National News

124th Episode of Mann Ki Baat Programme

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 124th episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on 27 July 2025.
• In this episode, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the ‘INSPIRE MANAK Scheme’.

Mann Ki Baat Programme:

Inauguration of Development Projects in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth over ₹4,800 crore in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

Major projects included:

World’s Most Popular Leader

• In July 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a high approval rating of 75% in an international survey conducted by Morning Consult, a business intelligence and data analytics firm.

Related facts:

State News

India’s First AI-Based Chandigarh University

• On 26 July 2025, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated India’s first AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based Chandigarh University in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
• It is recognized as India’s first AI-augmented multidisciplinary university, where courses in Engineering, Business, Health, Life Sciences, Humanities, Liberal Arts, and Legal Studies will be operated using AI-based technologies.

AI (Artificial Intelligence):

Fencing Subsidy for Protection of Horticultural Crops

• In Uttar Pradesh, a 50% subsidy will be provided for fencing to protect horticultural crops.
• This facility has been included under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission (MIDH) scheme.

Horticulture Crop:

International News

AUKUS Defence Pact

• Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) signed a bilateral nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement under the AUKUS Defence Pact on 26 July 2025 in Geelong. Known as the Geelong Treaty, this agreement signifies a long-term commitment to defence cooperation between the UK and Australia for the next 50 years.

AUKUS Defence Treaty:

Announcement of Parallel Government in Sudan

• A political coalition led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the formation of a parallel government in Sudan on 26–27 July 2025.
• This coalition is headed by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).

Sudan :

Launch of Nahid-2 Telecommunications and Research Satellite

• Iran has successfully launched its domestically-built telecommunications and research satellite, Nahid-2, into space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket.
• The launch mission took place from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome and was a multi-payload mission, which also included Russia's Unisphere-M3 and M4 satellites along with 18 other satellites from various countries.

Honours and Awards

Sansad Ratna Awards 2025

• Seventeen Members of Parliament have been selected for the Sansad Ratna Awards 2025 for their exemplary performance in the Lok Sabha.
• The awardees include Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar), Ravi Kishan (Bharatiya Janata Party), Nishikant Dubey (BJP), and Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), among others.

Sansad Ratna Award:

Sports News

Hosting of WADA's Intelligence and Investigations Workshop

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), hosted the second edition of the Intelligence and Investigations Workshop of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
• The workshop was held in New Delhi from 21st to 25th July 2025.

Related Facts:

World University Games

• Indian athlete Seema has become the first woman to win a medal in the 5000m final event at the ongoing World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany.

Person In News

Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

• The death anniversary of former President and Bharat Ratna awardee Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is observed every year on 27th July.
• Dr. Kalam, who is also known as the "Missile Man" of India, passed away on 27th July 2015.

Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam:

Brijesh Pathak

• Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak was elected president of the sub-branch of the Indian Red Cross Society.

Indian Red Cross Society:

Important Days

87th Foundation Day of CRPF

• The 87th Foundation Day of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was celebrated on 27 July 2025.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):

World Mangrove Day

• World Mangrove Day is observed every year on 26th July to raise awareness about the importance of conserving mangrove ecosystems.
• Mangrove forests play a vital role in coastal regions by protecting against tsunamis and storms, absorbing carbon dioxide, and providing habitat for a wide variety of species.

Mangroves:

Environment News

Threat of Extinction of Parijat Trees

• Taking serious note of the threat of extinction faced by Parijat trees in Uttar Pradesh, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the concerned authorities to submit a response in the matter.
• According to reports, these trees — found in places like Kintoor (Barabanki), Jhunsi (Prayagraj), and Sultanpur — are approximately 800 years old.
• They are under severe threat due to climate change, reduced rainfall, declining natural moisture, and the excessive exploitation of their bark, leaves, fruits, and seeds.

National Green Tribunal (NGT):