Current Affairs Quiz – July 2025

Notes:
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) recently granted an operating licence for two indigenous 700 megawatt electric (MWe) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is India’s top nuclear and radiation safety regulator. Its mission is to ensure nuclear energy and ionising radiation do not harm people or the environment. Its headquarters is in Mumbai.

Notes:
The Odisha government recently invited bids to build a high-level bridge over the Mahanadi River near Satkosia Tiger Reserve, raising ecological concerns. Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in Odisha across Angul, Cuttack, Boudh, Nayagarh districts. It includes Baisipalli Sanctuary and Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. It is part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve. Satkosia lies at the junction of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions.

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The Rajasthan government launched the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Poverty-Free Village Scheme to uplift rural Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. In the first phase, 5,000 villages have been selected with an allocation of ₹300 crore for financial support. The scheme aims to boost economic empowerment and transform the rural social and economic landscape. Families who moved above the poverty line on their own will get a ₹21,000 incentive. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight, 22,400 verified bank accounts are targeted for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), Delhi, have recently used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to boost phosphate uptake in japonica rice varieties. CRISPR-Cas9 is a modern gene-editing tool used to precisely modify plant traits. Japonica rice is one of the two major eco-geographical races of Oryza sativa, the other being Indica. It is mainly grown in northern and eastern China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Japonica has short to medium grains, which are thick, sticky, and harder than regular white rice.

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Thousands of devotees recently witnessed the grand consecration of the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur after 16 years. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is located in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan and the only one situated on the seashore. The temple faces the Bay of Bengal and is touched by waves from the Gulf of Mannar. It is over 2,000 years old and showcases beautiful Tamil architecture.

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Irkabhatti village in Narayanpur district, Bastar division, once lacked basic facilities due to Maoist insurgency. Recently, the Chhattisgarh government improved the situation through the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme. ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ means “your good village” in the local Dandami dialect of south Bastar. It is a Chhattisgarh government initiative for welfare in Naxal-affected villages. The scheme focuses on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). It provides housing, healthcare, water, electricity, roads, and education.

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Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) is expected to be operational by 2027 as recently announced by the Union Minister. It is a joint initiative by India and Myanmar to boost cargo transport between Eastern Ports of India and India’s North-Eastern Region (NER) via Myanmar. The project provides a multi-modal transportation system using both waterways and roadways. The framework agreement for Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project was signed in 2008.

Notes:
On 7th July 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, launched a Specialised Training Program in Cancer Care for BIMSTEC countries at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai. The initiative was earlier announced by the Prime Minister during the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit. Participants from BIMSTEC countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal are attending the program. The training aims to address rising cancer cases and disparities in quality cancer care across the region. It seeks to build capacity, enhance skills, and foster collaboration and research among BIMSTEC nations.

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Recently, Punjab government launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’ (MMSY) promising free and cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh per year. It aims to benefit around 3 crore permanent residents of Punjab, including government employees and pensioners. Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana health cards will be issued to eligible residents. Free treatment will be provided in all empanelled government and private hospitals. The scheme ensures best quality medical care at zero cost to patients.

Notes:
National Fish Farmers day is observed every year on 10 July. Recently, the Department of Fisheries under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) announced that National Fish Farmers Day 2025 is celebrated on 10 July at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar. The day commemorates the 1957 achievement of Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and Dr. K. H. Alikunhi in induced breeding of Indian Major Carps using hypophysation. It recognises fish farmers for enhancing food security, rural employment, and sustainable aquaculture. India’s fish production rose by 104% from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14 to 195 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25.