National Affairs | July 10, 2025 — Daily Digest for Aspirants

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National Developments

Commemorative Stamp Released on Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s 125th Anniversary

• On July 9, 2025, a special postal stamp was launched to honour Mookerjee’s legacy in education, national integration, and constitutional development.

• The event featured cultural performances, a documentary screening, and an exhibition at Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium.

• The stamp was designed by Smt. Nenu Gupta and released in the presence of senior government officials.

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State Initiatives

Introduction of 'Saheli Card' in Delhi

• The Delhi government has replaced pink travel passes with a new Aadhaar-linked smart card for women and transgender individuals.

• This initiative aims to eliminate misuse, promote cashless transactions, and integrate with QR ticketing and NCMC platforms.

• It is part of a larger modernization of Delhi’s public transportation infrastructure.

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Financial and Economic Updates

Mandatory Use of e-Kuber for Large Government Transactions

• Effective July 16, all government payments exceeding ₹75 crore will be processed via e-Kuber. The previous threshold was ₹500 crore.

• This move ensures real-time tracking, seamless reconciliation, and anticipates a future reduction of the limit to ₹50 crore.

Public Sector Banks to Raise ₹45,000 Crore in FY26

• The State Bank of India will lead the capital-raising efforts through share sales.

• The government also plans to divest its stake in IDBI Bank by October 2025.

• This aligns with the ₹47,000 crore disinvestment target outlined in the Union Budget 2025–26.

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Business and Technology

Nvidia Surpasses $4 Trillion Market Valuation

• Nvidia’s stock has witnessed a meteoric rise of 1,350% since 2022.

• The company now holds the top position in the S&P 500, ahead of Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon.

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International Relations

Bilateral Agreements Signed Between India and Namibia

• During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, both nations signed MoUs on entrepreneurship development and healthcare cooperation.

• Namibia joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

• Notably, Namibia adopted India’s UPI digital payment system, marking a historic first.

Prime Minister Modi Conferred Namibia’s Highest Civilian Honour

• Modi received the Order of Welwitschia Mirabilis, recognizing his contributions to bilateral and global relations.

• This is his 27th international award.

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Literature and Culture

Saran Kumar Limbale Wins 2025 Chintha Raveendran Award

• The Marathi author was honoured for his literary work and advocacy for Dalit rights.

• The award includes ₹50,000 and will be presented on July 26 in Kozhikode.

Launch of ‘Das Paise ka Postcard’

• Authored by retired Army officer S.N. Ahmed, the book pays tribute to the era of handwritten communication.

• It is also being adapted into a theatrical production.

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Defence and Innovation

INS Nistar: India’s First Indigenous Diving Support Vessel

• Constructed by Hindustan Shipyard with 75% indigenous components.

• It supports deep-sea operations up to 300 metres, submarine rescue, and remote-operated vehicle (ROV) tasks up to 1,000 metres.

AI-Based Mosquito Surveillance System in Andhra Pradesh

• Six cities will employ drones and sensor-based technology under the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System.

• The program aims to detect and prevent outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria.

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Reports and Schemes

UNCTAD Forecasts Global Economic Growth at 2.3% for 2025

• Key risks include geopolitical tensions, mounting debt burdens, and declining aid.

• India continues to perform well, driven by robust domestic demand and strong IT exports.

Ten-Year Review of PM Fasal Bima Yojana

• Achievements include the inclusion of non-loanee farmers under crop insurance coverage.

• Challenges remain in terms of funding and the need for third-party audits.

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Environmental Discoveries

New Plant Species Discovered in Assam

• Garcinia kusumae, named in tribute to the botanist’s mother, was found in Baksa district.

• The plant has applications in both traditional medicine and cuisine.

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Key Events and Summits

National Strategy for Maize Development Announced

• At the 11th Maize Summit, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan promoted technology-led agriculture.

• Uttar Pradesh was highlighted as a successful case study.

India Energy Storage Week 2025 Commences

• Discussions centre on electric vehicle policies, battery recycling, and the 2030 target of 500GW in renewable energy.

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Healthcare Advancements

Malaria Treatment for Infants Approved in Switzerland

• Novartis received approval to administer its malaria drug to babies weighing between 2–5 kilograms.

• This development is expected to significantly benefit African countries.

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Technology and AI

Launch of ‘Kalaa Setu’ Challenge for AI in Regional Languages

• The government has invited startups to develop AI-based audio-visual tools in regional Indian languages.

• Proposals must be submitted by July 30 via the WaveX platform.

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