Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
The Green Credit Programme (GCP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) despite concerns from the Law Ministry over its legal validity. Green Credit (GC) is an incentive unit for engaging in environmentally positive activities and can be traded like carbon credits. The Green Credit Programme (GCP) operates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It aims to increase forest cover, promote sustainable practices, and reward pro-environmental actions. Individuals, communities, and industries can earn Green Credits by participating in afforestation, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. These credits can be sold to industries needing to meet environmental obligations like compensatory afforestation.

Notes:
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival, at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. The event focused on modernization of the Indian Armed Forces and future challenges in Cyber, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum, and Cognitive domains. The theme “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows) highlighted the continuous evolution of technology and innovation. A special Defence Expo ‘Rakshakriti’ showcased cutting-edge defence technology, fostering collaboration between armed forces, academia, and industry. The event promoted autonomous drones, advanced security tech, and reduced import dependence, inspiring students towards defence and technology careers.

Notes:
The 37th Kathak Mahotsav 2025, organized by Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, a unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, concluded successfully. The six-day festival featured the world’s first-ever Kathak Literary Festival, along with seminars, exhibitions, and dance performances. All major Kathak gharanas—Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras, and Raigarh—were showcased through performances by renowned artists. The event was a landmark celebration of Kathak, bringing together scholars, dancers, and art enthusiasts.

Notes:
Ranchi is the first district in Jharkhand to launch a large-scale screening and management campaign for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, now called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), occurs due to fat buildup in the liver without heavy alcohol use. In contrast, Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Early-stage NAFLD is harmless but can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure if untreated. It increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is its severe form, which may cause liver cancer.

Notes:
The Arctic region is a global flashpoint due to geopolitical tensions, climate change, and resource competition. The Arctic Council, formed in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration, governs the Arctic. The Council has 8 member states: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. These countries control land territories and have rights over resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Six Indigenous groups are permanent participants representing Arctic inhabitants. Thirteen countries, including India, and various organizations are observers. All decisions require consensus from the eight Arctic States and consultation with permanent participants.

Notes:
Concerns have been raised over land grants within the core area of Nagarahole National Park (Nagarahole Tiger Reserve), particularly in its ecologically sensitive swampy grasslands. Nagarahole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is a notified Tiger Reserve and part of Project Tiger. It is located in Kodagu and Mysuru districts, Karnataka. It was named after the Nagarahole River, it serves as a critical wildlife corridor.

Notes:
The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) by NITI Aayog assesses the fiscal health of Indian states. It covers 18 major states that contribute significantly to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), public expenditure, revenue, and fiscal stability. Odisha ranks first in the index, followed by Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, and Gujarat. As states handle two-thirds of public spending and one-third of total revenue, their fiscal health is crucial for national economic stability. The index uses data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for the financial year 2022-23 to compare and benchmark fiscal performance. It helps policymakers make informed decisions to improve fiscal sustainability and resilience. The index evaluates tax buoyancy, which measures how responsive a state’s tax revenue is to its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth. It assesses revenue generation, including own tax and non-tax receipts.

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2021-22. It has three components: ‘Adarsh Gram’, ‘Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled Caste (SC) Communities’, and ‘Hostel’. The scheme aims to improve socio-economic indicators in SC-dominated villages by ensuring infrastructure and services. It reduces poverty by generating employment through skill development and income-generating schemes. 25 states submitted Perspective Plans for 2023-26, and Rs. 457.82 Crore was released for 8146 projects, including 987 for skill development in 2023-25. In 2024-25, 4,991 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram. The Hostel component provides residential facilities in quality institutions and schools to boost SC literacy and enrolment. A total of 891 hostels have been sanctioned under PM-AJAY, including 27 in 2024-25. In 2024-25, Rs. 6.64 Crore was used for administrative expenses under PM-AJAY.

Notes:
International Mine Awareness Day is observed every year on April 4 to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and promote demining efforts. The 2025 theme, “Safe Futures Start Here,” highlights the impact of landmines, especially in war-affected regions. Landmines, including Anti-Personnel Mines (APM), Anti-Vehicle Mines (AVM), and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), continue to cause civilian casualties long after conflicts end. First observed in 2006, the day emphasizes global efforts in mine clearance, victim support, and the use of new technologies to create a landmine-free world.

Notes:
Assam launched the ‘Lakhpati Baideo’ scheme to empower women entrepreneurs with financial help and training. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the scheme will benefit 40 lakh women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It gives ₹10,000 as seed money in the first year, ₹25,000 in the second year, and ₹50,000 in the third year depending on business success. The scheme aims to promote rural entrepreneurship and boost women’s financial independence.