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

Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs said MY Bharat Aapda Mitras will assist in flood rescue in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. MY Bharat is an autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It targets youth aged 15-29 years, providing resources, mentorship, learning opportunities, and industry connections to build Viksit Bharat. Aapda Mitras are trained by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Aapda Mitra programme.

Researchers at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) discovered protein p47’s new role as a “mechanical chaperone.” P47 is a cofactor protein known for assisting p97 in protein trafficking, degradation, and membrane fusion. Study revealed p47 boosts mechanical efficiency of protein extraction from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cytoplasm. It stabilizes polypeptides under stress, guides them through pores, prevents misfolding, and improves translocation. This is the first single-molecule evidence of autonomous, force-dependent chaperone-like activity by p47. Discovery opens new therapeutic possibilities for diseases linked to protein instability.

Adani Power signed a pact with Bhutan’s Druk Green Power to build the 570 MW Wangchu Hydroelectric Project. Project will follow a BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) model with power purchase and concession agreements signed. It is a run-of-river project on Wangchu River (Raidāk River in India) in Chukha District, Bhutan. Construction will start in first half of 2026 and complete within five years. It will meet Bhutan’s peak winter electricity demand and export surplus power to India in summer.

Ukraine unveiled the FP-5 “Flamingo,” a new long-range cruise missile. It is developed by Ukraine’s Fire Point defense company. The missile has a range of 3,000 kilometres and carries a 1,150-kilogram warhead with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 kg. Flamingo is the first indigenously produced “heavy” missile in Ukraine’s arsenal. It has a wingspan of six meters and uses a turbofan engine. The missile can reach speeds up to 900 km/h and navigates using inertial systems and GPS. Its high terminal velocity and heavy warhead allow deeper target penetration and greater destruction. It is designed to resist electronic warfare, likely with secure GPS and CRPA antennas.

The CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) portal in India has been down since early August, preventing access to vaccination certificates. CoWIN is operated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for registration, appointment scheduling, vaccination, and certification. The portal recorded over two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses across Union and State governments. The outage affects visa processing and other services requiring certificates, with third-party access via DigiLocker also not working.

A young male tiger recently travelled 450 km from Vidarbha and settled in Yedshi Ramling Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary after decades of no big cat presence. The sanctuary is in Osmanabad District, Maharashtra, and was established on May 23, 1997. It covers 22.38 sq. km in the Balaghat range of the Sahyadri hills. It has the ancient Ramling Temple of Lord Shiva, a waterfall, and a cave linked to Ramayana legends.

Recently, the Indian Navy Band participated in the grand Military Tattoo at Port Moresby during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day celebrations. Papua New Guinea is an island nation in Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It shares its western border with Indonesia. Australia lies to its south and Solomon Islands to its south-east. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Bismarck Sea, Solomon Sea, Coral Sea, Torres Strait, and Gulf of Papua. This event highlights India’s growing cultural and defence ties with Pacific Island nations.

Five persons were injured in a recent landslide at the Rattle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is an 850 MW run-of-river hydroelectric power plant on the Chenab River. The project is developed by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation (RHPCL), a joint venture of Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) holds 51% and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) holds 49% equity.

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology felicitated Indian student winners of the 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO-2025) held in Jining, China. Team India won 7 medals – 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze – and 3rd Prize in International Geoscience Youth Movement (I-GYM) Reporter category. IESO was established in 2003 by the International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO). It is an annual competition for Class IX–XII students worldwide to promote earth science awareness through teamwork and idea exchange. India has participated since 2007 and hosted the 10th edition in Mysore in 2013.

Recently, conflict between humans and Himalayan brown bears has been rising across the Himalayas. The Himalayan brown bear is also called Himalayan red bear, isabelline bear, or Dzu-Teh and is a subspecies of the brown bear. It is mainly found in northwestern and central Himalayas in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. In India, it is found in small, isolated populations in alpine and subalpine habitats of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation status is Critically Endangered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) 2025 in Kolkata, West Bengal, from September 15 to 17. The Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) is the top-level forum of the Armed Forces for conceptual and strategic discussions with civil and military leadership. The theme for Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) 2025 is “Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future”. Focus areas are Reforms, Transformation and Change, and Operational Preparedness. It reflects commitment to institutional reforms, deeper integration, and technological modernisation with multi-domain readiness.

