Current Affair MCQ for 2025-05-20

Notes: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ (SMS) to promote women’s participation in the maritime sector. It was unveiled by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during the first International Day for Women in Maritime celebrations in Mumbai. The policy aims to create a gender-equitable maritime workforce through training, safety, leadership, and skill development. It aligns with the government’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) goals and Maritime India Vision 2030. The government targets 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030. The event theme, “Women in Maritime: Leading Transformation and Sustainability,” supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aims to make women a strong pillar of ‘Nari Shakti’ in India’s maritime future.

Notes: Ukraine’s military intelligence agency recently reported that Russia plans to carry out a “training and combat” launch of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile to intimidate Ukraine and Western countries. The RS-24 Yars, known by NATO as SS-29, is a Russian-made Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It officially entered into service in February 2010 and is a key part of Russia’s strategic missile force. It was developed to replace older ICBMs like the SS-19 Stiletto and SS-18 Satan. The RS-24 Yars is capable of penetrating even the most advanced Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems.

Notes: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) recently demolished 36 illegal bungalows from the River Villa project that were built within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River in Chikhali. The Indrayani River is a rain-fed river located in Maharashtra and is a tributary of the Bhima River, which further joins the Krishna River. It originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala and flows through Pune district before merging with the Bhima River at Tulapur. The river is 103.5 kilometres long and holds religious importance as the towns of Dehu and Alandi lie on its banks. Dehu is the birthplace of poet-saint Tukaram, and Alandi is where saint Dnyaneshwar’s samadhi is located. The Indrayani River also flows through Pimpri-Chinchwad and supports local agriculture through irrigation.

Notes: The Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Outlook 2025 was released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). In 2024, more than one in four cars sold globally was electric. China led the world with nearly 50% of global EV car sales. Asia and Latin America, especially Thailand, Vietnam, and Brazil, are becoming new EV growth hubs. Despite some challenges, EVs are expected to make up over 40% of global car sales in the coming years. China also leads in EV production, contributing more than 70% of global output. Two and three-wheelers were the most electrified transport segment in 2024. India led global growth in electric three-wheelers with around 20% year-on-year growth in 2024, supported by the Prime Minister Electric Deployment and Renewable Integration for Vehicles Expansion (PM E-DRIVE) initiative.

Notes: Uttar Pradesh has launched India’s first jungle safari train with Vistadome coaches between Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The Vistadome train has large glass windows and transparent roofs for panoramic forest views. It operates on weekends, with plans to run daily to attract more tourists. The train covers 107 kilometers in about 4 hours and 25 minutes, costing ₹275 per person. This is part of the ‘One Destination Three Forests’ campaign linking Dudhwa, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur sanctuaries. The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board aims to boost eco-tourism and generate local jobs.