29th July 2025

1. Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu from July 26 to July 27, 2025
2. TEMA India Limited Commissioned India’s First Private Test Facility for DHW in Gujarat
3. Indian Railways Successfully Pilot-Tested DDEI System to Prevent Accidents
4. Stardour Successfully Test-Fires India’s First Hydrogen-Oxygen Propulsion Engine
5. Turkey Unveils ‘GAZAP Bomb’ and ‘NEB-2 Ghost Bunker Buster’ at IDEF 2025
6. Belgian Grand Prix 2025, Oscar Piastri Wins Followed by Lando Norris
7. Hockey India Announces Nationwide Festival and Financial Grants to Commemorate 100 Years of Indian Hockey
8. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Releases Book On Student Wellness
9. 87th CRPF Foundation Day – 27 July 2025
10. World Hepatitis Day – July 28
11. World Nature Conservation Day 2025 – July 28 2025
12. Odisha CM Inaugurated 1st ever ‘ODISHA TEX 2025’ in Bhubaneswar
13. Divya Deshmukh Creates History: Wins FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025
14. Operation Mahadev: Indian Security Forces Neutralise Terrorists Of Pahalgam Attack
15. Tom Lehrer Passes Away at 97
16. NCERT to Introduce Curriculum Modules on Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Operation Sindoor
17. Utpal Kumar Singh Appointed as Sansad TV CEO
18. India’s First-Ever SHAPE 2025 Conference
19. World’s Most Beautiful Airport of 2025 Revealed
20. Latin American Countries to Launch Latam-GPT AI Model
21. PM Modi Inaugurates New Airport Terminal at Tuticorin
22. ISRO to Launch 3 More Navigation NavIC Satellites by 2026
23. Sansad Ratna Awards 2025: Honouring Parliamentary Excellence
24. India’s First Hindi-Medium MBBS College to Open
25. Girl from Mangalore Creates World Record with 170-Hour Bharatanatyam Performance
26. Mastercard Collaborates with Andhra Pradesh Government to Boost Tourism
27. China Calls for Global Consensus on Balancing AI Development and Security
28. Global Tiger Day 2025
29. Divyanshi Bhowmick Creates History at Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships
30. EU and US Seal Landmark Trade Deal with 15% Tariffs

National News

1. Private Electronic Interlocking System Enhances Rail Safety

• What:
  • Indian Railways completed pilot runs of a new Direct Drive Electronic Interlocking (DDEI) signalling system at three stations to improve safety and reduce train crossing time.
• Why:
  • The new system aims to prevent accidents caused by human error and faulty signalling while drastically reducing train crossing time at stations.
• Tell me more:
  • The DDEI system uses optical fibre cables and advanced electronic controls directly operating points and signals, eliminating human intervention.
  • It reduces train crossing time from about 10-15 minutes to 15-20 seconds.
  • The system ensures switches are aligned, tracks clear, and level crossing gates closed before allowing train movement, clearing only one route at a time.
  • Pilot runs were done in FY 2023-24 at Dinanagar (Jammu), Tajpur (Madhya Pradesh), and one other station.
  • The use of optical fibre reduces copper cables by 60–70% and relays by about 70%, lowering maintenance cost and increasing fault detection.

Source: TOI

2. NCERT Develops Classroom Modules on Operation Sindoor

• What:
  • NCERT is creating two special classroom modules on Operation Sindoor to teach students about India’s defence strategy and diplomatic response.
• Why:
  • The modules aim to help students understand how nations respond to terror threats through defence, diplomacy, and coordination between ministries.
• Tell me more:
  • One module is for Classes 3 to 8 and the other for Classes 9 to 12, each about 8 to 10 pages long.
  • Apart from Operation Sindoor, topics will include Mission LiFE, the horrors of the Partition, and India’s rise as a major space power.
  • The modules also highlight India’s key space missions like Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, and pilot Shubhanshu Shukla’s trip to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 4.
  • These materials aim to give students a broad view of India’s progress in defence, diplomacy, sustainable development, and space exploration.
  • Operation Sindoor was India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, bombing terror camps in Pakistan and PoK in May 2025.

