Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
A three-day off-season faunal survey in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 14 new bird species, 15 butterflies, and 8 odonates. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1976 and is located in Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks, Idukki District, Kerala. It spans 77 sq.km. of forests surrounding the Idukki Arch Dam. The terrain includes steep mountains, valleys, and hills, with altitudes ranging from 450 to 1272 m. Vanjur Medu is the highest peak at 1272 m. The Periyar and Cheruthoniar rivers flow through the sanctuary, which includes a 33 sq.km. waterbody of the Idukki reservoir.

Notes:
Cyclone Garance hit French overseas territory of La Reunion with winds of 155 kph (96 mph), causing roof damage and power outages. The storm moved from the north to the south of the island. The cyclone alert was downgraded from purple to red, and a stay-at-home order remained in effect.

Notes:
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched a centralized database portal for corporate bonds called Bond Central. It serves as a single, authentic source of information on corporate bonds in India. It is developed by the Online Bond Platform Providers Association (OBPP Association) with collaboration from Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) like stock exchanges and depositories. The portal is free to access and acts as an information repository for the public. It aims to enhance transparency and help investors make informed decisions.

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:
A green sea turtle carcass was found on Marina beach, Chennai. Green sea turtles are the largest hard-shelled sea turtles and are herbivores, feeding mainly on seagrasses and algae. Their diet gives their fat a greenish color, which is the origin of their name. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, with large populations in Costa Rica and Australia. Green sea turtles migrate long distances and are classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

Notes:
Beneath Antarctica’s Mount Erebus, volcanic ice caves harbor thriving microbial life, offering insight into potential life on alien worlds. Mount Erebus is the southernmost active volcano, located on Ross Island in Antarctica. It was discovered in 1841 by Sir James Clark Ross and named after his ship, Erebus. Its summit stands at 12,448 feet (3,794 meters), making it the second tallest volcano in Antarctica. The volcano has an active lava lake, continuously active since 1972, with small Strombolian eruptions.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the high-altitude trials of the Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft. The trials were conducted at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet above Mean Sea Level. The ILSS is an advanced system that generates and regulates breathable oxygen for pilots during flight.  The ILSS is based on the On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS).  The ILSS includes 10 line replaceable units, including the low-pressure breathing regulator, BOS, emergency oxygen system, oxygen sensor, and anti-G valve.

Notes:
Assam’s opposition raised concerns over the plight of ‘D’ (Doubtful) voters and demanded the closure of the state’s only detention centre. D-voters are individuals who couldn’t prove their Indian nationality and have cases pending with the Foreigners Tribunals. The D-Voter concept is specific to Assam, where migration and citizenship are major political issues. The Election Commission of India introduced the D-voter category in 1997. D-voters cannot vote or contest elections as their citizenship is unverified. The Citizenship Act, 1955, and Citizenship Rules, 2003, do not define ‘doubtful voter.’ A decision on D-voters must be made within a specific timeframe, and they may be deported or detained if found to be foreign nationals.

Notes:
Shaurya Vedanam Utsav, a grand military display, was held for the first time in Motihari, Bihar on March 7, 2025. The event featured military equipment, combat demonstrations, martial arts, band performances, motorcycle and dog shows. The T-90 tank, K-9 Vajra artillery gun, BMP vehicles, and Swathi radar were showcased. The IAF conducted a flypast with Su-30s, AN-32s, and Chetak helicopters, while the Akash Ganga team performed a combat free fall. A memorial was established to honor fallen soldiers. A Job Fair for veterans and career guidance by Zonal Recruiting Offices were also organized.

Notes:
The Maharashtra government disbursed ₹17,500 crore to 2.38 crore women under the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana by December 2024. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in 2024, provides financial support to economically disadvantaged women aged 21 to 65. Eligibility includes being a permanent resident of Maharashtra, with a family income of less than ₹2.5 lakh and no income taxpayer in the family. Beneficiaries receive ₹1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).