August 21, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 05, 2025

July 5, 2025
Consider the following statements about Swami Vivekananda:
.1. He was born Narendranath Datta on 12 January 1863 in Calcutta.
2. He took the name “Vivekananda” in 1897 on advice of Maharaja Ajit Singh.
3. He delivered his famous “Sisters and brothers of America” speech at Chicago in 1893.
4. He founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.
How many of the above statements are correct?
  • (A) Only one
  • (B) Only two
  • (C) Only three
  • (D) All four
Show Answer

Answer:  C

CURRENT CONTEXT : 4th July 2025 marked the 123rd Punyatithi (Death Anniversary) of Swami Vivekananda, the revered spiritual leader and nationalist thinker.

 ABOUT SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

  • Born as Narendranath Datta on 12 January 1863 in Calcutta.
  • Disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa who transformed his spiritual outlook.
  • Took the name Vivekananda in 1893 on advice of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri.
  • Attained Mahasamadhi on 4 July 1902 at Belur Math, West Bengal.

 CONTRIBUTIONS

  • Spread Vedanta, Hinduism & Yoga in the West.
  • Advocated universal brotherhood, service to humanity, and spiritual nationalism.
  • Inspired Indian freedom fighters with the slogan:
    “Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”

 CHICAGO SPEECH – 1893

  • Delivered a speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions, Chicago.
  • Opened with “Sisters and brothers of America” – received standing ovation.
  • Introduced Vedantic philosophy and Hindu thought to the West.

PATHS TO LIBERATION

  • Proposed four Yogic paths to attain Moksha:
  • Raja Yoga: Meditation and control of the mind
  • Karma Yoga: Selfless service
  • Jnana Yoga: Path of knowledge
  • Bhakti Yoga: Path of devotion

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

  • Founded in 1897 to spread his Guru’s message.
  • Focus areas: Education, healthcare, relief work, and spirituality.
  • Motto: “Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha” (For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world)
Consider the following about the PM MITRA Greenfield textile park in Virudhunagar:
1. It covers about 1,052 acres and offers plug‑and‑play units.
2. The Union Government has approved ₹4,445 crore for this single park.
3. It is expected to create around 1 lakh direct jobs.
4. The park should be operational by September 
How many of the above statements are correct?
  • (A) Only one
  • (B) Only two
  • (C) Only three
  • (D) All four
Show Answer

Answer: c

Current Context: The Union Government approved a ₹1,894 crore (approx. US $221.25 million) funding package for the PM MITRA Park in Virudhunagar. The park is expected to be operational by September 2026.

 About PM MITRA PARK – VIRUDHUNAGAR

  • Site & Scale: 1,052‑acre Greenfield park in E. Kumaralingapuram, with world-class plug‑and‑play infrastructure.
  • Investment & Employment: Projected to attract ₹10,000 crore, create ~1 lakh jobs, and support technical textile production.

ABOUT PM MITRA SCHEME

  • Launch: Announced in Union Budget 2021–22; 7 mega integrated textile parks approved .
  • Funding: ₹4,445 crore central funding (2021–28); includes Capital Development Support & Incentives Support .
  • Objective : To strengthen the Indian textile industry by enabling scale of operations, reducing logistics costs, attracting investment, generating employment, and boosting export potential.
  • Infrastructure: Equipped with plug‑and‑play units, common effluent treatment, housing, testing centres .
  • Employment & Investment: Per park—~100,000 direct + 200,000 indirect jobs; aims to attract FDI, reduce logistics costs .
Which country became the first to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan on 3 July 2025?
  • (A) China
  • (B) Pakistan
  • (C) Russia
  • (D) Saudi Arabia
Show Answer

Answer: c

CURRENT CONTEXT : On 3rd July 2025, Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan since its 2021 takeover.

 ABOUT THE RECOGNITION

  • Russia removed the Taliban from its list of banned organisations.
  • Accepted the credentials of Gul Hassan Hassan, Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador.
  • Aimed at practical engagement and regional stability.

 GEOPOLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE

  • Recognition may shift international dynamics around Afghanistan.
  • China supported the move; Western nations remain cautious due to human rights violations and lack of women’s rights.

 BACKGROUND

  • Taliban regained power in August 2021 post US–NATO withdrawal.
  • Most countries withheld recognition citing:
  • Suppression of women’s rights
  • Lack of inclusivity
  • Human rights concerns
What is the full form of PARAKH, the National Assessment Portal launched under NEP 2020?
  • (A) Performance Analysis, Review and Knowledge for Holistic Development
  • (B) Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development
  • (C) Programme for Assessment, Review and Knowledge of Holistic Development
  • (D) Performance Assessment, Reporting and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development
Show Answer

Answer: b

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Dissemination Portal was launched to provide public access to data on student performance across States and UTs.

 ABOUT PARAKH

  • Full form : Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development.
  • Established in 2023 under NCERT as an independent national assessment centre.
  • Part of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

 OBJECTIVES

  • Establish norms, standards, and guidelines for assessments.
  • Strengthen student evaluation, school board equivalence, and holistic learning.

 PARAKH PORTAL FUNCTIONS

  • Provides open access to data from Achievement Surveys and assessments.
  • Enables States/UTs to identify learning gaps and create targeted action plans.
  • Supports creation of Holistic Progress Cards.
Consider the following statements on the NSO’s recent nutrition report:
Statement I: Rural per‑capita calorie intake declined from 2,233 kcal in 2022–23 to 2,212 kcal in 2023–24.
Statement II: The share of cereals in total protein intake rose by about 14% in rural areas.
Which one is correct?
  • (A) Both I and II are correct and II is the correct explanation for I
  • (B) Both I and II are correct but II is not the correct explanation for I
  • (C) I is correct but II is incorrect
  • (D) I is incorrect but II is correct
Show Answer

Answer: c

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, the National Statistical Office (NSO) released nutritional data based on Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (2022–23 & 2023–24).

