In Current Affairs for 19 July 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 19 July 2025
UN SDG Report 2025
- 2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report reveals a worrying slowdown or reversal in progress across 35 per cent of targets. With only five years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda, critical goals such as Zero Hunger, Quality Education, and Clean Water are most affected. The report puts stress on the urgent need for multilateral cooperation and financial reforms to reinvigorate global efforts.
- The report shows that 35 per cent of measurable targets under 14 of the 17 SDGs have stalled or moved backward. Particularly affected are SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities).
- Between 50 and 57 per cent of targets in these areas are off-track. Other goals like Responsible Consumption (SDG12), Life Below Water (SDG14), and Peace and Justice (SDG16) also face setbacks. Global hunger remains alarmingly high.
- In 2023, 9.1 per cent of the world population suffered from undernourishment, up from 7.5 per cent in 2019. Conflict, climate change, and economic instability drive this trend. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest hunger rate at 23.2 per cent, while Southern Asia hosts the largest number of hungry people.
- Over 2.3 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, an increase of 383 million since 2019. Food prices remain elevated, especially in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia and Small Island Developing States. Economic progress is uneven. SDG8 targets show that half of monitored objectives have stagnated or declined. Informal employment increased slightly, with 57.8 per cent of the global workforce lacking social protections by 2024. Youth unemployment, though improved, remains triple the adult rate.
- These factors hinder decent work and economic growth, especially in vulnerable populations. SDG14 (Life Below Water) faces worsening marine pollution, fish stock depletion, and ocean ecosystem degradation. It is also the least funded SDG. Health targets under SDG3 show stagnation in maternal mortality and universal health coverage. Many health systems remain strained due to post-pandemic effects, inequality, and funding gaps. Climate change intensifies risks, with 2024 recorded as the hottest year globally and temperatures continuing to rise. Despite setbacks, progress exists.
- New HIV infections declined by nearly 40 per cent since 2010. Malaria prevention has saved millions of lives. Social protection coverage expanded to over half the global population. However, over 800 million people still live in extreme poverty. Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene remains inadequate for billions.
- Official development assistance fell by 7.1 per cent in 2024, impacting developing nations. The report stresses the need to unlock large-scale financing. Reforming international financial systems, debt relief, and boosting multilateral development bank lending are key. UN leaders call for urgent multilateralism, shared responsibility, and sustained investments. A roadmap includes transforming food systems, expanding energy access, accelerating digital transformation, inclusive education, decent jobs, social protection, and climate action. Robust data systems are essential to guide policies.
IIMUN 2025
- Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, inaugurated India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Conference 2025 in Noida today. Speaking at the occasion, the minister urged the youth to actively contribute to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Panch Pran (Five Pledges) for Amrit Kaal.
- During his address, Mr Goyal highlighted that India stands at the cusp of a major transformation. He encouraged the youth to accept nation-building as a duty and a privilege and to perform every task with commitment and dedication. The minister urged them to inculcate care and concern for others and give their best to whatever job they undertake. He also paid tribute to the role of teachers and mentors, describing their role as vital in shaping the future of individuals and the nation.
Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh
- Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. The initiative marks a significant step toward fostering women’s well-being in government workspaces.
- Speaking at the event, Mr. Meghwal emphasised that the well-being of women employees is essential to building a truly fit and inclusive India, and encouraged them to make full use of the space.
- He described the initiative as a meaningful stride in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Hum Fit Toh India Fit’ campaign. Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh has been carved out of a previously unused garage space and now transformed into a vibrant, wellness-focused zone with gym equipment and a private lactation room for nursing mothers.
‘TRF’, A Proxy Of LeT, As Foreign Terrorist Organization
- India hailed the United States’ decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar appreciated the US State Department and Secretary Marco Rubio for the decision. He added that this affirms the India-US counter-terrorism cooperation.
- India has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the dismantling of terror infrastructure. The designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism.
- India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. It will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and their proxies are held accountable.
India And UAE
- India and the United Arab Emirates are solidifying their strategic partnership, setting their sights on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next frontiers for collaboration. This move comes as bilateral trade has already surged past the $100 billion mark, five years ahead of schedule, cementing the UAE’s position as India’s third-largest trade partner.
- Speaking at an Observer Research Foundation Middle East event in Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted how both nations are leveraging their unique strengths to forge resilient supply chains and foster sustainable growth, moving beyond traditional trade ties.
- Intensified high-level diplomatic engagement since September 2024, including visits from Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, has focused on substantive economic cooperation. Discussions during Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s visit with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the significant role of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in accelerating bilateral trade, particularly progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor, a foundational element of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
- UAE investments in India have reached $23 billion, with a notable $4.5 billion committed in 2024 alone, following the finalization of the Bilateral Investment Treaty last year. Furthermore, local currency trade settlement now accounts for 10 percent of all bilateral transactions, reducing dependence on dollar-denominated exchanges.
- A significant stride in financial technology integration is the UAE’s Jaywan card, built entirely on India’s rupee card stack. Plans are also underway to connect banking messaging systems, offering an alternative to SWIFT networks, and to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s Aani platform by November 2025, enabling Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) interoperability.
- Educational cooperation has also seen tangible results with the launch of IIT Abu Dhabi’s PhD program this year, alongside IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus and IIFT Dubai.
- Defense collaboration has been elevated to the secretary level, featuring joint exercises such as Desert Cyclone, Desert Flag, and the India-France-UAE Trilateral Exercise, and extends to participation in major defense exhibitions like IDEX and Dubai Airshow, with 25 Indian companies actively involved. Hardware integration initiatives include components for the Tejas fighter aircraft and the development of drone and anti-drone systems.
