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Current Affairs 19th July 2026
RBI Policy Rates
Repo Rate: 5.25%
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate: 5.00%
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: 5.50%
Bank Rate: 5.50%
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): 3.00 %
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR):18.00 %
1. Gujarat Tops NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026
- NITI Aayog released the Investment Friendliness Index 2026, assessing 28 States and 8 Union Territories across 8 investment-related pillars.
- Gujarat ranked 1st (56.6), Maharashtra 2nd (53.7), and Tamil Nadu 3rd (53.3).
- The index was launched to benchmark investment-friendly conditions across India and was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 following the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting.
2. India’s First AI-Integrated Vertical University Inaugurates
- VELS Institute of Science, Technology, & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) inaugurated India's first AI-integrated vertical university campus at Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
- The campus was inaugurated by Padma Shri Sridhar Vembu, Chief Scientist and Co-founder of Zoho Corporation.
- The campus features Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in collaboration with Intel Unnati, TCS iON, Microsoft, and Oracle Academy.
3. India Ranked 3rd in WDMMA Global Air Power Rankings 2026
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) ranks 3rd among independent air forces and 6th overall (including all military air branches) in the WDMMA 2026 Global Air Power Rankings.
- The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) uses the True Value Rating (TVR) system, which assesses aircraft quality, technology, logistics, modernization, and operational capability, rather than fleet size alone.
- TheUS Air Force and Russian Air Force ranking higher among independent air forces.
4. RBI Introduces New SNFA Framework
- The framework applies to commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs), and NBFCs.
- Specified Non-Financial Assets (SNFAs) are immovable assets (such as land or buildings) acquired by lenders in full or partial settlement of non-performing asset (NPA) loans.
- Banks must dispose of SNFAs within 7 years, cannot sell them back to the original borrower or related parties, and must value them at the lower of the loan's net book value or distress sale value determined by two independent valuers.
5. Indian Navy to Commission ASW Craft ‘Malvan’
- Malvan is the second indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
- Designed for shallow coastal waters, it is equipped with advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rocket launchers, and mine-laying capability to detect and neutralise submarines and underwater drones.
- The first indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) is INS Mahe.
6. Amitabh Bachchan Named Policybazaar Brand Ambassador
- Policybazaar appointed Amitabh Bachchan as its Brand Ambassador for the nationwide "Parivaar Sabse Pehle" campaign to promote health and term insurance awareness.
- The campaign supports IRDAI's Insurance for All by 2047 vision by encouraging families to secure timely financial protection through insurance.
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) – Chairperson: Debasish Panda.
7. Dr. Nandini Azad Receives Bharat Samman 2026
- Dr. Nandini Azad, President of the Working Women's Forum (India) (WWF-I) and the Indian Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW), received the Bharat Samman 2026 for her lifelong contributions to women's empowerment, financial inclusion, and grassroots social development.
- The Bharat Samman is a national award that recognises exceptional contributions to nation-building, public service, education, healthcare, culture, and women's empowerment.
8. IPC Signs MoU with UPPPC to Boost Pharma & Medical Device Ecosystem
- Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) and the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council (UPPPC) signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.
- during the YEIDA MedTech Investors Meet & Site Visit 2026 held at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.
- India ranks 3rd globally in pharmaceutical production by volume, 11th by market value, and 14th in pharmaceutical exports.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
Nelson Mandela International Day 2026 is observed on 18 July 2026 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa
The theme is "It's Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity."
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