Daily Current Affairs Quiz: March 26, 2025

Answer: c)

• It will be observed on March26, 2025.
• Theme: “Stand up to seizures.”
• Purpose: Increase awareness and understanding of epilepsy worldwide.
• Purple Fest 2025 was hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Answer: a)

Current context: The dog-faced water snake (Cerberus rynchops) was recently documented for the first time in Nalbari district, Assam, approximately 800 km from its known coastal habitats in Bangladesh.

• Typical Habitat: Found in mangroves, mudflats, and estuaries in South/Southeast Asia and Australia.
• Behavior: Hunts fish and crustaceans using a sit-and-wait strategy.
• Significance: Indicates adaptability to inland areas, challenging understanding of its dispersal and habitat preferences.

Answer: c)

Current Context: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise started on March 4, 2025, off Guam, hosted by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.

• Participants:S., India, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

Objectives:

• Enhance ASW capabilities and tactical coordination.
• Conduct submarine-hunting exercises.
• Strengthen Indo-Pacific maritime security.

Evolution:

• Initiated in 2019 as a U.S.-Australia drill.
• Expanded to include Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand (2020); India joined in 2021.
• Awards: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has won the Dragon Belt Award since 2022.

Significance:

• For India: Boosts ASW skills and Quad cooperation.
• For Indo-Pacific: Ensures regional stability and freedom of navigation.

Answer: c)

Current Context: India launched the stealth frigate ‘Tavasya’ on March 22, 2025, at Goa Shipyard Limited.

• The event marks a milestone in India’s indigenous defence production under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Important Facts

• Project 1135.6 (Talwar-Class Frigates)
• Collaborative project between India and Russia, based on Krivak III-class design.
• ‘Tavasya’ is the second vessel built in India; the first, ‘Triput’, was launched in July 2024.

Specifications

• Dimensions:8 m length, 15.2 m beam, 4.5 m draught.
• Displacement: ~3,600 tons.
• Speed: Up to 28 knots with a gas turbine propulsion system.
• Combat and Stealth Capabilities
• Stealth: Radar-absorbing materials reduce radar cross-section.

Weapons:

• BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
• Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles.
• Anti-submarine systems: Torpedo tubes and rocket launchers.
• Naval gun: 100 mm A-190.

Answer: b)

Current context: Telangana Ranks 4th in India (Score: 91.87) as of January 25, 2025, with 17 clusters and ₹1885.11 crore investment.

• Mission Aim: Develop 300 Rurban clusters nationwide, bridging the rural-urban divide while preserving rural community life.
• Funding:70% from scheme convergence, 30% as Critical Gap Funding (₹30 crores for non-tribal, ₹15 crores for tribal clusters).

Key Features

• Clusters: Geographically linked villages with populations of 25,000–50,000 (plain) or 5,000–15,000 (tribal).
• Development Areas: Agriculture, tourism, health, education, sanitation, digital services, and more.
• Vision: Provide urban-like facilities, reduce poverty, attract investment, and boost local economies.

Answer: b)

Current Context: On World Water Day (March 22, 2025), Union Jal Shakti Minister R. Patil launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025 campaign in Panchkula, Haryana.

Important Facts

• Focus: Water conservation and management through community participation and innovative strategies.
• Collaboration: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Haryana Government.

New Initiatives Launched

• Mukhyamantri Jal Sanchay Yojana: For scientific water resource management.
• Water Resources Atlas for Haryana: Assists in efficient water management.
• Jal-Jungle-Jan: Ek Prakritik Bandhan Abhiyan: Strengthens the ecological link between rivers, springs, and forests.

Innovative Projects in Haryana

• Community sanitation complexes and liquid waste management systems.
• Gobar Dhan project: Promotes biogas generation from cattle dung.
• Solid waste management sheds for improved waste management.

Significance

• Promotes sustainable water management and environmental conservation.
• Aligns with the government’s focus on climate resilience and community-driven solutions.

Answer: b)

Current Context: Gujarat has made significant progress in tuberculosis (TB) elimination, achieving 95% of its registration and treatment targets in 2024, under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.

Key Facts:

• Registration and Treatment:
  • Target: 145,000 TB patients.
  • Achieved: 137,929 registered (95%), with 124,581 completing treatment (90.52% success rate).
• Financial Support:
  • Scheme: Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY).
  • Incentive: Rs 1,000/month for each TB patient during treatment.
  • Reach: 131,501 patients supported.
• Nutritional Support:
  • Nikshay Mitras Registered: 10,682.
  • Nutrition Kits Distributed: 349,534 kits to TB patients.
• 100-Day Intensive TB Campaign:
  • Launched in December 2024, covering 16 districts and 4 municipal corporations.
  • Screening:75 lakh people screened.
  • New Cases: 16,758 TB patients identified (as of March 20, 2025).

Answer: b)

Vinod Kumar Shukla, an eminent Hindi writer, has been awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honor, for his remarkable contribution to Hindi literature.

Key Facts

• First from Chhattisgarh: First recipient from the state to receive this honor.
• 12th Hindi Writer: 12th Hindi writer to be honored with the Jnanpith Award

Award Components

• Cash Prize: ₹11 lakh
• Statue: Bronze Saraswati statue
• Citation: Accompanying the award

Answer: c)

Stumped is an autobiography co-authored by Syed Kirmani, Debashish Sengupta, and Dakshesh Pathak.

Focus: Chronicles Syed Kirmani’s career and India’s historic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory.

Highlights:

• Kapil Dev’s legendary 175 not out against Zimbabwe, pivotal in Indian cricket history.
• Insightful and humorous narration of India’s 1983 World Cup triumph.

Answer: b)

• Ajay Seth, a 1987 batch IAS officer (Karnataka cadre), is appointed as India’s Finance Secretary, succeeding Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
• As Economic Affairs Secretary (since 2021), he led infrastructure financing, public-private partnerships, and external borrowings.

Answer: a) 

Current context: Justice Harish Tandon has been appointed Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, succeeding Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, who retired on January 19, 2024.

Answer: a)

Current context: Mythili Balasubramanian appointed as Interim MD & CEO of Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (EARC).

• Experience: Over 40 years in banking, NPA resolution, and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) processes.

Answer: b)

Current Context: HDFC Bank launched the Embassy Fixed Deposit, a USD-based foreign currency deposit scheme for diplomats, non-diplomatic staff, and diplomatic missions.

Key Facts

• Minimum Deposit: USD 5,000; increments of USD 1,000.
• Tenures: 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year.
• No automatic renewal; reinvestment requires a new request.

Interest and Withdrawal

• Monthly updated interest rates.
• Premature Withdrawal: Penalty of 0.5% on actual duration; no interest if effective rate is negative.
• Significance: Tailored for diplomats with secure and flexible investment options.