📊 Index & Rankings
In the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026, Delhi has been ranked as the world’s most affordable student city.
| City | Overall Rank |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 98th |
| Delhi | 104th |
| Bengaluru | 108th |
| Chennai | 128th |
This reflects India’s progress in affordability, employability, and academic excellence, aligned with the goals of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
🇮🇳 National News
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.
Key details:
- Project value – ₹5,155 crore
- Developer – MEIL (Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited)
- Cargo capacity – 36 million tonnes annually
Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments are investing in related infrastructure like dry ports and freight corridors. The port is positioned as a major trade hub on India’s east coast.
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:
- Carrying the Symbud Khnong
- Traditional dances
- Women offering special food
- Playing the unique game Dad-lawakor
The event spreads awareness about drug-free living, climate protection, and preservation of traditions. It plays a crucial role in sustaining the Niamtre faith.
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.
Key features:
- AC cabins for passengers
- Dedicated lanes for vehicles
- Emergency kits ensuring safety
- Travel time – 12–13 minutes between Chorao and Ribandar
Inaugurated by CM Pramod Sawant, the project comes at zero cost to the state government. It aims to improve water-based transport, enhance tourism, and facilitate local commuting.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge in Shivamogga, Karnataka.
Bridge specifications:
- Length – 2.44 km
- Cost – ₹470 crore
- Location – Over the Sharavathi backwaters
- Named after – Goddess Chowdeshwari Devi
The bridge connects Sagara and Marakutika, restoring connectivity lost due to the Linganamakki dam.
Gadkari highlighted significant growth in National Highway length in Karnataka and announced upcoming road projects worth ₹5 lakh crore.
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.
Advanced technologies introduced:
- Biofloc systems
- Aquaponics
- Ornamental fish breeding
Assam has doubled fish output between 2019 and 2024 and become the 4th largest fish producer in India. The government has also launched 10 fishery clusters worth ₹8 crore.
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
- Only one visit to the tehsil office required
Initial rollout: In 10 tehsils across 10 districts
Supported by reforms like new Jamabandi format in Hindi, e-Roznamcha Vakyati (digital diary), and Kaarguzari (online attendance).
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
The award highlights the role of Odia literature and promotes linguistic unity in India’s cultural identity.
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
Integration of 36 schemes from 11 ministries, supervised by NITI Aayog. Expected to benefit 1.7 crore farmers across India.
💼 Business & Economy
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
Enhances financial inclusion, particularly for migrant workers and students. Showcases India’s leadership in digital payment innovation globally.
🌐 International News
As per UNICEF and WHO, South Asia achieved its highest-ever immunisation coverage in 2024.
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| DTP3 vaccine coverage | 92% |
| Reduction in zero-dose children | 27% |
| Decrease in measles cases | 39% |
Major contributors: India and Nepal showed remarkable progress. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka expanded HPV vaccinations.
Over 2.9 million children remain un- or under-vaccinated, requiring sustained efforts for universal immunisation.
👔 Appointments
Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre, has been appointed as MD and CEO of GIFT City, Gandhinagar on July 15, 2025.
Key details:
- Current role – Serving in the Union Ministry of Culture
- Past experience – Worked extensively in Gujarat
- Tenure – On deputation for three years
- Replaces – Tapan Ray
A leading financial and smart city project in India. Kaul’s leadership is expected to accelerate its global competitiveness.
Manish Chopra, former executive at Shein India and Meta, becomes the new CEO of Sabyasachi Couture.
Brand details:
- 51% owned by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL)
- Acquired in 2021 for ₹398 crore
Focus on global expansion and executive leadership strengthening. Chopra brings extensive experience in fashion retail and business scaling.
🔬 Science & Technology
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 include further miniaturization and upgrades.
On July 13, 2025, Israel launched Dror-1, its most advanced communications satellite, using SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral.
Specifications:
- Built by – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- Weight – 4.5 tons
- Features – Large antennas and solar panels
- Service life – 15 years
Strengthens Israel’s space capabilities, promotes secure communication networks, and technological independence.
🕊️ Obituaries
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
- Served as Poet Laureate of Colorado
- Featured in Sundance 2025 award-winning documentary Come See Me in the Good Light
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021. Remembered for honesty, strength, and artistic brilliance in poetry and activism.
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