Daily Current Affairs Quiz: May 17, 2025

May 17, 2025

Which of the following statements regarding World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is/are correct?
1. It commemorates the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention held in London in 1865.
2. It is observed every year on 17 May to promote awareness about the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in development.
3. The observance was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985.
Select the correct answer using the code below:

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B.

Observed every year on 17 May.

Objective : to commemorate the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris, 1865, and to focus on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in global development.

About World Telecommunication Day:

Origin: First observed in 1969 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Purpose: Raise awareness of the digital divide, promote universal access to ICTs, and highlight innovations like 5G, broadband, and satellite connectivity.

World Hypertension Day is observed every year on:

(A) 14 April
(B) 1 May
(C) 17 May
(D) 21 June

Show Answer

Answer: C.

Observed on 17 May each year by the World Hypertension League (WHL).

Aim : to raise awareness about the prevention, detection, and control of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Theme 2025: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”

Why has the Government of India declared 23 September as the new date to observe Ayurveda Day from 2025 onward?

(A) It is the birth anniversary of Sushruta, the ancient Ayurvedic surgeon.
(B) It marks the anniversary of the first Ayurvedic Congress held in India.
(C) It coincides with the autumnal equinox, symbolizing the Ayurvedic principle of balance.
(D) It is a traditional day of Ayurvedic fasting and detoxification.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: The Government of India has declared that Ayurveda Day will now be observed annually on 23rd September, starting from 2025., coinciding with the autumnal equinox.

Why 23 September?

Autumnal Equinox: Day and night are nearly equal, symbolising balance—a core Ayurvedic principle.
Philosophical Alignment: Reflects the harmony of body, mind & spirit that Ayurveda promotes.

About Ayurveda:

Etymology: From ‘Ayu’ (life) + ‘Veda’ (knowledge) = “Science of Life.”
Branches:
- Nara Ayurveda: Human health and medicine.
- Satva Ayurveda: Veterinary applications.
- Vriksha Ayurveda: Plant health and pharmacognosy.
Philosophy: Focuses on dosha balance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), diet, lifestyle, and preventive care.

Who was appointed as the new Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2025?

(A) Harvansh Chawla
(B) Rakesh Verma
(C) K. V. Subramanian
(D) Rajiv Kumar

Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context: Harvansh Chawla, Founder and Managing Partner of K.R. Chawla & Co. Advocates, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI).

About BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI):

Established in 2012, BRICS CCI is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting economic cooperation, trade, and investment among the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, Government of India, and empanelled with NITI Aayog.
Recognized by the United Nations for its efforts in fostering international trade and development.
BRICS CCI plays a pivotal role in fostering trade and investment opportunities within the BRICS bloc, contributing to global economic development.

Consider the following statements regarding the National Defence Fund (NDF):
1. It was established following the Sino-Indian War of 1962 to collect voluntary donations for defence purposes.
2. It is administered by a committee headed by the Prime Minister of India.
3. Donations made to the Fund are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

Current Context: The Chief Minister of Telangana, along with other dignitaries, contributed to the National Defence Fund (NDF) to show solidarity with India’s armed forces.

About the National Defence Fund (NDF):

Established: 1962, post-Sino-Indian War.
Objective: Manage voluntary donations for national defense efforts.
Utilization: Welfare of Armed Forces, Para-Military Forces, and dependents.
Administration:
- Chairperson: Prime Minister
- Members: Defence, Finance, Home Ministers
- Treasurer: Finance Minister
Tax Benefit: Contributions exempt under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.

Mariangela Hungria, recipient of the 2025 World Food Prize, was recognized for her work primarily in:

(A) Development of drought-resistant wheat varieties.
(B) Food fortification and public health nutrition.
(C) Biological nitrogen fixation and microbial inoculants in sustainable agriculture.
(D) Introduction of hydroponics in Latin America.

Show Answer

Answer: C.

Current Context : Dr. Mariangela Hungria, a renowned Brazilian microbiologist, was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize for her groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture, particularly in biological nitrogen fixation.

