Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
As per the latest World Economic Outlook by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of around USD 4.18 trillion. This was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, during the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting. Only the United States, China, and Germany are currently ahead of India in global rankings. IMF projects India will become the third-largest economy by 2028 with a GDP of USD 5.584 trillion. India remains the fastest-growing major economy, expected to grow above 6% over the next two years.

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, the 38th Meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The council recommended a 36% increase in stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). The scheme was launched on 19th August 2016 by the Government of India. The scheme provides financial support to establishments running apprenticeship programs. It is an initiative by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to boost apprenticeship training across the country.

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Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) have created India’s first gene-edited sheep. This is a major breakthrough in animal biotechnology and marks a historic achievement for India. The sheep was developed using genome editing without adding any foreign Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), making it different from transgenic animals. This innovation may ease regulatory approvals under India’s updated biotechnology policy. It positions SKUAST-Kashmir as a leader in reproductive biotechnology research. This recent development places India among the global frontrunners in advanced genome editing technologies.

Notes:
The Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiya Bagad Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand has received in-principle approval from the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). The FAC works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This approval allows the diversion of 29.997 hectares of forest land for the project. The project is located on the Gori Ganga River in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It is planned to generate 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This project highlights the government’s push for clean energy while balancing forest conservation. The recent approval marks a key step toward project execution.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

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:
Recently, researchers discovered a new plant species named Pedicularis rajeshiana in the high-altitude region of Rohtang Pass in the western Himalayas. It belongs to a group of plants called “Louseworts,” which are hemiparasitic and take some nutrients from other plants while also doing photosynthesis. The plant has unique floral traits and a distinct pollen structure that sets it apart from other species. Compared to its close relatives Pedicularis porrecta and Pedicularis heydei, this new species is smaller in size with fewer flowers and leaflets.

Notes:
Indian para-athlete Mahendra Gurjar set a new world record in the men’s F42 javelin throw at the 2025 Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland. On May 26, he achieved a throw of 61.17 meters on his third attempt. This surpassed the previous record of 59.19 meters set by Brazil’s Roberto Floriani Edenilson in 2022. His first two throws measured 56.11 meters and 55.51 meters, followed by 58.54 meters, 57.25 meters, and 58.07 meters. F42 is the classification for athletes with moderate movement impairment in one leg. Gurjar’s throw earned him the gold medal in the F42 category. His win highlights India’s growing strength in para-athletics on the world stage.