Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

World Lion Day is observed on which date?

(A) 5 June
(B) 10 August
(C) 14 July
(D) 1 October

Show Answer

Answer: B

Observed annually on 10 August

Aim : to raise awareness about the conservation of lions and their habitats.

Initiated By: Wildlife conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert in 2013, with support from the Big Cat Initiative and National Geographic.
Significance:
- Global wild African lion population is estimated at 20,000.
- Asiatic lion population in India’s Gir Forest is around 675.
- Urges coordinated conservation efforts to prevent further decline.

World Biofuel Day commemorates which event?

(A) Launch of the first biofuel policy in India
(B) Discovery of ethanol as a fuel
(C) Sir Rudolf Diesel powering an engine with peanut oil in 1893
(D) UN declaration on renewable energy

Show Answer

Answer: C

Observed every year on 10 August

Aim : To spread awareness about biofuels as sustainable and cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.

Historical Background: Commemorates 10 August 1893, when Sir Rudolf Diesel successfully powered the first diesel engine using peanut oil, marking the beginning of biofuel technology.
Significance in India:
- Organized By: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
- Government Initiatives:
  - Ethanol blending expanded from 380 million litres (2013-14) to 4 billion litres currently.
  - Target set for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030.
- State-Level Initiatives:
  - Bihar launched an updated Biofuel Policy.
  - Plans for nine new ethanol plants by 2026 to enhance rural energy production and promote sustainability.

M. S. Swaminathan is popularly known as:

(A) Father of Modern Agriculture in India
(B) Father of the Green Revolution in India
(C) Father of Organic Farming in India
(D) Father of the White Revolution in India

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the M. S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on the 100th birth anniversary of Professor M. S. Swaminathan.

The theme of the conference is “Evergreen Revolution: The Pathway to Biohappiness”, highlighting his life-long work for food security.

About M. S. Swaminathan (1925–2023):

Known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India (1960s).
Promoted Crop Cafeterias – growing different crops together for better nutrition.
Introduced Crop Distribution Agronomy – changing crops mid-season for better results.
Chaired National Commission on Farmers – gave recommendations to improve farming productivity and income.
Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), First World Food Prize (1987), UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize (1994), UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal (1999).
Bharat Ratna: Awarded posthumously in 2024.

With reference to eligibility criteria for a Small Finance Bank (SFB) to convert into a Universal Bank, consider the following:
1. The SFB must have had Scheduled Bank status for at least 5 years.
2. The Reserve Bank of India recently gave ‘in-principle’ approval for the transition of AU Small Finance Bank into a universal bank
3. It should have delivered profits in each of the last 2 financial years.
4. The Gross NPA ratio should be less than or equal to 3%, and the Net NPA ratio should be less than or equal to 1%.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 3 and 4 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Answer: D

Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India has given ‘in-principle’ approval to AU Small Finance Bank to change into a universal bank. It is the first such approval in 10 years.

About Universal Bank Licence:

Allows a bank to offer all types of banking services (commercial + investment) under one roof.
Last given in 2014 to Bandhan Bank and IDFC Bank.

Eligibility for Small Finance Bank to Become a Universal Bank:

Scheduled bank status for at least 5 years.
Listed on a recognised stock exchange.
Minimum net worth: ₹1,000 crore.
Profits in the last 2 years.
Low bad loans – Gross NPA ≤ 3% and Net NPA ≤ 1%.
No new promoters during transition.
Preference to banks with a variety of loans.

About Small Finance Banks:

Announced in Union Budget 2014–15.
Purpose: Financial inclusion.
Registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013.
Governed by the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
Minimum capital requirement: ₹200 crore.
Promoters must be experienced in banking/finance for at least 10 years.

The Dardanelles Strait, recently in news, connects which of the following water bodies?

(A) Black Sea and Aegean Sea
(B) Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara
(C) Sea of Marmara and Mediterranean Sea
(D) Black Sea and Caspian Sea

Show Answer

Answer: (b)

Current Context: Turkey recently closed the Dardanelles Strait to ships because of nearby forest fires.

About Dardanelles Strait:

Narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey, linking the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Separates Europe from the tip of Asia Minor.
Ancient name: Hellespont – named after a mythical princess, Helle.
Length: 61 km, width: 1.2 to 6.5 km.
Connects with the Bosporus Strait, which links to the Black Sea – together they form the only sea route from the Black Sea to the rest of the world.
Gallipoli Peninsula lies on its west side.
Important ports: Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale (all in Turkey).

With reference to Lepcha tribe, consider the following statements:
1. They are primarily found in the states of Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bhutan.
2. They consider Mount Kanchenjunga as sacred.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 only
(C) 1 only
(D) None of the above

Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context: Sikkim recently celebrated Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a nature-worship festival of the Lepcha tribe.

ABOUT LEPCHA TRIBE

Indigenous to eastern Nepal, western Bhutan, Sikkim, and Darjeeling (West Bengal).
Recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in Sikkim.
Self-name: Rongs or Rongkups.
Habitat: Slopes of Mt. Kanchenjunga (world’s 3rd highest mountain).
Population: Around 42,909 (Census 2011).
Language: Lepcha – own script based on Sanskrit.
Occupation: Traditionally hunters and gatherers; now also farmers and cattle breeders.
Religion: Originally nature worshippers; later adopted Buddhism.
Culture: Singing, dancing, archery contests.
Belief: Kanchenjunga is their guardian deity.

Annu Rani won gold in the International Wiesław Maniak Memorial 2025 with a throw of:

(A) 60. 29 m
(B) 62. 59 m
(C) 64. 12 m
(D) 65. 00 m

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: India’s Annu Rani, the Asian Games champion, won the gold medal in the women’s javelin throw at the International Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Poland with a season-best throw of 62.59 metres.

She defeated athletes from Turkey and Australia.

ABOUT ANNU RANI’S ACHIEVEMENT

Event: International Wiesław Maniak Memorial, Poland
Category: Women’s Javelin Throw
Gold: Annu Rani (India) – 62.59m (Season Best)
Silver: Eda Tugsuz (Turkey) – 58.36m
Bronze: Lianna Davidson (Australia) – 58.24m
Significance: Boosts India’s track and field presence in global events.

Asia’s longest freight train ‘Rudrastra’ has a total length of approximately:

(A) 2.5 km
(B) 3.2 km
(C) 4.5 km
(D) 5.5 km

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: Indian Railways conducted a trial run of Asia’s longest freight train, named ‘Rudrastra’, covering 209 km in 5 hours 10 minutes between Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

ABOUT RUDRASTRA

Length:5 km (Longest in Asia)
Wagons: 345 total
Engines: 7 total (Two at front, others distributed after every 59 bogeys)
Load Capacity: 72 tonnes per wagon
Speed: Average 40.5 km/h during trial
Route: Ganjkhwaja (UP) to Garhwa (Jharkhand)
Purpose: Increase freight efficiency, reduce turnaround time, and save fuel.

The third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) was held in which of the following locations?

(A) Astana, Kazakhstan
(B) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
(C) Awaza, Turkmenistan
(D) Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: The third UN conference for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) was held in Awaza, Turkmenistan (2025) to discuss trade, infrastructure, and development challenges for nations without sea access.

ABOUT LLDC3

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are nations without access to the sea. They are economically disadvantaged due to higher trade costs, longer transport routes, and dependence on neighboring countries for trade access.
Of the 32 LLDCs, most are also among the poorest globally, with limited export opportunities, weak infrastructure, and high vulnerability to climate shocks.
Participants: 32 LLDCs, home to 600+ million people
Global Share: 7% of population, but only 1% of economy and trade
Adopted Plan: Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) for 2024–2034
Main Issues: High trade costs, limited transport access, economic inequalities
Focus Areas: Partnerships, infrastructure investment, innovation in trade routes