Current Affairs 17th October 2025 : Daily GK Update in English
1. What is the theme of the 9th edition of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 campaign launched in India?
A) Clean Cities, Green India
B) Swachh Bharat 2.0
C) Collective Efforts for Urban Cleanliness
D) Gandhian Cleanliness Drive
Answer: A) Clean Cities, Green India
Explanation: The 9th edition of SHS 2025, initiated under the Swachh Bharat Mission, focuses on "Clean Cities, Green India" to mobilize citizens for urban cleanliness drives, running from September 17 to October 2, 2025.
2. Which city was recommended to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games?
A) Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Ahmedabad
D) Chennai
Answer: C) Ahmedabad
Explanation: Ahmedabad was selected as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking India's second time hosting the event after Delhi in 2010, emphasizing sustainable infrastructure development.
3. What major naval exercise involving India and Indonesia concluded on October 17, 2025?
A) Malabar 2025
B) Varuna 2025
C) Samudra Shakti 2025
D) Milan 2025
Answer: C) Samudra Shakti 2025
Explanation: The 5th edition of the Indo-Indonesian bilateral maritime exercise "Samudra Shakti 2025" was held in Visakhapatnam from October 14–17, aiming to enhance interoperability and maritime cooperation.
4. According to the RBI bulletin, which Indian state records the highest per capita UPI transaction intensity?
A) Maharashtra
B) Karnataka
C) Telangana
D) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: C) Telangana
Explanation: A RBI bulletin highlighted Telangana's leading position in UPI usage intensity per capita, reflecting high digital payment adoption in the state.
5. What significant diplomatic milestone was announced between India and Panama in October 2025?
A) Free Trade Agreement
B) 20-Member Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group
C) Joint Military Exercise
D) Cultural Exchange Program
Answer: B) 20-Member Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group
Explanation: India and Panama established a 20-member Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group at Panama's National Assembly, strengthening bilateral ties in trade and diplomacy.
6. Who has been appointed as the Regional Director for South-East Asia by the WHO in October 2025?
A) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
B) Saima Wazed
C) Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
D) Dr. Jaideep Gupta
Answer: B) Saima Wazed
Explanation: Saima Wazed, daughter of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, was appointed WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, headquartered in New Delhi, to address regional health challenges.
7. What is the investment value of the Assam Bioethanol Plant inaugurated in Golaghat, Assam?
A) Rs 3,000 crore
B) Rs 5,000 crore
C) Rs 7,230 crore
D) Rs 2,500 crore
Answer: B) Rs 5,000 crore
Explanation: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first bamboo-based bio-refinery, the Assam Bioethanol Plant worth Rs 5,000 crore, promoting sustainable energy in the Northeast.
8. Which insurance company partnered with Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank in October 2025?
A) LIC
B) Universal Sompo General Insurance
C) HDFC Ergo
D) ICICI Lombard
Answer: B) Universal Sompo General Insurance
Explanation: Universal Sompo partnered with APGB to expand insurance services across 26 districts in Andhra Pradesh, enhancing financial inclusion in rural areas.
9. What was India's Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for ages 15+ in September 2025?
A) 48.2%
B) 52.4%
C) 55.6%
D) 47.1%
Answer: B) 52.4%
Explanation: The Periodic Labour Force Survey reported India's WPR at 52.4% overall in September 2025, with higher rates in rural areas (54.8%) compared to urban (47.4%).
10. What capacity of solar projects did DRDO agree to develop with SECI in October 2025?
A) 200 MW
B) 300 MW
C) 500 MW
D) 100 MW
Answer: B) 300 MW
Explanation: DRDO signed an MoU with SECI for 300 MW of solar-based renewable energy projects across DRDO establishments, aligning with India's green energy goals.
11. Which ancient relic was returned to Greece by a German citizen in October 2025?
A) A Parthenon marble
B) Limestone capital from a 4th-century pillar
C) An Athenian vase
D) A Spartan helmet
Answer: B) Limestone capital from a 4th-century pillar
Explanation: A German woman returned a stolen limestone capital from the ancient Olympic site in Olympia, Greece, over 50 years after taking it in the 1960s.
12. Who became the youngest person to travel solo to 100 countries as of October 2025?
A) Kaamya Karthikeyan
B) Arjun Malaviya
C) Kush Patel
D) Zia Ahmed
Answer: B) Arjun Malaviya
Explanation: 17-year-old American Arjun Malaviya reached the milestone in Fiji, holding five passports and traveling through diverse global destinations post-high school.
