Current Affairs Quiz – July 2025

Notes:
Recently, a caracal was spotted in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, after 20 years. This is a rare and significant sighting of the threatened wild cat species in the state. Caracal is a medium-sized wildcat scientifically known as Caracal caracal. It is often called the desert lynx but is more closely related to the African golden cat and serval. In India, it is locally known as siya gosh, a Persian term meaning “black ear”. It prefers habitats like savannas, semi-deserts, dry woodlands, and arid mountains.

Notes:
Recently, on July 14, 2025, Yakten village in Pakyong district, Sikkim was officially declared India’s first digital nomad village. It was launched under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ initiative, a collaboration between the district administration and NGO Sarvahitey. The project aims to attract digital professionals from India and abroad to work remotely in Sikkim. It focuses on providing sustainable income to homestay owners, especially during the six-month off-season from April-May.

Notes:
The Indian Army conducted an exercise titled ‘Prachand Shakti’ in Meerut on Monday to showcase advanced military technologies. It was organized by the Charging RAM Division at the Kharga Corps Field Training Area. The demo focused on enhancing agility, lethality, and survivability of infantry in deep offensive operations by strike corps. The event was part of the Army’s ‘Year of Tech Absorption’ initiative.

Notes:
Kerala has emerged as the top state in India for new faunal discoveries in 2024, with 101 species, as per a new report by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The ZSI documented a record-breaking 683 species and subspecies in 2024, the highest ever in a single year since 2008. The report Animal Discoveries: New Species and New Records 2024 was released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during ZSI’s 110th anniversary in Kolkata. Of the 683 species, 459 are new to science globally, and 224 are recorded for the first time in India. Karnataka (82), Arunachal Pradesh (72), Tamil Nadu (63), and West Bengal (56) followed Kerala in discoveries.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh launched the Gram-Urja model to promote energy self-sufficiency and rural employment. The scheme aims to cut Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage by 70% in rural kitchens. It is linked with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to benefit rural farmers. Biogas units will be set up near homes or farms to generate cooking gas and organic fertiliser. Personal cattle sheds will be built; dung from cattle will be used for biogas production.

Notes:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge, India’s second longest cable-stayed bridge, in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. The bridge spans 2.44 km across the Sharavathi backwaters and is 16 meters wide. It connects Sagara and Marakutika, and is named after Goddess Chowdeshwari Devi. It reduces travel time and distance for devotees and locals visiting Sigandur from Sagara. The region lost connectivity after the Linganamakki dam was built in the 1960s.

Notes:
On July 14, 2025, Israel launched its first fully government-funded and domestically built communications satellite, Dror-1, from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Dror-1 is Israel’s most advanced geostationary satellite, built 100% with local technologies to ensure strategic independence. It weighs 4.5 tonnes, spans 17.8 metres, and will serve Israel’s communication needs for the next 15 years. The satellite orbits 36,000 km above Earth, maintaining constant coverage over Israel and nearby regions.

Notes:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day is celebrated on 16 July. The day highlights India’s growing leadership in the global AI landscape. AI is bringing transformation in healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and industries from cities to villages. India’s AI journey began in the 1960s and took a major leap in 1986 with the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems project. The day is also a reminder to use AI ethically and ensure inclusion, equity, and better lives for all.

Notes:
Machilipatnam is seeing a revival as nearly 48% work on the new Greenfield port at Manginapudi is completed. Machilipatnam, also called Masulipatnam, is a coastal city in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. It lies on the southeastern Coromandel Coast of India. In medieval times, it was a major port and global trading hub. Traders from different countries visited this vibrant town for commerce. The city is also known for its traditional handloom industry.

Notes:
India virtually hosted the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise from July 14–15, 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It was conducted by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India as a Tabletop Exercise. Disaster management professionals from all BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Member States participated. The exercise focused on improving regional preparedness for cyclones and floods. The exercise aimed to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness, response, and resilience across the Bay of Bengal region.