Daily Current Affairs- 28th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 28th July 2025

Operation Mahadev: Indian Security Forces Neutralise Terrorists Of Pahalgam Attack

In the News: Indian security forces conducted Operation Mahadev, a joint mission involving the Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police in the Lidwas area near Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar. This led to the neutralisation of three terrorists, including the alleged mastermind behind the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Among those killed were Suleiman Shah alias Hashim Musa, along with Abu Hamza and Yasir. Operation Mahadev was launched following over a 14‑day intelligence‑based tracking operation, during which an unusual satellite phone signal raised red flags.

Key Points:

• Terror Attack Context: On April 22, 2025, five terrorists carried out a mass shooting in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians (primarily Hindu tourists and one local Muslim pony operator) and injuring 20. The attackers were armed with AK‑47s and M4 carbines and targeted victims based on religion. It remains one of India’s deadliest civilian attacks since Mumbai 2008.
• Intelligence & Tracking: Operation Mahadev was triggered by specific intelligence inputs, including monitoring an unusual call from a Huawei satellite phone linked to the suspects. After about two weeks of surveillance, forces mobilized for the final operation.
• Operational Execution: In highly coordinated action near Lidwas, security forces engaged the terrorists, killing three operatives—including the chief planner, Hashim Musa (Suleiman Shah)—and recovered weapons. The operation involved ground clearance supported by reinforcement from CRPF and local police.
•  Operational Significance & Naming: The name “Operation Mahadev” was chosen to reflect the sacred geography of the region—Dachigam forest, located along the Amarnath Yatra route, emblematic of Lord Shiva (Mahadev). This underscored the symbolic duty to protect the pilgrimage and respond decisively to terror threats.
•  Local Impact: Family members of the victims expressed grieving relief: Adil Shah’s brother publicly thanked the Indian Army and government for delivering justice. A surviving victim’s wife said, “The pain will not go, but at least some peace will come to us.
• ” Political & Parliamentary Response:In India’s Monsoon Session (late July 2025), Operation Sindoor—the broader anti-terror response including Mahadev—became a focal point of political debate. Opposition figures questioned intelligence failures that allowed terrorists to infiltrate Baisaran valley and remain undetected for over 100 days. Central national security and foreign policy were contested topics. 

India’s Green Steel Revolution: What Is 25% Procurement Rule?

In the News: The Indian government is finalizing a policy to mandate that 25% of public procurement of steel be low‑emission “green steel,” as part of its broader Green Steel Mission and decarbonization strategy. The mission, with an estimated outlay of ₹15,000 crore, includes incentives via PLI schemes, renewable-energy mandates, and the use of green steel in government-funded infrastructure .

Key Points:

• Procurement Mandate Goal: The government plans to require that 25% of steel used by public agencies (central ministries and related schemes) come from green-rated steel—certified low‑carbon products meeting defined emission standards. This ensures green steel competes on volume and price in public tenders.
• Green Steel Taxonomy and Ratings: India defines green steel as steel emitting ≤ 2.2 tCO₂e per tonne. Within that, a five-star rating applies to emissions ≤ 1.6 tCO₂e/t; four-star for 1.6–2.0; three‑star for 2.0–2.2. Steel emitting more than 2.2 tCO₂e/t isn’t eligible.
• Tiered Purchasing Rules: Under proposed guidelines, procurement targets may be broken down by star rating: for example, at least 20% procurement from three-star, 5% from four-star, and 1% from five-star green-rated steel.
• Policy Timeline & Scope: The mandate is expected to apply from fiscal year 2027–28 onward, covering central government and centrally sponsored projects for a duration of approximately 8 years. Projects above a threshold (e.g., steel worth over ₹1 crore) may fall under these requirements.
• Market Leverage & Demand Creation: Public procurement accounts for a significant portion (~22%) of India’s steel demand. Mandating green steel creates guaranteed initial market volume, reducing investment risk for producers and encouraging scale-up of clean processes.
• Green Steel Mission & Support Measures: The government’s Green Steel Mission (~₹15,000 crore) will implement PLI incentives, mandate renewable energy use in steel plants, and align with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It aims to reduce the cost gap between green and conventional steel. 

Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025

In the News: The 14th edition of the India–Singapore Joint Military Exercise, Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025, began on 28 July 2025 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and will continue until 4 August 2025. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Singapore Armed Forces, especially under United Nations mandates .

Key Points:

• Exercise Kick-off: Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025 commenced on 28 July 2025 in Jodhpur and runs until 4 August 2025. Previous reports indicate a start date of 27 July, but the official timing marks 28 July per the Ministry of Defence.
• Participating Units: The exercise sees the participation of India’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment and Singapore’s 42 Armoured Regiment of the 4 Singapore Armoured Brigade.
• Exercise Format & Focus: It is a table‑top exercise and computer-based wargame, designed to validate joint operational procedures in mechanized warfare and simulate UN peacekeeping scenarios under Chapter VII mandates.
• Leadership & Ceremonials: Colonel Arjun Ganapathi, Commanding Officer of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, leads the Indian contingent, while Lieutenant Colonel Khiew Zhi Yoong heads the Singapore side. The opening ceremony includes a symbolic handing over of the regimental flag, signifying transfer of command to India for the exercise duration.
• Conclusion & Showcase: It will culminate in an equipment display by the Indian Army, highlighting India’s mechanised capabilities and defence technology.

ISRO to Launch 3 More Navigation NavIC Satellites by 2026

In the News: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced plans to launch three next‑generation navigation satellites—NVS‑03, NVS‑04, and NVS‑05—by the end of 2026, aimed at replenishing India’s NavIC constellation and restoring full regional navigation capability.

