CURRENT AFFAIRS 16 July 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS

16 July, 2025

1.      DELHI LAUNCHES CLOUD SEEDING TO COMBAT POLLUTION –

•        Delhi is set to conduct its first cloud seeding operation between August 30 and September 10, 2025. This initiative aims to reduce air pollution by triggering artificial rainfall.

•        The project was postponed from July following expert advice from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. The Rs 3.21 crore project will use five modified Cessna aircraft to seed clouds over northwest and outer Delhi.

What Is Cloud Seeding?

•        Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique. It involves adding substances like silver iodide, dry ice, or salt particles to clouds. These materials encourage cloud droplets to form and fall as rain or snow. The process requires existing clouds and can increase rainfall by 5-15 per cent. It is used to address water scarcity, reduce hail, or clear fog.

2.      INDIAN ASTRONAUT SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA’S ISS EXPERIMENTS 2025 –

•        Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian to conduct scientific research aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During the 18-day Axiom-4 mission, Shukla and his team carried out over 60 experiments focused on microgravity’s effects on biology, agriculture, technology and human physiology. These studies aimed to advance space exploration and offer insights applicable to life on Earth.

Microgravity and Biological Resilience

•        Shukla’s research included studying Indian strains of tardigrades, microscopic organisms known for surviving extreme conditions. The experiments tested their growth and resilience in space. About these effects helps develop strategies to protect living organisms during long-duration space missions.

3.      PUNJAB INTRODUCES ANTI-SACRILEGE BILL 2025 –

•        The Punjab Government has introduced the Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025. This legislation aims to protect religious harmony by criminalising acts of sacrilege against sacred texts.

•        It proposes stringent punishments including life imprisonment and heavy fines. The Bill covers scriptures revered by multiple faiths in Punjab, reflecting the region’s diverse religious fabric.

•        The Bill was introduced amid rising concerns over incidents of sacrilege targeting holy scriptures such as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Quran Sharif, and Holy Bible. These acts had disturbed peace and communal harmony in Punjab. The government seeks to deter such offences and restore public confidence through strict legal measures.

4.      KASHMIR MARTYRS DAY 2025 –

•        The politics of Jammu and Kashmir in 2025 is tense around Martyrs’ Day on July 13. This day, once an official holiday, honours those killed in 1931 during protests against the Dogra regime. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the holiday was scrapped.

•        With an elected government now in power, political parties planned to visit the Martyrs’ Cemetery. The BJP opposed this. To prevent visits, the police placed many leaders under house arrest. The controversy marks deep political divides and the complex legacy of Kashmir’s struggle.

Historical Background of Martyrs’ Day

•        Martyrs’ Day commemorates the killing of 22 Kashmiri Muslims on 13 July 1931. They were shot by Dogra police outside Srinagar Central Jail during a protest. The protest was against the Dogra rulers’ autocratic rule. The victims were buried at the shrine of Khawja Bahaudin Naqashbandi.

•        Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah declared this day as Martyrs’ Day to honour their sacrifice. The event marked the start of political awakening and identity assertion in Kashmir.

5.      AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BUREAU –

•        The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India recently released a preliminary report on the Air India flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad. The report revealed that both engine fuel control switches changed from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within seconds after take-off.

•        This unexpected switch-off led to the loss of engine power and the crash that killed 241 of the 242 onboard. The investigation has raised questions about cockpit procedures and the functioning of aircraft controls. This incident marks the critical role of the AAIB in probing aviation accidents and improving safety standards.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state ?

          a) Maharashtra

          b) Madhya Pradesh

          c) Goa

          d) Maharashtra

Q2.  Behdienkhlam festival is primarily celebrated in which state ?

          a) Assam

          b) Sikkim

          c) Tripura

          d) Meghalaya

Q3.  World Youth Skills Day is observed every year on which day ?

          a) 14 July

          b) 15 July

          c) 16 July

          d) 17 July

Q4.  The Gyan Bharatam Mission, announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, primarily aims to:

          a) Promote Sanskrit as a national language.

          b) Preserve and digitize India’s manuscript heritage using modern technologies.

          c) Establish new libraries in rural India.

          d) Translate Indian classical texts into all UN official languages.

Explanation-

•        The Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM) builds on the earlier National Mission for Manuscripts (2003) and focuses on:

•        Scientific preservation of ancient texts,

•        Digitisation for broader access,

•        Use of AI and Handwritten Text Recognition, and

•        Training scholars and conservators.

Q5.  Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can the President nominate members to the Rajya Sabha?

          a) Article 79

          b) Article 80(1)(a)

          c) Article 80(3)

          d) Article 81(2)

Explanation-

•        Article 80(1)(a) states that the Rajya Sabha shall have no more than 250 members, including 12 nominated by the President.

•        Article 80(3) specifically empowers the President to nominate individuals having special knowledge or experience in literature, science, art, and social service.

•        Hence, the correct provision for nomination criteria is Article 80(3).

Answer Key