CURRENT AFFAIRS 11-08-2025

POCKET INFO

1. Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run of Asia’s longest freight

train, ‘Rudrastra’, spanning 4.5 km. The trial covered 209 km from
Ganjkhwaja (Uttar Pradesh) to Garhwa (Jharkhand) in 5 hours 10 minutes
at an average speed of 40.5 km/h. Comprising 345 wagons and 7 engines,
Rudrastra was formed by linking three long-haul racks, effectively aligning
five goods trains. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed it as Bharat’s
longest freight train, aimed at enhancing transport efficiency, saving time
and resources, and accelerating freight movement from DDU to Dhanbad
Division.

2. India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, formally released

declassified Joint Doctrines for Cyberspace Operations and Amphibious
Operations. This move enhances transparency and promotes wider
understanding of integrated war-fighting concepts. These doctrines provide
a unified framework for the Indian Armed Forces to operate cohesively
across multiple domains. They reflect India’s strategic intent to modernise
defence capabilities and strengthen joint operations among the Army,
Navy, and Air Force. Cyberspace is a global domain comprising
interconnected networks, communication systems, and data
infrastructures. It functions as a critical operational environment where
information flows and military activities occur.
3. The village of Satnavri in rural Nagpur is at the forefront of India’s rural
digital transformation. Selected under a state-backed pilot project, it aims
to become the nation’s first ‘Smart Intelligent Village’. The initiative
integrates advanced technology into daily rural life, covering agriculture,
education, healthcare, governance, and finance. This project reflects a new
model for holistic rural development using modern digital tools. The pilot
was approved by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after a
detailed blueprint presentation by the Voice of Indian Communication
Technology Enterprises (VOICE).

4. Turkey recently suspended all shipping traffic through the Dardanelles

Strait due to extensive forest fires in the Çanakkale province. The Ministry
of Transport announced the temporary closure, affecting the usual flow of
about 100 ships daily. This event marks the strait’s ongoing strategic and
environmental significance. The Dardanelles is a narrow strait in
northwestern Turkey.It stretches 61 kilometres long and varies between 1.2
and 6.5 kilometres wide.It connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of
Marmara.The strait lies between the Gallipoli peninsula in Europe and the
Asian mainland of Anatolia.

5. The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) increased to 130.1 points in July 2025.
This rise of 1.6 percent from June was mainly due to higher international
prices of meat and vegetable oils. Despite this monthly growth, the index
remains 18.8 percent below its March 2022 peak. It is, however, 7.6 percent
above July 2024 levels. Wheat and sorghum prices fell due to fresh harvests
in the northern hemisphere and ample supplies. Maize and barley prices
rose slightly, supported by dry conditions in parts of Eastern Europe and
reduced exports from Argentina and Brazil. Seasonal harvests and regional
weather patterns influenced these movements.

6. The Sea of Galilee in Israel displayed an unusual red hue over several days.
Israeli authorities have investigated and explained the phenomenon as a
natural occurrence linked to algae growth. The event marks growing
concerns about climate change and its impact on freshwater ecosystems
worldwide. Officials confirmed the water remains safe for humans. The
green algae Botryococcus braunii, common in the lake, produces red
pigments under sunlight. This pigment accumulation caused the striking
red tint. The Water Ministry continues to monitor the lake’s water quality
and ecosystem health.
7. India ranked 67th globally in the mid-2025 Numbeo Safety Index with a
score of 55.8. Globally, Middle Eastern cities dominate the top safety
positions, with Abu Dhabi leading for the ninth consecutive year.
Mangalore tops the list with a safety index of 74.2. It ranks 49th worldwide.
Its low crime rates and effective civic infrastructure contribute to this.
Gujarat dominates with three cities – Vadodara (69.2), Ahmedabad (68.2),
and Surat (66.6). Southern cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai
also feature in the top 10, reflecting good urban governance. New Delhi,
Noida, and Ghaziabad rank among the most unsafe Indian cities. Delhi’s
crime index is 59.03, Ghaziabad’s 58.44, and Noida’s 55.1. Safety
concerns, especially for women, remain high. These cities face issues like
violent crime, harassment, and property crimes.

