DEFENCE NEWS
- India is developing a new version of the Agni missile carrying a 7.5-tonne conventional (non-nuclear) warhead.
- The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F 71) on 01 July 2025 at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia.
- Yard 12652 (Udaygiri), the second ship of Project 17A stealth frigate, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 01 July 2025 by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
NATIONAL NEWS
- • Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a new book titled “The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader” in New Delhi on Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, chronicling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contributions during the Emergency (1975–77).
- The Uttar Pradesh government sanctioned the establishment of two new Rhino Rehabilitation Areas (RRA-3 and RRA-4) in Dudhwa National Park, Lakhimpur, with a ₹1.5 crore budget, under a long-term conservation initiative.
- The MoEFCC also issued Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands, introducing a digital National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal for transparent approvals.
- India enforced new trade restrictions on jute and allied products from Bangladesh, effective June 27, 2025, allowing entry only through Nhava Sheva Port, Mumbai, to protect domestic jute producers.
- The launch of the National Turmeric Board Headquarters marks a key initiative to empower turmeric farmers and boost research and exports.
- The first ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue was held aboard the MV Empress at Chennai Port, bringing together delegates from all 10 ASEAN nations and Timor Leste to strengthen maritime cooperation and sustainable tourism under Sagarmala and Act East policies.
- India’s first all-wooden Gurdwara — Sri Nanak Niwas — was inaugurated in Fazilka, Punjab, constructed from Finnish Deodar wood by SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu in just three months.
- Ladakh’s Tourism Department, with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, hosted a two-day Astro Tourism Festival in Leh to promote science-based stargazing tourism.
- As per the 2024 UN IGME report, India’s under-five mortality rate fell 78% (surpassing the global 61% decline), while neonatal deaths dropped 70%.
- The Union Government approved a ₹1,894 crore plan for the PM MITRA Textile Park in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, boosting India’s global textile competitiveness.
- The National Sports Policy (1 July 2025) seeks to integrate sports into daily life, promote athlete development, and position India as a global sports powerhouse.
- The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme on 01 July 2025, allocating ₹1 lakh crore to create 3.5 crore formal jobs (Aug 2025–July 2027).
- The Cabinet approved the 46.7 km four-lane expansion of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram stretch (NH-87) under the Hybrid Annuity Mode, at a cost of ₹1,853 crore to enhance connectivity and regional growth.
- On 01 July 2025, the Cabinet sanctioned a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Scheme for industry-led R&D in strategic sectors, guided by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
- CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Jan Suraksha Santrupti Abhiyan in Gandhinagar (June 30, 2025) — a three-month national campaign (July–Sept 2025) to ensure access to central social security schemes.
- The Karnataka Cabinet approved renaming Bengaluru City University as Dr. Manmohan Singh University in recognition of his economic and educational contributions.
- Under the Smart Cities Mission, Indore Municipal Corporation rolled out a Digital House Address Project, replacing old addresses with QR-coded, GPS-linked plates integrated into the national Digipin system.
- To ensure energy security, India will develop strategic crude oil reserves at Chandikhole, Bikaner, and Rajkot, managed by ISPRL.
- C-FLOOD, a web-based flood forecasting system by C-DAC, CWC, and NRSC, was launched to provide village-level advance forecasts for disaster management.
- The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) has been renamed the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development, with a Regional Centre launched in Ranchi.
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the first national conference of Urban Local Body Chairpersons at ICAT, Gurugram, to strengthen urban governance and ULB participation in democracy.
- The RECLAIM Framework (Repurposing, Engagement, Community, Livelihoods, Assets, Inclusivity, Mine-closure) was launched on 4 July 2025 to guide mine closure and repurposing for sustainable community development.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- The Dalai Lama will address a three-day gathering of Buddhist leaders ahead of his 90th birthday.
- Pakistan assumed the UN Security Council Presidency for July 2025.
- The Quad (India, US, Australia, Japan) launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to ensure supply security and reduce dependency on China.
- Indonesia will sign a $52.3 billion trade and investment pact with the United States on July 7, 2025, to avoid tariffs.
- Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan since 2021.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- Parag Jain (IPS) appointed Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) on June 28, 2025.
- Ravi Agrawal re-appointed Chairman, CBDT.
- Air Marshal S. Sivakumar, VSM assumed charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at Air HQ, New Delhi, on 01 July 2025.
- Kesavan Ramachandran appointed Executive Director, RBI, effective July 1, 2025.
- Sunil Jayawant Kadam appointed Executive Director, SEBI, promoted from Chief General Manager.
- Government extended the tenure of FSIB Chairperson & Members till June 30, 2026.
- Amitabh Kant appointed Senior Advisor, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd, and Non-Executive Director, InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo).
