Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
Indian Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy won the Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix by scoring 7 out of 9 points. She defeated Bulgarian International Master Nurgyul Salimova in the final round using the White pieces. Chinese Grandmaster Zhu Jiner also scored 7 out of 9 points by defeating Russian International Master Polina Shuvalova with the Black pieces. Due to tiebreak rules, Zhu was placed second while both players shared the Grand Prix points and prize money. Humpy’s win boosts her chances of qualifying for the next Women’s Candidates Chess tournament. Indian International Master Divya Deshmukh drew with Polish player Alina Kashlinskaya and ranked third with 5.5 points.

Notes:
The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Report, released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), reveals that Indigenous people receive less than 1% of international climate funding and are often excluded from climate solutions. Indigenous economies, which depend on agriculture, fishing, and forestry, face growing uncertainty, undermining economic self-sufficiency and sustainability. Disruption of ancestral lands and ecosystems affects traditional land-based practices, threatening environmental stewardship and sovereignty. Indigenous people are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related health issues due to limited access to healthcare and traditional food sources. Climate change also threatens the preservation of Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural identities.

Notes:
Recently, Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary in Latehar district of Jharkhand was highlighted as India’s first and only wolf sanctuary. It is located in Jharkhand. Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary was declared in 1976 to protect the Indian grey wolf, scientifically known as Canis lupus pallipes. It covers an area of around 63 square kilometers and plays a major role in conserving the endangered wolf species. The sanctuary is also part of the Palamau Tiger Reserve, adding to its ecological importance. Apart from wolves, it is home to other wildlife like spotted deer, wild boar, hyena, and bear, making it a rich biodiversity zone.

Notes:
The Indian Navy recently test-fired a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) air defence system from INS Surat in the Arabian Sea. MR-SAM is a high-speed, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile system. It is designed to destroy enemy aerial threats such as missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, and helicopters. MR-SAM provides high responsiveness and precision in protecting naval assets against aerial attacks. It has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile system is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in India. This successful test enhances the Indian Navy’s air defence capabilities at sea.

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the second short hot test of the semicryogenic engine that will power the Semicryogenic booster stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). A semicryogenic engine uses a cryogenic oxidizer like Liquid Oxygen and a hydrocarbon-based fuel like kerosene. It combines the advantages of cryogenic and conventional engines, offering better efficiency and operational simplicity. In comparison, a fully cryogenic engine uses both fuel and oxidizer in liquid form, like Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen, giving 100% efficiency without causing greenhouse gas emissions. This successful test marks a key step towards upgrading LVM3 for future heavy-lift missions.

Notes:
The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is a major initiative launched in 2015 by the Government of India to boost High-Performance Computing (HPC) power in the country. It focuses on building supercomputers in India to support research, science, industry, and education using local technology. NSM is jointly led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It is implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The mission aims to reduce dependence on foreign technology and place India among the world’s top supercomputing nations

Notes:
India Post has launched ‘Gyan Post’ to improve access to education by delivering books and study materials across the country. It allows affordable postal delivery of only non-commercial, educational content to bridge learning gaps. Real-time tracking is provided to ensure transparency and timely delivery. Materials with advertisements or business purposes are not allowed under this scheme. Each book must clearly mention the name of the printer or publisher as per the official guidelines. The pricing is concessional, with ₹20 for parcels up to 300 grams and ₹100 for packages up to 5 kilograms.

Notes:
A six-year-old girl in Kerala’s Malappuram district sadly died of rabies even after getting preventive vaccination, highlighting a serious public health concern. Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the Rabies virus (RABV), which attacks the nervous system. Rabies virus is an RNA virus from the rhabdovirus family and spreads in two main ways in the body. It can directly enter the peripheral nervous system and reach the brain. Or it can first hide and multiply in muscle tissue, then move into the nervous system through neuromuscular junctions. Once in the brain, it causes severe and deadly inflammation.

Notes:
International Labour Day, also called International Workers’ Day, is celebrated every year on May 1 to honour the hard work and contributions of workers across all sectors. The day highlights the need for fair wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable working hours for all employees. It also reminds us of the struggle of workers in history and the continued importance of protecting their rights. The International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency, plays a key role in setting global labour standards.

Notes:
Maharashtra has topped the CareEdge State Ranking Report 2025, released by CARE Ratings Ltd (CareEdge Ratings). This is the second edition of the CareEdge State Rankings. The rankings evaluate state performance across seven key pillars: economic performance, fiscal management, infrastructure development, financial sector growth, social development, governance quality, and environmental sustainability. The evaluation uses 50 measurable indicators. The primary aim is to provide a data-driven assessment of state performance. The rankings help identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for policy improvement. This report offers valuable insights for improving state governance and development strategies.