Current Affairs Quiz — 28 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on 28 March 2025, as recorded by the USGS?
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Correct answer: C — 7.7
The USGS recorded the 28 March 2025 Mandalay earthquake at magnitude 7.7.
The Myanmar earthquake of 28 March 2025 occurred at 06:20:52 UTC. What was the time in India (IST)?
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Correct answer: B — 11:50 am
IST is UTC + 5:30, so 06:20 UTC was 11:50 am IST. Myanmar time (UTC + 6:30) was 12:50 pm.
On 28 March 2025, PM Narendra Modi asked the MEA to remain in touch with the governments of which two countries after the earthquake?
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Correct answer: D — Myanmar and Thailand
The PM asked the MEA to remain in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand, both hit by the earthquake.
Consider the following statements about the 28 March 2025 Mandalay earthquake: 1. It ruptured about 475 km of the Sagaing Fault, as found by USGS researchers. 2. It was a deep-focus earthquake, originating more than 300 km below the surface. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
USGS researchers found a rupture of about 475 km on the Sagaing Fault. The quake was shallow (about 10 km deep), not deep-focus.
How many Light Combat Helicopters Prachand did the Ministry of Defence contract from HAL on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 156
The two contracts cover 156 LCH Prachand helicopters worth ₹62,700 crore.
How are the 156 LCH Prachand helicopters ordered on 28 March 2025 split between the services?
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Correct answer: B — 66 IAF and 90 Army
The first contract is for 66 LCHs for the IAF and the second for 90 LCHs for the Army.
Along with the LCH contracts on 28 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Metrea Management for:
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Correct answer: D — Wet lease of one flight refuelling aircraft
MoD signed a contract with Metrea Management to wet-lease one KC-135 flight refuelling aircraft to train IAF and Navy pilots in air-to-air refuelling.
Consider the following statements about the LCH Prachand, as stated by the Ministry of Defence on 28 March 2025: 1. It is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter and can operate above 5,000 metres. 2. Indigenous content of over 65% is planned during this procurement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The MoD described the LCH as India's first indigenous combat helicopter able to operate above 5,000 m and planned over 65% indigenous content.
On 28 March 2025, the Supreme Court quashed an FIR against which Rajya Sabha MP over a poem in a social media video?
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Correct answer: A — Imran Pratapgarhi
The Supreme Court quashed the Jamnagar FIR against Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi.
Which bench of the Supreme Court decided the Imran Pratapgarhi case on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan
The case was decided by a bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan.
Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's ruling in Imran Pratapgadhi v. State of Gujarat (28 March 2025): 1. The court relied on the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. 2. The court referred to the preliminary inquiry under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita before registering an FIR in such speech cases. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The court grounded its ruling in Article 19(1)(a) and said police should use the preliminary inquiry under Section 173(3) BNSS in such cases.
Off which Indian city was the 14th India–Russia naval exercise INDRA held from 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Chennai
INDRA 2025 had a harbour phase at Chennai and a sea phase in the Bay of Bengal.
Which Indian Navy ships took part in Exercise INDRA 2025?
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Correct answer: B — INS Rana and INS Kuthar
INS Rana, INS Kuthar and a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft took part alongside three Russian ships.
Consider the following statements about Exercise INDRA: 1. It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Russia that began in 2003. 2. Its 2025 edition was the 10th edition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
INDRA has been held since 2003. The 2025 edition was the 14th, not the 10th.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, passed by the Lok Sabha on 28 March 2025, replaces an Act of which year?
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Correct answer: B — 1925
The Bill replaces the colonial-era Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, replaced by the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha on 28 March 2025, was rooted in which international rules?
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Correct answer: D — Hague Rules
The 1925 Act was rooted in the century-old Hague Rules.
The Patna–Arrah–Sasaram corridor approved by the CCEA on 28 March 2025 has been assigned which National Highway number?
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Correct answer: A — NH-119A
The 120.10 km four-lane corridor is NH-119A; NH-19, NH-319 and NH-922 are highways it connects with.
On which model will the Patna–Arrah–Sasaram corridor, approved on 28 March 2025, be developed?
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Correct answer: D — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a capital cost of ₹3,712.40 crore.
On which date did the Union Cabinet approve the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)?
