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A roundup of the key current affairs for July 17, 2026, covering the items not taken up as separate deep-dive articles.

India’s Social Protection Coverage Crosses One Billion

🗞️ Why in News India announced that its social protection coverage has crossed one billion people, recognised by the ILO.

Key Points

  • India’s social protection coverage rose from about 19 per cent (roughly 250 million people) in 2015 to about 68.4 per cent (over 100 crore people) in 2026, a jump acknowledged by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
  • The recognition, by ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, came at the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Hyderabad, held under India’s BRICS chairship for 2026. The ILO, founded in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva, is the United Nations agency for the world of work.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Coverage: from about 19 per cent (2015) to about 68.4 per cent (2026), over 100 crore people.
  • Recognition: ILO, at the 12th BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting, Hyderabad.
  • ILO: founded 1919, headquartered in Geneva.

World Day for International Justice

🗞️ Why in News July 17 is observed as the World Day for International Justice.

Key Points

  • The World Day for International Justice, observed on July 17, marks the 1998 adoption of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • The ICC, seated at The Hague in the Netherlands, tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression, and has around 125 member states. India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, citing concerns over sovereignty and the powers of the UN Security Council.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Day: World Day for International Justice, July 17.
  • Rome Statute: adopted 1998; established the ICC (The Hague), about 125 members.
  • India: not a signatory to the Rome Statute.

Delhi Approves a Start-up and Incubation Policy

🗞️ Why in News The Delhi Cabinet approved a new Start-up and Incubation Policy.

Key Points

  • The Delhi government, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved a Start-up and Incubation Policy with an outlay of over Rs 400 crore for five years, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among students and young innovators.
  • The policy will roll out through state universities, government-aided colleges, polytechnics and ITIs, with milestone-based funding and an annual start-up festival to build an innovation ecosystem in the capital.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Policy: Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy (over Rs 400 crore, five years).
  • Rollout: state universities, colleges, polytechnics, ITIs.
  • Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta.

Durand Cup Trophy Tour Reaches Guwahati

🗞️ Why in News The trophies of the 135th Durand Cup were unveiled in Guwahati.

Key Points

  • The three historic trophies of the 135th edition of the Durand Cup were unveiled during a trophy tour in Guwahati, ahead of the tournament.
  • The Durand Cup, established in 1888 and named after Sir Mortimer Durand, is Asia’s oldest football tournament and one of the oldest in the world, reflecting India’s long football heritage.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Tournament: 135th Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament.
  • Established: 1888, named after Sir Mortimer Durand.
  • Event: trophy tour unveiling in Guwahati.

State of India’s Environment Report Flags Changing Tiger Behaviour

🗞️ Why in News A State of India’s Environment report highlighted changing tiger behaviour and habitat.

Key Points

  • A State of India’s Environment assessment, brought out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth, flagged that tigers are increasingly moving into thickets of the invasive shrub Lantana camara and shifting behaviour, amid rising human-tiger conflict.
  • The report noted a significant number of tiger-attack fatalities, and that Lantana camara, a species introduced in the colonial era, now occupies a large share of India’s forests and scrublands, degrading native habitat.

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Report: State of India’s Environment (CSE and Down To Earth).
  • Issue: tigers moving into invasive Lantana camara thickets; rising conflict.
  • Lantana camara: invasive shrub introduced in the colonial era.

UPSC Relevance

These items span GS Paper 2 (governance, international institutions, social justice) and GS Paper 3 (economy, environment). Revise them as quick prelims pointers alongside the day’s deep-dive articles.

Facts Corner

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

  • Social protection: coverage crossed 100 crore people (about 68.4 per cent), recognised by the ILO at the BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting, Hyderabad.
  • World Day for International Justice: July 17; Rome Statute (1998), ICC at The Hague; India not a signatory.
  • Delhi Start-up Policy: over Rs 400 crore for five years, under CM Rekha Gupta.
  • Durand Cup: 135th edition; established 1888; Asia’s oldest football tournament.
  • State of India’s Environment: tigers moving into invasive Lantana camara; rising human-tiger conflict.

Sources: Press Information Bureau, International Labour Organization, Centre for Science and Environment

Source: Current Affairs Today, July 17, 2026 — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs