NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Mamata Banerjee Launches ‘Shramshree’ Scheme with
₹5,000 Monthly Aid for Returning Migrants: West
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched the Shramshree Scheme to
support migrant workers returning to the state after facing alleged harassment
for speaking Bengali in other states, providing ₹5,000 per month for one year
or until they find employment.The West Bengal government mandated screening of
Bengali films across all cinema halls and multiplex screens, ensuring 365 prime
time shows annually, with at least one Bengali film daily between 3 pm and 9
pm.The initiative aims to promote rehabilitation of workers along with cultural
preservation of the Bengali language and cinema, reinforcing state identity and
support for local talent.Mamata Banerjee Launches ‘Shramshree’ Scheme with
₹5,000 Monthly Aid for Returning Migrants; Bengali Films Made Mandatory in
Cinemas.
2. DEPwD, Nipman Foundation & YLAC sign MoU to Launch
the Breaking Barriers Fellowship:
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Nipman
Foundation, and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) signed
an MoU to launch the Breaking Barriers Fellowship, aimed at placing young
professionals in DEPwD offices to strengthen policy support and implement the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.The Fellowship objectives
include enhancing DEPwD’s capacity through professional support, offering
mentorship and government exposure to fellows, and bringing fresh perspectives
to advance disability inclusion in policymaking.The collaboration will run for
one year (extendable), focusing on merit-based fellow selection, transparency,
quarterly reporting, and confidentiality under the Official Secrets Act, 1923,
reaffirming commitment to disability empowerment and inclusive governance.
3. UIDAI Partners with Starlink for Seamless
Aadhaar-Based Customer Verification:
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) partnered with
Starlink, a private satellite-based internet provider, to enable seamless
Aadhaar-based customer verification.The Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY) highlighted that this collaboration showcases the
scalability and reliability of India’s digital infrastructure on a global
platform.Aadhaar’s face authentication solution is gaining momentum due to its
ease of use, promoting innovation in service delivery while ensuring
transparency, accountability, and ease of living/doing business.
4. Rapido Fined Rs 10 Lakh By Consumer Protection
Authority For Misleading Ads: The Central Consumer
Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on
Rapido for misleading advertisements like “Auto in 5 minutes or Get
₹50” and unfair trade practices.Rapido was directed to reimburse customers who
did not receive the promised ₹50 compensation under the misleading offer.CCPA
found that disclaimers were in tiny, unreadable fonts, and the ₹50 benefit was
only in Rapido coins (usable for bike rides within 7 days), violating the 2022
Misleading Advertisements Guidelines.Complaints against Rapido surged to 1,224
cases (Jun 2024–Jul 2025); many remain unresolved despite widespread consumer
grievances about overcharging, non-refunds, and service deficiencies.
5. Election Commission appoints two observers for VP
election: The Election Commission of India has
appointed Sushil Kumar Lohani (Additional Secretary, Ministry of
Panchayati Raj) and Anandan (Additional Secretary, Ministry of
Finance) as observers for the upcoming Vice Presidential Election
scheduled on 9th of next month.The election has been necessitated
following the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar last month, citing
health reasons; this will mark the 17th Vice Presidential election.The Vice
President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha; NDA has nominated CP Radhakrishnan, while the INDIA bloc
has fielded former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy as their candidate.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Dubai Launches ‘One Freezone Passport’ to Ease
Business Expansion: Dubai Free Zones
Council (DFZC) launched the ‘One Freezone
Passport’, enabling companies licensed in one free zone to expand into
others without obtaining a new licence; Louis Vuitton became the first
corporate member under this scheme.The initiative aims to streamline business
expansion and cut regulatory barriers, allowing Louis Vuitton to open a
warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) while setting up its corporate office
at One Za’abeel in the DWTC Free Zone, with the process completed in just five
days.Free zones in the UAE offer 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions,
customs benefits, and independent regulations, attracting global businesses in
sectors like logistics, healthcare, fintech, media, design, and luxury
retail.Authorities clarified that the scheme has limitations — businesses
cannot hire or transfer staff into other free zones, sectors like retail are
excluded, and virtual/shared office spaces are not permitted, with further
regulatory updates expected.
2. Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk Umrah digital platform to
simplify visa: Saudi
Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the Nusuk Umrah digital service platform,
enabling international pilgrims to directly apply for Umrah visas and book
services like accommodation, transport, and tours without intermediaries.The
online one-stop platform offers customizable Umrah packages provided by
authorised service providers, complementing existing channels such as
accredited travel agents to ensure a smooth and seamless pilgrimage
experience.The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to expand the
number of Muslim pilgrims while enhancing service quality, modernising
religious tourism, and improving accessibility through digital technology.
3. India’s National Space Legislation
Framework: India’s space
programme is rapidly advancing with landmark missions like Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Gaganyaan. However, alongside technological progress, the
nation is focusing on building a robust legal framework for space activities.
This legal groundwork is crucial for sustainable, responsible, and secure space
exploration and commercialisation. The Outer
Space Treaty of 1967 is the
foundation of international space law. It declares space the province of all
humankind, forbids national appropriation, and holds states responsible for
their space activities, including those by private entities. Companion treaties
add rules on liability and rights. However, these treaties require national
laws for effective implementation. Nations must enact domestic legislation to
operationalise international commitments and regulate their space sectors.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Operation Sindoor lessons now part of NCERT syllabus: The National Council of Educational Research and Training
(NCERT) has introduced two new modules on Operation
Sindoor — “A Saga of Valour” for Classes 3–8 and “A Mission of Honour
and Bravery” for Classes 9–12, highlighting India’s response after the Pahalgam
killings and subsequent conflict with Pakistan.
The
modules state that the terrorist attack was directly ordered by Pakistan’s
political and military leadership, while Pakistan denied involvement; they
emphasize India’s decisive policy and intent to safeguard peace.Operation
Sindoor was named to honour the sacrifice of soldiers’ wives, and the content
recalls major terror attacks like Uri (2016) and Pulwama (2019), while noting
the impact of the abrogation of Article 370 on Jammu & Kashmir’s
development.
2. Iran Conducts “Sustainable Power 1404” Missile Drill
in Indian Ocean: Iran conducted “Sustainable Power
1404,” a two-day large-scale missile drill in the northern Indian Ocean
and Sea of Oman, deploying warships, air units, missile defence systems, and
electronic warfare brigades.The drills showcased Iran’s precision-strike cruise
missiles like Nasir and Qadir, with successful launches by the frigate IRIS
Sabalan and corvette IRIS Ganaveh, aimed at enhancing combat readiness and
deterrence.The exercise comes after the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict in June
2025 and the Casarex 2025 joint drill with Russia, seen as Tehran’s response to
Israeli war simulations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
SPORTS
1. Indian team bags third spot in its debut appearance at
AI Olympiad: In its first-ever participation at the International Olympiad in Artificial
Intelligence (IOAI) held in Beijing, India ranked 3rd among 63 countries, ahead of the US (12th)
and China (11th).The Indian team of eight high school students bagged 3 Gold, 2
Silver, and 1 Bronze, along with one honourable mention; Russia and Poland
secured the top two positions.The students were chosen through a five-stage
national programme (India AI Olympiad) organised by ACM India with ACM IKDD,
including training camps at IIIT Hyderabad.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Lok Sabha Passes Online Gaming Bill 2025: Boosts
E-Sports, Bans Harmful Money Gaming: Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming
Bill 2025, which promotes e-sports and online social games while
imposing a complete ban on harmful
online money gaming services such as Poker, Rummy, and other real money card
games.The Bill provides for the establishment of an Online Gaming
Authority to ensure coordinated policy support, strategic development, and
regulatory oversight of the sector, while also supporting innovation and Indian
game developers.The legislation aims to protect youth and vulnerable
populations from the negative effects of addictive money gaming, which has led
to 32 suicides in the last 31 months, financial frauds, money laundering, and
even terror financing.Strict penalties have been introduced for violations: imprisonment up to 3 years and fines up to ₹1
crore, with enhanced punishment for repeat offences — 3–5 years imprisonment
and fines up to ₹2 crore.The Bill creates a uniform, national-level
legal framework to regulate online gaming, safeguarding citizens from predatory
money gaming platforms, while supporting India’s vision of a safe, secure, and
innovation-driven Digital India.
2. NASA’s Surya AI : NASA launched Surya, an advanced
artificial intelligence model designed to transform space weather prediction.
Developed alongside IBM and trained on nine years of Solar Dynamics Observatory
data, Surya offers early and accurate forecasts of solar flares and eruptions.
These solar events can disrupt satellites, power grids, aviation, and GPS
systems on Earth. By making Surya open-source, NASA aims to encourage global
collaboration to enhance protection against space weather hazards. Space
weather originates from solar eruptions such as solar flares and coronal mass
ejections (CMEs). These release charged particles and magnetic energy that
travel through the solar system. When they reach Earth, they can damage
satellites, cause power outages, disrupt aviation routes, and endanger
astronauts. Predicting these events is vital for safeguarding modern technology
and infrastructure.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Kerala Becomes India’s First Fully Digitally Literate
State Under Digi Kerala Project: Kerala has become
the first fully digitally literate State in India, after the successful
completion of the first phase of
the Digi Kerala project, covering all local bodies to bridge the digital
divide.In a survey of 1.5 crore people from 83.46 lakh families, 21.88
lakh were found digitally illiterate; remarkably, 99.98% (21.87 lakh people) successfully completed
digital training and evaluation.The project trained a large number of senior
citizens and homemakers, enabling them to use e-services, pay bills online, and
interact on social media, showcasing the social commitment of youth volunteers
as trainers.Initiated as the Digi Pullampara project in 2021, the initiative
was later expanded across Kerala, and is aligned with the K-SMART platform,
enabling citizens to apply online for services such as building permits and
birth certificates.
2. SBI opens Centre of Excellence for MSMEs at its
Gurugram Academy: State Bank of India (SBI) has launched its
Centre of Excellence (CoE) for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) at
the State Bank Academy (SBA), Gurugram.The Centre has been established to
strengthen the MSME ecosystem through capacity building, research, and industry
collaboration, thereby contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed
nation, according to a statement by India’s largest bank.The CoE will engage
with MSME promoters, startups, industry associations, academia, government,
regulators, and banking professionals.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Mohamed Salah makes history with third PFA player of the year award: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah created history by becoming the first player to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award three times (2017-18, 2021-22, and 2024-25), with the latest honour presented at the Manchester Opera House.Salah’s 29 goals and 18 assists were instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in league history.Other award winners included Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) as PFA Young Player of the Year, Mariona Caldentey (Women’s Super League award), and James Trafford (Burnley, Championship award).
No comments:
Post a Comment