Daily Current Affairs and GK | 4 July 2025

Topic: International News

1. Pakistan assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council on July 1, 2025.

• This term will last for the month of July. The presidency is part of Pakistan’s current two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Council. This term began in January 2025.

• Pakistan was elected with strong international support. It received 182 out of 193 votes from UN member states.
• The presidency of the Security Council rotates every month.
• It follows alphabetical order among the 15 member states.
• Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad will chair the Council meetings during July.
• He will represent Pakistan in this leadership role.
• Pakistan will host two key events during its presidency.
• One will focus on multilateralism and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
• The other will highlight cooperation between the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• Pakistan has previously served on the Security Council multiple times.
• These terms were in 2012–13, 2003–04, 1993–94, 1983–84, 1976–77, 1968–69, and 1952–53.

Topic: Important Days

2. World UFO Day 2025: 2 July

• Every year on 2 July, World UFO Day is observed to raise awareness about unidentified flying objects.
• It was first celebrated by UFO researcher Haktan Akdogan in 2001.
• The main objective of the day is to encourage governments to declassify files related to UFO sightings.
• It is also observed as the anniversary of the Roswell UFO incident of 1947.
• In 2001, the World UFO Day Organization (WUFODO) announced that it would celebrate 2nd July as World UFO Day.
• While some also celebrate it on June 24 because of Kenneth Arnold's sighting of unusual flying objects in 1947, July 2 is the more widely recognized date.
• UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects): A UFO is an unidentified flying object that cannot immediately be identified or explained.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

3. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons held its Asia meeting in New Delhi.

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), held its 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia from 1st to 3rd July 2025 in New Delhi.
• The Chemical Weapons Convention came into force in 1997 and currently has 193 member states overseeing the global elimination of chemical weapons.
• India, being an original signatory to the Convention, implements the CWC through the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC).
• In 2024, NACWC successfully mentored the Kenya National Authority to enhance its implementation capacity under the OPCW Mentorship/Partnership Programme.
• The Indian Chemical Council (ICC), India’s oldest chemical industry association, was honored with the OPCW-The Hague Award 2024 for promoting chemical safety and compliance within the industry.
• This was the first occasion globally where a chemical industry body received the OPCW-The Hague Award, recognizing significant contributions to the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• The annual regional meetings provide a platform for exchanging experiences, best practices, and solutions for the implementation of the Convention.
• The New Delhi meeting was attended by 38 delegates from 24 Asian States Parties, including countries such as China, Japan, Australia, and the Republic of Korea.
• Sessions during the meeting discussed legislative frameworks, chemical safety, security, stakeholder roles including the chemical industry, and the use of artificial intelligence.
• The three-day meeting aimed to strengthen regional cooperation among Asian countries for better implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Topic: Space and IT

4. Astronomers took pictures of the aftermath of the star's double detonation.

• Astronomers have obtained photographic evidence for the first time of a rare supernova explosion involving a double detonation of a white dwarf star.

• It typically involves a star with a mass more than eight times that of our Sun running out of its nuclear fuel and collapsing, causing a powerful explosion.
• But a rare type of supernova involves a different type of star—a stellar cinder called a white dwarf—and a double detonation.
• Researchers have obtained photographic evidence of this type of supernova for the first time using the European Southern Observatory's Extremely Giant Telescope in Chile.
• The supernova occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy near the Milky Way, about 160,000 light-years from Earth.
• "The white dwarf has completely disintegrated," said Priyam Das, a doctoral student in astrophysics at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, Australia.
• The study was published on 2 July in the journal Nature Astronomy.
• In the more common type of supernova, the remnant of the massive exploded star is left behind as a dense neutron star or black hole.
• The researchers used the Very Large Telescope's Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, or MUSE, instrument to map the distribution of different chemical elements after the supernova.
• Calcium is seen in blue in the image—the outer ring caused by the first explosion and the inner ring caused by the second explosion.
• These two calcium spheres are the perfect smoking-gun evidence of the double-detonation mechanism.
• White dwarf star: A small and very dense star that is formed when a star like our Sun runs out of fuel and shrinks to just its core.
• Supernova: A powerful explosion that happens at the end of a star’s life.
• Importance: It helps scientists understand how elements like calcium are formed in the universe and gives clues about how stars die.

Topic: National news

5. A replica of the Ram Temple and holy water presented by PM Modi to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

• On 3 July, PM Narendra Modi presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya along with holy water from the Saryu River and the Mahakumbh at a dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
• The gifts symbolized the enduring cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago.
• The dinner featured food served on a Sohari leaf, a cultural tradition significant to people of Indian descent in Trinidad & Tobago.
• During the visit, PM Modi met Rana Mohip, who had sung the song ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ during India’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago.
• Glimpses of cultural and historical ties between the Caribbean nation and India were shared by PM Modi during his two-day visit.
• This visit marks PM Modi’s second trip to the Caribbean region within eight months, highlighting India’s growing partnership with CARICOM countries.
• The earlier visit to Guyana in November 2024 underscored the importance India places on relations with the Caribbean.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

6. Gujarat became the third Indian state to cross one crore stock market investors.

• According to the latest data released by the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Gujarat has become the third state in the country to have more than one crore registered stock market investors.

• Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the other two states to have achieved this milestone, collectively accounting for 36% of India's total investor base.
• According to NSE data, the total number of registered investors in the country as of May 2025 was around 11.5 crores.
• Over 11 lakh new investors joined in May alone, registering a 9% month-on-month rise.
• This comes after four consecutive months of decline in new registrations.
• Region-wise, North India leads with 4.2 crore investors, followed by West India with 3.5 crore, South India with 2.4 crore, and East India with 1.4 crore investors.
• North and East India recorded the highest annual growth rates in investor numbers at 24% and 23%, respectively.
• South India’s investor base grew by 22%, while West India reported a 17% increase during the last year.
• India crossed the 9 crore investors mark in February 2024 and added the next one crore every five to six months, reaching 10 crores by August 2024 and 11 crores by January 2025.
• However, the growth rate slowed down from February to May 2025, with an average of 10.8 lakh new investors joining per month, compared to a monthly average of 19.3 lakh new investors in calendar year 2024.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. Shri Harsh Malhotra inaugurated the third edition of the National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC) 2025.

• He is Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways.
• The inauguration event took place on July 2nd at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.
• It is being organised by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• The two-day national conference is focused on the theme “Integrating ESG for Viksit Bharat.”
• Over 300 participants attended, including senior corporate leaders, ESG professionals, policymakers, and international delegates.
• Shri Malhotra emphasized that India is shifting from a compliance-driven system to one based on trust and ethical corporate governance.
• He highlighted key reforms led by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• These include the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) and the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework.
• He also mentioned the introduction of MCA21 Version 3.0 to enhance digital corporate governance.
• Another major reform is the decriminalisation of more than 180 statutory provisions under the Jan Vishwas Act.
• The conference aims to promote responsible business conduct as a foundation for India’s development by 2047.
• NCRBC 2025 is supported by Ministry of Corporate Affairs and several partner organisations.
• These include UNICEF India, Partners-in-Change, ICAI, ACCA, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi), ILO, and the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA).

Topic: Science and Technology

8. Indian researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in sustainable energy storage.

• They have developed a new material that significantly improves supercapacitor performance.

• The research was carried out by the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru.
• It was conducted in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
• The scientists engineered a lanthanum-doped version of silver niobate (AgNbO₃).
• This modified compound greatly boosts energy storage capacity.
• Traditional supercapacitors charge quickly but struggle with low energy density.
• The new material addresses this limitation by enhancing both speed and storage.
• Lanthanum, a rare-earth element, was added to improve electrical conductivity.
• It also reduced particle size, which increased the surface area.
• These changes resulted in a 118% energy retention after repeated cycles.
• The supercapacitor also achieved 100% coulombic efficiency, with no energy loss.
• A working prototype powered an LCD display, proving its practical use.
• The material could benefit portable electronics and renewable energy systems.
• Dr. Kavita Pandey led the research team.
• The findings were published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
• Lanthanum-doped AgNbO₃ is now seen as a top candidate for eco-friendly energy storage.
• The researchers plan to try similar techniques on other materials.
• They also aim to scale up production for commercial applications.
• This innovation strengthens India’s contribution to global green energy efforts.

Topic: International News

9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to address Ghana’s Parliament.

• The special session of Parliament took place in Accra during his official visit.
• He reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to democracy and inclusive global leadership.
• Modi emphasized the need to amplify the voice of the Global South in international affairs.
• The Prime Minister highlighted India’s identity as the world’s largest democracy.
• Modi reflected on the shared colonial histories of India and Ghana.
• He quoted Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to emphasize unity over division.
• The Prime Minister said the global order is evolving due to technology and demographic shifts.
• He spoke about the rise of the Global South as a force in shaping the future.
• Modi highlighted India’s presidency of the G20 as a platform for inclusion.
• He noted the African Union’s permanent G20 membership as a key step forward.
• He expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana.
• He supported the formation of the Ghana-India Parliamentary Friendship Society.
• The session was convened by Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Topic: Sports

10. The first Khelo India Water Sports Festival will be held at Dal Lake in Srinagar.

• The event is scheduled for August 21 to 23, 2025.
• Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced the festival.
• This event is part of the expanding Khelo India program.
• It follows the inaugural Beach Games held earlier this year in Diu.
• The festival will feature five water sports disciplines.
• These include kayaking and canoeing, rowing, water skiing, shikara racing, and dragon boat racing.
• More than 400 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories are expected to compete.
• Participants will be selected by National Sports Federations.
• Selection will be based on national events or merit as decided by a technical committee.
• Dr. Mandaviya noted India’s strong position in Asian water sports.
• The Water Sports Festival will be the fifth major Khelo India event in 2025.
• Earlier events this year included Winter Games in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
• The Para Games took place in Delhi. Youth Games were held in Bihar and Delhi.
• The Beach Games happened in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.