Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a fully intact Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile has been recently recovered in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district. The PL-15, also called “Thunderbolt-15,” is a long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by China’s 607 Institute. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). The missile is designed to strike enemy aircraft at very long distances, even before visual contact is made. This incident has raised serious security concerns, especially regarding regional military activity and foreign weapon systems near the border.

Notes:
The 8th United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week is observed from 12 to 18 May 2025, with the theme MakeWalkingSafe and MakeCyclingSafe. UN Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial global road safety campaign hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners to highlight the urgent need for safer roads, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. This global campaign promotes safe infrastructure and transport policies that support walking and cycling in cities. It aims to raise awareness about the growing dangers faced by non-motorized road users due to poor road conditions and unsafe driver behavior. It also encourages governments to adopt strong laws and reforms to reduce road traffic injuries and deaths.

Notes:
On May 12, the world observes the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise awareness about the vital role of plant health in food security, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. The 2025 observance highlights the growing threats to plants from climate change, invasive species, global trade, and travel. It is part of the broader One Health approach, which links the health of people, animals, and the environment. The United Nations (UN) established International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) through General Assembly Resolution.

Notes:
The Indian archery team performed excellently at the Archery World Cup 2025 Stage-2 held in Shanghai, China, from 6 to 11 May 2025. India won a total of seven medals, including two gold, one silver, and four bronze. Madhura Dhamangaonkar earned a gold medal in the women’s individual compound event. Ojas Deotale, Abhishek Verma, and Rishabh Yadav secured a gold in the men’s team compound event. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Madhura Dhamangaonkar, and Chikitha Taniparthi won a silver in the women’s team compound event. Deepika Kumari claimed a bronze medal in the women’s individual recurve. Parth Salunkhe earned a bronze in the men’s individual recurve. Abhishek Verma and Madhura Dhamangaonkar bagged a bronze in the mixed team compound. Rishabh Yadav took a bronze in the men’s individual compound. The third stage will be held in Antalya, Turkiye, from 3 to 8 June 2025.

Notes:
Recently, the Government of India declared 23rd September as the new fixed date for celebrating Ayurveda Day each year. This decision replaces the earlier variable observance on Dhanteras, which followed the lunar calendar and created logistical challenges. The change was announced through a Gazette Notification dated 23rd March 2025 to ensure global visibility and consistent annual observance. Ayurveda Day promotes Ayurveda as a scientific and holistic system of preventive healthcare. The date 23rd September was chosen as it coincides with the autumnal equinox, symbolizing natural balance, aligning with Ayurveda’s core philosophy of harmony between mind, body, and spirit.

Notes:
The Supreme Court of India recently quashed a Delhi High Court order that had asked the Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, to remove a user-created page and related discussions. The Court strongly upheld the “Right to Know” as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech and Expression, and Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty. It said the Right to Know helps citizens take part in democracy, seek justice, and hold the government accountable. The judgment clarified that criticism of courts in public debate is allowed in a democracy and should not be called contempt without reason. Under Article 19(1)(a), the Right to Know includes information about government work, public decisions, and court actions. The Court said freedom of speech also means people have a right to receive information, which is key to a healthy democracy. Under Article 21, the Right to Know supports informed choices, justice access, and dignity in life, all of which are important for full participation in governance.

Notes:
A former SpaceX employee has sued the company, claiming he was fired due to Crohn’s disease, a chronic health issue. Crohn’s disease is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes swelling and irritation in the digestive tract. It often affects the end of the small intestine and the start of the large intestine, but it can impact any part of the tract. The disease causes deep inflammation in the bowel walls, making it painful and hard to manage. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, abdominal pain, and weight loss. There is no permanent cure, but treatment can ease symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and help patients live a normal life. This case has drawn attention to workplace rights for people living with chronic medical conditions like Crohn’s disease.

Notes:
A Brazilian surfer recently used the pororoca tidal wave on the Mearim River to spread awareness about climate change and ecological damage. The Mearim River is around 800 kilometres long and flows through Maranhão state in northern Brazil. The Mearim River is known for its pororoca, a strong tidal bore where ocean tides rush upstream into the river. The word “pororoca” comes from the Tupi Indigenous language and means “great roar”, due to the loud sound made when sea and river waters collide. A tidal bore forms when rising ocean tides push against the river’s flow, often during spring tides and supermoons.

Notes:
Denmark has inaugurated the world’s first large-scale commercial e-methanol facility in Kasso, southern Denmark. It has a production capacity of 42,000 metric tons (53 million litres) of e-methanol annually. E-methanol offers a viable path for reducing emissions in sectors like shipping and chemical manufacturing. E-methanol is produced by combining green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide.

Notes:
The ‘Understanding Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector: Progress and Challenges’ report was released by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). It highlights key challenges faced by MSMEs, including access to finance, technology adoption, competition, compliance, market access, infrastructure, supply chain issues, and availability of skilled labor across 19 sectors in manufacturing, services, and trading. MSMEs contributed 30.1% to Gross Value Added in FY 2022-23 and 45.79% to exports in FY 2024-25 (up to May 2024). Challenges include inadequate access to credit, high competition, technology adoption issues, and complex regulations. Other difficulties involve poor infrastructure and sourcing raw materials and skilled workers.