Current Affairs Quiz – September 2025

Notes:
Japan aims to raise defense spending to around 2% of GDP by 2027, doubling from around 1% in 2022, as part of a five-year military build-up in response to regional challenges, especially from China and North Korea.

Notes:
On August 30, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled from Tokyo to Sendai on Japan’s Shinkansen, known as the “bullet train.” The Shinkansen began operations in 1964 and now connects cities from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. It runs at speeds up to 320 km/h and is a key alternative to domestic air travel. It is world-famous for efficiency, safety, and reliability with no passenger fatalities in 60 years. In its early years, it faced a loud sonic boom issue when entering tunnels. Engineer Eiji Nakatsu solved this by studying the kingfisher bird’s beak, applying biomimicry to redesign the train nose. The new design reduced sonic boom, improved speed, and enhanced energy efficiency.

Notes:
The Adi Vaani platform, launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with support from IIT Delhi and Tribal Research Institutes, is India’s first AI-powered tribal language translation service. At its Beta launch, it supports real-time translation in Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi. By aiming to preserve and digitize tribal languages, Adi Vaani empowers tribal communities, improves their access to government services and education, and fits into national initiatives like Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047. Additional languages like Kui and Garo are being developed for future integration.

Notes:
The Indian Army conducted Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in the high-altitude Kameng region, Arunachal Pradesh. The exercise demonstrated preparedness for next-generation warfare in extreme Himalayan conditions. The exercise marked the operational debut of ASHNI platoons, integrating advanced technology with traditional combat skills. Active participation of the Indian defence industry highlighted indigenous innovation under the vision of self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). Yudh Kaushal 3.0 validated combat effectiveness, multi-domain operations, and adoption of emerging technologies.

Notes:
The annual Mela Patt festival recently began in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The festival is dedicated to Lord Vasuki Nag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah Valley. Rooted in Nag culture, it commemorates the historic meeting between Mughal Emperor Akbar and King Nag Pal of Bhaderwah. The festival has been celebrated since the 16th century. It was first observed when Bhaderwah was known as Bhadarkashi. The festival is observed every year on Nag Panchami, seven days after the Kailash Yatra, it is inclusive of all communities. Dhakku dance, the traditional dance of Dogras, is also performed. The festival highlights religious traditions, historical legacy, and cultural pride of Bhaderwah.

Notes:
A team of Indian and international researchers has discovered a new diatom species named Climaconeis heteropolaris in Udupi estuarine waters. It was found where the Sita and Swarna rivers meet before entering the Arabian Sea, Karnataka. Diatoms are photosynthetic, single-celled microscopic algae forming a key part of phytoplankton. They are found in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and oceans worldwide. Some float freely in water, while others attach to plants, rocks, or sediments as benthic diatoms. Diatoms produce oxygen, support aquatic life, and generate up to 50% of global atmospheric oxygen annually. They are vital in nutrient cycling of both marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Notes:
A new orchid, Gastrochilus pechei, was discovered in Vijoynagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Previously, this species was known to bloom only in Myanmar. Gastrochilus is a monopodial orchid genus with 77 species across Asia, having short axillary inflorescence, bright flowers, and two porate pollinia. Gastrochilus pechei flowers in September-October and grows in moist evergreen rainforest near riverbanks. Before this discovery, 22 Gastrochilus species were recorded in India, with 15 in Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery highlights floristic links between Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh is known as the Orchid State of India, hosting approximately 60% of India’s orchid varieties.

Notes:
The National Zoological Park has increased surveillance and biosecurity measures. This action follows the discovery of a painted stork carcass near a pond. Another painted stork was found sick in the water bird aviary. The painted stork is a large wading bird belonging to the stork family. It is easily recognized by its heavy yellow beak with a down-curved tip. These birds are found across the plains of tropical Asia. Their range extends from the Indian Subcontinent to Southeast Asia, south of the Himalayas. They prefer freshwater wetlands as their main habitat. They are also found in irrigation canals and flooded rice fields during the monsoon.

Notes:
Supreme Court issued notice on plea by Koya tribe members challenging Telangana High Court order on Scheduled Tribe (ST) status of Lambadi, Sugali, and Banjara communities due to its effect on reservation benefits. Koya tribe is a multi-racial and multi-lingual tribal community in India. They live in forests, plains, and valleys on both sides of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. As per 2011 Census, Koya population in India is 7,38,629. They call themselves “Koithur”. They are believed to have migrated from Bastar region in northern India to central India. Koya language (Koya Basha) belongs to Dravidian language family, closely related to Gondi and influenced by Telugu.

Notes:
Karma Puja, a traditional folk festival, is observed on Ekadashi Tithi of the bright fortnight in Bhadrapada (Bhado) month. In 2025, the Karam Festival was celebrated on Wednesday, September 3. Sisters observe a fast for the long life of their brothers and worship the sacred Karam branch. The Karam branch symbolizes divinity and nature, revered by tribal communities. The festival is significant in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.