NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s Electronics Exports Soar 47% in Q1: India’s electronics exports grew by 47%, reaching
$12.41 billion in the first quarter (April–June) of the current fiscal, reflecting
the nation’s rising profile as a global electronics manufacturing hubAs per the
Commerce Ministry, the US (60.17%), UAE
(8.09%), and China (3.88%) were the top three destinations for
India’s electronic exports, with the Netherlands and Germany also emerging as
significant markets.This wide geographical distribution of exports highlights
India’s deepening role in the global electronics supply chain and its emergence
as a reliable manufacturing alternative in Asia.Ready-made garment exports also
increased to $4.19 billion, with the US (34.11%) remaining the largest buyer,
followed by the UK, UAE, Germany, and Spain, indicating India’s strong
competitiveness and quality reputation in the global apparel sector.
2. NCLT Approves Merger of Adani Cementation with Ambuja: The National Company Law
Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the merger of Adani Cementation with Ambuja Cements, aiming to
consolidate the Adani Group’s cement business and unlock synergistic
benefits.The merger is based on a share swap arrangement, under which Adani
Enterprises will receive 8.7 million shares of Ambuja Cements. The effective
date of amalgamation has been set as April 1, 2024.With this consolidation,
Adani Group becomes the second-largest cement manufacturer in India, boasting
an annual production capacity of over 100 million tonnes (MTPA).
3. Centre Launches ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ in
Varanasi: The central
government has launched a nationwide youth-led national movement, ‘Nasha Mukt ‘Yuva for Viksit Bharat.
The initiative was launched at the recently concluded Youth Spiritual Summit in
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.The Youth Spiritual Summit adopted a ‘Kashi
Declaration’ that outlined a series of initiatives to be undertaken to lay the
foundation for a national youth-led anti-drug campaign in the country.The theme
of the Youth Spiritual Summit was- Drug-Free Youth for a Viksit Bharat.
The
Youth Spiritual Summit was organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports under the MY Bharat initiative of the ministry.The two-day Youth
Spiritual Summit was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs &
Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, at the Rudraksh
International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
4. Maharashtra, FTII sign MoU to boost creators’ economy
and rural talent: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and
the Maharashtra Film, Stage &
Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDCL), Mumbai, signed an
MoU to boost skill development in Maharashtra’s film, media, and entertainment
sectors, aiming to strengthen India’s creative economy through structured
training programs.The collaboration will facilitate short-term courses in
filmmaking and TV production, combining FTII’s academic expertise with
MFSCDCL’s infrastructure, while addressing the lack of certification among
emerging talent in India’s rapidly growing “orange economy.”Chairman of
FTII – R. Madhavan
5. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Citing Health
Reasons: Vice
President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from
his post, citing health concerns and the need to follow medical advice,
with immediate effect under
Article 67(a) of the Constitution.In his resignation letter addressed to
President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar expressed gratitude for the support from the
President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Members of Parliament during his
tenure.
6. 22 July – National Mango Day: National Mango Day is
celebrated every year on July 22 in
India to honour the cultural, nutritional, and economic importance of mangoes,
often hailed as the ‘King of Fruits’.India is the largest producer of mangoes
in the world, with popular varieties like Alphonso, Dussehri, Kesar, Langra,
and Banganapalli enjoyed across the country.The day is marked by fruit
festivals, mango-eating contests, culinary showcases, and awareness about
sustainable farming and export potential of mangoes.
7. 22nd July – National Flag Day: National Flag Day is
observed every year on 22nd July to
commemorate the adoption of the Indian National Flag by the Constituent
Assembly in 1947, just before Independence.The tricolour flag consists of
saffron (courage), white (peace), green (prosperity), with a navy blue Ashoka
Chakra (wheel of law) with 24 spokes in the centre.The flag was designed by
Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter and Gandhian from Andhra Pradesh, whose
design was later modified and adopted as the official flag.The day reminds
citizens of the struggles and sacrifices made during India’s freedom movement,
and inspires respect for national symbols and unity.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Centre launches SASCI scheme to develop iconic tourist
destinations at global standards: The Ministry of Tourism has launched
operational guidelines for the ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme, aimed at
transforming select tourist destinations into world-class iconic
attractions.The scheme provides funding support for comprehensive development
covering infrastructure, branding, sustainability, and overall tourist
experience enhancement.Project proposals from states were evaluated on factors
such as connectivity, ecological sustainability, infrastructure, carrying
capacity, management, impact, and marketing, with final approvals following
SASCI guidelines.The government will fund projects until March 31, 2026, while
state governments will manage implementation, with expected completion within
two years; the Ministry will also promote these sites through digital campaigns
and events.
2. China Begins World’s Largest Hydropower
Dam Project: China has
initiated construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the eastern
edge of the Tibetan
Plateau. The project, costing over
$170 billion, is set to become China’s most ambitious hydropower venture since
the Three Gorges Dam. It aims to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually,
matching the electricity consumption of the United Kingdom in 2024. The dam is
located on the Yarlung Zangbo River, which flows into India and Bangladesh as
the Brahmaputra. The project has sparked environmental and geopolitical
concerns while also boosting Chinese markets. The dam consists of five cascade
hydropower stations. It exploits a 2,000-metre drop in the river across 50
kilometres. This drop offers immense potential to generate electricity. The
project is expected to be operational by the 2030s. It will supply power
primarily to Tibet and other parts of China. The scale of investment is
unprecedented, with an estimated cost of at least $170 billion.
3. Australia-Tuvalu Climate Migration Visa
Scheme: Australia
launched a pioneering migration visa for Tuvalu residents. This visa offers a
legal pathway for climate-induced migration. Over 5,000 Tuvaluans applied
within a month. The scheme allows 280 people annually to relocate to Australia
through a ballot. This initiative addresses the severe impacts of climate
change on Tuvalu’s population. Tuvalu is a small Pacific island nation made up
of nine low-lying atolls. Its average elevation is just 2 metres above sea
level. Rising seas threaten flooding, storm surges, and land loss. Sea
levels near Tuvalu have risen by 15 cm in 30 years. By 2050, much of the land
and infrastructure may be below high tide. Saltwater intrusion endangers
freshwater supplies and agriculture.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship
Ajay: The Indian
Navy marked a key milestone with the launch of Yard 3034 Ajay, the eighth and
final ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) series.
Built indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in
Kolkata, this launch reinforces India’s push for self-reliance in defence
shipbuilding under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Yard 3034 Ajay was
launched on 21 July 2025 at GRSE’s Kolkata yard. The event was graced by Vice Admiral
Kiran Deshmukh, Chief of Materiel, and Mrs Priya Deshmukh, who ceremonially
launched the ship. Senior officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE attended. The
launch comes shortly after the commissioning of the first ship of the class,
INS Arnala, on 18 June 2025. The second ship, INS Androth, is ready for
delivery following successful sea trials.
SPORTS
1. India to Host 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup from October
30 to November 27: India will host the 2025
FIDE Chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27, featuring 206
players in a knockout format; the host city will be announced later.The top 3
players of the tournament will qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament,
which decides the challenger for the World Chess Championship. This event
strengthens India’s growing chess legacy, having already hosted prestigious
tournaments like the 2022 Chess Olympiad, Tata Steel Chess India, and the 2024
World Junior U20 Championships.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Deepak Bagla Assumes Charge as Mission Director of
Atal Innovation Mission: Deepak
Bagla, former MD & CEO of Invest India, has assumed charge as the Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission
(AIM) under NITI Aayog.He brings extensive experience in banking,
investment promotion, policy advisory, and leadership across multilateral
institutions, government, and the private sector.
2. ISRO Chief Unveils Plans for Space Station by 2035 and
Moon Mission by 2040: ISRO
Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India plans to establish its own space station by 2035
and conduct an independent human moon mission by 2040, marking a
major leap in the nation’s space ambitions.Reflecting on India’s humble
beginnings, Dr. Narayanan highlighted the growth from a 17-metre rocket
carrying 35 kg to today’s giant rockets as tall as 40-storey buildings, capable
of lifting 74,000 kg payloads.He also emphasized the success of the Aditya
mission, which made India one of only four countries to study the Sun via
satellite, significantly enriching scientific data globally.
3. Kamchatka Earthquake 2025: The Kamchatka Peninsula
in Russia experienced a series of powerful earthquakes. The strongest measured
magnitude 7.4. These quakes occurred near the eastern coast, a region known for
intense seismic activity due to tectonic plate interactions. Authorities issued
tsunami warnings which were later cancelled as no waves were detected. The
event brought into light the ongoing geological risks in this remote but
geologically active area. Kamchatka sits at the junction of the Pacific and
North American tectonic plates. This makes it a hotspot for earthquakes and
volcanic activity. Since 1900, seven earthquakes of magnitude 8.3 or above have
struck the region. The peninsula hosts 127 volcanoes, 22 active, including
Klyuchevskaya Volcano, the highest peak at 4,750 metres. Volcanic activity and
earthquakes are closely linked here.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Laraware Launches India’s First Fully AI-Powered
Fintech Platform ‘Nxtbanking’: Laraware Pvt Ltd,
under the leadership of Anvesh Tiwari, has launched India’s first fully AI-native fintech
platform, Nxtbanking, aimed at revolutionizing digital financial
services by offering scalability, compliance, and automation.Nxtbanking
provides a plug-and-play AI-powered fintech stack with 50+ pre-integrated APIs
and an 8-layer AI compliance engine, enabling instant onboarding, verification,
transaction execution, and real-time fraud prevention.With features like
real-time Aadhaar, PAN & bank verification, facial recognition,
geo-tagging, and fraud scoring, the platform reduces go-to-market time from
months to hours, offering banks, NBFCs, and fintechs a secure and intelligent ecosystem.
2. Jio Financial Services and
Allianz Group Join Hands to Launch Reinsurance Joint Venture in India: Jio Financial Services (JFSL)
and Allianz Group have signed a binding agreement to establish an
equal domestic reinsurance joint
venture (JV) aimed at enhancing risk management capabilities for the Indian
insurance market.The partnership will combine JFSL’s strong local
presence with Allianz’s global underwriting and reinsurance expertise, offering
competitive capacity and improved risk solutions to Indian insurers.In addition
to reinsurance, the companies have also signed a non-binding agreement to
create joint ventures for general and life insurance businesses in India,
further expanding their collaboration in the financial services sector.
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