Weekly Current Affairs Test : 1st to 7th November 2025

A butterfly and moth survey will soon be held at Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu. It is located in Telangana. Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1952. The Godavari River flows through the sanctuary. A stream named Dayyam Vagu divides the sanctuary into two parts. The terrain includes steep and gentle slopes, giving it rich biodiversity.

After defeating Pakistan in the recent conflict through Operation Sindoor, India plans to boost its air combat power. The country is set to acquire a large number of Meteor air-to-air missiles. Meteor is an advanced radar-guided, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It was developed by European partners led by MBDA (Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia). It uses a ramjet engine for high-speed controlled flight and complex maneuvers.

The Global Virus Network (GVN) has recently expanded by adding three new Centers of Excellence in the Americas. This move strengthens its global response to emerging viral threats. GVN is a voluntary consortium of virology laboratories and scientists working to prevent and control viral diseases worldwide. It represents over 25 countries with experts covering every class of human virus. No single institution can handle all viral areas, so GVN unites global expertise. It brings top medical virologists together to tackle major scientific problems. Its strength lies in global collaboration, deep research, and commitment to solving viral challenges.

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh has reported a sharp rise in infections caused by Bacterium Bordetella holmesii in North India. This bacterium mimics whooping cough (pertussis), making diagnosis difficult. Bordetella holmesii was first identified in 1995. It is a gram-negative coccobacillus capable of causing pertussis-like respiratory illness. Besides cough infections, it can cause endocarditis, pneumonia, cellulitis, arthritis, and pyelonephritis. The recent surge highlights the need for improved diagnostic tests and public health awareness to differentiate it from regular whooping cough infections.

A photographer in Spain recently spotted the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx, a rare sighting. The Iberian lynx is a carnivorous species endemic to Europe. It is one of the world’s most endangered wild cats, recognized by its pointy ears, long legs, and spotted fur. It is nocturnal, mainly hunting rabbits, its primary prey. It is found only in southwest Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Pyrenees.

Indian Railways will promote the ‘Aabhar’ online store launched on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. The store features over 150 gift items and hampers made by indigenous tribes, handloom weavers, and artisans. Products come from tribal groups, self-help groups (SHGs), handloom weavers, and local craftsmen. Items are part of the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, supporting regional specialties. The launch promotes ‘Vocal for Local’ and self-reliant India (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) goals. It highlights GeM’s social inclusion mission by empowering small and rural producers.

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) has recently opened its new Bengaluru Centre. IIP is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It was established in 1966 with its headquarters in Mumbai. Its main goal is to boost exports through innovative package design and improved packaging standards. It provides testing, consultancy, R&D, and training in packaging. Training is given to artisans, weavers, exporters, and stakeholders for modern and aesthetic packaging.

India has extended support to Afghanistan to build a dam on the Kunar River, shared between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The move comes amid tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over water sharing. The Kunar River, also called the Kama River, is about 480 km long. It flows through eastern Afghanistan and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The river originates in the Hindu Kush mountains, fed by melting glaciers and snow. In Pakistan, it is known as the Chitral River. It is a tributary of the Kabul River, which later joins the Indus River, forming part of the Indus watershed.

Seven countries have received $5.8 million from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to promote nature-friendly agriculture. The seven countries are Cook Islands, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Uganda. It is a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) launched in 2021 during Part 1 of COP 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It aims to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at all governance levels.

The ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ for 2025 has been announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was instituted in 2024 to promote professional excellence and morale among officers. The award recognizes outstanding work in Special Operations, Investigation, Intelligence, and Forensic Science. It was formed by merging four MHA awards. They are Special Operation Medal, Medal for Excellence in Investigation, Exceptional Intelligence Efficiency Medal, and Union Home Minister’s Award for Meritorious Service. It is announced every year on 31st October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

India will hold a tri-service military exercise named Poorvi Prachand Prahar in Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a joint exercise of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exercise aims to enhance warfighting skills, technological use, and operational coordination among the three forces. It will validate multi-domain integration across land, air, and maritime fronts. The drill will test interoperability, situational awareness, and command-and-control systems in high-altitude conditions.

Gogabeel Lake in Katihar district, Bihar has recently been designated as a Ramsar site of international importance. It lies in the trans-Gangetic plains and is an ox-bow type wetland. The lake is flanked by River Mahananda in the northeast and River Ganga in the south. It was declared Bihar’s first Community Reserve.

National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) was launched in 2021 under the Government of India’s “Sweet Revolution”. It is a Central Sector Scheme focusing on scientific beekeeping, quality honey, and beehive product development. It is implemented by the National Bee Board (NBB). It aims at income generation, infrastructure development, and quality control of honey. It develops traceability systems using blockchain and IT tools.

Lake Suchitlán in El Salvador is facing a crisis due to the rapid spread of invasive water lettuce. Lake Suchitlán is located in El Salvador. Water lettuce is a perennial, free-floating aquatic weed found in tropical regions across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is also called water cabbage, Nile cabbage, or shellflower. The plant has lettuce-like leaves with long, feathery white to tan roots hanging below.

Recently, the Prime Minister broke protocol to let two Ramnami tribe members adorn him with their traditional peacock-feather crown. The Ramnami tribe is a unique sect from Chhattisgarh, India, known for tattooing the name “Ram” on their bodies and faces. The Ramnami Samaj emerged in the 19th century as a peaceful protest against caste discrimination that barred temple entry. The movement was founded by Parsuram Bhardwaj, a low-caste sharecropper’s son. Tattoos of “Ram” symbolize the belief in the omnipresence of God (nirgun Ram).

A new species of jumping spider named Pilia malenadu was recently discovered in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It was found in Madhugundi, located in Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district. The species belongs to the Pilia genus of jumping spiders. It was named “Pilia malenadu” to honour the region where it was discovered. This is a historic find as the last Pilia species was recorded 123 years ago in 1902 in Kerala. For the first time, researchers found both male and female spiders of this genus.

The Shramjeevi Organisation will hold a two-day protest with silent fasts and symbolic lamps to highlight the plight of the Katkari Tribe. The protest demands land rights, unpaid wages, and dignity for this marginalised community. The Katkari Tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) found mainly in Pune, Raigad, and Thane districts of Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat. Traditionally, they were forest dwellers known for making Katha (Catechu) from the Khair tree (Acacia catechu).

Two new species of marine amphipods named Grandidierella geetanjalae and Grandidierella khambhatensis were recently discovered by researchers from Chilika and the Gulf of Khambhat. Amphipods are small crustaceans related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. They are found in marine, freshwater, and even land environments across the world. The word “amphipoda” means “different-footed”, as their legs are of varied types and functions. There are over 7,000 known species, mostly under the group Gammaridea. They usually feed on tiny dead plants and animals and also act as scavengers in aquatic ecosystems.

The Forest Department is set to begin the next tiger census in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) is located in the Nallamala hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of India’s largest tiger reserves, covering 3,728 square kilometres. It supports the largest tiger population in the Eastern Ghats landscape. The reserve is named after the Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam Dams. It includes Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM).

The foundation stone for the Integrated Sohra Circuit Development was recently laid under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme. The project is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Government of Meghalaya. It aims to make Sohra (Cherrapunji) a multi-day sustainable tourism destination promoting local livelihoods. The Sohra Experience Centre will act as a cultural hub, featuring amphitheatres, rain parks, art galleries, and craft pavilions.

A rare Indian Mouse Deer was recently spotted at Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vasai, Maharashtra. The Indian Mouse Deer, also called the Indian Spotted Chevrotain, is a small even-toed ungulate of the family Tragulidae. Its scientific name is Moschiola indica. It is the smallest deer species in India and is very shy and elusive. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. Sri Lanka hosts a separate species called Moschiola meminna. In India, it lives in forests of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats up to Odisha, and Central India.

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Savitri recently arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, during its Long-Range Operational Deployment to the South West Indian Ocean Region. INS Savitri is an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy. It was built by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, and commissioned on 7 June 1990. The ship operates under the Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam. It performs roles like aerial surveillance, search and rescue, and patrol duties. It has a top speed of 15 knots (30 km/h) and is equipped with a 40×60 Bofors Gun and a helicopter deck for Chetak operations.

A Gulf Keralite’s quick return home for fever treatment proved life-saving after he was diagnosed with scrub typhus. Scrub Typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. It spreads through bites of infected chiggers (young mites) and not from person to person. Its prevalence depends on factors like climate, vector abundance, farming, domestic animals, and sanitation. The disease is more common during cooler months.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar has started research on the Cycad plant due to the presence of BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine), a possible neurotoxin. Cycads are palmlike, woody gymnosperm plants. They are ancient species that existed alongside dinosaurs for over 300 million years. They grow in various habitats, from wet rainforests and grasslands to semidesert and seasonally dry forests. Their distribution spans tropical and subtropical regions, including the Americas, Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, eastern India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Australia.

The pristine waters of River Umngot in Meghalaya are turning murky due to soil dumping and construction debris. River Umngot, also called Dawki River, flows through the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. It originates from the Eastern Shillong Peak at about 1,800 meters above sea level. The river forms a natural divide between the Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills. It is known for its crystal-clear water and is considered the cleanest river in India. An annual boat race is held on the river during March–April. It also serves as a natural boundary between India and Bangladesh.

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. It plays a key role in promoting self-reliance and inclusive growth through the cooperative movement. NCDC supports farmer cooperatives to enhance production and productivity. It provides aid for post-harvest facilities such as processing, storage, cold chain, and marketing of agricultural produce. It ensures the supply of seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs. It assists income-generating cooperatives in non-farm sectors like dairy, livestock, handloom, and sericulture. Recently, NCDC continues to drive cooperative-based economic and social upliftment through its sponsored and Government of India schemes.

Recently, a rare Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) was sighted in the Kali Tiger Reserve, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It belongs to the Hyaenidae family, which includes Striped, Spotted, and Brown hyenas, and the Aardwolf. The Striped Hyena is smaller than the Spotted Hyena and has black stripes across its body. It is found in South Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Western and Central Asia. It lives in open savannas, grasslands, and scrub woodlands of arid regions. It is mainly a scavenger feeding on carrion and human waste. It is listed as “Near Threatened” by IUCN.

November is observed as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month to spread awareness about prevention and early detection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD was the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.5 million deaths in 2021. COPD is a lung disease that causes inflammation and scarring in the airways or air sacs, leading to breathing problems

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology interacted with Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellows from across the world. The VAIBHAV Fellowship is awarded to outstanding Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) scientists working abroad. The Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, implemented through the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The government provides funding of ₹4,00,000 per month during the fellowship period. The aim is to strengthen India’s research ecosystem and global academic collaboration.

The historic 10-day cultural festival Kartik Naach concluded recently at Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, Nepal, on Kartik Purnima. It is a traditional dance and drama festival celebrated annually in Nepal during the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The festival has been performed for over 300 years and is deeply rooted in Hindu epics. Local artists, who inherit the art through generations, perform in open-air evening shows combining dance, drama, and music. It was started in the 17th century by King Siddhinarsingh Malla of Patan. Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.