Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
ISRO recently conducted a successful hot test on the semi-cryogenic engine (SE2000), advancing towards finalizing the cryogenic stage. The semi-cryogenic engine (SCE) uses liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel. ISRO is developing the 2000 kN thrust SCE for future heavy-lift launch vehicles. Kerosene is more cost-effective and easier to handle than liquid hydrogen, simplifying storage and reducing mission costs. The engine will enhance ISRO’s launch vehicle payload capacity and is planned for use in the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

Notes:
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March to recognize women’s achievements across all boundaries. The theme for 2025: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” The theme emphasizes equal rights, power, and opportunities for all women and girls. 2025 marks 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, a key global framework for women’s rights. India is shifting from women’s development to women-led development, ensuring equal participation.

Notes:
March 7 is celebrated as Jan Aushadhi Diwas to promote generic medicines and raise awareness about the scheme. Week-long events are held from March 1 to 7 across India to support the initiative. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched in November 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. The scheme provides quality medicines at affordable prices through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK). The 2025 celebrations began on March 1 in the National Capital Region (NCR) to spread awareness about PMBJP.

Notes:
The Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme was inaugurated by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, to promote a spirit of service among government officials. The program aims to foster solution-oriented, compassionate, and citizen-focused public servants. It features four short training sessions, encouraging teamwork, discussions, and problem-solving.

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The Uttar Pradesh government distributed ₹100 crore in loans to 2,500 beneficiaries in Gorakhpur and Basti under the CM Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA). 2,100 trainees received toolkits under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. MYUVA scheme aims to create 1 lakh young entrepreneurs yearly by offering interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh. The government allocated ₹1,000 crore for 2024-25.

Notes:
HDFC Bank launched Project HAKK (Hawai Anubhavi Kalyan Kendra) to support Indian Air Force (IAF) pensioners, veterans, and families. The bank signed an MoU with IAF through the Assistant Chief of Air Staff – Accounts & Air Veterans and CSC (Common Service Centre) Academy. 25 centres will be set up across Air Force units in cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Guwahati, and Chandigarh. In collaboration with CSC Academy, the bank will offer skill development and financial training to help veterans and their families become financially independent.

Notes:
Kanwar Lake (Kabartal), Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake in Bihar, is rapidly drying up in early March, which is alarming for its ecosystem. Despite its ecological significance, the Bihar government has not sanctioned its restoration plan, showing apathy toward saving this vital wetland. The lake is also known as Kabartal Jheel and is a rainfed water body. It was formed as a residual oxbow lake due to the meandering of the Gandak River, a tributary of the Ganga. It covers a large area of the Indo-Gangetic plains in northern Bihar and plays a crucial role in maintaining regional biodiversity. The wetland serves as an important stopover for 58 migratory bird species along the Central Asian Flyway, where birds rest and refuel during migration. It is also a valuable site for fish biodiversity, with over 50 species documented, making it a crucial habitat for aquatic life.

Notes:
The Indian women’s Kabaddi team won their fifth Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship title. They defeated Iran 32-25 in the final held in Tehran on 8th March 2025. The 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship 2025 took place in Tehran from 6th to 8th March 2025. Iran hosted the tournament for the third time, previously in 2007 and 2017.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados award. The award recognizes his strategic leadership and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one of the highest national honors of Barbados, given for significant contributions to the country or international relations.

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The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP) is located on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka. It aims for a 2000 MW power generation capacity, making it the largest pumped storage project in India. The project will use two existing reservoirs: Talakalale Dam (upper reservoir) and Gerusoppa Dam (lower reservoir). Water will be pumped uphill during off-seasons and released downhill during peak demand. It is modeled after Telangana’s Kaleshwaram project and will also supply drinking water to Bengaluru. Environmentalists and locals warn of ecological damage to the Western Ghats.