Daily Current Affairs and GK | 5 July 2025

Topic: State News/ Puducherry

1. Puducherry has emerged in the form of a frontrunner in the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.

• There has been a 136% increase in TB testing since 2015 in Puducherry.
• Puducherry is the Union Territory that has recorded a 59% reduction in TB incidence over the last decade.
• As per officials of the Puducherry TB Cell, Puducherry can declare 40 villages TB-free this year.  
• Last year, the number of villages that were declared TB-free in Puducherry was eight.
• Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has organised a media tour to Puducherry.
• As part of this tour, ten-member media delegation is visiting Puducherry.
• The delegation is led by Additional Director General of the Press Information Bureau Dr. Manisha Verma.
• In Puducherry, almost 100% of presumptive TB patients are now tested using advanced molecular diagnostics such as Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) and Truenat.
• This significantly enhances the accuracy and speed of diagnosis.
• National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) was earlier known as Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
• RNTCP was renamed as NTEP in 2020 to emphasize the aim of the Government of India to eliminate TB in India by 2025.

Topic: International News

2. Russia became the first country to recognise the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan.

• On 3 July, Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan since their takeover in 2021.

• The recognition came after Russia removed the Taliban from its list of outlawed organisations in April 2025.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry received credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador of Afghanistan Gul Hassan Hassan.
• This official recognition is expected to foster productive bilateral cooperation between Russia and Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry described the move as historic, with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcoming it as a positive example for other nations.
• The Taliban seized control in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces and have since sought international recognition.
• Prior to Russia’s recognition, the Taliban had engaged in high-level talks and established some diplomatic contacts with countries like China and the UAE.
• The Taliban government has remained largely isolated due to its strict policies, especially concerning women’s rights and education restrictions.
• Although the Taliban initially promised a more liberal regime than during its first term in power from 1996 to 2001, it began imposing restrictions on women and girls soon after its 2021 takeover.
• Restrictions have been imposed on women’s participation in public life, jobs, and education beyond sixth grade.
• The recognition decision was announced by Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, citing President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s advice as instrumental in the move.

Topic: National Appointments

3. Air Marshal S Sivakumar appointed as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration.

• Air Marshal S Sivakumar, VSM, has officially assumed charge as the Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.
• He was commissioned into the Administration Branch of the Indian Air Force in June 1990.
• He holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from Pondicherry University and an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from Osmania University.
• Over a career spanning 35 years, several key command and staff roles have been held by him across operational and strategic postings.
• Prior to his current appointment, he served as Director General (Administration) at Air Headquarters.
• The Vishisht Seva Medal has been awarded to Air Marshal Sivakumar for his distinguished service.

Topic: National News

4. India’s First International-Level Equine Disease-Free Compartment established at RVC Centre, Meerut.

• India has established its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) at Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College, Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh.
• This facility has been officially recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on 3rd July 2025.
• This approved facility is a major step towards enabling the international movement of Indian sport horses in compliance with global biosafety and animal health standards.
• The compartment also supports the wider development of equine activities in the country.
• This includes sports, breeding, and high-value equine trade.
• It thus strengthens India's biosecurity and disease preparedness framework.
• The facility has been declared free from five major equine diseases, including Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra.
• Additionally, India has been historically free from African Horse Sickness since 2014.
• It operates under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), encompassing disease control, hygiene, and surveillance.
• This achievement is a result of close coordination between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Directorate of Remount Veterinary Services, Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Topic: National News

5. The foundation stone of the first National Cooperative University in India laid.

• On 5 July, the foundation stone of “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University (TSU), India’s first national-level cooperative university, has been laid at Anand, Gujarat.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah performed the 'Bhoomi Pujan' during the event.
• This initiative is a historic move to strengthen cooperative education, innovation, and employment in the country.
• The university will offer multidisciplinary programs based on the National Education Policy 2020.
• It aims to connect over 200 existing cooperative institutions across India within the next four years.
• To meet the skill development and capacity building needs of India's estimated number of about 40 lakh cooperative personnel and 80 lakh board members, the university will train around 20 lakh personnel of cooperative societies like Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy, fisheries, etc., in the next five years.
• A national network will be developed to standardize cooperative education and training across the country.
• To address the shortage of qualified teachers, the university will create a strong teacher base through PhD programs based on cooperative studies.
• A dedicated R&D council will be established to promote innovation and technology development in the cooperative sector.
• The university will collaborate with national and international institutions to bring global best practices to India’s cooperative system.

