30th July 2025

1. 11 PSBs collected around ₹9,000 crore as penalty for low bank balance between FY21 and FY25
2. Indian Coast Guard’s Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Atal’ Launched in Goa
3. India’s Concert Economy to Create 12 Million Jobs by 2032
4. Reliance Jio Launches JioPC: Transforming Any TV into a Cloud-Based Desktop
5. Kaziranga Ranks Third Globally in Tiger Density
6. MoES Launches 14 Scientific Tools on 19th Foundation Day to Boost India’s Climate Resilience
7. MoRTH Approves AI-Based Road Safety Pilot Project in UP to Reduce Accidents
8. DPIIT and Ather Energy Signed a MoU to Strengthen EV Manufacturing and Clean Mobility Ecosystem
9. MoD Signed MoU with TIDCO to Set Up Testing Facility in Tiruchirappalli, in TN
10. LIC Signed USD 1 Billion FRAs with JPMorgan & BoA to Hedge Against Interest Rate Risks
11. Worldline Collaborates with Cosmos Co-operative Bank to Drive Next-Gen Digital Payment Solutions
12. DRDO Conducts Successful Flight Tests of Pralay Missile
13. Astronomers Observed Birth of New Solar System for the 1st Time around a Baby Star, HOPS-315
14. Private Sector to Invest ₹77,000 Crore in Thermal Power by FY28: Crisil
15. India Records 65,000 Crore Digital Payments Worth ₹12,000 Trillion in Six Years
16. United Kingdom Set to Recognise Palestinian State
17. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2025
18. International Friendship Day 2025
19. IGNCA to Host National Symposium on UNESCO Recognition of the Gita and Natyashastra
20. IMF Raises India’s Growth Forecast to 6.4% for 2025 and 2026
21. Shailesh Jejurikar Appointed as Global CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G)

National News

1. MoES Unveils New Scientific Tools to Boost Climate Resilience in India

• What:
  • Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched new scientific tools and digital services developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to enhance climate resilience and scientific empowerment in India.
• Why:
  • The launch aims to deepen public engagement and increase awareness of science-driven citizen services for ecological sustainability and economic growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Fourteen major products were launched, including rainfall monitoring, advanced weather forecasting (BharatFS-ERP), high-resolution rainfall data, wave atlases, air quality forecasts, marine biodiversity reports, and seismic microzonation studies of four cities.
  • The number of Doppler radars increased from 15 to 41, and other observation systems have more than doubled in the past decade.
  • The Ministry issues earthquake alerts within 2-3 minutes and cyclone warnings up to 10 days in advance, reducing casualties as seen after the 1999 Odisha cyclone.
  • Over seven lakh farmers use the Meghdoot app for crop advisories, and fishermen receive daily SMS updates for safe and fuel-efficient fishing zones.
  • India’s ocean sustainability includes six Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) desalination plants providing 1.5 lakh litres of potable water daily to Lakshadweep islands.

Source: PIB

2. National Symposium on Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra UNESCO Inscription

• What:
  • IGNCA will hold a two-day National Symposium to mark the inscription of Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra into UNESCO Memory of the World International Register.
• Why:
  • The symposium invites scholars and heritage professionals to reflect on the relevance of these texts in modern global discussions.
• Tell me more:
  • The symposium will be held on 30th and 31st July 2025 in New Delhi at Ambedkar International Centre and IGNCA.
  • Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra are now part of the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register, highlighting their cultural heritage status.
  • The inaugural session features Chief Guest Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other distinguished guests including Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj and Dr. Sonal Mansingh.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Achieves Third Highest Global Tiger Density

• What:
  • Kaziranga Tiger Reserve’s tiger population rose from 104 in 2022 to 148 in 2024, making it the third highest tiger density area in the world.
• Why:
  • This growth highlights successful wildlife preservation efforts to protect tigers and their habitat for future generations.
• Tell me more:
  • The reserve now has 83 female, 55 male, and 10 tigers of undetermined sex across its three divisions.
  • The Biswanath Wildlife Division was sampled for the first time, adding 27 tigers to the count.
  • Habitat expansion under Burhachapori-Laokhowa sanctuaries increased protected area by 200 sq km, improving breeding and dispersal.
  • Advanced technologies like camera traps, M-STrIPES, drones, and Electronic Eye surveillance have enhanced monitoring and anti-poaching.
  • Community support and forest staff efforts, including 113 ‘Van Durgas,’ helped improve data on tiger demographics and protection.
  • Kaziranga has a tiger density of 18.65 tigers per 100 sq km, behind only Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Corbett National Park.
  • The tiger reserve covers 1,307.49 sq km and uses protocols from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India.

