CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. 44th India International Trade Fair Concludes with Awards
The 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, held at the Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan) in New Delhi, concluded with great enthusiasm and grandeur. Organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), a government agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the fair aims to promote Indian products, services, and technological innovations globally.
2. IGF Launches $250 Million Fund to Globalize Indian Brands
A special fund of US$250 million (approximately ₹2,080 crore) was launched at the India Global Forum (IGF) Middle East 2025 conference held in Dubai to help Indian brands gain global recognition. The fund will provide Indian consumer and industrial companies with access to international markets, brand building, and investment opportunities.
3. India records biggest Test defeat against South Africa: by 408 runs
South Africa recorded a historic clean sweep by defeating India 2–0 in the two-Test series. Chasing a target of 549 on the fifth day of the Guwahati Test, India collapsed for just 140 runs, allowing South Africa to win by 408 runs. This is the biggest defeat by a margin in India's 93-year Test history. Previously, India had lost by 342 runs against Australia in Nagpur.
4. India's Giovanna De Sequeira wins bronze medal at World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
A proud moment for the Indian sports world came when Giovanna de Sequeira, just 10 years old, created history by winning the bronze medal at the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025 held in Abu Dhabi. Winning this medal in the Under-28 kg, Infant/Girls (Gi) category not only marked a personal milestone but also established a new identity for India internationally.
5. Jakarta becomes world's most populous city, surpassing Tokyo
According to the United Nations' "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" report, Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, has surpassed Japan's capital, Tokyo, to become the world's most populous city. With a population of approximately 42 million, Jakarta now tops the list of rapidly growing Asian megacities.
6. Renowned Bharatanatyam Dancer Kumari Kamala Passes Away
A towering figure in Indian classical dance, renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Kumari Kamala (Kamala Lakshminarayanan) has passed away in California, USA, at the age of 91. Her passing represents a loss of an invaluable legacy to the Indian art world. She was among the rare artists who witnessed the historical transformation of the temple dance tradition known as Sadir into Bharatanatyam and brought it to modern stages through her art.
7. Indian Scientists Develop AI Tool 'OncoMark' to Decode Cancer
India's scientific community has achieved a landmark achievement in cancer research. Joint research by the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences and Ashoka University has developed an AI-powered diagnostic model called 'OncoMark'. This model identifies cancer at the molecular and biological level, taking cancer treatment into a new era of precision medicine.
8. World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day, observed every year on December 1st, is dedicated to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, showing solidarity with those infected, and commemorating those who have died. Launched by the United Nations in 1988, it is the first official international day in the field of global health.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. Where was the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 held?
A - Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
B - Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
C - Indira Gandhi Stadium
D - Vishwakarma Bhawan, Mumbai
Explanation:
The 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan) in New Delhi, concluded with great fanfare. The event was organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. For what purpose was the $250 million special fund launched?
A - To promote the Indian agricultural sector
B - To gain global recognition for Indian brands
C - To support domestic startups in India
D - To privatize manufacturing units in India
Explanation:
A $250 million special fund was launched at the India Global Forum (IGF) Middle East 2025 conference held in Dubai. The fund aims to provide Indian consumer and industrial companies with access to global markets, brand building, and investment opportunities.
3. By what margin did India lose the 2025 Test series between India and South Africa?
A - 342 runs
B - 408 runs
C - 312 runs
D - 285 runs
Explanation:
South Africa recorded a historic clean sweep by defeating India 2–0 in the two-Test series. Chasing a target of 549 runs on the fifth day of the Guwahati Test, India was all out for just 140 runs, allowing South Africa to win by 408 runs. This was the biggest run-margin defeat in India's 93-year Test history. Previously, India had lost by 342 runs against Australia in Nagpur.
4. Giovanna de Siqueira won a medal in which international competition?
A - Asian Games 2025
B - World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025
C - World Karate Cup 2025
D - International Kickboxing League
Explanation:
Indian sports witnessed a proud moment when 10-year-old Giovanna de Siqueira created history by winning the bronze medal in the Under-28 kg, Infant/Girls (Gi) category at the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025 held in Abu Dhabi.
5. Which organization released the "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" report?
A - UNESCO
B - UNDP
C - UN DESA
D - WHO
Explanation:
According to the United Nations' "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" report, Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, has surpassed Japan's capital, Tokyo, to become the world's most populous city.
6. At what age and where did the renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Kumari Kamala pass away?
A - At the age of 90, in Madras (India)
B - At the age of 85, in Chennai (India)
C - At the age of 91, in California (USA)
D - At the age of 95, in New York (USA)
Explanation:
A great figure of Indian classical dance, renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Kumari Kamala (Kamala Lakshminarayanan) has passed away at the age of 91 in California, USA, leaving an invaluable loss to the Indian art world. She was among the rare artists who witnessed the historical transformation of the temple dance form.
7. The AI-powered diagnostic model called OncoMark was developed through joint research between which two leading institutions?
A - AIIMS Delhi and Tata Memorial Centre
B - S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences and Ashoka University
C - Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and IIT Madras
D - DRDO and University of Hyderabad
Explanation:
The Indian scientific community has achieved a major milestone in cancer research by developing an AI-powered diagnostic model called OncoMark.
8. What is the theme of World AIDS Day for the year 2025?
A - Community Power for AIDS Prevention
B - Empower Communities: End Inequalities and End AIDS
C - Equalize and End AIDS
D - Know Your Status
Explanation:
World AIDS Day, celebrated every year on December 1st, is dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness and solidarity. Launched by the United Nations in 1988, the 2025 theme of the day is: “Empower Communities – Eliminate Inequalities and End AIDS,” which furthers the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
ONE LINER
World AIDS Day is celebrated on which date every year? – December 1.
By which year has India set a target to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat? – By 2030.
What is the name of the 10-year-old athlete who won a bronze medal for India at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025? – Giovanna De Siqueira.
At what age and where did renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Kumari Kamala pass away? – In California, USA, at the age of 91.
What was the venue of the 44th India International Trade Fair, which was also the venue for the G20 Summit 2023? – Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan) in New Delhi.
How is the 408-run defeat against South Africa a significant defeat in India's 93-year Test history? – This is the largest defeat by a run margin in India's Test history.
The India Global Forum (IGF) has launched a fund of how many million US dollars to give Indian brands global recognition? – US$250 million (approximately ₹2,080 crore).
What is the name of the AI-powered diagnostic model developed by Indian scientists to decode cancer? – OncoMark.
According to the United Nations' "World Urbanization Prospects 2025" report, which city has become the world's most populous, surpassing Tokyo? – Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia (with a population of approximately 42 million).
What was the theme of the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025? – "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat".