Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
State Bank of India (SBI) launched ‘Asmita’, a collateral-free, low-interest loan program for women entrepreneurs. The scheme aims to boost business borrowings for women-led MSMEs. It offers quick financial support through a digital process. SBI also introduced the ‘Nari Shakti’ platinum debit card.

Notes:
The Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 was organized by the Department of Fisheries in Hyderabad to promote entrepreneurship and sustainability in fisheries. The Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 was launched, offering ₹1 crore funding to 10 winning startups with incubation support. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Mobile App, developed under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), was launched to provide easy access to government schemes. The app aids fishers, farmers, and vendors with digital identities, market linkages, and financial inclusion, benefiting 19 lakh users.

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The PM Internship Scheme 2025 is launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to provide hands-on industry experience. It is a 12-month apprenticeship program with 1,25,000 vacancies across various sectors. The scheme helps participants develop industry-relevant and soft skills like teamwork and communication. Eligible candidates include 10th, 12th, ITI, Polytechnic, Diploma, or Graduates aged 21-24 years. Applications are open online from October 12, 2024, to March 12, 2025. Selected interns will receive a ₹5000 monthly stipend and a one-time benefit of ₹6000.

Notes:
Bad loans in Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts have risen by 42% in scheduled commercial banks, excluding RRBs. KCC was introduced in 1998 to provide farmers easy access to credit for buying seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs. Extended in 2004 to cover investment credit for allied and non-farm activities. In 2018-19, KCC was extended to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers for working capital needs. It was implemented by Scheduled Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, and Cooperatives.

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The 75/25 initiative has reached 89.7% of its goal, providing hypertension treatment to 42.01 million people and diabetes treatment to 25.27 million. It was launched on World Hypertension Day 2023. It aims to provide standardized care to 75 million individuals by December 2025. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) play a key role in delivering treatment. The initiative follows strategies under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). It focuses on improving healthcare access and managing lifestyle diseases effectively.

Notes:
No Smoking Day is observed on the second Wednesday of March each year. In 2025, it falls on March 12. The day aims to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. The theme for No Smoking Day 2025 is “Unmasking the Appeal.” This theme highlights the attraction of smoking and its hidden risks. No Smoking Day began in 1984 in the United Kingdom.

Notes:
e-Shram portal was launched by Ministry of Labour and Employment on 26th August 2021 to create a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) linked with Aadhaar. It provides unorganised workers with a Universal Account Number (UAN) for access to social security benefits. As of 3rd March 2025, over 30.68 crore workers have registered, with 53.68% being women. On 21st October 2024, the e-Shram One-Stop-Solution was introduced to integrate 13 central welfare schemes into a single platform. On 7th January 2025, the portal added multilingual functionality using Bhashini, allowing access in 22 Indian languages.

Notes:
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully tested India’s Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF MK1 prototype off Chandipur, Odisha. The Astra missile made a direct hit on a flying target, proving its accuracy and effectiveness. All missile subsystems performed optimally, meeting mission objectives. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Astra can engage targets over 100 km away with advanced guidance and navigation systems. Already inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), it enhances India’s air defense. The test brings India closer to inducting the LCA AF MK1A variant and strengthening indigenous defense systems.

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India topped the medals table at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 with 134 medals, including 45 golds, 40 silvers, and 49 bronzes. Indian athletes excelled across track and field events, proving their strength in global para-athletics. India’s dominance in field events and multiple podium finishes confirmed their rising status in para-athletics. The event was held in New Delhi.

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Tamulidoba Beel, a major wetland in Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, is drying up, highlighting the need for better habitat management. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, located in eastern Guwahati, Assam, was established in 1998 and spans 48.81 sq km. It consists of the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest. 72% of its area is covered by wet savannah grasses, but water hyacinth poses a threat to waterfowl. It has the highest density of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in India, along with leopards, wild boars, and migratory birds. It was declared a reserved forest in 1971 and is part of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 program.