Current Affairs Roundup: July 14, 2025

For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, staying updated with current affairs is not just a necessity but a strategic advantage. The events of July 14, 2025, offer a wealth of information across politics, governance, economy, science, technology, environment, and sports. This comprehensive article, sourced from credible publications like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, Livemint, The Economic Times, Press Information Bureau (PIB), PRS Legislative Research, BBC News, Reuters, and Down To Earth, provides an in-depth look at the latest developments, tailored to help aspirants excel in their exams.

Politics and Governance: Strengthening India’s Foundation

India’s focus on self-reliance and cultural heritage was evident in recent governance initiatives. On July 13, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art integration and testing facility for BrahMos Aerospace in Lucknow, as reported by The Economic Times. This facility is a significant step towards enhancing India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Singh highlighted that the BrahMos missile, a joint venture with Russia, has garnered global attention, with 14-15 countries expressing interest post-Operation Sindoor. This development is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as it underscores India’s growing influence in the global defense market and its commitment to self-reliance, a frequent topic in questions on defense and international relations.

In another significant move, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha laid the foundation stone for the 51 Shakti Peeth Replica Park at Udaipur’s Bondowar on July 13, 2025, according to Times of India. This Rs 97.70 crore project will feature replicas of all 51 Shakti Peethas, a glass skywalk bridge, and the largest Lord Nataraja statue in the state. The initiative aims to boost religious tourism, aligning with the government’s vision to promote cultural heritage and economic development. For aspirants, this project highlights state-level governance efforts to leverage tourism for socio-economic growth, a topic often covered in SSC and UPSC exams.

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented earlier in the year, introduced several key measures through the Finance Bill 2025, as detailed by PRS Legislative Research. The budget estimates a fiscal deficit of 4.4% of GDP, with total expenditure at ₹50.65 lakh crore and capital expenditure at ₹11.21 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP). Key initiatives include the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for 1.7 crore farmers, a Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, and enhanced credit limits under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The Finance Bill 2025 also proposes new income-tax slab rates under Section 115BAC(1A), effective from April 1, 2026, simplifying tax compliance. These measures are vital for Banking and UPSC aspirants, as they reflect the government’s economic priorities and fiscal policies.

Economic Landscape: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

The Indian economy faced headwinds on July 14, 2025, with the Sensex closing at 82,253.46, down by 247.01 points (0.30%), and the Nifty at 25,082.30, down by 67.55 points (0.27%), as reported by The Hindu Business Line. The decline was attributed to heavy selling in IT shares, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloading equities worth Rs 5,104.22 crore, and concerns over potential US tariffs. Companies like Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, and Infosys were among the top losers, while Eternal, Sun Pharma, and ITC led gains. This volatility underscores the impact of global economic factors on India’s markets, a critical topic for Banking and SSC aspirants studying economic trends.

On the international front, India is actively pursuing trade agreements to bolster its economic ties. Negotiations with the United States are accelerating to finalize a bilateral trade agreement before the August 1, 2025, tariff deadline, aiming to expand trade to $500 billion by 2030, as per Reuters. Similarly, Business Standard reported that India and Brazil are set to sign agreements to enhance bilateral trade, leveraging India’s position as a key trading partner in Latin America. These developments highlight India’s economic diplomacy, a key area for UPSC aspirants focusing on international relations.

In June 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50%, marking the third consecutive rate cut in 2025, according to The Hindu. This decision, led by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, aims to stimulate economic growth by reducing borrowing costs, encouraging investment, and boosting consumption. The shift to a neutral monetary policy stance reflects the RBI‘s efforts to balance inflation control with economic growth, a topic frequently tested in Banking exams.

Science and Technology: Reaching for the Stars

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to make India proud with its advancements in space exploration. On July 14, 2025, the Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla successfully undocked as part of the Axiom-4 mission, as reported by ISRO. This mission, launched on June 25, 2025, marks a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight program, aligning with the Gaganyaan mission’s objectives. Additionally, ISRO is preparing for the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, set for launch in June 2025, according to NASA. This collaborative effort with NASA will provide critical data on Earth’s ecosystems, climate change, and natural hazards, making it a key topic for UPSC aspirants studying science and technology.

