Daily Current Affairs Quiz: March 12, 2025

Answer: (a)

• Mauritius Day, celebrated on March 12, commemorates the country’s Independence in 1968 and its transition to a Republic in 1992.
• It highlights Mauritius’ journey towards sovereignty and democratic governance.
• Location: Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km (1,200 miles) off the southeast coast of Africa.
• Capital: Port Louis
• PrimeMinister:Navinchandra Ramgoolam

Answer: (b)

• No Smoking Day is observed on the second Wednesday of March, which falls on March 12, 2025.
• Established in 1984 in the UK, it is observed globally with anti-smoking campaigns, health initiatives, and awareness drives.
• The day promotes tobacco control policies and smoking cessation programs.

Answer: (b)

• Anju Rathi Rana has been appointed as India’s first woman Law Secretary, marking a historic milestone in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Professional Journey and Experience

• An Indian Legal Service (ILS) officer with decades of experience in legal administration.
• Served 18 years as a public prosecutor in the Delhi Government.

Answer: (d)

• The Union Government has declared Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as India’s 58th and the state’s 9th Tiger Reserve, now home to five tigers, including two recently born cubs.

Location:

• Situated in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Lies on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands, forming part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills with plateaus and valleys.

Historical Background

• Once a hunting ground for Mughal emperors and the Maharaja of Gwalior.
• Declared as Madhya Bharat National Park in 1955 and renamed Madhav National Park in 1959.
• Officially Recognized as a National Park in 1958.

Answer: (b)

• The Ministry of Defence has signed a $248 million contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport (RoE) for the procurement of 1000 HP engines to upgrade T-72 tanks of the Indian Army.

About T-72 Tank

• Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Indian Army, currently powered by a 780 HP engine.
• Originally designed by Uralvagonzavod (USSR) and later manufactured & upgraded in India at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi.
• Equipped with a carousel-type automatic loader, reducing reload time and increasing combat efficiency by maintaining a steady fire rate.

Key Features of T-72

• Enhanced Mobility: New 1000 HP engine improves speed and maneuverability.
• Better Armour Protection: Uses layered armor for increased durability.
• Advanced Weaponry:

1. 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun for high-impact firepower.
2. 62mm co-axial machine gun and 12.7mm air defense machine gun.
3. 44 rounds of 125mm ammunition, with 22 rounds in an automatic loading carousel.

Answer: (a)

• The Government of India has introduced a modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme to support Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs) in expanding ethanol production beyond sugarcane.

Objective:

• Enhance the operational viability of Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs).
• Facilitate the conversion of sugarcane-based ethanol plants into multi-feedstock facilities.
• Ensure year-round ethanol production by utilizing maize, damaged food grains (DFG), and other feedstocks along with sugarcane.

Key Features of the Modified Scheme:

• Interest subvention provided at 6% per annum or 50% of the bank interest rate.
• Applicable for loans taken for five years, including a one-year moratorium.
• Financial support to expand ethanol production beyond sugarcane dependency.

Advantages of Multi-Feedstock Conversion

• Enables CSMs to utilize various raw materials, ensuring continuous operation.
• Improves operational efficiency and financial sustainability of sugar mills.
• Reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, supporting India’s energy security.

Impact on Ethanol Blending Targets:

• The government is working towards achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025.
• As of February 2025, the blending rate reached6%, marking significant progress.
• The expansion of ethanol production capacity will help meet the EBP Programme’s goal.

Answer: (c)

• Lithuania has become the first country to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions, citing security concerns amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

About the Convention

• Adopted: 2008, in Oslo, Norway.
• Objective: Prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions to protect civilians from unexploded submunitions.

Impact of Cluster Munitions:

• Dropped from aircraft or fired from artillery, exploding mid-air and dispersing multiple bomblets over a wide area.
• Unexploded submunitions pose a long-term threat to civilians.
• Signatories: Over 100 countries have signed/ratified the treaty.
• Non-Signatories: U.S., India, Russia, and China have not signed the convention.

Answer: (c)

• The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 was recently released, highlighting global terrorism trends, the most affected regions, and the evolving threat landscape.

About GTI Report

• Published by: Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
• Coverage: 163 countries, covering 7% of the world’s population.
• The GTI ranks countries on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no impact from terrorism and 10 representing the highest recorded impact.
• Parameters: Measures terrorist attacks, deaths, injuries, hostages, economic impact, and terrorism trends.

Key Findings from the GTI 2025 Report:

1. Sahel region remains the global terrorism hotspot, accounting for over 50% of all terrorism-related deaths.
2. Islamic State (IS) expanded to 22 countries, maintaining its status as the deadliest terrorist organization, primarily active in Syria and the DRC.
3. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) emerged as the fastest-growing terrorist group, with a 90% rise in fatalities.
4. Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding the Sahel) saw a 10% decline in terrorism-related deaths, reaching its lowest level since 2016.
5. Terrorist attacks in the West surged by 63%, with Europe witnessing the most significant rise, as attacks doubled to 67.
6. Youth radicalization is rising: In 2024, one in five terror suspects in the West was under 18, with Europe seeing the highest number of IS-related arrests among teenagers.
7. Seven Western nations ranked among the 50 most terrorism-affected countries.
8. Hate crimes surged worldwide: Antisemitic incidents in theS. increased by 200%, alongside a significant rise in Islamophobia.
9. Terrorist incidents dropped by 22% to 3,350, yet attacks became more lethal, with incidents reported in only 50 countries, a decline from previous years.

Answer:(a)

• The Union Minister for Women and Child Development will lead India’s delegation at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations headquarters, New York.

About the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• Principal global intergovernmental body for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established on June 21, 1946.
• Works to promote women’s political, economic, civil, social, and educational rights.
• Monitors and reviews progress on gender equality, including the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995).
• Highlights urgent issues like the impact of conflicts on women and girls.

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

• Adopted by 189 countries, it remains the most comprehensive global agenda for women’s rights and gender equality.
• CSW plays a key role in mainstreaming gender perspectives across UN policies and programs.

Answer: (b)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign in Limbayat, Surat, to provide food security benefits under the National Food Security Act to over 2.3 lakh

Key Goals

• The campaign aims for comprehensive food security, focusing on inclusivity and fairness.
• Over 5 lakh new beneficiaries, including elderly and differently-abled individuals, have been identified to receive free rations and nutritious food.

Government Initiatives for Food Security

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana – Support for the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• PM Poshan Scheme – Nutritious meals for school children.
• Saksham Anganwadi Program – Focus on mothers and young children.
• PM Matru Vandana Yojana – Financial aid for pregnant women.

Importance of Nutrition & Hygiene

• The government prioritizes eliminating malnutrition and anaemia. Surat’s hygiene efforts, supported by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, have improved public health.
• The Har Ghar Jal campaign ensures clean drinking water access.

Financial Inclusion & Support for the Poor

• One Nation, One Ration Card – Nationwide access to food rations.
• Mudra Yojana – Collateral-free loans for small businesses.
• PM SVANidhi Yojana – Financial aid for street vendors.