Bangladesh recently announced export of hilsa fish to India ahead of Durga Puja as a mark of “enduring Bangladesh-India friendship.” Earlier in September 2024, Bangladesh had banned hilsa export to India but relaxed it after appeals from traders. Hilsa, also called Ilish fish, is culturally significant in Bengali traditions, offered during pujas, weddings, and to Goddess Lakshmi. It lives in both saltwater and freshwater, spending most life in the ocean but migrating to rivers like Padma, Meghna, Ganges, and Godavari for breeding. Bangladesh produces about 70% of the world’s hilsa and it is the national fish of Bangladesh. Hilsa contributes 12% of Bangladesh’s total fish catch and nearly 1% of GDP.

The U.K.-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB), launched in September 2024, marked its first anniversary on September 8, 2025, in London. It is a joint initiative led by NITI Aayog of India and the City of London of the United Kingdom. The bridge was created under the UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). It aims to channel sustainable infrastructure investments into India using the U.K.’s expertise in structuring large-scale projects. Focus areas include national highways, regional rapid transport, and renewable energy projects. Stakeholders will build a long-term, stable, and sustainable financing system with manageable risks. It prioritizes green projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica), one of the world’s worst invasive species, has infested Chennai city and its outskirts. Experts warn the snail spreads rapidly during floods, posing risks to city residents. It is not only an agricultural pest but also a carrier of dangerous parasites. The snail transmits parasitic nematodes Angiostrongylus cantonensis and A. costaricensis. These cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (brain infection) and abdominal angiostrongyliasis in humans. Infections spread through ingestion of contaminated snails or their residues. Researchers highlighted that Chennai faces a major public health threat due to this invasive species.

The Ministry of Education celebrated International Literacy Day (ILD) 2025 in New Delhi with the theme “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.” Himachal Pradesh became the fifth State/Union Territory (UT) to achieve full functional literacy, after Tripura, Mizoram, Goa, and Ladakh. India’s literacy rate rose from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023–24, driven by ULLAS Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. The programme enrolled over three crore learners, mobilised 42 lakh volunteers, and assessed 1.83 crore learners in foundational literacy and numeracy.

Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2025 is an annual survey by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). It evaluates 130 cities on eight parameters like road dust, solid waste, vehicular and industrial emissions, construction and demolition (C&D) waste, public awareness, and particulate matter reduction. Indore topped million-plus-population cities, followed by Jabalpur and Agra/Surat. Navi Mumbai ranked 4th, Kanpur 5th, Bhopal 6th, Delhi 32nd, Bengaluru 36th, Kolkata 38th, and Chennai 41st. In 3–10 lakh category, Amravati ranked first; in under 3 lakh category, Dewas ranked first. PM10 levels reduced in 103 cities, with Mumbai showing the highest decline (44%), followed by Kolkata (37%), Hyderabad and Bengaluru (26%), Delhi (15%), and Chennai (12%).

Russia recently struck Ukraine’s Cabinet building with an Iskander-K missile. Iskander-K is a Russian-made mobile short-range cruise missile launcher vehicle on an 8×8 military truck chassis. It looks similar to Iskander-M, which is a ballistic missile launcher vehicle. Also called SSC-8, it entered service with Russian Armed Forces in February 2017. It is built for tactical-operational strikes.

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) launched SPREE-2025 and AMNESTY Scheme-2025 to strengthen social security and ease compliance. SPREE-2025 (Scheme for Promoting Registration of Employers and Employees) will run till 31st December 2025. It allows industries and employees not yet in ESIC to register via ESI Portal, Shram Suvidha Portal, and Company Affairs Portal without old dues. It promotes voluntary compliance, reduces litigation, and builds trust between employers and employees. AMNESTY Scheme-2025 will run from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2026. It resolves disputes related to damages, interest, and coverage under the ESI Act. For the first time, disputes over damages and interest are included in settlement.

A recent wildlife survey in Arunachal Pradesh recorded first-ever photographic evidence of the elusive Pallas’s cat. It was first described in 1776 by Peter Simon Pallas, based on specimens near Lake Baikal, Russia. It is mainly found in Central Asia, with its range extending to western Iran, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It inhabits rocky montane grasslands and shrublands with snow cover below 15–20 cm. It preys mainly on lagomorphs (hares, pikas) and rodents. This finding is a major addition to Arunachal Pradesh’s wildlife records.

Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) signed an MoU with EdCIL (India) Limited on 9th September 2025 in New Delhi. The collaboration is under the new ASPIRE (Accelerating Strategic Progress in Research and Education) programme. The objective is to link defence expertise with emerging ed-tech solutions and extend iDEX’s innovation model to the civilian sector.iDEX is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, launched in 2018 by Government of India. EdCIL is a Mini Ratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under Ministry of Education with expertise in ed-tech and consultancy.

Odisha Governor recently highlighted the need for comprehensive development of Bondaghati, home of the Bonda tribe. The Bonda tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and one of the oldest tribes of India. They are found only in Malkangiri district, mainly in Khairaput block, Odisha. They are also called Bondo, Bondas, Bonda Paraja, and Bhonda, tracing lineage to the Austroasiatic race. Their language is Remo, part of the Austroasiatic family, distinct from mainstream Indian languages. The tribe has two groups – Lower Bondas in plains and Upper Bondas in remote hilly terrain.

A recent video shocked Washington showing a US Hellfire missile bouncing off a UFO near Yemen. The Hellfire is an air-to-ground, laser-guided, subsonic tactical missile with strong anti-tank power. It can also act as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters and slow-moving aircraft. It was developed by the United States in 1972 to counter Soviet armor formations. It is a laser-guided, air-to-ground tactical missile used by the U.S. military and more than 30 allied nations for precision striking capabilities against various targets.

Ships of Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), INS Tir and ICGS Sarathi, reached Réunion Island, while INS Shardul arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, during training deployment. Réunion Island is a French territory in the Western Indian Ocean. Réunion is volcanic, with rugged mountains and short torrential rivers like Marsouins and Galet. It has the highest peak in the Indian Ocean, Piton des Neiges, and an active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise. The capital is Saint-Denis, on the northern coast.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the world’s first Digital Tribal University – Adi Sanskriti at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the National Conference on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan. It is a digital academy and e-learning platform for tribal art, culture, crafts, and knowledge systems. The platform also has an online marketplace to showcase tribal products to national and global audiences. It aims to preserve tribal heritage while creating new livelihood opportunities. The initiative ensures dignity, empowerment, and opportunities for tribal communities at the grassroots level.

Turakapalem village in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has seen 29 deaths due to Melioidosis. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei found in soil and water. The government has declared a public health emergency in the area. The disease is seasonal, with 75–85% of cases during the rainy season. It has a high case fatality rate (CFR) of 16% to 50% in endemic regions. Endemic areas include Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Currently, no vaccine is available, but early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Researchers at Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, developed a multifunctional wound-healing pad. The pad is based on the red ivy plant, locally called murikooti pacha, scientifically Strobilanthes alternata of the Acanthaceae family. Scientists at the Centre of Excellence in Phytochemical Nanotechnology of JNTBGRI isolated a new molecule, acteoside, from red ivy for the first time. Acteoside shows high efficacy even at 0.2% concentration and is the key ingredient in the pad. The pad uses electro-spun nanofiber layers made from biodegradable, non-toxic, FDA-approved polymers. Red ivy has long been used in traditional medicine for treating cuts and wounds.

The All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS) and Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households will be held from July 2026 to June 2027. All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS) is one of India’s most important surveys on household finance. AIDIS started as All India Rural Credit Survey in 1951-52, expanded in 1961-62, and last conducted in 2019 at the request of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). AIDIS gives data on household indebtedness, asset ownership, and credit markets for rural and urban areas. The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) conducts it.

A new species of bent-toed gecko named Cyrtodactylus vanarakshaka has been discovered in central Assam’s montane forests. It belongs to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group. The species was found on the forested slopes of Jatinga in Dima Hasao, a unique ecological transition zone of the Barail Hills. It has been named in honour of the Assam Forest Department. The name “vanarakshaka” comes from Sanskrit words “vana” meaning forest and “rakshaka” meaning protector. With this discovery, Assam now has five recorded species of Cyrtodactylus.

Union Home Minister recently launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at 5 more airports It was launched at Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Calicut, and Amritsar airports. It was first launched at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in 2024. It is meant for Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. The programme ensures faster, smoother, and secure immigration clearance. The Bureau of Immigration under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal agency.

The government declared 8.6 acres of green cover at Cantonment Railway Colony as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), the second in Bengaluru after Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK). The site has 371 trees belonging to 50 species. Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) are rich ecosystems with rare, threatened, endemic or culturally significant species, notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Karnataka already hosts India’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, Nallur Tamarind Grove (2007). Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) declaration does not restrict local community practices and aims to enhance their quality of life through conservation.