Current Affairs Quiz – July 2025

Notes:
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) received the National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025. The award was given for its excellent use of open-source spatial technologies. It was presented during the Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) Day (Edition 02) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The award was handed over by the former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), A.S. Kiran Kumar. This recognition highlights INCOIS’s contribution to geospatial innovation and open-source solutions in ocean services.

Notes:
Recently, India successfully destroyed two Aerial High-Speed Unmanned targets in Ladakh using Akash Prime missile. Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash surface-to-air missile system designed for high-altitude use. It is a medium-range missile meant to defend mobile, semi-mobile, and static military assets from aerial threats. It features an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker for precise target tracking in the final flight phase. It can target threats at a range of 25 to 30 kilometers.

Notes:
Chinese researchers recently created an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system that can make sucrose from methanol. Methanol used in the process is produced from industrial waste or carbon dioxide (CO2). This method shows a new way to convert CO2 into food and useful chemicals. It helps in solving environmental problems and food shortages caused by growing population. Biotransformation means changing a substance using biological agents like enzymes. When this change happens outside the living body, it is called in vitro biotransformation (ivBT). The system uses isolated enzymes or cells for the chemical change.

Notes:
The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) confirmed that India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 30 to November 27. This marks the second time India is hosting the World Cup after 2002 in Hyderabad. The event will feature 206 players in a knockout format, competing for qualification spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. In 2002, Viswanathan Anand won the title when India first hosted the event.

Notes:
The National Cybersecurity Exercise – Bharat NCX 2025 was officially inaugurated on July 21, 2025. It was launched by Deputy National Security Advisor T. V. Ravichandran at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), with Vice Chancellor Bimal N. Patel present. The event is organised by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in collaboration with RRU. The theme is “Enhancing the Operational Preparedness of Indian Cyberspace.” It brings together cybersecurity experts, defence forces, policymakers, and industry leaders for a two-week national cyber drill. It simulates real-world threats like critical infrastructure attacks, deepfakes, API flaws, and autonomous malware.

Notes:
Bihar has become the first Indian state to ensure that all polling stations have fewer than 1,200 electors. This move is aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving voter convenience during elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) added 12,817 new polling stations in Bihar. The total number of polling stations has increased from 77,895 to 90,712. This follows the State Instructional Representation (SIR) order issued on June 24, 2025. The SIR order revised the voter limit per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200. This model may serve as a guideline for other states and Union Territories.

Notes:
Recently, the Tamil Nadu government announced the development of Chola Gangam Lake. The lake is also known as Ponneri Lake, meaning “Golden Lake.” It is located in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu. It was built by Rajendra Chola I in Gangaikondacholapuram, his newly established capital. Gangaikondacholapuram was founded to commemorate his victorious northern campaign. Rajendra Chola I had conquered the Gangetic plains during this campaign.

Notes:
Tanzania’s Vision 2050 was recently launched to address the climate crisis affecting the Great Ruaha River. The river is drying due to climate change and mismanagement, threatening agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods. The plan focuses on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and fair land governance to restore the river’s health. Great Ruaha River is a major river in south-central Tanzania and a vital water source. It flows northeast through the Usangu wetlands, crosses the Usangu plains important for farming and livestock, and passes through Ruaha National Park.

Notes:
Pune district in Maharashtra has been declared an affected area due to rising Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) cases in cattle. As of now, 906 cattle are infected, with 591 recovered and 15 deaths reported. Pune has over 8.46 lakh cattle as per the 20th Livestock Census and is a major milk producer. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a highly infectious viral disease affecting all breeds of cattle and water buffalo. It is caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), belonging to the genus Capripoxvirus (CaPV) under the family Poxviridae.

Notes:
The United Kingdom (UK) has opened its final 2025 visa ballot under the India Young Professionals Scheme for Indians aged 18–30 to live, work, or study in the UK for two years. The scheme was part of the India-UK Migration and Mobility Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2021 and announced during the G20 summit in Bali. It was officially launched in February 2023. It allows Indian citizens aged 18–30 with a bachelor’s degree or higher to live and work in the UK for up to two years.