Current Affairs - July 15, 2025 Current Affairs

India’s first digital nomad village was launched in Yakten, located in the Pakyong district of Sikkim, on July 15, 2025. The initiative, named ‘Nomad Sikkim’, is a collaborative effort between the Pakyong district administration and the NGO Sarvahitey. It offers broadband-equipped homestays for remote workers, enabling a blend of modern work life with traditional rural living. The village is equipped with strong internet connectivity, reliable power backups, and cultural experiences like local cuisine and folk performances. This model addresses seasonal income gaps for homestay owners and aims to inspire similar developments in other rural parts of India.

Prajakta Koli, popularly known by her YouTube handle @MostlySane, became the first Indian to be featured on the TIME100 Creators List in 2025. She has been a major force in digital entertainment since launching her comedy YouTube channel in 2015. Beyond content creation, she authored her debut novel Too Good to Be True in 2024 and actively supports social causes, having partnered with Michelle Obama to promote girls’ education globally. Additionally, she was named India’s first UNDP Youth Climate Champion, highlighting her influence not just in entertainment but also in global advocacy efforts.

ACKO, a leading digital insurance provider in India, has partnered with Tesla to provide insurance solutions for its electric vehicles as the company enters the Indian market. This collaboration is aimed at offering a seamless, fully digital insurance experience, from policy purchase to claim settlement. The plans will be specifically tailored to suit the unique requirements of electric vehicles, including Tesla’s high-performance models. By integrating insurance into the EV purchase process, this move simplifies car ownership and supports the broader adoption of electric mobility in India, aligning with the country's sustainability and clean energy goals.

R Doraiswamy has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), starting July 15, 2025, and will serve until August 28, 2028. He brings over 38 years of experience at LIC across departments such as operations, marketing, IT, and pensions. Before his appointment, he served as Executive Director (IT/Software Development). His selection followed recommendations by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau and was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. This leadership change is significant for LIC, India’s largest insurer, ensuring stable and experienced guidance in a key financial institution.

The United Kingdom is set to invest €163 million in Eutelsat, acquiring a 10.89% stake in the satellite communication firm. Eutelsat, backed by the Bharti Group, is the world’s second-largest satellite communications provider, positioned as a competitor to Starlink. This investment increases Eutelsat’s capital raise from €1.35 billion to €1.50 billion and reflects the UK’s strategic move to diversify its state ownership in critical communication infrastructure. Alongside the UK’s investment, Bharti is also contributing an additional €150 million, reinforcing the company's global positioning and financial stability in the space communication industry.

The Behdeinkhlam Festival is celebrated in Jowai, located in the West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. This sacred festival belongs to the Pnār community and translates to “driving away the plague.” It holds deep spiritual meaning, symbolising the community’s efforts toward spiritual cleansing, resilience, and unity. The celebrations are marked by colourful processions, rhythmic drumbeats, and the parading of large, decorated wooden structures called Rots. The festival blends ancient tradition with modern themes, reflecting both the heritage and evolving identity of the region. It remains a vital expression of Meghalaya’s cultural richness and community spirit.

India and Greece conducted a joint PASSEX (Passing Exercise) in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai on July 10, 2025. This exercise featured key naval units like the Indian Navy's INS Tarkash and the Greek Navy’s HS Psara. The drill included cross-deck helicopter landings, tactical maneuvers, and communication exercises, aimed at improving interoperability and mutual understanding. It highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and Greece, especially after the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023. Naval cooperation like PASSEX reflects shared interests in maritime security and broader defence collaboration between the two nations.

World Youth Skills Day is celebrated every year on July 15, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The day was first observed in 2015 and aims to emphasise the crucial role of skills development in enhancing youth employment, fostering decent work opportunities, and encouraging entrepreneurship. In 2025, the event marks its 10th anniversary with the theme “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” focusing on equipping young people with modern tools and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. The day serves as a global platform to recognise and promote youth skill-building efforts.

