Current Affairs | UPSC PSC SSC | 31 July 2025
ЁЯЯй SOFI Report 2025 (State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World)
ЁЯЯв About
- An annual report by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.
- Tracks global trends in hunger, food security, and nutrition.
ЁЯЯв Key Highlights
- 720 million people faced hunger in 2024 (approx. 8.2% of global population).
- Hunger remains higher than pre-COVID and 2015 levels.
- Around 96 million more chronically hungry people since 2015.
- 2.3 billion people were moderately/severely food insecure in 2024.
- Asia had highest undernourished population (323 million), followed by Africa (307 million) and Latin America & Caribbean (34 million).
- Hunger declined in SE Asia, S Asia, and S America, but persisted/rising in other regions.
ЁЯЯй Exercise Divya Drishti
ЁЯЯв About
- Conducted by Indian Army in East Sikkim.
- Focused on testing AI-powered technologies in high-altitude warfare.
ЁЯЯв Key Features
- Involved Trishakti Corps, based in Sukna.
- Used UAVs, drones, and AI-enabled sensors.
- Emphasized sensor-to-shooter link, real-time surveillance, and secure communication.
- Demonstrated integration of modern warfare tech with army operations.
ЁЯЯй Bigha тАУ Traditional Land Measurement Unit
ЁЯЯв Overview
- Traditional unit used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal.
- Popular in agricultural regions.
- Divided into biswa, katha, nalli.
ЁЯЯв Size Variation
- West Bengal/Assam: ~14,400 sq.ft.
- Punjab: ~9,070 sq.ft.
- No national standard; smaller than an acre.
ЁЯЯв Cultural Context
- Originates from ancient South Asia.
- Still widely used in land deals, pricing, and farming.
ЁЯЯй Mansa Devi Temple
ЁЯЯв About
- Hindu temple dedicated to Mansa Devi (Shakti form).
- Located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand on Bilwa Parvat (Sivalik Hills).
- Constructed by Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra (1811тАУ1815).
- Part of Panch Tirth of Haridwar.
- Spread over 100 acres, includes Chandi Devi temple.
ЁЯЯй Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
ЁЯЯв Overview
- Degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma.
- Mostly seen in contact sports athletes, military veterans.
ЁЯЯв Symptoms
- Early: Depression, aggression, mood swings.
- Later: Memory loss, confusion, poor decision-making.
- Advanced: Movement disorders.
ЁЯЯв Treatment
- No cure, only symptomatic relief via medications.
ЁЯЯй International Tiger Day 2025
ЁЯЯв About
- Observed annually on July 29.
- Celebrated for tiger conservation awareness.
ЁЯЯв 2025 Theme
- тАЬSecuring the future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heartтАЭ
ЁЯЯв History
- Established in 2010 at Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.
- Introduced тАЬTx2 GoalтАЭ тАУ double tiger population by 2022.
ЁЯЯв IndiaтАЩs Role
- Hosts 75% of global wild tiger population (~3,600).
- Tigers inhabit 138,200 sq. km, often shared with 60 million people.
- Success due to initiatives like Project Tiger.
ЁЯЯй Setubandha Scholar Scheme
ЁЯЯв About
- Integrates Gurukul-trained scholars into IIT research ecosystem.
- Backed by Ministry of Education, implemented by IKS Division, CSU.
ЁЯЯв Features
- Fields: Ayurveda, cognitive science, political theory, etc.
- Two categories:
- PG level: тВ╣40,000/month + тВ╣1 lakh/year.
- PhD level: тВ╣65,000/month + тВ╣2 lakh/year.
- Eligibility: 5 years Gurukul study + excellence in Shastras.
- Max age: 32 years.
ЁЯЯй Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Initiative
ЁЯЯв About
- Launched: 27 July 2023 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- Implemented by IGNCA under National Mission on Cultural Mapping.
ЁЯЯв Objective
- Map 6.5 lakh Indian villages on a virtual cultural platform.
