Current Affairs Quiz 28th March 2025 Quiz

Exp. UIDAI & IIIT-H launch biometric challenge to test age invariance in fingerprint algorithms

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in collaboration with IIIT-Hyderabad has launched a large-scale competition to test age invariance in biometric algorithms.

The first phase of the Biometric SDK Benchmarking challenge focuses on fingerprint authentication, testing 1:1 matching algorithms for children aged 5-10 years, with updates after 5-10 years.

UIDAI ensures that participant submissions are evaluated securely, with anonymized datasets and no sharing of data with participants.

The challenge offers prizes worth Rs. 7.7 lakhs (USD 9,000) and the opportunity to collaborate with UIDAI in advancing biometric technologies.

Following the fingerprint challenge, UIDAI will also launch SDK benchmarking competitions for iris and face authentication.

Aadhaar is serving as a key pillar of good governance and digital inclusion in India and Aadhaar number holders are carrying out nearly 90 million authentication transactions daily for availing various services and benefits.

Exp. RBI Hosts 8th SLCC Meeting in Gangtok to Tackle Financial Frauds and Boost Literacy

The 8th State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) Meeting was held in Gangtok, chaired by Ravindra Telang, Chief Secretary of Sikkim, and convened by Thotngam Jamang, Regional Director of RBI, to discuss financial regulations and fraud prevention, including the implementation of the BUDS Rules under the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019.

The meeting addressed the rise in digital and financial frauds reported on Helpline 1930, with Sikkim Police reporting recovery efforts, while RBI and SEBI shared insights on investor awareness programs, the Sachet portal for reporting unregulated entities, and initiatives to curb fraudulent activities.

Attended by key dignitaries from RBI, SEBI, and various Sikkim government departments, the committee emphasized financial literacy outreach by RBI Gangtok.

Exp. Centre releases over Rs 436 crore to Karnataka and Tripura for rural development

The Union Government has released over Rs. 436 crores as the second installment of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants for rural local bodies in Karnataka and Tripura for the financial year 2024–25.

In Tripura, Rs. 31.13 crores have been allocated as Untied Grants to benefit 589 eligible Gram Panchayats, along with all Block Panchayats, District Panchayats, and Traditional Local Bodies. Meanwhile, Karnataka has received Rs. 404.97 crores in Untied Grants for 5375 eligible Gram Panchayats, supporting rural local bodies across the state.

These grants empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to address location-specific needs under the 29 subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. The funds are dedicated to development initiatives, excluding salaries and establishment costs.

The XV Finance Commission Grants are divided into two categories: Untied Grants, which support diverse local development projects and the infrastructure, and Tied Grants, which focus on critical areas like sanitation and drinking water. This release is part of the government’s broader efforts to decentralize resources and empower local governments to meet the unique needs of rural communities.

Exp. RBI to raise foreign individual investment cap in listed firms to 10%

India’s central bank is set to double to 10 per cent a cap on investment by individual foreign investors in listed companies, as it aims to boost capital inflows.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), pressured by poor earnings, high valuations and prospects of US tariffs, have pulled more than $28 billion out of Indian stocks since September’s record high in the benchmark NSE Nifty 50.

To boost foreign investment, India is widening to all foreign investors benefits it had until now restricted to overseas Indians, while also raising applicable investment limits.

The plans envisage allowing all foreign individual investors to invest a maximum of 10 per cent in a listed company, the document showed.

That is up from the 5 per cent holding in an Indian company allowed to overseas Indian citizens by special rules under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), will also raise to 24 per cent the combined holding limit for all overseas individual investors in an Indian listed company, from 10 per cent now.

The plan to hike foreign investor limits in Indian listed firms is in the final stages of discussion between the government, the RBI, and Sebi.

Exp. MoD inks Rs 2,500 crore contracts for NAMIS Tracked version of anti-tank weapon platform

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited for the procurement of Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked version of anti-tank weapon platform and Force Motors Ltd & Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd for around 5,000 Light Vehicles for the Armed Forces at a total cost of around Rs 2,500 crore.

The total cost of contract for the procurement of NAMIS(Tr) weapon system, developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory of DRDO, is Rs 1,801.34 crore.

These modern vehicles are designed as per contemporary vehicle technology with enhanced engine power to cater to a payload of 800 kgs. It will provide mobility to the Armed Forces in all types of terrain and operational conditions.

