Current Affairs Quiz - May 2025

Notes:
Recently, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar. The event was held during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, organised by the African Union and World Health Organization (WHO). Kala-azar is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a protozoan parasite and is fatal if untreated, showing symptoms like fever, fatigue, weight loss, and enlarged spleen and liver. More than 70% of global kala-azar cases are in Eastern Africa, where half of the affected are children under 15, according to the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). The MoU encourages more investment and better strategies to eliminate kala-azar and improve public health responses.

Notes:
Recently, the Maharashtra government notified its long-awaited Aggregator Policy for app-based cab services like Ola and Uber. The policy aims to ensure fair practices and better experiences for both riders and drivers. It includes rules for fare regulation, driver training, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and penalties for unjustified cancellations. If a driver cancels a ride without a valid reason, a penalty of 10% of the fare or ₹100—whichever is less—will be charged. If a passenger cancels without reason, 5% of the fare or ₹50 will be awarded to the driver. These penalties will be deducted automatically through the app. The policy also limits peak-hour fares to a maximum of 1.5 times the base fare, as fixed by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

Notes:
A new species of cave-dwelling fish named Schistura densiclava was discovered by Gauhati University’s Department of Zoology in Meghalaya. It was found in Krem Mawjymbuina, a limestone cave near Mawjymbuin village in East Khasi Hills district. The cave is deep, seasonally accessible, surrounded by dense forest, and untouched by tourism, keeping it pristine. This discovery raises the number of known cave-associated fish in Meghalaya to six. Unlike typical cave fish, Schistura densiclava has working eyes and bright body colours, showing it is a troglophile, meaning it can live inside and outside caves. It belongs to the loach family called Nemacheilidae and thrives in cool, low-light cave streams.

Notes:
A special event was recently held in Madhya Pradesh to showcase the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme. NAMASTE is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It focuses on improving the safety, dignity, and livelihood of sanitation workers in India. The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is the implementing agency. The scheme promotes the use of machines in sanitation work and provides safety gear, health insurance, and skill training. It aims to end manual scavenging and ensure cleaner, safer cities.

Notes:
In the lead-up to International Yoga Day 2025 on June 21, the Union Territory of Ladakh will host a week-long event called Ladakh’s Biggest International Festival of Yoga and Meditation. It will be held from June 15 to 21 at scenic spots like Pangong Lake, Shanti Stupa, Sindhu Ghat on the Indus River, and Nubra Valley. The final celebration will take place at the Astro Turf Stadium, the highest football stadium in India, with civil and defence participants. The event is being organized by the Ladakh Administration and Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre. Themes include Harit Yoga, Samavesh Yoga, and Yoga Unplugged, guided by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). A seminar on Unplugged Yoga will be conducted with the University of Ladakh.

Notes:
Recently, the West Bengal Government launched the Banglar Bari Housing Scheme Second Installment 2025 to support financially weak citizens with proper housing. ‘Banglar Bari’ housing scheme was launched by West Bengal government. The scheme supports people from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The Government plans to support 13.8 lakh homeless citizens under this scheme across West Bengal. It reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive development and housing for all.

Notes:
Recently, Project Alankar by the Government of Uttar Pradesh was praised in a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in New Delhi. Project Alankar was launched on 1st October 2021 as an educational reform initiative to improve government secondary schools. The project targets 100% compliance with 35 infrastructure and facility benchmarks in 2,441 schools. It focuses on creating a modern, inclusive, and student-friendly learning environment across the state.

Notes:
The 26th Asian Athletics Championships 2025 takes place in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27 to 31. More than 60 Indian athletes are competing across 30 medal events – 15 for men, 14 for women, and one mixed team event. The championship features participation from more than 2000 athletes representing 43 nations. Servin Sebastian secured India’s first medal at Gumi by winning bronze in the men’s 20km race walk event on the opening day.

Notes:
On May 27, 2025, large amounts of tiny plastic pellets called nurdles were found along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This followed the sinking of the Liberian cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 on May 25, 2025, which carried containers with hazardous materials. Nurdles are small plastic pellets, 1 to 5 millimeters in size, used as raw materials in plastic manufacturing. They are made of plastics like Low-Density Polyethene (LDPE) and High-Density Polyethene (HDPE). Nurdles are harmful because marine animals ingest them, causing health problems and threatening ecosystems. The incident highlights ongoing marine pollution risks linked to growing global plastic production.

Notes:
Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, hosted a two-day national literary conference titled “How Much Has Literature Changed?” on May 29 and 30, 2025. The event was organised in collaboration with the Sahitya Akademi under the Ministry of Culture. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the conference at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and several eminent literary figures attended the event. The conference featured thematic sessions like Poets’ Meet – Straight from the Heart and Feminist Literature of India: Breaking New Grounds. Discussions reflected on literature’s role in societal change and India’s global literary voice. It concluded with a cultural session on Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy.