- On 15 July 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved a ₹7,000 crore acquisition of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Power Pvt. Ltd. (SGRE) and SGREL (Sri Lanka) by a consortium led by TPG REGen, including Peony Properties, Mavco Investments, and Tikri Investments. The deal covers onshore wind turbine manufacturing and services, with SGRE and SGREL retaining a 10% stake post-acquisition.
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- On 15 July 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) also cleared the 100% acquisition of SMC Power Generation Ltd (SMCPGL) by Rungta Sons Pvt. Ltd (RSPL). SMCPGL operates in sponge iron, steel billets, TMT bars, pig iron, and ferro alloys. The acquisition aims to strengthen RSPL’s downstream steel operations and ensure raw material security.
- On 15 July 2025, the Government of India approved the appointment of 9 Chief Justices and transfer of 19 High Court judges. The reshuffle followed recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai on 26 May 2025. Five judges were newly appointed as Chief Justices, while four were transferred to other High Courts. This move aims to fill vacancies and strengthen leadership across India’s 25 High Courts.
- On July 16, 2025, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the University of Southampton’s India campus in Gurugram, Haryana. It is the first foreign university to set up a full-fledged campus in India under UGC’s new regulations aligned with NEP 2020. The campus will offer UK-standard UG and PG programmes from September 2025, with options to study in the UK or Malaysia.
- On 15 July 2025, Bengaluru-based fintech startup EximPe received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB). This licence allows EximPe to facilitate compliant international pay-ins and pay-outs for sectors like digital services, e-commerce, and B2B goods trade, especially across emerging Asian markets.
- On 15 July 2025, a new dragonfly species named Lyriothemis abrahami was discovered in the Western Ghats by TNHS researchers. It is endemic to Kerala and Karnataka, breeding in tree-hole water pools and showing sexual dimorphism.
- On 14 July 2025, NITI Aayog released the third edition of Trade Watch Quarterly for Q3 FY25 (Oct–Dec 2024) in New Delhi, led by Member Dr. Arvind Virmani. The report highlights India’s 3% growth in merchandise exports and 17% surge in services exports, yielding a $52.3 billion services surplus. It ranks India 5th globally in Digitally Delivered Services (DDS) exports, totaling $269 billion in 2024.
- India’s progress in reducing zero-dose children was highlighted in the Global Immunization Estimates 2024 report, released by World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on 15 July 2025. India cut its zero-dose children by 43%, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID coverage levels.
- India has emerged as the global leader in fast payments, with UPI processing over 18 billion monthly transactions, as per the IMF Fintech Note (July 10, 2025). The IMF praised UPI’s interoperability, affordability, and wide accessibility, driving financial inclusion. Cash usage has declined sharply, indicating a strong shift to digital payments. UPI now live in 7 countries, with plans to expand to 20 by 2029.
- Indian hockey forward Deepika Sehrawat became the first Indian to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award 2024–25, announced on 16 July 2025. She earned the award for her stunning solo goal against the Netherlands during the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League.
- On 15 July 2025, India received its second General Electric (GE) F404 engine from the US for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme. The engine was delivered to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with 12 more due by March 2026 under a $716 million deal.
- On July 15, 2025, Defence Research and Development Organisation handed over six indigenously developed radiation detection systems to the Indian Navy in Jodhpur. These systems enhance radiation surveillance, environmental monitoring, and nuclear contamination control. The systems include aerial, underwater, vehicle-based, and environmental detectors, supporting India’s defence self-reliance.
- Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the North-East Conclave 2025 at IIM Shillong on July 11, themed “From Ideation to Incorporation” to promote startups. She laid the foundation for IICA’s first North-East campus and launched development projects worth ₹1,087.81 crore under the SASCI scheme. Key projects include 75 digital libraries, Umiam Lake redevelopment, women’s hostels, and sports infrastructure. The conclave saw participation from 39 startups and signing of 7 MoUs with major institutions.
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on July 14–15, 2025. The theme was “Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships”, focusing on regional maritime cooperation. Delegates from all 7 BIMSTEC nations discussed port connectivity, cruise tourism, green shipping, and digital logistics. Sonowal launched projects worth ₹276 crore, including port infrastructure upgrades and a Vessel Traffic Management System.
- On July 16, 2025, India and Argentina held the 2nd Joint Working Group meeting on Agriculture, virtually and in-person. It was chaired by Devesh Chaturvedi from India and Sergio Iraeta from Argentina, with participation from key agricultural ministries. The aim was to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas like climate-resilient farming, genome editing, pest control, and digital agriculture. Both sides agreed to enhance research collaboration, technology exchange, and carbon credit frameworks.
- World Day for International Justice 2025 was observed on July 17, marking the 27th anniversary of the Rome Statute. It commemorates the founding of the International Criminal Court to uphold justice for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Established in 2010 at the Kampala Review Conference, the day promotes global accountability and rule of law.
- On 16 July 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed renowned actors Nitu Chandra and Kranti Prakash Jha as SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) icons for Bihar. This move aims to boost voter awareness and participation ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, especially among youth and first-time voters.
- On 14 July 2025, the Tamil Nadu government appointed four IAS officers as official spokespersons to improve public outreach. The appointees are J. Radhakrishnan, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Dheeraj Kumar, and P. Amudha, all Additional Chief Secretaries. They will represent key departments and ensure accurate communication of government initiatives.
- Felix Baumgartner, famed for his 2012 supersonic space jump, died in a paragliding crash on July 17, 2025, in Italy at age 56. He reportedly suffered a medical emergency mid-air, crashing into a hotel pool in Porto Sant’Elpidio. Baumgartner was the first to break the sound barrier in free fall during the Red Bull Stratos mission.
Questions:
Q.1 As per the Trade Watch Quarterly Q3 FY25, India ranks ___ in Digitally Delivered Services (DDS) exports.a) 5th
b) 3rd
c) 8th
d) 7th
Answer: a) The report, released by NITI Aayog, ranks India 5th in DDS exports totaling $269 billion in 2024.
Q. Felix Baumgartner, who died in July 2025, was best known for:
a) Climbing Everest
b) Supersonic freefall from space
c) Inventing paragliding
d) Crossing the Atlantic solo
Answer: b) Felix Baumgartner, famed for his 2012 supersonic space jump.
