1. Where was the North-East Conclave 2025 inaugurated on July 11, 2025?
A. Guwahati, Assam
B. Shillong, Meghalaya
C. Imphal, Manipur
D. Agartala, Tripura
E. Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: B. Shillong, Meghalaya
2. Who inaugurated the North-East Conclave 2025?
A. Jagat Prakash Nadda
B. Nirmala Sitharaman
C. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
D. H.D. Kumaraswamy
E. Pankaj Chaudhary
Answer: B. Nirmala Sitharaman
3. What was the theme of the North-East Conclave 2025?
A. Empowering Digital Innovation
B. From Ideation to Incorporation
C. Sustainable Development in the North-East
D. Strengthening Regional Connectivity
E. Promoting Tribal Welfare
Answer: B. From Ideation to Incorporation
4. How many strategic MoUs were signed by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) during the North-East Conclave 2025?
A. Five
B. Six
C. Seven
D. Eight
E. Nine
Answer: C. Seven
5. What is the total budget allocated for the PM E-DRIVE initiative, as mentioned in the context of the electric trucks incentive scheme?
A. Rs. 5,000 crore
B. Rs. 7,500 crore
C. Rs. 10,900 crore
D. Rs. 12,000 crore
E. Rs. 15,000 crore
Answer: C. Rs. 10,900 crore
6. How much funding was specifically earmarked for electric trucks under the PM E-DRIVE scheme?
A. Rs. 200 crore
B. Rs. 300 crore
C. Rs. 400 crore
D. Rs. 500 crore
E. Rs. 600 crore
Answer: D. Rs. 500 crore
7. How many electric trucks are allocated for Delhi under the PM E-DRIVE incentive scheme?
A. 800
B. 1,000
C. 1,100
D. 1,200
E. 1,300
Answer: C. 1,100
8. What is the primary aim of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme launched by the Department of Telecommunications?
A. To promote 5G infrastructure development
B. To engage student volunteers as digital ambassadors
C. To provide free internet to rural areas
D. To train telecom professionals
E. To enhance satellite communication
Answer: B. To engage student volunteers as digital ambassadors
9. Where was the first outreach session of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme conducted?
A. New Delhi, Delhi
B. Guwahati, Assam
C. Bengaluru, Karnataka
D. Mumbai, Maharashtra
E. Hyderabad, Telangana
Answer: B. Guwahati, Assam
10. What is one of the core pillars of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme?
A. Sustainability
B. Innovate
C. Security
D. Accessibility
E. Profitability
Answer: B. Innovate
11. What was the theme of the Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 inaugurated by Union MoS Pankaj Chaudhary?
A. Digital Transformation in Trade
B. Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade
C. Boosting Agricultural Exports
D. Strengthening Customs Infrastructure
E. Promoting Global Trade Partnerships
Answer: B. Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade
12. Which organization organized the Trade Facilitation Conference 2025?
A. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
B. Ministry of Commerce & Industry
C. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
D. Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL)
E. Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Answer: A. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
13. With which organization did the UAE-India CEPA Council sign an MoU during the Start-up Sundowner event in Mumbai?
A. Indian Institute of Management Bombay
B. Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE)
C. Startup India
D. National Institute of Technology Bombay
E. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry
Answer: B. Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE)
14. What is the title of the WHO’s technical brief released in July 2025 recognizing India’s leadership in AI and traditional medicine?
A. AI in Global Healthcare
B. Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine
C. Traditional Medicine and Digital Innovation
D. AYUSH Integration Roadmap
E. AI for Global Health Equity
Answer: B. Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine
15. Which Indian digital platform was highlighted by WHO for integrating AI with AYUSH systems?
A. e-NAM Portal
B. SAHI Portal
C. BHASHINI Portal
D. e-Anudaan Portal
E. Upkaran E-Portal
Answer: B. SAHI Portal
16. According to the IMF Fintech note, how many monthly transactions does India’s UPI facilitate?
A. Over 12 billion
B. Over 15 billion
C. Over 18 billion
D. Over 20 billion
E. Over 22 billion
Answer: C. Over 18 billion
17. Which company signed a Long-Term Agreement with Indian companies for the supply of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer during JP Nadda’s visit to Saudi Arabia?
