Daily Current Affairs Quiz
24 July, 2025
National Affairs
1. Cloud Seeding Research in India: CAIPEEX by IITM
Context:
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), conducted a cloud seeding research study titled CAIPEEX (Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment) during 2018–2019 over the rain shadow region of India.
Key Highlights:
Objective of CAIPEEX:
- To scientifically study aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions.
- To evaluate rain enhancement via randomized cloud seeding, following World Meteorological Organization (WMO) protocols.
Technological and Institutional Developments
- Under Mission Mausam (Weather_MoD vertical), IITM is:
- Developing a 16m tall cloud chamber.
- Collaborating with industries/startups to develop seeding aircraft, drones, seeding materials, and dispensers.
Cloud Seeding
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide into clouds, encouraging the formation of ice crystals or larger raindrops. This can be done to increase rainfall, suppress hail, or disperse fog.
Applications of Cloud Seeding
- Catchment-scale rainfall enhancement.
- Rainfall suppression (via overseeding).
- Fog and hail suppression, marine cloud brightening.
- Potential intervention in extreme weather events, though with high uncertainty.
- Air pollution reduction in urban areas – a subject of future research.
2. Google Unveils AI Initiatives in India at Google I/O Connect 2025
Context:
At its Google I/O Connect India 2025 developer conference held in Bengaluru, Google announced a range of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives targeting India’s growing tech ecosystem, with a special focus on localisation, developer support, and indigenous innovation.
Key Highlights:
- Data Localisation for Gemini 2.5 Flash AI Models:
- Google’s high-performance Gemini 2.5 Flash models will now process data within India, addressing concerns around data sovereignty.
- This localisation is expected to improve response times and ensure compliance with regulatory norms in sectors like banking, healthcare, and governance.
- Support for Homegrown AI Startups:
- Google announced partnerships with three startups backed by India’s National AI Mission, supporting the Make-in-India vision.
- These startups are focused on building indigenous AI models tailored for Indian languages and use cases.
- Agentic AI Tools for Developers:
- New agent-based AI tools are being integrated into Firebase Studio, allowing Indian developers to build more autonomous applications.
- BharatGen Partnership for Indic Language AI:
- Google is collaborating with BharatGen at IIT Bombay to build Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Text-to-Speech (TTS) models in Indic languages.
- Developer Outreach and Training:
- Launched a training program in partnership with Unity, aimed at fostering AI talent in the gaming and creative industries.
- Economic Impact of Android Ecosystem:
- Google revealed that its Play Store and Android platforms contributed ₹4 trillion to the Indian economy in 2024.
3. National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill
Context:
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha to align India’s anti-doping framework with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements.
Key Highlights:
- Objective of the Amendment:
- To provide greater operational independence to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), a key concern raised by WADA.
- To make India’s anti-doping regime compliant with international standards and avoid suspension or non-recognition.
- Background:
- The original National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, had faced objections from WADA due to government interference, particularly via the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports.
- WADA had raised concerns over the lack of functional autonomy for NADA.
- Key Amendments in the Bill:
- The National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports has been retained, but it will no longer have jurisdiction over NADA’s appeals panel.
- This change aims to separate adjudicatory powers from executive functions, in line with WADA’s requirements.
4. Swachh Survekshan 2024–25
Context:
The ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan (2024–25), touted as the world’s largest cleanliness survey, has emerged not just as a city-ranking competition but as a comprehensive audit of India’s urban sanitation ecosystem. It offers valuable insights into progress, gaps, and best practices in waste management, segregation, infrastructure, and sanitation worker welfare.
Key Features of Swachh Survekshan 2024–25:
- Scale & Participation:
- Over 4,500 cities participated (compared to fewer than 100 in 2016).
- Survey backed by third-party verification and feedback from 140 million urban residents.
- Assessment across 10 parameters, including:
- Waste segregation & collection
- Transportation & treatment
- Sanitation worker welfare
- Citizen grievance redressal
- New Introduction – Super Swachh League:
- Introduced to break the rankings monopoly of cities like Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai.
- 20 cities now compete in this elite category.
