Current Affairs Quiz 21st July 2025 Quiz

Exp. PM Modi Unveils ₹5,400 Crore Development Projects in Durgapur

PM Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated projects worth over ₹5,400 crore in Durgapur, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, industrial identity, gas-based economy, and job creation, aligning with the “Make in India, Make for the World” vision.

Major connectivity projects included road overbridges in Paschim Bardhaman under the Setu Bharatam scheme, the Purulia-Kotshila rail line doubling, and Kolkata Metro expansion, significantly enhancing safety, reducing travel time, and supporting industrial growth across West Bengal.

Energy initiatives like the ₹1,190 crore Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline and City Gas Distribution projects in Bankura and Purulia (₹1,950 crore) aim to power lakhs of homes, vehicles, and industries with clean fuel, supporting the One Nation, One Gas Grid vision.

Exp. Rare 1931 Oil Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi Fetches Over $204,000 at London Auction

A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted by British artist Clare Leighton in 1931, was sold for $204,648 at a Bonhams auction in London, far surpassing its estimated value of $64,000–$90,000.

The painting is believed to be the only oil portrait Gandhi ever sat for, created during his visit to London for the Second Round Table Conference on India’s constitutional reforms.

The artwork attracted strong global interest due to its historical significance and rarity, symbolizing a key moment in India’s freedom movement.

Exp. NIEPID and Jai Vakeel Foundation Join Hands to Launch Nationwide Structured Education for Children with Intellectual Disabilities

NIEPID and Jai Vakeel Foundation have signed an MoU in Mumbai to implement a structured and uniform education model for Children with Intellectual Disabilities (CwID) across India, ensuring standardized and inclusive learning nationwide.

The collaboration will promote the NIEPID DISHA Curriculum as a holistic education framework, integrating training, research, and field-level implementation, tailored to the unique needs of children with intellectual disabilities.

Key resources like the DISHA Assessment Checklist for IEPs, Multisensory Curriculum, Digital Portal, and Teacher Training modules will be made accessible to schools and organizations, expanding nationwide educational access for CwIDs.

Exp. Jitendra Singh Launches NSCSTI 2.0 to Transform Civil Services Training with AI

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes 2.0 (NSCSTI 2.0) at CSOI, Delhi, developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) to modernize civil services training across India.

The revamped framework reduces evaluation metrics from 59 to 43, offering greater clarity and outcome-based assessments, and was shaped through consultations with over 160 training institutes and experts.

NSCSTI 2.0 integrates hybrid learning models, AI-driven training, and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) along with tools like the Karmayogi Competency Model (KCM) and Amrit Gyaan Kosh (AGK) to build a future-ready, citizen-centric bureaucracy.

The framework is scalable across all levels of government — Central, State, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), marking a key milestone in aligning training with global best practices and India’s governance vision.

Exp. Sweden’s EQT Acquires Niwas Housing Finance

Swedish investment firm EQT has completed the acquisition of Niwas Housing Finance Ltd (formerly Indostar Home Finance) from IndoStar Capital Finance, marking a strategic move into India’s affordable housing finance sector.

EQT plans to invest ₹500 crore ($58 million) as growth capital to drive geographic expansion and boost digital capabilities of Niwas Housing Finance.

Founded in 2017, Niwas focuses on providing affordable home loans in Tier 2 to Tier 4 cities, having supported over 47,000 low-income homeowners and small businesses, with an AUM of over ₹3,000 crore as of March 31, 2025.

Exp. Maharashtra Approves Renaming of Islampur to Ishwarpur

The Maharashtra government has approved the renaming of Islampur town in Sangli district to Ishwarpur, with Cabinet approval already secured and the proposal sent to the Union government for final clearance.

The demand to rename Islampur dates back to 1986 and was revived by the Hindutva outfit Shiv Pratisthan, led by Sambhaji Bhide, which had warned of continued agitation until the demand was fulfilled.

About Maharashtra

• Capital – Mumbai
• Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis (3^rd time)
• Deputy Chief Minister – Eknath Sindhe & Ajit Pawar
• Governor – C P Radhakrishnan

Exp. State Bank of India Named World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025 by Global Finance

State Bank of India has been awarded the title of “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” by Global Finance magazine, based on extensive global research, expert analysis, and insights from financial professionals worldwide.

The award will be presented to SBI Chairman C.S. Setty at the World’s Best Bank event in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 2025, during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.

SBI’s recognition highlights its customer-first digital transformation strategy, which includes vernacular voice banking, 24/7 digital support, and AI-powered hyper-personalised services.

