September 11, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 03, 2025

July 3, 2025
Consider the following statements regarding the UNCTAD’s “A World of Debt” Report 2025:
1. Global public debt reached a record US $102 trillion in 2024.
2. Developing countries hold more debt than developed countries in 2025.
3. In 2024, developing countries paid over US $900 billion as interest.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  • (A) 1 and 3 only
  • (B) 2 and 3 only
  • (C) 1 and 2 only
  • (D) 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context: UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) 2025 report reveals global public debt has surged to unprecedented levels, with developing countries under immense stress.

Key Facts:

  • Global Public Debt: Reached US $102 trillion in 2024—a record high (+US $5 trillion since 2023).
  • Debt Growth in Developing Nations: These countries hold US $31 trillion, with debt doubling twice as fast as developed nations since 2010.
  • Interest Burden: Developing nations paid a record US $921 billion in 2024—10% more than in 2023.
  • High Debt Ratios: In 61 developing countries, interest payments exceed 10% of government revenue—diverting funds from health and education.

Impact for Development:

  • Vital services like health, education, and infrastructure are underfunded.
  • Risk of “lost development decade” for low-income countries.

Recommended Measures:

  • Introduce multilateral debt relief (e.g., G20 Common Framework reforms, SDR reallocations).
  • Create a shared debt information hub and build national capacity to manage risk.
The “At Sea” Observer Mission, launched under the Wilmington Declaration, is primarily aimed at:
  • (A) Establishing a new Indo-Pacific trade corridor
  • (B) Enhancing naval armament production
  • (C) Boosting maritime cooperation and domain awareness among Quad countries
  • (D) Conducting anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea
Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: Under the Wilmington Declaration, the QUAD Coast Guards launched the first “At Sea Ship Observer Mission” on June 30, 2025—enhancing multinational maritime cooperation.

Highlights:

  • Participants: Coast Guards of India, Japan, USA, and Australia.
  • Operation: Two officers (including women) from each country boarded USCGC Stratton en route to Guam.
  • Objectives:
    • Enhance interoperability, joint training, and domain awareness
    • Focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
    • Promote gender inclusion and reinforce India’s SAGAR and Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) vision

Strategic Importance:

  • Strengthens non-military maritime collaboration.
  • Builds regional trust and aligns with a free, open, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Consider the following statements about the Quad:
1. It is a formal defence alliance created in 2007.
2. One of its key goals is ensuring a free, open, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
3. The July 2025 meeting openly blamed Pakistan for the Kashmir terror attack.
Which of the statements are correct?
  • (A) 2 only
  • (B) 1 and 2 only
  • (C) 2 and 3 only
  • (D) 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context: Quad FMs (US, India, Japan, Australia) met in Washington (July 1–2, 2025). They condemned the April 22 Kashmir attack and launched the Critical Minerals Initiative.

Key Highlights

  • Condemnation of Kashmir terror attack; demanded perpetrators be brought to justice — without naming Pakistan.
  • Launched ‘Critical Minerals Initiative’ to diversify supply chains and counterbalance China’s dominance
  • Reaffirmed commitment to free, rules-based Indo‑Pacific and opposition to unilateral actions.

What is Quad?

  • Informal strategic forum formed in 2007, revived in 2017, comprising USA, India, Japan, Australia, focusing on regional security and shared prosperity.
With reference to the disaster alert systems recently tested in India, consider the following:
1. SACHET uses Common Alerting Protocol and geo-targeted SMS.
2. Cell Broadcast system supports multi-language warnings and is suitable for sudden disasters.
3. Both systems are operational only in coastal regions.
Which of the statements are correct?
  • (A) 1 and 2 only
  • (B) 2 and 3 only
  • (C) 1 and 3 only
  • (D) All three
Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) implemented the SACHET SMS alert system nationwide and is now testing the Cell Broadcast (CB) system.

SACHET (SMS Alerts):

  • Uses geo-targeting to send SMS warnings for disasters (cyclones, floods, storms).
  • Developed by C-DOT using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
  • Operational across all 36 States/UTs.

