Current Affairs - July 13, 2025 Current Affairs

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) carried out two successful hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) on July 3, 2025, at its Propulsion Complex located in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This facility is crucial for propulsion-related development and testing. These hot tests simulated real flight conditions to ensure the system's performance and reliability under operational stress. The successful validation at Mahendragiri marked a significant milestone in ISRO’s preparations for India’s first human spaceflight mission under the Gaganyaan programme. The choice of this location reflects its specialised infrastructure for high-precision propulsion experiments.

Arthunkal Police Station, located in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, made history by becoming India’s first police station to earn the IS/ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The certification, awarded on July 10, 2025, acknowledges the station's excellence in crime prevention, investigation, public grievance redressal, and community policing. The recognition aligns with Kerala Police’s broader initiative to modernise policing under the Modernised Cherthala Police Programme. This achievement sets a national benchmark, highlighting how structured reforms and adherence to global quality standards can elevate public trust and operational efficiency in law enforcement.

Abhijit Kishore, the Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone Idea Ltd, was reappointed as the Chairperson of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) for the 2025–26 term during its Annual General Body meeting held on July 9, 2025, in New Delhi. With over 30 years of experience in the telecom sector, Kishore has been instrumental in steering Vodafone Idea through key industry transitions. His reappointment reflects the confidence the industry has in his leadership, especially as India pushes forward with 5G deployment and broader digital infrastructure goals. His continued role ensures strategic consistency at a time of significant technological evolution.

Tata Motors collaborated with the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) to launch a five-year partnership aimed at helping tribal students gain practical job training and engineering diplomas through the Kaushalya Program. This “Learn and Earn” model gives eligible Class 12 graduates of Eklavya Model Residential Schools an opportunity to gain real-world experience while studying. Students are also offered stipends, meals, uniforms, insurance, and potential employment through the “One Trainee, One Job” promise. The collaboration represents a major step in empowering tribal youth with technical skills and long-term employment opportunities.

On July 11, 2025, UNESCO recognised three historical sites in Cambodia—Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, M-13 prison, and Choeung Ek Killing Fields—as World Heritage Sites. These places were used by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 for torture, imprisonment, and executions, during which nearly 1.7 million people died. This is Cambodia's first inscription of modern historical sites linked to recent conflict and genocide, marking a significant step in acknowledging painful modern history. The move aims to honour victims, educate future generations, and ensure that such tragedies are never repeated. The recognition also promotes peace, remembrance, and healing.

Varsha Deshpande, a dedicated women's rights activist from Satara, Maharashtra, was awarded the 2025 United Nations Population Award for her pioneering efforts in preventing sex-selective abortions and advancing gender equality. Over three decades, she has led campaigns that challenge patriarchal norms, exposed illegal abortion practices, and supported legal reforms through her organisation, Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal. Her activism has particularly focused on marginalised women and girls, especially from Dalit communities. The award was presented on World Population Day in New York, recognising her powerful grassroots impact and contributions to reproductive rights and women’s dignity in India.

Babitha B P was appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at the State Bank of India in June 2025. In her new position, she will be responsible for leading infrastructure security and overseeing special cybersecurity projects, ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of SBI’s digital banking platforms. With rising digital threats in the financial sector, her appointment reflects the bank’s commitment to strengthening cyber resilience. It also highlights the increasing recognition of women leaders in tech and cybersecurity, marking a significant step toward both security innovation and gender inclusivity in India's banking industry.

The Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 was inaugurated by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary on July 12, 2025, in New Delhi. The event, themed “Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade,” focused on enhancing India's trade mechanisms through improved testing and compliance systems. It was organised by the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The choice of New Delhi as the venue underscores its status as a hub for major government-led initiatives and international conferences, especially those related to finance and trade development.

India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2070. This long-term environmental goal is backed by various initiatives, including the newly launched electric truck incentive scheme under the PM E-DRIVE programme. Introduced on July 12, 2025, this scheme supports eco-friendly freight movement by offering up to ₹9.6 lakh in subsidies per electric truck, thereby encouraging adoption in high-emission sectors like logistics, cement, and steel. The move is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of heavy-duty transportation, which currently contributes a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in India.

Uttarakhand is set to celebrate the Harela festival on July 16, 2025, by planting more than 5 lakh saplings across the state, aiming to break its previous plantation record. The event is themed “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Harela Ka Tyohar Manao, Dharti Maa Ka Rin Chukao,” promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Saplings will be planted across public and residential areas, and the initiative will see participation from schools, local communities, and government bodies. This ambitious drive reflects Uttarakhand’s strong commitment to green initiatives and climate-conscious development.