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Daily Current Affairs
17 April, 2025
1. Which Indian state recently launched the ‘Bhu Bharati’ portal for land record management?​
- A) Maharashtra
- B) Telangana
- C) Karnataka
- D) Gujarat
- E) Tamil Nadu​
Answer: B) Telangana Explanation: The Telangana government launched the ‘Bhu Bharati’ portal to digitize and streamline land record management, enhancing transparency and efficiency in land administration.
2. How many blocks were awarded under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Round-IX to boost India’s energy sector?​
- A) 15
- B) 20
- C) 28
- D) 35
- E) 40​
Answer: C) 28 Explanation: Under OALP Round-IX, 28 blocks were awarded to various companies, aiming to explore and harness untapped energy resources across India.
​3. What unique biological feature of the mantis shrimp is inspiring advancements in phononic shielding mechanisms?​
- A) Its vibrant coloration
- B) Its complex eye structure
- C) Its powerful claw strike
- D) Its rapid swimming ability
- E) Its regenerative limbs​
Answer: C) Its powerful claw strike Explanation: The mantis shrimp’s claw can deliver extremely fast and forceful strikes. Researchers study its microstructure to develop phononic shielding mechanisms that can absorb and dissipate energy efficiently.
4. What is the primary function of phononic shielding mechanisms inspired by biological structures?​
- A) Enhancing optical communication
- B) Improving thermal insulation
- C) Blocking specific sound frequencies
- D) Increasing electrical conductivity
- E) Facilitating chemical reactions​
Answer: C) Blocking specific sound frequencies Explanation: Phononic shielding mechanisms are designed to block or control specific sound frequencies, reducing noise and vibrations, which is useful in various engineering applications.
5. Which financial services company received SEBI’s approval to launch mutual fund operations under the name ‘Capitalmind Mutual Fund’?​
- A) Groww
- B) Zerodha
- C) Capitalmind Financial Services
- D) Upstox
- E) Paytm Money​
Answer: C) Capitalmind Financial Services Explanation: Capitalmind Financial Services, founded by Deepak Shenoy, received SEBI’s approval to launch ‘Capitalmind Mutual Fund’, expanding its offerings in the asset management space.
​6. On its 131st foundation day, how many new products did Punjab National Bank (PNB) launch?​
- A) 20
- B) 25
- C) 30
- D) 34
- E) 40
Answer: D) 34 Explanation: PNB launched 34 new products on its 131st foundation day, aiming to enhance customer experience and expand its service offerings.
​7. What was India’s retail inflation rate in March 2025, marking the lowest since August 2019?
- A) 3.61%
- B) 3.34%
- C) 4.85%
- D) 5.22%
- E) 2.85%​
Answer: B) 3.34% Explanation: India’s retail inflation eased to 3.34% in March 2025, the lowest since August 2019, primarily due to a decline in food prices, especially vegetables. This rate is within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range of 2-6% (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
​8. According to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) revised forecast for 2025, what is the expected change in global merchandise trade?​
- A) Growth of 2.9%
- B) Growth of 1.5%
- C) No change
- D) Decline of 0.2%
- E) Decline of 1.5%​
Answer: D) Decline of 0.2% Explanation: The WTO has revised its global merchandise trade forecast for 2025, predicting a decline of 0.2%. This adjustment reflects concerns over U.S. tariff developments and potential trade policy uncertainties that could further impact global trade dynamics.
9. What was India’s trade deficit with China for the fiscal year 2024-25?​
- A) $50.5 billion
- B) $75.3 billion
- C) $99.2 billion
- D) $120.4 billion
- E) $135.6 billion​
Answer: C) $99.2 billion Explanation: India recorded a trade deficit of $99.2 billion with China in the fiscal year 2024-25, primarily due to a surge in imports of electronics goods and consumer durables. This significant gap underscores the trade imbalance between the two countries.
​10. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), what is the forecasted percentage of long-period average (LPA) rainfall for the 2025 monsoon season?​
- A) 95%
- B) 100%
- C) 105%
- D) 110%
- E) 115%​
Answer: C) 105% Explanation: The IMD forecasts that India will receive 105% of the long-period average rainfall during the 2025 monsoon season. This above-normal rainfall is expected to boost agricultural output, stabilize food prices, and support economic growth.