8. Aadhaar face authentication recorded a historic 19.36 crore transactions in

July 2025, up from 5.77 crore in July 2024, showing rapid adoption across
banking, telecom, oil, and government services.The month saw a 22%
increase over June and a record 1.22 crore transactions on 1 July alone.
Over 150 entities now use the AI-driven technology for secure, contactless
verification, including integration with NSAP, NMC medical colleges, and
recruitment bodies like SSC and RRB.Overall, Aadhaar authentication
reached 221 crore transactions, with e-KYC at 39.56 crore, reflecting its
growing impact on welfare delivery and digital governance.

9. India’s Annu Rani clinched the gold medal in women’s javelin throw at the
International Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Poland with a season-best
throw of 62.59 meters.The 32-year-old Asian Games champion secured the
win early with a 60.96m first attempt and followed it up with her best in
the second.Turkey’s Eda Tugsuz and Australia’s Lianna Davidson won
silver and bronze, espectively. Annu now ranks among the top 15 javelin
throwers globally this season and is targeting the 64m qualification mark
for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

10. India AI and the National Cancer Grid (NCG) have launched the CATCH
Grant Program to support innovative AI solutions in cancer screening,
diagnosis, and treatment across India.The program offers pilot grants up to
₹50 lakh and potential scale-up funding up to ₹1 crore for up to 10 selected
projects. Startups, health tech firms, academia, and hospitals can apply by
September 2, 2025.The initiative emphasizes responsible AI development,
clinical validation, and deployment readiness within the NCG network,
 aiming to boost healthcare operations and patient outcomes through
advanced technology.

List of Important Days

1. 6th August - Hiroshima Day - on 6th August, 1945, US Boeing - 29
bomber aircraft dropped the powerful “ Little Boy” (Urenium 235) , the
1st atom bomb over Hiroshima in japan.
2. 7th August - National Javelin Day - on 7th August 2021 Neeraj chopra
won the men’s javelin throw gold at Tokyo 2020 olympics with a throw
of 87.58 m.
3. 9th August - Nagasaki Day - on 9th August 1945 , the American B29
airplane named “ Bockscar” dropped the “ Fat man” the 2nd atom bomb (
plutonium 239) , on Japan’s Nagasaki.
4. 20th August - World Mosquito Day - on August 20 , 1897 , Ronald Ross
discovered the malaria parasite from female Anopheles Mosquito.

QUIZ

1. Which company launched its first satellites under Project Kuiper to compete
with Starlink?
A. Google
B. Microsoft
C. Facebook
D. Amazon
Exp.
 Amazon has officially entered the satellite internet race by launching the
first 27 satellites under its Project Kuiper. The initiative is a $10 billion
plan to deploy a total of 3,236 satellites in low-Earth orbit by 2026,
targeting the delivery of high-speed broadband internet, especially in
underserved and rural areas around the world.
 This move positions Amazon as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink,
which already has a significant number of satellites in orbit.

2. Which city became the first in India to issue a Certified Green Municipal
Bond to fund a Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant?
A. Mumbai
B. Delhi
C. Bengaluru
D. Ghaziabad

Exp.
 Ghaziabad has made a significant step in urban sustainability by issuing
India's first Certified Green Municipal Bond.
 The bond raised ₹150 crore to fund the construction of a Tertiary Sewage
Treatment Plant (TSTP) under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban.
 This advanced facility, designed with state-of-the-art water recycling
technologies, aims to treat water and improve recycling capabilities.

3. Recently, which community became the 6th PVTG to get habitat rights over
forests in Odisha?
A. Gadaba community
B. Sora community
C. Bhumia community
D. Mankidia community
Exp.
 The Mankidia community in Odisha is now the 6th Particularly
Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) to gain habitat rights over forests. They
are a semi-nomadic group, part of the Birhor tribe, living primarily off the
forest.
 Mankidias are hunters and gatherers, known for their wandering lifestyle
and temporary settlements called Kumbhas. They speak a form of the
Munda language and some also speak Odia.
 Their beliefs center around spirits and ancestors, with Logobir and
Budhimai as their supreme deities. The community is found in Odisha,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

4. What is the name of Karnataka’s first gas-based power plant, recently

inaugurated by state’s chief minister?
A. Yelahanka Combined Cycle Power Plant
B. Belagavi gas power plant
C. Siddaramaiah Gas Plant
D. None of the Above

Exp.
 Karnataka inaugurated its first gas-based power plant, Yelahanka
Combined Cycle Power Plant (YCCPP), built for ₹2,500 crore. It
generates 370.05 MW of power using both gas and steam turbine
generators.
 Developed in partnership with GAIL, the plant aims to enhance the
state’s energy reliability and sustainability. The plant boosts Karnataka’s
energy production, targeting 10,000 MW capacity alongside other plants.

