In Current Affairs for 13 July 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 13 July 2026
11 Years of Digital India: eSaras Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs
Introduction
The Digital India programme has completed 11 years, marking a significant milestone in India’s digital transformation journey. Over the past decade, digital technology has improved governance, financial inclusion, and public service delivery. One of its notable initiatives is eSaras, an online marketplace that enables rural entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to directly sell their products across India.
About eSaras
eSaras is a digital marketplace developed by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The platform operates under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
Key Features
- Provides a nationwide online platform for rural producers.
- Eliminates geographical barriers in marketing.
- Reduces dependence on middlemen, ensuring better income for artisans.
- Promotes handicrafts, handloom products, and traditional goods.
- Integrates with Digital Public Infrastructure, including UMANG, secure digital payment systems, logistics partners, and API-based verification services.
Significance
eSaras has emerged as one of India’s leading digital commerce platforms for rural entrepreneurs. It strengthens women’s self-help groups, promotes financial inclusion, and supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by connecting rural producers directly with consumers.
Conclusion
The success of eSaras demonstrates how digital technology can create sustainable livelihoods, preserve traditional crafts, and improve rural incomes while making India’s digital economy more inclusive.
India to Conduct the Largest Village-Level Telecom Network Performance Survey
Introduction
To strengthen digital connectivity across rural India, the Department of Posts and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have signed an agreement to conduct the country’s largest village-level telecom network performance survey.
Objective
The survey aims to assess the quality of telecom services in approximately 5.68 lakh villages across the country.
Major Highlights
- Mobile service providers such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL will be evaluated.
- The survey will identify coverage gaps and network quality issues.
- Field data collected will support evidence-based policymaking.
- Special focus will be given to improving connectivity in remote and underserved regions.
Importance
Although telecom infrastructure has expanded significantly, many villages still experience poor signal strength, call drops, and slow internet speeds. Reliable data from the survey will help improve service quality and bridge the digital divide.
Conclusion
This nationwide survey is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening rural digital infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to communication services.
UN Women Report Highlights Impact of Humanitarian Funding Cuts
Introduction
A recent report released by UN Women has highlighted the severe consequences of declining humanitarian funding on women and girls worldwide. The report warns that funding shortages are limiting access to essential services for vulnerable populations.
Key Findings
- Around one million women and girls lost access to vital humanitarian assistance during the past year.
- Nearly 90% of surveyed women’s organisations reported difficulties in meeting growing demands.
- Approximately 40% may shut down permanently or temporarily within a year due to financial constraints.
- More than 75% have already reduced staff.
- Around 65% continue operating despite employees working without pay.
Countries Covered
The study included 855 women’s organisations operating in countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti.
Significance
Women’s organisations play a critical role in preventing gender-based violence, providing healthcare, education, and emergency support. Funding cuts directly affect these essential services.
Conclusion
The report calls for sustained international support to protect vulnerable women and girls and ensure that humanitarian assistance remains effective and inclusive.
Declining Humanitarian Aid Creates Challenges for Women Worldwide
Introduction
International humanitarian assistance is facing growing financial pressure due to reduced contributions from donor countries. These funding cuts have significantly affected programmes supporting women and girls.
Reasons Behind the Crisis
- Major donor countries have reduced foreign aid commitments.
- Rising domestic expenditure and defence spending have limited overseas assistance.
- Global economic challenges have affected international development budgets.
Impact
- Around 120 million women and girls currently require humanitarian assistance and protection.
- Many organisations have reduced the number of beneficiaries they serve.
- Several women-led organisations may cease operations due to insufficient funding.
Way Forward
Greater international cooperation, diversified funding sources, and long-term financial commitments are necessary to maintain humanitarian programmes focused on women’s welfare.
Conclusion
Ensuring adequate humanitarian financing is essential for achieving gender equality and protecting vulnerable communities during crises.
Sahitya Akademi Award-Winning Tamil Writer Poomani Passes Away
Introduction
Renowned Tamil novelist and short-story writer Poomani passed away on 12 July 2026 at the age of 79. He was widely respected for portraying rural society, marginalized communities, and social realities through his literary works.
Literary Contribution
Poomani’s writings reflected the everyday lives of farmers, labourers, and socially disadvantaged communities in Tamil Nadu. His realistic storytelling earned him recognition as one of the leading voices in modern Tamil literature.
Major Achievement
He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his acclaimed novel Agnyaadi, one of India’s highest literary honours.
