IMPORTANT DAYS
AI Appreciation Day 2025: Celebrating India's Growing AI Footprint
• India observed AI Appreciation Day on July 16, marking its active role in shaping the global AI landscape.
• AI is transforming key sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance—from tech hubs to rural corners.
• Government-led initiatives such as ‘AI for All’ and the National AI Strategy aim to ensure inclusive and sustainable AI growth.
• India’s AI journey began in the 1960s, with major boosts from projects like the 1986 Knowledge-Based Systems and 1990s supercomputing efforts.
• Top IT firms including TCS, Infosys, and Wipro started embracing AI in the early 2000s, fostering innovation and nurturing talent.
• Flagship programs like Digital India (2015) and NITI Aayog’s AI roadmap (2018) gave nationwide momentum to AI development.
• Skill-building platforms such as the Skill India AI Portal and AI Youth Bootcamp are bridging the gap between learning and real-world applications.
• India’s AI growth is supported by global collaborations, with companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft joining forces through research and training partnerships.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
Wholesale Inflation Dips Below Zero in June 2025
• India’s WPI inflation dropped to -0.13% in June 2025, mainly driven by falling prices in key sectors.
• The decline was led by lower costs of food items, crude petroleum, mineral oils, and basic metals.
• As per the Commerce Ministry, this marks a continued downward trend since March 2025.
• May 2025 saw a 14-month low at 0.39%, showing consistent softening in wholesale prices.
• Food inflation stood at -0.26%, while primary articles experienced a sharp decline of -3.38%.
• The fuel and power segment posted -2.65% deflation, dragging the overall index further down.
• Manufactured products inflation eased to 1.97%, reflecting a broader trend of slowing input costs.
• WPI tracks price movements at the wholesale level, distinct from CPI, which captures consumer-end inflation.
STATE NEWS
75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra Opens in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh
• The 75th PM Divyasha Kendra was inaugurated at Government Medical College, Badaun, in Uttar Pradesh.
• Union MoS B. L. Verma led the ceremony, joined by ALIMCO officials and local authorities.
• These centers offer free assistive services like counseling, assessments, and device distribution for Divyangjan and elderly citizens.
• The initiative is run by ALIMCO, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
• Beneficiaries receive wheelchairs, hearing aids, tricycles, and prosthetic limbs through the ADIP and RVY schemes.
• All devices are provided at no cost to eligible individuals to promote inclusive and barrier-free access.
• With the Badaun center, the total number of PMDKs now stands at 75 nationwide, benefiting over 1.40 lakh people.
• Devices worth ₹179.15 lakh have been distributed so far, supporting the vision of ‘Accessible India, Empowered India’.
India’s First Digital Nomad Village Launched in Yakten, Sikkim
• Yakten in Sikkim's Pakyong district has been declared the country’s first digital nomad village under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ project.
• The initiative was inaugurated by MLA Pamina Lepcha, aiming to create a sustainable space for remote workers.
• Aimed at year-round digital tourism, the project supports homestay owners who face seasonal income gaps.
• Pakyong administration and NGO Sarvahitey collaborated to turn this scenic village into a remote work hotspot.
• The village now has dual internet lines and full Wi-Fi coverage, making it work-ready for digital professionals.
• Power backups and a water supply plan under Jal Jeevan Mission ensure smooth living conditions.
• Officials believe strong infrastructure will attract remote workers, independent of tourist seasons.
• Just 32 km from Gangtok, Yakten is being positioned as a peaceful, well-connected destination for global freelancers.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Shubhanshu Shukla Completes Landmark Axiom-4 Space Journey
• On July 15, 2025, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom-4 teammates returned after spending 18 days in space.
• Their return capsule, SpaceX Dragon, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California.
• The crew is now set to begin a seven-day recovery program to help adapt back to Earth's gravity.
• The mission lifted off on June 25, 2025, from Florida aboard a Falcon-9 rocket, under the project Akash Ganga.
• Shukla earned the distinction of being the first Indian at the ISS and the second Indian to go to space since Rakesh Sharma.
• While on board the ISS, he carried out seven scientific experiments focused on national space priorities.
• These studies are expected to contribute to India’s plans for deep-space travel and extended human spaceflights.
• The Axiom-4 mission was a joint venture of Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO, marking a significant step in India’s space exploration journey.
