National News
PM Modi Unveils ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’ to Digitize Ancient Manuscripts
- During the 124th edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission.
- This initiative aims to digitize over one crore ancient manuscripts, preserving India’s rich heritage.
- A National Digital Repository will be established to house these texts, offering global access to students and educators interested in India’s cultural and spiritual legacy.
- The mission seeks to serve as a civilizational movement, connecting modern audiences with traditional Indian knowledge systems.
Sanchar Saathi App Launched in 22 Languages
- Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia introduced the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, now available in Hindi and 21 regional languages.
- The app has crossed 46 lakh downloads, allowing users to:
- Report suspicious calls and messages,
- Block or trace lost or stolen phones,
- Check for unauthorized mobile numbers linked to their identity.
- Launched in New Delhi during a stakeholders’ event, the initiative included representatives from law enforcement, telecom firms, DoT, RPF, and C-DOT.
- The app is part of the government’s wider push against cyber fraud and promotes inclusive digital safety across India.
International News
8.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia’s Kamchatka
- A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake hit near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific.
- Affected areas include Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and the US West Coast.
- Waves up to 4 metres high were observed, especially in Kamchatka.
- Although minor injuries and damage were reported, there were no major casualties.
- Experts warn of aftershocks and underline that the Pacific Ring of Fire remains highly unstable.
UK Moves Toward Recognising Palestine
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the country’s intent to recognise Palestinian statehood if Israel:
- Ends its Gaza military operations,
- Stops its West Bank annexation plans,
- Commits to a peace process under the two-state solution framework.
- This follows support from France and the 140 countries that have already recognised Palestine.
- The move emphasizes a growing international call for peace in the Middle East amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Economy News
IMF Upgrades India’s Growth Forecast to 6.4%
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India’s GDP forecast for both 2025 and 2026 to 6.4%, up from previous estimates of 6.2% and 6.3%.
- This positions India as the fastest-growing major economy, surpassing:
- China (4.8% in 2025),
- United States (1.9% in 2025).
- The revised growth is attributed to:
- A favorable global financial climate,
- A weaker US dollar, and
- An improved external environment.
- On a financial year basis:
- FY2025: 6.7%
- FY2026: 6.4%
Business News
Reliance Industries Tops India’s Fortune Global 500 Rankings Again
- Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) secured the 88th spot globally on the Fortune Global 500 list (2025), making it the top-ranked Indian company.
- Despite dropping slightly from 86th in 2024, RIL’s rise from 155th in 2021 marks a 67-rank climb over four years.
- RIL has been featured on the list for 22 consecutive years, making it the longest-listed Indian private company.
Other Indian Firms on Fortune Global 500 List (2025)
- Public Sector Companies:
- LIC – #95
- Indian Oil Corporation – #127
- State Bank of India – #163
- ONGC – #181
- BPCL – #285
- Private Sector Companies:
- Reliance Industries – #88
- HDFC Bank – #258
- Tata Motors – #283
- ICICI Bank – #464
JioPC – Reliance Jio’s New Virtual Desktop Solution
- Reliance Jio has launched JioPC, a cloud-powered virtual desktop that transforms any TV with a Jio Set-Top Box into a PC.
- Key features:
- Ubuntu OS, LibreOffice, Adobe Express, Microsoft Office (browser-based),
- Programming tools and AI utilities,
- 4 CPUs, 8GB RAM, and 100GB cloud storage.
- Plans begin at ₹599/month, offering a contract-free and budget-friendly computing solution.
- However, the device:
- Lacks webcam and printer support,
- Requires stable internet connectivity.
Agreements and MoS News
Andhra Pradesh Collaborates with Tesseract & YouTube for Creator Academy
- The state of Andhra Pradesh signed an MoU with Tesseract US Inc. and YouTube Academy India to set up a Creator Academy.
- The signing took place on January 29, 2025, in Singapore.
