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21 July, 2025
GK Update
Wed 16 Jul, 2025
National News
Advice to Install “Oil and Sugar Boards” in Offices
- The Ministry of Health has advised the installation of “Oil and Sugar Boards” at workplaces, government offices, schools, and public institutions.
- The aim of this initiative is to inform employees and the general public about the oil and sugar content in everyday foods—such as samosas, kachoris, French fries, jalebis, etc.—so they can make more conscious and healthier choices.
Relevant Facts:
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First-Ever Two Online Sand Art Courses Launched
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched two online sand art courses for the first time.
- These courses have been developed in collaboration with Padma Shri awardee and world-renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, and are available for free on the SWAYAM portal.
Key Highlights in the Field of Sand Art:
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Launch of “Stat-a-thon: A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat” Grand Challenge
- The National Statistical Office (NSO), in collaboration with the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education (MoE), launched a grand challenge titled “Stat-a-thon: A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat” on 15 July 2025.
National Statistical Office (NSO):
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10 Years of Skill India Mission
- The Skill India Mission completed 10 years on 15 July 2025.
- Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 July 2015, the mission aims to equip youth with industry-relevant skills, enhance opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.
Skill India Mission :
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State Special News
Launch of ADITI Scheme
- Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar launched the ADITI Scheme at the national level on 15 July 2025 in Panipat, Haryana.
- Under this scheme, MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) will be supported in adopting energy-efficient technologies.
Haryana :
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First ‘Ro-Ro’ (Roll On-Roll Off) Ferry Service
- The Government of Goa has launched the first ‘Ro-Ro’ (Roll On-Roll Off) ferry service on the Mandovi River.
- The primary objective of this new service is to connect Chorao Island with the state capital, Panaji, thereby improving transportation and accessibility for local residents and travelers.
Goa:
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Capital: Panaji Largest city: Vasco da Gama Area: 3,702 square kilometers Official language: Konkani and Marathi Other languages: Hindi, English Foundation day: May 30, 1987 |
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International News
Pahalgam Issue Raised at SCO Meeting
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar prominently raised the issue of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Tianjin, China.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):
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Economy and Banking
RSPL gets approval to acquire 100% shareholding in SMCPGL
- The Competition Commission of India approved the proposed combination relating to acquisition of 100% shareholding in SMC Power Generation Limited by Rungta Sons Private Limited.
- Rungta Sons Private Limited (RSPL) is a private limited company engaged in the business of mining of iron ore and manganese ore and manufacturing of ferro alloys.
Related Facts:
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India’s Total Exports
- India’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached USD 210.31 billion in the April–June 2025 quarter, marking a 5.94% increase compared to USD 198.52 billion during the same period in April–June 2024.
Related Facts:
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Merchandise Exports:
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Services Exports:
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Science and Technology
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
- A team of four astronauts, including Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, successfully completed an 18-day space mission and made a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near California on 15 July 2025.
Axiom-4 Mission:
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Crew:
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Unveiling of India’s First Carbon Fiber Artificial Limb
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana, jointly launched India’s first indigenously developed, low-cost, high-quality carbon fiber foot prosthesis—ADIDOC (Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis)—on 14 July 2025.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
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Important Days
97th Foundation Day of ICAR
- The 97th Foundation Day celebration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was inaugurated by Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
- The event was held on 16 July 2025 at C. Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) :
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Major Institutes :
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16th Foundation Day of CSC
- The 16th Foundation Day of Common Services Centres (CSC) was celebrated on 16 July 2025 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi.
- The event highlighted AI services, digital innovation, service expansion, and rural empowerment, and also included the felicitation of outstanding Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and community leaders.
Common Service Centre (CSC):
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Defense News
Six Indigenous Strategic Products Handed Over to Indian Navy
- On 15 July 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) formally handed over six indigenously developed strategic products to the Indian Navy.
- All these products have been indigenously designed and developed in accordance with the Naval Staff Qualitative Requirements (NSQR) to meet the Navy’s strategic needs.
6 major indigenous products handed over:
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Awards and Honours
Kalinga Ratna Award 2024
- On 15 July 2025, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu attended the birth anniversary celebration of Adikavi Sarala Das in Cuttack, Odisha, and conferred the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 upon Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Reports and Indexes
23rd Edition of 'Secretariat Reforms' Report
- The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released the 23rd edition of its monthly 'Secretariat Reforms' Report for June 2025.
- The report provides a comprehensive analysis of ongoing initiatives aimed at (i) clean-up and minimising pendency, (ii) enhancing efficiency in decision making, (iii) transforming governance and administration through e-office implementation and analysis.
Related Facts:
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NHAI Releases Second Consecutive Sustainability Report for FY 2023–24
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released its second consecutive Sustainability Report for the financial year 2023–24 on 15 July 2025.
Key Highlights:
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Sports News
Poligras Magic Skill Award 2024–25
- Deepika Sehwag, a forward player of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, has won the Poligras Magic Skill Award 2024–25 for her brilliant solo goal against world No. 1 team Netherlands during the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25.
International Hockey Federation (FIH):
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Appointments
Hemant Rupani Appointed as CEO of HCCB
- The Coca-Cola Company appointed Hemant Rupani as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited (HCCB).
- His appointment will be effective from 8 September 2025. He will replace current CEO Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who will assume the new role at the Coca-Cola Group.
Sanjay Kaul
- Sanjay Kaul has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIFT City Company Limited, located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
GIFT City:
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