Daily GK Update- 16th July, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Yakten in Sikkim Declared India’s First Digital Nomad Village Under ‘Nomad Sikkim’ Initiative: Yakten village in Sikkim’s Pakyong district has been officially declared India’s first digital nomad village, marking a significant step towards promoting remote work tourism in the Himalayan region.The initiative is a collaboration between the district administration and NGO Sarvahitey under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ project, aimed at turning remote locations into year-round digital work hubs for professionals from India and abroad.

 

2. Coal India’s First All-Women Operated Dispensary Inaugurated at SECL Headquarters, Bilaspur: Coal India’s first fully women-operated dispensary was inaugurated at the Vasant Vihar Dispensary in SECL Headquarters, Bilaspur.The dispensary is run by a dedicated 14-member all-women team comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and support staff, aiming to set a precedent for gender-inclusive healthcare services.The facility offers comprehensive medical services including OPD, emergency care, dressing and injection room, ECG, blood collection for pathology tests, and an OPD pharmacy.

 

3. President Murmu Grants ₹7,500 Aid to 823 EMRS Toppers Under NESTS Discretionary Fund Initiative: President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned a discretionary fund to the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), providing ₹7,500 each as one-time financial assistance to 823 top-performing students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across India.The beneficiaries were selected from Class XII board toppers in Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams, with two meritorious students per stream per school, and special preference given to girl students in the event of tie-breakers.The amount, totalling ₹62.40 lakh, was directly transferred to the students’ bank accounts within 2–3 weeks of the board exam results, reinforcing NESTS’ commitment to transparency and timely support.Administered by NESTS under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the EMRS scheme currently operates 470+ residential schools for tribal students nationwide, and is part of the government’s broader push to empower Scheduled Tribe youth through quality and inclusive education.

 

4. Maharashtra Grants Agricultural Status to Livestock Farming: The Maharashtra Cabinet has granted agricultural status to livestock farming, including dairy, poultry, goat, and pig rearing, aiming to support small-scale rural farmers while excluding large commercial entities like hatcheries.The move, announced by Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde, is expected to benefit around 76.41 lakh families and generate an additional ₹7,700 crore in income through increased livestock production. Maharashtra becomes the first state in India to take this step.Livestock farmers meeting specific capacity limits (e.g., up to 100 dairy animals, 25,000 broilers, or 500 goats/sheep) will now be eligible for agricultural electricity rates, subsidies on solar pumps and equipment, and a 4% interest subsidy on project loans via Kisan Credit Cards.

 

5. Doraiswamy Assumes Charge as LIC’s New CEO and MD: Doraiswamy officially took charge as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), following his appointment by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, for a tenure of three years or until he turns 62, whichever is earlier.With his assumption of charge, Sat Pal Bhanoo ceases to hold the financial and administrative responsibilities of the CEO and MD at LIC.A 17th batch direct recruit officer with over 39 years of experience, Doraiswamy has handled key domains in LIC, including operations, marketing, technology, academics, bancassurance, group business, customer relations, finance, and compliance.

 

6. Hemant Rupani Appointed CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages: Hemant Rupani has been appointed as the new CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCB), effective from September 8, 2025. He will succeed Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who is moving to a new role within the Coca-Cola system.Rupani is currently serving as the Business Unit President for Southeast Asia at Mondelez International Inc., overseeing operations across Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. He joined Mondelez in 2016 as Director of Sales for India and rose to senior leadership positions.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. France Signs Historic Accord to Recognize New Caledonia as a State Within the Republic: France and New Caledonia have signed a historic 13-page accord proposing the creation of a “State of New Caledonia” within the French Republic, to be inscribed in the French Constitution, including the introduction of a Caledonian nationality alongside French nationality.The agreement includes an economic and financial recovery pact, focusing on reviving nickel processing capabilities, and is seen as a significant step towards redefining New Caledonia’s political and economic future.Although French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the deal as historic, it still requires final approval in New Caledonia, where a referendum may be held in February 2026; the last independence vote occurred in 2021.

