Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
Microsoft announced a quantum computing chip called Majorana 1, aiming to solve industrial-scale problems in years, not decades. The chip is named Majorana 1 because it consists of Majorana particles, which are unique subatomic particles that are their own anti-particles. Neutrinos are a potential Majorana particle and are the second-most abundant subatomic particles after photons. Neutrinos are produced in the Big Bang, supernovae, cosmic rays, and nuclear fusion but are hard to detect. A major unknown in physics is the mass of neutrinos.

Notes:
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) raised concerns over the economic viability of GSAT-18 due to underutilisation of six transponders until 2027. The committee recommended that the Department of Space exercise greater financial prudence in satellite projects using public funds. A revenue loss of ₹117 crore was reported due to idle transponders. GSAT-18 is a communication satellite launched by ISRO on October 5, 2016. It was launched using the Ariane-5 VA-231 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, with a liftoff weight of 3,404 kg. The satellite has a 15-year mission life (until 2032) and was injected into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Notes:
Japan raised concerns over a prolonged incursion by Chinese Coast Guard ships near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Senkaku Islands, a disputed territory between Japan and China, are located in the East China Sea. They are uninhabited and located about 90 nautical miles north of Japan’s Yaeyama Islands and 120 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan. They are known as Diaoyu Islands in China, Diaoyutai Islands in Taiwan, and Pinnacle Islands by others. The islands cover 6.3 sq km, with the largest, Uotsuri Island, spanning 3.6 sq km. The terrain consists of sandstone, tuff, and andesite, with coral formations uplifted in the Holocene era.

Notes:
World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). It is celebrated annually on 27th March, marking the 1962 Theatre of Nations season opening in Paris. The day highlights theatres’ historical importance and their role in entertainment, education, and social change. The day promotes support for the theatre community from governments, individuals, and organizations.

Notes:
Climate change threatens the Blue Economy, affecting fishermen and coastal communities. The government will develop 100 Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The initiative includes fish drying yards, processing centers, fishing jetties, cold storage, and emergency rescue operations.

Notes:
Nitesh won bronze in the Greco-Roman 97kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 in Amman, Jordan. This was India’s second medal at the event. He defeated Kazakhstan’s Ilyas Guchigov 9-0 via technical superiority (VSU) in his opening match. In the semi-finals, he lost 9-0 to Olympic champion Mohammad Hadi Saravi of Iran. In the bronze medal match, he beat Amanberdi Agamammedov of Turkmenistan 9-0 (VSU). Sunil Kumar had earlier won bronze in the 87kg category.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Conference on Environment 2025 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on 29th March 2025. The two-day conference ends on 30th March 2025. It was organised by the National Green Tribunal, the conference focuses on environmental laws and their implementation. It aims to foster collaboration, raise awareness, and promote sustainable environmental management.

Notes:
China recently deployed two long-range H-6 bombers near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to assert sovereignty. Scarborough Shoal, also called Scarborough Reef, is a coral atoll in the eastern South China Sea. It is located 220 km west of Luzon, Philippines, and is the largest atoll in the region. The atoll is submerged at high tide, with only a few rocks visible above sea level. It is a rich fishing ground with valuable marine life. The shoal is a disputed territory between China and the Philippines, with both claiming exclusive rights.

Notes:
The Government of India will establish the Second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm for future food and nutritional security. This initiative is part of the “Investing in Innovations” theme of Union Budget 2025-26. A Gene Bank stores seeds, pollen, and plant tissues to protect plant species, aid crop breeding, and ensure biodiversity conservation. India’s First National Gene Bank was established in 1996 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi. It is the second-largest Gene Bank globally, housing 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species.

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.