About Dr. Mariangela Hungria

Profession: Senior Researcher at Embrapa Soja (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation)
Experience: Over 40 years in soil microbiology and plant nutrition research
Focus Areas:
- Biological nitrogen fixation in legumes, especially soybeans
- Development of microbial inoculants to enhance crop yields
- Promotion of eco-friendly agricultural practices

About the World Food Prize

Established: 1987 by Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug
Purpose: To honor individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world
Award: Accompanied by a $500,000 honorarium.
Ceremony: Scheduled for October 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa

In 2025, IWAI inaugurated its first office in Srinagar to develop navigation on which of the following rivers?

(A) Chenab, Ravi, and Beas
(B) Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej
(C) Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi
(D) Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) inaugurated its first Srinagar office to develop navigation on River Chenab (NW-26), Jhelum (NW-49), and Ravi (NW-84).

About IWAI

Statutory Body: Established on October 27, 1986, under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.
Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
Mandate: Responsible for the development, maintenance, and regulation of inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure on designated national waterways.
Headquarters: Located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

National Waterways in India

India has an extensive network of inland waterways, with 111 officially notified National Waterways (NWs) identified for the purposes of inland water transport, as per the National Waterways Act, 2016.

Major National Waterways:

NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Haldia (West Bengal) to Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), spanning 1,620 km.
NW-2: Brahmaputra river from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam, covering 891 km.
NW-3: West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram in Kerala, including Champakara and Udyogmandal canals, totaling 205 km.
NW-4: Kakinada-Pondicherry stretch of canals along with Godavari and Krishna rivers, covering 1,095 km.
NW-5: East Coast Canal along with Brahmani river and Mahanadi delta, spanning 623 km.

Who are the Afrikaners recently in the news for seeking asylum in the United States?

(A) A nomadic tribal group from East Africa.
(B) A political party resisting apartheid-era policies in South Africa.
(C) A white ethnic group in South Africa descended from European settlers.
(D) A separatist movement from Namibia.

Show Answer

Answer: C.

Current Context: The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State formally welcomed the first group of Afrikaner refugeesfleeing South Africa to the United States.

About Afrikaners:

Afrikaners are a white ethnic group native to South Africa, shaped through ethnogenesis on African soil, and are often referred to as “Africa’s White Tribe” due to their deep-rooted historical presence since the 17th century.
Ethnic Group: Descendants of 17th–18th century Dutch, French Huguenot, German settlers, and enslaved peoples.
Language: Afrikaans, a derivative of Dutch with influences from local and imported languages.
Culture: Shaped by Calvinist values, frontier life, and interactions with Khoikhoi and other communities.

Identity Formation:

Trekboers: Early inland farmers whose conflicts with indigenous tribes forged a distinct self-reliant
Ethnogenesis: Emergence of a unique Afrikaner identity on African soil, earning them the moniker “Africa’s White Tribe.”

With reference to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation in India, consider the following statements:
1. The base year for the CPI combined index is 2012.
2. Core inflation includes volatile items like food and fuel.
3. CPI measures price changes based on a fixed basket of goods and services for both urban and rural areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B.

Current Context: On 15 May 2025, provisional data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) showed India’s combined Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 3.16% year-on-year in April 2025—the lowest since July 2019—down 18 basis points from March.

About Retail Inflation (CPI):

CPI Combined: Aggregates CPI-Urban and CPI-Rural; measures average price change for a fixed basket of goods and services.
Base Year: 2012 = 100 (calculated by the National Statistical Office under MoSPI).
Core Inflation: Excludes volatile food and fuel; rose slightly to 1% in April—within the Reserve Bank of India’s 2–6% target band.

Key Drivers of the Decline:

Food Prices Eased Sharply: Vegetables and pulses saw significant deflation, pulling down overall CPI.
Non-Food Categories Softened: Housing and “pan, tobacco & intoxicants” reported lower price rises compared to March.
Rural Inflation: Headline CPI-Rural fell to 92% from 3.25% in March, reflecting broad-based relief.