UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 30 July 2025

by Vajiram & Ravi - 30 July 2025

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 30 July 2025, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

SOFI Report 2025

July 30, 2025
SOFI Report 2025

SOFI Report 2025 Latest News

According to the ‘State of Food and Nutrition in the World’ (SOFI) 2025 report, hunger affected up to 720 million people worldwide in 2024 — around 8.2 per cent of the global population.

About SOFI Report 2025

  • It is an annual report prepared by five UN agencies — Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund), WFP (World Food Programme), and WHO (World Health Organization).
  • It presents the latest data and analysis on hunger, food security and nutrition worldwide.

Key Highlights of SOFI Report 2025

  • Despite some recent progress, global hunger in 2024 remained well above pre-pandemic levels and even higher than in 2015
  • An estimated 96 million more people were suffering from chronic hunger today compared to 2015.
  • It is now estimated that about 2.3 billion people in the world were moderately or severely food insecure in 2024
  • Asia accounted for the highest number of undernourished people at 323 million, followed by Africa (307 million) and Latin America and the Caribbean (34 million).
  • Although hunger levels declined in Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and South America, the report noted persistent or rising food insecurity in several other regions like Africa.

Source: DTE

SOFI Report 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is the Food and Agriculture Organization?

Ans: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

Q2: What is World Health Organisation and its function?

Ans: It was founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Exercise Divya Drishti

July 30, 2025
Exercise Divya Drishti

Exercise Divya Drishti Latest News

The Indian Army recently conducted 'Exercise Divya Drishti' in the high-altitude regions of East Sikkim to test advanced military technologies.

About Exercise Divya Drishti

  • It is a high-altitude technology demonstration exercise conducted by the Indian Army in East Sikkim.
  • It was designed to test new technologies that are designed to improve battlefield awareness, real-time surveillance, and quick decision-making.
  • Troops from the Trishakti Corps, which is headquartered in Sukna on the outskirts of Siliguri, used a mix of ground-based systems and aerial platforms, including UAVs and drones, to create realistic battle scenes.
  • A key highlight was the use of AI-enabled sensors linked with advanced communication systems. 
    • This setup ensures smooth and secure data flow among command centres, improves situational awareness, and enables faster and better decisions by creating a strong sensor-to-shooter link.
  • The exercise was taken up to check out the army’s preparedness in using AI and some other modern technologies in a realistic battle situation.

Source: WEEK

Exercise Divya Drishti FAQs

Q1: What is Exercise Divya Drishti?

Ans: It is a high-altitude technology demonstration exercise conducted by the Indian Army.

Q2: In which region was Exercise Divya Drishti conducted?

Ans: East Sikkim

Q3: Which Indian Army Corps participated in Exercise Divya Drishti?

Ans: Trishakti Corps

Q4: What is the primary purpose of Exercise Divya Drishti?

Ans: Test new technologies that are designed to improve battlefield awareness, real-time surveillance, and quick decision-making.

Bigha

July 30, 2025
Bigha

Bigha Latest News

The Assam government recently launched an eviction drive to clear 11,000 bighas of encroached forest land in Uriamghat area of Golaghat district.

About Bigha

  • Bigha is a traditional unit of land measurement commonly used in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. 
  • Popular in states where farming is common, it helps measure large agricultural land tracts as well as residential land. 
  • The states which use Bigha for land measurement are Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. 
  • Historical Context:
    • The origins of Bigha trace back to ancient South Asian practices. 
    • Before the introduction of modern units like the acre or hectare, landowners and farmers relied on Bigha to calculate land for cultivation, taxation, and trade. 
    • Over time, it became deeply rooted in the cultural and economic fabric of these regions.
  • The exact measurement of bigha differs from state to state. For instance, in West Bengal and Assam, one bigha equals about 14,400 sq.ft., while in Punjab, it measures approximately 9,070 sq.ft. 
  • There is no national standard for the size of a bigha, and it is typically smaller than an acre, which is 43,560 sq.ft. or 4,047 sq.m.
  • Bigha is common among farmers when measuring plots and negotiating land prices.
  • A bigha is often divided into smaller subunits, such as ‘biswa’ , ‘katha’ and Nalli. 
  • Bigha in Bangladesh and Nepal:
    • Bangladesh: Standardized under British rule at 14,400 square feet (1,340 square meters).
    • Nepal: A bigha equals about 6,772.63 square meters, with local variations.

Source: TH

Bigha FAQs

Q1: What is Bigha?

Ans: It is a traditional unit of land measurement.

Q2: In which countries is Bigha commonly used as a land measurement unit?

Ans: India, Bangladesh, Nepal

Q3: In the traditional land measurement system, Bigha is divided into which smaller units?

Ans: Biswa, Katha, Nalli

Q4: How does Bigha compare in size to an Acre?

Ans: Bigha is typically smaller than an acre.

Mansa Devi Temple

July 30, 2025
Mansa Devi Temple

Mansa Devi Temple Latest News

A tragic stampede near Haridwar's Mansa Devi temple claimed eight lives and injured 28 others recently.