 

2. WHO Endorses Lenacapavir for Global HIV Prevention: The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its HIV prevention guidelines in 2025. It now recommends lenacapavir, a new long-acting antiretroviral, for people at high risk and areas with high HIV infection rates. This announcement was made at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Lenacapavir was approved by the US FDA as a twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment. This marks a key advancement in HIV prevention worldwide. Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable drug developed by Gilead Sciences in New Delhi. It belongs to the capsid inhibitor class. This drug blocks multiple steps in the HIV replication process. Initially approved for HIV treatment in 2022, lenacapavir gained approval for prevention in 2024. Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, lenacapavir requires only two injections per year. This feature improves adherence and benefits those with limited healthcare access or stigma concerns.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Israel Launches Dror-1: Israel marked a major milestone in 2025 by launching Dror-1, its first fully government-funded and domestically built communications satellite. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Dror-1 represents a strategic leap in Israel’s space capabilities and communication infrastructure. Dror-1 is a geostationary satellite orbiting about 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. It provides continuous coverage over Israel and nearby regions. The satellite weighs approximately 4.5 tonnes and spans 17.8 metres. Designed for a 15-year mission, it will serve Israel’s communication needs into the late 2030s. The project began in 2018 with an estimated cost of Rs 1,670 crore.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Aiden Markram and Hayley Matthews Win ICC Player of the Month Awards for June 2025: South Africa’s Aiden Markram was named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June 2025 after his match-winning 136-run knock and all-round performance in the WTC Final vs Australia, helping South Africa secure their first ICC title since 1998.West Indies captain Hayley Matthews won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for June 2025, becoming the second cricketer to win the award four times, following her impactful performances in both the ODI and T20I series against South Africa.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. EU’s General-Purpose AI Code of Practice: The General-Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice was published on 10 July 2025. It aims to help AI industry players comply with the European Union’s AI Act. This voluntary framework addresses safety, transparency, and copyright obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models. Member States and the European Commission are currently reviewing the Code’s adequacy. Following endorsement, AI providers who adopt the Code can demonstrate legal compliance more easily and reduce administrative burdens. The Code assists providers of general-purpose AI models to meet legal duties under the AI Act. It is designed through a multi-stakeholder process involving independent experts. The Code is voluntary but offers legal certainty and easier compliance proof. It focuses on three main areas – transparency, copyright, and safety and security. The latter applies specifically to providers of highly advanced AI models with systemic risks.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s wholesale price inflation dips to -0.13% in June: Retail inflation in June 2025 fell to a 77-month low of 2.1%, driven mainly by easing food prices, as per the Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.Wholesale inflation turned negative at -0.13% in June 2025, marking a contraction after 20 months, with falling crude oil and food prices being key contributors, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.The food and beverages category in the CPI registered a 0.2% contraction in June 2025, a sharp decline from 8.4% inflation in June 2024, making it the eighth consecutive month of easing food inflation.

 

2. NABARD Launches RuralTech CoLab to Drive Innovation and Digital Transformation in Rural India: NABARD has launched RuralTech CoLab, a unified portal aimed at bringing together fintech, agritech, and digital partners to co-create smart, scalable, and inclusive solutions for agriculture and rural development.The platform ensures a structured and transparent onboarding process, enabling rural tech ecosystem partners to work effectively with NABARD’s grassroots network including SHGs, FPOs, NGOs, rural banks, and cooperatives.As part of its 44th Foundation Day celebrations in Chennai, NABARD also launched a WhatsApp channel to deliver market advisories and updates related to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

 

3. EximPe Secures RBI Licence to Offer Regulated Cross-Border Payment Services Across Asia: EximPe, a fintech startup focused on cross-border payments, has received the RBI’s In-Principle Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border (PA-CB) licence for both export and import operations, becoming one of the first firms to do so without prior payment authorisations.This regulatory approval allows EximPe to offer compliant pay-in and pay-out services tailored for digital services, e-commerce, and B2B trade across emerging markets in Asia.With this licence, EximPe transitions from a payment technology provider to a fully regulated cross-border payments infrastructure platform, strengthening its position in the India-Asia trade ecosystem.

 

4. LIC Partners with AU Small Finance Bank to Boost Insurance Access in Rural and Underserved Areas: LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) has entered into a corporate agency tie-up with AU Small Finance Bank, allowing the bank to distribute LIC’s insurance products including annuity, ULIPs, term insurance, and savings plans through its branches and digital platforms.The partnership aiming to boost insurance penetration and promote financial inclusion, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Through this alliance, AU Small Finance Bank will leverage its strong rural presence to expand LIC’s reach, offering customers easier access to a wide range of life insurance solutions.