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- Indian Origin Anil Menon To ISS | July 11 Current Affairs; BSNL Network Phone Launch
Today’s important current affairs, essential for students preparing for government jobs:
INTERNATIONAL
1. Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon to travel to the International Space Station
- Indian-origin American astronaut Anil Menon will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on NASA’s next mission on 14 July.
- He will be joined by Russian astronauts Anna Kikina and Pyotr Dubrov.
- The mission is part of NASA and SpaceX’s Commercial Crew Programme and will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a Crew Dragon spacecraft.
- Menon, a physician and astronaut, joined SpaceX in 2018 and played a key role in the company’s first human spaceflight.
- He joined NASA’s astronaut training programme in 2021 and has also worked with the Himalayan Rescue Association.
- Before becoming an astronaut, he served as a flight surgeon at SpaceX.
- During the mission, Menon will study the effects of long-duration space travel on the human body.
- The crew will also conduct experiments in health, biology, Earth observation and new space technologies.
Anil is an American physician and astronaut of Indian origin.
NATIONAL
2. INS Mahendragiri to be commissioned into the Indian Navy
- On 11 July, the Indian Navy will commission the Project 17A stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri (F38) at Visakhapatnam.
- Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the warship is named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats.
- Built with more than 75% indigenous components, INS Mahendragiri reflects the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- It uses the Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, enabling high-speed operations and long-endurance missions at sea.
- The frigate features advanced stealth technology, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the Barak-8 air defence missile system, modern radar, sensors, an electronic warfare suite and high-level automation.
- It is capable of air defence, surface warfare and anti-submarine operations, and can also undertake maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and search and rescue missions.
- Project 17A is the Indian Navy’s next-generation stealth frigate programme.
- Four ships—Nilgiri, Udayagiri, Taragiri and Mahendragiri—have been built by MDL, while Himgiri, Dunagiri and Vindhyagiri are being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE).
Mahendragiri Project 17A is the Indian Navy’s programme to develop next-generation stealth frigates.
SPORTS
3. Australia’s Big Bash League to begin in India
- On 10 July, it was announced that the opening match of Australia’s 2026–27 Big Bash League (BBL) season will be played in Chennai, making it the first official BBL match to be held outside Australia.
- The match, between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers, will be played on 12 December 2026 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
- It will also be the first time India has hosted a match from a foreign domestic cricket league.
- The move is part of the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap and aims to boost the BBL’s popularity in India, strengthen cricket ties and expand the league’s global reach.
- The Big Bash League is Australia’s premier T20 competition and comprises two tournaments: the men’s KFC Big Bash League and the women’s Weber Women’s Big Bash League.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this announcement on the third day of his Australia tour on Friday.
4. Women’s Test played at Lord’s for the first time in 142 years
- On 10 July, Lord’s, known as the Home of Cricket, hosted its first-ever women’s Test match, 142 years after the ground staged its first men’s Test between England and Australia in July 1884.
- The historic match is between India and England and is the 153rd women’s Test in cricket history.
- The first women’s One-Day International at Lord’s was played on 4 August 1976 between England and Australia.
- India and England have played 15 women’s Tests so far.
- India have won three, England one, while 11 matches have ended in draws.
- Harmanpreet Kaur captains India, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain.
- Harleen Deol, spinner Shree Charani and fast bowler Nandani Sharma are making their Test debuts. England are led by Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Mandhana returned unbeaten with 56 runs on the Lord’s ground.
MISCELLANEOUS
5. BSNL launches its first satellite phone service in India
- On 10 July, state-owned telecom company BSNL launched its first satellite phone service in India.
- Priced at around ₹1.34 lakh, the satellite phone can make calls directly through satellites without relying on mobile towers.
- It is designed for use in disaster-hit areas, dense forests, remote regions and maritime border areas, providing reliable communication in difficult terrain.
- BSNL developed the handset in partnership with global satellite network provider Inmarsat.
- The phone cannot be bought like a regular mobile device.
- Users must obtain approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before purchasing or using it.
- Possessing or operating a satellite phone without government authorisation can invite legal action under Indian law.
- With this launch, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has entered the global satellite communications market.
6. ICMR to set up High Altitude Medicine Centre in Himachal Pradesh
- On 11 July, Union Minister J. P. Nadda will lay the foundation stone of the ICMR High Altitude Medicine Centre in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh.
- The centre, operated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), will study diseases linked to high-altitude conditions and develop solutions for health problems caused by low oxygen levels and extreme cold.
- It will serve both armed forces personnel and local residents.
- The facility will include modern laboratories, emergency medical services, maternal and child healthcare, disaster medicine, climate-related disease research, digital health and telemedicine.
- It will work with the Armed Forces Medical Services, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Himachal Pradesh government and national and international research institutions.
7. World Bank approves ₹7,600 crore for India’s rooftop solar programme
- On 10 July, the World Bank approved financial assistance of about ₹7,600 crore (US$890 million) for India’s Rooftop Solar Programme.
- The funding will support the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, which provides subsidies for installing rooftop solar panels.
- Eligible households can receive a subsidy of up to 40% of the installation cost.
- The scheme aims to expand clean and renewable energy, promote self-reliance in electricity generation and encourage more households to install solar panels on their rooftops.
Today in History
- World Population Day was started in 1989.
- Indian writer Bhisham Sahni passed away in 2003.
