16th July 2025

1. President Murmu Confers Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 to Dharmendra Pradhan
2. UPI-PayNow Expanded To 13 More Indian Banks Join Cross-Border Remittance Network
3. Celebrated Queer Poet Andrea Gibson Passes Away at 49
4. Delhi Ranked World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS 2026 Rankings
5. South Asia Achieves Highest-Ever Child Immunisation Coverage in 2024
6. Israel’s Most Advanced Communications Satellite, Dror-1 Launched
7. Sabyasachi Couture Appoints Manish Chopra as CEO
8. China Creates Lightest Mind-Control Device for Bees
9. Sanjay Kaul Appointed CEO of GIFT City, Gandhinagar
10. Hemanta Sarma Launch India’s First Aqua Tech Park In Assam
11. India’s Second Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge Opens in Shivamogga
12. Goa Government Starts RoRo Ferry Service on Mandovi River
13. Meghalaya Celebrates Sacred Behdeinkhlam Festival
14. Historic Machilipatnam Port Set to Revival by 2026
15. ICG & JCG Conduct Joint Exercise ‘Sea Malt’ off Chennai Coast
16. CIL Inaugurates India’s First All-Women Operated Dispensary at SECL, Bilaspur
17. New Caledonia to Become a State Within French Republic
18. RBI Imposes Penalty on HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance for Regulatory Non-Compliance
19. Cypriot Shipping Firms Announced to Shift to Greece Over Intervention in Indian Shipping
20. S&P’s Data: India Retained 4th on the Global IPO Offering League Table in 1H-CY25
21. National ODOP Awards 2024 Presented in New Delhi
22. LIC appoints R Dossainay to a new CEO role, to hold full-term under new rule framework
23. Senior IAS Officer Sonalika Mehta to Become the First Woman to lead RPF
24. Karnataka Bank Appoints Krishnamurthy Subramanian as MD & CEO
25. TN’s Harikrishna R.A. becomes India’s 6th Chess Grandmaster
26. Chelsea FC’s New Era: Inaugural FIFA Club World Cup 2025
27. World Youth Skills Day 2025 – July 15
28. HP CM Sukhvinder Sukhu Launches ‘My Deed’ Project to Digitize and Simplify Land Registration

State News

1. Aqua Tech Park: India’s First Water Technology Park Inaugurated

• What:
  • Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India’s first water technology park, ‘Aqua Tech Park’, at Bagibari Sonapur in Assam.
• Why:
  • The park aims to empower fish farmers with advanced knowledge and technology to increase fish production and boost their incomes.
• Tell me more:
  • Aqua Tech Park has been set up by Kolong-Kapili with NABARD, ICAR, CIFA, Fishery Department, and Selco Foundation.
  • Assam doubled its fish production between 2019 and 2024 to 4.99 lakh MT, becoming the fourth largest fish-producing state in India.
  • An Rs. 800 crore ADB project and a JICA aided Rs. 250 crore project support Assam’s fisheries sector, along with schemes like PM Matsya Sampada Yojana and SWIFT.

Source: ET

2. Sigandur Bridge Inaugurated as India’s Second Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge

• What:
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur bridge, India’s second longest cable-stayed bridge, across Sharavathi backwaters in Shivamogga district, Karnataka.
• Why:
  • The bridge aims to improve connectivity for villages and reduce the travel distance from Sagara town to Sigandur.
• Tell me more:
  • The bridge connects Sagara and Marakutika, covers 2.44 kilometers, is 16 meters wide, and was built at a cost of over 470 crore rupees.
  • It is named after goddess Chowdeshwari devi and will reduce the distance to the famous Chowdeshwari temple.
  • ₹5 lakh crore worth of road projects are planned to be completed in Karnataka in the next five years.

Source: NOA

3. Two New RoRo Ferries Launched on Chorao-Ribandar Route

• What:
  • Goa government has introduced two new Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) ferries named Gangotri and Dwarka on the Chorao–Ribandar route across the Mandovi river.
• Why:
  • The new ferries aim to replace old boats, cut travel time, and provide a safer and faster journey for daily commuters and tourists.
• Tell me more:
  • Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the service, calling it India’s first RoRo ferry service of this kind.
  • Designed by Vijai Marine Shipyards.

