Current Affairs Quiz – November 2025

Notes:
The Global Virus Network (GVN) has recently expanded by adding three new Centers of Excellence in the Americas. This move strengthens its global response to emerging viral threats. GVN is a voluntary consortium of virology laboratories and scientists working to prevent and control viral diseases worldwide. It represents over 25 countries with experts covering every class of human virus. No single institution can handle all viral areas, so GVN unites global expertise. It brings top medical virologists together to tackle major scientific problems. Its strength lies in global collaboration, deep research, and commitment to solving viral challenges.

Notes:
Recently, a new study found that land-use change caused the loss of nearly 75% of natural plant species on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is located in northeastern Tanzania. It is Africa’s tallest mountain (5,895 metres) and the world’s largest free-standing mountain, meaning it is not part of any range. It is a stratovolcano made up of three volcanic cones — Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Notes:
The United Nations (UN) observes World Cities Day (WCD) every year on October 31 to promote awareness about urbanization and encourage sustainable urban development. The year 2025 marks the 12th edition of World Cities Day. The 2025 theme is “People-Centred Smart Cities”, focusing on technology, data-driven planning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance urban life. The general theme for all years remains “Better City, Better Life.” The day aims to foster international cooperation and make cities inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

Notes:
The National Conference on Handlooms & Handicrafts 2025 concluded in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, reaffirming the vision of making India’s handmade sector a key pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Textiles. The two-day event united officials, experts, and policymakers from across India. The conference stressed the need to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern tools and technology to enhance productivity. The National Traditional Textile Mission (2026–31) was presented, focusing on federal cooperation, women-led growth, financial inclusion, and GI-linked branding.

Notes:
Recently, the Prime Minister broke protocol to let two Ramnami tribe members adorn him with their traditional peacock-feather crown. The Ramnami tribe is a unique sect from Chhattisgarh, India, known for tattooing the name “Ram” on their bodies and faces. The Ramnami Samaj emerged in the 19th century as a peaceful protest against caste discrimination that barred temple entry. The movement was founded by Parsuram Bhardwaj, a low-caste sharecropper’s son. Tattoos of “Ram” symbolize the belief in the omnipresence of God (nirgun Ram).

Notes:
World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed every year on 5th November to promote awareness about tsunami risks, early warning systems, and preparedness. It was established by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 to remind the world of the importance of disaster readiness. The day emphasizes that timely preparation can save thousands of lives during natural disasters. The theme for 2025 is “Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness.” It focuses on community resilience, infrastructure investment, and education to reduce tsunami impact.

Notes:
The President of India was recently presented with a Ramman mask at a special session of the Uttarakhand Assembly. Ramman is an annual religious festival celebrated in late April in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra, Uttarakhand, honouring the local deity Bhumiyal Devta. It features rituals, Ramayana recitations, songs, and masked dances, with each caste having specific roles. The performances combine Rama Katha stories with local legends through dance and drama. It is held in the courtyard of the Bhumiyal Devta temple.

Notes:
The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) launched the India Project Support Programme at COP28 to boost investment in low-carbon industrial projects. It aims to unlock $150 billion in investments and create over 200,000 jobs by advancing 65 clean industrial projects. These projects could reduce up to 175 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. India has the world’s third-largest pipeline of low-emission projects, with sectors like chemicals, steel, cement, aluminium, aviation, and shipping involved. The initiative will address challenges such as high capital costs, regulatory delays, and infrastructure issues. It will run until 2026, helping projects get ready for investment.

Notes:
Recently, a rare Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) was sighted in the Kali Tiger Reserve, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It belongs to the Hyaenidae family, which includes Striped, Spotted, and Brown hyenas, and the Aardwolf. The Striped Hyena is smaller than the Spotted Hyena and has black stripes across its body. It is found in South Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Western and Central Asia. It lives in open savannas, grasslands, and scrub woodlands of arid regions. It is mainly a scavenger feeding on carrion and human waste. It is listed as “Near Threatened” by IUCN.

Notes:
Shad Nongkrem, also known as Nongkrem Dance, is a major indigenous religious and cultural festival of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya. It is celebrated annually during autumn at Smit, the headquarters of Hima Khyrim, about 20 km from Shillong. The five-day festival, called Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, is dedicated to Ka Blei Synshar, seeking blessings for a good harvest and people’s prosperity. The Syiem (king) of Khyrim and high priests perform rituals and offer oblations to Lei Shyllong, the presiding deity of Shillong Peak.