Weekly Current Affairs Test : 15th to 21st August 2025

Russia is preparing for fresh tests of its 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile from Pankovo range, Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic. If successful, it will be the world’s first operational nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range to strike any point globally. Burevestnik means “storm petrel” and is a ground-launched, low-flying missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It is one of six strategic weapons introduced by the Russian President in 2018. NATO code-names it ‘SSC-X-9 Skyfall’.

Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand, the last stronghold of Gaur (Bos gaurus) in the state, is witnessing a sharp population decline. It lies on the Chhotanagpur plateau in Jharkhand and is part of Betla National Park. Gaur, also called Indian Bison, is the largest wild cattle species in the Bovidae family. They are native to South and Southeast Asia.

On 14th August, the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj launched ‘SabhaSaar’, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered tool, in New Delhi, first rolled out in Tripura. ‘SabhaSaar’ creates structured minutes of gram sabha meetings from video and audio recordings, ensuring uniformity nationwide. Panchayat officials can upload recordings using e-GramSwaraj login credentials. It is built on Bhashini, an AI language translation platform. It transcribes, translates, and summarizes in major Indian languages and English. It supports panchayats, administrative bodies, and rural development projects with instant meeting insights.

The Bihar government has doubled the pension for ‘JP Senanis’, political activists jailed during the Emergency for supporting Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement. The decision was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar. Pension for those jailed over six months is increased from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month. Pension for those jailed less than six months is raised from ₹7,500 to ₹15,000 per month. This adjustment falls under JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme. The scheme was launched by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in 2009. Currently, 3,354 people receive this pension.

Researchers have identified Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium that can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. It belongs to the genus Ideonella and family Comamonadaceae. It uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as both a carbon and energy source, breaking it into harmless building blocks. These by-products can be consumed by I. sakaiensis and other organisms. It is discovered by researchers in Japan from PET-contaminated soil. It is Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, non-sporing, non-pigment-producing, and monotrichous.

A newly found unidentified early hominin fossil may represent a new species. It confirms that Australopithecus and Homo species coexisted in the same African region and timeframe. Australopithecus is a genus of extinct primates, closest relatives of humans (genus Homo). They lived between 4.4 million to 1.4 million years ago during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. Fossils were discovered in eastern, north-central, and southern Africa. The name means “southern ape,” first identified in South Africa. The most famous specimen is “Lucy,” a 3.2-million-year-old fossil from Ethiopia.

The Prime Minister recently praised the success of PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Yojana for empowering street vendors. It is a central-sector micro-credit scheme launched on 1st June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The scheme provides affordable working capital loans to street vendors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is implemented by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Vendors can avail loans up to Rs. 10,000, repayable in one year through monthly installments.

Indian Naval Ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti took part in the 12th edition of Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25). SLINEX is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, started in 2005. It has enhanced maritime cooperation and interoperability for nearly two decades. The last edition was held in Visakhapatnam, India, in 2024. SLINEX-25 is conducted in two phases – Harbour phase and Sea phase. Harbour phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), cultural programs, yoga, sports, and best practice sharing. Sea phase covers gunnery firing, navigation, seamanship, fueling at sea, communication, and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS).

The Prime Minister recently announced the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana to boost formal job creation. The scheme aims to create over 3.5 crore jobs in two years. It provides direct cash incentives to both employees and employers. Part A supports first-time employees registered with Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) with one-month EPF wage up to Rs. 15,000 in two instalments after 6 and 12 months along with a financial literacy programme. Part B gives incentives to employers up to Rs. 3000 per employee per month for two years and for the manufacturing sector the support continues for the 3rd and 4th year. The scheme will also formalize the workforce and expand social security coverage for crores of youth.

Scientists recently recorded the rare nocturnal moth species Antitrisuloides catocalina in Choolannur Peafowl Sanctuary, Palakkad district, Kerala. This is the first time the species has been found in the Western Ghats. It belongs to the genus Antitrisuloides and is part of the Noctuidae family. The genus has only two known species worldwide. The specimen in Kerala was earlier reported only from North-East India.

Ten States along with National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission recorded a disposal rate of over 100 percent on E-Jagriti platform in July 2025. E-Jagriti platform was launched on 1st January 2025. It is an initiative of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. The main objective is computerization and networking of all Consumer Commissions at national, state, and district levels. It ensures transparency, efficiency, and speedy resolution of consumer disputes. Consumers can file complaints, track case status, and access judgments online through this platform.

For the first time, a consignment of 1.5 metric tonnes of Halman apricots has been sent to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Halman apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a premium variety found in Ladakh. It was introduced over a century ago from China or Central Asia. It is abundantly grown in the Sham region of Ladakh including Dha-Hanu, Garkhon, Skurbuchan, Domkhar, Wanla, Khaltse, and Timosgang villages. It is renowned for rich flavor, versatility, and role in Ladakhi cuisine, medicine, and rituals. Nutritionally, it is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.

