Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 30th July 2025

International Tiger Day, 2025:

India joined 12 other nations on July 29 to mark International Tiger Day 2025, a global event to raise awareness about tiger conservation.

• International Tiger Day is observed on July 29 each year.
• It serves as a platform to raise awareness about tiger conservation.
• It is celebrated worldwide to promote comprehensive efforts in safeguarding tigers and their natural habitats, fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and tigers.
• Theme of International Tiger Day 2025: “Securing the future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heart”.
• Global Tiger Day, commonly referred to as International Tiger Day, was established during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia in 2010.
• The summit brought together 13 tiger-range countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Russia, following alarming reports that only around 3,000 tigers remained in the wild.
• The participating nations adopted the “Tx2” goal at the summit, which aimed to double the global tiger population by 2022 through joint conservation efforts and stronger protection laws.
• The 29th of July was chosen as International Tiger Day because it represents the halfway point between the first and last days of the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit and the ongoing international campaign to rescue tigers.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy:

The 27-year-old suspected gunman behind the recent deadly shooting inside the NFL’s headquarters building in New York City reportedly left behind a multi-page suicide note pointing to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) as a key factor in his actions.

• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain condition that happens after repeated head injuries.
• It causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration.
• CTE has been most commonly observed in athletes involved in contact sports such as American football, boxing, and hockey, as well as military veterans exposed to blast injuries.
• The condition typically develops years after repeated head trauma and worsens over time.
• Early symptoms may be mild or go unnoticed, often including depression or suicidal thoughts, aggression, mood swings, and personality changes.
• As the disease progresses, people may experience confusion, memory loss, and difficulty with planning or decision-making.
• In advanced cases, movement problems can also develop.
• CTE cannot be cured, but medicines and other treatments can help your symptoms.

Mansa Devi Temple : Stampede

A tragic stampede near Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple claimed eight lives and injured 28 others recently.

• Mansa Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Goddess Durga).
• It is located in the city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
• The temple is located atop the Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain chain of the Himalayas.
• The temple, also known as Bilwa Tirth, is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar.
• It is an epitome of the age-old tradition of ‘Shakti’ worship in Northern India.
• Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra constructed the present main temple during the period 1811-1815.
• The temple complex is spread over an area of 100 acres.
• Built in a traditional North Indian style shape, the temple includes two important deities, Mansa Devi and her sister Chandi Devi.

Exercise Divya Drishti:

The Indian Army recently conducted ‘Exercise Divya Drishti’ in the high-altitude regions of East Sikkim to test advanced military technologies.

• It is a high-altitude technology demonstration exercise conducted by the Indian Army in East Sikkim.
• It was designed to test new technologies that are designed to improve battlefield awareness, real-time surveillance, and quick decision-making.
• Troops from the Trishakti Corps, which is headquartered in Sukna on the outskirts of Siliguri, used a mix of ground-based systems and aerial platforms, including UAVs and drones, to create realistic battle scenes.
• A key highlight was the use of AI-enabled sensors linked with advanced communication systems.
• This setup ensures smooth and secure data flow among command centres, improves situational awareness, and enables faster and better decisions by creating a strong sensor-to-shooter link.
• The exercise was taken up to check out the army’s preparedness in using AI and some other modern technologies in a realistic battle situation.

SOFI Report 2025:

According to the ‘State of Food and Nutrition in the World’ (SOFI) 2025 report, hunger affected up to 720 million people worldwide in 2024 — around 8.2 per cent of the global population.

• It is an annual report prepared by five UN agencies: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund), WFP (World Food Programme), and WHO (World Health Organization).
• It presents the latest data and analysis on hunger, food security and nutrition worldwide.

Key Highlights of SOFI Report 2025:

• Despite some recent progress, global hunger in 2024 remained well above pre-pandemic levels and even higher than in 2015.
• An estimated 96 million more people were suffering from chronic hunger today compared to 2015.
• It is now estimated that about 2.3 billion people in the world were moderately or severely food insecure in 2024.
• Asia accounted for the highest number of undernourished people at 323 million, followed by Africa (307 million) and Latin America and the Caribbean (34 million).
• Although hunger levels declined in Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and South America, the report noted persistent or rising food insecurity in several other regions like Africa.

Setubandha Scholar Scheme:

Students, who have studied in traditional gurukuls, will now have the opportunity to earn recognised qualifications and receive generous scholarships for research at premier IITs under the Setubandha Scholar Scheme.

