Here are the important current affairs topics of the day. At the end, you can participate in a quiz prepared on the basis of these topics.
1. Inauguration of India’s First Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) Campus in Mumbai
On July 18, 2025, India’s first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) was inaugurated in Mumbai by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Modeled after premier institutions like IITs and IIMs, IICT is envisioned as a national center of excellence dedicated to the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector.
Located at the National Films Development Corporation (NFDC) premises on Pedder Road, the campus is equipped with world-class infrastructure, including advanced media labs, post-production suites, and specialized training spaces. With an allocated budget of ₹400 crore, IICT aims to offer industry-aligned advanced programs in VFX, post-production, XR, gaming, and animation. It has partnered with global tech giants like Google, Meta, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe to design industry-focused training modules. The first batch of 300 students is set to begin classes in September, marking a significant step towards boosting India’s creative tech economy and skilling youth for future jobs, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a world-class institution in the creative economy.
References:
- “First Indian institute of creative tech opened, classes from Sept” – The Times of India. (July 19, 2025). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/first-indian-institute-of-creative-tech-opened-classes-from-sept/articleshow/122769691.cms
- “India’s first creative tech institute opened in Mumbai” – The Tribune. (July 19, 2025). https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/indias-first-creative-tech-institute-opened-in-mumbai/
- “Indian Institute of Creative Technology – Mumbai, Inaugurated” – YouTube (via https://www.google.com/search?q=Googleusercontent.com). (July 18, 2025). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E214kTIvSkc
2. PM Modi Inaugurates ₹12,000 Crore Infrastructure Projects in Bihar and West Bengal
On July 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant visit to Bihar and West Bengal, where he laid foundation stones, inaugurated, and dedicated a series of development projects worth over ₹12,000 crore. These initiatives span critical sectors including rail, road, energy, IT, and rural development, aiming to bolster connectivity, boost economic growth, and enhance public services in the eastern states.
In Bihar, projects worth over ₹7,200 crore were launched, focusing on railways (including automatic signalling, line doublings, and Vande Bharat train maintenance infrastructure), road connectivity (4-laning of highways), and IT development (new Software Technology Parks of India facility in Darbhanga and an incubation centre in Patna). Four new Amrit Bharat Express trains were also flagged off. In West Bengal, projects exceeding ₹5,000 crore were inaugurated, including Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems at thermal power stations for environmental protection, railway line doubling, and new road overbridges. These projects underscore the government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development across regions to foster comprehensive socio-economic progress.
References:
- “PM Modi to launch infrastructure projects worth over ₹12000 crore in Bihar and West Bengal on July 18” – ET Infra – The Economic Times. (July 17, 2025). https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/urban-infrastructure/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-12000-crore-infrastructure-projects-in-bihar-and-west-bengal-on-july-18/122620310
- “PM Modi to inaugurate infrastructure projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore in Bihar and West Bengal on July 18” – DD News. (July 17, 2025). https://ddnews.gov.in/national/pm-modi-inaugurate-infrastructure-projects-worth-over-rs-12000-crore-bihar-and-west-bengal-july-18
3. ISRO’s NISAR Satellite Mission Expected by End of July 2025
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the cusp of a historic moment, preparing to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite by the end of July 2025 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The NISAR spacecraft and its GSLV-F16 launch vehicle are undergoing final checks and extensive reviews, marking the concluding phase of a mission over a decade in the making. This collaborative Earth observation mission is the most expensive satellite project undertaken by ISRO and NASA, with a combined cost of $1.5 billion.
NISAR is the world’s first Earth observation mission to utilize dual-frequency radar technology, blending NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band systems. Once launched by ISRO’s GSLV, the satellite will unfold its 13-meter diameter radar antenna to systematically scan Earth’s entire surface every 12 days for three years. It will provide three-dimensional, centimeter-level mapping of Earth’s land and ice surfaces, offering critical data for monitoring ecosystems, natural hazards like earthquakes and volcanoes, and climate impacts like polar ice sheet melting. A key highlight is its commitment to open science, making collected data freely available globally, cementing India’s role as a frontline player in international space collaboration and Earth science advancement.
