National News
Inauguration of 1 MW Green Hydrogen Power Plant at Kandla Port
- Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, inaugurated a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Power Plant at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), located in Kandla, Gujarat.
- The initiative aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission and contributes to PM Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving clean energy by 2030.
- This unit represents the first phase of a larger 10 MW Green Hydrogen Plant, whose foundation was laid by PM Modi in Bhuj on May 26, 2025.
- Notably, the 1 MW plant was completed and made operational within just four months, marking a milestone in rapid deployment for India’s green hydrogen initiatives.
Revival of Heritage Sports in Punjab
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has lifted a 28-year-old ban on traditional heritage sports such as bullock cart races, dog races, horse races, and pigeon racing.
- These sports, banned in 1997, will now be legally practiced again under strict supervision to ensure animal safety.
- The initiative aims to restore Punjab’s rich cultural legacy and reconnect the youth with traditional practices through monitored revival.
Agreement and MoU News
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Staff
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM, assumed office as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on August 1, 2025.
- On taking charge, he honored fallen soldiers by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
India-Morocco Pact for Legal and Judicial Collaboration
- India and Morocco have entered into two significant accords: a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- These agreements focus on enhancing collaboration in civil and commercial legal matters and promoting mutual institutional support between the legal frameworks of both nations.
Appointments News
Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh to Become Vice Chief of Army Staff
- Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh will take over as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) on August 1, 2025, succeeding Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani.
- An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the 4 Para (Special Forces) in 1987.
- His service record includes key roles in major operations like Operation Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak, and Orchid.
- He also has notable international peacekeeping experience, having served under the UN in Lebanon and Sri Lanka.
Dr. A Rajarajan Appointed as Director of VSSC
- A Rajarajan has been named Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, effective August 1, 2025.
- He succeeds Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair and brings close to 40 years of expertise in composite technology and rocket systems.
- Rajarajan previously led the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR and was instrumental in major space missions like Vikram-S (India’s first private rocket), Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and Gaganyaan.
- His appointment is expected to bolster India’s space exploration goals and foster further private sector participation.
National Observances
National Mountain Climbing Day – August 1, 2025
- Celebrated annually on August 1, this day commemorates the 2015 achievement of Bobby Mathews and Josh Madigan in climbing all 46 peaks of the Adirondacks.
- The day promotes the health, mental, and ecological benefits of mountain climbing.
- It also pays tribute to pioneering Indian climbers such as Avatar Singh Cheema and Bachendri Pal.
- Mountains are recognized not just for their beauty but as crucial resources for water, biodiversity, and climate stability.
World Observances
World Lung Cancer Day – August 1, 2025
- Observed to highlight the global need for lung cancer awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis.
- The disease affects both smokers and non-smokers, with causes including smoking, air pollution, genetics, and workplace exposure.
- Technological advancements in early detection, precision therapy, and immunotherapy are vital in combating the disease.
- Widespread education and proactive screening are critical to reducing mortality rates.
Obituaries News
Demise of KPAC Rajendran
- KPAC Rajendran, a respected veteran of Malayalam theatre and television, died at the age of 74 in Alappuzha on July 31, 2025.
- He rose to fame with his performance in “Ningalenne Communistakki” and his role as Padavalam Kuttanpillai in the TV serial Uppum Mulakum.
- He was a pivotal figure in the Kerala People’s Arts Club (KPAC) and remained dedicated to the arts and social causes until his final days.
- Tributes poured in from cultural and political figures, including Binoy Viswam.
Renowned Economist Meghnad Desai Passes Away
- Lord Meghnad Desai, noted economist, academic, and member of the British House of Lords, passed away at the age of 85.
- Born in 1940, Desai was Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics and a Padma Bhushan awardee (2008).
- He authored several influential books, including The Poverty of Political Economy (2022), and founded the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust.
- He significantly contributed to strengthening Indo-British relations and global economic thought.
Olympic Biathlon Champion Laura Dahlmeier Dies in Mountaineering Accident
- German Olympian Laura Dahlmeier tragically died in a mountaineering mishap on Laila Peak in Pakistan at the age of 31.
- She had won two Olympic gold medals and seven world championship titles before retiring from biathlon in 2019 to pursue her passion for climbing.
- Despite a rescue effort, the remote nature of the accident site prevented her survival.
- The sports world mourns the loss of a remarkable athlete and adventurer.
Banking and Business News
NPCI Enforces New UPI Guidelines Starting August 1, 2025
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) rolled out updated rules for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) operations to improve app performance and safeguard users.
- These guidelines are mandatory for platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
Key Rules Include:
Balance Enquiry:
- Each app can now process up to 50 balance check requests per user per day.
- Requests may be limited during high-traffic periods to prevent server overload.
- Starting August, balance information will be shown automatically after every transaction.
Autopayment Rules:
- Autopayments (recurring deductions) will only be processed during non-peak hours:
- Before 10 AM
- Between 1 PM to 5 PM
- After 9:30 PM
- Scheduled autopayments during peak hours will be rescheduled accordingly.
- Failed attempts will be retried before final cancellation.
Bank Details Access:
- Users will be able to view their bank accounts linked to their mobile numbers up to 25 times a day.
- This feature must be accessed only after selecting the issuer bank within the UPI app.
Transaction Status Updates:
- Unconfirmed payments will reflect their status quickly during peak hours to avoid showing as “pending.”
- Users may check status only three times with a mandatory 90-second interval.
Recipient Transparency:
- The recipient’s name and transaction ID will be shown before a transaction is completed, reducing chances of error and fraud.
Compliance Measures:
- Non-adherence may attract penalties, API access restrictions, or suspension of new user onboarding.
Recent Development:
- In June 2025, NPCI and JCB International offered 25% cashback on RuPay cards for a limited period.
About NPCI:
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established: 2008
- CEO: Dilip Asbe
- Key Projects: UPI, IMPS, RuPay, BBPS, AePS