Current Affairs 21 July 2026

India Joins the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 20 July 2026, formally becoming a party to the agreement. The instrument was handed over by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal to the WTO Director-General. India became the 123rd WTO member to deposit its acceptance.

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference, held in Geneva in June 2022. It became the first multilateral WTO agreement primarily aimed at environmental sustainability. The agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025, after the required two-thirds of WTO members submitted their instruments of acceptance.

The agreement prohibits subsidies connected with illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and fishing of overfished stocks. These rules seek to reduce harmful subsidies that encourage overexploitation of marine resources and threaten the long-term sustainability of global fish stocks.

Its scope is limited mainly to marine wild-capture fishing and fishing-related activities at sea. Aquaculture and inland fisheries remain outside its scope. This is important for India because aquaculture-based shrimp forms a major component of the country’s seafood exports.

The agreement is expected to protect traditional and small-scale fishing communities by restricting subsidies that benefit large industrial and distant-water fishing fleets. It may also strengthen India’s reputation as a responsible seafood exporter in markets that increasingly emphasise sustainability and traceability.

India’s implementation framework includes the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, high-seas fishing guidelines and capacity-building programmes under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Shallow Aquifer Management Programme

The Shallow Aquifer Management programme is an urban groundwater-management initiative implemented under AMRUT 2.0. It is supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and implemented in partnership with the National Institute of Urban Affairs.

The programme seeks to integrate shallow groundwater systems into city-level water planning. Its main objectives are to restore upper groundwater layers, improve urban water security, and strengthen cities against climate-related risks such as water scarcity and intense rainfall.

SAM interventions include recharge shafts, recharge pits, shallow injection borewells, and the revival of traditional dug wells and water bodies. These structures allow rainwater and stormwater to infiltrate the soil, replenish aquifers, and reduce urban flooding and waterlogging.

Scientific tools such as Geographic Information System mapping and micro-watershed studies are used to identify suitable recharge zones. The programme also promotes community participation and local maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater-recharge structures.

The first phase, SAM 1.0, was implemented as a pilot in 10 cities. The expanded SAM 2.0 phase covers 75 additional cities under the Catch the Rain campaign. Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh is among the participating cities and has reported improvement in groundwater levels.

Key Points for Exams:

• Implemented under: AMRUT 2.0
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Partner institution: National Institute of Urban Affairs
• Main objective: Restore and recharge shallow urban aquifers
• SAM 1.0 covered 10 pilot cities.
• SAM 2.0 expanded the programme to 75 additional cities.

India’s Cotton Sector

Cotton, popularly known as “White Gold”, plays an important role in India’s agricultural, textile, and export economy. India is the only country cultivating all four recognised cotton species and ranks first globally in cotton cultivation area. It ranks second in both cotton production and consumption.

India produced a provisional 290.91 lakh bales of cotton during 2025–26, while domestic consumption stood at 328 lakh bales. One cotton bale is equivalent to 170 kg. Cotton cultivation supports around 60 lakh farmers and employs another four to five crore people involved in processing, textiles, and trade.

The government launched the five-year Mission for Cotton Productivity in 2025–26 with an allocation of ₹5,659.22 crore. It aims to develop climate-resilient, pest-resistant, and high-yielding varieties, with special emphasis on Extra-Long Staple cotton. The mission targets an increase in cotton production from 297 lakh bales to 498 lakh bales by 2031.

The Mission will cover nearly 24 lakh hectares across 140 districts in 14 cotton-producing States and is expected to benefit around 32 lakh farmers. It is aligned with the government’s 5F vision—Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, and Foreign.

The Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative seeks to improve the global positioning of Indian cotton through branding, certification, and traceability. QR-based certification and blockchain technology provide end-to-end traceability. As of 30 June 2026, more than 3.29 lakh bales had been certified under the initiative.

Key Points for Exams:

• Cotton is commonly known as White Gold.
• India ranks first globally in cotton cultivation area.
• Mission for Cotton Productivity was launched in 2025–26.
• Mission allocation: ₹5,659.22 crore
• Production target for 2031: 498 lakh bales
• Implementing MSP agency: Cotton Corporation of India
• Digital procurement platform: Kapas Kisan app
• Cotton-branding initiative: Kasturi Cotton Bharat
• The 5F vision represents Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, and Foreign.

Kimi Antonelli Wins 2026 Belgian Grand Prix

Italian driver Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 19 July 2026. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver finished ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to register his sixth victory of the season.

V.S. Rathanvel Becomes India’s 99th Chess Grandmaster

Tamil Nadu chess player V.S. Rathanvel became India’s 99th Grandmaster after crossing the required 2500 Elo rating mark at the 3rd Guwahati Smart City International Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026. The tournament was held in Guwahati from 14 to 19 July 2026.

FIFA World Cup 2026

Highlights:

• FIFA World Cup 2026 Champions: Spain
• Runner-up: Argentina
• Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final.
• The final was held at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, United States.
• Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.
• Spain won its second FIFA World Cup title, having previously won in 2010.
• Golden Ball: Rodri of Spain
• Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé — 10 goals
• Golden Glove: Unai Simón of Spain
• Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí of Spain
• FIFA Fair Play Award: Netherlands
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Q1. Who won the 2026 Belgian Formula One Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps?
A. Charles Leclerc
B. Max Verstappen
C. Kimi Antonelli
D. Lewis Hamilton

Q2. Who recently became India’s 99th Chess Grandmaster?
A. V.S. Rathanvel
B. R. Praggnanandhaa
C. Arjun Erigaisi
D. D. Gukesh

Q3. Which country won the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Argentina in the final?
A. France
B. Spain
C. Brazil
D. Germany

Q4. What is the main objective of the Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative?
A. To provide free cotton seeds to farmers
B. To promote Indian cotton through branding, certification and traceability
C. To replace cotton cultivation with food crops
D. To regulate cotton imports into India

Q5. Which country became the 123rd WTO member to deposit its Instrument of Acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?
A. Pakistan
B. Bangladesh
C. Bhutan
D. India

Q6. Which city in Andhra Pradesh reported improvement in groundwater levels under the Shallow Aquifer Management programme?
A. Kurnool
B. Vizianagaram
C. Tirupati
D. Nellore

Q7. The Shallow Aquifer Management programme is a part of which government mission?
A. AMRUT
B. Jal Jeevan Mission
C. Smart Cities Mission
D. Atal Bhujal Yojana