National News

Nomination of 4 New Members to the Rajya Sabha

• President Droupadi Murmu, exercising the powers conferred under Article 80 of the Constitution, has nominated 4 new members to the Rajya Sabha.

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First Electric Truck Incentive Scheme

• The Government of India launched the country's first Electric Truck Incentive Scheme on 12 July 2025.
• Named PM E-DRIVE, the scheme aims to promote electric trucks in the heavy freight transport sector, reduce pollution, and help achieve the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

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Living Root Bridge

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the famous Living Root Bridge located in Seij village of East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya.

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International news

Return of Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from Space

• The return date and time of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from space has now been finalized.
• He will depart from the ISS aboard the Dragon spacecraft on 14 July 2025, and will make a safe landing (splashdown) in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California on 15 July 2025.

International Space Station (ISS):

Economy and Banking

India's Foreign Exchange Reserves

• According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India's total foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 699.736 billion for the week ending 4 July 2025.
• During the same period, the country’s gold reserves rose by USD 342 million, reaching USD 84.846 billion.

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Reports and Indexes

“Mapping the Application of AI in Traditional Medicine” – WHO Report

• The World Health Organization (WHO), in its first technical report titled “Mapping the Application of AI in Traditional Medicine,” has recognized India’s efforts as a global benchmark.
• This report was developed at India’s initiative, and it elaborates on the effective integration of technology in AYUSH systems — Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy.

World Health Organization (WHO):

Awards and Honours

United Nations Population Award

• Maharashtra-based social worker Varsha Deshpande has been conferred the United Nations Population Award for the year 2025.
• She has been honored for her lifelong efforts in promoting gender equality, preventing sex-selective abortions, and advocating for the rights of women and girls.

United Nations (UN):

Art and Culture

Harela Festival 2025

• On the occasion of Harela Festival 2025, a historic plantation drive is being organized in Uttarakhand on 16 July 2025, with the goal of planting over 5 lakh saplings in a single day.
• This campaign is being carried out under the themes “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Harela Ka Tyohar Manao, Dharti Maa Ka Rinn Chukao” (Celebrate Harela Festival, Repay the Debt of Mother Earth).

About Harela Festival:

47th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

• The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is being held in Paris, France, from 6 July to 16 July 2025.
• During this session, nominations of 32 new sites from around the world were discussed, and several of them were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• India’s ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ has also been included in the list this year.

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Sports News

Harikrishnan A – India’s 87th Grandmaster

• Harikrishnan A has become India’s 87th Chess Grandmaster.
• He achieved this milestone by securing his third and final GM norm at the La Plagne Open Chess Tournament held in France.

Chess Grandmaster :

Wimbledon 2025

• Polish tennis player Iga Świątek won her first Wimbledon title on 12 July 2025, defeating Amanda Anisimova of the USA with a dominant score of 6-0, 6-0 in the women’s singles final held at Centre Court, London.

Wimbledon :

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

• Italy has qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by finishing second in the Europe Qualifier 2025.
• This marks Italy’s first-ever participation in any ICC Cricket World Cup.

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