Current Affairs Quiz – August 2025

Notes:
RAN SAMWAD-2025, a two-day Tri-service dialogue on war, warfare, and warfighting, was held on 26–27 August 2025 at Army War College, Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Madhya Pradesh. Joint Doctrines and the Technology Perspective & Capability Roadmap were released during the event. The seminar featured thematic sessions led by serving officers sharing operational insights from modern battlefields. Focus areas included Information Warfare, Grey Zone Threats, Integrated Operations, and Future Combat Technologies. Top military leadership from all three Services, defence experts, industry leaders, and international security professionals participated in the event.

Notes:
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won a Gold medal at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad. She marked a triumphant return to competitive action after previous international events. Chanu lifted a total of 193 kilograms to set new Commonwealth Championship records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total. She lifted 84 kilograms in snatch and 109 kilograms in clean and jerk, both setting new records. She finished first on the women’s 48-kilogram podium. The victory secured her direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Notes:
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Cup 2025 will be hosted in Goa, India from October 30 to November 27, 2025. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich praised India as a strong chess nation with passionate fans and expects 90+ countries to participate. 206 players will compete in a head-to-head, two-game knockout format over eight rounds. At least 21 Indian players qualified, including Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, Vidit Gujrathi, and others. The top three finishers will directly qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, deciding the challenger for the World Chess Championship.

Notes:
Kuttiyadi coconut from Kerala is seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It is mainly cultivated in the Kuttiyadi region of Kozhikode, Kerala. The variety is high-yielding and starts producing coconuts within five years of planting. The tree trunk is stronger than other coconut varieties and resists most pests and drought. The tree has a life expectancy of over 100 years. The fruit is larger and heavier, with a thicker kernel, producing more oil than other varieties. The GI tag will recognise its unique agricultural and economic value.

Notes:
India will host the Boxing World Cup (men’s and women’s) for the first time from November 13-24, 2025 in Greater Noida. The World Boxing Congress will be held on November 23, 2025 in Greater Noida. The event will be held at Vijay Pathik Sports Complex with around 450 boxers from at least 80 countries and 150 officials. India previously hosted Women’s World Boxing Championship in 2018 and 2023 and World Boxing Congress in 2017.

Notes:
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, are developing a nanotechnology-based tool for early detection of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a rapidly growing neurological disorder in India, often diagnosed after significant neurodegeneration. The team focused on α-synuclein, a protein that changes from harmless to toxic forms, damaging brain cells. They created gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), ultrasmall particles coated with amino acids to selectively bind normal or toxic protein forms. The tool enables early-stage detection, improving treatment, quality of life, and reducing healthcare costs.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Maruti-Suzuki’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) “e VITARA” and lithium-ion battery production facility at Hansalpur, Ahmedabad district. He called the India–Japan partnership “Made for Each Other” and highlighted the pride of Made in India EVs exported to over 100 countries. The TDSG lithium-ion battery facility will produce hybrid battery electrodes, with 80% locally made, reducing import dependence. Maruti-Suzuki exports EVs, enhancing India-Japan ties and green mobility leadership.

Notes:
New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—appointed Dr. Rajiv Ranjan as Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for a five-year term. Ranjan started his career at Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1989 and was Executive Director and Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member since May 2022. NDB finances India’s infrastructure projects in transport, clean energy, water, sanitation, environmental protection, and digital infrastructure. India holds the largest NDB project portfolio in BRICS at $7.5 billion, second only to China.

Notes:
The 1020 Megawatt (MW) Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan has been fully completed with the final Unit 6 (170 MW) synchronized to the power grid. It is a 1 Gigawatt (GW) run-of-the-river hydro project located in Wangdue Phodrang district, Bhutan, on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River. The project was developed by Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project Authority under an Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) between Bhutan and India. It was funded by the Government of India with 30% grant and 70% loan at 10% annual interest, repayable in 30 semi-annual installments.

Notes:
Special Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Ajay Jain announced that the 41st Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Convention will be hosted by Andhra Pradesh in Visakhapatnam in 2026. The announcement was made during the 40th IATO annual convention held in Puri, Odisha from August 22 to 24, 2025. The three-day event followed the theme ‘Rejuvenate Inbound@2030’. Andhra Pradesh government has granted industry status to the tourism sector. Focus is on world-class infrastructure, including new airports, to boost tourism. All participants were invited to attend the 41st IATO Convention in Visakhapatnam in 2026.