Current Affairs: July 16, 2025 – A Comprehensive Guide for Government Exam Aspirants

For students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, staying updated with current affairs is not just a requirement—it’s a strategy to gain an edge. The events of July 16, 2025, offer a wealth of developments across politics, economy, science, international relations, environment, and sports. This article, sourced from credible outlets like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, Press Information Bureau (PIB), and others, provides a detailed and engaging overview tailored for exam aspirants. Let’s dive into the stories shaping India and the world, presented in a way that’s easy to understand and memorize.

Politics and Governance: Shaping India’s Future

The Indian government is preparing for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, set to begin on July 21, 2025, with a robust legislative agenda. Eight new bills are slated for introduction, each addressing critical areas of governance. The National Sports Governance Bill is a highlight, aiming to transform sports administration by establishing a Sports Regulatory Board of India. This board will oversee National Sports Federations (NSFs), ensuring transparency and accountability through Ethics Commissions and Dispute Resolution Commissions. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has expressed concerns, fearing the bill might reduce its authority as the nodal body for sports governance. Former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has called it a “historic” move, suggesting it could usher in a new era for Indian sports, especially with India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics (The Hindu, July 19, 2025).

Another significant bill is the Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, which builds on a 2022 draft to protect India’s geological heritage, such as the Akal Fossil Wood Park in Rajasthan and Siwalik Fossil Park in Himachal Pradesh. The bill empowers the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to declare sites of national importance and regulate activities like construction within 100 meters of these sites. Critics, including paleontologists, argue that vesting such powers solely in the GSI could hinder research, advocating for a more inclusive National Geoheritage Authority (The Hindu, February 15, 2023). Other bills include the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, reflecting the government’s focus on resource management and sports integrity (The Hindu, July 16, 2025).

In digital governance, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issued a directive on July 15, 2025, urging parents of children aged 5–7 years to update their Aadhaar biometrics. Since biometrics like fingerprints and iris scans are not captured for children under 5, this update is essential for services like school admissions, entrance exams, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. The update is free before age 7, but a Rs 100 fee applies afterward, and non-compliance could lead to Aadhaar cancellation. This move underscores the growing role of digital identity in accessing welfare benefits, a key topic for exams (The Hindu, July 15, 2025).

The AICC OBC Advisory Council, chaired by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, passed the Bengaluru Declaration on July 16, 2025, demanding a national-level caste census by the Census Commission of India. This resolution aims to address social equity, a recurring theme in governance-related questions (The Hindu, July 16, 2025). Additionally, the Supreme Court relaxed bail conditions for an Ashoka University professor and upheld the rights of Scheduled Tribe women to equal shares in ancestral property, reinforcing social justice principles (The Hindu, July 16 & 18, 2025).

Economy: Stability Amid Global Challenges

India’s economy continues to be a bright spot globally, as noted by the United Nations in its World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for June 2025 was recorded at 2.1%, the lowest since January 2019, down from 2.82% in May. This decline was driven by a 1.06% drop in food prices, with vegetables falling by 19% and pulses by 11.76%. Rural inflation stood at 1.72%, while urban inflation was 2.56%, reflecting a favorable base effect and reduced price pressures in key sectors (PIB, July 13, 2025; Times of India, July 14, 2025). Forecasts suggest inflation could dip further in July, potentially below the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s target range, a critical point for banking exam aspirants.

The BSE Sensex closed at 82,634.48 on July 16, 2025, gaining 63.57 points or 0.08%, while the Nifty 50 ended at 25,212.05, up 16.25 points or 0.06%. The market’s stability was supported by gains in financial and IT stocks, though global trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariff threats, introduced caution (The Hindu BusinessLine, July 16, 2025). The Union Cabinet approved a significant boost for renewable energy, allowing NTPC Ltd to invest up to Rs 20,000 crore in its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL), up from the previous limit of Rs 7,500 crore. This investment aims to achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032, aligning with India’s 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030 and Net Zero emissions goal by 2070 (PIB, July 16, 2025; The Indian Express, July 16, 2025).

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved Rs 7,000 crore for NLC India Ltd to invest in NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), targeting 10.11 GW by 2030. These decisions reflect India’s commitment to sustainable growth, a key focus for economic reforms in exams (The Indian Express, July 16, 2025). The UN projects India’s GDP growth at 6.3% for 2025, driven by strong domestic demand and government spending, positioning India as the fastest-growing major economy (The Hindu, May 16, 2025).

Science and Technology: India’s Leap Forward

India’s space program continues to make headlines. On July 15, 2025, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) celebrated the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the Axiom-04 mission aboard the Dragon spacecraft. His 18-day mission at the International Space Station (ISS) involved seven microgravity experiments, marking a milestone for India’s Human Spaceflight Programme. Shukla’s return is a precursor to the Gaganyaan mission and the planned Bharatiya Antariksha Station, enhancing India’s crewed mission capabilities (The Hindu, July 15, 2025; Deccan Chronicle, May 3, 2025). In July 2025, ISRO also planned the LVM3-M5 mission, a commercial launch for AST SpaceMobile Inc. to deploy BlueBird Block-2 satellites, showcasing India’s growing role in global space commerce (Deccan Chronicle, May 3, 2025).

In astrophysics, a team from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), led by Amal G. Cheriyan, discovered radio emissions with circular polarization near the massive protostar IRAS 18162-2048, located 5,500 light-years away. Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, this finding provides the first direct clue to magnetic field strength in star formation, a significant contribution to global astronomy (The Hindu, July 17, 2025). Additionally, Gujarat launched the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project, the first of its kind in India, to study genetic variations for better healthcare outcomes (Times of India, July 16, 2025).

In artificial intelligence, OpenAI’s ChatGPT faced a three-hour outage on July 16, 2025, affecting services like Sora and Codex, highlighting the vulnerabilities of AI infrastructure (The Indian Express, July 16, 2025). Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s xAI introduced ‘AI Companions’ on the Grok app, featuring anime-style avatars, reflecting the rapid evolution of AI applications (The Indian Express, July 16, 2025). Globally, the US Department of Defense awarded contracts to Google and xAI for agentic AI workflows, underscoring AI’s strategic importance (The Indian Express, July 16, 2025).

International Relations: India’s Global Footprint

India’s diplomatic engagements were prominent in July 2025. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, China, on July 15, 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for an “uncompromising position” on terrorism, citing the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22, 2025, which killed 26 tourists. He urged the SCO to uphold its founding purpose of combating terrorism and criticized Pakistan for blocking India-Afghanistan trade transit. Jaishankar also advocated for increased development assistance to Afghanistan and supported the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) through Iran (The Hindu, July 15, 2025).

On July 9, 2025, India and Namibia signed bilateral agreements in health, agriculture, cybersecurity, culture, digital transformation, geology, and energy, marking 35 years of diplomatic relations. These agreements strengthen India’s strategic ties in Africa (allAfrica.com, July 17, 2025). The India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is nearing completion, pending approval from President Donald Trump. Indian negotiators are focusing on favorable tariffs for agriculture and dairy, with a “forward most-favoured-nation” clause to ensure competitive terms (Reuters, April 29, 2025; Business Today, July 5, 2025). Additionally, Switzerland ratified the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India, part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), set to take effect by October 2025 (India Briefing, July 15, 2025).

India’s participation in global forums like the G20 continues, with South Africa hosting the 2025 summit. India, as a former chair in 2023, remains active in discussions on climate resilience and global economic cooperation (G20.org, December 3, 2024). At the UN, Varsha Deshpande, founder of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, won the 2025 United Nations Population Award for her work on gender justice, highlighting India’s contributions to global human rights (UN India, July 15, 2025).

Environment and Wildlife: Protecting India’s Biodiversity

India’s commitment to biodiversity was evident in July 2025. The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) rescued an eight-week-old elephant calf in Golaghat, Assam, on July 5, 2025, after it was separated from its herd. The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) is ensuring its care, reflecting India’s focus on endangered species (WTI, July 5, 2025). From June 29 to July 1, 2025, WTI conducted a Wildlife Crime Prevention Training at Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, to strengthen anti-poaching efforts (WTI, July 6, 2025). These initiatives align with India’s broader conservation goals, including Project Tiger and Project Elephant, which have bolstered populations of key species (IBEF, January 29, 2025).