13. What major geopolitical event involved Trump and Putin in October 2025?
A) Joint UN Address
B) Phone Conversation on Ukraine
C) Trade Summit in Moscow
D) Arms Control Talks
Answer: B) Phone Conversation on Ukraine
Explanation: US President Trump and Russian President Putin discussed a potential Budapest meeting and Ukraine resolution, amid ongoing global tensions.
14. Which event marked the end of the two-year Israel-Hamas war in October 2025?
A) UN Peacekeeping Deployment
B) Ceasefire Deal Allowing Aid Increase
C) ICC War Crimes Tribunal
D) Border Demilitarization
Answer: B) Ceasefire Deal Allowing Aid Increase
Explanation: A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended the conflict post-October 7, 2023 attacks, enabling humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza via Rafah.
15. What was 2024 confirmed as by NASA in October 2025 reports?
A) Wettest Year on Record
B) Hottest Year on Record
C) Most Biodiverse Year
D) Coldest Winter Year
Answer: B) Hottest Year on Record
Explanation: NASA data confirmed 2024 as Earth's hottest year, exceeding 2023 and surpassing the 1.5°C Paris Accord threshold for the first time.
16. Which Indian ship made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, in October 2025?
A) INS Vikrant
B) INS Sahyadri
C) INS Kolkata
D) INS Arihant
Answer: B) INS Sahyadri
Explanation: INS Sahyadri's visit to Busan strengthened India-South Korea naval ties, focusing on maritime security and joint exercises.
17. What new operational hub was announced by India's NSG in Ayodhya in October 2025?
A) Cyber Command Center
B) Counter-Terror Hub
C) Training Academy
D) Logistics Base
Answer: B) Counter-Terror Hub
Explanation: The NSG established a new counter-terrorism hub in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, to enhance rapid response capabilities in sensitive regions.
18. Which mission was launched by Uttar Pradesh for river restoration in October 2025?
A) Ganga Rejuvenation
B) Gomti Rejuvenation Mission
C) Yamuna Clean-Up
D) Sabarmati Revival
Answer: B) Gomti Rejuvenation Mission
Explanation: The UP government launched the Gomti Rejuvenation Mission to restore the river's natural flow by intercepting 95% of pollutants.
19. What fixed airfare scheme was introduced by India's Civil Aviation Ministry in 2025?
A) AirSaver
B) Fare Se Fursat
C) SkyBudget
D) FlyEasy
Answer: B) Fare Se Fursat
Explanation: 'Fare Se Fursat' offers fixed fares on select routes to make air travel affordable, prioritizing consumer access.
20. Which country eliminated mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis first globally in 2025?
A) India
B) Maldives
C) Sri Lanka
D) Bhutan
Answer: B) Maldives
Explanation: The Maldives achieved WHO validation as the first nation to eliminate these transmissions, showcasing effective public health strategies.
21. What is the focus of the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025 launched in India?
A) Road Infrastructure
B) National Logistics Policy Alignment
C) Port Modernization
D) Rail Freight
Answer: B) National Logistics Policy Alignment
Explanation: LEAPS 2025 supports the NLP by improving logistics efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing India's global competitiveness.
22. Which geological discovery was made using AI under Italy's Campi Flegrei volcano in October 2025?
A) Lava Tubes
B) Ring Fault Structure
C) Magma Chamber
D) Fossil Deposits
Answer: B) Ring Fault Structure
Explanation: AI analysis revealed a ring fault that could trigger major eruptions, aiding volcanic risk assessment.
23. What was the global deforestation rate in 2024 per the Forest Declaration Assessment 2025?
A) 5.2 million hectares
B) 8.1 million hectares
C) 10.3 million hectares
D) 3.9 million hectares
Answer: B) 8.1 million hectares
Explanation: The report indicated 8.1 million hectares deforested in 2024, leaving the world 63% off-track for zero deforestation by 2030.
24. Which three districts remain most affected by Left-Wing Extremism in India as per MHA's 2025 report?
A) Gadchiroli, Dantewada, Bastar
B) Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur
C) Malkangiri, Koraput, Kandhamal
D) Bhadradri, Warangal, Khammam
Answer: B) Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur
Explanation: The MHA reported a decline in LWE-affected districts to just three in Chhattisgarh, signaling progress in counter-insurgency efforts.
25. What contract value did MoD sign for Night Sight devices for SIG 716 rifles in October 2025?
A) Rs 459.47 crore
B) Rs 659.47 crore
C) Rs 859.47 crore
D) Rs 559.47 crore
Answer: B) Rs 659.47 crore
Explanation: The MoD procured Night Sight (Image Intensifier) devices worth Rs 659.47 crore for the Indian Army's assault rifles, boosting night combat capabilities.