ALL EXAM ENGLISH QUIZ 11.08.2025

Explanation

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi on 7 August.
• The event is being hosted by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
• This international gathering commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of Professor M.S. Swaminathan, a visionary leader in agricultural innovation and food security.
• Prime Minister also unveiled a special commemorative coin and postage stamp to honour Prof. Swaminathan’s legacy.

Explanation

• Every year on August 7, National Handloom Day is celebrated in India.
• It is observed to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905.
• It is also celebrated to recognize the contribution of the handloom industry to socio-economic development and to raise awareness about the industry.
• This year, the theme of National Handloom Day is “Handlooms—Empowering Women, Empowering the Nation.”
• This year, the 11th edition of National Handloom Day was celebrated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• National Handloom Day is celebrated all over the country under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles.

Explanation

• On 6 August, the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina 2.0 scheme launched in Guwahati by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
• This scheme has been launched to support the monthly financial assistance scheme to increase the enrollment of girls in higher education.
• Application forms for the scheme were ceremonially distributed by the Chief Minister at the Birinchi Kumar Barua Auditorium, Gauhati University.
• Simultaneous distribution events were organized across the state, ensuring widespread participation and awareness.

Explanation

• On 6 August, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 has been passed by the Indian Parliament after gaining approval in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
• The bill is aimed at replacing the century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, with modern and simplified legislation.
• Responsibilities, rights, liabilities, and immunities concerning the carriage of goods by sea will be redefined through this legislation.
• The Central Government has been authorized to amend schedules and issue rules, especially for bills of lading, which outline details of shipped goods.
• Minister Shantanu Thakur stated that the legislation is intended to ensure ease of doing business and will rationalize shipping laws.
• BJP MP Sanjay Seth highlighted that cargo handling was over 819 million tonnes in 2014–15, which has been increased to over 1600 million tonnes by 2024.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced an Auto-Bid facility for Treasury Bills (T-Bills) on its Retail Direct Portal, making it easier for retail investors to invest in Government Securities (G-Secs).

RBI Retail Direct Scheme: Launched in November 2021 with the aim of enabling retail investors to invest directly in Government Securities without intermediaries.Treasury Bills (T-Bills): Short-term government debt instruments with maturities of 91, 182, and 364 days.Until now, investors had to place bids manually in every auction.

Explanation

• Kartavya Bhavan inaugurated by PM Modi to boost governance efficiency.
• On 6 August, Kartavya Bhavan inaugurated in New Delhi by PM Narendra Modi, marking a key step toward centralized and streamlined governance.
• Kartavya Bhavan, also known as Central Secretariat Building–3, is the first of several buildings aimed at housing key ministries under one roof.
• Existing ministries that currently operate from outdated buildings like Shastri Bhawan and Nirman Bhawan will be shifted to the new complex.
• The newly built complex is spread over about 1.5 lakh square metres, spread over two basements and seven floors.
• It will house the offices of the Ministries and Departments of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Principal Scientific Adviser.

Explanation

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its recent meeting, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.5% and maintain a Neutral policy stance.

Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks.MPC: A six-member committee constituted under the RBI Act, 1934 with the objective of controlling inflation while ensuring balanced economic growth.Neutral Policy Stance: Indicates that the RBI is neither biased towards increasing nor decreasing rates, but will adopt a flexible approach based on prevailing economic indicators.

Reasons Behind the Decision

• Inflation Under Control – Retail inflation has remained within the target range (4% ± 2%) in recent months.
• Stable GDP Growth – Economic growth remains relatively stable and within projected limits.
• Global Uncertainty – A cautious approach in light of volatility in international financial markets.

Significance

• Interest Rate Stability – Avoids sudden changes in borrowing costs.
• Encouragement to Investment – Stable rates create a favourable environment for industries and businesses.
• Inflation Management – Balances price stability with economic growth by holding rates steady.

Explanation

• Kabak Yano, a mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, has successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
• She completed the ascent on 4 August, scaling the 5,895-meter-high peak located in Tanzania.
• Mount Kilimanjaro holds the distinction of being the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
• Yano's climb is part of her larger goal to complete the Seven Summits challenge, aiming to conquer the highest peaks on each continent.
• Her journey was officially launched on July 28 with a send-off from Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik.
• Having earlier summitted Mount Everest, Yano continues to embody courage, endurance, and determination.

Explanation

• In the Global AI City Index 2025, Bengaluru has secured the 26th position. This ranking assesses cities worldwide based on their capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, adoption, and research.
• Known as the “Silicon Valley of India,” Bengaluru is a leading hub for AI and technological innovation.
• It hosts numerous AI-based startups, global R&D centres, and machine learning experts.
• Securing the 26th rank is a significant achievement for India, as it highlights the country’s technological strength at the global level.

Global AI City Index – Key Points

• Purpose: To compare cities based on AI infrastructure, research publications, startup ecosystems, and industry adoption.
• Top Positions: Most of the top 10 cities are from the USA, Europe, and China.
• Significance: The index serves as a guide for policy-making, investments, and collaborations in the AI sector.

Explanation

• Mrs. S. Radha Chauhan has taken charge as the new Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission.
• She is a retired IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, belonging to the 1988 batch.
• Throughout her career, she has held prominent roles in both central and state administrations.
• Prior to this appointment, she served as Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• She succeeds Shri Adil Zainulbhai, who had led the Commission since its inception in April 2021.