Current Affairs 25 July 2025

Current Affairs 25 July 2025

01. Which city has been elected to host the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics?
(a) Vancouver
(b) Oslo
(c) Salt Lake City
(d) Munich

• Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics by the IOC in Paris, marking its second Games after hosting in 2002.
• Salt Lake City was the sole candidate for 2034, having exclusive negotiating rights due to limited interest from other cities because of climate change and high operational costs.
• Utah’s successful pitch included its readiness to be a repeat host and potential permanent Winter Olympic city in the future.
• Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi mentioned Salt Lake City as a prime candidate for permanent Winter Olympic rotation.
• The city’s bid team highlighted the lasting Olympic legacy from the 2002 Games, with preserved venues and ongoing enthusiasm for the Olympics.
• Local leaders had ambitions for multiple Winter Games even before hosting the 2002 Olympics.
• Organizers demonstrated the city’s commitment and preparedness by maintaining nearly all venues from the 2002 Games, impressing visiting Olympic officials.

02. Where did Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurate India’s 500th Community Radio Station named Apna Radio 90.0 FM?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Mumbai
(c) Chennai
(d) Aizawl

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s 500th community radio station, Apna Radio 90.0 FM, at IIMC Aizawl, Mizoram.
• Vaishnaw also announced the winners of the 10th National Community Radio Awards during the event.
• Apna Radio is part of India’s Act East Policy, expected to significantly impact local communities and improve communication.
• The Union Budget has allocated record funds for North East railway connectivity, benefiting Mizoram.
• Chief Minister Lalduhoma highlighted the station’s benefits for agriculture and local farmers, offering essential information and updates.
• Dr. L. Murugan emphasized the social benefits of community radio stations, particularly their role in disaster response compared to commercial channels.
• Secretary Sanjay Jaju praised community radios for their role in local communication, promoting regional languages and providing information to marginalized groups.
• The 10th National Community Radio Awards recognized stations in four categories with monetary prizes: Thematic Award, Most Innovative Community Engagement Award, Promoting Local Culture Award, and Sustainability Model Award.

03. What is the name of the new UPI payment app launched by Bank of Baroda?
(a) BoB World Pay
(b) Baroda mDigiNext
(c) bobइPay
(d) BoB World Wave Smart

• bobइPay is the new UPI payment app launched by Bank of Baroda.
• The app includes features like Scan to Pay, Send/Receive Money, UPI LITE, RuPay Credit Card on UPI, and international payments.
• It also offers a “Tap and Pay” contactless payment method using NFC technology and the UPI Global Functionality for seamless transactions while traveling internationally.
• The app will be available on Android and iOS in August 2024.
• Bank of Baroda launched ten digital initiatives, including an AI-powered Virtual Relationship Manager (VRM) and a new bobइPay UPI Payments app, to enhance customer service.
• Other features are simplified IMPS payments, BOB Credit Line on UPI, Baroda mDigiNext Mobile App for corporate customers, bob World Wave Smart NFC Sticker, piloting phygital branches, and Travel Debit Card with EaseMyTrip.
• Bank of Baroda is an Indian government Public sector bank.
• It is the third largest public sector bank in India.
• Based on 2023 data, it is ranked 586 on the Forbes Global 2000 list.
• Headquarters: Alkapuri, Vadodara.
• Founded: 20 July 1908, Vadodara.
• Founder: Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

04. Bihar Assembly Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill.What is the minimum fine proposed by Bihar’s Anti-Paper Leak Bill for malpractices in government exams?
(a) ₹50 lakh
(b) ₹75 lakh
(c) ₹1 crore
(d) ₹2 crore

• Passed Bill: The Bihar Assembly, led by CM Nitish Kumar, passed the Anti-Paper Leak Bill on July 24, 2024.
• Opposition Walkout: The passage occurred amid a walkout by the Opposition during the Monsoon Session.
• Bill Purpose: Introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, the bill aims to prevent malpractices in government recruitment exams.
• Penalties:
  • Imprisonment: Minimum of 10 years.
  • Fine: At least ₹1 crore.
• Objective: To secure the future of diligent students and maintain transparency in public examinations.
• Context: The move follows ongoing NEET-UG 2024 controversies, with the Supreme Court dismissing cancellation calls despite localized leaks.

