| No. | Topic | GS Paper(s) | Why in News (August 1, 2025) |
| 1 | Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 | GS-3 (Economy), GS-2 | Major banking reforms for governance, compliance, depositor safety |
| 2 | SC on Defection | GS-2 (Polity) | New judgment on constitutional, legal anti-defection provisions |
| 3 | IMF GDP Projection Up Revised | GS-3 (Economy) | IMF raises India’s GDP growth estimate to 6.4% for FY26 |
| 4 | DRDO Pralay Missile Test | GS-3 (Security/Tech) | India tests indigenous tactical missile, boosts deterrence |
| 5 | ISRO–NIOT MATSYA 6000 MoU | GS-3 (S&T, Resources) | Joint deep-sea mission for ocean resources R&D |
| 6 | Gita Natya Shastra Symposium | GS-1 (Culture) | Major event promoting classical Indian arts, policy focus |
| 7 | Kaziranga Tiger Reserve | GS-3 (Environment) | Becomes 3rd rank for tiger density, showcases conservation |
| 8 | Hindi-Medium MBBS College | GS-2 (Education) | India’s first such medical college opens in MP |
| 9 | World’s Smallest Snake Rediscovery | Prelims (Biodiversity) | Threadsnake found after 20 years, biodiversity push |
| 10 | Sustainable Wellness Book Launch | GS-2/GS-4 | Mental health and wellness emphasized in school policy |
News at a Glance
1. Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025
Why in News:
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 came into effect on August 1, 2025, with major amendments impacting governance, auditor independence, depositor protection, and regulatory processes in India’s public sector and cooperative banks.
Context and Key Facts:
- Scope: Amends five major banking statutes: the RBI Act, 1934; Banking Regulation Act, 1949; State Bank of India Act, 1955; and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 & 1980.
- Governance:
- Raises the threshold for ‘substantial interest’ in a bank from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore, modernizing a decades-old definition.
- In cooperative banks, tenure for directors (except chairperson/whole-time directors) is now up to 10 years (from 8), aligning with the 97th Constitutional Amendment.
- Raises the threshold for ‘substantial interest’ in a bank from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore, modernizing a decades-old definition.
- Depositor/Investor Protection:
- Public sector banks (“PSBs”) now must transfer unclaimed shares, interest, and bond redemption proceeds to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), aligning PSBs with the Companies Act standards.
- Enhanced rules for handling unclaimed dividends and unpaid bond amounts: shares or money unclaimed for 7 years move to IEPF but can be reclaimed by rightful owners with due documentation.
- Public sector banks (“PSBs”) now must transfer unclaimed shares, interest, and bond redemption proceeds to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), aligning PSBs with the Companies Act standards.
- Audit & Compliance:
- PSBs allowed to offer improved remuneration to statutory auditors to attract high-quality, independent professionals.
- Additional reforms to strengthen statutory audits and improve Board-level oversight.
- PSBs allowed to offer improved remuneration to statutory auditors to attract high-quality, independent professionals.
- Operational Reforms:
- Clarifies rules on “operational days” for banking reference, replaces “alternate Fridays” with “last day of the fortnight” for compliance.
- Clarifies rules on “operational days” for banking reference, replaces “alternate Fridays” with “last day of the fortnight” for compliance.
- Process: Specific amendments in key sections (notably Sections 3, 4, 5, 15–20) are notified as effective August 1, with phased enforcement for other provisions.
- Significance:
- Aims for better bank governance, regulatory parity between PSBs and private/foreign banks, streamlined procedures, and higher depositor confidence.
- Equips India’s banking sector to keep pace with digital transformation, robust compliance, and global best practices.
- Aims for better bank governance, regulatory parity between PSBs and private/foreign banks, streamlined procedures, and higher depositor confidence.
2. Supreme Court on Defection: Constitutional Insights
Why in News:
A new Supreme Court ruling clarified foundational aspects of anti-defection (Tenth Schedule), with an emphasis on GS-2 relevance (Polity, Governance).