About State Bank of India (SBI)  

• Founded – 1 July 1955
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman – Challa Sreenivasulu Setty; 27^th (replace Dinesh Kumar Khara)
• Tagline – (1) Pure Banking Nothing Else

(2) With you all the way

(3) A bank of the common man

(4) The banker to every Indian

(5) The Nation banks on us  

Exp. Reliance Retail Acquires Iconic Brand Kelvinator

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (RRVL), a division of Reliance Industries, has acquired the iconic consumer durables brand Kelvinator, known globally for pioneering electric refrigeration and famous in India during the 1970s–80s for its tagline “The Coolest One.”

Additionally, Reliance Retail acquired a minority stake in U.K.-based wellness brand FACEGYM, reinforcing its strategy of delivering globally benchmarked, high-quality products and enhancing lifestyle offerings for Indian households.

Exp. Hyderabad to Host 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 from August 3–10

The second Women’s Kabaddi World Cup will be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from August 3 to 10, 2025, at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium.

A total of 14 countries are expected to participate, with India as the host, and confirmed teams including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Holland, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, Uganda, Zanzibar, and Poland (pending confirmation).

Hyderabad is returning to the international kabaddi stage after 20 years, having last hosted the Asian Kabaddi Championship in 2005, reflecting its growing role in promoting women’s sports.

Exp. INS Sandhayak Makes Maiden Visit to Malaysia’s Port Klang to Promote MAHASAGAR Vision

INS Sandhayak, India’s first indigenously designed and built hydrographic survey ship, made its maiden port call to Port Klang, Malaysia (July 16–19, 2025) to strengthen maritime ties and promote India’s MAHASAGAR vision for regional cooperation.

The visit underscores India’s role in hydrographic capacity building under the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) and aims to facilitate technical exchanges and institutional cooperation.

Commissioned in February 2024, INS Sandhayak is equipped for deep-water surveys, oceanographic data collection, SAR and humanitarian missions, with onboard helicopter and hospital facilities.

Exp. Largest Known Martian Meteorite on Earth Sells for $5.3 Million at Sotheby’s Auction

A 54-pound (24.5 kg) Martian meteorite, known as NWA 16788, sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby’s, setting a new world auction record for a meteorite after a 15-minute bidding war.

The meteorite, confirmed to be the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth, was discovered in November 2023 in Niger’s Sahara Desert by a local meteorite hunter.

Scientists believe it was ejected from Mars around 5 million years ago by a massive asteroid or comet impact, travelling 140 million miles through space before landing intact in a remote desert region.

Exp. Indian Navy Joins 32nd SIMBEX Exercise in Singapore

The Indian Navy will participate in the 32nd edition of SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise), formerly known as Exercise Lion King, later this month in Singapore, strengthening maritime ties with the Republic of Singapore Navy.

The Indian Navy’s recent complex HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) and SAR (Search and Rescue) operations in the Arabian Sea have been internationally appreciated, highlighting India’s growing leadership in maritime response.

Four Indian warships — INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti — have arrived in Singapore for SIMBEX under Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, showcasing India’s indigenous naval capability and commitment to joint training with ASEAN partners.

Exp. England to Host Next Three World Test Championship Finals: ICC

England will host the next three ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its annual conference in Singapore.

These finals are scheduled to be held in June, aligning with the English summer season and favourable weather conditions for test cricket.

England has previously hosted the WTC finals in 2021 (Southampton), 2023 (The Oval), and will also host the 2025 edition at Lord’s, continuing its role as a key venue for red-ball cricket.

Exp. 20 July – International Chess Day

International Chess Day is celebrated every year on July 20, marking the foundation of FIDE (International Chess Federation) in 1924, uniting the global chess community in celebration.

For 2025, the theme is “Every Move Counts”, emphasizing that every decision—on the chessboard or in life—has a lasting impact, highlighting the game’s deep connection with real-life choices.

FIDE has declared this as the ‘Year of Social Chess’, promoting chess as a powerful tool for inclusion, education, empowerment, and mental well-being, with Indian players—from Viswanathan Anand to young prodigies—shining on the global stage.

Exp. 20 July – International Moon Day

International Moon Day is observed every year on July 20 to commemorate the first human landing on the Moon by NASA’s Apollo 11 mission in 1969, when astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the lunar surface.

The day celebrates the achievements of space exploration and promotes international cooperation in lunar research, innovation, and peaceful uses of outer space. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2021.