, followed by a safe splashdown in Indian waters.

         Statement 2 – Correct: The mission will be launched aboard the Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3), a modified and human-certified version of ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle.

         Statement 3 – Correct: Before the crewed flight, ISRO will undertake uncrewed test missions, including one carrying the humanoid robot Vyommitra, to evaluate spacecraft systems and mission safety.

         Statement 4 – Incorrect: The Crew Escape System (CES) is an emergency safety system designed to rapidly separate the Crew Module from the launch vehicle in case of a launch emergency. It is not used for orbital propulsion or manoeuvring. Orbital functions are performed by the Service Module.

Q5.  With reference to the Global Passport Index (GPI) 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The Global Passport Index ranks passports using only visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel access.
2. The index assigns the highest weightage to the Enhanced Mobility component.
3. The Investment Index and Quality of Living Index carry equal weightage in the overall ranking.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Unlike traditional passport rankings, the Global Passport Index (GPI) adopts a multidimensional approach. It evaluates passports not only on travel freedom but also on investment opportunities and quality of living.
• Statement 2 is correct. Enhanced Mobility carries the highest weightage of 50%, reflecting visa-free travel, ease of travel, and global access.
• Statement 3 is correct. Both the Investment Index and the Quality of Living Index contribute 25% each to the overall score.

Answer Key