- Promote rural cultural heritage, economy, and social harmony.
ЁЯЯв Seven Village Categories
- Arts & Crafts
- Ecological
- Scholastic
- Epic
- Historical
- Architectural Heritage
- Other (Fishing, Horticulture, etc.)
ЁЯЯй Pralay Missile
ЁЯЯв Overview
- Developed by DRDO & Research Centre Imarat.
- Quasi-ballistic, high-speed, indigenous missile.
ЁЯЯв Features
- Range: 150тАУ500 km
- Payload: 500тАУ1,000 kg, conventional warheads
- Mach 6.1 speed with mid-course path alteration
- Targets: Radar bases, airstrips, command centres
- CEP < 10 meters
- Industry partners: BDL, BEL, MSMEs
ЁЯЯй N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
ЁЯЯв Overview
- Volatile organic compound, suspected carcinogen.
- Found in environment, medications, and processed food.
ЁЯЯв Formation & Sources
- Formed by amines + nitrite ion in acidic conditions.
- Used in making rocket fuel, now found in cured meat, beer, cheese, etc.
- Present in Ranitidine, triggering DCGI action.
ЁЯЯв Health Effects
- Causes liver damage (nausea, headache, vomiting).
- Exposure through air, water, food, and medications.
MCQ PRACTICE
1. SOFI Report 2025
Q1. As per the SOFI 2025 report, which region had the highest number of undernourished people in 2024? / SOFI 2025 рд░рд┐рдкреЛрд░реНрдЯ рдХреЗ рдЕрдиреБрд╕рд╛рд░, 2024 рдореЗрдВ рд╕рдмрд╕реЗ рдЕрдзрд┐рдХ рдХреБрдкреЛрд╖рд┐рдд рд▓реЛрдЧ рдХрд┐рд╕ рдХреНрд╖реЗрддреНрд░ рдореЗрдВ рдереЗ?
a) Africa / рдЕрдлреНрд░реАрдХрд╛
b) South America / рджрдХреНрд╖рд┐рдг рдЕрдореЗрд░рд┐рдХрд╛
c) Asia / рдПрд╢рд┐рдпрд╛
d) Europe / рдпреВрд░реЛрдк
2. Exercise Divya Drishti
Q2. Which technological advancement was central to the Indian Army’s Exercise Divya Drishti? / рднрд╛рд░рддреАрдп рд╕реЗрдирд╛ рдХреЗ рдЕрднреНрдпрд╛рд╕ ‘рджрд┐рд╡реНрдп рджреГрд╖реНрдЯрд┐’ рдореЗрдВ рдХреМрди-рд╕реА рддрдХрдиреАрдХреА рдкреНрд░рдЧрддрд┐ рдХреЗрдВрджреНрд░реАрдп рднреВрдорд┐рдХрд╛ рдореЗрдВ рдереА?
a) AI-enabled sensor network / рдПрдЖрдИ-рд╕рдХреНрд╖рдо рд╕реЗрдВрд╕рд░ рдиреЗрдЯрд╡рд░реНрдХ
b) Nuclear-capable drones / рдкрд░рдорд╛рдгреБ-рд╕рдХреНрд╖рдо рдбреНрд░реЛрди
c) Underwater sonar mapping / рдкрд╛рдиреА рдХреЗ рдиреАрдЪреЗ рд╕реЛрдирд╛рд░ рдорд╛рдирдЪрд┐рддреНрд░рдг
d) Laser-guided artillery / рд▓реЗрдЬрд╝рд░-рдирд┐рд░реНрджреЗрд╢рд┐рдд рддреЛрдкрдЦрд╛рдирд╛
3. Bigha
Q3. In which of the following states is the size of one bigha approximately 14,400 sq. ft.? / рдирд┐рдореНрдирд▓рд┐рдЦрд┐рдд рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдХрд┐рд╕ рд░рд╛рдЬреНрдп рдореЗрдВ рдПрдХ рдмреАрдШрд╛ рд▓рдЧрднрдЧ 14,400 рд╡рд░реНрдЧ рдлреБрдЯ рдХрд╛ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИ?
