Current Affairs Quiz – October 2025

Notes:
The Centre recently recommended environmental clearance for the 1,856-MW Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant in the Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir. It will be the largest hydroelectric project in the Union Territory and one of the biggest in North India. The project was first conceptualised in the 1980s and revised multiple times due to environmental and technical concerns. It will be built by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 31,380 crore.

Notes:
Recently, North Korea unveiled its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Hwasong-20 at a military parade. Hwasong-20 is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed with a solid-fuel engine made of carbon fiber composite materials. Solid-fueled missiles can be quickly launched and are harder to intercept than liquid-fueled ones. The missile has an estimated range of over 15,000 km, capable of reaching distant continents. It features an advanced guidance system combining Inertial Navigation System (INS) with GPS or optical sensors for high accuracy.

Notes:
Recently, the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) approved a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) for the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. The RDI Scheme aims to provide long-term financing or refinancing at low or nil interest rates to encourage private sector investment in research, development, and innovation. The scheme supports high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) projects and acquisition of strategically important technologies. It also facilitates the creation of a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds. Governance is provided by the ANRF Governing Board, chaired by the Prime Minister, ensuring strategic direction.

Notes:
In October 2025, GalaxEye Space, a space-tech startup, announced Mission Drishti, the world’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite, to launch in Q1 (January–March) 2026. It will be launched aboard an Indian launch vehicle such as Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) or a SpaceX rocket. The 160-kilogram (kg) satellite features Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical and infrared sensors. It provides 1.5 metre (m) high-resolution, real-time Earth data, capable of night and bad weather imaging. Mission Drishti aligns with “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India (GOI).

Notes:
The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry recently launched the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025 in New Delhi. LEAPS 2025 is a flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It aims to benchmark logistics excellence and strengthen India’s competitiveness. It aligns with the vision of the National Logistics Policy (NLP) and PM GatiShakti. The initiative recognizes best practices, innovation, and leadership in India’s logistics sector. It covers air, road, sea, and rail freight operators, warehousing, MSMEs, startups, and academia. LEAPS 2025 promotes sustainability, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and Green Logistics.

Notes:
Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu launched ‘Fare Se Fursat’, a first-of-its-kind fixed airfare scheme by Alliance Air. The scheme aims to make air travel affordable and predictable for passengers. Under this, air tickets will have a single fixed fare, constant regardless of the booking date or day of departure. The pilot phase will run from October 13 to December 31, 2025, on select routes. The scheme aligns with the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) vision of making air travel accessible to all. It removes the stress of dynamic pricing, ensuring fare transparency and cost predictability. The initiative mainly benefits passengers from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and first-time flyers.

Notes:
The World Health Summit (WHS) 2025 is held from October 12-14 in Berlin, Germany. The theme is “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World.” The summit features over 70 sessions with high-level global health experts. World Health Summit (WHS) 2025 serves as a platform to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and drive actionable health initiatives globally.

Notes:
The Ministry of Law and Justice launched the “Live Cases” Dashboard under the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS). The dashboard provides real-time data visualization of court cases for proactive decision-making and better inter-ministerial coordination. LIMBS is a web-based litigation monitoring system from the central government’s perspective. It is an easy-to-access online tool available 24×7, enabling transparent, effective, and proactive monitoring of court cases. The system covers the entire life cycle of litigation, helping ministries and departments track and manage legal matters efficiently.

Notes:
Recently, India has been elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for a three-year term till 2028. UN-GGIM-AP is one of the five regional committees of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). It is the main inter-governmental body for decisions on production, availability, and use of geospatial information within national, regional, and global policies.

Notes:
A recent study found that the indigenous rotavirus vaccine ‘Rotavac’ is as effective in real-world use as in clinical trials. Rotavac is an oral, live attenuated, monovalent liquid vaccine against rotavirus. It was developed through a public-private partnership involving the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Bharat Biotech, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Rotavirus is a viral disease that commonly causes diarrhoeal illness in children. There is no specific medicine to treat rotavirus infection, and vaccination provides the best protection. This study highlights Rotavac’s continued role in child health.