Topic: National News

6. India established itself as the third largest domestic aviation market.

• India has become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, driven by strong policy measures and rapid infrastructure growth.
• The Northern Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation 2025 was organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation at Dehradun on 4 July to strengthen Centre-State coordination in the sector.
• Speaking at the conference, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said civil aviation has become the fastest-growing sector.
• In the last 10 years, 88 new airports have been added, with almost one airport opening every 40 days.
• He said, Over the last 10 years, we have added 60 additional flights every hour.
• Domestic air traffic rose by 10% in April 2025, surpassing the global growth rate of 8%.
• India’s domestic traffic has surged by 30%, while international traffic has increased from 55 million to 72 million.
• India plans to add 50 more airports in the next five years, with a target to have over 350 airports by 2047 under its Viksit Bharat vision.
• Over 2,000 aircraft have been ordered by Indian carriers, indicating massive future expansion.
• By 2030, the UDAN scheme is expected to benefit nearly 50 crore Indian citizens through regional connectivity.
• The government is targeting a $4 billion share in the global MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) market by 2031.
• India's aviation sector is projected to become a $10 billion industry within the next 10 to 15 years, with a strong focus on domestic manufacturing and Make in India initiatives.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the advanced digital studio 'Shrishti' at IIPA in New Delhi. 

• He also inaugurated the new Tea Lounge ‘Sahkar’ at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi.

• 'Shrishti' was developed under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• It aims to promote digital learning, training, and content creation for government officials and researchers.
• He introduced a major publication titled Public Administration in India.
• He interacted with participants of the 51st Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA).
• The batch includes officers from the armed forces, civil services, and allied sectors.
• Dr. Singh described the SPARSH Portal as a major step forward in defence pension delivery.
• He said it ensures faster, more transparent, and efficient grievance redressal for ex-servicemen.
• The APPPA programme has been running since 1975.
• It continued uninterrupted even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The 51st edition has been redesigned under Mission Karmayogi.
• It now focuses on role-based and competency-driven learning.
• New elements like Design Thinking, iGOT modules, and field exposure have been added.
• Dr. Singh said Indian governance is shifting from bureaucracy to citizen-centric models.
• He quoted Prime Minister Modi’s “Sabka Prayas” vision.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the highest civilian award of Trinidad and Tobago.

• The award is called the "Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago".
• It was presented by President Christine Carla Kangaloo.
• The ceremony took place at the President’s House in Port of Spain.
• PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be honoured with this award.
• He was recognised for his global leadership and strong support for the Global South.
• The award also acknowledged his efforts in deepening ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago.
• PM Modi accepted the award on behalf of India’s 1.4 billion citizens.
• He highlighted the shared heritage created by the Indian diaspora over 180 years ago.
• PM Modi expressed deep gratitude to President Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
• He praised the Indian-origin community for preserving cultural traditions and customs.
• He said President Kangaloo and PM Kamla are strong representatives of this community.
• PM Modi described Trinidad and Tobago as a key partner within CARICOM.
• Caribbean Community (abbreviated as CARICOM or CC) has 15 members.
• It is an intergovernmental organisation. It was established in 1973. Secretariat headquarters is in Georgetown, Guyana.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. Union MSME Minister Shri Manjhi spoke about the progress made in MSME sector which is 2nd highest contributor to India’s economy.

• The Minister said that MSME accounts for 30.1% of the GDP, 35.4% of manufacturing, and 45.73% of exports.
• There are 6.5 crore MSME units registered across the Udyam and Udyam Assist portals.
• These units have generated employment for 28 crore people so far.
• The Udyam Portal was launched on July 1, 2020.
• It offers a simple, self-declared, and paperless registration process.
• Over 3.80 crore MSMEs are registered on the Udyam Portal.
• The Udyam Assist Portal was launched on January 11, 2023.
• It helps informal micro-enterprises access formal credit and government benefits.
• More than 2.72 crore units are registered on the Udyam Assist Portal.
• Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi stated that the number of MSMEs has grown fifteenfold in the past five years.
• The PM Vishwakarma scheme provides full support to artisans from 18 traditional trades.
• It assists those who work with their hands and tools to improve their livelihoods.
• The PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) promotes self-employment in the non-farm sector.
• Under PMEGP, 80.33 lakh people have found employment.
• Eighty percent of those beneficiaries are from rural areas.
• The Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has approved over 1.18 crore credit guarantees.
• The number of CGS beneficiaries is expected to triple by 2029.
• The MSME Samadhaan portal addresses delayed payment grievances.
• The number of pending cases has dropped from 93,000 in October 2017 to 44,000 now.
• The Minister visited Institute for Design of Electrical Measuring Instruments (IDEMI) and Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) offices in Mumbai on 3rd July, 2025.
• IDEMI in Mumbai is involved in manufacturing components for the Chandrayaan mission.

Topic: National Appointments

10. Sudhanshu Mittal has been re-elected as President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI).

• Upkar Singh Virk was elected as the new General Secretary.

• The new Governing Body includes eight Vice Presidents, four Joint Secretaries, and 13 Executive Members.
• Athletes Ashwini Bipin Patil and Monika will represent the Athletes Commission.
• The elections were held successfully at KKFI’s headquarters in New Delhi.
• Mittal said he is honoured to continue leading the federation.
• He highlighted efforts to promote Kho Kho nationally and internationally.
• Kho Kho is currently played in 58 countries.
• The goal is to expand to 90 countries by the end of this year.
• Mittal expressed hope for Kho Kho’s inclusion in the 2030 Asian Games.
• He is also optimistic about its participation in the 2032 Olympics.