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

Indian Bank implemented two major customer-friendly reforms in July 2025. First, it eliminated penalties for not maintaining a minimum balance in savings accounts starting July 7, helping to expand financial access for students, senior citizens, rural families, and small business owners. Second, Indian Bank reduced its one-year Marginal Cost of Funds-Based Lending Rate (MCLR) by 5 basis points, bringing it down to 9%, effective July 3, 2025. This cut in lending rates means borrowers will benefit from slightly lower interest costs on new loans. Both measures reflect the bank’s effort to promote financial inclusion and make banking more accessible and affordable.

The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the qualifying asset threshold for NBFC-MFIs from 75% to 60%. This change allows NBFC-MFIs to diversify their loan portfolio, freeing up 15% of asset space. The move is expected to provide operational flexibility, balance sheet stability, and better cross-cycle earnings, ultimately enhancing service delivery to poor households and enabling MFIs to customize financial products for low-income and underserved segments.

The Indian Patents Act, of 1970, includes provisions for compulsory licensing under Section 84, allowing the government or third parties to produce patented drugs without the patent owner's consent under specific conditions. This is particularly crucial for making life-saving medicines accessible and affordable for rare disease patients. The Act balances patent protection with public health needs, ensuring that intellectual property rights do not hinder essential medical access. Recent demands by rare disease patients highlight the ongoing relevance of this legal provision in addressing healthcare affordability in India.

The Supreme Court exercised its extraordinary constitutional powers under Article 142 to ensure complete justice while issuing an interim stay on the UGC Regulations, 2026. Since the earlier 2012 Regulations had already been repealed, the Court relied on Article 142 to prevent a regulatory vacuum by directing that the 2012 framework would continue until further orders. This provision empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary for doing complete justice in matters before it, even if such directions go beyond existing statutory provisions, reinforcing its role as the final constitutional arbiter.

Nvidia has unveiled a historic $500 billion investment plan to set up AI chip manufacturing within the United States, marking a significant shift in the company's strategy. Traditionally dependent on Asian manufacturing, especially in Taiwan, this move signals Nvidia's commitment to boosting domestic tech production and supporting AI infrastructure. The investment is backed by the Trump administration and aims to make the U.S. a global leader in AI technology while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. This is also a step toward creating large-scale employment and reinforcing the national tech industry.

The Indian Air Force carried out its first international air exercise of 2026 with Thailand, specifically with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The joint drills were conducted near the strategically significant Strait of Malacca, a key maritime chokepoint handling nearly one-quarter of global seaborne trade and a substantial share of global energy shipments. The exercise featured IAF’s Su-30MKI fighters alongside Thailand’s Gripen aircraft and focused on advanced aerial combat, mid-air refuelling, surveillance integration, and maritime domain awareness. The engagement strengthens Indo-Thai defence cooperation and enhances India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme, with an outlay of ₹4,200 crore, has been introduced to enhance the quality, equity, and governance of technical education in India. Covering 275 institutions—175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnics—the scheme will be implemented from 2025 to 2030 with support from the World Bank. Its focus is on boosting research, innovation, and employability skills through the establishment of research hubs, industry-academia collaborations, and modernised curricula. Additionally, MERITE aims to strengthen governance, promote multidisciplinary learning, and prepare institutions for digital transformation, benefiting over 7.5 lakh students nationwide.

Brazil has put forward a significant proposal to establish a Global Climate Council under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This initiative comes in anticipation of COP30, which is scheduled to be held in November 2025 in Belem, a city in northern Brazil. The proposed council aims to accelerate international cooperation and coordinated action on climate change. By taking this proactive step, Brazil is positioning itself as a leader in global environmental governance and pushing for a more structured and accountable approach to tackling climate issues on the world stage.

Peru has declared a 30-day state of emergency in its capital, Lima, and the nearby province of Callao in response to increasing crime rates and violent protests. President José Jeri authorised the deployment of the Peruvian Armed Forces alongside the police to maintain public order and restore safety. The emergency allows temporary suspension of certain civil liberties, such as freedom of movement and assembly, and grants broader powers for law enforcement operations. This decisive measure reflects the government’s intent to tackle escalating insecurity, gang violence, and growing public dissatisfaction with the state’s handling of urban crime.

The National Camel Sustainability Initiative (NCSI) is being launched by India through the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The initiative aims to address the concerning decline in the camel population across the country, especially in the traditional camel-rearing regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. With nearly 90% of India’s camels found in these two states, the program focuses on conservation, sustainable management, and livelihood support for herders to ensure the long-term survival and welfare of the species.