Cell Broadcast (CB) Alerts:

  • Broadcasts urgent alerts to mobile phones in affected areas instantly.
  • Supports multi-language emergency warnings.
  • Better suited for tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning, gas leaks.
The Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme aims to create how many jobs during its implementation?
  • (A) 10 million
  • (B) 25 million
  • (C) 35 million
  • (D) 50 million
Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: On July 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the ELI scheme—an ₹99,446 crore, two-year programme to generate 35 million jobs by subsidising companies and first-time workers .

About ELI Scheme

  • Ministry: Labour & Employment
  • Budget: ₹99,446 crore (Aug 2025–Jul 2027)
  • Jobs targeted: 35 million (including 19.2 million first-time workers)
  • First-time employees: One-time wage subsidy up to ₹15,000
  • Employers: ₹3,000/month per new worker (₹1,000–₹3,000 based on salary slab)
  • Manufacturing firms: Incentives extended by 2 more years
What was the name of the darknet drug ring busted by the NCB in Kochi under Operation Melon?
  • (A) DarkSpice
  • (B) Ketamelon
  • (C) BlackBerry
  • (D) MelonCart
Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: NCB recently busted “Ketamelon”, one of India’s largest darknet narcotics rings in Kochi.

About Operation Melon

  • Seizures: 1,127 LSD blots, 131 g Ketamine, ₹70 lakh in USDT
  • Tools seized: TAILS OS (for darknet access), crypto wallets
  • Significance: Highlights growing darknet drug smuggling and the use of cryptocurrency as payment.
Which Indian state launched the ‘Mukhya Mantri Pratigya Yojana’ to provide paid internships for youth after Class 12?
  • (A) Uttar Pradesh
  • (B) Madhya Pradesh
  • (C) Bihar
  • (D) Jharkhand
Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: The Bihar Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved the Mukhya Mantri Pratigya Yojana to support youth with paid internships after Class 12.

About the Scheme:

  • Aimed at youth aged 18–28 years to enhance their employability through industry-oriented internships.
  • Eligible candidates:
  • Class 12 pass-outs
  • ITI/diploma holders
  • Graduates and postgraduates
  • Internship duration: 3 to 12 months

Stipend Structure:

  • Class 12 pass-outs: ₹4,000/month
  • ITI/Diploma holders: ₹5,000/month
  • Graduates/Postgraduates: ₹6,000/month
  • Additional Allowance:
  • ₹2,000/month for inter-district internships
  • ₹5,000/month for out-of-state internships (max 3 months)
Consider the following statements regarding the Santhal Rebellion (Santhal Hul):
1. It was led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, along with Chand and Bhairav.
2. The rebellion began in the year 1857, just before the First War of Indian Independence.
3. The Santhal Rebellion was a response to exploitation by zamindars, British officials, and moneylenders.
4. The rebellion took place in the region known as Damin-i-Koh, now in Jharkhand.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  • (A) 1, 2 and 3 only
  • (B) 1, 3 and 4 only
  • (C) 2 and 3 only
  • (D) 1 and 4 only
Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: Santhal Hul or the Santhal Rebellion, began in June 1855, marks its 170th anniversary in 2025. Observed as ‘Hul Diwas’ annually on June 30 in Jharkhand

About the Rebellion:

  • Organised tribal uprising by the Santhal community against British colonialism
  • Led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, along with Chand and Bhairav
  • Took place in the region of Damin-i-Koh (now in Jharkhand)

Causes:

  • Exploitative practices by British officials, zamindars, and moneylenders
  • Land alienation, bonded labour (kamioti/harwahi), and broken promises of cultivation rights
  • Initiated after prolonged oppression since Santhal settlement in 1832

Course of Rebellion:

  • Started on 30 June 1855 at Bhognadih
  • Around 60,000 Santhals rose in revolt
  • Fought using guerrilla tactics, but were ultimately defeated by the British military
  • Leaders Sidhu and Kanhu were captured and executed

About the Santhal Tribe:

  • Originally from Birbhum and Manbhum (Bengal Presidency)
  • Migrated due to the 1770 Bengal famine and British land policies
  • Now one of India’s largest tribal groups, residing mainly in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal
  • First large-scale tribal uprising in India (preceded 1857 Revolt)
  • Led to administrative reforms like the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1876.

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