Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
The Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the world’s first market-based system created to control particulate air pollution and was launched in 2019. ETS is a regulatory tool that sets a cap on total emissions and allows industries to trade emission permits, also known as the “cap-and-trade” system. Companies that pollute less can sell their extra permits to those that exceed their limits, promoting cleaner operations through economic rewards. The Surat ETS targets 342 high-emission industries, mostly in the textile sector, using fuels like coal, lignite, and diesel. It was developed by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) with support from the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), and Yale University. This scheme marks India’s first emissions market for any pollutant and is significant as it addresses particulate matter, not carbon dioxide.

Notes:
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is setting up India’s first Quantum Computing Village in Amaravati to boost research and innovation. This project is supported by the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) and will cover 50 acres of land. It aims to build a strong ecosystem for quantum research, industry collaboration, and technology development. The village will include an Iconic Building designed by IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) with advanced quantum systems and a powerful data centre.

Notes:
Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, have developed a new optical sensing platform for detecting cholesterol. This platform can detect cholesterol even in trace amounts, below the normal preferred range, making it useful for early disease detection. It is designed to help in regular and efficient monitoring of cholesterol levels in the human body. Cholesterol is an essential lipid produced by the liver and is vital for the functioning of animal tissues, blood, and nerve cells. In mammals, it is transported through the bloodstream to perform various biological functions.

Notes:
India became the world’s first country to successfully artificially breed the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) with the birth of the third chick at Jaisalmer’s Desert National Park. The technology and training for artificial insemination were obtained from the Abu Dhabi-based “International Fund for Houbara Conservation” and specialized training from the Wildlife Institute of India. The GIB is protected under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

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:
Around 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual Balikatan Exercise 2025, which will simulate a full-scale battle scenario to deter China’s ambitions in the region. Balikatan Exercise is the largest bilateral military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States. The word “Balikatan” is a Tagalog phrase meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” symbolizing strong cooperation between the two countries. This exercise is held every year to improve military interoperability and readiness. It supports the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines, strengthening their defence partnership.

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:
Recently, the SMILE scheme (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) has shown progress in identifying and rehabilitating beggars in urban areas but still faces challenges like underreporting and limited scale. It was launched in 2022 by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It focuses on addressing beggary mainly in religious, tourist, and historical cities. The scheme also includes a sub-scheme for the empowerment of transgender persons. By December 2024, it identified 9,958 individuals involved in begging across 81 cities and successfully rehabilitated 970 individuals, including 352 children.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently awarded the first-ever Aqua Insurance to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Yojana (PM-MKSSY). PM-MKSSY, a sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, provides comprehensive aquaculture insurance. The mobile application VyAS-NAV was also launched for digital data collection for the 5th Marine Fisheries Census. The Aqua Insurance aims to provide financial support to small and marginalized fisheries farmers. Beneficiaries include registered aquafarmers, firms, cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). The insurance covers one crop cycle.

Notes:
The Sachet mobile application was launched by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to improve disaster preparedness in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted it in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address. The app sends real-time geo-tagged alerts using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), based on the user’s location. Citizens can subscribe to disaster alerts for specific states or districts, making awareness more local and effective. It covers disasters like floods, cyclones, landslides, tsunamis, and forest fires. It also provides weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and includes helpline numbers and safety tips. The app uses satellite connectivity to work even when regular networks fail.