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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India forms panels to investigate regulatory breaches by insurers and intermediaries

• Insurance regulator Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed panels of whole-time members to investigate violations of regulatory norms by insurers and intermediaries.
• This decision was approved during IRDAI’s 132nd meeting amid increasing cases of mis-selling, particularly through bancassurance, and issues related to claim settlements.
• The investigation panels are chaired by the Whole-Time Members of IRDAI.
• These panels are part of IRDAI’s enforcement measures to examine breaches of the Insurance Act and related regulations.
• IRDAI also approved the R1 application of Kiwi General Insurance Ltd, marking the first stage of its registration as a new insurance company.

About IRDAI:

• Headquarters (HQ): Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• Chairperson: Debasish Panda
• Founded: 1999
• IRDAI consists of a Chairman, five full-time members, and four part-time members, all appointed by the Government of India.

India’s Cumulative Exports Rise by 5.94% to $210.31 Billion in April–June 2025

• Total exports (merchandise + services) for June 2025 estimated at US$ 67.98 billion, showing a 6.5% increase over June 2024.

• For the April–June 2025 quarter, total exports rose by 5.94% to US$ 210.31 billion, imports increased by 4.38% to US$ 230.62 billion.
• Trade deficit reduced to US$ 20.31 billion (from US$ 22.42 billion in Q1 FY25).
• Merchandise exports for Q1 FY26: US$ 112.17 billion, imports: US$ 179.44 billion, widening the merchandise trade deficit to US$ 67.26 billion.
• Services exports for Q1 FY26: estimated at US$ 98.13 billion (up 10.93%), while services imports rose to US$ 51.18 billion.
• Top export destinations (April–June 2025):
• USA (+22.18%)
• China (+17.87%)
• Kenya (+69.83%)
• Germany (+10.79%)
• Australia (+14.01%)
• Strong services growth and steady non-petroleum exports helped offset higher imports, improving the trade balance compared to last year.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Department of Legal Affairs Launches Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh to Enhance Women’s Workplace Wellness

• In a pioneering effort to transform government offices into human-centric spaces, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice inaugurated the Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Carved out from an old garage, this dedicated fitness and wellness facility supports the physical and mental health of women employees and exemplifies a shift toward inclusive, health-driven work environments.

Key Highlights :

• Launch Details: Inaugurated on 18th July 2025 by Union MoS for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, within the premises of Shastri Bhawan.
• Primary Objective: Promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and work–life balance among women staff.
• Space Transformation: Converted an unused garage into a women-only gym and wellness zone, demonstrating resourceful infrastructure reuse.
• Facility Features: Equipped with a fully functional gym and a private lactation room for nursing mothers.
• Policy Alignment: Supports the Fit India Movement and aligns with the Viksit Bharat vision of a fit, empowered, and inclusive workforce.
• Management: Operated and maintained by the Department of Legal Affairs, ensuring sustained oversight.
• Broader Impact: Marks a cultural shift in government workplaces, setting a replicable model for wellness-friendly office infrastructure.

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Merges 36 Central Schemes into a Unified Framework for Targeted Agricultural Revitalization

• The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), introduced in the Union Budget 2025–26, consolidates 36 existing schemes across 11 ministries into a data-driven, district-centric model to enhance productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes.

Key Highlights :

• Scheme Convergence: Integrates 36 programmes under one umbrella, reducing administrative redundancy.
• Annual Outlay of ₹24,000 crore: Allocated over six years (2025–26 to 2030–31) to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.
• District-Level Targeting: Selects 100 underperforming districts—based on low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit access—with at least one district in each State/UT.
• Local Planning Bodies: Establishes District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis to draft District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plans (DAAAP), incorporating insights from progressive farmers.
• Focus Areas: Emphasizes post-harvest infrastructure, irrigation efficiency, organic farming, crop diversification, and improved credit availability.
• Monitoring & Partnerships: Conducts monthly progress reviews and fosters public–private collaboration to scale up innovations.
• Value-Chain Support Model: Shifts from subsidy-driven aid to comprehensive value-chain interventions, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat and the target of doubling farmer incomes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates ₹7,200 Crore Infrastructure Projects in Bihar

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched projects worth ₹7,200 crore in Motihari, Bihar, under the Viksit Bharat Mission, aiming to fast-track urban renewal, connectivity, and housing across the state.

