Current Affairs Quiz – October 2025

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:
Health officials in Florida have recently confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), also called “Zombie Deer Disease.” It is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. It attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is caused by prions, which are infectious misfolded proteins that damage the brain. Prions spread through body fluids like saliva, blood, and urine and can stay in soil and plants for years. Infected animals show weight loss, drooling, and strange behavior. There is no cure or vaccine, and the disease is always fatal.No human cases have been confirmed yet, but experts stay alert.

Notes:
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted Operation Fire Trail to stop illegal smuggling of Chinese firecrackers into India. Officers intercepted a 40-foot container at Nhava Sheva Port, declared as carrying “leggings.”
Import of firecrackers is ‘Restricted’ under the ITC (HS) Code of the Foreign Trade Policy. Such imports need license from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization). Smuggling these hazardous goods threatens public safety, national security, and port infrastructure. The DRI continues efforts to protect trade integrity and prevent organized smuggling.

Notes:
Ukraine recently carried out a bold strike on a Russian chemical plant in Bryansk using UK-made Storm Shadow long-range missiles, breaching Moscow’s air defenses. Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile. It was jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France. The missile is called SCALP in France. It is designed for stealth and precision strikes in all weather conditions. It targets high-value stationary assets like airbases, radar sites, and communication hubs. It is used by the air forces of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. India has integrated SCALP missiles with Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.

Notes:
The State of Global Air (SoGA) 2025 report was released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), United States. In 2023, India lost two million lives to air pollution-related diseases, a 43% increase from 1.4 million in 2000, according to the State of Global Air (SoGA) 2025 report. Nearly 89% of these deaths were due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes, and dementia. Air pollution death rates in India are 186 per 100,000, over 10 times higher than high-income countries. The most affected states are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and West Bengal.

Notes:
The State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) recently released application forms for the National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) for various states. National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in May 2008. Its objective is to award scholarships to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to prevent dropout at class VIII and encourage continuation to secondary education. The scheme is available on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), a one-stop platform for student scholarships. Scholarships are for classes IX to XII in recognized Government, Government-aided, and local body schools.

Notes:
In Nigeria, the Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 172 lives since January 2025. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 924 confirmed cases out of 8,041 suspected cases till October 2025. The case fatality rate stands at 18.6%, higher than 17% in 2024. The most affected age group is 21 to 30 years. The outbreak is worsened by poor sanitation, low awareness, and delayed treatment. Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus from the Arenavirus family. Infection spreads through food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses early diagnosis and quick treatment for survival.

Notes:
World Polio Day is observed every year on 24th October to raise awareness about polio vaccination and protect every child from the disease. It was created by Rotary International to honour Jonas Salk, who developed the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) in 1955. The 2025 theme is “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere.” It emphasizes equal access, global cooperation, and complete eradication of polio

Notes:
On October 24, 2025, Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat released a book titled “Modi’s Mission” in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The book is authored by Berjis Desai, a renowned lawyer and former journalist. It is published by Rupa Publications India Private Limited. The book traces the journey of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi from his early life in Vadnagar, Gujarat to the PM’s office in New Delhi, Delhi. It highlights how PM Modi’s formative years shaped his socioeconomic vision and governance style.

Notes:
Project Arunank of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently celebrated its 18th Raising Day. It has been implemented since 2008 in Arunachal Pradesh. The project’s name is derived from the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The objective is to provide vital connectivity to remote valleys and forward areas while meeting Armed Forces operational requirements. It uses innovative technologies like Steel Slag, Cut-and-Cover Tunnels, Geo Cells, Plastic Sheets, and Gabion Walls for durable and sustainable roads. It supports socio-economic growth and strategic communication in remote regions of Kurung Kumey district.