Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
India has launched a unique scientific study to detect zoonotic diseases that may pass from birds to humans. The study is titled “Building a surveillance model for detecting zoonotic spillover in increased bird-human interaction settings using the One Health approach.” It will follow the One Health approach, which links the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is leading the initiative. The study will be carried out in selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands in Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. It aims to monitor human and bird health where their interactions are increasing.

Notes:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released new rules called Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations, 2025. These rules aim to create a clear and standard method to recognize foreign degrees in India, making the process more transparent. The move supports the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes globalisation of Indian higher education and smooth integration of international and returning Indian students. An Equivalence Certificate confirms that a foreign degree or diploma matches an Indian qualification. Now, UGC will issue these certificates instead of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Notes:
West Bengal has received Geographical Indication (GI) tags for seven traditional products, including the famous Nolen Gurer Sandesh and Baruipur guavas. The GI tag gives legal recognition to products linked to a specific place, helping preserve cultural identity and promote exports. Nolen Gurer Sandesh is a seasonal sweet made from chhena (cottage cheese) and nolen gur (date palm jaggery), known for its caramel flavour and golden colour. Other GI-tagged items include Kamarpukur’s bonde, Murshidabad’s Chhanabora, Bishnupur’s motichur laddoo, Radhunipagal rice, and Malda’s Nistari silk yarn. This move boosts local economy, supports artisans, and promotes West Bengal’s rural culture globally.

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India will commission its first dedicated nuclear submarine base, INS Varsha, in Andhra Pradesh in 2026 under Project Varsha. It is a secret naval infrastructure project by the Indian Navy, located near Rambilli, 50 km south of Visakhapatnam. The base will boost India’s maritime power in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and counter China’s growing presence. INS Varsha will have underground submarine pens, tunnels, and space to dock 12 nuclear submarines safely. Its proximity to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Atchutapuram gives it access to advanced nuclear support.

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India launched its first Digital Threat Report 2024 to boost cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative. The report was released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and developed by Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In), Cyber Security Incident Response Team – Financial Sector (CSIRT-Fin), and global cybersecurity firm SISA. It identifies key sector-wide security gaps, emerging cyber risks, and adversarial tactics threatening India’s financial systems.

Notes:
The National Tribal Youth Festival is celebrated in Mizoram at the State Tribal Resource Centre, Kelsih, near Aizawl, starting from April 8. It is a four-day festival held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. The festival aims to honour tribal heroes and inspire patriotism among the youth and the general public. Top Mizo artists and members of the Mizo Zaimi Insuikhawm (MZI) are performing at the event. Cultural shows by the Mizo Cultural Organisation and other groups showcase a “Mosaic of Cultures.” Artists like Imnainla Jamir from Nagaland and Vawnchawi Vaiphei from Manipur are also part of the celebrations.

Notes:
One of the world’s largest container ships, MSC Türkiye, recently docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport, marking a major step for India’s first deepwater transshipment port. The port is managed by Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), a company fully owned by the Government of Kerala. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram and is a natural deepwater multipurpose seaport. The port is designed to handle container transshipment, multipurpose, and break bulk cargo. It follows the landlord model with a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, where private players manage operations and the authority regulates.

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Farmer leaders, environmentalists, religious heads, and advocates are protesting the proposed Bandura Nala water diversion project in the Mahadayi River basin. The Mahadayi River, also known as Mandovi or Mhadei, is a rain-fed river shared by Karnataka and Goa for their water needs. It originates from Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, flows briefly through Maharashtra, and then enters Goa, where it empties into the Arabian Sea at Panaji. Out of its 111-km total length, about 76 km lies in Goa. Important tributaries include Rogaro, Kushavati, Nanorem, Nanuz, Valvota, and Mapusa. The river also hosts the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island, and the towns of Panaji and Old Goa lie on its left bank.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the 800 megawatt (MW) 3rd unit of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar, Haryana on 14 April 2025. The new unit is an ultra-supercritical thermal plant, which uses less coal and produces lower carbon emissions compared to older plants. Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant is located in Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana. It is named after Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram, a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer. It is operated by Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL), a government-owned company.

Notes:
World Quantum Day is celebrated every year on 14th April to raise global awareness about quantum science and technology. On April 14, 2025, India launched its first International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum (ITES-Q). ITES-Q was released by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to promote global partnerships in quantum research. The strategy aims to boost international collaboration, drive innovation, and position India as a leader in quantum science, technology, and innovation (QSTI). It aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), which focuses on advancing quantum technologies for national progress and global leadership.