Current Affairs Quiz – October 2025

Notes:
A new coffee plant species named Ophiorrhiza echinata was recently discovered in the Western Ghats. It was found in the shola forests at Devikulam, Idukki District, Kerala. The plant grows in the ecotone region between evergreen forests and grasslands at 1,630 metres above sea level. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is closely related to Ophiorrhiza mungos, used in cancer treatment and antidote preparations. It may have medicinal potential. The species is very rare, with less than 4 sq. km area of occupancy and only about 35 plants recorded

Notes:
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), headquartered in Chennai, sanctioned ₹82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) conservation. The initiative aims to raise 1 lakh Red Sanders saplings to supply farmers, supporting the Trees Outside Forests (ToF) programme. Red Sanders, native to Southern Eastern Ghats (Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool), faces threats from smuggling due to high commercial value. The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Notes:
18-year-old Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi won gold in women’s individual compound event at the World Para Archery Championship 2025. She defeated world No. 1 Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkiye with a score of 146-143 in the final. This was her third medal at the Championships. She earlier won a mixed team bronze with Toman Kumar against Great Britain 152-149. She also won a silver medal in women’s compound open team event with Sarita, losing to Turkey in the final. Sheetal is an armless archer from Jammu and Kashmir, who shoots using her feet and chin. She had also won a Paralympics bronze medal in 2024 in the mixed team category.

Notes:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched the Promise to Children digital campaign during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The campaign urges cricket fans, players, and audiences to commit to equal opportunities for all children, especially the most vulnerable. It focuses on children’s rights, including quality education, healthcare, nutrition, safe water, sanitation, and protection from violence. It aims to engage the cricket community, from coaches and players to fans, to improve children’s lives. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Notes:
The Government of India has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme until March 31, 2026. RoDTEP scheme, started in 2021, refunds embedded duties, taxes, and levies on exported goods that are not reimbursed under other schemes. The scheme had earlier been available until February 5, 2025 and was restored in May 2025 for Advance Authorization (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units. The scheme applies to Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) units, AA holders, SEZ units, and EOUs up to March 31, 2026. It is administered by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Notes:
The Department of Land Resources with the Revenue Department of Gujarat is organizing a National Conference on “Land Administration & Disaster Management”. The event is on 3rd and 4th October 2025 at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It cover discussions on revenue laws, land records, resurvey, disaster management, and human resource planning.

Notes:
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:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 on 8th October 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. IMC 2025 is Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event. It is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The event is being held from 8th to 11th October 2025 under the theme “Innovate to Transform.” It showcases India’s focus on digital innovation, transformation, and societal progress.

Notes:
During Wildlife Week 2025 at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, the Union Environment Minister launched five major conservation projects and four national-level wildlife monitoring programmes. Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project is a new national initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). TOTR will be implemented from 2025–2028 with a budget of ₹88.7 crore, coordinated by NTCA and executed through state forest departments. The project aims to reduce human–tiger conflicts in non-reserve areas and ensure safe coexistence.

Notes:
In Manipur, the Mera Hou Chongba festival is celebrated on 7th October 2025, symbolising Hill-valley unity. Village chiefs from various indigenous hill districts arrived at the Manipur Royal Palace, Imphal to participate. The festival occurs on the 15th lunar day of the Mera month of the Meitei calendar every year. Mera Hou Chongba is the only festival in Manipur with participation from all indigenous communities.