Current Affairs Quiz — 15 May 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The first Indian biological experiment planned aboard the ISS, announced in May 2025, will study the effect of microgravity on:
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Correct answer: B — Edible microalgae
The first experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae as a sustainable space nutrition source.
Consider the following statements about India's planned space biology experiments (announced May 2025): 1. They will be carried out aboard ISRO's Gaganyaan G1 mission. 2. The second experiment will compare growth of cyanobacteria such as Spirulina in urea- and nitrate-based media. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The experiments are part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as a crew member.
How many startups did DPIIT approve for income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC, as announced on 15 May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 187
187 startups were approved: 75 at the 79th and 112 at the 80th IMB meeting. Over 3,700 is the cumulative total.
Under Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, eligible startups can claim:
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Correct answer: D — 100% deduction on profits for any 3 consecutive years within 10 years of incorporation
Eligible startups get a 100% income tax deduction on profits for any three consecutive years within a ten-year window from incorporation.
Consider the following statements about the Section 80-IAC startup tax benefit: 1. Startups incorporated before 1 April 2030 are now eligible to apply. 2. Under DPIIT's revised framework, complete applications are reviewed within 90 days. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Complete applications are reviewed within 120 days.
The India–EU joint research calls on Marine Plastic Litter and Waste to Green Hydrogen (May 2025) were launched under which mechanism?
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Correct answer: A — India–EU Trade and Technology Council
The calls were launched under the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), set up in 2022.
Consider the following statements about the India–EU research calls launched in May 2025: 1. They carry a joint investment of ₹391 crore (about €41 million). 2. The India–EU Trade and Technology Council was established in 2022. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The TTC was set up in 2022 by PM Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The two India–EU coordinated research calls launched on 15 May 2025 address which areas?
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Correct answer: B — Marine Plastic Litter and Waste to Green Hydrogen
The calls focus on Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) and Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH).
Which body wrote to all States and UTs in May 2025 seeking immediate implementation of the Supreme Court's 14 directives against manual scavenging?
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Correct answer: B — National Human Rights Commission
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) wrote to the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of all States and UTs.
How many directives did the Supreme Court issue in Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (2023) to eliminate manual scavenging?
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Correct answer: D — 14
The Supreme Court issued 14 directives in its 2023 judgment.
Consider the following statements regarding the NHRC's May 2025 communication on manual scavenging: 1. It noted the Supreme Court's complete ban announced on 29 January 2025 in six cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. 2. It sought action taken reports within four weeks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The NHRC sought action taken reports within eight weeks.
The high-level fisheries review chaired by the Prime Minister on 15 May 2025 focused on:
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Correct answer: A — Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone and high seas
The meeting focused on fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas.
Consider the following statements about the PM's fisheries review (15 May 2025): 1. The PM suggested using drones, as per technical protocols, to transport fresh fish to nearby city markets. 2. The PM suggested exploring uses of seaweed for fuel, nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PMO release.
The DRDO laboratory that developed the high-pressure polymeric membrane for seawater desalination (May 2025) is based in:
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Correct answer: B — Kanpur
The membrane was developed by DMSRDE, DRDO's Kanpur-based laboratory.
Consider the following statements about DRDO's desalination membrane (May 2025): 1. It was developed for desalination plants on Indian Coast Guard ships. 2. Final operational clearance will be given after 500 hours of operational testing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Initial trials were held on an ICG Offshore Patrol Vessel.
Who took oath as Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission on 15 May 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Dr Ajay Kumar
Dr Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary, took oath as UPSC Chairman. Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), the senior-most Member, administered the oath.
Consider the following statements about the new UPSC Chairman (May 2025): 1. He is a 1990-batch IAS officer. 2. The oath of office was administered to him by the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. Dr Ajay Kumar is a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, and the oath was administered by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), the senior-most Member of the Commission.
As per the PLFS monthly bulletin for April 2025, the unemployment rate (Current Weekly Status, age 15+) was:
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Correct answer: D — 5.1%
The unemployment rate in CWS for persons aged 15 and above was 5.1% in April 2025.
The labour force participation rate (CWS, age 15+) in April 2025, as per the PLFS monthly bulletin, was:
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Correct answer: A — 55.6%
LFPR was 55.6%. 52.8% was the overall WPR, 58.0% rural LFPR and 50.7% urban LFPR.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS bulletin for April 2025: 1. The PLFS sampling methodology was revamped from January 2025. 2. The female unemployment rate was higher than the male unemployment rate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The male UR (5.2%) was slightly higher than the female UR (5.0%).
Which body revoked the security clearance of M/s Celebi and its associated companies in May 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Bureau of Civil Aviation Security
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the clearance on grounds related to national security.
Consider the following statements about the revocation of Celebi's security clearance (May 2025): 1. It was revoked on grounds related to national security. 2. It was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The clearance was revoked by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
India's total exports (merchandise and services) in April 2025 were estimated at:
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Correct answer: A — US$ 73.80 billion
Total exports were US$ 73.80 billion. US$ 65.48 billion was the April 2024 figure, US$ 82.45 billion was total imports and US$ 38.49 billion was merchandise exports.
Among the following export categories, which recorded the highest year-on-year growth in April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Electronic goods
Electronic goods exports grew 39.51%, against 11.28% for engineering goods, 10.74% for gems and jewellery and 2.37% for drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Consider the following statements about India's trade in April 2025: 1. Merchandise exports were US$ 38.49 billion, up 9.02% year-on-year. 2. Total imports (merchandise and services) were estimated at US$ 82.45 billion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Commerce Ministry's release of 15 May 2025.
The College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry of Central Agricultural University (Imphal), whose new block was inaugurated in May 2025, is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Jalukie
The college is at Jalukie, Nagaland.
How much financial assistance did Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announce for Nagaland's agriculture sector on 15 May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹338.83 crore
He announced ₹338.83 crore for the overall development of Nagaland's agriculture sector.
Which campaign was formally launched in New Delhi on Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025 (15 May) to make the capital accessible for persons with disabilities?
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Correct answer: D — Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan
The Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan was launched, building on the success of the earlier Sugamya Dwarka Abhiyan.
Consider the following statements about the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan launch (May 2025): 1. It was organised by the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities with the Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association. 2. The launch consultation was held at the CCPD office in Dwarka, New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment release.
Under the Government's partnership-mode initiative, how many new Sainik Schools are to be set up?
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Correct answer: D — 100
The initiative is to set up 100 new Sainik Schools; 86 have been approved so far.
Consider the following statements about the new Sainik Schools initiative (May 2025): 1. The Ministry of Defence has approved 86 schools as new Sainik Schools. 2. Registration for the fourth round was open from 15 May to 14 June 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Defence release of 15 May 2025.
On 15 May 2025, a new ATC Tower cum Technical Block cum Fire Station was inaugurated at which airport in Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: B — Kolhapur
MoS Murlidhar Mohol inaugurated the facility at Kolhapur Airport.
The inaugural Star Air flight flagged off from Kolhapur on 15 May 2025 connects Kolhapur with:
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Correct answer: D — Nagpur
The inaugural Star Air flight was between Kolhapur and Nagpur.