About Mansa Devi Temple

  • It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Goddess Durga).
  • It is located in the city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
  • The temple is located atop the Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain chain of the Himalayas. 
  • The temple, also known as Bilwa Tirth, is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar.
  • It is an epitome of the age-old tradition of ‘Shakti’ worship in Northern India. 
  • Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra constructed the present main temple during the period 1811-1815.
  • The temple complex is spread over an area of 100 acres.
  • Built in a traditional North Indian style shape, the temple includes two important deities, Mansa Devi and her sister Chandi Devi.

Source: TOI

Mansa Devi Temple FAQs

Q1: Where is the Mansa Devi Temple located?

Ans: Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Q2: The Mansa Devi Temple is located atop which hill?

Ans: It is located atop the Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills.

Q3: Who constructed the present structure of the Mansa Devi Temple?

Ans: Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra

Q4: During which period was the present Mansa Devi Temple constructed?

Ans: 1811–1815

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

July 30, 2025
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Latest News

The 27-year-old suspected gunman behind the recent deadly shooting inside the NFL's headquarters building in New York City reportedly left behind a multi-page suicide note pointing to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a key factor in his actions.

About Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

  • It is a degenerative brain condition that happens after repeated head injuries. 
  • It causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration.
  • CTE has been most commonly observed in athletes involved in contact sports such as American football, boxing, and hockey, as well as military veterans exposed to blast injuries. 
  • The condition typically develops years after repeated head trauma and worsens over time.
  • Symptoms: 
    • Early symptoms may be mild or go unnoticed, often including depression or suicidal thoughts, aggression, mood swings, and personality changes. 
    • As the disease progresses, people may experience confusion, memory loss, and difficulty with planning or decision-making. 
    • In advanced cases, movement problems can also develop.
  • Treatment: CTE cannot be cured, but medicines and other treatments can help your symptoms.

Source: LMINT

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy FAQs

Q1: What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?

Ans: A degenerative brain condition caused by repeated head injuries.

Q2: What happens in the brain as a result of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?

Ans: CTE causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration.

Q3: Which groups is most at risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?

Ans: CTE has been most commonly observed in athletes involved in contact sports such as American football, boxing, and hockey.

Q4: Is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) curable?

Ans: No, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is not curable.

International Tiger Day 2025

July 30, 2025
International Tiger Day

International Tiger Day Latest News

India joined 12 other nations on July 29 to mark International Tiger Day 2025, a global event to raise awareness about tiger conservation.

About International Tiger Day

  • It is observed on July 29 each year.
  • It serves as a platform to raise awareness about tiger conservation.
  • It is celebrated worldwide to promote comprehensive efforts in safeguarding tigers and their natural habitats, fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and tigers.
  • Theme of International Tiger Day 2025: “ Securing the future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heart“.

International Tiger Day History

  • Global Tiger Day, commonly referred to as International Tiger Day, was established during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia in 2010. 
  • The summit brought together 13 tiger-range countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Russia, following alarming reports that only around 3,000 tigers remained in the wild.
  • The participating nations adopted the “Tx2” goal at the summit, which aimed to double the global tiger population by 2022 through joint conservation efforts and stronger protection laws. 
  • The 29th of July was chosen as International Tiger Day because it represents the halfway point between the first and last days of the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit and the ongoing international campaign to rescue tigers.

Tiger Population in India

  • India now supports the world’s largest tiger population. 
  • While holding only 18% of the world’s tiger habitat, and facing the highest human density among tiger-range countries, India accounts for 75% of the world’s wild tigers.
  • More than 3,600 tigers now roam the country’s forests, double the number recorded just over a decade ago.
  • These tigers live across 138,200 sq.km. of forest, roughly half the size of the UK, often sharing the land with 60 million people.
  • This success comes from decades of conservation efforts, particularly under a national initiative known as Project Tiger.

Source: ET

International Tiger Day FAQs

Q1: When is International Tiger Day observed each year?

Ans: July 29

Q2: What was the theme of International Tiger Day 2025?

Ans: “Securing the future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heart”

Q3: In which year was International Tiger Day established?

Ans: It was established during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia in 2010.

Setubandha Scholar Scheme

July 30, 2025
Setubandha Scholar Scheme

Setubandha Scholar Scheme  Latest News

Students, who have studied in traditional gurukuls, will now have the opportunity to earn recognised qualifications and receive generous scholarships for research at premier IITs under the Setubandha Scholar Scheme.

About Setubandha Scholar Scheme 

  • It is the first national-level programme to formally integrate traditional scholars into the research ecosystem of IITs, without insisting on conventional degrees.
  • It aims to bridge India's age-old gurukul tradition with modern scientific and academic inquiry.
  • It is backed by the Ministry of Education and implemented by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division of the Central Sanskrit University (CSU),
  • The scheme offers fellowships of up to Rs 65,000 per month across 18 interdisciplinary fields - from ayurveda to cognitive science, and architecture to political theory, grammar to strategic studies, performing arts to mathematics, physics, and health sciences.
  • Eligibility: It is based on a minimum of five years of rigorous study in a recognised gurukul and demonstrable excellence in Shastras or traditional knowledge.
  • The maximum age to apply is 32 years.
  • Scholars selected under Category 1 (equivalent to postgraduate level) will receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 40,000 and an annual research grant of Rs 1 lakh.
  • Those under Category 2 (equivalent to PhD level) will be awarded Rs 65,000 monthly and an annual grant of Rs 2 lakh. 
  • It is a major shift in India's education policy, opening up elite research pathways for scholars from non-formal backgrounds rooted in classical learning.

