Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
World number one Magnus Carlsen won the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam held in Paris. He defeated Hikaru Nakamura 1.5–0.5 by winning the first game and drawing the second. This was Carlsen’s first Grand Slam title in this new freestyle format. He won a prize of $200,000, showing his strength in a format blending creativity with classical chess. Caruana earned a spot in the next Grand Slam event in the United States of America (USA) this July. The Paris event featured top-level players and a fresh approach to chess.

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A recent study found that the Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) reduced air pollution by 20–30% and helped industries lower compliance costs. Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was launched in 2019 in Gujarat and is the world’s first market to trade in particulate matter emissions. It aims to control air pollution using a cap-and-trade system. Each industry is given a pollution limit, and those that pollute less can sell their extra permits to others who exceed the limit. This system is similar to those used in Europe for greenhouse gases and in China for carbon emissions. Industries trade permits through a platform run by National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange e-Markets (NeML).

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The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed “venom maps” using local climate conditions to predict the venom characteristics of Russell’s viper, a deadly snake in India. A team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, stated that these maps could help clinicians select the best treatment for snakebite patients. The findings were published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Researchers highlighted the role of climate, temperature, humidity, and rainfall in venom composition. They analyzed venom samples from 115 snakes across 34 locations, linking venom characteristics with local climate conditions. The maps could aid in predicting venom types and developing targeted therapies for snakebites.

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Bank of Maharashtra, a public sector bank, has become the first bank to install an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) on a train in India. The ATM was installed on the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express. This is the first time an ATM has been introduced on an Indian Railway train. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this update through his social media account. According to Indian Railways, this was a pilot project aimed at improving passenger convenience. The ATM was placed in a modified pantry car cubicle at the rear end of the coach. The cubicle has a shutter door for safety and easy access. If successful, this facility will be expanded to other trains. The initiative is part of the Indian Railway’s Innovative and Non-Revenue Ideas Scheme.

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In 2024–25, the United States (US) remained India’s largest trading partner for the fourth year in a row. Bilateral trade between India and the US reached 131.84 billion. China continued as India’s second-largest trading partner, with trade rising to 127.7 billion. India’s trade deficit with China increased sharply to $99.2 billion, marking a 17% rise from the previous year. China was India’s top trading partner from 2013–14 to 2017–18 and again in 2020–21. Since 2021–22, the US has consistently held the top position in India’s global trade rankings.

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The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India hosted a conference on “Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem” at the India International Centre, New Delhi, as part of Play True Week 2025. The event gathered stakeholders committed to a fair and values-based sporting environment in India. The event saw the unveiling of “NADA India’s Fair Play Guide” in ten regional languages for better accessibility. Participants took a pledge to commit to fair play and doping-free sport. The conference included panel discussions on anti-doping policy, athlete rights, and testing, with insights from sports federations, medical experts, and international organizations.

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The Anti-Piracy Challenge is a key initiative under the Create in India Challenge, launched as part of WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) 2025. It is organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025. The challenge focuses on promoting technologies like digital fingerprinting and watermarking to tackle online piracy. WAVES 2025 is a global platform that showcases innovation in broadcasting, films, television, radio, animation, gaming, comics, and advertising.

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The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA has proposed a joint naval exercise with the Indian Navy. The exercise is planned to take place around the end of May 2025 in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The main aim is to strengthen maritime cooperation and coordination between European forces and the Indian Navy. The proposal comes due to rising piracy and instability in the Red Sea region, especially near the Horn of Africa. Unlike regular Passage Exercises (PASSEX), this drill will include tactical manoeuvres, counter-piracy actions, and communication training. Operation ATALANTA, launched in 2008, is the European Union’s mission to fight piracy near Somalia.

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The classical Indian texts Natyashastra by Bharat Muni and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita have been added to the Memory of the World Register by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This announcement was made by Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 18 April 2025. With this, India now has a total of 14 inscriptions in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. UNESCO’s Executive Board met in Paris, France, on 17 April 2025 and approved 74 new entries. These 74 documentaries come from 72 countries and four international organisations. The new entries include topics like the scientific revolution, women’s historical contributions, and global cooperation.

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Indian athletes won 11 medals at the 6th Asian Under-18 (U18) Athletics Championship 2025 held in Saudi Arabia from April 15 to 18. The event was organised by the Asian Athletics Association at Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Sports City. Athletes under 18 years from 31 Asian countries took part in the championship. India won one gold, five silver, and five bronze medals in total. Himanshu won the gold medal in the boys’ javelin throw event. In the previous 5th edition held in 2023 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, India had won 24 medals.