Current Affair MCQ for 2025-07-12

Notes: Google recently launched the Agricultural Monitoring and Event Detection (AMED) Application Programming Interface (API) to provide crop and field activity data across India. AMED API is an open-source artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool designed to monitor crops and detect agricultural events at field level. It offers data on crop type, crop season, field size, and past three years’ agricultural activity. It helps in farm management by providing insights on soil, water, climate needs, and expected harvest volume.

Notes: A rare partially white laughing dove was recently seen in Nagamalai hillock forest near Nambiyur in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Laughing Dove is a small pigeon also known as little brown dove, laughing turtle dove, palm dove, and Senegal dove. It is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It lives in dry scrub and semi-desert areas and feeds on the ground.

Notes: Recently, the Assam government launched the Gaja Mitra Scheme to reduce human-elephant conflict. The scheme is launched in 8 high-risk districts of Assam. It includes community-based rapid response teams with 8 local members in 80 conflict-prone villages. These teams will work during peak conflict months, especially paddy season, to guide elephant movement and protect crops.

Notes: Recently, NITI Aayog released the strategic report “A Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology (S&T) Councils” to boost decentralized innovation in India. The report emphasizes transforming State S&T Councils into mission-oriented institutions that align science and technology with local development needs. It was developed through regional consultations, a national workshop, and multi-stakeholder engagement. The roadmap highlights the need for techno-administrative leadership and strong Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) data systems.

Notes: Recently, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the TALASH initiative for tribal students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). TALASH stands for Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub. It is the first national-level programme in India focused on tribal students’ education and personal growth. It was launched in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) India.