This is the current affairs of 26 July 2025. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. PM Modi participated as the chief guest in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of which neighbouring country?
a. Pakistan
b. Sri Lanka
c. Bangladesh
d. Maldives
Answer: d. Maldives (on 26 July 2025)
– Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives on July 25 and 26, 2025.
– President Mohamed Muizzu personally received him at the airport.
– He was invited as the Chief Guest at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations.
– During this visit, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives was also celebrated.
About the Maldives
– It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean and a maritime neighbor of India.
– Capital: Malé
– Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
– President: Mohamed Muizzu
– Language: Dhivehi
– Area: 298 square kilometers (slightly larger than the city of Patna)
Maldives Gained Independence in 1965
– From 1887 to 1965, the Maldives’ foreign policy and defense were under British control.
– It gained full independence on July 26, 1965.
– India was the first country to recognize the Maldives’ independence.
– In 1998, the Maldives became a republic, and Ibrahim Nasir became its first President.
Relations Have Seen Ups and Downs
– In recent years, India-Maldives relations have gone through several ups and downs.
– In 2023, Mohamed Muizzu won the elections with the slogan “India Out”, but during the UN COP-28 summit in Dubai in December 2023, his meeting with PM Modi marked the beginning of a thaw in relations. Both leaders agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and enhance people-to-people contact.
– However, at the beginning of 2024, after derogatory comments by some Maldivian ministers about PM Modi and his visit to Lakshadweep, a “Boycott Maldives” campaign began in India.
– In January 2024, following his visit to China, Muizzu stated that “the Maldives may be a small country, but no one can bully it.”
– He demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel by May 2024. In response, India replaced its troops with technical personnel.
Muizzu’s India Visit Improved Bilateral Ties
– Relations began to improve in 2024. During Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024, India extended a $750 million currency swap deal, helping the Maldives tackle its foreign currency shortage.
– In May 2025, India further supported the Maldivian economy by rolling over a $50 million treasury bill.
Modi: India Is Maldives’ Closest Neighbor
– Speaking on India-Maldives relations, PM Modi said yesterday that “for us, friendship always comes first.”
– He emphasized that India is the Maldives’ closest neighbor and that the island nation holds an important place in both India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its vision for the Indian Ocean.
– Modi said, “India is proud to be Maldives’ most trusted friend. Be it crises or pandemics, India has always stood by them.”
– “Whether it’s ensuring the supply of essential goods or helping recover the economy after COVID, India has always worked hand-in-hand,” he added.
President Muizzu Said…
– The Greater Malé Connectivity Project is a symbol of friendship between India and the Maldives.
– India has provided 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force.
– Both countries discussed improving connectivity to promote tourism.
– The Maldives will fully support India’s bid to host COP-33.
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2. In which neighbouring country, the Defence Ministry building was constructed with the cooperation of India, which was jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and the President of that country?
a. Pakistan
b. Sri Lanka
c. Bangladesh
d. Maldives
Answer: d. Maldives (on 25 July 2025)
– Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the Maldives’ Ministry of Defence building on July 25, 2025.
– This eleven-storey building is state-of-the-art.
– Constructed with financial assistance from India, the building will contribute to enhancing the capabilities of Maldivian defense and law enforcement authorities.
– During the visit, the Indian Prime Minister gifted a sapling to the Maldives under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree for Mother) campaign.
– Additionally, under India’s Arogya Maitri initiative, BHISHM medical cubes were provided to the Maldives.
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3. During PM Modi’s visit, 8 agreements were signed including the extension of loan assistance (Line of Credit) of how many rupees to Maldives?
a. Rs 2,850 crore
b. Rs 8,850 crore
c. Rs 6,850 crore
d. Rs 4,850 crore
Answer: d. Rs 4,850 crore
– During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maldives, he held bilateral talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.
– Following the talks, India extended a Line of Credit worth ₹4,850 crore (approx. USD 580 million) to the Maldives.
– Discussions were also held on a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
– Additionally, India will support the construction of 4,000 housing units in the Maldives.
8 Agreements Signed Between India and the Maldives
– Line of Credit Agreement: India will provide ₹4,850 crore in loan assistance to the Maldives.
– Debt Restructuring Agreement: Amendment agreement to reduce Maldives’ annual debt repayment obligations on India-funded credit lines.
– Exploratory Talks on India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
– Cooperation in Fisheries and Aquaculture (Water Agriculture).
– MoU between Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Ministry of Earth Sciences, and the Maldives Meteorological Service, under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
– MoU between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Maldives’ Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology on sharing India’s successful digital solutions for population-scale digital transformation.
– MoU on Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) by the Maldives.
– Network-to-Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) for the use of India’s UPI system in the Maldives.
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4. Indian PM and President of Maldives released a commemorative postage stamp on which anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries?
a. 50th
b. 55th
c. 60th
d. 65th
Answer: c. 60th (on 25th July 2025)
– The Maldives attained full independence on July 26, 1965.
– India was the first country to recognize the Maldives and establish diplomatic relations.
Commemorative Postage Stamps on the 60th Anniversary
– On the 60th anniversary, on July 26, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu jointly released commemorative postage stamps.
