Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 July 2025

Topic: Personality in News

1. Felix Baumgartner died in a paragliding accident in Italy on 17 July 2025. 

• Baumgartner was Austrian base jumper and skydiver.
• He was best known for his record-breaking jump from the stratosphere. He died at the age of 56.
• Baumgartner lost control of his paraglider and crashed into a hotel swimming pool in the coastal town of Porto Sant’Elpidio.
• Baumgartner gained international fame in 2012.
• That year, he completed a historic skydive from the stratosphere.
• He jumped from approximately 24 miles above Earth.
• He used a pressurised capsule for the ascent.
• The jump set a world record for the highest freefall.
• It also set the record for the fastest descent without mechanical propulsion.
• His 2012 feat is considered a milestone in the world of extreme sports.

Topic: International news

2. The US declared Lashkar-e-Taiba's proxy, The Resistance Front, a terrorist organization for the Pahalgam attack.

• The US State Department has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a terrorist organization.
• The designation was announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating TRF is labeled as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
• The move by the Trump Administration demonstrates its commitment to national security, counterterrorism, and justice for the Pahalgam attack victims.
• TRF, a front and proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians.
• The group has also taken responsibility for multiple attacks against Indian security forces, including incidents in 2024.
• The FTO designation of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba has been reviewed and maintained by the US State Department.
• Earlier on 15 July, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for a firm stance against terrorism at the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, China.
• He condemned the Pahalgam attack and highlighted the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation as well.

Topic: State News/Maharashtra

3. IICT campus inaugurated in Mumbai to foster India's creative technological future.

• On 18 July, the first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) was inaugurated at the NFDC Complex in Mumbai by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
• It was announced that the IICT would provide advanced training in animation, gaming, post-production, XR, and VFX in collaboration with companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple.
• The institute’s first batch will train 300 students, professionals, and AVGC-XR trainers in industry-aligned courses.
• A new IICT campus is being developed in Film City, Maharashtra, and is designed to merge with the natural surroundings.
• According to Mr. Fadnavis, IICT will serve as a key driver for India’s growing creative economy and align with the vision of WAVES becoming a global movement.
• An MoU between Prasar Bharati and the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation was exchanged in the presence of the Union Minister and the Chief Minister.
• The MoU aims to establish a media hub for film and television that will promote innovation and international competitiveness.
• The WAVES Bharat Pavilion was also inaugurated at Gulshan Mahal.
• The IICT logo and 17 industry-aligned courses were launched, and the outcome report of the first edition of WAVES 2025 was released.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

4. India’s First Tribal Genome Project for precision healthcare launched by Gujarat.

• Gujarat became the first state in India to launch a genome sequencing project focused entirely on tribal communities.
• The project was announced at a consultation meeting chaired by State Tribal Development Minister Kuber Dindor.
• It aims to identify genetic health risks for tribal populations and enable precision healthcare.
• It was confirmed that the genomes of 2,000 individuals from 17 tribal districts will be sequenced under the initiative.
• The project is titled “Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat” and is being led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).
• This genome project is a part of the state’s 2025–26 budget and has been integrated with broader health planning.
• The initiative will focus on early detection and targeted treatment of genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and certain inherited cancers.
• Mr. Dindor stated that the initiative would bridge scientific research and traditional knowledge for long-term improvement in tribal health.

Topic: State News/Bihar

5. Actors Neetu Chandra and Kranti Prakash Jha appointed as Bihar SVEEP icons by ECI.

• On 16 July, actors Nitu Chandra and Kranti Prakash Jha were appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) icons for Bihar.
• The appointment aims to strengthen voter education and awareness ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
• Both Jha and Chandra will actively participate in various programs to educate voters, spread awareness about elections, and promote voter literacy through various media.
• Chandra, a native of Patna, is a multilingual actor with work in Indian and Hollywood cinema, along with a background in sports and classical arts.
• Jha, who hails from Bhagalpur, has acted in major films including MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and Samrat Prithviraj.
• SVEEP is the flagship program of the ECI to spread voter education, voter awareness, and promote voter literacy through multi-intervention programs.
• It reaches out to citizens, voters, and electors through various modes and media to educate them about the electoral process in order to enhance their awareness and promote their informed participation.
• Earlier in 2023, folk singer Maithili Thakur was named the SVEEP Icon for Bihar.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. Indian students win four medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad.

• India achieved international acclaim at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Dubai, with all four participants winning medals.

