This is the current affairs of 8 to 10 March 2025. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Which Indian city is the most air polluted city in the world, according to IQ Air’s ‘World Air Quality Report 2024’?
a. Agra (UP)
b. Burnihat (Meghalaya)
c. Chandigarh
d. Begusarai (Bihar)
Answer: b. Burnihat (Meghalaya)
– Report Name: ‘World Air Quality Report 2024’
– Report Released By: IQ Air
– 13 Indian cities are among the top 20 most polluted cities in the world.
– These include Barnihat (Meghalaya), Delhi, Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad (Haryana), Loni (Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh), Gurugram (Haryana), Ganganagar (Rajasthan), Greater Noida (UP), Bhiwadi (Haryana), Muzaffarnagar (UP), Hanumangarh (Rajasthan), and Noida (UP).
Why is there pollution in Barnihat?
– The annual average of PM2.5 in this city is recorded at 198.2, which is extremely high.
– The World Health Organization recommends that the annual average concentration of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter, and the 24-hour average exposure should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter for more than 3-4 days a year.
– The high pollution levels in Barnihat city, located on the Assam-Meghalaya border, are due to emissions from local factories, including distilleries, iron, and steel plants.
– Note: India was the fifth most polluted country in the world in 2024, while it was in third place in 2023.
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2. Which of the following is the most polluted capital city globally, according to IQ Air’s ‘World Air Quality Report 2024’?
a. New Delhi
b. Islamabad
c. Dhaka
d. Jakarta
Answer: a. New Delhi
Top 10 polluted capital cities
1) New Delhi (India)
2) N’Djamena (Chad)
3) Dhaka (Bangladesh)
4) Kinshasa (DR Congo)
5) Islamabad (Pakistan)
6) Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
7) Hanoi (Vietnam)
8) Kathmandu (Nepal)
9) Abuja (Nigeria)
10) Jakarta (Indonesia)
Pollution in Delhi
– Air pollution in Delhi has worsened.
– The annual average PM 2.5 concentration in Delhi increased from 102.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to 108.3 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024.
– Delhi struggles with high air pollution year-round, and this issue becomes even worse during the winter.
– Adverse weather conditions, vehicle emissions, crop residue burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources make the air quality hazardous.
The Situation in India
– In 2024, there was a 7% decline in PM 2.5 concentration in India, which was an average of 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, compared to 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. However, 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India.
– The report mentions that, overall, in 35% of Indian cities, the annual PM 2.5 levels are 10 times higher than the World Health Organization’s limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
– Air pollution remains a serious health threat in India, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years.
According to a 2024 study published in Lancet Planetary Health, from 2009 to 2019, approximately 1.5 million deaths in India each year were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM 2.5 pollution.
About PM 2.5
– PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5) refers to air pollution particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream.
– It can cause breathing problems, heart diseases, and even cancer.
– Sources of PM 2.5 include vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and the burning of wood or crop waste.
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3. India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title by defeating whom?
a. Australia
b. New Zealand
c. Pakistan
d. South Africa
Answer: b. New Zealand
– India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title on March 9, 2025, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.
– India defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final.
– India won the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time.
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4. Who got the Player of the Match award in the final of ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
a. Rohit Sharma
b. Virat Kohli
c. Hardik Pandya
d. KL Rahul
Answer: a. Rohit Sharma
– In the final match, Rohit Sharma played a key role, scoring 76 runs off 83 balls.
– As a result, he was awarded the Player of the Match.
The Player of the Tournament award was given to Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand).
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
– Location: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
– Dates: From February 19 to March 9, 2025
– Final: Between India and New Zealand
– Edition: Ninth
– New Zealand Captain: Mitchell Santner
– India Captain: Rohit Sharma
What is the ICC Champions Trophy?
– The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, previously known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy, is an international cricket tournament.
– The first edition was held in 1998 in Bangladesh.
Champions Trophy Winners
– 1998: South Africa (defeated West Indies in the final)
– 2000: New Zealand (defeated India in the final)
– 2002: India and Sri Lanka (joint winners)
– 2004: West Indies (defeated England in the final)
– 2006: Australia (defeated West Indies in the final)
– 2009: Australia (defeated New Zealand in the final)
– 2013: India (defeated England in the final)
– 2017: Pakistan (defeated India in the final)
– 2025: India (defeated New Zealand in the final)
Question: Who were the joint winners in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy?
Answer: India and Sri Lanka (in 2002)
– The final of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was canceled on September 29 and 30 in Colombo due to rain. In the first match, Sri Lanka scored 244 runs, but India could only play 2 overs due to rain.
– On the second day, Sri Lanka scored 222 runs, and India managed to play 8.4 overs for 38 runs. As the match was abandoned, both teams were declared joint winners, and no Man of the Match or Man of the Series awards were given.
