Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
India’s Astra MK-III missile has been renamed Gandiva, inspired by Arjuna’s legendary bow from the Mahabharata. It is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed for fighter aircraft. It is developed by DRDO, it aims to revolutionize BVR aerial combat. It will be deployed on IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Tejas aircraft.

Notes:
Russia is launching repeated assaults to cross the Dnipro River in Kherson, despite heavy casualties, aiming to seize more territory before potential peace talks. The Dnipro River is one of Europe’s major transboundary rivers. It is the fourth-longest river in Europe, after the Volga, Danube, and Ural. The river flows through Eastern Europe, draining much of Belarus and Ukraine. Historically, it served as an important natural barrier, dividing Ukraine into right and left banks.

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.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved a 12.4 km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand. The project costs ₹2,730.13 crore and will follow the DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer) model. The ropeway will ease the current 21-km trek, benefiting pilgrims and tourists visiting Hemkund Sahib Ji and the Valley of Flowers (UNESCO site). It will have a capacity of 11,000 passengers per day and use advanced ropeway technology. The project will boost tourism, create jobs, and enhance regional economic growth.

Notes:
The Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) monitoring committee decided to ban new commercial construction within 1 km of the BRT Tiger Reserve boundary or up to the ESZ, whichever is nearer. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve is in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka. It serves as a bridge between the Western and Eastern Ghats in South India. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2011, covering 574.82 sq. km. The reserve is named after “Biligiri,” meaning “white rocky cliff,” home to the ancient Rangaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Notes:
Maharashtra government appointed a panel to investigate pollution in the Panchaganga River. It is a major tributary of the Krishna River, flowing through Maharashtra. The river originates from Prayag Sangam in the Sahyadri mountains, Kolhapur district. It is formed by the confluence of five rivulets—Kasari, Kumbhi, Tulsi, Bhogawati, and Saraswati. The river flows about 80 km before joining the Krishna River. It holds spiritual significance, with many temples along its banks. Pollution has risen due to untreated sewage from Kolhapur, affecting agriculture and water quality.

Notes:
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 report, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), shows a 45% surge in terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan in 2024. Pakistan is now the second-most terrorism-affected country, moving up from fourth place. Terrorism deaths rose from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the highest global increases. Terrorist attacks more than doubled, from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024, crossing 1,000 for the first time. A recent attack on Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed five soldiers and 13 civilians. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) intensified operations, linked to the Afghan Taliban’s rise in Kabul.

Notes:
The Indian women’s Kabaddi team won their fifth Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship title. They defeated Iran 32-25 in the final held in Tehran on 8th March 2025. The 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship 2025 took place in Tehran from 6th to 8th March 2025. Iran hosted the tournament for the third time, previously in 2007 and 2017.

Notes:
The government launched the Modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme to support Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs). It helps convert sugarcane-based ethanol plants into multi-feedstock plants using maize and damaged food grains (DFG). The scheme offers 6% annual interest subvention or 50% of the bank interest rate, whichever is lower. The subvention is available for five years, including a one-year moratorium. This initiative aligns with the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme, promoting biofuel production and energy sustainability.

Notes:
A study highlights that indigenous farming traditions have preserved cassava’s genetic diversity for thousands of years. Cassava, also known as Yuca or Manioc, is a root vegetable grown through stem cuttings. It is a tall semi-woody perennial shrub native to South America, later introduced to Africa and Asia by Portuguese sailors. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava. It is rich in energy and vitamins, offering several health benefits. Under India’s National Policy on Biofuels (2018), cassava is recognized as a raw material for ethanol production.