Current Affairs Report: July 21, 2025

For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other Indian government exams, staying updated with current affairs is essential. This detailed report covers the significant events of July 21, 2025, sourced from credible outlets like The Hindu, The Indian Express, Business Standard, Press Information Bureau (PIB), and others. Spanning politics, economy, science, international relations, environment, defense, and sports, this article is crafted to provide a competitive edge for exam preparation.

Politics and Governance

The Monsoon Session of Parliament kicked off on July 21, 2025, setting the stage for critical discussions on national issues. The Central Government expressed its readiness to address Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched in May 2025 following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation led to a brief conflict with Pakistan, resulting in 21 Indian and 40 Pakistani civilian casualties before a US-brokered ceasefire restored calm. This event is significant for understanding India’s national security policies and could feature in exam questions on governance and internal security [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/top-news-of-the-day-july-21-2025/article69837955.ece].

In a notable legal development, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court against Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), for alleged anti-Hindi remarks accused of inciting violence. This case highlights the delicate balance between free speech and regional sensitivities, a recurring theme in UPSC essays and SSC general awareness sections [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/mumbai-advocate-moves-supreme-court-against-raj-thackeray-over-anti-hindi-remarks/article69834907.ece].

In Bihar, a survey conducted ahead of the Assembly Elections revealed that 27.4% of Dalit voters have “no trust” in the Election Commission of India (ECI), with 58% citing unemployment as the biggest poll issue. This finding underscores challenges in electoral trust and socio-economic concerns, critical for exams focusing on Indian polity [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/over-58-dalit-voters-in-bihar-think-unemployment-is-biggest-poll-issue-survey/article69835386.ece].

In Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leaders were detained on July 20, 2025, while attempting a street march to demand the restoration of full statehood. This incident reflects ongoing political tensions in the region, a key topic for questions on federalism and regional politics [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/congress-leaders-detained-in-jammu-as-police-foil-street-march-for-jk-statehood/article69835513.ece].

The Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged political parties to prioritize national interest over partisan politics ahead of the Monsoon Session, emphasizing unity and constructive dialogue [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prioritise-national-interest-over-politics-v-p-dhankhar-tells-parties/article69835187.ece].

An analysis of India’s voting strategy at the United Nations showed a marked increase in abstentions, allowing India to carve out an independent stance on global issues. Former diplomats suggest this shift helps India assert its position without aligning strictly with any bloc, a nuanced topic for international relations questions [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-useful-tool-annual-share-of-abstentions-in-indias-un-votes-at-all-time-high/article69827249.ece].

Economy

The Indian stock markets displayed positive momentum on July 21, 2025. The BSE Sensex closed at 82,200.34, gaining 442.61 points (0.54%), while the Nifty 50 settled at 25,090.7, up 122.3 points (0.49%). This rise was driven by strong first-quarter earnings from major companies like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Reliance Industries, alongside optimism in global trade. The Nifty Midcap 100 also rose by 0.66%, with sectors like banking, metals, and realty performing strongly [Business Standard, https://www.business-standard.com/markets/news/stock-market-live-gift-nifty-china-july-loan-prime-rate-ril-hdfc-bank-icici-bank-q1-results-bse-sensex-nifty50-nse-125072100052_1.html].

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a draft Master Direction on Digital Banking Channels Authorisation on July 21, 2025, aimed at regulating digital banking platforms to ensure security and efficiency. This development is crucial for Banking exam aspirants, as it reflects the evolving regulatory framework in India’s financial sector [RBI, https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/PressRelease/PDFs/PR7521908244285224BA5AB7E9D28497BA0F0.PDF].

In another economic highlight, the Appellate Tribunal upheld the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s attachment of assets belonging to Chanda Kochhar, former CEO of ICICI Bank, in a money laundering case. This ruling reinforces the government’s focus on financial accountability, a relevant topic for exams covering economic governance [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/appellate-tribunal-upholds-eds-attachment-of-chanda-kochhars-assets/article69834939.ece].

Science and Technology

In the realm of science and technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) held a news conference on July 21, 2025, to discuss the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission. Scheduled for launch on July 30, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, this mission will use L- and S-band radars to monitor Earth’s land and ice surfaces, providing critical data on ecosystems, ice sheets, and crustal deformation. This collaboration underscores India’s growing prowess in space technology, a key area for UPSC science and technology questions [NASA Science, https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/nisar/2025/07/21/nasa-isro-earth-satellite-mission-set-to-launch-july-30/].

