Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random (Last 20 months)

In a special ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin of Russia conferred "The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle," Russia's highest national award, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his significant contribution to strengthening India-Russia ties. This award, announced in 2019, marks PM Modi as the first Indian leader to receive this prestigious honour, highlighting the depth of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Ajith Kumar KK, known for his extensive 36-year career at Federal Bank, including roles such as Chief HR Officer and President, has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank. His appointment, approved by the bank's board and subject to shareholder approval, marks a strategic move to leverage his deep expertise in banking operations and leadership to steer Dhanlaxmi Bank forward.

Akash Tripathi, a 1998-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken on significant leadership roles in digital governance as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Digital India Corporation (DIC) and President/Chief Executive Officer of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). His dual appointment was approved by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). In these roles, he is responsible for implementing key projects under the Digital India initiative, promoting digital literacy, and managing the development of e-governance systems to enhance India's public administration and digital transformation. His tenure at DIC is for six months, while his role at NeGD continues until August 2024.

Bank of Baroda has introduced international UPI services via its bob इ Pay app, making cross-border digital payments more accessible for both resident Indians and NRIs. The new features include UPI Global Acceptance, foreign inward remittances, and dedicated UPI access for NRI account holders. Customers can now make payments to merchants abroad, receive money from Singapore in real-time, and NRIs can link their NRE/NRO accounts to use UPI seamlessly. With a daily transaction limit of ₹1,00,000, the initiative strengthens Bank of Baroda’s role in digital banking innovation while aligning with India’s push for global adoption of UPI services.

Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd has partnered with the Bank of India to offer financing solutions for rooftop solar installations and EV charging stations. This collaboration makes Bank of India the first bank to partner with Tata Power Solar in these financing areas. The partnership supports various government initiatives aimed at promoting rooftop solar installations, such as the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and the National Solar Mission, thereby advancing both renewable energy adoption and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Uttarakhand has enacted the Uttarakhand Public (Government) and Private Property Damage Recovery (Ordinance) Act 2024, a significant piece of legislation aimed at addressing the financial consequences of civil unrest and riots. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude for the Governor's approval of this law, which provides a comprehensive framework for compensating damages to both government and private properties. This act also includes provisions for reimbursing expenses incurred by government staff involved in riot control, reflecting a proactive approach to managing the impact of civil disturbances on state resources.

The World Health Organization adopted its first global Pandemic Agreement under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution during the 78th World Health Assembly. This legal instrument, only the second after the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2003), aims to enhance global health security through equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics during pandemics. The agreement promotes international cooperation, ensures technology transfer, mandates affordable access, and establishes financial and logistical frameworks for effective pandemic response. By using Article 19, which allows the WHO to adopt conventions or agreements for health-related matters, this treaty sets a vital precedent for global collaboration in public health emergencies.

Ultraviolette, an Indian electric vehicle company, partnered with the Madras Regimental Centre of the Indian Army to conduct a five-day rally across Tamil Nadu. The initiative was undertaken to honour the Veterans and Veer Naris of the Madras Regiment. As part of the collaboration, Ultraviolette provided its F77 electric motorcycles for the rally, which spanned diverse terrains across six districts, including Tirupur, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, and Coimbatore. The event highlights a growing synergy between defence institutions and indigenous electric vehicle manufacturers, promoting both national pride and sustainable mobility solutions.

Vaghsheer is the 6th and final Scorpene-class submarine delivered to the Indian Navy under Project P-75 by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. It features advanced stealth capabilities and is equipped to execute precise attacks with torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, both underwater and on the surface. This delivery marks the completion of Project P-75, which also included INS Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, and Vagir.

The United States ended its longest government shutdown after a 42-day political standoff, which severely disrupted federal operations and affected hundreds of thousands of government employees. The shutdown was rooted in disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over healthcare subsidy provisions linked to the Affordable Care Act. Progress stalled in the Senate due to the 60-vote requirement, but bipartisan support emerged when eight Democratic senators crossed party lines, allowing the bill to move forward. Following congressional approval, President Donald Trump signed a temporary funding bill that reopened government services. Although the measure provided only short-term relief, it restored essential services and allowed federal agencies to resume normal operations while budget negotiations continued.

