Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The government is focusing on a citizen-centric approach for a developed Bharat with active public participation. CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) plays a crucial role in addressing citizens’ concerns. From 2022 to 2024, CPGRAMS resolved over 70 lakh grievances. CPGRAMS is an online platform available 24×7 for citizens to lodge grievances related to service delivery. It functions under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

Notes:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Drugs Control Directorate, West Bengal, seized spurious drugs worth ₹6.6 crore in a Kolkata raid. The owner of the wholesale firm was arrested in connection with the case. CDSCO is India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the medical devices industry. It operates under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and enforces the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) heads the CDSCO. CDSCO’s headquarters are in New Delhi.

Notes:
Scrub typhus cases have been reported in several districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Vellore, with 5,000 cases in 2024. The disease is caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted through infected mites. Symptoms include fever, headache, body ache, and sometimes a rash. Severe cases can lead to respiratory distress, organ failure, and death. Factors like vector abundance, climate, farming, and sanitation impact its spread. The Elisa test is used for detection. Control measures include cold fogging, clearing bushes, and reducing rodent populations.

Notes:
Prativa Satpathy, renowned Odia poet, was awarded the Gangadhar National Award for Poetry 2023 by Sambalpur University. Satpathy gained prominence in the 1960s with her acclaimed work ‘Sesha Janha’. Her poems have been translated into several languages, gaining international recognition. The Gangadhar National Award, established in 1989, includes a citation, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. Previous awardees include Gulzar, K Sachidanandan, and Jayanta Mohapatra.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh became the first state in India to link its forest ecosystem with Green GDP. Chhattisgarh has introduced a plan linking forest ecosystem services to Green GDP, highlighting environmental contributions like clean air, water conservation, and biodiversity. The initiative aims to balance economic development with environmental preservation for future generations. Forest services, including climate regulation, soil enrichment, water purification, and carbon absorption, will be integrated into economic planning. With 44% forest cover, Chhattisgarh’s forests support livelihoods, provide forest products, and mitigate climate change. The plan aligns with the ‘Developed India 2047’ vision, emphasizing ecological and economic sustainability. Forest valuation will include CO2 absorption, water provision, biodiversity, and eco-tourism contributions.

Notes:
Canada announced that the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) of 7.66 lakh international students will expire by the end of next year. The Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) scheme offers a pathway for foreign nationals and students. It is launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024. The program aims to address labor shortages and encourage development in smaller rural communities. The scheme targets individuals willing to settle long-term in these areas to promote growth and address local workforce needs.

Notes:
The first photographic proof of Pallas’s cat in Himachal Pradesh was captured during a snow leopard survey. This highlights the urgent need for conserving lesser-known species in the Indian Himalayas. Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is a small, long-haired cat in the Felidae family. It was named after Peter Simon Pallas, who first described it in 1776. It is mainly found in Central Asia, including parts of Iran, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Pallas’s cats inhabit mountainous plains and semi-desert foothills. The IUCN lists them as “Least Concern” and they are on CITES Appendix II.

Notes:
The Finance Ministry launched the revamped ‘Baanknet’ e-auction portal as a one-stop platform for buyers and investors. It consolidates e-auction information from all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on properties like flats, houses, plots, shops, industrial land, vehicles, and machinery. The portal simplifies property discovery and participation in auctions, enhancing transparency and efficiency. It aids PSBs in recovering distressed assets, improving their balance sheets, and boosting credit availability. More than 1,22,500 properties are listed, and PSB executives received training for effective use.

Notes:
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has fully implemented the Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS). CPPS allows 7.85 million pensioners to access their pensions from any bank or branch nationwide. It eliminates physical verifications and ensures seamless pension disbursement. The new system replaces the decentralised model, which relied on limited agreements with specific banks. Pensioners no longer need to transfer pension payment orders (PPO) when moving or changing banks. Pension amounts are immediately credited upon release, enhancing convenience and ease of living.

Notes:
The Indian Army hosted the three-day ‘Know Your Army Mela 2025’ at Golconda Fort, Hyderabad. The event was organized by HQ Telangana and Andhra Sub Area with support from the Artillery Centre, Hyderabad. The event showcased the technological advancements and indigenous capabilities of the armed forces to connect with the public and inspire youth to consider military careers.