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July 13, 2026 • 10 Key Topics

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01
Culture

Playback Legend S. Janaki Passes Away at 88

Veteran playback singer S. Janaki, known as the 'Nightingale of South India,' died in Mysuru after a cardiac arrest, prompting tributes across the film industry.

  • S. Janaki passed away in Mysuru, Karnataka, after a cardiac arrest, at the age of 88.
  • She began her singing career in 1957 and went on to record songs in more than 20 languages across a career spanning decades.
  • Won four National Film Awards and 33 State Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.
  • She had declined the Padma Bhushan offered to her in 2013, saying the recognition of her fans across languages was the highest award.

Exam Context: Art & Culture. S. Janaki: 4 National Film Awards, 33 State Film Awards; declined Padma Bhushan (2013). Career began 1957, sang in 20+ languages. Known as 'Nightingale of South India'.

02
Polity

Padmanabhan Statue and Smrithi Mandapam Unveiled in Delhi

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan unveiled a statue and memorial hall honouring social reformer Mannathu Padmanabhan at the Mannam International Centre in Dwarka, Delhi.

  • Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan unveiled a statue and Smrithi Mandapam (memorial hall) for Mannathu Padmanabhan at the Mannam International Centre, Dwarka.
  • Mannathu Padmanabhan was a social reformer, freedom fighter, and founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS).
  • The event was organised by NSS Delhi.
  • The Vice President also planted a sapling under the government's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (a tree in mother's name) plantation campaign.

Exam Context: GS-1 (Personalities/Social Reform). Mannathu Padmanabhan founded NSS (1914) in Kerala, worked for Nair community upliftment. Vice President = ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is a national tree-plantation campaign.

03
International

India-New Zealand Elevate Ties to a Strategic Partnership

PM Modi's state visit to Auckland — the first Indian PM visit to New Zealand in around 40 years — saw the two countries formally upgrade their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

  • India and New Zealand upgraded ties to a Strategic Partnership on 11 July 2026, during PM Modi's visit to Auckland at the invitation of PM Christopher Luxon.
  • This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in around 40 years.
  • Both sides set a target to double annual bilateral trade, building on the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
  • Tariff reductions and market access were balanced against protections for India's sensitive dairy sector.

Exam Context: GS-2 (IR). New Zealand: capital = Wellington, PM = Christopher Luxon. India-NZ FTA concluded 2026. Strategic Partnership is a step below Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in India's diplomatic hierarchy.

04
International

PACTS — India-Australia Cyber, Critical Tech & Supply Chain Pact

India and Australia signed the Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies, and Supply Chains (PACTS), replacing their 2020 cyber cooperation framework.

  • PACTS (Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies, and Supply Chains) was signed during the same leg of PM Modi's Pacific trip, replacing the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation.
  • Jointly overseen by India's Deputy National Security Advisor and Australia's Deputy Secretary (International & Security Group).
  • Spans five pillars: secure technology supply chains, critical/emerging tech (AI, space, telecom, biotech), cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, and defence research collaboration.
  • Defence research collaboration runs between India's DRDO and Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group.

Exam Context: GS-2/GS-3 (IR + Science-Tech). Australia: capital = Canberra, PM = Anthony Albanese. PACTS builds on the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020). DRDO = Defence Research and Development Organisation.

05
Environment

Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana Approved for Sacred Groves

The Environment Ministry cleared a ₹3,000-crore, five-year scheme to conserve nearly 15,000 sacred groves across India, approved at the 7th CAMPA Governing Body meeting.

  • Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana is a ₹3,000-crore scheme (2026–2031) to conserve and restore nearly 15,000 sacred groves — forest patches traditionally protected by tribal communities.
  • Approved at the 7th CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) Governing Body meeting in Coimbatore.
  • The meeting was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
  • The scheme follows a Supreme Court directive to protect sacred groves in Rajasthan.

Exam Context: GS-3 (Environment). CAMPA manages funds collected for compensatory afforestation under the Forest (Conservation) Act. Sacred groves = community-protected forest patches, also called 'Devrai'/'Orans' regionally.

06
International

World Population Day 2026 Observed (11 July)

The UN's World Population Day 2026 focused on 'Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people — today and for the future,' centred on family planning and maternal health.

  • World Population Day is observed annually on 11 July, established by the UN in 1989.
  • 2026 theme: 'Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people — today and for the future.'
  • The accompanying 'Lives, Choices and Futures' report drew on a survey of 108,000 young adults worldwide.
  • The day is used globally to push for gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Exam Context: GS-1 (Population/Society). World Population Day instituted by UNDP Governing Council in 1989, inspired by 'Five Billion Day' (11 July 1987). India's population policy is administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

07
International

UN Women Report: 1 Million Women Lose Aid Access

A new UN Women report found that roughly one million women have lost access to essential humanitarian and development aid amid record cuts in global funding for gender-focused programs.