5. Which state has become the third state to conduct a caste-based census?
A. Kerala
B. Maharashtra
C. Telangana
D. Gujarat
Exp.
 The Telangana government has started a comprehensive household caste
survey to ensure fair resource distribution among all communities. This
makes Telangana the third state to conduct a caste-based headcount,
following Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
 The survey aims to plan and implement various opportunities for the
socio-economic and educational improvement of OBCs, SCs, STs, and
other weaker sections. It focuses on enhancing employment and political
opportunities for these communities in the state.

6. Which village has become the country’s first solar border village?
A. Limbuni (Gujarat)
B. Devsar (Jammu and Kashmir)
C. Masali (Gujarat)
D. Nadihal (Jammu and Kashmir)

Exp.
 Masali village in Suigam taluka, Banaskantha, Gujarat, became India’s
first border solar village. Located 40 km from the Pakistan border, the
village has a population of 800 people.
 The village became part of a Border Development Project aiming to make
17 villages fully solar-powered. The Rs 1.16 crore project was supported
by the Revenue Department, UGVCL (Uttar Gujarat Vij Company
Limited), banks, and solar companies.
 It received Rs 59.81 lakh subsidy under PM Suryaghar Yojana, Rs 20.52
lakh from public contributions, and Rs 35.67 lakh from CSR (corporate
social responsibility).

7. What is the name of India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge located in Jammu
and Kashmir?
A. Anji Khad Bridge
B. Chenab Bridge
C. Dhola-Sadiya Bridge
D. None of the Above
Exp.
 The Anji Khad Bridge, recently completed in Jammu and Kashmir, is
India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
 It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
project. The bridge spans 725.5 meters and features a 193-meter-high
main pylon.
 It is designed to withstand severe weather conditions. This bridge
improves connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley, boosting
tourism and economic growth.
 Its construction involved advanced techniques and international
collaboration, highlighting India’s commitment to modern infrastructure.

8. Which city has become home to India’s first PPP-model based green waste
processing plant?
A. Varanasi
B. New Delhi
C. Indore
D. Chennai

Exp.
 Indore is launching India’s first PPP-model green waste processing plant
under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
 The plant aims to convert green waste into valuable resources like
wooden pellets as an alternative to coal, promoting energy conservation.
The plant is built on 55,000 square feet land in Bicholi Hapsi,
transforming green waste into valuable products. The initiative helps
control Air Quality Index (AQI), reduces pollution, and supports
environmental sustainability.
 The project promotes waste management, cleanliness, and revenue
generation for IMC, aligning with the Garbage-Free Cities vision.
9. Which Indian state has received approval for the ₹2,100 crore PM MITRA
Textile Park project aimed at boosting the textile industry?
A. Gujarat
B. Maharashtra
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Madhya Pradesh

Exp.
 Madhya Pradesh has been approved for the ₹2,100 crore PM MITRA
Textile Park, a significant initiative under the central government’s plan
to strengthen India’s textile sector.
 Spanning 2,100 acres, the park will feature advanced infrastructure
including a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant, solar-powered energy
systems, and Built-To-Suit (BTS) units tailored to industry needs.
 The project is expected to draw major investments, generate employment,
and enhance India's competitiveness in global textile markets.

10. Which two states are connected by the ₹22,864-crore greenfield highway
project approved by the Cabinet Committee?
A. Nagaland and Assam
B. Meghalaya and Assam
C. Meghalaya and Manipur
D. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
Exp.
 The Cabinet Committee, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved
a greenfield highway project worth ₹22,864 crore that will connect
Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya with Panchgram in Assam. The proposed
four-lane access-controlled highway will stretch over 166.8 km, of which
144.80 km lies in Meghalaya and 22.00 km in Assam.
 The project is to be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM),
which blends government support with private-sector investment.

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