Current Affairs Quiz – July 2025

Notes:
Recently, the first-ever Ladakh Astro Tourism Festival concluded in Leh, organised by the Tourism Department with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, to boost astro tourism and science tourism. The two-day festival aimed to promote Ladakh as a top destination for astro tourism because of its high altitude, dry weather, low light pollution, and clear skies, perfect for stargazing and observing the Milky Way.

Notes:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) National Indicator Framework Progress Report 2025 on the 19th Statistics Day. The report shows India’s progress on 284 indicators across 17 SDG goals. Maternal and child health, education, poverty reduction, and climate change efforts have improved since 2015–16. Social protection coverage rose to 64.3% in 2025 from 22% in 2016. Senior citizen assistance rose to 1,57,000 in 2023–24 from 23,000 in 2015. Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture per worker rose to ₹94,110 in 2024–25 from ₹61,247 in 2015–16.

Notes:
Recently, the Union government ordered fast-tracking of 52 surveillance satellites under the Space-Based Surveillance-III (SBS-III) programme. The SBS-III was approved in October 2023 by the Cabinet Committee on Security led by the Prime Minister. It plans 21 satellites by Indian Space Research Organisation and 31 by private companies. The first launch is due by April 2026, with the full network ready by 2029. The Defence Space Agency under Integrated Defence Staff leads this project and coordinates with Indian Space Research Organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the armed forces for space security.

Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launched the WAVEX Startup Challenge 2025 under its WaveX startup accelerator program. The challenge is titled BhashaSetu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat. It is a national hackathon to build Artificial Intelligence-based multilingual translation tools for at least 12 major Indian languages. WaveX is a startup accelerator under the Ministry’s WAVES initiative to promote innovation in media, entertainment, and language technology.

Notes:
Recently, the ‘Raj Bhavan Annadhan’ scheme was launched in Goa by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The scheme is an initiative by Governor Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. Under this scheme, the Governor will donate his book royalties to support the cause. On the occasion, financial help from the Governor’s Discretionary Funds was given to around 40 patients suffering from cancer and undergoing dialysis. Each patient received ₹25,000 as assistance under this program.

Notes:
Recently, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh approved a ₹1,894-crore plan for the Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. This supports the state’s goal to become India’s textile powerhouse. The PM MITRA Scheme aims to strengthen the Indian textile industry by enabling larger-scale operations. It seeks to reduce logistics costs by housing the entire value chain at one location.

Notes:
Recently, botanists discovered a new species in Assam called Garciniakusumae. Garciniakusumae belongs to the Garcinia genus, known as thoikora in Assamese. It is a dioecious evergreen tree growing up to 18 metres tall. The tree flowers from February to April and bears fruit from May to June. The fruit is used culturally and medicinally in Assam. Its sun-dried pulp is made into a sherbet to prevent heat stroke and quench thirst.

Notes:
Municipal corporations of Lucknow, Pune, and Indore were awarded as best-performing Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) at the first National Level Conference of ULBs in Gurugram, Haryana. Urban Local Body means local government institutions managing urban areas. Lucknow showcased e-vehicles for waste collection, big waste processing plants, and converting dumping sites into inspirational points. Lucknow also developed urban forests using the Miyawaki method and built eco-tourism parks like Mango Museum Park. Pune showed ward-level waste collection, biogas plants for power, slum redevelopment, Triple R centres for reusable items, and a “tree ambulance” service.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, recently launched the BHARAT study under its Longevity India Program. BHARAT stands for Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity, and Transitions. The study aims to map physiological, molecular, and environmental indicators that drive ageing in Indians. It will build India’s first comprehensive ageing database. It includes multiparametric analysis, advanced clinical assessment, and lifestyle factors. It will identify biomarkers for healthy ageing and set the Bharat Baseline for normal health values in India.

Notes:
Recently, India’s first transgender-led health clinic reopened in Hyderabad as Sabrang Clinic with fresh funding from Tata Trusts. It was earlier known as Mitr Clinic and had shut down after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) froze its funding. Sabrang Clinic is fully managed and staffed by transgender individuals. It offers gender-affirming care, HIV/AIDS treatment, mental health services, and general healthcare. The clinic ensures a stigma-free and inclusive environment for transgender patients.