Daily Current Affairs- 17th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 17th July 2025

Ahmedabad Declared Cleanest City In Swachh Survekshan 2024–25

In the News: At a ceremony in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Ahmedabad the title of the cleanest “big city” (1 million+ population) in India’s Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 survey. Ahmedabad topped the rankings, followed by Bhopal (2nd) and Lucknow (3rd), while cities like Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai were inducted into the new “Super Swachh League.”

Key Points:

• Top City Recognition: Ahmedabad scored 12,079 out of 12,500 points, earning full marks across various cleanliness criteria including waste remediation, source segregation, and door-to-door collection.
• Competitive Edge Over Bhopal: Bhopal clinched second place and matched Ahmedabad on most sanitation metrics; however, a documentation gap in dumpsite remediation possibly cost it the top rank.
• Introduction of Super Swachh League: Cities like Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Vijayawada were moved to an elite category recognizing sustained cleanliness excellence, and thus were not ranked this year.
• Massive Participation: Over 14 crore citizens participated in the evaluation through offline surveys, mobile apps, and social media outreach, across nearly 4,600 cities.
• Government-Led Mentorship Initiative: MoHUA launched the “Swachh City Partnership” program, where top-performing cities mentor underperforming cities to strengthen grassroots sanitation efforts.
• Strategic Focus: Ahmedabad's clean-up success stems from its adoption of the 3R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), large-scale waste-to-energy projects, and ongoing dumpsite remediation programs. 

Indian Army Successfully Tests Akash Prime Air Defence System at 15,000 ft in Ladakh

In the News: The Indian Army conducted a high-altitude trial of the indigenous Akash Prime surface-to-air missile system in the Ladakh sector, successfully intercepting two unmanned aerial targets at over 15,000 feet.

Key Points:

• High-Altitude Trial: The test was conducted above 15,000 ft in the Ladakh region by the Army Air Defence in collaboration with DRDO, marking a significant milestone in altitude-ready missile capability.
• Target Interception: Akash Prime accurately destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets, validating its effectiveness in thin-air and cold-weather conditions.
• System Features: The missile features upgrades such as an indigenously developed radio-frequency seeker, optimized guidance, mobile launchers, and a maximum range of 20–30 km with a flight ceiling of 18 km.
• Strategic Induction: Following the successful trial, two new Akash Prime regiments are planned for deployment along the China border in Ladakh, enhancing India’s layered air defence.
• Operational Legacy: Having already contributed during Operation Sindoor by intercepting aerial threats from drones and aircraft, Akash Prime-based systems reinforce India’s layered air defence grid. 

Delhi Notifies Transgender Rights Protection Rules 2025

In the News: The Delhi Social Welfare Department officially notified the Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025, aligning with the central 2019 Act to ensure legal recognition and welfare of transgender individuals in the national capital .

Key Points:

• Identity Certificate Issuance: District Magistrates are mandated to issue transgender identity certificates—including updated gender, name, and photo—within 30 days of receiving a completed application. Applications are accepted online or offline, under a self‑declaration without medical examination .
• Transgender Welfare Board: The rules mandate establishment of the Transgender Welfare Empowerment Board, chaired by the Social Welfare Minister with representatives from key government departments and three members each from NGOs and the trans community, tasked with shaping policy, schemes, and grievance redress.
• Non-Discrimination and Inclusion: The rules aim to eliminate discrimination across areas like education, employment, healthcare, and public services, ensuring equal opportunity and safeguarding mechanisms .
• Accelerated Implementation: Bringing Delhi into compliance nearly five years after adopting the central Act, the rules demonstrate renewed state commitment. However, activists caution that real inclusivity will depend on effective implementation and sustained monitoring .
• Estimated Beneficiary Base: While the 2011 Census recorded around 4,200 transgender individuals in Delhi, actual numbers are likely significantly higher. Registered voters number just over 1,200, with only about 546 having received identity certificates so far .

Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth: 10 Key Points

In the News: On July 15, 2025 Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla safely returned to Earth after completing an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. He is the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984 .

Key Points:

• Historic Mission Duration: Spent 18 days on the ISS, completing over 310 orbits and traveling approximately 13 million kilometers.
• First Indian on ISS: Shukla is the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS, while being the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma.
• Splashdown & Recovery: Returned via SpaceX’s Dragon capsule “Grace,” splashing down off the California coast on July 15, 2025
• Medical Status: Underwent standard post-mission medical assessments; initial checks showed no health concerns, with ongoing baseline health routines.
• Scientific Contributions: Conducted seven microgravity experiments, including studies on muscle regeneration, plant growth, and algae, among others.
• Support for Gaganyaan: His mission experience is seen as critical preparation for India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme
• .National Recognition: Welcomed by PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and the Cabinet, with the mission seen as inspiring future generations.
• Emotional Reunion: Reunited with his wife Kamna and son Kiash in Houston; heartfelt moments captured and shared, earning widespread admiration .
• International Collaboration: The Ax-4 mission included astronauts from the USA, Poland, and Hungary, marking a milestone in global space cooperation.
• Youth Inspiration: Shukla’s journey and insights—such as 16 daily sunrises/sunsets and the awe of Earth from space—have been highlighted as motivational for Indian youth.

Sanchar Mitra Scheme

In the News: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently expanded the Sanchar Mitra Scheme into a nationwide initiative, empowering university students as “digital ambassadors” to raise public awareness about telecom safety, cyber fraud, EMF radiation, and responsible mobile usage, following its pilot success in premier engineering institutions across Assam, under the guidance of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and DoT leadership.

Key Points

• Pilot to Pan-India Rollout:Initially launched in select institutions, the Sanchar Mitra Scheme has now been scaled to a national level, led by DoT with institutional support from IITs, IIITs, NITs, and other engineering colleges.
• Volunteer Engagement:Sanchar Mitras—student volunteers in telecom, electronics, computer science, and cybersecurity—are trained to guide citizens in digital safety, cyber fraud prevention, and safe mobile usage.
• Training & Skill Development:Volunteers receive structured instruction from the National Communications Academy–Technology (NCA‑T) and DoT Media Wing on topics such as 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity, and EMF awareness.
• Three Core Pillars – CONNECT, EDUCATE, INNOVATE:
  Connect: Bridge the gap between telecom services and public outreach
  • Educate: Promote informed and secure digital habits
  • Innovate: Engage youth in telecom R&D and policy dialogue.
• Youth Empowerment & Incentives: Outstanding volunteers may earn internships, roles in national telecom projects, and representation at India Mobile Congress and ITU forums, enhancing youth leadership in digital governance.

Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project

In the News: Gujarat became the first Indian state to initiate a Tribal Genome Sequencing Project, under the 'Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat,' aiming to sequence around 2,000 genomes from tribal communities across 17 districts across the state.

Key Points:

• Project Scope & Scale: Scientists will collect 4,158 biological samples, primarily from healthy adults aged 18+ with no visible blood disorders, and include genetic trios (both parents and one child) to ensure inheritance analysis. This will generate approximately 2,000 whole genome sequences covering over 20 tribal communities like Garasia Bhil, Tadvi, Valvi, Gamit, Rathwa, Warli, and Sidi.
• Implementing Body & Leadership: Undertaken by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in cooperation with the Tribal Development Department. The initiative was presented by Ministers Kuber Dindor and Kunwarji Halpati in Gandhinagar, and supported by key state and scientific officials.
• Objectives & Health Benefits: The project aims to identify genetic markers associated with inherited conditions like sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and cancer; understand natural immunity traits; address malnutrition, anemia, and infant mortality; and eventually inform precision medicine and personalized healthcare for tribal citizens.
• nclusion & Ethics: Emphasizing gender equality with a 50% female participant target, obtaining informed consent, ensuring local community involvement, and ethically integrating genetic science with tribal traditions.