Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
India reportedly opened multiple gates at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, amid rising water levels. The Chenab River, meaning “Moon River,” is a major tributary of the Indus River. It originates from the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga streams at Tandi in the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. In its upper stretches, it is also known as Chandrabhaga. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir, passing between the Siwalik Range and Lesser Himalayas. It then turns southwest into Pakistan, joining the Jhelum River near Trimmu and later merging with the Sutlej River.

Notes:
In Maharashtra’s Kadbanwadi grassland, the Indian grey wolf faces rising danger from attacks by stray dogs. It is located in Indapur tehsil of Pune district and spreads over 2,000 hectares. The grassland supports various species such as the Bengal fox, striped hyena, Brahminy kite, and Indian grey wolf. The Indian grey wolf, scientifically called Canis lupus pallipes, is a subspecies of the grey wolf found from Southwest Asia to the Indian subcontinent. It lives in arid and semi-arid open plains and grasslands and plays the role of a top predator in these ecosystems. This wolf moves in smaller packs and is less vocal compared to other grey wolf types. It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which gives it the highest level of legal protection in India.

Notes:
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the “Niveshak Shivir” initiative to help investors reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares. This nationwide program offers direct support to investors, making it easier to recover unclaimed assets. IEPFA provides a digital tool for tracking shares and filing claims. The initiative includes on-ground helpdesks for investors to interact with company representatives. It aims to reduce reliance on intermediaries, increase transparency, and improve financial literacy. The program also speeds up the resolution of investor grievances.

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, illegal sand mining in the Chambal River region has become a serious issue across states, harming biodiversity and putting officials and journalists at risk. It threatens conservation in the National Chambal Sanctuary, which protects rare species like the Gharial and the Ganges dolphin. The Chambal River originates from Bhadakla Falls near Janapav Hills in Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, at an elevation of 843 metres. It flows about 1,024 kilometres before joining the Yamuna River in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The river passes through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Major right-bank tributaries include Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, and Shipra.

Notes:
The State Government of Himachal Pradesh has notified the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve in the Spiti Valley as India’s largest conservation reserve. It is located at the confluence of the Unam River and Charap Nala. The reserve is bounded by the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh to the north, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary to the east, Kabjima Nala to the south, and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary to the west. It is famous for the snow leopard, also called the ‘ghost of the mountains’.

Notes:
Minister of Power and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the Bharat Bodh Kendra at India Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi. Bharat Bodh Kendra is a new section under the Habitat Library and Resource Centre. It is dedicated to deepening understanding of India’s cultural and civilizational heritage. The centre offers curated books and resources on Indian art, music, spirituality, history, and philosophy. It provides a quiet space for reflection, learning, and cultural exploration.

Notes:
Dr. Subbanna Ayyappan, a renowned fisheries scientist and Padma Shri awardee, was found dead in the Cauvery River near Srirangapatna, Karnataka, on May 10, 2025. He was known as the architect of India’s Blue Revolution, which boosted fish production through scientific aquaculture. He was 70 years old at the time of his death.

Notes:
The International Day of Families is observed on 15 May every year. The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in 1983 following recommendations from the Commission for Social Development and the Economic and Social Council. The 2025 theme is “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development.” The theme highlights the role of family-focused policies in dealing with global changes like technology, migration, climate change, urbanisation, and population shifts. The day aims to raise awareness about family-related issues and promote their role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Notes:
Indian forces launched Operation Nader in the Nader area of Tral, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir on May 15, 2025, acting on specific intelligence inputs. The operation involves the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Earlier on May 13, 2025, three terrorists, including a commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy The Resistance Front (LeT/TRF), were killed in Shopian. These efforts follow the success of Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing over 100 terrorists at key locations like Bahawalpur and Muridke.