Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 09, 2025

Answer: B

Current Context: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct a detailed survey of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve to identify encroachments and non-forestry activities.

About

• A UNESCO-designated tropical forest biosphere, known for rich biodiversity and cultural value.
• Part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves since March 2016.
• Location:Situated at the southern end of the Western Ghats,Spread across Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram & Kollam) and Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli & Kanniyakumari).

Protected Areas:

• Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)
• Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (TN)
• Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (TN)
• Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries

Cultural & Tribal Significance:

• Home to the Kani tribe (~30,000 people), known for sustainable living.
• Associated with Hindu mythology (Sage Agastya) and Ayurveda

Answer: B

Current Context: Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán announced Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit.

Key Highlights

• Hungary becomes the first European country to exit the ICC.
• Announcement came amid ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
• As a Rome Statute signatory, Hungary was obligated to arrest Netanyahu.
• Post-withdrawal, Hungary is no longer bound to act on the ICC warrant.

About ICC (International Criminal Court)

• Established: 2002 | Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
• Members: 125 countries (pre-Hungary’s exit)
• Legal Basis: Rome Statute, adopted 1998
• Jurisdiction: Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression
• Non-members: USA, China, India, Israel, Russia

Answer: B.

Current Context: The National Statistical Office (NSO) released the second all-India Time Use Survey (TUS) in February 2025. It highlights how Indians spend their time on paid/unpaid work, learning, self-care, and leisure.

About

• Conducted by NSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) from January–December 2024.
• The first all-India TUS was conducted in 2019.
• Provides data on time spent on economic activities, unpaid domestic work, caregiving, volunteering, learning, and personal care.
• India joins countries like Australia, Japan, and the USA in conducting national time use surveys.

Key Findings (TUS 2024)

• Work-related activities:
• Delhi residents spend the most time: 563 minutes/day (national average: 440 mins).
• Goa follows with 536 mins/day, an increase from 2019.
• Unpaid Domestic Work (Gender Gap):Women: 289 mins/day & Men: 88 mins/day
• Learning time:
• Slight drop: From 424 mins/day (2019) to 414 mins/day (2024).
• Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu remained high in learning hours.
• Leisure time:Increased across states; Uttarakhand saw a significant rise.
• Self-care activities (sleep, hygiene, eating):National decline, but increase in Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Social & community participation: Increase observed in Nagaland.

Answer: B

Current Context: US President Donald Trump declared ‘Liberation Day’ on April 2, 2025, announcing reciprocal tariffs to address trade imbalances and protect domestic industries.

Key Highlights:

• Base Tariff: 10% universal import duty; higher rates up to 50% for nations with trade surpluses.
• India: 26% Discounted Reciprocal Tariff imposed.
• Other Nations: China – 54%, European Union (EU) – 20%, Japan – 24%, Taiwan – 32%.
• Affected Sectors: Textiles, electronics, chemicals, machinery.
• Objective: Address trade deficits, currency manipulation, and regulatory barriers.
• Sector-Wise Impact (India):
• Electronics: ~$14 billion worth of exports affected.
• Gems & Jewellery: ~$9 billion hit.
• Auto Parts & Aluminium: Not affected by new 26% tariff, but earlier subject to a 25% tariff.
• Pharmaceuticals: ~$9 billion exports mostly exempt.
• Energy Products: Exempt from tariff hike.

Answer: C.

Current Context: The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2025 between Indian and Russian navies was held from 28 March to 02 April 2025.

About

• Biennial joint military exercise initiated in 2003, now a tri-service engagement involving Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• 2021 (12th edition): Volgograd, Russia – Focus on counter-terrorism and operational synergy.
• 2023 (13th edition): Bay of Bengal – Naval cooperation and joint maritime operations.
• 2025 (14th edition): Two phases – Harbour phase in Chennai and Sea phase in Bay of Bengal.

Strategic Importance

• Enhances interoperability and joint operational capabilities in maritime security.
• Reinforces India-Russia defence ties and commitment to a stable maritime order.

Answer: B.

Current Context: CSIR-NAL signed its first technology transfer agreement with Pioneer Clean Amps Pvt. Ltd. to manufacture HANSA-3 (NG).

About HANSA-3 (NG)

• Next-generation, two-seater ab-initio trainer aircraft for pilot training.
• Indigenously developed by CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru.

Purpose & Aim

• To offer a cost-effective alternative to imported trainer aircraft.
• Designed for training pilots for Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
• Supports India’s aviation sector by addressing rising demand for trained pilots.

Key Features

• Equipped with advanced Glass Cockpit for digital instrumentation.
• Powered by Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport Engine (fuel-efficient and digitally controlled).

Bubble Canopy for wide visibility and better pilot experience.

• Lightweight composite airframe with electrically operated flaps.
• Priced at ₹2 crore – ~50% cheaper than foreign trainer aircraft.
• Electric variant E-HANSA under development for sustainable aviation.

Answer: C

Current Context: ISRO successfully completed the controlled re-entry of PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4), reaffirming its commitment to space sustainability and debris management.

Key Highlights:

• Mission Launch: POEM-4 was launched on 30 December 2024 aboard PSLV-C60 as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission.
• Function: Served as PSLV’s upper stage and carried 24 payloads (14 ISRO, 10 non-governmental), including India’s first astrobiology experiments by students from RV College and Amity University.
• De-Orbiting: ISRO engineers maneuvered POEM-4 from 475 km to a safe 350 km circular orbit; passivated fuel to avoid explosion risk.
• Sustainability Commitment: Aligned with ISRO’s Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) to promote clean space operations and responsible mission planning.
• Significance: Sets a benchmark for future missions in ensuring safe re-entry, scientific utility, and orbital debris mitigation.

Answer: C.

Current Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”.

About

• The report presents gender-disaggregated data across sectors like population, health, education, economic participation, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and decision-making.

Key Highlights

• Education: Gender Parity Index (GPI) improved at primary and higher secondary levels, with near-equal enrolment at upper primary and elementary stages.
• Labour Force Participation: Female LFPR (15+ age) rose from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 1% in 2023–24.
• Financial Inclusion: Women held 2% of bank accounts and contributed 39.7% of deposits, with rural women making up 42.2% of account holders.
• Entrepreneurship: Female-headed proprietary establishments increased steadily, and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT)-recognized startups with at least one woman director grew from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024.
• Political Participation: Female voter turnout rose to 67.2% in 2019 but dipped to 65.8% in 2024.
• Violence Against Women: 31.9% of married women aged 18–49 reported spousal violence, with highest rates in Karnataka (48.4%), Bihar (42.5%), and Manipur (41.6%).

Answer: B

Current Context: PM Narendra Modi received Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour during his 2025 state visit.

About

• Established: 2008 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
• Awarded to: Foreign leaders for fostering strong ties with Sri Lanka.
• Symbolism: Silver medal with Navarathna, globe, lotus petals, Pun Kalasa, Sun, Moon, and Dharma Chakra—reflecting shared prosperity and Buddhist heritage.
• Significance: Symbol of diplomatic respect, regional friendship, and cultural solidarity.

Answer: C

Current Context: In March, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the International Dam Safety Conference in Shimla, emphasizing Himachal Pradesh’s role in renewable energy and addressing dam-related rehabilitation.

Key Highlights:

• Himachal Pradesh is emerging as a global hub for renewable energy, particularly hydropower.
• CM stressed efforts to ensure compensation and justice for displaced people from Bhakra and Pong Dams.
• Reaffirmed commitment to eco-friendly development, especially in the face of climate change.