Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
The Indian senior women’s basketball team won the 3rd SABA Women’s Basketball Championship 2025, defeating Maldives 107-32 in the final. This was India’s first participation in the SABA Women’s Championship. The tournament was organised by the South Asian Basketball Association and hosted by the Basketball Federation of India. It took place at KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, from 23-26 February 2025. The SABA Women’s Championship includes eight eligible countries: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Notes:
Amazon launched a quantum computing chip named Ocelot. It is a prototype with limited computing power. It consists of two integrated silicon microchips. Its high-quality oscillators are made from superconducting Tantalum. It uses cat qubits, inspired by Schrödinger’s cat experiment. Ocelot can reduce quantum error correction costs by up to 90% compared to current methods.

Notes:
The Make the World Wear Khadi campaign was launched by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It aims to blend India’s textile heritage with global fashion trends and make Khadi a global brand. The campaign targets advertising professionals and freelancers from both domestic and international markets. It is part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). WAVES serves as a key platform for discussions, collaboration, and innovation in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry.

Notes:
Due to heavy rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) opened the spillway gates of Pandoh Dam as a precautionary measure. Pandoh Dam is an embankment dam located in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. It is built on the Beas River and primarily serves hydroelectric power generation. The dam is a concrete gravity structure, standing 76 meters (249 feet) tall.

Notes:
New Zealand’s High Court overturned the conviction of White Island’s owners after the 2019 volcanic eruption that killed 22 people. White Island (Whakaari) is an active composite stratovolcano in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, located 48 km off Whakatāne. It is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, formed over 150,000 years. The 2019 eruption was its last major event, causing fatalities and injuries. The island, privately owned, was declared a private scenic reserve in 1953, attracting tourism and scientific research. It features hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles and was named by Captain James Cook in 1769.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Visitor’s Conference 2024-25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, highlighting the role of higher education in India’s future. The first-ever Visitors Conference was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in November 2015. She presented the 8th Visitor’s Awards to top researchers in quantum tech, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture, cancer research, and plastic-to-fuel conversion.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs announced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3). It is a global alliance promoting city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships. The announcement was made at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur. C-3 aims to boost resource efficiency and support a low-carbon economy. It will enhance cooperation among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. The initiative focuses on building a sustainable future through circular economy principles.

Notes:
Sweden has chosen the Taurus KEPD-350 cruise missile to enhance its Gripen fighter jets’ long-range strike capabilities. The Taurus KEPD-350 is an air-launched, precision-guided missile designed for deep penetration and high-accuracy attacks. The Taurus KEPD-350 missile is developed by a joint venture between Germany and Sweden, specifically by “Taurus Systems GmbH”, which is a partnership between MBDA Deutschland GmbH (Germany) and Saab Bofors Dynamics (Sweden). The missile can bypass dense air defense systems and destroy heavily fortified ground targets. It has been in operational service since 2005 and is used by the air forces of Germany, Spain, and South Korea.

Notes:
Pakistan, Russia, and Congo have been excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to various issues. Pakistan was suspended for failing to implement a revised football federation constitution for fair elections. Russia faced exclusion due to geopolitical sanctions. Congo was disqualified due to third-party interference in football administration. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, but these nations will not participate. The decision highlights the importance of governance, fair play, and international relations in global sports.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the high-altitude trials of the Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft. The trials were conducted at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet above Mean Sea Level. The ILSS is an advanced system that generates and regulates breathable oxygen for pilots during flight.  The ILSS is based on the On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS).  The ILSS includes 10 line replaceable units, including the low-pressure breathing regulator, BOS, emergency oxygen system, oxygen sensor, and anti-G valve.