Current Affairs - July 4, 2025 Current Affairs

The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival is set to take place in Srinagar, specifically on the iconic Dal Lake. This event marks a significant step in promoting water sports in India and is expected to attract over 400 athletes from across 36 States and Union Territories. The festival will include five water sports—kayaking and canoeing, rowing, water skiing, shikara race, and dragon boat—making it a landmark event in Indian aquatic sports. Srinagar, with its scenic lake and cultural heritage, has been chosen as the ideal venue to host this large-scale sports initiative.

Puducherry became the first Union Territory in India to integrate tuberculosis (TB) screening into the Family Adoption Programme, a unique health initiative where medical students adopt and monitor families over time. This innovation allows for routine TB checks, early detection, and improved access to care, significantly boosting community health outreach. Additionally, Puducherry introduced verbal autopsies to study TB-related mortality and involved all nine of its medical colleges in the process. These colleges are central to identifying cases, conducting diagnostics, and supporting treatment, making Puducherry a model for combining education, technology, and healthcare in public health policy.

Sunil Jayawant Kadam has been appointed as the Executive Director at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), bringing nearly three decades of experience within the organization. His new responsibilities span key departments such as Information Technology, Investor Assistance and Education, Economic and Policy Analysis, and General Services. Kadam's prior leadership roles, including Registrar at the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) and Regional Director at SEBI’s Northern Regional Office, have given him in-depth exposure to market operations and regulatory practices. His appointment is expected to enhance SEBI’s technological and regulatory infrastructure, strengthen market oversight, and protect investor interests.

In July 2025, Pakistan assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a position that rotates monthly among the 15 member states. As president, Pakistan committed to leading with transparency, inclusivity, and a focus on peace and multilateral cooperation. The country, currently serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Council, announced plans to host high-level meetings addressing global peace, the Palestine issue, and collaboration with organisations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Pakistan’s leadership in the UNSC during this month underscores its diplomatic engagement and commitment to upholding the principles of the UN Charter.

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) inaugurated its first overseas Representative Office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This strategic move aims to strengthen SAIL’s presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, taking advantage of Dubai’s investor-friendly environment, robust infrastructure, and proximity to emerging steel markets. The office will facilitate direct interaction with international clients, enhance exports, and contribute to India's National Steel Vision of increasing steel production capacity. Dubai’s central role in global trade makes it an ideal location for SAIL’s expansion, supporting its goal of evolving into a globally competitive steel producer.

On July 3, 2025, Russia officially recognised the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group's return to power in 2021. The Russian Foreign Ministry removed the Taliban from its list of banned organisations and formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador. This move is significant not only because Russia is a major global power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but also because it may influence other countries’ foreign policies towards Afghanistan. The decision reflects a strategic choice to engage with the current power structure in Afghanistan based on realpolitik considerations.

Gujarat has become the third state in India to surpass the milestone of one crore registered stock market investors, following Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. This significant achievement reflects the growing financial awareness and participation among citizens in the western state. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) highlighted this in its latest data, showing that Gujarat, along with Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, now accounts for a substantial 36% of India's total investor base. The development is part of a broader trend of increasing retail participation in equities across India, despite a slowdown in the growth rate of new investor registrations in early 2025.

The State Bank of India (SBI) inaugurated two new Global Trade Finance Centres in the cities of Kolkata and Hyderabad to strengthen its role in international trade facilitation. These centres aim to modernise the import-export process by implementing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and document digitization. With over 800 trained professionals, the centres are set to provide faster, more secure, and efficient services for businesses. This move aligns with SBI’s broader vision of digital transformation in global trade and enhances India's position in the international market by streamlining trade processes and reducing dependence on traditional paper-based methods.

Air Marshal S. Sivakumar has taken over as the Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi. With over 35 years of service in the Indian Air Force since his commissioning in 1990, Sivakumar has held several key administrative and operational roles, including serving with the UN Mission in Congo and overseeing air base functions. He holds advanced degrees in Human Resource Management and Strategic Studies and previously served as Director General (Administration). Recognized with the Vishisht Seva Medal, his new role places him in charge of crucial administrative functions within the IAF, reflecting his vast experience and leadership capabilities.

Shubman Gill etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first Indian and Asian Test captain to score a double hundred in England, achieving the feat at Edgbaston. This remarkable performance also saw him break the record for the highest individual score by an Indian on English soil, previously held by Sunil Gavaskar, who scored 221 runs at the Oval in 1979. Gill's double century not only surpassed Gavaskar's record but also went beyond the 193-run mark set by Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan at Lord’s in 2011, making it a historic moment for Asian cricket.