Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
New observations of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter show unexpected atmospheric activity above and around the storm. The Great Red Spot is an anticyclone, a high-pressure system that creates a long-lasting storm. It is located in Jupiter’s Southern Hemisphere. It appears as a massive red spot, though the cause of its red color remains unknown. The storm extends above Jupiter’s main cloud layers and is the largest known storm in the Solar System. The storm has existed for at least 150 years and may be even older. Its long duration is linked to Jupiter’s gaseous composition, which lacks a solid surface that would dissipate the storm’s energy. Unlike hurricanes on Earth that weaken upon landfall, Jupiter’s storm remains active due to its deep atmosphere.

Notes:
Rajasthan has the highest number of railway stations with installed solar power plants, totaling 275 stations. This information was provided by Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the Lok Sabha on 2nd April 2025. During the financial year 2024-25, India added 25 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, including 6 GW of solar energy. As of 31st March 2025, the total installed solar power capacity in the country has reached 21 GW. Indian Railways aims to achieve 100% electrification by 2025-26 and become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. Indian Railways aims to install 20 GW of solar power capacity on its vacant land by 2030.

Notes:
A rare Binturong was captured on a camera trap by the Wildlife Trust of India’s Garo Green Spine project team in Narang Wari Village Reserve Forest, Meghalaya. The forest is in the buffer zone of Balpakram National Park. The Binturong, also known as the bearcat, is the largest civet in India. It is an omnivorous mammal found in dense forests of Southeast Asia. Its range extends from Nepal, India, and Bhutan to Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Balpakram National Park, located in Meghalaya, is known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. It is situated in the West Garo Hills district, about 134 km from Shillong. The park is called the “Land of Perpetual Winds” due to strong winds across the plateau.

Notes:
International Mine Awareness Day is observed every year on April 4 to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and promote demining efforts. The 2025 theme, “Safe Futures Start Here,” highlights the impact of landmines, especially in war-affected regions. Landmines, including Anti-Personnel Mines (APM), Anti-Vehicle Mines (AVM), and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), continue to cause civilian casualties long after conflicts end. First observed in 2006, the day emphasizes global efforts in mine clearance, victim support, and the use of new technologies to create a landmine-free world.

Notes:
Warangal Chapata chilli, also called Tomato chilli, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the GI Registry, Government of India, on March 28, 2025. It is named Tomato chilli because of its bright red color and round shape, resembling a tomato. This is the 18th product from Telangana to receive a GI tag. The chilli is less spicy but has a bright red color and strong flavor due to its capsicum oleoresin properties. It has been cultivated for over 100 years, with farmers expecting its price to nearly double from ₹300 per kg to ₹550.

Notes:
Chandrayaan-3’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) became the first instrument to measure in situ temperatures near the Moon’s south pole. It successfully penetrated lunar soil and deployed a thermal probe, achieving what two previous missions—European Space Agency’s (ESA) Philae (2014) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) InSight Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3) (2018)—could not. This experiment provided crucial data on lunar surface temperatures, strengthening evidence of water ice deposits. ChaSTE’s thermal probe was integrated into the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3, which landed on August 23, 2023.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). This initiative allows women to travel free of cost on Smart City electric buses and Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses across the Union Territory. It also includes free travel for schoolgirls, ensuring safer and easier commutes for young students. The move is part of a larger set of pro-women and pro-poor policies focused on improving social and economic empowerment. The initiative promotes gender-inclusive mobility and supports access to education and opportunities.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL) is building its first Supercritical Thermal Power Project (SCTPP) in Korba district to boost power generation. The new plant is an expansion of the existing Hasdeo Thermal Power Station (HTPS) and was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 30, 2025. The project involves an investment of ₹15,800 crore and will add 1,320 megawatts (MW) to the current 1,340 MW capacity. Supercritical thermal power plants operate above the critical pressure of 22.1 mega pascals (MPa) and temperature of 374°C for higher energy efficiency. In supercritical conditions, water and steam merge into a single phase, improving power output with less fuel.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) released a report titled “How Does Climate Change Impact Women and Children Across Agroecological Zones”. The report shows that women and children face a higher risk of death during disasters than men due to existing social roles and responsibilities. It highlights the urgent need for gender-disaggregated data to create better disaster response and climate policies. India has 20 agroecological zones with varied climates, which affect the level of vulnerability differently across regions. States like Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have five agroecosystems each, while zones like the North Eastern Hills (Region 17) and Western Coastal Plains (Region 19) span multiple states. This overlap calls for coordinated climate adaptation strategies across states for better protection of women and children.

Notes:
Assam launched the ‘Lakhpati Baideo’ scheme to empower women entrepreneurs with financial help and training. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the scheme will benefit 40 lakh women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It gives ₹10,000 as seed money in the first year, ₹25,000 in the second year, and ₹50,000 in the third year depending on business success. The scheme aims to promote rural entrepreneurship and boost women’s financial independence.