- The agreement was witnessed by Nara Lokesh, AP’s Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics.
- The initiative seeks to strengthen the creative economy and empower content creators.
Odisha Signs $902 Million in Textile MoUs at Odisha-TEX 2025
- At Odisha-TEX 2025, the Odisha government signed 33 MoUs worth $902 million (₹7,808 crore).
- The initiative is aligned with the Odisha Apparel & Technical Textile Policy 2022, aiming to make the state a textile hub in eastern India.
- Led by CM Mohan Charan Majhi,
- Collaborations with over 160 textile firms including:
- Page Industries
- KPR Mills
- Sportking
- Adarsh Knitwear
- Bon & Co.
- B.L. International
- Target to create 1 lakh jobs by 2030 in this sector.
DPIIT and Ather Energy Partner to Boost EV Innovation
- DPIIT signed an MoU with Ather Energy under the Build in Bharat initiative to bolster electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.
- Key objectives include:
- Promoting clean mobility solutions,
- Providing mentorship, infrastructure, and innovation support,
- Encouraging skill development for EV-related startups,
- Establishing India as a global leader in sustainable transport.
Appointments News
Shailesh Jejurikar Named Global CEO of Procter & Gamble
- Shailesh Jejurikar has been appointed as the Global CEO of Procter & Gamble, effective January 1, 2026.
- He becomes the first Indian to head the multinational FMCG giant.
- Jejurikar, currently the COO, will replace Jon Moeller, who will transition to Executive Chairman.
- He joined P&G in 1989 and previously led the Fabric & Home Care division.
- His leadership is credited with driving innovation, supply chain optimization, and global expansion.
Defense News
Indian Coast Guard Launches Patrol Vessel ‘Atal’
- The Indian Coast Guard launched its sixth Fast Patrol Vessel, named ‘Atal’, on July 29, 2025, at Vasco da Gama, Goa.
- Built by Goa Shipyard Ltd, the vessel:
- Measures 52 metres in length,
- Weighs 320 tonnes,
- Is designed for coastal security, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and SAR operations.
- This move enhances India’s maritime defense and supports the vision of ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defense manufacturing.
Science & Technology News
ISRO to Launch NISAR Earth Observation Satellite
- ISRO, in collaboration with NASA, will launch the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission today at 5:40 PM from Sriharikota using the GSLV-F16 rocket.
- Key Features:
- Will operate in Sun-synchronous orbit at 747 km altitude,
- Uses dual-frequency radar: L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO),
- Provides detailed imaging of Earth every 12 days for 3 years.
- Applications include:
- Disaster management,
- Climate change monitoring,
- Resource tracking and ecosystem mapping.
- The data will be freely accessible worldwide, showcasing the strength of India-US space collaboration.
Important Days
World Ranger Day 2025 – July 31
- Observed annually on July 31, World Ranger Day honors rangers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty.
- It also recognizes the invaluable contributions of rangers in preserving natural and cultural heritage across the globe.
International Friendship Day 2025
- In India, Friendship Day will be celebrated on August 3, 2025.
- The UN-recognised International Day of Friendship is observed on July 30.
- Originally proposed by Joyce Hall, the day was officially declared by the UN in 2011.
- The celebration promotes peace, intercultural respect, and global solidarity.
- Traditions include exchanging:
- Friendship bands,
- Cards and gifts,
- Spending time with friends to cherish bonds.
Obituaries
Economist Lord Meghnad Desai Passes Away at 85
- Lord Meghnad Desai, a distinguished Indian-origin economist and author, died on July 29, 2025, aged 85.
- Born in Vadodara (1940), he earned degrees from the University of Mumbai.
- A member of the UK House of Lords, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008.
- Known for his Marxist economic analysis, his key works include:
- Marxian Economic Theory (1973)
- Applied Econometrics (1976)
- Marxian Economics (1979)
- Marx’s Revenge (2002) – where he anticipated a revival of socialism amid globalization.