Current Affairs: July 19, 2025

Staying updated with current affairs is vital for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. This article provides a detailed overview of key events from July 19, 2025, sourced from credible outlets 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. It covers politics, economy, science, international relations, environment, defense, sports, and more, tailored for exam preparation.

Politics and Governance

On July 19, 2025, the Indian government announced the agenda for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, set to begin on July 21, 2025, and run until August 21, with a break from August 12–18. Eight new bills are slated for discussion, reflecting priorities in economic reform, sports governance, and environmental conservation.

The New Income Tax Bill, tabled in the previous session and referred to a joint parliamentary committee, aims to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961. It introduces the concept of a tax year and removes outdated provisions like the fringe benefit tax, with implementation planned for April 1, 2026. This bill is crucial for simplifying India’s tax framework, a key topic for UPSC and Banking exams.

The National Sports Governance Bill seeks to promote sports development, ensure welfare for sportspersons, and enforce ethical governance in National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). This aligns with India’s ambition to excel in global sports events.

The National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill proposes updates to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, to align with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, ensuring compliance with international standards.

The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill focuses on recovering critical minerals, expanding mining areas, broadening the National Mineral Exploration Trust, and utilizing legacy mineral deposits, supporting India’s resource security.

The Land Heritage Sites and Land Remains (Conservation and Maintenance) Bill aims to protect geo-heritage sites, promoting geological research, education, and tourism. Other bills include the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, Indian Institute of Management (Amendment) Bill, and Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, all aimed at improving governance and ease of living.

Additionally, the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, passed by the Rajya Sabha, repeals a 169-year-old shipping law, modernizing maritime regulations. Discussions around extending President’s Rule in Manipur were also noted, highlighting ongoing political challenges.

Social issues, particularly women’s safety, were in focus. The tragic suicide of a 20-year-old B.Ed student in Odisha, after her sexual harassment complaints were ignored, underscored the need for effective implementation of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. Data shows 4,45,256 reported cases of crimes against women in 2022, a 4% rise from 2021, with non-functioning Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) remaining a concern.

Economy

India’s economy displayed resilience and challenges on July 19, 2025. Reports confirmed a steady GDP growth of 6.5%, driven by robust domestic demand. A potential India-US trade agreement could further boost exports, a critical factor for economic stability.

India’s merchandise exports to the US surged by 22.8% to $25.51 billion in Q1 FY2025, while imports rose 11.68% to $12.86 billion, reflecting strong trade ties. Investment confidence also soared, with India recording a 12.6% growth in Q3 2025, the highest among 32 economies, as per a global report.

However, concerns emerged about soft industrial momentum and a widening trade gap, posing risks for the second half of 2025. Bond yields remained stable between 6.304% and 6.313%, with lower CPI inflation offering some relief. Political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, emphasized self-reliance in production to ensure the success of the Make in India initiative, warning that without it, the program risks remaining rhetorical.

Long-term projections are optimistic, with India expected to add $1 trillion to its GDP every 12–18 months until 2047, aiming for a $30 trillion economy, positioning it as the world’s third-largest economy.

Science and Technology

India made significant strides in technology on July 19, 2025. The announcement that India will produce its first self-made semiconductor chip in 2025 marks a milestone in reducing reliance on imports and boosting the electronics industry. This development aligns with the Digital India initiative and is a key point for UPSC and SSC aspirants.

The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, a joint effort between NASA and ISRO, is set to launch by the end of July 2025. This mission will monitor Earth’s ecosystems, ice sheets, and natural hazards, contributing to global environmental and disaster management efforts.

A collaborative India-Australia science and technology project aims to enhance undersea surveillance capabilities, strengthening maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, Indian startups raised over $110 million in funding from July 14–19, 2025, across 26 companies, signaling strong investor confidence in the tech sector.

International Relations

On the global stage, the India-EFTA trade pact, involving Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, is set to take effect from October 1, 2025. This agreement will enhance trade and investment flows, strengthening India’s economic ties with Europe.

