July 2025 Current Affairs for NDA, CDS, UPSC & Other Competitive Exams
1. India Breaks Space Records with Axiom-4 Mission
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla broke records in space as the first Indian astronaut to tread on the International Space Station (ISS). As part of the groundbreaking Axiom-4 mission, Shukla spent 18 days on the ISS and completed 288 orbits of Earth. Accompanied by legends Peggy Whitson and Poland's Sławosz Uznański, Shukla's feat was a giant leap for India's space history.
2. PM Modi Receives Namibia's Highest Civilian Honour
In a grand appreciation of his diplomatic work, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Namibia's highest civilian honor, The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. Modi has now 27 foreign honors to his name—solidifying India's increasing role in international politics further.
3. India unveils second-longest cable-stayed bridge
In July, Karnataka's Singadur Bridge was commissioned by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. It is 2.44 km in length and is India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge, enhancing connectivity along the scenic Western Ghats and upgrading infrastructure between Sagara and Marakutika.
4. World Geopolitics: July 2025 World Highlights
Pakistan took over the UN Security Council presidency, with Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad chairing international diplomatic sessions.
Russia officially recognized the Afghan government of the Taliban, the first great power to do so.
Colombia and Uzbekistan joined the New Development Bank (NDB) just before the 17th BRICS Summit in a strategic shift south in collaboration.
5. Indian States & UTs Initiate Empowerment Initiatives
- Delhi launched the 'Saheli Smart Card', which substituted the pink ticket facility and offered free travel in DTC buses for women and transgender individuals with a Delhi-based Aadhaar.
- Andhra Pradesh introduced the 'Digi-Lakshmi' scheme, equipping urban poor women entrepreneurs with 9,000+ ATOM kiosks across the state.
- Assam started the 'Gajah Mitra' project, a pre-emptive project for mitigation of human-elephant conflict in 80 high-risk pockets—facilitating coexistence and conservation of wildlife.
6. Defence Sector: India Pushes Ahead
Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia became the first Indian woman to begin training as a Navy pilot and broke the barriers for women in the military.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar, an indigenously built diving support and rescue ship, and INS Udaygiri, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate under Project 17A—enhancing naval capacity.
7. Sports Roundup: Chess, Tennis, and Football Triumph
- Divya Deshmukh became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy and becoming a Grandmaster, a milestone for Indian chess.
- Jannik Sinner (Men's Singles) and Iga Świątek (Women's Singles) were the winners at Wimbledon 2025.
- England reclaimed their Women's Euro championship by defeating Spain in Switzerland—entrenching their supremacy in European football.
8. Indians Shine Globally: Awards and Recognition
- Suhani Shah won the Magic Creator Award at FISM World Championships of Magic in Italy, the first Indian ever to be presented this prestigious award, global acknowledgement of her career in illusion and performance on a professional level.
- Varsha Deshpande received the United Nations Population Award 2025 for her relentless campaign against sex-selective abortion and her contribution towards promoting gender justice in India.
9. Rankings and Reports: India's Strategic Development
- QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026 placed Delhi as the most affordable student city, and Seoul topped the world chart in general education experience.
- Ahmedabad became India's cleanest city (population over 10 lakh) in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, and Mysuru re-entered the elite 'Super Swachh League' once again, reaffirming Karnataka's focus on cleanliness.
10. Farewells That Touched the Nation
- Vatsala, the oldest known elephant in Asia, passed away at over 100 years old in Panna Tiger Reserve.
- Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, a six-time WWE Champion, passed away at 71, leaving behind a legacy etched in world sports entertainment. Environmentalist Maruti Chitampalli, also known as 'Aranya Rishi', died at the age of 93. Recipient of the Padma Shri, his work towards wildlife and literature is unparalleled.
- Top Books Published in July 2025: "Confessions of a Shakespeare Addict" by V.S. Ravi — an honest literary homage to the Avon Bard. "S.N. Ahmed's 'Das Paise ka Postcard' — A nostalgic account of India's postcard times, penned by an army veteran.
