Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

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.

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Telangana has declared heatwaves, sunstrokes, and sunburns as a ‘State-Specific Disaster’ due to rising global temperatures and frequent severe heat events. Financial relief to families of heatwave victims has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹4 lakh per deceased person under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Previously, relief was given under the Apathbandhu scheme; now a Government Order (G.O.) issued by Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar formalised the new policy. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported at least 15 heatwave days in Telangana in 2024, with some districts facing over 30 days. Heatwave deaths must meet IMD’s definition: temperature ≥ 40°C with 5-6°C rise from normal or ≥ 45°C.

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The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and the Ministry of Defence, held the second Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ in New Delhi. The event was themed ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’ and focused on India’s journey to becoming a self-reliant and tech-driven military power. The festival supported the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) goal through defence manufacturing and procurement reforms. It emphasized integration across land, air, sea, cyber, and space for national security. The event aligned with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’. It highlighted stronger public-private partnerships and faster tech transfers to boost readiness. Kalam & Kavach 2.0 showed how literature, innovation, and strategy can together shape India’s defence future.

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After two years of civil war, Sudan’s Tuti Island was reclaimed by the national army but is now devastated and depopulated. Tuti Island is located at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers in Khartoum, Sudan and was known for its lush greenery and agriculture. The island spans 8 square kilometers and was called “Khartoum’s garden” due to its farming and fishing activities. The Mahas community, who settled there in the 15th century, consider the island a symbol of indigenous identity. The war has displaced 13 million people and caused severe famine in Khartoum. Climate change has worsened the island’s vulnerability, disrupting the Nile’s flooding cycle. To preserve the Taya system and document community knowledge, the HEART (Heritage Empowered Action for Risk in Tuti) Project was initiated.

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The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned that the world economy is heading towards recession. Its report, Trade and Development Foresights 2025, highlighted growing trade tensions, financial instability, and uncertainty as key causes of the slowdown. The report titled “Trade and Development Foresights 2025: Under pressure – uncertainty reshapes global economic prospects” was released by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report predicts a global growth slowdown to 2.3% in 2025, indicating a potential recessionary path for the world economy. Rising tariffs are disrupting supply chains and increasing unpredictability in trade. This uncertainty has delayed investments and reduced job creation. UNCTAD called for strong international cooperation and better coordination of economic policies to protect development goals.

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Varanasi’s cultural and craft heritage received national recognition with Geographical Indication (GI) tags given to the Banarasi Shehnai and Banarasi Tabla. The Banarasi Shehnai is a traditional wind instrument linked to the Banaras Gharana of Indian classical music. It gained national fame through Ustad Bismillah Khan, who played it at the Red Fort on India’s first Independence Day. The shehnai is considered divine and is commonly used at weddings, religious events, and temple rituals. It reflects the spiritual and artistic traditions of Varanasi and adds to the city’s unique cultural identity.

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The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has recently conducted a survey to map the population of mugger crocodiles in the state. The mugger crocodile, also called the marsh crocodile, is one of the 24 living species of crocodilians in the world. It lives in freshwater habitats like marshes, lakes, rivers, and even artificial ponds. In India, it is found in 15 states, with large populations in the middle Ganges basin in Bihar and Jharkhand, and the Chambal basin in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. It is also found in South Asian countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and south-eastern Iran. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the mugger crocodile is classified as Vulnerable.

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Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed lotus leaf-like solar evaporators called Dual-Sided Laser-Induced Graphene (DSLIG) for saltwater treatment. The material is made using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyether sulfone (PES), with graphene engraved using laser. DSLIG is superhydrophobic, meaning it repels water like lotus leaves, helping prevent salt from sticking on its surface. It uses both solar heating and electricity-based Joule heating, making it work even on cloudy days. It improves desalination by reducing heat loss and maintaining efficiency. It also works well with highly salty water and has low carbon footprint and toxicity.

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Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the world’s 17th Athlete Passport Management Unit at the National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi. The Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) is a dedicated unit to track athletes’ biological data over time. It works under the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) system to detect doping trends and ensure fair sports practices. APMU helps protect clean sport by spotting unethical performance enhancement methods early.

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Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who chairs the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UNSC reforms, recently stated that India will be a strong contender if the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is expanded. Kuwait and Austria currently co-chair the Intergovernmental Negotiations on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, tasked with maintaining international peace and security. All UN member states must comply with UNSC decisions under the UN Charter. The UNSC determines threats to peace, recommends settlement methods, imposes sanctions, and authorizes military actions. It consists of 15 members: 5 permanent members with veto power and 10 elected non-permanent members. The UNSC is headquartered in New York City.