In Current Affairs for 21 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 21 July 2026
Andy Burnham Becomes the New Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Andy Burnham has officially assumed office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Keir Starmer, who resigned from the post following growing political pressure within the Labour Party. Burnham was formally invited by King Charles III to form the new government and took the oath of office on 20 July 2026, in accordance with the constitutional traditions of the United Kingdom.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Burnham served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he earned recognition for initiatives aimed at improving public services, housing, transport, and the overall quality of life of local residents. His administrative experience and leadership within the Labour Party played an important role in his elevation to the country’s highest political office.
The appointment follows the British constitutional convention under which the monarch invites the leader most capable of commanding the confidence of the House of Commons to form the government. Burnham’s leadership is expected to focus on economic reforms, strengthening public services, and addressing domestic as well as international challenges facing the United Kingdom.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| New Prime Minister | Andy Burnham |
| Predecessor | Keir Starmer |
| Appointed By | King Charles III |
| Sworn In | 20 July 2026 |
| Previous Position | Mayor of Greater Manchester |
James Gray to Receive Prestigious Career Pardo Award
Renowned American filmmaker James Gray has been selected to receive the Pardo alla Carriera (Career Leopard Award) at the Locarno Film Festival 2026. The prestigious honour recognises his outstanding contribution to international cinema and his distinctive style of storytelling.
The award will be presented on 9 August 2026, ahead of the screening of his latest film, Paper Tiger, at Piazza Grande, one of Europe’s largest open-air cinema venues. The ceremony celebrates filmmakers whose work has left a lasting impact on world cinema.
James Gray is widely known for directing critically acclaimed films such as Little Odessa (1994), The Yards (2000), We Own the Night (2007), Two Lovers (2008), and The Immigrant (2013). His films often explore themes of family, crime, immigration, and human relationships, earning him international recognition.
The Locarno Film Festival, held annually in Switzerland, is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals. Receiving the Career Pardo Award places James Gray among an elite group of filmmakers honoured for their lifelong contribution to cinema.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | Pardo alla Carriera (Career Leopard Award) |
| Recipient | James Gray |
| Nationality | American |
| Presented At | Locarno Film Festival 2026 |
| Award Date | 9 August 2026 |
| Latest Film | Paper Tiger |
| Venue | Piazza Grande, Switzerland |
Pakistan to Host the 2027 South Asian Games
Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games from 23 March to 31 March 2027, marking the country’s third opportunity to organize the region’s premier multi-sport event. Competitions will be held across Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad, with more than 3,500 athletes from eight South Asian countries expected to participate in 27 sporting disciplines.
The South Asian Games are organised under the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) and promote sporting excellence and regional cooperation among South Asian nations. Pakistan was originally awarded the hosting rights in 2019, but the Games were postponed several times before being rescheduled for 2027.
To ensure successful preparations, the Government of Pakistan has approved substantial financial support for infrastructure development and event organisation. The 2027 edition will also be historic as it will be the first South Asian Games hosted outside Islamabad, with Lahore and Faisalabad sharing hosting responsibilities.
The event is expected to strengthen sporting ties, encourage cultural exchange, and provide athletes with an important platform to compete at the regional level.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 14th South Asian Games |
| Host Country | Pakistan |
| Dates | 23–31 March 2027 |
| Host Cities | Lahore, Islamabad & Faisalabad |
| Participating Countries | 8 |
| Sports | 27 |
| Organising Body | South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) |
India Joins WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
India has officially become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies after depositing its Instrument of Acceptance on 20 July 2026. With this step, India became the 123rd WTO member to formally accept the agreement, marking an important milestone in global efforts to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve marine resources.
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2022. It establishes international rules to regulate government subsidies provided to the marine fishing sector. However, the agreement applies only to marine wild capture fisheries and excludes aquaculture and inland fisheries.
One of the agreement’s primary objectives is to eliminate subsidies that encourage illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also seeks to reduce financial support that contributes to overfishing and overcapacity, thereby protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of global fish stocks.
Although India has joined the agreement, it continues to advocate for the interests of developing countries during the ongoing Phase II negotiations. India has requested a 25-year transition period to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of traditional fishermen. It has also called for stricter regulations on large industrial fishing fleets operating in distant waters and permanent protection for small-scale and artisanal fishers.
India maintains that its fisheries subsidies are among the lowest in the world, averaging around 15 US dollars per fisher family annually, and argues that it should not be treated on par with highly industrialized fishing nations.
The WTO Agreement represents a significant global initiative to balance marine conservation with the livelihood needs of fishing communities while ensuring fair international trade practices.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Agreement | WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies |
| India Became Member | 20 July 2026 |
| WTO Member Number | 123rd Member |
| Adopted At | 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), Geneva (2022) |
| Covers | Marine Wild Capture Fisheries |
| Excludes | Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries |
| Objective | Prevent IUU Fishing, Overfishing & Harmful Subsidies |
| India’s Demand | 25-year transition period for developing countries |
Indian Grandmasters Shine at Menuires International Chess Championship 2026
Indian chess players delivered an outstanding performance at the Menuires International Chess Championship 2026 held in Les Menuires, France. Grandmaster S. Rohith Krishna from Tamil Nadu won the Gold Medal, while Grandmaster Raja Rithvik from Telangana secured the Silver Medal in the Open category.
The championship formed part of the 1st Open International d’Échecs des Menuires, conducted from 11 to 18 July 2026 in the scenic French Alps. The tournament featured 86 players from several countries and followed a nine-round Swiss format.
Both Rohith Krishna and Raja Rithvik remained undefeated, scoring seven points from nine rounds. Rohith Krishna clinched the title on the basis of a superior tie-break score of 43, while Raja Rithvik finished second with a tie-break score of 41.5.
Raja Rithvik, seeded fourth in the competition, impressed with five victories and four draws. His final-round victory over French Grandmaster Maxime Lagarde proved crucial in securing the silver medal.
The bronze medal was won by French Grandmaster Omelja Artem, who finished with 6.5 points.
India’s excellent performance once again highlights the country’s growing dominance in international chess and reflects the strength of its emerging generation of grandmasters.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Menuires International Chess Championship 2026 |
| Venue | Les Menuires, France |
| Gold Medal | GM S. Rohith Krishna (Tamil Nadu) |
| Silver Medal | GM Raja Rithvik (Telangana) |
| Bronze Medal | GM Omelja Artem (France) |
| Tournament Format | Nine-Round Swiss System |
| Participants | 86 Players |
IIT Tirupati Hosts 5th BRICS Geospatial Technologies Meeting
IIT Tirupati hosted the 5th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Geospatial Technologies and its Applications from 20 to 22 July 2026 at its Yerpedu campus in Andhra Pradesh. The three-day event was organized under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, bringing together experts, scientists, policymakers, and delegates from BRICS member countries and partner nations through both physical and virtual participation.
The meeting focused on strengthening international cooperation in the field of geospatial technologies, which involve the collection, analysis, management, and application of location-based information using technologies such as Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and digital mapping.
Key discussions centered on developing geospatial infrastructure for sustainable development, improving climate resilience, advancing positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technologies, promoting Artificial Intelligence-based geospatial analytics, and ensuring data interoperability among member nations.
The deliberations also highlighted the growing importance of geospatial technologies in disaster management, agriculture, urban planning, transport systems, environmental monitoring, and national geospatial policy implementation.
The inaugural session was attended by several eminent dignitaries, including IIT Tirupati Director Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, DST Under Secretary Gautam Govind, Manoranjan Mohanty, Head of the National Geospatial Programme Division, along with scientists Shubha Pandey and Arindam Bhattacharya. IIT Tirupati’s Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITNiF) also played an important role in organizing the event.
The meeting reflects BRICS’ growing emphasis on scientific collaboration and the use of advanced geospatial technologies for sustainable development and innovation.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 5th BRICS Working Group Meeting on Geospatial Technologies |
| Host | IIT Tirupati |
| Venue | Yerpedu Campus, Andhra Pradesh |
| Dates | 20–22 July 2026 |
| Organized By | Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India |
| Participants | BRICS Member Countries & Partner Nations |
| Major Themes | GIS, Remote Sensing, GNSS, AI-based Geospatial Analytics, Climate Resilience, Data Interoperability |
| Objective | Promote Geospatial Cooperation for Sustainable Development |
Review Questions
1. India became the _____ member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
A) 118th
B) 120th
C) 123rd
D) 125th
Answer: C) 123rd
2. The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted during which WTO Ministerial Conference?
A) 10th Ministerial Conference
B) 11th Ministerial Conference
C) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12)
D) 13th Ministerial Conference
Answer: C) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12)
3. Which of the following is NOT covered under the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?
A) Marine Wild Capture Fisheries
B) Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
C) Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries
D) Harmful Fishing Subsidies
Answer: C) Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries
4. India has demanded a transition period of how many years for developing countries during Phase II negotiations of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement?
A) 10 Years
B) 15 Years
C) 20 Years
D) 25 Years
Answer: D) 25 Years
5. Who won the Gold Medal at the Menuires International Chess Championship 2026?
A) Raja Rithvik
B) S. Rohith Krishna
C) Maxime Lagarde
D) Omelja Artem
Answer: B) S. Rohith Krishna
6. Raja Rithvik, who won the Silver Medal at the Menuires International Chess Championship, belongs to which Indian state?
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Telangana
D) Kerala
Answer: C) Telangana
7. The Menuires International Chess Championship 2026 was held in which country?
A) Germany
B) France
C) Switzerland
D) Italy
Answer: B) France
8. Which institution hosted the 5th BRICS Working Group Meeting on Geospatial Technologies and its Applications?
A) IIT Bombay
B) IIT Madras
C) IIT Tirupati
D) IISc Bengaluru
Answer: C) IIT Tirupati
9. The 5th BRICS Geospatial Meeting was organized under which Government of India department?
A) Ministry of Electronics & IT
B) Department of Science and Technology (DST)
C) ISRO
D) Ministry of Earth Sciences
Answer: B) Department of Science and Technology (DST)
10. Which of the following technologies was one of the major focus areas of the 5th BRICS Geospatial Meeting?
A) Quantum Computing
B) Artificial Intelligence-based Geospatial Analytics
C) Blockchain Technology
D) Nuclear Fusion Technology
Answer: B) Artificial Intelligence-based Geospatial Analytics