Relevant data of Report

 AVERAGE DAILY CALORIE INTAKE (per capita)

  • Rural Areas:
  • 2233 kcal (2022–23)
  • 2212 kcal (2023–24)
  • Urban Areas:
  • 2250 kcal (2022–23)
  • 2240 kcal (2023–24)

PROTEIN SOURCES

  • Cereals are still primary protein sources but their share declined:
  • ~14% drop in rural areas
  • ~12% drop in urban areas
  • Rise in consumption of eggs, fish, milk, and meat offset the drop.

 LINK WITH INCOME – MPCE IMPACT

  • Higher MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure) → Higher Calorie Intake.
  • Reflects economic nutrition correlation.

 NARROWING INEQUALITY GAP

  • 2023–24 Calorie Intake by economic groups:
  • Rural Bottom 5%: 1688 kcal
  • Rural Top 5%: 2941 kcal
  • Urban Bottom 5%: 1696 kcal
  • Urban Top 5%: 3092 kcal
  • Shows a narrowing gap between rich and poor in calorie intake since 2009–10.

 

Consider the following statements regarding Operation MED MAX:
1. It was launched by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to target illegal pharmaceutical trafficking.
2. The operation was limited to Indian territory and focused only on domestic networks.
3. The syndicate used encrypted platforms, cryptocurrencies, and international shipping.
4. A call centre in Karnataka was involved in the trafficking network.
How many of the above statements are correct?
  • (A) Only one
  • (B) Only two
  • (C) Only three
  • (D) All four
Show Answer

Answer: (c)

CURRENT CONTEXT : Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently launched Operation MED MAX (2025) to crack down on a global pharmaceutical drug trafficking syndicate that was using digital platforms and cryptocurrency.

 ABOUT OPERATION MED MAX

  • Launched by: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India
  • Objective: To dismantle a transnational syndicate smuggling controlled medicines
  • Scale: Operation spanned across 4 continents and 10+ countries (USA, Australia, UAE, etc.)
  • Trigger: Seizure of 3.7 kg Tramadol tablets from two B.Pharm graduates in Delhi (May 2025)
  • Techniques Used by Syndicate:
    • Encrypted platforms (Telegram, dark web)
    • Drop shipping model
    • Payments via cryptocurrency, PayPal, Western Union
    • A full-scale call centre operated in Udupi, Karnataka
  • Key Seizures: 50+ consignments, including to the USA, Australia, Estonia, Switzerland
  • Collaborators: US DEA, Australian Police (Zolpidem pill factory busted)
Which of the following statements about MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is/are correct?
1. It lies in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka.
2. It only contains dry deciduous forest.
3. It forms a corridor between BRT and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries.
4. Soligas and Lingayats are local communities in the region.
Options:
  • (A) 1 and 3
  • (B) 1, 3 and 4
  • (C) 2, 3 and 4
  • (D) All of the above
Show Answer

Answer: B.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, five tigers (a tigress and her four cubs) were found dead due to poisoning in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka.

 About MM Hills Sanctuary

  • Location: Southeast Karnataka, in Chamarajanagar district
  • Notified: 2013
  • Corridor: Links Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Forest Types:
    • Dry deciduous forests
    • Semi-evergreen and Shola forests at higher altitudes
  • Key Species: Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Dhole (wild dog), Sloth Bear
  • Communities Present: Soligas and Lingayats
  • Ecological Role: Vital Eastern Ghats–Western Ghats corridor
Which of the following statements is/are correct about RECLAIM Framework?
1. It was launched by the Ministry of Coal.
2. It aims to support communities affected by mine closures.
3. It was developed with the Heartfulness Institute.
4. It is part of India’s coastal zone management programme.
Options:
  • (A) 1 and 2
  • (B) 1, 2 and 3
  • (C) 2, 3 and 4
  • (D) All of the above
Show Answer

Answer: B.

CURRENT CONTEXT : On 4 July 2025, the Ministry of Coal launched the RECLAIM Framework for inclusive community engagement during mine closures.

 ABOUT RECLAIM

  • Full Form: Responsible, Equitable, Community-led, Landscape-level Approach for Indian Mine Closure
  • Developed by:
    • Coal Controller Organisation, Ministry of Coal
    • In collaboration with Heartfulness Institute
  • Purpose:
    • To support communities affected by mine closures
    • Promote ecological restoration and livelihood security
    • Goal: Ensuring a just and sustainable transition for mining communities
Which Union Territory has become the first in India to integrate TB screening into the Family Adoption Programme?
  • (A) Chandigarh
  • (B) Puducherry
  • (C) Delhi
  • (D) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Show Answer

Answer: B

CURRENT CONTEXT : Puducherry has become the first UT in India to integrate tuberculosis (TB) screening into the Family Adoption Programme, an NMC-mandated initiative led by medical colleges.

 ABOUT FAMILY ADOPTION PROGRAMME (FAP)

  • Mandated by: National Medical Commission (NMC)
  • Concept: Medical students adopt 3–5 families each and engage in long-term follow-up over 3 years
  • New Addition in Puducherry:
    • Routine TB screening of adopted family members as part of community outreach
    • Collaboration between medical students, colleges, and local health authorities

ABOUT NTEP IN PUDUCHERRY

  • National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) active since Feb 20, 2004
  • Coverage: Single TB district covering 92 lakh population
  • Infrastructure:
    • 7 TB Units
    • 28 Diagnostic Centres
    • 1 Intermediate Reference Lab (IRL) at Govt. Hospital for Chest Diseases (with Culture + Drug Susceptibility Testing)

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