1. Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns as Vice-President of India

President Droupadi Murmu accepted Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, submitted under Article 67 (a) citing medical advice. The post now falls vacant; as per convention the Deputy Chairman presides over Rajya Sabha sittings until a new Vice-President is elected by the electoral college of both Houses. The Constitution does not provide for an “acting” Vice-President, but the Election Commission must schedule a poll “as soon as possible”.

Vice President vacancy graphic

Static nuggets

• Article 67(a): procedure for a Vice-President to resign to the President.
• Next in line of succession: the Vice-President acts as President when that office is vacant (Article 65).

2. Supreme Court begins hearing Presidential reference on Governors’ assent to Bills

A five-judge Constitution Bench (CJI B.R. Gavai presiding) issued notice to the Union and all States on a reference from the President made under Article 143(1). The reference seeks the Court’s advisory opinion on whether courts can set timelines for Governors and the President to grant, withhold or reserve assent to State Bills, an issue that arose from the Court’s 8 April Tamil Nadu ruling. Final arguments are expected in August 2025.

Static nuggets

• Article 143: the President may seek the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on any question of law or public importance.
• Articles 200 & 201: Governor/President’s options on State legislation.

3. IMD issues Orange Alert for heavy rain across 10+ States

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Telangana and other regions under an Orange Alert for 22 July, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and possible flash floods. Delhi’s maximum temperature stayed 31 – 33 °C as monsoon trough activity persisted.

IMD orange alert map of India

Static nuggets

• IMD alert colours – Green (no warning), Yellow (watch), Orange (be prepared), Red (take action).
• Orange denotes rainfall ≥115.6 mm in 24 h at isolated places.

4. India–UK Free Trade Agreement set for signing on 24 July

The Commerce Ministry confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer will sign the long-negotiated FTA in London on 24 July 2025. India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 90% of tariff lines covering 92% of UK exports, while the UK will drop duties on 99% of Indian goods. Provisions include easier professional mobility and up to 74% FDI in Indian insurance and banking for UK firms.

India–UK Free Trade Agreement graphic

Static nuggets

• Once signed, the treaty still needs ratification by Parliament in both nations before coming into force.

5. RBI maintains growth push with June repo-rate cut

The Monetary Policy Committee’s 50 bps cut earlier this cycle brought the policy repo rate down to 5.50% – its lowest since early 2022. RBI projects FY 26 real GDP growth at 6.5% and CPI inflation at 3.7%. Former Governor Raghuram Rajan cautioned that structural reforms, not rate cuts alone, are needed to spur investment.

Static nuggets

• Repo rate: the rate at which RBI lends short-term funds to banks; used to transmit monetary policy.

6. Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2018-19 Series-V redemption price announced

RBI fixed the premature redemption price for the SGB issued in January 2019 at ₹9,816 per g (average closing price of 999-purity gold, previous week), yielding holders a 205% return on the issue price of ₹3,214 per g. Bonds carry 2.5% annual interest (taxable) and capital gains tax exemption on redemption with the RBI.

Static nuggets

• Premature redemption window opens six months before bond maturity, exercisable on interest-payment dates after year 5.

7. England named host for next three World Test Championship finals

The ICC confirmed that Lord’s or another English venue will stage the 2027, 2029 and 2031 WTC finals, edging out India’s bid. England’s proven ability to deliver sell-outs and favourable June weather were key factors.

Static nuggets

• South Africa won the 2025 WTC final; India leads the overall tally with two titles.

8. NASA’s TRACERS mission scheduled to launch today

A SpaceX Falcon 9 is targeting an afternoon window from Vandenberg SLC-4E to deploy NASA’s Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS). The twin spacecraft will investigate how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere, improving space-weather forecasting. Three NASA small-sat rideshares (including the Athena EPIC SmallSat) will accompany the launch.

Static nuggets

• TRACERS is a Small Explorers (SMEX) mission with 4-year prime science duration.

9. Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games: India opens medal account

The 32nd FISU Games run 16 – 27 July across five German cities. India claimed its first-ever Universiade badminton medal – bronze in the mixed-team event. Archery qualification begins today, featuring World Cup champion Madhura Dhamangaonkar. Medal tables are updated daily.

Static nuggets

• Eligibility: athletes aged 17 – 25 enrolled in a recognised university or within one year of graduation.

10. National Flag Day of India

India observes National Flag Day on 22 July, marking the Constituent Assembly’s adoption of the tricolour in 1947. The Flag Code of India governs display etiquette, including mandatory respectful disposal and restrictions on use for commercial purposes.

Current Affairs MCQs

Question 1

Question: Under which Article did Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resign?

Options:
A) 62
B) 67(a)
C) 71(1)
D) 80(3)

Answer: B) 67(a)

Explanation: Article 67(a) allows the Vice-President to resign by addressing a letter to the President.

Question 2

Question: NASA’s TRACERS mission will study:

Options:
A) Martian dust storms
B) Moon’s exosphere
C) Solar wind–magnetosphere interaction
D) Asteroid composition

Answer: C) Solar wind–magnetosphere interaction

Explanation: TRACERS’ twin satellites will observe how solar wind energy enters Earth’s magnetosphere.

Question 3

Question: In the India-UK FTA, the UK will eliminate tariffs on roughly what percentage of Indian goods?

Options:
A) 90%
B) 95%
C) 99%
D) 100%

Answer: C) 99%

Explanation: The agreement removes duties on 99% of Indian exports to the UK.

Question 4

Question: The Sovereign Gold Bond 2018-19 Series-V offered a ___ % capital return at premature redemption on 22 July 2025.

Options:
A) 105
B) 150
C) 205
D) 250

Answer: C) 205

Explanation: Price rose from ₹3,214 /g to ₹9,816 /g, a 205% gain.

Question 5

Question: The Supreme Court’s Presidential reference is made under Article __ of the Constitution.

Options:
A) 131
B) 143(1)
C) 226
D) 356

Answer: B) 143(1)

Explanation: Article 143(1) empowers the President to seek the Court’s advisory opinion.

Question 6

Question: Which country will host the World Test Championship finals in 2027, 2029 and 2031?

Options:
A) India
B) Australia
C) South Africa
D) England

Answer: D) England

Explanation: ICC granted hosting rights to England for the next three cycles.

Question 7

Question: An IMD Orange Alert primarily advises the public to:

Options:
A) Take no action
B) Stay updated
C) Be prepared for severe weather
D) Evacuate immediately

Answer: C) Be prepared for severe weather

Explanation: Orange signifies “be prepared” for heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Question 8

Question: After the latest cut, the RBI repo rate stands at:

Options:
A) 6.75%
B) 6.00%
C) 5.50%
D) 4.50%

Answer: C) 5.50%

Explanation: MPC reduced the policy rate to 5.50% in June 2025.

Question 9

Question: National Flag Day is celebrated annually in India on:

Options:
A) 15 August
B) 26 January
C) 22 July
D) 8 September

Answer: C) 22 July

Explanation: The Constituent Assembly adopted the tricolour on 22 July 1947.

Question 10

Question: The 2025 FISU World University Games are being staged in which German region?

Options:
A) Bavaria
B) Rhine-Ruhr
C) Saxony
D) Berlin-Brandenburg

Answer: B) Rhine-Ruhr

Explanation: The multi-city event spans Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Hagen and others in the Rhine-Ruhr area.