NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Who launched the ‘ADEETIE Scheme’ in Haryana on July 15, 2025?
A. Piyush Goyal
B. Manohar Lal Khattar
C. Sarbananda Sonowal
D. Nitin Gadkari
E. Arjun Ram Meghwal
Answer: B. Manohar Lal Khattar
2. What is the total budget allocated for the ADEETIE Scheme?
A. Rs. 500 crore
B. Rs. 750 crore
C. Rs. 1,000 crore
D. Rs. 1,250 crore
E. Rs. 1,500 crore
Answer: C. Rs. 1,000 crore
3. Which organization is responsible for implementing the ADEETIE Scheme?
A. National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)
B. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
C. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
D. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
E. Energy Efficiency Services Limited
Answer: B. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
4. What is the interest subvention percentage offered to Micro and Small Enterprises under the ADEETIE Scheme?
A. 3%
B. 4%
C. 5%
D. 6%
E. 7%
Answer: C. 5%
5. Where was the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave held from July 14 to July 15, 2025?
A. Chennai, Tamil Nadu
B. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
C. Mumbai, Maharashtra
D. Kolkata, West Bengal
E. Kochi, Kerala
Answer: B. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
6. What was the theme of the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave?
A. Maritime Trade and Innovation
B. Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships
C. Port-Led Economic Growth
D. Sustainable Maritime Development
E. Enhancing Regional Connectivity
Answer: B. Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships
7. Where will the BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre be established?
A. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
B. Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
C. Chennai, Tamil Nadu
D. Kolkata, West Bengal
E. Goa
Answer: B. Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
8. What was the merchandise export value for India in Q3FY25, as reported in the Trade Watch Quarterly?
A. USD 98.7 billion
B. USD 108.7 billion
C. USD 118.7 billion
D. USD 128.7 billion
E. USD 138.7 billion
Answer: B. USD 108.7 billion
9. What was India’s rank as a global exporter of Digitally Delivered Services in 2024, according to the Trade Watch Quarterly?
