Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
On 19th March 2025, the Ministry of Labour & Employment launched India’s Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise with State Governments and the International Labour Organization (ILO). In Phase 1, 10 states, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat, were selected for data consolidation. The initiative integrates 34 major social protection schemes using encrypted Aadhaar, processing over 200 crore records. Social protection coverage doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, benefiting 65% of India’s population. The exercise aims to optimize welfare spending, enhance financial sustainability, and strengthen India’s global social security negotiations.

Notes:
A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island recently. South Island is the larger and southernmost of New Zealand’s two main islands, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is separated from North Island by Cook Strait and from Stewart Island by Foveaux Strait. The island is mostly mountainous, dominated by the Southern Alps, with Mount Cook (3,754m) as its highest peak.

Notes:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare introduced the Digital Crop Survey (DCS) System to collect real-time crop data through a mobile interface. It provides accurate, up-to-date crop area details for better production estimates. Agri Stack was developed under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, ensuring farmers’ data privacy and security. Farmers’ data is collected only with consent and shared securely using encryption, APIs, and token-based authentication. The system follows cybersecurity guidelines from MeitY and CERT-In, with regular security audits. Digital inclusion is ensured via Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Sakhis, and Common Service Centres (CSCs).

Notes:
Kasampatty Sacred Grove has been declared Tamil Nadu’s second Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), after Arittapatti in Madurai. It is located near the Alagarmalai Reserve Forest in Dindigul district. BHS are ecologically fragile areas with rich biodiversity, including rare, endemic, and threatened species. They are notified under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The State Government, in consultation with local bodies, designates these areas in the Official Gazette to protect their ecological importance.

Notes:
The Lanka India Business Association (LIBA) was officially launched in Sri Lanka to boost economic collaboration with India. It aims to strengthen trade, investment, and business networking between both nations. India is expected to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075, making this initiative crucial. LIBA will promote partnerships across industries like technology, trade, finance, and education. It seeks to encourage bilateral trade, connect entrepreneurs, and support startups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). LIBA aims to leverage Sri Lanka’s strategic location as a trade hub and provide facilitation services for investors.

Notes:
The 14th edition of the India-Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA takes place in Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025. Exercise INDRA, initiated in 2003, symbolizes the strong strategic partnership between the Indian and Russian navies. The exercise is conducted in two phases: Harbour Phase (March 28-30) in Chennai and Sea Phase (March 31-April 2) in the Bay of Bengal. Russian Navy ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov will participate alongside Indian Navy ships Rana, Kuthar, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. Activities include tactical drills, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, helicopter cross-deck landings, and expert exchanges to enhance naval cooperation.

Notes:
The government of India launched Operation Brahma to assist earthquake victims in Myanmar. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on 28th March 2025, killing at least 1,000 people, with over 10,000 feared dead, as per the United States Geological Survey. Under the Neighbourhood First policy and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief framework, India sent two Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft from Hindon Air Force Station, Uttar Pradesh. The Indian Navy prepared four ships carrying 50 tonnes of relief materials. India is coordinating aid efforts through Myanmar’s government, as many affected areas are controlled by Ethnic Armed Organisations.

Notes:
The Government of India will establish the Second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm for future food and nutritional security. This initiative is part of the “Investing in Innovations” theme of Union Budget 2025-26. A Gene Bank stores seeds, pollen, and plant tissues to protect plant species, aid crop breeding, and ensure biodiversity conservation. India’s First National Gene Bank was established in 1996 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi. It is the second-largest Gene Bank globally, housing 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species.

Notes:
Manisha Bhanwala won India’s first gold medal since the 2021 edition at the Asian Wrestling Championship 2025 in Amman, Jordan. She secured gold in the women’s 62 kg category, defeating Korea’s Ok J Kim by 8-7. Antim Panghal won a bronze medal in the 53 kg category, defeating Taipei’s Meng H Hsieh by technical superiority without conceding a point. Indian wrestlers have won one gold, one silver, and six bronze medals, including two in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister launched the P4 Bangaru Kutumbam-Margadarsi initiative in Velagapudi on Ugadi. P4 stands for Public-Private-People Partnership, a mission-mode initiative for social and economic transformation. It aims to eradicate poverty and uplift marginalised families by creating model families called “Bangaru Kutumbam.” The initiative targets over 2 million beneficiaries in the initial phase. It provides free gas cylinders, educational support, and women empowerment schemes. The initiative promotes inclusive development, governance innovation, and a replicable welfare model for other states.