Daily Current Affairs and GK | 16 July 2025

Topic: Indian Economy

1. India's wholesale inflation rate fell to -0.13% in June 2025 due to a fall in food and fuel prices.

• India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation declined to (-) 0.13% in June 2025, compared to the same month last year.
• According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this decline is mainly due to the reduction in prices of food articles, mineral oils, manufacturing basic metals, crude petroleum, and natural gas.
• Since March 2025, wholesale price index-based inflation has been declining steadily, and in May it reached a 14-month low of 0.39%.
• Food inflation was recorded at -0.26%, while primary articles saw a deeper contraction of -3.38%.
• The fuel and power category registered a deflation of -2.65%, further pulling down the overall index.
• Inflation in manufactured products eased to 1.97%, indicating a broader trend of price softening.
• The WPI reflects wholesale-level price changes, as opposed to the CPI, which measures consumer-level price changes.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

2. 'Youth Spiritual Summit' will be organised in Varanasi to promote drug-free India.

• On 14 July, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced the ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ to be organised in Varanasi from July 18–20, 2025, focusing on a drug-free India.
• The summit, themed ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’, aims to harness youth potential toward a vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• More than 500 youth delegates from 100 spiritual organisations will participate in this event along the sacred ghats of River Ganga.
• The summit is being launched in partnership with NGOs, educational institutions, and spiritual groups to create an inclusive anti-drug movement.
• The four plenary sessions of the Summit will discuss the following themes: understanding drug addiction and its impact on youth, dismantling drug traffickers' networks and business interests, effective campaigns and outreach, and building a comprehensive commitment towards a drug-free India by 2047.
• At the end of the event, the historic Kashi Declaration will be issued, offering a roadmap toward Nasha Mukt Bharat.
• A special Vijay Diwas Padyatra in Kargil on July 26 was also announced, aligning youth activism with national pride and the Fit India movement.

Topic: Important Day

3. AI Appreciation Day 2025: 16 July

• On 16 July, AI Appreciation Day observed across India.
• This highlights the country's emerging presence in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem.
• AI’s role in transforming sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance has been widely acknowledged, from major tech cities to remote villages.
• India’s progress in AI has been shaped by long-term government planning, including the ‘AI for All’ vision and the National Strategy for AI, which aim for inclusive growth.
• The foundation of India’s AI journey was laid in the 1960s, and key milestones such as the 1986 Knowledge-Based Computer Systems project and 1990s supercomputing efforts further advanced the field.
• By the early 2000s, major IT companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro had begun investing in AI, helping build both innovation and talent across academia and industry.
• Landmark initiatives like Digital India (2015) and NITI Aayog’s AI strategy (2018) accelerated nationwide AI development.
• To foster skills and workforce readiness, programmes like the Skill India AI Portal and AI Youth Bootcamp have been launched, offering certifications and practical training.
• The government is also investing in AI research by funding programs and new centers that link academia and industry.
• Partnerships with tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and IBM are helping India stay connected with global developments.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Uttar Pradesh

4. The 75^th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh.

• The 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) has been inaugurated at Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh.
• The inauguration was presided over by Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma, accompanied by officials from ALIMCO, district administration, and other dignitaries.
• PMDK centers are aimed at providing integrated services for Divyangjan and senior citizens, including assessment, counseling, and distribution of assistive aids.
• These centers are being established through ALIMCO, a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
• The newly inaugurated center in Badaun will distribute devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, artificial limbs, and tricycles under the ADIP Scheme for Divyangjan and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) for senior citizens.
• All assistive devices will be provided free of cost to eligible beneficiaries to promote accessibility and inclusion.
• With this launch, the total number of PMDKs across the country has reached 75, and over 1.40 lakh individuals have benefited so far.
• Devices worth ₹179.15 lakh have already been distributed through these centers, showcasing the government’s commitment to welfare.
• The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of ‘Accessible India, Empowered India’, ensuring last-mile service delivery and inclusive development.

Topic: Personality in News

5. PM Modi paid tribute to freedom fighter K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary on 15 July.

• On his birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to freedom fighter and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.

• PM Modi acknowledged Kamaraj’s key role in India’s freedom movement and his leadership in the early decades of independent India.
• Known for his principles, Kamaraj’s ideals of social justice and simplicity continue to inspire the nation.
• Born in 1903, he served as the chief minister of the erstwhile Madras State and later led the Indian National Congress as its president.
• Kamaraj introduced pioneering reforms in education, including free education and the mid-day meal scheme that significantly increased school enrollment.
• K. Kamaraj, the then-chief minister of Madras State (which was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1967), introduced the mid-day meals scheme in 1957.
• His birthday is officially observed in Tamil Nadu as Education Development Day, commemorating his legacy in promoting literacy and equal access.
• The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, was awarded to Kamaraj posthumously in 1976 in recognition of his national service.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Sikkim