The PSLV-C61 mission, carrying the EOS-09 satellite, is another highlight of ISRO‘s busy schedule in 2025, focusing on Earth observation. These missions underscore India’s growing capabilities in space technology and its role in international collaborations, essential for questions on scientific advancements and global partnerships.

International Relations: India’s Global Footprint

India’s active participation in global forums and trade negotiations reflects its rising influence. While the G20 Summit is scheduled for November 22-23, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa, India is likely involved in preparatory meetings, building on its successful G20 Presidency in 2023, as noted by PIB. The focus on solidarity, equality, and sustainability in the upcoming summit aligns with India’s priorities in global governance. Additionally, trade talks with the US and Brazil demonstrate India’s commitment to expanding its economic reach, with the US deal aiming for $500 billion in trade by 2030 and Brazil agreements strengthening ties with Latin America. These developments are crucial for UPSC aspirants, as they highlight India’s economic diplomacy and role in multilateral forums like G20, BRICS, and QUAD.

Environmental Challenges: A Call to Action

Environmental issues remain a critical focus for India, with the State of India’s Environment 2025 report, published by Down To Earth, warning of interconnected challenges like climate change, water scarcity, agricultural distress, and public health issues. The report notes that no state scored above 70 out of 100 in environmental performance, with untreated sewage and river pollution being major concerns. This is a vital topic for aspirants, as environmental governance and sustainable development are frequently tested in UPSC exams.

The monsoon season of 2025 brought devastation to Himachal Pradesh, with 98 deaths reported due to flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides, as per Hindustan Times. The state faced significant infrastructure damage, with over 200 roads closed and an orange alert issued for heavy rains on July 14, 2025. This underscores the importance of disaster management policies, a key area for exam preparation.

In a positive development, Arunachal Pradesh became the first state to launch a Climate Declaration with the Pakke Pact on July 14, 2025, as reported by Northeast Live TV. This initiative aims to promote sustainable development and climate resilience, setting a precedent for state-level environmental action. Additionally, The Logical Indian reported that India’s forests are losing their carbon absorption capacity, with a 12% decline in photosynthetic efficiency, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Sports: A Moment of Glory

In the world of sports, Jannik Sinner made headlines by winning the Wimbledon 2025 men’s singles title on July 13, 2025, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling four-set final (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4), as reported by BBC Sport. This victory marked Sinner’s first Wimbledon title and his fourth Grand Slam, cementing his status as a tennis powerhouse. For SSC aspirants, such international sports achievements are often included in general knowledge sections, making this a noteworthy event.

Conclusion: Empowering Aspirants

The events of July 14, 2025, offer a rich tapestry of developments across multiple domains, from defense and economic policies to space exploration and environmental challenges. For aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, understanding these issues provides a competitive edge. By staying informed through credible sources like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, Livemint, The Economic Times, PIB, PRS Legislative Research, BBC News, Reuters, and Down To Earth, students can deepen their knowledge and excel in their exams. Keep reading, stay curious, and let these insights guide your preparation journey.

Citations:

• The Hindu
• The Indian Express
• Times of India
• Hindustan Times
• Business Standard
• Livemint
• The Economic Times
• Press Information Bureau (PIB)
• PRS Legislative Research
• BBC News
• Reuters
• Down To Earth

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers English

Question 1: Which Indian state recently became the first to launch a Climate Declaration known as the Pakke Pact for sustainable development and climate resilience?
Option 1: Himachal Pradesh
Option 2: Arunachal Pradesh
Option 3: Sikkim
Option 4: Uttarakhand
Option 5: Meghalaya
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh launched the Pakke Pact on July 14, 2025, becoming the first Indian state to initiate a Climate Declaration aimed at promoting climate resilience and sustainable development. This state-level environmental initiative sets an example for other regions to follow in addressing ecological challenges.

