Rajasthan

Appearance

Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2025

  • India ranks third globally with 64 unicorns.
  • A unicorn is defined as a startup valued at over $1 billion.
  • The global total is 1523 unicorns.
  • Top countries: 1. USA (758 unicorns), 2. China, 3. India (64 unicorns).
  • Within India, Gurugram leads in unicorn count.
  • San Francisco (USA) is the global Unicorn City.

India's Global Index Rankings

  • SDG Index: 99th.
  • Global Gender Gap Index: 131st.
  • Press Freedom Index: 151st.
  • Happiness Index: 118th.
  • Human Development Index: 130th.
  • Firepower Index: 4th.
  • Corruption Perception Index: 96th.

National Statistics Day

  • Celebrated annually on June 29.
  • Commemorates the birth anniversary of PC Mahalanobis, who influenced India's Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961) focusing on heavy industries.
  • He established the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata in 1931.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO), formed in 2019 by merging CSO and NSSO, calculates India's National Income.

India's Longest Animal Overpass Corridor

  • Inaugurated over the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (National Highway 48) at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.
  • Aims to protect wildlife and prevent accidents.
  • Project Tiger began in India in 1973.
  • The International Big Cat Alliance is headed by Dr. Bhupendra Yadav.
  • Tiger Day is observed on July 29.
  • Simlipal National Park (Odisha) is India's latest national park.
  • Madhav Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) is India's 58th and latest tiger reserve.

International Developments

  • Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) appointed as the first female President in the history of the International Olympic Committee.
  • India ranked second in the ISSF World Cup 2025 medal table in Buenos Aires.
  • India approved the purchase of 26 Rafale M (marine) jets from France for its Navy.
  • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (Mumbai, India) will acquire a controlling stake in Colombo Dockyard, Sri Lanka's largest shipyard, to counter China's influence in the region.

Awards and Cultural Events

  • The 59th Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor, was awarded to Vinod Kumar Shukla (Chhattisgarh), marking the first time for the state.
  • Punjab became the first Legislative Assembly to broadcast its proceedings in sign language.
  • Changi Airport (Singapore) received the Best Airport award at the SkyTrax World Airports Awards 2025.
  • British Knighthood for services to cricket was conferred upon James Anderson.
  • The Puthandu festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
  • The Shigmo Festival 2025 was held in Goa.

Asian Wrestling Championship 2025

  • Held in Vietnam (capital: Hanoi, currency: Dong).
  • Categories: Under-23 and Under-17.
  • India won a total of 35 medals (18 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze).
  • The Buddha Purnima (Vesak Purnima) festival also took place in Vietnam.
  • The BIMSTEC meeting was held in Thailand with the theme "BIMSTEC Prosperous Open."

Indian Operations and Initiatives

  • Operation Bihaali: Launched by the Indian Army's White Knight Corps and J&K Police in Basantgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, to target Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists.
  • National Turmeric Board Headquarters: Inaugurated by Union Minister Amit Shah in Nizamabad, Telangana. Turmeric is an underground stem (rhizome) of the Curcumin family, known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. India is the global leader in turmeric production, export, and consumption.
    • GI tags for turmeric include Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya) and Kandhamal Turmeric (Odisha).
  • Black Box Lab: Inaugurated in Delhi. Black boxes are typically orange, not black.
  • New Wildlife Sanctuary: Madhya Pradesh established a new wildlife sanctuary in Sagar district, named after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
  • Tribhuvandas Cooperative University: India's first cooperative university was established in Gujarat, named after Tribhuvandas Patel, founder of Amul.
  • Operation Sindoor: Headed by Parag Jain, involved attacks on nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and PoK on May 7, 2025. This operation was briefed by Wing Commander Vy Singh and Colonel Sophia.

Recent Appointments and Developments

  • Justice Arun Palli is the Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, located in Srinagar.
  • The Supreme Court set a 3-month time limit for the President's decision on state bills (Article 201).
  • Parag Jain was appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for a two-year term. RAW was established in 1968 for international intelligence.
  • Praveen Sood is the head of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
  • Praveen Kumar Srivastava is the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC).
  • Sourav Ganguly was appointed as the Chairman of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee.
  • The Supreme Court formed a National Task Force under Justice S. Ravindra Bhatt to address student mental health concerns.

Sports

  • Hockey India Masters Cup 2025 (First Edition):
    • Men's Winner: Tamil Nadu (defeated Maharashtra).
    • Women's Winner: Odisha (defeated Punjab).
    • Host: Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai.
  • Kabaddi World Cup 2025 (England):
    • Both men's and women's titles were won by India, defeating England in both categories.
  • Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025: India's men's Regu team won Gold (held in Bihar).

United States Politics

  • The "Big Beautiful Bill," introduced by US President Donald Trump, was passed by the US Senate (51-49 votes).
  • The bill aims for tax cuts and expenditure reduction.
  • Elon Musk had resigned from his position in the Government Efficiency Department in opposition to this bill.
  • The bill may be implemented on July 4, the US Independence Day.