Current Affairs Quiz 11th and 12th October 2025 Quiz

Exp. María Corina Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize 2025 for Championing Democracy in Venezuela

María Corina Machado of Venezuela has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 for her relentless efforts to promote democratic rights and lead a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.

Despite threats to her life and living in hiding, she continued her struggle within the country, inspiring millions and uniting Venezuela’s opposition.

The announcement was made by Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; in 2024, the prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese movement of atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha).

What is Nobel Prize?

• The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards, established by the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, in 1895. It is awarded annually to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the fields of:
  • Physics – for groundbreaking discoveries in the physical sciences.
  • Chemistry – for exceptional achievements in chemistry.
  • Physiology or Medicine – for discoveries that have advanced medical science and human health.
  • Literature – for distinguished literary work.
  • Peace – for efforts in promoting global peace and resolving conflicts.
• Later, in 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel was added for contributions to economics.
• The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901.
• Key Features:
  • Winners are called Nobel Laureates
  • Each prize consists of a medal, a diploma, and a cash award.
  • The awards are usually announced in October and presented on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
  • The prizes recognize achievements that benefit humanity and have a lasting impact on society.

Exp. Deepika Padukone Named India’s First Mental Health Ambassador to Promote Awareness and Well-Being

Renowned actor Deepika Padukone has been appointed as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, expressing her honour and commitment to the role.

She aims to support India’s mental health initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contributing to strengthening the nation’s mental health framework.

This partnership focuses on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting mental well-being across India, marking a significant step in prioritising mental health.

Exp. PM Modi Launched PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana and Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission to Boost Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Productivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana and Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission in New Delhi, highlighting the government’s focus on farmer welfare, agricultural self-reliance, and rural infrastructure development.

The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore, aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, and encourage sustainable farming practices.

The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, with an outlay of over ₹11,000 crore, focuses on improving pulse productivity, expanding cultivation areas, strengthening the value chain, and reducing losses.

During the event, the Prime Minister will interact with farmers, particularly those involved in pulse cultivation and members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) benefiting from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

Exp. Three Major Indian Ports Recognised as Green Hydrogen Hubs Under National Mission

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has officially recognised Deendayal Port (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port (Odisha) as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, advancing India’s clean energy transition.

Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called it a defining moment in India’s maritime journey and emphasised the government’s push for sustainable development and achieving net zero by 2070.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a global hub for production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives, promoting large-scale hydrogen hubs as key centres for production and consumption.

Exp. 11 October – International Day of the Girl Child

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on 11 October to highlight the challenges faced by girls and promote their empowerment and human rights.

Theme 2025 – The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis

The day was first declared by the United Nations in 2011, following a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Exp. Tamil Nadu Declares Nagamalai Hillock in Erode as State’s Fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Tamil Nadu government has notified Nagamalai hillock in Erode district as the State’s fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, joining Arittapatti, Kasampatty, and Elathur lake.

Spanning 32.22 hectares, Nagamalai hillock is an ecological hotspot supporting rich biodiversity, including 138 plant species, 118 bird species (30 migratory), seven mammals, 11 reptiles, and 71 insect species, with key species like the Greater Spotted Eagle and Bonelli’s Eagle.

The hillock also holds archaeological and cultural significance, featuring Iron Age cairn circles, rock shelters, ancient artefacts, and a 400-year-old stone carving of Lord Anjaneya, reflecting its historical and cultural heritage alongside ecological value.

Exp. Union Minister George Kurian Commissions 250-Tonne Slipway Cradle to Boost India’s Blue Economy and Fisheries Modernisation

Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian commissioned a 250-tonne capacity slipway cradle, enhancing docking and maintenance capabilities for vessels ranging from fishing boats to research ships.

The slipway cradle, built by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) at a cost of ₹1.78 crore, is a heavy-duty steel platform designed for the safe hauling and launching of vessels up to 250 tonnes.

The facility supports India’s vision of a sustainable Blue Economy and will integrate transponders on fishing vessels in collaboration with ISRO for real-time communication and access to fish-rich area forecasts.

Exp. Fiji Launches First-Ever National Child Safeguarding Policy to Strengthen Child Protection Across the Country

Fiji has launched its first-ever National Child Safeguarding Policy, establishing a national benchmark to ensure child safety across all sectors of society.

The policy mandates child-safe practices in all services involving children, including a Child Protection Code of Conduct, safe recruitment and vetting processes, and risk mitigation strategies to prevent harm.

The initiative addresses regional concerns in the Pacific, where cultural taboos, limited resources, and underreporting have often left cases of child abuse hidden or unresolved.

About Fiji

• Capital- Suva
• Currency- Fijian dollar
• President – Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu
• Prime Minister- Sitiveni Rabuka

Exp. World Bank and SEWA Launch BETI Project to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Gujarat with Digital Tools

The World Bank’s BETI (Business Enterprise Technology for Indian women) project, in collaboration with SEWA, has trained micro-level women entrepreneurs in Gujarat to use digital tools and financial management skills to build and manage their businesses.

