Daily Current Affairs 21st July 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India Shines With 7th Rank At International Mathematical Olympiad 2025

• At the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, India ranked 7th globally out of 110 countries, winning three golds, two silvers, and one bronze, while setting a national score record of 193/252.
• With strong support from HBCSE, and under the guidance of expert leaders like Prof. Shanta Laishram, India’s performance highlights the growing success of its Olympiad ecosystem, and the country’s consistent rise in global mathematics competitions.

PM Modi’s Visit to the UK and Maldives (July 23–26, 2025)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-nation tour to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23–26, 2025, focusing on strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advancing the India-Maldives Maritime Security Partnership.
• In the UK, Modi will hold talks with PM Keir Starmer and meet King Charles III, covering areas such as trade, technology, defence, and climate action.
• In the Maldives, he will be the Guest of Honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations and review bilateral progress under Vision MAHASAGAR.
• The visit reflects India’s emphasis on Neighbourhood First, strategic engagement, and regional leadership.

State News

Saaral Vizha 2025: Monsoon Cultural Fest of Courtallam

• The Saaral Vizha 2025, held in Courtallam, Tamil Nadu, is a vibrant monsoon festival that celebrates culture, tradition, and community welfare.
• Inaugurated by Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, the event featured cultural performances, a flower exhibition, and public competitions, blending nature with heritage.
• With strong government support, participation from local officials, and engagement through traditional arts and youth events, the festival underscores Tamil Nadu’s focus on inclusive cultural development.

Inauguration of IICT’s First Campus in Mumbai

• The launch of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis signals a transformative shift in India’s creative tech economy.
• The institute will provide industry-aligned education in VFX, XR, animation, and gaming, in partnership with global leaders like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple.
• Aimed at nurturing skilled professionals, IICT is expected to catalyze growth in the AVGC-XR sector, positioning India as a global digital content hub.

International News

Rising Abstentions At All Time High India’s New UN Voting Approach

• India’s UN Voting Pattern has experienced a significant transformation, with abstentions hitting a record 44% in 2025, reflecting a shift towards strategic autonomy amid a polarised global order.
• This change underscores India’s role as a middle power, opting for nuanced diplomacy over alignment.
• By abstaining on contentious resolutions involving issues like Russia-Ukraine, Myanmar, and Israel-Palestine, India maintains bilateral relations and avoids global power blocs, thereby strengthening its non-aligned yet assertive foreign policy.

Banking News

HSBC Faces Backlash After Exiting Net-Zero Banking Alliance

• In July 2025, HSBC exited the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), sparking backlash from green clients like Ecotricity, who questioned the bank’s climate credibility.
• The move, prompted by internal concerns over bias against carbon sectors, contrasts sharply with growing global expectations for sustainable finance.
• This development puts HSBC at the center of a critical debate on the future of net-zero banking, ethical investing, and the financial sector’s role in climate action.

NSDL Payments Bank Added to RBI’s Second Schedule

• NSDL Payments Bank Limited was added to the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934, making it a scheduled bank.
• This status enables the bank to access RBI facilities, gain clearinghouse membership, and enhances its regulatory credibility.
• Specializing in digital savings and remittance services for underserved populations, NSDL Payments Bank’s inclusion reflects its financial health, regulatory compliance, and alignment with RBI’s public interest criteria.

Economy News

India’s Tea Export Performance in FY 2024-25: A Moderate Yet Positive Growth

• India’s tea exports rose by 2.85% in FY 2024–25 to 257.88 million kg, led by North India‘s 8.15% growth. South India saw a 4.92% decline.
• The average export price increased by 12.65% to Rs 290.97 per kg, boosting value realization. In calendar year 2024, total exports stood at 256.17 million kg, a 10.57% rise.

India’s Tourism Sector and Vision 2047 Towards a $32 Trillion Economy

• India aims to raise the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to 10% by 2047, from the current 5–6%, aligning with its vision of a $32 trillion economy. Key types include spiritual, adventure, medical, and cultural tourism.
• Challenges such as infrastructure gaps, environmental concerns, and lack of standardization are being addressed through initiatives like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and medical tourism promotion.
• The government also focuses on employment generation, e-visa facilitation, and sustainable practices to ensure inclusive and resilient tourism growth.

Defense News

India Taps Global Satellite Firms to Boost Military Surveillance

• India is enhancing military surveillance by sourcing high-resolution satellite imagery from global players like Maxar, following China’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
• The SBS-III programme aims to launch 52 satellites by 2029, operated by the Defence Space Agency, with a $3.2 billion budget.
• This move ensures real-time monitoring, improved border surveillance, and strategic preparedness, while challenges like data security and external dependency remain.

Schemes News

PM Modi’s ₹15,000 Incentive Scheme for First-Time Private Sector Employees

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new employment scheme providing ₹15,000 incentives to first-time private sector employees, starting August 1, 2025.
• With a funding of ₹1 lakh crore, the scheme supports youth employment, targets eastern states like Bihar, and promotes job creation in the formal sector through direct government intervention.

Sports News

Shi Yuqi Wins Men’s Singles Title at Japan Open 2025

• The Japan Open Badminton 2025, a key BWF World Tour event, saw Shi Yuqi of China win the men’s singles title, while South Korea’s An Se-young claimed her sixth championship of the year in the women’s singles.
• China emerged as the top-performing nation, winning three gold medals in total, while South Korea and Malaysia also registered strong finishes.
• The tournament reinforced the dominance of Asian countries in global badminton, showcasing world-class talent and resilience across all events.

Fit India Sundays on Cycle – A Nationwide Movement for Fitness and Drug-Free Youth

• The Fit India Sundays on Cycle program, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is a national-level campaign promoting fitness, youth empowerment, and a drug-free lifestyle.
• With large-scale participation, including events like the one held at BHU Varanasi, the initiative integrates cycling, yoga, games, and public awareness to support the vision of Viksit Bharat.
• It fosters healthy habits, encourages community involvement, and delivers a strong social message, making it a cornerstone of India’s public health and youth development strategy.

England Awarded Hosting Rights for Next Three WTC Finals (2027, 2029, 2031)

• The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been awarded hosting rights for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 ICC World Test Championship Finals, following its successful execution of the 2021, 2023, and 2025 finals.
• The announcement came during the ICC Annual Conference 2025 in Singapore.
• This decision, underpinned by England’s rich cricketing legacy and strong infrastructure, is set to reinforce the global standing of Test cricket, enhance fan engagement, and ensure continuity in staging this prestigious event.

Arjun & Ishaan Dominate MRF F2000 as MRF 2025 Kicks Off at Kari Motor Speedway

• The MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2025 began at Kari Motor Speedway, featuring top performances by teen drivers like Ishaan Madesh, Arjun Chheda, Bhuvan Bonu, and others across F2000, F1600, and Touring Cars.
• Key names included Biren Pithawalla, Arjun Balu, and Rithwik Thomas.
• The event marked the rising dominance of youth in Indian motorsport and highlighted India’s growing presence in competitive racing circuits.

Science & Technology News

ISRO Plans Space Station by 2035 and Moon Mission by 2040

• India is setting bold milestones in space exploration, with ISRO announcing plans for a space station by 2035 and a human moon mission by 2040.
• Under the leadership of Chairman V. Narayanan, ISRO has already achieved technological feats like the Aditya-L1 solar mission and docking experiments, and is preparing for missions like a Venus orbiter.
• These developments signal India’s rise as a global space power, reflecting the nation’s commitment to innovation, strategic autonomy, and Viksit Bharat.

Martian Meteorite Sells for Record $5.3 Million

• A Martian meteorite named NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds, was discovered in Niger in 2023 and sold at Sotheby’s for a record $5.3 million in July 2025.
• The rock, ejected from Mars about 5 million years ago, traveled 140 million miles to Earth and is now the largest known Martian meteorite found.
• Its journey and discovery highlight key areas of space science, geology, and global interest in extraterrestrial artifacts.

ICMR to Commercialise Indigenous Malaria Vaccine

Obituaries News

Oscar-Winning Songwriter Alan Bergman Passes Away

• Alan Bergman, an iconic Oscar-winning lyricist, passed away in 2025 after decades of crafting timeless songs with his wife Marilyn Bergman.
• With 3 Academy Awards, 16 nominations, and collaborations with industry legends like Barbra Streisand and Michel Legrand, he helped shape Hollywood’s musical legacy.
• His work, including hits like “The Way We Were” and “Nice ’n’ Easy,” continues to inspire the film, music, and cultural sectors worldwide.

Current Affairs Today | 20-21 July Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam