Daily Current Affairs 22nd July 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigned Due To Health Reasons

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation on July 21, 2025, has temporarily transferred the Rajya Sabha chairmanship to Deputy Chairperson Harivansh under Article 91.
• The Vice Presidential election, mandated under Articles 63–71 and the Vice-President (Election) Rules, 1974, must occur within 60 days, involving 788 MPs as the electoral college.
• The next Vice President must be an Indian citizen, 35+ years old, and Rajya Sabha eligible.
• Dhankhar’s resignation not only initiates a crucial election but also reflects the evolving dynamics within the executive-legislature framework.

Election Commission’s Stance on Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Cards in Voter Eligibility Verification

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asserted that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards are not valid standalone documents for establishing voter eligibility during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.
• Citing powers under Article 324, the ECI emphasized its authority to manage elections independently.
• The exercise aims to purify electoral rolls, and as of July 18, over 7.11 crore electors had submitted forms.
• The Commission stated that citizenship, not mere possession of ID, is the key eligibility criterion, and denial of registration does not affect one’s citizenship status.

State News

Tamil Nadu to Establish Hornbill Conservation Centre at Anamalai Tiger Reserve

• The Tamil Nadu government has approved a Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve with ₹1 crore funding from the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund.
• The project targets four hornbill species and includes population monitoring, habitat restoration, community-based nest adoption, and collaborative research. It also introduces citizen science tools and educational support to promote conservation awareness.
• This initiative addresses key issues like habitat loss, climate change, and biodiversity decline in the Western Ghats.

NeVA Initiative Marks Beginning of Paperless Lawmaking in Delhi

• NeVA Seva Centre was inaugurated by Speaker Vijender Gupta at the Delhi Legislative Assembly to promote paperless governance.
• The first phase of the NeVA project was completed, offering digital tools, training, and smartphones to MLAs.
• The initiative supports Digital India, aims for transparency, and enhances legislative efficiency through technology-driven solutions.

Puducherry Launches One-Time Regularisation Scheme for Unauthorised Constructions

• Puducherry’s One-Time Regularisation Scheme 2025 aims to legalise unauthorised constructions made between May 1, 1987 – July 16, 2025.
• Applications are accepted online via OBPS, with fixed fees and scrutiny charges. Government buildings are exempt, while aided schools receive 50% fee relief.
• Encroachments and plots without legal ownership are excluded.
• This move will improve urban planning compliance and offer legal protection to existing property owners.

International News

Gita Gopinath Resigns as IMF Deputy Chief

• Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, will step down in August 2025 to return to Harvard University as an economics professor.
• Known for her role during the pandemic and global economic disruptions, she advanced the IMF’s work in fiscal policy, international trade, and debt analysis.
• Her resignation offers the U.S. Treasury a chance to name a successor amid changing global economic dynamics.
• Gopinath leaves a lasting legacy of intellectual leadership, with her next chapter focused on research and training future economists.

Banking News

SBI’s Raise The Amount Of ₹25,000 Crore Via QIP

• India’s largest lender, the State Bank of India (SBI), executed a ₹25,000 crore QIP, which was oversubscribed 4.5 times, with LIC and other domestic investors receiving two-thirds of the allotment, and foreign investors accounting for 64.3% of demand.
• The capital raised will boost SBI’s CET-1 ratio to 11.50%, enabling credit growth in retail, MSME, and corporate sectors.
• The QIP underscores strong investor confidence, the robustness of India’s banking sector, and the country’s economic resilience.

Economy News

India’s Core Sector Growth Rises to 1.7% in June 2025

• India’s core sector grew 1.7% in June 2025, marking a three-month high. Positive growth was seen in steel (9.3%), cement (9.2%), and refinery products (3.4%), while coal (-6.8%), electricity (-2.8%), and natural gas (-2.8%) saw declines.
• The April–June growth stood at 1.3%, reflecting an overall sluggish industrial trend.
• The Index of Core Industries, which represents 40.27% of the IIP, remains a key indicator for economic planning and assessment.

Appointments News

Sanjay Kaul (IAS) Appointed as MD & Group CEO of GIFT City

• Sanjay Kaul, a seasoned IAS officer, has been appointed as the MD & Group CEO of GIFT City, India’s first smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
• Backed by his experience in public policy, infrastructure, and technology, his leadership is expected to boost GIFT City’s transformation into a global financial hub, strengthen international collaborations, and enhance India’s footprint in the financial services sector.