Key Highlights :

• Alignment with Viksit Bharat 2047: These investments contribute to the vision of making India a developed nation by its centenary of independence by integrating Eastern states into the national growth story.
• Urban Infrastructure Boost: Funds allocated for improving public utilities and amenities in Motihari, Gaya, and Patna to enhance quality of life.
• Mass Housing Delivery: Over three lakh pucca houses completed in Motihari alone under central housing schemes, addressing urban shelter needs.
• Increased Central Investment: Contrasts with the UPA era’s ₹2 lakh crore support over ten years, reflecting a significant uptick in funding under the NDA government.
• Regional Equity Focus: Emphasis on reversing past neglect and ensuring inclusive development alongside strong support from CM Nitish Kumar.
• Employment and Resilience: Projects expected to generate local jobs, improve infrastructure resilience, and stimulate ancillary economic activities.

Union Minister Launches NSCSTI 2.0 to Strengthen Civil Services Training under Mission Karmayogi

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes (NSCSTI) 2.0, a major reform initiative under Mission Karmayogi.
• Developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), the new framework aims to standardize and enhance the quality of civil service training across India.

Key Highlights:

• NSCSTI 2.0 builds on the earlier version which introduced performance-based accreditation for Civil Services Training Institutes (CSTIs). The new version was shaped by inputs from over 160 CSTIs, domain experts, and assessors, ensuring a practical, inclusive design aligned with current governance challenges.

Key Objectives:

• Promote institutional excellence in civil service training.
• Drive continuous improvement across training institutes.
• Leverage digital technologies and AI to modernize learning.
• Encourage federal collaboration through cooperative and competitive federalism.
• Enable cross-learning among training institutes nationwide.

Important Features of NSCSTI 2.0:

• Evaluation metrics reduced from 59 to 43 for better focus and clarity.
• Integration of hybrid learning, AI tools, and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
• Alignment with the Karmayogi Competency Model (KCM) and Amrit Gyaan Kosh (AGK).
• Applicable to training institutes under Central, State, and Urban Local Bodies.
• Reactivated accreditation portal for transparent and consistent assessment.
• Promotes public–private collaboration by adopting best practices from both sectors.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India-United Arab Emirates Partnership Targets Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technology as Key Future Growth Areas

• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are strengthening strategic ties, focusing on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next key sectors for collaboration.
• Bilateral trade surpassed $100 billion, achieving this milestone five years ahead of schedule; UAE is now India’s third-largest trade partner.
• High-level diplomatic engagement intensified since September 2024, with visits by Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, emphasizing economic cooperation.

Key Highlights :

• The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has accelerated bilateral trade and progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor, part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
• UAE has invested $23 billion in India, with $4.5 billion in 2024 alone; Bilateral Investment Treaty finalized last year.
• Local currency trade settlement accounts for 10% of bilateral transactions, reducing dependence on the US dollar.
• Financial technology collaboration includes the Jaywan card (built on India’s rupee card stack) and plans to connect banking messaging systems as an alternative to SWIFT.
• Integration of India’s UPI with UAE’s Aani platform expected by November 2025, enabling CBDC interoperability.
• Educational initiatives: launch of IIT Abu Dhabi PhD program, IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus, and IIFT Dubai.
• Defense cooperation was upgraded to secretary level with joint exercises like Desert Cyclone, Desert Flag, India-France-UAE Trilateral Exercise, and participation in IDEX and Dubai Airshow.
• Defense industry collaboration includes Tejas fighter aircraft components and development of drone and anti-drone systems.
• Nuclear energy cooperation is a transformative focus; UAE currently generates 25% of its energy from nuclear (5.6 GW), aiming to double by 2030.
• The PACE (Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy) initiative involving US, UAE, and France supports nuclear growth.
• Discussions underway for cooperation in critical minerals and the space sector, including polar initiatives.
• The IMEEC project aims for a connectivity corridor linking containers, data, and energy via connected grids and subsea cables.
• The I2U2 framework (India, Israel, UAE, US) is expanding into food security, planning food parks in Gujarat and renewable energy projects targeting 60 GW capacity in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• UAE’s inclusion in BRICS enhances its role as a gateway to Africa through initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu.
• The stable legal environment and predictability in UAE attract Indian manufacturing investments, especially energy-intensive sectors.
• The BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi symbolizes shared cultural ethos, religious tolerance, and cultural inclusivity.
• The partnership showcases how complementary strengths foster resilient supply chains and sustainable growth, with nuclear energy and advanced technology at the forefront.