• It is the first national-level programme to formally integrate traditional scholars into the research ecosystem of IITs, without insisting on conventional degrees.
• It aims to bridge India’s age-old gurukul tradition with modern scientific and academic inquiry.
• It is backed by the Ministry of Education and implemented by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division of the Central Sanskrit University (CSU),
• The scheme offers fellowships of up to Rs 65,000 per month across 18 interdisciplinary fields – from ayurveda to cognitive science, and architecture to political theory, grammar to strategic studies, performing arts to mathematics, physics, and health sciences.
• It is based on a minimum of five years of rigorous study in a recognised gurukul and demonstrable excellence in Shastras or traditional knowledge.
• The maximum age to apply is 32 years.
• Scholars selected under Category 1 (equivalent to postgraduate level) will receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 40,000 and an annual research grant of Rs 1 lakh.
• Those under Category 2 (equivalent to PhD level) will be awarded Rs 65,000 monthly and an annual grant of Rs 2 lakh.
• It is a major shift in India’s education policy, opening up elite research pathways for scholars from non-formal backgrounds rooted in classical learning.

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative:

The Central Government has so far documented the cultural heritage of over 4.7 lakh villages under the ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ (MGMD) initiative.

• It is a pan-India initiative of Ministry of Culture under National Mission on Cultural Mapping and was launched on 27th July 2023.
• It was launched as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
• The main objective of the project is to culturally map India’s 6.5 lakh villages, spanning across all States and Union Territories, on a comprehensive virtual platform.
• The core idea behind this project is to encourage appreciation for India’s culture and traditions, paving the way for economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development in rural communities.
• It is aimed at mapping India’s intangible cultural assets.
• The programme is being implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
• Under the MGMD, information is collected under seven broad categories as given below:
  • Arts and Crafts Village
  • Ecologically Oriented Village
  • Scholastic Village linked with Textual and Scriptural Traditions of India
  • Epic Village linked with Ramayana, Mahabharata and/or Puranic legends and oral epics
  • Historical Village linked with Local and National History
  • Architectural Heritage Village
  • Any other characteristic that may need highlighting such as fishing village, horticulture village, shepherding village etc.

N-Nitrosodimethylamine:

Drug regulator DCGI has asked drug controllers of all States and Union Territories to direct manufacturers under their jurisdiction to monitor the presence of a potentially carcinogenic chemical — N-Nitrosodimethylamine — in antacid Ranitidine.

• It is a volatile organic chemical that occurs widely in the environment due to its ready formation from commonly found precursors.
• It is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) on the basis of animal studies.
• NDMA are formed when a secondary or tertiary amine reacts with a nitrite ion under acidic conditions.
• Features of N-Nitrosodimethylamine
  • It is a yellow, odourless liquid chemical once used to make rocket fuel.
  • It is also a byproduct of several manufacturing processes and water chlorination.
  • NDMA breaks down when sunlight hits it.
  • Normally, people are exposed to small amounts of NDMA in the environment and through food and water.
  • Chemicals found in food and water, such as nitrosamines or alkylamines, can turn into NDMA in the stomach.
  • NDMA is also created when food or drink is processed. Foods such as cured meats (particularly bacon), beer, fish, cheese and even vegetables may contain NDMA.
  • Some people may have had exposure to NDMA through the use of contaminated medications

Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom:

Thailand and Cambodia have called a ceasefire after clashes near Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom in the Southeast Asian Emerald Triangle, a region long disputed due to colonial-era borders and cultural claims.

• Southeast Asian Emerald Triangle refers to a geographically sensitive area where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet, known for its dense forests and ancient temples.
• Preah Vihear is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Cambodia, along the Thailand-Cambodia border in the Dangrek Mountains.
• The temple was built around the 11th century by the Khmer kings Suryavarman I and II, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 (reaffirmed in 2013) that the temple belongs to Cambodia. However, Thailand has rejected the ICJ’s jurisdiction, keeping tensions alive.
• Prasat Ta Muen Thom is a 12th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, later adapted for Buddhist use. It is part of a temple group that includes
• Prasat Ta Muen (a pilgrim rest house) and Prasat Ta Muen Tot (a hospital shrine).
• Built by Khmer kings Udayadityavarman II and Jayavarman VII, the complex reflects Angkorian architecture.

Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025:

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025, a nationwide legal aid scheme dedicated to soldiers, veterans, and their dependents.

