Current Affairs | UPSC PSC SSC | 31 July 2025

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🟩 SOFI Report 2025 (State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World)

🟢 About

  • An annual report by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.
  • Tracks global trends in hunger, food security, and nutrition.

🟢 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.

🟩 Exercise Divya Drishti

🟢 About

  • Conducted by Indian Army in East Sikkim.
  • Focused on testing AI-powered technologies in high-altitude warfare.

🟢 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.

🟩 Bigha – Traditional Land Measurement Unit

🟢 Overview

  • Traditional unit used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal.
  • Popular in agricultural regions.
  • Divided into biswa, katha, nalli.

🟢 Size Variation

  • West Bengal/Assam: ~14,400 sq.ft.
  • Punjab: ~9,070 sq.ft.
  • No national standard; smaller than an acre.

🟢 Cultural Context

  • Originates from ancient South Asia.
  • Still widely used in land deals, pricing, and farming.

🟩 Mansa Devi Temple

🟢 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 (1811–1815).
  • Part of Panch Tirth of Haridwar.
  • Spread over 100 acres, includes Chandi Devi temple.

🟩 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

🟢 Overview

  • Degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma.
  • Mostly seen in contact sports athletes, military veterans.

🟢 Symptoms

  • Early: Depression, aggression, mood swings.
  • Later: Memory loss, confusion, poor decision-making.
  • Advanced: Movement disorders.

🟢 Treatment

  • No cure, only symptomatic relief via medications.

🟩 International Tiger Day 2025

🟢 About

  • Observed annually on July 29.
  • Celebrated for tiger conservation awareness.

🟢 2025 Theme

  • Securing the future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heart

🟢 History

  • Established in 2010 at Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.
  • Introduced “Tx2 Goal” – double tiger population by 2022.

🟢 India’s 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.

🟩 Setubandha Scholar Scheme

🟢 About

  • Integrates Gurukul-trained scholars into IIT research ecosystem.
  • Backed by Ministry of Education, implemented by IKS Division, CSU.

🟢 Features

  • Fields: Ayurveda, cognitive science, political theory, etc.
  • Two categories:
    • PG level: ₹40,000/month + ₹1 lakh/year.
    • PhD level: ₹65,000/month + ₹2 lakh/year.
  • Eligibility: 5 years Gurukul study + excellence in Shastras.
  • Max age: 32 years.

🟩 Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Initiative

🟢 About

  • Launched: 27 July 2023 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
  • Implemented by IGNCA under National Mission on Cultural Mapping.

🟢 Objective

  • Map 6.5 lakh Indian villages on a virtual cultural platform.
  • Promote rural cultural heritage, economy, and social harmony.

🟢 Seven Village Categories

  1. Arts & Crafts
  2. Ecological
  3. Scholastic
  4. Epic
  5. Historical
  6. Architectural Heritage
  7. Other (Fishing, Horticulture, etc.)

🟩 Pralay Missile

🟢 Overview

  • Developed by DRDO & Research Centre Imarat.
  • Quasi-ballistic, high-speed, indigenous missile.

🟢 Features

  • Range: 150–500 km
  • Payload: 500–1,000 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

🟩 N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

🟢 Overview

  • Volatile organic compound, suspected carcinogen.
  • Found in environment, medications, and processed food.

🟢 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.

🟢 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 रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, 2024 में सबसे अधिक कुपोषित लोग किस क्षेत्र में थे?
a) Africa / अफ्रीका
b) South America / दक्षिण अमेरिका
c) Asia / एशिया
d) Europe / यूरोप

Tap here for Answer
Answer: c) Asia / एशिया
Explanation:
Asia accounted for 323 million undernourished people in 2024, the highest among all regions. Africa followed with 307 million.

2. Exercise Divya Drishti
Q2. Which technological advancement was central to the Indian Army’s Exercise Divya Drishti? / भारतीय सेना के अभ्यास ‘दिव्य दृष्टि’ में कौन-सी तकनीकी प्रगति केंद्रीय भूमिका में थी?
a) AI-enabled sensor network / एआई-सक्षम सेंसर नेटवर्क
b) Nuclear-capable drones / परमाणु-सक्षम ड्रोन
c) Underwater sonar mapping / पानी के नीचे सोनार मानचित्रण
d) Laser-guided artillery / लेज़र-निर्देशित तोपखाना

Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) AI-enabled sensor network / एआई-सक्षम सेंसर नेटवर्क
Explanation:
Exercise Divya Drishti used AI-enabled sensors linked with communication systems to enhance battlefield awareness and decision-making in real-time.

