NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Sarbananda Sonowal
Inaugurates 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2nd
BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, focusing on strengthening
regional maritime cooperation among BIMSTEC nations.The two-day conclave,
themed “Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable
Partnerships,” brings together ministerial delegations, port authorities, and
experts from member countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar, and Thailand.The event also includes the inauguration of completed
port development projects and laying foundation stones for new infrastructure,
highlighting India’s commitment to enhancing port connectivity and sustainable
maritime growth.
2. Govt to set up skill
centre at Aurangabad industrial area in Maharashtra: A 20,000 sq ft Skill
Development Centre will be set up at Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC), Maharashtra, as
announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aiming to boost skill
training in the region.
The
centre will be established in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII), with a formal MoU expected to be signed in the upcoming
week.DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia stressed the importance of
attracting Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and R&D hubs at AURIC to
strengthen its innovation and industrial ecosystem.
3. India’s First Digital Nomad Village
Launch: The village
of Yakten in Sikkim’s Pakyong district was declared India’s first digital nomad
village. This initiative was launched to create a sustainable remote work hub
in the Himalayas. It aims to support local homestay owners with steady income
and attract digital professionals from across India and abroad. Yakten’s
transformation is part of the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ project, a collaboration between
the Pakyong district administration and NGO Sarvahitey. The project addresses
the seasonal income gap for homestay operators, especially during the six-month
off-season from April to October. Infrastructure upgrades include dual internet
lines, village-wide Wi-Fi, and power backups to ensure uninterrupted
connectivity. Plans are underway to resolve water scarcity under the Jal
Jeevan Mission.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India to Host First-Ever
International Manuscript Heritage Conference in September 2025: India will host its first-ever International Manuscript Heritage
Conference from September 11–13, 2025, in New Delhi, under the
theme “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge
Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage” as part of the launch of the Gyan
Bharatam Mission (GBM).The event will coincide with the 132nd anniversary of
Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address (September 11, 1893), and will feature
global scholars, cultural custodians, live digitisation demos, UNESCO
manuscript exhibitions, and interactive workshops.
2. UNESCO Removes Three
African Sites from World Heritage Danger List After Successful Restoration
Efforts: During
the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in
Paris, UNESCO removed three
African sites — Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar), Abu Mena (Egypt),
and Old Town of Ghadams (Libya) — from its List of World Heritage
in Danger.This removal marks the successful efforts by respective countries,
supported by UNESCO, in reducing threats and restoring ecological and cultural
integrity at these sites.The Rainforests of the Atsinanana, listed as a World
Heritage Site in 2007 and placed on the danger list in 2010, faced threats such
as illegal logging, deforestation, and endangered species decline, especially
lemurs.
Abu
Mena in Egypt, a significant Christian monastic and pilgrimage site listed in
1979, was placed in danger in 2001 due to rising water tables and structural
collapse from surrounding irrigation practices.
3. Taiwan’s CTBC Bank Joins
Global Rush to GIFT City: Taiwan’s
largest private bank, CTBC Bank, has applied to set up an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT
City, following approvals from Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory
Commission.A wave of international banks from Taiwan, UAE, and France are now
entering GIFT City, with CTBC Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, Mashreq Bank, and First
Abu Dhabi Bank all applying or receiving approval to set up IBUs.The number of
IBUs in GIFT City has more than doubled from 15 in 2022 to 31 in March 2025,
with major global players like Natixis, Credit Agricole, and Societe Generale
joining the list, reflecting rising global confidence in India’s IFSC
framework.
4. 12 July – International
Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms: The United Nations General Assembly has
declared 12 July as the
International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms to highlight
their global impact on sustainable development.Sand and dust storms pose
serious economic, social, and environmental challenges, hindering efforts
toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).This is why the
United Nations General Assembly, in resolution 77/249, proclaimed 12 July as
the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, and declared the
period from 2025 to 2034 the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust
Storms.
5. 12 July – International
Day of Hope: The
International Day of Hope is observed annually on 12 July to promote the power of hope as a driving
force for resilience, healing, and positive change in individuals and
communities worldwide.The day emphasises the importance of nurturing mental
well-being, compassion, and optimism, especially in the face of global
challenges such as conflict, poverty, and inequality.
6. 12 July – Malala Day: Malala Day is observed globally
every year on 12th July to honour the bravery, advocacy, and voice
of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.It marks her
birthday and commemorates her powerful speech at the United Nations on 12 July
2013, where she advocated for education, women’s rights, and global peace.Malala
Day is observed on 12 July to recognize the courage and activism of Malala
Yousafzai, who stood up for girls’ education in the face of Taliban oppression
in Pakistan.
