Current Affairs 04 July 2026
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International Current Affairs
16th India–Japan Annual Summit
List of Outcomes
During the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit, India and Japan unveiled 16 major outcomes aimed at strengthening cooperation across strategic sectors, including economic security, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, mobility, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, internet governance, and financial services. The two countries also announced that 2027 will be celebrated as the India–Japan Year of Shared Horizons to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Highlights
- India and Japan announced 16 outcomes during the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit.
- Both countries signed a Joint Declaration on Economic Security, focusing on semiconductors, critical minerals, AI, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals.
- A Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence (AI) elevated bilateral cooperation to a strategic AI research and development partnership.
- The two nations agreed to celebrate 2027 as the India–Japan Year of Shared Horizons, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
- A Cooperative Biogas for Growth (CBG) Initiative aims to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertilizer plants across India.
- Agreements were also signed in battery technology, geology and mineral exploration, pharmaceuticals, AI, next-generation mobility, life sciences, internet governance, and financial services.
Polity and Governance
Appointment of Additional Judges to the High Court
Recently, the President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), appointed three Judicial Officers as Additional Judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
- Additional Judges are appointed under Article 224(1) of the Constitution of India.
- Additional Judges are appointed by the President of India.
- The appointment is made after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
- Additional Judges are appointed to deal with a temporary increase in the workload or arrears of cases in a High Court.
- They are appointed for a maximum period of two years or till the age of 62.
Science and Technology
Vikram-1: India’s First Privately Developed Orbital Rocket Set for Maiden Launch
Highlights
- Vikram-1 is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket.
- Developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private space company.
- The maiden test flight is named Mission Aagaman (“Arrival”).
- Launch window: 12 July – 4 August 2026.
- Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
- Mission Aagaman is Skyroot’s second mission, after the successful launch of Vikram-S in November 2022.
- The mission will evaluate propulsion, stage separation, guidance, navigation, control systems, and overall vehicle performance.
- Full commercial orbital launches are planned after successful demonstration flights.
I-2SEA Submarine Cable Project
A consortium comprising Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications, and Lightstorm has unveiled the India–International Subsea Cable Express (I-2SEA), a new submarine cable system connecting India, Malaysia, and Singapore. The 3,600-km high-capacity cable aims to support the rapidly growing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, hyperscale data centres, and enterprise connectivity across the India–Southeast Asia corridor. The system is expected to become operational by Q4 2029.
Highlights
- It will have dual landing stations in India:
- Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) – providing the shortest subsea access to Hyderabad.
- South Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
- The project is designed to support AI workloads, cloud computing, hyperscale data centres, and enterprise connectivity.
- NEC Corporation has been appointed as the system supplier.
- ASEAN Cableship (ACPL) will serve as the marine installation partner.
- The cable system is targeted to be ready for service by 2029.
World’s Oldest Banyan Tree Identified in Bihar
Scientists have identified a banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) in Munger, Bihar, as the oldest accurately dated banyan tree in the world. Using radiocarbon dating through Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), researchers estimated the tree to be around 700 years old, replacing age estimates previously based on folklore and historical records.
Defence
Defence Acquisition Council Approves Procurement Proposals Worth ₹52,000 Crore
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹52,000 crore to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The approvals include advanced air defence systems, anti-tank missiles, anti-drone systems, unmanned aerial systems, naval mines, and high-altitude surveillance platforms.
Highlights
- Indian Army procurement includes:
- AKASH TARANG Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System.
- Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) System.
- Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System.
- Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS).
- Active Protection System for tanks.
- Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System.
- Indian Navy procurement includes:
- Multi Influence Ground Mine (MIGM).
- Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS).
- Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems.
- Indian Air Force procurement includes:
- Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunications, and remote sensing.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Q1. Vikram-1, recently in the news, is significant because it is:
A. India’s first reusable launch vehicle
B. India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket
C. India’s first human spaceflight mission
D. India’s first cryogenic rocket
Show Answer
Answer: B. India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket
Explanation: Vikram-1, developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket. Its maiden mission, Mission Aagaman, is scheduled to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Q2. The recently announced I-2SEA submarine cable project will connect India with which two countries?