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Correct answer: B — 28 March 2025
The Union Cabinet approved ECMS on 28 March 2025 with an outlay of ₹22,919 crore.
What production target was set for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme when it was approved on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — ₹4,56,500 crore
The scheme targets production of ₹4,56,500 crore; ₹59,350 crore is the investment target.
Consider the following statements about the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme approved on 28 March 2025: 1. Display module and camera module sub-assemblies are covered under a turnover-linked incentive. 2. Li-ion cells for storage and mobility applications are among the bare components covered. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Display and camera module sub-assemblies get a turnover-linked incentive. The Li-ion cell category covers digital applications and excludes storage and mobility.
On 28 March 2025, the Amit Shah-led High-Level Committee approved ₹555.70 crore for which State's recovery from the October 2023 GLOF?
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Correct answer: D — Sikkim
₹555.70 crore was approved for Sikkim's recovery and reconstruction after the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood.
Consider the following statements about the High-Level Committee that approved NDRF assistance on 28 March 2025: 1. It is chaired by the Union Home Minister and includes the Finance Minister, the Agriculture Minister and the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman. 2. The fire services projects it approved were funded from the Recovery and Reconstruction window of the NDRF. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The committee is chaired by the Home Minister with the FM, Agriculture Minister and NITI VC as members. Fire services projects came from the Preparedness and Capacity Building window; Sikkim's aid came from the Recovery and Reconstruction window.
Where was the 113th meeting of the EPFO Executive Committee held on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Srinagar
The 113th EC meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, EPF, was held in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
At its 113th meeting on 28 March 2025, the EPFO Executive Committee welcomed a proposal to raise the auto-claim settlement limit to:
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Correct answer: D — ₹5 lakh
The EC welcomed the proposal to raise the auto-claim limit to ₹5 lakh.
After the hike approved on 28 March 2025, what is the Dearness Allowance rate for Central Government employees from 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 55%
DA was raised by 2% from 53% to 55% of basic pay, effective 1 January 2025.
About how many pensioners benefit from the Dearness Relief increase approved on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 66.55 lakh
About 66.55 lakh pensioners benefit; 48.66 lakh is the number of employees.
Under which programme did the CCEA include the Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — PMKSY-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme
The project was included under PMKSY-AIBP of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with ₹3,652.56 crore central support.
The Kosi–Mechi link project approved on 28 March 2025 will divert surplus Kosi water into which river basin in Bihar?
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Correct answer: B — Mahananda
The project diverts part of the Kosi's surplus water to the Mahananda basin, irrigating Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar.
The Time Use Survey 2024, whose report was released on 28 March 2025, was which all-India edition of the survey?
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Correct answer: C — Second
It was the second all-India Time Use Survey; the first was conducted in 2019.
According to Time Use in India 2024, what share of women aged 15–59 took part in paid activities?
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Correct answer: B — 24.9%
24.9% of women aged 15–59 took part in paid activities, against 74.5% of men.
Consider the following statements about the Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024: 1. Non-SNA production activities, such as unpaid domestic work, saw participation by 93.9% of women aged 15–59. 2. Time-use surveys capture only work that is counted in the national accounts. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
93.9% of women aged 15–59 took part in non-SNA production activities. Time-use surveys are valuable precisely because they also capture work not counted in national accounts, such as unpaid domestic and care work.
What is the approximate budget requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2025, approved on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — ₹37,216 crore
The Cabinet approved NBS rates for Kharif 2025 with a budget need of about ₹37,216.15 crore.
Under the Kharif 2025 NBS decision of 28 March 2025, freight subsidy was extended for which fertiliser?
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Correct answer: D — Single Super Phosphate (SSP)
The freight subsidy on Single Super Phosphate (SSP) was extended to Kharif 2025.
Under the DARPG–Bhashini agreement of 28 March 2025, citizens will be able to file grievances on CPGRAMS in how many regional languages?
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Correct answer: C — 22
The multilingual solution will let citizens file grievances on CPGRAMS in 22 regional languages, including by voice.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries grow in February 2025 (provisional), as released on 28 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2.9%
The index grew 2.9% in February 2025; 4.4% was the April–February cumulative growth and 5.8% the final November 2024 figure.