Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random (Last 12 months)

The Global Spiritual Conclave was held in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, with the objective of promoting spiritual tourism, preserving cultural heritage, and encouraging dialogue on responsible hospitality. Organised by the Tourism Department with support from the Ministry of Tourism, the event was inaugurated by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Ujjain, being one of India’s most significant spiritual and cultural centers, was chosen as the venue to highlight its heritage and potential as a global hub for spiritual tourism, making the conclave an important step in strengthening India’s cultural tourism landscape.

Karthik Narain, a seasoned technology leader and former Accenture Chief Technology Officer, has been appointed as the Chief Product and Business Officer at Google Cloud. With over 25 years of experience in cloud, AI, and enterprise transformation, Narain brings deep industry expertise to one of the world’s most competitive cloud ecosystems. In his new role, he will oversee product, engineering, and go-to-market strategies, helping Google Cloud expand its global presence and AI-driven enterprise offerings. His appointment strengthens Thomas Kurian’s leadership team and reinforces Google’s strategic push to accelerate innovation and compete effectively with AWS and Microsoft Azure in the enterprise cloud market.

MILMEDICON 2025, an international conference on military medicine, was inaugurated by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on 28 August 2025 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Organised by the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army), the event focused on advanced trauma care, AI in military medicine, and the centenary of the Military Nursing Service. The conference served as a global platform, attracting participation from more than 15 countries, where experts discussed innovations in battlefield medicine, women’s evolving role in combat healthcare, and emergency medical strategies. Hosting the event in New Delhi highlighted India’s commitment to advancing military healthcare and fostering international collaboration.

The World Bank has adjusted its projection for India’s GDP growth for the fiscal year 2025-26, lowering it from an earlier estimate of 6.7% to 6.3%. This downgrade is attributed to various factors, including weaker private investment and a reduction in public capital expenditure. Additionally, broader regional economic struggles in South Asia, influenced by political and financial instability in neighbouring countries, have contributed to this more cautious outlook. The revision reflects growing concerns about both global and domestic economic environments impacting India’s near-term growth potential.

International Mine Awareness Day is observed annually on April 4 to raise awareness about the dangers posed by landmines and to promote global efforts for their removal. The day highlights the significant impact of landmines on civilian populations, particularly in war-affected regions. It also emphasizes the importance of demining activities, victim assistance, and the adoption of new technologies to address this issue. The theme for 2025, "Safe Futures Start Here," underscores the need for a landmine-free world, with support from the United Nations and various international organizations.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is set to revise the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act to officially recognize crypto assets as legal financial products. This move aims to bring crypto under the purview of insider trading laws, ensuring the protection against the misuse of confidential information. A related bill is expected to be presented to Parliament by 2026 for formal implementation, highlighting Japan's proactive stance in regulating the crypto industry.

Oman has announced its ambitious plan to attract one million Indian tourists annually, building on the 700,000 visitors from India in 2024. This initiative highlights the nation’s strategy to strengthen cultural and economic ties with India while diversifying its economy beyond oil revenues under Vision 2040. Recognising India as a priority market, Oman is focusing on high-value tourism segments such as luxury travel, destination weddings, MICE events, and adventure tourism. To support this, Oman has improved visa policies, enhanced air connectivity with major Indian cities, and launched promotional campaigns like ‘Focus Oman,’ showcasing its natural landscapes and cultural heritage.

Sri Lanka launched five Sinhala-translated Jataka Tales books. These books were unveiled on Nawam Poya Day by Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thero and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr Satyanjal Pandey. The event also included the distribution of 5,000 copies of the books to Dhamma schools, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage. The initiative reflects a significant cultural collaboration between Sri Lanka and India, supported by the publication of Amar Chitra Katha.

Turkey has been chosen to host COP31 in 2026 following a diplomatic compromise with Australia that resolved a long-standing dispute over the hosting rights. Under this arrangement, Turkey will oversee the logistical responsibilities and hold the summit’s Presidency, while Australia will take charge of leading intergovernmental negotiations. This decision helps maintain the continuity of global climate discussions during a crucial period when the world is focusing on strengthening climate finance, advancing adaptation mechanisms, supporting vulnerable island nations, and keeping the 1.5°C climate target within reach. The agreement also demonstrates how collaborative diplomacy can prevent procedural deadlocks in major international forums.

The 2nd Session of the IALA Council took place in Nice, France, with India participating as the Vice President of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA). The IALA Council serves as the principal decision-making body for global standards on marine navigation aids. While this session was held in France, the upcoming 3rd IALA General Assembly in December 2025 will be hosted in Mumbai, India, reflecting India's growing role in maritime governance and international cooperation on navigational safety.