Source: TOI

2. AI Pilot Project for Road Safety by UP Transport Dept

• What:
  • The Centre approved an AI-based pilot project for Uttar Pradesh Transport Department to reduce road accidents and improve enforcement.
• Why:
  • To reduce road accidents and enhance enforcement efficiency using AI and Big Data Analytics.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways gave formal No Objection Certificate for the first AI-driven road safety experiment by a state transport department in India.
  • The pilot, implemented at zero cost by ITI Limited and mLogica, will integrate data from accidents, weather, vehicle telematics, driver profiles, and road attributes.
  • The initial six-week prototype will identify accident causes, predict black spots, and create real-time policy dashboards before phased rollout across transport functions.
  • The AI system will support faceless licensing, permits, enforcement modernization, e-challan operations, and registration systems under continuous audits for legal, data privacy, and cybersecurity compliance.
  • The initiative complies fully with Motor Vehicles Act, rules, and road safety SOPs and imposes no financial liability on the Ministry.
  • Uttar Pradesh government allocated Rs 10 crore in the 2025-26 budget to establish a data-driven administrative model for the Transport Department.

Source: ET

International News

1. Britain Poised to Recognise Palestinian State at UN in September

• What:
  • Britain plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September if Israel does not take specific peace and humanitarian steps.
• Why:
  • The decision aims to respond to growing public anger over starving children in Gaza and to encourage a two-state solution with peace between Israel and Palestine.
• Tell me more:
  • This move would make Britain the second Western power on the UN Security Council to recognise Palestine after France.
  • The recognition is conditional on Israel allowing more aid into Gaza, halting West Bank annexation, and supporting a lasting peace process.

Source: RT

Banking and Economy

1. Eleven PSBs Collected Around ₹9,000 Crore As Penalty For Low Bank Balance

• What:
  • Eleven public sector banks collected about ₹9,000 crore as penalty for not maintaining minimum balance in savings accounts in the last five years.
• Why:
  • The purpose behind these charges is to enforce the rule of maintaining minimum balance in savings accounts.
• Tell me more:
  • The data was shared by the Finance Ministry in the Rajya Sabha.
  • State Bank of India stopped charging minimum balance penalties in March 2020.
  • Seven out of eleven public sector banks stopped these charges from the second quarter of FY26; others are expected to follow soon.
  • Exemptions from maintaining minimum balance include PM Jan Dhan Accounts, basic savings bank deposit accounts (BSBDA), and salary accounts.
  • Private sector banks still charge such penalties and have not announced any waivers.

Source: HBL

2. India’s Live Concert Economy to Generate 12 Million Jobs

• What:
  • India’s live event and concert industry is expected to create nearly 12 million temporary jobs by 2030-2032 and hold over 100 large concerts annually.
• Why:
  • The live event sector is growing as a cultural movement and is driving employment and economic activity across the country.
• Tell me more:
  • Demand is growing for skilled workers in production, logistics, security, hospitality, and digital media.
  • Tier II and III cities such as Shillong, Jaipur, Kochi, and Indore are becoming popular locations for concerts besides the main metros.
  • Each concert can provide 15,000 to 20,000 short-term jobs in areas like operations, crowd management, F&B, digital marketing, and artist management.
  • The sector benefits allied industries like travel, tourism, hotels, and local food businesses, as seen during major events such as Coldplay’s concert in Ahmedabad, which added ₹641 crore to the local economy.