Source: N18

4. Behdeinkhlam Festival in Meghalaya Highlights Social Themes

• The Behdeinkhlam Festival was celebrated in Jowai, Meghalaya, blending traditional Pnar rituals with modern social themes.
• The festival aims to symbolize spiritual cleansing and community resilience by “driving away the plague” and reflecting current social concerns.

Source: NOA

5. Machilipatnam Greenfield Port Construction Progresses Rapidly

• What:
  • About 48% of the new Greenfield port at Manginapudi in Machilipatnam has been constructed, with operations expected to start by end of 2026.
• Why:
  • The project aims to revive Machilipatnam as a significant port city and boost trade and connectivity in the region.
• Tell me more:
  • The project involves dredging 56 million cubic metres of sand for ship berthing..
  • Machilipatnam was an important port city in the 1st century AD and thrived again during the 16th to 18th centuries.

Source: HBL

6. Himachal Pradesh Launches ‘My Deed’ NGDRS to Digitize Land Registration

• What:
  • Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘My Deed’ NGDRS Pilot Project to simplify land registration, allowing citizens to apply anytime and from anywhere with only one office visit needed.
• Tell me more:
  • The pilot was launched across many tehsils, including Bilaspur Sadar, Dalhousie, Galore, Jaisinghpur, Bhuntar, Padhar, Kumarsain, Rajgarh, Kandaghat, and Bangana.
  • New initiatives like simpler Hindi Jamabandi format, e-Roznamcha Vakyati for digital daily records, and Kaarguzari for online attendance marking were introduced.
  • An online mutation register will soon be linked to improve tracking of revenue work.
  • The government plans to develop a digitally signed Jamabandi module and a paperless revenue court management system within 10-15 days.

Source: GOV

International News

1. South Asia Achieves Record Child Immunization in 2024

• What:
  • South Asia has recorded its highest-ever immunization coverage for children, as per 2024 data from WHO and UNICEF.
• Why:
  • The aim is to protect every child in South Asia from vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Tell me more:
  • This achievement is being recognized as a milestone in efforts to expand immunization in the region.
  • The progress has been made possible by health workers, strong government leadership, support from donors and partners, and family trust.
  • Despite the progress, many children in South Asia remain undervaccinated or unvaccinated.
  • There is a focus on further reaching rural areas to ensure health rights for every child.

Source: WHO

2. Israel Launches Dror-1 Communications Satellite

• What:
  • Israel launched the Dror-1 communications satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to reach 36,000 kilometers above Earth.
• Tell me more:
  • The Dror-1 satellite was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
  • The launch involved teams at IAI headquarters and at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • The satellite travels at 3 km per second and weighs 4.5 tons, with measurements of 17.8 meters by 2.8 meters.
  • Dror-1 completes its first Earth orbit in 30 hours, and orbits Earth five times over two weeks.
  • Intensive work on Dror-1 began around 2020, with key developments in 2021.

Source: jpost

3. World’s Lightest Brain Control Device Developed in China

• What:
  • Chinese researchers have developed the world’s lightest brain control device that can guide bee movement.
• Why:
  • The aim is to create high-performance insect-based robotic systems useful for missions like covert surveillance and disaster relief.
• Tell me more:
  • The device weighs only 74 milligrams, lighter than the nectar a bee can carry.
  • It is fixed on the bee’s back and linked to its brain using three fine needles.
  • Electrical signals through the device prompt the bee to turn, move forward, or reverse, with 90% accuracy in tests.
  • The circuit is printed on an ultra-thin flexible film holding infrared and control chips for complex commands.
  • Researchers tested the device on bees and cockroaches, showing accurate movement in insects.
  • The research was conducted by Professor Zhao Jieliang’s team at the Beijing Institute of Technology.

Source: ET

4. France Announces Historic Deal with New Caledonia

• What:
  • France has reached an accord to declare New Caledonia a new state within the French Republic, creating a Caledonian nationality alongside French nationality.
• Tell me more:
  • The deal aims to give New Caledonia a new status, address local aspirations, and boost economic recovery in the territory.
  • New Caledonia became an overseas French territory after World War II and its people received French citizenship in 1957.