The Union Cabinet has approved a significant increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2026‑27 marketing season. This move aims to provide better returns to farmers, encourage crop diversification, and ensure profitability in farming. Safflower received the highest MSP hike, followed by wheat, gram, lentil, rapeseed, mustard, and barley. Alongside this, the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses was launched to boost domestic pulse production. By raising MSPs for Rabi crops, the government seeks to stabilise farmers’ income, incentivise production, and reduce dependency on imports.

The 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) is scheduled to take place in Chandigarh from 6 to 9 December 2025. The festival, organised under the theme “Vigyan se Samruddhi: For Atma Nirbhar Bharat,” serves as India’s flagship science outreach initiative. IISF brings together scientists, students, innovators, and the public to foster scientific awareness, collaboration, and innovation. First organised in 2015, the festival highlights India’s commitment to promoting scientific temper and engaging communities in science-led discussions, activities, and exhibitions, making Chandigarh the host city for this major national event.

Zubeen Garg, one of India’s most versatile and celebrated musicians, was an icon of Assam and the greater Northeast. Born in 1972, he built an extraordinary career spanning over three decades, with more than 38,000 songs recorded across 40 languages. He gained national recognition through the Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006), but his contribution to Assamese music and culture was unparalleled. Beyond singing, he was also a composer, actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. His sudden passing in Singapore at age 52 left a deep void in Indian music. Leaders and fans across the country paid heartfelt tributes, acknowledging his role in carrying Assam’s cultural legacy to the national and global stage.

Linthoi Chanambam, a 19-year-old judoka, created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the Judo Junior World Championships held in Lima, Peru. She earned a bronze medal in the women’s 63 kg category after defeating Joni Geilen of the Netherlands. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian judo, showcasing the country’s growing presence in international martial arts competitions and inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence in the sport through determination and discipline.

The International Conference on “Libraries Empowering Communities – Global Perspectives” was organised at Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram on November 2–3, 2025, commemorating 80 years of Kerala’s library movement initiated by the P. N. Panicker Foundation. The event gathered librarians, policymakers, and global experts to discuss the evolving role of libraries in promoting literacy and access to knowledge. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted libraries as “temples of learning,” emphasizing their importance in fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and combating misinformation in the modern age of technology and information overload.

Karnataka has been declared ‘Naxal-free’ after the surrender of its last active Naxalite, Lakshmi, in Udupi. She qualifies for a ₹7 lakh surrender package under the ‘A’ category, which includes benefits for rehabilitation. The surrender committee reported a total of 22 Naxal surrenders in 2025 and recommended dismissing cases to help reintegrate former Naxalites into society. This milestone marks a significant achievement in restoring peace and stability in the state.

Karnataka has approved a 5% hike in the housing quota for religious minorities, raising it from 10% to 15%. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, aiming to provide equitable housing access and reduce the number of vacant government-constructed homes, particularly in urban areas like Bengaluru. The move is framed as a step toward social justice for economically disadvantaged minority communities. While the decision has triggered a political backlash, particularly from the BJP, the state government maintains that it addresses a real need based on data and guidelines indicating a housing shortage among minorities.

The Warangal Chapata Chilli, also known as Tomato Chilli, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique qualities and regional significance in Telangana. This GI tag is expected to benefit around 20,000 farmers in the Warangal region by enhancing their income and boosting demand in domestic and international markets. The chilli is known for its bright red colour, mild pungency, and use as a natural colouring agent. Its cultivation has been a part of Telangana’s agricultural heritage for over 80 years, making it a valuable product for the state’s economy.

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) was designed as the first instrument to directly measure temperatures near the moon’s south pole. Integrated into the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3, it utilized a rotation-based deployment mechanism, which allowed it to penetrate the lunar soil effectively—up to 10 cm. Equipped with multiple temperature sensors, ChaSTE recorded variations in thermal properties at different depths. Unlike past missions like NASA’s InSight or ESA’s Philae, which failed due to deployment issues, ChaSTE’s innovative design ensured accurate in situ measurements. These findings are essential for understanding lunar thermodynamics and planning future missions, especially those aimed at human settlement.

Baikonur Cosmodrome is located in Kazakhstan and has been operated by Russia since the Soviet era under a long-term lease agreement. Russia pays $115 million annually to Kazakhstan for its usage, and the lease has been extended until 2050. This location remains central to Russia's space missions due to its established infrastructure and strategic value. Despite the rise of other launch platforms globally, Baikonur continues to host important missions like the Soyuz MS-27. Its role also reflects ongoing scientific diplomacy, as space exploration remains one of the few areas of cooperation between Russia and the U.S., even amidst broader geopolitical tensions.