Current Affairs 16 July 2025

National News

India’s First Digital Nomad Village Opens in Sikkim

1. Yakten village in Pakyong district, Sikkim became India’s first digital nomad village on 15 July 2025.
2. The project is named “Nomad Sikkim” and aims to support remote workers in a peaceful hill setting.
3. It is a joint initiative by the Pakyong district administration and NGO Sarvahitey.
4. The goal is to help locals earn during the off-tourist season (April to October) through homestays.
5. Yakten now offers high-speed broadband, village-wide Wi-Fi, and power backup for digital workers.
6. Jal Jeevan Mission is working to improve the village’s water supply.
7. The village is easily accessible by road and is near Pakyong Airport.
8. Homestays provide local food, cultural experiences, and promote rural tourism.
9. The project supports the local economy and reduces dependence on seasonal tourism.
10. Experts say the model can be replicated in other Indian villages for digital rural growth.
11. Visitors can explore community gardens, go for nature walks, and trek to Jhandi Dara View Point.

75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) Inaugurated in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh

1. The 75th PM Divyasha Kendra has been opened at Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh.
2. It was inaugurated by Shri B.L. Verma, Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment.
3. The centre aims to support persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and senior citizens.
4. It offers assessment, counselling, aid distribution, and follow-up services in one place.
5. Services are provided under two schemes: ADIP (for Divyangjan) and RVY (for senior citizens).
6. Free assistive devices include wheelchairs, tricycles, hearing aids, walkers, and artificial limbs.
7. The centre brings services closer to rural and small-town beneficiaries.
8. ALIMCO and the District Administration are key partners in this initiative.
9. Over 1.40 lakh people have benefited from PMDKs across India so far.
10. Devices worth over ₹179.15 lakh have been distributed through these centres.
11. The project supports the Accessible India and Empowered India mission.
12. The new centre will reduce travel time and costs for beneficiaries in nearby areas.

BITS Pilani to Set Up India’s First AI Campus in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

1. BITS Pilani announced the launch of India’s first AI Plus Campus in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.
2. The campus will focus mainly on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related fields.
3. It will begin admissions in 2027, with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
4. The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has allotted 70 acres of land for the project.
5. The project was announced by Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor of BITS and Chairman of Aditya Birla Group.
6. The aim is to build a digital-first, AI-focused centre offering global-level education.
7. Courses will include Data Science, Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Computational Linguistics.
8. The campus will have smart buildings, renewable energy, and IoT-based infrastructure.
9. CM Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the project, saying it supports his vision for Amaravati as an education hub.
10. Students will get global exposure, industry internships, and training for real-world AI applications.
11. The campus will explore AI use in agriculture, climate change, and healthcare.
12. Architecture will blend traditional Indian temple design with modern features.
13. A new access road is planned to improve campus connectivity.
14. Under Project Vistar, BITS will invest an additional Rs 1,200 crore in expanding its Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses.
15. The goal is to reach 26,000 students across all campuses by 2030–31.

NCDEX and IMD Launch India’s First Weather Derivatives

1. NCDEX and IMD signed an MoU to launch India’s first weather derivatives.
2. The tool will help protect farmers, transporters, and weather-sensitive sectors from climate-related risks.
3. Rainfall-based futures contracts will be created using IMD’s weather data.
4. These contracts will be location-specific and season-based, aligned with real farming needs.
5. The goal is to boost climate resilience and financial security in rural India.
6. Training programs and workshops will be held for farmers and FPOs.
7. This is the first time a weather-indexed financial product is being introduced in India.

E5 Trains for Trials, E10 for Launch of India’s Bullet Train

1. India’s first bullet train project will use Japan’s E10 Shinkansen series for commercial runs.
2. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor will be the launch route.
3. For trial runs, Japan will send two E5 series train sets to India in early 2026.
4. These trials will test the train’s performance in Indian conditions like high heat and dust.
5. The E10 series, also known as Alfa-X, is an advanced train with speeds up to 400 kmph.
6. India will be the first country outside Japan to use the E10 series for commercial service.
7. The total length of the MAHSR corridor is 508 km, connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat.
8. The project cost is estimated to be around ₹1.1-lakh-crore.

