Daily Current Affairs and GK | 30 July 2025

Topic: Defence

1. On July 28, 2025, the Ministry of Defence has signed an MoU to set up a testing center focused on Mechanical and Material domains.

• This facility will be located within the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor in Tiruchirappalli.
• The agreement is part of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) and was signed on July 28, 2025, in New Delhi.
• Officials from the Ministry of Defence and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) signed the MoU.
• Under DTIS, the government provides up to 75% of the project funding as a grant.
• The remaining 25% is financed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
• The SPV includes Indian private companies as well as State and Central Government bodies.
• Micro Labs (a private entity) is the lead member of the SPV consortium for this testing facility.
• Other members include Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Vaidheswaran Industries.
• When completed, the facility will offer advanced testing equipment and services.
• These will be available to both government agencies and private companies.
• The project aims to strengthen self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• The DTIS was launched by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh  in May 2020 with a budget of Rs 400 Crore.
• Its goal is to create state-of-the-art testing infrastructure. The scheme encourages collaboration between private industry and government.
• Seven testing facilities were approved to provide impetus to defence and aerospace sectors within Defence Industrial Corridors.
• Four of these are in Tamil Nadu, while three are in Uttar Pradesh.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

2. DPIIT signed an MoU with Ather Energy to promote EV manufacturing in India.

• An MoU was signed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with Ather Energy Limited, an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer, to accelerate the growth of India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing sectors.

• The collaboration is being done as part of the Build in India initiative led by Startup Policy Forum (SPF), a coalition of over 50 innovation-focused startups.
• The MoU outlines a comprehensive partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy focusing on strategic mentorship for deep-tech startups and infrastructure support in the EV value chain.
• It also includes joint innovation programs like the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, talent and skill development initiatives, and participation in events such as Startup Mahakumbh with on-ground exposure visits.
• The signing ceremony was attended by DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv Singh and Ather CEO Tarun Mehta.
• This collaboration is expected to provide new opportunities for startups in the EV and manufacturing sectors, contributing to a future-ready and self-reliant startup ecosystem in line with India's climate and industrial goals.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. India strengthened tiger conservation with 58 tiger reserves by 2025.

• India’s total number of tiger reserves has increased from 46 in 2014 to 58 in 2025, as announced by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Global Tiger Day celebrations in New Delhi.

• International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on July 29, and the 2025 theme is “Securing the Future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the Heart.”
• The rise in tiger reserves was credited to Prime Minister Modi’s sustained commitment to wildlife conservation.
• A nationwide plantation drive was launched, under which over one lakh saplings will be planted across all 58 tiger reserves.
• Yadav also highlighted India's leadership in global tiger conservation through the International Tiger Coalition (IBCA).
• This initiative has been launched by India to conserve all seven tiger species across the world.
• 24 countries have already joined the alliance, and its headquarters will be set up in India, making the country a leader in international wildlife conservation.
• In this program, four important publications under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were released.
  • A report on the “Status of Small Cats in the Tiger Landscape of India”.
  • The Global Tiger Day special edition of STRIPES Magazine.
  • Book titled "Waterfalls of Tiger Reserves in India" by Bharat Lal.
  • Book titled "Water Bodies Inside Tiger Reserves of India" by Dr. S.P. Yadav.
• As a part of recognising the contribution towards wildlife conservation, NTCA awards were given in seven categories.
• It honoured efforts in wildlife crime investigation, habitat management, anti-poaching, public participation, voluntary rehabilitation and posthumous bravery.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

4. ICGS Atal launched by Goa Shipyard to boost maritime security.

• On 29 July, 2025, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has launched the Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS ATAL for the Indian Coast Guard in Vasco-da-Gama.
• The vessel is the sixth in a series of eight state-of-the-art FPVs being built indigenously by GSL under the Ministry of Defence.
• These high-speed vessels are designed to support coastal patrol, island security, and the protection of offshore assets.
• The FPV will also conduct operations like anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, and search and rescue missions.
• The patrol boats are 52 metres in length, displace 320 tonnes, and are equipped for enhanced maritime surveillance.
• GSL CMD Brajesh Upadhyay called the launch a testament to India’s innovation and resilience in shipbuilding.
• The launch reflected the nation’s push towards Aatmanirbharta in defence production.

Topic: Personality in News

5. Maharashtra will celebrate 'Sustainable Agriculture Day' in honor of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.