About UAE :

• President : Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Prime Minister : Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• Capital : Abu Dhabi
• Currency : UAE dirham

56th International Film Festival of India Steering Committee Holds Its First Meeting in Mumbai

• The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, was held at the NFDC headquarters, Mumbai.
• The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• Attendees included Secretary, Ministry of I&B Shri Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shri Shekhar Kapur, MD, NFDC Shri Prakash Magdum, senior officials from Government of Goa, Ministry of I&B, NFDC, and members from the Indian and global film industries.
• Focus was on strategic planning for IFFI 2025, including programming, outreach, talent engagement, and innovative initiatives to enhance the festival’s inclusivity, global positioning, and public engagement.
• The 56th IFFI is scheduled from 20th to 28th November 2025 in Goa.
• Special emphasis on youth, with new opportunities for student filmmakers and young content creators through masterclasses, industry workshops, and networking platforms linking new voices with global mentors.
• The WAVES Film Bazaar, formerly known as Film Bazaar, is South Asia’s largest film market and part of India’s international film outreach.
• The rebranding was discussed and approved by the Steering Committee.
• The Steering Committee was expanded from 16 to 31 members to promote greater inclusivity and industry representation.
• Notable members include Anupam Kher, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Suhasini Maniratnam, Khushboo Sundar, Pankuj Parashar, and Prasoon Joshi.
• IFFI 2025 aligns with India’s Creative Economy vision, supporting media and entertainment startups, and encouraging global productions to shoot in India via single-window facilitation and incentive-based policies.
• The 56th edition of IFFI is expected to be a landmark celebration showcasing cinema’s evolving role in a connected, creative, and collaborative world.

About Ministry of Information & Broadcasting :

• Cabinet Minister : Ashwini Vaishnaw
• Minister of State : L. Murugan

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Former CBDT Chairman Nitin Gupta named NFRA Chairperson for three-year tenure

• The Cabinet’s appointments committee approved the appointment of Nitin Gupta, a 1986-batch retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, as Chairperson of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).
• Gupta is a former Chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and will succeed Ravneet Kaur, the acting chairperson of NFRA.
• His term is for three years or until he reaches the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
• Gupta is a civil engineer by training and has served as Director General at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for over three years.
• Other appointments to NFRA include retired officers Smita Jhingran (IRS), P Daniels (Indian Defence Estates Service), and Sushil Kumar Jaiswal (Indian Audit and Accounts Service) as full-time members.
• NFRA was constituted in October 2018 as an independent regulator for auditing and accounting standards.
• Under Gupta’s leadership, NFRA is reviewing Gensol Engineering’s books over allegations of fund diversion and assessing the need for investigation into IndusInd Bank’s account discrepancies.
• Last year, NFRA proposed the adoption of revised auditing standards aligned with global practices to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
• The MCA must approve and notify these new standards, recommended to be effective from 1 April 2026, subject to government approval.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

India’s First Indigenous Diving Support Vessel, INS Nistar Commissioned in Visakhapatnam in Presence of Minister of State for Defence

• INS Nistar is the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam.
• The commissioning ceremony was attended by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, senior naval officials, civilian dignitaries, and Hindustan Shipyard Limited representatives.
• INS Nistar is the first of two Diving Support Vessels built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
• It is designed for complex deep sea saturation diving and rescue operations, capabilities possessed by only select navies worldwide.
• The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art diving equipment including Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Life Boat, and Diving Compression Chambers.
• It can conduct diving and salvage operations up to 300 meters depth.
• INS Nistar serves as the ‘Mother Ship’ for deep submergence rescue vessels to evacuate personnel from distressed submarines underwater.
• The ship is 118 meters long, with a displacement of over 10,000 tons.
• The vessel incorporates over 80% indigenous content with the participation of 120 MSMEs, reflecting India’s shipbuilding capabilities.
• The commissioning reinforces the Indian Navy’s role as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the region.
• The indigenous shipbuilding industry plays a key role in the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.
• Currently, all 57 new warships in the Indian Navy pipeline are being constructed indigenously.
• The commissioning signifies strengthening of India’s maritime capabilities in the Underwater Domain.

