12th-14th July 2025

1. Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Inaugurated VTU-VRIF-TCOE Hub & Spoke CoE in Bengaluru
2. MeitY & BITS Pilani Signed MoU to Launch Professional Development Programs in Cybersecurity
3. Forbes Releases America’s Richest Immigrants 2025 list: India Leads; Jay Chaudhry in Top 10
4. WTTC Releases Top 10 Global Tourism Economies for 2024-25: India Ranks 8, USA Tops the list
5. Asia Index Unveiled New BSE Insurance Index
6. KMBL and IndiGo Relaunch Co-Branded Credit Cards with IndiGo BluChip Rewards
7. CAMS Launches CAMSPay’s New Payment Gateway
8. AIIB Commits USD100 Million to IIFL Home Finance for Affordable Housing in India
9. Nvidia Becomes World’s First Company to Hit USD 4 Trillion Market Value
10. HUL Appoints Priya Nair as First Woman MD & CEO
11. International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica 2025 – 11 July
12. Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
13. Andre Russell Announces Retirement from International Cricket
14. IIM Kozhikode Launches ‘Gyanodaya’ A Centre for Pedagogical Innovation
15. Hemant Rupani Named New CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages
16. ACKO Becomes Tesla’s Insurance Partner in India
17. World’s Oldest Marathon Runner Fauja Singh Dies at 114
18. Taiwan’s CTBC Bank to Open New Unit in GIFT City
19. India’s Maratha Forts Added to UNESCO World Heritage List
20. Microsoft Launches BioEmu: A Groundbreaking AI to Accelerate Protein Research
21. Kumar Mangalam Birla Joins US-India Business Forum Board

National News

1. IIM Kozhikode Launches Gyanodaya Pedagogical Innovation Centre

• What:
  • The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K) has started the Gyanodaya Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Publishing to create a strong and inclusive knowledge ecosystem.
• Why:
  • The centre aims to improve how knowledge is created, shared, and contextualised, and support educational innovation in line with India’s National Education Policy.
• Tell me more:
  • Gyanodaya works under IIM-K’s ‘Vision 2047’ and focuses on pedagogical excellence, global relevance, and sharing of indigenous knowledge.
  • The centre develops and publishes peer-reviewed content such as case studies, simulations, monographs, books, and research notes.
  • Over 30 original case studies with teaching notes have already been published across subjects like marketing, finance, humanities, and liberal arts.
  • The Pandulipi online platform, built by IIM-K’s web team, supports the centre with seamless submissions and a three-stage peer review.

Source: TH

State News

1. VTU-VRIF-TCOE Centre of Excellence Launched in Bengaluru

• What:
  • Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the VTU-VRIF-TCOE Hub and Spoke of Excellence in Bengaluru, a centre that focuses on innovation in 5G/6G, AI, ML, AR/VR, quantum computing, healthcare, and other new technologies.
• Why:
  • The centre was launched to create a strong innovation ecosystem, support deep-tech research, and help startups grow through collaboration between academia and industry.
• Tell me more:
  • It is a joint effort of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF), and Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCOE) India.
  • Over 20 startups and 30 academic institutions are already part of this initiative.
  • Major technology firms like Keysight Technologies, QpiAI, and Televerge are supporting the project, and skill development is led by the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC).
  • The centre will focus on encouraging research and supporting new businesses in advanced tech fields.

Source: PIB

2. Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Project

• What:
  • Gujarat has become the first state in India to start a Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to better understand and improve healthcare for tribal communities.
• Why:
  • The project aims to identify genetic health risks in tribal populations and provide more personalised and effective healthcare solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • The project is led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) and will sequence the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities in 17 districts.
  • The goal is to create a genetic database for early detection and better treatment of inherited diseases like sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and certain cancers.
  • The initiative also includes finding natural immunity markers and linking health profiles to tailored medical care.
  • The project will use cutting-edge facilities for everything from collecting samples to interpreting genetic data.

