March 2025 Current Affairs Test

The UK hosted a European leaders’ summit to support Ukraine and discuss a ceasefire plan. Britain, France, and Ukraine agreed to draft a ceasefire proposal for the US. The summit followed a key meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, raising concerns about US support. The summit included representatives from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Romania. Britain, France, and Ukraine agreed to present the ceasefire proposal to the US.

Explanation: March 3 is observed as World Wildlife Day to promote the conservation of flora and fauna. The 2025 theme is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.’ The day highlights the need for financial investment in wildlife conservation amid a crisis threatening over one million species. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013.

Explanation: The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs announced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3). It is a global alliance promoting city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships. The announcement was made at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur. C-3 aims to boost resource efficiency and support a low-carbon economy. It will enhance cooperation among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. The initiative focuses on building a sustainable future through circular economy principles.

Explanation: IIT Madras researchers developed a framework to enhance protection of critical infrastructure from ballistic missile threats. The framework helps designers improve the ballistic resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) panels. Findings were published in the journal Reliability Engineering & System Safety. Researchers used computational simulations to study missile impacts on RC. RC is used in military bunkers, nuclear power buildings, bridges, and runways.

The Sea Dragon 2025 naval exercise began off the Guam coast in the western Pacific Ocean. Hosted by the U.S. Navy’s 7th fleet, it runs from March 4-19, 2025. The exercise involves five nations, including the Indian Navy, focusing on anti-submarine warfare. Participating countries include India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the US. It aims to improve tactical and command interoperability among allies and partners of the U.S. Each country is deploying its Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft.

Explanation: 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.

Explanation: Siddhant Banthia of India and Alexander Donski of Bulgaria won the doubles title at the 2025 Rwandan Challenger tennis tournament. This was Siddhant Banthia’s first ATP Challenger title. Valentin Foyer of France won the singles title. The Rwandan Challenger was an ATP 100 tournament with a $160,000 prize pool, held in Kigali from 3-9 March 2025. Singles and doubles winners earned 100 ATP points each. The singles winner received $22,730, while the doubles winners shared $7,960.

Explanation: On March 9, 2023, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda launched two welfare schemes for girls in Tripura—Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana. Under the Balika Samriddhi Yojana, BPL families will receive a Rs 50,000 bond for newborn girls, expected to grow to Rs 10 lakh by the time they turn 18. The Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana will provide free scooties to 140 meritorious girls in Higher Secondary from all education boards.

Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved an incentive scheme to promote low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant – P2M) transactions for FY 2024-25. The scheme aims to strengthen BHIM-UPI, boost transaction volumes to ₹20,000 crore, and promote UPI 123PAY & offline UPI Lite/LiteX. It encourages UPI adoption in rural and remote areas. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It enables users to link multiple bank accounts in a single mobile app for instant money transfers. BHIM-UPI, launched in 2016, is a government-backed app for seamless, fast, and secure digital payments.

Explanation: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Purple Fest 2025 at Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on March 21, 2025. Purple Fest celebrates the talents, achievements, and aspirations of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), also called Divyangjan in India. The first Purple Fest was held in Panjim, Goa, in January 2023. Organized by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in association with Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event is becoming a flagship programme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for Divyangjan in India.

Explanation: The United Nations has declared March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 highlights the urgent need to protect glaciers from climate change. Glaciers are vast ice and snow formations that shape landscapes and serve as vital freshwater sources. They regulate sea levels and support biodiversity but are melting rapidly due to global warming. The 2025 initiative aims to promote scientific research, enhance global cooperation, mobilize resources for mitigation, and encourage community-led adaptation strategies.

Explanation: March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to raise awareness and promote efforts to eliminate TB. The 2025 theme is “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver.” The President of India praised the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) for reducing TB cases and increasing awareness. India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the 2030 global target set by WHO under the End TB Strategy. TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but also other body parts.

Explanation: 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.

Explanation: The 37th Kathak Mahotsav 2025, organized by Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, a unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, concluded successfully. The six-day festival featured the world’s first-ever Kathak Literary Festival, along with seminars, exhibitions, and dance performances. All major Kathak gharanas—Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras, and Raigarh—were showcased through performances by renowned artists. The event was a landmark celebration of Kathak, bringing together scholars, dancers, and art enthusiasts.

Explanation: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India signed an agreement with Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to use advanced GIS and remote sensing technologies. BISAG-N is an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). It is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It focuses on technology development, research, and capacity building in geospatial technology. It specializes in satellite communication, geo-informatics, and geo-spatial technology.

Explanation: Kerala has become the first state in India to pass a law creating a Senior Citizens Commission. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the law, which was enacted on 25 March. The commission will focus on protecting the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of senior citizens. Kerala ranks first in elderly welfare and continues to set an example in this field. The Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill was passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Explanation: Researchers have successfully turned light into a “supersolid” for the first time. Supersolids are a unique state of matter defined by quantum mechanics. They form an orderly crystalline solid but flow like a liquid without viscosity. Unlike normal solids, supersolids can change direction and density based on particle interactions. They maintain an organized lattice structure while exhibiting fluid-like movement.

Explanation: Betwa River, also called Vetravati in Sanskrit, is struggling to maintain its natural flow due to human activities. It originates from Jhiri Village, Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya Range, near Hoshangabad (Narmadapuram). It flows through Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Historically, Suktamati, capital of the Chedi Kingdom, was on its banks and it is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Betwa River Board (BRB) was set up under the Betwa River Board Act, 1976. Ken-Betwa River Link Project was approved in 2021.

Explanation: The Government of India launched the BioSaarthi initiative to help Indian biotech startups grow in domestic and global markets. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the initiative in New Delhi on 21 March 2025. The event marked the 13th Foundation Day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The Minister also released the “India Bioeconomy Report 2025.” It connects startups with experienced mentors, including Indian diaspora experts.

Explanation: Scientists have developed a new gene therapy for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), a rare genetic disorder. MSUD is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme complex needed to break down branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, requiring both parents to pass on the gene mutation. The disorder prevents proper amino acid metabolism, leading to neurological symptoms and life-threatening brain damage.