State News

Gujarat Becomes Top State in Processed Potato Production

1. Gujarat is now India’s number one state in processed potato production in 2024–25.
2. Banaskantha district led the state with 18.70 lakh tonnes from over 61,000 hectares.
3. Productivity in Banaskantha was 30.65 tonnes per hectare, the highest in the state.
4. Other major districts: Sabarkantha with 12.97 lakh tonnes and Aravalli with 6.99 lakh tonnes.
5. Gujarat uses modern cold storage and farming techniques to grow French fry-grade potatoes.
6. Popular varieties: Lady Rosetta, Kufri Chipsona, and Santana – suitable for fries and chips.
7. Processed potatoes are in high demand from QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants) and export markets.
8. Government support from central and state schemes helped boost production.
9. Gujarat is now a leading supplier for frozen food companies and international markets.

International News

US Awards $200 Million AI Contracts to Top Tech Firms

1. The US Department of Defense awarded $200 million contracts each to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.
2. These companies will develop agentic AI systems to support national defense.
3. The focus is on AI tools for autonomous operations, combat support, and daily defense tasks.
4. The projects aim to make the US military more tech-driven and efficient.
5. The initiative supports the government’s strategy for a safe and competitive AI ecosystem.
6. OpenAI and Google DeepMind will provide expertise in language models and machine learning.
7. xAI, led by Elon Musk, will design tools like Grok for Government.
8. The move highlights the growing role of AI in global security and defense planning.

Banking News

Raghavendra S Bhat Appointed Interim CEO of Karnataka Bank

1. Karnataka Bank appointed Raghavendra S Bhat as interim MD & CEO from 16 July 2025.
2. He will serve for three months or until a new CEO is appointed.
3. Bhat joined the bank in 1981 as a clerk and became COO in 2019.
4. He was reappointed COO on 1 July 2025, just before becoming interim CEO.
5. The appointment follows the resignation of Srikrishnan H S, who stepped down on 29 June 2025.
6. Executive Director Sekhar Rao also resigned; his last working day is 31 July 2025.
7. A search committee has been formed to find permanent leaders.
8. Bhat has no restrictions from SEBI and is not related to any board member.

Taiwan’s CTBC Bank to Open Unit in GIFT City

1. CTBC Bank, Taiwan’s largest private bank, has applied to open a unit in GIFT City, Gujarat.
2. It will establish an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in the GIFT SEZ area.
3. The move aims to strengthen financial ties between India and Taiwan.
4. CTBC Bank received approval from Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission in January 2025.
5. This will be CTBC’s second presence in India, after its New Delhi branch opened in 1996.
6. Other Taiwanese banks like Taipei Fubon Bank are also setting up units in GIFT City.
7. By March 2025, the number of IBUs in GIFT City had grown to 31.
8. The combined asset size of all IBUs in GIFT City is $88,500 million.

PhonePe Leads UPI Market with 46% Share in June 2025

1. PhonePe continued to be the top UPI app in India for June 2025.
2. It processed over 8.54 billion transactions, capturing a 46.46% market share.
3. Google Pay was second with 6.54 billion transactions and a 35.56% share.
4. Paytm ranked third, handling 1.26 billion transactions with a 6.90% share.
5. The data was released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
6. In total, UPI recorded 18.39 billion transactions in June 2025.
7. Newer apps like Navi and Super.money showed steady growth in the market.
8. Among states, Maharashtra recorded the highest share of UPI transactions at 8.8%.

Appointments  News

R Doraiswamy Appointed LIC MD and CEO

1. R Doraiswamy has been appointed as MD & CEO of LIC from 15 July 2025.
2. His term will last till 28 August 2028, when he turns 62.
3. He has over 38 years of experience in LIC.
4. He previously served as Executive Director (IT/Software Development).
5. He has worked in marketing, pensions, operations, and training.
6. Doraiswamy was selected by FSIB and approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
7. He replaces Sat Pal Bhanoo, who was interim MD & CEO since 8 June 2025.