Context and Key Facts:
- Clarifies authority, limits of Speaker’s powers under the Tenth Schedule.
- Examines Article 102(2) & 191(2) for MPs/MLAs and the process for adjudication.
- Emphasizes judicial review, situational links to party whips, and safe-guards against misuse.
- Insights for static-dynamic linkage: constitutional amendments, case law, and procedural reforms.
3. IMF Revises India’s GDP Forecast Upwards
Why in News:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s GDP growth projection for FY 2025–26 to 6.4% (from 6.2%).
Context and Key Facts:
- Reflects strong economic fundamentals, robust services and manufacturing sector growth, and resilient domestic demand.
- Positions India as the fastest-growing large economy globally.
- IMF growth estimate is critical for Prelims/Mains, with sectoral implications (fiscal policy, monetary policy, job creation, export competitiveness).
4. Missile Test: DRDO’s ‘Pralay’
Why in News:
India successfully tested the ‘Pralay’ ballistic missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
Context and Key Facts:
- ‘Pralay’: India’s first quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile; range: ~150–500km.
- Features: Maneuverable trajectory, high-precision, solid-fuel, all-weather day/night operability.
- Designed for rapid deployment and battlefield tactical support.
- Strengthens conventional deterrence and integrates with modernized armed forces doctrine.
5. ISRO–NIOT Deep Ocean Human Submersible MATSYA 6000 MoU
Why in News:
ISRO and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) signed an MoU to jointly develop the deep-sea MATSYA 6000 human submersible.
Context and Key Facts:
- MATSYA 6000: Capable of 6,000m dive, supports deep-sea research and ‘Samudrayaan’ mission.
- Lays foundation for India in the Blue Economy, mineral/resource exploration.
- Tech synergies between space and ocean science; boosts R&D, skilled jobs, scientific leadership.
6. Gita Natya Shastra Symposium
Why in News:
National Symposium on Gita Natya Shastra hosted in New Delhi, underlines India’s intangible heritage and performing arts policy.
Context and Key Facts:
- Gita Natya Shastra: Foundation text for Indian dance-drama; UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
- Symposium highlights: Academic discussions, policy support, promotion of India’s soft power via cultural exports.
- Enhances visibility of classical arts for GS-1 (Culture) mains and essay topics.
7. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve’s New Milestone
Why in News:
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve now ranks third in India for tiger population density.
Context and Key Facts:
- Kaziranga: Renowned for One-horned Rhino, also a prime tiger habitat.
- Illustrates success of Project Tiger and landscape-based conservation strategies.
- Data supports Mains context for India’s biodiversity, conservation commitments, and SDG 15.
8. First Hindi-Medium MBBS College
Why in News:
India’s first MBBS college with Hindi as the medium of instruction inaugurated in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Context and Key Facts:
- Initiative under National Education Policy 2020 for multilingual higher education.
- Improves accessibility for rural/regional students, modernizes curricula, bridges urban–rural gap.
- Relevant to GS-2 (Education, Social Justice) and GS-4 (Ethics, Accessibility).
9. Rediscovery: World’s Smallest Snake (Threadsnake)
Why in News:
Researchers reported the rediscovery of the Barbados threadsnake, the world’s smallest known snake, after 20 years.
Context and Key Facts:
- Size: ~10cm, coin-sized, subterranean lifestyle; feeds on ants/termites.
- Conservation significance: Highlights the importance of continuous biodiversity surveys to protect endangered microfauna.
10. Sustainable Wellness of Students – Book Launch
Why in News:
Uttarakhand CM launched “Sustainable Wellness of Students” book, aligning with NEP 2020 and student welfare policy.
Context and Key Facts:
- Focus: Mental health, nutrition, inclusion, and holistic well-being in schools.
- Frame for education reforms (GS-2/GS-4) and SDGs.