Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

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World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25th to raise awareness about malaria. It is a global initiative by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight against malaria and work towards its elimination. The theme for this year is “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” urging renewed action at all levels. Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It affects millions, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, and remains a serious public health challenge.

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The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has launched the ‘Grahak Mitras’ initiative. It is a customer-friendly step taken to reduce crowding in bank branches and encourage digital banking. Trained staff known as Grahak Mitras will be deployed to help customers with banking services. These personnel come from SBI’s subsidiary called State Bank Operations Support Services (SBOSS). They will assist customers across nearly 4,500 branches across India. This move is aimed at improving customer experience and speeding up basic services in busy bank locations.

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Scientists in the USA have discovered a bacteria named Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis that can conduct electricity. It is named after the Yaqona people, indigenous to the Yaquina Bay region in the USA. This bacterium is notable for its ability to conduct electricity, a rare trait among bacteria. The conductivity helps optimize metabolic functions in sediment environments. Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis holds potential for developing bioelectronic devices in medicine, industry, and food safety. These bacteria can transfer electrons to clean up pollutants, making them useful for removing harmful substances from sediments.

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In line with the Union Budget 2025–26, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced major trade facilitative measures for air cargo and transshipment to enhance logistics efficiency and simplify customs procedures. The CBIC is part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance. It administers Customs, Central Excise, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST), and Narcotics, where applicable. The CBIC is headed by a Chairman, supported by Chief Commissioners and Director Generals across various zones. It also operates a Goods and Services Tax (GST) Intelligence Wing to monitor and prevent tax evasion.

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Recently, US fighter jets are using the advanced “StormBreaker” bomb in operations against Houthi rebels during intense bombing campaigns. The StormBreaker missile, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II), was developed by the United States. It is an air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb designed and manufactured by Raytheon. It weighs 93 kilograms, is 1.76 meters long, and has a diameter between 15 to 18 centimeters. It uses millimeter-wave radar, uncooled infrared imaging, and semi-active laser for multi-mode guidance in all weather conditions. Its GPS/INS navigation system supports real-time target updates, while TacNet Data Link (DL) technology enables weapon-to-weapon collaboration. It can destroy moving targets up to 45 miles away and stationary targets up to 69 miles away.

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Recently, the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) received the Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas event organized by Janmabhumi Daily in Kerala. The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) is India’s major infrastructure project aimed at developing new industrial cities as Smart Cities with next-generation technologies. The NICDC acts as the nodal agency responsible for managing the entire programme and ensuring seamless execution. The NICDP focuses on attracting investments from both large industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to boost industrial growth. It supports the government’s vision of achieving $2 trillion in exports by the year 2030.

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India shines at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship 2025 by winning 87 medals, including 83 gold, three silver, and one bronze. India topped the medal table, followed by Japan in second place and Mongolia in third place. The 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship 2025 was held at the KD Jadhav Arena, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi, from April 25 to 27, 2025. The first Asian Yogasana Sport Championship was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2022. The event was organised by Yogasan Bharat with support from the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India.

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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.

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India is planning to restrict the import of genetically modified (GM) Alfalfa from the United States due to concerns over biosafety and environmental impact. Alfalfa is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. It is highly nutritious, rich in protein, calcium, vitamins A and D, and essential minerals. The crop grows well in temperate climates with ample sunlight. Major producers of Alfalfa include the United States, Russia, and Argentina. It enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, thanks to symbiotic bacteria in its root nodules. Alfalfa is believed to have originated from the arid regions of present-day Iran and Turkey.

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Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Ghaziabad issued India’s first Certified Green Municipal Bond, raising ₹150 crore for a Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP). This bond marks a major shift towards sustainable urban infrastructure and financial innovation. The Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant uses advanced Membrane Filtration Technologies like microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis (RO) to treat wastewater. The plant has a treatment capacity of 40 Million Litres per Day (MLD) and is linked to a 95 km pipeline network. It supplies treated water to over 1,400 industrial units, cutting dependence on freshwater sources.