A. 3rd
B. 4th
C. 5th
D. 6th
E. 7th
Answer: C. 5th
10. Which village in Sikkim was declared India’s first digital nomad village in July 2025?
A. Lachung
B. Yakten
C. Pelling
D. Namchi
E. Ravangla
Answer: B. Yakten
11. Under which initiative was Yakten village declared India’s first digital nomad village?
A. Digital Sikkim
B. Nomad Sikkim
C. Sikkim Connect
D. Himalayan Digital Hub
E. Smart Village Initiative
Answer: B. Nomad Sikkim
12. What is the full form of the TALASH initiative launched by NESTS and UNICEF India?
A. Tribal Advancement for Learning and Skill Hub
B. Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub
C. Tribal Academic and Leadership Support Hub
D. Tribal Aspirations and Learning Support Hub
E. Tribal Access to Learning and Skill Hub
Answer: B. Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub
13. How many EMRS teachers were initially trained under the TALASH initiative?
A. 150
B. 169
C. 189
D. 209
E. 229
Answer: C. 189
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
14. Which city topped the QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings?
A. Tokyo, Japan
B. Seoul, South Korea
C. London, United Kingdom
D. Munich, Germany
E. Melbourne, Australia
Answer: B. Seoul, South Korea
15. What was Mumbai’s rank in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 list?
A. 88
B. 94
C. 98
D. 104
E. 108
Answer: C. 98
BANKING & FINANCE
16. When does the SEBI ‘VCF Settlement Scheme 2025’ commence?
A. July 15, 2025
B. July 21, 2025
C. August 1, 2025
D. August 15, 2025
E. January 19, 2026
Answer: B. July 21, 2025
17. What is the non-refundable application fee for the VCF Settlement Scheme 2025, including GST?
A. Rs. 20,000
B. Rs. 25,000
C. Rs. 30,000
D. Rs. 35,000
E. Rs. 40,000
Answer: B. Rs. 25,000
18. What is the target asset management amount for the SMFG and SBI Holdings joint venture in Japan?
A. JPY 5 trillion
B. JPY 7.5 trillion
C. JPY 10 trillion
D. JPY 12.5 trillion
E. JPY 15 trillion
Answer: C. JPY 10 trillion
19. Which company received in-principle approval from the RBI for a Cross-Border PA License on July 15, 2025?
A. Paytm
B. EximPe
C. Razorpay
D. PhonePe
E. Google Pay
Answer: B. EximPe
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
20. What was India’s retail inflation rate in June 2025, as per the NSO report?
A. 1.72%
B. 2.10%
C. 2.56%
D. 2.82%
E. 3.12%
Answer: B. 2.10%
21. What was the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rate in June 2025?
A. -0.13%
B. 0.13%
C. 0.39%
D. -0.39%
E. 0.82%
Answer: A. -0.13%
22. What was India’s overall trade deficit in June 2025, according to the MoC&I data?
A. USD 2.51 billion
B. USD 3.51 billion
C. USD 4.51 billion
D. USD 5.51 billion
E. USD 6.51 billion
Answer: B. USD 3.51 billion
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
23. Who became the first Indian to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award 2024-25?
A. Harmanpreet Singh
B. Deepika Sehrawat
C. Savita Punia
D. Manpreet Singh
E. Rani Rampal
Answer: B. Deepika Sehrawat
24. Against which team did Deepika Sehrawat score her spectacular solo strike to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award?
A. Australia
B. Netherlands
C. Spain
D. Belgium
E. Germany
Answer: B. Netherlands
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
25. What was the value of the acquisition of the target business from Siemens Gamesa by Peony Properties and others, approved by the CCI?
A. Rs. 5,000 crore
B. Rs. 6,000 crore
C. Rs. 7,000 crore
D. Rs. 8,000 crore
E. Rs. 9,000 crore
Answer: C. Rs. 7,000 crore
26. Which company’s acquisition by Rungta Sons Private Limited was approved by the CCI on July 15, 2025?
A. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Power
B. SMC Power Generation Limited
C. TPG REGen SG Pte. Limited
D. Mavco Investments
E. Tikri Investments
Answer: B. SMC Power Generation Limited
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
27. How many indigenously developed radiation detection systems were handed over by DRDO to the Indian Navy in July 2025?
A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven
E. Eight
Answer: C. Six
28. What is the name of the indigenously developed carbon fibre foot prosthesis unveiled by DRDL and AIIMS Bibinagar?
A. AIDOC
B. ADIDOC
C. CARBONPRO
D. INDIFOOT
E. DRDOFOOT
Answer: B. ADIDOC
29. How many GE F404-IN20 engines are expected to be delivered to HAL by the end of FY26 for the LCA Tejas Mk1A programme?
A. 8
B. 10
C. 12
D. 14
E. 16
Answer: C. 12
ENVIRONMENT
30. What is the name of the new dragonfly species discovered in the Western Ghats in June 2025?
A. Lyriothemis flava
B. Lyriothemis abrahami
C. Cnemaspis brahmaputra
D. Zographetus mathewi
E. Idris bianor
Answer: B. Lyriothemis abrahami
31. In which journal was the discovery of the dragonfly species ‘Lyriothemis abrahami’ published?
A. Taprobanica
B. Entomon
C. European Journal of Taxonomy
D. Journal of Asian Biodiversity
E. Nature
Answer: B. Entomon
32. Where was the new diurnal gecko species ‘Cnemaspis brahmaputra’ discovered?
A. Western Ghats, Kerala
B. Dirgheswari Temple, Assam
C. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
D. Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh
E. Sundarbans, West Bengal
Answer: B. Dirgheswari Temple, Assam
OBITUARY
33. At what age did Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, pass away on July 14, 2025?
A. 110
B. 112
C. 114
D. 116
E. 118
Answer: C. 114
34. In which year did Fauja Singh become the first centenarian to complete a marathon?
A. 2003
B. 2007
C. 2011
D. 2012
E. 2013
Answer: C. 2011
IMPORTANT DAYS
35. When is AI Appreciation Day observed annually?
A. July 14
B. July 15
C. July 16
D. July 17
E. July 18
Answer: C. July 16
STATE NEWS
36. Who announced the transfers and appointments of Chief Justices and High Court judges on July 14, 2025?
A. Manohar Lal Khattar
B. Sarbananda Sonowal
C. Arjun Ram Meghwal
D. Nitin Gadkari
E. Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai
Answer: C. Arjun Ram Meghwal
37. How many Chief Justices were transferred across various High Courts in India on July 14, 2025?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six
E. Seven
Answer: B. Four
38. Who was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court in July 2025?
A. Sanjeev Sachdeva
B. Vibhu Bakhru
C. Ashutosh Kumar
D. Vipul Manubhai Panchol
E. Tarlok Singh Chauhan
Answer: B. Vibhu Bakhru
39. How many senior IAS officers were appointed as official spokespersons by the Tamil Nadu Government in July 2025?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
E. Six
Answer: C. Four
40. Who among the following was NOT appointed as an official spokesperson by the Tamil Nadu Government in July 2025?
A. J Radhakrishnan
B. Gagandeep Singh Bedi
C. Dheeraj Kumar
D. P Amudha
E. Sanjay Kaul
Answer: E. Sanjay Kaul
Current Affairs Today: 17 July 2025
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
- ADEETIE Scheme Launch: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the ADEETIE (Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments) Scheme in Haryana with a budget of Rs. 1,000 crores. The scheme, implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), aims to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It offers interest subvention of 5% for Micro and Small Enterprises and 3% for Medium Enterprises on loans. The initiative will be implemented over three years (FY26 to FY28), initially targeting 60 industrial clusters.
- 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The conclave, themed ‘Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships’, aims to operationalize the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation. A new BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre will be established in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- NITI Aayog’s ‘Trade Watch Quarterly’: NITI Aayog launched the 3rd edition of ‘Trade Watch Quarterly (TWQ)’ for Q3 FY25. The report revealed that India’s merchandise exports grew by 3% to USD 108.7 billion, while imports increased by 6.5% to USD 187.5 billion. The services surplus was USD 52.3 billion, and India was ranked the 5th largest exporter of Digitally Delivered Services.
- India’s First Digital Nomad Village: Yakten village in Sikkim was declared India’s first digital nomad village under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ initiative. The village has been equipped with two internet lines and Wi-Fi to support remote workers and address seasonal income challenges faced by local homestay operators.
- ‘TALASH’ Initiative for Tribal Students: The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) and UNICEF India jointly launched the ‘TALASH’ (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) initiative. This program aims to support the all-round development of tribal students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) through a digital platform offering psychometric assessments, career counseling, and life skills modules.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
- QS Best Student Cities 2026: The QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings were released, with Seoul (South Korea) topping the list for the first time. Mumbai was ranked 98th globally, while other Indian cities on the list include New Delhi (104th), Bangalore (108th), and Chennai (128th).
BANKING & FINANCE
- SEBI’s VCF Settlement Scheme: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled the ‘Venture Capital Fund (VCF) Settlement Scheme 2025’ to address violations of winding-up provisions by migrated VCFs. The scheme runs from July 21, 2025, to January 19, 2026.
- SMFG and SBI Holdings’ Joint Venture: Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) and SBI Holdings announced a joint venture to offer wealth management services in Japan, with a goal of managing JPY 10 trillion (approximately USD 69 billion) in assets within five years.
- EximPe Receives RBI Approval: Cross-border fintech company EximPe received in-principle approval from the RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA) for cross-border export and import activities.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
- Retail Inflation Falls to 2.10%: According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), declined to a 75-month low of 2.10% in June 2025. This is the fifth consecutive month that inflation has remained below the RBI’s 4% target.
- Trade Deficit Narrows: Data from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) showed that India’s overall trade deficit narrowed to USD 3.51 billion in June 2025, down from USD 7.30 billion in June 2024. Overall exports increased by 6.5% to USD 67.98 billion.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
- Deepika Sehrawat Wins Poligras Magic Skill Award: Indian women’s hockey player Deepika Sehrawat became the first Indian to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award for 2024-25, presented by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), for her goal against the Netherlands.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
- CCI Approvals: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Power’s (SGRE) target business by a consortium of companies for Rs. 7,000 crores. It also approved the acquisition of SMC Power Generation Limited by Rungta Sons Private Limited.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- DRDO Hands Over Radiation Detection Systems: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over six indigenously developed radiation detection systems to the Indian Navy. These include the Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System (GRASS) and the Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System (UGRMS).
- India Receives Second GE-404 Engine: India received the second GE F404-IN20 engine from the USA’s General Electric (GE) Aerospace for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme. India signed a USD 716 million deal for 99 of these engines in 2021.
ENVIRONMENT
- New Dragonfly Species Discovered: A new dragonfly species, ‘Lyriothemis abrahami’, was discovered in the Western Ghats by researchers from the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS). It was named in honor of odonatologist Abraham Samuel. A new species of gecko, ‘Cnemaspis brahmaputra’, was also discovered in Assam.
OBITUARY
- Fauja Singh Passes Away: Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, passed away at the age of 114 in Jalandhar, Punjab. Known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” he began his running career at age 89.
IMPORTANT DAYS
- AI Appreciation Day: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day is observed annually on July 16 to recognize the transformative impact of AI on society.
STATE NEWS
- Judicial Appointments and Transfers: The Ministry of Law and Justice approved the transfers of four Chief Justices and the appointments of five new Chief Justices across various High Courts. Additionally, 19 High Court judges were transferred.
- TN Govt Appoints IAS Officers as Spokespersons: The Tamil Nadu government appointed four senior IAS officers as official spokespersons for the first time, including J Radhakrishnan and Gagandeep Singh Bedi, to professionalize and streamline public communication.