7. Talisman Sabre 2025: Talisman Sabre 2025 is
the largest and most complex warfighting exercise held in Australia. It began
on 13 July 2025 and involves 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations. The
event is led by Australia and includes India among other key partners. For the
first time, parts of the exercise are conducted outside Australia, in Papua New
Guinea. Talisman Sabre is a biennial military exercise
started in 2005 by Australia and the United States. The 2025 edition is its
11th iteration. It features live-fire drills, amphibious landings, ground
manoeuvres, air combat, and maritime operations. This year, new Australian
Defence Force assets like UH-60M Black Hawks and Precision Strike Missiles are
deployed. The exercise spans Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia,
New South Wales, Christmas Island, and Papua New Guinea.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Maratha Military Forts
Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, Becomes India’s 44th Entry: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, a network of 12 historic forts from the 17th to 19th centuries, has
been inscribed on the UNESCO World
Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th property to receive this
recognition.These forts reflect the military strategy, architectural
brilliance, and cultural identity of the Maratha Empire, and are spread across
Maharashtra (11 forts) and Tamil Nadu (1 fort – Gingee Fort).The recognition
was granted during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee after an
18-month evaluation by international experts, including a site review by the
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
2. India Successfully Tests
Indigenous Astra BVRAAM with RF Seeker from Su-30 MKI: The DRDO and Indian Air
Force successfully flight-tested
the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), equipped
with a homegrown Radio Frequency
(RF) Seeker, from a Su-30 Mk-I aircraft off the coast of Odisha.During
the test, two missiles hit high-speed aerial targets with pinpoint accuracy,
validating the flawless performance of all subsystems, including the RF seeker
developed by DRDO.With a range exceeding 100 km and advanced guidance systems,
Astra’s successful test marks a major milestone in India’s self-reliant defence
capabilities, involving contributions from over 50 public and private
industries, including HAL.
3. Indian Army Launches
‘Operation SHIVA 2025’ to Secure Amarnath Yatra Amid Heightened Threats: The Indian Army launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a
high-intensity annual security exercise,
to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra amid rising
threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups.The operation, planned in
coordination with civil administration and CAPFs, includes the deployment of
over 8,500 troops, advanced surveillance tools, and a multi-layered
counter-terror grid across both northern and southern Yatra routes.A dedicated
Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) grid with 50+ systems and electronic
warfare assets has been established, along with continuous UAV surveillance and
live monitoring of Yatra paths and the holy cave.The Army has made extensive
logistical and medical arrangements, including 150+ medical personnel, a
100-bed hospital, 26 oxygen booths, two advanced dressing stations, and
emergency rations for over 25,000 people.
4. Indian and Greek Navies
Conduct Joint PASSEX in Arabian Sea: The Indian Navy and Hellenic (Greek) Navy conducted
a joint PASSEX (Passing Exercise)
off the Mumbai coast in the Arabian Sea, highlighting growing
maritime cooperation between the two nations.The PASSEX reflects enhanced
military ties following the Strategic Partnership agreement signed during PM
Modi’s 2023 visit to Greece, aimed at deepening defence collaboration.Earlier,
the Hellenic Air Force participated in India’s Tarang Shakti 2024 exercise,
while the Indian Air Force took part in INIOCHOS 2025, hosted by Greece,
demonstrating strong bilateral air force engagement as well.
The
Western Naval Command deployed INS
Tarkashto conduct a PASSEX exercise with the passing Hellenic Navy Ship
HS Psara.
SPORTS
1. A Ra Harikrishnan Becomes
India’s 87th Grandmaster: A Ra Harikrishnan has become India’s 87th Grandmaster after earning
his third and final GM norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in
France.The 24-year-old Chennai-based player earned his first GM norm in July
2023 at the Biel International Chess Festival in Switzerland, followed by his
second at the Andujar Open in Spain last month.A Grandmaster title in chess
requires three GM norms and a FIDE rating of 2500, reflecting consistent
top-level performance in internationally rated tournaments.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Open Natural Ecosystems: Recent discourse
challenges the common view of deserts as barren wastelands needing
transformation. Deserts cover nearly one-third of the Earth’s land and host
unique ecosystems and cultures. Recognising their ecological and cultural
importance is vital for sustainable land management. Deserts are not failures
of nature but ancient landscapes adapted to extreme conditions. They support
specialised plants and animals that survive with minimal water. Early human
civilisations, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley,
flourished in desert climates. Harsh desert conditions encourageed innovation
in irrigation and social organisation. India’s grasslands, savannas, and
scrublands are often misclassified as wastelands. This colonial-era label implies
these lands are degraded and need fixing through afforestation or agriculture.
However, these ecosystems are rich in biodiversity, harbouring species like the
Great Indian Bustard, caracal, and Indian wolf. They also store carbon mainly
in soil rather than trees.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. PhonePe
Leads UPI Market in June with 46% Share: PhonePe retained the top spot in the UPI ecosystem in June with a
46% market share, recording 854.7 crore transactions worth ₹11.98 lakh
crore, despite a 1.5% drop from May.Google Pay stood second, processing 654.1
crore transactions, down by 3% month-on-month, while Paytm secured the third
position with a 7% market share, clocking 126.9 crore transactions worth ₹1.34
lakh crore.According to NPCI data, the total number of UPI transactions in June
was 18.40 billion, slightly lower than the record-high 18.68 billion in May,
with a total transaction value of ₹24.04 lakh crore, down 4.4% MoM.Newer
platforms like Navi (2.24%) and super.money (1.20%), backed by Flipkart, also made
a mark in the UPI app market share during June.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Former Chief Justice
Kalyan Shrestha Honoured with Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2080 in Nepal: Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha has been awarded the
‘Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2080’ for his significant contributions to
judicial leadership and institutional development in Nepal.The award, carrying
a cash prize of Rs 200,000 and a certificate of honour, was presented by Chief
Justice Prakashman Singh Raut at an event in Kathmandu, jointly organised by
the Nepal Public Administration Association and the Salt Trading
Corporation.Shrestha, who served as Nepal’s 25th Chief Justice, played a
pivotal role in transitional justice, inclusive democracy, and environmental
justice, and was recommended by a selection committee chaired by Umesh Mainali.
DEFENCE UNICORN INSTITUTE – GANDHINAGAR |
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