9 July 2026 Current Affairs | IIT Madras Bridge Monitoring | High Seas Fisheries Programme

Current Affairs

1. National Bridge Health Monitoring Software

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to centralise National Bridge Health Monitoring Software (NBHMS) with the collaboration of IIT Madras and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The project will use the latest technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), sensors and data analytics to monitor the structural health of bridges across the country. This will mean safer bridges, predictive maintenance and less chance of infrastructure collapse.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Institutions: IIT Madras, C-DAC Ministry: MoRTH
• Software: National Bridge Health Monitoring System (NBHMS)
• Uses AI, sensors and data analysis

Aim:

• Making bridges safer
• Look for structural weaknesses.
• Better Infrastructure Management

2. Vice President’s high seas fisheries authorisation program announced

The national initiative for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in High Seas (SHFHS) was inaugurated by the Vice President, C. P. Radhakrishnan, on 9th July, 2026. The move is aimed at regulating deep sea fishing and incentivising sustainable use of marine resources and assisting Indian fishermen in international waters and compliance with international fisheries regulations.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Launch Date: July 9, 2026
• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan launched the programme: Authorisation Letter (LoA) Focus: Fisheries around the world
• Sustainability of Fisheries
• Support to Indian Fisherfolk for Conservation of Marine Resources.

3. Gujarat Releases Data Centre Policy 2026-29

Gandhinagar, July 9, 2026: The Gujarat government today announced its first ever Data Centre Policy for 2026-29. The drive will target Rs 6 lakh crore investment and create 500 MW of data centre capacity. It is aimed at promoting green data centres, jobs and technological innovation to make Gujarat a global hub for data infrastructure.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Policy Data Centre 2026-29 Policy
• State : Gujarat
• Investment target: Rs 6 lakh crore
• Target: 500 MW Capacity target:
• Information systems infrastructure.
• Greener data centres
• Jobs created by technology spending

4. India, Australia and Canada Join Hands for ACITI Partnership

Australia, Canada and India launched the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI) on 9 July 2026. The trilateral effort seeks to boost technology cooperation between the three countries, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), green energy technologies, key minerals, quantum technologies, semiconductor supply chains and innovation ecosystems.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Partnership ACITI Countries Australia Canada India

Areas of focus:

• AI for energy renewables
• Mineral Nutrition Semiconductor | Quantum technology
• Boosts trilateral technology cooperation

5. Govt cuts customs duty on electrical components

The Government of India has exempted certain products used for fabrication of display assemblies, lithium ion battery cells and inductor coil modules from Basic Customs Duty (BCD) effective from 9th July, 2026. The move aims to reduce production costs, encourage domestic electronics manufacturing and boost the Make in India push.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Decision : 9 July 2026 Summary
• Conditions for Exemption from Customs Duty
• Lithium-ion battery assembly
• Inductor coil assemblies

Objectives:

• Less expensive to manufacture
• boost electronics manufacturing
• Support for ‘Make in India’.

6. Higher Education: 4.5 crore + Admissions

In 2023-24, 4.5 crore students were enrolled in higher education in the country, up from 3.42 crore students in 2014-15. The female enrolment stood at 2.24 crore, implying a better gender engagement in higher education. The data points to the explosive growth of Indian education sector.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Abstract Academic Year 2023/2024
• Total registered: 45 lakhs
• Enrolment 2014-15 3.42 crores
• Girls on roll 22 million

Points to greater access to tertiary education

7. India, Kyrgyzstan to launch Manas-Mahabharata Studies Centre

An Indian team visited Bishkek from 4-7 July 2016 and inaugurated the International Centre for Civilisational Studies – “Manas and Mahabharata” in India and Kyrgyzstan. The institute is dedicated to fostering comparative research on the Mahabharata of India and the Manas Epic of Kyrgyzstan in order to establish cultural and intellectual ties between the two countries.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Countries: India, Bishkek Centre Launched
• Highlights of Kyrgyzstan: Manas Mahabharata Epic
• Encourages cultural co-operation Civilisation research supporters

