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GK Update

Sat 02 Aug, 2025

National News

AI Impact Summit 2026

  • India will host the AI Impact Summit 2026 in February 2026.
  • The objective of this summit is to reframe the global discourse on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone.

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

  • It is a technology through which machines (such as computers, robots etc.) acquire intelligence and ability to think and understand like humans
  • First use of the term “artificial intelligence”: American computer scientist John McCarthy (considered the father of AI)
  • Technologies involved: Machine learning, deep learning, big data, neural networks, computer vision, large language models etc.

Zojila Tunnel Project

  • The initial deadline for the Zojila Tunnel Project was 29 September 2026, but due to challenges such as terrorist attacks, adverse weather conditions, and difficult terrain, the deadline has been extended to February 2028.

Zojila Tunnel Project:

  • Location: Ganderbal (Kashmir) to Drass (Ladakh)
  • Total Length: 14.15 km (one of the longest road tunnels in India)
  • Total Cost: Over Rs 6,809 crore (Rs 3,934.42 crore spent so far)
  • Project Execution: National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL)
  • Height: 11,578 ft

Operation Akhal

  • In Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, one terrorist was killed in an encounter between security forces and militants.
  • The Indian Army has named this operation "Operation Akhal."

Jammu and Kashmir:

  • Located in the northwestern part of India
  • In August 2019, it was divided into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act
  • The reorganization is effective from 31 October 2019
  • The summer capital is Srinagar and the winter capital is Jammu

Nyaya Bandhu Legal Aid Program

  • "Nyaya Bandhu" (Pro Bono Legal Services) is an initiative of the Department of Justice, Government of India, implemented under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme.
  • The objective of this program is to ensure citizens’ right to access justice, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Related Facts:

  • The Nyay Bandhu program registers Pro Bono advocates and connects them with beneficiaries who are eligible for free legal aid through an app (iOS/Android/UMANG).
  • Currently, there are 9261 advocates who have voluntarily registered on the Nyay Bandhu platform
  • Available to citizens in 22 scheduled languages
  • About 14888 women beneficiaries have registered under the Nyay Bandhu app till June 30, 2025
  • It was launched in 2017

State News

Hot Cooked Meal under ICDS

  • The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to reverse the dry nutrition distribution model under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme and instead provide hot cooked meals and take-home rations (THR) to the beneficiaries.
  • The court issued this order to ensure that nutritional food at Anganwadi centres in the state is distributed only in the form of hot cooked meals and take-home rations.

Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS):

  • Start Year: 2 October 1975
  • Objective: To provide nutrition, health and early education services to children up to 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • Beneficiary Category: Children aged 0–6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers
  • Implementation Mode: Anganwadi Centre
  • Launch of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0: 2021

New road named after Shubhanshu Shukla

  • A new road was named after space hero Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow.

Related Facts:

  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian astronaut who flew to the International Space Station (ISS) on 22 June 2025 under Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
  • He stayed on the ISS for about 18 days (from 22 June to 14 July 2025) and returned safely near the California coast on 15 July 2025.
  • Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian to go to the International Space Station and the second Indian astronaut after Rakesh Sharma who traveled to space in 1984.

Uttar Pradesh and North Eastern Railway's First 'Private' Railway Station

  • Gomti Nagar Railway Station, located in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has become the first 'private' railway station under Uttar Pradesh and the North Eastern Railway.
  • Except for train operations, security, and ticket sales, all other passenger services such as station management, cleanliness, catering, parking, etc. have been handed over to private companies.

Related Facts:

  • Gomti Nagar Railway Station is a major busy station in Uttar Pradesh, having 6 platforms and handling around 76 trains daily.
  • The Railway Board has handed over the responsibility of maintenance and management of this station to Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).
  • RLDA will invite private companies who will operate these services for 9 years.

International News

Expansion of Consular Services in the US

  • India has announced a major expansion of consular services in the United States, with the opening of nine new Indian Consular Application Centres from August 1, 2025.
  • The expansion aims to make visa, passport, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and other consular services more accessible, faster and efficient to the Indian diaspora in the US.

United States of America :

  • Continent : North America
  • Borders : Canada to the north, Mexico to the south, Atlantic Ocean to the east, Pacific Ocean to the west
  • Major Rivers : Mississippi, Missouri, Colorado
  • Official Language : English

Order for Development of High-Speed Rail Network

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to develop Russia’s high-speed rail plan (high-speed rail network).
  • He has directed the government to prepare a roadmap for this plan by March 31, 2026.

Related Facts:

  • The first major route of this high-speed rail project is between Moscow and St. Petersburg, construction of which began in February 2024.
  • The project plans to have a total of 43 high-speed trains in operation by 2030, with a maximum speed of up to 400 kilometers per hour.
  • The entire high-speed rail network will exceed 4,500 kilometers by 2045 and will connect Russia's major urban areas, home to a total population of over 100 million.

India-Morocco Agreement

  • India and Morocco have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in the judicial and legal sectors.
  • The objective of this agreement is to enhance cooperation in civil and commercial legal matters and to strengthen mutual collaboration in the field of law.
  • Through the MLAT, both countries will be able to facilitate legal assistance and exchange of information, while the MoU will promote cooperation in areas such as training and digital justice.

