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

Sahil Kini, a fintech expert and co-founder of Setu, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) in Bengaluru, succeeding Rajesh Bansal. Kini brings significant experience from his work at Setu, iSPIRIT Foundation, and firms like McKinsey and Aspada. He has contributed to key digital infrastructure projects such as Aadhaar and UPI. His leadership marks a new phase for RBIH, focusing on expanding innovation in digital finance, improving financial inclusion, and building partnerships. His appointment follows a competitive selection process, with over 400 applicants considered for the role, underlining the importance of this strategic position.

Tushar Kumar, a 23-year-old Labour Party councillor, was appointed as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in the United Kingdom, becoming the youngest Indian-origin individual to hold a mayoral office in British history. The appointment was confirmed during the Mayor Making Ceremony held in Hertfordshire. Previously serving as Deputy Mayor, Kumar succeeded outgoing Mayor Dan Ozarow. During his tenure, he plans to focus on youth empowerment and community participation while supporting local welfare initiatives. A graduate of King’s College London, he has also gained experience as a policy advisor and research analyst, highlighting his early achievements in public service and leadership.

The successful test-firing of the nuclear-capable Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles took place at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, on July 17, 2025. These tests were carried out under the Strategic Forces Command to validate India’s operational and technical readiness of its strategic missile systems. Odisha, home to critical defence infrastructure like the Chandipur testing range, plays a pivotal role in India’s missile development and deployment efforts. By conducting these tests in Odisha, India, not only demonstrated the reliability of its homegrown missile technology but also reinforced its strategic deterrence posture and rapid-response capabilities amid evolving regional security dynamics.

The 6th edition of Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0, an international debate competition organised by BIMTECH on April 9, 2026, saw participation from teams representing multiple countries. The competition revolved around the theme of prioritizing energy independence amid geopolitical uncertainty. Team LeBroom from IIM Rohtak secured the first position, outperforming other notable teams such as Team Magnus from FORE School of Management and Team Strategy from SRCC. This achievement highlights IIM Rohtak’s strong presence in academic and debate forums at both national and international levels.

Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods exported to the United States, effective from August 1, 2025. This move marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two countries. Trump justified the decision by citing India's high tariff barriers and ongoing military and energy ties with Russia during the Ukraine conflict. Alongside the tariff, a penalty was also announced for India's continued imports of Russian oil and weapons. The tariff decision followed a temporary 90-day suspension period and reflects growing geopolitical friction as well as trade-related disagreements between India and the US, potentially affecting key export sectors.

The RBI Digital Payments Index for September 2025 stood at 516.76, indicating significant growth in digital payment adoption across India. This increase from the previous value of 493.22 in March 2025 reflects improvements in key parameters such as Payment Performance and Payment Enablers. The index measures the extent of digitisation in the country and includes factors like infrastructure, transaction volume, and consumer centricity. A higher index value signifies deeper penetration of digital payment systems, showcasing India’s steady progress toward a less-cash and more transparent economy supported by robust digital infrastructure.

The first-ever ‘At Sea Observer Mission’ was launched by the QUAD grouping, which includes India, Japan, the United States, and Australia. This initiative, conducted aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, signifies a major step in strengthening maritime security, coordination, and interoperability among the four nations. The mission involved cross-embarkation of officers, including women, to observe and participate in shipboard operations. It supports the goals outlined in the Wilmington Declaration and the 2024 QUAD Leaders’ Summit, promoting a Free, Open, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific. The mission also aligns with broader regional strategies like India’s SAGAR and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

South Korea introduced its first humanoid robot monk named Gabi after it completed a traditional Buddhist precept ceremony at the Jogye Temple in Seoul on May 07, 2026. The initiative was organised by the Jogye Order to address the shortage of human monks and attract younger generations toward Buddhism through technology. Developed using China’s Unitree G1 platform, the robot was given symbolic Buddhist elements such as a rosary and a ceremonial burn sticker. Specially modified vows were also designed for the robot, including respecting life, avoiding deception, and saving energy. Gabi is expected to participate in religious and cultural events such as the Yeondeunghoe lantern festival.

Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR was launched by the United States to counter narco-terrorist networks operating across Latin America. The initiative is overseen by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which supervises a broad region covering South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The operation focuses on disrupting criminal organizations, dismantling drug-trafficking operations, and strengthening security partnerships throughout the Western Hemisphere. By targeting these transnational threats, the effort aims to safeguard regional stability and protect the U.S. homeland. The mission underscores the strategic importance of collaborative security measures and highlights ongoing efforts to confront complex criminal and terrorist networks operating across international borders.

Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), making her set to become Japan’s first-ever female Prime Minister. She secured victory in a runoff election against Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Takaichi’s election marks a historic moment in Japanese politics, as she breaks a long-standing gender barrier in the country’s top political office. Her leadership is expected to shape Japan’s domestic policies and international relations, while also inspiring greater representation of women in political and administrative leadership roles.

INS Guldar, a 1,120-ton Landing Ship Tank that served the Indian Navy until January 2024, is being converted into India’s first submerged naval museum off the coast of Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. The ₹46.91 crore project is backed by the Union Ministry of Tourism and aims to foster marine conservation, eco-tourism, and preserve naval heritage. By intentionally scuttling the vessel near Nivati Rocks, the initiative will also help create an artificial coral reef, promoting marine biodiversity and sustainable tourism. This project is a part of India’s larger efforts under the Blue Economy framework and supports environmentally conscious development.

New Delhi is the city where the ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme will be implemented to encourage citizens to assist seriously injured road accident victims. Under this initiative, individuals who ensure victims receive medical care within the crucial golden hour will be awarded ₹25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. The scheme also provides legal protection under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, addressing fears of police questioning or legal hassles. By combining financial incentives and legal safeguards, the government aims to promote timely intervention, compassion, and reduce fatalities caused by road accidents.

Chandigarh University secured government research grants worth ₹1.16 crore from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in May 2026. The funding supports two important research projects related to agriculture and healthcare. One project focuses on improving mustard and Brassica crop yields through beneficial soil microbes to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers. The second project aims at early detection of diabetic kidney disease using advanced metagenomic and bioinformatic analysis of gut microbiota. These initiatives highlight the growing importance of interdisciplinary scientific research in addressing agricultural sustainability and public health challenges in India.

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 was inaugurated at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi on 18 March 2026. The event was organized by TRIFED in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and witnessed participation from ministers and numerous tribal artisans. The festival showcases tribal culture through stalls, traditional cuisine, and live craft demonstrations. It also includes performances by hundreds of artists and hosts business conclaves to promote sustainable livelihoods and market access for tribal communities. The event highlights the integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern markets, supporting economic empowerment and cultural preservation.

Harbhajan Singh and Sujit Kumar Pradhan are scheduled to be posthumously awarded the United Nations Dag Hammarskjold Medal on May 29, 2026, in recognition of their distinguished service in UN peacekeeping missions. Harbhajan Singh served in MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Sujit Kumar Pradhan served in UNMISS in South Sudan. The award is presented on International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed annually on May 29, which commemorates the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is the highest posthumous honour for peacekeepers, named after the second UN Secretary-General, recognising those who sacrificed their lives in the service of global peace and security.

Bhubaneswar served as the venue for the National Deliberative Summit organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The event focused on enhancing data-driven governance by promoting interoperability and standardisation across states. Various states presented innovative approaches to data integration, while Odisha highlighted its Data Policy 2.0, aligned with national data protection laws. The summit also emphasised the importance of administrative data as an economic asset under the System of National Accounts 2025. Such initiatives are crucial for improving policymaking, ensuring transparency, and strengthening digital governance frameworks across India.

The 69th National School Games began in Jammu & Kashmir, organised by the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports of the region. The event brought together 30 teams representing different States and Union Territories, competing across six venues in various sports such as Football, Wushu, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis. The inauguration was carried out by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, highlighting Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to promoting youth sports and fostering national-level athletic talent.

The state government of Gujarat has allocated Rs 1,331 crore to develop Ahmedabad into an Olympic-ready city, supporting India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games. This funding is part of a broader sports and youth activities budget exceeding Rs 2,000 crore. A significant share of the investment will be directed toward infrastructure development at the SVP Sports Enclave located near the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The initiative also focuses on grassroots sports development through the ‘In-School’ programme, which trains more than 1.29 lakh children across 230 schools. These efforts aim to nurture young athletes and position Gujarat as a major international hub for sporting events and infrastructure.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) became the recipient of ISRO’s 100th technology transfer agreement, enabling it to independently manufacture Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). The agreement was signed with the involvement of ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe, marking a milestone in India’s space journey. Under the deal, HAL will receive training and support over 24 months to master SSLV production processes, technology integration, and flight preparedness. This initiative will help India strengthen its self-reliant space ecosystem while capturing opportunities in the rapidly expanding global small-satellite launch market. SSLVs, known for cost-effectiveness and quick turnaround, are crucial for future commercial missions.

Van Allen Probe A, part of NASA’s Van Allen Probes mission, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on March 11 after nearly 14 years since its launch in 2012. The mission was conducted by NASA and managed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The spacecraft studied the Van Allen radiation belts, which are regions of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field. One of the mission’s major discoveries was the identification of a temporary third radiation belt formed during intense solar activity. The data collected helps scientists understand space weather and its effects on satellites, astronauts, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.