On the climate front, India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement emphasizes reducing emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2070. However, the Climate Action Tracker rates India’s efforts as “Highly insufficient,” citing reliance on coal despite renewable energy growth (Climate Action Tracker, December 4, 2023). The UN notes India’s progress in deploying utility-scale and rooftop solar, reducing coal’s share in the energy mix (PIB, July 6, 2025). These topics are crucial for environmental questions in exams.

Sports: India’s Global Presence

In cricket, the 3rd Test of the India vs England series at Lord’s, held from July 10–14, 2025, saw England clinch a dramatic 22-run victory, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 and KL Rahul’s century were highlights, but Ben Stokes’ all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award. The match was part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship, making it significant for sports-related questions (ESPN Cricinfo, July 14, 2025).

At Wimbledon 2025, held from June 30 to July 13, 2025, India had no singles representatives, but four players shone in doubles: Rohan Bopanna (with Sander Gillé), Yuki Bhambri (with Robert Galloway), Rithwik Bollipalli (with Nicolás Barrientos), and N. Sriram Balaji (with Miguel Reyes-Varela). Balaji advanced to the second round, defeating an American pair 6-4, 6-4 (Olympics.com, July 3, 2025). The presence of Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli and Deepak Chahar in the stands added to the tournament’s buzz (Times of India, July 8, 2025).

Education and Social Issues

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) introduced a new Class 8 Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, for the 2025-26 academic year. It portrays Mughal rulers like Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb with nuance, highlighting their intellectual contributions and controversial actions, such as temple demolitions. This shift aims to provide a balanced historical perspective, a potential topic for UPSC essays (The Hindu, July 15, 2025). Socially, the high pendency of cases under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, with 97% of 1,242 cases pending in 2022, underscores challenges in addressing untouchability, a critical issue for social justice questions (The Hindu, July 15, 2025).

Defense and Security

On July 17, 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the successful test-firing of the Agni-1 missile by the Strategic Forces Command at Chandipur, Odisha. This short-range ballistic missile reinforces India’s credible minimum deterrence strategy (Indian Defence News, July 18, 2025). Earlier in 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council approved Rs 540 billion ($6.26 billion) for arms purchases, including engines for T-90 tanks and anti-submarine torpedoes (Reuters, March 20, 2025). The construction of the Jalkapi Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) by Krishna Defence and Allied Industries Ltd began on June 10, 2025, boosting India’s maritime capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat (Indian Defence Research Wing, July 14, 2025).

Conclusion

The events of July 16, 2025, offer a rich tapestry of developments for government exam aspirants. From legislative reforms and economic stability to scientific breakthroughs and international diplomacy, these updates provide critical insights into India’s progress and challenges. By studying these topics, aspirants can build a strong foundation for questions on governance, economy, science, and more. Stay informed, make concise notes, and practice applying these facts to mock tests to excel in your exams.

Sources:

• The Hindu: www.thehindu.com
• The Indian Express: indianexpress.com
• Times of India: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
• Press Information Bureau: www.pib.gov.in
• ESPN Cricinfo: www.espncricinfo.com
• Olympics.com: www.olympics.com
• Reuters: www.reuters.com

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers English

Question 1: What was the recorded CPI inflation rate for India in June 2025, the lowest since January 2019?
Option 1: 2.56%
Option 2: 2.82%
Option 3: 2.1%
Option 4: 1.72%
Option 5: 3.3%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for June 2025 was recorded at 2.1%, the lowest since January 2019. This decline was primarily due to a reduction in food prices, including a 19% fall in vegetable prices and an 11.76% drop in pulses. The figure marked a significant improvement from May’s 2.82%, reflecting economic stability and easing price pressures.

Question 2: What is the main purpose of the newly proposed National Sports Governance Bill?
Option 1: To increase funding for Olympic sports
Option 2: To establish a new sports university
Option 3: To regulate private sports clubs
Option 4: To form a Sports Regulatory Board overseeing National Sports Federations
Option 5: To merge the IOA with the Sports Ministry
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The National Sports Governance Bill aims to establish a Sports Regulatory Board of India. This board would supervise National Sports Federations (NSFs), enforcing transparency through Ethics and Dispute Resolution Commissions. While former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju praised the bill, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has raised concerns about losing autonomy.

