Important National News
Prime Minister Modi Announces Decision on US Tariffs
US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs plus penalty on India effective from August 1, 2025
The announcement was made via Truth Social platform
Trump stated that while India is a friend, their tariffs are among the highest in the world
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified no Modi-Trump phone conversation took place during recent tensions
Opposition parties criticized the government’s foreign policy approach
Operation Shivshakti: Indian Army Eliminates Two Terrorists
Indian Army successfully conducted Operation Shivshakti along the border
Two terrorists were neutralized during the operation
The operation was aimed at thwarting infiltration attempts
Security forces continue to maintain high alert along border areas
NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite Successfully Launched
India successfully launched the $1.5 billion NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite
This is the first-of-its-kind radar imaging satellite for Earth observation
The satellite will help enhance global monitoring of climate change and natural disasters
It represents a major milestone in India-US space cooperation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Parliamentary Proceedings
Amit Shah responded to opposition demands in Rajya Sabha regarding PM’s attendance
He questioned the insistence on hearing from the Prime Minister
This came amid ongoing demands for PM Modi to address Parliament on various issues
Renowned Economist Meghnad Desai Passes Away
Eminent Indian economist and author Meghnad Desai died at age 85
He was known for his contributions to economic theory and policy
His work significantly influenced economic thought in India and internationally
Punjab Declares Holiday for Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day
Punjab government declared July 31 as a public holiday
The day commemorates the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh
All government offices, schools, and educational institutions remained closed
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann requested Centre to name highway stretch after the freedom fighter
Assamese Film Actress Arrested in Hit-and-Run Case
Nandini Kashyap, prominent Assamese film actress, was arrested
She was involved in a hit-and-run case
Legal proceedings are underway
Major International News
Massive 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Russia
A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula
This was the strongest earthquake globally since March 2011
The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean
Waves up to 5.7 feet high were recorded in Hawaii, California, and Alaska
Japan initially advised evacuation for nearly 2 million people
All tsunami alerts were later rescinded
The earthquake is considered the sixth most powerful ever recorded
Typhoon Co-May Devastates Eastern China
Typhoon Co-May made landfall in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province with winds of 83 km/h
Shanghai Central Meteorological Observatory raised rainstorm warning from yellow to orange
Over 283,000 people were evacuated to safety
More than 640 flights were cancelled across Shanghai’s airports
The typhoon later made second landfall in Shanghai’s Fengxian District
Guatemala Funeral Attack Claims Seven Lives
A violent attack during a funeral in Guatemala resulted in seven deaths
Thirteen others were wounded in the incident
Investigation into the attack is ongoing
YouTube Included in Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban
YouTube will be part of Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16
The government initially planned to exempt the platform
This represents a significant expansion of the proposed legislation
Indian National Sentenced in Germany
Charanjeet Singh received 13 weeks jail sentence for using forged documents
The case involved job fraud allegations
German authorities took strict action against document forgery
Banking and Economic News
Indian Rupee Hits Four-Month Low
Indian Rupee slumped 52 paise against the US dollar
This represents a four-month low for the currency
The decline was attributed to global economic uncertainties and trade tensions
HDFC Bank Considers First-Ever Bonus Shares
HDFC Bank announced plans to consider bonus issue and special dividend
This would be the bank’s first-ever bonus share distribution
Loan growth was recorded at 6.7% quarter-on-quarter
Deposits rose 16% year-on-year in Q1 FY26
RBI Announces Sovereign Gold Bonds Redemption
RBI announced redemption price for SGB 2019-20 Series II
Premature redemption permitted on July 16, 2025
Redemption price fixed at INR 9,791 per unit
JP Morgan to Take Over Apple Credit Card Deal
JP Morgan reportedly set to take over Apple Credit Card operations from Goldman Sachs
This represents a major shift in banking partnerships for Apple
Delhi High Court Disposes Nayara Energy Petition
Delhi High Court disposed of Nayara Energy’s petition
The case involved regulatory and operational matters
Government Takes Steps to Curb Cyber Frauds
Union Communication Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced measures to combat cyber fraud
Digital Intelligence Platform being established
Multiple steps being taken to protect citizens from online financial crimes
Sports News
Abhishek Sharma Becomes World No.1 in T20Is
24-year-old left-handed batsman reached top of ICC T20I batting rankings
He becomes third Indian male cricketer to claim No.1 spot
Replaces Australia’s Travis Head at the summit
Joins Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in achieving this milestone
England vs India Fifth Test Updates
Ben Stokes ruled out due to shoulder injury
Ollie Pope named as stand-in captain for England
Jasprit Bumrah expected to miss the match due to workload management
Akash Deep likely to replace Bumrah in Indian playing XI
The series-deciding match begins at The Oval
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy currently stands at 2-1 in England’s favor
India Champions Withdraw from World Championship of Legends
India Champions refused to play semi-final against Pakistan Champions
Decision taken in response to Pahalgam terror attack
Pakistan automatically advanced to the final
Indian team prioritized national sentiment over tournament participation
AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Draw
India placed in Group C for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
Will face Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei
Tournament to be held in Australia
Represents opportunity for Indian women’s football team
Divya Deshmukh Wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025
Became first Indian to win FIDE Women’s World Cup
Defeated Koneru Humpy in the final
Major achievement for Indian chess
Important Awards and Appointments
Sanjay Singhal Appointed as New DG of SSB
Sanjay Singhal appointed as Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal
Currently serving as Special DG of Border Security Force
Will assume charge from September 1, 2025
Will serve until December 31, 2028
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025
Last date for applications is July 31, 2025
Awards recognize achievements of children aged 5-18 years
Categories include Sports, Social Service, Science and Technology, Environment, Arts and Culture
Applications accepted through online portal awards.gov.in
Padma Awards 2026 Nomination Deadline Extended
Last date extended from July 31 to August 15, 2025
Nominations accepted only through Rashtriya Puraskar Portal
All citizens encouraged to make nominations including self-nomination
Special focus on identifying talent from women, weaker sections, SCs, STs, and divyang persons
Environment and Disaster News
No Threat to Indian Coastlines from Russian Earthquake
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services confirmed no danger to India
Two powerful earthquakes recorded near Russia’s east coast
One near Kamchatka (magnitude 8.7) and another near Kuril Islands (magnitude 6.5)
INCOIS monitoring systems confirmed India’s coastal areas are safe
Global Natural Disasters in First Half 2025
Worldwide natural disasters caused overall losses of around $131 billion
$80 billion was insured losses
Los Angeles wildfires caused highest-ever wildfire losses at $53 billion
Weather disasters accounted for 88% of overall losses
Government Schemes and Initiatives
New Financial Rules from July 1, 2025
Aadhaar made mandatory for new PAN card applications
PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline extended to December 31, 2025
ITR filing deadline extended to September 15, 2025
Revised credit card and banking charges implemented
Simplified UPI chargeback process introduced
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Approved
Cabinet cleared PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for 2024-31
Program will help around 1.7 crore farmers
Covers 100 districts with low productivity and moderate crop intensity
Focus on convergence of existing schemes
Bima Sakhi Scheme Enrolls Over 2 Lakh Women
Scheme successfully enrolled over 2 lakh women
Aims to empower women in insurance sector
Part of financial inclusion initiatives
Science and Technology
DRDO Conducts Successful Flight Tests of Pralay Missile
Defence Research and Development Organisation tested Pralay missile
Successful flight tests conducted
Represents advancement in India’s defense capabilities
Astronomers Observe Birth of New Solar System
First-time observation of formation around baby star HOPS-315
International astronomers made the discovery
Significant advancement in space science and astronomy
