CURRENT AFFAIRS
30-31 March, 2025
1. SDG PROGRESS & CHALLENGES –
• India has shown significant improvement in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index 2024 ranking which has improved to 109th out of 166 countries.
• States have also demonstrated better performance, with an average increase of five units in the composite index over the past three years.
How Has India Performed on SDGs So Far-
• Overall Progress: India’s SDG index score improved from 57 (2018) to 71 (2023-24).
• States Performance: Kerala & Uttarakhand lead with 8 goals each scoring above 80 (above 80 score is an indicator of achievement).
• However, over 9 states recorded a decline in No Poverty (Goal 1), Gender Equality (Goal 5), Reduced Inequality (Goal 10), and Strong Institutions (Goal 16).
Target Specific Progress-
• SDG-3: Maternal Mortality Ratio reduced from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per 1,00,000 live births.
• SDG-4: The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education rose from 23.7% to 28.4% between 2014-15 and 2021-22.
• SDG-6: Over 95% of people in rural areas and 97.2% in cities are having access to improved sources of drinking (potable) water during 2020-2021.
• SDG-7: India’s renewable energy capacity increased from 180.80 GW in December 2023 to 209.44 GW in December 2024.
2. EXERCISE PRACHAND PRAHAAR –
• The Indian Army conducted the tri-service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise Prachand Prahaar under the Eastern Command in Arunachal Pradesh.
Exercise Prachand Prahaar:
• The exercise follows ‘Exercise Poorvi Prahar’ (Nov 2024) conducted along the India-China border, focusing on integrated use of aviation assets.
• It aims to enhance operational readiness and integration across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while validating an integrated approach to surveillance, command, control, and precision firepower in modern warfare scenarios.
• It featured advanced platforms, including long-range reconnaissance aircraft, UAVs, armed helicopters, and space-based assets.
• Simulated targets were neutralized through coordinated strikes involving fighter aircraft, rocket systems, artillery and kamikaze drones (suicide drones or loitering munitions) in an electronically contested environment to replicate real battlefield conditions.
3. NIDHI TIWARI APPOINTED AS PRIVATE SECRETARY TO PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI –
• The government has officially appointed Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Nidhi Tiwari as the Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued a memorandum on March 29, 2025, confirming her appointment with immediate effect.
• Nidhi Tiwari is a distinguished officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) with extensive experience in diplomatic and governmental affairs. She has served in various capacities across different ministries and departments within the government.
Previous Roles and Contributions
• Deputy Secretary at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) (November 2022 – March 2025):
• Played a crucial role in assisting with high-level administrative and diplomatic affairs.
• Coordinated between different governmental departments and ministries for policy implementation.
4. SAGARMALA PROGRAMME COMPLETES 10 YEARS SINCE IMPLEMENTATION –
• Launched in March 2015, the Sagarmala Programme is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways aimed at transforming India’s maritime sector.
• With a 7,500 km coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways, and a strategic location on global trade routes, India has immense potential for port-led economic growth.
• Sagarmala focuses on modernizing ports, enhancing connectivity, promoting industrial development, and boosting coastal shipping and inland waterways to reduce logistics costs and improve trade competitiveness.
5. 98.21% OF RS 2000 BANKNOTES RETURNED TO BANKING SYSTEM, SAYS RBI –
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on April 2, 2025, that 98.21% of Rs 2000 banknotes have been returned to the banking system, leaving only Rs 6,366 crore worth of such notes still with the public. This follows the RBI’s decision to withdraw Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation, which was first announced on May 19, 2023.
• The Rs 2000 banknote, introduced in November 2016 after demonetization, is gradually being phased out.
• Since the RBI’s withdrawal announcement, the circulation of these notes has declined significantly. While most of the currency has been deposited or exchanged, a small percentage still remains in the hands of the public.
Decline in Rs 2000 Notes in Circulation
• As of May 19, 2023, the total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation stood at Rs 3.56 lakh crore.
• By March 31, 2025, this amount declined to Rs 6,366 crore, marking a 98.21% return rate.
• The RBI confirmed that the majority of the notes have been deposited or exchanged in the banking system.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Which Indian state is the host of Asia Cup Hockey 2025 ?
a) Karnataka
b) Bihar
c) Haryana
d) Uttar Pradesh
Q2. What kind of satellite is “CARTOSAT-3” that was recently seen in news ?
a) Earth Observation Satellite
b) Communications Satellite
c) Navigation Satellite
d) Astronomical Satellite
Q3. Which organization has released a report titled “Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well” ?
a) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
b) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
c) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
d) World Bank
Q4. Which of the following statements correctly differentiate between earthquake magnitude and intensity ?
1. Magnitude measures the energy released by an earthquake, whereas intensity measures the damage and effects felt on the surface.
2. Magnitude is measured using the Richter Scale or Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw), while intensity is assessed using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.
3. The same earthquake can have only one magnitude, but its intensity varies across different locations.
4. The depth of the earthquake affects magnitude, but not intensity.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) Only 1 and 2
b) Only 1, 2, and 3
c) Only 2, 3, and 4
d) All of the above
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: Magnitude = energy released, Intensity = damage observed.
• Statement 2 is correct: Richter Scale (ML) and Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) measure magnitude, while MMI Scale assesses intensity based on human perception and structural damage.
• Statement 3 is correct: An earthquake has only one magnitude, but intensity varies across different locations.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: Depth affects both magnitude and intensity. A deeper earthquake generally reduces intensity at the surface.
Q5. Under MGNREGS, which of the following conditions can lead to an extension beyond 100 days of guaranteed work ?
1. Scheduled Tribe (ST) households in forest areas.
2. Households affected by natural calamities.
3. Households with women as sole earners.
4. Households living below the poverty line (BPL).
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2, and 3 only
c) 1, 3, and 4 only
d) All four
Explanation-
• Scheduled Tribe (ST) households in forest areas can avail 150 days of work under MGNREGS.
• Natural calamities (e.g., droughts, floods) can lead to an extension beyond 100 days, as notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Households with women as sole earners and BPL households do not automatically qualify for extra work.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | A | B | B | A |