** Where was the ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 held?

Patna, Bihar

• The 2025 ISTAF World Cup was the fifth edition of the ISTAF World Cup, held from 20 to 25 March 2025 at the Patliputra Indoor Stadium, Bihar, India.
• India finished the World Cup with seven medals- one gold, one silver, and five bronze medals.
• India finished fourth on the medal tally, with Thailand at the top with four medals.

Who has launched Al cloud ‘Vayu’ in March 2025 ?

Tata Communications

• Tata Communications launched Vayu Cloud By Elets News Network on 25 March 2025.
• With this new offering, the company aims to simplify cloud adoption while addressing cost and security challenges for enterprises.

** Who has recently been banned by FIFA from the World Cup, 2026?

Pakistan, Russia, and Congo

• These countries have been outright banned from competing due to violations of FIFA regulations.
• Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host football’s biggest tournament, the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

** Who has become the first Indian to be honored with the Ramsar award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’?

Jayshree Vencatesan

• Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Chennai-based Care Earth Trust, has become the first Indian to be honored with the Ramsar Award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’.
• She is among 12 women changemakers in wetlands, recognized by the Ramsar secretariat in Geneva.

Which national park has recently been declared as India’s 58th Tiger Reserve?

Madhav National Park

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been designated as India’s 58th tiger reserve.
• Madhya Pradesh now has nine tiger reserves, the highest among all states.

Varunastra, recently cleared for procurement by the Defence Acquisition Council, is a ___________.

Heavy-weight anti-submarine torpedo

• For the Navy, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Varunastra torpedoes (combat), which are ship-launched anti-submarine torpedoes.
• It is developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.

Which country has recently announced its decision to join the New Development Bank (NDB)?

Indonesia

• President Prabowo Subianto made the announcement during a meeting with NDB President Dilma Rousseff on March 25, 2025.
• The Agreement for establishing NDB was signed during the BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza on July 15, 2014 and the Bank started operations on July 21, 2015.

India Recently Conducted Its First River Dolphin Population Survey. How Many River Dolphins Were Recorded?

6,327

• This survey, conducted under Project Dolphin, covered the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus River basins.
• Project Dolphin – Launched by PM Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020, to conserve river dolphins and their habitats.