Morocco :

  • Capital: Rabat
  • Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
  • Language: Arabic (official), Berber languages; French also widely used
  • Religion: Islam (mainly Sunni)
  • King: Mohammed VI (Sidi Mohammed bin Hassan al-Alawi)
  • Location: Located in North Africa, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea
  • Important mountain range: Atlas Mountains
  • Important river: Sebu River

Economy and Banking

Merger of NICBL with Saraswat Cooperative Bank

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 1st August 2025, approved the merger of New India Cooperative Bank Limited (NICBL) with Saraswat Cooperative Bank under Sections 44A(4) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
  • Following the merger, which will come into effect from 4th August 2025, all branches of NICBL will function as branches of Saraswat Bank.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

Established: April 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934

Nationalised: 1949

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

  • First Governor: Sir Osborn Smith (British)
  • First Indian Governor: C.D. Deshmukh
  • Current Governor: Sanjay Malhotra

Honours and Awards

Announcement of the 71st National Film Awards

  • On 1st August 2025, the winners of the 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi, with the film “12th Fail” receiving the award for Best Feature Film.
  • The jury, headed by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, was constituted to evaluate films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023.

Related Facts:

  • Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
  • Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
  • Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani
  • Best Film Promoting National, Social Values: Sam Bahadur
  • Best Child Artist: Sukirti Veni Bandareddy, Kabir Khandane and Trish Thosar
  • Best Screenplay: Sai Rajesh Neelam for Baby and Ramkumar Balakrishna for Parking
  • Best Hindi Film (OTT Release): "Kathal" (Sanya Malhotra's film)

Reports and Indexes

National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

  • The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was released on 1st August 2025 by the General Economics Division (GED), in collaboration with UNICEF and the European Union (EU).
  • This report highlights the severe poverty situation in Bangladesh, especially emphasizing the significant challenge of multidimensional poverty among children.

According to the report, the situation in Bangladesh:

  • Nearly three in ten children (28.9%) are living in multidimensional poverty, which is much higher than the rate for adults (21.44%)
  • More than 39 million people in Bangladesh are living in multidimensional poverty
  • Five districts - Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Sunamganj, Rangamati and Bhola - have more than 40% of people living in multidimensional poverty.
  • Bandarban has the highest rate of 65.36% among the country's 64 districts, while Sylhet Division has the highest rate of 37.70%

Sports News

U-17 World Wrestling Championship 2025

  • Indian women wrestlers won a total of 6 medals including 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal at the Under-17 World Wrestling Championship 2025 held in Athens.

Related facts:

  • The main winning wrestlers include Rachna (43 kg weight category), who won the gold medal
  • Ashwini Bishnoi also won the gold medal in the 65 kg weight category
  • Silver medals were won by Moni (57 kg), Kajal (73 kg) and Yashita (61 kg)
  • Bronze medal was won by Komal Verma (49 kg)

Major Appointments

Khalid Jamil

  • Khalid Jamil has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian Men's Football Team by the Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), based on the recommendation of its Technical Committee.

Related Facts:

  • Khalid Jamil led Aizawl Football Club to the I-League title in 2017
  • He became the first Indian to hold the prestigious position in 13 years
  • He replaced Spain's Manolo Marquez
  • The last Indian to serve as the head coach of the national men's team was Savio Medeira, who held the position from 2011 to 2012
  • Khalid Jamil is currently in charge of Indian Super League team Jamshedpur FC
  • All India Football Federation (AIFF): Founded: 1937, Headquarters: New Delhi

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan

  • Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed charge as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on August 1, 2025.
  • He succeeded Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan in this position.

Indian Navy:

  • Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi (26th Chief)
  • The Indian Navy has three main operational commands — Western Naval Command Kochi, Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam, and Southern Naval Command Vizag
  • Western Naval Command: HQ Mumbai (Maharashtra)
  • Eastern Naval Command: HQ Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Southern Naval Command: HQ Kochi (Kerala)

Person In News

KPAC Rajendran

  • Renowned Malayalam actor and theatre artist KPAC Rajendran passed away on July 31, 2025, at the age of 74.

Important Days

Anniversary of the Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

  • Every year on August 2, the anniversary of the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule is observed.
  • On August 2, 1954, this region was freed from Portuguese control, and since then, this day has been celebrated as Liberation Day or Independence Day.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli:

  • Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a union territory of India, which is now part of a combined union territory called Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
  • The region is located in south-western India between Gujarat and Maharashtra
  • Capital: Silvassa, Largest city: Silvassa
  • Geographical location: The region is divided into two parts - Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Dadra is surrounded by Gujarat while Nagar Haveli is located between Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Pingali Venkayya's Birth Anniversary

  • Every year on August 2, the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya — the designer of India's national flag (Tiranga) and a prominent freedom fighter — is celebrated.

Pingali Vaikaya:

  • Born: 2 August 1876 in Andhra Pradesh, Died: 4 July 1963
  • His designed tricolour flag was accepted by Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian National Congress meeting in 1921
  • He added white colour and charkha in the middle to the evolution of the tricolour

 

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