- Head Digital Works (A23) launched the EPIC Poker Championship, expanding India’s skill gaming industry.
AWARDS & HONOURS
- Radhanath Swami (ISKCON) honoured by New York City for spiritual service and interfaith harmony.
- PM Narendra Modi received Ghana’s highest civilian honour – Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, conferred by President John Dramani Mahama.
- PM Modi was also awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the nation’s highest civilian award, during his official visit.
SPORTS NEWS
- The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) unveiled a new leadership team to expand the sport globally.
- Indian GM D. Gukesh clinched the Rapid Title at Super United Rapid & Blitz 2025 (Zagreb, Croatia), scoring 14/18 points, defeating top players including Magnus Carlsen.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal launched LAT Aerospace, a regional air travel startup.
- The National Quantum Mission (NQM) formed a task force to help banks adopt quantum technologies for cybersecurity and financial modeling.
- Japan successfully launched a climate monitoring satellite aboard its H-2A rocket, marking its final mission before retirement.
JULY 2ND WEEK CURRENT AFFAIRS – CDSE/OTA
DEFENCE NEWS
- India has successfully completed user trials of the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) — a fully indigenous naval weapon designed to detect and destroy enemy submarines, strengthening India’s maritime defence and self-reliance.
- Conducted from INS Kavaratti (June 23–July 7, 2025), the trials involved 17 rocket launches.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO, Indian Navy, and domestic defence industry, noting the boost to striking power.
- On July 9, 2025, the Indian Navy received INS Nistar, its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
- With 75% indigenous content, it can perform deep-sea diving (300m), submarine rescue via DSRV, and ROV ops (1000m).
- Supports underwater missions, aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
- The Japanese Coast Guard Ship JCGS Itsukushima reached Chennai Port (July 7, 2025) for the Global Ocean Voyage Training.
- The six-day visit includes joint training, official meetings, and sea exercise ‘Jaa Mata’.
- Led by Captain Naoki Mizoguchi and Vice Admiral Hiroaki Kaosue, this enhances India–Japan maritime ties under SAGAR and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
- DRDO and Indian Air Force conducted flight tests of the Astra BVRAAM from a Su-30 MKI off Odisha coast.
- The indigenous RF Seeker missile accurately hit high-speed aerial targets, advancing ‘Make in India’ defence autonomy.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Haryana will build Asia’s largest jungle safari in the Aravalli Hills, covering 10,000 acres — focusing on wildlife protection, eco-tourism, and employment generation.
- Announced July 6, 2025 by CM Nayab Singh Saini.
- NTPC Simhadri celebrated its 28th Raising Day (July 8, 2025) at Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, marking three decades of power innovation and sustainability.
- It is NTPC’s first coastal-based power station (est. 1997) and achieved 100% ash utilization.
- Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and MoS Jayant Chaudhary launched the Uttar Pradesh Agritech Innovation Hub and Startup Showcase at SVPUAT, Meerut.
- Integrates IoT, automation, and AI-based analytics to promote precision farming.
- PM Narendra Modi, on a state visit to Brazil, aimed to raise India–Brazil trade to $20 billion by 2030, expand the Mercosur agreement, and facilitate UPI adoption in Brazil.
- Received Brazil’s highest civilian award – Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.Key focus: biofuels, renewables, intelligence sharing, pharma, and rare earth minerals.
- Department of Posts released a commemorative stamp (July 9, 2025) for Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary.
- Designed by Smt. Nenu Gupta, the stamp honors his role in education and national unity.
- Minister Piyush Goyal, at India Energy Storage Week (IESW), announced India’s renewable energy capacity reaching 227 GW, a 4,000% solar growth.
- Launched a ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund for battery R&D under PM Surya Ghar and PM Kusum Yojanas.
- NESTS and UNICEF India launched TALASH, a digital career guidance program for tribal students across 28 states and 8 UTs, benefiting 1.38 lakh EMRS students.
- The Indian Army launched Operation SHIVA 2025 (July 12, 2025) to secure the Amarnath Yatra, deploying 8,500+ troops, anti-drone systems, and medical units with CAPF coordination.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Jennifer Geerlings-Simons elected Suriname’s first female President (July 6, 2025).
- Faces challenges like IMF reforms, public debt, and tax restructuring.
- The Mauna Loa Observatory (Hawaii) — measuring CO₂ levels for 65 years — faces shutdown due to funding cuts; known for the Keeling Curve climate data.
- Elon Musk announced the ‘America Party’, a new US political group to break the two-party system after a fallout with Donald Trump.
- The UNGA passed a resolution (116 votes) urging Afghanistan’s Taliban to stop oppressing women and remove terrorist groups.
- India, China, and Iran abstained; the US and Israel opposed.
- Colombia and Uzbekistan joined the New Development Bank (NDB), raising total members to 11, ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit.
- Trinidad and Tobago became the 8th country (1st Caribbean nation) to adopt India’s UPI on July 7, 2025, enabling Rupee payments abroad.
- Bulgaria to join the Eurozone (Jan 1, 2026) as its 21st member, shifting from Lev to Euro at a fixed rate of 1.95583 Lev/Euro.
- The US sanctioned Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur, for alleged anti-Israel bias, drawing UN criticism.
- UNESCO (July 9, 2025) removed three African sites — Atsinanana Rainforest, Abu Mena, and Old Ghadames — from the World Heritage in Danger List after restoration success.
- UNESCO (July 11, 2025) added Cambodia’s Tuol Sleng Museum, M-13 Prison, and Choeung Ek Killing Fields to the World Heritage List, marking Khmer Rouge atrocities’ remembrance.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- Amitabh Kant appointed Non-Executive Director, IndiGo Airlines (July 3, 2025).
- Sahil Kini appointed CEO, RBI Innovation Hub, replacing Rajesh Bansal.
- Sukanya Sonowal (IIT Guwahati) named Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador (2025–2027).
- Sanjog Gupta became CEO, ICC (July 7, 2025).
- Aditya Mangla appointed CEO, Zomato (Eternal), replacing Rakesh Ranjan.
- Hardeep Singh Brar named President & CEO, BMW India (from Sept 1, 2025).
- Sabih Khan appointed COO, Apple Inc., succeeding Jeff Williams.
- Priya Nair named CEO & MD, HUL (Aug 1, 2025).
- Kumar Mangalam Birla joined USISPF Executive Committee and received the 2025 Global Leadership Award.
- Abhijit Kishore (Vodafone Idea) reappointed COAI Chairperson; Rahul Vatts (Airtel) as Vice-Chair.
- Babitha B P joined SBI as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer.
AWARDS & HONOURS
- Deepika Padukone to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star (Class of 2026) — first Indian actress to be honoured.
- Dr. V. Vedachalam awarded Tamil Wikki Suran Award for 51 years in archaeology and Keeladi research.
- Kasaragod district (Kerala) won the Fisheries Department Excellence Award 2025 for sustainable aquaculture.
- Sarankumar Limbale received Chintha Raveendran Award 2025 for Dalit literature contributions.
- Telangana won the IESA Industry Excellence Award 2025 for battery manufacturing leadership.
- Varsha Deshpande received the 2025 UN Population Award (New York) for gender equality advocacy.
SPORTS NEWS
- Lando Norris won the British GP (July 6, 2025) — McLaren’s first Silverstone win since 2008.
- India beat England by 336 runs at Edgbaston, marking its biggest overseas Test victory; Akash Deep took 10 wickets.
- India to bid for 2029/2031 World Athletics Championships, announced July 6, 2025.
- Mexico beat the USA 2–1 to win its 10th Gold Cup title (Houston).
- India won 11 medals (3 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze) at the World Boxing Cup 2025 (Astana).
- Magnus Carlsen won the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz 2025 in Croatia, ahead of Wesley So and D. Gukesh.
- Neeraj Chopra won the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 (Bengaluru) with a throw of 86.18m.
- IPL value rose to $18.5B, with RCB the most valued franchise ($269M).
- Sachin Tendulkar’s portrait unveiled at MCC Museum, Lord’s.
- India to host Shooting World Cup (2027) and World Junior Championship (2028) per ISSF.
- India’s men’s football team fell to 133rd FIFA ranking, its lowest since 2016.
- Italy and the Netherlands qualified for ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
- Harikrishnan A. Ra. became India’s 87th Grandmaster (July 11, 2025).
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the National Biobank at CSIR-IGIB (July 6, 2025) — collecting data from 10,000 Indians under Phenome India.
- India became the 4th-largest biofuel consumer (2024), overtaking China, per the World Energy Review 2025.
- HCLSoftware launched Domino 14.5, featuring Domino IQ – a sovereign AI for secure data management.
- ISRO conducted two hot tests of Gaganyaan SMPS (July 3, 2025) at Mahendragiri, advancing its manned mission goals.
- Swissmedic approved Novartis’ malaria drug for infants (2–5 kg) — a world-first breakthrough.
- MIB launched the Kalaa Setu Challenge via WaveX Accelerator, promoting AI startups in Indian languages.
- Andhra Pradesh introduced Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS) using AI and drones in six cities.
- New species Garcinia kusumae discovered in Assam by Jatindra Sarma, honoring his late mother Kusum Devi.
