National News

Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has surpassed 8 crore enrollments, with 39 lakh new subscribers joining in the current financial year.
• It is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India, administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Atal Pension Yojana (APY):

Successful Trial of Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach

• On 25 July 2025, Indian Railways successfully conducted the trial of the country’s first hydrogen-powered train coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
• This train coach has been converted from an old Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) coach using hydrogen fuel cell technology, wherein electricity is generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen, which then powers the train’s motor.

Indian Railways:

State News

Order to Register FIR Without Preliminary Inquiry

• The Madras High Court has directed that the police must register an FIR directly upon receiving a complaint of a cognizable offence under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, without conducting any preliminary inquiry.

SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act, 1989:

MP Unemployment Allowance Scheme 2025

• The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a monthly financial assistance scheme called the "MP Unemployment Allowance Scheme 2025" for educated and unemployed youth.
• Under this scheme, eligible youth will receive a financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month, helping them remain economically supported while searching for employment.

Madhya Pradesh :

International News

Free Visa for Citizens of 40 Countries

• In a move to boost tourism, Sri Lanka has planned to offer free visas to citizens of 40 countries, including India.
• Since March 2023, the free visa facility was already available for citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Now, this list has been expanded to include countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

Sri Lanka:

India-Maldives Agreements

• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives, India and the Maldives signed a total of 4 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and 3 major agreements.

Major agreements:

Commemorative Postage Stamp Released

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu jointly released a commemorative postage stamp to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.

Maldives:

Awards and Honours

G.P. Birla Memorial Award

• Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space, has been conferred the prestigious G.P. Birla Memorial Award.
• He received this award in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the fields of science and management.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):

Traditional ‘Haiykolhu’ Gift to Narendra Modi

• The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the traditional ‘Haiykolhu’, a symbol of Maldivian hospitality and honor.

Science and Technology

Vitamin D Deficiency and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• A recent study has found evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with neurodevelopmental problems.
• It suggests that vitamin D deficiency is not merely a personal health issue—it is a biological legacy passed from one generation to another.
• The study, conducted in Denmark, highlights that vitamin D deficiency affects not just bones but also the brain, underscoring its critical role in neurological development.

Vitamin D:

Bamboo Prepared for Automobile Use

• A team from IIT Guwahati has developed an eco-friendly composite material by combining a locally grown, fast-growing bamboo species called 'Bambusa tulda' with biodegradable polymers. This material is designed to replace conventional plastic in the automobile industry.
• Researchers stated that this cost-effective and environmentally friendly composite, made from Bambusa tulda—a fast-growing bamboo species cultivated in Northeast India—also holds potential applications in industries such as furniture, electronics, and packaging.

Bamboo:

Decline in Coral Cover

• A 24-year-long study has revealed that the coral cover in India’s Lakshadweep archipelago has declined by nearly 50%.
• This finding is based on the long-term coral reef monitoring conducted between 1998 and 2022.

Coral Reef Monitoring Programme:

Person In News

Dame Cleo Lane Passes Away

• Renowned British jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine passed away on 24 July 2025 at the age of 97.
• She was widely celebrated for her musical contributions and was honoured with several awards, including being named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1997.

Famous international jazz singers:

Joe Root

• Joe Root is now the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar.
• He has scored approximately 13,380 to 13,409 runs so far, while Sachin Tendulkar remains on top with a total of 15,921 Test runs.

Related Facts:

Professor Uma Kanjilal

• Professor Uma Kanjilal has been appointed as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
• She is widely recognized for her contributions to the field of education and academics.

Important Days

Kargil Vijay Diwas

• Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26th July.
• This day is dedicated to the memory of India's victory in the Kargil War in the year 1999.

Kargil War:

World Intellectual Property Day

• World Intellectual Property Day is observed every year on April 26.
• It was first established in the year 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to raise awareness about the importance of Intellectual Property (IP).

This year's theme:

World Veterinary Day

• World Veterinary Day is observed every year on the last Saturday of April (in 2025, it falls on April 26).
• The objective of this day is to honor the crucial role of veterinarians and the veterinary community in animal health, welfare, and public health.

Theme for 2025: