Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 8, 2025

Notes:
A new species of rain snake named Smithophis leptofasciatus was recently discovered by researchers from Mizoram University. The species belongs to the Smithophis genus, known for semi-aquatic snakes found in rain-prone areas. The name leptofasciatus means “narrow-banded” in Greek and Latin, describing its unique dorsal markings. It is commonly called the narrow-banded rain snake. It was found in tropical montane forests of Mizoram at elevations between 900–1,200 meters. With this discovery, the total number of known Smithophis species becomes five, all from northeastern India and nearby regions.

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National Commission for Women (NCW) launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy Program named “Yashoda AI” in May 2025. The program aims to equip women across India with AI literacy for better digital inclusion. It focuses on empowering women in areas like cyber security, digital privacy, and safe online practices. Till date, around 2500 women from rural and semi-urban areas have received training under this program. Beneficiaries include Self-Help Group (SHG) members, elected representatives like Sarpanchs, MLAs, ASHA workers, students, faculty, micro-entrepreneurs, police, and government officials. This update was shared by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Rajya Sabha.

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India has achieved a record-low price of ₹55.75/kg for Green Ammonia in the first Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) auction. This milestone was achieved under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Scheme. The scheme is a flagship financial component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The scheme aims to scale up green hydrogen production and use in India. It seeks to make green hydrogen cost-competitive with fossil fuels. It also focuses on creating domestic demand in key sectors like industry and transport.

Notes:
An albino Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) with a bright yellow shell and skin was recently spotted in a freshwater lake at Chikodra village, Gujarat. It is found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, inhabiting shallow, quiet, stagnant waters like rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, canals, and tanks, preferring sand or mud bottoms for burrowing. The species is identified by femoral flaps that cover its limbs when withdrawn and an oval soft shell. It is classified as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
Kabak Yano, a mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, has successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. She is on a Seven Summits expedition to scale the tallest peaks on all seven continents. Mount Kilimanjaro, located in northeastern Tanzania near the Kenya border, stands 5,895 meters above sea level. It is Africa’s tallest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain. Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano with three cones — Kibo (dormant), Mawenzi, and Shira (both extinct).