Source: ET

3. Reliance Jio Launches JioPC: Virtual Desktop on TV

• What:
  • Reliance Jio launched JioPC, a cloud-based virtual desktop solution that turns any TV into a PC using a Jio set-top box with a pay-as-you-go subscription.
• Why:
  • The service aims to provide easy and affordable access to a functional PC for everyday computing without needing a traditional CPU.
• Tell me more:
  • JioPC requires users to connect a keyboard and mouse to the TV and runs on Jio’s set-top box via the cloud.
  • Subscription plans range from Rs 599 + GST for one month to Rs 4,599 + GST for 12 months with added free usage months.
  • JioPC includes free access to Adobe Express, AI tools, commonly used applications, and 100GB cloud storage.
  • It comes pre-installed with LibreOffice and allows Microsoft Office usage through browsers but currently does not support cameras or printers.
  • The platform works on an Ubuntu (Linux) OS with 4 CPU cores, 8GB RAM, and targets activities like browsing, online learning, programming, and productivity.

Source: BS

4. LIC Enters $1 Billion Forward Rate Agreements Market

• What:
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India has entered into $1 billion worth of forward rate agreements (FRAs) with global banks JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America in the bond derivatives market.
• Why:
  • To use sophisticated hedging instruments for protecting against falling interest rates and securing future bond yields.
• Tell me more:
  • LIC’s FRA deals, done in the last two months, now cover 38% of total $2.6 billion FRA volumes in India since May.
  • LIC manages assets worth $630 billion and announced its plan to enter the bond derivatives market in November.
  • FRAs allow LIC to agree to buy bonds at predetermined prices in the future, shifting price risk to the banks for a premium.
  • LIC’s increasing participation has lifted demand for long-term securities, evidenced by highest bid-to-cover ratios in recent bond auctions.
  • Banks manage their exposure in FRAs by acquiring matching long-term bonds.

Source: TOI

5. Cosmos Bank Partners with Worldline to Boost Digital Payments

• Cosmos Bank partnered with Worldline to upgrade its digital payment systems and expand services.
• The partnership aims to create a future-ready banking ecosystem that enhances resilience and promotes financial inclusion.

Source: WL

6. Thermal Power Sector to Attract ₹77,000 Crore Private Investment by 2028

• What:
  • The thermal power sector is set to receive ₹77,000 crore investment from private players over FY26 to FY28.
• Why:
  • This investment surge aims to meet increasing power demand and ensure reliable round-the-clock electricity, complementing renewable energy sources.
• Tell me more:
  • Total thermal power investments, including public sector, will double to ₹2.3 lakh crore in the next three years.
  • Private sector investment share will rise from 7–8% to nearly one-third.
  • For the first time in 10 years, four state power distributors have signed 25-year power purchase agreements with private thermal producers to reduce financial risks.
  • Power demand is expected to reach over 366 GW by 2031–32, with 70% met by solar and wind, but their intermittency requires reliable thermal backup.
  • The government has announced 60 GW of new capacity under construction out of a planned 80 GW for 2032, including 19 GW from private developers.

Source: HBL

7. Digital Transactions in India Cross ₹12,000 Lakh Crore by FY25

• What:
  • Over 65,000 crore digital transactions amounting to more than ₹12,000 lakh crore were recorded in India between FY20 and FY25.
• Why:
  • The aim is to boost digital payment adoption, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and bring more people into the formal financial system.
• Tell me more:
  • The government works with RBI, NPCI, fintech firms, banks, and state governments to promote digital payments.
  • RBI launched the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) in 2021 to increase digital payment infrastructure in smaller cities and regions.
  • As of May 31, 2025, about 4.77 crore digital payment points were set up under PIDF.
  • Platforms like UPI have empowered small vendors and rural users to accept digital payments, reducing reliance on cash.

Source: DD

GDP Forecast

1. IMF Revises India’s Economic Growth Forecast to 6.4% for 2025-26

• What:
  • In its World Economic Outlook-July Update, IMF has revised India’s economic growth forecast to 6.4 percent for both 2025 and 2026.
• Why:
  • The revision reflects a more positive external environment than previously expected.
• Tell me more:
  • Earlier, IMF had projected 6.2% growth for 2025 and 6.3% for 2026 in its April 2025 report.
  • Using financial year data, India’s growth is forecast at 6.7% for 2025 and 6.4% for 2026.
  • IMF also raised global growth outlook to 3.0% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026 due to factors like a weaker US dollar and improved financial conditions.
  • China’s growth is expected at 4.8% in 2025 and 4.2% in 2026, while the US will grow by 1.9% and 2.0% respectively.

