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Friday, July 4, 2025

Daily GK Update- 4th July, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre approves Rs 1,900 crore plan for PM MITRA park in Virudhunagar: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh announced approval of a ₹1,894 crore development plan for the PM MITRA Park in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, reinforcing the state’s ambition to remain India’s textile powerhouse with next-generation manufacturing facilities.The 1,052-acre park will focus on technical textiles and integrated processing units, featuring a 15-MLD zero liquid discharge effluent treatment plant, a 5-MLD sewage treatment plant, accommodation for 10,000 workers, and 1.3 million sq ft of modern factory space.The project, formalised in 2023 after extensive negotiations between the Tamil Nadu government and the Union Textile Ministry, is expected to attract ₹10,000 crore in investments and generate around one lakh jobs by its targeted completion in September 2026.

 

2. Santosh Kumar Takhele Assumes Additional Charge as Regional Executive Director (West-I), NTPC Ltd.: Santosh Kumar Takhele has taken additional charge as Regional Executive Director (West-I) at NTPC Ltd.He has served in key NTPC locations including Singrauli, WR-I HQ, Kanti, Farakka, and the Corporate Centre, contributing significantly to each assignment.He will continue as CEO of Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt. Ltd. (RGPPL) while leading NTPC’s Western Region-I, leveraging his extensive experience to drive regional performance excellence.

 

3. Sahil Kini Appointed as CEO of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to Drive Fintech Innovation: Sahil Kini has been appointed as the new CEO of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a fintech subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, succeeding Rajesh Bansal who completed his five-year term in April 2025.Kini brings rich experience as a member of the core IndiaStack team, where he contributed to major product innovations and policy frameworks instrumental in building India’s digital financial infrastructure.Under his leadership, RBIH aims to drive fresh entrepreneurial energy and advanced product innovation, continuing its mission of technology-led transformation in India’s financial sector.

 

4. Eshwar Karra Appointed Deputy Managing Director at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd.: Eshwar Karra has been appointed as Deputy Managing Director at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd., reinforcing the firm’s leadership in the alternative investment sector.With over 20 years of experience at Kotak Mahindra Group, Karra has established himself as a seasoned leader in financial services and alternative investments.Prior to this new role, he served as Managing Partner at Kotak Alts, where he was instrumental in shaping the firm’s Private Credit strategy and driving business growth.

 

5. Sudhanshu Mittal Re-elected President of Kho Kho Federation of India: Sudhanshu Mittal has been re-elected as President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), following successful elections held at the federation’s headquarters in New Delhi.The newly elected Governing Body includes Upkar Singh Virk as General Secretary, along with eight Vice Presidents, four Joint Secretaries, and 13 Executive Members.Kho Kho, currently played in 58 countries, aims to expand its presence to 90 nations this year, reflecting the sport’s growing international footprint.

 

6. Amitabh Kant Appointed as Non-Executive Director on IndiGo Board: Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO and India’s G20 Sherpa, has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo’s parent company), subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.Kant brings over four decades of bureaucratic experience across key positions, and he expressed optimism about contributing to IndiGo’s efforts to expand internationally, boost tourism, and enhance India’s connectivity and economic growth.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 6-Year-Old Teghbir Singh Sets World Record as Youngest to Summit Mount Elbrus: Teghbir Singh, a 6-year-old from Punjab, set a new world record as the youngest mountaineer to scale Mount Elbrus (18,510 ft), Europe and Russia’s highest peak.His training, guided by coach Bikramjit Singh Ghuman and supported by his parents, was crucial in this achievement, earning him certification from the Mountaineering Federation of Kabardino-Balkarian Republic in Russia.

Earlier, in 2024, Teghbir became the youngest Asian to scale Mt Kilimanjaro and also trekked to the Everest Base Camp, securing his place in the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records.

 

2. Ghana and India Launch Climate-Resilient Wheat Initiative to Boost Food Security: Ghana, in collaboration with India, has launched a climate-resilient wheat initiative aimed at developing wheat varieties that can withstand the impacts of climate change and improve food security.The initiative focuses on introducing high-yield, heat- and drought-tolerant wheat strains suitable for Ghana’s agro-climatic conditions, enhancing the country’s agricultural resilience.This India-Ghana partnership is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, promote sustainable farming practices, and reduce dependence on wheat imports.

 

3. Suriname Becomes First Amazon Country Certified Malaria-Free by WHO: Suriname has become the first country in the Amazon region to receive malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the culmination of nearly 70 years of dedicated efforts to eliminate malaria across its rainforests and diverse populations.With Suriname’s certification, the total number of WHO-certified malaria-free countries and territories has risen to 47, including 12 countries in the Region of the Americas, showcasing global progress in the fight against malaria.

 

4. Russia Becomes First Country to Recognise Taliban Government: Russia made a historic move in July 2025 by formally recognising the Taliban government in Afghanistan. This decision followed the removal of the Taliban from Russia’s list of outlawed organisations. It marks the first official recognition of the Taliban regime since it took power in 2021. The development signals a new phase in international relations with Afghanistan and has geopolitical implications. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021 after ousting the previous government. Since then, they have sought international recognition to stabilise the country and attract investment. While some countries accepted Taliban ambassadors, none had officially recognised the regime until Russia’s announcement. Russia’s move follows years of cautious engagement and reflects its strategic interests in the region.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. IG Drones Patents India’s First Indigenous Defence Drone Simulator: IG Drones has received a patent for India’s first indigenous defence drone simulator, designed to provide high-fidelity, realistic training for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces, enabling mastery of combat drone operations in challenging simulated environments.Built with advanced AI, physics-based engines, and real-time terrain dynamics, the simulator offers a secure, cost-effective alternative to foreign systems, eliminating dependency and showcasing India’s technological resurgence in defence.Previously unveiled by Prime Minister Modi at Defence Expo 2022, IG Drones’ systems, including VTOL, FPV, and kamikaze drones, have been used in Operation Sindoor for strategic surveillance, mapping, and targeted strikes, reflecting India’s growing confidence in indigenous unmanned defence solutions aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Divyanshi Bhowmick Creates History with Gold in U-15 Girls’ Singles at Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships: India’s Divyanshi Bhowmick made history by winning gold in the U-15 Girls’ Singles at the 29th Asian Youth Championships in Tashkent, defeating China’s Zhu Qihi 4-2 in the final.With this victory, second-seeded Divyanshi also secured a berth for the World Youth Championships, showcasing her rising stature in international table tennis.India finished the tournament with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, while top seeds Ankur Bhattacharyya and P.B. Abhinand missed a medal in U-19 Boys’ Doubles after an unexpected loss.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Mobile PDS Shops: The Tamil Nadu State government launched a pilot project to deliver essential commodities directly to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Chennai. This initiative aims to improve access to the public distribution system (PDS) for those who may struggle to visit traditional fair price shops. The project, which involves mobile shops, is designed to cater to around 5,000 beneficiaries across various regions. Mobile shops are vehicles equipped with essential goods. They travel to the residences of beneficiaries, providing convenience and accessibility. Each truck is staffed with a shopkeeper, who manages transactions using a weighing machine and a palm reader for identification. This system streamlines the distribution process and ensures that vulnerable populations receive necessary items.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Slice Opens India’s First UPI-Powered Bank Branch in Bengaluru: Fintech company Slice has launched its first UPI-powered bank branch in Bengaluru, marking a major step towards integrating digital payments with traditional banking.The branch aims to offer seamless UPI transactions directly within the bank, enhancing customer convenience and promoting cashless banking.This innovative model is expected to redefine branch banking experiences in India, blending physical branches with modern payment technologies.

 

2. Mashreq Becomes First UAE Bank to Get In-Principle Approval for Branch in GIFT City: Mashreq has become the first UAE-based bank to receive in-principle approval (IPA) to set up a branch in GIFT City, after securing approvals from the UAE Central Bank and SEZ authorities.The GIFT City branch is expected to start operations by the fourth quarter of 2025, pending final regulatory clearances from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).The new branch will offer services such as foreign currency loans, trade finance, treasury, and risk management products, benefiting from regulatory incentives like initial TDS exemptions to enhance competitive financial solutions.

 3. Gujarat becomes third Indian state to cross 1 crore stock market investors: NSE: Gujarat has become the third state in India to surpass one crore registered stock market investors, joining Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh; together, these three states now account for 36% of the country’s total investor base, according to NSE data.India’s total number of registered investors reached nearly 11.5 crore as of May 2025, with over 11 lakh new investors added in May alone, marking a 9% month-on-month growth after four months of declining registrations.Region-wise, North India leads with 4.2 crore investors, followed by West India (3.5 crore), South India (2.4 crore), and East India (1.4 crore); North and East India recorded the highest annual growth rates of 24% and 23%, respectively, reflecting shifting investment trends across regions.


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