IMPORTANT DAYS
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 observed on July 26.
• Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on 26th July to honor the courage of soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil War.
• The year 2025 marks 26 years since India’s triumphant victory against Pakistan in the high-altitude conflict.
• Operation Vijay, which led to the eviction of enemy forces, is remembered as a significant military success.
• The war lasted for over two months and concluded with India regaining full control of the occupied peaks.
• Fought from May 3 to July 26, 1999, the conflict unfolded along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
• More than 500 Indian soldiers lost their lives while defending the nation during the Kargil War.
• On the 26th anniversary, the Army unveiled a digital platform where citizens can pay online tribute to the fallen heroes.
• Two other initiatives include a QR-based audio app narrating real war stories and the Indus Viewpoint in Batalik, now open to civilians for a glimpse of the LoC.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
NASA's TRACERS Mission: Unveiling Earth's Magnetic Shield
• NASA has launched the TRACERS mission, featuring two satellites flying just seconds apart to study Earth's magnetic defense system.
• The mission focuses on how Earth's magnetic field interacts with solar storms, especially through a process called magnetic reconnection.
• TRACERS will target the polar cusp near the North Pole, where solar energy directly reaches Earth’s magnetic boundary.
• Over the course of a year, the satellites are set to record more than 3,000 data points on space weather and energy transfer.
• Real-time observations will reveal how solar particles enter Earth’s upper atmosphere, helping forecast their impact.
• The mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California, along with three other small satellite missions.
• Athena EPIC, PExT, and REAL were also deployed to test advanced satellite technology, communications, and study radiation effects.
• Insights from TRACERS are crucial for space-reliant nations like India, helping protect satellites, communication, navigation, and energy systems.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
Maritime Financing Summit 2025: Advancing India's Blue Economy
• The Maritime Financing Summit 2025 was held in New Delhi to shape financial strategies for boosting India’s maritime sector.
• The summit supports the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to make India a dominant force in global maritime trade.
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted key achievements, including faster port operations and increased cargo capacity.
• India’s port turnaround time has improved significantly, dropping from four days to under one, with container handling up by over 70%.
• A Maritime Development Fund was proposed to encourage investments in shipyards, ports, and inland waterways.
• Discussions included extending the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme and classifying large vessels as infrastructure assets.
• The Financial Digital Maturity Matrix was launched to boost digital financial capabilities across Indian ports.
• With over 250 industry stakeholders present, the summit concluded with remarks from Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha.
DEFENCE
DRDO’s Successful Test of ULPGM-V3: Boosting Precision Strike Capabilities
• DRDO successfully flight-tested the upgraded UAV-launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 (ULPGM-V3) at the NOAR range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• This advanced version builds on the capabilities of the earlier ULPGM-V2, offering enhanced accuracy and performance.
• Equipped with a dual-channel high-definition seeker, the missile can engage targets in both flat terrain and mountainous regions.
• It supports day and night missions and features a two-way data link for real-time target updates after launch.
• The missile offers three warhead configurations—anti-armour, anti-bunker, and wide-area impact—making it adaptable for various combat needs.
• The recent trial validated the anti-armour variant, proving its effectiveness against modern armored threats.
• The UAV used in the test was designed and built by Bengaluru-based Newspace Research Technologies.
• Over 30 MSMEs and partners, including Adani Defence and BDL Hyderabad, contributed to the project alongside key DRDO labs.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India-Maldives Partnership 2025: Strengthening Regional Ties
• India and the Maldives signed six new MoUs to boost cooperation in key sectors such as fisheries, weather services, fintech, pharmaceuticals, digital platforms, and concessional finance.
• A fresh Line of Credit worth ₹4,850 crore was announced by India to support infrastructure growth and other developmental projects in the Maldives.
• An existing loan agreement was revised, significantly lowering the Maldives’ annual repayment to India from $51 million to $29 million.
• Both nations initiated steps toward a Free Trade Agreement by exchanging framework documents to begin formal discussions.
• The leaders jointly inaugurated the India-funded Maldives Defence Ministry headquarters and launched a major infrastructure initiative in Addu City.
• India handed over 3,300 housing units and 72 utility vehicles to support the Maldives’ defence and immigration services.
• As part of the Addu City project, financed by Exim Bank of India and built by Afcons Infrastructure, large-scale development work was showcased.
• Prime Minister Modi, attending the Maldives' 60th Independence Day as Guest of Honour, reaffirmed India’s historic and evolving relationship with the island nation since 1965.
