Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random (Last 5 months)

Flipkart has become the first major Indian e-commerce platform to receive a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India. This licence allows Flipkart to lend directly to its customers and sellers, enabling it to operate independently in the credit space without intermediaries such as banks or third-party NBFCs. This move marks a significant fintech milestone for Flipkart, expanding its fintech ecosystem through its app, super.money, and transforming the online retail lending landscape in India.

Operation Sindoor, launched on 7th May 2025 by the Indian Armed Forces, was a precision strike operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was a response to the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi played key roles in communicating the details of this mission to the public and media, representing the coordinated efforts of India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force. Their leadership in the briefing underlined the transparency and strategic intent behind the operation, as well as honouring the memory of the victims.

A cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda River, triggered flash floods in Dharali, a high-altitude village located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Cloudbursts are characterised by extremely intense rainfall, often exceeding 100 mm in one hour over a small area of about 10 km². These events are particularly common in mountainous regions like the Himalayas due to the combination of steep terrain and unique weather patterns. The flash floods caused by such incidents pose significant risks to lives, property, and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.

Beginning July 1, 2025, New Delhi will enforce a ban on the refuelling of petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. This regulation is part of a broader strategy to improve air quality in the capital city. The Delhi government has implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) requiring petrol pumps to log all instances where fuel is denied to such outdated vehicles. The initiative is aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, which contribute significantly to air pollution levels, and ensuring that only environmentally compliant vehicles are allowed access to fuel in the city.

World Immunization Week 2025 is observed from April 24 to 30, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the critical role of vaccines in saving lives and preventing disease. This year’s theme, "Immunization for All is Humanly Possible," emphasizes the importance of ensuring universal access to vaccines for individuals of all ages. The week highlights the collective efforts of governments, healthcare workers, and organizations around the world to close immunization gaps and combat vaccine-preventable diseases. By raising awareness, World Immunization Week encourages communities to take action, ensuring a healthier future for everyone through the power of vaccination.

World Senior Citizens’ Day is observed every year on August 21 to honour the invaluable contributions of elderly people and to highlight the importance of serving them with dignity, respect, and compassion. First proclaimed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1988 and later recognised globally by the United Nations in 1990, the day has grown into a worldwide observance. It emphasises the need to address challenges such as health issues, social isolation, and financial insecurity faced by senior citizens. Celebrating this day also promotes intergenerational solidarity, ensuring that elders’ wisdom and experiences remain central to community growth and policy-making.

Denmark became the first country to commission a commercial-scale e-methanol production plant, located in Kasso, on May 13, 2025. Developed by European Energy in collaboration with Japan’s Mitsui, the facility produces 42,000 metric tons (or 53 million litres) of carbon-neutral e-methanol annually. This renewable fuel is generated using captured CO₂ and green electricity, significantly reducing carbon emissions, especially in the maritime sector. With global shipping giant Maersk as a major customer, the project marks a critical step toward meeting the International Maritime Organisation’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050 and advancing the global transition away from fossil fuels in industrial sectors.

India and Morocco recently signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) that aims to strengthen cooperation in civil and commercial legal matters. The treaty also includes provisions for exchanging legal expertise, conducting joint training programs, and fostering legal research between the two countries. To ensure effective implementation, a joint coordination committee will be established to design and monitor annual cooperation plans. Morocco, a mountainous country located in western North Africa, is strategically positioned across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. This agreement represents a deepening of legal and diplomatic ties between India and the North African region.

Israel has initiated a major strategic move by launching its National Food Security Plan 2050, backed by a significant investment of $710 million to $1.4 billion. This ambitious plan is designed to address multiple challenges, including climate change, labour shortages, and dependency on food imports. Central to the plan are goals like boosting domestic food production, enhancing agri-tech innovation, and diversifying sources of food imports to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. The initiative demonstrates Israel's proactive approach to securing its food supply for the future while promoting environmentally sustainable practices in agriculture.

On July 30th, a massive 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, making it one of the strongest seismic events in the region in decades. The earthquake's epicentre was located about 125 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and it occurred at a shallow depth of 19.3 km—conditions that significantly increase the risk of tsunamis. As a result, tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific, including to Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and the US West Coast. Kamchatka experienced tsunami waves reaching up to 4 meters, and while damage was reported, there were no large-scale casualties, thanks to prompt evacuations and emergency responses.

India took a major step in global wildlife conservation by signing the Headquarters Agreement with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). This agreement not only allows the IBCA to be headquartered in India but also includes significant financial backing of ₹150 crore for its infrastructure and operational costs. The alliance, established in 2023, aims to protect and conserve seven species of big cats such as tigers, lions, and leopards. Additionally, India’s commitment ensures support through visa facilitation, immunities, and other provisions necessary for the alliance to function effectively from its Indian base.