INS Sandhayak, India’s First Indigenous Large Survey Vessel, Calls on Port Klang, Malaysia

• INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL), made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia from 16-19 July 2025.
• The visit aims to enhance hydrographic cooperation and reflects India’s expanding role in regional hydrographic capacity building under the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) and the National Hydrographic Office.
• INS Sandhayak was commissioned in February 2024 and belongs to the Sandhayak-class hydrographic survey ships.
• The ship is equipped for full-scale coastal and deep-water surveying, oceanographic data collection, and can conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) and humanitarian operations with onboard helicopter and hospital facilities.
• The visit to Port Klang focused on technical exchanges, strengthening institutional ties, and sharing of survey technologies.
• Activities included knowledge exchange sessions, official receptions, and events promoting international goodwill and the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
• The visit reinforces India’s commitment to regional maritime cooperation and collaboration in the Indian Ocean region.

About Ministry of Defence:

• Cabinet Minister: Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State (MoS): Ajay Bhatt

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Astronomers Reveal New Insights on Coronal Mass Ejections Causing Rare Northern Lights Over Ladakh in May 2024

• Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) uncovered new insights into Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) responsible for rare northern lights over Ladakh in May 2024.
• This event marked the strongest solar storm in two decades.
• The research was led by Wageesh Mishra and used data from NASA, ESA missions, and IIA’s Indian Astronomical Observatory.
• The study focused on a rare chain of six interacting CMEs erupting from the Sun’s corona.
• This first-of-its-kind analysis revealed that interacting CMEs undergo complex thermal restructuring, aiding in predicting their impact on Earth’s magnetosphere.
• The team will expand this research using India’s Aditya-L1 mission, which is designed to study solar storms from Sun to Earth in greater detail.

DRDO and AIIMS Bibinagar Launch India’s First Affordable Make-in-India Advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis under Aatmanirbhar Bharat

• The first Make-in-India cost-effective advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis was indigenously designed and developed by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and AIIMS Bibinagar.
• The prosthesis, named ADIDOC (AIIMS Bibinagar – DRDL, DRDO Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis), was unveiled at AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana on July 14, 2025.
• The launch was conducted by Dr GA Srinivasa Murthy, Distinguished Scientist & Director of DRDL, and Dr Ahanthem Santa Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bibinagar.
• ADIDOC is biomechanically tested to withstand loads up to 125 kgs with a sufficient factor of safety.
• It comes in three variants to cater to patients of different weights.
• The prosthesis aims to offer a high-quality, affordable solution accessible to a larger population, with performance comparable to international models.
• Production cost is expected to be reduced to less than Rs 20,000, compared to imported models costing around Rs two lakh.
• The innovation is expected to improve accessibility for low-income amputees in India, reduce dependency on imports, and promote social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities.

First Campus of Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) Launched at NFDC, Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

• The first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) was launched on July 18, 2025, at the NFDC complex, Pedder Road, Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, IT, Electronics & Broadcasting).
• The IICT aims to innovate, upscale learning in graphics and cutting-edge digital skills, and position India as a global hub for entertainment technology.
• Admissions for 17 courses have begun; full-fledged classes will start by September 2025.
• Courses will range from 3 months to 1 year or more, and will be open to students across the country.
• A major ₹400 crore international-level IICT campus will be established at Filmcity, Goregaon East, in multiple phases.
• The project includes ₹400 crore budgetary support from the Centre and ₹150 crore from the Maharashtra state government.
• Tech giants like META, Apple, and others will collaborate with IICT, ensuring industry-integrated learning.
• IICT will be industry-driven, with dedicated academic, R&D, skill development, and industry development councils.
• CM Fadnavis projected that Mumbai will become the entertainment capital of the world, supported by creative economy initiatives like IICT.
• A Davos-like summit will be developed in India following the success of the WAVE Summit held in May 2025 in Mumbai.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

MoU Signed Between National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Jai Vakeel Foundation for Uniform Curriculum for Children with Intellectual Disabilities (CwID)

• To address the long-standing issue of unequal educational access for Children with Intellectual Disabilities (CwID), the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jai Vakeel Foundation (JVF).
• The collaboration focuses on implementing a standardised, scalable curriculum across India.

Key Highlights

• The signing was attended by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
• The initiative falls under the broader framework of Disha Abhiyan, a curriculum model developed by JVF and certified by NIEPID.