A new study found that native plants Bombax ceiba and Lagerstroemia speciosa are joining invasive species and altering the riverine ecosystem of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in eastern Assam. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam, India. It was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997. The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and the Dibru River in the south.

An ‘Arogyam Health and Wellness Centre’ was inaugurated at DahJhong in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh under Indian Army’s Operation Sadbhavana initiative. It is equipped with basic life-saving facilities to provide timely health support. The centre will benefit villagers and tourists in high-altitude regions like Thingbu, Mago, Jethang, and Luguthang. This inauguration marks an important step in strengthening rural healthcare access and promoting wellness in Tawang’s high-altitude areas.

Kabak Yano, a mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, successfully climbed Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. Mount Elbrus is located in southwest Russia and is part of the Caucasus Mountains. The Caucasus Mountains were formed by the northward collision of the Arabian Plate with the Eurasian Plate. Mount Elbrus was formed over 2.5 million years ago and was most active during the Holocene Epoch.

Udyam Sakhi Portal was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with an expenditure of ₹43.52 lakh. Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje informed Rajya Sabha that it is helping women entrepreneurs start, build, and expand businesses, fostering self-reliance. It provides women entrepreneurs information on financial schemes, policies, and programmes of the MSME sector. The portal nurtures entrepreneurship and creates business models for low-cost products and services. It empowers women to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem. Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious viral infection known for its red rash. It is caused by the Rubella virus, a single-stranded RNA virus, different from the measles virus. Rubella spreads through coughing, sneezing, contaminated surfaces, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy. This can lead to fetal death or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), causing hearing loss, eye and heart defects, autism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid problems.

A recent genetic study found a possible genetic link to the high rate of Tuberculosis (TB) in the Sahariya tribe of central India. The Sahariya are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and are among the most disadvantaged communities. Their population is around six lakh (Census 2011) spread across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and a few other states. They are also called Seher, Sair, Savar, Saonar, and Sahra. They live in clusters called Seharana with stone or mud houses, following joint family systems.

Scientists have recorded the sliteye shark for the first time in the Great Chagos Bank, the world’s largest coral atoll. The shark is named for its narrow slit-like eyes and was filmed in deep seagrass habitats on the southern rim of the Bank. Two sharks were recorded 11 km apart at depths of 23–29 metres using Baited Remote Underwater Video systems. The species usually lives in deep waters but also adapts to shallow clear seas. The study shows that sliteye sharks also depend on these meadows, highlighting their biodiversity value. Sliteye sharks are listed as near-threatened and may decline by 30% in 15 years due to fishing pressure.

Recently, Palmyra palm trees in Odisha were found to reduce lightning-related deaths and provide food for elephants during lean seasons. The tree is commonly known as sugar palm, toddy palm, or fan palm. It is native to tropical Africa but widely cultivated and naturalized in India, often planted as a windbreak on plains. Palmyra trees act as natural shelters for birds, bats, and wild animals. The main product is sweet sap (toddy), which ferments quickly and is used as a beverage.

Heavy rains in Mumbai caused Vihar Lake to overflow recently. Vihar Lake is a man-made reservoir built by the British government between 1856 and 1860. It is located near Vihar village on the Mithi River inside Borivali National Park, also called Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in North Mumbai. The lake gets its water from the Powai-Kanheri hill ranges in its catchment area. It is the largest lake in Mumbai among the Salsette group of islands.

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution informed about Anna-Chakra. Anna-Chakra is a supply chain optimisation tool under Public Distribution System (PDS). It is developed with World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT-Delhi. It is led by the Department of Food and Public Distribution. It uses advanced algorithms for optimal routes and smooth food grain movement.

Recently, a faunal survey at Thettekad Bird Sanctuary, Ernakulam, Kerala, added nine new species to its biodiversity checklist. It is the first bird sanctuary in Kerala, located on the banks of the Periyar River. Also called Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, it was notified in 1983 on the recommendation of Dr. Salim Ali. The sanctuary lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme. It aims to empower tribal communities, strengthen governance, and create local leadership across India. The Abhiyan is based on Sewa (Service), Sankalp (Resolve), and Samarpan (Dedication) under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. It is part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and will cover 1 lakh tribal villages. The Abhiyan ensures scheme saturation, leadership training for youth and women, and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Every year, 20 August is observed as World Mosquito Day to spread awareness about mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes transmit serious illnesses like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus beyond just causing bites. The theme for World Mosquito Day 2025 is “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World.” The theme stresses equitable access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for vulnerable communities.