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CUET Current Affairs: 17 July 2025

India’s Bullet Train

News-E5 for Trials, E10 for Launch for India’s Bullet Train.

  • India–Japan Collaboration – India will be the first country outside Japan to operate E10 Shinkansen bullet trains.
  • Project – Part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.
  • Start Timeline – E10 trains expected to launch in early 2030s.
  • Testing Phase – E5 Shinkansen trains will arrive in 2026 for trials.
  • Purpose of Trials – To test performance under Indian conditions like dust and heat.
  • Significance – Major milestone in India’s high-speed rail development.

Behdienkhlam festival

News- Behdienkhlam festival in Meghalaya.

  • Festival Name – Behdienkhlam.
  • Meaning – “Chasing away the Demon of Cholera”.
  • Celebrated In – July, after the sowing season.
  • By Whom – Pnars (Jaintia community) of Meghalaya.
  • Location – Mainly celebrated at Jowai.
  • Significance – One of the most well-known and recreational festivals in Meghalaya.
  • About Meghalaya:
      • Meaning – “Abode of Clouds” (Sanskrit: Megha = cloud, Alaya = abode).
      • Statehood Day – 21 January 1972 (carved out of Assam).
      • Capital – Shillong.
      • Official Language – English.
      • Other Major Languages – Khasi, Garo, Pnar.
      • Current CM (2025) – Conrad K. Sangma.

India’s First Aqua Tech Park

News-Hemanta Sarma Launch India’s First Aqua Tech Park In Assam.

  • India’s First Aqua Tech Park – Opened in Sonapur, near Guwahati, Assam.
  • Inaugurated By – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
  • Collaboration – In partnership with NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, Selco Foundation, and the Assam State Fisheries Department
  • Technologies Taught – Aquaponics, biofloc, ornamental fish breeding.
  • Objective – Boost fish production and enhance farmers’ income in Assam.
  • Aqua Tech Park is a training and innovation center where modern techniques of fish farming are demonstrated, trained and promoted.

Kalinga Ratna Award 2024

News- President Murmu Confers Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 to Dharmendra Pradhan.

  • Award Presentation – President Droupadi Murmu presented the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Cuttack, Odisha.
  • Occasion – Held during the 600th birth anniversary celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das, a 15th-century Odia poet.
  • Organized By – Sarala Sahitya Sansad.
  • Highlights – Celebrated Sarala Das’s literary legacy, promoted Indian languages and culture, and reinforced unity in diversity through initiatives like NEP 2020.

AI Appreciation Day

News- India Observes AI Appreciation Day – Recognizing the Nation’s AI Growth and Vision.

  • AI Appreciation Day – Observed on July 16.
  • Focus – India’s AI progress in key sectors like health, education, and governance.
  • Aim – Promote inclusive growth and societal impact through AI.
  • Background:
      • 1960s – India’s AI journey began with early computer science research.
      • 1986 – Launch of Knowledge-Based Computer Systems (KBCS) project.
      • 1990s – Institutions like C-DAC advanced supercomputing and AI.
      • 2000s – Private IT firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) boosted AI R&D.
      • 2015 & 2018 – Digital India and NITI Aayog’s AI Strategy accelerated AI adoption.

Deepika won Poligras Magic Skill

News-Hockey forward Deepika becomes 1st Indian to win Poligras Magic Skill.

  • Winner – Deepika, Indian women’s hockey forward.
  • Awarded For – Spectacular solo goal vs world No. 1 Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League (Bhubaneswar).
  • Achievement – First Indian to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award (2024–25).
  • Award Significance – Celebrates the most creative and skilful moments in the FIH Hockey Pro League – based on global fan votes.
  • Men’s Winner – Victor Wegnez (Belgium) – Honoured for brilliant midfield play.

MCQs

Q1: India will be the first country outside which nation to operate the E10 Shinkansen bullet trains?
A) China
B) Germany
C) Japan
D) France

Q2. What is the meaning of the festival name “Behdienkhlam”?
A) Festival of Harvest
B) Worship of Rivers
C) Chasing away the Demon of Cholera
D) Dance of the Rain Gods

Q3. Where was India’s first Aqua Tech Park inaugurated?
A) Imphal
B) Sonapur, Assam
C) Patna, Bihar
D) Siliguri, West Bengal

Q4. Who received the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Dharmendra Pradhan
C) Amit Shah
D) Ashwini Vaishnaw

Q5. When is AI Appreciation Day observed?
A) July 10
B) July 16
C) August 5
D) June 30

Q6. Who became the first Indian to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award?
A) Savita Punia
B) Vandana Katariya
C) Deepika
D) Rani Rampal