Prelims Current Affairs includes Namaste Day 2026 Celebrated In Kolkata, Defence, Security And Resilience Bank (Dsrb), Swaayan Initiative, Japan Successfully Tests Rv-X Reusable Rocket, Eärendil-1 Satellite, All 5 Indian Students Win Gold At Ipho 2026, Phu Quoc Island, Yastika Bhatia Creates History At Lord’s & Neeru Dhanda Wins Women’s Trap Gold At Issf Shotgun World Cup

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

1. NAMASTE DAY 2026 CELEBRATED IN KOLKATA

Current Context: India observed the 3rd NAMASTE Day on 14 July 2026, with the main event at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata.

ABOUT NAMASTE DAY

• The occasion celebrated the contributions of sanitation workers (Safai Mitras) and highlighted the progress of the NAMASTE Scheme in eliminating hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks through mechanization and social protection.
• NAMASTE Full Form:National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem
• NAMASTE Scheme Launched:2023-24 (Financial Year)
• Ministry:Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective:

• Transform sanitation work by replacing hazardous manual practices with safe, mechanized sanitation services
• Ensure dignity, safety, and social inclusion for sanitation workers

DEFENCE

2. DEFENCE, SECURITY AND RESILIENCE BANK (DSRB)

Current Context: DSRB is a proposed multilateral financial institution for military, security, and supply chain projects.

ABOUT DSRB

• During the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Canada and a group of partner countries announced the launch of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB).
• The bank is expected to become operational by 2027.
• Headquarters:
• Objective: Provide long-term, low-cost financing and financial guarantees for defence, security, and resilience projects among participating countries.
• Target Capital:Up to £100 billion (~$134 billion)

Founding Nations:

• Albania, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Türkiye, Ukraine

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

3. SWAAYAN INITIATIVE

Current Context: MeitY and Drone Federation India launched National Innovation Challenge for Drone Research (NIDAR) under SwaYaan initiative.

ABOUT SWAAYAN INITIATIVE

• SwaYaan is a national capacity-building initiative for Human Resource Development in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/Drone and Related Technologies.
• Launched By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in 2022.
• Vision: Develop a highly skilled workforce to support India’s indigenous drone ecosystem and make India a Global Drone Hub by 2030.
• The challenge aims to promote indigenous drone innovation, strengthen research and development, and nurture talent in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

4. JAPAN SUCCESSFULLY TESTS RV-X REUSABLE ROCKET

Current Context: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully conducted the first lift-off and landing test of its RV-X reusable rocket experimental vehicle on 11 July 2026 at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Center, Akita Prefecture.

ABOUT RV-X

• RV-X is an experimental reusable rocket test vehicle designed to demonstrate Vertical Take-off and Vertical Landing (VTVL) technology, enabling rockets to return safely for reuse.
• Flight Duration:40 seconds
• Supports Japan’s goal of developing affordable space transportation

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

5.  EÄRENDIL-1 SATELLITE

Current Context: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Reflect Orbital a limited two-year licence to operate its Eärendil-1 demonstration satellite.

ABOUT EÄRENDIL-1

• Eärendil-1 is an experimental space mirror satellite being developed by the U.S.-based startup Reflect Orbital.
• It is designed to reflect sunlight onto selected locations on Earth after sunset, providing temporary illumination on demand.
• Orbit:Non-geostationary orbit, LEO altitude between 600-650 km

Applications:

• Extend usable hours for solar panels
• Provide light during emergency/humanitarian missions
• Alleviate energy concerns
• Aid disaster responses, industrial needs, and agriculture

EDUCATION

6. ALL 5 INDIAN STUDENTS WIN GOLD AT IPhO 2026

Current Context: India created history at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia (4-12 July 2026), with all five Indian participants winning Gold medals.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• This remarkable clean sweep enabled India to jointly secure the World No. 1 rank, alongside China.

Ranking: 1st Position (Jointly with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan)

Gold Medalists:

PLACES IN NEWS

7. PHU QUOC ISLAND

Current Context: At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a boat capsized off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island.

ABOUT PHU QUOC ISLAND

• Phu Quoc is the largest island of Vietnam.
• It is located in the Gulf of Thailand, off the southwest coast of Vietnam.
• Administratively, it is part of Kien Giang Province.
• It is popularly known as the “Pearl Island” (Đảo Ngọc) because of its pristine beaches and natural beauty.
• Size:567 sq km (largest island in Vietnam)
• Archipelago:22 islands
• Closer to:Cambodia than mainland Vietnam

SPORTS 

8. YASTIKA BHATIA CREATES HISTORY AT LORD’S

Current Context: Yastika Bhatia became the first woman cricketer to score a Test century at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 12 July 2026.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Score:113 runs (maiden international century)
• Balls:145
• Match:India Women vs England Women (first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s)

Significance:

• First woman to score Test century at Lord’s
• Earned place on Lord’s Honours Board
• Joined Indian legends: Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Dilip Vengsarkar, Vinoo Mankad, Mohammad Azharuddin

SPORTS

9. NEERU DHANDA WINS WOMEN’S TRAP GOLD AT ISSF SHOTGUN WORLD CUP

Current Context: Neeru Dhanda won women’s trap gold at ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2026 in Lonato, Italy.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Category:Women’s Trap
• Final:Defeated Carole Cormenier (France) after tie at 25 hits

Significance:

• India’s first shotgun gold medal of the season
• First individual ISSF World Cup medal for Dhanda
• Previously won mixed trap bronze at ISSF World Cup in Almaty (2026)

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