Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
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.

Notes:
India’s largest Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant was recently inaugurated in Lucknow by the Union Defence Minister and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. It is operated by Aeroalloy Technologies Limited, a subsidiary of PTC Industries Limited. The plant covers 50 acres and has an annual capacity of 6,000 tonnes, making it the world’s largest single-site titanium remelting facility. It uses advanced technologies like Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR), Electron Beam (EB), Plasma Arc Melting (PAM), and Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) to produce aerospace-grade materials. The project is part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which supports self-reliant defence manufacturing in India.

Notes:
The Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), held the Fisheries Secretaries Conference 2025 and National Workshop on 23rd May 2025 in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed progress of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). A pilot project was announced to use drones for transporting live fish in remote areas, with a 70-kg payload drone under development. Satellite technology will be used soon for improving fisher safety, mapping fish resources, and doing biometric verification. Plans were shared to upgrade fishing harbours and fish markets using smart and sustainable infrastructure.

Notes:
Commonwealth Day is observed on different dates worldwide and on May 24 in India. It celebrates the shared history and values of countries once part of the British Empire. The day was first linked to Queen Victoria’s birthday on May 24, 1819. The 2025 theme is ‘Together we thrive’, focusing on unity and strong communities. India joined the Commonwealth in 1950 under the London Declaration by Krishna Menon. New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. King Charles III is the current symbolic head after Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. The day promotes international cooperation for global peace and prosperity.

Notes:
Ministry of Panchayati Raj held a two-day national write-shop in New Delhi to launch the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Version 2.0 for the financial year 2023–24. PAI is a tool developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to track performance of more than 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats. It is based on nine themes that align with Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). The new version helps improve local governance by measuring progress in areas like health, education, infrastructure, and environment.

Notes:
Prime Minister recently visited the Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan. The temple is located in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple was established by Rao Jaitasi to celebrate the victory of the Bikaner King over Mughal King Kumaran. It belongs to the Shakta Sampradaya, a religious sect devoted to Goddess worship. The temple is unique worldwide because thousands of rats freely move inside it.

Notes:
World Thyroid Day is observed every year on May 25 to spread awareness about thyroid disorders. It highlights the importance of a proper diet rich in key nutrients to support healthy thyroid function and hormonal balance. The day was decided during the annual general meeting of the Thyroid Federation International in September 2007. The first World Thyroid Day was celebrated in 2008. Though not officially organised by the Thyroid Federation International, many member organisations now observe it with global events. The European Thyroid Association also marked May 25, 2008, as the first European Thyroid Day to celebrate its anniversary.

Notes:
Kumbakonam betel leaf, also known as “Kumbakonam Vettrilai was recently granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India. It is mainly grown in the fertile Cauvery river basin of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, which gives it a special taste and aroma. The leaves are dark to light green, heart-shaped, and have a pungent flavor. It is widely cultivated in Kumbakonam and nearby villages like Ayyampettai, Swamimalai, and Rajagiri. This betel leaf is a daily staple in South Asian homes and is used to make paan, a popular post-meal chew. The Kumbakonam betel leaf is also exported to other countries, adding to its cultural and economic value.

Notes:
On May 28, 2025, the Government approved the continuation of the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for the year 2025–26. It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Government of India, aimed at providing affordable credit to farmers. Under MISS, farmers get short-term agricultural loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) at a concessional rate. Loans are provided by Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Small Finance Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperatives, and Computerized Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) linked to SCBs. The implementing agencies for settling interest subvention claims are the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Notes:
On May 28, 2025, the Andhra Pradesh government proposed converting Kondakarla Aava, a key freshwater lake, into a Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This decision aims to balance environmental protection with local economic needs through coordinated planning. The irrigation department was directed to conduct a boundary survey and strengthen bunds to avoid overflow and ecological damage. Kondakarla Ava lake is located in Anakapalli District, Andhra Pradesh.