Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

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Scientists have identified the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) as essential for the survival and infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and can affect the skin, heart, brain, and joints. It is transmitted exclusively through the bite of infected deer ticks (black-legged ticks) and cannot spread via human contact, pets, air, food, water, or insect vectors such as mosquitoes and fleas. The disease is prevalent in wooded and grassy regions, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with higher incidence during warmer months.

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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched BHIM (BHarat Interface for Money) 3.0 with new features. It supports 15+ Indian languages. The app allows users to track, manage, and split expenses. It optimized for low internet areas, ensuring uninterrupted transactions. It includes a built-in task assistant for bill reminders, UPI Lite activation, and low balance alerts.

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The Indian Army conducted Ex Prachand Prahaar, a Tri-Service Integrated Multi-Domain Warfare Exercise in Arunachal Pradesh from 25 to 27 March 2025. It involved the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and other Indian Armed Forces under the Eastern Command. The exercise simulated future warfare with advanced surveillance, strike capabilities, and multi-domain operational planning. Cutting-edge platforms like long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, armed helicopters, UAVs, loitering munitions, and space-based assets were used for situational awareness and rapid target engagement.

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Climate change is rapidly melting glaciers on Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain. Lewis Glacier, once a major ice mass, has shrunk drastically and may disappear by 2030. The Lewis Glacier is located on Mount Kenya. Mount Kenya is an extinct stratovolcano and Africa’s second-highest mountain after Kilimanjaro. The glacier’s retreat highlights the severe impact of global warming on Africa’s high-altitude ice.

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India signed an agreement with Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to use advanced GIS and remote sensing technologies. BISAG-N is an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). It is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It focuses on technology development, research, and capacity building in geospatial technology. It specializes in satellite communication, geo-informatics, and geo-spatial technology. BISAG-N provides GIS solutions, including database design, map creation, software development, and technical consulting. It offers end-to-end GIS system implementation, integrating hardware, software, and customized solutions.

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India completed wet testing of the Matsya-6000 submersible, capable of diving 6 km deep for underwater mineral exploration. The first deep-sea manned vehicle launch is planned for later in 2025, making India one of the few nations with this capability. China unveiled a deep-sea cable-cutting device, highlighting the strategic importance of deep-sea technology. Matsya-6000 is part of the Deep Ocean Mission (2018) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Samudrayaan Mission.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) hosted India’s first Nano Electronics Roadshow on March 27, 2025, at the National Science Seminar Complex, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru. It was organized in collaboration with IISc Bengaluru and five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) – Bombay, Madras, Delhi, Kharagpur, and Guwahati. The event showcased over 100 intellectual properties, 50 technologies, and innovations from 35 startups, supported by nanoelectronics centers across India. The roadshow highlighted India’s semiconductor ecosystem, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released the report “Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well” at the ‘Nutrition for Growth’ event in France on March 27-28, 2025. The report highlights poor nutritional quality in school meals and urges governments to improve food standards. In 2024, 47% of primary school students received school meals, but many lacked proper nutrition. In 2022, 27% of school meals were not designed with nutritionist input. Out of 187 countries, only 93 had school food policies, and 65% had cafeteria food standards. Childhood obesity has more than doubled since 1990, while food insecurity remains a challenge. UNESCO recommends fresh, locally sourced food over ultra-processed options.

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The Green Credit Programme (GCP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) despite concerns from the Law Ministry over its legal validity. Green Credit (GC) is an incentive unit for engaging in environmentally positive activities and can be traded like carbon credits. The Green Credit Programme (GCP) operates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It aims to increase forest cover, promote sustainable practices, and reward pro-environmental actions. Individuals, communities, and industries can earn Green Credits by participating in afforestation, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. These credits can be sold to industries needing to meet environmental obligations like compensatory afforestation.

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The Future Circular Collider (FCC) is a proposed $30 billion project by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). It involves a 91 km circular tunnel beneath the Swiss-French border to accelerate and collide particles at record energies. Phase 1 (~2040) aims to generate Higgs bosons in large numbers, while Phase 2 (~2070) will collide protons at extreme energies. Supporters, including CERN leadership, call it the most powerful tool for studying nature. Critics argue it may drain funds, limiting investment in other scientific advancements. The project has sparked major divisions in the scientific community.