Current Affairs Quiz 17th July 2025 Quiz

Exp. Tesla Enters India with Liberty, ACKO as Insurance Partners

Tesla has entered the Indian market, partnering with Liberty General Insurance and ACKO as its official insurance collaborators to offer tailored coverage for its electric vehicles.

Liberty General Insurance has introduced a range of customized protection plans designed specifically for Tesla vehicles, focusing on performance, safety, and the unique requirements of EV owners.

ACKO has been named Tesla’s preferred insurance partner in India, while Zurich Kotak General Insurance launched a new EV-specific cover called ‘EV Protect’, which also includes Tesla among the covered brands.

Exp. HSBC Becomes First UK Bank to Exit Net Zero Banking Alliance, Sparking Climate Commitment Concerns

HSBC has become the first UK bank to withdraw from the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), raising serious concerns about its long-term commitment to climate action.

HSBC was a founding member of NZBA in 2021, aiming to align its financial activities with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. However, in February 2025, the bank delayed parts of its climate goals by 20 years and weakened environmental targets, sparking criticism from environmental groups like ShareAction.

Climate advocates have warned that HSBC’s departure could trigger a domino effect among other UK banks, weakening global climate coordination efforts. Meanwhile, other UK lenders like Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, and Nationwide remain part of NZBA as of now.

Exp. Tesla Launches First India Showroom in Mumbai; Model Y Bookings Open at ₹59.89 Lakh

Tesla officially launched its operations in India by opening its first experience centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.

The company launched the Model Y electric SUV in two variants, starting at ₹59.89 lakh, both of which will be imported from Tesla’s China factory. While the base model will be delivered this quarter, the long-range rear-wheel drive version will arrive next quarter.

Ahead of deliveries, Tesla is setting up EV charging infrastructure in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. Bookings for both variants are now open, and the vehicles will initially be registered in Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram.  

Exp. Manohar Lal Launches ₹1000-Crore ADEETIE Scheme to Boost Energy Efficiency in MSMEs

The ADEETIE (Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments) scheme was officially launched by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal at Arya P.G. College, Panipat, aiming to support MSMEs in adopting energy-efficient technologies through financial and technical assistance.

With a budget outlay of ₹1000 crore, the scheme is implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, offering interest subvention of 5% for Micro & Small Enterprises and 3% for Medium Enterprises, along with support like energy audits, DPRs, and monitoring.

The scheme is expected to help MSMEs reduce energy consumption by 30–50%, improve power-to-product ratios, and promote the creation of green energy corridors, thereby contributing to India’s low-carbon economic transition and climate goals.

Exp. Leila Aboulela Wins 2025 PEN Pinter Prize for Powerful Writing on Migration, Faith, and Women’s Lives

Leila Aboulela has been awarded the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize for her powerful writing on migration, faith, and the lives of women, reflecting deep societal truths with intellectual clarity.

The prize honors writers who exhibit an “unflinching, unswerving” view of the world, in the spirit of Harold Pinter, and who strive to uncover the real truths of society and human experience.

Aboulela, originally from Khartoum, Sudan, and based in Aberdeen, Scotland since 1990, is the author of six novels and two short story collections, including The Translator, Elsewhere, Home, and her latest, River Spirit (2023).

The PEN Pinter Prize is awarded annually to writers from the UK, Ireland, the Commonwealth, or former Commonwealth countries. Past winners include Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Recent Awards

• Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2080 – Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha (for his contributions to Nepal’s judiciary and institutional reform)
• ISO 9001:2015 Certification from BIS – Arthunkal Police Station (First in India)
• Namibia’s Highest Civilian Honour ‘Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis’ – PM Narendra Modi
• Kerala Fisheries Excellence Award 2025 – Kasaragod district (Ifor its outstanding performance under the Popular Fish Farming Project)
• Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross – PM Narendra Modi

Exp. Indian Activist Varsha Deshpande Wins 2025 UN Population Award for Championing Women’s Rights

Varsha Deshpande, a renowned women’s rights activist and founder of the Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, has been awarded the 2025 UN Population Award in the individual category for her lifelong work on gender-based issues and social justice.

With over 35 years of activism, Deshpande has focused on fighting gender-based violence, discrimination, and promoting women’s rights, especially among Dalit and marginalized communities.

Her organization, Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, established in 1990, works at the grassroots level to empower women through vocational training, resource access, and financial independence.

In the institutional category, the award was given to the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP), a global body established in 1927 that contributes significantly to population science and policy.

Exp. Gujarat Leads India in Processed Potato Production and Export with Record 48.59 Lakh Tonnes in 2024–25

Gujarat has become the leading state in India for processed potato production and export, recording a total output of 48.59 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, with over 25% of this yield dedicated to processing into French fries and wafers. Among the processed output, 60% goes to wafer production and 40% to French fries.

The State has emerged as the top producer of processed potatoes in India, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

The state’s Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli districts are major contributors, collectively producing 38 lakh tonnes over 1.19 lakh hectares. Banaskantha alone produced 18.70 lakh tonnes, making it Gujarat’s top potato-producing district in the season.

India’s processed potato production has seen remarkable growth—from less than 1 lakh tonnes in 2004–05 to 11.50 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, with cultivation area rising from 4,000 to 37,000 hectares, indicating a tenfold rise in output and ninefold expansion in farming area.