Source: TOI

Setubandha Scholar Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is the Indian Knowledge System?

Ans: The Indian Knowledge System is a rich and diverse collection of knowledge, beliefs, and practices developed over thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent.

Q2: What is the Gurukul tradition?

Ans: The traditional Gurukul education system emphasized teacher-student bonding, self-discipline, and value-driven learning.

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative

July 30, 2025
Mera Gaon meri dharohar

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative Latest News

The Central government has so far documented the cultural heritage of over 4.7 lakh villages under the ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ (MGMD) initiative.

About Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative

  • It is a pan-India initiative of the Ministry of Culture under National Mission on Cultural Mapping and was launched on 27th July 2023. 
  •  It was launched as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
  • The main objective of the project is to culturally map India's 6.5 lakh villages, spanning across all States and  Union Territories, on a comprehensive virtual platform.
  • The core idea behind this project is to encourage appreciation for India's culture and traditions, paving way for economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development in rural communities.
  • It is aimed at mapping India’s intangible cultural assets.
  • The programme is being implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
  • Under the MGMD, information is collected under seven broad categories as given below-
    • Arts and Crafts Village
    • Ecologically Oriented Village
    • Scholastic Village linked with Textual and Scriptural Traditions of India
    • Epic Village linked with Ramayana, Mahabharata and/or Puranic legends and oral epics
    • Historical Village linked with Local and National History
    • Architectural Heritage Village
    • Any other characteristic that may need highlighting such as fishing village, horticulture village, shepherding village etc.

Source: dd news

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Initiative FAQs

Q1: In which city is the headquarters of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts located?

Ans: New Delhi

Q2: What is the national mission of cultural mapping?

Ans: To preserve and promote India's rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture has established the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).

Pralay Missile

July 30, 2025
Pralay Missile

Pralay Missile Latest News

Recently, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful flight-tests of the Pralay missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha.

About Pralay Missile

  • It is an indigenously-developed quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision.

Features of Pralay Missile

  • It is a solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile.
  • The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets.
  • Range: The missile has a range of 150-500 km and can be launched from a mobile launcher.
  • Payload capacity: It has a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.
  • The missile is capable of carrying conventional warheads.
  • It is equipped with guidance systems that provide a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters.
  • The missile reaches terminal speeds of Mach 6.1 and can engage targets such as radar installations, command centers, and airstrips.
  • It has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range midair.
  • Developed by: It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat and in collaboration with other Defence Research & Development Organisation labs.
  • Industry partners - Bharat Dynamics Limited & Bharat Electronics Limited and many other industries and MSMEs.

Source: PIB

Pralay Missile FAQs

Q1: Which is the first ballistic missile of India?

Ans: The first ballistic missile developed by India is the Prithvi Missile. It was part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) initiated in 1983.

Q2: Is Pralay a hypersonic missile?

Ans: The Pralay missile is a state-of-the-art hypersonic weapon system designed to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

July 30, 2025
N nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Latest News

Recently, drug regulator DCGI has asked drug controllers of all states and Union Territories to direct manufacturers under their jurisdiction to monitor the presence of a potentially carcinogenic chemical -- N-Nitrosodimethylamine -- in antacid Ranitidine.

About N-Nitrosodimethylamine

  • It is a volatile organic chemical that occurs widely in the environment due to its ready formation from commonly found precursors.
  • It is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) on the basis of animal studies.
  • NDMA are formed when a secondary or tertiary amine reacts with a nitrite ion under acidic conditions.

Features of N-Nitrosodimethylamine

  • It is a yellow, odorless liquid chemical once used to make rocket fuel.
  • It is also a byproduct of several manufacturing processes and water chlorination.
  • NDMA breaks down when sunlight hits it.
  • Applications: Historically it was commercially used in the production of rocket fuel, antioxidants, softeners for copolymers, and additives for lubricants.

Exposure to N-Nitrosodimethylamine

  • Normally, people are exposed to small amounts of NDMA in the environment and through food and water.
  • Chemicals found in food and water, such as nitrosamines or alkylamines, can turn into NDMA in the stomach.
  • NDMA is also created when food or drink is processed. Foods such as cured meats (particularly bacon), beer, fish, cheese and even vegetables may contain NDMA.
  • Some people may have had exposure to NDMA through the use of contaminated medications

Source: ET

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) FAQs

Q1: What are the side effects of N-Nitrosodimethylamine NDMA?

Ans: Acute (short-term) exposure to N-nitrosodimethylamine may damage the liver in humans, with symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, headaches, and malaise.

Q2: What foods contain NDMA?

Ans: NDMA can also be found in many processed foods and beverages such as whiskey, beer, cured meats, bacon, and cheeses.

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