Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed every year on May 22 to raise awareness and take action to protect biodiversity. In 2025, the theme is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” showing the link between biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme also connects with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the recently adopted Pact for the Future. IDB was first established in 1993, and initially celebrated on December 29, marking the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) changed the date to May 22, to mark the 1992 adoption of the convention in Nairobi.

Notes:
Recently, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated under the PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme to set up 72,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across India. PM E-DRIVE is a flagship scheme launched to boost electric mobility by offering demand incentives and improving EV charging infrastructure. The scheme aims to cut transport-related carbon emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, supporting energy security. With a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, it will run from 2024 to 2026. It supports the purchase of EVs such as electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), buses, ambulances, and trucks. It plans a strong national EV charging network to reduce range anxiety and enable smooth travel across India.

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Nagshankar Temple in Biswanath district of Assam has recently been designated as a model temple for turtle conservation. It is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River. The temple was originally built by King Narasankar of Nagakha in the 4th century AD and later renovated by Ahom king Su-sen-pha in 1480. The temple has a large pond that is home to around 250–300 turtles, including rare species like black softshell, Indian softshell, and Malayan softshell turtles. Some turtles in the pond are believed to be hundreds of years old. The temple campus also houses peacocks, deer, and pythons, adding to its biodiversity significance.

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The United States Air Force (USAF) recently conducted a successful test of the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). This missile is nuclear-capable and can deliver a warhead to any part of the Earth. “L” in LGM means silo-launched, “G” stands for surface attack, and “M” means guided missile. Minuteman III was introduced in the 1970s and was the first U.S. missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). It is the only land-based missile in the U.S. nuclear triad. It was developed by Douglas Aircraft Company, now part of Boeing. Although it was designed for ten years of use, it has been upgraded and remains active. A new system, called Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), will replace it around 2029. The U.S. currently maintains about 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

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The Andhra Pradesh government launched the ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ scheme to promote entrepreneurship in every household. The initiative was announced by Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Kondapalli Srinivas during the launch of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Entrepreneurs Development Forum in Tirupati. The scheme supports MSMEs as key drivers of self-reliance, innovation, and job creation. This effort is part of Swarna Andhra@2047 mission aiming for a $2.4-trillion economy and over 15% annual growth.

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India attracted a record USD 81.04 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the fiscal year 2024–25, a 14% rise from the previous year. This growth was supported by liberalized policies and strong inflows in services and manufacturing. The services sector received the highest FDI equity at 19%, followed by computer software and hardware at 16%, and trading at 8%. FDI in services rose by 40.77% to USD 9.35 billion from USD 6.64 billion. Maharashtra received the highest share of FDI at 39%, followed by Karnataka at 13% and Delhi at 12%. From 2014 to 2025, India attracted USD 748.78 billion in FDI, 143% more than the USD 308.38 billion received from 2003 to 2014.

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The 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships will be held in Ahmedabad from April 1 to 10. India was awarded hosting rights last year by the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) during its annual Congress. This will be the first Asian Championship using the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) revised weight categories. The event was originally planned in Gandhinagar but shifted to Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad will also host the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August.

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The Agri-Industry Summit 2025 was inaugurated on May 26, 2025, in Narsinghpur district, Madhya Pradesh. The summit highlights agriculture as the backbone of India’s economy and promotes its transformation into an industry. Farmers were encouraged to explore food processing, trade, and marketing alongside crop production. Support from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is being emphasized to integrate technology with farming. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, ₹3.46 lakh crore has been transferred to 10 crore farmers. The summit aims to boost farmer income and rural development, positioning Madhya Pradesh as a model agricultural state.

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The Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh recently put on hold its order that imposed a user charge on visitors to the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Sirmaur district. Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It lies in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and was established in 1985. The sanctuary covers an area of 56 square kilometres and surrounds the Churdhar Peak, also known as Choordhar. Churdhar Peak is the highest peak in the outer Himalayas. From the peak, one can view the wild Gangetic plains and Satluj River in the south and Badrinath in the north. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the peak gives the sanctuary spiritual importance.

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Recently, the Battery Aadhaar Initiative was launched under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) at the Battery Summit 2025. Tata Elxsi showcased a technology demonstrator of Battery Aadhaar using its MOBIUS+ platform, which acts as a Digital Product Passport for batteries. Each battery pack will get a unique digital identity under this initiative. This helps track manufacturing origin, battery chemistry, safety certifications, and lifecycle performance. It allows monitoring of key parameters like charge-discharge cycles, enabling predictive maintenance and efficient recycling. The initiative also aims to prevent counterfeit batteries, increase consumer trust, and promote a circular economy.