Current Affairs Quiz — 21 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2025, released on 21 March 2025, what was the size of India's bioeconomy in 2024?
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Correct answer: B — $165.7 billion
IBER 2025 put India's bioeconomy at $165.7 billion in 2024, up from $10 billion in 2014.
What share of India's GDP did the bioeconomy contribute, as per the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 4.25%
IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India's GDP.
What is 'BioSaarthi', launched by Dr Jitendra Singh on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — A global mentorship initiative for biotech startups
BioSaarthi is a six-month cohort-based global mentorship initiative for biotech startups, engaging overseas experts, especially from the Indian diaspora.
How many biotech startups does India have, as cited at the release of the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Over 10,075
The Minister said biotech startups have grown from about 50 a decade ago to over 10,075.
Consider the following statements about the India Bioeconomy Report 2025: 1. India's bioeconomy surpassed the target of $150 billion set for 2025. 2. The bioeconomy grew at a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy reached $165.7 billion in 2024, surpassing the $150 billion target for 2025, with a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years.
Justice Harish Tandon was appointed Chief Justice of which High Court on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Orissa High Court
Justice Harish Tandon, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, was appointed Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court.
Before his appointment as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court in March 2025, Justice Harish Tandon was a judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: B — Calcutta High Court
The Law Ministry's communiqué described him as a judge of the Calcutta High Court.
Consider the following statements in the context of the appointment of Justice Harish Tandon as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court: 1. Judges of High Courts, including Chief Justices, are appointed by the President under Article 217(1). 2. The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the Governor of the State concerned. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The appointment was made by the President under Article 217(1), which covers every High Court judge including the Chief Justice. The Governor is consulted but does not appoint.
Where was Purple Fest 2025, celebrating persons with disabilities, held on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Purple Fest 2025 was held at the Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on 21 March 2025.
Which department organised Purple Fest 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Purple Fest 2025 was hosted by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
From which vessel did the Indian Navy evacuate injured crew about 230 nautical miles west of Goa on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — MV Heilan Star
The Navy evacuated three injured crew from MV Heilan Star, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier.
To which naval air station were the injured crew of MV Heilan Star flown on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — INS Hansa, Goa
The rescued crew were flown to INS Hansa, Goa, and then moved to a civil hospital.
With which department did Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff sign an MoU on defence R&D on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Science and Technology
HQ IDS signed the MoU with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to strengthen defence research and development.
Who was the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff present at the signing of the HQ IDS–DST MoU on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Lt Gen JP Mathew
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen JP Mathew. V Adm Sanjay Vatsayan, Deputy Chief, signed it for HQ IDS.
What cash amount does the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024, announced in March 2025, carry?
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Correct answer: A — ₹50,000
The Translation Prize carries ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.
Who chaired the Sahitya Akademi Executive Board meeting that approved the Translation Prize 2024 in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Madhav Kaushik
The Executive Board met under the chairmanship of Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik.
What was the theme of the International Day of Forests 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Forests and Foods
The 2025 theme was 'Forests and Foods', highlighting forests' role in food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
On which date was the first-ever World Day for Glaciers observed in 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 21 March
The first World Day for Glaciers was observed on 21 March 2025, the eve of World Water Day.
Consider the following statements about the International Day of Forests: 1. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012. 2. Its annual theme is chosen by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 21 March as the International Day of Forests in 2012. The annual theme is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, not UNEP.
At which institute did the two-week training programme for Bhutanese election officials conclude on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — IIIDEM, New Delhi
The programme concluded at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi.
How many Bhutanese election officials took part in the ECI's capacity development programme held from 10 to 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 40
The programme trained 40 senior and mid-level officers from Bhutan.
Who was Bhutan's Election Commissioner who took part in the March 2025 training programme in New Delhi?
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Correct answer: A — Ugyen Chewang
Bhutan's Election Commissioner Ugyen Chewang participated and gave the vote of thanks at the valedictory session.
About how many standards had the Bureau of Indian Standards developed, as stated in March 2025 ahead of its Annual Programme for Standardisation 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — Over 23,000
BIS said it has developed more than 23,000 standards.
With which institute did C-DOT partner, as announced on 21 March 2025, to develop a generative AI chatbot for disaster early warning?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi
C-DOT signed the agreement with IIT Delhi for the generative AI-enhanced chatbot.
Which annual convocation of AIIMS New Delhi did President Droupadi Murmu address on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 49th
The President addressed the 49th annual convocation of AIIMS New Delhi.