Current Affairs Quiz – July 2025

Notes:
Recently, a report highlighted that the leopard population in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) has increased by 198.91% since 2022. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is located on the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur-Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. It comprises Dudhwa National Park and two wildlife sanctuaries—Kishanpur and Katerniaghat—along with forest areas of North Kheri, South Kheri, and Shahjahanpur in its buffer zone. The reserve lies in the Tarai-Bhabar habitat of the Upper Gangetic Plains Biogeographic Province.

Notes:
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Namibia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. The award recognises his contributions to strengthening India-Namibia bilateral relations. This is the 27th international award received by PM Modi and the 4th during his current tour.

Notes:
Recently, at the INSPIRE Health Systems Forum in Manila, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Universal Health Coverage Practitioners and Experts Knowledge Exchange and Resources (UHC PEERS) network. The launch was led by ADB President Masato Kanda, with participation from health ministers and officials from more than 25 countries. The UHC PEERS network is a peer-to-peer learning platform for sharing best practices and collaboration among countries. It focuses on health financing reform, primary healthcare innovations, inclusion of underserved communities, and private sector engagement.

Notes:
Recently, 11 people died and several vehicles fell into the Mahisagar (Mahi) River after the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge collapsed in Padra taluka, Vadodara district, Gujarat. The Mahi River is one of the major west-flowing interstate rivers of India. It flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The river is also known as “Mahisagar” due to its vast size. It originates from the northern slopes of the Vindhya Mountains in Madhya Pradesh at around 500 meters above sea level.

Notes:
Recently, Hindustan Shipyard Limited delivered the ‘Nistar’ vessel to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. ‘Nistar’ is the first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel of India. The name ‘Nistar’ comes from Sanskrit, meaning liberation, rescue, or salvation. It has been constructed under the rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The ship can perform Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations, a rare capability globally. It will act as the Mother Ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) to rescue submarine personnel in emergencies.

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.

Notes:
A rare partially white laughing dove was recently seen in Nagamalai hillock forest near Nambiyur in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Laughing Dove is a small pigeon also known as little brown dove, laughing turtle dove, palm dove, and Senegal dove. It is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It lives in dry scrub and semi-desert areas and feeds on the ground.

Notes:
Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its Frontier Report 2025 titled “The Weight of Time” on July 10, 2025. The report highlights the rising vulnerability of older adults to extreme weather, especially in urban areas and low- to middle-income countries. In India, people aged 65 and above experienced 2.1 to 4 more heatwave days per year between 1986–2005 and 2013–2022. The report warns that heat-related deaths in the elderly may rise by 370% by mid-century. The report calls for urban greenery, weather monitoring, disaster risk management, and community support systems.

Notes:
Recently, on July 10, 2025, the Indian and Greek navies conducted a joint Passing Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Mumbai to boost maritime interoperability and combat readiness. The Indian Navy deployed INS Tarkash, a stealth frigate, while the Hellenic Navy participated with HS Psara. Both navies validated communication procedures and shared best operational practices. The PASSEX is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance global naval cooperation, joint response capability, and maritime security.

Notes:
Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched Operation Fire Trail and seized Chinese firecrackers worth ₹35 crore. The illegal goods were found in seven containers at Nhava Sheva Port (Mumbai), Mundra Port, and Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) in Gujarat. The total weight of the seized firecrackers was 100 metric tonnes. They were illicitly imported using false declarations as mini decorative plants, artificial flowers, and plastic mats.