Source: N18

3. SHAPE 2025 Conference Sets Future of Sustainable Hospitals

• What:
  • The Army Hospital Research & Referral (AHRR) held the first Armed Forces National Conference, SHAPE 2025, on sustainable hospital architecture and infrastructure.
• Why:
  • The event aimed to create a roadmap for resilient, green, and patient-friendly hospital infrastructure aligned with India’s Vision 2047 goals.
• Tell me more:
  • Certifications such as GRIHA and CFEES, and ergonomically designed healing architecture were promoted.
  • SHAPE 2025 fostered collaboration across military, civil, and private sectors to develop a doctrine on sustainable hospital planning and equipment management.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple Visit and Commemorative Coin Release

• What:
  • Prime Minister Modi visited the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, offered prayers, and released a commemorative coin for Emperor Rajendra Chola I during the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival.
• Why:
  • The visit and coin release celebrate the 1,000-year anniversary of Rajendra Chola I’s famous maritime expedition and honour the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival linked to proud moments of the Chola empire.
• Tell me more:
  • The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Chola architecture.
  • Rajendra Chola I built this temple after his victory over the Pala kingdom and made the town his capital.
  • The temple is known for its elaborate design and annual Aadi Thiruvadhirai festival.
  • During the event, new silk robes are offered to the statue of Rajendra Chola I and his achievements are showcased through road shows.

Source: IE

2. India’s First Private Heavy Water Test Facility Boosts Nuclear Self-Reliance

• What:
  • India’s first private facility for testing and upgrading depleted heavy water was inaugurated by NPCIL and BARC officials, built by TEMA India Ltd. with technology from BARC and a purchase order from NPCIL.
• Why:
  • The facility supports the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative by helping India become more self-reliant in high-tech nuclear sector components and reducing dependence on imports.
• Tell me more:
  • The test facility was designed, built, and validated fully by TEMA India’s nuclear division under BARC’s technology transfer.
  • The first consignment included eight distillation column sections with activated phosphor bronze modules for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), after rigorous testing.
  • These modules will be used in nuclear projects like RAPP Unit 8, GHAVP Units 1–4, and KAIGA Units 5 & 6.

Source: PIB

3. Uttarakhand CM Dhami Releases Book and Launches India’s First Yoga Policy

• What:
  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami released the book ‘Sustainable Wellness of Students’ and announced the first-ever Yoga Policy of India.
• Why:
  • The initiatives aim to promote student wellness in higher education and establish Uttarakhand as a global wellness and yoga destination.
• Tell me more:
  • The book addresses student welfare in higher education, touching on psychology and collective responsibility, with a Hindi version expected.
  • Under PM Modi’s guidance, the new National Education Policy was first implemented in Uttarakhand, focusing on quality education and student welfare.
  • The Yoga Policy 2025 offers subsidies up to ₹20 lakh for yoga and wellness centres and ₹10 lakh for research in yoga-related fields.
  • The policy targets establishing five new yoga hubs in Uttarakhand by 2030 and ensuring yoga services in all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers by March 2026.

Source: HT ANI

4. Odisha Textile Summit 2025 Sees Rs 7,808 Crore Investment

• What:
  • The first Odisha Textile Summit (Odisha TEX 2025) attracted investment proposals worth around Rs 7,808 crore that would generate over 53,300 jobs in the textile and apparel sector.
• Why:
  • The summit aims to create over one lakh jobs by 2030 and to transform Odisha into a textile hub, reducing worker migration and leading an Eastern India textile revolution.
• Tell me more:
  • 33 companies, including Sportsking India Ltd and Hindalco, signed MoUs to set up units in Odisha during the summit.
  • The state government had earlier signed 145 MoUs worth Rs 12.89 lakh crore across 16 sectors in the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025.
  • New textile clusters are planned in districts like Balangir, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, and Cuttack.
  • Odisha offers attractive incentive packages under its Industrial Policy Resolution 2022 and Odisha Apparel and Technical Textiles Policy 2022.

Source: IE

5. Operation Shiva in Jammu and Kashmir

• The Indian Army has deployed additional reinforcements to support the ongoing ‘Operation Mahadev’.
• The main purpose of Operation Mahadev is to neutralize terrorists, particularly those involved in recent attacks, including the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, Suleman Shah.

Source: HT

6. PM Modi Inaugurates New Terminal and Infrastructure Projects in Tuticorin

• What:
  • PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport and dedicated multiple development projects worth over ₹4,900 crore.
• Why:
  • These projects aim to boost air connectivity, tourism, trade, and industrial growth in southern Tamil Nadu with world-class infrastructure.
• Tell me more:
  • The terminal features 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient systems, treated water reuse, and has a GRIHA-4 sustainability rating.
  • Two highway projects were also dedicated: 4-laning of the 50 km Sethiyathope-Cholapuram stretch of NH-36 costing ₹2,350 crore, and 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road costing ₹200 crore.
  • These developments support port-led industrial growth around VO Chidambaranar Port and improve regional infrastructure.

Source: HT

7. Mastercard Collaboration to Boost Tourism in Andhra Pradesh

• What:
  • Mastercard took part in a workshop at AP Tourism office in Vijayawada to discuss strategies for promoting tourism in Andhra Pradesh.
• Tell me more:
  • A new tagline and theme for Andhra Pradesh tourism will be launched by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on World Tourism Day in September.
  • Tourism circuits discussed include Araku and Visakhapatnam focusing on tribal culture, Godavari circuit with boat rides and sunsets, and Tirupati circuit emphasizing spiritual and heritage experiences.

Source: DC

8. First Hindi Medium Medical College to be Established in Madhya Pradesh

• What:
  • A first-of-its-kind medical college teaching MBBS in Hindi is to be established at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Why:
  • To enable students uncomfortable with English to pursue medical studies in their mother tongue and develop a medical institute of excellence.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative follows the introduction of MBBS study in Hindi in 2022, with the government-run Medical Science University (MSU) Jabalpur approving the proposal.
  • The college will be residential with a 50-student intake, potentially starting in the 2027-28 academic year.
  • Land has been earmarked, and the approvals from the state government and National Medical Commission (NMC) are underway.
  • The syllabus for MBBS has been translated into Hindi, and infrastructure for Hindi medical education has been created.

Source: DC

International News

1. Turkey Unveils Powerful Gazap and NEB-2 Ghost Bombs

• What:
  • Turkey revealed two major 970 kg bombs, Gazap and NEB-2 Ghost, marking its strongest non-nuclear weapons at IDEF 2025 in Istanbul.
• Tell me more:
  • Gazap is a fragmentation bomb dispersing 10,000 particles within a one-kilometre radius, making it three times more powerful than standard fragmentation bombs.
  • NEB-2 Ghost is a bunker-buster bomb that penetrates 7 metres of reinforced concrete, outperforming US equivalents, and detonates after a delayed time for increased destruction.
  • Turkey also debuted the hypersonic Tayfun Block 4 missile with an 800 km range, highlighting Turkey’s high-tech weapons push.

Source: ET

2. Latin American Countries Collaborate to Launch Latam-GPT AI Model

• What:
  • A dozen Latin American countries are jointly launching Latam-GPT, an AI language model tailored to the region’s diverse cultures and languages.
• Why:
  • The project aims to improve AI accessibility and accuracy in Latin America by reflecting local culture and overcoming limitations of global AI models trained mainly in English.
• Tell me more:
  • Latam-GPT is an open-source initiative led by Chile’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) with participation from over 30 regional institutions.
  • Developed since January 2023, it uses Llama 3 AI technology and is trained on a regional network including Chile’s University of Tarapaca and cloud systems.
  • The model is designed as a core technology for applications such as chatbots and is not a direct competitor to consumer AI products like ChatGPT.
  • A key focus is preserving Indigenous languages, with an initial translator created for the Rapa Nui language of Easter Island and plans to expand to more Indigenous tongues.
  • The project received support from the regional development bank CAF and Amazon Web Services but currently lacks a dedicated budget.

