Current Affairs Quiz – September 2025

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:
In Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025, the Indian Army is represented by a battalion from the Madras Regiment, one of the oldest and most decorated infantry regiments in India. The exercise is held at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, from September 1 to 14, 2025, with the US Army’s 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment “Bobcats.” This joint drill enhances combat preparedness, cooperation, and interoperability between Indian and US forces by focusing on areas such as heliborne operations, mountain warfare, and counter-unmanned aerial systems, underscoring India’s commitment to international military collaboration.

Notes:
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It plays a pivotal role in promoting investor education, financial awareness, and investor protection, and also provides mechanisms for redressal against fraudulent activities. One of its flagship initiatives, Niveshak Didi, empowers rural women with financial literacy, aiding them in making informed financial decisions and protecting against fraud. Phase II of Niveshak Didi expands outreach through interactive training and collaborative efforts, further strengthening India’s financial ecosystem.

Notes:
Matanomadh, a remote village in Kutch district, Gujarat, may serve as a test bed for ISRO’s Mangalyaan-2 mission to Mars. Researchers from Space Applications Centre (SAC) Ahmedabad, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow dated jarosite mineral in Matanomadh to 55 million years (Paleocene period). Jarosite is a yellow, iron-rich sulphate mineral, similar to those found on Mars, indicating past water activity. The site allows field-analogue studies for Mars, including rover testing, drilling, geochemistry, and astrobiology research. The discovery can help decode Martian geology, past chemical interactions, and organic molecule trapping, aiding future Mars missions.

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:
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:
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.

Notes:
India’s largest Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery manufacturing plant was inaugurated in Haryana on 5 September 2025. When fully operational, it will produce 20 crore battery packs annually, meeting nearly 40% of India’s 50 crore pack requirement. The plant was set up under the Centre’s Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) scheme. Li-ion batteries are rechargeable, with lithium ions moving between graphite (negative electrode) and lithium metal oxides (positive electrode) through a non-aqueous electrolyte. They offer high energy density (75-200 Wh/kg), are lightweight, use fewer toxic metals, and provide good cycle stability and efficiency. They have low self-discharge and no memory effect, ensuring reliable performance.

Notes:
Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs said MY Bharat Aapda Mitras will assist in flood rescue in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. MY Bharat is an autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It targets youth aged 15-29 years, providing resources, mentorship, learning opportunities, and industry connections to build Viksit Bharat. Aapda Mitras are trained by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Aapda Mitra programme.

Notes:
The CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) portal in India has been down since early August, preventing access to vaccination certificates. CoWIN is operated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for registration, appointment scheduling, vaccination, and certification. The portal recorded over two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses across Union and State governments. The outage affects visa processing and other services requiring certificates, with third-party access via DigiLocker also not working.