Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
The Supreme Court recently dismissed a plea alleging illegal mining in Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, calling it a frivolous abuse of law and imposed a ₹1 lakh penalty on the petitioner. Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. It lies across the Vindhya hills, known for their forested terrain and wildlife. It was declared a national park in 1968 and became a Tiger Reserve in 1993 under Project Tiger. The park is famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers.

Notes:
Recently, scientists observed repeated unrest at Campi Flegrei between 1982–1984 and 2011–2024, involving land uplift, earthquakes, and underground rumbling due to rising fluid pressure. Campi Flegrei, also called the Phlegraean Fields, is an active volcanic system located near Naples, Italy. Unlike single-cone volcanoes like Mount Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei is a large caldera, which is a sunken volcanic area formed after a huge eruption. The caldera spans about 12 to 15 kilometers and was formed by a massive eruption nearly 39,000 years ago. That eruption may have triggered climate changes that contributed to the decline of Neanderthals.

Notes:
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been re-elected, becoming the first leader in decades to win a second term, marking a major political milestone. With around 70.8% of votes counted, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports that the Labor Party is set to win 85 seats, well above the 76 needed for a majority. The Opposition Liberal National Coalition is likely to secure 36 seats, while Independents are expected to get 10. After his win, Albanese called being Prime Minister the greatest honour of his life while addressing supporters in Sydney.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Iran recently unveiled a new solid-fuel ballistic missile named Ghassem Basir. It is a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) developed to strike targets over 1,200 kilometers away. The missile is about 11 meters long and weighs around 7 tons. It uses carbon fiber composite material for its body, making it lighter and harder to detect by radar. It runs on solid fuel, making it quicker to launch and easier to store than liquid-fuel missiles. It can reach speeds up to Mach 12. A thermal imaging sensor helps it track targets using heat in the final phase of flight. It has a Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV) that detaches mid-flight to avoid radar and improve accuracy. It can be launched from mobile Transporter-Erector-Launchers (TELs), even from vehicles that look like civilian trucks.

Notes:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will soon launch a new digital platform called ECINET to streamline electoral services. ECINET is a single-point user-friendly interface for voters, election officials, political parties, and civil society. It will integrate over 40 existing mobile and web apps of the ECI into one platform. Popular apps like Voter Helpline, Voter Turnout, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, Electoral Search and Management System (ESMS), Saksham, and Know Your Candidate (KYC) will be merged into ECINET. It will offer a clean User Interface (UI) and smooth User Experience (UX), reducing the need to download multiple apps. ECINET will follow the Representation of the People Act 1950, 1951, and related rules and guidelines.

Notes:
In a recent statement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urged both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations, with 57 member countries across four continents. It was founded on 25 September 1969 in Rabat, Morocco, following the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The OIC works to protect Islamic values and the sovereignty and independence of its member states. It also aims to promote peace, security, and cooperation in political, economic, and social matters. The OIC acts as the unified voice of the Muslim world on global issues. Its headquarters is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced that May 5 will officially be declared as Traders’ Day in the state. This aligns with the day already observed by Tamil Nadu Traders’ Associations annually. The announcement was made at the 42nd annual meeting of the Traders’ Association in Maduranthakam.

Notes:
In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and rising tensions with Pakistan, the Indian Navy is enhancing its maritime strength by inducting INS Tamal. INS Tamal is a stealth guided missile frigate with advanced features designed for modern naval warfare. It is an upgraded Krivak-III class warship built under a $2.5 billion India-Russia defence deal for four stealth frigates. Two of these frigates are being built in Russia, and the other two at Goa Shipyard Limited in India. INS Tushil, the first warship of this class, joined the Indian Navy in December 2024. INS Tamal will be the last imported warship, marking India’s shift to building its own warships. The remaining two frigates, INS Triput and INS Tavasya, are being constructed in India under a technology transfer agreement worth around Rs 13,000 crore.

Notes:
Kozhikode city has recently been honoured with membership in the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) of the World Health Organization (WHO). GNAFCC was established in 2010 to help cities become better places for older people to live in. It has over 1300 members from 51 countries, promoting global cooperation on age-friendly policies. The aim is to connect cities, communities, and organizations to create supportive environments for ageing populations. It works to inspire change, share knowledge, and help cities find smart, practical solutions. This membership shows Kozhikode’s commitment to healthy ageing and inclusive urban development.