Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

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India recently signed agreements to supply 4.12 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen derivatives to Japan and Singapore. The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) was launched simultaneously to ensure credible and transparent green hydrogen production. GHCI is India’s first certification framework to verify that hydrogen is produced exclusively using renewable energy. This certification ensures hydrogen is recognized as “green.” GHCI was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the nodal agency for GHCI. It is supported by the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

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Vietnam hosts the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak in 2025 from May 6 to 8 in Ho Chi Minh City. The United Nations Day of Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. In a historic first, the sacred Buddha Relic from Sarnath, India, will be sent to Vietnam for special exposition. The event is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, along with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).

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India has recently received a new shipment of Russian Igla-S air defence missiles amid rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Igla-S is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) developed by Russia. It is a hand-held system that can be used by one person or a small crew. It is designed to shoot down low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones.

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Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to approve a dedicated and independent Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Ship Recycling Policy. The goal is to make Maharashtra a leading hub for shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship recycling. The state targets an investment of ₹6,600 crore and 40,000 jobs by 2030. By 2047, the aim is to attract ₹18,000 crore in investments and create 3.3 lakh jobs. The policy supports research and development (R&D), modern technology, and skilled workforce. It aims to contribute one-third of India’s total shipbuilding output by 2030.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to begin repair work on the damaged mihrab structure around the old water tank at Safa Masjid in Ponda, Goa. Safa Masjid, also called Safa Shahouri Masjid, is a historic mosque built in 1560 by Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur. It is one of the few Islamic monuments in Goa that survived the Portuguese colonial period, during which many religious sites were destroyed. The mosque is known for its architectural and cultural value and is declared a national monument under the protection of ASI. The recent decision by ASI follows months of delay and brings hope for the preservation of this heritage site.

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India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, as a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, including tourists. The operation targeted nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are often blamed for sponsoring attacks in India. The attack on April 22, 2025, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to LeT, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting it. Operation Sindoor was described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” aiming to dismantle terrorist infrastructure while avoiding military targets. Rafale jets and precision missiles were used in the 23-minute operation.

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The Hubble Space Telescope recently completed 35 years of space exploration since its launch on April 24, 1990. It is the first dedicated space-based telescope system and is named after astronomer Edwin Hubble. The idea of such a telescope was first proposed in the 1940s by US astronomer Lyman Spitzer. It was launched as a joint mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA contributed 15% of the mission’s cost in return for 15% of observation time. Its launch was delayed from 1986 to 1990 due to technical issues and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Hubble orbits Earth at around 569 km in Low Earth Orbit and observes ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. It was designed to be repaired and upgraded in space, making it a renewable telescope. This historic telescope continues to help scientists understand galaxies, stars, and the vast universe beyond Earth.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently launched ‘Creator Land’, India’s first transmedia entertainment city, at the WAVES (Wealth, Assets, Values, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainability) Summit. The project involves an investment of ₹10,000 crore and aims to create 25,000 direct jobs over the next six years. It is designed to make Amaravati a global centre for digital media, gaming, Artificial Intelligence (AI) content, and virtual production. Creator Land will have infrastructure for storytelling, filmmaking, music, and AI-based content development. A special Creator Land Academy will train youth in digital media and content creation. This initiative is expected to significantly boost the digital economy of Andhra Pradesh and enable global partnerships.

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World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on 8th May to raise global awareness about the inherited blood disorder called Thalassemia. Thalassemia affects the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin, leading to severe anemia and requiring regular blood transfusions for survival. The theme for 2025 is “Together for Thalassemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients”, highlighting the need for collective action and patient-focused care. This day promotes early diagnosis, public education, and support for patients and families. Despite its seriousness, awareness about Thalassemia is still low in many regions, making such observances important for prevention and understanding.

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India has launched chip-based e-passports as part of its digital transformation of travel documentation. These passports, embedded with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips and biometric data, aim to improve security, efficiency, and convenience for international travelers. The initiative, under the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0, began on April 1, 2024. The new passports make India comparable to countries like the USA, UK, and Germany in using advanced e-passport technology. Features include enhanced security, RFID chips, scannable barcodes, and a tamper-proof design. The goal is to improve passport security, streamline immigration, and support India’s digital transformation.