Daily Current Affairs 15th July 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India’s First Digital Nomad Village Opens in Sikkim

• akten village in Sikkim became India’s first digital nomad village under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ project.
• With strong internet, power backup, and homestays run by locals, it gives remote workers a peaceful and connected place to live and work.
• This move supports rural income, promotes sustainable tourism, and shows how India’s villages can grow with the digital economy.

Gujarat Leads India in Processed Potato Production

• Gujarat has emerged as the top state in India for processed potato production, with Banaskantha leading the way, followed by Sabarkantha and Aravalli.
• The state produced 48.59 lakh tonnes of potatoes in 2024–25, with more than 25% used for processing.
• With strong government support, high-quality varieties, and cold storage systems, Gujarat is now meeting domestic needs and entering global markets.
• The success shows how modern farming and smart policies can help rural economies grow.

Health Ministry Starts Campaign on Snack Nutrition

State News

Union Minister B.L. Verma Inaugurates New PMDK in Uttar Pradesh

• The 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) will be inaugurated on July 15, 2025, at Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, by Union Minister Shri B.L. Verma.
• This centre will help persons with disabilities and senior citizens by giving them free aids like wheelchairs, tricycles, and hearing aids under the ADIP Scheme and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
• With this new centre, 75 PMDKs are now working across India, having already supported over 1.40 lakh people.
• This move shows the government’s strong focus on inclusive growth and last-mile service delivery.

India’s First AI Campus to Open in Andhra Pradesh

• BITS Pilani will set up India’s first ‘AI Plus Campus’ in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, announced on July 14, 2025.
• The project will cost Rs 1,000 crore, and admissions will begin in 2027.
• The new campus will teach AI, Data Science, Robotics, and more, with a focus on green energy and global exposure.
• CM Chandrababu Naidu and BITS Chancellor Kumar Mangalam Birla praised the project, calling it a key step in advanced education.
• The campus design will blend heritage and modern features, while Project Vistar will further expand BITS’ existing campuses.

International News

OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, xAI Get $200M Contracts from US Defense

• US Department of Defense (DoD) gave $200 million contracts to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI to boost national security with advanced AI systems.
• These companies will develop autonomous software tools for military use, guided by the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).
• The goal is to stay ahead in global defence by using safe, smart, and mission-ready AI.
• This move also follows recent White House guidance to build a strong and innovative AI ecosystem in the United States.

Banking News

Taiwan’s CTBC Bank to Open New Unit in GIFT City

• Taiwan’s largest private bank, CTBC Bank, has applied to set up an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT City, Gujarat.
• The application was filed with the IFSCA and proposes using 3,100 sq ft of office space in Brigade Towers.
• The bank already operates in New Delhi and now plans to expand its services through GIFT City.
• Other banks from Taiwan, UAE, and France have also made similar moves.
• As of March 2025, 31 IBUs have been set up in GIFT City, showing strong international interest.
• This move supports India’s aim to make GIFT City a global financial hub and improve banking links with Asia and beyond.

Business News

PhonePe Tops UPI Chart with 46% Share in June 2025

• PhonePe led the UPI market in June 2025, handling over 8.54 billion transactions and securing 46.46% of the market, as per data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• It was followed by Google Pay (35.56%) and Paytm (6.90%). While total UPI transactions slightly fell to 18.39 billion, new apps like Navi and Super.money showed steady growth.
• State-wise, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh contributed the most to UPI volume.

ACKO Becomes Tesla’s Insurance Partner in India

• ACKO has been chosen as the official insurance partner for Tesla in India, ahead of the electric car giant’s market launch.
• The partnership will offer digital insurance services that are smooth, quick, and made especially for Tesla owners.
• This deal reflects both companies’ shared goal of using technology to simplify vehicle ownership, promote clean mobility, and help grow the electric vehicle market in India.

Economy News

Retail Inflation Drops to 2.1% In June, Lowest Since 2018

• India’s retail inflation fell to 2.1% in June 2025, the lowest in 77 months, thanks to cheaper vegetables and pulses.
• Wholesale inflation also turned slightly negative. While food prices dropped, costs in healthcare, transport, and gold stayed high.
• The RBI has already cut rates this year and may wait before making more changes.
• Economists expect inflation to remain low, but global trends and local price changes will decide what happens next.

₹4.77 Lakh Crore Refunded in FY25 as Tax System Improves

• Over the past 11 years, India’s income tax refunds have grown by 474%, touching ₹4.77 lakh crore in 2024–25.
• This is mainly due to digital improvements that cut refund time from 93 to 17 days. More people are filing returns, and the share of refunds in tax collections has also increased.
• The government’s online systems and reforms have helped build a faster, more transparent tax system, making life easier for taxpayers.

Appointments News

R Doraiswamy Appointed LIC MD and CEO Till 2028

• R Doraiswamy has been appointed as the new MD and CEO of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for a term that ends on August 28, 2028.
• He was selected by the FSIB and approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Doraiswamy brings over 38 years of experience in LIC and replaces Sat Pal Bhanoo, who was serving as interim CEO.
• His leadership is expected to strengthen LIC’s role in India’s financial sector.

Raghavendra S Bhat Named Interim CEO of Karnataka Bank

• Karnataka Bank has appointed Raghavendra S Bhat as its interim MD and CEO, starting 16 July 2025, after former CEO Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma resigned on 29 June.
• Bhat, a senior executive who joined the bank in 1981, will serve for three months or until a permanent replacement is found.
• Executive Director Sekhar Rao also resigned, effective 31 July.
• A search panel has been formed to select new leaders and ensure smooth functioning of the bank.

Hemant Rupani Named New CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages

• Hemant Rupani will become the new CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCB) starting September 8, 2025, replacing Juan Pablo Rodriguez.
• He joins from Mondelez International, where he led business operations across Southeast Asia. Rupani’s wide experience in sales and leadership roles in companies like PepsiCo, Vodafone, Infosys, and Britannia is expected to help HCCB grow further.
• His appointment follows Coca-Cola’s December 2024 deal with Jubilant Bhartia Group to strengthen local ownership in its India operations.

Agreements News

NCDEX and IMD Join Hands for India’s First Weather Derivatives

• NCDEX and IMD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch India’s first weather derivatives.
• These rainfall-based futures contracts will help protect farmers and climate-sensitive sectors from losses caused by unpredictable weather.
• The partnership will use IMD’s accurate weather data, and also offer training, research, and market support.
• NCDEX CEO Arun Raste and IMD chief Dr. M. Mohapatra praised the move as a key step towards building a climate-resilient economy and giving farmers better financial tools to face future challenges.

Awards News

Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha Wins Hem Bahadur Malla Award

• Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha received the ‘Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2080’ in Kathmandu. The award was presented by Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut and recognises Shrestha’s work in judicial leadership, inclusive democracy, and transitional justice.
• The honour was jointly given by the Nepal Public Administration Association and the Salt Trading Corporation.
• The award includes Rs 200,000 and a certificate of honour. Justice Shrestha was selected by a committee led by Umesh Mainali.
• At the event, he spoke about the challenges of ensuring good governance in Nepal.

Sudanese-Scottish Author Leila Aboulela Wins 2025 PEN Pinter Prize

• Leila Aboulela, a Sudanese-Scottish writer, has won the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize for her strong and thoughtful writing on faith, migration, and the experiences of Muslim women.
• The award was announced by English PEN in London and will be officially presented on October 10, 2025, at the British Library.
• Her books like The Translator, Minaret, and River Spirit are loved worldwide.
• She will also name a Writer of Courage, sharing the honour with someone who has defended free speech.

Defense News

Indian Army Showcases ‘Prachand Shakti’ in Meerut

• Indian Army’s Ram Division held a high-impact tech demo called ‘Prachand Shakti’ at the Kharga Corps Field Training Area in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
• The event highlighted the use of AI-enabled systems, UAVs, autonomous platforms, and loitering munitions in Strike Corps operations.
• This is part of the Army’s ‘Year of Tech Absorption’ initiative, aiming to use more Indian-made technology in defence.
• The demonstration showed how these tools can improve the speed, power, and safety of soldiers in complex missions, supporting the Army’s goal of becoming more future-ready and self-reliant.

India-Greece Conduct PASSEX to Boost Naval Cooperation

• Indian Navy and the Greek Navy held a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) near Mumbai in the Arabian Sea, led by INS Tarkash and HS Psara.
• The drill included tactical operations, firing practice, and helicopter landings.
• This exercise is part of growing India-Greece defence ties, especially after both countries became strategic partners in 2023.
• INS Tarkash, inducted in 2012, is a Talwar-class stealth warship equipped with BrahMos missiles and is built to handle a wide range of missions.
• The PASSEX boosted teamwork and understanding between the two navies and marks a step forward in maritime cooperation.

Sports News

Markram, Matthews Named Best Players for June 2025 by ICC

Important Days News

World Youth Skills Day 2025: Empowering Youth Through AI and Digital Skills

• World Youth Skills Day 2025, observed on July 15, highlights the urgent need to equip youth with AI and digital skills for a better future.
• Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s theme—“Youth Empowerment Through Artificial Intelligence and Digital Skills”—underlines the role of TVET in helping youth find jobs, grow careers, and prepare for a tech-driven world.
• It also raises concern about the millions of NEET youth, especially young women in low-income regions.
• By promoting awareness and hosting global events, the day encourages collective action for education, employment, and empowerment.

Obituaries News

World’s Oldest Marathon Runner Fauja Singh Dies at 114

• Fauja Singh, the 114-year-old marathon legend, died in a road accident on July 14, 2025, while walking on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway in Punjab.
• Known as the world’s oldest marathon runner, Singh began running at 89 and completed many international marathons.
• His death was confirmed by Khushwant Singh and mourned by leaders like PM Modi, Gulab Chand Kataria, and Captain Amarinder Singh.
• Fauja Singh inspired millions with his discipline, resilience, and positive spirit.

Current Affairs Today | 15 July Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam