July 2025 Current Affairs — One-Page Notes for Competitive Exams
Crisp one-liners + quick facts for Bank, SSC, Railways, State PSC & other exams.
Global Diplomacy & Summits
17th BRICS Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6–7 July 2025) under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation and Inclusive Global Governance,” with notable focus on AI governance and a note that India will chair BRICS in 2026. [source]
UN High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution was held at UN Headquarters, New York (28–30 July 2025), adopting steps to advance the Israel–Palestine peace process. [source]
Science & Technology
NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), a landmark Earth-observing mission, launched on July 30, 2025 aboard GSLV-F16 from SDSC Sriharikota. [ISRO] [NASA]
Space & exploration outlets tracked rollout and liftoff preparations throughout the last week of July. [coverage]
Geopolitics, Security & Conflicts
Israel–Syria: On 16 July 2025, Israel carried out strikes on Syrian government targets in Damascus, including near the presidential palace and the defense HQ, citing protection of Druze civilians. [Reuters] [Al Jazeera] [CSIS]
Thailand–Cambodia border clashes (24–28 July 2025): intense fighting displaced over 100,000+ civilians; a ceasefire took effect on 28 July after international mediation. [France 24] [Reuters] [The Guardian]
Trade: In early August (context from end-July discussions), the U.S. announced an additional 25% tariff on certain Indian exports, taking cumulative duties on selected lines up to ~50%; spillovers and analyses dominated late-July/early-August policy coverage. (Important follow-up for exam context) [Reuters] [ET/ToI]
India-Specific Highlights
Cultural Heritage: The Sacred Piprahwa Relics/Gems linked to Lord Buddha were formally announced as repatriated to India on 30 July 2025. [PIB] [Coverage]
Strategic Tech: NISAR launch (see Science & Tech) marks a milestone in India–U.S. space cooperation and Earth observation capability. [ISRO]
Disasters & Environment
Kamchatka Earthquake: A Magnitude 8.8 quake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 29–30 July 2025 (UTC/local); USGS issued an aftershock forecast. [USGS] [Background]
Exam Tip: Memorize dates, places, and numbers (magnitude, casualties, participation) — these are frequently asked in prelims and one-liner sections.
High-Yield One-Liners (Quick Revision)
- BRICS Leaders met in Rio de Janeiro on 6–7 July 2025; theme included AI governance. [ref]
- UN held a High-level Conference (28–30 July) on implementing the Two-State Solution. [ref]
- NISAR Earth-observing satellite launched July 30. [ref]
- M8.8 Kamchatka earthquake on July 29–30; USGS issued aftershock guidance. [ref]
- Dhaka jet crash (21 July): Bangladesh Air Force F-7 into school/college campus. [ref]
- Thailand–Cambodia clashes displaced 100k+; ceasefire from 28 July. [ref]
- Piprahwa Relics formally announced as repatriated to India on 30 July. [ref]
- Late-July/early-Aug focus: US–India tariffs storyline escalated to additional 25% on some lines (follow-up for August CA). [ref]
Quick FAQs
Where was the BRICS Summit held in July 2025?
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) on 6–7 July 2025.
What is NISAR and why is it important?
NISAR is a joint NASA–ISRO mission using dual-band SAR to map Earth’s surface changes (ecosystems, ice, hazards), aiding disaster response and climate science.
Which major disaster struck at the end of July 2025?
The M8.8 Kamchatka earthquake (Russia) on July 29–30, 2025 (UTC/local).
What was the key UN move on the Israel–Palestine front?
A High-level International Conference (28–30 July) to advance the two-state solution.
References
- BRICS Summit, Rio (6–7 Jul 2025) — IISD SDG Knowledge Hub | Background
- UN High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution (28–30 Jul 2025) — UN Press | UN ISPAL
- NISAR launch (30 Jul 2025) — ISRO Mission Page
- NISAR mission overview — NASA Science
- Coverage — Space.com (29 Jul 2025)
- Kamchatka M8.8 — USGS Aftershock Forecast | Background
- Bangladesh jet crash — Reuters (21 Jul 2025) | AP explainer
- Damascus strikes — Reuters (16 Jul 2025)
- Context — Al Jazeera (16 Jul 2025)
- Analysis — CSIS (Jul 2025)
- Thai–Cambodia clashes — France 24 (25 Jul 2025)
- Ceasefire (28 Jul) — Reuters (28 Jul 2025)
- Evacuations — The Guardian (24 Jul 2025)
- Piprahwa relics — PIB (30 Jul 2025) | Coverage: The Value
- US–India tariffs (early Aug follow-up to late-July talks) — Reuters
- Impact commentary — Economic Times
