Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered over 110 megaliths near Malampuzha dam in Palakkad, Kerala, covering 45 hectares. Malampuzha dam is the largest water barrier and reservoir in Kerala. Megalithic structures were used for burials during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, built with large stones without mortar. The burials include Cists, Stone Circles, Urns, Dolmens, and Dolmenoid Cists, made from granite and laterite stones. Similar megalithic sites exist in Brahmagiri, Karnataka, and Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu. This discovery may provide new insights into Kerala’s early Iron Age society and beliefs.

Notes:
India successfully flight-tested the Vertically Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) off the Odisha coast. VL-SRSAM is an indigenously developed Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SRSAM). It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a quick reaction missile that neutralises aerial threats, including sea-skimming targets. Initially designed for the Indian Navy with a 40 km range, it can now strike targets up to 80 km. The missile is also being developed for the Indian Air Force to protect air bases.

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The Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework aims to expand public Wi-Fi hotspots to build a digital India. Public Data Offices (PDOs) set up and operate WANI-compliant Wi-Fi hotspots and must partner with a Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) for internet services. As of March 20, 2025, India has 2,78,439 PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots. The scheme was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in December 2020. It aims to boost digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas, and generate employment for small and micro-entrepreneurs. It provides low-cost internet to underserved urban poor and rural households.

Notes:
Japan raised concerns over a prolonged incursion by Chinese Coast Guard ships near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Senkaku Islands, a disputed territory between Japan and China, are located in the East China Sea. They are uninhabited and located about 90 nautical miles north of Japan’s Yaeyama Islands and 120 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan. They are known as Diaoyu Islands in China, Diaoyutai Islands in Taiwan, and Pinnacle Islands by others. The islands cover 6.3 sq km, with the largest, Uotsuri Island, spanning 3.6 sq km. The terrain consists of sandstone, tuff, and andesite, with coral formations uplifted in the Holocene era.

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India’s bioeconomy is valued at over 165 billion, contributing 4.2% of GDP, as per the India BioEconomy Report 2024. The sector is projected to grow to 300 billion by 2030 and 1 trillion by 2047. Bioeconomy involves using biological resources for industrial production, including biofuels, bioplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The industrial sector contributed 78 billion (47%), while pharma contributed 35%, led by vaccines. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh generated over two-thirds of bioeconomy value. Eastern and Northeastern regions contributed less than 6%. India BioEconomy Report 2024 is released by Department of Biotechnology.

Notes:
Universal Acceptance Day is observed annually on March 28 since 2023 to promote a multilingual and inclusive internet. It ensures all valid domain names and email addresses work seamlessly across different scripts, languages, and character lengths. The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), organized a hybrid event on March 28, 2025, at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event, themed “Connecting the Unconnected – Building a Multilingual Internet for Viksit Bharat,” aimed to accelerate Universal Acceptance adoption and create an inclusive digital ecosystem in India.

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.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin launched Perm, a Project 885M Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine, from Murmansk. Perm is a fourth-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Yasen-M class (Project 885M). Named after the city of Perm in the Urals, it is the sixth vessel in the Yasen/Yasen-M series. It is the first Russian nuclear submarine officially equipped with the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile as a standard feature. Perm is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy in 2026.

Notes:
Dryad Networks, a Berlin-based environmental Internet of Things (IoT) startup, introduced the Silvaguard drone for ultra-early wildfire detection. The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based drone enhances fire detection, location, and monitoring using infrared imaging. It works with Silvanet, a solar-powered gas sensor network, detecting fires at the smoldering stage. Each sensor protects an area equal to a football field and attaches to trees. Once Silvanet detects a fire, Silvaguard flies to the location, captures video and infrared images, and sends real-time data to firefighters.

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African Swine Fever (ASF) has resurged in Mizoram, causing 41 more pig deaths, raising the total toll to 503 since March 20. ASF first emerged in Mizoram in Lungsen village, Lunglei, on March 21, 2021, and has since become endemic. The causative agent of African Swine Fever (ASF) is the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). ASF is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs but poses no risk to humans. The virus can spread through contaminated clothing, equipment, or vehicles, threatening pig populations. There is no treatment or vaccine, making prevention and strict biosecurity measures the only effective control methods.