Current Affairs Quiz — 12 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
To what level did India and Mauritius elevate their relationship on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Enhanced Strategic Partnership
The two Prime Ministers elevated ties to an 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership' during PM Modi's State Visit to Mauritius.
In which country did PM Modi unveil Vision MAHASAGAR for the Global South in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Mauritius
PM Modi unveiled Vision MAHASAGAR in Mauritius on 12 March 2025 — the same country where he had unveiled Vision SAGAR in 2015.
Where in Mauritius is the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation, inaugurated on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Réduit
PM Modi and PM Ramgoolam jointly inaugurated the institute at Réduit; it was built with an Indian grant of US$4.74 million.
Which of the following did India announce support for during PM Modi's March 2025 visit to Mauritius?
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Correct answer: D — A new Parliament building
PM Modi announced India's support for a new Parliament building in Mauritius and Phase II of High Impact Community Development Projects.
Consider the following outcomes of PM Modi's visit to Mauritius in March 2025: 1. An agreement between the RBI and the Bank of Mauritius on a framework for using local currencies (INR or MUR) in cross-border transactions. 2. Handover of a navigational chart of St Brandon prepared after a hydrographic survey by an Indian naval ship. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are in the official List of Outcomes: the RBI–Bank of Mauritius local-currency framework, and the handover of the St Brandon navigational chart.
Which country conferred its highest civilian award on PM Narendra Modi on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Mauritius
Mauritius conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) on PM Modi at its National Day celebrations.
What is the name of the Mauritian award conferred on PM Modi in March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
PM Modi received the GCSK — Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean — the highest civilian award of Mauritius.
Who conferred the GCSK award on PM Modi at the Mauritius National Day celebrations of 2025?
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Correct answer: B — President Dharambeer Gokhool
Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the GCSK on PM Modi on 12 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's role at Mauritius's National Day in 2025: 1. It was the first time he was Chief Guest at the Mauritius National Day. 2. He is the first Indian leader to receive the GCSK. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Modi was also Chief Guest at the National Day in 2015, when he unveiled Vision SAGAR. Statement 2 is correct as per the PMO.
Which team won the 5th Khelo India Winter Games, which closed in Gulmarg on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Army
The Indian Army retained its title with 18 medals, including 7 gold, one gold more than runners-up Himachal Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the 5th Khelo India Winter Games (2025): 1. The closing ceremony was held at Gulmarg Golf Club in Jammu and Kashmir. 2. Himachal Pradesh finished runners-up after winning one gold fewer than the Indian Army. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Sports Ministry: the Games closed at Gulmarg Golf Club, and Himachal Pradesh (6 gold) finished second to the Army (7 gold).
What was India's CPI-based retail inflation for February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 3.61%
MoSPI put February 2025 retail inflation at 3.61% (provisional), the lowest since July 2024.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at the all-India level in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Coconut oil
Coconut oil had the highest inflation at 54.48%, followed by coconut (41.61%), gold (35.56%), silver (30.89%) and onion (30.42%).
Consider the following statements about CPI data for February 2025: 1. Food inflation fell to its lowest level since May 2023. 2. Urban headline inflation was higher than rural headline inflation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: food inflation was 3.75%, the lowest since May 2023. Statement 2 is wrong: urban inflation (3.32%) was lower than rural (3.79%).
On the sidelines of which session did India and UN Women co-host a Ministerial Roundtable on women's empowerment in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
The roundtable was held on 12 March 2025 at UN Headquarters, New York, alongside the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The India–UN Women roundtables of March 2025 focused on implementing how many critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action?
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Correct answer: C — 12
The roundtables discussed strategies to implement the 12 critical areas of concern in the Beijing Platform for Action.
'Ashwini', for which a ₹2,906 crore contract was signed in March 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: D — Low-level transportable radar
Ashwini is a Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) to be supplied by BEL to the Indian Air Force.
With which company did the Defence Ministry sign the ₹2,906 crore Ashwini radar contract?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Limited
The contract was signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, on 12 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Ashwini LLTR: 1. It is an active electronically scanned phased-array radar developed by DRDO's Electronics & Radar Development Establishment. 2. It is designed to track only high-speed fighter aircraft, not drones or helicopters. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the radar can track targets from high-speed fighters to slow-moving UAVs and helicopters.
Where was the keel of the second Fleet Support Ship for the Indian Navy laid on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli
The keel was laid at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, to which Hindustan Shipyard Limited has sub-contracted two of the five ships.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Navy's Fleet Support Ships (FSS): 1. Hindustan Shipyard Limited has sub-contracted the construction of two of the five ships to L&T Shipyard. 2. In their secondary role, the ships are equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Defence Ministry.
Which Bill did the Lok Sabha pass on 12 March 2025, completing its passage through Parliament?
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Correct answer: A — Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
The Lok Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 on 12 March 2025; the Rajya Sabha had passed it on 3 December 2024.
What single permit does the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 introduce in place of multiple licences?
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Correct answer: B — Petroleum lease
The Bill introduces a single 'petroleum lease', replacing the need for multiple licences for different activities and hydrocarbons.
Consider the following statements about the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024: 1. It was first passed by the Lok Sabha and later by the Rajya Sabha. 2. It raises the penalty for violations to ₹25 lakh, with up to ₹10 lakh per day for continuing violations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Rajya Sabha passed it first, on 3 December 2024, and the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2025. Statement 2 is correct.
Which state signed the first Centre–State partnership MoU with the Department of Biotechnology under the BioE3 Policy in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Assam
DBT and the Government of Assam signed the first Centre–State partnership MoU under BioE3 on 12 March 2025.
Under the DBT–Assam BioE3 MoU, what will the Government of Assam establish?
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Correct answer: D — A State BioE3 Cell
Assam will set up a State BioE3 Cell and develop an Assam BioE3 Action Plan, while DBT provides guidance.
Consider the following statements about the BioE3 Policy: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 August 2024. 2. Its 'BioEnablers' include biofoundries, biomanufacturing hubs and Bio-AI hubs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Science and Technology Ministry.
Which missile was test-fired from a Tejas LCA AF MK1 prototype off Chandipur on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Astra
ADA test-fired the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile from the LCA AF MK1 prototype.
Which agency conducted the Astra test-launch from the LCA AF MK1 prototype in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Aeronautical Development Agency
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) conducted the test, with DRDO, HAL, CEMILAC, DG-AQA and the IAF supporting.
Consider the following statements about the Astra test of 12 March 2025: 1. Astra is already inducted into the Indian Air Force and can engage targets beyond 100 km. 2. The test was described as a milestone towards induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Defence Ministry.
What was India's IIP growth rate for January 2025 as per the Quick Estimates?
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Correct answer: C — 5.0%
IIP grew 5.0% in January 2025; 3.2% was December 2024, 4.4% mining and 5.5% manufacturing.
Which use-based category contracted in the IIP for January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Consumer non-durables
Consumer non-durables fell 0.2% in January 2025, while capital goods grew 7.8% and consumer durables 7.2%.
IGNCA's tenth Regional Centre, inaugurated in Tirupati in March 2025, will specialise in the study of:
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Correct answer: C — Vaishnava Agama and Indian architectural tradition
The Tirupati centre, set up with the National Sanskrit University, focuses on Vaishnava Agama and Indian architectural traditions.
With which country did India hold its first Joint Working Group meeting on Agriculture on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Chile
India and Chile held their first JWG meeting on Agriculture virtually on 12 March 2025, with Chile represented by ODEPA.