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5. Which Indian was awarded the ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ by the Barbados government in March 2025?
a. Ramnath Kovind
b. Draupadi Murmu
c. Narendra Modi
d. Shahrukh Khan
Answer: c. Narendra Modi
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi received this honor from the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Pavitra Margarita, on March 6, 2025.
– The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, presented this award.
Why the Honor was Given
– He was awarded this honor for his strategic leadership and significant assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Barbados
– Barbados is an island country located in the Atlantic Ocean.
– It is part of the Lesser Antilles region of the West Indies.
– Although it is not located next to the Caribbean Sea, it is considered part of the Caribbean region.
– It is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands.
– It is situated on the boundary of the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates.
– Capital and largest city: Bridgetown
– Prime Minister: Mia Amor Mottley
– Currency: Barbadian Dollar
– Neighboring countries: Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
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6. Who took over as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA)?
a. Alok Jain
b. Manoj Kumar
c. Mayank Sharma
d. Avinash Singh
Answer: c. Mayank Sharma
– Dr. Mayank Sharma assumed the office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on March 1, 2025.
– He is an officer of the 1989 batch of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS).
Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA)
– The full form of CGDA is Controller General of Defence Accounts.
– It operates under the Ministry of Defence of India and oversees the accounting functions of the Indian Defence sector.
– Its main duties include managing the budget, expenditure, accounting records, and pension distribution of the Ministry of Defence. Additionally, it conducts financial audits and inspections.
– Its headquarters is located in Delhi.
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7. According to the Central Government’s report “Population Status of River Dolphins in India 2024”, how many dolphins are there in Indian rivers?
a. 5,050
b. 6,072
c. 6,327
d. 7,733
Answer: c. 6,327
Note: The first survey to determine the number of dolphins was conducted.
– Report Name: Population Status of River Dolphins in India 2024
– Report Released By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Survey Duration: The survey was conducted from 2021 to 2023.
– Survey Locations: The survey covered 8,406 kilometers of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys (including their tributaries) and 101 kilometers of the Beas River.
Which Rivers Were Surveyed?
– The survey covered 7,109 kilometers of the Ganga and its tributaries in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
– A total of 1,297 kilometers of the Brahmaputra River was surveyed, including its tributaries Subansiri, Kulsi, Beki, Kopili, and Barak.
– 101 kilometers of the Beas River (Punjab) was also surveyed.
Note: The survey of 28 rivers was done by boat, while 30 rivers were mapped using road routes.
What is a Dolphin?
– A dolphin is a marine mammal that lives in water.
It is not a fish, but an aquatic mammal that breathes air.
– The characteristics of a dolphin are as follows: The dolphin’s body is strong and streamlined, allowing it to swim quickly through water. It has a long, narrow nose (called a “beak” or “spout”), a fin (flipper), and a tail (fluke) that help it swim.
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8. According to the report “Population Status of River Dolphins in India 2024”, which state has the highest number of dolphins?
a. Rajasthan
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Bihar
d. West Bengal
Answer: b. Uttar Pradesh (Dolphin number – 2,397)
State – Dolphin Population
– Uttar Pradesh: 2,397
– Bihar: 2,220
– Jharkhand: 162
– Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh: 95
– West Bengal: 815
– Assam: 635
– Punjab: 3
– Total: 6,327
#Survey Process and Challenges#
How Difficult is it to Survey Dolphin Numbers?
– River dolphins live in murky and opaque water and come to the surface only for short periods, making it difficult to estimate their population.
– According to the report, dolphins surface for just 1.26 seconds and dive for 107 seconds, which makes it challenging for observers to count them accurately. This leads to errors, as not all dolphins surface at the same time.
How Are Dolphins Counted?
– Both visual (sight) and acoustic (sound recording) survey methods are used to count dolphins.
– Dolphins’ sounds, called ‘clicks,’ are recorded using underwater microphones (hydrophones).
– Dolphins are blind, so they use clicking sounds to navigate through water and detect surrounding objects. This process is called echolocation.
– Hydrophones record these sounds, helping surveyors count dolphins accurately and avoid mistakes.
Role of the Double Observer Method in Dolphin Surveying
– The double observer method is used in deep and wide channels.
– It involves two teams deployed at different parts of the boat (left and right), each looking in a different direction for dolphins.
– These teams move with the boat’s speed (8-10 km/hour) and scan for dolphins.
– This method helps avoid double counting, as the boat moves faster than the dolphins, making it unlikely for the same dolphin to be counted twice.
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9. Under which scheme did the Delhi government decide to give Rs 2500 every month to women from poor families?
a. Samridhi Yojana
b. Veernari Yojana
c. Ameer Banao Yojana
d. Mamta Yojana
Answer: a. Samridhi Yojana
– The Delhi government launched the “Women’s Prosperity Scheme” on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025).