Source: TH

3. China Proposes Global AI Cooperation Organisation at WAIC

• What:
  • Chinese Premier Li Qiang proposed forming a global organisation to coordinate AI development and security at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.
• Why:
  • To address fragmented AI governance and ensure a global consensus balancing AI development with security risks.
• Tell me more:
  • Li described AI as a new growth engine and emphasized the urgent need for a globally recognised framework.
  • China plans to promote open-source AI development and share advancements with other countries, especially in the global south.
  • The WAIC gathers global industry leaders and policymakers amid rising tech competition between China and the US, with AI as a key area.
  • The US recently announced a low-regulation AI strategy and export restrictions on advanced AI technology to China.

Source: TG

4. US-EU Trade Framework Introduced with 15% Tariffs on EU Goods

• What:
  • US President Donald Trump announced a new trade framework with the European Union including a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the US at a meeting in Scotland with EU President Ursula von der Leyen.
• Why:
  • To protect American jobs and boost the economy while resolving potential trade tensions and avoiding tariff increases set for August 1.
• Tell me more:
  • The EU agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of American energy products and $600 billion more in investments.
  • Some products like aircraft, chemicals, and generic drugs will have zero tariffs, but a 15% tariff remains for others, which disappointed Europe.
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the deal for preventing trade war harms to Germany’s auto sector; Italian PM Giorgia Meloni called it positive but awaited details.

Source: IT

Science and Technology

1. Stardour Successfully Test-Fires India’s First Hydrogen-Oxygen Propulsion Engine

• What:
  • Stardour, a Hyderabad-based spacetech startup, successfully test fired India’s first in-house developed hydrogen and oxygen propulsion engine to power its next-generation orbital transfer vehicle Lucas.
• Why:
  • The engine aims to facilitate sustainable and autonomous in-space logistics for missions across low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, the Moon, and Mars.
• Tell me more:
  • Lucas, Stardour’s flagship orbital transfer vehicle, is designed to transport payloads between orbits and perform tasks like orbit changes, refueling, spacecraft repair, and debris removal.
  • The successful engine test was conducted at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.
  • Stardour was founded in 2020 and led by former ISRO scientist Rama Rao.
  • The maiden launch of Lucas is expected in the third quarter of 2027.

Source: TOI

2. ISRO Plans to Launch Three Navigation Satellites for IRNSS by 2025 End

• What:
  • ISRO will launch three navigation satellites, NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05, for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by next year.
• Why:
  • The launches aim to restore and strengthen IRNSS navigation services over India and the surrounding region.
• Tell me more:
  • NVS-03 is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025, followed by NVS-04 and NVS-05 with six months gap between launches.
  • The IRNSS was initially planned as a seven-satellite constellation providing navigation over India and a 1,500km radius.
  • So far, ISRO has launched 11 IRNSS satellites, but two failed to reach proper orbit and one was lost due to heat shield failure.
  • Four satellites currently provide only one-way message broadcasts, such as government alerts during disasters.
  • NVS-02, launched in January 2025, could not complete orbit maneuvers due to a technical glitch.

Source: IE

Awards

1. Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 Wins 2025’s Most Beautiful Airport Award

• What:
  • Yantai Penglai International Airport’s Terminal 2 in China was named the world’s most beautiful airport of 2025 by the Prix Versailles awards.
• Why:
  • The terminal’s design honors Yantai’s coastal landscape while optimizing passenger flow and adapting flexibly to operational needs.
• Tell me more:
  • Kansai Airport’s interior was refreshed to reflect Japanese aesthetics and features a smart queue system to improve passenger experience.
  • Singapore’s famous Changi Airport did not make the 2025 Prix Versailles list despite its strong reputation.

Source: ET

2. BJP MP Ravi Kishan Receives Sansad Ratna Award 2025

• What:
  • BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan, was awarded the Sansad Ratna Award 2025 for his excellent performance in Parliament.
• Why:
  • The award recognises his active participation in debates, high number of questions asked, and introduction of private member bills.
• Tell me more:
  • The award ceremony was held at New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as chief guest.
  • National Backward Classes Commission chairman Hansraj Ahir presided over the event.
  • Ravi Kishan dedicated the award to the people of Purvanchal and thanked leaders like Prime Minister Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath.
  • The awards are instituted by Prime Point Foundation, whose founder K Srinivasan was also acknowledged.
  • Sansad Ratna Award honors outstanding contributions to parliamentary democracy.

