CUET Current Affairs: 18 July 2025

 

Swachh Survekshan Awards

News-Indore Declared India’s Cleanest City for 8th Time in a Row.

• Event – Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards held on 17 July 2025.
• Top Cleanest City – Indore (8th consecutive win).
• Awarded By – President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
• Key Message – Cleanliness highlighted as vital to Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Indian cultural values.
• Key highlights:
  • • Top 3 Cleanest Cities (Overall)
      • • Indore
        • Surat
        • Navi Mumbai
• • • Cities with Population Over 10 Lakh:
      • • Ahmedabad ranked first
• • • Cities with Population Between 3–10 Lakh:
      • • 1^st – Noida
        • 2^nd– Chandigarh
        • 3^rd– Mysore
    • A total of 78 awards were distributed across four categories, including:
      • • Super Swachh League Cities.
        • Top three cleanest cities in five different population categories.

Unified Payment Interface

News- UPI Becomes the World’s First Real-Time Payment System.

• What is UPI – Real-Time Transfers, Allows instant bank-to-bank transfers via mobile.
• Launch Year – 2016, by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
• Developed By – NPCI, with support from RBI and IBA.
• Operated By – NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
• UPI was set up on the recommendations of – Nachiket Mor Committee.
• Daily Transactions – 650+ million.
• UPI Live Internationally in – Bhutan, Nepal, Singapore, UAE, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France.

Prithvi-II, Agni-I & Akash Prime

News- India Successfully Test-Fires Strategic Missiles: Prithvi-II, Agni-I & Akash Prime. Event Date – 17 July 2025

• Event – Successful test-firings of Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles
• Location – Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha
• Conducted By – Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
• Purpose – Validation of operational and technical parameters
• Significance – Reinforces India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities
• Prithvi-II Missile:
  • Range – ~350 km
  • Payload – Up to 500 kg (nuclear/conventional)
• Agni-I Missile:
  • Range – 700–900 km
  • Payload – 1,000 kg (nuclear/conventional)

India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project

News Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project

• Launch – Gujarat becomes 1st Indian state to start a Tribal Genome Sequencing Project.
• Purpose – Build a genetic database to improve healthcare for tribal populations
• Announced By – Dr. Kuber Dindor, Tribal Development Minister.
• Implemented By – Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).
• Budget – Approved under Gujarat’s 2025–26 state budget.

Nelson Mandela International Day 

News- Nelson Mandela International Day 2025.

• Date Observed – 18 July (Mandela’s birthday).
• Established By – United Nations in 2009.
• Initiated By – Nelson Mandela Foundation.
• Purpose – Honor Mandela’s legacy and inspire justice, peace, and equality.
• Global Activity – 67 minutes of community service (symbolizing 67 years of Mandela’s public service).
• Theme – “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”

MCQs

Q1. Which city was declared India’s cleanest city for the 8th consecutive time in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards?

A) Ahmedabad
B) Navi Mumbai
C) Surat
D) Indore

Q2. UPI was launched based on the recommendations of which committee?
A) Bimal Jalan Committee
B) Nachiket Mor Committee
C) Nandan Nilekani Committee
D) Urjit Patel Committee

Q3. Where were the missile tests conducted?
A) Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
B) Pokhran, Rajasthan
C) Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha
D) Wheeler Island, Odisha

Q4. Which Indian state launched the country’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project?
A) Maharashtra
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Gujarat
D) Odisha

Q5. On which date is Nelson Mandela International Day observed every year?
A) 10 December
B) 18 July
C) 21 March
D) 5 June