DEFENCE NEWS
- India, along with 18 other nations, is participating in Talisman Sabre 2025, a major bilateral military drill led by Australia, which started on July 13, 2025.
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted a rescue operation on July 10, 2025, for the U.S.-flagged sailing vessel ‘Sea Angel’, stranded 52 nautical miles southeast of Indira Point, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- India has submitted a Letter of Request (LoR) to the United States for the co-production of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) in India.
- On July 16, 2025, India successfully destroyed two Aerial High-Speed Unmanned Targets at high altitude in Ladakh using Akash Prime, the upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System.
- On July 17, 2025, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the successful test-firing of Prithvi-II and Agni-I short-range ballistic missiles from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
- The Indian Navy will participate in the 32nd edition of SIMBEX (Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) later this month in Singapore.
- Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Satpura, Shakti, and Kiltan, under Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, arrived in Singapore on July 16, 2025.
- The first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on July 17, 2025.
- INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam.
- INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL), made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia, from July 16–19, 2025.
NATIONAL NEWS
- India has become the first country in the world to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) integrating AI-powered tools to preserve, protect, and promote ancient Indian medicine systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.
- The Assam government, in its Cabinet meeting, sanctioned multiple welfare schemes targeting rural governance, social protection, wildlife conservation, and cultural preservation, aligned with the state’s 2025–26 Budget.
- In a boost to India’s cruise tourism, Gujarat became the first state to officially join the Cruise Bharat Mission, a national initiative launched to transform India into a global cruise destination by 2029.
- A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that Byrnihat (Assam–Meghalaya border) recorded India’s worst air pollution from January–June 2025, followed by Delhi.
- During his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia (July 11–13, 2025), Union Minister JP Nadda secured long-term fertilizer supply agreements and enhanced health and pharmaceutical cooperation.
- Gujarat emerged as the top producer of processing-grade potatoes (2024–25), reducing import dependency and enabling export expansion through modern farming and infrastructure.
- India will be the first country outside Japan to operate the E10 (Alfa-X) Shinkansen on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor in the early 2030s, following trial runs of E5 Hayabusa trains in early 2026.
- The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), launched India’s first Weather Derivatives, enabling climate risk hedging for farmers and industries.
- BITS Pilani announced the first AI Plus Campus in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, with admissions beginning in 2027.
- The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment inaugurated the 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at Government Medical College, Badaun (UP).
- Yakten village (Pakyong, Sikkim) became India’s first Digital Nomad Village, promoting remote work tourism.
- The Union Cabinet approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) — a six-year scheme (2025–31) with a ₹24,000 crore annual budget, enhancing agricultural infrastructure.
- Construction of a greenfield port at Manginapudi (Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh) is 48% complete, scheduled for late 2026 opening, boosting regional trade for Andhra & Telangana.
- The Goa Government launched India’s first Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferry service on the Mandovi River, connecting Chorao Island with Ribandar.
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur cable-stayed bridge spanning the Sharavathi backwaters near Sagara (Karnataka).
- CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India’s first Aqua Tech Park in Sonapur, Assam, to advance aquaculture innovation.
- The Assistance for Deployment of Energy Efficient Technologies in Industrial Establishments (ADEETIE) was launched by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar under the Ministry of Power, executed via BEE.
- Bihar CM Nitish Kumar declared free electricity up to 125 units/month (from Aug 1, 2025) for 7 million+ households.
- Gyanodaya, launched under IIM Kozhikode’s Vision 2047 and NEP 2020, aims to transform management education.
- Gujarat initiated the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to improve tribal health outcomes through genetic research.
- The Maharashtra Cabinet granted agricultural status to livestock and poultry farming, making Maharashtra the first state to do so.
- Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis laid the foundation of Vidarbha’s first integrated steel plant in Gadchiroli, by Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd.
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, ranked 4th in Swachh Survekshan 2024–25, earning the title ‘Super Swachh League City’.
- The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) received the National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025 for excellence in marine data & open-source spatial technology.
- The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi announced the 2023 State Kathakali Awards, Pallavur Appu Marar Vadya Puraskaram, and Keraleeya Nritta-Natya Puraskaram, recognizing classical art excellence.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
• Australia’s policymakers are adapting to the rapidly evolving India–Australia partnership, focusing on education, defence, and trade synergies.
• Switzerland completed ratification of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and EFTA, paving the way for bilateral growth and trade expansion.
• India and UAE are deepening strategic cooperation in nuclear energy and advanced technologies, marking a new phase of partnership.
• The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held at NFDC Headquarters, Mumbai.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- Manish Chopra appointed CEO, Sabyasachi Couture (Aditya Birla Group).
