Current Affairs Quiz – September 2025

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:
For decades, aspirin was the main drug to prevent heart attacks and strokes. A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress and published in The Lancet shows clopidogrel, a blood-thinning antiplatelet drug, may be more effective. Review of seven clinical trials with 29,000 coronary artery disease patients found clopidogrel 14% more effective than aspirin in lowering major cardiovascular risks. Importantly, there was no higher risk of serious bleeding compared to aspirin. Clopidogrel (a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor) works by blocking platelet receptors to stop dangerous blood clots. It is low-cost, widely available, and safe, making it a strong candidate to replace aspirin in treatment guidelines.

Notes:
The 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI) was released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), highlighting the world’s most peaceful countries. Iceland ranked first for the 18th consecutive year due to low crime, minimal militarisation, and strong community trust. Ireland secured second place, transforming from past conflicts through neutral military policies and strong social welfare. New Zealand rose to third, aided by strict gun laws, low terrorism, and Mori-rooted community spirit. India ranked 115th, facing challenges like regional disputes, urban crime, and internal tensions. The GPI highlights that India still needs to improve governance, social trust, and conflict resolution to achieve higher peace levels.

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:
Sharjah will host the 18th edition of Inclusion International’s World Congress 2025 from September 15 to 17 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The theme is “We Are Inclusion”, marking the first time the event is held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Participants from more than 70 countries will discuss inclusive education, systemic reforms, advocacy, healthcare, legal rights, employment, and community participation. The UAE has established 80+ specialised facilities for education, training, and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The event promotes supportive legislation, barrier removal, and the principle of “health and dignity for all”, reinforcing inclusion as key to sustainable development

Notes:
Less than 40% of India’s Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) have received a Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card. More than 11 lakh applications are pending, with 60% delayed for more than six months. The UDID sub-scheme under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) creates a national database and enables access to schemes. UDID cards allow PwDs to get benefits like Assistance to Persons with Disabilities (ADIP) scheme, scholarships, and job reservations. Coverage is above 50% only in Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Odisha, and Karnataka, while West Bengal has just 6%.

Notes:
Personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were felicitated in New Delhi for ‘Operation Black Forest’. ‘Operation Black Forest’ is the biggest anti-Naxal operation ever on Karreguttalu hill along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The operation destroyed a major Naxal base camp, including material dumps and supply chains, despite extreme heat, high altitude, and threats from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The government aims to make India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.

Notes:
An Assam-based foundation has developed India’s first portal for vulture conservation, called The Vulture Network. The portal was launched on September 2, 2025, by We Foundation India in collaboration with Gauhati University’s Department of Zoology. The portal aims to disseminate information in local languages, starting with Assamese, to educate grassroots communities about vultures’ ecological and economic importance. It is a cloud-based knowledge platform offering scientific information, awareness materials, and downloadable resources for campaigns

Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar inaugurated the SAMHiTA Conference on South Asia’s Manuscript Traditions and Mathematical Contributions in New Delhi on 5 September 2025. SAMHiTA is an initiative to create a relational database and digital archive of Indian and South Asian manuscripts. The project focuses on manuscripts housed in libraries, archives, and repositories outside India. It is implemented through collaboration with institutional partners to preserve and promote the rich heritage of South Asian knowledge systems. The conference aims to strengthen research and accessibility of ancient manuscripts globally.

Notes:
From 1st April 2026, Uttar Pradesh will integrate with the Yuktdhara Portal to monitor Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) works in real time. Yuktdhara Portal is a Geographical Information System (GIS)-powered geospatial planning system for village-level Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) planning across India. It records and maps the action plan, location, cost, and progress of every work. Integration ensures transparency and accountability, reducing payment anomalies and irregularities.