Current Affairs - July 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his resignation on the first day of the Monsoon Session, citing health reasons. As per constitutional protocol under Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, the resignation was addressed to the President of India, who currently is Droupadi Murmu. The resignation took immediate effect, and Dhankhar also stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. During his departure, he reflected on the honour of serving as Vice President and praised India’s economic progress and its increasing stature on the global stage.

India has been officially confirmed by FIDE as the host nation for the 2025 Chess World Cup, which will take place from October 30 to November 27, 2025. The tournament will follow a knockout format and feature 206 players, with the top three securing spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Although the specific host city is yet to be announced, this event marks another significant milestone in India’s growing presence in global chess. India has already hosted major events like the 2022 Chess Olympiad, the Tata Steel Chess India, the 2024 World Junior Championships, and the 2025 Women’s Grand Prix (5th leg).

The state government that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Bombay is Maharashtra. The agreement is part of an initiative to provide a Public Policy Certificate Course to fellows participating in the Chief Minister’s (CM) Fellowship Programme. The MoU was signed in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis, highlighting the government's focus on improving governance and encouraging innovative approaches in public service. Initiated in 2015, the CM Fellowship Programme is now being expanded to the district level, demonstrating Maharashtra’s continued commitment to strengthening public administration through strategic partnerships.

Maharashtra has taken a strategic step by signing an MoU with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. This initiative is focused on empowering rural youth by training and certifying them for roles in the rapidly growing creators’ economy, which has seen remarkable growth—from ₹92,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore in just 100 days. The collaboration also introduces state-level FTII admissions, thereby opening up opportunities for youth from villages and small towns to pursue careers in the film and media industry. This move underscores Maharashtra’s focus on inclusive development in creative sectors.

Bihar has set a new benchmark in electoral reforms by becoming the first state in India to reduce the maximum number of electors per polling station to below 1,200. This change, implemented through the State Instructional Representation (SIR) order dated June 24, 2025, aims to reduce overcrowding and enhance voter convenience. As a result of this initiative, the number of polling stations in the state increased by 12,817, taking the total to 90,712 from the earlier 77,895. The revised cap, down from the previous 1,500 voters per booth, is a significant step toward more efficient and accessible election management.

The NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application) Seva Centre was inaugurated in New Delhi on July 21, 2025, marking a key milestone in India's journey toward paperless and transparent legislative processes. Spearheaded by the Delhi Legislative Assembly and supported by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, this initiative aligns with the broader “One Nation, One Application” concept. The project aims to digitise all legislative documents and operations, thereby reducing paper usage, enhancing accessibility, and supporting eco-friendly governance. Features include smartphone-based access to legislative information, dedicated training sessions, and a state-of-the-art centre equipped with high-speed systems to facilitate digital lawmaking.

World Brain Health Day is observed every year on July 22 to highlight the importance of neurological well-being and the need for preventive care across all age groups. Established by the World Federation of Neurology in 2014, the day aims to increase awareness about brain-related disorders such as dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. The 2025 theme, “Brain Health for All Ages,” emphasises inclusive access to neurological care and the need for early interventions. Activities on this day encourage healthier lifestyles involving adequate sleep, exercise, and diet, along with promoting mental resilience and neuroplasticity for better brain health throughout life.

Tamil Nadu has approved the establishment of a dedicated Hornbill Conservation Centre at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Coimbatore. This initiative is aimed at protecting hornbill species native to the Western Ghats, including the Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill. Funded by ₹1 crore from the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund, the centre will focus on scientific research, ecological restoration, and community involvement. Key activities will include nest monitoring, habitat restoration with native trees, and a nest adoption programme. The project reflects Tamil Nadu’s commitment to avian conservation and biodiversity protection in a critical ecological zone.

The State Bank of India (SBI) made history on July 22, 2025, by raising ₹25,000 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), marking the largest such fundraising in the Indian capital market. The issue was oversubscribed 4.5 times, reflecting immense investor confidence in SBI’s robust fundamentals, long-term growth strategy, and India’s economic outlook. The QIP attracted significant interest from both foreign and domestic institutional investors and was priced at a premium of ₹817 per share. The capital raised will enhance SBI’s Common Equity Tier-1 ratio, support credit expansion across retail, MSME, and corporate segments, and bolster its leadership in digital banking and financial resilience.

National Mango Day is celebrated every year on July 22 in India to honour the mango, often referred to as the "king of fruits." The mango holds significant cultural, historical, and economic importance in the country. India not only leads the world in mango production and export but also has a rich history of mango cultivation spanning over 4,000 years. The fruit is deeply interwoven with Indian folklore, literature, and traditions. Observing this day helps promote awareness of mango’s heritage and supports its appreciation as a seasonal delicacy primarily available during the summer months.

In 2025, the Government of Puducherry introduced a One-Time Regularisation Scheme (OTRS) aimed at addressing decades of unauthorised constructions and violations of approved building plans. Applicable to structures built between May 1, 1987 and July 16, 2025, the scheme enables property owners to legalise their buildings through a transparent digital platform—the Online Building Permission System (OBPS) developed by NIC. The initiative helps streamline urban planning, improve access to essential utilities, and reduce legal disputes. With structured fees, exemptions for government buildings, and incentives for educational institutions, Puducherry’s OTRS reflects a balanced approach to urban regularisation and compliance.

Gita Gopinath, a renowned Indian-American economist, is set to resign as the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in August 2025. Her tenure at the IMF was marked by pivotal contributions during major global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. She joined the IMF in 2019 as Chief Economist and was later promoted to the No. 2 position in 2022. Known for her academic rigor and policy leadership, Gopinath played a key role in global economic discourse, influencing multilateral strategies on fiscal stimulus, debt relief, and climate finance. She will return to Harvard University to continue her work in academia.

National Flag Day is observed on July 22 each year to commemorate the historic adoption of the Indian National Flag in 1947, just weeks before the country gained independence. The flag was formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly under the leadership of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. It was designed by Pingali Venkayya, who began working on the concept after his service in the British Army during the South African campaign. The day is celebrated with the theme “One Nation, One Flag: United in Sacrifice, Committed to Peace,” honouring the flag’s role as a symbol of unity and national pride.