• Two gold medals were secured by Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya from Maharashtra and Sandeep Kuchi from Telangana.
• Silver medals were won by Debadatta Priyadarshi from Odisha and Ujjwal Kesari from Delhi.
• The event, held from July 5 to 14, saw participation from 354 students representing 90 countries.
• India finished sixth in the overall medal tally along with Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Israel.
• This was India’s 26th appearance at the IChO, where students have consistently delivered impressive performances.
• HBCSE, under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), acts as the nodal center for training and selecting Indian students for various International Olympiads in subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Topic: Defence

7. The Indian Navy will participate in the 32nd edition of SIMBEX later this month.

• SIMBEX is a bilateral maritime exercise held with the Republic of Singapore Navy.
• It is one of India’s longest-running uninterrupted naval drills.
• India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, emphasized its strategic importance.
• He said the exercise supports India’s Vision SAGAR and Act East policy.
• These policies aim to strengthen regional partnerships and ensure maritime security.
• He highlighted India’s strong cultural and historical ties with ASEAN nations.
• He mentioned the success of the first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise held in 2023.
• This exercise was co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy.
• Indian warships INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti have reached Singapore.
• They are participating in SIMBEX under Rear Admiral Susheel Menon.
• He is the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Fleet.
• All four ships were built in India. They are equipped for modern naval operations.

Topic: Sports

8. Bihar won the U18 Boys’ title at the 10th Junior National Rugby 7s Championship 2025.

• They defeated defending champions Odisha 17-15 in a closely fought final.

• The final was held at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun.
• This win gave Bihar a clean sweep of both boys’ and girls’ titles.
• They had earlier claimed the U18 Girls’ crown in the same tournament.
• Bihar repeated their double-title success from the 2022 edition.
• Bihar went unbeaten throughout the competition.
• They registered dominant wins over Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.
• In the third-place match, Maharashtra narrowly beat Delhi.
• Saurabh Sanjay Rajput scored a golden try to seal the win for Maharashtra.
• Delhi finished in fourth place. They showed strong improvement from their seventh-place finish in 2024.
• The top four teams—Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Delhi—matched their standings from the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games.
• This consistency highlighted their strong presence in junior-level rugby.

Topic: International News

9. Ukraine’s parliament has appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister.

• This is the first leadership change in the role in five years.

• The move is part of a major cabinet reshuffle.
• The goal is to improve wartime leadership and government efficiency.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given Svyrydenko several key responsibilities.
• These include increasing local weapons production and stabilising the economy.
• Ukraine’s economy currently relies heavily on international loans and aid.
• Zelenskyy wants 50% of weapons on the battlefield to be domestically made.
• This would be an increase from the current 40%.
• He expects this change to happen within six months.
• The president also called for economic deregulation.
• He emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation with Ukraine’s allies.
• Svyrydenko is 39 years old and a seasoned technocrat.
• She served as first deputy prime minister since 2021.
• Her top short-term goals include reliable military supply chains.
• She will also prioritize boosting domestic arms manufacturing.
• Svyrydenko previously worked with the Trump administration.
• She helped broker a deal giving the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
• Denys Shmyhal, the outgoing prime minister, is set to become defence minister.
• Zelenskyy nominated him for the role earlier in the week.
• Svyrydenko was confirmed with 262 votes in the 450-seat parliament.

Topic: State News/ Bihar

10. Bihar hosting its first Indian Open Athletics Meet at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna on 19 July 2025.

• The event will last for one day. It will feature top Indian athletes, including Olympians and international competitors.
• This is the first major athletics event held in Bihar. More than 400 athletes from across India will take part.
• Their performances will influence selection for the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
• The competition will include sprints, middle and long-distance runs, and relay races.
• Other events are steeplechase, long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault.
• Throwing events such as shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin will also be held.
• Decathlon, heptathlon, marathon, and half marathon are part of the schedule too.
• The Athletics Federation of India and Bihar State Sports Authority are organizing the meet.
• Notable participants include Animesh Kujur, national record holder for 100m and 200m.
• Dev Meena, the national pole vault record holder, will also compete.
• Asian medalist and Olympian Ankita Dhyani is among the key athletes.
• Himanshu Jakhar, India’s first javelin gold medalist at the Asian Under-18 Championships, will participate.
• Olympians Kishore Jena and Kiran Pahal will be present.
• Asian silver medalist Sachin Yadav and two-time Asian bronze medalist Purnima Hembrom are also competing.
• A total of 23 athletes from Bihar will join the competition.
• This event aims to boost interest and development in athletics within Bihar.