The United States designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This move highlights deepened India-US cooperation in counter-terrorism, a critical topic for UPSC exams.

The UN Sustainable Development Report 2025 revealed that 35% of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets have stalled or regressed. Key challenges include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), with 9.1% global hunger affecting 713–757 million people, SDG 4 (Quality Education), with 57% targets regressing, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), with 2.2 billion lacking safe water. The report underscores the need for global action, relevant for discussions on G20, UN, and BRICS.

Environment

Environmental challenges were prominent on July 19, 2025. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that climate change is shrinking the weather forecast window, complicating predictions of extreme weather events. In 2024, such events caused 3,200 deaths, $180 billion in economic damage, and affected 3.2 million hectares of crops, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, jet stream shifts, ENSO events, ocean heating, and urban heat islands.

The UN SDG Report 2025 noted that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, and an 80% chance that 2025–2029 will exceed this threshold. These issues highlight the urgency of global climate treaties and conservation efforts.

Defense

India achieved a major milestone in defense with the successful testing of the Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM). Capable of Mach 8 speed, a 1,500 km range, and a 1,000–2,000 kg payload, this missile, developed under DRDO’s Project Vishnu, positions India among global leaders in hypersonic technology alongside the US, Russia, and China.

Sports

The Khelo Bharat Conclave, held on July 17, 2025, unveiled the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, aiming for a top-10 finish in the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics. The National Sports Governance Bill, set for the Monsoon Session, introduces performance-based grants and the One Corporate-One Sport initiative to boost sports development.

Other Notable Developments

• Language and Identity: Debates in Bengaluru and Mumbai highlight tensions around language, migration, and cultural identity, relevant for social issues in UPSC exams.
• Mental Health: The Air India Ahmedabad accident sparked discussions on pilot mental health, emphasizing the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and Tele-MANAS.
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram: The 1000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola I’s expedition was commemorated, celebrating the Chola dynasty’s cultural legacy.
• Measles Outbreak: The US reported its worst measles outbreak since 1992, with 1,300 cases, underscoring the importance of vaccination.

Conclusion

July 19, 2025, was marked by significant developments across politics, economy, technology, international relations, environment, defense, and sports. These events provide critical insights for aspirants preparing for competitive exams, offering a comprehensive view of India’s progress and challenges.

Citations:

• The Hindu
• The Indian Express
• Times of India
• Hindustan Times
• Business Standard
• Livemint
• The Economic Times
• Press Information Bureau
• PRS Legislative Research
• BBC News
• Reuters
• Down To Earth
• PMF IAS
• INSIGHTS IAS
• NEXT IAS
• Vajiram & Ravi
• NDTV
• India Today
• Forbes
• The Week
• The Print

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers English

Question 1: Which bill passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 19, 2025, modernizes maritime regulations by repealing a 169-year-old law?
Option 1: National Maritime Development Bill
Option 2: Indian Ports and Shipping Act
Option 3: Coastal Trade Reform Bill
Option 4: Merchant Shipping Modernization Bill
Option 5: Bills of Lading Bill, 2025
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, passed by the Rajya Sabha, repeals an outdated 169-year-old law that governed shipping documents. This bill modernizes maritime trade practices by aligning Indian shipping regulations with global norms. It ensures smoother trade documentation, digital compliance, and simplified logistics, benefiting import-export operations.Question 2: The NISAR mission, expected to launch by the end of July 2025, is a collaboration between which two space agencies?
Option 1: ISRO and Roscosmos
Option 2: ISRO and CNES
Option 3: NASA and ISRO
Option 4: ESA and ISRO
Option 5: ISRO and JAXA
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO, set for launch by the end of July 2025. It will monitor Earth’s land ecosystems, ice sheets, and natural disasters. It enhances disaster management, agriculture monitoring, and environmental protection using advanced radar imaging technologies.

