Current Affairs - July 23, 2025 Current Affairs

Jharkhand is pioneering India's first Mining Tourism Project, leveraging its status as a mineral-rich state to promote cultural and educational tourism. With nearly 40% of India’s mineral reserves, Jharkhand is using this initiative to highlight its industrial heritage, create jobs, and diversify tourism offerings. The project, launched in collaboration with Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), includes guided tours of operational mines like the North Urimari open-cast mine and nearby cultural landmarks. Tour circuits such as the Rajrappa and Patratu routes blend mining exposure with visits to temples and scenic valleys, making it a unique blend of education, heritage, and eco-tourism.

The New Delhi government has significantly increased the cash reward for Olympic and Paralympic medal winners to ₹7 crore under the Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana. This is a major step up from the previous ₹3 crore reward and is aimed at motivating athletes to perform at the highest level. Additionally, the policy includes provisions for Grade A government jobs for gold and silver medalists, ensuring long-term security and recognition for sporting excellence. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, reflecting the government's commitment to promoting sports and rewarding achievement.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from UNESCO in 2025, just two years after rejoining under President Joe Biden. The administration cited ideological conflicts and accused UNESCO of promoting “woke” and divisive agendas that contradict American values. This withdrawal follows a history of strained relations, with previous exits in 1984 and 2017 over perceived anti-Israel bias and financial mismanagement. Although the U.S. contributed about 8% of UNESCO’s budget, the impact is more symbolic, reflecting a shift toward unilateralism and weakening multilateral efforts in areas like education, cultural preservation, and global cooperation, while potentially increasing the influence of nations like China.

National Broadcasting Day is observed every year on July 23 to honour the inception of organised radio broadcasting in India, which began in 1927 with the establishment of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC). This day acknowledges the evolution and influence of radio in India's journey—from its role in pre-independence communication to its transformation into a modern, digital platform through All India Radio (AIR). The celebration emphasises how radio has contributed to national integration, public education, and rural outreach, evolving over the decades to include AI-driven services, mobile apps, and digital platforms, while continuing to connect over 98% of the population.

The GENIUS Act was signed by US President Donald Trump to establish the first federal regulatory framework specifically for stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to hold a steady value by linking them to traditional fiat currencies like the USD. The GENIUS Act brings such digital assets under federal regulation in the United States, requiring compliance with auditing and supervision standards set by US law. This move positions the United States as a pioneer in the formal regulation of blockchain-based stablecoins.

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) partnered with the Ministry of Rural Development to implement the Bima Sakhi Yojana, a targeted initiative designed to empower rural women through structured insurance career opportunities. This collaboration supports broader national goals such as financial inclusion, women-led development, and rural economic upliftment. Under the scheme, women are trained and enrolled as insurance agents, gaining access to performance-based stipends and long-term career benefits. Integrated with the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the program also aligns with efforts to reduce poverty and promote entrepreneurship among rural women.

India and Nepal signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for five High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), focusing on key sectors like education and health. These projects, funded under Indian Grant Assistance, aim to strengthen grassroots-level development in Nepal and will be executed through local authorities and municipalities. The total estimated cost for these initiatives is NPR 390 million. This collaboration highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral ties between India and Nepal through development cooperation and people-centric projects that directly benefit communities in Nepal.

Deepak Bagla has taken on the role of Mission Director for the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a major initiative under NITI Aayog aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across India. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Managing Director and CEO of Invest India, showcasing his experience in investment and policy implementation. His leadership at AIM is expected to strengthen the mission's goals of scaling innovation-driven initiatives and aligning them with India's national development objectives. This appointment is seen as a strategic move to boost the impact of AIM through experienced governance.

The Indian Army received its first batch of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the United States, marking a key milestone in India's military modernisation. These advanced helicopters, developed by Boeing, offer cutting-edge combat capabilities including Hellfire and Stinger missiles, modern avionics, and high survivability in diverse terrains. The acquisition, finalised through a government-to-government deal, reflects the deepening defence partnership between India and the U.S. The Apache helicopters will significantly enhance the Army’s operational autonomy, especially in high-altitude and border regions, while also reducing dependence on the Indian Air Force for tactical air support in offensive operations.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a major policy change to support women’s financial empowerment by granting a 1% stamp duty exemption on property purchases valued up to one crore rupees, provided the property is registered in a woman's name. This move significantly expands the previous benefit, which was limited to properties worth ₹10 lakh with a maximum relief of ₹10,000. The initiative is designed to encourage greater female ownership of assets, promote gender equality, and enhance the social standing of women within families and society at large.

Kerala is facing a serious threat to its rubber plantations due to an infestation of the ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus), an invasive pest originally from Central and South America. These beetles introduce harmful fungi, including Fusarium ambrosia and Fusarium solani, into the trees, disrupting water flow and reducing latex output. The mutualistic relationship between the beetles and fungi causes extensive internal damage to the trees, making recovery nearly impossible. As rubber farming is vital to Kerala's economy, the infestation poses a significant agricultural and financial risk. The situation calls for targeted, region-specific management strategies and early detection systems.

On July 21, 2025, a replica of the Ashoka Pillar was unveiled at the Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya, a prominent Buddhist temple in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka. This initiative serves as a powerful symbol of the deep-rooted spiritual and cultural connections between India and Sri Lanka, particularly through their shared Buddhist heritage. The pillar honours Emperor Ashoka’s vital role in the spread of Buddhism, especially his contribution to Sri Lankan Buddhist civilisation through his children, Arhat Mahinda and Arhat Sangamitta. Sponsored by Tibetan Buddhist leader Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, the project exemplifies India’s commitment to preserving and promoting regional Buddhist ties.

The GSLV-F16 rocket, developed by ISRO, is set to launch the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite on July 30, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission is a significant collaboration between ISRO and NASA, representing over a decade of joint development. NISAR will be the world’s first satellite to use dual-frequency SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology for civilian Earth observation. The GSLV-F16 will place the 2392 kg satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit, allowing it to provide all-weather, day-and-night coverage of the Earth’s surface every 12 days, with applications in climate science, disaster management, and agriculture.

Scientists from China have made a significant scientific breakthrough by developing an innovative method to produce white sugar (sucrose) without relying on traditional agricultural sources like sugarcane or sugar beets. This process uses an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system, which is a lab-based enzymatic technique. Importantly, the methanol used in this method can be synthesised from industrial waste or directly from carbon dioxide (CO₂), making the process not only efficient but also environmentally sustainable. This development represents a step forward in carbon utilisation and sustainable food production technologies.