India’s sovereign credit rating was upgraded to BBB+ by Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I), a well-known credit rating agency based in Japan. The upgrade reflects growing confidence in India’s strong domestic demand, prudent fiscal management, and external stability. This marks the third upgrade India has received in 2025, following earlier positive revisions by Morningstar DBRS and S&P Global Ratings. R&I also acknowledged India’s ongoing structural reforms, such as the two-tier GST system and infrastructure expansion. The move strengthens India’s global investment appeal while reinforcing Japan’s role in recognizing India’s growing economic resilience and potential on the world stage.

The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was signed in the year 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank, marking a rare example of cooperation between India and Pakistan despite their otherwise strained relations. The treaty allocated specific rivers from the Indus basin to each country and established mechanisms for information sharing, conflict resolution, and joint oversight. Its termination in recent developments underscores a dramatic shift in India's diplomatic and strategic approach. Ending such a long-standing agreement not only disrupts regional water cooperation but also signals India's intent to assert hydro-sovereignty amid growing tensions with Pakistan.

The Heat Action Plan 2025 was introduced by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, to tackle rising temperatures and heatwaves. As part of this initiative, 3,000 cold water ATMs will be installed across the city to provide public access to chilled drinking water. Additionally, 1,800 trained disaster response volunteers, called 'Aapda Mitras', will be mobilized to support communities during heat emergencies. These measures highlight a comprehensive approach by the Delhi government to ensure public safety and preparedness during extreme weather events.

2035 is the target year set under NITI Aayog’s draft clean energy blueprint to transform Andhra Pradesh into a major renewable energy hub. The long-term roadmap focuses on large-scale expansion of solar and wind power, energy storage systems, and grid modernisation. Massive investments from private players are expected to support this transition while ensuring affordable electricity for consumers. By aligning energy planning with industrial growth and sustainability goals, the plan positions Andhra Pradesh as both a domestic clean power leader and a renewable energy export hub, contributing significantly to India’s broader energy transition objectives.

Bengaluru introduced two key initiatives aimed at improving urban water access. The 'Sanchari Cauvery' system uses GPS-tracked water tankers to deliver clean drinking water within 24 hours of booking through a mobile app, promoting transparency and affordability. In addition, the 'Sarala Cauvery' initiative streamlines the process of acquiring new water connections, allowing payment in instalments to ease the financial burden on poor and middle-class urban families. These steps reflect the city’s commitment to addressing water accessibility challenges through technology and inclusive planning.

Sanand is the city where Micron Semiconductor Technology India Pvt Ltd established its first Assembly, Test, Mark & Pack (ATMP) facility in India. The plant was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and marks the beginning of commercial production of made-in-India semiconductor memory modules. With an investment exceeding ₹22,500 crore, the project is a major milestone under the India Semiconductor Mission. The facility includes around 500,000 square feet of cleanroom space and is designed to process imported DRAM and NAND wafers into finished memory products, strengthening India’s role in the global semiconductor value chain.

India secured the 5th position overall at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Ningbo, China. This performance was highlighted by Esha Singh’s gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event and Meghana Sajjanar’s first World Cup medal, a bronze in the women’s 10m air rifle. Despite strong individual performances, India ranked behind China, USA, Norway, and Italy in the overall medal standings. China dominated the competition with a massive haul of 41 medals, including 16 gold. India’s 5th place finish showcased the growing strength of its shooting contingent on the global stage.

Chennai has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian city to fully implement a Real-Time Flood Forecasting and Spatial Decision Support System (RTFF & SDSS) in October 2025. This initiative enhances the city’s ability to predict and manage floods with greater accuracy, thereby improving disaster preparedness and resilience against climate-induced challenges. Funded through the World Bank’s Project Development Grant Fund (PDGF), the system integrates weather data, river flow patterns, and urban drainage models. It positions Chennai as a pioneering example of how technology can strengthen urban flood management and protect vulnerable communities.

Kerala is facing a serious threat to its rubber plantations due to an infestation of the ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus), an invasive pest originally from Central and South America. These beetles introduce harmful fungi, including Fusarium ambrosia and Fusarium solani, into the trees, disrupting water flow and reducing latex output. The mutualistic relationship between the beetles and fungi causes extensive internal damage to the trees, making recovery nearly impossible. As rubber farming is vital to Kerala's economy, the infestation poses a significant agricultural and financial risk. The situation calls for targeted, region-specific management strategies and early detection systems.

In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a historic milestone by delivering his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort. This achievement allowed him to surpass Indira Gandhi’s record of 11 consecutive speeches, making him the second-longest continuous speaker after Jawaharlal Nehru, who holds the record with 17. Modi’s streak began in 2014 and has continued uninterrupted for 12 years, reflecting both his political dominance and electoral success across three Lok Sabha terms. The Independence Day address is a significant tradition, where the Prime Minister outlines national priorities, achievements, and future goals to the people of India.