Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 12-13, 2025

Notes:
India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments (CSPOC) of Commonwealth Countries in 2026. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced this at the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey. The event will focus on artificial intelligence, social media, and their role in parliamentary processes. India previously hosted CSPOC in 1970-71, 1986, and 2010, showcasing its cultural heritage and modern development.

Notes:
Project ‘Veer Gatha 4.0’ has received a huge nationwide response as part of Republic Day celebrations. It was launched in 2021 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The project aims to spread awareness of Gallantry awardees’ bravery and life stories, instilling patriotism and civic values in students. It is a joint initiative by the Ministries of Defence and Education. The initiative’s inspiring journey has expanded its reach nationwide.

Notes:
India celebrates National Youth Day on January 12, honoring Swami Vivekananda’s legacy of youth empowerment. The National Youth Festival (NYF) 2024, held on January 10-12 at Bharat Mandapam, is reimagined as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. It is organized under the National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, with shared costs between the Centre and the host state/UT. The festival includes cultural events, youth conventions, exhibitions, and adventure activities, involving around 7,500 delegates.

Notes:
A group of 12 critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) was recently spotted at Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan, boosting conservation efforts. Desert National Park (DNP) is located in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer and spans over 3,160 sq. km, making it one of India’s largest national parks. The park lies in an extremely arid region with annual rainfall below 100 mm. Its terrain includes craggy rocks, salt lake bottoms, dunes (20% of the park), and three main lakes: Rajbaugh, Malik Talao, and Padam Talao.

Notes:
The National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) was launched on January 11, 2025, by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. National River Traffic and Navigation System aims to ensure safe and efficient operation of inland vessels. The launch took place during the 2nd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC). IWDC, established in 2023, serves as an apex platform for policy discussions to promote inland waterways in India.