Complete July 2025 Current Affairs Guide for Competitive Exams

Top 10 Most Important Current Affairs Events

1. PM Modi’s Historic Five-Nation Tour (July 2-9, 2025)

Event: Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed an extensive diplomatic tour covering Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, including participation in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Key Highlights:

  • First Indian PM visit to Ghana in over 30 years
  • First standalone bilateral visit to Argentina in nearly 60 years
  • Received highest civilian honors from Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Argentina
  • Strengthened India’s bilateral relations across three continents

Static GK: BRICS founded in 2009; members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa; headquarters in Shanghai, China.

2. Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25 (July 17, 2025)

Event: Indore retained the title of India’s cleanest city for the 8th consecutive year, with Surat and Navi Mumbai securing second and third positions respectively.

Key Results:

  • Overall Rankings: Indore (1st), Surat (2nd), Navi Mumbai (3rd)
  • 3-10 Lakh Population Category: Noida (1st), Chandigarh (2nd), Mysuru (3rd)
  • Survey Scale: Over 4,500 urban local bodies assessed
  • Citizen Participation: Over 14 crore citizens engaged

Static GK: Swachh Bharat Mission launched October 2, 2014; aims for Clean India inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision.

3. India’s Strategic Missile Tests (July 17, 2025)

Event: India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.

Technical Specifications:

  • Prithvi-II: 350 km range, liquid-fueled, 500 kg payload capacity
  • Agni-I: 700-900 km range, solid-fueled, 1,000 kg payload capacity
  • Both missiles validated all operational and technical parameters

Static GK: Strategic Forces Command established 2003; DRDO founded 1958; Integrated Test Range located in Chandipur, Odisha.

4. Maratha Military Landscapes UNESCO Recognition (July 11, 2025)

Event: The Maratha Military Landscapes became India’s 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising 12 historic forts across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Included Forts:

  • Maharashtra (11): Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg
  • Tamil Nadu (1): Gingee Fort

Static GK: India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (36 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed); first sites inscribed in 1983 include Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal.

5. SBI Wins Global Banking Recognition (July 18, 2025)

Event: State Bank of India was adjudged ‘World’s Best Consumer Bank for 2025’ by Global Finance magazine.

Recognition Details:

  • Award based on customer engagement and digital transformation
  • To be presented in Washington DC during IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings
  • Recognized for serving over 52 crore customers with innovation and excellence

Static GK: SBI established 1955; headquarters in Mumbai; largest bank in India by assets, deposits, branches, and customers.

6. Banking Sector Compensation Trends (July 17, 2025)

Event: Sashidhar Jagdishan of HDFC Bank emerged as India’s highest-paid banker with total compensation exceeding Rs 54 crore.

Compensation Breakdown:

  • Base Salary: Rs 12.08 crore (12% increase)
  • Employee Stock Options: 212,052 shares worth Rs 42+ crore
  • Other top earners: Ashok Vaswani (Kotak Mahindra), Amitabh Chaudhry (Axis Bank)

Static GK: HDFC Bank founded 1994; largest private sector bank; merged with HDFC Ltd in 2023.

7. New Financial Rules Implementation (July 1, 2025)

Event: Major financial regulations came into effect, including making GSTR-3B returns non-editable after filing and marginal railway fare increases.

Key Changes:

  • GSTR-3B monthly returns cannot be amended post-submission
  • Railway fares increased by Rs 0.01/km for non-AC and Rs 0.02/km for AC classes
  • Enhanced GST compliance requirements for businesses

Static GK: GST implemented July 1, 2017; current rates: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%; GST Council chaired by Finance Minister.

8. Forbes’ Global Women Entrepreneurs List (July 18, 2025)

Event: Two Indian women featured in Forbes’ 50 Richest Self-Made Women 2025 – Falguni Nayar (31st) and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (32nd).

Rankings & Net Worth:

  • Falguni Nayar: 31st position, $3.4 billion (Nykaa CEO)
  • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: 32nd position, $3.3 billion (Biocon Founder)
  • Combined global list worth $276 billion

Static GK: Nykaa founded 2012; Biocon founded 1978; both recognized as Indian unicorn companies.

9. Agricultural Sector Reforms (July 20, 2025)

Event: PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana launched, merging 36 central agricultural schemes into one comprehensive program.

Scheme Details:

  • Budget: Rs 24,000 crore annual outlay for 6 years
  • Target: 1.7 crore farmers in 100 underperforming districts
  • Focus Areas: Post-harvest infrastructure, irrigation efficiency, organic farming, crop diversification

Static GK: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; current minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan; major schemes include PM-KISAN, PMFBY, RKVY.

10. Important Observances in July 2025

Event: Multiple significant national and international days observed throughout July.

Key Observances:

  • July 1: National Doctor’s Day, GST Day, Chartered Accountants Day
  • July 11: World Population Day, Start of Sawan month
  • July 15: World Youth Skills Day
  • July 18: Nelson Mandela International Day
  • July 26: Kargil Vijay Diwas

Static GK: Doctor’s Day honors Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy; World Population Day established by UN in 1989; Kargil War fought in 1999.

