Current Affairs 20th August 2025 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which organization developed the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system, recently commissioned by Indian Railways?
a) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
b) Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO)
c) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
d) Ministry of Transport
Answer: b)ย Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO)
Explanation: Kavach 4.0 is an advanced automatic train protection system developed by the RDSO to enhance safety and efficiency by controlling train speeds and minimizing human errors. It was recently commissioned on the Mathura-Kota section of the Delhi-Mumbai route.
2. The 'E-Jagriti' platform is an initiative of which ministry?
a) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution
b) Ministry of Science and Technology
c) Ministry of Agriculture
d) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: a)ย Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution
Explanation: The E-Jagriti platform, launched on January 1, 2025, aims to computerize and network all Consumer Commissions for transparent, efficient, and speedy resolution of consumer disputes.
3. In which region of India is the 'Halman apricot' primarily found, a consignment of which was recently exported for the first time?
a) Maharashtra
b) Ladakh
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Karnataka
Answer: b)ย Ladakh
Explanation: Halman apricot is a premium variety grown in the Sham region of Ladakh, and for the first time, a consignment of 1.5 metric tonnes was sent to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.
4. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, recently in the news due to a study on invasive plant species, is located in which state?
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Nagaland
c) Manipur
d) Assam
Answer: d) Assam
Explanation: Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
5. Under which Indian Army initiative was the 'Arogyam Health and Wellness Centre' recently launched in Arunachal Pradesh?
a) Operation Maitri
b) Operation Sadbhavana
c) Operation Rakshak
d) Operation Vijay
Answer: b)ย Operation Sadbhavana
Explanation: The Arogyam Health and Wellness Centre was inaugurated in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Indian Army's Operation Sadbhavana, to provide timely health support to high-altitude villagers and tourists.
6. Mansa Devi Temple, which was in the news due to a stampede, is located in which city of Uttarakhand?
a) Rishikesh
b) Dehradun
c) Almora
d) Haridwar
Answer: d)ย Haridwar
Explanation: Mansa Devi Temple is a Hindu temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, located atop Bilwa Parvat.
7. The central government recently raised $500 million from which organization to improve healthcare in Maharashtra?
a) World Bank
b) International Monetary Fund
c) United Nations Environment Programme
d) Asian Development Bank
Answer: d)ย Asian Development Bank
Explanation: The Asian Development Bank (ADb) has provided a $500 million loan to the central government to improve tertiary healthcare and medical education in Maharashtra.
8. The 'Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project,' for which the foundation stone was recently laid, is located in which state?
a) Bihar
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Gujarat
Answer: a)ย Bihar
Explanation: The Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project is located in Aurangabad, Bihar, and is being developed by NTPC to enhance energy security in the region.
9. The 'Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025' was introduced to amend provisions across how many Central Acts?
a) 16
b) 355
c) 160
d) 16
Answer: d)ย 16
Explanation: The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025, proposes amendments to 355 provisions across 16 Central Acts.
10. India's first commercially approved Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) was recently launched in which city?
a) Mumbai
b) Chennai
c) Delhi
d) Bengaluru
Answer: c)ย Delhi
Explanation: Delhi's Power Minister inaugurated a 20-Megawatt (MW) BESS, which is South Asia's largest utility-scale system.
11. Which state won the Junior Boys' National Football Championship for the Dr. B.C. Roy Trophy (Tier 1) in 2025?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) West Bengal
c) Manipur
d) Jharkhand
Answer: c)ย Manipur
Explanation: Manipur defeated West Bengal in the final to win the championship after 25 years.
12. Typhoon Co-May recently hit which country, leading to the evacuation of nearly 2.83 lakh people?
a) Japan
b) Philippines
c) China
d) None of the Above
Answer: d)ย None of the Above
Explanation: Typhoon Co-May, locally called Zhu Jie Cao, hit Shanghai, China, with strong winds and heavy rain.
13. Which country has adopted Assam's 'Hargila Army' model for biodiversity conservation?
a) Nepal
b) Malaysia
c) Indonesia
d) Cambodia
Answer: d)ย Cambodia
Explanation: Cambodia introduced the 'Hargila Army' model in its Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve for stork conservation, focusing on community-led, women-centric strategies.
14. Mount Elbrus, a peak recently climbed by an Indian mountaineer, is located in which country?
a) India
b) China
c) France
d) Russia
Answer: d)ย Russia
Explanation: Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, is located in southwest Russia and is part of the Caucasus Mountains.
15. Which country was recently declared free of rubella by the World Health Organization (WHO)?
a) India
b) Nepal
c) Bhutan
d) Bangladesh
Answer: b)ย Nepal
Explanation: The WHO officially declared Nepal free of rubella, a significant public health achievement.
16. Which country has been named the 'Guest of Honour' at the 38th Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo) in 2026?
a) India
b) Brazil
c) Colombia
d) Mexico
Answer: a)ย India
Explanation: India will be the 'Guest of Honour' at the 2026 Bogota International Book Fair, marking a step towards stronger ties with Colombia.
17. What is the current Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) required for listed companies in India as per SEBI regulations?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 50%
d) 75%
Answer: b)ย 25%
Explanation: As per SEBI regulations, newly listed companies are expected to meet a minimum public shareholding of 25% within three years from the date of listing.
18. Which institution is responsible for conducting the Periodic Labour Force Survey in India?
a) Reserve Bank of India
b) Labour Bureau
c) NITI Aayog
d) National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
Answer: d)ย National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
Explanation: The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, conducts the Periodic Labour Force Survey.
19. What is the primary purpose of using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
a) Reduce ticket prices
b) Enhance aircraft speed
c) Lower carbon emissions in the aviation sector
d) Increase fuel density for long-haul flights
Answer: c)ย Lower carbon emissions in the aviation sector
Explanation: SAF is a key tool in the decarbonization of the aviation industry as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
20. Scientists have recently discovered a genetic link associated with a high rate of tuberculosis in which tribe of central India?
a) Gond
b) Bhil
c) Sahariya
d) Baiga
Answer: c)ย Sahariya
Explanation: A genetic study revealed a possible genetic link associated with the unusually high rate of tuberculosis in the Sahariya tribe, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
21. Which country's initiative is the 'Sakura Science Programme'?
a) India
b) Japan
c) South Korea
d) Singapore
Answer: b)ย Japan
Explanation: The Sakura Science Programme is a Japanese government initiative to promote youth exchange in science and technology.
22. What is 'Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis' (PAM), recently seen in news from Kerala?
a) A type of brain cancer
b) A rare and fatal brain infection
c) A neurological disorder
d) An autoimmune disease
Answer: b)ย A rare and fatal brain infection
Explanation: PAM is a rare and fatal brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba, and cases were recently reported in Kerala.
23. Who won the Canadian Open title at age 18, defeating Naomi Osaka?
a) Victoria Mboko
b) Leylah Fernandez
c) Iga ลwiฤ tek
d) Coco Gauff
Answer: a)ย Victoria Mboko
Explanation: Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to win her first WTA 1000 title.
24. Girish Gupta recently won which medal in the 10m air pistol men youth event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship?
a) Gold
b) Silver
c) Bronze
d) No medal
Answer: c)ย Bronze
Explanation: Girish Gupta secured the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol men youth event at the championship held in Kazakhstan.
25. The 'Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan' event, celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, was held in which city?
a) Pune
b) Varanasi
c) Bhopal
d) Ranchi
Answer: c)ย Bhopal
Explanation: The event was held in Bhopal, where the Prime Minister participated to mark the 300th birth anniversary of the queen of the Malwa region.