New Delhi has taken significant steps toward promoting clean energy and improving air quality. The Delhi cabinet approved a ₹30,000 subsidy for residents installing 3-kilowatt rooftop solar panels, encouraging the use of renewable energy in urban households. In addition to this initiative, the government also introduced a Dust Control Plan aimed at tackling the capital’s persistent air pollution issues. Furthermore, the Chief Minister Scholarship for Meritorious Students has been renamed the Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship, reflecting a tribute to the former Prime Minister. These combined efforts showcase the city’s focus on sustainability and educational support.

The 2-day National Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU) under the PM-USHA initiative was inaugurated by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in New Delhi. This centrally sponsored scheme, launched by the Ministry of Education, focuses on enhancing the quality of higher education, particularly in state-run institutions. New Delhi, being the capital and a central hub for major policy-level events, frequently hosts national-level academic and administrative workshops like this one. The workshop aimed at fostering dialogue and sharing strategies to elevate the standards of multidisciplinary research and education in India.

Sikkim has urged the Union Government to limit mountaineering activities on Mt. Khangchendzonga because the peak holds deep religious importance for the indigenous communities, especially the Lepcha people. Mt. Khangchendzonga, India’s highest peak and the world’s third-highest, is considered sacred as the abode of the guardian deity Dzoe-Nga, revered by local faiths. While climbing is prohibited on the Sikkim side to respect these beliefs, it remains allowed from the Nepal side. This move highlights the intersection of cultural preservation and environmental management in the region.

Maharashtra has taken a proactive step toward environmental sustainability by launching a comprehensive policy mandating the use of artificial sand, or m-sand, in all government and semi-government construction projects. Approved on May 13, 2025, this policy is aimed at curbing illegal river sand mining, reducing ecological degradation, and promoting sustainable construction practices. It includes provisions such as setting up 1,500 crusher units across districts, allotting state land for such units, granting MSME status to producers, and reducing royalty rates on m-sand. This initiative not only safeguards natural resources but also boosts local industry and employment.

The Uttar Pradesh government has undertaken a major step toward administrative transparency by digitising the National Family Benefit Scheme. This welfare initiative targets economically vulnerable families, ensuring they receive timely financial assistance during distress. The digital transformation of the scheme enables applicants to complete the process online—from application to the disbursal of benefits—within a 75-day window. This shift not only streamlines service delivery but also enhances accountability, reduces manual intervention, and minimizes the potential for delays or corruption. The reform aligns with broader goals of leveraging technology for inclusive governance and public welfare in India.

The Assam government has introduced a milk subsidy scheme aimed at enhancing the dairy sector in the state. Through this initiative, dairy farmers will receive a subsidy of ₹5 per litre of milk, provided the milk is supplied to cooperative societies for further processing. The primary objectives of the scheme are to increase dairy production, raise the income levels of farmers, and encourage a rural dairy revolution. By supporting local producers and strengthening cooperative channels, Assam seeks to improve the sustainability and profitability of dairy farming in the region.

India’s first hydrogen-powered train coach was successfully tested at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai on July 25, 2025. This pioneering effort is a key milestone in India's transition to green transportation under its “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative. The hydrogen-powered coach represents a cleaner alternative to diesel engines, producing zero tailpipe emissions and only releasing water vapour. ICF’s role in developing this coach reflects the nation's growing capabilities in clean energy technology and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. The project aligns with global trends and enhances India’s standing in sustainable rail innovation.

WOOHOO, an innovative restaurant set to debut in central Dubai near the iconic Burj Khalifa, features an AI chef named Chef Aiman. Chef Aiman is a culinary large language model (LLM) designed to create menus and craft the restaurant's ambience using advanced knowledge in food science, molecular gastronomy, and international cuisines. While human staff handle the food assembly, the concept merges cutting-edge technology with gastronomy, positioning Dubai at the forefront of AI innovation in the food industry. The project is spearheaded by Ahmet Oytun Cakir, CEO of Gastronaut, signalling a shift toward AI-driven culinary experiences.

OpenAI launched Codex on May 16, 2025, as an advanced AI software engineering assistant designed to handle multiple programming tasks autonomously. Codex operates within a secure cloud sandbox environment connected to a user’s codebase, enabling it to write features, debug, run tests, and draft pull requests, thereby enhancing developer productivity. Available initially to ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team users, Codex leverages the codex-1 model optimized for real-world coding. This innovation marks a significant advancement in AI-driven software development, aiming to transform traditional programming workflows and support developers globally.