Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
Researchers from western Maharashtra discovered a new endemic frog species named Minervarya ghatiborealis. It was found in Mahabaleshwar, in the north-western Ghats of Sahyadri, Maharashtra. The name comes from ‘Ghati’ (Sanskrit for western) and ‘Borealis’ (Latin for northern), meaning ‘from the north-western Ghats’. It belongs to the Minervarya genus, commonly known as ‘Cricket frogs’. These frogs have parallel lines on their abdomens and nest near standing water or small springs. Their calls resemble nightingales, and the male’s breeding vocalisation is unique within the genus.

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 Ministry of Ayush conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards to three distinguished practitioners. Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav presented the awards in Mumbai on 20.02.2025. Awardees include Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, an expert Nadi Vaidya and author; Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal, a Dravyaguna Vigyana scholar with 60 years of service; and Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni, founder of Vishwa Vyakhyanmala. Each recipient received a citation, a trophy featuring Lord Dhanwantari, and ₹5 Lakh. The awards highlight India’s commitment to holistic healthcare and preserving traditional medicine.

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:
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:
Barda Dungar Sanctuary has been officially declared the second habitat for Asiatic lions under Project Lion. 17 lions, including six adults and 11 cubs, now inhabit Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. The idea of Barda as a lion habitat was proposed in 1993 during a Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) workshop. Project Lion, launched on August 15, 2020, aims to conserve and expand the Asiatic lion population. The 10-year project has a budget of Rs 2,927.71 crore and focuses on habitat management and community participation.

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP) initiative on March 5, 2025, in New Delhi. It aims to promote women’s participation, safety, and leadership in local governance. The initiative is part of International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations. One model panchayat will be selected in each district across India.

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Tropical Cyclone Alfred hits Australia recently and it brings heavy rain and winds. It is strengthening as it nears southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Warmer coastal waters and low wind shear have intensified the cyclone. Cyclones are large air masses rotating around a low-pressure center.

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The State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) Report 2025 by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) highlights India’s digital growth. India is the 3rd-largest global economy but ranks 28th in digital user spending, showing a gap in per capita digital adoption. The CHIPS framework (Connect-Harness-Innovate-Protect-Sustain) measures digitalization across technology, economy, and society. India’s digital economy is growing twice as fast as its overall economy and may contribute 20% of GDP by 2029. India ranks 11th in AI research and 16th in AI infrastructure, while the US, China, South Korea, Singapore, and the Netherlands lead AI innovation. Overall, India ranks 8th globally in digital user economy when adjusted for economic size. ICRIER is an independent think tank researching economic growth, trade, digital economy, and climate change.

Notes:
Gum Arabic, used in products like Coca-Cola and M&M’s, is increasingly trafficked from rebel-held regions in Sudan, disrupting supply chains. It is a water-soluble exudate from Acacia senegal and A. seyal species. It is native to North Africa, also grows in Australia, India, and South America. Major producers include Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan. Sudan is the world’s largest producer of gum arabic, accounting for 70% of the market. Gum Arabic is non-toxic, odourless, and dissolves in water, forming a clear solution. It is used as a stabilizer and emulsifier in food products.