Global Passport Index 2026 Ranking Released
- On July 5, the Global Passport Index 2026 ranking was released. In this ranking, India is at 125th position.
- In the year 2025, India was at 124th position in this ranking.
- This ranking includes 10 countries, mostly European and developed Asian nations
- The top 10 in this ranking include Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark (joint), Ireland, UK, Norway and Singapore.
- This index releases rankings based on visa-free travel as well as investment opportunities and living standards.
- This index is prepared based on the strength of the passport and the visa-free access available to its holders.
- Indian citizens need visas to travel to 88 places including the USA, UK, Germany, France, China, Andorra, and UAE.
- The Global Passport Index is prepared taking into account factors like Global Mobility (freedom to travel globally), investment potential, and living standards.
- This index is prepared based on the strength of the passport and the visa-free access available to its holders.
Global Passport Index ranking is released by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS).
2. Padma Vibhushan Dr. Teejan Bai passes away
- On July 4, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Teejan Bai, who brought recognition to Chhattisgarh’s folk art and Pandavani singing worldwide, passed away. She was 70 years old.
- Teejan Bai was known for her powerful voice and impressive acting.
- Teejan’s unique style gave Pandavani a new identity not only in the country but also abroad.
- Teejan is among those who brought the stories of Mahabharata to life on stage.
- She was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995.
- For her extraordinary contribution to Indian folk art, Teejan was honored with Padma Shri in 1987.
- In 2003, Teejan was honored with the Padma Bhushan and in 2019 with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.
Sports
3. Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest Indian cricketer to make his debut
- On July 4, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to debut for India.
- Vaibhav is playing his first international match against England at 15 years 99 days.
- Vaibhav has broken the record of women’s cricketer Shefali Verma and Sachin Tendulkar.
- Shefali played her first match at 15 years 239 days and Sachin at 16 years 205 days.
- The second match of the T-20 series between India-England is being played at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester.
- In December 2024, Vaibhav made his List-A cricket debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and became one of the youngest Indian List-A debut players.
- Vaibhav played a crucial role in helping India win the ICC U-19 World Cup 2026 in 2026.
- Became the Player of the Tournament of ICC U-19 World Cup 2026.
International 4. INS Sudarshini participated in America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations
- On July 5, the Indian Navy’s sailing vessel INS Sudarshini participated in America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations.
- INS Sudarshini took part in the grand ‘Parade of Sail’ held in New York on the Hudson River.
- Reached New York after covering a distance of 13,000 nautical miles under the ‘Lokayan 2026’ campaign.
- America is celebrating its 250th Independence Day.
- On this occasion, ‘United States International Naval Review 250’ and ‘Sail250’ were organized in New York.
- The Indian Embassy in America shared this on social media.
- INS Sudarshini entered the Port of New York and New Jersey on July 4th.
- INS Sudarshini is for maritime diplomacy, international cooperation and India-US defense relations.
- Ships from many countries around the world participated in this parade.
INS Sudarshini
- INS Sudarshini is the sailing vessel of the Indian Navy.
- INS Sudarshini provides training to naval cadets in maritime navigation, leadership, and cultural sailing.
- INS Sudarshini was commissioned at Goa Shipyard Limited in 2012.
- INS Sudarshini was designed by renowned UK naval architect Colin Mudie.
- It is a ‘sister ship’ of INS Tarangini, which was commissioned in 1997.
The home port of INS Sudarshini is Kochi.
Inauguration
5. PM Modi inaugurated Gujarat Semiconductor Plant
- On July 4, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the country’s third semiconductor plant in Sanand, Gujarat.
- With the inauguration, production also started in its OSAT (OSAT) plant.
- This facility is a joint venture of CG Power, Japan’s Renesas Electronics and Stars Microelectronics.
- This power plant is a joint venture of CG Power Plant and Industrial Solutions, Renesas Electronics Japan and Stars Microelectronic, Thailand.
- Its cost is approximately 7,600 crore rupees.
- In this plant, semiconductor chips will be packaged, assembled and tested.
- According to PM Modi, 20 crore chips will be manufactured in the plant every year.
- The plant has set a target of producing 500 crore chips every year.
Modi inspected the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) Facility.
Today’s History
- In 1885, the famous French scientist Louis Pasteur successfully tested the first anti-rabies vaccine.
- In 1892, Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’.
- In 1944, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose addressed Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Father of the Nation’ for the first time during a radio broadcast from Singapore.
- In 1964, the South-East African country Malawi gained independence from Britain.
