International current affairs July part-4: QUIZ BANK, SSC, Railway exams
International current affairs July part – 4: covers topics from fintech-heavy unicorn trends to hard trade numbers, this set combined July’s biggest global developments into solid, exam-ready MCQs.
You’ll study business and economy highlights like the Hurun Unicorn Index’s sector leaders, a UAE–India CEPA start-up fast track, and India–UK’s new trade pact plus resource linkages such as SAIL’s limestone imports.
Geopolitics and security are equally in focus: SCO defence timelines, the Quad-at-Sea observer mission, UN conflict-resolution diplomacy, and the latest passport mobility rankings that often feed into GK and IR sections.
Science, tech, and space give you high important facts: a first-of-its-kind silicon-free 2D CMOS computer, NASA’s TRACERS mission on Earth’s magnetic shield, and a multi-payload Russian launch carrying Iran’s satellite. Perfect for Science & Tech and Space awareness questions.
Current international visits, naval deployments, sports results from the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, and a cultural diplomacy moment in Sri Lanka. Practise with precision—each question is chosen to help you score faster under time pressure.
Explanation: International current affairs July part-4: QUIZ BANK, SSC, Railway exams
Q1) From which supplier does SAIL annually import about 2.5 million tonnes of low-silica limestone (as noted in July 2025 discussions under India–UAE CEPA)?
Explanation:Govt. release notes that SAIL (a Maharatna CPSE) imports around 2.5 million tonnes of low-silica limestone each year from Stevin Rock LLC, Ras Al Khaimah, while exploring long-term tie-ups and UAE market opportunities for premium Indian steel under the India–UAE CEPA framework.
Q2) NASA’s TRACERS mission, launched in July 2025, is primarily intended to:
Explanation:TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) is a twin-spacecraft mission to probe magnetic reconnection in Earth’s high-latitude cusp key to how the magnetosphere shields us from the solar wind. It launched on 23 July 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg SFB, the mission is led by David Miles (University of Iowa), and the spacecraft were built by Millennium Space Systems (a Boeing company).
Q3) Which country will host the next SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in 2026?
Explanation:The 22nd meeting was held in Qingdao, China on 25–26 June 2025 under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move”; India’s delegation was led by Rajnath Singh. The communiqué notes the next meet in Kyrgyz Republic in 2026.
Q4) In the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2025, which sector has the highest number of unicorns?
Explanation:The 2025 index shows Fintech leading with 197 unicorns, followed by SaaS 151 and AI 128. Snapshot: total 1,523 unicorns across 52 countries; top countries : USA 758, China 343, India 64. Org facts: Hurun was founded by Rupert Hoogewerf (Hu Run), HQ Shanghai.
Q5) Forbes’ global “50 Richest Self-Made Women (2025)” features women from how many countries?
Explanation:The standalone 2025 list spans 13 countries across 4 continents, with a combined wealth of USD 276 billion (average USD 5.5 billion). Self-made women now form 3.5% of all billionaires—about 50% higher than in 2017. The top sector is technology (14 women). Youngest: Melanie Perkins (38, Canva). India’s entries: Falguni Nayar (#31) and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (#32).
Q6) The world’s first silicon-free CMOS computer (June 2025) used which pair of 2D semiconductors for its n-type and p-type transistors?
Explanation:Penn State researchers built a silicon-free CMOS computer entirely from 2D materials: n-type MoS₂ with p-type WSe₂. They grew large-area films via MOCVD, fabricated 1,000+ of each transistor, and assembled a one-instruction-set (OISC) computer operating at up to 25 kHz under low supply voltage; work led by Saptarshi Das and published in Nature (June 11, 2025). Penn State University Park, Pennsylvania.
Q7) July 2025, PM Narendra Modi made an official visit to which country at the invitation of Keir Starmer?
Explanation:The MEA announced that PM Modi would visit the United Kingdom on 23–24 July 2025 at the invitation of UK PMKeir Starmer; it was Modi’s fourth visit to the UK. He later proceeded to the Maldives as the second leg.
Q8) During the two-day trip on 25–26 July 2025, PM Narendra Modi attended the 60th Independence Day celebrations of which country as Guest of Honour?
Explanation:PM Modi visited Maldives on 25–26 July 2025, attended its 60th Independence Day at Republic Square, Malé as Guest of Honour the first ever by an Indian PM, he was received at Velana International Airport by President Mohamed Muizzu. The visit also marked 60 years of India–Maldives diplomatic ties (2025).
Q9) Who sponsored the replica of the Ashoka Pillar unveiled at Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya, Sri Lanka, on 21 July 2025?
Explanation:The complete sponsorship came from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. The ceremony at Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya (about 42 km south of Colombo) was attended by India’s High Commissioner Santosh Jha. India had earlier announced a USD 15 million grant (2020) that includes solar electrification for nearly 10,000 Buddhist temples/Pirivenas in Sri Lanka, and accorded Pali classical-language status in 2024.