Other Notable Work
His novel Vekkai was adapted into the successful Tamil film Asuran (2019), directed by Vetrimaaran and starring Dhanush, bringing his work to a wider audience.
About Sahitya Akademi
- India’s National Academy of Letters.
- Functions under the Ministry of Culture.
- Presents annual literary awards in 24 recognised Indian languages.
Conclusion
Poomani’s writings remain an enduring contribution to Indian literature, highlighting social justice, rural life, and human dignity.
NABARD Launches Gramodyam to Promote Rural Entrepreneurship
Introduction
On its 45th Foundation Day, NABARD launched Gramodyam, a new entrepreneurship development programme aimed at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural youth.
About Gramodyam
Gramodyam is a three-year pilot programme targeting around 4,000 rural entrepreneurs across all States and Union Territories using a digital-first hybrid training model.
Implementing Agencies
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
- Institute for Industrial Development
Objectives
- Promote entrepreneurship among rural youth.
- Develop sustainable rural businesses.
- Generate employment opportunities.
- Support the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.
About NABARD
Established in 1982, NABARD serves as India’s apex development bank for agriculture and rural development.
Conclusion
Gramodyam represents an important initiative to strengthen rural entrepreneurship and create self-reliant rural economies through skill development and enterprise creation.
ICAI Launches Global Orbit Summit 2026 to Strengthen India’s GCC Ecosystem
Introduction
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) inaugurated the first Global Orbit Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 11 July 2026. The summit focuses on India’s rapidly expanding Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem.
Theme
“ICAI Global Orbit: From GCCs to Global Leadership.”
About Global Capability Centres
Global Capability Centres are offshore units established by multinational companies to provide services such as:
- Finance
- Information Technology
- Research & Development
- Data Analytics
- Human Resources
- Customer Support
India currently hosts more than 2,100 GCCs, employing nearly 2.36 million professionals and generating close to USD 100 billion in annual revenue.
Role of ICAI
ICAI promotes:
- Professional skill development
- Digital and analytical capabilities
- Cross-border professional mobility
- Support for India’s growing global services sector
Future Summit Schedule
Following the New Delhi event, the summit series will be organised in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai.
Conclusion
The Global Orbit Summit highlights India’s emergence as a global hub for high-value professional services and reinforces the country’s position as a preferred destination for Global Capability Centres.
Review Questions
1. Which digital marketplace has been developed to enable rural producers to sell their products directly across India?
A) GeM
B) ONDC
C) eSaras
D) BharatMart
Answer: C) eSaras
2. The eSaras platform operates under which government programme?
A) PM Gati Shakti
B) DAY-NRLM
C) PM-KISAN
D) Startup India
Answer: B) DAY-NRLM
3. The Department of Posts and TRAI have jointly launched India’s largest telecom network performance survey covering approximately how many villages?
A) 3.5 lakh villages
B) 4.2 lakh villages
C) 5.68 lakh villages
D) 6.75 lakh villages
Answer: C) 5.68 lakh villages
4. According to the UN Women report, approximately how many women and girls lost access to essential humanitarian assistance due to funding cuts?
A) 2 million
B) 500,000
C) 1 million
D) 5 million
Answer: C) 1 million
5. Which organization released the report highlighting the impact of declining humanitarian funding on women and girls?
A) UNICEF
B) UNDP
C) UN Women
D) UNESCO
Answer: C) UN Women
6. Renowned Tamil writer Poomani received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for which novel?
A) Vekkai
B) Agnyaadi
C) Karisal
D) Piragu
Answer: B) Agnyaadi
7. Which of Poomani’s novels was adapted into the 2019 Tamil film ‘Asuran’?
A) Agnyaadi
B) Vekkai
C) Piragu
D) Naivedhyam
Answer: B) Vekkai
8. NABARD launched which entrepreneurship development programme on its 45th Foundation Day?
A) Gram Shakti
B) Gram Vikas
C) Gramodyam
D) Gram Udaan
Answer: C) Gramodyam
9. The ICAI Global Orbit Summit 2026 was inaugurated in which city?
A) Mumbai
B) Bengaluru
C) New Delhi
D) Hyderabad
Answer: C) New Delhi
10. The theme of the ICAI Global Orbit Summit 2026 is:
A) India’s Digital Economy: The Next Frontier
B) Chartered Accountancy for a Sustainable Future
C) ICAI Global Orbit: From GCCs to Global Leadership
D) Building India’s Financial Future
Answer: C) ICAI Global Orbit: From GCCs to Global Leadership
