Weekly Current Affairs Test : 8th to 14th October 2025

A new geoarchaeological study shows that Egypt’s Karnak Temple complex was originally built on an island amid Nile floods and later became a major sacred center. The Karnak Temple complex is located in Luxor, Egypt, on the east bank of the Nile River. It was constructed between 2055 BC and 100 AD as a cult temple dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. It is the largest religious building ever built and was called “The Most Select of Places” by ancient Egyptians. Along with Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Recently, the President of India presented the MY Bharat–National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for 2022–23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The award was instituted in 1993–94 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The main objective is to honour youth for their exceptional work in social service, community development, and nation-building. The awards recognise and reward outstanding voluntary community service. They are given every year to NSS Volunteers, NSS Units, and Programme Officers for their exemplary contribution to society. The initiative highlights youth participation in building a responsible and service-oriented nation.

Recently, former US President Donald Trump supported Russian President Vladimir Putin’s idea of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The New START is the last remaining nuclear arms control deal between Russia and the United States of America. It was signed in 2010 by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in Prague and came into force on February 5, 2011. The treaty limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads to reduce Cold War–level arsenals. It focuses on strategic long-range weapons that can destroy key power and control centers. It replaced the 1991 START I Treaty and the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT). It was extended in 2021 for five years, valid till February 4, 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 on 8th October 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. IMC 2025 is Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event. It is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The event is being held from 8th to 11th October 2025 under the theme “Innovate to Transform.” It showcases India’s focus on digital innovation, transformation, and societal progress.

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on 6th October 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. INS Androth has over 80% indigenous content, symbolising ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The vessel is 77 metres long, displaces about 1500 tonnes, and is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. It is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats.

A new wasp species named Nesolynx banabitanae was recently discovered in Salt Lake, West Bengal. It was found in Central Park, locally known as Banabitan, after which it was named. This discovery marks only the seventh wasp species identified in India. It belongs to the Eulophidae family, known for parasitic behaviours. Nesolynx banabitanae is a hyperparasitoid, meaning it parasitises other parasitoid wasps.

Recently, the Union Health Ministry confirmed that while 18 State drug control authorities use the Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS), none have fully met the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) guidelines. ONDLS is a digital single-window platform for processing all drug-related licences in India. It was developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and State/UT Drug Regulatory Authorities. It aims to make drug licensing uniform, transparent, and accountable across India.

Around 100 wild boars were found dead in Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary in March, likely due to toxic waste contamination in Nangal Lake. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, Rupnagar district, Punjab. The sanctuary covers 116 hectares and is part of the Nangal Wetland on the Sutlej River. It lies within a man-made reservoir built under the Bhakra-Nangal Project.

Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with the Integrated Defence Staff and Tri-Services, released Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) Standard 1.0. It is India’s first national specification for Software Defined Radios (SDR). IRSA 1.0 standardizes how different radio systems communicate securely and efficiently. Its vision is to make IRSA a global benchmark and promote export of IRSA-compliant SDR solutions to friendly nations. It defines interfaces, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), execution environments, waveform portability, and SDR interoperability. It was developed under the Standardization of Indigenous SDR initiative by the Directorate of Standardization (DoS), Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Around 10 Indian marine and saline fish and shrimp varieties are soon to receive the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification is an international non-profit organisation that sets science-based standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. Its certification recognises and rewards sustainable fishing practices to promote a sustainable seafood market. The certification is based on independent third-party assessments focusing on stock health, environmental impact, and effective management. It is voluntary, open to all fisheries regardless of location, size, or fishing gear. Astamudi clam (Paphia malabarica) was India’s first MSC-certified fishery.

On October 8, 2025, Russia’s lower house of parliament approved withdrawing from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) with the United States. The Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) is a pact between the United States and Russia signed in 2000. It came into force in 2011 to reduce weapons-grade plutonium from dismantled Cold War nuclear warheads. Both countries had large plutonium stockpiles that were expensive to store and posed a nuclear proliferation risk. The PMDA required each country to dispose of 34 tonnes of plutonium. The plan involved converting it into Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel or using it in fast-neutron reactors for electricity.

Recently, hundreds protested in Daporijo, Arunachal Pradesh, against the proposed Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project. The Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project is a 1,800 Megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river project on the Subansiri River basin in Arunachal Pradesh. It is expected to start commercial operations in 2031. The project aims to generate 6,581.29 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity. The total estimated project cost is around 2,346.87 million US dollars.

Recent research shows that eating diets high in Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) can worsen gut inflammation and increase Crohn’s disease flare-ups. Crohn’s Disease is a chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes swelling and irritation in the digestive tract. It usually affects the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. Inflammation can spread deep into the bowel layers, causing pain and serious complications. Common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and weight loss. It mostly develops between ages 20 and 29. The exact cause is unknown but may involve genes, immune reactions, and the microbiome. There is no cure, but treatment helps control symptoms and maintain remission.

Researchers recently discovered a new fungus species named Bridgeoporus kanadii in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. It has exceptionally large fruiting bodies, some measuring over three meters in radius, strong enough to hold a person’s weight. The species is named after Indian mycologist Kanad Das for his work on Indian macrofungi. The only other known species, Bridgeoporus nobilissimus, found in North America, has fruiting bodies up to 1.5 meters, making B. kanadii nearly twice as large. It grows mainly on dead fir trees and helps in forest regeneration by decomposing dead wood. It is inedible and has no direct economic value.

The Union Government plans to showcase the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme to African and island nations through the International Solar Alliance platform. The scheme was launched in 2019 to provide energy and water security to farmers and increase their income. It also aims to de-dieselize agriculture and reduce environmental pollution. The target is to add 34,800 Megawatt (MW) of solar capacity by March 2026. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry.

