4.5/5
Current Affairs 01 August 2025
1. Badri Narayan Tiwari appointed as Vice Chancellor of TISS
-
First VC under new UGC rules: His appointment marks a significant shift as he is the first Vice-Chancellor of TISS appointed under the University Grants Commission's (UGC) new regulations. These rules dictate that the central government appoints heads of deemed-to-be universities receiving over 50% of their funding from the government.
-
Central Government's increased control: This appointment further solidifies the central government's administrative oversight of TISS, an institution traditionally nurtured by the Tata Trusts. This change came into effect after TISS was brought under the purview of the Central government in 2023.
-
Background in social history and Dalit studies: His academic expertise as a social historian and cultural anthropologist, with a focus on Dalit studies and subaltern narratives, aligns with TISS's core values of social justice and inclusive development.
-
Significance of a full-time appointment: After a nearly two-year period of interim leadership, his full-time, five-year tenure is expected to bring stability and direction to the institution's academic and administrative functions.
Foot notes:
About TISS-
-
Chancellor: Dhirendra Pal Singh
-
Founder: J. R. D. Tata
-
Founded: 1936
2. Belarus’ ambassador awarded Francisco de Miranda Order
-
Awarding Body: The Order of Francisco de Miranda is a national honor conferred by the Republic of Venezuela.
-
Purpose of the Award: It is given to both Venezuelan citizens and foreigners who have made significant contributions to sciences, progress of the country, humanities, or who have exemplified outstanding merits.
-
Recipient: The award was presented to Andrei Molchan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
-
Reason for the Award: The award recognizes Ambassador Molchan's "significant contribution to deepening bilateral relations between the two countries."
-
Diplomatic Significance: The award, given by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the ambassador completes his mission, highlights the friendly and cooperative diplomatic ties between Belarus and Venezuela, despite geographical distance, and their shared views on the global order.
3. GRSE Delivers its 801st Vessel ‘Himgiri’to Indian Navy
-
Indigenous Shipbuilding & "Atmanirbhar Bharat": 'Himgiri' is the first of three advanced guided-missile frigates built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) under Project 17A. This delivery significantly bolsters India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative in defense manufacturing, with 75% indigenous content.
-
Project 17A Frigates (Nilgiri Class): 'Himgiri' is part of the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigates, which are designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB). These frigates are a generational leap in terms of stealth, firepower, automation, and survivability compared to previous classes.
-
Advanced Capabilities: The 149-meter-long, 6,670-tonne 'Himgiri' is equipped with advanced weapon systems including BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles, and Barak 8 anti-aircraft missiles. It is capable of multi-dimensional warfare, covering anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations.
-
GRSE's Track Record: This delivery marks GRSE's 801st vessel overall and its 112th warship, cementing its position as a prolific warship builder in India. It highlights GRSE's significant contribution to strengthening the Indian Navy's fleet.
-
Economic Impact and MSME Involvement: The Project 17A frigates, valued at over ₹21,833 crore, have significantly contributed to the Indian economy by involving over 200 MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), startups, and OEMs.
4. Indian women wrestlers shine at U17 World Championships with 5 medals
-
Significant Medal Haul: Indian women wrestlers secured a total of 5 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) at the U17 World Wrestling Championships in Athens, demonstrating a strong performance on the international stage.
-
Gold Medalists: Rachana (43 kg) and Ashvini Vishnoi (65 kg) were the gold medalists, highlighting India's rising talent in specific weight categories.
-
Emerging Talent Pool: The U17 World Championships are a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young wrestling talent. India's success at this level indicates a promising future for the sport in the country, particularly in women's wrestling.
-
Consistent Performance in Junior Categories: India has been consistently performing well in the U17 and U20 categories in recent years, including winning the women's team title in the 2024 U17 World Championships, which showcases the strength and depth of its youth wrestling programs.
-
Boost for Women's Sports in India: These achievements further boost the profile of women's sports in India, inspiring more young girls to take up wrestling and contributing to the country's overall sporting development.
5. Gavaskar, Sharad Pawar to be honoured with life-size statues
-
Location of Statues: The life-size statues of Sunil Gavaskar and Sharad Pawar will be installed at the entrance of the new MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
-
Significance of the Figures: Sunil Gavaskar is a legendary Indian cricketer and one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time, while Sharad Pawar is a veteran politician and highly influential cricket administrator, having served as President of the MCA, BCCI, and ICC.
-
Purpose of the Museum and Statues: The museum, set to be inaugurated in the second half of August 2025, is a tribute to Mumbai's rich cricketing heritage. The statues aim to inspire future generations of cricketers and acknowledge the profound contributions of these two figures to Mumbai and Indian cricket.
-
Recognition by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA): This honor is being bestowed by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), highlighting the deep respect and gratitude they hold for both Gavaskar's cricketing prowess and Pawar's administrative leadership.
6. Govt appoints Anju Rathi Rana as ex- officio member of IBBI
-
Current Role: Anju Rathi Rana currently serves as the Law Secretary (Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs) under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
-
Ex-Officio Appointment: Her appointment to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is ex-officio, meaning it is by virtue of her holding another office (Law Secretary), as per Section 189 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
-
Representation of Ministry: She will specifically represent the Ministry of Law and Justice on the IBBI Board, ensuring the Ministry's active participation in insolvency and bankruptcy policy and regulation.
-
Significance for IBBI: The IBBI is a crucial statutory body overseeing the implementation of the IBC, regulating insolvency professionals and processes. The inclusion of the Law Secretary ensures legal expertise and governmental oversight in its functioning.
-
First Woman Law Secretary: Anju Rathi Rana made history in March 2025 by becoming the first woman to be appointed as the Law Secretary of India. Her appointment to IBBI further highlights her significant role in the country's legal and regulatory framework.
Foot notes:
About IBBI-
-
Agency Executive: Ravi Mittal, Chairperson
-
Headquarters: New Delhi
-
Formed: 2016
7. Dr. A Rajarajan appointed as the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
-
Key Leadership Role: Dr. A. Rajarajan has been appointed as the new Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, effective August 1, 2025. VSSC is ISRO's lead center for the design and development of launch vehicle technology.
-
Previous Role: Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, which is ISRO's primary spaceport for launch operations.
-
Expertise in Composites: Dr. Rajarajan is a distinguished scientist and a recognized expert in composite materials. His expertise is crucial for building lightweight and high-strength structures for satellites, spacecraft, and launch vehicles, a critical area for advanced space missions.
-
Contribution to Private Space Sector: He has played a significant role in fostering private sector involvement in India's space industry, including facilitating the launch of Vikram-S, India's first privately-built rocket by Skyroot Aerospace. This aligns with India's new space policy promoting private participation.
8. Nitin Gadkari received Lokmanya Tilak National Award
-
Award for Nation-Building: Gadkari is being honored for his "invaluable contribution to nation-building," particularly in the development of India's road and infrastructure network.
-
Significance of the Award: The Lokmanya Tilak National Award, instituted by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983, is presented annually on August 1st, the death anniversary of freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak, to individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions to the nation's progress.
-
Focus on 'Swadeshi': The Trust cited Gadkari's consistent promotion and advocacy for indigenous production in vehicle manufacturing, aligning with Lokmanya Tilak's principle of 'Swadeshi' (self-reliance).
-
Prestige and Notable Recipients: This award has a distinguished list of past recipients, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2023), Sudha Murty (2024), Dr. Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Sharad Pawar, among others.
9. World Wide Web Day 2025 observed on 01st August
-
World Wide Web Day, observed annually on August 1st, celebrates the transformative impact of the World Wide Web (WWW). Here are 5 important short points for General Studies (GS):
-
Commemorates WWW's Public Launch: August 1st is widely recognized as World Wide Web Day to commemorate the date in 1991 when the World Wide Web was first made publicly available. This marked the beginning of its global dissemination beyond scientific institutions.
-
Invention by Tim Berners-Lee: The World Wide Web was invented by British computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 while he was working at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). His vision was to create a system for easier information sharing among scientists.
-
Revolutionized Information Access and Communication: The WWW, distinct from the internet itself, revolutionized how individuals access information, communicate, learn, and conduct business. It transformed a complex network into an accessible platform with interconnected documents and resources via hypertext links.
-
Theme for 2025: "Empowering the Future: Building an Inclusive, Safe, and Open Web": The 2025 theme emphasizes critical contemporary challenges like bridging the digital divide, ensuring online safety and privacy, and promoting digital freedom and inclusivity, especially with the advent of AI and emerging technologies.
10. Double Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier passed away
-
Tragic Mountaineering Accident: Laura Dahlmeier died on July 28, 2025, in a mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range. She was reportedly struck by a rockfall.
-
Double Olympic Biathlon Champion: Dahlmeier was a highly decorated athlete, winning two gold medals (sprint and pursuit) and a bronze at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. She was the first female biathlete to achieve the sprint and pursuit gold in the same Games.
-
Seven-Time World Champion: Beyond her Olympic success, she was also a dominant force in the Biathlon World Championships, securing seven gold medals, three silver, and five bronze throughout her career.
-
Early Retirement and Passion for Mountaineering: Dahlmeier surprisingly retired from biathlon in 2019 at the young age of 25 to pursue her passion for mountaineering. She became a certified mountain and ski guide in 2023.
0 like |
0 comment