Question 3: Which proposed bill aims to protect India’s geo-heritage sites and promote geological research and tourism?
Option 1: National Environment Conservation Bill
Option 2: Geological Monuments Protection Bill
Option 3: Land Heritage Sites and Land Remains (Conservation and Maintenance) Bill
Option 4: Geo-Conservation and Research Promotion Bill
Option 5: Indian Geo-Tourism Bill
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Land Heritage Sites and Land Remains (Conservation and Maintenance) Bill focuses on conserving India’s geo-heritage, promoting research, and encouraging geological tourism. It provides a legal framework to protect unique landforms and ancient rock formations vital for scientific understanding and public education, while also boosting tourism.

Question 4: What is the projected implementation date of the new Income Tax Bill, aimed at replacing the Income Tax Act of 1961?
Option 1: January 1, 2025
Option 2: April 1, 2026
Option 3: July 1, 2026
Option 4: October 1, 2025
Option 5: March 31, 2026
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The New Income Tax Bill proposes replacing the Income Tax Act, 1961, and introduces concepts like a defined tax year. Its implementation is planned for April 1, 2026. It aims to simplify the tax system, remove outdated provisions like the fringe benefit tax, and improve compliance and transparency in taxation.

Question 5: According to recent GDP data, how much growth is India’s economy projected to achieve in 2025?
Option 1: 7.0%
Option 2: 5.9%
Option 3: 6.1%
Option 4: 6.8%
Option 5: 6.5%
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.5% in 2025, driven by strong domestic consumption and robust exports, especially to the US. This steady performance comes amid global uncertainty and reflects India’s economic resilience, though concerns persist about industrial output and a widening trade deficit.

Question 6: Which country did India sign a strategic trade pact with under EFTA that will take effect from October 1, 2025?
Option 1: United Kingdom
Option 2: Switzerland
Option 3: Germany
Option 4: France
Option 5: Austria
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: India signed a trade agreement with the EFTA bloc, which includes Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. This agreement, effective from October 1, 2025, is expected to enhance trade and investment ties with Europe, promote economic cooperation, and diversify India’s trade partnerships beyond traditional allies.

Question 7: What is the name of India’s newly tested hypersonic cruise missile capable of flying at Mach 8 with a 1,500 km range?
Option 1: Agni-VX
Option 2: Shaurya-II
Option 3: Surya Ultra
Option 4: BrahMos-Next
Option 5: ET-LDHCM
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The Extended Trajectory–Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM), developed under DRDO’s Project Vishnu, was successfully tested with capabilities of Mach 8 speed, a 1,500 km range, and a payload of 1,000–2,000 kg. This places India among global hypersonic powers like the US, Russia, and China.

Question 8: How much total startup funding was raised by Indian startups between July 14–19, 2025?
Option 1: $98 million
Option 2: $85 million
Option 3: $110 million
Option 4: $120 million
Option 5: $105 million
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Indian startups raised $110 million across 26 companies during the week of July 14–19, 2025. This reflects investor confidence in India’s tech and innovation ecosystem, even amid global funding challenges. The sectors covered included fintech, edtech, healthtech, and enterprise software.

Question 9: What percentage of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets have stalled or regressed globally, according to the 2025 UN report?
Option 1: 20%
Option 2: 50%
Option 3: 30%
Option 4: 35%
Option 5: 40%
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The UN Sustainable Development Report 2025 noted that 35% of SDG targets have either stalled or regressed. Major areas of concern include zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, and quality education. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for renewed international commitment to the 2030 Agenda.

Question 10: What was the recorded global temperature increase in 2024 compared to pre-industrial levels, making it the hottest year on record?
Option 1: 1.55°C
Option 2: 1.43°C
Option 3: 1.67°C
Option 4: 1.48°C
Option 5: 1.61°C
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: According to the UN SDG Report 2025, global temperatures in 2024 were 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, marking it as the hottest year on record. This was attributed to greenhouse gas emissions, ocean heating, and climate anomalies like ENSO, reinforcing the need for stronger climate action globally.