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

Hardeep Singh Brar has been named the new President and CEO of BMW Group India, with his appointment taking effect from 1 September 2025. He will succeed Vikram Pawah, who is transitioning to lead BMW’s operations in Australia and New Zealand. With over three decades of experience in the Indian automotive industry, Hardeep Singh brings deep expertise in sales, marketing, and business strategy. His leadership is expected to further BMW’s growth in the Indian market, which is becoming increasingly important for the company's global expansion, especially in areas like electric mobility and premium automotive services.

Azimul Haque, an IAS officer, has been appointed as the CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board, with approval from Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena. This appointment came after a delay of over a month, during which the position had been vacant since November 28, 2024. The vacancy caused disruptions, including delays in salary disbursements for imams and Board employees. L-G Saxena criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for its negligence and failure to follow proper legal procedures in addressing the matter.

PayPal has partnered with OpenAI to become ChatGPT’s first integrated digital payments wallet, allowing users to make secure purchases directly within the AI platform. This collaboration enables seamless e-commerce by letting users click “Buy with PayPal” in ChatGPT for instant payments. The move strengthens PayPal’s role in the emerging field of AI-powered commerce, showcasing its commitment to innovation and user trust through secure checkout, buyer protection, and verified transactions. By aligning with OpenAI’s growing ecosystem, PayPal positions itself at the forefront of the digital payment revolution, blending convenience, safety, and artificial intelligence to shape the future of online shopping.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the release trials of the indigenously developed Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from the Indian Air Force’s Su-30 MKI aircraft between April 8–10, 2025. The trials demonstrated the bomb’s high-precision strike capabilities at a range of approximately 100 km, targeting a land-based objective on an island. The Gaurav bomb, weighing around 1,000 kg, was integrated into multiple stations of the Su-30 MKI in different warhead configurations. This success marks a significant leap in India's air-launched weapons capability and showcases indigenous technological excellence and strategic collaboration with Indian defence industries.

India is set to induct advanced variants of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system with a maximum range of 300 km. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), these new systems mark a significant upgrade from previous versions and are a key part of India's push for indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The upgraded versions—Pinaka-3 and Pinaka-4 will offer both 120 km and 300 km range options. These systems are equipped with precision guidance, rapid firing capabilities, and mobility features such as shoot-and-scoot, enhancing India’s artillery strength and strategic deterrence.

Exercise Mitra Shakti 2025 is the 11ᵗʰ edition of the bilateral joint military exercise conducted between the armies of India and Sri Lanka. Held from 10 to 23 November 2025 at the Foreign Training Node in Belagavi, Karnataka, the exercise focuses on counter-terrorism, drone warfare, and UN peacekeeping operations. Indian troops from the Rajput Regiment and Sri Lankan soldiers from the Gajaba Regiment are participating in this edition. The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability, mutual trust, and coordination between the two nations, reflecting their shared commitment to regional peace, security, and defence cooperation in South Asia.

India’s foreign exchange reserves crossed the $700 billion mark in October 2025, reaching $702 billion according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This milestone reflects strong macroeconomic fundamentals and resilience amid global financial volatility. The rise was largely driven by an increase of $6.1 billion in gold reserves, supported by higher global gold prices, even as foreign currency assets declined due to RBI’s market interventions. Maintaining such high reserves provides India with a crucial financial cushion against global uncertainties, stabilises the rupee, enhances investor confidence, and ensures sufficient import cover for over ten months, reinforcing economic stability.

The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane at Rs. 355 per quintal for the 2025–26 season. This price is set for a basic recovery rate of 10.25 per cent. The FRP is the minimum price that sugar mills are required to pay to sugarcane farmers and plays a crucial role in protecting farmer interests, especially in a country like India, which is the world's largest producer and consumer of sugar.

In the 55th GST Council meeting, a decision was made to raise the GST rate on used Electric Vehicles (EVs) from 12% to 18%. This aligns the tax rate on used EVs with that of non-electric vehicles, ensuring uniformity. However, the GST will apply only to the margin value, which is the difference between the purchase and selling price of the used EV, adjusted for depreciation if claimed. Importantly, no GST will apply to individual-to-individual sales, focusing the tax on business transactions.

According to a study published in the journal Science, India's tiger population has increased by 30% over the past two decades. This rise is considered a major conservation success, with the tiger count rising from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2018. The increase is attributed to effective conservation efforts, including the establishment of protected areas, land-sparing strategies, and strong legislative support. The recovery also highlights the potential for human-wildlife coexistence in areas with effective conservation management.