  • UN Women's report found around 1 million women have lost access to essential humanitarian and development aid.
  • Attributed to record cuts in global funding for gender-focused programs.
  • Highlights the disproportionate impact of aid funding cuts on women in crisis-affected regions.
  • Relevant to international-organisations and social-welfare current affairs for GS-2.

Exam Context: GS-2 (International Organisations/Social Justice). UN Women established 2010, HQ = New York. Works on gender equality, women's empowerment, and the Beijing Platform for Action.

08
Economy

NPPA Fixes Prices for 39 New Drug Formulations

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority set retail prices for 39 new drug formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, as part of its routine price-capping mandate.

  • NPPA fixed retail prices for 39 new drug formulations on 8 July 2026.
  • Action taken under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013.
  • NPPA's core mandate is capping prices of essential/scheduled medicines to keep them affordable.
  • NPPA functions under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Exam Context: GS-2/GS-3 (Health Policy/Economy). NPPA established 1997. DPCO 2013 governs price control of 'scheduled' (essential) drugs under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).

09
Environment

Delhi and Surat Hit by Monsoon Flooding

Heavy monsoon rainfall caused urban flooding and waterlogging in Delhi and Surat, disrupting daily life and reviving the recurring 'urban flooding in India' debate.

  • Heavy monsoon rainfall caused significant waterlogging and traffic disruption in both Delhi and Surat.
  • Part of a broader, recurring pattern of urban flooding linked to poor drainage infrastructure and unplanned urbanisation.
  • Intense, concentrated rainfall spells are increasingly linked to climate-change-driven weather patterns.
  • UPSC Mains has repeatedly used urban flooding as an editorial/essay topic under disaster management and urban planning.

Exam Context: GS-1 (Geography) + GS-3 (Disaster Management). Urban flooding causes: encroached natural drains, impervious surfaces, inadequate stormwater systems. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issues urban flood guidelines.

10
Science & Tech

JAXA Tests Reusable Rocket RV-X

Japan's space agency JAXA conducted the first test flight of its experimental Reusable Vehicle eXperiment (RV-X) at the Noshiro Testing Center, a step toward reusable rocket technology.

  • JAXA conducted the first test flight of the Reusable Vehicle eXperiment (RV-X) on 11 July 2026.
  • Test took place at the Noshiro Testing Center in Japan.
  • RV-X aims to develop reusable rocket technology, conceptually similar to SpaceX's reusable booster program.
  • Reusability is a key focus area globally for reducing the cost of space launches.

Exam Context: GS-3 (Science & Tech/Space). JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, HQ = Tokyo. India's own reusable launch vehicle program is ISRO's RLV-TD/Pushpak series.

Prelims Quick-Revision Facts

S. Janaki
Culture

Playback legend S. Janaki (88) passed away — 4 National Film Awards, 33 State Film Awards; had declined the Padma Bhushan in 2013.

Padmanabhan Memorial
Polity

VP C.P. Radhakrishnan unveiled a statue and Smrithi Mandapam for NSS founder Mannathu Padmanabhan in Dwarka, Delhi.

India-NZ Strategic Partnership
International

India and New Zealand elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's Auckland visit — first Indian PM visit to NZ in ~40 years.

PACTS
International

India-Australia signed PACTS (Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies, and Supply Chains), replacing the 2020 cyber cooperation framework.

Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana
Environment

₹3,000-crore, 5-year scheme to conserve ~15,000 sacred groves, approved at the 7th CAMPA Governing Body meeting.

World Population Day
International

World Population Day 2026 (11 July) theme: 'Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people — today and for the future.'

UN Women Aid Report
International

UN Women: ~1 million women have lost access to essential humanitarian/development aid amid global funding cuts.

NPPA Drug Pricing
Economy

NPPA fixed retail prices for 39 new drug formulations under DPCO 2013 on 8 July 2026.

Urban Flooding
Environment

Heavy monsoon rainfall caused urban flooding in Delhi and Surat — recurring UPSC Mains essay theme.

JAXA RV-X
Science & Tech

JAXA test-flew its experimental reusable rocket RV-X at the Noshiro Testing Center on 11 July 2026.

Test Yourself on Today's Affairs

Attempt 10 MCQs based on the July 13, 2026 edition.

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