Key Points:

• Upcoming Satellite Launches: ISRO intends to launch NVS‑03, NVS‑04, and NVS‑05 by the end of 2026 to bolster the NavIC constellation, which has been operating with only four of its original seven satellites functional.
• Launch Schedule & Sequence:
  • NVS‑03 is expected by end‑2025
  • NVS‑04 and NVS‑05 to follow at roughly six‑month intervals through 2026.
  • According to future ISRO launch plans, NVS‑05 may extend into 2027–28, though current targets remain through 2026–27.
• NavIC Constellation Status: Launched in phases from 2013, India’s Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, operationally known as NavIC, was designed as a seven-satellite system serving India and up to 1,500 km beyond. So far, eleven satellites have launched, but two have failed, leaving only four fully functional ones in orbit.
• Technical Upgrades – NVS Series: These second‑generation NVS satellites carry navigation payloads in L1, L5, and S‑bands, introduce a civil L1 signal for IoT/wearables, and include upgraded Indian Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standards (iRAFS), with an extended lifespan of up to 12 years.
• Strategic Importance: The launches are critical to restore NavIC’s intended performance, reduce dependency on foreign systems like GPS and Galileo, and fulfill India's objective of autonomous regional navigation capability.
• Launch Platform: The satellites will be launched via GSLV Mk II rockets from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota—the same platform used for previous NavIC launches (e.g. NVS‑02 launched January 2025 aboard GSLV‑F15). 

Divya Deshmukh Creates History: Wins FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025

In the News: India’s 19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, defeating veteran Grandmaster Koneru Humpy 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tiebreak. With this victory, she became the first Indian woman to claim the Women’s World Cup title and earned the Grandmaster (GM) title, becoming India’s 88th Grandmaster.

Key Points:

• Final Match Triumph: Both classical games in the final ended in draws, pushing the match into rapid tiebreaks. Divya drew the first rapid game and clinched the title by winning the second game with the Black pieces, sealing the result at 5–0.5 .
• Historic Grandmaster Title: As a result of her World Cup win, Divya bypassed the usual norm requirements and was directly awarded the Grandmaster title, joining Viswanathan Anand, Harika Dronavalli, and Vaishali Rameshbabu as India’s fourth female GM, and 88th overall .
• Prize and Future Qualification: She earned prize money of US $50,000 as champion, while the runner-up received $35,000. Divya, Humpy, and third-place finisher Tan Zhongyi qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, positioning them to challenge for the world championship spot.
• Personal Backstory: Hailing from Nagpur, Divya balances academic pursuits (including online coursework in sports psychology and data analytics) with her chess career. She previously won the Asian Continental Women’s Championship (2023) and the World U‑20 Girls Championship (2024) .
• International Recognition & Reactions: Her win was widely hailed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating her and calling her victory an inspiration to Indian youngsters. Chess legend Viswanathan Anand described it as a "celebration of Indian chess," while former world champion Judit Polgar praised her composure in the tense tiebreak, noting, “Indian chess is just unbelievable!” 

Sansad Ratna Awards 2025: Honouring Parliamentary Excellence

In the News:  At the 15th edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards held in New Delhi (New Maharashtra Sadan), 17 Members of Parliament and two parliamentary standing committees were conferred the Sansad Ratna Awards for their exceptional performance in the Lok Sabha. The ceremony included four Special Jury Awards recognizing consistent and outstanding contributions across multiple parliamentary terms .

Key Points:

• Award Recipients: Seventeen MPs from diverse political parties and states were honoured. Four received Special Jury Awards for sustained excellence since the 16th Lok Sabha: Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJP, Odisha), K. Premachandran (RSP, Kerala), Supriya Sule (NCP‑SP, Maharashtra), and Shrirang Appa Barne (Shiv Sena, Maharashtra).
• Notable MPs Honoured: Other awardees included Ravi Kishan (BJP, UP), Nishikant Dubey (BJP, Jharkhand), Smita Uday Wagh, Medha Kulkarni, Praveen Patel, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Dilip Saikia, Varsha Gaikwad, Naresh Mhaske, Arvind Sawant, and N. Annadurai (DMK).
• Special Mentions:
  • Ravi Kishan, MP from Gorakhpur, was celebrated for his consistent parliamentary attendance, impactful debates, raising substantive questions, and introducing private member bills. He dedicated the award to his constituents in Purvanchal and expressed gratitude to PM Modi, Amit Shah, and CM Yogi Adityanath. This marked his second time receiving the award.
  • Naresh Mhaske, a first-time MP from Thane (Shiv Sena), was recognized for strong engagement in budget debates, social media regulation, and public insurance issues. Prior roles include Mayor of Thane and standing committee memberships
  • Praveen Patel (Phulpur, BJP) received recognition for parliamentary contributions and dedicated his honour to his late father and voters of Prayagraj.
• Awarded Committees: Two standing parliamentary committees were honoured for legislative oversight and report quality:Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJP, Odisha). Standing Committee on Agriculture, chaired by Charanjit Singh Channi (INC, Punjab).
• Selection Criteria & Background: The awards, instituted in 2010 by the Prime Point Foundation and e-magazine PreSense upon Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s suggestion, are based purely on parliamentary performance metrics sourced from Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha records and PRS data. Indicators include debates initiated, bills introduced, and questions asked.
• Regional Highlights: Maharashtra stood out, with 7 MPs honoured among the 17 awardees, showcasing the state’s strong parliamentary engagement. Awardees from Maharashtra include Supriya Sule, Medha Kulkarni, Varsha Gaikwad, Smita Uday Wagh, Shrirang Appa Barne, Arvind Sawant, and Naresh Mhaske.