Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
The Make the World Wear Khadi campaign was launched by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It aims to blend India’s textile heritage with global fashion trends and make Khadi a global brand. The campaign targets advertising professionals and freelancers from both domestic and international markets. It is part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). WAVES serves as a key platform for discussions, collaboration, and innovation in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry.

Notes:
The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) on Aditya-L1 detected an X6.3-class solar flare, a highly intense solar eruption. SUIT is a remote sensing payload on ISRO’s Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission. The mission was launched on September 2, 2023. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) is developed by Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune with ISRO. SUIT captures full-disk and region-specific images of the Sun. It uses 11 calibrated filters across 200-400 nm wavelengths to study the Sun’s layers. It is positioned at Lagrange Point. It observes the Sun 24×7. SUIT studies solar atmosphere dynamics, focusing on jets, flares, filament evolution, and eruptions.

Notes:
New Zealand’s High Court overturned the conviction of White Island’s owners after the 2019 volcanic eruption that killed 22 people. White Island (Whakaari) is an active composite stratovolcano in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, located 48 km off Whakatāne. It is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, formed over 150,000 years. The 2019 eruption was its last major event, causing fatalities and injuries. The island, privately owned, was declared a private scenic reserve in 1953, attracting tourism and scientific research. It features hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles and was named by Captain James Cook in 1769.

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:
A A US Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B Lightning II recently conducted its first test missions with the Meteor air-to-air missile. Meteor is a radar-guided, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA for six European nations (UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Sweden). It has a ramjet engine, enabling controlled flight speed, complex maneuvers, and a range of over 100 km. It flies at Mach 4+ with a large no-escape zone.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Visitor’s Conference 2024-25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, highlighting the role of higher education in India’s future. The first-ever Visitors Conference was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in November 2015. She presented the 8th Visitor’s Awards to top researchers in quantum tech, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture, cancer research, and plastic-to-fuel conversion.

Notes:
A rare civet cat, usually found in the Seshachalam forests near Tirumala, was recently spotted in Tadepalli, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Civets belong to the Viverridae family, which includes genets, oyans, and linsangs. There are about 15-20 species of civets found across Africa, southern Europe, and Asia. India has eight wild civet species, with Common Palm civets and Small Indian civets seen nationwide. The Malabar large-spotted civet, endemic to the Western Ghats, is the rarest and classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP) initiative on March 5, 2025, in New Delhi. It aims to promote women’s participation, safety, and leadership in local governance. The initiative is part of International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations. One model panchayat will be selected in each district across India.

Notes:
The Wallace Line is an invisible boundary separating Asian and Australian animal species. It was first identified by English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century. The line runs through the Malay Archipelago, between Bali and Lombok, and between Borneo and Sulawesi. Asian side species (Borneo, Bali) resemble mainland Asian animals like tigers and monkeys. Australian side species (Sulawesi, Lombok) resemble Australian wildlife like kangaroos and cuscuses. Scientists now view it as a transition zone rather than a strict boundary. Climate change and habitat destruction threaten these ecosystems and species adaptation.

Notes:
Tropical Cyclone Alfred hits Australia recently and it brings heavy rain and winds. It is strengthening as it nears southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Warmer coastal waters and low wind shear have intensified the cyclone. Cyclones are large air masses rotating around a low-pressure center.