Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
Vizhinjam Port has received environmental approval for phase II and III development. It is located in Kerala. It is strategically positioned 10 nautical miles from a key international shipping route. It is India’s first deep-water container transshipment port, where cargo is transferred between vessels during transit. The port is being developed on a DBFOT (design, build, finance, operate, transfer) basis through a public-private partnership and landlord approach.

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.

Notes:
Delhi remains the most polluted capital city in the world in 2024, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m³. India ranks as the 5th most polluted country, with an average AQI of 50.6 μg/m³, 10 times higher than WHO’s guideline. 13 of the 20 most polluted cities globally are in India, with Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya border) being the most polluted. Other highly polluted Indian cities include Faridabad, Loni, Gurgaon, Noida, and Central Delhi. The World Air Quality Report, published by Swiss organization IQAir, analyzed PM2.5 data from 8,954 cities in 138 countries.

Notes:
A powerful eruption of Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego has triggered strong explosions, incandescent material, and pyroclastic flows, endangering nearby communities. Volcán de Fuego, meaning “Volcano of Fire,” is one of three large stratovolcanoes near Antigua, Guatemala. Guatemala lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity. Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, with eruptions recorded since the 16th century. A deadly eruption in 2018 killed 194 people and left 234 missing. Its eruptions involve explosions, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows, posing severe risks.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK). The award ceremony took place in Port Louis, highlighting India-Mauritius strong diplomatic and cultural ties. This is PM Modi’s 21st international accolade, marking global recognition of his leadership. He dedicated the honor to Indian ancestors who migrated to Mauritius and to all Indians. PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening India-Mauritius strategic relations. He also presented the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to Mauritius’ President and First Lady, strengthening cultural ties. His participation in global events reflects India’s rising international influence.

Notes:
The Khelo India Women’s Taekwondo Championship was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It was organized by the Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, Khelo India, Sports Authority of India, Taekwondo Federation of India, and Uttar Pradesh Taekwondo Association. The championship featured senior category competitions in different weight divisions. The event aimed to promote women’s participation in Taekwondo and boost the sport’s growth in India.

Notes:
Hockey Jharkhand won the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025, defeating Hockey Haryana 4-3 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Pramodni Lakra (44′) scored for Hockey Jharkhand, while Captain Rani (42′) netted for Hockey Haryana. The match was closely contested, with both teams missing penalty corner opportunities in the first half. In the shootout, Rajni Kerketta, Nirali Kujur, Binima Dhan, and Captain Alebla Rani Toppo scored for Hockey Jharkhand. Goalkeeper Anjali Bhinjia made two crucial saves, securing the victory. Hockey Mizoram won the bronze medal, defeating Hockey Maharashtra 2-1.

Notes:
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a mobile app for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme and encouraged more companies to join. The PM Internship Scheme provides 12-month internships for youth (aged 21-24) from low-income households in India’s top 500 companies. The pilot phase aims to target 1.25 lakh youth, with a goal of providing internships for 1 crore young individuals in five years. Internships cover 24 sectors, including oil, gas, energy, travel, hospitality, automotive, banking, and financial services.

Notes:
India has a vast tangible heritage, including monuments, sites, and antiquities from prehistoric to colonial times. Many organizations like Archaeological Survey of India and State Archaeology Departments have documented heritage, but much remains scattered or undocumented. The absence of a unified database makes research, conservation, and management difficult. The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was established in 2007 to document and digitize India’s built heritage and antiquities. Rs. 20 lakh was allocated for NMMA in FY 2024-25. NMMA aims to create a national database and enhance collaboration between ASI, state departments, and stakeholders.

Notes:
India has identified the Northeast as the next saffron cultivation hub after Jammu & Kashmir’s Pampore. Mission Saffron was launched in 2010-11 to promote saffron farming with financial, technical, and infrastructural support. Since 2021, the initiative expanded to the Northeast (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya) under the “Saffron Bowl Project” by NECTAR (North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach). The Northeast offers suitable agro-climatic conditions for saffron cultivation.