Nepal hosted the 1st International Pashmina Festival, a 3-day event featuring over 150 stalls and promoting its "Chyangra Pashmina," known for its traditional craftsmanship and use of natural dyes. Nepali Pashmina holds a prominent position in global markets such as the US, Japan, and Europe. The festival aims to address challenges like raw material shortages through policy reforms. While India also produces high-quality Pashmina in regions like Ladakh and Kashmir, the market faces competition from blended and cheaper alternatives.

In 2024, there were 296 global Internet shutdowns, marking the highest number ever recorded. This highlights the growing trend of Internet shutdowns globally, especially during times of unrest or sensitive events. India was a major contributor, accounting for 28% of the total shutdowns, second only to Myanmar. The increasing frequency of these shutdowns has raised concerns about digital rights and freedom of speech.

The Manipur Global Buyers and Sellers Summit 2025 was inaugurated at the City Convention Centre in Imphal by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The summit, organized under the theme “Bridging Business Sans Borders,” is part of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India. It aims to promote trade, investment, and collaboration among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing a platform for global buyers and sellers to connect. Hosting the summit in Imphal emphasizes the government’s focus on regional economic development and boosting MSME growth in North-East India.

Daniel Katz, a senior U.S. Treasury official and Chief of Staff to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has been nominated by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as the next First Deputy Managing Director, the second-highest position at the IMF. If approved by the IMF Executive Board, his appointment will take effect on October 6, 2025. Katz brings over a decade of experience in domestic and international economic policy, including work on U.S.-China trade, financial stability, and coordination with multilateral institutions like the IMF and World Bank. His nomination follows Gita Gopinath’s departure and reflects strategic leadership continuity in global finance.

The ‘Rythanna Meekosam’ initiative was launched by the Andhra Pradesh government on November 24, 2025, aiming to support farmers through a comprehensive Five-Point Formula. The program focuses on water security, demand-based cultivation, agri-tech adoption, food processing expansion, and government backing. It also includes financial support, technology adoption, and market linkages to modernise agriculture and improve farm profitability. Spearheaded by Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu, the initiative seeks to create a sustainable and resilient agricultural ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh, directly benefiting farmers across the state.

The “Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana” was launched by the Haryana government to offer monthly financial assistance to senior artistes who have significantly contributed to the state's cultural and artistic heritage. This welfare initiative, approved by the Haryana Cabinet on May 5, 2025, seeks to recognize and support elderly artistes—aged 60 and above—who have dedicated at least 20 years to traditional forms such as music, dance, painting, and theatre. By providing a stable financial aid system, the scheme underscores Haryana’s commitment to preserving its rich artistic traditions and ensuring dignity and sustenance for its ageing cultural custodians.

Kerala is taking a progressive step by planning to implement Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology to efficiently manage its power demands. This innovative system allows electric vehicles (EVs) to act as mobile energy storage units. When not in use, EVs can send stored electricity back to the power grid using bi-directional chargers, helping balance supply during peak demand. The process includes both Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) discharging, making EVs a critical asset in energy management. This initiative demonstrates Kerala’s commitment to integrating clean technology with energy infrastructure for a more sustainable future.

IBM has partnered with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to establish India’s largest Quantum Computing Hub at the Quantum Valley Tech Park in Andhra Pradesh. Central to this hub is the IBM Quantum System Two, which features a 156-qubit Heron processor, making it the most advanced quantum computing system currently in India. The collaboration focuses on developing quantum algorithms and applications that can solve complex problems across various sectors, including industry and academia. This joint initiative reflects the growing emphasis on cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and scientific research in India’s tech landscape.

The 3rd AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) consultation, organized by MeitY and UNESCO, is being held in Hyderabad on April 8, 2025. The event is a significant platform to discuss AI governance and readiness, aligning with India’s strategic push through the IndiaAI Mission. It features expert-led panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions covering crucial areas such as infrastructure, workforce, governance frameworks, and real-world AI applications. Choosing Hyderabad as the host city reflects its growing importance as a tech hub and its capacity to support high-level global discussions on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), under the Department of Telecommunications, has entered into a partnership with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology. This initiative aims to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher, using the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding—a key method for secure quantum communication. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for highly secure data transmission systems in India's future telecom and defence networks by leveraging emerging quantum technologies.