– The scheme has a budget of ₹5,100 crore for implementation.
– Women from BPL (Below Poverty Line) families will be given ₹2,500 every month.
– It is estimated that around 20 lakh women will benefit from this scheme.
– Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that there are certain conditions to avail the benefits of the scheme, and a committee has been formed to define these criteria.
– To be eligible for the Women’s Prosperity Scheme, the income should not exceed ₹3 lakh.
– The woman must be a resident of Delhi.
– The family must not pay taxes, and the woman should be between 18 and 60 years of age.
– The woman should not hold a government position.
The woman should not be receiving any government benefits.
– E-registration is mandatory.
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10. Name the first woman law secretary of the country?
a. Avni Sharma
b. Anju Rathi Rana
c. Tanushka Singh
d. Sarla Thakral
Answer: b. Anju Rathi Rana
– The Central Government appointed Anju Rathi Rana as Law Secretary on 6 March 2025.
– She is an officer of the Indian Legal Service.
– Before her new posting, she was the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Law.
– Until the age of 18, she also served as a government lawyer in the Delhi government.
– Anju’s role will involve providing legal and constitutional advice to the Government of India.
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11. Who became the new Chancellor of Austria?
a. Karin Kneisel
b. Michael Hanish
c. Christian Stocker
d. herbert kickle
Answer: c. Christian Stocker
– Christian Stocker took over as Chancellor of Austria on 4 March 2025.
– India and Austria have maintained close diplomatic relations since 1949, with 2019 completing 70 years of bilateral relations.
– President: Alexander Van der Bellen
– Capital: Vienna
– Currency: Euro
– Population: around 9.1 million
– Neighbouring countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy!
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12. Which country tops the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 report?
a. China
b. Pakistan
c. Syria
d. Burkina Faso
Answer: d. Burkina Faso
– Name of the report – Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025
– Who prepared the report – Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP)
– How many countries are mentioned in the report – 163
– GTI evaluates indicators including the number of terrorist incidents, casualties, injured and hostages, and their impact on terrorism.
Top 10 countries in terms of spreading terrorism
1. Burkina Faso
2. Pakistan
3. Syria
4. Mali
5. Niger
6. Nigeria
7. Somalia
8. Israel
9. Afghanistan
10. Cameroon
Note – According to the report, there has been a 45 percent increase in deaths due to terrorism in Pakistan.
– This figure increased to 1,081 in 2024 compared to 748 deaths in the year 2023.
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13. Which state has launched “Operation Hifazat” for women?
a. Punjab
b. Haryana
c. Delhi
d. Rajasthan
Answer: a. Punjab
– The Punjab government launched the “Operation Hifazat” project on March 6, 2025, for the safety of women.
– The purpose of this project is to provide immediate assistance to women who are victims of violence.
– One Stop Centers, already set up at the block level, will help in this effort. Additionally, the ‘Sakhi Web Portal’ will be used to monitor rescue operations.
– Women in distress can register complaints anytime on the Dial 181 helpline.
– After the launch of the Hifazat Project, it is claimed that assistance will reach any woman within 10 minutes.
– Capital: Chandigarh
– Chief Minister: Bhagwant Mann
– Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
– Population: 2.77 Crore (2011)
– Neighboring States: Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, – Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh
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14. When is International Women’s Day celebrated?
a. 7 March
b. 8 March
c. 9 March
d. 10 March
Answer: b. 8 March
Theme of 2025
– For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
– International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day observed on 8 March.
– It is a day to recognise and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls.
– It is also a time to raise awareness about the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done.
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15. When is International Women Judges Day celebrated?
a. 12 March
b. 11 March
c. 10 March
d. 9 March
Answer: c. 10 March
– This day is declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
– The purpose of celebrating this day is gender equality and women empowerment.
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16. When is CISF Raising Day celebrated?
a. 12 March
b. 11 March
c. 10 March
d. 9 March
Answer: c. 10 March
– CISF: Central Industrial Security Force
– CISF, one of the six paramilitary forces of the country, was established in the year 1969.
– 56th Foundation Day was celebrated in the year 2025.
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17. Who inaugurated the animal rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre ‘Vantara’ in Jamnagar, Gujarat in March 2025?
a. Mukesh Ambani
b. Bhupendra Yadav
c. Draupadi Murmu
d. Narendra Modi
Answer: d. Narendra Modi (Prime Minister)
– During the inauguration, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani, son Anant Ambani, and daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant were also present.
What is Vantara?
– Vantara is a large animal rescue, cave, conservation, and rehabilitation center established jointly by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.
– This center is located in the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat.
– It is home to over 2,000 species and more than 1.5 lakh rescued endangered and threatened animals from around the world.
– Spread over 3,500 acres, this project includes “the world’s largest cheetah conservation project.”
– Prime Minister Modi inaugurated this center on March 4, 2025.
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