Today’s important current affairs, which are essential for students preparing for government jobs-
NATIONAL
1. Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi arrived in India on a 3-day visit
- Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in India on 1 July for a three-day official visit.
- Takaichi will also participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit during the visit.
- The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan.
- During this period, the Japan-India Economic Forum will also be organised, with the participation of more than 150 members of Japan’s business community.
- Both countries will also discuss expanding cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, defence and security.
- Discussions will be held on promoting cooperation in technology, infrastructure, clean energy and supply chains.
- The summit will focus on reviewing and strengthening all aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
- India and Japan are currently negotiating a framework for direct Yen-Rupee trade.
- India-Japan bilateral relations were accorded the status of a ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2014.
- The India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force on 1 August 2011, and bilateral trade exceeded $27 billion in 2025-26.
First India visit as PM: This is Sanae Takaichi’s first official visit to India since assuming office as Japan’s Prime Minister.
First India visit as PM: This is Sanae Takaichi’s first official visit to India since assuming office as Japan’s Prime Minister.
2. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumes charge as Vice Chief of Air Staff
- On 1 July, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 51st Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS).
- He succeeded Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor in the role.
- Before taking over as Vice Chief, Air Marshal Dixit was serving as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC).
- He has played a key role in improving coordination and operational synergy among the three Armed Forces — the Army, Navy and Air Force.
- Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1986.
- During his four-decade-long military career, he has held several important operational and training appointments.
Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS)
- The Vice Chief of Air Staff is the second-highest position in the Indian Air Force.
- The Vice Chief is the senior-most deputy to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS).
- The role involves overseeing Air Force operations, modernisation, strategic planning and force deployment.
- The Vice Chief assists in planning defence operations during both peace and wartime and helps implement strategic decisions under the leadership of the Chief of Air Staff.
- The Vice Chief also supervises indigenous programmes aimed at modernising the Air Force’s fleet, equipment and systems.
Seasoned fighter pilot takes charge: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is among the Indian Air Force’s most senior fighter pilots, with nearly four decades of operational and leadership experience.
Seasoned fighter pilot takes charge: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is among the Indian Air Force’s most senior fighter pilots, with nearly four decades of operational and leadership experience.
3. Noel Tata to step down as Chairman of Voltas
- On 30 June, Noel Tata announced at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that he will step down as Chairman of Voltas.
- He will relinquish the position after turning 70 in November this year.
- According to the Tata Group’s corporate governance policy, executive directors retire at the age of 65, while non-executive directors retire at the age of 70.
- Under the same policy, Noel Tata stepped down as Chairman of Trent, the Tata Group’s retail arm, last week.
- Noel Tata assumed the position of Chairman of Voltas in 2017.
- He is also expected to step down from the boards of several Tata Group companies, including Titan, Tata Investment Corporation, Tata Steel and Tata International, by the end of this year.
Voltas
- Voltas is one of India’s leading engineering and air-conditioning companies.
- It is a part of the Tata Group and was established in September 1954.
- The current Chairman of Voltas is N. Chandrasekaran.
- Voltas was formed as a joint venture between the Tata Group and the Swiss company Volkart Brothers.
Noel Tata to step down from key roles: Apart from Voltas, he will also retire from the boards of several major Tata Group companies by the end of this year.
Noel Tata to step down from key roles: Apart from Voltas, he will also retire from the boards of several major Tata Group companies by the end of this year.
International
4. US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship
- On 30 June, the US Supreme Court upheld the principle of birthright citizenship in the United States.
- Under this principle, every person born in the United States is entitled to American citizenship, regardless of whether their parents are living in the country illegally or are present on temporary visas.
- This provision has been in effect for more than 150 years and is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
- The Supreme Court’s ruling came in response to an order issued by President Donald Trump seeking to end birthright citizenship.
- Following legal challenges, the matter reached the Supreme Court, which ruled that the order was unconstitutional and therefore invalid.
- The 14th Amendment was adopted in July 1868, following the end of the American Civil War in 1865.
- According to US government data, around 5.4 million people of Indian origin currently live in the United States, accounting for approximately 1.6% of the country’s population.
- A significant number of Indians in the US are employed on H-1B visas, particularly in the technology, engineering, healthcare and finance sectors.
5. India and Saudi Arabia sign MoU for water conservation
- On 30 June, India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on water conservation.
- The agreement aims to promote the sustainable and efficient management of water resources.
- Both countries will cooperate in the areas of water conservation, water security and improving water quality.
- Under the MoU, the two sides will exchange expertise and technologies related to rainwater harvesting, groundwater management, water recycling and wastewater treatment.
- The agreement also covers cooperation in seawater desalination and the promotion of research and innovation in the water sector.
- The partnership is expected to help address water scarcity, improve water resource management and strengthen long-term water security.
India and Saudi Arabia sign water pact: Both countries will exchange technology, expertise, information and best practices related to water conservation under the new MoU.
India and Saudi Arabia sign water pact: Both countries will exchange technology, expertise, information and best practices related to water conservation under the new MoU.
On This Day – 2 July
- In 1757, Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, was assassinated.
- In 1940, the British government arrested freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose on charges of inciting rebellion.
- In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.
- In 2001, doctors successfully carried out the world’s first implant of a self-contained artificial heart.
