21 July, 2025
GK Update
Fri 18 Jul, 2025
National News
Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards
- President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards on 17th July 2025.
- The event was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards :
Super Swachh League Cities :
|
Best Ganga City Award : Prayagraj
|
‘Khelo Bharat Conclave 2025’
- The Khelo Bharat Conclave was organized on 17th July 2025 in New Delhi.
- The conclave was attended by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, along with representatives from National Sports Federations, coaches, athletes, corporate entities, and various sports organizations.
Related Facts:
|
State Specific News
Drone Delivery Service
- With the launch of the drone delivery service in Arunachal Pradesh, essential medicines and medical supplies are now being rapidly delivered to hilly and remote areas.
- A state-of-the-art drone port has been inaugurated at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS).
- This drone port is established on the hospital rooftop, from where drones will swiftly transport essential medicines to the people.
Arunachal Pradesh:
|
|
Inauguration of Infrastructure Projects Worth Over ₹7,200 Crore in Bihar
- On 18th July 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects worth over ₹7,200 crore in Motihari, Bihar.
- These projects are related to sectors such as railways, fisheries, and other key areas.
Bihar:
|
|
State-Level SVEEP Icons Appointed
- The Election Department of Bihar has appointed actor Kranti Prakash Jha and actress Neetu Chandra as state-level SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) icons.
International news
TRF Designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization
- In response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, the United States on 22nd April 2025 officially designated "The Resistance Front" (TRF) — an offshoot of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
United States of America (USA):
|
|
New Prime Minister Appointed in Ukraine
- Yulia Svyrydenko has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Ukraine.
- She succeeds former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who has now been appointed as the Defence Minister of Ukraine.
Ukraine :
|
|
Hurun India U30 List 2025
- Avendus Wealth and Hurun India jointly released the Hurun India U30 List 2025.
- This is the first edition under the "Uth Series", featuring 79 Indian entrepreneurs and next-generation business leaders aged 30 or below, who have made remarkable achievements across various sectors in the country.
Related facts:
|
Awards and Honours
United Nations Mandela Prize 2025
- Brenda Reynolds (Canada) and Kennedy Odede (Kenya) have been honored with the United Nations Mandela Prize 2025.
- They received this award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to social upliftment and justice.
Related Facts:
|
Defense News
Test of Prithvi-II and Agni-I Ballistic Missiles
- The Ministry of Defence successfully conducted test launches of short-range ballistic missiles – Prithvi-II and Agni-I from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.
- The tests were conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
Related Facts:
Prithvi-II Missile:
|
Agni-I Missile:
|
Launch of ‘Nistar’
- In a historic milestone, the Indian Navy will launch its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) ‘Nistar’ on 18th July 2025 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
Related Facts:
|
Indian Navy:
|
Successful Test of Akash Prime Defence System
- In July 2025, the Indian Army successfully tested the indigenously developed Akash Prime Defence System at an altitude of 15,000 feet in Ladakh.
- Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the original Akash missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
|
|
Important Days
Nelson Mandela International Day
- Nelson Mandela International Day is observed every year on 18th July, marking the birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, the first Black President of South Africa and a global symbol of peace, justice, and human rights.
- This day was officially designated by the United Nations in 2009.
Nelson Mandela:
|