July 1'st Week
Print PDF
MPSC PRELIMS FOCUS JULY WEEK-1
Tags :
1.1 ‘Officer of the Order of the Star’
- PM Modi receives Ghana’s highest state honour ‘Officer of the Order of the Star’
- The prestigious award was presented by President John Dramani Mahama during PM Modi’s visit to the West African nation.
- He dedicated the award to the country’s youth, rich cultural heritage, and the enduring ties between India and Ghana.
- This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over 30 years
About the Order of the Star of Ghana: –
- Ghana’s Highest Civilian Honour
- Conferred by the President of Ghana
1.2 Order of the Republic of Trinidad &
Tobago
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday (July 4, 2025) conferred with ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’ – the country’s highest civilian honour.
- This is Modi’s first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.
1.3 Organisation for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons
- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons holds Asia Meeting in New Delhi, 1st – 3rd July, 2025
- The 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia, organised by the OPCW and hosted by National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) India, opened on 1st July at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
About OPCW & CWC:
- The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) came into force in 1997. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, with its 193 Member States, it oversees the global endeavour to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.
- The OPCW was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons.
- India is an original signatory to the Convention.
- The National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) is the national authority responsible for implementing the Convention in India.
1.4 Recognise the Taliban govt of Afghanistan
- Russia has become the first country in the world to officially recognize the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since their takeover in August 2021
- No other country has formally recognised the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
1.5 17th BRICS Summit
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indeed participating in the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 6–7, 2025.
- The visit came at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva.
- The Brics grouping, which initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, gradually expanded to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, making it one of the most influential alliances of emerging economies
worldwide.
2. National News
Tags :
2.1 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region
- Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla will inaugurate the Annual Conference of Zone II of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region at Tapovan, Dharamshala on Monday, 30 June 2025.
- This zone includes the states of Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab.
- The theme of the Conference is: “Good Governance in the Digital Era: Managing Resources, Defending Democracy, and Embracing Innovation”
About CPA:
- The CPA is a global organization that brings together parliamentarians to strengthen parliamentary democracy.
- The CPA has nine regions globally, which are: Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean (BIM); Canada; Caribbean, Americas
2.2 ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue
- India hosts the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai to boost maritime cooperation and tourism.
- The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the first-ever ASEAN India Cruise Dialogue in today on 30 June 2025.
- The two-day dialogue includes thematic sessions on investment and cruise tourist circuits, and will continue in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Participants: Over 30 delegates from all 10 ASEAN countries—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
2.3 RailOne App
- RailOne App launched: One-stop solution for all passenger services at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on the 40th Foundation Day of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
- RailOne is focused on improving the passenger interface with railways.
- It is a comprehensive, all-in-one application with a user-friendly interface.
- Railways are continually taking steps to improve passenger amenities. Introducing new generation trains, redeveloping stations, upgrading old coaches to new LHB coaches, and many more such steps have improved the passenger experience in the last decade.
- Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December 2025
2.4 C-FLOOD
- Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C R Patil inaugurates C-FLOOD, a Unified Inundation Forecasting System
- C-FLOOD, a Unified Inundation Forecasting System collaboratively developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C DAC), Pune and Central Water Commission (CWC), Department of Water Resources, River
Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti - A web-based platform providing up to two days’ advance inundation forecasts at the village level, complete with flood inundation maps and water-level predictions
- Currently operational for the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi basins, with plans to expand to other major river systems.
3. State News
Tags :
3.1 ‘Digi-Lakshmi’
- The Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) launched the ‘Digi Lakshmi Scheme’, a transformative initiative aimed at digitally empowering urban poor women and promoting self-reliance through entrepreneurship.
- The scheme aims to enable Self-Help Group (SHG) women to become entrepreneurs under the State’s ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ (OFOE) vision, transforming SHGs into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
3.2 CM-PRATIGYA Scheme
- Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at empowering the state’s youth through skill development, internships, and career advancement opportunities.
- The scheme, titled CM-PRATIGYA (Chief Minister – Promotion of Readiness, Awareness and Technical Insights for Guiding Youth Advancement), has been approved by the state cabinet under the Saat Nischay-2
- The scheme includes monthly financial support to youths undergoing skill development training and internships: o Rs 4,000 per month for youth who have passed Class 12 and are undergoing skill training. o Rs 5,000 per month for ITI or diploma holders undergoing training. o Rs 6,000 per month for graduate or postgraduate youths engaged in internships. o Target: One lakh internship by 2030
4. Maharashtra
Tags :
4.1 Hedging Desk in Pune
- Maharashtra CM inaugurates Hedging Desk in Pune to help farmers avoid losses
- The state government is looking at futures and options to help farmers deal with risk due to price in agricultural produce.
- In what is dubbed to be the first-ever move by the state, Maharashtra has opened a hedging desk in Pune covering cotton, the main crop of Vidarbha, as well as turmeric and maize.
- Objective: To protect farmers from price volatility in agricultural produce through futures and options trading in commodity markets.
- District Collector of Dharashiv and Jalgaon
- Appointed Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) since 2020
5. Economic
Tags :
5.1 India’s external debt rises to $736 billion, 19.1% of GDP, says RBI
- India’s external debt rose to $736.3 billion at the end of March 2025 from $668.8 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.
- The debt-to-GDP ratio also inched up to 19.1% from 18.5% in FY24.• The non-financial corporate sector accounted for the largest share, borrowing $261.7 billion. Deposit-taking corporations excluding the central bank owed $202.1 billion, while the government’s share of external debt stood at $168.4 billion.
- The US dollar continued to dominate India’s foreign borrowing, accounting for 54.2% of the total external debt. Other currencies in the debt mix included the Indian rupee (31.1%), Japanese yen (6.2%), Special Drawing Rights (4.6%), and euro (3.2%).
5.2 SPREE 2025 (Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees)
- The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved SPREE 2025 (Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees) during its 196th ESI Corporation Meeting held in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, under the chairmanship of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports.
- The Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees (SPREE) 2025, approved by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), is a special initiative aimed at expanding social security coverage under the ESI Act.
- Employers can register their units and employees digitally through the ESIC portal, Shram Suvidha and MCA portal.
7. Sport
7.1 Sudhanshu Mittal
- Sudhanshu Mittal re-elected as president of the Kho Kho Federation of India
- The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has announced its newly elected Governing Body after successful elections held at its headquarters in New Delhi On 2 July 2025.
7.2 D Gukesh
- World Champion D Gukesh wins rapid title at Grand Chess Tour 2025 at Zagreb in Croatia.
- Reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju claimed the rapid title at the Rapid and Blitz tournament of the Grand Chess Tour 2025, held in Zagreb, Croatia.
- The 19-year-old Indian prodigy defeated Wesley So of the USA in the final round, sealing the rapid segment with an impressive 14 out of 18 points.
- Gukesh won seven games, including the finale against So in 38 moves with the white pieces.
8. Award
Tags :
8.1 Radhanath Swami
- A prominent Hindu spiritual leader has been recognised by New York City officials for his decades of community work and spiritual
leadership. - Radhanath Swami, a leading figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was presented with the New York City honour at an event at the organisation’s Bhakti Center in Manhattan’s East Village.
8.2 Deepika Padukone
- Actor Deepika Padukone has become the first Indian to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
9. Defence
Tags :
9.1 Country’s First Photonic Radar
- On June 30, 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Defence Research andDevelopment Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence (MoD), has developed India’s first indigenous Photonic Radar, marking a significant milestone in India’s air defence technology, with ultra-high resolution, stealth detection, and immunity to electronic jamming.
- The radar is expected to undergo extensive trials to validate its performance.
6. Appointment
Tags :
6.1 Rajesh Kumar6.1 Rajesh Kumar
- The Maharashtra government on Monday appointed additional chief secretary (revenue) Rajesh Kumar as the new chief secretary of the state. (IAS, 1988-batch)
- Kumar takes over from Sujata Saunik, who retired on Monday, 30 June 2025.
- He will continue to hold the post of additional chief secretary (revenue), as per an order issued by V Radha, ACS (services) of the General Administration Department.
Career Highlights:
- Served as CEO, Beed Zilla Parishad
- The radar system has been designed by the Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory of the DRDO, with contributions from private partners under the Technology Development Fund (TDF).
Photonic Radar:
- Photonic radar replaces traditional microwave Radio Frequency (RF) systems by using lightbased technologies, such as lasers and optical fibres, to generate, transmit, and process signals across millimetre-wave to terahertz (THz) frequency ranges, reaching up to 34 Gigahertz (GHz) with an 11 GHz bandwidth.
9.2 Sub Lt Poonia
- Sub Lt Poonia becomes the first woman to be inducted into the fighter stream of naval aviation.
- She was awarded the prestigious ‘Wings of Gold’ during a graduation ceremony at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam.
10. Important Day
Tags :
10.1 World Asteroid Day – 30 July
- World Asteroid Day is a United Nations sanctioned global awareness campaign observed annually on 30 June.
- Established in 2014 and officially recognised by the UN in 2016, World Asteroid Day aims to inform the public about how asteroid impacts can affect life on Earth and the importance of developing technologies to detect and deflect potential threats.