Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways launched the One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP). ONOP aims to standardize port operations across India’s major ports. The initiative removes inconsistencies in documentation, reduces inefficiencies, lowers costs, and minimizes delays. The Ministry reduced container operation documents by 33%, from 143 to 96. Bulk cargo documents were cut by 29%, from 150 to 106.

Notes:
World Civil Defence Day is celebrated annually on March 1 to raise awareness about civil defence strategies and people’s protection. The day highlights the importance of civil defence in safeguarding people and property from accidents, natural disasters, and crises. It was first observed in the 20th century during times of social, technological, and political upheaval, especially due to nuclear weapons concerns. The United Nations created the International Civil Defence Organisation to coordinate global civil defence efforts. The ninth General Assembly in 1990 designated March 1 as World Civil Defence Day.

Notes:
Forest rights activists and lawyers raised concerns over Madhya Pradesh’s order for surveillance of nomadic tribes, including the Pardhi community. Pardhis are a nomadic tribe historically involved in hunting since the Mughal era. They were hired for hunting by the British and Indian landlords. They primarily live in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with small groups in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The name “Pardhi” comes from “paradh,” meaning hunter in Marathi.

Notes:
Countries around Lake Tanganyika launched a five-year project to tackle biodiversity threats. Lake Tanganyika is an ancient lake in East Africa. It borders Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. It is the world’s longest and one of the deepest lakes, stretching over 400 miles. It is located in the Western Rift Valley, steep land rises along its shores. It marks the division between East and West African floral regions, with oil palms on its shores.

Notes:
India has secured a 9,000-sq-km exploration block in Zambia to explore copper and cobalt. Zambia is the 7th largest copper producer in the world. Global copper ore supply is shrinking, intensifying competition. China controls 50% of global copper smelting and refining capacity. Copper demand is rising due to EV batteries, renewable energy, and clean technologies. Chile, Peru, China, Congo, and the U.S. are the top copper producers. India, China, and the U.S. are securing copper supply chains, increasing geopolitical competition in the next decade.

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:
Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025 in New Delhi. The summit, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), focused on the theme “Partnerships for Accelerating Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions.” He highlighted India’s 7.93% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, showcasing the country’s strong commitment to fighting climate change.

Notes:
India’s first integrated API, Green Hydrogen, and 2G Ethanol manufacturing facility will be set up in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh government signed a memorandum with M/s Spray Engineering Devices Limited on 5th March 2025 in Shimla. The project, worth ₹1400 crore, will create 1000 direct jobs. It supports the state’s goal to become India’s first green energy state by March 2026. A 30 MW green hydrogen plant will power the API facility, later expanding to 50 MW. Green hydrogen is produced via electrolysis using renewable energy sources like water, sun, and wind.

Notes:
Gum Arabic, used in products like Coca-Cola and M&M’s, is increasingly trafficked from rebel-held regions in Sudan, disrupting supply chains. It is a water-soluble exudate from Acacia senegal and A. seyal species. It is native to North Africa, also grows in Australia, India, and South America. Major producers include Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan. Sudan is the world’s largest producer of gum arabic, accounting for 70% of the market. Gum Arabic is non-toxic, odourless, and dissolves in water, forming a clear solution. It is used as a stabilizer and emulsifier in food products.

Notes:
Punjab has fully utilized ₹4,713 crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme. It ranks number one in India for AIF implementation. The state has received an additional ₹2,337 crore allocation. AIF was launched in July 2020 to finance agriculture infrastructure projects. The scheme supports post-harvest infrastructure, including storage, processing, and supply chain improvements. It provides medium to long-term financing to farmers, FPOs, and agri-entrepreneurs. Punjab’s effective use of AIF aims to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance value addition in agriculture.