• India lacked a uniform educational framework for intellectually disabled children, leading to disparities in learning outcomes.
• The initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 – Quality Education and SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities).
• Supports the Viksit Bharat vision of creating a developed and inclusive India.

Objectives

• Implement the NIEPID DISHA Curriculum across the country.
• Develop and apply Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and conduct teacher training.
• Use digital platforms and printed learning materials in regional languages.
• Expand coverage to Composite Regional Centres (CDEICs), Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) programs, and voluntary special schools.

Key Features

• NIEPID DISHA Assessment Checklist to guide skill-based IEPs.
• Multisensory Curriculum based on:
  • VAKT (Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic-Tactile) model.
  • ‘Interest–Teach–Apply’ instructional model.
• A digital portal to:
  • Track student assessments.
  • Provide easy access to curriculum and materials.
• Comprehensive training modules for teachers and school leaders.
• Materials printed under the Distribution of Aids and Learning Materials (DALM) Scheme, now extended to intellectual disabilities.

Government Injects ₹27,000 Crore Equity to Boost Renewable Energy via NTPC & NLC India Ltd

• The Government of India has taken a major step toward strengthening its clean energy transition by approving a ₹27,000 crore equity infusion into two major state-run power companies—NTPC Ltd and NLC India Ltd (NLCIL).
• This investment is aimed at accelerating renewable energy deployment and ensuring India meets its clean energy targets.

Key Points:

1. Total Equity Infusion:

• ₹27,000 crore allocated to support clean energy initiatives.

2. NTPC Ltd (via NTPC Green Energy Ltd – NGEL):

• Allocation: ₹20,000 crore (enhanced delegation).
• Purpose:
  • To scale up investments in NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL), joint ventures, and subsidiaries.
  • Enhances NGEL’s investment capacity from the earlier limit of ₹7,500 crore to ₹20,000 crore.
  • Supports NTPC’s goal of achieving 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

3. NLC India Ltd (NLCIL):

• Allocation: ₹7,000 crore equity support.
• Purpose:
  • Special exemption granted for direct equity injection.
  • Funds to be utilized for renewable energy project development under NLCIL’s clean energy expansion plans.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

India’s Record-Breaking Feat at FISU World University Games 2025 – Rhine-Ruhr, Germany

• India achieved a major milestone at the FISU World University Games 2025, held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, as swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Benediction Rohit set new national records, showcasing India’s growing prowess in international swimming.

Background

• The FISU World University Games (also called the Universiade) is a global multi-sport event for university athletes.
• The 2025 edition is hosted in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.
• More than 150 countries are participating, offering a global stage for emerging sports talent.

Key Indian Achievements

Srihari Nataraj:

• Broke his own national record in the men’s 200m freestyle, clocking 1:48.22, bettering his previous best of 1:48.66.
• Topped his heat and qualified for the semifinals in this event.

B. Benediction Rohit:

• Became the first Indian male swimmer to finish 50m butterfly in under 24 seconds, timing 23.96 seconds in the semifinals.
• During the heats, he had already broken Virdhawal Khade’s 7-year-old record of 24.09 seconds.
• Both his performances on the same day displayed peak fitness and form.

India Shines at 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025

• India has delivered an outstanding performance at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, held in Sunshine Coast, Australia, by securing a total of 6 medals and achieving its highest-ever score in the competition.

Medal Tally for India – IMO 2025:

• Gold Medals (3):
  • Kanav Talwar – Delhi
  • Arav Gupta – Delhi
  • Aditya Mangudi – Maharashtra
• Silver Medals (2):
  • Abel George Mathew – Karnataka
  • Adish Jain – Delhi
• Bronze Medal (1):
  • Archit Manas – Delhi

India’s Global Ranking and Performance:

• Global Rank: 7th
• Total Points Scored: 193 out of 252 – India’s best-ever score at the IMO
• Total Participants: 630 students from various countries, including 69 female contestants

Historical Context:

• This is only the second time since 1998 that India has won three gold medals at the IMO.
• In 2024, India had set a national record by winning four gold medals.
• Since India’s debut in 1989, the country has won a total of 23 gold medals.
• Remarkably, 12 gold medals have been secured between 2019 and 2025, including 9 in the last 3 years, highlighting a strong upward trend in mathematical excellence.