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) announced plans to roll out biometric Aadhaar updates for children through schools in a phased manner within two months, enhancing digital governance and identity verification systems [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uidai-to-roll-out-biometric-aadhaar-update-for-children-through-schools-in-phased-manner/article69835191.ece].

International Relations

On the international front, Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli announced a visit to India in mid-September 2025, signaling continued diplomatic engagement between the two nations. This visit, announced on July 20, 2025, is expected to focus on bilateral and regional issues, strengthening India-Nepal ties [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nepal-pm-oli-to-visit-india-in-mid-september/article69835207.ece].

India’s strategic shift in United Nations voting, with a higher proportion of abstentions, was noted as a move to establish an independent stance on global issues. This development, analyzed by former diplomats, is significant for understanding India’s foreign policy dynamics [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-useful-tool-annual-share-of-abstentions-in-indias-un-votes-at-all-time-high/article69827249.ece].

While South Africa holds the G20 presidency in 2025, hosting the Johannesburg Summit, India’s role as a key member continues to be relevant for discussions on global economic cooperation [G20, https://g20.org/].

Environment

India’s environmental efforts were spotlighted by its 10th rank in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025, published by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network. India excels in low per capita emissions and rapid renewable energy expansion, particularly in solar power, but its reliance on coal remains a challenge. The report calls for an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to align with global climate goals. This ranking is a critical point for UPSC environment and ecology sections, reflecting India’s balancing act between development and sustainability [CCPI, https://ccpi.org/country/ind/].

Recent climate studies highlight India’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, with 2024 recording the second-hottest season since 1970. Cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai faced prolonged high temperatures, impacting millions [The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/india-experiences-the-second-hottest-period-since-1970-due-to-climate-change/article68656779.ece].

Defense

India’s defense sector saw significant advancements on July 21, 2025. The Indian Army is set to induct three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters on July 22, 2025, in Jodhpur, enhancing close air support capabilities on the western frontier. These helicopters are part of a six-unit order for the Army Aviation Corps, following the Indian Air Force’s earlier procurement of 22 Apaches [Indian Defence News, https://www.indiandefensenews.in/].

Recent missile tests conducted by the Strategic Forces Command followed Operation Sindoor, a response to a May 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The operation involved airstrikes and drone usage, marking a new phase in India-Pakistan conflicts. The US intervention, led by then-President Donald Trump, prevented escalation, making this a key case study for defense and international relations questions [Indian Defence News, https://www.indiandefensenews.in/].

The Indian Navy’s Project-75I, aimed at acquiring six advanced submarines, faced challenges due to cost escalations of the U-214NG submarine, highlighting issues in defense procurement [Defence News India, https://defence.in/].

Sports

In cricket, the Indian cricket team is engaged in a five-match Test series against England, part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. As of July 21, 2025, England leads 2-1, with the fourth Test scheduled for July 23–27, 2025, in Manchester. Shubman Gill made his Test captaincy debut, while Rishabh Pant surpassed MS Dhoni as the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test centuries (7) and set a record for the most sixes (62) by an Indian in the WTC. Jasprit Bumrah equaled Kapil Dev’s record for away five-wicket hauls, making these achievements significant for sports-related questions [ESPNcricinfo, https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-england-2025-1445348].

India will also host the Chess World Cup 2025 from October 30 to November 27, 2025, with the host city to be announced later. This event, organized by FIDE, will see the top three finishers qualify for further global competitions [News On Air, https://www.newsonair.gov.in/category/sports/].

In squash, Indian players Anahat Singh, Aradhya Porwal, Anika Dubey, Navya Sundararajan, and Rudra Singh advanced to the women’s singles Round of 64 at the World Junior Squash Championships in Cairo, showcasing India’s rising talent in the sport [News On Air, https://www.newsonair.gov.in/category/sports/].

Conclusion

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the key events on July 21, 2025, tailored for students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. From the Monsoon Session and Operation Sindoor to the NISAR mission and CCPI 2025 ranking, these developments span critical areas of polity, economy, science, international relations, environment, defense, and sports. By understanding these topics, aspirants can gain a competitive edge in their exam preparation, equipped with accurate and reliable information from trusted sources.

Daily quiz on current affairs with answers English

Question 1: What was the key purpose of the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission scheduled for launch in July 2025?
Option 1: To study black holes and cosmic radiation
Option 2: To monitor Earth’s land and ice surfaces
Option 3: To explore Jupiter’s atmosphere
Option 4: To examine the ozone layer depletion
Option 5: To track cyclones over the Indian Ocean
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The NISAR mission, jointly developed by NASA and ISRO, aims to monitor Earth’s land and ice surfaces using dual-band (L-band and S-band) radar systems. Its objectives include tracking ecosystem changes, ice sheet movements, and crustal deformation, making it a critical earth observation project.

