Daily GK Update- 19th July, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indore Tops Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 for 8th Year: President Droupadi Murmu presented the 9th edition of the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25 in New Delhi, organised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which launched the survey in 2016.The 9th edition surveyed over 4900 cities under SBM-Urban with the theme “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, introduced the Super Swachh League, school-level assessments, population-based indicators, and penalties for false data, enhancing overall transparency and citizen participation.Indore (Madhya Pradesh) retained its title as India’s cleanest city for the 8th consecutive year, followed by Surat (Gujarat) and Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) in second and third place respectively.Prayagraj received the award for Best Ganga Town, while Secunderabad Cantonment Board was honoured as the Best Cantonment Board for outstanding sanitation work.

 

2. Department of Posts Signs MoU with AMFI to Simplify KYC for Mutual Fund Investors Across India: The Department of Posts (DoP) and the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) signed an MoU in Mumbai to simplify KYC verification for mutual fund investors, impacting over 24.13 crore folios.The agreement enables more than 1.64 lakh post offices across India to assist in investor KYC and document collection.India saw rapid mutual fund investor growth: 4 million (FY23), 6.9 million (FY24), and 9.7 million (FY25), creating the need for robust KYC support.The partnership will help all AMFI-member Asset Management Companies (AMCs) by improving KYC processes and expanding financial inclusion.

 

3. Gujarat launches India’s first tribal genome project to tackle inherited diseases: Gujarat has launched India’s first genome sequencing project, specifically focused on tribal communities to address inherited and genetic health issues.The project, titled “Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat,” will sequence the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal groups across 17 districts.Implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), the project is part of the 2025–26 State budget and involves advanced infrastructure for sample collection, sequencing, and data analysis.

 

4. India Hosts 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise to Boost Regional Preparedness for Cyclones and Floods: India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (DMEx) as a virtual tabletop exercise, with participation from all BIMSTEC member countries: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.The primary focus of the exercise was on cyclone and flood preparedness, aiming to assess and enhance response mechanisms for such disasters common in the Bay of Bengal region.

Member countries shared best practices, tested their response strategies through simulated scenarios, and explored ways to strengthen regional coordination in disaster risk reduction and emergency management.

 

5. Axis Bank Appoints Neeraj Gambhir as Executive Director: Axis Bank has appointed Neeraj Gambhir as Executive Director, effective from August 4, 2025, or after RBI approval, following the retirement of Rajiv Anand on August 3, after completing his third term on the board.Neeraj Gambhir, a 52-year-old financial sector veteran, has over 30 years of experience, having served as Managing Director at Nomura India, and previously worked with Lehman Brothers and ICICI Bank.He is a member of SEBI’s advisory committees on Mutual Funds and Corporate Bonds & Securitisation (COBOSAC) and holds a Computer Science Engineering degree along with a PGDM from IIM Lucknow, where he received the PGP Chairman’s Medal.

 

6. Nitin Gupta Appointed as Chairperson of NFRA: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Nitin Gupta, former CBDT Chairman and IRS officer, as the new Chairperson of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).The post had been vacant since March 31, after the tenure of Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey ended; CCI chief Ravneet Kaur was handling it as additional charge until now.Along with Gupta, the government also appointed Smita Jhingran, P. Daniel, and Sushil Kumar Jaiswal as Full-Time Members of the NFRA.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. US Designates The Resistance Front As Terrorist Group: The US Department of State designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in July 2025. This move marks step in international counter-terrorism cooperation, particularly between India and the US. TRF claimed responsibility for the April 2025 Pahalgam attack in South Kashmir, which killed 26 people. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the designation as a strong affirmation of joint efforts against terrorism. The Resistance Front surfaced in 2020 amid rising tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. It is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), formed to continue militant activities after LeT’s leadership suffered heavy losses in Kashmir. The group gained attention after deadly encounters with Indian security forces, including a May 2020 gunbattle in Keran that killed five army commandos and five militants. TRF’s emergence followed two major events – the killing of LeT commanders in 2018 and the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

 

2. China’s GDP Growth Defies Global Economic Challenges: China’s economy expanded by 5.2% in the second quarter of 2025. This growth surpassed global analysts’ expectations despite ongoing trade tensions and tariffs imposed by the United States. The steady economic performance marks China’s resilience amid structural challenges and shifting global trade patterns. China’s GDP growth in Q2 2025 was 5.2%, following a 5.4% increase in Q1. These figures exceeded market estimates of around 4.5%. The country is on track to meet its annual growth target of approximately 5%. Manufacturing output and industrial production remained robust. Exports rose overall despite a 26% drop in shipments to the US, compensated by higher exports to ASEAN, Africa, and the EU. China’s growth has slowed compared to its three-decade boom driven by manufacturing and exports. The economy faces structural imbalances due to heavy reliance on exports and a real estate sector that has recently collapsed. The downfall of Evergrande, a major real estate company, triggered a crisis affecting consumer confidence and domestic demand. Real estate remains part of household wealth, and its decline has increased unemployment, particularly youth unemployment which reached over 20%.