A. Indonesia and Thailand
B. Malaysia and Singapore
C. Sri Lanka and Maldives
D. Vietnam and Philippines
Show Answer
Answer: B. Malaysia and Singapore
Explanation: The I-2SEA (India–International Subsea Cable Express) is a 3,600-km submarine cable system that will connect India with Malaysia and Singapore. It is being developed by a consortium comprising Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications, and Lightstorm to strengthen AI, cloud, and data centre connectivity across the region.
Q3. The Cooperative Biogas for Growth (CBG) Initiative, which aims to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertilizer plants across India, is a collaboration between India and which country?
A. Germany
B. France
C. Japan
D. South Korea
Show Answer
Answer: C. Japan
Explanation: The Cooperative Biogas for Growth (CBG) Initiative was announced during the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit. Under the initiative, India and Japan will work together to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertilizer plants across India by leveraging the country’s extensive network of dairy cooperatives.
Q4. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence procurement proposals worth approximately:
A. ₹25,000 crore
B. ₹40,000 crore
C. ₹52,000 crore
D. ₹75,000 crore
Show Answer
Answer: C. ₹52,000 crore
Explanation: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence acquisition proposals worth about ₹52,000 crore to strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Q5. AKASH TARANG, recently approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for the Indian Army, is an:
A. Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System
B. Medium-range ballistic missile
C. Anti-submarine warfare system
D. Long-range surveillance radar
Show Answer
Answer: A. Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System
Explanation: AKASH TARANG is an Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Anti-UAV) Electronic Warfare System approved for procurement by the Indian Army. It is designed to detect, track, jam, and neutralize hostile drones, thereby providing effective protection against unmanned aerial threats.
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding Additional Judges of a High Court:
1. They are appointed under Article 224(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. They are appointed to deal with a temporary increase in the workload or arrears of cases in a High Court.
3. They can be appointed for a maximum period of two years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Article 224(1) of the Constitution provides for the appointment of Additional Judges to High Courts. They are appointed by the President to deal with a temporary increase in the workload or arrears of cases and can hold office for a maximum period of two years.
Q7. The world’s oldest accurately dated banyan tree, identified using radiocarbon dating, is located in:
A. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
B. Munger, Bihar
C. Mysuru, Karnataka
D. Kolkata, West Bengal
Show Answer
Answer: B. Munger, Bihar
Explanation: A banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) in Munger, Bihar, has been identified as the world’s oldest accurately dated banyan tree. Scientists estimated its age to be around 700 years using radiocarbon dating with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), making it a landmark achievement in the scientific dating of tropical heritage trees.
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September 2025 – May 2026 — Best ValueFrequently Asked Questions
Can Additional Judges be appointed to the Supreme Court?
No. Additional Judges are appointed only to High Courts under Article 224(1) of the Constitution of India to deal with a temporary increase in the workload or arrears of cases. The Supreme Court has no provision for the appointment of Additional Judges. However, under Article 127, the Chief Justice of India may appoint an ad hoc Judge to the Supreme Court if there is a lack of quorum.
What is Article 224 of the Constitution of India?
Article 224 deals with the appointment of Additional and Acting Judges in High Courts.
Article 224(1): Provides for the appointment of Additional Judges for a maximum period of two years to handle a temporary increase in workload or pending cases.
Article 224(2): Provides for the appointment of an Acting Judge when a High Court Judge (other than the Chief Justice) is unable to perform duties due to absence or other reasons.
Both appointments are made by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
Vikram-1 rocket was developed by which company?
Vikram-1 is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private space company. Its maiden orbital mission, Mission Aagaman, is scheduled between July 12 and August 4, 2026, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
The I-2SEA Submarine Cable Project connects which countries?
The I-2SEA (India–International Subsea Cable Express) project connects India, Malaysia, and Singapore. It is being developed by a consortium comprising Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications, and Lightstorm to strengthen AI, cloud computing, hyperscale data centres, and digital connectivity across the India–Southeast Asia corridor.
Where is the world’s oldest accurately dated banyan tree located?
The world’s oldest accurately dated banyan tree is located in Munger district, Bihar. The tree, belonging to the species Ficus benghalensis, is estimated to be around 700 years old based on radiocarbon dating using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS).
What is AKASH TARANG?
AKASH TARANG is an Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Anti-UAV) Electronic Warfare System approved for procurement by the Indian Army. It is designed to detect, track, jam, and neutralize hostile drones, providing effective protection against unmanned aerial threats and strengthening the Army’s air defence capabilities.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.
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