Question 3: What directive did UIDAI issue for parents of children aged 5–7 years?
Option 1: Apply for a new Aadhaar card
Option 2: Enroll for school-only Aadhaar ID
Option 3: Update biometric data for Aadhaar
Option 4: Link Aadhaar with PAN card
Option 5: Opt into DBT schemes
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issued a directive asking parents to update Aadhaar biometric details for children aged 5–7. Since biometrics are not recorded for children under 5, this update is critical for services like school admissions, entrance exams, and welfare schemes. The update is free before age 7, but a Rs 100 fee applies afterward.

Question 4: Which Indian organization was empowered by a new bill to declare Geoheritage Sites?
Option 1: Archaeological Survey of India
Option 2: Ministry of Environment
Option 3: National Geoheritage Authority
Option 4: Geological Survey of India
Option 5: National Remote Sensing Centre
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill empowers the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to declare and protect sites of national geological importance. However, some paleontologists have raised concerns over centralized control, arguing for the establishment of a National Geoheritage Authority instead.

Question 5: What was the closing figure of the BSE Sensex on July 16, 2025?
Option 1: 82,634.48
Option 2: 25,212.05
Option 3: 82,571.35
Option 4: 83,000.00
Option 5: 81,910.22
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: On July 16, 2025, the BSE Sensex closed at 82,634.48, gaining 63.57 points or 0.08%. This modest gain was supported by positive performance in the financial and IT sectors. Despite international trade tensions, particularly from the US, Indian markets remained stable.

Question 6: What is the renewable energy investment limit approved by the Cabinet for NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL)?
Option 1: Rs 10,000 crore
Option 2: Rs 20,000 crore
Option 3: Rs 15,000 crore
Option 4: Rs 7,500 crore
Option 5: Rs 12,000 crore
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved an increase in investment limit for NTPC Ltd to fund its subsidiary NGEL, from Rs 7,500 crore to Rs 20,000 crore. This move supports India’s target of 60 GW renewable energy capacity by 2032 and aligns with broader climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

Question 7: Which of the following is associated with the Axiom-04 space mission?
Option 1: Launch of ISRO’s private satellite
Option 2: Moon rover test
Option 3: Radio wave polarization study
Option 4: Dragon spacecraft crew return
Option 5: First all-women mission
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned aboard the Dragon spacecraft after completing the Axiom-04 mission. During the 18-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), he conducted microgravity experiments. The mission marked a significant step towards India’s upcoming Gaganyaan project.

Question 8: What was India’s official stance at the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in July 2025?
Option 1: Appeal for border dispute resolution
Option 2: Demand for trade parity with China
Option 3: Strong anti-terrorism position
Option 4: Advocacy for cultural cooperation
Option 5: Proposal for a regional space agency
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: At the SCO meeting in Tianjin, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for an uncompromising stance on terrorism. Citing the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists, he urged the SCO to honor its foundational purpose and criticized Pakistan for obstructing India-Afghanistan trade.

Question 9: Who was recently awarded the 2025 United Nations Population Award?
Option 1: Kailash Satyarthi
Option 2: Medha Patkar
Option 3: Aruna Roy
Option 4: Varsha Deshpande
Option 5: Harsh Mander
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: Varsha Deshpande, the founder of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, received the 2025 United Nations Population Award for her efforts in promoting gender justice and women’s rights. This award highlights India’s contributions to global human rights advocacy and social reform.

Question 10: What significant Supreme Court ruling was made regarding Scheduled Tribe (ST) women?
Option 1: Equal rights in ancestral property
Option 2: Abolition of protective forest rights
Option 3: Repeal of special marriage provisions
Option 4: Nullification of reservation quota
Option 5: Compulsory biometric verification
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The Supreme Court ruled that Scheduled Tribe women are entitled to equal shares in ancestral property. This landmark judgment upholds the constitutional promise of gender equality and is a crucial step toward addressing systemic discrimination in inheritance laws.