The Madras High Court recently ordered action against illegal resorts and tourist lodges within the prohibited zone of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu. It lies at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The reserve covers an area of over 1,400 square kilometres. It connects with Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Biligiri Ranganatha (BR) Tiger Reserves, forming a large tiger landscape.

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced the transfer of technology under the AgriEnIcs Programme. AgriEnIcs is a national programme of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) focused on agriculture and environment. Its objective is to research, develop, deploy, demonstrate, and commercialize advanced technologies in these domains. It acts as a national platform for research and development (R&D) and technology translation in agriculture and environmental management.

The Indian Army has recently started procuring the indigenously developed ‘Saksham’ Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) Grid System. SAKSHAM stands for Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management. It is an advanced Counter-Unmanned Aerial System designed to detect and neutralize hostile drones. The system is modular and operates as a high-end Command and Control (C2) platform. It functions on the secure Army Data Network (ADN). SAKSHAM ensures complete airspace security in the Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS). It has been developed indigenously by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

In its first phase, the DRAVYA portal aims to catalogue information on 100 key medicinal substances. DRAVYA stands for Digitized Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of AYUSH Substances. It is the largest digital database of Ayurvedic ingredients and products. The portal combines data from classical Ayurveda texts, modern scientific literature, and field studies. It is an initiative of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). The portal is Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready and will link with the Ayush Grid and drug policy initiatives. It features QR code integration for standardised display in medicinal plant gardens and repositories. It offers open-access, dynamic data on Ayurvedic pharmacology, botany, chemistry, and safety information.

National Post Day is celebrated in India every year on October 10. It honors the Indian Postal Department for its vital role in India’s development and in connecting people nationwide. The Indian Postal Department, also known as India Post, was established in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie during the British era. It operates under the Department of Posts, which comes under the Ministry of Communications. India Post is the largest postal network in the world, serving even remote rural areas.

On World Mental Health Day 2025, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched new initiatives for the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS). Tele MANAS stands for Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States. It was started by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2022. It aims to provide universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality mental health care through 24×7 tele-mental health services. Tele MANAS is a key digital component of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). Services are available across all Indian States and Union Territories with assured linkages for seamless care.

Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) hosted the ‘AI for Good Summit’ at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. ITU is the United Nations (UN) specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICT). It was established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union. In 1947, ITU became a specialized agency of the UN. ITU coordinates between governments and private sector bodies for global telecommunication and ICT services.

Recently, a survey in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary reported the first record of spider species Araneus nox in India. It is an orb-weaving spider belonging to the Araneidae family. It is also known as the Leathery Garden Orb-weaver. It was first documented in 1877 by French arachnologist Eugène Simon from Basilan in the Philippines. It is known for spinning near-perfect, vertically oriented circular webs on vegetation and tree branches. Its habitat includes gardens, forests, and backyards. Its distribution covers Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Centre recently recommended environmental clearance for the 1,856-MW Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant in the Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir. It will be the largest hydroelectric project in the Union Territory and one of the biggest in North India. The project was first conceptualised in the 1980s and revised multiple times due to environmental and technical concerns. It will be built by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 31,380 crore.

Recently, village hunters near Palamau Tiger Reserve surrendered their weapons, including guns and traps, during Wildlife Week celebrations. Palamau Tiger Reserve is located on the western side of Latehar district on the Chhotanagpur Plateau in Jharkhand. It forms part of the Betla National Park and covers an area of about 1,026 square kilometres. It is one of the first nine tiger reserves created in India under Project Tiger. It was the first reserve in the world to conduct a tiger census using pugmark count in 1932 under J.W. Nicholson.

Scientists from Arunachal Pradesh recently discovered a new Begonia species in Basar, Leparada District. It is named ‘Chowna Buku Chulu (Aryarakta)’, meaning “Noble Red”, in honour of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein. The plant is known for its striking red leaves and natural growth in the region’s habitat. Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants from the Begoniaceae family. In cooler regions, they are cultivated outdoors in summer for their bright flowers with sepals but no petals.

India and the United Kingdom recently launched the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC) at India Mobile Congress 2025. It is a strategic partnership to promote digital inclusion and build secure, innovative, and resilient communications. The initiative works under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It links university research, lab testing, and market trials for next-generation technologies. Both nations will jointly invest £24 million (₹250 crore) to support research, joint testbeds, and global telecom standards.

The 624-megawatt (MW) Kiru Hydroelectric Project in Jammu and Kashmir recently achieved a major milestone by completing 10 lakh cubic meters of dam concreting out of a total 12 lakh cubic meters. It is a run-of-river project built on the Chenab River near Patharnakki and Kiru villages in Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir. The dam is a 135-meter-high concrete gravity structure with an underground powerhouse on the left bank. The powerhouse will have four Francis turbines of 156 MW each. It will boost power supply in northern India. The project is developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) — a joint venture of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC, 49%), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC, 49%), and Power Trading Corporation (PTC, 2%).

Recently, the Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve Sonali Ghosh received the Kenton R. Miller Award. The award is given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). IUCN, founded in 1948, works globally for nature conservation and sustainable resource use. The Kenton R. Miller Award, established in 2006, is presented every two years for innovation in national park and protected area sustainability. It honours exceptional contributions in management, finance, monitoring, and communication and carries a cash prize of US $5,000.

The Finance Ministry recently approved Maitri II, India’s newest research station in eastern Antarctica. Maitri II will be larger than Maitri I and designed as a green research base. The station will use renewable energy, including solar power for summer and wind energy to harness Antarctic winds. Automated instruments will record data and send it to mainland India, even if the station is temporarily unmanned. Construction is expected to be completed by January 2029. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will operate and manage Antarctic and Arctic missions.