Current Affairs Quiz — 20 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was India's rank in the World Happiness Report 2025, released on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 118th
India ranked 118th of 147 countries, up from 126th in 2024.
Which country was ranked the happiest in the World Happiness Report 2025, for the eighth year in a row?
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Correct answer: A — Finland
Finland led the ranking for the eighth consecutive year with an average score of 7.736.
What was the theme of the World Happiness Report 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Caring and sharing
The 2025 report focused on the impact of caring and sharing on people's happiness.
Consider the following statements about the World Happiness Report 2025: 1. It is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. 2. It is released every year to mark World Mental Health Day. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The report is published by Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre with Gallup, the UN SDSN and an independent editorial board. It is released to mark the UN International Day of Happiness on 20 March, not World Mental Health Day (10 October).
On which date did India's coal production cross one billion tonnes in the financial year 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — 20 March 2025
The Ministry of Coal said production crossed 1 BT on 20 March 2025.
What was India's total coal production in FY 2023-24, which was surpassed in March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 997.83 MT
The 1 BT milestone came 11 days ahead of the previous fiscal's production of 997.83 million tonnes.
According to the Ministry of Coal in March 2025, about what share of India's electricity is generated by coal-based plants?
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Correct answer: D — About 74%
Around 74% of India's electricity is generated by coal-based power plants; coal is about 55% of the energy mix.
Consider the following statements made by the Ministry of Coal when coal output crossed 1 billion tonnes in March 2025: 1. Coal accounts for about 55% of India's energy mix. 2. India's coal imports rose during April–December 2024 compared with the previous year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The ministry said coal is about 55% of the energy mix, and that coal imports declined by 8.4% in April–December 2024, saving about $5.43 billion.
What was the total value of the capital acquisition proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Over ₹54,000 crore
The DAC accorded AoN to eight proposals amounting to over ₹54,000 crore.
The DAC on 20 March 2025 approved upgrading the engines of T-90 tanks from 1000 HP to:
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Correct answer: B — 1350 HP
AoN was accorded for 1350 HP engines to upgrade the present 1000 HP engines of T-90 tanks.
Which aircraft systems did the DAC clear for the Indian Air Force on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems
For the IAF, the DAC accorded AoN for Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft systems.
Consider the following statements about the DAC decisions of 20 March 2025: 1. Varunastra, cleared for the Navy, is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory. 2. The engine upgrade cleared for the Army was for Arjun main battle tanks. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Varunastra is an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo from NSTL. The 1350 HP engine upgrade was for T-90 tanks, not Arjun.
Where was the 14th meeting of the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism held in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — New Delhi
The 14th meeting was held in New Delhi on 19–20 March 2025, the first of the India–Malaysia co-chaired cycle.
Which two countries co-chaired the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2021–2024 cycle, before handing over to India and Malaysia?
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Correct answer: C — Myanmar and Russia
Myanmar and Russia, co-chairs for 2021–2024, handed over the co-chairmanship to India and Malaysia for 2024–2027.
Which company won MeitY's Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, announced on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Zoho
Zoho won the challenge; Team PING and Team Ajna were the runners-up.
Which organisation conducted the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge for MeitY?
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Correct answer: A — C-DAC Bengaluru
The challenge was conducted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Bengaluru.
Which team was the first runner-up in the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge announced in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Team PING
Team PING was the first runner-up and Team Ajna the second; Jio Vishwakarma received a special mention.
At which venue were the second Khelo India Para Games declared open on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, New Delhi
The Games were declared open at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium complex, New Delhi.
In how many sports disciplines did athletes compete at the second Khelo India Para Games, opened on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Six
More than 1,300 para athletes competed in six sports disciplines over eight days.
How many net members did EPFO add in January 2025, as per payroll data released on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 17.89 lakh
EPFO added 17.89 lakh net members in January 2025; 8.23 lakh were new subscribers.
What share of EPFO's new subscribers in January 2025 were aged 18–25?
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Correct answer: A — About 57%
4.70 lakh new subscribers, or 57.07% of the total, were in the 18–25 age group.
How many user fee collection agencies did NHAI debar in March 2025 for irregular toll collection?
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Correct answer: C — 14
NHAI debarred 14 agencies and forfeited performance securities worth over ₹100 crore.
Which CSIR laboratory signed an MoU with HAPICO Industries on 20 March 2025 to develop biopesticides?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-IIIM, Jammu
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, signed the MoU with HAPICO Industries.
Which ministry organised the 'Udyam Utsav' at Rashtrapati Bhavan from 20 to 30 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of MSME
The Ministry of MSME organised the Udyam Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Bavaliyali Dham, whose programme PM Modi addressed on 20 March 2025, is associated with which community of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: A — Bharwad
The PM addressed the programme of Bavaliyali Dham related to the Bharwad Samaj of Gujarat.
World Sparrow Day, marked at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, in 2025, is observed on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 20 March
World Sparrow Day is observed on 20 March; the zoo marked it on 20 March 2025.