Current Affairs - July 3, 2025 Current Affairs

Ravi Shastri, a former Indian cricketer and head coach of the Indian national team, was among the eleven sportspersons recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai. His illustrious cricketing career, followed by his impactful tenure as coach, made him a deserving recipient. The award ceremony also honoured other notable figures from diverse sports such as billiards, shooting, chess, hockey, and badminton, including names like Shubhangi Kulkarni and Michael Ferreira. Shastri’s contribution to Indian cricket, both on and off the field, has been widely acknowledged, and this award stands as a testament to his enduring legacy in sports.

Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu has been chosen as the site for a state-of-the-art PM MITRA Textile Park, with an investment of ₹1,900 crore sanctioned by the Central Government. Spanning 1,052 acres, the park will feature sustainable and modern infrastructure, including a 15 MLD Zero Liquid Discharge effluent treatment plant, a 10,000-bed dormitory for workers, and over 1.3 million sq. ft. of ready-to-use industrial space. Aimed at promoting integrated textile manufacturing and export-oriented production, the project is expected to attract ₹10,000 crore in private investment and generate over one lakh jobs by 2026, positioning India as a global textile manufacturing powerhouse.

The Jan Suraksha Santrupti Abhiyan was launched in Gujarat by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. This campaign is focused on identifying citizens who are eligible but have not yet benefited from various central and state welfare schemes. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in benefit delivery by ensuring that people get access to schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, and Jan Dhan Yojana. It reflects the state's commitment to inclusive governance and social security for all sections of the population.

Ghana has launched a climate-resilient wheat initiative in collaboration with India, specifically through Arima Farms and the CSIR-Crops Research Institute. This strategic move is part of Ghana’s broader goal to reduce its heavy reliance on wheat imports, which currently amount to over $400 million annually. By enhancing local agricultural productivity with resilient wheat varieties, Ghana aims to promote food security and self-sufficiency. The partnership is also a key example of South-South cooperation, highlighting how countries in the Global South are leveraging joint innovation and technology to tackle shared challenges in food and agriculture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Ghana's national honour, 'Officer of the Order of the Star,' by President John Mahama during his visit to the country.

C-FLOOD is India’s first unified flood forecasting platform, launched by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, on July 2, 2025. Developed collaboratively by C-DAC, CWC, and NRSC under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), this innovative platform aims to provide two-day advance flood forecasts down to the village level. It integrates 2-D hydrodynamic modelling and real-time data from multiple river basins, including Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi. C-FLOOD serves as a vital decision-support tool for disaster management authorities, enabling timely evacuations and preparedness. Its web-based design and integration with emergency response portals enhance India’s resilience to flood-related disasters.

Sri Lanka, through General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Colombo, initiated a Hindi Language Learning Programme in partnership with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), which operates under the Indian High Commission. This course is part of an effort to enhance cultural and educational ties between India and Sri Lanka. Offered as an undergraduate elective, it is accessible to both military and civilian students. The initiative reflects the deepening of cultural diplomacy between the two nations and recognizes the significance of Hindi as a bridge for mutual understanding, regional integration, and people-to-people connections in South Asia.

The first National Conference of Urban Local Body (ULB) Chairpersons was held in Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana, on July 3–4, 2025. Inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the event brought together chairpersons from States and Union Territories to deliberate on urban governance, local innovation, and inclusive development. The venue, ICAT in Manesar, was chosen to host key discussions on strengthening ULBs' roles in constitutional democracy and contributing to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The two-day event also featured thematic presentations, a valedictory address by the Governor of Haryana, and visits to national institutions to inspire civic leadership.

Indore became the first Indian city to implement a QR-based digital house address system, marking a transformative step in urban governance. Under this initiative, each household receives a metal plate with a unique QR code embedded with GPS coordinates, allowing precise property identification. This system is integrated with the national Digipin platform and facilitates services like tax payments and grievance redressal through mobile scanning. Launched as a pilot in Ward 82 of Sudama Nagar, the project is aligned with India’s Smart Cities and Digital India missions, aiming to streamline civic services and create a scalable, tech-driven model for other cities.

In a major milestone for global telecommunications, Reliance Jio surpassed T-Mobile to become the world’s largest Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) provider in 2025. With over 20 million FWA subscribers driven by its innovative Jio AirFiber service, Jio's rapid expansion has revolutionised internet access in India. The company’s 5G-powered plug-and-play broadband solution offers affordable connectivity starting at ₹599/month, helping bridge the digital divide in rural and underserved regions. Covering 98% of India's population with its 5G network, Jio’s model of scalable, low-cost FWA delivery is now seen as a blueprint by telecom companies in other developing countries.

The 'Mukhya Mantri Pratigya' scheme was launched by the government of Bihar under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The scheme aims to tackle youth unemployment by providing financial assistance to students for undertaking internship programs after they pass their class 12 examinations. This initiative not only encourages students to gain practical experience in their chosen fields but also helps bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. By offering paid internships, the scheme promotes skill development and enhances employability among the state's youth.

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) launched the SPREE 2025 scheme, aimed at enhancing social security coverage by encouraging unregistered employers and workers to voluntarily register under the ESI Act, 1948. Running from July 1 to December 31, 2025, the scheme offers simplified digital registration through portals like ESIC, Shram Suvidha, and MCA. It provides immunity from past inspections and contribution demands, removing a major deterrent for employers. By covering contractual, temporary, and gig workers, SPREE 2025 promotes inclusivity and seeks to strengthen the social safety net for India’s vast informal and underserved workforce.

Fintech firm Slice has pioneered India's first fully UPI-powered bank branch in Bengaluru's Koramangala area, marking a significant shift in digital banking. The branch features UPI-enabled ATMs and introduces the slice UPI credit card - a no-fee product offering 3% cashback and interest-free EMI options. This launch represents Slice's evolution from a digital-only platform to an integrated banking service provider with its own infrastructure. By combining credit facilities with UPI's convenience, Slice aims to expand financial inclusion, particularly for underserved segments, while redefining point-of-sale credit access in India's banking landscape.