Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for all banks, financial institutions, and regulated entities to submit applications through the PRAVAAH portal from May 1, 2025. PRAVAAH stands for Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorization. It is a secure, web-based digital portal launched by RBI on May 28, 2024. The portal serves as a single-window system for applying for RBI permissions, licenses, and approvals. This step aims to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, and speed up the approval process. It ensures faster communication between applicants and the RBI.

Notes:
Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil held a review meeting on 30 April with the Wildlife Institute of India to assess the progress of the ‘Jalaj’ project. The ‘Jalaj’ project is a key initiative developed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to support the rejuvenation of the Ganga River and biodiversity conservation. It involves setting up floating platforms on the Ganga River to promote livelihood activities for local communities. These platforms also raise awareness about conserving the river and its ecosystem. The project blends ecological restoration with sustainable development for Ganga-dependent populations.

Notes:
Less than 1% of doctors in India have registered with the National Medical Register (NMR) eight months after its launch. National Medical Register (NMR) is a centralized digital database that includes all licensed allopathic (MBBS) doctors in India. It was launched in August 2024 under Section 31 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, is the nodal ministry for the NMR. The NMR aims to create a comprehensive registry of all allopathic doctors in India, ensuring transparency and accountability in the medical field. It also enhances public trust, helps in credential verification, and aids in policy planning for healthcare.

Notes:
A massive explosion recently hit Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, causing a huge fire and leading to many deaths and injuries. The blast is suspected to have been caused by sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in ballistic missile propulsion. Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s largest and most advanced commercial port. It is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which about 26% of the world’s oil is transported. The port manages 85% of Iran’s container cargo, 52% of its oil trade, and over half of its total maritime cargo. It lies along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea, Russia, and Northern Europe.

Notes:
Operation Kagar has successfully encircled the last remaining Naxal strongholds in the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border regions. Operation Kagar was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs to eliminate Maoist insurgents and dismantle the political ideology of Maoism. The operation combines military action, surveillance technology, and development outreach to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). The campaign has reduced Naxal-affected districts from 106 in 2015 to just 6 in 2025. In 2024, 287 Naxals were neutralized, with over 150 already in 2025.

Notes:
The Governor of Telangana, Jishnu Dev Verma, inaugurated Babuji Vanam, the world’s first energy transmission garden in Hyderabad. The garden was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Babuji Maharaj and the end of a year-long national celebration. Located in Kanha Village, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, the site promotes yogic energy transmission called Pranahuti. The initiative is led by Heartfulness and promotes meditation, wellness, and sustainable living. More than 50,000 people attended the event in person, while millions joined online from 165 countries.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll in the Maldives for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise from May 4 to 10, 2025. The exercise is being held in partnership with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). It aims to improve coordination in disaster response, search and rescue, medical aid, and joint drills. This initiative strengthens the India-Maldives defence partnership. It aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions. The exercise includes training and outreach to enhance regional preparedness.

Notes:
The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has recently drilled Northeast India’s first geothermal production well at Dirang in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. This marks a major step towards using clean and renewable energy sources in the Himalayan region. Geothermal energy is the heat from within the Earth, used to produce electricity or direct heating. CESHS achieved this breakthrough after two years of detailed geochemical and structural surveys in hot spring sites of western Arunachal Pradesh. CESHS geosciences division head Rupankar Rajkhowa confirmed the success of the drilling project. This initiative can reduce dependency on fossil fuels and support green development in remote regions.

Notes:
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.