Source: TOI

3. Student Remona Pereira Sets World Record with Longest Bharatanatyam Dance

• What:
  • Remona Evette Pereira performed a 170-hour-long Bharatanatyam dance, earning a place in the Golden Book of World Records.
• Why:
  • To achieve a rare feat and showcase dedication to the classical dance form Bharatanatyam.
• Tell me more:
  • The event took place at St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, where Remona is a BA student.
  • The Golden Book of World Records officially recognized the achievement.

Source: TH

Important Days

1. 87th CRPF Foundation Day – July 27

• What:
  • The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 87th Foundation Day nationwide with events including a cycle rally, tree plantation drive, and tribute ceremony.
• Why:
  • The celebrations honor CRPF’s legacy since 1939 and its role in India’s internal security and crucial operations.
• Tell me more:
  • The 37th Battalion led the celebrations featuring a “Fit India” cycle rally, tree planting, and wreath-laying at Shaheed Smarak.
  • Key officers including Commandant Dao Injirkan Kindo and senior officers Sujeet Kumar, Chandramor Anil, and Raju Wagh participated.
  • The CRPF was established in Neemuch in 1939.

Source: TOI

2. World Hepatitis Day 2025 – July 28

• Theme: Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down

Source: WHO

3. World Nature Conservation Day 2025 – July 28

Source: N18

4. International Tiger Day 2025 – July 29

Source: IE

Sports

1. Oscar Piastri Clinches Victory at 2025 Belgian Grand Prix

• Oscar Piastri of McLaren won the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of teammate Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Source: HT

2. Hockey India Celebrates 100 Years with Nationwide Festival and Financial Support Boost

• What:
  • Hockey India conducted its 15th Congress in Mahabalipuram, announced a nationwide hockey festival on 7th November 2025, and increased financial grants for state and national hockey development.
• Why:
  • The initiatives mark the centenary of Indian hockey and aim to unite the sport’s legacy with grassroots growth and inclusivity.
• Tell me more:
  • The festival will feature 1,000 simultaneous matches—men’s and women’s—in every district involving over 36,000 players.
  • Financial grants include ₹70 lakhs each for Senior Men’s and Women’s National Championships, ₹30 lakhs each for Junior and Sub-Junior National Championships, and ₹25 lakhs per state for district and state-level competitions.
  • Grants aim to improve infrastructure, event quality, and participation by reducing financial constraints locally.
  • The 100-year journey of Indian hockey started with the first national governing body’s formation in 1925.

Source: HI

3. Divya Deshmukh Becomes First Indian Woman to Win FIDE World Cup

• Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women’s World Cup by defeating Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker and became India’s fourth woman grandmaster.
• Divya Deshmukh is India’s 88th grandmaster and the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup.

Source: IE

4. Young Indian Table Tennis Star Divyanshi Bhowmick Wins U-15 Asian Title

• What:
  • Fourteen-year-old Divyanshi Bhowmick won the U-15 girls’ singles title at the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent, becoming the first Indian in 36 years to do so.
• Why:
  • To showcase her talent and resilience in table tennis while balancing the pressure of upcoming Class 10 board exams.
• Tell me more:
  • Plans include representing India at the World Youth Championships in Romania and aiming for the 2028 Olympics.
  • Divyanshi is currently ranked World No. 3 in U-15 category.
  • The U-15 Asian title win ended a 36-year wait for India since Subramanian Bhuvaneswari’s victory.

Source: TOI

Appointments

1. Utpal Kumar Singh Appointed CEO of Sansad TV

• Utpal Kumar Singh, Lok Sabha Secretary-General and former IAS officer, has been given additional charge as CEO of Sansad TV.

Source: IE

Miscellaneous

1. Tom Lehrer, Renowned Satirical Songwriter and Math Prodigy, Dies at 97

• Tom Lehrer, a famous satirical songwriter and mathematics expert, died at the age of 97 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• Born in 1928 in New York City, Tom was a Harvard prodigy who entered college at 15 and earned a master’s degree in mathematics at 18.

Source: LM

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