1. NSCSTI 2.0: New Civil Service Training Standards Under Mission Karmayogi
- NSCSTI 2.0 was launched on 20 July 2025 under Mission Karmayogi.
- The CBC cut evaluation metrics from 59 to 43.
- Over 160 training institutes were consulted.
Daily Current Affairs: 20 & 21 July 2025
Current affairs of 20 & 21 July 2025: NSCSTI 2.0: New Civil Service Training Standards Under Mission Karmayogi; AdFalciVax: India’s First Indigenous Two-Stage Malaria Vaccine; RBI Draft Directions on EDPMS Shipping Bill Closure for Small Exports, and 12 more topics. Key facts for every exam, with a quiz.
In this issue: 15 topics
National Affairs
- NSCSTI 2.0: New Civil Service Training Standards Under Mission Karmayogi
- Chandra Barot, Director of Don (1978), Dies at 86
- Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi: ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Theme
Banking & Finance
- RBI Draft Directions on EDPMS Shipping Bill Closure for Small Exports
- IBA Pushes Banks to Move to SWIFT ISO 20022 Fast
- AMSA: India’s First Listed-Firm SM-REIT Gets SEBI Nod
- IRDAI Investigation Panels: Mis-selling and Claim Delays Probe
- Jane Street Probe: SEBI Examines Algorithmic Trading Claims
Economy
International Affairs
Agriculture & Rural
Science & Technology
Defence & Security
Reports & Indexes
Awards & Persons
National Affairs
2. Chandra Barot, Director of Don (1978), Dies at 86
- Film director Chandra Barot died at the age of 86.
- He was best known for directing the blockbuster Don (1978).
- Don prompted multiple remakes in southern languages and sequels decades later.
- He passed away from medical complications at Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra (east) on a Sunday.
3. Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi: ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Theme
- Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the 'Youth Spiritual Summit' in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- The theme was 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat'.
- Venue: Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre.
- Mandaviya holds the Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment portfolios.
Banking & Finance
4. RBI Draft Directions on EDPMS Shipping Bill Closure for Small Exports
- RBI's draft directions ease EDPMS shipping bill closure for small exports; feedback due by end-July 2025.
- Bills up to ₹10 lakh can be closed by AD banks on a quarterly self-declaration from the exporter.
- EDPMS began in February 2014 to monitor realisation of export proceeds.
5. IBA Pushes Banks to Move to SWIFT ISO 20022 Fast
- The Indian Banks' Association advised all banks to speed up migration to the SWIFT ISO 20022 messaging standard.
- The coexistence period with legacy MT formats ends on 22 November 2025.
- IBA CEO Atul Kumar Goel's letter asked banks to begin migrating by August 2025; only three banks had crossed 85% migration.
- After the deadline, legacy MT instruction messages will fail validation.
6. AMSA: India’s First Listed-Firm SM-REIT Gets SEBI Nod
- Aurum PropTech became the first listed Indian company to get SEBI registration for an SM-REIT, named AMSA SM REIT Investment Trust.
- An SM-REIT holds one fully leased commercial asset worth ₹50-500 crore.
- Minimum investment starts at ₹10 lakh.
7. IRDAI Investigation Panels: Mis-selling and Claim Delays Probe
- IRDAI's 132nd meeting set up Whole-Time Member-led panels to probe regulatory violations.
- Focus: mis-selling, especially via bancassurance, and claim settlement delays.
- Kiwi General Insurance got R1 approval, the first of three licensing stages.
8. Jane Street Probe: SEBI Examines Algorithmic Trading Claims
- SEBI began probing Jane Street over alleged manipulation of Nifty 50 and banking indices via algorithms.
- The probe spans three years after rival firms complained of supernormal profits.
- Gaps cited include no algorithm disclosure and audit norms.
Economy
9. LRS Overseas Investments: Income Tax Reporting Rules and Penalties
- LRS outflow was $29.56 billion in FY25, with $2.5 billion in April 2025.
- ITR-2 suits foreign-asset holders without business income; ITR-3 applies otherwise.
- Non-disclosure of foreign assets can cost up to ₹10 lakh under the Black Money Act.
International Affairs
10. Trump-Xi Meeting Likely Around October APEC Summit
- A media report said US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping were likely to meet around the APEC summit.
- The APEC summit in South Korea runs from October 30 to November 1.
- Trump might go to China first, or meet Xi on the sidelines of the summit.
Agriculture & Rural
11. Maharashtra Gives Agriculture Status to Livestock Farming
- On 11 July 2025 the Maharashtra Cabinet gave agricultural status to livestock and poultry farming, a first among States.
- Over 37 million livestock farmers in Maharashtra stand to benefit.
- The move is projected to raise annual rural income by ₹7,080 crore.
Science & Technology
12. AdFalciVax: India’s First Indigenous Two-Stage Malaria Vaccine
- AdFalciVax is India's first indigenous two-stage malaria vaccine, aimed at Plasmodium falciparum.
- It protects against the liver and mosquito (sexual) stages and is made using Lactococcus lactis.
- Stable at room temperature for over 9 months.
Defence & Security
13. INS Sandhayak Makes Maiden Port Call at Port Klang
- INS Sandhayak, the first indigenous Survey Vessel Large (SVL), made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia.
- The visit ran from 16 to 19 July 2025 and focused on hydrographic cooperation.
- It shows India's growing role in regional hydrographic capacity building.
Reports & Indexes
14. India Tops IMF-FIS Fast Payments Report 2025
- India ranked first in the IMF and FIS Global Fast Payments Report 2025 with FPAS 87.5%.
- UPI handled 18.39 billion transactions in June 2025.
- UPI works in 7 countries.
Awards & Persons
15. Scottie Scheffler Wins British Open at Royal Portrush
- Scottie Scheffler won the British Open at Royal Portrush by four shots, his first Open title.
- It was his fourth Major victory; he is the World No. 1.
- He finished on 17-under for the tournament after a final-round 68 (three-under).
- He shot in the 60s on all four days.
Test yourself
15 questions from the news of 20 & 21 July 2025, with answers and explanations.
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