- Enabled cities like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow to top the million-plus population list.
- Democratisation of Rankings:
- Cities now assessed under five population-based categories (earlier two).
- Cities with <20,000 to those >1 million now have fairer competitive spaces.
Regional Highlights
- Odisha: Remarkable improvement.
- Bhubaneswar jumped from rank 34 to 9.
- Aska, Chikiti topped their size-based categories.
- Rourkela, Cuttack, Berhampur also saw marked improvement.
- Southern India:
- Yet to see top-tier dominance.
- Best performers: Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Guntur, Mysuru.
- Bengaluru remains underwhelming despite being a metropolitan city.
- NCR Region:
- New Delhi Municipal Council and Noida showed strong performance.
- Delhi, Gurugram, Ghaziabad showed improvement despite negative publicity.
Best Practices from Leading Cities
| City | Notable Initiative |
|---|---|
| Indore | Six-bin segregation system at source |
| Surat | Revenue generation via sewage-treated water |
| Pune | Ragpicker cooperatives managing solid waste |
| Visakhapatnam | Eco-park on remediated landfill |
| Lucknow | Waste wonder park |
| Agra (Kuberpur) | 47-acre green space reclaimed via biomining |
Survey Theme – 2025: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR)
- Promotes:
- Circular economy
- Job creation and self-help group engagement
- Shift from last year’s ‘waste to wealth’ theme.
- However, large-scale monetisation of waste remains limited due to:
- Weak investor incentives
- Commercial viability concerns in private sector
- Low citizen-level behavioural change toward waste reduction and segregation
5. Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (HLVM3)
Context:
In a major milestone for India’s human spaceflight program, the Union Minister informed Parliament that the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (HLVM3) has completed its development and ground testing. This achievement advances the timeline for Gaganyaan, India’s first crewed space mission, and sets the stage for future ambitions like the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (by 2035) and an Indian Moon Landing (by 2040).
What is HLVM3?
HLVM3 is India’s first human-rated launch vehicle, derived from the operational LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) platform. It is developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the supervision of the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) to carry astronauts, known as Gaganyatris, safely into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Key Objectives
- Ensure safe launch, orbit insertion, and return of astronauts.
- Lay the foundation for advanced human spaceflight missions including space station development and lunar exploration.
- Strengthen India’s indigenous capability in human space exploration and space safety technologies.
Major Features of HLVM3
1. Three-Stage Launch Configuration
- S200 solid boosters (2 units): First-stage lift-off power.
- L110 liquid core stage: Main propulsion.
- C25 cryogenic upper stage: Final orbital insertion.
- Payload Capacity: Capable of lifting ~10 tonnes to LEO.
2. Human-Rated Enhancements
- Redundancy and fault-tolerance across systems.
- Improved quality assurance, with enhanced safety margins.
- Equipped with abort and escape systems.
3. Crew Escape System (CES)
- Comprises five types of motors successfully tested.
- Allows for safe ejection of the crew capsule during any emergency in ascent phase—from liftoff up to orbital injection.
4. Crew and Service Modules
- Crew Module (CM): Successfully tested for re-entry, parachute deployment, and thermal protection.
- Service Module (SM): Supports power supply, propulsion, and life-support systems.
5. Support Infrastructure
- Gaganyaan Control Centre and astronaut training facilities established.
- Dedicated launch modifications at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).
- Recovery and communication networks are operational and integrated with mission planning.
Banking/Finance
1. PayPal Integrates UPI for Cross-Border Payments under ‘PayPal World’
Context:
In a significant move to globalize India’s digital payments, PayPal has announced integration with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to facilitate cross-border transactions.
Key Highlights:
- New Capability:
- Indian UPI users will be able to make payments to international merchants, particularly in the United States, using UPI via PayPal checkout.
- How It Works:
- At checkout, Indian users can select UPI as a payment option by clicking the PayPal button.
- Part of ‘PayPal World’:
- This integration is under PayPal’s global initiative, PayPal World, aimed at connecting digital wallets and payment systems worldwide.
- Collaboration with NIPL:
- PayPal has partnered with NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL).
