Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
Tuhin Kanta Pandey, currently Finance and Revenue Secretary, replaces Madhabi Puri Buch as SEBI Chairman after her term ends on February 28, 2025. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, approved his appointment for three years or until further orders. A 1987-batch IAS officer from Odisha cadre, Pandey served as Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary from 2019 and became Finance Secretary in September 2024. He played a key role in Air India’s sale and LIC’s public listing.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh launched the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme 2025 to support students from financially unstable families. The scheme helps students from Class 1 to 12 continue their education without financial worries. Eligible students who struggle to pay fees can apply for assistance. The government aims to reduce dropout rates and ensure uninterrupted education. The scheme reflects the state’s commitment to education accessibility and financial support for underprivileged students.

Notes:
Due to heavy rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) opened the spillway gates of Pandoh Dam as a precautionary measure. Pandoh Dam is an embankment dam located in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. It is built on the Beas River and primarily serves hydroelectric power generation. The dam is a concrete gravity structure, standing 76 meters (249 feet) tall.

Notes:
Forest officials restricted entry along a 5-km stretch from Gokharakuda to Bateswar near the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam to protect Olive Ridley turtle eggs. The Rushikulya River is a major river in Odisha, flowing through Kandhamal, Ganjam, and Boudh districts. It originates from the Daringbadi hills in the Eastern Ghats at about 1000 meters elevation. The river flows 165 km before entering the Bay of Bengal near Ganjam without forming a delta. Its basin covers around 7500 sq. km, with tributaries like Baghua, Dhanei, and Badanadi. Rushikulya Beach is a key nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles.

Notes:
In Kawal Tiger Reserve, technology like solar pumps has been used near borewells to improve water supply to tanks, pits, and natural reservoirs. The reserve is located in Telangana, along the Godavari River, part of the Deccan Peninsula-central highlands. It is nestled in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2012. The reserve serves as a catchment for the Godavari and Kadam rivers, which flow south of the sanctuary.

Notes:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This initiative aims to empower women elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It focuses on leadership development, decision-making skills, and active participation in governance.

Notes:
Digital transactions are growing fast, increasing cyber threats and making payment security crucial. QNA is launching the Payment Security Summit & Awards – India in Mumbai on 4th March 2025. The event aims to unite leaders from various sectors to shape secure digital commerce. QNA is a decade-old events organization known for its expertise in hosting business events.

Notes:
The Ministry of AYUSH launched the ‘One Day as a Scientist’ initiative to engage students in scientific research. It is inspired by PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ call to develop a scientific mindset among students. The program encourages students to explore research labs and gain hands-on experience. AYUSH institutions opened their doors to showcase modern technology and traditional medicine. The initiative aims to foster curiosity and promote interest in science and innovation.

Notes:
National Safety Day is celebrated in India on March 4 to promote safety, health, and environmental well-being. It was launched in 1971 by the National Safety Council of India (NSC) to raise awareness and reduce accidents. The event has expanded into National Safety Week (March 4-10) with campaigns and safety activities. The 54th National Safety Day (2025) theme is “Safety & Well-being Crucial for Viksit Bharat”, emphasizing safety’s role in India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Notes:
Ruellia elegans, also known as the Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, or wild petunia, is native to Brazil and thrives in tropical wet biomes. Its elegant appearance gives it its name. It is one of the invasive plant species from the Acanthoideae sub-family in India, alongside Ruellia ciliatiflora, Ruellia simplex, and Ruellia tuberosa. It was introduced to the Andaman Islands and has spread to Odisha in India over the past decade. The study highlights the threat this plant poses to native biodiversity.