Belarus will introduce a visa-free policy allowing citizens from 35 European countries, including EU members and the UK, to stay for 30 days without a visa. This initiative, supported by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, allows entry and stay through road and rail checkpoints, enhancing Belarus's connectivity with Europe.

The Kapas Kisan App was launched to empower cotton farmers by digitizing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement process. It provides farmers with a transparent and farmer-first platform where they can self-register, book delivery slots, and track payments in real time. By cutting out middlemen and reducing paperwork delays, the app ensures timely transactions and prevents distress sales, protecting farmers from volatile market conditions. Supporting multiple Indian languages, the app is designed for inclusivity and ease of use. This initiative not only enhances farmer welfare but also aligns with Digital India and agri-tech innovation goals to modernise the cotton sector.

According to a Lancet study, India could have over 440 million overweight and obese people by 2050. This estimate includes 218 million men and 231 million women. The number of overweight and obese adults in India is projected to be the second highest in the world, following China. The study, which is part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, involved researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research and highlighted the growing health challenges facing the country.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is pioneering a major shift in India’s coal mining sector by becoming the first public sector undertaking (PSU) to adopt paste fill technology. This advanced underground mining method is designed to enhance safety and reduce environmental damage by refilling mined-out areas with a paste made from waste materials. SECL has entered into a ₹7040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited to bring this technology into operation. The move signifies a forward-thinking approach to mining, blending industrial progress with sustainability, and positions SECL as a leader in environmentally responsible coal extraction.

Tanushree Pandey secured the Silver Medal at the World Soft Tennis Championship held in Jingshan, China. In the final match, she faced a close defeat against Chiang Min Yu of Chinese Taipei with a score of 3-4. Earlier, Tanushree demonstrated exceptional skill by defeating her Japanese opponent 4-3 in the semifinals. Her achievement brings pride to India, showcasing her talent and determination in the sport. Tanushree's silver medal win highlights India's growing presence in international soft tennis competitions.

Jannik Sinner emerged victorious in the men’s singles category at the 2025 Australian Open, which took place at Melbourne Park from January 12 to 26. This prestigious Grand Slam marked its 113th edition, showcasing world-class tennis talent. Alongside Sinner’s triumph, Madison Keys won the women’s singles title, while Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten secured the men’s doubles championship. The tournament highlighted exceptional performances across all categories, solidifying its reputation as one of tennis's most celebrated events.

Om Birla will lead India's delegation at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent. He will address the general debate on 'Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice' and engage in discussions on global parliamentary issues. The delegation, which includes senior MPs and Secretaries-General of both Houses, will also have the opportunity to meet global counterparts and the Indian community in Uzbekistan.

The Women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in 2024 will be hosted in Rajgir, Bihar, from November 11-20. This event marks a significant milestone for Bihar, with the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium being the venue. The tournament, featuring top Asian teams like India, China, Japan, and Korea, highlights Bihar's commitment to promoting hockey and hosting international sports events. The inauguration of the stadium and the support from the state's leadership demonstrate Bihar's readiness to showcase its capabilities on an international stage.

The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has introduced the first advanced AI system for early detection of forest fires. This innovative system includes a high-resolution camera capable of monitoring a visual range of up to 15 kilometres. Situated near Kirringisarra village, the system aims to enhance forest fire management and conservation efforts in the reserve. Funding for this project was provided by Solar Industries India Ltd, Nagpur, in collaboration with the Maharashtra government, highlighting collaborative efforts to integrate technology for safeguarding wildlife habitats and biodiversity in Pench Tiger Reserve.

India's heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-N2, weighs approximately 4,700 kg and is scheduled to launch on SpaceX's Falcon-9 from Cape Canaveral. GSAT-N2 aims to enhance internet services, particularly in remote areas, with an operational life of 14 years. The choice of SpaceX's Falcon-9 over India's LVM-3 launch vehicle was due to the satellite's significant payload weight. This launch marks a shift in India's reliance from Arianespace to SpaceX for heavy satellite launches, demonstrating the growing collaboration between India and private space companies.