- NIPL is the international arm of NPCI tasked with expanding UPI and RuPay abroad.
Launch of PayPal World Platform
- A global interoperable wallet system connecting five major digital wallets:
- India – UPI
- China – TenPay Global (WeChat Pay)
- Mexico – Mercado Pago
- USA – PayPal and Venmo
- Integrates nearly 2 billion global users into a unified ecosystem.
Significance
- Boost to UPI’s Internationalisation: Strengthens UPI’s global footprint in line with India’s digital diplomacy.
- Ease for Indian Consumers: Enables seamless, real-time cross-border shopping using a familiar and widely used interface.
- For Merchants: Foreign merchants benefit from wider reach into the Indian consumer base.
2. IRDAI Proposes Internal Insurance Ombudsman Framework to Strengthen Grievance Redressal
Context:
Insurance regulator IRDAI proposed a framework that mandates a internal insurance ombudsman scheme for insurance companies with an aim to address complaints against claims up to Rs 50 lakh.
Key Objectives
- Establish a transparent, fair, and time-bound grievance redressal mechanism within insurance companies.
- Improve the efficiency and accountability of insurers in handling unresolved or escalated complaints.
- Complement existing external grievance redressal mechanisms.
Applicability
- Applicable to all insurers except reinsurers.
- Mandatory for insurers with more than three years of operation.
- Insurers may appoint multiple ombudsmen with defined jurisdictions for better coverage.
Key Provisions of the Draft Guidelines
- Jurisdiction and Powers
- Internal Insurance Ombudsman can hear complaints involving claims up to ₹50 lakh.
- Ombudsman decisions will be binding on the insurer.
- Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum age at entry: 55 years
- Maximum term: 3 years or till age 70 years, whichever is earlier
- Experience requirement: Minimum 20 years in the insurance industry, and must have held a post not less than two levels below Director
- Impartiality condition: Must not be currently employed or previously employed with the insurer or its group companies
- Reporting Structure
- Reports administratively to the Managing Director/CEO of the insurer
- Reports functionally to the Board or the Policyholders’ Protection & Grievance Redressal & Compliance Monitoring (PPGR & CM) Committee
3. Net FDI in India Drops Sharply in May 2025: RBI
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its July 2025 bulletin reported a 98.2% decline in net foreign direct investment (FDI) in May 2025 compared to the same month last year.
Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Net FDI refers to the difference between total foreign direct investment inflows and outflows over a specific period.
- Formula:
- Net FDI = Gross FDI Inflows – Gross FDI Outflows
Components:
Gross FDI Inflows:
- Total foreign investment into the country.
- Includes:
- Equity capital
- Reinvested earnings
- Other long-term capital
Gross FDI Outflows:
- Total investment made by domestic entities abroad.
Top FDI Source Countries
- Singapore
- Mauritius
- UAE
- United States
(accounted for over 75% of total inflows)
Top Recipient Sectors
- Manufacturing
- Financial Services
- Computer Services
Top Destinations for Outward FDI
- Mauritius
- United States
- UAE
4. Cooperative Banks Rejoin Call Money Market via NDS-CALL Platform: RBI Bulletin
Context:
Cooperative banks’ participation in the call money market declined after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made membership on the NDS-CALL trading platform mandatory. However, their participation has seen a revival in recent months, as per the RBI’s July 2025 bulletin.
Key Highlights:
- Initial Decline:
- Cooperative banks’ activity in the call money market dropped significantly post RBI’s directive making NDS-CALL platform membership mandatory.
- Recent Rebound:
- Participation has increased again, indicating a rise in formal memberships among cooperative banks.
- NDS-CALL Platform:
- A screen-based, quote-driven electronic trading system operated by the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL).
- Facilitates real-time call money transactions.
- Types of Transactions:
- Traded Deals: Executed directly on NDS-CALL.
- Reported Deals: Bilaterally negotiated but reported later to RBI.
- Regulatory Directives:
- April 1, 2021 (RBI Master Direction) and
- September 29, 2022 (FIMMDA Notification)
mandated that all eligible participants in Call, Notice, and Term money markets obtain NDS-CALL membership, shifting market operations toward formal electronic platforms.
- Impact on Market Structure:
- Decline in the share of reported deals,
- Shift toward platform-based trading.
- Liquidity Indicators:
- A widening spread between the Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) and the policy repo rate indicates increased demand for reserves,
- Resulting in higher overnight call money volumes.
5. Outward Remittances Under LRS Decline
Context:
As per the Reserve Bank of India’s latest monthly bulletin, outward remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) fell by 4.4% year-on-year in May 2025, amounting to $2.3 billion, compared to the same month in 2024. The fall was primarily driven by reduced spending on international travel and overseas education.
About Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
A scheme by RBI allowing Indian residents to send up to $250,000 abroad per financial year for various permitted purposes without seeking prior approval.
- Launched: 2004
- Purpose: Allows resident individuals to remit funds for permissible current or capital account transactions (travel, education, gifts, investments, etc.)
6. SBI Aims to Join Top 10 Global Banks by Market Cap in 5 Years
Context:
Chairman C.S. Setty announced on July 23, 2025, that State Bank of India (SBI) aspires to be among the top 10 global banks by market capitalisation over the next five years. The statement followed the listing of SBI’s ₹25,000 crore Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) issue, the largest ever by an Indian firm.
Key Highlights:
- Strategic Ambition:
- SBI aims to enter the top 10 global banks by market cap by 2030.
- Currently ranks 27th globally (as per Bloomberg data, July 22, 2025).
- HDFC Bank ranks 11th; ICICI Bank ranks 17th.
- Capital Usage:
- Proceeds to boost Common Equity Tier 1 (CET-1) capital to 11.50% (from 10.81% as of March 31, 2025)
- Supports credit growth across retail, MSME, and corporate sectors
- Debt Capital Plans:
- SBI board approved raising up to ₹20,000 crore via AT1 and Tier II bonds
- AT1 bonds intended primarily for replacement of maturing bonds
Global Bank Market Cap Ranking
| Rank | Bank | Country | Market Cap ($ bn) | P/E Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPMorgan Chase | US | 810 | 15 |
| 2 | Bank of America | US | 355 | 14 |
| 3 | Industrial & Commercial Bank | China | 353 | 8 |
| 4 | Agricultural Bank of China | China | 292 | 7 |
| 5 | China Construction Bank | China | 281 | 6 |
| 10 | Royal Bank of Canada | Canada | 188 | 14 |
| 11 | HDFC Bank | India | 178 | 22 |
| 17 | ICICI Bank | India | 122 | 20 |
| 27 | State Bank of India (SBI) | India | 84 | 9 |
7. Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches ‘Solitaire’ Programme to Target Affluent Customers
Context:
Kotak Mahindra Bank has launched ‘Solitaire’, an exclusive invitation-only banking programme, aiming to deepen engagement with India’s affluent segment. This is part of the bank’s strategic shift toward a more customer-centric approach.
Key Highlights:
- What is Solitaire?
- A premium, invite-only programme offering top-tier privileges, investment tools, and personalised services to high net-worth clients.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Salaried individuals: Relationship value of ₹75 lakh
- Self-employed individuals: Relationship value of ₹1 crore
- Features of Solitaire:
- ₹8 crore in pre-approved credit lines across home loans, personal loans, and credit cards
- Solitaire credit card benefits:
- No annual fees
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- Zero forex markup
- Access to a dedicated relationship manager trained to handle affluent customer needs
- Strategic Intent:
- Kotak has 53 million customers, of which less than 1% are affluent—but they contribute over 35% of total business
- Goal: Expand affluent customer base and exceed 4% segment share through Solitaire
8. NSE Issues Rulebook for Retail Algo Trading
Context:
In response to rising retail participation and the increasing use of automated trading systems, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued detailed guidelines for retail algorithmic trading, effective August 1, 2025. The move follows SEBI’s February circular aimed at regulating grey areas in retail algo trades.
Key Highlights of the New Norms:
- Mandatory Registration of Algo Strategies:
- All retail algo strategies must be registered through the broker and will be issued a Unique Algo ID by the exchange.
- Strategies generating over 10 orders per second must mandatorily register.
- API Access and Broker Responsibility:
- Brokers may offer direct API access to retail clients.
- They must ensure only eligible clients use these APIs.
- PAN and unique client codes must be disclosed for tech-savvy clients using their own algos.
- Broker Accountability:
- Brokers are held responsible for all orders routed through their systems, whether developed in-house or by third parties.
- The algo provider acts as an agent of the broker.
- Empanelment and Turnaround Time:
- All third-party algo providers must be empanelled with the exchange.
- In-house algos from brokers are exempt from this empanelment.
- Timeline:
- Empanelment: T+30 working days
- Algo registration: T+10 working days
- Risk Checks Imposed:
- Price, quantity, order value, and position limits will be strictly monitored.
- Aim: Reduce systemic risks and potential manipulative practices.
Classification of Algos:
- Low-frequency algos (less than 10 orders/second) are not classified as high-frequency trading (HFT), reducing the compliance burden for small retail users.
Background and Rationale:
- Rise in Algo Trading:
- In FY25, algo trades accounted for 70% of notional turnover in equity derivatives, as per the NSE Market Pulse Report.
- SEBI’s Role:
- The current framework aligns with SEBI’s February 2025 circular to regulate grey areas in retail algo trading and strengthen investor protection.
What is Algo Trading?
Algorithmic trading (or algo trading) is the use of pre-programmed software to execute trades based on predetermined parameters such as price, volume, or technical indicators.
9. RBI Flags Cautious Optimism Amid Economic and External Sector Challenges
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its State of the Economy Report (July 2025) and monthly external sector data for May, highlighting resilient growth drivers like agriculture and services, but warning of volatility in macroeconomic indicators, external fragility, and inflation risks.
Key Economic Insights from the RBI Report:
Growth Drivers Intact
- Economic activity supported by:
- Improved kharif crop prospects
- Services sector momentum
- Modest industrial growth
Signs of Broad-Based Moderation
- Industrial Output:
- IIP at 9-month low (May 2025)
- Demand Weakness:
- Sluggish petroleum consumption
- Slight drop in electricity usage
- Credit Growth:
- Slowed across sectors
- NBFC lending contracted
- Personal loans decelerated
Fiscal Concerns
- State deficits widened
- Sharp fall in Union govt grants to states
Inflationary Risks Resurfacing
- Core inflation rose in June (mainly personal care)
- Food inflation rebounded due to onion price surge
- RBI’s caution: “Oil price volatility can be debilitating for the Indian economy”
- High oil import dependence could intensify long-term inflation pressures
FDI Decline
- Net FDI: Only $4 million in May vs $2.2 billion in May 2024
- Capital flows inadequate to finance CAD
- Forex reserves dipped by $5 billion
- Rupee weakened vs USD
- ECB registrations dropped YoY
Labour Market Trends
- High MGNREGS demand indicates rural distress
- Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) declined, especially in rural areas
- Household inflation expectations remain elevated and divergent
10. Equitas Small Finance Bank Launches FCNR (B) Deposit
Context:
On July 23, 2025, Equitas Small Finance Bank announced two specialized banking products to serve the financial needs of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian seafarers:
- Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR B) Deposit
- Equitas Explorer Savings Account
FCNR (B) Deposit – For NRIs
Key Features:
- Attractive interest rates (as per global currency standards)
- Tax-free interest income in India
- Full repatriability of both principal and interest
- Aimed at more than 35.4 million NRIs worldwide
What is FCNR (B)?
A Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) Account is a term deposit account that allows NRIs to park their earnings in foreign currencies in India. It helps hedge against currency risk while earning tax-free interest.
Equitas Explorer Savings Account
Target Segment:
- NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) employed in:
- Foreign shipping companies
- Merchant navy
- Oil rigs
- Estimated Indian seafarer base: Over 2.85 lakh (as per Directorate General of Shipping, 2023)
Account Variants:
- NRE (Non-Resident External)
- NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary)
11. KredX–Canara Bank Tie-Up to Boost MSME Access to Digital Trade Finance
Context:
KredX, India’s leading integrated supply chain finance platform, has partnered with public sector lender Canara Bank to expand access to formal digital trade finance via its RBI-licensed TReDS platform — DTX (Domestic Trade Exchange).