Q10) At the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025, who finished runner-up?
Explanation:Hans Niemann was runner-up after Levon Aronian#1 won the final at Wynn Las Vegas; Magnus Carlsen took third place and the winner’s purse was USD 200,000.
Q11) What did UNSC Resolution 2788 (2025)—adopted in July 2025 under Pakistan’s presidency—primarily call for?
Explanation:On 22 July 2025, the Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2788 (2025), sponsored during Pakistan’s July presidency (chaired by Ishaq Dar), to strengthen Chapter VI mechanisms: negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement and to urge enhanced roles for regional/sub-regional organizations; it did not authorize sanctions, compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, or enforcement action.
Q12) In the July 2025 Henley Passport Index, which country ranks 1st with a visa-free score of 193?
Explanation:The July-2025 update places Singapore at 1st with 193 destinations; Japan and South Korea are 2nd on 190; 3rd is shared by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain on 189. For context, India is 77th with access to 59 destinations. All figures are from the official index compiled by Henley & Partners using IATA data.
Q13) In July 2025, which pair partnered with WADA and NADA India to run the Global Anti-Doping Intelligence & Investigations Network workshop in New Delhi?
Explanation:The workshop held in New Delhi, 21–25 July 2025 was hosted by NADA India with support from India’s Sports Ministry and conducted by WADA in partnership with INTERPOL and Sport Integrity Australia. It gathered anti-doping bodies and law-enforcement delegates from South and Southeast Asia to bolster intelligence-led investigations and cooperation. Leadership/context: Anant Kumar (DG, NADA India); Günter Younger (Director, WADA Intelligence & Investigations); WADA HQ: Montreal, Canada; WADA President: Witold Bańka.
Q14) During PM Narendra Modi’s July 2025 UK visit, which pact did India and the UK sign?
Explanation:Signed on 24 July 2025 at Chequers, India–UK Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) cuts Scotch whisky duty to 75% (from 150%) immediately, slated to fall to 40% over 10 years. 99% of Indian exports will get zero duties in the UK; UK tariffs reduced on ~90% lines with the average tariff faced by UK firms in India dropping to ~3% (from ~15%); cars see a phased cut to 10% within five years (quota route). India detail: the 99% zero-duty access for Indian goods is the key takeaway for exporters.
Q15) Russia’s 25 July 2025 mission from Vostochny carried 20 payloads on a Soyuz-2.1b. Which Iranian communications satellite flew on this launch?
Explanation:Russia launched 20 satellites on Soyuz-2.1b from the Vostochny Cosmodrome (Amur Oblast): 2 Ionosphere-M Earth-observation sats, 17 smaller Russian payloads, and Iran’s Nahid-2 communications satellite. Nahid-2 is about 110 kg, targeted a ~500-km LEO, and is designed for ~2-year service facts that help identify the payload precisely in options.
Q16) In July 2025, which Indian Naval Ship was part of the Eastern Fleet port call to Singapore?
Explanation:Four ships—INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan—arrived on 16 July 2025 under RAdm Susheel Menon (FOCEF) as part of the Navy’s operational deployment to South East Asia.
Q17) Under the UAE–India CEPA Start-Up Series (July 2025), which Indian incubator signed an MoU with the UAE–India CEPA Council (UICC) to enable fast-track UAE market access for startups?
Explanation:In July 2025, UICC signed with AIC–MFIE–IM–BHU (AIC–Mahamana Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Institute of Management, BHU)(Varanasi) to provide selected startups UAE licensing pathways, mentorship, and investor networks for cross-border scaling. Leadership fact: UICC Director Ahmed Aljneibi. This MoU targets Tier-2/3 ecosystems and plugs founders into the CEPA pipeline for global access.
Q18) In Malé on 25 July 2025, what did India announce in the Modi–Muizzu talks?
Explanation:India announced a ₹4,850 crore Line of Credit and witnessed the exchange of six MoUs covering fisheries & aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure and UPI, plus recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia. India also granted ~40% debt-relief on existing Indian LoCs (about USD 51 mn → 29 mn/year) and launched FTA talks—all part of outcomes aimed at infrastructure and systems-level cooperation.
Q19) Which statement about the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 is correct?
Explanation:The GPI 2025 is the 19th edition released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), ranking 163 countries using 23 indicators across three domains—Societal Safety & Security, Ongoing Domestic & International Conflict, and Militarisation. Extra facts for quick recall: IEP head office—Sydney; Founder & Executive Chairman—Steve Killelea.
Q20) In the first Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission (June 2025), officers from Quad coast guards embarked on which vessel?
Explanation:Launched on 30 June 2025 under the Wilmington Declaration, two officers (including women) from each of the four agencies—Indian Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and Australian Border Force boarded the USCGC Stratton, which then sailed toward Guam. The mission operationalizes QUAD coast-guard interoperability and information-sharing at sea.
