Daily Current Affairs- 9th July 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 9th July 2026

PRAGATI Project: Key Features, Benefits and Impact on Indian Agriculture

In the News: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the PRAGATI initiative in New Delhi in July 2026. The nationwide programme seeks to create 20,000 new agri-entrepreneurs and improve the livelihoods of nearly 20 lakh small and marginal farmers. It combines rural entrepreneurship with regenerative agriculture, technology-based services, financial inclusion and market access.

Key Points:

• Meaning and Objective: PRAGATI stands for Promotion of Regenerative Agriculture through Gender-inclusive Agri-entrepreneurship, Rural Transformation and Positive Impact. Its primary objective is to establish village-level agricultural enterprises capable of providing farmers with timely inputs, advice, technology and commercial services.
• Agri-Entrepreneur Network: The initiative will add 20,000 agri-entrepreneurs to an existing network of more than 26,000 entrepreneurs that already supports about 26 lakh farmers. These entrepreneurs will operate as local service providers, connecting farmers with soil testing, mechanisation, crop advisory, credit, insurance and government welfare schemes.
• Coverage and Target States: PRAGATI will initially operate in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The focus will remain on regions with large populations of smallholders and considerable scope for improving last-mile agricultural services.
• Income and Productivity Targets: The programme aims to increase farmers’ incomes by at least 30 per cent and raise the yields of paddy, maize and potato by around 15 to 20 per cent. It also seeks to encourage at least 20 per cent of participating farmers to adopt regenerative farming and diversified livelihood activities.
• Institutional Partnership: The programme is supported by organisations including the PepsiCo Foundation, SBI Foundation, Gates Foundation, IDH, Heifer International, Environmental Defense Fund, AEGF and Transform Rural India Foundation. This partnership model brings together finance, technical expertise, training systems and grassroots implementation capacity.

Geneva to Host Global AI Summit in June 2027, Switzerland Unveils Global Agenda

In the News: Switzerland announced that the next Global AI Summit will be held at Palexpo in Geneva on June 21 and 22, 2027. Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti announced the dates during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026. The event will focus on international cooperation, inclusive technological progress and trustworthy artificial intelligence.

Key Points:

• Venue and Schedule: The summit will be organised at Palexpo, Geneva, on June 21 and 22, 2027. It will take place alongside the International Telecommunication Union’s AI for Good Global Summit, allowing policymakers and technology experts to participate in closely connected discussions.
• Major Priorities: The Geneva summit will pursue two broad objectives. It will examine how artificial intelligence can promote prosperity and development while also encouraging the safe, responsible, inclusive and trustworthy use of AI systems.
• Participants: Governments, international organisations, scientific institutions, private companies, universities, researchers and civil society organisations are expected to participate. Their discussions will cover AI governance, ethical standards, public welfare applications and international coordination.
• Evolution of the Summit Series: International AI summits have previously been organised at Bletchley Park in 2023, Seoul in 2024, Paris in 2025 and New Delhi in 2026. The Geneva meeting will carry forward the policy discussions and commitments developed through these earlier conferences.
• Importance of Geneva: Geneva is a major centre of multilateral diplomacy and hosts several United Nations bodies, humanitarian agencies and international organisations. Its institutional ecosystem allows technology governance to be discussed alongside human rights, health, trade, telecommunications and sustainable development concerns.

PM Modi Visits UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple in Indonesia

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Prambanan Temple Compounds during his July 2026 state visit to Indonesia. He and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated an India-supported restoration project at the complex. The Archaeological Survey of India will cooperate with Indonesian authorities in restoring parts of the historic site.

Key Points:

• Location and Period: Prambanan is situated near Yogyakarta on the island of Java, close to the boundary between Yogyakarta and Central Java. Its principal Hindu structures date to the ninth century and represent one of Southeast Asia’s most important temple traditions.
• UNESCO Recognition: The Prambanan Temple Compounds are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO recognises the property under cultural criteria (i) and (iv) for its exceptional Shiva art, architecture and representation of Indonesia’s classical religious traditions.
• Composition of the Complex: The heritage property includes Prambanan, Sewu, Bubrah and Lumbung temples. Prambanan itself contains around 240 temples, while the broader archaeological area includes both Hindu and Buddhist structures.
• Religious and Artistic Features: The principal temples are associated with Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Their walls contain elaborate stone reliefs illustrating the Indonesian version of the Ramayana, while the central Shiva temple rises to approximately 47 metres.
• India’s Restoration Role: The Archaeological Survey of India will assist in conserving smaller temples within the complex. The cooperation reflects the historical spread of Hindu and Buddhist traditions across maritime Southeast Asia and strengthens cultural relations between India and Indonesia.

Delhi Ranks 120th in Global Liveability Index

In the News: New Delhi was placed 120th among 173 cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2026. It was the highest-ranked Indian city in the report, followed by Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. Copenhagen retained the position of the world’s most liveable city for the second consecutive year.

Key Points:

• Indian City Rankings: New Delhi was ranked 120th, Mumbai 121st, Chennai 123rd and Bengaluru 127th. None of the four Indian cities assessed in the report entered the global top 100.
• Publishing Institution: The index is released by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the research and analysis division of The Economist Group. It is separate from India’s domestic Ease of Living assessments conducted for evaluating Indian urban centres.
• Assessment Framework: The index examines living conditions across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. These categories cover approximately 30 qualitative and quantitative indicators relating to urban quality of life.
• Global Performance: Copenhagen ranked first with an overall score of 98 out of 100 and received full marks in stability, education and infrastructure. The average global liveability score remained at 76.1, as gains in healthcare and education were offset by conflict and political instability.
• Cities at the Bottom: Damascus remained the least liveable city in the 2026 assessment. Tripoli and Dhaka were also among the lowest-ranked cities, largely because armed conflict, economic distress and institutional instability affected basic urban services.

Jaipur Ranked Among the World’s Happiest Cities in Happy City Index 2026

In the News: Jaipur was ranked sixth in Time Out’s list of the world’s happiest cities for 2026, making it the only Indian city in the top ten. The ranking was based on responses collected from more than 24,000 residents across cities worldwide. Bath in the United Kingdom secured the first position.

Key Points:

• Jaipur’s Position: Jaipur occupied sixth place after Bath, Panama City, Guadalajara, Medellín and Krakow. It was followed by Chicago, Cape Town, Shanghai and Gothenburg in the top ten.
• Survey Method: Respondents were asked whether their city made them happy, whether local people appeared positive and whether they found joy in daily urban experiences. Only the highest-ranked city from each country was included in the final list of 20 cities.
• Factors Considered: The survey considered residents’ perceptions of community life, culture, food, nightlife, neighbourhoods, green spaces and everyday experiences. It therefore reflects public sentiment and differs from infrastructure-based urban assessments such as the EIU Global Liveability Index.
• Historical Importance of Jaipur: Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II and was developed according to a planned grid system. The walled city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 during the World Heritage Committee’s 43rd session.
• Important Ranking Distinction: Jaipur’s sixth-place recognition came from Time Out’s residents’ survey, not from the official Happy City Index 2026. The separate Happy City Index assessed 251 cities across 64 indicators under citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility, with Copenhagen ranked first.

Why a US Senate campaign ended by sexual assault allegations matters for national politics

In the News: Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate election in Maine, announced his withdrawal from the 2026 race after a former partner accused him of sexual assault. Platner denied the allegation and stated that his withdrawal was not an admission of guilt. His departure has disrupted Democratic plans in a closely watched Senate contest.

Key Points:

• Candidate and Constituency: Platner was a military veteran and oyster farmer who had won the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026. He was contesting against Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has represented Maine in the US Senate since 1997.
• Nature of the Allegation: A woman who had previously been in a relationship with Platner alleged that a 2021 sexual encounter was non-consensual. Platner rejected the allegation, but leading Democratic figures and organisations withdrew their endorsements and urged him to leave the race.
• Replacement Procedure: Maine law permits a political party to replace a nominee who withdraws within the prescribed period. Platner had to withdraw by July 13, while the state Democratic Party was required to select a replacement nominee by July 27.
• Balance in the Senate: Republicans held 53 seats and Democrats 47 in the 100-member Senate. Democrats therefore required a net gain of four seats to secure the 51 seats needed for a majority, making competitive states such as Maine important to national control of the chamber.
• Constitutional Importance of the Senate: The US Senate confirms federal judges, Supreme Court justices, Cabinet members and senior executive appointments. It also ratifies treaties and conducts trials following impeachment by the House of Representatives, making control of the chamber significant beyond ordinary legislation.

DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, Boosting India’s Precision Strike Capability

In the News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The rocket was tested at a user-defined minimum range of 60 km and struck its designated target with high precision after completing the planned in-flight manoeuvres.

Key Points:

• Test Performance: The Long Range Guided Rocket followed its predicted trajectory and successfully completed all planned manoeuvres during the flight. Range instruments deployed at the test site tracked the rocket throughout its journey to the designated target.
• Development Agencies: The rocket has been designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat also supported its development.
• Testing Institutions: The flight trial was coordinated by the Integrated Test Range and the Proof and Experimental Establishment. The Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha is one of India’s principal facilities for testing missiles, rockets and other defence systems.
• Launcher Compatibility: The rocket was fired from an in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating that the existing launcher can operate Pinaka rocket variants of different ranges. This compatibility reduces the need for separate launching platforms for every new variant.
• Earlier Maximum-Range Trial: The maiden flight test of the Pinaka LRGR-120 was conducted on December 29, 2025, at Chandipur. During that trial, the rocket successfully demonstrated its maximum range of 120 km and struck the target with precision.

Samriddh Gram Digital Inclusion Wins WSIS Prize

In the News: The Department of Telecommunications was declared the Global Winner of the WSIS Prizes 2026 for its Samriddh Gram Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model. The project won under Action Line C6, Enabling Environment, at the WSIS Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Points:

• About the Award: The World Summit on the Information Society Prizes are organised under the WSIS process led by the International Telecommunication Union. They recognise projects that use information and communication technologies to advance inclusive and sustainable development.
• Samriddh Gram Initiative: Samriddh Gram is a rural digital transformation initiative developed by the Department of Telecommunications on the BharatNet backbone. It combines digital platforms, reliable connectivity and assisted physical delivery through village-level Samriddhi Kendras.
• Services Provided: Samriddhi Kendras function as one-stop service centres covering healthcare, education, agriculture, banking, skilling, e-governance and e-commerce. Facilities include teleconsultation, Health ATMs, smart classrooms, soil testing, banking correspondent services and digital connectivity.
• Role of BharatNet: BharatNet provides the telecom infrastructure required to deliver digital services in rural areas. More than 2.17 lakh Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready and connected under the rural broadband initiative.
• Selection Process: Samriddh Gram passed through international screening, global online voting, selection among the five Champion Projects and final assessment by the WSIS Expert Committee. More than 2.2 million votes were cast worldwide across the nominated projects during the voting stage.