Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
Vikramshila University, an ancient learning center in Bihar, is set for revival after Nalanda University. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is developing the site to boost tourism. Bihar government allocated 202.14 acres in Antichak village, Bhagalpur, for a Central University. The project was approved in 2015 with ₹500 crore but faced land acquisition delays. It was founded by King Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty in the 8th-9th century AD.

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Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) exported the first consignment of GI-tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. Dalle Chilli, also known as Dalle Khursani, is primarily cultivated in the Himalayan regions, specifically in Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills. It is known for its intense pungency and bright red color. It is highly nutritious, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and contains potassium. Its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it one of the hottest chillies.

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The Finance Ministry launched BAANKNET, a revamped e-auction portal, to streamline the auction of banks’ assets. It replaces e-BKray (launched in February 2019) and enhances transparency in disposing of non-performing assets (NPAs). BAANKNET integrates automated KYC, secure payment gateways, and verified property titles. 12 public sector banks and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) use BAANKNET for property auctions.

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The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 highlights the need for universal, high-quality Early Childhood Education and multilingualism in primary education. To achieve this, the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, launched the “Baalpan ki Kavita” initiative. This initiative aims to create a collection of nursery rhymes and poems in all Bhartiya Bhasha and English. The focus is on Indian cultural relevance to enhance learning at the foundational stage. It helps children understand their surroundings better through joyful and easily understandable poems in their mother tongue.

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Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam regained its Blue Flag certification after a temporary withdrawal due to compliance issues. The Blue Flag certification is administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark. Rushikonda Beach is the only Blue Flag-certified beach in Andhra Pradesh. Known for its golden sands and clear waters, it is a popular destination for relaxation and swimming. The certification ensures high environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards for sustainable beach tourism.

Notes:
Nitesh won bronze in the Greco-Roman 97kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 in Amman, Jordan. This was India’s second medal at the event. He defeated Kazakhstan’s Ilyas Guchigov 9-0 via technical superiority (VSU) in his opening match. In the semi-finals, he lost 9-0 to Olympic champion Mohammad Hadi Saravi of Iran. In the bronze medal match, he beat Amanberdi Agamammedov of Turkmenistan 9-0 (VSU). Sunil Kumar had earlier won bronze in the 87kg category.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) shut down the Gaia space observatory on March 27, 2025. It was launched in 2013 by European Space Agency (ESA). Gaia aimed to create the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way. Originally named Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (GAIA), later simplified to Gaia. It is positioned at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 1.5 million km from Earth, for an unobstructed view.

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The second edition of the Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) concluded on 27 March, 2025. Haryana topped the medal tally with 34 gold medals. Tamil Nadu secured second place with 28 golds, while Uttar Pradesh came third with 23 golds. Around 1,300 athletes participated in six sports across three venues in New Delhi. Events were held at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, and Karni Singh Shooting Range. The games showcased remarkable endurance, resilience, and the spirit of overcoming challenges.

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As per the Indian Tea Board, India became the world’s second-largest tea exporter in 2024, surpassing Sri Lanka. It exported a record 255 million kg of tea, a 10% increase from 231.69 million kg in 2023. Kenya remains the top tea exporter globally. India exports tea to over 25 countries, with major markets including the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Russia, the USA, and the UK. Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri teas are among the finest in the world. Black tea dominates exports at 96%. The Tea Board of India is promoting production, branding, and welfare of tea-growing families.

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China recently deployed two long-range H-6 bombers near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to assert sovereignty. Scarborough Shoal, also called Scarborough Reef, is a coral atoll in the eastern South China Sea. It is located 220 km west of Luzon, Philippines, and is the largest atoll in the region. The atoll is submerged at high tide, with only a few rocks visible above sea level. It is a rich fishing ground with valuable marine life. The shoal is a disputed territory between China and the Philippines, with both claiming exclusive rights.