Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 July 2025

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi is hosting Shalyacon 2025.

• It is a national seminar that will take place over three days, beginning from 13th July 2025.
• The event is being held to mark Sushruta Jayanti on July 15.
• This day honors Acharya Sushruta, who is regarded as the pioneer of surgical science.
• The seminar will feature live demonstrations of general, anorectal, and urological surgeries.
• On the first day, ten laparoscopic endoscopic surgeries will be performed.
• The second day will showcase sixteen live anorectal surgical procedures.
• These surgeries will allow participants to observe and learn in real time.
• The final day will include over 200 oral and poster presentations.
• These sessions will promote academic learning and scholarly discussion.
• The theme of Shalyacon 2025 is Innovation, Integration, and Inspiration.
• Over 500 surgeons, researchers, and academic professionals are expected to participate.
• Attendees will come from both India and abroad.
• The seminar aims to foster knowledge exchange and highlight clinical progress.
• It will also explore new trends in Ayurvedic surgical practices.

Topic: Sports

2. India finished runners-up in the Under-20 Freestyle Wrestling Championship in Bishkek.

• India’s Under-20 freestyle wrestling team secured the runner-up title at the 2025 U-20 World Championship held in Bishkek.

• A total of eight medals—two gold, one silver, and five bronze—were won by Indian wrestlers in freestyle, scoring 157 points.
• Iran won the championship trophy.
• Ankush won the gold medal in the 57kg category, while Amit won his second gold medal in the 79kg category after a close 5-4 win over Iran.
• Ashwini won the silver medal in the 65 kg category.
• Saurabh won in the 70 kg category, Sachin in the 86 kg and 92 kg categories, Vishal in the 97 kg category, and Jaspuran Singh in the 125 kg category won the bronze medal.
• The Indian Under-20 wrestling teams finished the championship with a total of 21 medals, including 10 gold, three silver, and eight bronze medals across all styles.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya led the 31st edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• Over 500 people participated in the Gandhinagar event.
• The initiative was organized with support from multiple Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• It was held simultaneously at more than 7000 locations across India.
• Around 3000 Namo Fit India Cycling Clubs took part in the event.
• The campaign promoted the message, “Fitness Ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz.”
• Arjuna Awardee and Para Powerlifting coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu flagged off the Gandhinagar event.
• PSUs like ONGC, Indian Oil, GAIL, BPCL, HPCL, LIC, and many others actively participated.
• In New Delhi, the event took place at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
• Over 3000 people joined the Delhi edition.
• The Great Khali, former WWE champion, flagged off the Delhi event.
• In Gurgaon, a special edition was held in partnership with Raahgiri Foundation.
• Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• It is organized in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India, MY Bharat, and other partners.
• Over 3000 cycling clubs are involved in the initiative.
• Khelo India Centres and SAI centres also conduct these Sunday cycling events nationwide.

Topic: International News

4. France has announced a major agreement with New Caledonia.

• The deal will designate New Caledonia as a new state within the French Republic.
• It was finalized through detailed negotiations held in Paris. The agreement spans 13 pages and outlines key constitutional changes.
• New Caledonia will be recognized as a state in the French Constitution.
• A separate Caledonian nationality will be created. This will exist alongside existing French citizenship.
• The deal also includes a plan for economic and financial recovery. One focus is on reviving New Caledonia’s nickel processing industry.
• The deal still needs approval from New Caledonia. A referendum may be held there in February to decide its future.
• France colonized New Caledonia in the 1850s. It became an official French overseas territory after World War II.
• In 1957, all Kanaks were granted French citizenship.
• The most recent independence referendum in New Caledonia was held in 2021.
• Kanaks are the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia.

Topic: Indian Polity

5. President has appointed new governors of Haryana and Goa.

• President has appointed Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh as Governor of Haryana.
• Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju has been appointed by President as Governor of Goa.
• President has appointed Shri Kavinder Gupta as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
• These apppointments will be effective from the dates they will take charge of their respective offices.
• Further, the resignation of Brig. (Dr.) B. D. Mishra (Retd.) as Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh has been accepted by the President of India.
• Currently, Governor of Haryana is Shri Bandaru Dattatraya from 15th July,2021.
• Present Governor of Goa is Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai since 15th July, 2021.
• Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju is former Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader.
• Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh is a respected academic and political thinker.
• Kavinder Gupta is a senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Appointment and tenure of Governor:
  • Under Article 155, the Governor of a state is appointed by the President.
  • Article 156 describes the tenure of the Governor. According to this, the Governor can continue in his office for 5 years during the pleasure of the President.
  • The Governor can resign from his post by addressing the President or he can be dismissed by the President before five years.

Topic: Indian Economy

6. India's gross direct tax collections increased 274% in 10 years.

• During last 10 years, gross direct tax collections in India have recorded 274% growth.

• Between 2013-14 and 2024-25, refunds issued by the tax department have have grew by 474%.
• Refunds issued to taxpayers have increased from Rs 83,008 crore in FY14 to Rs 4.76 lakh crore in FY25.
• During the same period, the taxpayer base has increased by 133%.
• A decrease from 93 days in 2013 to just 17 days in 2024 has been recorded in the average time of issuing tax refunds.
• The reason for this transformation in tax administration over the past decade is adoption of digital infrastructure.
• This adoption of digital infrastructure includes end-to-end online filing and faceless assessments.
• These alllow faster and more accurate processing of income tax returns.
• A growth from 11.5% in FY 2013-14 to 17.6% in FY 2024-25 has also been seen in the proportion of refunds issued relative to gross direct taxes collected.

Topic: Sports

7. Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon 2025 title at the All England Club in London.

• He defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (Spanish professional tennis player).
• Sinner became the first Italian man to win Wimbledon in its 148-year history.
• The victory came just over a month after he lost to Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final.
• Sinner ended Alcaraz’s perfect 5-0 record in Grand Slam finals.
• He also broke a five-match losing streak against the Spaniard.
• This win gave Sinner his fourth Grand Slam title.
• He now only needs to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.
• Sinner now leads the PIF ATP Rankings by 3,430 points. At 23 years old, he remains the World No.1.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. The 2025 UN Population Award bestowed upon Varsha Deshpande for promoting gender equality.

• Indian women’s rights activist Varsha Deshpande has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Population Award in the individual category, recognizing her commitment to gender justice and reproductive rights.
• The announcement was made by the United Nations in New York on July 10, 2025, during the 40th edition of the globally recognized award.
• Ms. Deshpande serves as the secretary of the Maharashtra-based Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, an organization she founded in 1990.
• She has been acknowledged for her 35-year-long advocacy against gender-based discrimination and sex-selective practices.
• The United Nations praised her leadership in community-driven advocacy and reforms under India's Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, aimed at curbing the declining child sex ratio.
• Initiatives taken through her organization include the prevention of child marriage, securing rights for women in the informal sector, and promoting joint property ownership.
• The UN Population Award, first introduced in 1981, honors outstanding contributions in the field of population and reproductive health.
• It includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary prize, awarded annually to both individuals and institutions.

Topic: National Appointment

9. Senior IPS officer Sonali Mishra appointed as the first woman Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

• Her appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• She will take over from the incumbent Manoj Yadav, who is due to retire on July 31.
• She will serve in this role until her superannuation on October 31, 2026, as per the order by the Ministry of Personnel.
• Sonali Mishra belongs to the 1993 batch of IPS and currently serves as Additional Director General (Selection) in Madhya Pradesh Police.
• She will lead the RPF, which is responsible for the security of railway property and passengers, among other duties.
• In July 2021, she had also became the first woman commander to lead a Border Security Force (BSF) contingent along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab.
• For her exceptional service, she has been awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS) and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS).
• The Railway Protection Force (RPF) was constituted in 1957 under an Act of Parliament.
• Subsequently, in 1966, the force was empowered to investigate, arrest, and prosecute trespassers on railway property.
• On 20 September 1985, it was given the status of an "an armed force of the Union."

Topic: Important Days

10. World Youth Skills Day 2025: 15 July

• Every year on 15 July, World Youth Skills Day is celebrated.
• This day is celebrated to raise awareness among youth about the development of technical, vocational education training and other skills relevant to both local and global economies.
• The theme of World Youth Skills Day 2025 is “Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills.”
• This year's theme focuses on youth empowerment through AI and digital skills.
• 15 July 2025 is the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD).
• The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2014.
• According to the United Nations, approximately 450 million young people (7 out of 10) are economically disadvantaged due to a lack of adequate skills to succeed in the labour market.