Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
US President Donald Trump plans to rename the ‘Persian Gulf’ as the ‘Arabian Gulf’ during his visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with Arab Gulf nations’ preferences. The term ‘Persian Gulf’ has been used since the 16th century, recognized in historical records and international treaties. Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prefer the term ‘Arabian Gulf’ and use it in national maps. In 2012, Iran threatened to sue Google for not labeling the water body correctly, asserting its historical naming rights. The Persian Gulf is a vital geopolitical area, connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz.

Notes:
In response to rising tensions between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, civil defence mock drills named ‘Operation Abhyas’ are being held nationwide. These drills follow the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which raised national security concerns. ‘Operation Abhyas’ is part of broader civil defence steps directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The drills are being conducted in 244 civil defence districts across major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh.

Notes:
Rajaji National Park has abundant reservoirs and water holes that help limit elephant movement into human-populated areas. The park is located in Uttarakhand, spanning three districts: Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal. It lies along the hills and foothills of the Shiwalik ranges, representing the Shiwalik ecosystem. In 1983, Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary was merged with Motichur and Chilla sanctuaries to form Rajaji National Park. The park is named after the famous freedom fighter, Rajgopalachari, also known as “Rajaji.” Situated at the transition zone between the temperate western Himalaya and the central Himalaya, it boasts rich species diversity.

Notes:
Recently, Pakistan attempted a large-scale drone incursion using around 300 to 400 Songar drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek. Songar drones are armed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) developed by Turkish defence company Asisguard. These are Turkey’s first indigenously built armed drones designed for military use. Songar drones were first launched in April 2019 and inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020 after successful testing. The recent deployment by Pakistan marks a serious escalation in cross-border drone activity, raising security concerns along India’s western frontier.

Notes:
Sanjay Seth, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, represented India at the 80th Victory Day celebration in Moscow, Russia, on 9 May 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially scheduled to attend but could not due to the Pahalgam terror incident and sent Sanjay Seth instead. During his visit, Sanjay Seth met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin. They discussed military and military-technical cooperation and agreed to strengthen ties through existing institutional frameworks. His visit reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between India and Russia. Victory Day is celebrated every year on 9 May in Moscow’s Red Square to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Notes:
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) launched ‘Sanchari Cauvery’ to supply clean drinking water using GPS-tracked tankers in Bengaluru. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar launched the ‘Sarvarigu Sanchari Cauvery’ scheme to stop the monopoly of private water tanker mafia charging up to ₹3,000 per tanker. Under the scheme, 4,000 litres is priced at ₹660, 6,000 litres at ₹740, and 12,000 litres at ₹1,290, with extra charges for deliveries beyond 2 km. The ‘Kaverionwheels’ app allows real-time booking, tracking, and OTP-based verification of deliveries.

Notes:
The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has announced the 2025 National Technology Day theme as “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.” National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11th May to honour major achievements in India’s science and technology journey. On 11th May 1998, India conducted Pokhran-II nuclear tests under Operation Shakti, becoming a nuclear weapons state. On the same day, India also had the first flight of the indigenous “Hansa-3” aircraft in Bengaluru. The Trishul missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was also successfully test-fired. The day was officially declared by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and is observed annually since 1999.

Notes:
A proposed ₹23.7 crore ecotourism project in Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya, has recently faced strong opposition from local groups and environmental activists. Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya and lies within the Eastern Himalayan Global Biodiversity Hotspot. The sanctuary’s landscape includes undulating plains, low hills, and rugged terrain shaped by the Umtrew River and its tributaries like Umran, Umling, and Umtasor. Umtrew River forms the western boundary of the sanctuary. It is home to over 400 bird species including the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill, and mammals like the Clouded Leopard, Elephant, and Himalayan Black Bear.

Notes:
In a recent case of man-animal conflict, four people were injured in a bear attack while collecting tendu leaves in the Kawardha range of Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh and is part of the Maikal range in the Satpura hills. It is named after the nearby Bhoramdeo Temple, which is over a thousand years old and called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh.” The sanctuary spans about 352 square kilometres and lies within the Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor connecting two major protected areas. Its landscape includes hilly terrain, dense forests, and many streams. The Fen and Sankari rivers originate here. The forest types include tropical moist and dry deciduous forests with trees like Saaj, Sal, Tendu, and Nilgiri.

Notes:
Recently, Delhi Police launched a community outreach initiative called ‘Nayi Disha – A Path Back to Learning’ to bring out-of-school children back into education. Police officers are visiting homes of school dropouts to understand why they left school and to motivate them to return. The initiative reflects Delhi Police’s focus on mentorship and building trust, beyond traditional law enforcement. Officers are working with schools, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and social workers to provide help such as admissions, counselling, and academic support. Many students have already returned to school, and the initiative will now expand to other districts based on its success.