3. Bigha
Q3. In which of the following states is the size of one bigha approximately 14,400 sq. ft.? / निम्नलिखित में से किस राज्य में एक बीघा लगभग 14,400 वर्ग फुट का होता है?
a) Punjab / पंजाब
b) Gujarat / गुजरात
c) Assam / असम
d) Himachal Pradesh / हिमाचल प्रदेश

Tap here for Answer
Answer: c) Assam / असम
Explanation:
In Assam and West Bengal, one bigha is approximately 14,400 sq.ft. This varies across other states.

4. Mansa Devi Temple
Q4. Who constructed the present structure of Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar between 1811 and 1815? / हरिद्वार में 1811 से 1815 के बीच वर्तमान मानसा देवी मंदिर का निर्माण किसने करवाया था?
a) Raja Man Singh / राजा मान सिंह
b) Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra / मणिमाजरा के महाराजा गोपाल सिंह
c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh / महाराजा रणजीत सिंह
d) Bhim Singh Rana / भीम सिंह राणा

Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra / मणिमाजरा के महाराजा गोपाल सिंह
Explanation:
The current Mansa Devi temple structure was built by Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra between 1811–1815.

5. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)? / निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा लक्षण क्रोनिक ट्रॉमैटिक एन्सेफेलोपैथी (CTE) से संबंधित नहीं है?
a) Aggression / आक्रामकता
b) Memory loss / स्मृति हानि
c) Improved cognitive function / बेहतर संज्ञानात्मक कार्य
d) Mood swings / मूड में उतार-चढ़ाव

Tap here for Answer
Answer: c) Improved cognitive function / बेहतर संज्ञानात्मक कार्य
Explanation:
CTE leads to degeneration of nerve cells, causing cognitive decline, not improvement.

6. International Tiger Day 2025
Q6. What was the theme of International Tiger Day 2025? / अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बाघ दिवस 2025 की थीम क्या थी?
a) Tigers and Sustainable Tourism / बाघ और सतत पर्यटन
b) Securing the future of Tigers with IPLCs at the heart / बाघों का भविष्य सुरक्षित करना: स्थानीय समुदायों को केंद्र में रखते हुए
c) Forests for Tigers and Biodiversity / बाघों और जैव विविधता के लिए वन
d) Roar for Tigers / बाघों के लिए गरज

Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) Securing the future of Tigers with IPLCs at the heart / बाघों का भविष्य सुरक्षित करना: स्थानीय समुदायों को केंद्र में रखते हुए
Explanation:
The 2025 theme emphasizes the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in tiger conservation.

7. Setubandha Scholar Scheme
Q7. What is the maximum age to apply for the Setubandha Scholar Scheme? / सेतुबंधन स्कॉलर योजना के लिए आवेदन की अधिकतम आयु क्या है?
a) 35 years / 35 वर्ष
b) 30 years / 30 वर्ष
c) 32 years / 32 वर्ष
d) 28 years / 28 वर्ष

Tap here for Answer
Answer: c) 32 years / 32 वर्ष
Explanation:
The eligibility criteria for Setubandha Scholar Scheme includes a maximum age limit of 32 years.

8. Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative
Q8. Under Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar, which body is responsible for implementation? / ‘मेरा गाँव मेरी धरोहर’ पहल के अंतर्गत कार्यान्वयन के लिए कौन-सी संस्था जिम्मेदार है?
a) IGNCA / इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय कला केंद्र
b) ICCR / भारतीय सांस्कृतिक संबंध परिषद
c) NCERT / एनसीईआरटी
d) Sangeet Natak Akademi / संगीत नाटक अकादमी

Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) IGNCA / इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय कला केंद्र
Explanation:
The initiative is implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the NMCM.

9. Pralay Missile
Q9. What is the maximum range of the Pralay Missile as per recent DRDO tests? / हाल ही में DRDO द्वारा परीक्षण किए गए प्रलय मिसाइल की अधिकतम रेंज क्या है?
a) 350 km / 350 किमी
b) 500 km / 500 किमी
c) 600 km / 600 किमी
d) 250 km / 250 किमी

Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) 500 km / 500 किमी
Explanation:
The Pralay missile has a maximum range of 500 km and is launched from a mobile platform.

10. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
Q10. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is classified under which of the following categories? / N-नाइट्रोसोडाइमिथाइलामाइन (NDMA) को निम्न में से किस श्रेणी में वर्गीकृत किया गया है?
a) Confirmed carcinogen / पुष्टि किया गया कार्सिनोजेन
b) Probable human carcinogen / संभावित मानव कार्सिनोजेन
c) Genotoxic enhancer / जीनोटॉक्सिक बढ़ाने वाला
d) Mutagenic food additive / उत्परिवर्ती खाद्य योजक

Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) Probable human carcinogen / संभावित मानव कार्सिनोजेन
Explanation:
NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on animal studies.

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