- Abhijat Sheth appointed Chairperson, National Medical Commission (NMC).
- On July 14, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu nominated four eminent individuals to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80(1)(a) and 80(3).
- Sonali Mishra (IPS, 1993 batch, MP cadre) became the first woman Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
- The Central Government (July 14, 2025) approved transfers and appointments of Chief Justices and judges across various High Courts.
- Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy CM of J&K, appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, succeeding B.D. Mishra.
- Raghavendra S. Bhat appointed MD & CEO, Karnataka Bank for three months (from July 16, 2025).
- Bhanu Vohra, India Head, Citigroup, resigned after 25 years; Dilipkumar Khandelwal became Chief Customer Officer, Celonis.
- Shekhar Bhende, co-founder of Lynk Logistics (Swiggy), stepped down.
- Hemant Rupani appointed CEO, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. (HCCB) effective September 8, 2025.
- R. Doraiswamy took charge as CEO & MD, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
AWARDS & HONOURS
- Leila Aboulela (Sudanese–Scottish author) won the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize for her writing on faith, migration, and women’s lives.
- Former CJ Kalyan Shrestha received the Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2080 (Nepal) for judicial leadership.
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Cuttack, Odisha.
- Deepika Sehrawat became the first Indian (male or female) to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award during the 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League.
SPORTS NEWS
- Chelsea FC won their second FIFA Club World Cup by defeating PSG 3–0 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
- Jannik Sinner (Italy) clinched his first Wimbledon title, defeating Carlos Alcaraz (Spain).
- MI New York beat Washington Freedom by 5 runs to win their second Major League Cricket (MLC) trophy.
- ICC named Aiden Markram (SA) and Hayley Matthews (WI) as June 2025 Players of the Month.
- Andre Russell (WI) announced retirement from international cricket after T20Is vs Australia (July 20–22, 2025).
- India won 2 Gold & 2 Silver medals at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025, Dubai.
- Bihar dominated the 10th Junior National Rugby 7s Championship 2025, winning U18 Boys & Girls titles in Dehradun.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Microsoft launched BioEmu, an AI platform to accelerate protein behavior research.
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX Dragon (Axiom Mission 4), orbiting Earth for 18 days.
- India received the 2nd GE-F404 engine from the U.S. (July 15, 2025) for the LCA Mk1A fighter jet program.
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) discovered new insights into Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) responsible for the May 2024 aurora over Ladakh.
- DRDO’s DRDL & AIIMS Bibinagar developed India’s first indigenous Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis, a cost-effective medical innovation.
- The first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) was launched on July 18, 2025, in Mumbai, inaugurated by CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
July 4th Week Current Affairs
DEFENCE NEWS
- India is enhancing military surveillance by sourcing high-resolution satellite imagery from global players like Maxar, following China’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
- The SBS-III programme aims to launch 52 satellites by 2029, operated by the Defence Space Agency, with a $3.2 billion budget.
- This move ensures real-time monitoring, improved border surveillance, and strategic preparedness, though data security and dependency challenges remain.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025, ending 60 years of service.
- Inducted in 1963, these Soviet-origin supersonic aircraft played crucial roles in 1971 and Kargil wars.
- Their replacement with indigenous LCA Tejas Mk1A reflects modernization under Atmanirbhar Bharat despite engine supply delays.
- The Indian Army has received its first Apache AH-64E helicopters from the United States, boosting firepower in high-altitude terrains.
- These attack helicopters feature advanced targeting systems, precision strike capability, and night operations, enhancing Army Aviation Corps autonomy and border readiness.
- The Indian Coast Guard’s new vessel ‘Samudra Prachet’, launched on July 23, 2025, is the final Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL).
- With 4,170-tonne displacement and modern oil spill response systems, it strengthens MARPOL compliance, coastal protection, and indigenous shipbuilding.
- DRDO successfully test-fired the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at Kurnool, enhancing drone-based strike capability.
- The 12.5 kg missile, powered by a dual-thrust solid motor, uses infrared imaging and a two-way datalink for day-night precision targeting.
- Developed with MSMEs, startups, Adani, and BDL, the V3 (ULM-ER) variant represents cutting-edge self-reliance in defense tech.
- India and Singapore launched the ‘Bold Kurukshetra 2025’ joint exercise in Jodhpur, focusing on urban warfare, counter-terrorism, and interoperability.
- Using real-time simulations and advanced communication, it reinforces Act East defence cooperation and regional synergy.
NATIONAL NEWS
- India ranked 7th globally at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, securing 3 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal — its best-ever performance.
- PM Narendra Modi undertook a two-nation tour (UK & Maldives, July 23–26, 2025) to strengthen the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and India–Maldives Maritime Security Cooperation.