- Nuclear cooperation is emerging as a transformative area, with the UAE currently generating 25 percent of its energy from nuclear sources (5.6 GW capacity) and aiming to double this by 2030.
- The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) initiative involving the US, UAE, , coupled with synergies with France, positions nuclear energy as a key growth sector. The advanced technology partnership gained momentum at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.
- Discussions are also underway for collaboration in critical minerals and the space sector, including polar initiatives. The IMEEC project envisions a comprehensive connectivity corridor for containers, data, and energy through connected grids and subsea cables. The I2U2 framework (India, Israel, UAE, US) is expanding its focus to food security, with plans for two food parks in Gujarat and renewable energy projects targeting 60 GW capacity in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Ambassador Sudhir emphasized the potential benefits for India from the UAE’s 25 other Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), which could provide diversified market access and manufacturing advantages, particularly for energy-intensive industries.
- The UAE’s recent inclusion in BRICS further enhances its role as a strategic gateway for India’s engagement with Africa through initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu. The legal predictability and stable environment in the UAE also make it an attractive destination for Indian manufacturing investments requiring significant energy inputs.
- Culturally, the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi stands as a powerful symbol of the shared ethos, religious tolerance, and cultural inclusivity underpinning the broader strategic relationship, a testament to the graciousness of the Abu Dhabi government. As both nations navigate global economic uncertainties, their partnership exemplifies how complementary strengths can foster resilient supply chains and sustainable growth models, with nuclear energy and advanced technology at the forefront of their expanding cooperation.
Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan
- Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan inked a trilateral agreement on a key rail project, which aims to connect the three countries. In a statement, Kabul’s Foreign Ministry said that the agreement was signed between Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways.
- The project aims to build a rail link to facilitate access to Pakistani seaports for Central Asian states. A separate statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that by facilitating regional trade and transit, the project is expected to promote regional stability, growth, and development.
- The proposed 640-km railway line aims to link the Uzbek border with Hairatan on the Afghan side, extending to the eastern city of Logar via Kabul, before entering Pakistan’s border district of Kurram via Kharlachi. They agreed to remain engaged to achieve the full potential of regional economic development, including through the realisation of trans-regional connectivity projects.
Current Affairs 19 July 2025 Question
- Pakistan, Uzbekistan _ Inked A Agreement On A Key Rail Project
A. Afghanistan
B. Kyrgyzstan
C. Turkmenistan
D. None of these
ANSWER: A - SDG 4 Related To
A. Zero Hunger
B. Gender equality
C. Quality Education
D. Life Under Sea
ANSWER: C - Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh Inaugurated In
A. Noida
B. New Delhi
C. Chennai
D. Hyderabad
ANSWER: B - What year did the concept of sustainability first appear?
A. 1992
B. 1987
C. 1980
D. 1997
ANSWER: C - Tiwai Island, Which Has Become A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Is Located In
Which Country
A. Kenya
B. Sierra Leone
C. Ghana
D. Mali
ANSWER: B - In Which Indian State Was The Country’s First Aqua Tech Park Inaugurated?
A. Kerala
B. Assam
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. West Bengal
ANSWER: B - In Which Year Is The New Machilipatnam Port Expected To Be Operational
A. 2030
B. 2025
C. 2026
D. 2027
ANSWER: C - Who Was Appointed As The New CEO And MD Of GIFT City In July 2025
A. Tapan Ray
B. Rajiv Sinha
C. Sanjay Kaul
D. Amitabh Kant
ANSWER: C - In Which Indian State Was The ‘My Deed’ NGDRS Pilot Project Launched For
Land Registration Reform
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Uttarakhand
C. Punjab
D. Haryana
ANSWER: A - On Which Corridor Will India Trial Japan’s E5 Shinkansen Bullet Train
A. Mumbai-Ahmedabad
B. Delhi-Kolkata
C. Chennai-Bengaluru
D. Hyderabad-Pune
ANSWER: A - Which Country Developed The World’s Lightest Brain Controller To Guide
Bees Like Flying Robots
A. Japan
B. Singapore
C. South Korea
D. China
ANSWER: D - Which Indian City Was Ranked The World’s Most Affordable Student City In
The QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026
A. Kerala
B. Maharashtra
C. Gujarat
D. Goa
ANSWER: D - In Which Indian State Was Roro Ferry Service On The Mandovi River Launched
A. Amazon
B. Flipkart
C. Swiggy
D. Zomato
ANSWER: A - Which Country Launched The Advanced Communications Satellite Dror-1
A. Japan
B. Israel
C. France
D. South Korea
ANSWER: B - In Which Indian State Was The Sigandur Cable-stayed Bridge Inaugurated
A. Karnataka
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Maharashtra
D. Andhra Pradesh
ANSWER: A - Which West Indies Cricketer Announced Retirement International Cricket
A. Sunil Narine
B. Kieron Pollard
C. Nicholas Pooran
D. Andre Russell
ANSWER: D - Which Company Received In- Principle Approval From The RBI For A Cross
border Payment Aggregator License
A. Skydo
B. Amazon Pay India
C. PayPal
D. EximPe
ANSWER: D - Which State Launched Country’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
A. Maharashtra
B. Gujarat
C. Jharkhand
D. Odisha
ANSWER: B - Which Institution Launched ‘Gyanodaya’
A. IIM Kozhikode
B. IIM Ahmedabad
C. IIM Bangalore
D. IIM Calcutta
ANSWER: A - In Which Paintings, A Paste Made Of Zinc Oxide & Arabic Gum Called “Gesso
Paste” Is Used
A. Tanjore painting
B. Madhubani painting
C. Pattachitra
D. Mysore painting
ANSWER: D
