Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
The Indian senior women’s basketball team won the 3rd SABA Women’s Basketball Championship 2025, defeating Maldives 107-32 in the final. This was India’s first participation in the SABA Women’s Championship. The tournament was organised by the South Asian Basketball Association and hosted by the Basketball Federation of India. It took place at KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, from 23-26 February 2025. The SABA Women’s Championship includes eight eligible countries: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Notes:
India launched its first ancient stitched ship at Divar Island, Goa on February 26, 2025. The wooden vessel is modeled after a 5th-century ship depicted in the Ajanta caves. It was designed and built in Goa by Hodi Innovations with Kerala master artisans. Unlike modern ships, its wooden planks are stitched with coconut coir rope, an ancient Indian technique. The hull is treated with sardine oil, natural resins, and seasoned wood for durability. The ship will sail to Oman and Indonesia by the end of 2025, retracing old trade routes.

Notes:
Scientists have developed a new gene therapy for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), a rare genetic disorder. MSUD is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme complex needed to break down branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, requiring both parents to pass on the gene mutation. The disorder prevents proper amino acid metabolism, leading to neurological symptoms and life-threatening brain damage.

Notes:
A new species of spined loach, Cobitis beijingensis, has been discovered in Beijing, China, after 40 years. This is the first time a fish species has been named globally using the pinyin “Beijing.” The Beijing loach is about 5 cm long, with a body covered in yellow and black patterned markings. The species was confirmed by a research team from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was collected from the Chaobai River in Shilipu Town, Miyun District, Beijing.

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:
The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs announced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3). It is a global alliance promoting city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships. The announcement was made at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur. C-3 aims to boost resource efficiency and support a low-carbon economy. It will enhance cooperation among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. The initiative focuses on building a sustainable future through circular economy principles.

Notes:
NITI Aayog launched the report “From Borrowers to Builders: Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth Story.” The report, released by CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, highlights the rise in women’s financial awareness. By December 2024, 27 million women were monitoring their credit, a 42% increase from the previous year. The report was published by TransUnion CIBIL, NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), and MicroSave Consulting (MSC). WEP works on financial literacy, credit access, mentorship, and market linkages for women. Financing Women Collaborative (FWC) was formed to ensure inclusive financial access and seeks financial sector participation.

Notes:
The elusive marbled cat was recently spotted through camera traps at Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam. The marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is a small wild cat found in South and Southeast Asia. It is closely related to the clouded leopard and bay cat. In India, it is found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. It has a marbled fur pattern for camouflage and is an excellent climber.

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.