A. Aramco
B. Maaden
C. SABIC
D. Petro Rabigh
E. Tasnee
Answer: B. Maaden
18. How many countries participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025?
A. 15
B. 17
C. 19
D. 21
E. 23
Answer: C. 19
19. Who won the PEN Pinter Prize 2025?
A. Arundhati Roy
B. Leila Aboulela
C. Salman Rushdie
D. Margaret Atwood
E. Michael Rosen
Answer: B. Leila Aboulela
20. Where will the PEN Pinter Prize 2025 ceremony be held?
A. October Gallery, London
B. British Library, London
C. National Gallery, London
D. Tate Modern, London
E. Royal Academy, London
Answer: B. British Library, London
21. Who received the 2025 UN Population Award in the individual category?
A. Indira Gandhi
B. JRD Tata
C. Varsha Deshpande
D. Ujjwal Nikam
E. Meenakshi Jain
Answer: C. Varsha Deshpande
22. Which organization won the 2025 UN Population Award in the institutional category?
A. World Health Organization
B. International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP)
C. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
D. Population Council
E. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Answer: B. International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP)
23. Who was appointed as the new Governor of Haryana on July 14, 2025?
A. Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju
B. Kavinder Gupta
C. Ashim Kumar Ghosh
D. Bandaru Dattatreya
E. P S Sreedharan Pillai
Answer: C. Ashim Kumar Ghosh
24. Who was appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on July 14, 2025?
A. B.D. Mishra
B. Kavinder Gupta
C. Ujjwal Nikam
D. Harsh Vardhan Shringla
E. C Sadanandan Master
Answer: B. Kavinder Gupta
25. Which of the following was NOT nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu on July 14, 2025?
A. Ujjwal Nikam
B. Harsh Vardhan Shringla
C. C Sadanandan Master
D. Meenakshi Jain
E. Ashim Kumar Ghosh
Answer: E. Ashim Kumar Ghosh
26. Where was the flight-test of the Astra BVRAAM conducted in July 2025?
A. Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
B. Chandipur, Odisha
C. Wheeler Island, Odisha
D. Bengaluru, Karnataka
E. Pokhran, Rajasthan
Answer: B. Chandipur, Odisha
27. What is the strike range of the Astra BVRAAM missile?
A. Over 50 km
B. Over 75 km
C. Over 100 km
D. Over 125 km
E. Over 150 km
Answer: C. Over 100 km
28. Which organization designed and developed the Astra BVRAAM missile?
A. Bharat Electronics Limited
B. Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)
C. Indian Space Research Organisation
D. Bharat Dynamics Limited
E. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Answer: B. Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)
29. How many new species of microscopic parasitic wasps were discovered by the Zoological Survey of India in West Bengal?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
E. Six
Answer: C. Four
30. What is the name of the new butterfly species discovered in the Western Ghats?
A. Idris bianor
B. Zographetus mathewi
C. Idris longiscapus
D. Hesperia comma
E. Papilio machaon
Answer: B. Zographetus mathewi
31. Who won the Men’s Singles title at the 138th Wimbledon Championships in 2025?
A. Carlos Alcaraz
B. Jannik Sinner
C. Novak Djokovic
D. Rafael Nadal
E. Roger Federer
Answer: B. Jannik Sinner
32. Who was the first Polish player to win the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles title in 2025?
A. Agnieszka Radwanska
B. Iga Świątek
C. Magda Linette
D. Angelique Kerber
E. Amanda Anisimova
Answer: B. Iga Świątek
33. At what age did veteran actress B. Saroja Devi pass away on July 14, 2025?
A. 83
B. 85
C. 87
D. 89
E. 91
Answer: C. 87
34. In which year was B. Saroja Devi awarded the Padma Bhushan?
A. 1969
B. 1992
C. 2008
D. 2009
E. 2015
Answer: B. 1992
35. In how many films did Kota Srinivasa Rao feature during his career?
A. Over 500
B. Over 600
C. Over 750
D. Over 800
E. Over 900
Answer: C. Over 750
36. What is the purpose of International Malala Day observed on July 12?
A. To promote environmental conservation
B. To highlight the fight for girls’ education
C. To combat sand and dust storms
D. To promote hope and peace
E. To celebrate women’s empowerment
Answer: B. To highlight the fight for girls’ education
37. When was the first International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms observed?
A. July 12, 2021
B. July 12, 2022
C. July 12, 2023
D. July 12, 2024
E. July 12, 2025
Answer: C. July 12, 2023
38. Which country introduced the UNGA resolution for the International Day of Hope?
A. India
B. Kiribati
C. Mongolia
D. Rwanda
E. Germany
Answer: B. Kiribati
39. What is the purpose of the Saheli Smart Cards introduced by the Delhi Transport Corporation?
A. To provide free metro travel for women
B. To enable free bus travel for women and transgenders
C. To offer discounted fares for students
D. To promote cashless payments in markets
E. To support healthcare access for women
Answer: B. To enable free bus travel for women and transgenders
40. Under which framework will the Saheli Smart Cards be issued?
A. Unified Payment Interface (UPI)
B. National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
C. Aadhaar Payment System
D. BHIM App
E. Digital India Framework
Answer: B. National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
Current Affairs Today: 15 July 2025
National Affairs
- The North-East Conclave 2025 was held in Shillong, Meghalaya, with the theme “From Ideation to Incorporation.” Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the event and laid the foundation stone for the first regional campus of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA).
- The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) launched India’s first demand incentive scheme for electric trucks under the PM E-DRIVE initiative. The scheme, with a budget of ₹500 crore, offers a maximum incentive of ₹9.6 lakh per electric truck.
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the nationwide ‘Sanchar Mitra Scheme’ to engage student volunteers as “Digital Ambassadors” to promote telecom awareness and digital literacy among the public.
- Union Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated the Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 in New Delhi, focusing on modernizing laboratory infrastructure and improving human resource capacity to boost India’s trade ecosystem.
- The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) launched a “Start-up Series” in Mumbai to accelerate cross-border innovation between Indian and UAE start-ups. As part of this, an MoU was signed with the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay.
International Affairs
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) released its first-ever roadmap for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into traditional medicine, recognizing India’s leadership in this field, particularly with its AYUSH system.
- An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report highlighted that India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) has become the world’s largest retail fast payment system by volume, with monthly transactions exceeding 18 billion.
- Union Minister Jagat Prakash (JP) Nadda visited Saudi Arabia to enhance cooperation in the chemicals and fertilizers sectors. A long-term agreement was signed between Maaden and three Indian companies for the annual supply of 3.1 million metric tonnes (MMT) of DAP fertilizer over five years.
- For the first time, India participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise. The exercise, held from July 13 to August 4, 2025, involved military personnel from 19 nations.
Awards & Recognitions
- Sudanese-Scottish author Leila Aboulela won the PEN Pinter Prize 2025 for her literary contributions. She is recognized for exploring themes of faith, migration, and the lives of Muslim women.
- Indian women’s rights activist Varsha Deshpande from Maharashtra received the 2025 UN Population Award in the ‘individual category’ for her work in advancing gender equality and combating gender-biased sex selection.
Appointments & Resignations
- President Droupadi Murmu appointed new governors and a lieutenant governor: Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh for Haryana, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju for Goa, and Kavinder Gupta for the UT of Ladakh.
- President Droupadi Murmu also nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha: Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, C Sadanandan Master, and Dr. Meenakshi Jain.
Science & Technology
- The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully flight-tested the indigenous ‘Astra’ Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) off the coast of Odisha. The missile, with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, destroyed its targets with precision.
- Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered four new species of microscopic parasitic wasps in West Bengal. The newly identified species belong to the genus Idris Forster.
Sports
- The 138th Wimbledon Championships concluded in London. Jannik Sinner (Italy) won the Men’s Singles title, and Iga Świątek (Poland) won the Women’s Singles title. Both won their maiden Wimbledon titles.
Obituary
- Veteran Indian actress B. Saroja Devi, a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, passed away at the age of 87.
- Renowned Telugu actor and Padma Shri awardee Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at the age of 83.
Important Days
- International Malala Day was observed on July 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Malala Yousafzai.
- International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) was observed on July 12 to raise awareness about the environmental challenges posed by sand and dust storms.