Source: ET

3. Maratha Military Landscapes Gain UNESCO Heritage Status

• What:
  • UNESCO has granted World Heritage status to 12 historic Maratha forts across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, recognizing them as the Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
• Why:
  • The forts were chosen for their military innovation and strategic design, reflecting how the Maratha Empire used geography and planning to defend against powerful rivals.
• Tell me more:
  • The 12 forts include Shivneri, Salher, Lohagad, Raigad, Rajgad, Gingee, Pratapgad, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg.
  • These forts were built or strengthened between the 17th and 19th centuries, each serving a special role like hill, coastal, island, or forest defence.
  • Shivneri was Shivaji’s birthplace, Raigad served as the capital, and Suvarnadurg developed early naval defences.
  • With this inscription at UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee session in July 2025, India now has 44 World Heritage Sites and ranks sixth globally.
  • Approval followed a nomination process led by the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, and state governments.

Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. BSE Launches Sectoral Insurance Index for Investors

• What:
  • BSE, through its subsidiary Asia Index, has launched the BSE Insurance Index to track the performance of India’s listed insurance companies.
• Why:
  • The index aims to provide investors and fund managers with a dedicated tool to follow the insurance sector, improve diversification, and reduce concentration risks.
• Tell me more:
  • The index selects stocks from the BSE 1000 Index, including only insurance companies, uses a free-float adjusted market capitalization with a 25% cap per stock, and has a base value of 1000 backdated to 18 June 2018.
  • Currently, there are 12 insurance companies in the index, and it is reconstituted semi-annually in June and December to maintain updated representation.
  • Top-weighted companies include HDFC Life Insurance (25.19%) and SBI Life Insurance (23.81%), with others like ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Max Financial Services, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and LIC.
  • As of 30 June 2025, the index posted a 1-year total return of 21.92%, 3-year and 5-year annualized returns of 18.05% and 12.68% respectively, and a since-inception annualized return of 9.37%.
  • The index is designed for use with ETFs, Index Funds, PMS, mutual funds, and actively managed insurance portfolios.

Source: BS

2. Kotak Mahindra Bank and IndiGo Relaunch Co-branded Credit Cards

• What:
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank and IndiGo Airlines relaunched co-branded credit cards linked to IndiGo’s new BluChip loyalty program, offering travel rewards on regular spending.
• Why:
  • The cards aim to make banking more rewarding and travel more accessible by turning daily expenses into travel benefits for all types of travellers.
• Tell me more:
  • The new suite includes two options: IndiGo Kotak Credit Card for regular users and IndiGo Kotak Premium Credit Card for frequent travellers.

Source: N18

3. CAMSPay Launches Future-Ready Payment Gateway

• What:
  • Computer Age Management Services has launched CAMSPay’s New Payment Gateway to solve the challenges businesses face in India’s changing payment environment.
• Why:
  • The gateway is meant to help companies stay compliant, reduce risk, and improve customer trust with secure and reliable payment processing.
• Tell me more:
  • CAMSPay’s new gateway is designed to follow RBI guidelines, PCI DSS certification, and fulfill card tokenization and data localization rules.
  • The system aims to prevent errors and delays, handle high-volume transactions, and adapt to new compliance needs.
  • It is suitable for various businesses, such as e-commerce, mutual funds, and fintech firms managing recurring payments.
  • The gateway is now available for enterprises, startups, financial institutions, and digital platforms wanting better payment infrastructure.

Source: BS

5. Nvidia Reaches $4 Trillion Market Value Milestone

• What:
  • Nvidia briefly became the first company in the world to reach a market capitalization of $4 trillion, driven by record-high share prices and strong demand for artificial intelligence technology.
• Why:
  • The rapid rise in Nvidia’s value highlights investor confidence in the future of AI and shows that major companies are increasing their investments in artificial intelligence technologies.
• Tell me more:
  • Nvidia’s shares touched an all-time high of $164.42, ending the day with a 1.80% gain and a market value of $3.97 trillion.
  • The company’s value has tripled in about a year, reaching the milestone faster than Apple and Microsoft, which are the only other U.S. companies with values above $3 trillion.
  • Nvidia holds 7.3% of the S&P 500’s value, and its worth now exceeds the combined market value of all listed companies in the UK as well as the stock markets of Canada and Mexico combined.
  • Nvidia reported $44.1 billion in revenue for the first quarter, a 69% increase from the previous year, and expects $45 billion revenue for the next quarter.
  • The company’s stock has gained about 22% this year, outpacing the nearly 15% rise of the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index.

Source: RT

6. Tesla Partners with Insurers for India Market Entry

• What:
  • Tesla’s entry into the Indian market has led Liberty General Insurance and ACKO to become official insurance partners, offering tailored plans for Tesla vehicles.
• Why:
  • The partnerships and new protection products are aimed at providing specialised insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of electric vehicle (EV) users, supporting Tesla’s launch in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Liberty General Insurance has designed specific protection plans for Tesla, focusing on the car’s engineering and EV user needs.
  • ACKO is Tesla’s preferred insurance partner, providing a fully digital and seamless process from quote to claims.
  • Zurich Kotak General Insurance has introduced ‘EV Protect’, an add-on cover for electric vehicles under its Car Secure product, which also covers Tesla models.
  • ‘EV Protect’ aims to help EV owners drive with confidence, safety, and peace of mind.
  • These products mark a significant shift in India’s EV insurance landscape.

Source: ET

7. CTBC Bank Applies to Set Up IBU in GIFT City

• What:
  • CTBC Bank, the largest private bank from Taiwan, has applied to the International Financial Services Authority (IFSCA) to open an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT City.
• Why:
  • The application aims to expand the bank’s presence in India and serve both Taiwanese and local businesses in South Asia.
• Tell me more:
  • CTBC Bank plans to use over 3100 square feet in Brigade Towers within the GIFT SEZ area.
  • The bank already operates in India, having set up its first branch in New Delhi in 1996.
  • In January 2025, Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission approved CTBC Bank’s application to Indian authorities to establish a branch in GIFT City.
  • Taipei Fubon Bank also received approval from Taiwan this month to set up an IBU in GIFT City.
  • Recent applications from France, UAE, and now Taiwan indicate growing global interest in GIFT City.

Source: HBL

8. Microsoft Launches BioEmu AI for Protein Research

• What:
  • Microsoft has introduced BioEmu, an artificial intelligence system that quickly predicts how proteins behave in the human body, a process that usually takes years of computer simulations.
• Why:
  • The launch of BioEmu aims to speed up the understanding of protein movements, which is essential for understanding biology and advancing drug discovery.
• Tell me more:
  • BioEmu can predict the different shapes and movements that proteins take while functioning inside living organisms.
  • The AI was trained using vast amounts of molecular dynamics simulation data and more than 500,000 protein stability experiments.
  • BioEmu closely matches real-world protein stability data, with prediction errors of less than 1 kcal/mol and strong correlation scores above 0.6.
  • Unlike traditional methods requiring years of GPU computing, BioEmu completes simulations within hours, saving significant time and cost.
  • It can identify hard-to-detect changes in protein structure, such as hidden binding pockets that could be targeted by new drugs.

Source: LM

Reports and Indices

1. India Rises to Eighth in Global Tourism Economy

• What:
  • India has become the eighth-largest tourism economy in the world with a contribution of $231.6 billion in 2024, as per the World Travel & Tourism Council.
• Why:
  • This growth shows India’s increasing importance in global tourism and highlights its progress in the sector despite recent challenges.
• Tell me more:
  • The global tourism sector contributed $10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2023, with forecasts to reach $16 trillion by 2034, representing over 11% of global GDP.
  • In 2024, the United States led with $2,360 billion, followed by China ($1,300 billion); India moved up to eighth position from tenth.
  • India’s ranking in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 is 39th out of 119 countries and is the highest among lower-middle-income economies.
  • India is highly price-competitive (ranked 18th), with strong air transport (26th) and ground/port infrastructure (25th), as well as significant natural and cultural resources.
  • WTTC forecasts India to become the fourth-largest tourism economy within the next decade.