 

3. Chronic Venous Insufficiency in US President Trump: US President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common vascular condition causing swelling in the legs. The diagnosis followed medical evaluations after visible ankle swelling and bruising on his hand raised public concern. His physician confirmed the condition is manageable and ruled out more serious illnesses. This disclosure continued the administration’s commitment to transparency about the president’s health. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins fail to efficiently return blood to the heart. This results from damaged or weakened valves in the veins. Blood pools in the lower limbs, causing swelling and discomfort. CVI is progressive and common in older adults, especially those over 70. Risk factors include prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, and family history of venous diseases.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. HAL Receives First LCA Mk1A Wing Assemblies from L&T: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received the first set of wing assemblies for the LCA Mk1A from Larsen & Toubro (L&T), at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.L&T will initially supply 4 wing sets annually, with plans to scale up to 12 sets per year using advanced assembly processes and automation.Various components for the LCA Mk1A have been sourced from multiple Indian firms including Lakshmi Machine Works, Alpha Tocol, Amphenol, Tata Advanced Systems, VEM Technologies, and now L&T.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Olympic Bronze Medallist Audun Gronvold Dies at 49: Olympic ski cross bronze medallist Audun Gronvold passed away at the age of 49 after being struck by lightning during a cabin trip, as confirmed by the Norwegian Ski Federation.Gronvold had a distinguished career in skiing, winning bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2005 World Ski Championships, and representing Norway in alpine skiing from 1993–94 to 2003–04.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Launches YD One Lightest Active Wheelchair Developed by IIT Madras: YD One, developed by IIT Madras in collaboration with TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development and THRYV Mobility, is India’s lightest active rigid-frame wheelchair, weighing just 8.5 kg.The wheelchair features a minimalistic monoframe design made from aerospace-grade material, and is available in 14 colors and customizable sizes ranging from 13 to 18 inches.It underwent rigorous testing, including 2 lakh double drum test cycles and 6,666 drop tests with a 120 kg load, passing without even a scratch, demonstrating its precision engineering and durability.

 

2. Lightest Brain Control Device Guides Bee Movement: Recent advancements in brain control technology have led Chinese researchers to develop the world’s lightest device capable of directing a bee’s movement. The device weighs only 74 milligrams, lighter than the nectar a bee carries. It is fixed on the bee’s back and connects directly to its brain through fine needles. Electrical signals transmitted by the device allow precise control over the bee’s flight and walking directions. This innovation opens new possibilities for insect-based robotic systems with applications in surveillance, disaster relief, and security operations. The device was created by a research team at the Beijing Institute of Technology. It was published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering in June 2025. The device uses ultra-thin flexible film circuits nearly as thin as an insect wing. Multiple microchips embedded in the film enable complex commands via infrared remote control. This design marks improvement over previous models, which were heavier and less flexible.

 

3. Alien Plant Invasion Threatens Tropical Biodiversity: Recent studies reveal a rapid spread of alien plant species across tropical ecosystems. This invasion is altering native flora and destabilising rich biodiversity. Climate change and human actions accelerate this trend. The Greater Tropics, home to most of Earth’s biodiversity and a billion people, face serious ecological and economic risks. Urgent research and restoration efforts are needed to address these challenges. Alien plants are species introduced outside their native regions by human activity. Since the 1950s, their spread has increased exponentially. Currently, about 4% of plant species globally—between 13,939 and 18,543—exist beyond their original ranges. In the Greater Tropics, nearly 9,831 alien plants are established. Islands are particularly affected, with some having more alien than native species. Examples include Guam with 66.5% and Tahiti with 73.8% alien flora.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. UN SDG Report 2025: The 2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report reveals a worrying slowdown or reversal in progress across 35 per cent of targets. With only five years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda, critical goals such as Zero Hunger, Quality Education, and Clean Water are most affected. The report puts stress on the urgent need for multilateral cooperation and financial reforms to reinvigorate global efforts. The report shows that 35 per cent of measurable targets under 14 of the 17 SDGs have stalled or moved backward. Particularly affected are SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities). Between 50 and 57 per cent of targets in these areas are off-track. Other goals like Responsible Consumption (SDG12), Life Below Water (SDG14), and Peace and Justice (SDG16) also face setbacks.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. INCOIS Honoured with National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025 for Excellence in Open-Source Spatial Technologies: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) received the National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025 for its exceptional use of open-source spatial technologies.The award was conferred during Open Source GIS Day (Edition 02) held at IIT Bombay.The award was presented to INCOIS Director T.M. Balakrishnan Nair by former ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar.