NATIONAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Government Appointments and Administrative Changes
President Droupadi Murmu appointed new Governors for three states – Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh became Haryana’s Governor, Ashok Gajapathi Raju appointed for Goa, and Kavinder Gupta named as Ladakh’s new Lieutenant Governor
Major judicial appointments approved – Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva appointed as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Ashutosh Kumar appointed as Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court
Multiple High Court Chief Justice transfers – Justice M.M. Shrivastava transferred from Rajasthan to Madras High Court, Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh moved from Tripura to Telangana High Court
R Doraiswamy appointed as new CEO and MD of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for three years, replacing Sat Pal Bhanoo
Economic and Financial Developments
India’s retail inflation hits 6-year low at 2.1% in June 2025, down from previous months due to declining food prices
Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation turns negative at -0.13% in June 2025, indicating deflationary trends in commodity prices
Reserve Bank of India considering secured rate as new operational benchmark for monetary policy transmission, replacing unsecured Weighted Average Call Rate
Employment Linked Incentive Scheme announced – Government allocated ₹1 lakh crore budget to create 3.5 crore new jobs, providing ₹15,000 to youth getting first private sector job
Infrastructure and Development
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India’s second-longest cable-stayed bridge – The ₹472 crore Sigandur bridge in Karnataka connecting Shivamogga region, enhancing connectivity to Sharavathi backwaters
Ministry of Heavy Industries launched incentive scheme for electric trucks under PM E-DRIVE initiative to boost electric vehicle adoption
Gujarat became first state to join Cruise Bharat Mission to develop cruise tourism infrastructure and create employment opportunities by 2029
Healthcare and Social Welfare
Health Ministry mandated food labeling for school and office canteens – Boards displaying sugar and fat content to combat rising obesity and lifestyle diseases
Mumbai reports 126 measles cases among children in 2025 – BMC intensified monitoring and treatment efforts at municipal hospitals
Supreme Court directed Centre and states to implement stricter measures against hate speech emphasizing need for social harmony
Technology and Innovation
DoT launched ‘Sanchar Mitra Scheme’ nationwide to empower youth as digital ambassadors in telecommunications sector
India leads world in fast payments with UPI transactions crossing 18 billion monthly according to IMF report
WHO unveiled first AI-Traditional Medicine roadmap recognizing India’s global leadership in AYUSH integration
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Diplomatic Relations
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing, stating India-China relations steadily improving since Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan
India-US mini trade deal nearing finalization – Negotiations continue for interim agreement covering agricultural products and tariff concessions
India joins ‘Talisman Sabre 2025’ military exercise – Participated in Australia’s largest warfighting drill involving 19 nations including US
India secured 5-year DAP fertilizer supply agreement with Saudi Arabia to boost food security during JP Nadda’s visit
Global Economic Developments
US President Donald Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Russia if Ukraine war doesn’t end within 50 days, impacting global commodity markets
Gold prices decline slightly across Indian cities – 24K gold dropped ₹11 per gram to ₹9,977, while 22K gold fell ₹10 to ₹9,145 per gram
EU extends suspension of trade countermeasures against US until August 1 to facilitate negotiations amid Trump’s tariff threats
New Zealand announces strategy to double international student market by 2034 with eased work rules to attract global talent
International Security
Three ULFA leaders killed in Myanmar drone strikes – Indian Army denied involvement in cross-border operation
China describes Tibet-related issues as ‘thorn’ in India relations ahead of Jaishankar’s visit, raising concerns about Dalai Lama succession
Ukraine’s Zelensky proposes new PM and Defense Minister in major cabinet reshuffle amid ongoing conflict
Global Health and Science
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari dies at 82 – Led Africa’s most populated nation twice as military head and democratic president
German customs discover 1,500 tarantulas disguised as cookies in Vietnam shipment, highlighting wildlife trafficking concerns
US reports first pneumonic plague death since previous outbreaks, raising public health awareness
BANKING AND FINANCIAL NEWS
Banking Sector Updates
Indian Coast Guard rescued US-flagged vessel ‘Sea Angel’ stranded 52 nautical miles southeast of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
IIFL Home Finance received $100 million financing from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for housing sector expansion
Banking stocks show mixed performance – Nifty Bank index at 57,065 with 0.52% increase, IDFC First Bank declined 1.3%
Stock Market Performance
BSE Sensex opens higher by over 150 points at 82,233, while Nifty 50 gained 7.20 points to 25,089
Long buildup observed in Bank Nifty futures with analysts recommending long positions on dips with stop loss at 25,000 levels
Key stocks to watch – HCL Tech, Rallis India, Tata Technologies, and LIC showing significant movement
Economic Policy Changes
Centre defends revised framework for SO2 emission norms balancing environmental concerns with economic growth
Government departments directed to publicize oil and sugar content of Indian snacks to promote health awareness
Labour Minister urged states to promote job-linked incentive schemes to boost employment generation
SPORTS NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
International Tennis
Jannik Sinner becomes first Italian to win Wimbledon men’s singles defeating Carlos Alcaraz in final at Centre Court
Iga Swiatek wins women’s singles at Wimbledon 2025 completing dominant season performance
Wimbledon 2025 prize money – Singles winners received £3 million each, total tournament fund £53.5 million
