Current Affairs Quiz – August 2025

Notes:
Recently, African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak was confirmed at a pig farm in Ravas Brahmanan village, Patiala, Punjab. District authorities have taken immediate action to contain the spread. African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. It does not affect humans or other animal species. It causes high mortality (up to 90–100%) and severely impacts pig farming. It originated in sub-Saharan Africa and has spread to Europe, Asia, and Africa. In India, it was first detected in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in Feb–Mar 2020.

Notes:
Recently, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari received the 43rd Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune. The award was instituted in 1983 by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust. It is given annually on 1st August, the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. The award honours individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the progress and development of the nation. Lokmanya Tilak was born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak and was a key figure in India’s freedom struggle. He was a nationalist, social reformer, and strong advocate of Swaraj or Self-Rule.

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Recently, the ‘Matri Van’ initiative was launched by the Union Ministers for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Housing and Urban Affairs. It is part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ programme of the Government of India. Matri Van is a theme-based urban forest to be developed over 750 acres in the Aravalli Hill area. It aims to promote biodiversity, public well-being, and urban sustainability through mother-nature-inspired efforts. It includes removal of invasive Kabuli Kikar (Prosopis juliflora) and plantation of native Dhak and Amaltash trees.

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The United States military unveiled a mockup of China’s HQ-16 missile at the Experimental Aircraft Association ‘AirVenture Show’ in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. HQ-16 is a Chinese Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system with NATO name CH-SA 16. It is based on Russia’s Buk missile family. It is designed to target aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It uses a vertical launch system for 360-degree coverage in complex terrains.

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Odisha and Chhattisgarh, after a long legal battle in the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal, have now agreed to resolve the river water dispute mutually. Mahanadi River is a major east-flowing peninsular river in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It originates from the Sihawa range in Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh. It flows eastward, enters Odisha near Cuttack, and drains into the Bay of Bengal near Paradip. Major tributaries include Seonath, Hasdeo, Ib, Ong, Mand, Tel, and Jonk. It is known for high silt deposition capacity.

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Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha unveiled the teaser and brochure for the upcoming Basohli Utsav. The five-day festival is scheduled from 28th September to 2nd October 2025 in Kathua border district, Jammu and Kashmir. Basohli, a hilly town in Kathua, is famous for its Basohli painting, which received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023. The event is being organised with support from Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) and Vishwasthali organisation. This third edition will focus on Ramayana traditions, featuring related exhibitions, booklets, folk arts, and cultural competitions.

Notes:
CLOVES Syndrome Awareness Day is observed every year on 3rd August to support affected individuals and promote early diagnosis and treatment. CLOVES stands for Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular malformations, Epidermal nevi, and Spinal/Skeletal anomalies. CLOVES Syndrome is a rare overgrowth genetic disorder caused by mutations in the PIK3CA gene. The PIK3CA gene affects the PI3K enzyme, which regulates cell functions and may cause cancer if mutated. It belongs to a group of disorders called PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). The syndrome was formally classified in 2007–2009 but may have been first documented in 1867.

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Bengaluru topped in India in the 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) City Index, ranked 26th globally. It is the top AI hub in India, known for AI Research and Development (R&D) and data centers. Bengaluru attracts major foreign investment due to its strong startup ecosystem. Other top Indian cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata. Indian cities need a clear AI roadmap and strong regulations to grow further. Globally, Singapore ranked 1st, followed by Seoul, Beijing, Dubai, and San Francisco. The 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) City Index is released by Counterpoint Research, a global technology market research firm.

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NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India’ to accelerate India’s electric mobility shift. India aims for 30% electric vehicle (EV) share in total vehicle sales by 2030. EV sales in India rose from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024. In contrast, global EV sales rose from 918,000 in 2016 to 18.78 million in 2024. India’s EV penetration grew from one-fifth of global levels in 2020 to over two-fifth in 2024, showing steady progress. The report was based on 7 stakeholder consultations held at NITI Aayog. It highlights key challenges, strategic unlocks, and next steps to fast-track EV adoption.

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Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina 2.0 scheme in Guwahati. The scheme provides monthly financial support to increase girls’ enrolment in higher education. Application forms were ceremonially distributed at Gauhati University and across the state. Nijut Moina 2.0 is a flagship initiative to reduce school dropout rates and empower girl students. Girls from all families, regardless of economic status, are eligible for the scheme.