Economy News

Retail Inflation Falls to 2.1% in June 2025

1. Retail inflation dropped to 2.1% in June 2025, the lowest since 2018.
2. Food prices like vegetables (down 19%) and pulses (down 12%) dropped sharply.
3. Wholesale inflation turned negative at -0.13%, the lowest in 2 years.
4. Inflation in eggs, gold, and healthcare rose slightly.
5. RBI has cut interest rates three times in 2025, repo rate now at 5.5%.
6. Experts expect no further cuts soon, despite low inflation.

₹4.77 Lakh Crore Refunded in FY25 as Tax System Improves

1. Income tax refunds reached ₹4.77 lakh crore in FY25, up 474% since 2013.
2. Refund processing time reduced from 93 days (2013) to 17 days (2024).
3. Tax collections grew by 274% in the same period.
4. Total I-T collections rose to ₹27.03 lakh crore in FY25.
5. Share of refunds increased to 17.6% of total collections.
6. Number of return filers increased from 3.8 crore (2013) to 8.89 crore (2024).
7. Digital systems like faceless assessments and auto-processing improved speed and transparency.

Defence News

Indian Army Holds ‘Prachand Shakti’ Exercise in Meerut

• The Ram Division of the Indian Army conducted a military exercise named ‘Prachand Shakti’.
• The event was held at the Kharga Corps Field Training Area in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
• It showcased the use of modern technologies like drones, AI systems, and loitering munitions.
• The exercise is part of the Army’s ongoing ‘Year of Tech Absorption’ campaign.
• Its goal is to integrate advanced technologies into frontline combat units.
• It aims to promote technological self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign equipment.
• The exercise focused on improving the strength and speed of Strike Corps formations.
• It demonstrated how technology can make infantry troops more agile, accurate, and safe.

India and Greece Conduct Joint Naval Exercise PASSEX

1. The Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy (Greece) conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX).
2. The joint drill was held in the Arabian Sea, near Mumbai.
3. It aims to enhance naval cooperation and operational coordination between the two nations.
4. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash and Greek warship HS Psara participated in the exercise.
5. The exercise included tactical manoeuvres, surface firing drills, and helicopter landings.
6. This follows the upgradation of India-Greece ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2023.
7. INS Tarkash is a Talwar-class stealth frigate of the Indian Navy’s Western Command.
8. The exercise helps both navies to share best practices and improve teamwork at sea.

Sports News

Markram and Matthews Win ICC Player of the Month for June 2025

1. South Africa’s Aiden Markram was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June 2025.
2. West Indies’ Hayley Matthews won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.
3. Markram scored a match-winning 136 in the World Test Championship final against Australia.
4. His performance helped South Africa win its first ICC trophy since 1998.
5. Hayley Matthews was awarded for her all-round performance against South Africa.
6. She scored 104 runs and took 4 wickets in the ODI series.
7. In the T20I series, she scored 147 runs and took 2 wickets.
8. This is the fourth time Matthews has won the monthly award.

Important Days

World Youth Skills Day 2025 – Theme: AI and Digital Skills

1. Observed every year on 15 July to promote youth skill development.
2. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this UN-declared day (since 2014).
3. Theme for 2025: “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills”.
4. Day focuses on preparing youth for jobs and entrepreneurship in a digital world.
5. Over 267 million youth are NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training).

6. Key challenges:

• 86% of students feel unprepared for AI jobs.
• 90% of girls in poor countries are still offline.
• Only 1 in 10 teens in rich nations use digital tools for over 1 hour weekly.
• Cyber safety laws are still missing in many countries.

1. TVET (Technical and Vocational Education & Training) helps bridge the skills gap.

2. Events include skills contests, panel talks, and global discussions.

Obituaries News

World’s Oldest Marathon Runner Fauja Singh Dies at 114

1. Fauja Singh, known as the ‘Turbaned Tornado’, passed away at the age of 114.
2. He was the world’s oldest marathon runner.
3. He died after being hit by a vehicle on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway in Punjab.
4. Born in 1911, he started running marathons at the age of 89.
5. He completed nine full marathons, including the London, Toronto, and New York marathons.
6. He was an Olympic torchbearer for the Athens 2004 and London 2012 Games.
7. He was a global icon for health and fitness at an advanced age.
8. A police investigation into the accident is currently underway.