Deepak Bagla Appointed as Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission

• Deepak Bagla has been appointed as Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog.
• Previously, he led Invest India and represented India in global forums like WAIPA.
• With a renewed mandate, AIM will implement outcome-driven initiatives aligned with India’s innovation and development priorities.

Agreements News

LIC Signs MoU with Rural Development Ministry to Promote Bima Sakhi Yojana

• The Bima Sakhi Yojana, a joint initiative between LIC and the Ministry of Rural Development, aims to empower rural women through a stipend-based LIC agency career, aligning with the DAY-NRLM mission.
• With benefits like monthly stipends, long-term financial independence, and integration into the insurance sector, the scheme promotes financial inclusion, enhances rural incomes, and supports the government’s push for women-led development in India.

Awards News

Meri Panchayat App Wins WSIS Champion Award 2025 for Digital Governance

• The Meri Panchayat App, developed by Ministry of Panchayati Raj and NIC, won the WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Award under the theme of local content and linguistic diversity.
• It supports real-time governance, GPDP access, multilingual interface, and citizen engagement across 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats, promoting transparency, participation, and rural empowerment through technology.

Schemes News

Bima Sakhi Scheme Enrolls Over 2 Lakh Women

• The Bima Sakhi Scheme, launched in December 2024, empowers rural women by appointing them as Mahila Career Agents under LIC.
• They receive a monthly stipend (₹7000 to ₹5000) for the first three years, alongside commissions.
• With over 2 lakh women enrolled, the scheme has a ₹520 crore budget for FY 2025–26.
• It also provides career progression, allowing graduates to apply for ADO posts after five years.
• It promotes women empowerment, financial inclusion, and insurance penetration across India.

Sports News

FIDE World Cup 2025 to Be Hosted in India

• The FIDE World Cup 2025 will be held in India from October 30–November 27 with 206 players in a knockout format.
• The event offers 3 qualification spots for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
• India’s strong performance in recent international events and its chess culture make it an ideal host.
• Qualification routes include champions, ratings, continental events, and nominations.
• With stars like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Erigaisi, India is cementing its role as a chess powerhouse.

Science & Technology News

ISRO’s GSLV-F16 to Launch Joint ISRO-NASA Satellite NISAR

• NISAR, to be launched on July 30, 2025 by ISRO’s GSLV-F16, is the first joint satellite between ISRO and NASA, featuring dual-frequency SAR (L-band & S-band).
• Weighing 2392 kg, it will operate from a Sun-synchronous orbit (743 km) and use SweepSAR technology for 12-day global coverage.
• Key applications include disaster management, climate monitoring, soil moisture tracking, and ice sheet movement, reinforcing its global scientific importance.

Important Days News

World Brain Health Day 2025: Theme, History, Significance

• World Brain Health Day 2025 July 22, themed “Brain Health for All Ages”, calls attention to the need for early intervention, lifestyle awareness, and equal access to neurological care.
• Established by the World Federation of Neurology, the day promotes practices like quality sleep, exercise, healthy diet, and mental engagement to enhance brain function.
• It reinforces that maintaining brain health is a lifelong responsibility vital for overall well-being.

NABARD Celebrates 44 Years: Expanding Financial Inclusion

• The 44th Foundation Day of NABARD highlighted its significant contributions to rural development, including ₹42,842 crore in loans in Andhra Pradesh, and ₹4,613 crore infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
• New DDM offices were opened, exemplary PACS and DCCBs were honored, and key publications like “Roots of Change” and “NIDHI” were launched.
• The theme of cooperatives building a better world was emphasized, aligning with the International Year of Cooperatives.
• NABARD continues to focus on financial inclusion, credit support, digitisation, and climate-resilient rural growth.

National Flag Day in India 2025: Commemorating the Adoption of the Tiranga

• National Flag Day 2025 marks the 78th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian National Flag by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947.
• Known as the Tiranga, the flag’s saffron, white, and green colours stand for sacrifice, peace, and growth respectively, while the Ashoka Chakra signifies dharma and progress.
• The day is commemorated through flag hoisting ceremonies, awareness campaigns, and educational programs, promoting patriotism, national pride, and adherence to the Flag Code of India.

Obituaries News

Former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan Passes Away at 101

• VS Achuthanandan, a veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala CM, passed away at 101 in 2025.
• Known for his mass appeal, he began as a coir worker and rose to become a chief minister.
• His work focused on land reforms, farmers’ rights, and anti-corruption.
• He was part of the 1964 split forming CPI(M) and was admired for his oratory and simplicity.
• His legacy continues to inspire ethical leadership and public service.

Current Affairs Today | 22 July Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam