July 4'th Week
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MPSC PRELIMS FOCUS JULY WEEK-4
1. International News
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1.1 The United States Withdraws from UNESCO
- • On July 22, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced its intention to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)—with the exit effective
December 31, 2026. - This marks the third time the U.S. has exited UNESCO: previously in 1984, and again in 2018, both under President Trump’s leadership; it had rejoined in 2023 during President Joe Biden’s term.
- Key Reasons for Withdrawal: – Ideological Non-Alignment
About United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
- Established – 1945
- Headquarters – Paris, France
- Director-General (DG) – Audrey Azoulay
2. National News
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2.1 India hits 20% ethanol blending in petrol 5 years ahead of target
- India has successfully achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025, five years ahead of its original target set for 2030.
- India has saved approximately ₹1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing its dependency on imported crude oil.
- The increased use of ethanol-blended petrol has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
2.2 Gyan Bharatam Mission
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Gyan Bharatam Mission during the 124th episode of his Mann Ki Baat on July 27, 2025.
- The mission transforms the existing National Mission for Manuscripts into a broader initiative for nationwide digitization and preservation.
- Aims to digitize over 1 crore manuscripts preservedmin libraries, academic institutions, museums, and
private collections across India. - Create a National Digital Repository (NDR) for global access to digitized manuscripts.
- Scholars refer to these manuscripts as the “chapters of India’s soul,” reflecting their cultural and civilizational significance.
3. Maharashtra
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3.1 Krishi Samruddhi scheme
- The Maharashtra Government, on 23 July 2025, announced a new scheme aimed at empowering farmers and promoting climate resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective farming practices.
- The ‘Krishi Samruddhi’ scheme will be implemented by the agriculture department over the next five years with a cumulative outlay of Rs 25,000 crore.
• It aims to empower farmers by providing financial assistance for technology adoption, soil health improvement, water-use efficiency, and postharvest value addition, and providing training and extension services for best practices.
3.2 Maharashtra’s first glass bridge opens
over Napne waterfall in Sindhudurg
- Napne Glass Bridge was inaugurated on 22 July 2025 by Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane, under the Sindhuratna tourism scheme.
- Length: ~22 m, Width: ~2 m.
- Built with high-strength transparent glass panels, featuring colourful arch-style railings and a butterfly sculpture at the entrance a major selfie spot.
4. Award
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4.1 Lokmanya Tilak National Award
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will be conferred with this year’s Lokmanya Tilak National Award, it was announced on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
- Award Ceremony: August 1, 2025 – marks the 105th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Award Components: Memento, Citation, and ₹1 lakh cash prize
Previous Recipients:
- 2023 – PM Narendra Modi
- 2024 – Author and MP Sudha Murty
- First recipient: Socialist leader S. M. Joshi
5. Defence
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5.1 Apache helicopters
- • The Indian Army has announced that it has received
the first batch of three AH-64E Apache attack
helicopters from the United States, marking a
significant enhancement to its combat capabilities.
About AH-64E Apache Helicopters:
- The AH-64E is the most advanced version of the Apache attack helicopter series, developed by Boeing. The helicopters were transported from the USA aboard a Soviet origin AN-124 cargo aircraft.
- It is known for its lethality, survivability, and advanced battlefield capabilities. It is also known as “flying tanks” or “tanks in the air”.
5.2 Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025
- The 14th edition of the India–Singapore Joint Military Exercise, Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025, is set to
commence today at Jodhpur and will continue till 04 August 2025.
6. Important Day
6.1 Kargil Vijay Diwas – 26 July 2025
- • Every year on July 26th, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, a day dedicated to honouring the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who bravely fought and laid down their lives during the Kargil War in 1999.
- This significant military victory, known as Operation Vijay, marked the successful defence against Pakistani forces that had intruded into Indian territory across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir.
6.2 International Tiger Day – 29 July 2025
- International Tiger Day is celebrated on July 29 every year. This day is dedicated to identifying and promoting global efforts taken to protect the tiger.
- The history of Global Tiger Day dates back to 2010. During a summit held in St. Petersburg, the governments from tiger range countries came together and decided to double the wild tiger population by 2022.