Daily GK 16th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs 16th July 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

Dear Readers,
This post contains the daily current affairs 16th July 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related to Current Affairs 16th July 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these Current Affairs, we would recommend you to try 16th July, 2025 Current affairs test.

 

National News

Machilipatnam Port to be Revived by 2026

• The construction of the Machilipatnam Greenfield Port in Andhra Pradesh is progressing rapidly, with 48% of work completed.
• Operations are expected to begin by the end of 2026.
• The port is being built by MEIL (Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited) and is projected to significantly boost exports and create jobs in the region.
• The project, valued at ₹5,155 crore, had been delayed since 2007 but is now being executed under the Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Ltd.
• Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments are investing in related infrastructure like dry ports and freight corridors.
• Local communities are optimistic about improved land values and employment opportunities.
• The port is designed to handle 36 million tonnes of cargo annually and accommodate large vessels, positioning it as a major trade hub on India’s east coast.

Meghalaya Marks Sacred Behdeinkhlam Festival

• The Behdeinkhlam Festival was celebrated with enthusiasm in Jowai, Meghalaya, in July 2025.
• This festival holds cultural and spiritual importance for the Pnars, a sub-tribe of the Jaintia community, serving as a prayer for health and good harvest.
• Key rituals include:
  • Carrying the Symbud Khnong.
  • Traditional dances.
  • Women offering special food.
  • Playing the unique game Dad-lawakor.
• The event also spreads awareness about:
  • Drug-free living.
  • Climate protection.
  • Preservation of traditions.
• It plays a crucial role in sustaining the Niamtre faith and strengthening community unity.

Goa Introduces RoRo Ferry Service on Mandovi River

• Goa launched India’s first RoRo ferry service on the Mandovi River.
• Two advanced ferries, Gangotri and Dwarka, will operate under this initiative.
• Built by Vijai Marine Shipyards, these ferries reduce travel time between Chorao and Ribandar to 12–13 minutes.
• Inaugurated by CM Pramod Sawant, the project comes at zero cost to the state government.
• Key features include:
  • AC cabins for passengers.
  • Dedicated lanes for vehicles.
  • Emergency kits ensuring safety.
• The service aims to improve water-based transport, enhance tourism, and facilitate local commuting.

Karnataka Unveils India’s Second Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge in Shivamogga, Karnataka.
• The bridge:
  • Measures 2.44 km in length.
  • Built at a cost of ₹470 crore over the Sharavathi backwaters.
  • Named after Goddess Chowdeshwari Devi.
• Connects Sagara and Marakutika, restoring connectivity lost due to the Linganamakki dam.
• Gadkari also highlighted:
  • Significant growth in National Highway length in Karnataka.
  • Upcoming road projects worth ₹5 lakh crore.

Assam Launches India’s First Aqua Tech Park

• CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the first Aqua Tech Park in India at Sonapur near Guwahati, Assam.
• Developed by Kolong Kopili NGO with support from NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, and other agencies.
• The park introduces advanced technologies such as:
  • Biofloc systems.
  • Aquaponics.
  • Ornamental fish breeding.
• Objectives:
  • Empower fish farmers.
  • Boost fish production.
  • Create employment.
• Assam has:
  • Doubled fish output between 2019 and 2024.
  • Become the 4th largest fish producer in India.
• The government has also launched 10 fishery clusters worth ₹8 crore.

Himachal Pradesh Implements ‘My Deed’ NGDRS Pilot for Land Registration

• The Himachal Pradesh government, led by CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, introduced the ‘My Deed’ NGDRS (National Generic Document Registration System) pilot project.
• Purpose:
  • Digitize land registration.
  • Promote paperless, presence-less, and cashless governance.
• Key features:
  • Online application for land registration.
  • Only one visit to the tehsil office required.
• Initial rollout:
  • In 10 tehsils across 10 districts.
• Supported by:
  • Digital revenue reforms like:
    • New Jamabandi format in Hindi.
    • e-Roznamcha Vakyati (digital diary).
    • Kaarguzari (online attendance).

International News

South Asia Achieves Record Childhood Immunisation Coverage in 2024

• As per UNICEF and WHO, South Asia achieved its highest-ever immunisation coverage in 2024:
  • 92% coverage for DTP3 vaccine.
  • 27% reduction in zero-dose children.
  • 39% decrease in measles cases.
• Major contributors:
  • India and Nepal showed remarkable progress.
  • Bangladesh and Sri Lanka expanded HPV vaccinations.
• Key factors:
  • Strong government initiatives.
  • Role of community health workers.
  • Global partnerships.
• Challenges:
  • Over 2.9 million children remain un- or under-vaccinated, requiring sustained efforts for universal immunisation.