Source: NOA

Banking and Economy

1. UPI-PayNow Service Expanded to 19 Indian Banks

• What:
  • UPI-PayNow international remittance service now includes 13 more Indian banks, making a total of 19 banks part of this cross-border payments initiative between India and Singapore.
• Why:
  • The purpose is to increase access and convenience for sending and receiving real-time remittances between India and Singapore.
• Tell me more:
  • Customers of any of the 19 banks in India can receive remittances from Singapore using UPI-enabled apps like BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, and bank apps.
  • Outward remittances from India to Singapore can be made from selected banks including Canara Bank, HDFC Bank, Karur Vysya Bank, ICICI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and State Bank of India.
  • In Singapore, DBS SG and Liquid Group customers can use this service.
  • UPI is accepted through QR codes at selected merchant outlets in Singapore.

Source: ET

2. Coal India Opens First All-Women Operated Dispensary

• Coal India’s first dispensary to be fully operated by women was inaugurated at Vasant Vihar Dispensary, SECL Headquarters, Bilaspur.

Source: PIB

3. RBI Fines HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance for Compliance Lapses

• What:
  • RBI imposed a penalty on HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance Limited for regulatory violations related to foreign investment and digital lending.
• Why:
  • The penalties were imposed to address non-compliance with RBI guidelines and ensure adherence to regulatory norms.
• Tell me more:
  • HDFC Bank was penalised for violating norms related to foreign investment while granting a term loan.
  • Shriram Finance was penalised for routing loan repayments through a third-party account instead of receiving them directly.
  • RBI enforces compliance under the “Reserve Bank of India (Digital Lending) Directions, 2025”.

Source: ET

4. Cypriot Firms Announce Major FDI in Indian Shipping

• What:
  • Two Cypriot shipping companies, Interorient Navigation and Danship and Partners, have announced they will invest in the Indian shipping sector.
• Why:
  • The investment aims to increase India’s national shipping tonnage by procuring and registering more ships under the Indian flag, and to become the largest shipping operator in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The investment is valued at Rs 10,000 crore, making it the largest foreign direct investment in the Indian shipping sector since 100% FDI was allowed in 2005.
  • India and Cyprus have an Indo-Cyprus Maritime Cooperation Framework Agreement.

Source: BS

5. India’s IPO Market Sees Strong Growth in 2025

• What:
  • Indian IPOs are expected to regain momentum after a steady first half of 2025, with 119 IPOs raising 511.50 billion rupees.
• Why:
  • The growth is due to favourable equity market conditions and a strong pipeline of planned share sales in India.
• Tell me more:
  • In the first half of 2025, 119 IPOs took place, raising 511.50 billion rupees.
  • In the same period of 2024, 157 IPOs raised 376.82 billion rupees.
  • In 2024, the local unit of Hyundai Motor Co. made India’s largest IPO so far, raising 27,870.16 crore rupees.
  • HDB Financial Services had the largest IPO in 2025 to date, debuting with 125 billion rupees.
  • The National Stock Exchange of India ranked fourth globally for IPO fundraising, raising USD 5.51 billion in the first half of 2025.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026

• What:
  • Delhi has been ranked as the most affordable student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026, with Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai also improving their positions.
• Why:
  • The rankings showcase the growing academic visibility, affordability, and workforce relevance of Indian cities for students.
• Tell me more:
  • Mumbai is the highest-ranked Indian city at 98th place globally, climbing 15 spots; Delhi is at 104th, Bengaluru at 108th, and Chennai at 128th.
  • Delhi secured the top spot for affordability globally, with an affordability score of 96.5, while Bengaluru scored 84.3 and Chennai 80.1.
  • These scores reflect the lower tuition fees and cost of living in Indian cities compared to other global education hubs.
  • In the ‘Employer Activity’ indicator, Delhi and Mumbai are in the global top 50; Bengaluru rose to 59th position, marking the highest jump among Indian cities.
  • All four Indian cities saw improved rankings compared to the previous year, highlighting the strengthening position of India’s education sector globally.

Source: IE

Defence News

1. Japan Coast Guard Ship Concludes Chennai Visit with Exercise

• What:
  • Japan Coast Guard training ship Itsukushima completed a week-long port call in Chennai, ending with a joint sea exercise named JA-MATA with the Indian Coast Guard.
• Tell me more:
  • The Japanese delegation, led by Vice Admiral Kanosue Hiroaki, held official meetings with Indian Coast Guard leadership.
  • The engagements support the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between India and Japan in 2006.

