Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
A wild banana species called Musa indandamanensis from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently set a world record with the longest banana infructescence measuring 4.2 metres. An infructescence is the full fruiting part of a plant. This wild species is endemic to the Nicobar group, especially found in Campbell Bay. The tree grows about 11 metres tall with a stem girth of around 110 centimetres. Earlier, the longest known banana infructescence was only 3 metres. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and botanical centres like A.J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden. It holds potential for future disease-resistant and high-yield banana varieties.

Notes:
The 2nd Tri-Service Future Warfare Course was held in New Delhi from April 21 to May 9, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre. It focused on how technology impacts warfare and aimed to prepare senior officers for modern warfare complexities, fostering jointness and integration among the services. The course was conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).

Notes:
The 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83) under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently adopted a landmark decision to address shipping emissions. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) focused on the safety and security of international shipping. It works to prevent marine and atmospheric pollution caused by ships and directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve oceans and marine resources. The IMO formulates regulations on shipping safety, maritime security, and environmental protection, though it doesn’t enforce them. It has 174 member states and is headquartered in London.

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:
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government announced property tax exemption for houses of Indian Defence Forces personnel within Gram Panchayat limits. This benefit now includes all active personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), not just retirees or those posted at borders. The exemption applies to one house that the personnel or their spouse own or reside in. This move was recommended by the Director of Sainik Welfare. It honours the sacrifices of soldiers like Agniveer Murali Naik, who died during Operation Sindoor at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

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.

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During a media briefing on Operation Sindoor, military officers showed an image of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) node of the Indian Air Force (IAF). IACCS is an automated command and control system that combines data from all air defence assets. It is developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector company in aerospace and defence electronics. IACCS provides real-time updates and a unified dataset that helps military commanders at various levels. It offers a full and clear picture of the airspace, improving situational awareness during air operations.

Notes:
India has developed a new low-cost weapon called Bhargavastra to destroy enemy drones, especially drone swarms. It is made by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) and supports the ‘Make in India’ mission. On May 13, 2025, three successful tests were conducted at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha. Bhargavastra uses unguided micro-rockets to hit multiple drones in a 20-meter area and guided micro-missiles for precise strikes. It also includes jammers and spoofers to confuse enemy drones. The system has radar, cameras, sensors, and a command centre to detect and track drones from 6–10 km away. It works in tough terrains and can be used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

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India’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck was launched by Adani Enterprises for mining logistics at the Gare Pelma III coal block in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. The truck can carry up to 40 tons of coal over a 200-kilometre range using three hydrogen tanks and smart technology. It will transport coal to the Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited’s power plant. Adani Enterprises was selected as mine developer and operator through competitive bidding. Hydrogen fuel cell trucks emit only water vapour and warm air with less noise, unlike diesel vehicles. The shift from diesel to hydrogen will cut emissions, reduce oil imports, and support cleaner energy use in mining.

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Recently, Maharashtra approved a new policy on May 13, 2025, making the use of artificial sand, or manufactured sand (m-sand), mandatory in all government and semi-government construction projects. The policy aims to stop illegal river sand mining and reduce environmental damage. It supports sustainable construction by encouraging the use of eco-friendly materials like m-sand. The state plans to set up 1,500 crusher units across districts and will provide state land for these units. M-sand producers will get Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) status and benefit from reduced royalty rates. This policy protects natural resources and promotes local industry and jobs.