Banking News

UPI-PayNow Network Expanded to 13 More Indian Banks

• On July 17, 2025, NPCI International announced the expansion of UPI-PayNow linkage, bringing in 13 more Indian banks, totaling 19 banks in the network.
• Objective:
  • Facilitate real-time cross-border remittances between India and Singapore.
• Supported by:
  • RBI and Monetary Authority of Singapore.
• Impact:
  • Enhances financial inclusion, particularly for migrant workers and students.
  • Showcases India’s leadership in digital payment innovation globally.

Awards News

Dharmendra Pradhan Honoured with Kalinga Ratna Award 2024

• On July 16, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu presented Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 in Cuttack, Odisha.
• Occasion:
  • 600th birth anniversary of Adikabi Sarala Das.
• Organized by:
  • Sarala Sahitya Sansad.
• Significance:
  • Highlights the role of Odia literature and promotes linguistic unity in India’s cultural identity.

Appointments News

Sanjay Kaul Named CEO of GIFT City

• Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre, appointed as MD and CEO of GIFT City, Gandhinagar on July 15, 2025.
• Current role:
  • Serving in the Union Ministry of Culture.
• Past experience:
  • Worked extensively in Gujarat.
• Appointment details:
  • On deputation for three years.
  • Replaces Tapan Ray.
• GIFT City:
  • A leading financial and smart city project in India.
  • Kaul’s leadership expected to accelerate its global competitiveness.

Sabyasachi Couture Appoints Manish Chopra as CEO

• Manish Chopra, former executive at Shein India and Meta, becomes the new CEO of Sabyasachi Couture.
• The brand:
  • 51% owned by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL) since its ₹398 crore acquisition in 2021.
• Strategic aim:
  • Global expansion and executive leadership strengthening.
• Chopra’s expertise:
  • Extensive experience in fashion retail and business scaling.

Ranks & Reports

Delhi Tops QS Rankings as Most Affordable Student City

• In QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026:
  • Delhi ranked as the world’s most affordable student city.
  • Other Indian cities also improved:
    • Mumbai: 98th, Delhi: 104th, Bengaluru: 108th, Chennai: 128th.
• Significance:
  • Reflects India’s progress in affordability, employability, and academic excellence.
• Aligned with:
  • Goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Schemes News

Cabinet Approves PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana 2024-31

• Approved on July 16, 2025, the scheme spans six years (2024-2031) with an annual budget of ₹24,000 crore.
• Objective:
  • Boost agriculture in 100 low-performing districts.
• Key focus areas:
  • Crop diversification.
  • Improved irrigation systems.
  • Credit accessibility.
  • Better storage facilities.
• Features:
  • Integration of 36 schemes from 11 ministries.
  • Supervised by NITI Aayog.
• Beneficiaries:
  • 1.7 crore farmers across India.

Science & Technology News

China Develops World’s Lightest Mind-Control Device for Bees

• Chinese scientists at the Beijing Institute of Technology have created a 74-milligram mind-control device for bees.
• Purpose:
  • Turn bees into cyborgs for tasks like military missions, urban combat, drug searches, and disaster rescue.
• How it works:
  • Signals transmitted through three tiny needles inserted into the bee’s brain.
  • Enables controlled flight paths.
• Advantages:
  • Greater maneuverability and stealth than machines.
• Challenge:
  • Battery life still a limitation.
• Future plans:
  • Further miniaturization and upgrades.

Israel Launches Advanced Communication Satellite Dror-1

• On July 13, 2025, Israel launched Dror-1, its most advanced communications satellite, using SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral.
• Built by:
  • Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• Specifications:
  • Weighs 4.5 tons.
  • Equipped with large antennas and solar panels.
• Service life:
  • 15 years.
• Significance:
  • Strengthens Israel’s space capabilities.
  • Promotes secure communication networks and technological independence.

Obituaries

Poet Andrea Gibson Passes Away at 49

• On July 14, 2025, renowned queer poet Andrea Gibson passed away at age 49.
• Contributions:
  • Known for exploring gender identity, love, and cancer survival through poetry.
• Achievements:
  • Served as Poet Laureate of Colorado.
  • Featured in Sundance 2025 award-winning documentary Come See Me in the Good Light.
• Health:
  • Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021.
• Legacy:
  • Remembered for honesty, strength, and artistic brilliance in poetry and activism.