MiG 21
News- MiG 21 fleet set to retire in September after 6 decades of service.
- Event – MiG-21 fighter jets to retire in September 2025.
- Decommissioning Date – September 19, at Chandigarh airbase.
- Active Units – Two squadrons of MiG-21 Bison still in service.
- Service period– Over 60 years of services (1963-2025)
- Total Procured – India acquired 700+ MiG-21s of various types – Type-77, Type-96, BIS, and Bison.
- Aircraft Specifications:
- Origin– Soviet- designed, first produced in 1963.
- Type– Single- engine supersonic jet fighter and interceptor.
Replica of Ashoka Pillar
News-Replica of Ashoka Pillar Unveiled in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka.
- Event – Installation of Ashoka Pillar replica.
- Date – 21 July 2025.
- Location – Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya, Kalutara district, Sri Lanka.
- Significance – Symbolizes India–Sri Lanka spiritual and cultural diplomacy.
- Legacy Honoured – Acknowledges Emperor Ashoka’s contributions to Sri Lankan Buddhism.
WSIS Champion Award
News- Meri Panchayat App Wins WSIS Champion Award 2025 for Digital Governance.
- Award – WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Award.
- Category – Cultural Diversity & Identity, Linguistic Diversity, and Local Content.
- App Name – Meri Panchayat mobile application.
- Developed By – Ministry of Panchayati Raj and NIC.
- Purpose – Strengthens grassroots governance and rural digital participation.
- Event – Awarded at WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Organizer – International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Divya Deshmukh
News- Divya Deshmukh Creates Becomes First Indian to Reach FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup Final.
- Event – FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 Semifinal.
- Date & Location – 23 July, Batumi, Georgia.
- Match Result – Divya Deshmukh defeated Tan Zhongyi (China) with a 1.5–0.5 score.
- Achievement – First Indian to reach the final of the Women’s World Cup.
- Age – 19 years old.
- Milestones – Secured her first Grandmaster norm and a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
National Broadcasting Day
News- National Broadcasting Day 2025.
- Occasion – National Broadcasting Day is observed on 23 July annually.
- Purpose – Commemorates the establishment of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) in 1927 in Bombay.
- Significance – Celebrates radio’s role in public service and entertainment, especially before TV.
- 2025 Milestone – Marks the 98th anniversary of IBC (renamed All India Radio – AIR on 8 June 1936).
MCQs
Q1. When is the MiG-21 fleet scheduled to retire from the Indian Air Force?
a) August 15, 2025
b) September 19, 2025
c) October 2, 2025
d) December 1, 2025
Q2. When is National Broadcasting Day observed in India?
a) 8 June
b) 15 August
c) 23 July
d) 5 September
Q3. Who became the first Indian to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup?
a) Koneru Humpy
b) Tania Sachdev
c) Divya Deshmukh
d) Bhakti Kulkarni
Q4. Where was the replica of the Ashoka Pillar unveiled in July 2025?
a) Colombo
b) Anuradhapura
c) Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya
d) Kandy Buddhist Temple
Q5. Which app won the WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Award?
a) eGramSwaraj
b) Digital India Connect
c) Meri Panchayat
d) Jan Darpan