This is the current affairs of 27 & 28 July 2025. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Due to increasing cases of HIV / AIDS, which state government announced the process of making a new law to make HIV / AIDS testing mandatory for all before marriage?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Jharkhand
c. Meghalaya
d. Bihar
Answer: c. Meghalaya
– The Meghalaya government is considering making HIV/AIDS tests mandatory before marriage.
– This step is being taken due to the rising cases of HIV, but controversies related to privacy and individual rights may complicate it.
Health Minister Announces
– According to the newspaper The Hindu, Meghalaya’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Majel Ambarin Lingdoh, said on 25 July 2025 that Meghalaya may also make HIV/AIDS testing mandatory for everyone before marriage, following the example of Goa.
– (Note: In Goa, there have been several announcements on this matter, but there is no law that makes this test mandatory.)
Meghalaya Preparing to Make HIV/AIDS Testing Mandatory
– Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Preston Tynsong chaired a meeting on the agenda of preparing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy.
– The Health Department has been directed to prepare a cabinet note for this policy.
Alarming Situation in East Khasi Hills District
– In Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, 3,432 HIV-positive cases were recorded in 2024, which is almost double compared to the previous year. Out of these, only 1,581 were benefiting from Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
– Due to social stigma, many people avoid testing. Unprotected sex is the main cause, and the government is working on a new policy, but implementing it will not be easy.
Situation in India:
– In 2023, India’s adult HIV prevalence rate was 0.2%, and approximately 2.5 million people were living with HIV. Since 2010, new HIV cases have decreased by 44%, which is better than the global average.
Major Causes and Challenges:
– In Meghalaya, unprotected sex is the main cause of HIV, whereas in India, drug injection and low awareness are also major challenges. Social stigma and limited treatment access are increasing the problem at both levels.
Policy and Controversy
– Meghalaya’s mandatory testing policy may raise questions regarding privacy and rights.
– In India, limited access to treatment and lack of awareness in rural areas are major problems. Reducing social stigma is essential at both levels.
Meghalaya
– Capital – Shillong
– Chief Minister – Conrad Sangma
– Governor – C.H. Vijayshankar
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2. What is the rank of India in the Henley Passport Index 2025 (released in July)?
a. 77
b. 70
c. 80
d. 88
Answer: a. 77 (Rank 77 in July 2025 and Rank 85 in January 2025)
– The index ranking is based on how many countries can be visited visa-free with that country’s passport.
– This index is released twice a year — in January and July.
– India’s rank: 77 in July 2025 and 85 in January 2025.
– Number of countries Indians can travel visa-free to: 59
– Indian citizens can travel visa-free with their passport to 19 countries in Africa, 18 in Asia, 10 in North America, 10 in the Oceania region, and one country in South America.
– In the index (July 2025), along with India, three other countries — Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal — are also ranked 77th.
Henley Passport Index
– It is a global ranking that measures the strength of passports, showing how many countries can be entered without a visa or with visa-on-arrival.
– It is prepared based on data from Henley & Partners and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Ranking of Neighboring Countries
– Afghanistan: 99
– Pakistan: 96
– Nepal: 95
– Bangladesh: 94
– Sri Lanka: 91
– Myanmar: 88
– China: 60
Visa-Free Countries for Indians
– Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Macau (China), Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.
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3. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025 (released in July) which country got the first place in the list of the world’s most powerful passports?
a. Italy
b. Singapore
c. Denmark
d. Finland
Answer: b. Singapore
– Not only European countries top the visa-free or visa-on-arrival list.
– Singapore is ranked first, whose citizens can travel visa-free to 193 countries.
Rank – Country – Number of countries with visa-free travel
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4. Name the first woman Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)?
a. Prof. Najma Akhtar
b. Prof. Uzma
c. Prof. Uma Kanjilal
d. Shantishree
Answer: c. Prof. Uma Kanjilal
– Professor Kanjilal has made history by becoming the first woman Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU.
– Prof. Uma Kanjilal’s appointment is for five years.
– She started her career in 1984 as a Research Assistant at IIT Kanpur.
– In 2003, Prof. Uma took charge as a Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at IGNOU.
– After that, she served in academic and administrative positions.
– From March 2021 to July 2024, she served as Pro-Vice Chancellor.
– From July 2024 to 2025, she worked as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
– In July 2025, she was formally appointed as the Vice-Chancellor.
IGNOU
– It is the world’s largest open university, providing distance and open education. IGNOU’s main objective is to make education accessible to all, especially to those who are unable to participate in the traditional education system.
– IGNOU was established in 1985 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
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5. Hulk Hogan died on July 24, 2025, what was he known for?
a. Wrestling
b. Shooting
c. Footballer
d. Cricketer
Answer: a. Wrestling
– WWE legend 71-year-old Hulk Hogan passed away due to a heart attack on 24th July 2025.
– He was an American sports and entertainment star who popularized professional wrestling globally.
– His real name was Terry Gene Bollea; he was a wrestler as well as an actor and TV star.
– He was born on 11th August 1953 in Florida, USA.
– Hogan took WWE (then WWF) to new heights during the 1980s and 1990s.
– His red-yellow outfit, long blonde hair, and the slogan “Hulkamania” were very popular among fans.
