📰 Daily Current Affairs Notes — Saturday, July 18, 2026

Sources scanned: PIB India, The Hindu, Indian Express, PRS India, RBI, NITI Aayog, and Chhattisgarh State Government portals.

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Gujarat Tops NITI Aayog’s First Investment Friendliness Index 2026 — [Reports & Indices: GS Paper III]

#### 1. The Core News Report

NITI Aayog has officially released its inaugural Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026, evaluating the investment ecosystems of 17 major states across India. The index measures states on critical parameters, including regulatory ease, infrastructure readiness, policy stability, and investment facilitation mechanisms.

In this debut edition, Gujarat secured the top position among major states with a score of 56.6 points. Maharashtra ranked second with a score of 53.7 points, followed closely by Tamil Nadu in third place with 53.3 points. The index aims to foster healthy competitive federalism by identifying systemic bottlenecks and highlighting best practices in investment promotion across state administrations.

#### 2. Examination Analysis (Why it is Important & Exam Relevance)

• Why it is Important: This index marks the first systematic attempt by NITI Aayog to quantify and rank the investment friendliness of Indian states, serving as a critical benchmark for domestic and foreign investors.

• UPSC Relevance:

* Prelims: Parameters of the Investment Friendliness Index, ranking of top states, and the role of NITI Aayog in promoting competitive federalism.

* GS Paper II & III: Governance, federalism, mobilization of resources, investment models, and industrial growth.

* Essay: “Competitive Federalism as a Driver of India’s Economic Ascent.”

* Interview: Balancing regional disparities in investment attraction and the role of state-level policy reforms.

• CGPSC Relevance:

* Prelims: Rank of major states, top scorers, and index indicators.

* Mains Paper: Paper V (Economics of India & Chhattisgarh) – Industrial development, ease of doing business, and investment promotion strategies.

* Chhattisgarh Special: Lessons Chhattisgarh can adopt from top-performing states like Gujarat to improve its investment climate, particularly in non-mining sectors.

• Key Facts to Remember:

* Top 3 States: Gujarat (56.6), Maharashtra (53.7), Tamil Nadu (53.3).

* Publishing Body: NITI Aayog.

* Year of Launch: 2026 (First Edition).

• Possible Prelims MCQs:

1. With reference to the Investment Friendliness Index 2026, consider the following statements:

1. It is released bi-annually by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

2. Gujarat secured the top rank among the major states in the inaugural edition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Investment Friendliness Index 2026 is released by NITI Aayog, not DPIIT. Statement 2 is correct as Gujarat topped the index with 56.6 points.

2. Which of the following states are ranked in the top three of NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026?

A) Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana

B) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu

C) Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

D) Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The top three states are Gujarat (56.6), Maharashtra (53.7), and Tamil Nadu (53.3).

• Possible Mains Questions:

1. “NITI Aayog’s competitive indices have transformed the governance paradigm of Indian states from cooperative to competitive federalism.” Critically analyze this statement in light of the newly launched Investment Friendliness Index 2026. (250 words / 15 marks)

• Keywords / Tags: `NITI Aayog` `Investment Friendliness Index` `Competitive Federalism` `Ease of Doing Business`

• Related Topics for Revision:

* State-wise Ease of Doing Business rankings by DPIIT.

* Constitutional provisions of federalism (Article 246, Seventh Schedule).

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Vikram-1: India’s First Privately Developed Orbital-Class Rocket Successfully Completes Maiden Flight — [Science & Technology: GS Paper III]

#### 1. The Core News Report

Skyroot Aerospace has successfully launched Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, under the mission named ‘Mission Aagaman’ (meaning arrival). The rocket successfully lifted off and placed technical payloads and commemorative postcards into their designated orbits. This achievement marks India’s entry into an elite group of nations possessing private orbital launch capabilities, alongside a select few global private firms like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Firefly Aerospace.

Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle. It features an all-carbon composite structure, which significantly reduces its structural weight while maintaining high strength. The rocket is powered by solid and liquid propulsion systems entirely designed and developed in-house by Skyroot. The entire flight sequence, spanning from lift-off to precise orbit injection, covered 14 distinct phases over a total duration of 15.46 minutes.

#### 2. Examination Analysis (Why it is Important & Exam Relevance)

• Why it is Important: The successful launch of Vikram-1 represents a watershed moment for India’s space privatization, transitioning from sub-orbital test flights to full orbital-class capabilities by a private player.

• UPSC Relevance:

* Prelims: Specifications of Vikram-1, Mission Aagaman, Skyroot Aerospace, and the role of IN-SPACe and ISRO.

* GS Paper III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology.

* Essay: “The Democratization of Space: Opportunities and Challenges for India.”

* Interview: The strategic and economic implications of private sector participation in India’s space program.

• CGPSC Relevance:

* Prelims: Details of Vikram-1, name of the mission (Mission Aagaman), and the developer company.

* Mains Paper: Paper IV (Science, Technology and Environment) – Space program of India and its applications.

• Key Facts to Remember:

* Rocket Name: Vikram-1.

* Developer: Skyroot Aerospace.

* Mission Name: Mission Aagaman.

* Key Features: Seven-storey-tall, all-carbon composite structure, 14 flight phases, 15.46 minutes total flight duration.

• Possible Prelims MCQs:

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