Latest General Knowledge Facts

• Indian cricketer Virat Kohli created a historic record in international cricket by surpassing Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer of all time. He achieved this milestone during the first ODI against New Zealand, taking his international run tally to 28,068. Only Sachin Tendulkar remains ahead of him.
• The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore district. This will become the state’s eighth airport and is expected to improve connectivity in Nellore and southern Andhra Pradesh, boosting aviation and logistics infrastructure.
• Germany has announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian citizens. Indian passport holders will no longer require a transit visa to stay in the international transit area of German airports.
• India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Guwahati and Howrah. Only confirmed tickets will be issued, and the minimum chargeable distance has been fixed at 400 km, meaning passengers will be charged for 400 km even for shorter journeys.
• The government has implemented the National Sports Governance Rules, 2026. Under these rules, every national sports federation must include four eminent athletes in its general body, with 50% representation for women. The minimum age is 25 years, and completion of a cooling-off period is mandatory.
• According to the latest global passport rankings, the Indian passport has climbed five positions to reach 80th rank. Indian citizens now enjoy visa-free access to 55 countries. Singapore ranks first with access to 192 countries, followed by Japan and South Korea.
• Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan achieved an international distinction by becoming the first Indian to be inducted into Japan’s traditional Samurai martial art Kenjutsu, an honor usually reserved for Japanese practitioners.
• Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first lunar timekeeping software. This system will calculate accurate time on the Moon, where clocks run faster due to lower gravity, improving navigation and landing safety for lunar missions.
• Israel has decided to withdraw from seven United Nations agencies, as announced by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. This decision follows the United States’ withdrawal from several international organizations.
• Tata Group’s Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has become the first hospitality company to register a sound trademark. Its brand “Taj” received trademark protection for its unique audio identity.
• The Taj sound is a unique sonic signature known as “Tajness”.
• India’s first sound trademark was Yahoo’s famous “Yodel – Toodum”.
• In the tech sector, Intel’s five-note jingle “Do-Re-Mi-Do-Re” is one of the most recognized sound marks globally.
• Floriculture is a branch of horticulture focused on the cultivation, production, breeding, and commercial sale of flowers and ornamental plants. Derived from the Latin words “florus” (flower) and “culture” (cultivation), floriculture is practiced in greenhouses and open fields and plays a key role in garden design and export trade. Recently, Sonapati Chokhone Krichena from Manipur transformed his village using floriculture techniques.