Today Headlines

🗓️ National & Government Affairs

1. Discovery of Begonia nyishiorum in Arunachal Pradesh

Forest officials in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng district have identified a novel species, Begonia nyishiorum. Found in shaded mountain slopes at altitudes of 1,500–3,000 m, the plant is named to honour the Nyishi tribal community for their conservation efforts  .

2. Launch of GoIStats Mobile App

On Statistics Day, the NSO under MoSPI rolled out “GoIStats”, a mobile platform offering real-time access to key economic and social indicators—such as GDP, inflation, and employment—with interactive data visuals  .

3. National Doctor’s Day & Chartered Accountants Day

Doctor’s Day: July 1 marks National Doctor’s Day in India, commemorating Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy and spotlighting the mental health of medical professionals under the theme “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?”  .

Chartered Accountants Day: Also observed today to honour the contributions of CAs in the financial ecosystem  .

4. SBI Marks 70th Anniversary

State Bank of India celebrates seven decades since its reconstitution in 1955. With a global banking presence among the top 50 institutions, SBI has achieved a ₹77,561 crore net profit in FY 24–25, with over 90% of its transactions now digitized via platforms like YONO  .

5. RBI Financial Conditions Index Proposal

The RBI proposed a high-frequency Financial Conditions Index (FCI) to consolidate indicators across money markets, bonds, equities, and forex into a daily gauge—intended to enhance real-time economic monitoring compared to historical benchmarks since 2012  .

6. Parag Jain Appointed RAW Chief

Senior IPS officer Parag Jain (1989 batch) assumes leadership of the Research & Analysis Wing, succeeding Ravi Sinha. He brings extensive intelligence experience from the Aviation Research Centre and J&K operations  .

7. Mazagon Dock Acquires Colombo Dockyard PLC Stake

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd is set to acquire a controlling interest in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard PLC for approximately $52.96 million (₹450 crore)  .

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🌐 International Affairs

1. UK Launches Synthetic Human Genome Project (SynHG)

The UK has officially initiated SynHG to synthetically assemble human DNA. Aimed at generating disease-resistant cells (e.g., for organs like the liver or immune system), the project is drawing scrutiny over ethical concerns surrounding "designer humans"  .

2. Russia to Cut Defence Spending While Flagging NATO’s Rise

Russia is planning to reduce its military budget but has expressed worries over increased NATO expenditures, as reported in School Assembly bulletins  .

3. US Senate Proposes Lower Remittance Tax for NRIs

The Senate’s draft of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” proposes reducing the remittance tax from 3.5% to 1% for funds sent through U.S. banks/cards (cash-based transfers to remain taxed). If legislated, the change will apply from after 31 December 2025  .

4. QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission Launches

Coast guard forces from India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia have initiated a maritime mission under the “QUAD At Sea” framework to bolster Indo-Pacific security cooperation  .

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🔬 Science & Technology

1. Myogenesis Research on ISS by India

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has initiated an ISS-based myogenesis (muscle formation) experiment aimed at better understanding muscle development—relevant to therapies for muscle-wasting diseases  .

2. Italian Flying Humanoid Robot “iRonCub MK3”

The Italian Institute of Technology unveiled “iRonCub MK3,” a jet-powered humanoid robot capable of flying and ground navigation. Weighing 22 kg, it’s designed for disaster response, especially in inaccessible or hazardous zones  .

3. Discovery of Altermagnets

Scientists have uncovered “altermagnets,” a novel magnetic material with properties that could revolutionize electronics and spintronic devices  .

4. GPS Interference Incidents

Significant GPS interference disrupted a Delhi-Jammu flight and caused tanker collisions near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting emerging navigational vulnerabilities  .

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📈 Economy & Business

1. RBI Study & State Borrowing Plan

Alongside the FCI initiative, RBI indicates that states and UTs will borrow ₹86 lakh crore in Q2 FY 2026. Financial entities must start using the PRAVAAH portal for licensing & approval submissions from May 1, 2025  .

2. GST Collections Surge

GST net collections in FY 2024–25 reached ₹22.08 lakh crore—double that of FY 2020–21. April 2025 saw ₹1.84 lakh crore in collections, with May hitting ₹2.01 lakh crore  .

3. PhonePe‑HDFC Co‑Branded RuPay Card Launch

PhonePe paired with HDFC Bank to introduce RuPay credit cards—Ultimo and UNO—offering up to 10% rewards on platform transactions, and seamless UPI integration  .

4. Reliance Infra–Coastal Mechanics MRO Deal

Reliance Defence (Infra) and U.S.-based Coastal Mechanics Inc signed a ₹20,000 crore MRO and upgrade contract for Indian Air Force jets (Jaguar, MiG‑29, Apache) under a joint venture in Nagpur’s MIHAN hub  .

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🎓 Education & Scholarships

PM‑USP CSSS Scheme 2025–26

The Ministry of Education’s Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) for the academic year 2025–26 is open for applications via the National Scholarship Portal. It aims to support meritorious students from deprived backgrounds  .

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⚽ Sports & Culture

FIFA‑UNESCO Football for Schools in Kolkata

As part of the global Football for Schools initiative, footballs were distributed at PM-SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William, Kolkata—supporting the mission to empower 700 million children worldwide  .

170th Santhal Hul Anniversary

July 1 marks the 170th commemoration of the Santhal Hul (1855 tribal rebellion), officially observed as 'Hul Diwas' in Jharkhand, celebrating its historical importance  .

📜 Governance & Parliamentary Affairs

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Zone II Annual Conference was inaugurated in Dharamshala, HP, by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 30 June. Attendees included representatives from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab, fostering democratic networking and best practices .

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