Cricket Updates
England defeats India by 22 runs in thrilling third Test at Lord’s taking 2-1 lead in five-match series
MI New York clinches Major League Cricket title in dramatic final with Rushil Ugarkar defending crucial final over
Cricket returns to LA 2028 Olympics – Event to start July 12, featuring men’s and women’s T20 tournaments with six teams each
Other Sports
Ancy Sojan wins bronze in women’s long jump at Lignano Continental Tour event in Italy
New Zealand qualifies for men’s under-20 Rugby World Cup final after beating France 34-26 in semi-final
England advances to Women’s Euro quarterfinals after crushing Wales 6-1 in dominant display
Indian Sports Achievements
Satwik-Chirag duo begins Japan Open campaign aiming for breakthrough title after strong 2024 season
India U-20 women’s football team draws 1-1 with Uzbekistan in international friendly match
Veteran marathoner Fauja Singh passes away at 114 after traffic accident in Punjab, globally known as ‘The Turbaned Tornado’
IMPORTANT DAYS AND OBSERVANCES
National and International Days
World Youth Skills Day – Celebrated globally to highlight importance of skill development for youth employment
Social Media Giving Day – Promoting digital philanthropy and online charitable activities
National Give Something Away Day – Encouraging acts of generosity and community sharing
International Stamp Out Spiking Day – Raising awareness about drink spiking prevention
Religious and Cultural Observances
Sawan month continues – Sacred period for Hindu devotees with special prayers and fasting
Behdeinkhlam Festival – Traditional celebration in Meghalaya marking cultural heritage
Guru Purnima celebrations – Honoring spiritual and academic teachers across India
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES
New Scheme Launches
PM E-DRIVE scheme for electric trucks – Ministry of Heavy Industries provides incentives for electric vehicle adoption in commercial transport
‘Ungaludan Stalin’ scheme launched in Kallakurichi district – Tamil Nadu government initiative for local development
PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme announced – Mentoring program for young authors with ₹50,000 monthly stipend for six months
Ongoing Initiatives
Rozgar Mela continues – Over 51,000 appointment letters distributed to newly recruited government employees across 47 locations
Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra – Specialized centers for persons with disabilities announced
One District One Product (ODOP) scheme expansion for promoting local crafts and products
Employment Generation
National Skill Development Corporation organizing nationwide Rozgar Melas connecting unemployed youth with private sector opportunities
Savya Shiksha Abhiyaan – Educational initiative for skill development and employment readiness
PM Vishwakarma Scheme – Supporting traditional artisans and craftsmen with training and credit access
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Recent Honors
Sudanese-Scottish Author Leila Aboulela wins PEN Pinter Prize 2025 for literary excellence
Indian Women’s Rights Activist Varsha Deshpande honored with 2025 UN Population Award for contributions to women’s empowerment
Veteran Actress B. Saroja Devi passes away – Padma Awardee known for contributions to Indian cinema
Scientific Achievements
ZSI discovered 4 new species of microscopic parasitic wasps in West Bengal, adding to biodiversity research
DRDO and IAF successfully flight-tested ‘Astra BVRAAM’ from Su-30 MKI aircraft in Odisha
Chandrayaan-3 completes two years of successful lunar mission operations
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION NEWS
Climate Initiatives
India’s renewable energy sources now power half the nation’s grid marking significant progress in clean energy transition
ISA to hold 7th Asia-Pacific regional meeting in Colombo to boost solar deployment across member countries
Kaziranga records high diversity of grassland birds in recent biodiversity survey
Environmental Challenges
Byrnihat on Assam-Meghalaya border reports worst air pollution in India during January-June 2025 period
Active monsoon brings widespread rain to north and central India with IMD issuing alerts for heavy rainfall
Himachal Pradesh receives orange and yellow alerts for heavy rainfall from July 15-18 across multiple districts
OBITUARIES AND NOTABLE DEATHS
Prominent Personalities
Fauja Singh, veteran marathoner dies at 114 – Traffic accident in Punjab claims life of globally known ‘Turbaned Tornado’
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari passes away at 82 – Served as both military head and democratic president
Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao dies at 83 – Known for villainous and comedy roles in Telugu cinema
B. Saroja Devi, legendary actress passes away at 87 – Padma Awardee known for contributions to Indian cinema
Other Notable Deaths
Thierry Ardisson, French television producer dies at 76 – Succumbed to liver cancer
Jim Clancy, American baseball player dies at 69 – Played for Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves
John MacArthur, American pastor and evangelist dies at 86 – Died from pneumonia complications
COMPETITIVE EXAM FOCUS POINTS
Banking Exam Relevance
RBI’s consideration of secured rate as operational benchmark
Inflation data showing retail inflation at 6-year low
Employment Linked Incentive Scheme with ₹1 lakh crore allocation
Banking sector performance and stock market movements
Gold price fluctuations and commodity market trends
UPSC and SSC Preparation
India-China diplomatic relations and border issues
New government schemes and their implementation
International trade agreements and tariff policies
Supreme Court directions on hate speech and social harmony
Environmental conservation and climate change initiatives
General Knowledge Updates
World Youth Skills Day significance and theme
Recent appointments in government and judiciary
Sports achievements and upcoming Olympics preparations
Scientific discoveries and space mission updates
Cultural festivals and their importance
Note: This comprehensive current affairs update covers all major developments from July 15, 2025, compiled from multiple reliable sources. The information is structured to support preparation for various competitive examinations including banking, civil services, and other government recruitment tests.
