1) India ranked 23rd in the Global Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026

• Published by: Germanwatch, CAN International & NewClimate Institute.
• Ranking: India secured 23rd place globally in the CCPI 2026.
• Performance:
• Strong in Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions,
• Moderate in Energy Use and Climate Policy.
• Significance: Continues to remain among the top-performing countries outside the EU in climate action.

2) HDFC Bank tops Kantar BrandZ India’s Most Valuable Brands 2025

• Achievement: HDFC Bank has been ranked India’s Most Valuable Brand (2025) by Kantar BrandZ.
• Reason:
• Strong consumer trust,
• Digital transformation,
• Stable financial performance.
• Significance: Reinforces HDFC Bank’s position as India’s leading banking brand.

3) US designates Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA)

• Event: The United States designated Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally.
• Significance:
• Enhances defence cooperation, technology transfer, and security ties.
• A strategic shift in US foreign policy in the Middle East.
• Background: MNNA status offers defence privileges but does not guarantee mutual defence like NATO.

4) Tesla to start its first dedicated center in India in Gurugram

• Event: Tesla announced its first dedicated India office/service center in Gurugram, Haryana.
• Significance:
• Marks Tesla’s formal entry into the Indian EV ecosystem.
• Will support EV servicing, logistics, and future manufacturing plans.
• Context: Follows India’s incentives for EV manufacturing & clean mobility.

5) Government of India launches BRISA-101 — India’s first indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell anemia

• About: India launched BRISA-101, the first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy.
• Purpose: Treatment of sickle cell anemia, particularly in tribal regions.
• Developed by: Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) & partnering biotech firms.
• Significance:
• Makes India one of the few countries with advanced gene-editing therapy.
• Supports the national mission to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047.

6) Telangana launches MeeSeva on WhatsApp for citizen services

• Event: Government of Telangana launched MeeSeva services on WhatsApp.
• Services Available: Certificates, utility payments, applications, grievance redressal, etc.
• Significance:
• Enhances digital governance and last-mile service delivery.
• Supports ease of living for citizens.

7) ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe & Namibia

• Event: The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
• Significance:
• Promotes cricket development in Africa’s emerging cricket nations.
• Continues ICC’s push for global expansion of youth cricket.

8) NABARD & IAMAI inaugurate the first Earth Summit 2025–26 in Hyderabad

• Event: NABARD and the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) jointly inaugurated the first Earth Summit 2025–26 in Hyderabad.
• Focus Areas:
• Sustainable finance,
• Climate-tech innovation,
• Green agriculture and carbon markets.
• Significance: A major platform for advancing India’s climate-responsive development.

9) PM Narendra Modi to participate in the 20th G20 Summit in South Africa

• Event: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 20th G20 Summit to be held in South Africa.
• Themes Expected:
• Global South cooperation,
• Digital public infrastructure,
• Climate finance,
• Reforming multilateral institutions.
• Significance: Continues India’s active leadership in global economic governance following its successful G20 Presidency in 2023.