Question 2: Who recently inaugurated a new integration and testing facility for BrahMos Aerospace in Lucknow, strengthening India’s defense manufacturing sector?
Option 1: Narendra Modi
Option 2: Rajnath Singh
Option 3: S. Jaishankar
Option 4: Amit Shah
Option 5: Ajay Bhatt
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BrahMos integration and testing facility in Lucknow on July 13, 2025. This is a significant move under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, as it enhances indigenous capabilities in missile production and aligns with India’s goal of becoming a major defense exporter.

Question 3: Which Indian astronaut undocked from the International Space Station aboard Crew Dragon as part of the Axiom-4 mission?
Option 1: Gagandeep Sharma
Option 2: Neeraj Pandey
Option 3: Rakesh Verma
Option 4: Aman Malik
Option 5: Shubhanshu Shukla
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut, undocked aboard the Crew Dragon as part of the Axiom-4 mission on July 14, 2025. The mission marks a milestone for India’s human spaceflight endeavors and is part of broader efforts that align with the Gaganyaan program.

Question 4: What is the estimated capital expenditure set in the Union Budget 2025–26?
Option 1: ₹9.1 lakh crore
Option 2: ₹12.4 lakh crore
Option 3: ₹8.7 lakh crore
Option 4: ₹11.21 lakh crore
Option 5: ₹10.6 lakh crore
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹11.21 lakh crore for capital expenditure, which amounts to 3.1% of India’s GDP. This significant investment aims to boost infrastructure development and long-term growth, making it a critical figure for aspirants studying public finance and economic policy.

Question 5: According to the RBI’s latest announcement, what is the revised repo rate as of June 2025?
Option 1: 5.00%
Option 2: 5.75%
Option 3: 5.50%
Option 4: 6.00%
Option 5: 4.90%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50% in June 2025. This move, aimed at spurring economic activity, was the third consecutive rate cut in the year and reflects the central bank’s attempt to support consumption and investment while maintaining inflation control.

Question 6: Who won the Wimbledon 2025 Men’s Singles title, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final?
Option 1: Novak Djokovic
Option 2: Daniil Medvedev
Option 3: Casper Ruud
Option 4: Carlos Alcaraz
Option 5: Jannik Sinner
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: Jannik Sinner secured his first Wimbledon title on July 13, 2025, by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. This marked his fourth Grand Slam title and solidified his position among the elite tennis players in the world.

Question 7: Which Indian state laid the foundation for a ₹97.70 crore Shakti Peeth Replica Park to boost religious tourism?
Option 1: West Bengal
Option 2: Assam
Option 3: Tripura
Option 4: Odisha
Option 5: Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha laid the foundation for the 51 Shakti Peeth Replica Park in Udaipur’s Bondowar. The park will feature replicas of all 51 Shakti Peethas and aims to strengthen the state’s religious tourism sector, aligning with socio-economic and cultural development goals.

Question 8: What was the value of FII (Foreign Institutional Investors) outflows from Indian markets reported on July 14, 2025?
Option 1: ₹4,210 crore
Option 2: ₹5,104.22 crore
Option 3: ₹3,867.75 crore
Option 4: ₹6,275 crore
Option 5: ₹2,910 crore
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: On July 14, 2025, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹5,104.22 crore. This large-scale selling was driven by concerns over US tariffs and weak performance in the IT sector, leading to a decline in the Sensex and Nifty.

Question 9: Which upcoming international summit will be hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2025?
Option 1: COP30
Option 2: BRICS Summit
Option 3: QUAD Leaders’ Meeting
Option 4: G20 Summit
Option 5: UNGA Special Session
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The G20 Summit is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22–23, 2025. India, having held the presidency in 2023, continues to participate in shaping global discussions on equality, sustainability, and economic development.

Question 10: What is the projected fiscal deficit in the Union Budget 2025–26 as a percentage of GDP?
Option 1: 4.4%
Option 2: 5.3%
Option 3: 3.9%
Option 4: 4.9%
Option 5: 6.2%
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The fiscal deficit for the 2025–26 financial year is estimated at 4.4% of GDP. This indicates the gap between the government’s total expenditure and revenue and is a crucial macroeconomic indicator to track in budget-related policy analysis.