Question 2: Which major issue was emphasized by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament in July 2025?
Option 1: Reservation policy review
Option 2: National interest over partisan politics
Option 3: Criminal law reform
Option 4: Electoral bonds legislation
Option 5: Cooperative federalism
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged political parties to prioritize national interest over partisan politics before the Monsoon Session began. He emphasized the need for unity and constructive dialogue in addressing national issues.

Question 3: In the CCPI 2025 report, what was listed as India’s key challenge in its climate change performance?
Option 1: High vehicle emissions
Option 2: Poor forest cover
Option 3: Dependence on coal
Option 4: Low solar power capacity
Option 5: Weak international cooperation
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: Despite India’s strong performance in renewable energy growth and low per capita emissions, the major challenge highlighted in the CCPI 2025 report was its continued reliance on coal. This dependency weakens the overall sustainability of its climate efforts.

Question 4: Who among the following recently surpassed MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper?
Option 1: Rishabh Pant
Option 2: KL Rahul
Option 3: Ishan Kishan
Option 4: Sanju Samson
Option 5: Wriddhiman Saha
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: Rishabh Pant set a new record by scoring his 7th Test century, surpassing MS Dhoni’s previous record as the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test centuries. His performance also included the highest number of sixes (62) by an Indian in the WTC.

Question 5: Which of the following best explains the rationale behind India’s increasing abstentions at the United Nations in recent years?
Option 1: To strengthen alliances with Western democracies
Option 2: To support non-aligned movements
Option 3: To assert strategic autonomy on global matters
Option 4: To avoid diplomatic conflicts with China
Option 5: To align with BRICS policy positions
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India has increasingly abstained from voting at the United Nations to assert its independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy. This approach allows India to avoid aligning strictly with any global bloc while preserving diplomatic flexibility.

Question 6: What was the purpose of the Reserve Bank of India’s draft Master Direction issued on July 21, 2025?
Option 1: Regulating cryptocurrency usage
Option 2: Revising inflation targeting rules
Option 3: Authorizing new private banks
Option 4: Curbing bank frauds
Option 5: Regulating digital banking channels
Answer: Option 5
Explanation: The RBI issued a draft Master Direction on Digital Banking Channels Authorisation to regulate digital banking platforms. The objective was to ensure the security and efficiency of online financial services in response to the rapid growth of digital banking in India.

Question 7: According to the Bihar pre-poll survey, what was identified as the biggest election issue by Dalit voters?
Option 1: Education inequality
Option 2: Caste-based violence
Option 3: Unemployment
Option 4: Corruption
Option 5: Inflation
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The pre-election survey in Bihar revealed that 58% of Dalit voters considered unemployment as the biggest poll issue. This highlights growing socio-economic dissatisfaction, especially in marginalized communities, which is a key electoral and policy concern.

Question 8: What step has the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) taken regarding Aadhaar updates for children?
Option 1: Discontinuing Aadhaar for minors
Option 2: Rolling out biometric updates through schools
Option 3: Integrating Aadhaar with academic records
Option 4: Issuing smart cards to all children
Option 5: Making Aadhaar voluntary for school admissions
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: UIDAI announced that it will roll out biometric Aadhaar updates for children through schools in a phased manner. This initiative aims to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Aadhaar database for minors.

Question 9: What development occurred regarding former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar on July 21, 2025?
Option 1: Arrest by CBI
Option 2: Supreme Court acquittal
Option 3: Asset attachment upheld by Appellate Tribunal
Option 4: Retirement from public life
Option 5: Return to corporate boardrooms
Answer: Option 1
Explanation: The Appellate Tribunal upheld the Enforcement Directorate’s decision to attach the assets of Chanda Kochhar in a money laundering case. This case reflects the broader crackdown on financial irregularities and corporate misconduct in India’s banking sector.

Question 10: What recent advancement did the Indian Army make to boost its air combat capabilities?
Option 1: Deployment of Rafale aircraft
Option 2: Induction of Tejas Mk-1A
Option 3: Commissioning of DRDO drones
Option 4: Induction of AH-64E Apache helicopters
Option 5: Purchase of Mi-35 helicopters from Russia
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The Indian Army prepared to induct three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters on July 22, 2025, in Jodhpur. This move strengthens India’s close air support capabilities, particularly on the western front, and aligns with ongoing modernization efforts in the armed forces.