Current Affairs Quiz – August 2025

Notes:
Two new damselfly species, Konkan Shadowdamsel and Crimson Shadowdamsel, have been discovered in the Western Ghats. Konkan Shadowdamsel was found in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, and Crimson Shadowdamsel in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. They belong to the ‘Shadowdamsels’ group, thriving in shaded forest habitats and pristine small streams. Crimson Shadowdamsel has a reddish body, while Konkan Shadowdamsel shows coffee-brown colouration. Shadowdamsels are microendemics of Western Ghats and act as pollution indicators, reflecting forest health. Damselflies are predatory insects of order Odonata, smaller and weaker fliers than dragonflies, found near freshwater habitats.

Notes:
More than 500 humanoid robots from 16 countries, including Japan, took part in the World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 in Beijing, China. The four-day event featured competitions in sports, tasks, and real-world scenarios. Robots competed in 26 events such as track and field, soccer, dancing, and kickboxing. A robot completed the 100-meter sprint in 21.5 seconds, showing remarkable speed. Robots also showed agility in kickboxing by regaining balance after hits. Some robots collapsed in soccer and collided during the 400-meter relay. The event highlighted both rapid progress and challenges in humanoid robotics.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo, mascot, and trophy of the 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship in Patna. Bihar is hosting the tournament for the first time at Rajgir International Stadium, from 29th August to 7th September 2025. The mascot “Chand,” inspired by the tiger and hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, symbolises courage, agility, and skill. The tournament begins on 29th August, National Sports Day, marking Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary.

Notes:
Udyam Sakhi Portal was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with an expenditure of ₹43.52 lakh. Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje informed Rajya Sabha that it is helping women entrepreneurs start, build, and expand businesses, fostering self-reliance. It provides women entrepreneurs information on financial schemes, policies, and programmes of the MSME sector. The portal nurtures entrepreneurship and creates business models for low-cost products and services. It empowers women to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

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Indian Railways (IR) is working towards its net-zero emission goal by adopting solar energy. Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has become the first city in India to have portable solar panels installed between railway tracks. The initiative is part of Indian Railways strategy for a greener and more sustainable transport network. Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, has commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system on railway tracks.

Notes:
Every year, 20 August is observed as World Mosquito Day to spread awareness about mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes transmit serious illnesses like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus beyond just causing bites. The theme for World Mosquito Day 2025 is “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World.” The theme stresses equitable access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for vulnerable communities.

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Recently, the central government initiated steps to include the Pampa River under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). Pampa is the third longest river in Kerala after the Periyar River and Bharathappuzha River. It is called ‘Dakshina Bhageerathi’ or the Ganga of Kerala, with deep religious importance linked to Sabarimala temple. Pilgrims to Sabarimala take a holy dip in the Pampa before and after the trek.

Notes:
Recently, Aaranyak, a premier biodiversity conservation organisation, organised an awareness programme at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district, Assam. The programme was conducted under the theme “Conservation and Coexistence” with support from partner organisations. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in eastern Guwahati, Assam and covers an area of 48.81 square kilometers. It comprises the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest. The area was declared a reserved forest in 1971 by the Government of Assam Tourism.

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World Entrepreneurs’ Day is celebrated on 21st August every year. It honours the creativity, dedication, and risk-taking spirit of entrepreneurs globally. Entrepreneurs contribute to the economy by bringing fresh ideas, building businesses, and creating opportunities. The day encourages young minds to pursue innovation and leadership. Entrepreneurs face challenges like financial difficulties and societal scepticism but continue with determination. Their success reflects resilience, learning from failure, and inspiring others.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Government launched ‘Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam’ project under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for women of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The project develops orchards on private land of SHG women with saplings, manure, digging support, fencing, and 50,000-litre water tanks for irrigation. More than 34,084 women registered through the app developed by Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) for beneficiary selection.