The initiative extends the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign by adding a focus on economic empowerment — termed ‘Beti Kamao’ — helping women become entrepreneurs and job creators.

The pilot, implemented in Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Anand, and Bodeli, equipped women with mobile-based tools to improve bookkeeping, inventory management, debt tracking, and product cataloguing for sales.

Exp. NITI Aayog Launches “AI for Inclusive Societal Development” Roadmap to Empower India’s 490 Million Informal Workers

NITI Aayog launched the “AI for Inclusive Societal Development” roadmap, a first-of-its-kind national initiative aimed at leveraging AI and frontier technologies to improve the lives and livelihoods of India’s 490 million informal workers.

The roadmap, developed in partnership with Deloitte, focuses on the informal sector—which contributes nearly half of India’s GDP—addressing challenges such as financial insecurity, limited market access, and lack of skills and social protection.

The initiative emphasizes collaboration between government, industry, academia, and civil society, highlighting that empowering informal workers is essential for achieving India’s $30 trillion Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Exp. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Appointed as Global Brand Ambassadors for Pay10 Ahead of UPI App Launch

Fintech firm Pay10 has appointed Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma as global brand ambassadors ahead of the launch of its UPI-enabled payments app in India.

The collaboration aims to promote safe, seamless, and smart digital transactions while engaging India’s growing population of tech-savvy users.

Pay10 believes the duo reflects the brand’s values of trust, innovation, and reliability, making them ideal representatives for a platform that seeks to make digital payments accessible to all.

Recent Brand Ambassador

• Sanju Samson – English Premier League (EPL) in India
• Shubhanshu Shukla – Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
• Mohammed Siraj – Skechers India
• Alia Bhatt- Denim brand Levi’s
• Abhinav Bindra – International Olympic Committee (IOC) Mental Health Ambassadors

Exp. Max Life Pension Fund Management Withdraws Licence

Max Life Pension Fund Management has voluntarily surrendered its licence, and its registration with the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has been cancelled.

NPS subscribers of Max Life Pension have been transferred to other pension funds in accordance with regulatory guidelines, ensuring uninterrupted fund management.

From April 19, 2025, all pension assets previously managed by Max Life have been shifted to UTI Pension Fund, and from June 21, 2025, subscribers registered through Max Life as PoP have been moved to Axis Bank.

Subscribers’ accumulated corpus continues to earn returns under the new fund managers, and under PFRDA rules, NPS investors can change their Pension Fund Manager (PFM) once per year for Tier-I accounts and multiple times for Tier-II accounts.

Exp. Delhi Government Launches Collateral-Free Loan Scheme to Empower Small Businesses and Women Entrepreneurs

The Delhi government has launched a collateral-free loan scheme to support small businesses and women entrepreneurs, aiming to enhance the city’s economic growth and improve access to credit without requiring personal or business assets as security.

The scheme, with an initial allocation of ₹5 crore in FY26 and a phased ₹50 crore contribution in partnership with Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), provides guarantee coverage of up to 95% to reduce lenders’ risk.

Under the initiative, loans up to ₹10 crore are available for small and women-led enterprises, with higher coverage for women entrepreneurs, Agniveer-promoted MSMEs, and micro units, supporting sectors like manufacturing, services, retail, and education.

Exp. India Becomes Second-Highest Contributor in THE World University Rankings 2026; IISc Bangalore Leads National List

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, has been ranked as India’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, securing a spot in the 201–250 rank band.

India has achieved a major milestone by becoming the country with the second-highest number of ranked universities, trailing only the United States.

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Chennai) improved its ranking to the 351–400 band, while Jamia Millia Islamia (Delhi) and Shoolini University (Himachal Pradesh) were placed in the 401–500 category.

Prestigious institutions like BHU, IIT Indore, KIIT University, Lovely Professional University, Mahatma Gandhi University, and UPES Dehradun are ranked in the 501–600 range.

Several universities including AMU, Amity, IIT Patna, NIT Rourkela, University of Delhi, and VIT Vellore feature in the 601–800 rank band, reflecting India’s broad representation across multiple categories.

Globally, the University of Oxford retained the No. 1 spot for the 10th consecutive year, while Princeton University reached joint 3rd place, and China and Hong Kong strengthened their presence with 13 and 6 universities, respectively, in the top 200.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 feature 2,191 institutions from 115 countries and territories. For universities beyond the top 100, THE assigns them to rank bands instead of specific positions.

Hong Kong sets a record with six universities in the top 200, driven by improvements in teaching performance.  

Exp. International Purple Fest 2025 in Goa Showcases India’s Commitment to Inclusion and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

The third edition of the International Purple Fest – Purple Fair 2025 was inaugurated in Goa, celebrating the talent, resilience, and entrepreneurship of persons with disabilities and promoting an inclusive and accessible society.

Leaders, including Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, and MoS Ramdas Athawale, emphasised that persons with disabilities are empowered individuals contributing actively to the nation’s growth, not merely beneficiaries.

The event, jointly organised by the Government of India and the Goa government, saw participation from international organizations and activists, with DEPwD Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal highlighting initiatives like resolving 50,000 complaints and CSR projects worth ₹50 crore.