Current Affairs Quiz – October 2025

Notes:
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) conducts an annual nuclear deterrence exercise called Steadfast Noon. The exercise tests NATO’s nuclear deterrent readiness. It is hosted by a different NATO country each year. In 2025, the Netherlands is hosting Steadfast Noon at Volkel Air Base. Other participating bases are Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Lakenheath (Britain), and Skrydstrup (Denmark). Finland, Poland, United States, Germany, and other allies are participants. Around 70 aircraft from 14 allied nations will take part, including conventional and dual-capable aircraft.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently announced plans to extend the range of the Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile to over 200 kilometres. Astra Mark 2 is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by DRDO. More than 50 public and private industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), contributed to its development. The Astra Mark 1 missile with a 90–100 km range is already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and integrated with LCA Tejas and Su-30 MKI jets. Astra Mark 2 will enhance India’s air combat superiority and may also be exported to friendly nations.

Notes:
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, on 13 October 2025. It participated in the first-ever Indian Navy (IN) – Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Bilateral Exercise. The visit highlights the growing Navy-to-Navy interactions and Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea. INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, was commissioned in 2012. The ship is based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command. The exercise includes harbour and sea phases, with joint drills, cross-deck visits, and training.

Notes:
The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model in West Bengal’s Sundarbans recently received Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. SAIME is a multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) to improve shrimp trade while protecting mangrove ecosystems in West Bengal. It is a climate-adaptive and conservation-linked livelihood initiative that combines brackish water shrimp aquaculture with mangrove restoration. The approach is ecosystem-based and sustainable. SAIME is implemented in collaboration with Global Nature Fund (GNF), Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), Naturland, and Bangladesh Environment & Development Society (BEDS).

Notes:
The Taftan Volcano in Iran is showing signs of reawakening after 700,000 years. It is a 12,927-foot or 3,940-metre-high semi-active stratovolcano. It lies in southeastern Iran, about 56 kilometres from the Pakistan border. It is the only active volcano in the Makran continental volcanic arc. The volcano formed due to the subduction of the Arabian Ocean crust beneath the Eurasian continent. It has two summits named Narkuh and Matherkuh. Taftan has an active hydrothermal system with sulfur-emitting vents called fumaroles. It has not erupted in recorded human history.

Notes:
Recently, the Government introduced new flexibility under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme to improve water use and farmer income. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme was launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The scheme promotes water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation systems like Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation. It also supports micro-level water storage and conservation activities under Other Interventions (OI). A 2020 NITI Aayog evaluation confirmed PDMC’s success in increasing productivity, employment, and farmer income. New guidelines allow States and Union Territories to plan local water harvesting and management projects for sustainable micro-irrigation.

Notes:
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the curtain raiser for India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025. IISF 2025 will be held from December 6–9, 2025, at Panjab University, Chandigarh with the theme “Vigyan Se Samriddhi – Science to Prosperity”. The festival showcases India’s scientific achievements and promotes public participation in innovation. The event features exhibitions, competitions, B2B meetings, and cultural programs to connect laboratories with society.

Notes:
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World launched the joint initiative ‘We Rise – Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises’. The programme is part of WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative to help women entrepreneurs scale globally through mentorship, trade facilitation, and strategic partnerships. The initiative will mentor 100 women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance export readiness.

Notes:
The global economy is shifting from resilience (2022–2024) to economic unilateralism in 2025, driven by rising tariffs between long-standing trade partners. In the Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index (STI) 2025, the United Kingdom ranks No. 1, ending New Zealand’s three-year lead. Australia and Singapore retained No. 3 and No. 4, while South Korea and Hong Kong (SAR) climbed, and Japan slipped two places. The United States is No. 9, showing reduced reliance on natural resource exports and lower per capita carbon emissions. India ranks 23rd overall with a score of 33.2/100. India shows moderate economic strength, modest social progress, and ongoing environmental challenges in sustainability.

Notes:
The Indian Navy recently inducted its 11th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 25 (Yard 135) at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. A barge is a large flat-bottomed vessel used to transport heavy cargo along inland waterways or ports. LSAM stands for Landing Ship Ammunition, designed to safely carry ammunition and missiles. LSAM 25 improves Navy logistics by supporting transport, embarkation, and disembarkation of ammunition at jetties and outer harbours. It was built by MSME shipyard M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane under a Ministry of Defence contract. The induction reflects India’s defence indigenisation under Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.