- On NAMASTE Day (July 16, 2025), Union MoS B.L. Verma launched helpline 14473 in Lucknow to support waste pickers. PPE kits, Ayushman cards, and AR/VR training were distributed under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme. Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) were equipped for worker safety.
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- Gujarat launched India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to address inherited diseases across 17 tribal districts. Under the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), it identifies genetic markers for Sickle Cell Anaemia, Thalassaemia, and hereditary cancers. The study involves 2,000 individuals, using genetic trios (father, mother, child) for precision health profiling. It aims to build a Reference Genome Database for inclusive, data-driven healthcare and policy planning.
- On July 17, 2025, Zepto co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra were ranked first on the Avendus Wealth–Hurun India U30 Entrepreneurs List 2025. At just 22 years old, they’ve raised $1.95 billion through their quick-commerce venture, creating 3,000 jobs. The list featured 79 entrepreneurs under 30 who collectively generated 64,000+ jobs and raised $5.2 billion, with Mumbai emerging as the top entrepreneurial hub and BITS Pilani producing the most honourees.
- From July 5–14, 2025, India ranked 6th globally at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Dubai, winning 2 Gold and 2 Silver medals. Gold: Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya (Jalgaon), Sandeep Kuchi (Hyderabad) Silver: Debadatta Priyadarshi (Bhubaneshwar), Ujjwal Kesari (New Delhi) India competed among 90 countries, showcasing world-class scientific talent.
- On July 18, 2025, PM Modi launched ₹5,400 crore worth development projects in Durgapur, West Bengal. Key sectors: gas pipelines, thermal power upgrades, rail line doubling, and road over bridges. Highlights include BPCL gas network, Urja Ganga pipeline, FGD pollution control systems, and rail-road infra. The projects aim to enhance connectivity, promote clean energy, and create jobs in eastern India.
- On July 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched over ₹7,200 crore worth of development projects in Motihari, Bihar, covering railways, roads, IT, fisheries, and housing. He inaugurated Amrit Bharat trains, doubled key railway sections, laid foundation stones for highway expansion, opened tech parks in Patna and Darbhanga, and released funds for 61,500 SHGs under DAY-NRLM and 12,000 housing beneficiaries under PMAY–Gramin.
- On July 12, 2025, Taiwan’s CTBC Bank proposed setting up an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) at GIFT City, Gujarat. It plans to occupy 3,100 sq ft in Brigade Towers within the GIFT SEZ zone. Got approval from Taiwan’s regulator in January 2025 to apply for the branch. The IBU will support Taiwanese trade, local businesses, and South Asia cross-border finance.
- On July 16, 2025, SpaceX launched 24 Amazon Kuiper satellites via Falcon 9 from Florida. All satellites reached a 465 km orbit; they'll shift to 630 km for operations. Amazon now has 78 satellites, targeting 3,232 by 2029 under FCC rules. Each satellite carries phased-array antennas and 100 Gbps laser communication links.
- On July 17, 2025, Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal clinched the gold medal in the 65kg men’s freestyle category at the Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial 2025 wrestling tournament held in Budapest, Hungary.
- On July 13, 2025, Bihar won the U18 Boys’ title at the 10th Junior National Rugby 7s Championship held at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. The event was organized by Rugby India, and Bihar defeated defending champions Odisha with a close score of 17–15 in the final.
- On July 17, 2025, Lakshmi Jadala, a 15-year-old para lawn tennis player, qualified for the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Cairo, Egypt. He won Gold in the U-17 category at the National Tennis Championship 2025 (Disability Sports) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Born with an intellectual disability, Jadala is Asia’s top-ranked para player. Supported by Adani Sportsline’s Garv Hai initiative.
- The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) was officially announced on July 15, 2025, during a media event in Gurugram. With cricket icon Yuvraj Singh unveiled as both co-owner and brand ambassador, the league aims to revolutionize golf in India. It features an inclusive format with men and women competing together, backed by partnerships with IGU, WGAI, and educational institutions.
