Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 08, 2025

July 8, 2025

The 17ᵗʰ BRICS Summit in July 2025 was held in which city?

(A) Beijing
(B) Johannesburg
(C) Rio de Janeiro
(D) New Delhi

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: PM Modi attended the 17ᵗʰ BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6–7 July)

Key Highlights:

Global Governance Reform: PM Modi called for urgent reforms of UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO to reflect contemporary challenges and amplify the voice of the Global South.
Peace & Security: India condemned terrorism, specifically referencing the Pahalgam attack (April 2025), and emphasized zero tolerance, no exceptions; also promoted dialogue and diplomacy amid global conflicts.
Multilateralism & AI: Advocated for:
1. Demand-driven funding by New Development Bank.
2. Creation of a Science & Research repository for Global South.
3. Strengthened critical mineral supply chains.
4. Responsible AI governance balanced with innovation — “AI for All” ethos.
Outcome: Adoption of the “Rio de Janeiro Declaration”, reaffirming commitment to inclusive Global South cooperation.
India assumes the BRICS Chairmanship for 2026 and will host next year’s summit.

About BRICS (Expanded Group)

Established: June 16, 2009 (Brazil, Russia, India, China); South Africa joined in 2010.
2024–25 Expansion:
- Full members added: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (Jan 2024); Indonesia (Jan 2025).
- Partner countries now include Vietnam, Nigeria, and others under the BRICS+ model.
Group Size & Influence: 10 full members represent ~44% of world GDP and 50% of global population

Assertion (A): The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) uses Booth‑Level Officers to visit each house.
Reason (R): SIR relies on Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the RPA, 1950.
Which of the above is correct?

(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A
(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
(C) A is true, R is false
(D) A is false, R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context: The Election Commission of India is commencing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Bihar, relying on Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

About SIR

Definition: A house-to-house enrollment exercise by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update/upkeep voter lists.
Objective: Ensure inclusion of all eligible citizens and removal of ineligible entries.
Methodology: Direct verification of residence, age, identity, and citizenship status. Regular updates can also be driven by voter requests.
Significance : Enhances voter list accuracy, reinforcing quality of democratic processes.

Consider the following about Tokara Islands:
1. They lie south of Kyushu in Japan.
2. They include seven inhabited and five uninhabited islands.
3. Their climate is frost‑free with about 2,700 mm annual rainfall.
4. They are geologically inactive.
How many statements is/are correct?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 1

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: Over 1,000 earthquakes occurred around Japan’s Tokara Islands in the past two weeks, indicating intense seismic activity.

About Tokara Islands

Location: Archipelago south of Kyushu, north of Amami—part of Toshima-mura municipality.
Islands: Seven inhabited (e.g., Nakanoshima with Mt Otake, 979 m) and five uninhabited.
Geography & Climate: Covers ~160 km; climate is warm, frost-free, with ~2,700 mm annual rainfall.
Seismic Importance: Located in one of the most active tectonic zones in the world.

According to the World Bank’s Spring 2025 report, India’s Gini Index of 25.5 places it:

(A) As the most equal society in the world
(B) Ahead of China in income equality
(C) At exactly the global average
(D) Behind Slovenia but ahead of Slovakia

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: According to the World Bank’s Spring 2025 report, India’s Gini Index is 25.5, placing it as the 4th most equal society globally (after Slovakia, Slovenia, and Belarus)

About GINI INDEX

Definition: Measures income/wealth inequality on a scale from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality).
Calculation: Based on Lorenz curve—cumulative income vs population percentiles.
India’s Improvement: Score improved from 28.8 in 2011 to 25.5 in 2022.

Relevance & concerns

Reflects reduced extreme poverty—falling to 2.3% (under $2.15/day).
India compares favorably against China (35.7) and high-inequality G7 economies.
Note: This measures consumption inequality; income inequality may remain high as per alternate data sources

Consider the following statements about WHO “3 by 35” Initiative :
1. It aims to raise real prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035.
2. It targets exactly three product categories: tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks.
3. Its sole objective is to generate US $1 trillion in revenue, with no health goals.
4. It seeks to reduce non‑communicable diseases while boosting public revenue.
Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: The World Health Organization launched its ambitious “3 by 35” Initiative, calling on countries to raise the real prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035, aiming to reduce non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) and generate US $1 trillion in public revenue over the next decade.

About “3 BY 35”

Purpose: Use health taxes to curb harmful usage and fund health systems ― saves lives, reduces NCD burden, and boosts government revenue.
Targets: A minimum 50% price increase on each product category (tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks) through excise or health tax instruments.
Actions:
1. Mobilisation: Engaging heads of state, ministries, civil society for political will.
2. Support: Technical aid, evidence-based policy assistance, and global learning.
3. Partnerships: Advocacy coalitions, cross-sector collaboration, reinforcing sustainable health financing.

Consider the following statements about the Green Climate Fund GCF:
1. It was established at COP16 in 2010.
2. It is headquartered in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea.
3. It splits its funding equally between mitigation and adaptation.
4. It directs all its adaptation funds exclusively to SIDS, LDCs and African countries.
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 Green Climate Fund announced approval of over USD 120 million for climate resilience projects in Ghana, Maldives, and Mauritania, via UNEP-developed programmes.

About GCF

Established: At COP16 (Cancún, 2010); world’s largest climate-specific fund under UNFCCC .
Headquarters: Songdo (Incheon), South Korea.
Mandate: Provide equal funding (~50% mitigation, 50% adaptation), with at least half adaptation funds to SIDS, LDCs, Africa .

New funding details

Ghana: US $70 million (US $63 m grant) to strengthen agro-ecosystem and rural livelihoods across 8 districts, aiding ~120 communities.
Maldives & Mauritania: Nature-based solutions, climate-resilient agriculture, early warning systems, improved water security—benefitting 5+ million people.

Consider the following statements:
1. The Alaknanda originates from the Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers.
2. It merges with the Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganges.
3. Rudraprayag is the final (fifth) of the Panch Prayag confluences.
4. The recent surge was triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall.
Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: Heavy monsoon rainfall in Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) has caused a sudden rise in the Alaknanda River, triggering localized flood alerts.

About Alaknanda River

Source & Course: Originates from Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers; flows ~190 km before merging with Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganges.
Panch Prayag (Five Confluences): Vishnuprayag (Dhauliganga), Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag (Mandakini), Devprayag.
Pilgrimage Significance: Fertile bed for Char Dham Yatra—sites include Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib, Joshimath.
Hydro Infrastructure: Projects include Alaknanda (Badrinath), Lata Tapovan, Devsari Dam, Nandprayag Langasu, Vishnugad Pipalkoti.

Which one of the following best describes the primary objective of the BHARAT initiative launched by IISc Bengaluru?

(A) To develop new vaccine candidates for age‑related diseases
(B) To create an India‑specific biomarker database tracking genomic, proteomic, metabolic, environmental, and lifestyle markers
(C) To train geriatric care specialists across India
(D) To sequence the entire human genome of 1,000 Indian individuals

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context: IISc launched BHARAT—“Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity, and Transitions”under its Longevity India program.

About the Bharat Study

Objective: Create the Bharat Baseline—India-specific biomarker database tracking genomic, proteomic, metabolic, environmental, and lifestyle markers.
Scope: Multiparametric assessments, advanced clinical checks, multi-omics, and lifestyle integration; addresses diagnostic mismatch with Western standards.
Outcomes: Aims to improve age-related disease interventions, refine public health diagnostics, and influence national standards for vitamin/mineral markers.