Current Affairs Quiz — 17 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which country's Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, held talks with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — New Zealand
Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, was on an official visit to India from 16 to 20 March 2025 and held talks with PM Modi on 17 March.
The Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA) signed during the India–New Zealand talks of 17 March 2025 was between New Zealand Customs Service and which Indian body?
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Correct answer: A — Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
The AEO-MRA was signed between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the New Zealand Customs Service.
According to the India–New Zealand Joint Statement of 17 March 2025, people of Indian origin make up about what share of New Zealand's population?
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Correct answer: B — 6%
The joint statement noted that the Indian diaspora makes up about 6% of New Zealand's population.
Consider the following outcomes of PM Christopher Luxon's visit to India (March 2025): 1. New Zealand joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). 2. New Zealand became a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). 3. India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
New Zealand joined IPOI and became a CDRI member. On trade, the leaders only welcomed the launch of negotiations on a comprehensive FTA — no agreement was signed.
To what level did the two Bills passed by the Telangana Assembly on 17 March 2025 seek to raise reservation for Backward Classes?
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Correct answer: D — 42%
The two Bills seek to raise BC reservation to 42% in education, State government jobs and rural and urban local bodies.
Under the Telangana Bills passed on 17 March 2025, what would be the reservation shares of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes alongside 42% for Backward Classes?
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Correct answer: A — SC 15%, ST 10%
Once approved, BCs would get 42%, SCs 15% and STs 10% reservation in the State.
According to Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy (17 March 2025), the BC quota in local bodies is to be raised to 42% from what level?
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Correct answer: B — 23%
The CM said the government was committed to the BC Declaration promising to raise the BC quota in local bodies from 23% to 42%.
Consider the following statements about Telangana's BC reservation Bills of March 2025: 1. They were passed only after the Centre gave its prior approval to breach the 50% ceiling. 2. One of the two Bills covers reservation of seats in rural and urban local bodies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Bills were passed by the Assembly first and need the Centre's approval afterwards because total reservation (BC 42% + SC 15% + ST 10%) would exceed the 50% cap set in Indra Sawhney. Statement 2 is correct.
Who assumed charge as the CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Shivkumar Kalyanaraman
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman assumed charge as ANRF CEO, taking over from acting CEO Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
Before becoming CEO of ANRF in March 2025, Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman held which position?
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Correct answer: D — Chief Technology Officer, Energy Industry, Asia, Microsoft
The ministry noted that he was earlier Chief Technology Officer, Energy Industry, Asia, at Microsoft.
What gross merchandise value (GMV) milestone for FY 2024-25 did the Government e Marketplace (GeM) cross, as announced on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹5 lakh crore
GeM crossed ₹5 lakh crore GMV for FY 2024-25 more than 18 days before the financial year ended.
GeM's ₹5 lakh crore GMV milestone (March 2025) came less than 50 days after it crossed ₹4 lakh crore. On which date was the ₹4 lakh crore mark crossed?
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Correct answer: B — 23 January 2025
GeM crossed ₹4 lakh crore GMV on 23 January 2025 and ₹5 lakh crore less than 50 days later.
Debendra Pradhan, who died on 17 March 2025, was a three-time president of the BJP's unit in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Odisha
Debendra Pradhan was a three-time president of the BJP in Odisha and the father of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan (died 17 March 2025) held which portfolios in the Vajpayee government?
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Correct answer: D — Surface Transport and Agriculture
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi recalled that he served as Union Minister for (Surface) Transport and Agriculture between 1999 and 2001.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for February 2025, released on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2.38%
Annual WPI inflation for February 2025 was 2.38% (provisional) over February 2024.
In India's Wholesale Price Index (base 2011-12), which major group carries the largest weight, as listed in the February 2025 release?
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Correct answer: B — Manufactured Products (64.23%)
Manufactured Products carry the largest weight at 64.23%, followed by Primary Articles (22.62%) and Fuel & Power (13.15%); together these three major groups make up 100%.
What were India's estimated total exports (merchandise and services) during April–February 2024-25, as released on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — $750.53 billion
Total exports in April–February 2024-25 were estimated at $750.53 billion, up 6.24% from $706.43 billion a year earlier.
By what percentage did India's exports of electronic goods grow in February 2025 over February 2024, as per the Commerce Ministry data of 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 26.46%
Electronic goods exports increased by 26.46%, from $3 billion in February 2024 to $3.79 billion in February 2025.
Which new department did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini propose in the State budget for 2025-26 presented on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Department of the Future
Saini proposed a new 'Department of the Future' to anticipate emerging technologies and risks and make Haryana 'future-capable'.
Under the Haryana AI Mission announced in the 2025-26 budget, AI hubs are to be set up in which two cities?
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Correct answer: D — Gurugram and Panchkula
The budget speech said one hub each will be established in Gurugram and Panchkula, to train over 50,000 youth.
Consider the following statements about Haryana's budget for 2025-26: 1. The World Bank has given an initial assurance of ₹474 crore for the Haryana AI Mission. 2. The budget outlay is lower than the revised estimates for 2024-25. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct per the budget speech. Statement 2 is wrong: the outlay of ₹2,05,017.29 crore is 13.7% higher than the revised estimates of 2024-25.
Who was the chief guest and delivered the inaugural keynote address at Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was the chief guest and delivered the inaugural keynote address at Raisina Dialogue 2025.
Raisina Dialogue 2025, which opened in New Delhi on 17 March 2025, was which edition of the conference?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
Raisina Dialogue 2025 was the 10th edition of India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
Tulsi Gabbard, who called on PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 17 March 2025, holds which US post?
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Correct answer: A — Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard is the US Director of National Intelligence.
Consider the following statements about Tulsi Gabbard's India visit of 17 March 2025: 1. The PMO described it as the first high-level visit to India from the US in President Trump's second term. 2. She also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: PM Modi noted it was the first high-level visit to India from the US in Trump's second term, and Rajnath Singh met her the same day.
Under which awareness campaign will WhatsApp promote safe digital practices as part of its partnership with the Department of Telecommunications announced on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Scam Se Bacho
The DoT–WhatsApp partnership will promote awareness of Sanchar Saathi and safe practices under Meta's 'Scam Se Bacho' campaign.
Where was the next India–Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held, as discussed at the 9th Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi on 17 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Australia, 2025
The two sides discussed preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, to be held in Australia in 2025.