Source: TH

Awards

1. Kalinga Ratna Award Presented on Sarala Das Anniversary

• The President of India attended the birth anniversary celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das and gave the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 to the Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, in Cuttack, Odisha.
• The event was held to honor Adikabi Sarala Das and to recognize contributions to literature and education.

Source: GOV.

2. National ODOP Awards 2024 Presented in New Delhi

• What:
  • The second edition of the National One District One Product (ODOP) Awards 2024 was held in New Delhi, recognising States, Union Territories, Districts, and Indian Missions Abroad for advancing the ODOP initiative.
• Why:
  • The event aims to celebrate and promote the efforts of regions and organisations in strengthening the ODOP initiative, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and boosting unique district products.
• Tell me more:
  • The ceremony was organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and addressed by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal.
  • Bihar achieved 100% ODOP product coverage in all 38 districts and was placed in Category A for its commitment.
  • Sixty-four out of eighty-seven ODOP products are covered under the Industrial Investment Promotion Policy.
  • Twenty-seven states received approval to set up PM Ekta Malls to showcase ODOP and GI-tagged products and encourage inter-state trade.
  • The ODOP Awards 2024 received 641 applications and 34 awards were conferred across three categories: Districts, States and UTs, and Indian Missions Abroad.

Source: PIB

Important Days

1. World Youth Skills Day 2025 – July 15

• Theme: Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills

Source: UN

Sports

1. Harikrishnan A Ra Becomes India’s 87th Chess Grandmaster

• Harikrishnan A Ra became India’s 87th grandmaster after earning his final GM norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France.
• Harikrishnan earned his second GM norm at the Andujar Open in Spain and the third at La Plagne in France.
• Harikrishnan’s coach, GM Shyamsundar Mohanraj, also coached India’s 86th grandmaster, Srihari LR.

Source: IE

2. Chelsea FC Wins FIFA Club World Cup, Completes Trophy Set

• What:
  • Chelsea FC won the FIFA Club World Cup™, achieving success in every major competition they have played.
• Tell me more:
  • The 2024/25 season was Chelsea’s first in the UEFA Conference League, where they won every group game and beat Real Betis 4-1 in the final.
  • Enzo Maresca led Chelsea to European success in his first season as coach.
  • The FIFA Club World Cup™ they won in 2025 was the first-ever edition of this tournament.

Source: FIFA

Appointments

1. Sabyasachi Couture Appoints Manish Chopra as CEO

• Sabyasachi Couture, majority-owned by Aditya Birla Group, has named Manish Chopra as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Source: BW

2. Sanjay Kaul Appointed MD & CEO of GIFT City

• Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as Managing Director and CEO of GIFT City Company Limited.

Source: IE

3. LIC Appoints R Doraiswamy as CEO and Managing Director

• R Doraiswamy took charge as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) from July 14, 2025.

Source: ET

4. Sonali Mishra Appointed First Woman DG of RPF

• What:
  • Senior IPS officer Sonali Mishra has been appointed as the first woman Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
• Tell me more:
  • The appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and her tenure will continue till October 31, 2026.
  • The RPF was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1957.
  • In 1966, the RPF received powers to enquire, arrest, and prosecute offenders for unlawful possession of railway property.
  • RPF was granted the status of an “armed force of the Union” on September 20, 1985.

Source: IE

5. Federal Bank Appoints Krishnan Venkat Subramanian as MD & CEO

• The Reserve Bank of India approved Krishnan Venkat Subramanian as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Bank, with his three-year term starting from September 23, 2024.

Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. Acclaimed Poet Andrea Gibson Passes Away at 49

• What:
  • Celebrated poet Andrea Gibson died at the age of 49 after a nearly four-year battle with terminal ovarian cancer.
• Tell me more:
  • Andrea Gibson was known for their spoken word poetry, LGBTQ activism, and social commentary.
  • Gibson served as Colorado’s poet laureate.
  • A documentary titled “Come See Me in the Good Light,” featuring Gibson and their wife Megan Falley, is set to release on Apple TV+ later this year and won the Festival Favorite award at the Sundance Film Festival.
  • Among Gibson’s notable poems are “The Nutritionist,” “Love Letter from the Afterlife,” “Say Yes,” “Ashes,” and “Birthday.”

Source: LM

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