Current Affairs including General Knowledge MCQs for CLAT UG, Page 7

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 was awarded jointly to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit. Their experiments used a superconducting electrical system large enough to be held in the hand. The system could escape from one state to another through quantum tunnelling, as if crossing a barrier forbidden by classical physics. It also absorbed and emitted energy in discrete amounts. The work demonstrated quantum behaviour in a system far larger than a single particle. It contributed to foundations relevant to quantum computers, sensors, and cryptography. The prize was announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on 7 October 2025 and was shared equally among the three laureates.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan ran for 184 days from 13 April to 13 October 2025 at Yumeshima in Osaka. Its theme was "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." The three subthemes were Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. The Expo described itself as a "People's Living Lab," bringing together ideas, technology, and international participation to explore responses to global challenges. Official material reported more than 28 million visitors and 165 official participants. World Expos are international exhibitions where participating countries and organisations present ideas, culture, technology, and visions of future society. Visitor numbers show reach, but do not alone prove lasting impact. Such impact depends on knowledge shared, partnerships formed, accessibility, and whether temporary demonstrations influence later practice.

The first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, known as WAVES 2025, was held from 1 to 4 May 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The Government of India presented it as a global platform for the media and entertainment sector. The summit brought together creators, investors, policymakers, technology companies, and industry leaders. Its programme covered broadcasting, films, animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, artificial intelligence, and digital media. The Bharat Pavilion used the theme "Kala to Code" to connect India's storytelling traditions with new creative technologies. Exhibitions, discussions, and creator initiatives were intended to encourage collaboration and strengthen India's role in the global creative economy. The summit's significance therefore extended beyond showcasing content. It also concerned intellectual property, technology, investment, cultural exchange, and the economic organisation of creative work.

The Framework Agreement establishing the International Big Cat Alliance, or IBCA, entered into force on 23 January 2025. The IBCA and its Secretariat thereby became a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation and an international legal entity. India is the depositary of the Framework Agreement and hosts the headquarters. The agreement entered into force after Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia deposited instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval. The initiative covers seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. It seeks cooperation among range countries, other interested countries, conservation organisations, and scientific institutions. The alliance was launched on 9 April 2023 during an event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger. Its purpose is to share conservation practices, expertise, and resources across borders.

The Union Budget 2025-26 was presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2025. It estimated total expenditure at Rs 50.65 lakh crore and the fiscal deficit at 4.4 percent of gross domestic product. Capital expenditure of Rs 11.21 lakh crore, equal to 3.1 percent of GDP, was earmarked for the financial year. The Budget also announced a six-year Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses focusing on Tur, Urad, and Masoor. Under the new personal income-tax regime, no tax was made payable on income up to Rs 12 lakh, excluding income taxed at special rates such as capital gains. For salaried taxpayers, the effective limit was stated as Rs 12.75 lakh because of the standard deduction of Rs 75,000. Budget figures express policy priorities, but expenditure announcements and tax relief must still be assessed through implementation, distribution, and later outcomes.

Maha Kumbh 2025 was held in Prayagraj from 13 January to 26 February, covering 45 days. Pilgrims gathered at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence associated with the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The event began on Paush Purnima. Important bathing occasions included Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Magh Purnima, and Maha Shivaratri. Managing the gathering required temporary settlements, sanitation, transport, health facilities, river cleaning, and crowd management. Kumbh Mela rotates among Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The locations are associated respectively with the Sangam, the Ganga, the Shipra, and the Godavari. In 2017, UNESCO inscribed Kumbh Mela on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The listing recognises a living tradition transmitted through communities, religious practices, oral traditions, and historical texts.