Current Affairs Quiz — 16 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The launch of India–New Zealand FTA negotiations on 16 March 2025 was marked by a meeting between Piyush Goyal and which New Zealand minister?
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Correct answer: B — Todd McClay
The launch was marked by a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay in New Delhi.
India and New Zealand's earlier trade negotiations, which stalled in 2015 after nine rounds, were for which agreement?
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Correct answer: D — Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)
India and New Zealand began negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in April 2010; the talks stalled in 2015 after nine rounds.
According to India's Commerce Ministry, the India–New Zealand FTA negotiations launched in March 2025 aim mainly to:
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Correct answer: B — Enhance supply chain integration and improve market access
The ministry said the negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access.
After whom did Amit Shah announce a prominent road in Delhi will be named, while addressing the All Bodo Students' Union conference in Kokrajhar on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma
Shah announced that a prominent road in Delhi will be named after Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma.
Consider the following statements made by Amit Shah at the ABSU conference in Kokrajhar (16 March 2025): 1. The Centre will complete 100% implementation of the BTR peace agreement in the next two years. 2. 400 Bodo youths have been recruited into the Assam Commando Battalion. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Home Ministry release: 100% implementation of the BTR peace agreement in the next two years, and recruitment of 400 Bodo youths into the Assam Commando Battalion.
Who won the men's singles title at Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Jack Draper
Britain's Jack Draper beat Denmark's Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 for his first ATP Masters 1000 title.
Whom did 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva beat in the Indian Wells women's final on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Aryna Sabalenka
Andreeva came back to beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Wells 2025 finals: 1. Mirra Andreeva became the tournament's youngest women's champion since Serena Williams in 1999. 2. Jack Draper had already won two Masters 1000 titles before Indian Wells 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct (AP, Reuters). Statement 2 is wrong: Indian Wells 2025 was Draper's first Masters 1000 final and title.
Who won the women's singles title at the All England Open Badminton Championships on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — An Se-young
South Korea's An Se-young beat China's Wang Zhiyi 13-21, 21-18, 21-18 in the final in Birmingham.
Consider the following statements about the All England Open 2025 singles finals: 1. Shi Yuqi's win was his second All England title, after his first in 2018. 2. The tournament was held at the O2 Arena, London. 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 All England Open 2025 was held at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham.
Ramakanta Rath, who died on 16 March 2025, was an eminent poet of which language?
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Correct answer: C — Odia
Ramakanta Rath was a renowned Odia poet and a former Chief Secretary of Odisha.
For which long poem did Odia poet Ramakanta Rath (died March 2025) receive the Saraswati Samman?
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Correct answer: D — Sri Radha
His most celebrated work, the long poem 'Sri Radha' (1985), using Radha and Krishna as metaphors for love and human consciousness, won him the Saraswati Samman.
Consider the following statements about Ramakanta Rath (1934–2025): 1. He was an IAS officer who retired as Chief Secretary of Odisha. 2. He was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: he joined the IAS in 1957 and retired as Odisha's Chief Secretary in 1992. Statement 2 is wrong: he received the Padma Bhushan (not Padma Vibhushan) in 2006.
Which RBI digital initiatives were recognised with the Digital Transformation Award 2025 by Central Banking, London?
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Correct answer: B — Pravaah and Sarthi
The RBI was honoured for its in-house digital initiatives Pravaah and Sarthi.
The Digital Transformation Award 2025 won by the Reserve Bank of India (March 2025) was conferred by:
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Correct answer: C — Central Banking, London
The award was conferred by Central Banking, London, UK.
Who won the 2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the season opener, at Albert Park on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Lando Norris
McLaren's Lando Norris won from pole, 0.895 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, with George Russell third.
In which city is the Albert Park circuit, venue of the 2025 Formula 1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix?
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Correct answer: A — Melbourne
The Australian Grand Prix is held at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne.
Consider the following statements about the 2025 Australian Grand Prix (16 March 2025): 1. Lando Norris started the race from pole position. 2. George Russell finished second, ahead of Max Verstappen. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: Norris converted pole into victory. Statement 2 is wrong: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished second, 0.895 s behind Norris, and George Russell (Mercedes) was third.
At the review of new criminal laws in the North-East held in Guwahati on 16 March 2025, Amit Shah praised which state for filing charge sheets within 60–90 days in 66% of cases?
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Correct answer: D — Assam
Shah congratulated the Assam government for filing charge sheets within the stipulated 60–90 days in 66% of cases.
Which provision of the new criminal laws did Amit Shah urge North-Eastern states to use to help bring back fugitive criminals (Guwahati, 16 March 2025)?
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Correct answer: B — Trial in absentia
Shah said the provision of 'Trial in Absentia' should be used, as it will help bring fugitive criminals back to the country.
The Guwahati review of new criminal laws on 16 March 2025 was attended by the Chief Ministers of seven North-Eastern states but by the Governor of Manipur. Why was Manipur represented by its Governor?
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Correct answer: C — Manipur was under President's Rule
Manipur had been placed under President's Rule (Article 356) in February 2025, so the state's administration was being run in the President's name through the Governor.
With which podcaster did PM Narendra Modi have a podcast conversation released on 16 March 2025, in which he thanked the host for fasting as a mark of respect?
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Correct answer: D — Lex Fridman
The PM interacted with Lex Fridman and thanked him for his gesture of fasting as a mark of respect.
Who was the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India when it held the 10th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Ravneet Kaur
CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur delivered the special address at the conference.
Where was the first-ever Fit India Carnival inaugurated by Mansukh Mandaviya on 16 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
The first-ever Fit India Carnival, a three-day event, was inaugurated at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi.
Which actor was honoured as a 'Fit India Icon' at the inauguration of the first Fit India Carnival in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ayushmann Khurrana
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana was honoured as a 'Fit India Icon' at the event.