Practice MCQs with Solutions

Question 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently completed a five-nation tour in July 2025. Which of the following countries was NOT part of this tour?

  • A) Ghana
  • B) Trinidad & Tobago
  • C) Nigeria
  • D) Argentina

Answer: C) Nigeria
Solution: PM Modi visited Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia during July 2-9, 2025. Nigeria was not part of this tour, though he had visited Nigeria in November 2024.

Question 2

Which city has been declared India’s cleanest city for the 8th consecutive year in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?

  • A) Surat
  • B) Indore
  • C) Navi Mumbai
  • D) Noida

Answer: B) Indore
Solution: Indore has been crowned India’s cleanest city for the 8th time in a row in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. Surat secured second position and Navi Mumbai third.

Question 3

India recently test-fired two nuclear-capable ballistic missiles on July 17, 2025. What is the range of Agni-I missile?

  • A) 350 km
  • B) 500 km
  • C) 700-900 km
  • D) 1200 km

Answer: C) 700-900 km
Solution: Agni-I missile has a range of 700-900 km, while Prithvi-II has a range of 350 km. Both missiles were successfully test-fired from Chandipur, Odisha.

Question 4

The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ became India’s _____ UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2025.

  • A) 42nd
  • B) 43rd
  • C) 44th
  • D) 45th

Answer: C) 44th
Solution: The Maratha Military Landscapes became India’s 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site. It comprises 12 forts – 11 in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu (Gingee Fort).

Question 5

Which bank has been adjudged as the ‘World’s Best Consumer Bank for 2025’ by Global Finance magazine?

  • A) HDFC Bank
  • B) ICICI Bank
  • C) State Bank of India
  • D) Axis Bank

Answer: C) State Bank of India
Solution: State Bank of India (SBI) has been adjudged as the ‘World’s Best Consumer Bank for 2025’ by Global Finance magazine. SBI serves over 52 crore customers.

Question 6

Who emerged as India’s highest-paid banker in FY25 with a salary exceeding Rs 12 crore?

  • A) Amitabh Chaudhry (Axis Bank)
  • B) Sashidhar Jagdishan (HDFC Bank)
  • C) Sandeep Bakhshi (ICICI Bank)
  • D) Ashok Vaswani (Kotak Mahindra Bank)

Answer: B) Sashidhar Jagdishan (HDFC Bank)
Solution: Sashidhar Jagdishan, CEO of HDFC Bank, emerged as India’s highest-paid banker with salary exceeding Rs 12 crore plus ESOPs worth Rs 42+ crore.

Question 7

From July 1, 2025, which GST return form became non-editable after filing?

  • A) GSTR-1
  • B) GSTR-2A
  • C) GSTR-3B
  • D) GSTR-9

Answer: C) GSTR-3B
Solution: GSTR-3B (monthly summary return) became non-editable after filing from July 1, 2025. This change affects all GST-registered businesses and aims to improve compliance.

Question 8

In Forbes’ 50 Richest Self-Made Women 2025 list, which Indian woman ranked 31st?

  • A) Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
  • B) Falguni Nayar
  • C) Vandana Luthra
  • D) Radha Vembu

Answer: B) Falguni Nayar
Solution: Falguni Nayar, CEO of Nykaa, ranked 31st with $3.4 billion net worth, while Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon ranked 32nd with $3.3 billion.

Question 9

The newly launched PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has merged how many central agricultural schemes?

  • A) 25 schemes
  • B) 30 schemes
  • C) 36 schemes
  • D) 42 schemes

Answer: C) 36 schemes
Solution: PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana merged 36 central agricultural schemes with annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore for 6 years, targeting 1.7 crore farmers.

Question 10

National Doctor’s Day in India (July 1) is celebrated to honor which renowned doctor?

  • A) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
  • B) Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy
  • C) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  • D) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Answer: B) Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy
Solution: National Doctor’s Day on July 1 honors Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, former Chief Minister of West Bengal and Bharat Ratna recipient (1961).

Quick Revision Points

Economic Indicators: India’s GDP growth projected at 6.5% for FY25; GST collections reached record Rs 22.08 lakh crore in FY25.

International Relations: BRICS Summit participation strengthened multilateral ties; diplomatic visits enhanced bilateral relationships across continents.

Defense Developments: Successful missile tests demonstrated India’s strategic capabilities and technological advancement in defense sector.

Cultural Heritage: UNESCO recognition of Maratha forts adds to India’s rich heritage portfolio, now totaling 44 World Heritage Sites.

Financial Sector: Banking sector showing strong performance with global recognition and robust compensation structures reflecting industry growth.

This comprehensive guide covers all major current affairs from July 2025, providing essential information for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, and other competitive examinations with detailed static GK components and practice questions.