Current Affairs Quiz – August 2025

Notes:
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.

Notes:
National Handloom Day is celebrated every year on 7th August to honour India’s handloom heritage. It marks the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on 7th August 1905 against the British partition of Bengal. Handloom became a symbol of resistance and pride, promoting Indian crafts, culture, and self-reliance. In 2025, the 11th National Handloom Day is celebrated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The theme for 2025 is “Weaving Innovation into Tradition.”

Notes:
Turkey recently closed the Dardanelles Strait to shipping traffic due to nearby forest fires. The Dardanelles Strait is in northwestern Turkey, linking the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It separates Europe from the western tip of Asia Minor. It is named after the ancient city of Dardanus. It was once called the Hellespont, meaning “Helle’s sea.”

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International Youth Day is celebrated globally every year on August 12 to recognize youth contributions, challenges, and potential. It was first proposed in 1991 at the World Youth Forum in Vienna, Austria. The World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth declared August 12 as International Youth Day in 1999. The United Nations General Assembly endorsed it in December 1999. The first celebration was held on August 12, 2000. The 2025 theme is “Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond.”

Notes:
The Mahatari Vandan Yojana is transforming women’s lives in Chhattisgarh by boosting economic and social empowerment. More than 69.19 lakh women across the state are currently benefiting from this initiative. It was launched by the Chhattisgarh government in March 2024 to empower women socially and economically. It aims to address gender discrimination, inequality, improve health and nutrition, promote economic independence, and strengthen women’s decision-making in families.

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Recently, reports claim the Trump administration asked NASA to shut down Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO). The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) Program, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is an initiative of NASA. OCO are Earth remote sensing satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) from space to understand climate change.

Notes:
On 14 August 2025, Madhya Pradesh witnessed a historic event for farmers as Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav released the second installment of the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana (CMKKY) 2025-26 in Mandla. More than 83 lakh farmers will benefit, receiving ₹6,000 per year under CMKKY, in addition to the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana benefits. The scheme was launched by Madhya Pradesh government in September 2020. The scheme has already transferred over ₹17,500 crore directly to farmers’ bank accounts till March 2025. The installment aims to boost financial stability for Kharif and Rabi seasons, support input purchases, and encourage investments in allied activities.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways announced that India became the third-largest automobile industry in the world with a market size of ₹22 lakh crore. Globally, the United States ranks first with ₹78 lakh crore, followed by China with ₹49 lakh crore. India’s automobile sector contributes 7.1% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 49% to manufacturing GDP. It is a key driver of India’s manufacturing and economic growth. In FY25, two-wheelers dominated the domestic market with 76.57% share, while passenger cars held 16.80%.

Notes:
Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) became the first Indian company to join the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). ICMM is a UK-based collaborative group of leading mining and metals companies. It aims to boost the industry’s contribution to sustainable development and promote strong environmental and social performance. ICMM works with various stakeholders to improve understanding of the benefits, costs, risks, and responsibilities of the mining and metals industry in today’s world.

Notes:
Researchers have identified Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium that can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. It belongs to the genus Ideonella and family Comamonadaceae. It uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as both a carbon and energy source, breaking it into harmless building blocks. These by-products can be consumed by I. sakaiensis and other organisms. It is discovered by researchers in Japan from PET-contaminated soil. It is Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, non-sporing, non-pigment-producing, and monotrichous.