Source: NOA

Defence News

1. Indian Coast Guard Launches Sixth Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Atal’

• What:
  • The Indian Coast Guard’s sixth indigenously built Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Atal’ was launched at Goa Shipyard Ltd, Goa to strengthen maritime security and rescue efforts.
• Why:
  • The launch supports India’s self-reliance in defence and aims to enhance coastal protection, anti-smuggling, and maritime rescue operations.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘Atal’ is part of a fleet of eight Fast Patrol Vessels being made by Goa Shipyard Ltd under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
  • The FPVs have over 60% indigenous content, are 52 meters long, weigh 320 tonnes, and are designed in-house to meet specific needs.
  • ‘Atal’ is the first FPV in India to have a controllable pitch propeller for better propulsion and maneuverability.
  • These vessels are equipped for fisheries protection, EEZ patrolling, monitoring islands, and anti-piracy tasks.

Source: ET

2. Defence Ministry Signs MoU for Testing Facility in Tamil Nadu

• What:
  • Ministry of Defence signed an MoU to set up a modern testing facility in Mechanical & Material domain under Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme in Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor.
• Why:
  • To promote indigenous defence production and reduce military equipment imports supporting Aatmanirbharta in defence.
• Tell me more:
  • The Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) funds 75% of projects as grants, remaining 25% by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of private entities and governments.
  • Micro Labs is the lead SPV member for this facility; other members include TIDCO, Bharat Earth Movers Ltd, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, and Vaidheswaran Industries.
  • The project has an outlay of Rs 400 crore and aims to serve government and private industries with advanced testing services.
  • Seven such testing facilities were approved under DTIS, with four in Tamil Nadu and three in Uttar Pradesh.

Source: PIB

3. DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Pralay Missile Twice

• What:
  • DRDO carried out two successful test flights of the indigenously developed Pralay missile from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
• Why:
  • To validate the missile system’s maximum and minimum range capabilities through user evaluation trials.
• Tell me more:
  • The missile followed the planned trajectory and hit targets with precision, fulfilling all test objectives.
  • Pralay is a solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile with advanced guidance capable of carrying multiple warheads.
  • It was developed by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad in collaboration with several DRDO labs and industry partners like Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited.

Source: TOI

Science and Technology

1. New Planets Caught Forming Around Young Star

• What:
  • Astronomers have directly observed, for the first time, the moment when planets start to form around a young star called HOPS-315.
• Why:
  • The purpose was to understand how planets and solar systems like ours are created from the very beginning.
• Tell me more:
  • HOPS-315 is located 1,300 light-years from Earth and is a newly formed “proto” star.
  • Observations used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
  • Scientists found hot crystalline minerals like silicon monoxide (SiO) solidifying in the gas and dust disk around the star.
  • These minerals were seen forming in a region similar to where the asteroid belt is in our Solar System.
  • This is the earliest stage of planet formation ever seen outside our Solar System.

Source: IT

Important Days

1. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2025 – July 30

• UN Focus: Human Trafficking Is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation

Source: OM

2. International Friendship Day 2025 – August 3

Memorandum of Understanding

1. DPIIT Signs MoU with Ather Energy to Boost EV Startups

• What:
  • DPIIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ather Energy to promote clean mobility and advanced manufacturing startups in India.
• Why:
  • The MoU focuses on strategic mentorship, infrastructure support, joint innovation programs like Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, and talent development.
• Tell me more:
  • This partnership is part of the Build in Bharat initiative led by the Startup Policy Forum, a coalition of 50+ innovation startups.
  • The collaboration includes participation in events such as Startup Mahakumbh and on-ground exposure visits for startups.
  • The initiative aims to help startups overcome core technology challenges and scale quality products in EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Shailesh Jejurikar to Become Procter & Gamble CEO from 2026

• India-born Shailesh Jejurikar will become the CEO of Procter & Gamble starting January 1, 2026.
• Other prominent Indian-origin corporate leaders include Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, Shantanu Narayen, Arvind Krishna, and Sabih Khan.
• Procter & Gamble is based in Cincinnati, USA.

Source: HT

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