Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced a raise for ASHA workers. They will now receive Rs 3,000 per month, up from Rs 1,000. Mamta health workers will also see their incentive double to Rs 600 per delivery.
Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, has been appointed as the Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) after receiving shareholder approval. His appointment is effective May 1, 2025.
US President Donald Trump imposed fresh tariffs on India (25% tariff on Indian imports, effective from August 1, 2025), citing an unfair trade imbalance and India's continued oil imports from Russia.
- Just hours later, he unveiled a deal with Pakistan to jointly develop its untapped oil reserves.
- The move came against the backdrop of India’s membership in BRICS, which Trump criticized as "anti-United States."
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, presided over the Global Tiger Day 2025 celebrations, held on 19 July at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi.
Air New Zealand has announced the appointment of Indian-origin executive Nikhil Ravishankar as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The World Athletics Council has announced a significant change in its eligibility rules for the female category in world ranking competitions.
- Starting 1 September 2025, all athletes wishing to participate in the female category will be required to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime SRY gene test, a reliable biological marker for determining sex.
- This landmark decision will first be implemented at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, beginning 13 September 2025. The SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y) test will be conducted through a cheek swab or blood test, whichever is more convenient for the athlete.
The 2025 edition of "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" report is jointly published by the FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.
- In 2024, 8.2 percent of the global population experienced hunger — only a slight drop from 8.5 percent in 2023. Africa remains the most affected continent, with one in five people going hungry.
- Western Asia follows with 12.7 percent, while Asia as a whole fares better at 6.7 percent. In Africa, nearly six out of ten people suffer from moderate or severe food insecurity.
- In 2024, the average cost of a healthy diet globally was $4.46 per person per day (in purchasing power parity terms).
- The highest costs are seen in Africa, where prices have risen sharply in recent years. In low-income countries, around 72 percent of the population cannot afford such a diet.
- Globally, 2.6 billion people lack the income needed to eat healthily.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened till 30.6.2025; the target is to open 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027.
The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, discovered in 1898 in Uttar Pradesh, have been repatriated to India after nearly being auctioned in Hong Kong in May 2025.
- In a dramatic turn of events, the relics were initially scheduled to go under the hammer at a Hong Kong auction in May 2025. Thanks to a swift intervention by the Ministry of Culture, India successfully prevented their sale to private collectors.
The Kaziranga National Park in Assam has conducted India's first-ever Grassland Bird Census (March–May 2025), using acoustic technology to identify and monitor bird species. Conducted by forest officials, researchers, and conservationists, the survey recorded 43 species, including critically endangered and endemic birds like Finn's Weaver.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), India's first PPP-model airport, is embarking on a major green and digital expansion plan. It includes setting up the world's first airport-based green hydrogen plant, scaling up solar power to 50 MWp, expanding MRO services, and creating an aerotropolis model with IT parks and lifestyle zones.
According to the World Bank's 2025 report, India is now the 4th most equal country globally, with a Gini Index of 25.5. This places India ahead of nations like the United States (41.8) and China (35.7) in terms of income equality.
- The Gini Index (or Gini coefficient) was developed in 1912 by Corrado Gini, an Italian statistician.
- It measures income inequality within a population. 0 (Perfect Equality): Everyone earns the same. 1 (Perfect Inequality): One person earns everything.
- India still uses the Rangarajan Committee's 2014 poverty line, which doesn't reflect today’s cost of living.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy Limited, one of India's leading electric vehicle manufacturers.
- The partnership was launched under the Startup Policy Forum's (SPF) 'Build in Bharat' initiative, which focuses on fostering innovation-driven startups in the country.
The Setubandha Scholar Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Education on July 30, 2025, is the first national-level programme to formally integrate traditional scholars from gurukuls into the research ecosystem of IITs.
- This scheme enables scholars without conventional degrees to earn recognized qualifications and pursue advanced research with generous fellowships and grants.
- Minimum Study Requirement: At least five years of rigorous training in a recognized gurukul.
- Skill Requirement: Demonstrable excellence in Shastras or traditional knowledge systems.
- Age Limit: Maximum 32 years at the time of application.
Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted in Russia's Kamchatka after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake on July 30, 2025, triggering tsunami alerts. Learn about the eruption, its impact, and the seismic nature of the region.