Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
Recently, remittances sent abroad by resident Indians under the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) declined by 6.84% for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2004. LRS allows resident individuals in India to send money abroad for investment and expenditure purposes. Under current rules, residents can remit up to $250,000 per financial year. Resident Indians are governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) for foreign currency transfers. This decline reflects changes in overseas travel and study plans post-pandemic.

Notes:
PKM1 is a variety of Moringa oleifera that has gained global recognition, especially in African countries like Senegal, Rwanda, and Madagascar. Moringa oleifera is native to India, mainly found in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is now widely grown in South Asia, Africa, and tropical parts of Central and South America. The plant prefers deep sandy loam soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0 and grows best in temperatures between 25–30°C. It is drought-resistant, fast-growing, and can be harvested several times a year. In Ayurveda, it is used to treat over 300 conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic properties. Its seeds can purify water because of their natural coagulating ability.

Notes:
On May 27, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Indian Railways’ first 9,000 Horsepower (HP) electric locomotive engine in Dahod, Gujarat. This was part of his two-day Gujarat visit to launch projects worth over ₹24,000 crore in Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar. The locomotive was manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative at the Dahod rolling stock workshop. The workshop’s foundation was laid in 2022 and built in just three years with an investment of ₹21,405 crore. The engine can haul 4,600 tonnes of freight and the facility can produce 120 locomotives annually, expandable to 150. Around 1,200 engines will be manufactured over the next decade for both domestic and export purposes.

Notes:
The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island recently erupted with lava fountains reaching over 1,000 feet high. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It is a shield-type volcano located in the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii, United States. The volcano stands at 4,190 feet or 1,227 meters above sea level. Its summit caldera has a lava lake called Halemaʻumaʻu, believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. Its slopes join with those of Mauna Loa volcano to the west and north. Kilauea has been erupting almost continuously since 1983. Its eruptions are mostly nonexplosive and usually remain within Halemaʻumaʻu, sometimes overflowing onto the caldera floor and sides.

Notes:
Recently, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister for Communications and Development of North East Region, unveiled the theme “Innovate to Transform” for the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025. India Mobile Congress 2025 will be held from 8th to 11th October 2025 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi. The event will focus on innovation as a driving force for digital transformation across sectors like infrastructure, society, and sustainability. IMC 2025 is organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

Notes:
Recently, the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications launched two digital platforms — ‘Know Your DIGIPIN’ and ‘Know Your PIN Code’ — to modernise India’s address system. These platforms align with the National Geospatial Policy 2022, aiming to improve geospatial infrastructure and public service delivery. The DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number) is a geo-coded, grid-based digital address system developed with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). DIGIPIN enables users to find digital addresses using location coordinates and improves delivery, emergency services, and logistics. The ‘Know Your PIN Code’ app uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to identify exact PIN codes based on user location. Users can give feedback to help refine PIN Code accuracy through the geo-fenced dataset now uploaded on the Open Government Data Platform.

Notes:
Hyderabad teenager Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti recently became the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. The Seven Summits Challenge involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. It was first proposed and completed by Richard Bass in 1985. The peaks include Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and either Kosciuszko in Australia or Puncak Jaya in Oceania.

Notes:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister recently inaugurated the ‘Ahilya Smriti Marathon – Ek Virasat, Ek Sankalp’ and the ‘Pratham Gaja Ghantakarna Mahotsav-2025’ to highlight the state’s cultural richness. The Ahilya Smriti Marathon took place in Dehradun as part of a heritage-themed event. The theme of the marathon, “Ek Virasat – Ek Sankalp” (One Heritage, One Resolution), promotes unity and pride in Uttarakhand’s traditions. The event aimed to raise awareness about health, social harmony, and cultural identity. These initiatives connect the state’s cultural heritage with ongoing development efforts and public participation.

Notes:
Singapore is hosting the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) from May 30 to June 1, 2025. The event is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). This year, 47 countries will participate, including 40 Ministerial-level delegates and 20 Chiefs of Defence Forces, along with over 20 senior defence officials and experts. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will represent India at the dialogue. The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s premier defence and security summit, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs, policymakers, and strategists worldwide. Leaders will discuss Indo-Pacific security challenges and work to strengthen defence cooperation and India’s strategic partnerships.

Notes:
Recently, the Indian Army contingent departed for the 17th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT. The exercise is scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 31st May to 13th June 2025. NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an annual event conducted alternately in India and Mongolia. The last edition was held in Umroi, Meghalaya in July 2024. This time, 45 Indian soldiers, mainly from the ARUNACHAL SCOUTS battalion, are participating. The Mongolian side includes 150 personnel from the Special Forces unit. The exercise aims to boost interoperability in semi-urban or mountain operations under United Nations mandate.