Current Affairs - July 09, 2025 (For Competitive Exams)

This compilation provides key current affairs from July 9, 2025, relevant for competitive examinations in India.

National News

  • PM Modi Concludes Namibia Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded the last leg of his five-nation tour in Namibia on July 9, 2025. He was conferred with Namibia's highest civilian honor, 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis', by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. PM Modi emphasized India's goal in Africa is to 'build together' rather than compete and highlighted India's support for Namibia's decolonization. He also praised Namibia's adoption of India's UPI digital payment system.
  • Bharat Bandh by Trade Unions: Several central trade unions (CTUs) called for a nationwide general strike, or Bharat Bandh, on July 9, 2025, to protest against the government's policies, including the four labour codes, contractualization, and privatization of PSUs. Demands included an increased minimum wage, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, and farmer demands for MSP based on the Swaminathan Commission's formula. While the Union Labour Ministry claimed some unions backed off, the CTUs asserted the strike's success, particularly in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam. Markets in Delhi generally remained open.
  • Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 Passed by Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha passed the bill to establish Tribhuvan Cooperative University, India's first national cooperative university, named after Amul founder Tribhuvan Kashibhai Patel.
  • First Science Centre Inaugurated in Dholpur, Rajasthan: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the first Science Centre in Dholpur, Rajasthan.
  • Asia's Oldest Elephant 'Vatsala' Passes Away: Asia's oldest elephant, Vatsala, believed to be over 100 years old, passed away at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Kerala Fisheries Department Excellence Award: Kasaragod district won the Kerala Fisheries Department's Excellence Award under the Popular Fish Farming Project.

Economic and Financial News

  • Investment Confidence in India Grows: India recorded a 12.6% year-on-year growth in business investment confidence in Q3 2025.
  • Trinidad and Tobago Adopts BHIM-UPI: Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to adopt India's BHIM-UPI digital payment system.
  • NITI Aayog Report on MSMEs: NITI Aayog released a report titled "Enhancing Competitiveness of MSMEs in India". The report analyzed challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and proposed systemic reforms to improve their competitiveness.
  • Reserve Bank Innovation Hub Appoints New CEO: Sahil Kini was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub.
  • New Development Bank Welcomes New Members: Colombia and Uzbekistan joined the New Development Bank (NDB).
  • India's Forex Reserves Update: India's forex reserves dipped slightly by $3.04 billion for the week ending July 4, standing at $699.74 billion. The reserves had touched an all-time high of $704.885 billion in late September 2024.
  • RBI Revises Operating Hours for SDF and MSF: The Reserve Bank of India revised the operating hours for the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) and Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), effective July 1, 2025, available from 7:00 PM to 11:59 PM to align with the revised call money market timings.
  • India Issues WTO Retaliation Notice Against U.S.: India notified the WTO of its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, following U.S. tariffs on Indian automobiles and parts.

International Relations and Events

  • PM Modi's Five-Nation Tour Continues: PM Modi visited Argentina and Brazil, attending the 17th BRICS Summit. He also began the final leg of his tour in Namibia.
  • India-Brazil Joint Statement on Cooperation: India and Brazil released a joint statement focusing on enhanced cooperation in areas like space technology, defense, and digital public infrastructure.
  • India-US Trade Talks Conclude Fifth Round: India and the U.S. completed the fifth round of talks for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
  • India Rejects US Claim on Retaliatory Tariffs: The US rejected India's claim to impose retaliatory tariffs under WTO rules.

Important Days and Events

  • ASMITA Weightlifting League Inaugurated: The ASMITA Weightlifting League was inaugurated by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
  • Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) Trials: User trials for the indigenously developed ERASR were successfully conducted.
  • Commemorative Postage Stamp Released: The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp on the 125th Birth Anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
  • National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is seeking more funds for the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme, which supports higher education abroad for low-income students from marginalized communities.
  • New Freshwater Fish Species Discovered: A new freshwater fish species, Barilius imphalensis, was discovered in the Imphal River, Manipur.
  • CRISPR-Cas9 Technology Used to Enhance Phosphate Uptake in Rice: Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to boost phosphate uptake in japonica rice.
  • Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Ben Shelton, Jannik Sinner, and Mirra Andreeva reached the quarterfinals.
  • Sanjog Gupta Appointed ICC CEO: Sanjog Gupta was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC).