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Current Affairs 17th July 2026
Major Grasslands of the World
Prairies – USA, Canada
Pampas – Argentina, Uruguay
Velds – South Africa
Downs – Australia, New Zealand
Llanos – Venezuela, Colombia
Campos – Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay
1. Raghuram Rajan Appointed to Key US Federal Reserve Task Force
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Raghuram G. Rajan is a former 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (2013–2016) and previously served as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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The Federal Reserve task force focuses on reviewing banking regulations, financial resilience, and systemic risk management.
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Rajan earlier received the Financial Times–Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award (2010) for Fault Lines. He is currently a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
2. PM Modi to Flag Off India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train
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The train will run on hydrogen fuel cell technology, where hydrogen reacts with oxygen to generate electricity and emits only water vapour, making it a zero-emission transport system.
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It will be flagged off from Jind district of Haryana, marking India's entry into hydrogen-powered rail transport under the National Green Hydrogen Mission(2023) ,Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Target: Produce 5 MMT of Green Hydrogen annually by 2030.
3. NITI Aayog Proposes Biotech Fund
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₹50,000 Crore BioEconomy Growth Fund proposed for 2026–2035 to support biotechnology startups and industries by bridging the gap between research and commercial manufacturing ("valley of death").
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India's bioeconomy is projected to grow from $195.3 billion (2025) to $691 billion by 2035, with a long-term target of $2.6 trillion by 2047
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The initiative supports the government's vision of making India a global biotechnology innovation hub and promoting an Atmanirbhar Bharat in life sciences.
4. World's First 7-Star Luxury Train
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Seven Stars in Kyushu is the world's first 7-star luxury train, launched in October 2013.
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It is owned and operated by JR Kyushu (Kyushu Railway Company) and designed by Eiji Mitooka.
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The train features traditional Japanese craftsmanship, deluxe wooden interiors, and showcases Kyushu's nature, culture, cuisine, and hospitality.
5. Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala Appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences
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Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala is an eminent space scientist who has served in senior positions at ISRO, particularly in satellite applications and earth observation programmes.
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The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is responsible for meteorology, ocean sciences, seismology, climate research, and polar science through institutions like IMD, INCOIS, NCMRWF, and NIOT.
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His appointment is expected to strengthen India's capabilities in weather forecasting, disaster early warning systems, and climate services.
6. Vice-President Releases Book The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks
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'The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks' was released in July 2026 by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
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The book is edited by Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar and published by Thomson Reuters in association with the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA).
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It compiles the speeches of Justice B. R. Gavai, covering constitutional values, judicial implementation, ADR, technology-enabled courts, and global judicial cooperation.
7. UNESCO Award-Winning Restoration of Thukkachi Temple in Tamil Nadu
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The Thukkachi Temple belongs to the Great Living Chola Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the architectural excellence of the Chola dynasty.
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The restoration received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognizing outstanding scientific conservation practices.
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Chola temples are renowned for their Dravidian architecture, granite construction, intricate sculptures, and historical inscriptions, making them important cultural heritage sites.
8. Durand Cup Trophy Tour Begins in Guwahati
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The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup Trophy Tour began in Guwahati on 16 July 2026, featuring the Durand Cup, President's Cup, and Simla Trophy.
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Durand Cup, first held in 1888, is Asia's oldest football tournament and is named after Mortimer Durand.
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The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup (2026) will be held from 25 July to 23 August 2026 across five host cities: Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, and Ranchi.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
World Day for International Justice 2026 is observed on 17 July to promote global justice.
The day also supports the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world’s first permanent international criminal court.
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