Source: IE

Awards

1. Forbes’ America’s Richest Immigrants 2025

• What:
  • The number of Indian-origin billionaires in the United States increased from five in 2022 to twelve in 2025, with Jay Chaudhry leading the group.
• Tell me more:
  • There are nearly 3,000 billionaires worldwide across 78 countries, with a combined wealth of $16.1 trillion.
  • About one-third of all billionaires live in the United States, and 14 per cent of them are foreign-born, holding $1.3 trillion.
  • Almost 93 per cent of foreign-born US billionaires are self-made, mainly in technology and finance.
  • Jay Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Zscaler, is ranked eighth with a net worth of $17.9 billion and owns about 40 per cent of the company.
  • The 2025 list includes high-profile leaders like Sundar Pichai (Alphabet CEO), Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO), and Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks CEO).
• Top 10 richest Indian-origin (billionaires) in the United States 2025:

• Top 10 richest foreign-origin (billionaires) in the United States 2025:
  

Source: IE

Important Days

1. International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica 2025 – 11 July

• What:
  • In July 1995, the Bosnian Serb army captured Srebrenica, a UN-declared safe area, and killed thousands of Bosnian Muslim men and teenagers.
• Why:
  • The attack aimed to remove the Bosnian Muslim population from Srebrenica during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the breakup of Yugoslavia.
• Tell me more:
  • The massacre in Srebrenica was the largest in Europe since the Holocaust.
  • Over 100,000 people lost their lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995, with two million displaced.
  • About 25,000 women, children, and elderly were forcibly transferred out of Srebrenica.

Source: UN

Sports

1. Andre Russell Announces Retirement from International Cricket

• West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has announced his retirement from international cricket and will play his final matches during the upcoming T20I series against Australia at home.

Source: HT

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Professional Cybersecurity Programs Launched by MeitY and BITS-Pilani

• What:
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and BITS-Pilani have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch professional development programs in cybersecurity for professionals in government, public sector, and industry.
• Why:
  • The program aims to strengthen India’s cyber defense capabilities and develop a skilled cybersecurity workforce to face new digital threats.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative is open to professionals from government, public sector, and industry.
  • The collaboration is intended to meet the rising demand for structured and effective cybersecurity training.
  • The focus is on building capacity due to evolving cyber threats.

Source: NOA

Appointments

1. Priya Nair Appointed as First Woman CEO of HUL

• Priya Nair will become the new managing director and CEO of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), succeeding Rohit Jawa, who steps down on July 31.
• Priya Nair will be the first woman to lead HUL as CEO and MD.

Source: BS

2. Hemant Rupani Appointed CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages

• Hemant Rupani will become the new chief executive officer of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), taking charge on 8 September, and will succeed Juan Pablo Rodriguez.
• HCCB is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in India.
• In December 2024, Coca-Cola announced that Jubilant Bhartia Group would acquire a 40 percent stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings, HCCB’s parent company.

Source: BS

3. Kumar Mangalam Birla Joins USISPF Executive Committee

• What:
  • Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has joined the Board of Directors of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) as an Executive Committee member.
• Tell me more:
  • Birla’s appointment comes shortly after receiving the Global Leadership Award at the 2025 USISPF Leadership Summit in Washington, DC.
  • Aditya Birla Group is the largest Indian greenfield investor in the US with over $15 billion investments across 15 states, in sectors like metals, carbon black, and chemicals.
  • The group’s US-based subsidiary, Novelis, is the world’s largest aluminium recycling company and has contributed to the revival of the US manufacturing sector.

Source: TOI

Miscellaneous

1. Fauja Singh, Oldest Marathon Runner, Dies at 114

• Fauja Singh, known as the world’s oldest marathon runner, died at the age of 114 after being hit by a vehicle in Jalandhar, Punjab.
• Singh was nicknamed the “Turbaned Tornado” for his marathon achievements.

Source: HT

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