Current Affairs One - Liner : 26th July 2025

National:

• On July 25, 2025, President’s Rule in Manipur was extended till February 13, 2026. It was first imposed after CM N. Biren Singh resigned amid ethnic violence. Rule continues under Article 356 due to unrest between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated development projects worth over ₹4,800 crore in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi), Tamil Nadu on July 26, 2025. These initiatives span across aviation, highways, ports, railways, and energy, aimed at boosting regional connectivity and industrial growth.
• In its 10th year, Atal Pension Yojana (APY) crossed 8 crore enrollments, since its launch on May 9, 2015. It targets unorganised sector workers aged 18–40, excluding income tax payers. In FY 2025–26, 39 lakh new subscribers joined the scheme. Offers a monthly pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000 after age 60, with benefits to spouse and nominee.

Banking:

• Federal Bank, with M2P and MinkasuPay, launched India’s first biometric ecom card authentication on July 24, 2025. Users can verify transactions via fingerprint or Face ID—no OTP needed. Transactions are completed in just 3–4 seconds, enhancing speed and security.
• On July 23, 2025, RBI lifted the Corrective Action Plan on Religare Finvest Ltd. The CAP was imposed in January 2018 over governance and financial lapses. It was withdrawn after RFL met compliance norms and revamped its management. RBI urged continued adherence to prudential guidelines.

Sports:

• On July 26, 2025, Indian badminton players Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla created history by winning bronze medals in the women’s singles (U-19 category) at the Badminton Asia Junior Individual Championships 2025, held in Solo (Surakarta), Indonesia. This marked the first time two Indian girls stood on the podium in the same edition of the prestigious continental event.
• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ratified Raghuram Iyer as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 24 July 2025, ending salary-related disputes. His appointment was initiated by IOA President Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil (PT) Usha in January 2024 but faced internal objections.
• 14-year-old Divyanshi Bhowmick made history by winning the U-15 Girls’ Singles title at the 2025 Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on July 1. She defeated China's Zhu Qihi 4–2 in a fiercely contested final. This marks India’s first gold in this category since 1989, when Subramanian Bhuvaneswari last won.

Defence:

• On July 25, 2025, DRDO successfully test-fired the ULPGM-V3, an advanced missile launched from a UAV, at NOAR, Kurnool. It features multiple warhead types, a dual-channel seeker, and a two-way data link for high-precision strikes.
• On 22 July 2025, Turkey showcased its first indigenous hypersonic missile, Tayfun Block-4, at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul. Developed by Roketsan, the missile achieves speeds beyond Mach 5, can cover distances up to 1,000 km, and uses advanced GPS, GLONASS, and INS navigation systems for pinpoint accuracy.
• On July 25, 2025, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flagged off the Shaurya Bharat EV Car Rally at Air Force Station, New Delhi. Theme: Sena ke Saath, Paryavaran ka Vikas – blending military pride with environmental goals. 🇮🇳 It honors Operation Sindoor and inspires youth toward defence careers. Route: Delhi → Ambala → Adampur → back to Delhi using electric vehicles.

Important Days:

• Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 was observed on 26 July, marking 26 years since India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War. It commemorates the bravery of Indian soldiers who reclaimed strategic peaks like Tiger Hill and Tololing during Operation Vijay. Tributes were paid by President Murmu, PM Modi, and Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi at the Kargil War Memorial, Dras. The day honored 545 martyrs, including Capt. Vikram Batra and Lt. Manoj Pandey, with nationwide memorial events and parades.
• World Drowning Prevention Day 2025 was observed on July 25, focusing on the theme “Your Story Can Save a Life”. Initiated by the UN General Assembly in 2021, the day promotes water safety, especially for children. Over 236,000 lives are lost annually to drowning, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.
• World IVF Day 2025 was celebrated on July 25, marking the birth of Louise Brown, the first IVF baby in 1978 (UK). The theme was “Science of Life: Ethics, Innovation, and Hope.” India’s first IVF baby, Kanupriya Agarwal (Durga), was born on October 3, 1978.
• The first International Day for Judicial Well-being was observed on July 25, 2025, with the theme “Judicial Well-being: A Cornerstone of Justice.” It stemmed from the Nauru Declaration (2024) and UNGA Resolution A/RES/79/266. Supported by 160 nations, including India; only the US opposed. It promotes wellness strategies, destigmatizes judicial stress, and safeguards judicial integrity.

Appointments:

• On July 25, 2025, Prof. Uma Kanjilal became the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). With over 36 years in Open and Distance Learning (ODL), she’s a pioneer in digital education, having led platforms like SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA.
• On 24 July 2025, Nirmal K. Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda, was appointed Senior Vice President of ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India). He has over 50 years of leadership in the automobile components sector, significantly shaping India’s manufacturing landscape.
• Rwanda’s New Prime Minister On July 23, 2025, President Paul Kagame appointed Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva as Prime Minister, replacing Edouard Ngirente. Nsengiyumva, a seasoned economist with international experience, vowed to serve with humility.

Questions:

Q.1 Which bank launched India’s first biometric e-commerce card authentication in July 2025?
a) HDFC Bank
b) ICICI Bank
c) Federal Bank
d) Axis Bank

Answer: c) Federal Bank launched biometric e-commerce authentication with M2P and MinkasuPay, enabling fingerprint/Face ID transactions without OTPs.

Q.2 Who won India’s first U-15 Girls’ Singles gold at the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships since 1989?
a) Manika Batra
b) Divyanshi Bhowmick
c) Sreeja Akula
d) Sutirtha Mukherjee

Answer: b) 14-year-old Divyanshi Bhowmick created history by winning India’s first gold in this category since 1989, defeating China’s Zhu Qihi.