🇮🇳 National News
In a pioneering effort to transform government offices into human-centric spaces, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice inaugurated the Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
Carved out from an old garage, this dedicated fitness and wellness facility supports the physical and mental health of women employees and exemplifies a shift toward inclusive, health-driven work environments.
Launch Date: 18th July 2025
Inaugurated by: Union MoS for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal
Location: Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
Primary Objective: Promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and work-life balance among women staff
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), introduced in the Union Budget 2025–26, consolidates 36 existing schemes across 11 ministries into a data-driven, district-centric model to enhance productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes.
Annual Outlay: ₹24,000 crore over six years (2025–26 to 2030–31)
Beneficiaries: 1.7 crore farmers
Target Districts: 100 underperforming districts (at least one per State/UT)
- Scheme Convergence – Integrates 36 programmes under one umbrella, reducing administrative redundancy
- District-Level Targeting – Selects districts based on low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit access
- Local Planning Bodies – Establishes District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis to draft District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plans (DAAAP), incorporating insights from progressive farmers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched projects worth ₹7,200 crore in Motihari, Bihar, under the Viksit Bharat Mission, aiming to fast-track urban renewal, connectivity, and housing across the state.
Over three lakh pucca houses completed in Motihari alone under central housing schemes, addressing urban shelter needs.
- Alignment with Viksit Bharat 2047 – Investments contribute to making India a developed nation by its centenary of independence
- Urban Infrastructure Boost – Funds allocated for improving public utilities in Motihari, Gaya, and Patna
- Increased Central Investment – Significant uptick in funding under NDA government compared to UPA era’s ₹2 lakh crore over ten years
- Regional Equity Focus – Emphasis on reversing past neglect with strong support from CM Nitish Kumar
- Employment and Resilience – Projects expected to generate local jobs and stimulate ancillary economic activities
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes (NSCSTI) 2.0, a major reform initiative under Mission Karmayogi.
Developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), the new framework aims to standardize and enhance the quality of civil service training across India.
Mission Karmayogi is the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) aimed at enhancing the capabilities of civil servants through a competency-driven approach to training and development.
INS Nistar is the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, senior naval officials, civilian dignitaries, and Hindustan Shipyard Limited representatives.
Built by: Hindustan Shipyard Limited
Significance: First of two Diving Support Vessels
Capability: Designed for complex deep sea saturation diving and rescue operations – capabilities possessed by only select navies worldwide
INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL), made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia from 16-19 July 2025.
The visit aims to enhance hydrographic cooperation and reflects India’s expanding role in regional hydrographic capacity building under the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) and the National Hydrographic Office.
This maiden port call strengthens India’s maritime ties with Malaysia and showcases indigenous shipbuilding capabilities while promoting regional hydrographic cooperation.
India achieved a major milestone at the FISU World University Games 2025, held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, as swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Benediction Rohit set new national records, showcasing India’s growing prowess in international swimming.
Also called the Universiade, it is a global multi-sport event for university athletes. The 2025 edition is hosted in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany with more than 150 countries participating.
| Swimmer | Event | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Srihari Nataraj | Men’s 200m Freestyle | Clocked 1:48.22 (broke own national record of 1:48.66) |
| B. Benediction Rohit | 50m Butterfly | First Indian male to finish under 24 seconds – timed 23.96 seconds |
💼 Business & Economy
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed panels of whole-time members to investigate violations of regulatory norms by insurers and intermediaries.
This decision was approved during IRDAI’s 132nd meeting amid increasing cases of mis-selling, particularly through bancassurance, and issues related to claim settlements.
- Investigation panels – Chaired by the Whole-Time Members of IRDAI
- Enforcement measures – Part of IRDAI’s efforts to examine breaches of the Insurance Act and related regulations
- New Registration – IRDAI also approved the R1 application of Kiwi General Insurance Ltd, marking the first stage of its registration as a new insurance company
Bancassurance is a partnership between a bank and an insurance company where insurance products are sold through the bank’s distribution channels.
🌐 International News
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are strengthening strategic ties, focusing on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next key sectors for collaboration.
Bilateral trade surpassed $100 billion, achieving this milestone five years ahead of schedule. UAE is now India’s third-largest trade partner.
High-level diplomatic engagement intensified since September 2024, with visits by Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, emphasizing economic cooperation.
👔 Appointments
The Cabinet’s Appointments Committee approved the appointment of Nitin Gupta, a 1986-batch retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, as Chairperson of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).
Gupta is a former Chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and will succeed Ravneet Kaur, the acting chairperson of NFRA.
The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is an independent regulator established under the Companies Act, 2013, to oversee the auditing profession and ensure compliance with accounting and auditing standards in India.
🔬 Science & Technology
Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) uncovered new insights into Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) responsible for rare northern lights over Ladakh in May 2024.
This event marked the strongest solar storm in two decades.
- Research Lead – Wageesh Mishra
- Data Sources – NASA, ESA missions, and IIA’s Indian Astronomical Observatory
- Focus – Study of a rare chain of six interacting CMEs erupting from the Sun’s corona
This first-of-its-kind analysis revealed that interacting CMEs undergo complex thermal restructuring, aiding in predicting their impact on Earth’s magnetosphere.
The first Make-in-India cost-effective advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis was indigenously designed and developed by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and AIIMS Bibinagar.
ADIDOC stands for AIIMS Bibinagar – DRDL, DRDO Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis.
Unveiled: July 14, 2025 at AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana
This innovation aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, providing an affordable prosthetic solution for amputees across India.
The first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) was launched on July 18, 2025, at the NFDC complex, Pedder Road, Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, IT, Electronics & Broadcasting).
The IICT aims to innovate and upscale learning in graphics and cutting-edge digital skills, positioning India as a global hub for entertainment technology.
📅 Important Days
Observed on July 20, World Chess Day commemorates the founding of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) in 1924.
The day promotes intellectual growth, strategic thinking, and global unity, while celebrating chess as an inclusive cultural exchange activity.
- Mental Health Benefits – Chess is known to enhance cognitive abilities and mental well-being
- India’s Contribution – India has a rich historical connection to the game, with the ancient game of Chaturanga considered the precursor to modern chess
Celebrated on July 20, International Moon Day marks the anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing – humanity’s first steps on the lunar surface.
Initiated by the United Nations (Resolution 76/76), this day advocates for peaceful space exploration and sustainable use of lunar resources.
1. Advocate for peaceful space exploration
2. Encourage sustainable use of lunar resources
3. Raise public awareness and honor past missions
4. Promote global cooperation for future lunar projects
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