8. India’s peak electricity demand to touch 300 GW by FY2027

India’s peak power demand is expected to reach 300 GW in FY27, up from 271 GW in May 2026. The government is also working to increase generation capacity and renewable energy infrastructure to meet the increased demand for power from economic growth and urbanisation.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Forecast peak demand 300GW
• Fiscal Year: 2027
• Peak 271 GW (May 2026) Focus: Above Energy security Renewable sources of energy Electricity generation

9. Global AI Summit to be hosted by Geneva in 2027

Global AI Summit Geneva, Switzerland June 21-22, 2027 The conference will unite governments, industry executives, researchers and international organisations to discuss AI governance, trustworthy artificial intelligence, ethical AI development and multilateral cooperation.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Location: Switzerland
• City:Geneva
• Dates: June 21-22, 2027

Topics:

• AI policy .
• Responsible AI.
• International cooperation Reliable artificial intelligence

10. DRDO Successfully Flight Tests 60 km Range Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on July 8, 2026 successfully flight tested Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) with a range of 60 km at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. India’s home-grown rocket artillery capability gets a boost from successful tests

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Structure of DRDO
• Rocket : LRGR Pinaka Range : 60 km

Test site :

• Chandipur, Odisha, India ITR
• Improving local defence capacity

11. S Aswath of Tamil Nadu becomes India’s 98th Grandmaster

Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, 8 July 2026: S. Tamil Nadu’s 17-year-old Aswath from Nagercoil became India’s 98th Chess Grandmaster after achieving his third Grandmaster norm. His achievement is also a reflection of growing stature of India in world chess.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• S. Aswath Actor
• Age: 17 year old
• Status of State Grandmaster of Tamil Nadu
• Date attained 8 July 2026

12. CSIR-NAL Completes Design of Saras MkII Aircraft

CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru, has completed the design of Saras MkII, an indigenous 19-seater light transport aircraft, on 8 July 2026. It is an aircraft intended for regional communications, surveillance and utility use.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Organization: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratory
• Aircraft: Mk 2 SARA
• Seating Capacity 19 People
• Original aircraft
• Region planning, transit & watch

13. ISRO tests Gaganyaan mission’s main parachute

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test-05 (IMAT-05) for Gaganyaan Mission on July 07, 2026. Parachute technology validated for safe recovery of crew module in India’s first human space flight mission

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Organization: ISRO
• IMAT-05 Gaganyaan Mission Exam
• Date : 07/07/2026

Aim:

• Recovery of crew capsule
• Safety of human space flight

14. India, Myanmar to hold border co-ordination meet Content Details

23rd India-Myanmar National-Level Border Co-ordination Meeting held at New Delhi on 07-08 July 2026 The talks focused on border security, trans-border crimes, illegal migration and ways of boosting coordination between the two neighbouring countries.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Meeting: 23rd Border Coordination Meeting
• Date: 7-8 July 2026
• Location: New Delhi

Focus:

• Illegal immigration Border protection
• International cooperation against cross-border crime

15. Uttarakhand becomes Sixth State to Achieve Full Literacy in India

Uttarakhand has been declared as the 6th fully literate state of India under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and ULLAS Programme on July 8, 2026. This success is a testimony to the state’s effectiveness in raising literacy levels through adult education and inclusive learning activities.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Location: Uttarakhand
• Literate: July 7, 2026
• The sixth literate state in India

16. NEP 2020 ULLAS Handloom Hackathon 2026 Descriptive

Handloom Hackathon 2026 on the theme “Weaving Innovation” launched. Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles announced launch of Handloom Hackathon 2026 on 08.07.2026. The hackathon will look at new ways of using technology and design to benefit India’s handloom sector.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Event: Handloom Hackathon 2026
• Theme: Creating New Things
• Ministry: Ministry of Textiles

Purpose:

• Innovative
• Adoption of Technology

17. India, Australia sign uranium, defence, investment deals Empowerment of Handloom Sector

India and Australia signed an administrative arrangement for the implementation of the Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, agreed in 2015, on 9 July 2026. The agreement paves the way for Australia to sell uranium to India and also boosts cooperation in defence, trade, investment and strategic partnerships.

Key Points for Current Affairs

• Country: Australia India
• Agreement finalised July 09 2027

Includes:

• Uranium shipments in defence cooperation Trade Investments
• India, Australia deepen strategic partnership