• It aims to provide free legal aid, advice, and support to army and paramilitary personnel and their families, acknowledging their unique service-related constraints.
• It will enable online application filing, video consultations, and dispute resolution through e-Lok Adalats and online mediation.
• The scheme is designed to operate across all Indian states ensuring inclusive national coverage.
• It is rooted in Article 39A of the Constitution, ensuring equal justice and legal aid.
• NALSA will set up legal aid clinics at the district, state, and national levels.
• NALSA is a statutory body established in 1995 under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• It monitors and evaluates legal aid programs, ensuring legal services for eligible groups like Women, Children, SC, ST, EWS, Industrial Workers, Persons with Disabilities, and Transgender Individuals, as per Section 12 of the Act.

Operation Mahadev:

Operation Mahadev, a joint counter-terrorist mission near Srinagar, successfully neutralised three high-value terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, the mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Operation Mahadev is a precision counter-terror operation executed to eliminate Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked terrorists hiding near Lidwas, Harwan in Srinagar. Jointly launched by the Indian Army (Para SF), CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, under the strategic command of Chinar Corps. Objective is to neutralise terrorists involved in high-profile attacks, especially those responsible for the Pahalgam and Sonamarg Tunnel assaults.

FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025:

Divya Deshmukh created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in the final held in Batumi, Georgia. FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 is a prestigious 107-player knockout tournament conducted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to determine top contenders for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.Held in Batumi, Georgia, from 5 July to 29 July 2025. It was the third edition of the Women’s Chess World Cup.

India Records 65,000 Crore Digital Payments Worth ₹12,000 Trillion in Six Years:

India’s journey toward becoming a digital economy has seen remarkable progress over the last six years. According to the government, between FY19 and FY25, the country recorded over 65,000 crore digital payment transactions worth ₹12,000 trillion. This surge, primarily driven by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and targeted policy initiatives, has significantly enhanced financial inclusion by reaching small towns, villages, and underserved communities.

IGNCA symposium on the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra’s:

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is set to host a prestigious two-day National Symposium titled “Timeless Texts and Universal Teachings: Inscription of Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register” on 30th and 31st July 2025 in New Delhi. The event commemorates the inclusion of two of India’s most revered ancient texts—the Bhagavad Gita and the Natyashastra—into the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register, a recognition that underlines their global significance and enduring relevance.

Sanchar Mobile App Launched:

To enhance its reach across India’s diverse linguistic landscape, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia today launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app in Hindi and 21 regional languages. The expansion ensures that people from different regions of the country can access the app’s services more conveniently, strengthening efforts against telecom-related cyber frauds.The Sanchar Saathi mobile app, first introduced in January 2025, has quickly gained popularity, with over 46 lakh downloads to date. The app empowers mobile users with tools to protect themselves against fraudulent activities in the telecom sector.

Shailesh Jejurikar Appointed as Global CEO of Procter & Gamble:

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced that Shailesh Jejurikar, its current Chief Operating Officer, will take over as the company’s Global President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2026. With this appointment, Jejurikar becomes the first Indian to lead the multinational consumer goods giant, marking a significant milestone for both the company and Indian leadership on the global corporate stage.

IMF Raises India’s Growth Forecast to 6.4% for 2025 and 2026:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upward India’s economic growth forecast to 6.4 percent for both 2025 and 2026, reaffirming India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. The new projection marks an improvement from the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook, where India’s growth was estimated at 6.2 percent for 2025 and 6.3 percent for 2026.

Indian Coast Guard’s Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Atal’ Launched in Goa:

India took another significant step in enhancing its coastal defense and maritime surveillance capabilities with the launch of the Indian Coast Guard’s latest Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), ‘Atal’, in Goa. The vessel, launched by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) at Vasco da Gama, marks the sixth addition in a series of eight state-of-the-art FPVs designed and built indigenously, underlining the nation’s commitment to ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defense manufacturing. The Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Atal’ (Yard 1275) has been designed and constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, a premier Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) functioning under the Ministry of Defence. This launch reflects India’s growing capability to produce advanced maritime defense systems within the country, reducing dependency on foreign technologies. The launch of ‘Atal’ is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Team GSL, showcasing their innovation, excellence, and commitment to indigenisation, even while facing global supply chain challenges.

Massive 8.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Russia’s Kamchatka, Tsunami Warnings:

A powerful earthquake measuring 8.7 magnitude struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early 30th July (Wednesday), sending shockwaves across the Pacific and prompting widespread tsunami warnings in Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and several Pacific nations. Authorities ordered evacuations in parts of Russia and Japan, while the US Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for coastal areas in the US West Coast. While no major casualties have been reported so far, officials confirmed minor injuries and property damage, raising concerns in vulnerable coastal regions