Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) joined the INIOCHOS-25 exercise in Greece at the Andravida air base. This biennial multinational exercise, hosted by Greece’s Hellenic Air Force, simulates modern air warfare. The IAF deploys Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-78, and C-17 aircraft. Fifteen countries, including France, Israel, Italy, the UAE, and the US, participates. The exercise focuses on refining tactics in complex air operations and enhancing military cooperation. It offers an opportunity to improve skills, exchange knowledge, and share best practices in air combat.

Notes:
A recent faunal survey by the Forest Department recorded 63 new species of odonates, butterflies, and birds in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is in Malappuram district, Kerala, covering 227.97 sq.km on the western slopes of the Nilgiri Hills. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme. Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary shares boundaries with Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu and Silent Valley National Park in Kerala. The name ‘Karimpuzha’ comes from the Karimpuzha River, a tributary of River Chaliyar. The terrain varies from 40 m to 2550 m, supporting rich biodiversity.

Notes:
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released the report “Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well” at the ‘Nutrition for Growth’ event in France on March 27-28, 2025. The report highlights poor nutritional quality in school meals and urges governments to improve food standards. In 2024, 47% of primary school students received school meals, but many lacked proper nutrition. In 2022, 27% of school meals were not designed with nutritionist input. Out of 187 countries, only 93 had school food policies, and 65% had cafeteria food standards. Childhood obesity has more than doubled since 1990, while food insecurity remains a challenge. UNESCO recommends fresh, locally sourced food over ultra-processed options.

Notes:
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Limited successfully completed the trial run of Unit 2 (200 MW) of the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh. The Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-the-river project in Sainj, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, harnessing the lower Parbati River, a tributary of the Beas River. A concrete gravity dam at Pulga village diverts water through a 31.52 km head race tunnel to a powerhouse in Suind village, Sainj Valley. The project has a total capacity of 800 MW (four units of 200 MW each). Once fully operational, it will generate 3,074 million units of electricity annually. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Limited owns 100% of the project.

Notes:
Sarhul Festival is celebrated by Adivasi communities in Jharkhand and the Chotanagpur region to mark spring and the new year. Sarhul means “worship of the Sal tree”, symbolizing the union of the Sun and Earth for life. The Sal tree is sacred and believed to be the abode of Sarna Maa, the village deity. Three-day celebration includes cleaning, gathering Sal flowers, fasting, rituals at Sarna Sthals (Sacred Groves), sacrifices, prayers, and a community feast with Handia (rice beer). Tribes like Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia, and Ho celebrate it.

Notes:
The Green Credit Programme (GCP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) despite concerns from the Law Ministry over its legal validity. Green Credit (GC) is an incentive unit for engaging in environmentally positive activities and can be traded like carbon credits. The Green Credit Programme (GCP) operates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It aims to increase forest cover, promote sustainable practices, and reward pro-environmental actions. Individuals, communities, and industries can earn Green Credits by participating in afforestation, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. These credits can be sold to industries needing to meet environmental obligations like compensatory afforestation.

Notes:
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival, at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. The event focused on modernization of the Indian Armed Forces and future challenges in Cyber, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum, and Cognitive domains. The theme “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows) highlighted the continuous evolution of technology and innovation. A special Defence Expo ‘Rakshakriti’ showcased cutting-edge defence technology, fostering collaboration between armed forces, academia, and industry. The event promoted autonomous drones, advanced security tech, and reduced import dependence, inspiring students towards defence and technology careers.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister launched the P4 Bangaru Kutumbam-Margadarsi initiative in Velagapudi on Ugadi. P4 stands for Public-Private-People Partnership, a mission-mode initiative for social and economic transformation. It aims to eradicate poverty and uplift marginalised families by creating model families called “Bangaru Kutumbam.” The initiative targets over 2 million beneficiaries in the initial phase. It provides free gas cylinders, educational support, and women empowerment schemes. The initiative promotes inclusive development, governance innovation, and a replicable welfare model for other states.

Notes:
The Future Circular Collider (FCC) is a proposed $30 billion project by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). It involves a 91 km circular tunnel beneath the Swiss-French border to accelerate and collide particles at record energies. Phase 1 (~2040) aims to generate Higgs bosons in large numbers, while Phase 2 (~2070) will collide protons at extreme energies. Supporters, including CERN leadership, call it the most powerful tool for studying nature. Critics argue it may drain funds, limiting investment in other scientific advancements. The project has sparked major divisions in the scientific community.

Notes:
The Telangana government launched a scheme to distribute fine rice for free to the poor through ration shops. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy formally launched the scheme in Huzurnagar, Suryapet district, on Ugadi festival. 6 kilograms of fine rice per person per month will be given free of cost through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The scheme will benefit over three crore people, covering 85% of the state’s population. The government aims to ensure food security with dignity and prevent the misuse of coarse rice, which was earlier rejected by beneficiaries.