– Hulk Hogan won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship six times.
– In recent years, Hulk Hogan distanced himself from wrestling but remained connected with fans through TV and social media.
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6. Indian women’s cricket team batsman Veda Krishnamurthy announced her retirement from which format?
a. WPL
b. T-20
c. Test cricket
d. International cricket
Answer: d. International cricket
– Veda Krishnamurthy announced her decision on social media on 25th July 2025.
– The 32-year-old Veda said, “Cricket has given me more than I expected. It gave me recognition. Now I am retiring from the game.”
– Veda played 48 ODIs and 76 T20 matches for India.
– She has eight half-centuries in ODIs and two half-centuries in T20s.
– She was part of Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League. In four matches, she scored 22 runs.
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7. Who was given the GP Birla Memorial Award 2025?
a. V. Narayanan
b. S. Somnath
c. Dr. K. Sivan
d. Dr. Shailesh Nayak
Answer: a. V. Narayanan (Chairman of ISRO)
– The award was given on 25th July in Hyderabad by the G.P. Birla Archaeological, Astronomical and Scientific Research Institute.
– The institute’s chairperson Nirmala Birla presented the award to V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
– This honor was given to him for his outstanding contribution to India’s space program and his leadership in advancing cutting-edge space technologies.
G.P. Birla Memorial Award
– It was earlier known as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
– It is given by the G.P. Birla Archaeological, Astronomical and Scientific Research Institute in memory of the famous industrialist and philanthropist Ghanshyamdas (G.P.) Birla.
– This award is presented to national and international personalities who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of science, education, astronomy, and public service.
– So far, this award has been given to many eminent scientists, including 32 Nobel laureates.
– Former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and former ISRO chief Dr. Kasturirangan are also among the recipients.
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8. Which former International Booker Prize winner has been declared the winner of the PEN Translate Award 2025?
a. Sudha Murthy
b. Gitanjali Shree
c. banu mushtaq
d. Deepa Bhasthi
Answer: b. Gitanjali Shree
– Geetanjali Shree is a Hindi novelist and short story writer.
– She was honored with the International Booker Prize in 2022 for her novel Tomb of Sand (Ret Samadhi).
– The London-based human rights organization ‘English PEN’ has selected Geetanjali Shree as the winner of the PEN Translate Award for her book Once Elephants Lived Here.
– The organization announced this on 24th July 2025.
– For the PEN Translate Award, 14 books written in 13 languages across 11 regions of the world were selected.
– Once Elephants Lived Here is a collection of short stories that explores memory, loss, displacement, and the impact of social changes on people.
– The Hindi translation was done by Daisy Rockwell.
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9. When is the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems observed?
a. 25 July
b. 26 July
c. 27 July
d. 28 July
Answer: b. 26 July
– Its purpose is to raise awareness about mangrove ecosystems and to promote their sustainable management and conservation.
– This day has been declared by UNESCO.
About Mangroves:
– A mangrove is a small tree or shrub that grows along coastlines, with roots often submerged in saline sediment underwater.
– The term ‘mangrove’ refers to trees and shrubs found in swampy areas.
– Mangroves are flowering trees belonging to the families Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae, Combretaceae, and Arecaceae.
Mangroves in India:
– Coverage: According to India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR-2023), the total mangrove cover in India is 4,991.68 square kilometers.
– This constitutes 0.15 percent of the country’s total geographical area.
– West Bengal has the highest mangrove coverage at 42.45 percent, followed by Gujarat at 23.66 percent, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at 12.39 percent coverage.
– Between 2001 and 2023, Gujarat’s mangrove cover increased by 253.06 square kilometers.
Largest Mangrove Forests:
– Sundarbans: The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove forest area in the world. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
– Bhitarkanika Mangrove: The second largest mangrove forest in India is located in Bhitarkanika, Odisha, formed by the deltas of the Brahmani and Vaitarani rivers.
– Additionally, the Godavari-Krishna mangroves extend from Odisha to Tamil Nadu. The mangrove density is high in the backwaters of Kerala.
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10. The President of which European country announced recognition of Palestine as an independent nation in July 2025?
a. France
b. Germany
c. America
d. India
Answer: a. France
– French President Emmanuel Macron announced this on 24 July 2025.
– However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned it.
– He said this decision is like rewarding terrorism and it will give rise to another Iranian-backed proxy like Gaza.
More than 140 countries have recognized it
– France is the largest Western country to officially recognize Palestine.
– So far, more than 140 countries have recognized Palestine as an independent nation.
– Several European countries are also included in this list.
Palestine
– The Palestinian people are demanding an independent state.
– This includes the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
– Israel occupied these areas during the 1967 Middle East War. Israeli military is still present in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
– Palestine is nominally a country, but it does not have full recognition in the United Nations. It only holds the status of a non-member observer state.
– This status was granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012.
– Although this status allows Palestine to participate in most UN activities, it does not include voting rights in the main organs or bodies.
France
– Capital: Paris
– Prime Minister: François Bayrou
– Population: 68.3 million (2023)
– Currency: Euro
– Language: French
– Neighboring countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Monaco, and Andorra.
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