Exp. MobiKwik to enter stock broking business, incorporates new subsidiary

MobiKwik, a fintech firm, has entered the stock broking industry by launching its wholly owned subsidiary, MobiKwik Securities Broking, with approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

This will make Mobikwik a competitor to industry leaders like Zerodha, Groww, and AngelOne.

The new subsidiary aims to join various stock and commodity exchanges in India and internationally, enabling MobiKwik to engage in trading shares, securities, debt instruments, commodities, currencies, and their derivatives.

MobiKwik Securities Broking starts with an initial capital of Rs 1 lakh, and the parent company plans to invest an additional Rs 2 crore in phases to support its growth in the broking business.

Exp. MoRD & UNICEF YuWaah Partner to Empower Rural Women and Youth

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and UNICEF YuWaah have signed a three-year partnership to boost rural employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development for women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Pilot projects like “Computer Didi Centers” and “Didi ki Dukan” will be launched in five states—Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan—to strengthen digital infrastructure and economic opportunities.

If successful, the initiative could expand to benefit 35 lakh women across 7,000+ blocks in India, supporting rural prosperity and resilience as outlined in the 2025-26 Union Budget.

The partnership will introduce a “Youth Hub” for jobs, skilling, and volunteering, while promoting “Lakhpati Didis”, a model aimed at creating successful women entrepreneurs in rural India.

Exp. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sworn in as Namibia’s First Woman President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, was sworn in as Namibia’s first woman president, succeeding outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba in a formal ceremony.

Representing the SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia for over three decades, she won 58% of the vote in the November presidential elections.

Her inauguration followed the election of Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila as Namibia’s first female parliamentary speaker, adding to the growing list of women leaders in Africa.

About Namibia

• Capital – Windhoek
• Currency – Namibian dollar, South African rand
• President – Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (First woman president of nation)
• Official language – English

Exp. Khelo India Para Games 2025 Concludes with Record-Breaking Performances

The Khelo India Para Games 2025 concluded at JLN Stadium, New Delhi, with Union Minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse highlighting its role as a vital platform for para-athletes, where 18 national records were shattered and over 550 medals were won across six sports.

Haryana led the medal tally with 34 gold, 39 silver, and 31 bronze, followed by Tamil Nadu in second place with 28 gold, 19 silver, and 27 bronze, and Uttar Pradesh in third with 23 gold, 21 silver, and 20 bronze.

The eight-day event saw over 1,300 para-athletes from across India, including strong participation from Northeastern states, competing in Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para Powerlifting, Para Shooting, and Para Table Tennis.

Minister Khadse launched the Handbook on Accessibility of Sports Facilities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports development, while praising the event’s success in showcasing para-athletes’ talent and fostering inclusivity.

Exp. Former CWG medallist Sumeeth Reddy retires

India’s doubles specialist B Sumeeth Reddy, a member of the 2022 Commonwealth Games mixed team silver medal-winning squad, has announced his retirement as an active badminton player to focus entirely on coaching.

Sumeeth and Manu, who achieved the highest world ranking of 17, won the 2016 South Asian Games gold medal, qualified for the Rio Olympics, and were also part of the men’s team at the Asia Team Championships in Hyderabad.

He represented India at the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games and won the 2015 Mexico City Grand Prix and 2016 Canada Open, along with finishing as runner-up at the US Open and Dutch Open in 2015.

Recently Retired Players

• Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) – One Day Internationals Cricket
• Steve Smith (Australia) – One Day Internationals Cricket
• Sharath Kamal – Table Tennis
• Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – International cricket
• Rishi Dhawan (India) – Cricket
• Moeen Ali (England) – International Cricket

Exp. Haryana CM launches AI chatbot ‘Sarathi’ for enhanced citizen engagement

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has launched the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-powered chatbot ‘Sarathi’ for the Chief Secretary’s office website.

This chatbot is aimed at bringing revolutionary changes in citizen engagement by providing easy access to important government directives, notifications, and circulars published over the years.

The Chatbot was developed by HARTRON (Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation Limited), This chatbot is exclusively based on the information contained in the official documents of the website.

It can process and retrieve information from a vast database of over 17,820 official documents, covering 73,622 scanned PDF pages. Key documents in its knowledge base include directives, agendas, circulars, acts, policies, notifications, and government orders.

About Haryana

• Capital – Chandigarh
• Chief Minister – Nayab Singh Saini(11th)
• Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya
• Legislative Assembly Seats- 90