05. With which bank has Paytm partnered to provide point of sales solutions and card payment machines?
(a) ICICI Bank
(b) HDFC Bank
(c) SBI Bank
(d) Axis Bank

• Paytm has partnered with Axis Bank to provide point of sales (POS) solutions and card payment machines.
• The collaboration aims to enhance transaction efficiency, store management, and customer engagement for merchants.
• Paytm’s EDC devices come with integrated software offering services like inventory management, invoice generation, promotions, and CRM.
• This partnership is expected to expand Paytm’s technology reach to a wider merchant base via Axis Bank.

06. Who has been elected as the 67th President of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) for the year 2024-2025?
(a) Sudhir Kumar Mishra
(b) Ramesh Chandra Das
(c) Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak
(d) Amitabh Bhattacharya

• Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak is a Fellow Member of the ICMAI and Member of the Bhubaneswar Chapter.
• He has over 30 years of professional experience in finance and cost accountancy.
• Nayak previously served as the Chairman of the Bhubaneswar Chapter (2015-16) and the Eastern India Regional Council (EIRC) of ICMAI (2022-2023).
• He was elected as a Council member for the term 2023-27 and served as Vice President for the year 2023-24.
• The Institute of Cost Accountants of India is a professional accountancy body in India under the ownership of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GoI.

07. At which Grand Prix did Oscar Piastri secure his first-ever Formula 1 title victory?
(a) Hungarian Grand Prix
(b) Monaco Grand Prix
(c) Italian Grand Prix
(d) British Grand Prix

• Oscar Piastri secured his first-ever F1 title victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
• The Australian rookie led a strong McLaren one-two finish alongside Lando Norris.
• The race involved dramatic team orders that saw Norris give up the lead to Piastri.
• Piastri crossed the finish line two seconds ahead of his teammate Norris.
• Lewis Hamilton secured the third podium spot, marking Mercedes’ 200th career podium.

08. Where in France will the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics be held?
(a) Champs-Élysées
(b) Eiffel Tower
(c) River Seine
(d) Louvre Museum

• The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics will be held on the River Seine.
• French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed this in a TV interview with France 2.
• The event will feature thousands of athletes and performers paraded along a 6-km (4-mile) stretch of the river.
• There were initial doubts about the security context, and a plan B was considered.
• Champs-Élysées: Although a famous landmark in Paris, it is not the location for the opening ceremony.
• Eiffel Tower: Another iconic Parisian landmark, but not the chosen venue for this event.
• Louvre Museum: Renowned for its art collections, but not related to the Olympics opening ceremony venue.
• River Seine: This river runs through Paris and is the confirmed location for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

09. Who has been appointed as the Festival Director for the 55th and 56th editions of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI)? (July 2024)
(a) Rajkumar Hirani
(b) Mani Ratnam
(c) Sanjay Leela Bhansali
(d) Shekhar Kapur

• Shekhar Kapur has been appointed as the Festival Director for the 55th and 56th editions of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
• The appointment was announced by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
• Kapur, known for films like “Mr India,” “Bandit Queen,” and “Elizabeth,” expressed his honor and commitment towards the role.
• He previously served as the chairperson of the international competition Jury at the 54th IFFI.
• Kapur has also been a prominent figure at the Film and Television Institute of India, where he was chairperson from 2020 to 2023.
• His recent work includes directing the British comedy “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”.

10. Who is set to be the next Managing Director of Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL)? (July 2024)
(a) Ravi Sharma
(b) Sanjay Patel
(c) Brijesh Dixit
(d) Anil Kumar

• Brijesh Dixit has been recommended as the next Managing Director (MD) of Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL) by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).
• He currently serves as the Executive Director (Depot & Machineries) at Indian Railways.
• Dixit was selected from 12 candidates interviewed by the PESB on July 24, 2024.
• The candidates included representatives from various organizations, such as SAIL, Indian Railways, REIL, and others.
• As MD of REIL, Dixit will be responsible for the company’s operations, achieving corporate objectives, and reporting to its board of directors, the government, and shareholders.