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:
At least 14 BRO workers were recently rescued from an avalanche in Mana, Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is India’s road construction force supporting the Armed Forces. It operates under the Ministry of Defence and was established on May 7, 1960. BRO builds and maintains roads in border areas and friendly neighboring countries.

Notes:
The high court issued notices to South Western Railway and Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) over a PIL challenging land acquisition at Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in the Western Ghats on Goa’s eastern border, the sanctuary covers 240 sq. km. Originally called Mollem Game Sanctuary, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and renamed Bhagwan Mahavir. The sanctuary includes Mollem National Park and is home to Dudhsagar waterfall, Devil’s Canyon, Tambdi Surla temple, and other historic sites.

Notes:
Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, has passed away at 88. Spassky was known for his strategic brilliance, sportsmanship, and deep understanding of chess. Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), he became an International Grandmaster in 1955. In 1969, he defeated Tigran Petrosian to become the World Chess Champion. Spassky was famous for his versatile playing style, excelling in both positional and attacking games.

Notes:
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is celebrating its 175th year of geoscientific legacy. It was established in 1851 by Sir Thomas Oldham to locate coal deposits for the Railways. GSI provides geological expertise for policy-making, commercial, and socio-economic needs. It documents geological processes across India’s land and offshore areas. The organization conducts geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys with advanced techniques. Its primary functions include updating geoscientific data and assessing mineral resources. GSI operates under the Ministry of Mines as an attached office.

Notes:
March 3 is observed as World Wildlife Day to promote the conservation of flora and fauna. The 2025 theme is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.’ The day highlights the need for financial investment in wildlife conservation amid a crisis threatening over one million species. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013. The date marks the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

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:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vantara Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on March 4, 2025. Vantara is a unique conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation initiative for animals. The centre spans 3,000 acres within the Jamnagar Refinery Complex. It serves as a sanctuary for abused, injured, and endangered animals. Vantara is India’s first initiative of its kind, conceptualized under Anant Ambani’s leadership. PM Modi highlighted India’s commitment to protecting wildlife and ecological sustainability.

Notes:
Sweden has chosen the Taurus KEPD-350 cruise missile to enhance its Gripen fighter jets’ long-range strike capabilities. The Taurus KEPD-350 is an air-launched, precision-guided missile designed for deep penetration and high-accuracy attacks. The Taurus KEPD-350 missile is developed by a joint venture between Germany and Sweden, specifically by “Taurus Systems GmbH”, which is a partnership between MBDA Deutschland GmbH (Germany) and Saab Bofors Dynamics (Sweden). The missile can bypass dense air defense systems and destroy heavily fortified ground targets. It has been in operational service since 2005 and is used by the air forces of Germany, Spain, and South Korea.

Notes:
A six-day survey in Majuli River Island, Assam, highlights rising human-wildlife conflict (HWC) concerns. Majuli is the world’s largest river island in Assam, covering 421 sq. km, formed by the Brahmaputra and Subansiri Rivers. It became India’s first island district in 2016 and is known for its lush greenery, water bodies, and paddy fields. The island is a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture, with Satras preserving dance, literature, theatre, and mask-making.