Current Affairs Quiz 8th July 2025 Quiz

Exp. Andhra Pradesh Launches ‘Digi-Lakshmi’ Scheme to Empower Urban Poor Women

The Andhra Pradesh government launched the ‘Digi-Lakshmi’ scheme to digitally empower urban poor women by setting up 9,034 Common Service Centres (CSCs) across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state, as per G.O. MS. No. 117 issued.

These CSCs will be operated by eligible Self-Help Group (SHG) women under the ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ vision, aiming to transition SHGs into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and promote economic self-reliance among urban women.

About Andhra Pradesh

• Capital – Amaravati
• Chief Minister – N Chandrababu Naidu
• Deputy CM – Pawan Kalyan
• Governor – Abdul Nazeer

Exp.  Rajasthan launches ‘Poverty-Free Village Scheme’ to empower rural BPL Families

The Rajasthan government has launched the ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Poverty-Free Village Scheme’ targeting 5,000 villages in its first phase, with a ₹300 crore budget to uplift Below Poverty Line (BPL) families through livelihood opportunities, skill development, and financial inclusion.

So far, 30,631 BPL families have been identified across 5,002 villages, with each village getting a tailored ‘Poverty-Free Village Action Plan’ based on comprehensive surveys and BPL Census 2002 data to ensure targeted support.

Families rising above poverty through their efforts will receive ₹21,000 as an incentive via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT); they’ll also get a ‘Self-Reliant Family Card’, while assistance of up to ₹1 lakh for self-employment and ₹15,000 working capital for SHG women is included to boost economic self-reliance.

About Rajasthan

• Capital – Jaipur
• Chief Minister – Bhajan Lal Sharma (replace Ashok Gehlot)
• Deputy Chief Minister – Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa
• Governor – Haribhau Bagade

Exp. AU Small Finance Bank Partners with LIC to Expand Life Insurance Access Across India

AU Small Finance Bank has partnered with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to distribute LIC’s life insurance products across its extensive network, aiming to improve insurance access among underserved and unserved populations in India.

Through over 2,456 banking outlets in 21 states and 4 union territories, AU Small Finance Bank will offer LIC’s diverse insurance solutions, including term insurance, endowment plans, pension products, child-focused plans, and more.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• SBM Bank India Partners with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to Expand Retail Banking and Insurance Offerings
• SBI Card Partners with Apollo HealthCo to Launch Health-Focused Credit Card
• Poonawalla Fincorp and MobiKwik Collaborate to Revolutionise Instant Personal Loans
• United India Insurance Company Ltd (UIICL) partnered with SIDBI to distribute general insurance products tailored for the MSME sector.
• Citi and SBI Announce $295 Million Social Loan Facility
• India Post Partners with Nippon India Mutual Fund to Enhance KYC Verification Services

Exp. Odisha Govt Reinstates HDFC, ICICI, Axis Bank to Handle State Business

The Odisha government has withdrawn its earlier restrictions on HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, allowing them to resume handling state government business and deposits.

These three private banks were previously removed from the list of empanelled banks on June 21 due to their poor performance in managing state-run schemes and shortcomings in general banking parameters.

The decision to reinstate the banks was made after their senior officials met Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on July 1, providing written assurances to improve performance in priority sector lending and credit-to-deposit ratios.

About Odisha

• Capital – Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister – Mohan Charan Majhi (replace Naveen Patnaik)
• Deputy CM – KV Singhdeo and Pravati Parida
• Governor – Hari Babu Kambhampati

Exp. IndusInd Bank Launches ‘INDIE for Business’ Platform to Empower Over 60 Million MSMEs in India

IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘INDIE for Business’ digital platform to empower MSMEs, aiming to reach over 60 million micro, small, and medium enterprises across India with comprehensive banking solutions.

The platform offers a 360° view of business accounts, real-time tracking of loans, EMIs, and due dates, as well as digital self-onboarding and profile switching for entrepreneurs managing multiple businesses.

Businesses can use the platform to make bulk payments for salaries and vendors, pay GST, income tax, and customs duties, providing greater operational flexibility within a secure digital framework.

Exp. Colombia and Uzbekistan Join New Development Bank

Colombia and Uzbekistan have officially joined the New Development Bank (NDB), expanding its membership to 11 countries ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit.

Founded in 2015 by the original BRICS nations, the NDB’s mission is to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies.

Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB has approved over 120 projects across clean energy, transport, environmental protection, water and sanitation, and digital infrastructure, benefiting member countries like India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt, and Algeria.

Exp. Elon Musk Launches ‘America Party’ to Disrupt Traditional U.S. Political Landscape

Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political party called the ‘America Party’, signalling his formal entry into U.S. politics with an agenda focused on economic growth, innovation, and national unity.

The ‘America Party’ aims to appeal to voters dissatisfied with traditional Democratic and Republican platforms, positioning itself as a centrist alternative prioritizing technology, energy independence, and freedom of speech.

The party will promote policies encouraging entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and reduced bureaucracy, arguing these are key to keeping America competitive in the global economy.

Exp. Microsoft shuts down operations in Pakistan after 25 years.

Global technology giant Microsoft has officially shut down its operations in Pakistan after 25 years, as part of its global restructuring plan.

Microsoft first opened in Pakistan on March 7, 2000, playing a key role in the country’s digital growth.

