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 Border Security Force (BSF) launched a new AI (Artificial Intelligence) and GIS (Geographic Information System) command system at its headquarters. The system is named Decision Support System (DSS) to improve decision-making for commanders at all levels. DSS integrates GIS platform, legacy operations, incident database, and sensor feeds to form a Complete Operating Picture (COP). It enables monitoring, predictive trend analysis, and AI/ML-based operations to predict smuggling hotspots and infiltration routes. DSS aids resource allocation, operational planning and execution along India’s 6,000 km border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a year-long incentive scheme for banks to reduce unclaimed deposits. The scheme is called ‘Scheme for Facilitating Accelerated Payout of Inoperative Accounts and Unclaimed Deposits’. Banks will receive differential payouts based on the duration an account remains inoperative and the amount of deposits. The scheme aims to reduce both existing unclaimed deposits and fresh inflows to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. Banks are encouraged to contact depositors to reactivate inoperative accounts and return unclaimed amounts timely. As of June 2025, unclaimed deposits were over Rs 67,000 crore.

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Uttar Pradesh (UP) topped India in the INSPIRE Award – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) scheme with 2,80,747 nominations in 2025. This is an increase of 70,000 nominations from 2,10,000 in 2024 and the highest since the scheme began. The scheme is run by Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) to encourage innovation among students of classes 6 to 12. Among the top 50 districts nationally, 22 districts are from UP, including Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Hardoi, Jaunpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and others. UP surpassed Rajasthan (1,41,142) and Karnataka (1,01,656), leading by 1.39 lakh and 1.79 lakh nominations, respectively.

Notes:
World Animal Welfare Day is observed every year on October 4. The day aims to raise global awareness about animal well-being. It promotes humane treatment of animals across the world. The theme for World Animal Welfare Day 2025 is “Save Animals, Save the Planet!” 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of World Animal Day. The theme emphasizes that protecting animal lives supports a healthier and sustainable planet. The first World Animal Day was organized in 1925 by Heinrich Zimmermann, a German novelist and animal welfare campaigner.

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INS Sutlej arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, for the 18th Joint Hydrographic Survey between India and Mauritius. It is a specialised Hydrographic Survey Vessel of the Indian Navy. The ship was built by Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned in 1993. It is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command. It has advanced surveying and navigation systems like Multi-Beam Swath Echo Sounder, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), and Motion Sensors. It also carries Sea Gravimeter, Magnetometer, Oceanographic Sensors, and Side Scan Sonars.

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Arunachal Pradesh has launched its first commercial coal mine at the Namchik-Namphuk coal block in Changlang district. It marks the state’s entry into commercial coal production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The mine lies in the Upper Assam coal belt region of southeastern Arunachal Pradesh. It has an estimated 1.5 crore tonnes of coal reserves, ensuring long-term production. The project is expected to generate ₹100 crore annual revenue for the state. It will create local employment and reduce illegal mining.

Notes:
A new plant species, Chlorophytum vanapushpam, was recently discovered in the Vagamon hills of Idukki district, Kerala. It belongs to the genus Chlorophytum and the family Asparagaceae. The species name ‘vanapushpam’ comes from Malayalam words ‘Vanam’ (forest) and ‘Pushpam’ (flower). It is a perennial herb closely related to Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum). It is found in rocky hills of Vagamon and Neymakkad at altitudes between 700 m and 2124 m in the Western Ghats. The plant has white clustered flowers, slender leaves, grows up to 90 cm, and lacks tubers. Flowering and fruiting occur from September to December. The Western Ghats is a major origin centre of Chlorophytum, with 18 species identified, many having medicinal properties.

Notes:
The BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Junior Championships 2025 have begun in Guwahati, Assam, marking their return to India after 17 years. The event runs from October 6 to 19 and includes two parts — the Suhandinata Cup (mixed team event) and the Eye-Level Cup (individual events). A total of 36 teams are competing, with India placed in Group H alongside Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). India has won 11 individual medals in tournament history, with its best performance in 2008 in Pune. With this edition, India becomes the fourth Asian nation to host the championship twice.

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World Cotton Day is celebrated annually on 7th October to highlight cotton’s contribution to the global economy, trade, and livelihoods. It was first celebrated on 7th October 2019 at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. Cotton is a widely produced natural fibre, cultivated in over 75 countries across five continents. The theme for 2025 is “The Fabric of Our Lives,” symbolising cotton’s role in connecting communities, cultures, and economies. The event is hosted at Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Headquarters, Rome, by Chad, FAO, and International Trade Centre (ITC).