Key Highlights:
- Bridging MSME Credit Gap:
- The partnership aims to address India’s massive ₹30 lakh crore MSME credit gap by offering collateral-free, low-cost working capital through receivable discounting.
- DTX Platform Advantages:
- RBI-approved platform under the TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System) framework.
- Enables real-time bidding on trade receivables by financiers.
- Offers seamless onboarding, intuitive UX, and intelligent automation.
- Canara Bank’s Role:
- Leverages its nationwide reach (9,500+ branches) and PSU reputation.
- Enhances financing capacity for MSMEs and supply chain partners.
- KredX’s Goals for FY25:
- Empower 15,000 MSMEs with working capital support.
- Policy and Ecosystem Impact:
- Supports financial inclusion, cash flow optimisation, and compliance.
- KredX also working with state governments to promote MSME awareness and onboarding.
- Regulatory and Global Reach:
- KredX is licensed by both RBI and IFSCA, enabling domestic (DTX) and international (GTX) trade finance.
Agriculture
1. Specialty Fertilizers
Context:
The Indian government is exploring measures to ramp up domestic production of specialty fertilizers due to recent supply disruptions from China, which accounts for nearly 80% of India’s imports in this segment.
What are Specialty Fertilizers?
Specialty fertilizers are advanced nutrient solutions tailored for high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They improve nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Examples include:
- Polymer-coated urea (slow-release)
- Chelated micronutrients (effective in alkaline soils)
- Water-soluble fertilizers (WSF) like monoammonium phosphate, potassium nitrate
- Stabilized nitrogen fertilizers (with NBPT inhibitors)
Why This Move?
- China Dependency: Over 80% of India’s specialty fertilizer imports, including WSF, foliar sprays, controlled-release formulations, and bio-stimulants, come from China.
- Supply Disruptions: In the past two months, Chinese authorities have curtailed exports to India using non-tariff barriers, though without a formal ban (as reported by ET on 26 June).
- Import Vulnerability: India also relies on Russia, Norway, Tunisia, and Morocco for specialty fertilizer materials.
Significance
- Boosting self-reliance in specialty fertilizers aligns with India’s goals on:
- Soil health
- Sustainable agriculture
- Agri-import diversification
- Important for high-value horticultural exports and precision farming
Facts To Remember
1. Theatre legend Ratan Thiyam passes away at 77
Theatre legend Ratan Thiyam, who was known for blending traditional art forms with contemporary craft, died at a hospital. He was 77.
2. Double delight in England a shot in the arm for Women in Blue
A double series win in England may have boosted the confidence of the Indian women’s team ahead of the World Cup but skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said her side will need to “start from ball one” when they return home to prepare for the global showpiece.
3. Alibaba launchesopen-source AI coding model
Alibaba group announced on Wednesday the launch ofQwen3-Coder, anopen-source artificial intelligence (AI) model for software development that the Chinesee-commerce giant described as its most advanced coding tool to date.
4. ‘Paperless health ecosystem’: Delhi CM to launch NextGen HIMS today
Starting today, a patient’s medical history will be accessible across all the government hospitals in Delhi as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta rolls out the NextGen Hospital Information Management System (HIMS).
5. PhonePe and SBI Card Launch Co-Branded Credit Cards Ahead of IPO
IPO-bound PhonePe, a leading Indian fintech platform, has launched two co-branded credit cards in partnership with SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer. This is PhonePe’s second such partnership after its earlier tie-up with HDFC Bank.
6. RBI Conducts ₹50,000 Crore VRR Auction to Cool Surging Overnight Rates
On July 24, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted a ₹50,000 crore Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction as overnight money market rates surged above the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate of 5.75%.
7. Singapore retains title of World’s most powerful passport, allows visa-free travel to 193 countries
With the release of the Henley Passport Index 2025, Singapore has retained the top spot and its title as the ‘World’s Most Powerful Passport.” In the listing, released on Tuesday, Asian nations have continued to dominate the passport rankings.
