Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
Ordnance Factories Day is observed on March 18 every year to honor the Ordnance Factory Board’s (OFB) role in India’s defense sector. The day highlights OFB’s technological innovations and contributions to weapons manufacturing. The United Forum of Ordnance Employees (UFOE) celebrated the Ordnance Factories Day 2025 at the High Energy Projectile Factory (HEPF) in Tiruchi.

Notes:
The Government of India is drafting the National Wildlife Health Policy (NWHP) to strengthen wildlife disease surveillance, research, and diagnostics. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) initiated the program to improve wildlife health and manage zoonotic diseases. NWHP is a key part of the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31) and follows the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31) includes 103 conservation actions, 250 projects, and standard disease surveillance protocols for tiger reserves and protected areas.

Notes:
The Prime Minister welcomed New Zealand’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), emphasizing shared interests in regional peace and stability. India launched Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in November 2019 at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok. It builds on the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative of 2015. The initiative promotes a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific for regional safety and development. IPOI is a non-treaty-based voluntary arrangement relying on EAS mechanisms and includes seven pillars of cooperation led by different countries.

Notes:
Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Sangli district, Maharashtra, has 536 sambars and 295 cheetals (spotted deer). It has one of the highest deer populations among manmade wildlife sanctuaries. The sanctuary covers 10.87 sq.km and has no permanent water supply. Most wildlife species, including 536 sambars and 295 cheetals, were introduced artificially. The sanctuary is known for a high deer population. It is named after the ancient Sagareshwar temple, with many other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva within the sanctuary.

Notes:
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) launched the Samarth Incubation Programme to boost innovation in telecommunications and Information Technology (IT). It supports startups working in Telecom Software, Cybersecurity, 5G/6G, AI, IoT, and Quantum Technologies. The program provides up to Rs 5 lakh, 6 months of office space at C-DOT, lab access, and expert mentorship. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is the implementation partner to nurture high-impact startups. The program runs in a hybrid mode with two cohorts of 18 startups each.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved an incentive scheme to promote low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant – P2M) transactions for FY 2024-25. The scheme aims to strengthen BHIM-UPI, boost transaction volumes to ₹20,000 crore, and promote UPI 123PAY & offline UPI Lite/LiteX. It encourages UPI adoption in rural and remote areas. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It enables users to link multiple bank accounts in a single mobile app for instant money transfers. BHIM-UPI, launched in 2016, is a government-backed app for seamless, fast, and secure digital payments.

Notes:
The State of Climate 2024 report was published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Global warming has pushed greenhouse gas levels to their highest in 800,000 years. The last 10 years are the warmest on record since 1850, as per WMO. The cryosphere (frozen parts of Earth’s surface) is melting at an alarming rate. Extreme weather events in 2024 caused the highest displacements since 2008.

Notes:
Central and State governments are using the Sahyog portal to block online content. Sahyog is a centralized platform developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). It aims to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercrime in India. The portal automates the process of sending notices to intermediaries under the IT Act, 2000. It enables the removal or disabling of unlawful online content. It connects all Authorized Agencies and intermediaries on a single platform for better coordination.

Notes:
Byadgi chilli prices have dropped due to excess stock, strict export tests, and high production costs. It is a famous chilli variety from Karnataka, named after Byadgi in Haveri district. The chilli is bright red, 12-15 cm long, with wrinkled pods and a strong fragrance. It is widely used in pickles, masalas, chilli powder, and oleoresin extraction. Byadgi chilli has received Karnataka Geographical Indication status.

Notes:
Rajasthan government launched the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) to support farmers and small entrepreneurs. The scheme aims to protect them from financial crises and stabilize land development banks. Borrowers who repay 100% of overdue medium and long-term loans by July 1, 2024, will get a 100% interest rebate. A 5% subsidy will help borrowers avail loans again. The scheme benefits 36,351 defaulting loan members with Rs. 760 crore overdue loans. The government will spend Rs. 200 crore to ease loan recovery and improve bank finances. It will boost new loans, production, and business recovery.