- Meetings with UK PM Keir Starmer and King Charles III focused on trade, defence, climate, and innovation, while in the Maldives, Modi was Guest of Honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations.
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned (July 21, 2025), transferring Rajya Sabha chairmanship to Deputy Chairperson Harivansh under Article 91.
- The Vice-Presidential election, mandated by Articles 63–71, must be held within 60 days, with 788 MPs as electors.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) clarified that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards are not valid standalone proofs for voter eligibility during Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- The citizenship criterion, not ID ownership, determines eligibility under Article 324.
- India’s Intellectual Property (IP) filings rose 44%, driven by fee reforms, MSME/startup concessions, and AI-enabled IP offices.
- GI applications surged 380%, and initiatives like IP Dashboard and SIPP foster innovation and ease of filing.
- The Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan warned ICAR officials about fake biostimulant sales, calling for strict regulation and scientific review.
- The World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector aims to build godowns and processing units at PACS level under NABARD.
- Over 500 PACS identified, with a ₹2,925 crore computerization outlay.
- Under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission, 6 crore people screened, 2.15 lakh diagnosed, and 2.6 crore health cards distributed, aiming for disease elimination by 2047.
- The National Cooperation Policy 2025 targets a tripling of GDP contribution, 50 crore cooperative members, and tech-driven development through village-level cooperatives and White Revolution 2.0.
- The India–UK Vision 2035 sets a blueprint for trade, defence, AI, biotech, semiconductors, green finance, and education cooperation.
- India achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025 — 5 years ahead of target, saving ₹1.36 lakh crore and cutting CO₂ emissions by 698 lakh tonnes.
- PM Narendra Modi became India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister (4,078 days, July 25, 2025), surpassing Indira Gandhi’s record.
- India successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered train coach at ICF Chennai, part of the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative, with ₹80 crore per train and ₹70 crore infrastructure.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- India’s UN voting abstention rate hit 44% in 2025, signalling strategic autonomy and a non-aligned foreign policy amid global polarization.
- Gita Gopinath, First Deputy MD of IMF, will step down (August 2025) to return to Harvard University.
- A replica of the Ashoka Pillar was unveiled at Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya, Sri Lanka, symbolizing India–Sri Lanka Buddhist ties.
- The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (CETA) targets $120 billion trade by 2030, eliminating tariffs on textiles, leather, and strengthening services and IPR cooperation.
- The United States, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from UNESCO again, citing anti-Israel bias, mirroring the 2017 exit.
- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire; no major tsunami followed.
- China began constructing the Motuo Hydropower Station on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, projected as the world’s largest dam ($167 billion), raising geo-environmental concerns for India and Bangladesh.
- India resumed tourist visas for Chinese citizens after five years, reopening consulates in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, alongside the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- Sanjay Kaul appointed MD & Group CEO of GIFT City, enhancing India’s financial hub development.
- Deepak Bagla became Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog), succeeding his role at Invest India.
- Ajay Seth appointed Chairman, IRDAI, focusing on insurance reforms and digital regulation.
- Prof. Uma Kanjilal became the first woman Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, known for digital education and global outreach.
AWARDS & HONOURS
- The Meri Panchayat App won the WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Award for local content and linguistic diversity in 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats.
- Suhani Shah, a mentalist from Rajasthan, became the first Indian to win the “Best Magic Creator 2025” Award at the FISM World Championship (Italy).
- Dr. V. Narayanan (ISRO Chairman) received the G.P. Birla Memorial Award 2025 for cryogenic propulsion and strategic missions.
- Geetanjali Shree won the PEN Translates Award 2025 for her book Once Elephants Lived Here, translated by Daisy Rockwell.
SPORTS NEWS
- At the Japan Open Badminton 2025, Shi Yuqi (China) and An Se-young (South Korea) won men’s and women’s singles respectively; China topped the medal tally.
- The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative promotes fitness, drug-free living, and youth engagement, integrating cycling, yoga, and community games.
- The ECB awarded hosting rights for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 ICC World Test Championship Finals, recognizing England’s legacy.
- The MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2025 began at Kari Motor Speedway, spotlighting young Indian racers.
- India will host the FIDE World Cup 2025 (Oct 30–Nov 27) with 206 players, offering 3 spots for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
- The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 seeks to bring the BCCI under RTI, set age limits, and mandate athlete inclusion in governance.
- Joe Root surpassed Dravid, Kallis, and Ponting to become Test cricket’s 2nd highest run-getter, with 38 centuries and 104 fifties.
- Riley Powell (Wales) defeated Pankaj Advani to win the IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship 2025 in Bahrain.
- Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla became the first Indian women’s singles duo to win medals together at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2025.