6. India's first Digital Nomad Village launched in Yakten, Sikkim.

• On 14 July, Yakten village in Pakyong district, Sikkim, has been declared India’s first digital nomad village under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ initiative.
• MLA and Advisor to Women, Child, Senior Citizen, and Disabled Welfare Department Pamina Lepcha inaugurated it.
• This is a step towards creating a sustainable, community-driven destination for digital nomads from across the country and the world.
• The project is a joint effort by the Pakyong district administration and NGO Sarvahitey, aimed at turning scenic spots into year-round work destinations for digital workers.
• The initiative was launched to address the income instability faced by homestay operators during off-seasons, often lasting six months.
• The district authorities have installed dual internet lines and ensured village-wide Wi-Fi, making the area suitable for remote work.
• Inverters have been provided to ensure uninterrupted electricity, and a long-term water supply plan is being undertaken under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Officials have stated that if basic infrastructure is ensured, remote workers will be attracted regardless of the tourism season.
• The village, located about 32 km from Gangtok, is being promoted as a peaceful, connected hub for global freelancers and remote professionals.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. 10^th Anniversary of the Skill India Mission celebrated on July 15, 2025.

• The celebration coincides with World Youth Skills Day.

• The mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
• It aims to equip young people with relevant skills for jobs, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.
• Skill India is a national initiative designed to boost youth employability.
• It offers structured training through various programs.
• Since 2015, over 16 million individuals have been trained under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
• Training has been provided in 38 different sectors.
• Women account for 45 percent of the trained candidates.
• A significant number of trainees are from SC, ST, and OBC communities.
• Training covers a wide range of fields.
• These include manufacturing, construction, handicrafts, healthcare, IT, electronics, and retail.
• Government efforts have led to improved job-readiness among college graduates.
• The percentage rose from 34 percent in 2014 to over 51 percent in 2024.
• India has a young population, with nearly 65 percent under the age of 35.
• World Youth Skills Day is observed every year on July 15.
• It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
• The day highlights the importance of youth skill development.
• It promotes employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship for young people.
• The 2025 theme focuses on empowering youth through AI and digital skills.

Topic: Space and IT

8. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew have successfully completed their 18-day mission in space.

• They returned safely to Earth on 15 July 2025.
• The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying the crew landed in the Pacific Ocean.
• The splashdown occurred near the coast of San Diego, California.
• The crew will now begin a seven-day rehabilitation program.
• This process will help them adjust to Earth's gravity after their time in space.
• The Axiom-4 mission was launched on June 25, 2025.
• It lifted off from Florida aboard a Falcon-9 rocket.
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian to reach the International Space Station.
• He is also the second Indian to travel into space.
• The first was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
• While aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted seven scientific experiments.
• These experiments were focused on India's research priorities in space science.
• They are expected to support future deep-space missions and long-duration stays.
• The Axiom-4 mission was named Akash Ganga.
• It was a joint venture between Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO.
• This collaboration marked a major milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.

Topic: Personality in News

9. 114-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh dies.

• Fauja Singh, a celebrated marathon runner aged 114, died in a road accident in Beas, his native village in Punjab’s Jalandhar district.
• He was widely known by titles such as the ‘Turbaned Tornado’ and the ‘Sikh Superman’.
• Singh was born on April 1, 1911, in Beas village.
• He began running in 1994 after the death of his fifth son, Kuldeep Singh.
• Running became a way for him to manage his grief.
• He often said that it helped him deal with emotional pain and personal loss.
• His first major race was the London Marathon in 2000.
• He was 89 years old at the time.
• After that, he completed the London Marathon six more times.
• He also ran marathons in Toronto, New York, and other cities.
• Singh set several age-category records in long-distance running.

Topic: National News

10. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district.

• It is now India’s second longest cable-stayed bridge.

• The bridge is 2.44 kilometers long and 16 meters wide.
• It stretches across the Sharavathi backwaters.
• It connects the towns of Sagara and Marakutika.
• The project cost over ₹470 crore to build.
• The bridge shortens the travel distance to Sigandur, home to the Chowdeshwari temple.
• Several villages in Sagar taluk lost road access after the Linganamakki dam was built in the 1960s.
• Gadkari named the bridge after Goddess Chowdeshwari Devi.
• The central government aims to complete ₹5 lakh crore worth of road projects in Karnataka by the end of its term.
• The Belagavi-Hungund-Raichur corridor will reduce travel time from six hours to 2.5 hours.
• This corridor is expected to be finished by 2027.
• Expansion work on the Hassan-Raichur highway will be completed by December 2028.
• Nationally, the Ladakh-Leh road via the Zojila tunnel will open next year.
• The Surat-Chennai highway will also be ready by next year.
• It passes through six states and will shorten the distance to Bengaluru by 280 kilometers.
• It will also reduce the distance to Chennai by 320 kilometers.