The 7th Regional Committee Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the Asia-Pacific region is scheduled to be held in Colombo. This meeting will focus on accelerating solar energy adoption, fostering cross-border solar interconnections, and promoting emerging clean technologies across the region. The ISA, co-founded by India and France in 2015, is headquartered in Gurugram, India, and plays a key role in uniting countries to harness solar power for sustainable development. Hosting the meeting in Colombo underscores Sri Lanka’s growing role in regional renewable energy initiatives and its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Hemant Rupani has been announced as the new CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCB), with his term beginning on September 8, 2025. He will take over from Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who is moving to a different role within the Coca-Cola system. Rupani brings over 20 years of experience from global companies, most recently serving as Business Unit President for Southeast Asia at Mondelez International. His leadership background across FMCG, telecom, and technology—including key roles at PepsiCo, Vodafone, and Infosys—positions him well to guide HCCB’s next phase of growth and strengthen its presence in the Indian beverage market.

Raghavendra S Bhat was appointed as the interim Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka Bank effective 16 July 2025, following the resignation of the former MD & CEO, Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma. With over four decades of experience at Karnataka Bank, Bhat joined as a clerk in 1981 and rose through the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer in 2019. His appointment as interim CEO is for a three-month period or until a permanent successor is appointed. His longstanding association with the bank ensures operational stability during this leadership transition phase.

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the Wimbledon 2025 men’s doubles title, marking their first Grand Slam victory as a team. They were seeded fifth in the tournament and defeated Rinky Hijikata and David Pel in the final. The British duo had an impressive season, also winning at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne. Their victory is especially historic, as they became the first all-British team to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles title since Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey in 1936, ending an 89-year wait for Britain in this category.

Punjab has approved the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, with the goal of enforcing strict punishment for sacrilegious acts against holy texts. This legislative step reflects the state's intent to safeguard religious sentiments and maintain communal harmony. Alongside this bill, the Punjab Cabinet also passed the Punjab State Development Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Punjab Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2025. These approvals collectively demonstrate the state's active engagement in strengthening both religious protections and administrative reforms within its legislative framework.

CTBC Bank, Taiwan’s largest private sector bank, has applied to open an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Banking Unit in GIFT City, Gujarat. This move is part of Taiwan’s broader push to expand its financial presence in India and strengthen bilateral economic ties. CTBC Bank already has a long-standing presence in India, having opened its first branch in New Delhi in 1996. The new unit at GIFT City will offer international banking services and occupy over 3,100 sq. ft. in Brigade Towers. This initiative also reflects Taiwan’s interest in supporting its banking sector’s global growth, especially in South Asia.

Gujarat emerged as the top producer of processed potatoes in India during 2024–25, a significant milestone in the agricultural sector. This achievement is largely attributed to the state's modern farming techniques, effective government support, and strong infrastructure, including advanced cold storage facilities. Districts like Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli have shown exceptional performance, particularly Banaskantha, which recorded 18.70 lakh tonnes of output. The potatoes grown—such as Lady Rosetta and Kufri Chipsona—are ideal for making French fries and chips, aligning with global standards. Gujarat's success is also boosting exports and reducing India’s dependency on potato imports.

BITS Pilani is set to establish India’s first AI Plus Campus in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. Announced on July 14, 2025, this groundbreaking project aims to offer high-quality education in Artificial Intelligence and allied fields. The campus will feature modern infrastructure, including smart buildings, renewable energy, and IoT-based services, and is designed to provide global exposure through university partnerships and industry internships. The initiative is aligned with Andhra Pradesh's broader vision of becoming a hub for advanced education and aims to tackle real-world challenges using AI in agriculture, healthcare, and climate resilience.

The Indian Army's ‘Prachand Shakti’ military drill was held in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, by the Ram Division under the Kharga Corps. This high-tech demonstration focused on integrating advanced technologies like drones, AI-enabled systems, and loitering munitions into battlefield operations. The exercise aimed to showcase how these innovations can enhance infantry performance in strike operations, making soldiers more agile and resilient. As part of the Army’s ‘Year of Tech Absorption’ initiative, this event also emphasised the importance of indigenous defence technologies and reducing dependency on foreign equipment to strengthen national security and operational readiness.