Current Affairs - July 16, 2025 Current Affairs

India’s first Aqua Tech Park was inaugurated in Sonapur, near Guwahati, Assam, by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The park aims to introduce advanced fish farming technologies such as aquaponics and biofloc systems to boost fish production and increase farmers' income. Set up by the NGO Kolong Kopili in collaboration with NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, Selco Foundation, and the Fishery Department, the park is designed to modernise aquaculture in Assam. Despite being rich in water resources, Assam has traditionally relied on other states for fish. This park will empower local farmers and youth by offering training and creating employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.

The revival of the historic Machilipatnam port in Andhra Pradesh is a major infrastructure project with its completion expected by the end of 2026. Construction is already nearly halfway done, with workers operating in two shifts and major engineering tasks like dredging and breakwater building underway. The project faced several delays since 2007, but gained momentum after the formation of the Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation in 2020. With an investment of ₹5,155 crore, the first phase includes four berths and uses advanced techniques like tetrapod placement to manage sea waves. The operational target year is set for 2026, promising significant regional economic growth.

Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, was appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) in Gandhinagar on July 15, 2025. He will serve on deputation for three years, replacing Tapan Ray. Kaul brings extensive administrative experience, including previous roles in Gujarat, where he led the Tourism Corporation and Gujarat Informatics Ltd. Prior to this, he was serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Culture. As CEO of GIFT City, Kaul will oversee one of India’s most ambitious smart city projects aimed at becoming a global financial services hub.

Fauja Singh, famously known as the ‘Turbaned Tornado’, was the world’s oldest marathon runner who passed away at the age of 114 after a tragic accident on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway in Punjab. Born in 1911, he took up running at 89 and completed multiple marathons across major global cities like London, New York, and Toronto. He also carried the Olympic torch for both the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics. Fauja Singh became a global symbol of strength, endurance, and fitness in old age, featuring alongside sports icons like Muhammad Ali and David Beckham in international campaigns.

Himachal Pradesh launched the ‘My Deed’ NGDRS (National Generic Document Registration System) pilot project on July 11, 2025, aiming to digitise and simplify land registration. Spearheaded by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, this project allows citizens to register property online, requiring just one visit to the tehsil office. The initiative is currently active in ten tehsils across ten districts, including Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, and Shimla. The project is part of a broader push toward paperless and transparent governance, accompanied by other digital reforms like e-Roznamcha and Kaarguzari to enhance efficiency and accountability in the revenue sector.

India plans to test Japan’s E5 Shinkansen bullet train on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor, which is part of its high-speed rail initiative. This 508-km route is the designated stretch for the trial and eventual commercial use of both E5 and the upcoming E10 (Alfa-X) Shinkansen, which is expected to run by 2030. The corridor is a key part of India’s transportation modernisation efforts, with trains designed to operate at very high speeds using advanced technology like Automatic Train Control (ATC), eliminating the need for traditional trackside signals.

A team of scientists from the Beijing Institute of Technology in China developed the world’s lightest brain controller, weighing only 74 milligrams, designed to guide the flight of bees. This breakthrough turns bees into insect cyborgs capable of being used for military and rescue operations in areas that are difficult for humans or machines to access. The device works by sending electronic signals through tiny needles inserted into the bee’s brain, allowing precise control of its movements. Inspired by earlier efforts in Singapore, this Chinese version is significantly lighter and represents a major advancement in bio-robotics and mind-machine interfaces.

In the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026, New Delhi was recognised as the world’s most affordable student city, earning a top score of 96.5 on the affordability index. This achievement reflects the city’s low cost of education and living, combined with its academic strengths through institutions like IIT Delhi and the University of Delhi. Delhi also performed well in employer activity, ranking within the global top 50 for graduate employability. Alongside Delhi, other Indian cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai also climbed in rankings, highlighting India’s growing presence as a global education hub under initiatives like NEP 2020 and Study in India.

India’s first RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) ferry service on the Mandovi River was launched in Goa on July 14, 2025. This service connects Chorao Island and Ribandar, significantly reducing travel time and improving daily commuting. The ferries, named Gangotri and Dwarka, are designed to carry both passengers and vehicles, and feature modern amenities like air-conditioned seating and emergency medical kits. Operated under the BOOT model by Vijai Marine Shipyards, the service was implemented with no cost to the state government. The project aims to enhance water transport in Goa and boost tourism in the region.

On July 13, 2025, Israel successfully launched its most advanced communications satellite, Dror-1, into space using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, USA. Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Dror-1 is designed to meet Israel’s communication needs for the next 15 years across military, government, and civilian sectors. The satellite, weighing 4.5 tonnes and equipped with large antennas, will operate in geostationary orbit, delivering secure and high-capacity communication services. The launch highlights Israel’s technological capabilities in space and its partnership with private firms like SpaceX to enhance national infrastructure through advanced satellite systems.

The Sigandur cable-stayed bridge, inaugurated on July 16, 2025, by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, is located in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. Spanning 2.44 km across the Sharavathi backwaters, it is India’s second-longest cable-stayed bridge and significantly enhances road connectivity between Sagara and Sigandur, especially for pilgrims visiting the Chowdeshwari Temple. Built at a cost of over ₹470 crore, the bridge restores vital access lost after the construction of the Linganamakki dam in the 1960s. This project is part of Karnataka’s broader highway development push, which includes several major corridors and improvements in road infrastructure across the state.