- On July 17, 2025, India successfully test-fired Prithvi-II (range ~350 km) and Agni-I (range 700–900 km) ballistic missiles from Chandipur, Odisha. Both are nuclear-capable and part of India’s strategic arsenal under the Strategic Forces Command. The trial met all mission parameters, reinforcing deterrence capabilities.
- On July 16, 2025, India successfully test-fired the Akash Prime air defence system at 15,000 ft in Ladakh, developed by DRDO. It scored direct hits on two aerial targets, proving precision in high-altitude, low-oxygen conditions. Akash Prime features an indigenous RF seeker, 30 km range, and will be inducted into Army’s 3rd & 4th Akash Regiments.
- On July 17, 2025, Vimananu Ltd (RRP Defence) partnered with CYGR (Franco-American firm) to set up an advanced drone manufacturing facility in Navi Mumbai under Make in India. The unit will produce tactical, nano, and ISR drones for defence and surveillance, backed by a $20 million export contract.
- On July 17, 2025, an Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)-appointed panel chaired by Dinesh Khara (ex-SBI Chairman) recommended banning mergers between insurers and non-insurance entities. The committee, formed in February 2025, includes experts like NS Kannan, Girish Radhakrishnan, and Rakesh Joshi. Aim: To review amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938 and assess risks of cross-sector mergers.
- On July 15, 2025, India co-chaired a UN Group of Friends (GoF) meeting in New York to promote accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers. Led by Ambassador P. Harish, the GoF was launched during India’s UNSC Presidency in December 2022, based on UNSC Resolution 2589 (2021). Aim: To ensure justice, end impunity, and strengthen legal frameworks protecting peacekeepers.
- World Snake Day 2025 was celebrated on July 16 with the theme “Respect, Don’t Fear: Protecting Nature’s Silent Guardians”. The day aimed to raise awareness about the ecological importance of snakes and challenge myths that lead to fear and persecution.
- On July 17, 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a one-year extension for Gurdeep Singh as Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of NTPC Ltd., till July 31, 2026. The move follows PESB’s inability to find a suitable successor among 12 candidates interviewed in May.
- On July 18, 2025, the Karnataka government appointed Dr. J Ravishankar, a 2001-batch IAS officer, as the new Managing Director (MD) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Ravishankar is a Dental Surgery graduate and previously served as Agriculture Secretary.
- On July 16, 2025, Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel was appointed Chief Secretary of Manipur, becoming the fourth since May 2023 ethnic unrest. He replaced Prashant Kumar Singh amid President’s Rule imposed on February 13, 2025. Goel earlier served as Goa’s Chief Secretary and Secretary, NCST.
- On July 17, 2025, Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana won the Open-Source GIS (Geographic Information System) Cohort Award for public-focused innovations. It used GIS to predict Godavari River floods and guide farmers towards Moringa cultivation. Award received by District Collector Jitesh V. Patil at a ceremony in Mumbai.
- On July 17, 2025, INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) received the National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025 at IIT Bombay during Open Source GIS Day (Edition 02). Honoured for excellence in Marine Geospatial Intelligence using tools like QGIS and GeoServer, supporting services like Tsunami Bulletins, PFZs, and Marine Weather Advisories. Award presented to Director T.M. Balakrishnan Nair by former ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar.
- On July 17, 2025, Kerala announced classical arts awards to honour traditional performers: Kathakali Award – Kuroor Vasudevan Namboothiri (Chenda) & Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier (Maddalam) Pallavur Appu Marar Vadya Puraskaram – Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar (Chenda exponent) Keraleeya Nritta-Natya Puraskaram – Kalamandalam P.N. Girijadevi (Koodiyattam artist) reflects Kerala’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage.
Questions:
Q.1 Which former cricketer is associated with Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL)?a) MS Dhoni
b) Virat Kohli
c) Yuvraj Singh
d) Rahul Dravid
Answer: c) Yuvraj Singh unveiled as both co-owner and brand ambassador, the league aims to revolutionize golf in India.
Q.2 What does the acronym NAMASTE stand for in the context of sanitation?
a) National Mission for Sanitation and Technology Empowerment
b) National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem
c) National Alliance for Medical and Sanitation Training Enterprises
d) None of the above
Answer: b) NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme.
