Current Affairs 19th July, 2025

National News

Vijayawada Ranked Fourth Cleanest City in India in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25

1. Vijayawada received the ‘Super Swachh League City’ title in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.
2. Survey conducted by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
3. City ranked 4th among cities with population over 10 lakh.
4. Recognition reflects strong urban sanitation, solid waste management, and citizen participation.
5. Vijayawada maintained performance despite September 2024 floods.
6. Other top cities: Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai.
7. Focus on door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, and post-disaster sanitation systems.
8. City uses GPS tracking for waste vehicles and real-time dashboards.
9. Implemented seven-star garbage free rating criteria.
10. Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Net Zero Emissions targets.

Tesla Opens First India Showroom at Mumbai’s BKC

1. Tesla inaugurated its first showroom in India at Maker Maxity Mall, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.
2. Launch includes two imported variants of Model Y:

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) – Range: 500 km, Price: ₹59.89 lakh
• Long-Range Version – Range: 622 km, Price: ₹67.89 lakh

1. Vehicles currently imported from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory.

2. Bookings open; deliveries:

• RWD variant from December 2025
• Long-range variant from March 2026

1. Tesla will provide free wall connector charger with bookings.
2. Plans to install 16 Supercharger stations in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including BKC and Navi Mumbai.
3. Superchargers can charge in 15–20 minutes, home charging takes approx. 7 hours.
4. Safety features: Advanced Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning.
5. Full Self-Driving (FSD) not yet available due to Indian regulations.
6. Payment options include full payment or vehicle loans at 8.7% to 11% interest.
7. Tesla’s launch highlights India’s EV policy momentum and Maharashtra’s EV infrastructure

Tesla Opens First India Showroom in Mumbai

1. Tesla launched its first India showroom at Maker Maxity Mall in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.
2. This marks a significant entry for the American EV leader into the Indian market.
3. Two variants of the Model Y are offered, starting at ₹59.89 lakh.
4. The showroom functions as an experience center for exploration, test drives, and bookings.
5. Deliveries for the RWD version are expected from December, long-range from March.
6. Tesla will provide a free wall connector charger with bookings.
7. Plans are in place to install 16 Supercharger stations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
8. Full Self-Driving (FSD) is not yet enabled due to regulatory limitations in India.
9. Vehicle pricing in India is higher due to import tariffs, affecting mass market reach.

2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave Inaugurated in Visakhapatnam

1. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave.
2. The conclave was organized by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA).
3. The theme is ‘Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships’.
4. It aims to operationalize the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC).
5. India was the first country to sign the AMTC.
6. A BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre will be established in Mumbai.

State News

Mysuru Enters Super Swachh League in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25

1. Mysuru joined the Super Swachh League in the 3–10 lakh population category.
2. Regained national recognition for sustained cleanliness and sanitation management.
3. Recognition for community participation, NGO support, and pourakarmika efforts.
4. Mysuru was India’s cleanest city in 2016.
5. Focus on zero open dumping and 100 percent source segregation.
6. Resumed its position as Karnataka’s top clean city.
7. Recognition aligns with Swachh Bharat Mission goals.
8. Used school engagement and digital monitoring systems effectively.
9. Marked significant improvement from past rankings.
10. Provided an example model for urban sanitation in mid-sized cities.

Bengaluru Climbs from Rank 125 to 36 among Million-Plus Cities

1. Bengaluru improved its rank in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 from 125 to 36.
2. Covered under the Million-Plus Cities category.
3. Improved scores in residential cleanliness (100 percent) and market area cleanliness (97 percent).
4. Decline noted in toilet cleanliness and legacy landfill management.
5. BBMP promoted waste segregation and digital grievance redressal tools.
6. City scored 5,642 out of 10,000 points.
7. Still faces challenges in old landfill site remediation.
8. BBMP aims to improve public engagement and sanitation infrastructure.

Banking News

HSBC Withdraws from Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)

1. HSBC exited the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) in July 2025.
2. First major UK-based bank to withdraw from the alliance.
3. NZBA was launched under UNEP Finance Initiative in 2021.
4. HSBC cited need to follow its own net zero transition plans.
5. Departure reflects growing pressure from political and market interests.
6. Follows similar exits by US and Canadian banks.
7. HSBC plans to remain a net zero bank by 2050.
8. Critics argue the move undermines climate finance accountability.
9. Climate NGOs and investors expressed serious concern over exit.
10. HSBC remains part of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ).

Awards News

INCOIS Receives National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025

1. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) received the National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025.
2. The award recognizes INCOIS’s use of open-source spatial technologies.
3. It was presented during Open Source GIS Day (Edition 02) at IIT Bombay.
4. INCOIS is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
5. It provides ocean information and advisory services to various stakeholders.
6. The award highlights INCOIS’s role in marine geospatial intelligence and data-driven ocean management.
7. INCOIS utilizes open-source GIS platforms like QGIS and GeoServer for data dissemination.
8. Its initiatives include real-time oceanographic services and disaster warning systems.

Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments (ADEETIE) Scheme Launched

1. The Union Ministry of Power launched the ADEETIE scheme.
2. It will be implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for three years.
3. The scheme includes interest subvention, investment grade energy audit support, and technical support.
4. It aims to promote energy efficiency in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
5. The scheme targets 60 industrial clusters in 14 energy-intensive sectors in Phase 1.
6. Phase 2 involves expansion to an additional 100 industrial clusters.
7. The BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, established in 2002.

Economy News

India Successfully Test-Fires Prithvi-II and Agni-I Missiles

1. India test-fired Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles on July 17, 2025.
2. Tests conducted by Strategic Forces Command at Chandipur, Odisha.
3. Validated all operational and technical parameters.
4. Prithvi-II: range of 250–350 km, uses liquid propulsion, carries 500 kg warhead.
5. Agni-I: range of 700–900 km, uses solid propulsion, carries 1,000 kg payload.
6. Both are nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missiles.
7. Part of India’s credible minimum deterrence posture.
8. Indicates strong indigenous missile production by DRDO.
9. Enhances operational readiness and strategic signalling.
10. Strengthens India’s role in the nuclear triad system.

Sports News

Bihar Wins U18 Boys’ Title at Junior National Rugby 7s Championship 2025

1. Bihar’s U18 boys’ rugby team won the Junior National Rugby 7s Championship in Dehradun.
2. Defeated defending champions Odisha with a score of 17–15.
3. Secured a historic double after also winning the U18 girls’ title earlier.
4. Player Goldan Kumar scored key tries including the match-winner.
5. Bihar remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
6. Third place went to Maharashtra, which beat Delhi in a golden try.
7. Hosted at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun.
8. Organized in line with the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 rankings.
9. Event recognized by Indian Rugby Federation as key talent identification platform.
10. Bihar showed dominance in junior-level rugby.

International News

Felix Baumgartner Dies in Paragliding Crash in Italy

1. Felix Baumgartner, Austrian skydiver, died at age 56 in a paragliding crash in Italy.
2. Known for breaking the sound barrier in free fall in 2012.
3. Famous for the Red Bull Stratos jump from 39 km altitude.
4. First person to reach Mach 1.25 unaided by a vehicle.
5. Crash occurred in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy, on July 17, 2025.
6. May have suffered a medical emergency before crashing.
7. Known globally as “Fearless Felix” for extreme stunts.
8. Made BASE jumps off Petronas Towers and Christ the Redeemer.
9. His 2012 space jump helped advance aerospace safety and suit technology.
10. Received tributes across the international aviation and extreme sports community.

India Wins 2 Gold, 2 Silver at International Chemistry Olympiad 2025

1. Indian students secured 2 gold and 2 silver medals at the 57th IChO 2025.
2. Event was held in Dubai, UAE, from July 5–14, 2025.
3. India ranked 6th globally among 90 countries.
4. Students selected through National Olympiad Examinations by HBCSE.
5. Orientation and training conducted by IISER Pune, DU, and TIFR faculty.
6. Olympiad tests students in theoretical and practical chemistry skills.
7. Organised by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).
8. India’s medal share reflects strength in science education.
9. Supported by institutions like DAE, DST, and Ministry of Education.
10. Boosts India’s profile in global academic competitions.

Indian Navy Participates in SIMBEX 2025 with Singapore

1. Indian Navy is taking part in SIMBEX 2025, a bilateral naval drill with Singapore.
2. Marks the 32nd edition of the exercise, started in 1994.
3. Held to improve maritime cooperation and interoperability.
4. Aligned with India’s Act East Policy and SAGAR vision.
5. Indian fleet includes INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan.
6. Focus areas: naval coordination, SAR drills, communication exercises, and HADR training.
7. Coincides with 60 years of India-Singapore diplomatic ties.
8. Part of Indian Navy’s broader engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
9. Builds joint readiness to counter piracy and maritime threats.
10. Follows India’s role in ASEAN maritime cooperation.

India-CYGR JV to Build Drone Facility in Navi Mumbai

1. Vimananu Ltd and CYGR, a Franco-American firm, signed a UAV production partnership.
2. Facility to be set up in Navi Mumbai focusing on defence and industrial drones.
3. Supports India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence sector.
4. Will produce nano drones, ISR drones, and hand-launched UAVs.
5. Joint venture backed by a $20 million defence export contract.
6. Targets include hundreds of units annually for military and surveillance use.
7. Designed for harsh terrain and rapid deployment scenarios.
8. Facilitates technology transfer and domestic drone R&D.
9. Strengthens India’s emergence as a global drone export hub.
10. Supports surveillance, border monitoring, and industrial operations.