Organizing Body:

• The Indian team was mentored and coordinated by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Chess Day 2025: July 20

• World Chess Day is globally celebrated on July 20thevery year to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924.
• The theme of International Chess Day 2025 is “Every Move Counts”

History

• World Chess Day is celebrated on July 20th every year to commemorate the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in 1924.
• In 1966, UNESCO proposed the concept of World Chess Day, recognizing that chess is a game that encourages intellectual growth, critical thinking, and cultural diversity.
• It is believed that the game of chess, which was once known as “Chaturanga”, dates back almost 1500 years and originated in India.
• The purpose of World Chess Day 2025 is to promote chess as a game for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
• The Global Chess Alliance (FIDE) was established in Paris, France in 1924 by the public chess organizations of Argentina, Czechoslovakia, France, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia.
• The chess rules were standardized and international competitions were organized by FIDE.

International Moon Day 2025: July 20

• International Moon Day is celebrated every year on July 20th to commemorate the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s landing on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission and to promote international cooperation in space exploration.
• 2025 Theme: “One Moon, One Vision, One Future”

History 

• The first global celebration of International Moon Day took place on July 20, 2022.
• The spaceflight Apollo 11 carried Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilots, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, to the moon for the first time.
• American astronauts Neil Armstrong, and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin became the first humans in history to land on the Moon on July 20, 1969. “
• The grand Apollo 11 mission took place eight years after the national goal announcement by President John F. Kennedy to send a man to the moon by the end of the 1960s.
• At 9:32 A.M. on July 16, 1969, the whole world witnessed Apollo 11 take off from Kennedy Space Center with three astronauts on board. Neil Armstrong was the commander of the mission.
• The spacecraft entered the lunar orbit after three days, on July 19.
• The lunar module, Eagle, disengaged from the main command module the next day, manned by Armstrong and Aldrin. When Eagle touched the lunar surface, Armstrong radioed his historical message to Mission Control in Houston, Texas: “The Eagle has landed.”

Daily CA One- Liner: July 20 & 21

• In a pioneering effort to transform government offices into human-centric spaces, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice inaugurated the Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), introduced in the Union Budget 2025–26, consolidates 36 existing schemes across 11 ministries into a data-driven, district-centric model to enhance productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched projects worth ₹7,200 crore in Motihari, Bihar, under the Viksit Bharat Mission, aiming to fast-track urban renewal, connectivity, and housing across the state
• Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh unveiled the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes (NSCSTI) 2.0, a major reform initiative under Mission Karmayogi
• To address the long-standing issue of unequal educational access for Children with Intellectual Disabilities (CwID), the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jai Vakeel Foundation
• The Government of India has taken a major step toward strengthening its clean energy transition by approving a ₹27,000 crore equity infusion into two major state-run power companies—NTPC Ltd and NLC India Ltd (NLCIL).
• India achieved a major milestone at the FISU World University Games 2025, held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, as swimmers Srihari Nataraj and B. Benediction Rohit set new national records, showcasing India’s growing prowess in international swimming
• India has delivered an outstanding performance at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, held in Sunshine Coast, Australia, by securing a total of 6 medals and achieving its highest-ever score in the competition
• World Chess Day is globally celebrated on July 20th every year to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924.
• International Moon Day is celebrated every year on July 20th to commemorate the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s landing on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission and to promote international cooperation in space exploration.
• Insurance regulator Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed panels of whole-time members to investigate violations of regulatory norms by insurers and intermediaries.
• Total exports (merchandise + services) for June 2025 estimated at US$ 67.98 billion, showing a 6.5% increase over June 2024.
• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are strengthening strategic ties, focusing on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next key sectors for collaboration.
• The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, was held at the NFDC headquarters, Mumbai.
• The Cabinet’s appointments committee approved the appointment of Nitin Gupta, a 1986-batch retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, as Chairperson of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).
• INS Nistar is the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam.
• INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL), made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia from 16-19 July 2025.
• Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) uncovered new insights into Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) responsible for rare northern lights over Ladakh in May 2024.
• The first Make-in-India cost-effective advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis was indigenously designed and developed by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and AIIMS Bibinagar.
• The first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) was launched on July 18, 2025, at the NFDC complex, Pedder Road, Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, IT, Electronics & Broadcasting).