– The stamps highlight the centuries-old bilateral ties between the two nations.
– They feature the Indian “Uru” boat, a large wooden vessel handcrafted in the historic boatyards of Beypore, Kerala, and the Maldivian traditional fishing boat “Vadhū Dhoni”.
– These boats have been integral to trade across the Indian Ocean for centuries.
– The Vadhū Dhoni, used for reef and coastal fishing, represents Maldives’ rich maritime heritage and the deep connection between island life and the ocean.
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5. Armed forces of 19 countries including India participated in the 11th edition of the multilateral military exercise ‘Talisman Saber’ (TS25) held in which country?
a. USA
b. Australia
c. India
d. Japan
Answer: b. Australia
– Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit visited Australia to observe the ongoing military exercise.
– Note: The CISC is the second-highest authority responsible for inter-service jointness, reporting directly to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). It is a three-star officer’s position.
About Exercise Talisman Sabre
– Talisman Sabre is conducted in Australia.
– It is bilaterally designed by Australia and the United States, and functions as a multilateral, planned, and coordinated exercise.
– Dates of the 2025 edition: July 26 to 28, 2025.
– Talisman Sabre 2025 featured extensive interoperability and joint combat capabilities across the domains of air, land, sea, space, and cyber.
Australia
– Capital: Canberra
– Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
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6. Who became the new Chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)?
a. Shashidhar Jagadishan
b. Ajay Seth
c. Aditya Puri
d. Saroj Awasthi
Answer: b. Ajay Seth
– On July 24, 2025, the Central Government appointed Ajay Seth, former Secretary of Finance and Economic Affairs, as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
– His appointment has been approved for a term of three years, or until he turns 65, or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
– Ajay Seth is a 1987 batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre.
– He retired in June 2025 after completing a four-year tenure as Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.
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7. Who among the following developed indigenous vaccine against malaria?
a. ICMR and RMRC
b. ICHR and RMRC
c. AIIMS and RMRC
d. Zydus and RMRC
Answer: a. ICMR and RMRC (Indian Council of Medical Research
– Indian scientists have developed the country’s first indigenous malaria vaccine that not only prevents infection but also blocks the transmission of the disease.
– The vaccine is named “Edvax-FalciVax.”
– It has been jointly developed by researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
– It has been found to be fully effective against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
– To enable large-scale production, ICMR has initiated the process of signing agreements with private companies.
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8. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has prepared the first indigenous vaccine against malaria, what is its name?
a. Lymphatic
b. Dengvaxia
c. Qdenga
d. Adelcivax
Answer: d. Adelcivax
– Indian scientists have developed the first indigenous vaccine against malaria disease which will stop both infection and its transmission.
– Researchers from ICMR and Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, have jointly developed this indigenous vaccine.
– For the early production of this vaccine, ICMR has started the process of making agreements with private companies.
– This vaccine has been named EdFalciVax.
– It has been found to be fully effective against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
– Senior scientist of RMRC, Dr. Sushil Singh, said that India’s indigenous vaccine produces strong antibodies that prevent infection.
– In 2023, an estimated 260 million malaria cases were recorded globally, which is an increase of 10 million cases compared to 2022.
Two Malaria Vaccines Are Available
– Director General of ICMR, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, said that currently two vaccines against malaria are available, priced around ₹800 per dose.
– Their effectiveness ranges between 33 to 67 percent.
– Besides, the RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M vaccines approved by Oxford University and the World Health Organization are being given in some countries.
– Compared to these, India’s vaccine shows double effect: it acts on the pre-erythrocytic stage (before reaching blood) and blocks transmission, i.e., stops the spread of infection.
Malaria in India
– 1,80,000 cases in 2022
– 83 deaths in 2022
Every Year, Four Lakh People Die
– According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, currently this disease kills about four lakh people every year.
– Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes, which commonly causes symptoms like fever, chills, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
– In some cases, it can cause severe complications such as seizures, fluid in the lungs, organ damage, and death.
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9. The joint military exercise ‘Bold Kurukshetra 2025’ was held between India and which country in July 2025?
a. Japan
b. Singapore
c. Australia
d. Sri Lanka
Answer: b. Singapore
– Location: The exercise is being conducted in the desert area of Jodhpur, which provides challenging and realistic military conditions.
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10. Which Indian bank has been declared the World’s Best Consumer Bank for 2025 by Global Finance magazine?
a. Punjab National Bank (PNB)
b. Canara Bank
c. State Bank of India (SBI)
d. Bank of Baroda (BOB)
Answer: c. State Bank of India (SBI)
– SBI informed this on 25 July 2025.
– India’s largest bank said that this evaluation is based on research and analysis by the publication, which is based on insights from corporate finance officers, analysts, and bankers worldwide.
– SBI Chairman C.S. Shetty said, “Customer experience remains at the center of our growth strategy.”
– The Global Finance magazine will present this award on 18 October 2025 during the World Bank’s annual meeting in Washington DC.
– SBI Headquarters: Mumbai
– Establishment Date: 1 July 1955
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