CURRENT CONTEXT: Australia is hosting Talisman Sabre 2025, its largest-ever military exercise, starting 13 July 2025, involving 35,000+ troops from 19 countries, plus observers.

 ABOUT THE EXERCISE:

• Participants: Includes US, UK, India, Japan, Canada, Germany, South Korea, others; Malaysia and Vietnam as observers.
• Scope: Live-fire drills, amphibious landings, land, air, maritime, space, and cyber operations across Australia and, for the first time, Papua New Guinea.
• Assets involved: Ships like US aircraft carrier USS America, UK’s HMS Prince of Wales; advanced US HIMARS rocket systems were also used

CURRENT CONTEXT: India and Japan will introduce the next-gen E10 Shinkansen trains together around 2030 on Japan’s network and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed corridor. Trials with the current E5 model are planned for 2026–27.

 ABOUT E10 SHINKANSEN:

• World-class safety and speed: Based on Japan’s ALFA‑X design, can run at 320 km/h, L-shaped guide-wheels and dampers for earthquake protection, and braking that’s 15% better than earlier models .
• Modern features: Compact 10‑coach sets with 2+2 seating, larger desks, USB/AC outlets, Wi‑Fi, space for luggage, and no Green Class (top tier) but better business seats .
• Smooth, efficient running: Blowerless motors, energy-efficient inverters (SiC), streamlined nose for reduced noise.
• Cutting-edge safety: Fully automated Train Control (ATC) on dedicated tracks, removing level crossings and ensuring top-level safety.

Current Context  : DoT launched the national rollout of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme, engaging students from engineering and technical courses as Digital Ambassadors to spread telecom safety and digital literacy across India .

Purpose:

• Reduce the gap between telecom services and citizens
• Promote safe mobile use, cyber-fraud awareness, and radiation awareness
• Encourage innovation in telecom research and emerging technologies

Volunteers’ Role:

• Audience: Students from telecom, electronics, computer science, cybersecurity
• Training by: NCA‑T and DoT media wing
• Activities: Community drives, school sessions, collaboration with NGOs, awareness on 5G/6G/AI/cybersecurity
• Rewards: Internships, participation in national events based on performance

Current Context  : DRDO and IAF conducted a successful flight test of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM)from a Su‑30 MKI off Odisha.

About BVRAAM :

• Type: BVRAAM – fires beyond visual range (>100 km) .
• Seeker: Indigenous RF seeker from DRDO allows precise target tracking.
• Range & Performance: Over 100 km, with advanced guidance; hit targets at different angles/ranges with pinpoint accuracy.
• Production: Developed by DRDO labs and 50+ public/private industries, including HAL.
• Strategic Impact: Strengthens India’s air defence and helps build domestic defense tech.

Current Context : Advocate Varsha Deshpande from Maharashtra received the UN Population Award (Individual category) in New York, recognizing her decades-long work championing gender equality and fighting sex-selective practices.

 ABOUT VARSHA DESHPANDE:

• Secretary of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, founded in 1990, focused on Dalit women’s rights and empowerment.
• Over 35 years dedicated to fighting gender-based violence, child marriage, and supporting women’s vocational training.
• Instrumental in promoting joint property ownership and advocating implementation of the PCPNDT Act to curb sex-selective abortions.

ABOUT THE UN POPULATION AWARD:

• Established in 1981 and first awarded in 1983.
• Honors individuals or institutions for outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health.
• Includes a gold medal, diploma, and cash prize.

SIGNIFICANCE: Deshpande became the third Indian recipient, after Indira Gandhi (1983) and JRD Tata (1992).

Current Context : On 13 July 2025, 23‑year‑old Harikrishnan A. Ra achieved his final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the La Plagne Chess Festival in France, earning him the title of India’s 87th Grandmaster, and the 32^nd from Tamil Nadu.

 ABOUT HIS JOURNEY:

• Seven years as an International Master, training under Grandmaster Shyam
• Achieved first GM norm at Biel (Switzerland, 2023), second at Lince Andújar (Spain, June 2025), and final at La Plagne.
• In final round at La Plagne, drew against compatriot P. Iniyan; earlier beat Jules Moussard to secure norm.

Current Context : Centre appointed Dr. Abhijat Sheth as the new Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), following the resignation of Dr. B. N. Gangadhar amid a corruption investigation into regulatory oversight.

ABOUT DR. ABHIJAT SHETH:

• A renowned cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Currently President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts NEET-PG and super-specialty exams.

ABOUT NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION (NMC):

• Apex body regulating medical education and medical profession in India.
• Replaced the Medical Council of India in 2020.
• Responsible for accreditation, medical curriculum, and licensing of doctors.

Current Context : Sonali Mishra, a 1993‑batch IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed as the first-ever woman Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Her tenure runs until 31 October 2026.

 ABOUT SONALI MISHRA:

• 1993‑batch Indian Police Service (Madhya Pradesh cadre).
• Served as Additional DG (Selection) in MP, first woman commander of BSF in Punjab (2021), IG in Kashmir, and head of BSF intelligence.
• Honoured with President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

ABOUT RPF:

• Established in 1957 by Parliamentary act; armed force since 1985.
• Responsible for security of railway property, passengers, arrests under the Railway Protection Force Act (1966) and Railways Act (1989).
• Headquarters: New Delhi; overseen by Ministry of Railways.

Current Context : President Droupadi Murmu, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers, nominated four eminent personalities to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution.

 ABOUT THE NOMINATION:

• Article 80(1)(a): Enables the President to nominate up to 12 members with expertise in art, literature, science, and social service.
• These appointments fill vacancies left vacant for almost a year.

 NEW NOMINEES:

1. Ujjwal Nikam – Renowned special public prosecutor in cases like 26/11, Mumbai blasts, Pramod Mahajan murder; awarded Padma Shri (2016).
2. Harsh Vardhan Shringla – Former Foreign Secretary, key architect of India’s G20 Presidency, and veteran diplomat.
3. Sadanandan Master – Kerala-based teacher turned social worker who overcame political violence to champion youth empowerment.
4. Dr Meenakshi Jain – Esteemed historian and academic in education, literature, and political science.

Current Context  : The Wimbledon Championships (30 Jun – 13 Jul 2025) ended with record prize money of £53.5 million, giving equal £3 million cheques to the singles champions.

 CHAMPIONS & SCORES

PRIZE‑MONEY QUICK FACTS

• Singles champions: £3 million each (≈ $4 million).
• Doubles champions (per pair): £680 k; Mixed doubles: £135 k.
• First‑round singles losers still pocket £66 k, reflecting a 10 % rise.

What Is Wimbledon?

The Wimbledon Championships, officially “The Championships, Wimbledon,” is the oldest and most prestigious tennis Grand Slam.

• First held in 1877 by the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) in southwest London.
• Played solely on grass courts, it remains the only major still using grass