Current Affairs Quiz – October 2025

Notes:
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) launched the Development of Industry Associations (DIA) scheme in 2025. The scheme aims to build stronger and financially sustainable industry associations for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It was inaugurated during the National Conclave on DIA in New Delhi. Around 125 representatives from 90 industry associations participated in the event. The participating sectors included engineering, textiles, plastics, electronics, food processing, and furniture. Eight associations from four north-eastern states also took part. The initiative focuses on strengthening collective capacity and support for MSMEs.

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Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav laid the foundation stone of Namo Van at Manesar, Haryana, during Wildlife Week 2025. Wildlife Week is observed annually from 2nd to 8th October to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and ecological balance. This year, the celebrations follow the theme Sewa Parv, promoting service and responsibility towards nature. The initiative aims to protect and preserve India’s biodiversity, including its flora and fauna.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently warned Pakistan against any aggression in the Sir Creek region. He stated India would give a resounding and decisive response capable of altering “history and geography.” Sir Creek is a 96 km long tidal estuary in the Rann of Kutch, separating Gujarat (India) from Sindh (Pakistan). It flows into the Arabian Sea and is strategically sensitive due to its proximity to the international boundary. The area is important for national security, fishing rights, oil and gas exploration, and determining the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The recent warning highlights India’s firm stance on protecting its territorial and maritime interests.

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The Government of India has invited applications for research and innovation projects under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) scheme. The scheme was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. It was notified in 2023 with a total financial outlay of ₹5000 crore. The objective is to make India a globally competitive and innovation-driven hub in the Pharma-MedTech sector. The scheme focuses on industry-academia linkage to strengthen Research and Development (R&D) in priority areas. It also aims to inculcate a culture of quality research and nurture India’s scientific talent pool.

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The Union Home Minister-led high-level committee approved Phase-2 of the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP). The programme aims to help states mitigate urban flooding through structural and non-structural measures. Eleven cities are included: Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati, Jaipur, Kanpur, Patna, Raipur, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam, Indore, and Lucknow. Cities were selected based on population, flood-prone status, and physical, environmental, socio-economic, and hydro-meteorological factors. Funding follows the National Disaster Management Fund (NDMF) guidelines: 90% Centre, 10% state contribution.

Notes:
The rare European bird Ortolan Bunting was recently spotted at Baruipur, West Bengal, marking only its second sighting in Bengal. It is a small Palearctic migrant songbird that travels long distances during migration. It is found across Europe, extending east to Mongolia and north to the Arctic Circle. It lives in open cultivated or uncultivated areas with few trees and completely avoids forests. The oceanic climate does not suit it. Its conservation status is Least Concern under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for discovering how the immune system decides what to attack or protect. The prize was announced on 6 October 2025 at the Nobel Assembly, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. The research focuses on peripheral immune tolerance, which involves immune components outside the central nervous system (CNS). They identified regulatory T (Treg) cells, which prevent the immune system from attacking the body itself. Their work explained how autoimmune diseases develop and confirmed Treg cell function. Sakaguchi previously won the Canada Gairdner Award (2015) for the same discovery.

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Rajasthan’s first ‘Namo Biodiversity Park’ was inaugurated at Pratap Bandh, Alwar with a symbolic tree plantation ceremony. The park is named ‘NAMO VAN’ and aims to serve as a green lung for the region. It will enhance local greenery, contribute to cleaner air, and promote environmental awareness among visitors. The park encourages citizens to adopt environment-friendly and sustainable lifestyles. It marks a milestone in Rajasthan’s green infrastructure development. The initiative supports India’s biodiversity conservation and climate action goals.

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A new geoarchaeological study shows that Egypt’s Karnak Temple complex was originally built on an island amid Nile floods and later became a major sacred center. The Karnak Temple complex is located in Luxor, Egypt, on the east bank of the Nile River. It was constructed between 2055 BC and 100 AD as a cult temple dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. It is the largest religious building ever built and was called “The Most Select of Places” by ancient Egyptians. Along with Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Notes:
A new wasp species named Nesolynx banabitanae was recently discovered in Salt Lake, West Bengal. It was found in Central Park, locally known as Banabitan, after which it was named. This discovery marks only the seventh wasp species identified in India. It belongs to the Eulophidae family, known for parasitic behaviours. Nesolynx banabitanae is a hyperparasitoid, meaning it parasitises other parasitoid wasps.