Current Affairs 20th July, 2025

National News

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Launched

• 36 central government schemes merged into one.
• Aims to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• Annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore for six years.
• Targets 1.7 crore farmers.
• Focuses on 100 underperforming districts.
• Emphasizes post-harvest infrastructure and irrigation efficiency.
• Promotes organic farming and crop diversification.
• Strengthens credit access for farmers.
• Shifts from subsidy-driven aid to a value-chain support model.
• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and doubling farmer incomes.

PM Modi Inaugurates Infrastructure Projects in Bihar

• Projects worth ₹7,200 crore launched in Motihari.
• Aims to accelerate Bihar’s transformation.
• Part of the broader Viksit Bharat Mission.
• Focus on urban renewal, connectivity, and housing development.
• Three lakh pucca houses delivered in Motihari.
• Aligns Bihar with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• Aims for equitable urban development.
• Expected to create local employment.
• Improve urban living standards and infrastructure resilience.
• Strengthens Bihar’s role in India’s development.

NSCSTI 2.0 Framework Launched

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the framework.
• Aims to upgrade civil services training in India.
• Developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC).
• Standardizes and elevates training quality across CSTIs.
• Evaluation metrics reduced from 59 to 43.
• Incorporates hybrid learning and AI tools.
• Aligns with Karmayogi Competency Model (KCM).
• Adaptable to Central, State, and Urban Local Body institutes.
• Encourages public-private synergy.
• Aims to build a future-ready, citizen-centric civil service.

State News

BMRCL Appoints New MD

• Dr. J Ravishankar appointed as new MD of BMRCL.
• Replaces Maheshwar Rao.
• Change comes amid public outcry over fare hikes.
• Yellow Line launch in Bengaluru’s metro network pending.
• BMRCL oversees 77 km of operational metro lines.
• Phase 2 includes Yellow, Pink, and Blue Lines.
• Phase 3 approved in August 2024.
• Entire network to expand to 220.2 km by 2029.
• Expected to streamline operations.
• Strengthen last-mile connectivity.

Banking News

Historical Evolution of Indian Banks

• India’s banking sector transformed by nationalization and mergers.
• Government began nationalizing banks from late 1960s.
• First nationalization phase in 1969 covered 14 banks.
• Second nationalization phase in 1980 covered 6 banks.
• RBI nationalized in 1949, becoming central bank.
• Imperial Bank of India became SBI in 1955.
• 7 SBI associate banks brought under state ownership in 1960.
• Nationalization aimed to make banking accessible to public.
• Also aimed to direct credit to neglected sectors like agriculture.
• Led to rapid expansion of banking in rural areas.

Appointments

Dr. J Ravishankar Appointed BMRCL MD

• Dr. J Ravishankar is a 2001-batch IAS officer.
• Holds a degree in Dental Surgery.
• Previously served as Secretary in Agriculture and Housing.
• Also served as Excise Commissioner.
• Was Special Commissioner at BBMP.
• Served as Commissioner of Karnataka Housing Board.
• Brings diverse administrative experience to the role.

Economy News

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Economic Impact

• Annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore for six years.
• Aims to impact 1.7 crore farmers.
• Shifts to a value-chain support model.
• Promotes climate-resilient farming.
• Supports national goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Aims for doubling farmer incomes.

Bihar Infrastructure Projects Economic Impact

• ₹7,200 crore investment across various sectors.
• Expected to create local employment.
• Improve urban living standards.
• Enhance infrastructure resilience.
• Supports regional equity and growth.

Important Days

Nationalization of Banks Anniversary

• July 19, 1969, marks the date of the first wave of bank nationalization in India.
• 14 major private banks were nationalized on this date.
• This move aimed to align banking with socialist and developmental goals.
• Significance of the day for financial inclusion and public confidence in banks.