Exp. Indian Mango Mania 2025 launched in Abu Dhabi to promote premium indian mangoes globally

The Commerce and Industry Ministry launched the ‘Indian Mango Mania 2025’ festival in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Embassy of India in the UAE and the Lulu Group, to boost the global reach of Indian mangoes.

The Mango Promotion Programme aims to showcase premium Indian mango varieties like Banarasi Langda, Dasheri, Chausa, Amrapali, Malda, and Mallika to international buyers, especially the Indian diaspora in the Gulf region.

In 2024, India exported over 12,000 tonnes of mangoes to the UAE, worth 20 million USD, reflecting the strong demand for Indian mangoes abroad.

Exp. Aryaveer Dewan Ends 13-Year Drought, Wins U17 Title at Asian Junior Squash Championships

In Squash, India’s Anahat Singh clinched the Asian U19 Squash Championship title with a dominant 3–0 victory over Hong Kong China’s Cheung TC in the final. She won the gold medal in Gimcheon, South Korea.

In the U-17, Aryaveer Dewan made history for India by winning the U17 boys’ title at the Asian Junior Squash Championships, ending the country’s 13-year wait for the crown in this category.

Dewan defeated the defending champion Nikhileswar Moganasundharam of Malaysia.

Two more Indian players – Ayaan Dhanuka in boys’ U13 and Saanvi Kalanki in girls’ U15 – had to settle for silver medals after losing in their respective finals.

Exp. ‘Eternal Light’: Dalai Lama’s new biography to release in September

Marking his 90th birthday, publishing house Westland Books announced a new biography of the 14th Dalai Lama.

Written by senior journalist and author Arvind Yadav, “Eternal Light: The Life and Times of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama”, scheduled to be released in September.

Exp. PM Modi Honoured with ‘Key to Buenos Aires’ During Historic Argentina Visit

PM Narendra Modi received the “Key to the City of Buenos Aires”, a symbolic honour signifying friendship and trust, during his historic visit to Argentina — the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 57 years.

As part of his five-nation tour, PM Modi earlier received “The Order of the Republic” — Trinidad and Tobago’s highest civilian award, becoming the first foreign leader to be honoured with it.

During his talks with President Javier Milei, both leaders agreed to enhance defence, trade, and energy cooperation, including lithium and shale gas supplies from Argentina, and discussed easing access to Indian medicines and collaboration in drone-based agriculture.

Recent Awards

• First Indian Actress Honored on Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026 – Deepika Padukone
• Global Leadership Award by USISPF – Kumar Mangalam Birla
• American Music Award (AMA) at the 51st AMA held in Los Angeles – Raja Kumari
• International Booker Prize 2025 – Kannada author Banu Mushtaq (for short collection – Heart Lamp)

Exp. Sanjog Gupta Appointed as CEO of ICC

Sanjog Gupta has been appointed as the new CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), succeeding Australia’s Geoff Allardice, who stepped down earlier this year after serving since 2021.

Gupta previously served as CEO of JioStar Sports, taking up the job after Reliance Industries and Walt Disney’s $8.5 billion merger of their Indian media assets in November last year.

His ICC predecessor, Allardice, who was appointed CEO in November 2021 after an interim period of eight months following the suspension of Manu Sawhney, stepped down earlier this year.

About International Cricket Council (ICC)

• The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket.
• It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa.
• It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1987.
• Formation – 15 June 1909
• Headquarters – Dubai, UAE
• Chairman – Jay Shah (replace Greg Barclay)
• Deputy Chairman – Imran Khwaja (Singapore)
• CEO – Sanjog Gupta (replace Geoff Allardice)
• General Manager – Wasim Khan
• Membership – 108 members

Exp. Jennifer Simons elected Suriname’s 1st woman President

Jennifer Simons has been elected as Suriname’s first woman president, marking a historic moment for the South American country as it prepares for a potential oil boom.

She was elected by Suriname’s parliament through a coalition deal, after the National Democratic Party (18 seats) and Progressive Reform Party (17 seats) nearly tied in the May 25 elections.

In Suriname, the president is chosen indirectly by the National Assembly, where a candidate must secure a two-thirds majority vote to assume office.

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• President of Poland – Karol Nawrocki
• President of Ecuador – Daniel Noboa
• Chancellor of Germany – Friedrich Merz (10th)
• PM of Yemen – Salem Saleh Bin Braik
• President of Ecuador – Daniel Noboa

Exp. NITI Aayog releases second edition of the North Eastern Region District SDG Index (2023-24)

NITI Aayog and MoDoNER, with support from UNDP, released the second edition of the North Eastern Region District SDG Index (2023–24) to monitor district-wise progress on the Sustainable Development Goals across eight North Eastern states.

The Index covers 121 districts, ranking them into four categories: Achiever (Score = 100), Front Runner (65–99), Performer (50–65), and Aspirant (<50). Hnahthial (Mizoram) scored highest (81.43) while Longding (Arunachal Pradesh) scored the lowest (58.71).

All districts in Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura achieved Front Runner status, with no districts falling under Aspirant or Achiever, reflecting strong yet consistent performance across the region.

The Index acts as a critical policy tool for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and resource allocation, especially through initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme and supports the broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The report highlights intra-state performance consistency, with Sikkim showing the narrowest district score range (5.5 points) and Tripura having minimal variation (6.5 points), while Nagaland and Mizoram showed higher variations in performance.