a) Punjab / рдкрдВрдЬрд╛рдм
b) Gujarat / рдЧреБрдЬрд░рд╛рдд
c) Assam / рдЕрд╕рдо
d) Himachal Pradesh / рд╣рд┐рдорд╛рдЪрд▓ рдкреНрд░рджреЗрд╢
4. Mansa Devi Temple
Q4. Who constructed the present structure of Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar between 1811 and 1815? / рд╣рд░рд┐рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░ рдореЗрдВ 1811 рд╕реЗ 1815 рдХреЗ рдмреАрдЪ рд╡рд░реНрддрдорд╛рди рдорд╛рдирд╕рд╛ рджреЗрд╡реА рдордВрджрд┐рд░ рдХрд╛ рдирд┐рд░реНрдорд╛рдг рдХрд┐рд╕рдиреЗ рдХрд░рд╡рд╛рдпрд╛ рдерд╛?
a) Raja Man Singh / рд░рд╛рдЬрд╛ рдорд╛рди рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣
b) Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra / рдордгрд┐рдорд╛рдЬрд░рд╛ рдХреЗ рдорд╣рд╛рд░рд╛рдЬрд╛ рдЧреЛрдкрд╛рд▓ рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣
c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh / рдорд╣рд╛рд░рд╛рдЬрд╛ рд░рдгрдЬреАрдд рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣
d) Bhim Singh Rana / рднреАрдо рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣ рд░рд╛рдгрд╛
5. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)? / рдирд┐рдореНрдирд▓рд┐рдЦрд┐рдд рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдХреМрди-рд╕рд╛ рд▓рдХреНрд╖рдг рдХреНрд░реЛрдирд┐рдХ рдЯреНрд░реЙрдореИрдЯрд┐рдХ рдПрдиреНрд╕реЗрдлреЗрд▓реЛрдкреИрдереА (CTE) рд╕реЗ рд╕рдВрдмрдВрдзрд┐рдд рдирд╣реАрдВ рд╣реИ?
a) Aggression / рдЖрдХреНрд░рд╛рдордХрддрд╛
b) Memory loss / рд╕реНрдореГрддрд┐ рд╣рд╛рдирд┐
c) Improved cognitive function / рдмреЗрд╣рддрд░ рд╕рдВрдЬреНрдЮрд╛рдирд╛рддреНрдордХ рдХрд╛рд░реНрдп
d) Mood swings / рдореВрдб рдореЗрдВ рдЙрддрд╛рд░-рдЪрдврд╝рд╛рд╡
6. International Tiger Day 2025
Q6. What was the theme of International Tiger Day 2025? / рдЕрдВрддрд░реНрд░рд╛рд╖реНрдЯреНрд░реАрдп рдмрд╛рдШ рджрд┐рд╡рд╕ 2025 рдХреА рдереАрдо рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдереА?
a) Tigers and Sustainable Tourism / рдмрд╛рдШ рдФрд░ рд╕рддрдд рдкрд░реНрдпрдЯрди
b) Securing the future of Tigers with IPLCs at the heart / рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХрд╛ рднрд╡рд┐рд╖реНрдп рд╕реБрд░рдХреНрд╖рд┐рдд рдХрд░рдирд╛: рд╕реНрдерд╛рдиреАрдп рд╕рдореБрджрд╛рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдХреЗрдВрджреНрд░ рдореЗрдВ рд░рдЦрддреЗ рд╣реБрдП
c) Forests for Tigers and Biodiversity / рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдФрд░ рдЬреИрд╡ рд╡рд┐рд╡рд┐рдзрддрд╛ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╡рди
d) Roar for Tigers / рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЧрд░рдЬ
7. Setubandha Scholar Scheme
Q7. What is the maximum age to apply for the Setubandha Scholar Scheme? / рд╕реЗрддреБрдмрдВрдзрди рд╕реНрдХреЙрд▓рд░ рдпреЛрдЬрдирд╛ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЖрд╡реЗрджрди рдХреА рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрддрдо рдЖрдпреБ рдХреНрдпрд╛ рд╣реИ?
a) 35 years / 35 рд╡рд░реНрд╖
b) 30 years / 30 рд╡рд░реНрд╖
c) 32 years / 32 рд╡рд░реНрд╖
d) 28 years / 28 рд╡рд░реНрд╖
8. Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative
Q8. Under Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar, which body is responsible for implementation? / ‘рдореЗрд░рд╛ рдЧрд╛рдБрд╡ рдореЗрд░реА рдзрд░реЛрд╣рд░’ рдкрд╣рд▓ рдХреЗ рдЕрдВрддрд░реНрдЧрдд рдХрд╛рд░реНрдпрд╛рдиреНрд╡рдпрди рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдХреМрди-рд╕реА рд╕рдВрд╕реНрдерд╛ рдЬрд┐рдореНрдореЗрджрд╛рд░ рд╣реИ?
a) IGNCA / рдЗрдВрджрд┐рд░рд╛ рдЧрд╛рдВрдзреА рд░рд╛рд╖реНрдЯреНрд░реАрдп рдХрд▓рд╛ рдХреЗрдВрджреНрд░
b) ICCR / рднрд╛рд░рддреАрдп рд╕рд╛рдВрд╕реНрдХреГрддрд┐рдХ рд╕рдВрдмрдВрдз рдкрд░рд┐рд╖рдж
c) NCERT / рдПрдирд╕реАрдИрдЖрд░рдЯреА
d) Sangeet Natak Akademi / рд╕рдВрдЧреАрдд рдирд╛рдЯрдХ рдЕрдХрд╛рджрдореА
9. Pralay Missile
Q9. What is the maximum range of the Pralay Missile as per recent DRDO tests? / рд╣рд╛рд▓ рд╣реА рдореЗрдВ DRDO рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдкрд░реАрдХреНрд╖рдг рдХрд┐рдП рдЧрдП рдкреНрд░рд▓рдп рдорд┐рд╕рд╛рдЗрд▓ рдХреА рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрддрдо рд░реЗрдВрдЬ рдХреНрдпрд╛ рд╣реИ?
a) 350 km / 350 рдХрд┐рдореА
b) 500 km / 500 рдХрд┐рдореА
c) 600 km / 600 рдХрд┐рдореА
d) 250 km / 250 рдХрд┐рдореА
10. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
Q10. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is classified under which of the following categories? / N-рдирд╛рдЗрдЯреНрд░реЛрд╕реЛрдбрд╛рдЗрдорд┐рдерд╛рдЗрд▓рд╛рдорд╛рдЗрди (NDMA) рдХреЛ рдирд┐рдореНрди рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдХрд┐рд╕ рд╢реНрд░реЗрдгреА рдореЗрдВ рд╡рд░реНрдЧреАрдХреГрдд рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рд╣реИ?
a) Confirmed carcinogen / рдкреБрд╖реНрдЯрд┐ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рдХрд╛рд░реНрд╕рд┐рдиреЛрдЬреЗрди
b) Probable human carcinogen / рд╕рдВрднрд╛рд╡рд┐рдд рдорд╛рдирд╡ рдХрд╛рд░реНрд╕рд┐рдиреЛрдЬреЗрди
c) Genotoxic enhancer / рдЬреАрдиреЛрдЯреЙрдХреНрд╕рд┐рдХ рдмрдврд╝рд╛рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓рд╛
d) Mutagenic food additive / рдЙрддреНрдкрд░рд┐рд╡рд░реНрддреА рдЦрд╛рджреНрдп рдпреЛрдЬрдХ







