Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 29, 2025

Notes:
Many ex-servicemen recently reported that SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha) has made pension access difficult due to complex interface and unresolved corrections. SPARSH is a web-based pension system launched by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It aims to manage pension sanction and disbursement for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Civilians. The system is run by the Defence Accounts Department through the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj. It removes third-party intermediaries and directly deposits pensions into bank accounts. SPARSH covers the full pension cycle: initiation, sanction, disbursement, revision, and grievance redressal.

Notes:
The Indian Army recently conducted Exercise Drone Prahar at Rayang military station in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is a high-tech military drill to validate the use of drone technology in tactical battlefield operations. The exercise focused on using drones for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It tested real-time sensor-to-shooter coordination and precision targeting capabilities. The goal was to boost command reach and situational awareness for tactical commanders.

Notes:
Russia recently launched its major naval exercise “July Storm” from July 23 to 27, 2025. The drill began with Bastion coastal defence missile launchers deployed along the Barents Sea shoreline. The exercise involves a missile battalion from the Northern Fleet’s Kola Flotilla taking firing positions to secure the Arctic region. “July Storm” is the largest Russian naval drill of the year, covering the Pacific, Arctic, Baltic, and Caspian Seas. The operation includes 150 warships and support vessels, 120 aircraft, 10 coastal missile batteries, and around 15,000 personnel. The drill aims to maintain operational readiness and strategic control along Russia’s Arctic frontier.

Notes:
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) recently launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana during the North Zone Regional Conference in Srinagar. The conference was themed “Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel and Tribals.” The scheme aims to strengthen legal aid services for defence personnel and their families. It will build a dedicated legal support network across Sainik Boards at Zilla, Rajya, and Kendra levels. These Sainik Boards will now also help families of soldiers with legal issues like land disputes, service entitlements, and civil matters.

Notes:
Recently, 16 chitals (spotted deer) died at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune due to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), as confirmed by lab reports. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting all cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and pigs. It is caused by an aphthovirus from the Picornaviridae family. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) first gave official recognition to this disease.