NATIONAL NEWS

Bima Sakhi Scheme Empowers Over 2 Lakh Rural Women in LIC Network

Launched on December 9, 2024, the Bima Sakhi Scheme is a Government of India initiative implemented by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) to promote women’s empowerment and rural insurance outreach by training women as Mahila Career Agents (MCAs).

Bima Sakhis are appointed as Mahila Career Agents (MCAs), providing them structured income and a career path in LIC.

2,05,896 women enrolled across rural and semi-urban regions

Graduate Bima Sakhis can apply for LIC Apprentice Development Officer (ADO) posts after five years, based on performance and eligibility.

Tamil Nadu to Establish Hornbill Conservation Centre at Anamalai Tiger Reserve

The Tamil Nadu government has approved a ₹1 crore Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, targeting protection of the four Western Ghats hornbill species through research, habitat restoration, and community engagement.

Biodiversity Focus is to protect Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey, Malabar Pied, and Indian Grey Hornbill—vital seed dispersers in tropical forests.

It uses distance sampling and GPS telemetry to track populations and guide forest restoration.

It partnered with Nature Conservation Foundation, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, and the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group to strengthen scientific output.

Delhi Launches NeVA Seva Centre

The NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application) Seva Centre was inaugurated in Delhi, by Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, marking the completion of the first phase of NeVA implementation and a shift towards digital, sustainable governance.

NeVA is a Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs initiative under the “One Nation, One Application” framework to digitize legislative operations across India.

Objective is to enable paperless proceedings, real-time access to legislative business, and eco-friendly governance, aligned with the Digital India mission.

Key Features in Delhi Assembly:

Legislators provided with smartphones preloaded with the NeVA app.

Access to session details, questions, official documents, and business lists.

A three-day training program (July 21–23) conducted in six batches.

The NeVA Seva Centre equipped with 18 high-speed computers for training and operations.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

MSDE Launches Skill India Assistant

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the Skill India Assistant (SIA) — an AI-powered chatbot to improve access to skilling and employment-related services

SIA was developed by META and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under MSDE’s guidance.

It uses conversational AI to provide personalized support via WhatsApp, promoting digital inclusion in the skilling ecosystem.

SIA offers tailored course recommendations, training centre locator, job listings aligned with skills, interactive quizzes, and on-demand doubt clearing.

It supports text and voice in English, Hindi, and Hinglish.

It uses WhatsApp to reach users in rural and underserved areas with limited internet or devices.

TVS Electronics Unveils ‘TVSE Aikya’ AI-Powered Platform

TVS Electronics (TVSE) has launched ‘TVSE Aikya’, a comprehensive AI-OPS Infrastructure Managed Services (IMS) platform.

The platform helps enterprises modernise, secure, and scale their IT infrastructure.

IMS platform offers services including workplace services, hybrid cloud management, managed network services, and cybersecurity capabilities.

TVSE’s clients will “get what they see” regarding service features and delivery.

Initially, TVSE provided IT-IMS for its parent company, which later expanded to 12+ mid-to-large enterprises in an on-site model.

For the new platform, TVSE already has 3 customers

TVSE is investing in quality talent and plans to hire selectively for platform growth.

The platform targets industries such as retail & hospitality, manufacturing, and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance).

Customer feedback has been encouraging, and TVSE aims to double revenue in this segment.

 

BANKING

CoinDCX Launches Bounty Programme to Recover $44 Million

CoinDCX, India’s cryptocurrency exchange, announced a recovery bounty programme to retrieve $44 million worth of crypto assets stolen on July 19, 2025.

The bounty pool could be up to $11 million if there is a full recovery of stolen assets.

Up to 25% of recovered funds will be awarded to individuals or teams who help trace, retrieve, identify, and convict those involved in the theft.

The bounty is open to ethical hackers and white-hat researchers to generate actionable intelligence for recovery and legal resolution.

The stolen amount was from CoinDCX’s own treasury, and the loss was absorbed by reserves; customer wallets remain uncompromised.

CoinDCX is redesigning infrastructure to prevent such future attacks.

CoinDCX founded in 2018 by Sumit Gupta and Neeraj Khandelwal, CoinDCX is a Mumbai-based FIU‑registered crypto firm offering spot, futures, and Web3 services to over 13 million users in India, with quarterly trading volume exceeding ₹1 lakh crore

 

DEFENCE

Indian Navy Launches Final Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

The Indian Navy launched its eighth and final Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) named Yard 3034 Ajay, developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

The vessel enhances the Navy’s capabilities in undersea surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and mine-laying operations.

It is equipped with advanced technology including hull-mounted sonar, low-frequency variable depth sonar (LFVDS), cutting-edge torpedoes, NSG-30 guns, and 12.7 mm SRCG.

It is powered by diesel engines and uses waterjet propulsion for movement.

Over 80% indigenous components, showcasing India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in shipbuilding.

The launch ceremony was attended by Vice-Admiral Kiran Deshmukh (Chief of Materiel, COM) and other dignitaries; his wife Priya Deshmukh performed the ship’s launch.

The original INS Ajay, inducted in 1961 as India’s first locally built warship by GRSE, laid the foundation for India’s self-reliant shipbuilding program.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

WSIS Champion Award 2025

India’s Meri Panchayat mobile application, developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and NIC, has won the WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Award in the category of Cultural Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Diversity, and Local Content, showcasing India's leadership in inclusive, rural-centric digital governance.

It was awarded at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 in Geneva, hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), marking 20 years of WSIS.

It enhances transparency, citizen engagement, and participatory democracy at the Gram Panchayat level.

It covers 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats and empowers 25 lakh+ elected representatives

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Deepak Bagla Takes Over as Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission

Deepak Bagla has officially assumed charge as the Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

Bagla has an extensive background in banking, investment promotion, policy advisory, and institutional leadership across multilateral institutions, private sector, and government.

Previously, he was the Managing Director & CEO of Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of India.

Under his leadership, Invest India received multiple global accolades and became a key institution supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup growth.

Bagla has served on several high-level government committees and represented India internationally, including as President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).

AIM aims to drive inclusive growth, position India at the forefront of global innovation, and fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat.

Renault Appoints New Chief Executive Officer for India

Renault Group appointed Stephane Deblaise as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Renault Group in India, effective September 1, 2025.

Deblaise will be responsible for defining and executing Renault's strategy in India, with all Renault Group entities in the country reporting to him.

He will report directly to Francois Provost, Renault Group’s Chief of Procurement, Partnerships, and Public Affairs Officer.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director of Renault India Private Limited (RIPL), will support Deblaise on corporate affairs to help structure the Group’s mid-term growth strategy in India.

Governor of Haryana

Ashim Kumar Ghosh, noted academician and political leader, was sworn in as the 19th Governor of Haryana on July 21, 2025.

The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of Punjab and Haryana High Court at the Haryana Raj Bhavan.

Ashim Kumar Ghosh is 81 years old and succeeded Bandaru Dattatraya as Governor.

He served as Head of the Department of Political Science at a reputed college in Kolkata, West Bengal for nearly four decades.

Ghosh contributed to academic research and political discourse, working on projects under the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

He has authored several articles in prominent publications.

The ceremony was attended by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

 

SPORTS

India to Host FIDE World Cup 2025

India has been selected to host the FIDE World Cup 2025, scheduled from October 30 to November 27, 2025, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey as a global chess powerhouse.

The FIDE World Cup is a biennial knockout-format chess tournament that plays a critical role in the FIDE World Championship qualification cycle.

A total of 206 players will compete, with the top 50 seeded directly into Round 2, ensuring a high level of competition.

Each round spans three days—two days for classical games and one for tie-breaks, following the single-elimination format adopted since 2021.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Broadcasting Day

Every year National Broadcasting Day is celebrated in India on July 23rd to commemorate the first-ever radio broadcast that took place in the country on this day in 1927.

National Broadcasting Day 2025 marks the establishment of the first-ever radio broadcast “All India Radio (AIR)” in India.

The Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) was established in 1927 after the success of BIBC.

IBC had to shut down in 1930 due to financial problems.

The Government of India took over the broadcasting service and created the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS) in 1930.

The broadcasting industry in India has grown significantly over the years, with numerous private and public broadcasters offering radio, television, and online streaming services.

National Broadcasting Day 2025 serves as a reminder of the important role that broadcasting has played in shaping India's history and identity.

It is a day to celebrate the victory of the broadcasting industry and recognize the contributions of individuals who have contributed to its growth and success over the years.