References:
- “Isro likely to launch joint Nisar mission with Nasa by end of July” – India Today. (July 18, 2025). https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/isro-likely-to-launch-joint-nisar-mission-with-nasa-by-end-of-july-2757622-2025-07-18
- “NISAR Encapsulated in Payload Fairing at ISRO Launch Site” – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) News. (July 22, 2025). https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia26611-nisar-encapsulated-in-payload-fairing-at-isro-launch-site/
- “Stepping stone: On Shubhanshu Shukla, NASA-Axiom-ISRO tie-up” – The Hindu. (July 18, 2025). https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/stepping-stone-on-shubhanshu-shukla-nasa-axiom-isro-tie-up/article69823643.ece
4. Indigenous Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar Commissioned
On July 18, 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar, its first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning was presided over by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, in the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, INS Nistar marks a significant stride in India’s quest for naval indigenization and self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat).
INS Nistar, along with its sister ship INS Nipun (which is also nearing completion), is designed to undertake deep-sea diving operations, submarine rescue missions, and provide comprehensive support for various underwater tasks. These vessels are equipped with advanced diving systems, a hyperbaric chamber, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized that INS Nistar is not merely a technological asset but a crucial operational enabler that will provide critical submarine rescue support to the Indian Navy as well as regional partners, reinforcing India’s role as the ‘first responder’ and ‘preferred security partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region.
References:
- “Indigenous diving support vessel Nistar Commissioned at Vishakapatnam” – The Hindu. (July 18, 2025). https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indigenous-diving-support-vessel-nistar-commissioned-at-vishakapatnam/article69826791.ece
- “INS Nistar, first indigenously designed and constructed diving support vessel, commissioned” – Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Defence. (July 18, 2025). https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2145789
- “INS Nistar commissioned: A new era for Indian Navy’s diving and rescue capabilities” – Times Now. (July 18, 2025). https://www.timesnownews.com/india/ins-nistar-commissioned-a-new-era-for-indian-navys-diving-and-rescue-capabilities-article-122756839
5. Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2018-19 Series-V Early Redemption Value Announced
On July 21, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the early redemption value for the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2018-19 Series-V. For SGBs due for early redemption on July 22, 2025, the value was set at ₹9,820 per unit (gram). This calculation is based on the simple average of the closing gold price of 999 purity over the previous three business days: July 17, 2025, July 18, 2025, and July 21, 2025, as published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA).
Investors in SGB 2018-19 Series-V, which had an initial issue price of ₹3,214 per gram in January 2019, have seen a substantial absolute gain of ₹6,606 per gram (excluding interest earnings), representing a remarkable return of 205.56%. While SGBs have an 8-year tenure, early redemption is permitted after five years from issuance on specified coupon payment dates. This announcement highlights the significant returns for early redeemers and underscores the attractiveness of SGBs as a long-term investment alternative to physical gold, offering both capital appreciation linked to gold prices and a fixed annual interest of 2.50% on the principal.
References:
- “SGB early redemption: Get 205% return on these Sovereign Gold Bonds; RBI announces premature redemption price” – The Times of India. (July 22, 2025). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/financial-literacy/investing/sgb-early-redemption-get-205-return-on-these-sovereign-gold-bonds-rbi-announces-premature-redemption-price/articleshow/122830405.cms
- “RBI/2025-26/66 – Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGB) 2018-19 – Series V – Premature Redemption on July 22, 2025” – Reserve Bank of India (RBI). (July 21, 2025). https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=13009&Mode=0
- “Sovereign Gold Bonds: Latest Updates and Redemption Details” – Livemint. (July 22, 2025). https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/sovereign-gold-bonds-sgb-latest-updates-and-redemption-details-11753308873095.html
