Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
The government recently authorised the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to share and receive information with the Enforcement Directorate under the anti-money laundering law to better detect money trails and combat cyber frauds. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as the national nodal agency to fight cybercrime. It provides a framework and ecosystem for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to handle cybercrimes in a coordinated and comprehensive way. It connects academia, industry, public, and government for prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes. The headquarters of I4C is located in New Delhi.

Notes:
Uganda recently declared the end of the Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak after completing a 42-day mandatory countdown without new confirmed cases. The declaration came less than three months after the virus was detected in Kampala, the capital. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines require 42 days without new cases for a country to be declared Ebola-free. Uganda first declared the SVD outbreak on January 30, following the death of a nurse. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola, as vaccines are still in clinical trials.

Notes:
Historian M.G.S. Narayanan, who played a major role in the Muziris Heritage Project (MHP), was recently remembered in the Kerala State Assembly. The ancient Muziris Port was a famous trading hub on the Malabar Coast in present-day Kerala, active from around the 1st century BCE to the early medieval period. It was especially known for its spice trade, mainly black pepper, which was often called black gold. Other important exports included semi-precious stones, ivory, and pearls. Muziris connected South India with Persia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean world, including Greek and Roman traders.

Notes:
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank and launched the ‘Niveshak Shivir’ initiative to boost digital investor awareness and financial literacy in India. The IEPFA was set up in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013 to manage the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) and safeguard investor interests. It works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. ‘Niveshak Shivir’ is a joint effort by IEPFA and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to simplify the process of reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares. These camps will begin in May 2025 in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, targeting areas with high numbers of unclaimed dividend holders. One-stop kiosks will help investors update Know Your Customer (KYC) details, verify claims, and receive instant help for grievances. The aim is to reduce reliance on intermediaries and prevent fraud and misinformation.

Notes:
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Balasore District of Odisha and lies in the Eastern Ghats. It covers an area of 272 square kilometers and is part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. It forms a vital part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve, which helps protect elephant populations in eastern India. The sanctuary is ecologically linked to the Simlipal Tiger Reserve through the Nato and Sukhupada Hill ranges. It has several water sources, including the Kuldiha stream and its tributaries, supporting rich wildlife. Recently, forest staff arrested a man with a country-made gun and hunting tools during patrolling here.

Notes:
The Kallapu-Sajipa Riverfront Road project in Mangaluru has recently received a ₹40 crore boost from the Karnataka state government. This road will connect Mangaluru to important localities like Harekala, Pavoor, Innoli, and Ranipura along the Netravathi River. The Netravathi River, also called Nethravathi Nadi, is a major west-flowing river in Karnataka, India. It flows westward and drains into the Arabian Sea, just south of Mangaluru. The river originates in the Western Ghats, particularly from the Bangrabalike Valley in Yelaneeru Ghat. It lies in the Kudremukh range of Chikkamagaluru district.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for all banks, financial institutions, and regulated entities to submit applications through the PRAVAAH portal from May 1, 2025. PRAVAAH stands for Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorization. It is a secure, web-based digital portal launched by RBI on May 28, 2024. The portal serves as a single-window system for applying for RBI permissions, licenses, and approvals. This step aims to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, and speed up the approval process. It ensures faster communication between applicants and the RBI.

Notes:
The Maharashtra government has launched the Tourism Security Force, also known as Paryatan Mitra, to improve tourist safety and boost tourism. The pilot launch will be held during the Mahabaleshwar festival from 1st to 4th May 2025 in Satara district. The Tourism Department will appoint tourism police on a contract basis to make tourists feel secure while visiting the state. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation will fund the project with help from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and Satara police. These tourism police will also guide tourists by sharing information on cultural sites, laws, and sustainable tourism.

Notes:
The National AYUSH Mission (NAM) Conference 2025 takes place on May 1-2 at Kaivalyadhama in Lonavala, Maharashtra. The event is organized by the Ministry of Ayush to strengthen the integration of traditional Indian medicine systems into mainstream healthcare. The conclave aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem, discuss latest developments, research innovations, and sectoral collaborations across various AYUSH systems.

Notes:
The Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Project, led by the Alappuzha District Administration, is inspired by the Namami Gange Programme for river conservation. A five-year plan worth ₹188.25 crore has been submitted to the Chief Minister of Kerala and may be revised based on studies by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, stretching about 96.5 kilometres. It spreads across Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts, covering around 2,033 square kilometres. The lake is known by names like Vembanad Kayal, Punnamada Lake, and Kochi Lake in different regions. It receives water from six rivers, including Meenachil, Achankovil, Pamba, and Manimala, and drains into the Arabian Sea.