Current Affairs Quiz – September 2025

Notes:
The court determined that Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 1977 to implement tariffs was incompatible with the intent of the law. IEEPA is traditionally used to address significant international threats, such as crises involving national security or foreign policy—not for economic trade imbalances. Previous presidents have used the act for events like the 1979 Iran hostage crisis or after the 9/11 attacks. The court clarified that IEEPA does not justify tariffs of unlimited scope, specifically in trade deficit contexts.

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 “Arc of Deforestation” refers to a zone in the southern Amazon rainforest, primarily in Brazil, where extensive forest clearing has occurred due to activities like cattle ranching and agriculture. This area, spanning nearly 500,000 sq km, exhibits some of the world’s highest rates of tropical deforestation. Associated with significant local warming exceeding +0.70°C, this region exemplifies the environmental and social impacts of rapid forest loss, including increased biodiversity decline and heightened human vulnerability, especially heat-related mortality.

Notes:
Data from 43 population-based cancer registries in India showed that oral cancer has now overtaken lung cancer as the most common cancer among men. This is despite a decline in tobacco use, with experts attributing the rise to the long latency period of carcinogen exposure and additional risk factors such as alcohol consumption. Dual use of alcohol and tobacco significantly compounds the risk of oral and other cancers. These findings highlight the need for stronger preventive and awareness measures.

Notes:
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched an AI-powered mobile app for the upcoming India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025. The 9th edition of IMC will be held from October 8-11, 2025 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi.The theme of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 is “Innovate to Transform.” The event will showcase over 1,000 innovations across sectors such as 5G/6G, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, quantum computing, semiconductors, clean technology, and cybersecurity. IMC 2025 aims to be a leading platform for policy dialogue, technological exhibitions, and industry collaboration. By focusing on “Innovate to Transform,” it highlights India’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation and establishing itself as a global hub for emerging technologies.

Notes:
On September 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited via video conferencing. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on microfinance institutions that charge high interest rates (18%–24%) and provide timely, larger loans at lower interest rates to women associated with Jeevika’s self-help groups. Operating entirely on a digital platform with 12,000 cadres equipped with tablets, the program will strengthen rural women’s entrepreneurship and community-led enterprises across Bihar.

Notes:
Kerala conducted India’s first science-based, community-driven eradication of Senna spectabilis in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Senna spectabilis is an invasive species native to American tropics. The tree grows 7–18 metres tall with a dense, spreading crown. It forms dense, sterile thickets, choking native plants, altering soil chemistry, and reducing food for herbivores. It closely resembles Kerala’s state flower Cassia fistula (kanikkonna), which aided its initial planting. The eradication involved community participation and science-based methods to restore forest ecosystems and promote biodiversity recovery.

Notes:
Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to implement India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system. Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48, Gujarat will be the first barrier-free toll plaza in India. MLFF is a barrier-less tolling system using FASTag, Vehicle Registration Number (VRN), High-Performance RFID Readers, and ANPR Cameras. It enables seamless toll collection without stopping vehicles, reducing congestion and travel time. The system enhances fuel efficiency, lowers emissions, and improves toll revenue collection.

Notes:
India achieved a historic milestone at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan by winning 50 gold medals, topping the medal tally for the first time. India’s total medal count reached 99, including 26 silver and 23 bronze medals. Host nation Kazakhstan finished second and China third in the medal tally. Ankur Mittal set a world record to win gold in men’s double trap. Elavenil Valarivan won her second Asian title in women’s air rifle and gold in the mixed team event with Arjun Babuta. Neeru Dhanda won India’s first-ever women’s trap gold. India recorded its most successful campaign, winning 35 more medals than the 15th Asian Championship in Changwon, South Korea.

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.