Gujarat grows high-yield, processing-grade potato varieties like Lady Rosetta, Kufri Chipsona, and Santana, which are favored by quick-service restaurants, frozen food processors, and exported largely to Middle Eastern countries. Cold storage infrastructure in northern districts ensures a stable supply

Exp. TAFE and ICRISAT Join Hands to Launch JFarm Centre in Hyderabad

TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd.) has signed an MoU with ICRISAT to set up a JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre at ICRISAT’s campus in Patancheru, Hyderabad, focusing on sustainable farming education and technology transfer.

The centre will emphasize sustainable agriculture, including soil conservation, efficient water use, and scale-appropriate mechanisation, especially for crop-residue processing, aiming to improve farming practices.

It will serve as a training and innovation hub, promoting agri-entrepreneurship, providing hands-on training in machinery operation, and connecting farmers, startups, industry experts, and institutions for collaborative growth in the agriculture sector.

Exp. PM Modi Launches ‘Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ to Boost Agriculture in 100 Low-Productivity Districts Over Six Years

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for six years starting from FY 2025–26, targeting 100 districts with low agricultural productivity, limited credit access, and low cropping intensity.

Inspired by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme, the scheme focuses exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors, aiming to improve crop productivity, promote sustainable and diversified farming, strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, and expand irrigation and credit access.

The scheme will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 central ministries, state-level programs, and public-private partnerships. At least one district from every state and union territory will be covered, with fund allocation based on net cropped area and operational holdings.

Customized plans will be developed by each District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, including progressive farmers, and progress will be tracked through a digital dashboard with 117 key performance indicators. NITI Aayog will oversee guidance and evaluation, while Central Nodal Officers monitor district-level implementation.

Exp. India’s Deepika Wins Poligras Magic Skill Award 2024–25 for Stunning Solo Goal Against Netherlands

Indian women’s hockey forward Deepika won the Poligras Magic Skill Award 2024–25 for her brilliant solo goal against world No. 1 Netherlands during the FIH Hockey Pro League match held in Bhubaneswar.

Other nominees included Spain’s Patricia Alvarez for her 3D skill goal against Australia and the Australian women’s team for a team goal versus England, while in the men’s category, Belgium’s Victor Wegnez won for his midfield brilliance against Spain.

Exp. Bihar win U18 Boys’ title at Junior National Rugby 7s 2025

Bihar clinched the U18 Boys’ title by defeating defending champions Odisha 17–15 in a thrilling final at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun.

Bihar remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, overcoming strong teams like Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.

Maharashtra secured third place with a golden try by Saurabh Sanjay Rajput against Delhi, who finished fourth with a marked improvement from 2024.

Indian Rugby President – Rahul Bose

Exp. Goa Launches India’s First High-Speed RoRo Ferries on Chorao–Ribandar Route

Two new Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) ferries, Gangotri and Dwarka, have been launched by the Goa government on the Chorao–Ribandar route across the Mandovi River, offering relief to daily commuters and tourists.

These advanced ferries travel at double the speed of traditional boats (10 knots), reducing travel time from 30 minutes to just 12–13 minutes; each ferry can carry 100 passengers, 15 cars, and 30–40 two-wheelers.

The ferries feature air-conditioned passenger cabins, emergency medical kits, and clearly marked lanes for vehicles; they will operate under a Built-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model at zero cost to the state government.

About Goa

• Formation – 30 May 1987
• Capital – Panaji
• Chief Minister – Pramod Sawant
• Governor – Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju (replace P.S. Sreedharan Pillai)

Exp. India Bags 2 Gold, 2 Silver at International Chemistry Olympiad 2025

India’s four-member student team won 2 gold and 2 silver medals at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025 held in Dubai, competing against 354 students from 90 countries.

Gold medals were won by Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya (Jalgaon, Maharashtra) and Sandeep Kuchi (Hyderabad, Telangana), while Debadatta Priyadarshi (Bhubaneshwar, Odisha) and Ujjwal Kesari (New Delhi) secured silver, placing India sixth in the overall medal tally.

The team was selected through the National Olympiad Examinations conducted by HBCSE, Mumbai (under TIFR), and underwent rigorous training in theory and laboratory work before the event.

The participation was supported by national agencies, including DAE, DST, DOS, and MoE, reflecting India’s growing strength in pre-university science education and international academic competitions.

Exp. 17 July – World Day for International Justice

World Day for International Justice is observed every year on 17 July to promote international criminal justice and recognise the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in upholding law and accountability globally.

This day marks the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998, which led to the establishment of the ICC—the world’s first permanent international court to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

Exp. Fauja Singh, Legendary Marathon Runner, Dies At 114

Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, passed away at the age of 114 in a tragic road accident.

Born on April 1, 1911, in Beyas village, Jalandhar (Punjab), he rose to global fame for his exceptional endurance and spirit.

He began his marathon journey at the age of 89, participating in the London Marathon in 2000, and went on to complete nine full marathons in cities like London, Toronto, and New York. His best marathon time was 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 4 seconds in Toronto.

Exp. World Emoji Day is celebrated annually on 17 July to recognise the importance of emojis in digital communication and the way they’ve transformed how people express emotions online.

World Emoji Day, established by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, honours these essential elements of digital communication

Emojis are now a universal digital language, used in texting, emails, social media, and more to add tone, emotion, and fun to conversations. This day celebrates how emojis bring people together beyond languages and cultures.