• The Maharashtra Government has decided to observe August 7 annually as “Sustainable Agriculture Day” to honor Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s birth centenary.
• The announcement was made by State Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate as a tribute to the father of India’s Green Revolution.
• Dr. Swaminathan’s contributions to enhancing wheat and rice productivity were pivotal in achieving India’s food security.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024 by the Government of India in recognition of his contributions.
• The United Nations also recognized him as the father of the economic environment.
• Additionally, Dr M.S. Swaminathan Bio-Happiness Centers will be set up in all agricultural universities across the state to remember the legacy of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Economy

6. India’s growth forecast for 2025 and 2026 raised to 6.4% by the IMF.

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 and 2026 to 6.4%, up from earlier estimates of 6.2% and 6.3%.
• India continues to be recognized as the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
• The revision reflects a more favorable global environment than expected in IMF’s April 2025 projections.
• According to financial year data, India’s GDP growth is expected to reach 6.7% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026.
• Global growth forecasts have also been revised upwards slightly to 3.0% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026.
• China's growth rate is estimated to be 4.8% in 2025 and 4.2% in 2026, while the US growth rate is estimated to be 1.9% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2026.
• Factors influencing the improved projections include easing tariff impacts, a weaker dollar, and better financial conditions.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. The central government aims to open 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027.

• This will be done under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
• As of June 30, 2025, 16,912 Kendras are already functional across India.
• Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel shared this update.
• She provided the information in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha.
• The scheme’s main goal is to offer affordable, high-quality generic medicines.
• It aims to improve access to essential drugs for all citizens.
• In the past 11 years, people have saved an estimated ₹38,000 crore.
• These savings are in comparison to the prices of branded medicines.
• The PMBJP scheme includes over 2,000 types of generic medicines.
• It also offers 315 surgical items, medical consumables, and health devices.
• The scheme covers a wide range of health conditions.
• These include cardiovascular issues, cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, and allergies.
• It also addresses gastrointestinal problems and provides nutritional supplements.
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):
  • PMBJP was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers in November, 2008.
  • Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.
  • The Scheme is implemented by a society, Pharma & Medical Bureau of India (PMBI).

Topic: Defence

8. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful test launches of the Pralay missile.

• The tests took place on July 28 and 29, 2025, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
• These trials were part of User Evaluation efforts. They aimed to assess the missile’s performance at both its minimum and maximum range.
• Each missile followed its planned flight path with high accuracy. The systems hit their designated targets precisely.
• All components worked as intended during the tests.
• Pralay is an Indian-made missile that uses solid fuel. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory for enhanced effectiveness.
• The missile includes advanced navigation and guidance systems. These systems ensure high-precision targeting.
• Pralay can carry various types of warheads. It is designed to strike a range of target types.
• The missile was developed by the Research Centre Imarat. Several other DRDO laboratories also contributed to the project.
• These included Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory, Armament Research & Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory etc.
• Industry partners such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited were involved.
• Many MSMEs and private firms also supported the development.

Topic: Sports

9. Tejaswin Shankar set a new national record in the decathlon for India.

• He scored a total of 7,826 points. The achievement came at the Wieslaw Czapiewski Memorial 2025 athletics meet.
• The event was held in Poland. Shankar finished in fourth place overall.
• He broke his earlier national record of 7,666 points. That previous mark was set at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
• He had won a silver medal in that competition.
• The 2025 meet took place a day earlier. Czech athlete Ondrej Kopecky won the event.
• Kopecky scored 8,254 points and set a new meet record.
• Vilem Strasky from Czechia came in second place. Estonia’s Risto Lillemets secured the third position.
• Tejaswin Shankar is an Indian track and field athlete. Formerly a high jumper, he now specializes in decathlon.

Topic: Banking/Finance

10. India recorded over 65,000 crore digital transactions between 2020 and 2025.

• The total value of these transactions exceeded ₹12,000 lakh crore.
• Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary shared this data in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
• The government has partnered with various stakeholders to boost digital payment adoption.
• These include the RBI, NPCI, banks, fintech companies, and state governments.
• Efforts have been concentrated on increasing usage in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
• To support this push, the RBI launched the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) in 2021.
• The PIDF scheme encourages the expansion of digital payment infrastructure.
• It targets Tier-3 to Tier-6 cities, the northeastern region, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• As of May 31, 2025, about 4.77 crore digital payment touchpoints had been installed under this initiative.
• Digital platforms like UPI have helped small merchants and rural users adopt cashless payments.
• This has reduced dependence on physical cash transactions.
• It has also helped more people enter the formal financial system.
• Digital financial activity has improved access to formal credit.
• To track digital payment trends, the RBI developed the Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI).
• The index measures the extent of digital adoption across the country.
• As of September 2024, the RBI-DPI stood at 465.33.
• This indicates steady growth in digital infrastructure and usage.