Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Larsen & Toubro launched the second multi-purpose vessel, INS Utkarsh, for the Indian Navy at Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. INS Utkarsh, meaning “Superior in Conduct,” is built by L&T Shipbuilding Limited. The vessel is 106m long, 18.6m wide, with a displacement over 3,750 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 15 knots. It will enhance maritime surveillance, patrolling, and disaster relief capabilities of the Navy. The launch follows the first MPV, INS Samarthak, within three months. This aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, showcasing indigenous shipbuilding progress.

Notes:
Researchers at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, China, developed Electrokinetic Mining (EKM) for eco-friendly extraction of rare earth elements (REEs). EKM uses an electric field to concentrate REEs, simplifying their separation. REEs are 17 metallic elements with critical properties for modern technologies, including magnetic, electronic, and chemical applications. EKM relies on electrokinetics, which involves the movement of particles or fluids under an electric field to extract REEs from ore.

Notes:
India ranks second after the US in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025 for job market preparedness in AI, digital, and green sectors. India scores highly in the “Future of Work” indicator, trailing the US by less than a point. The country excels in readiness for digital roles alongside Mexico. However, India faces challenges in its higher education system, industry collaboration, and equipping graduates with in-demand skills. Despite strong GDP growth and a youthful population, India lags in sustainability and innovation metrics. To unlock potential, India needs better integration between education and industry.

Notes:
INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer were commissioned into the Indian Navy for the first time. INS Surat is a stealth-guided missile destroyer, part of Project 15B, known as the Visakhapatnam class. It is India’s first warship equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. INS Surat has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes, a length of 164 meters, and a COGAG propulsion system with four gas turbines. It can achieve speeds over 30 knots (56 km/h) and is armed with advanced surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and sensors. Designed for high-speed offensive naval operations with superior strike power and maneuverability.

Notes:
The Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad and Bhuj Historic Water Systems in Gujarat are listed in the 2025 World Monuments Watch by the New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF). These sites face risks from climate change and water crises, highlighting the need for advocacy and preservation. WMF emphasizes heritage as a pathway for rejuvenation, sustainability, and resilience amid Hyderabad’s environmental challenges and rapid change.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi oversees the e-distribution of SVAMITVA Property Cards on 18th January 2025. The SVAMITVA Scheme, launched on 24th April 2020, is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to provide legal ownership records to rural property owners via Property Cards, improving rural governance and financial inclusion. The scheme ensures accurate land demarcation using drone technology and GIS tools, reducing land disputes. It grants Record of Rights (RoR) to property owners in rural areas, offering legal recognition to their properties.

Notes:
India becomes the fourth country to successfully achieve Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), after the US, Russia, and China. The technology allows two satellites to dock in space, enabling the assembly of larger modules and overcoming rocket payload limits. This technology is crucial for long-duration missions, Mars exploration, lunar sample return, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station for resupply and crewed missions.

Notes:
The National Science Drama Festival 2024-25, organized by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), took place on January 18, 2025, at the National Science Centre, Delhi. The event was preceded by block, district, and state-level competitions across all 28 States and 8 Union Territories, involving over 40,000 students. Students presented creative science dramas on topics like Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change, Water Conservation, and medical breakthroughs. The festival highlighted the integration of science with literature and theatre, promoting cross-curricular learning and fostering scientific thinking. NCSM used drama as an innovative tool to engage audiences and combat misinformation, encouraging a scientific mindset among citizens.

Notes:
A family of four drowned in the Bharathapuzha River recently. Bharathapuzha is Kerala’s second longest river, flowing 209 km. The Bharathapuzha River flows through the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It’s also known as the Nila River or Ponnani River. The Bharathapuzha originates in the Annamalai hills in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. It flows northwest through the Pollachi taluk of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu It enters the Palghat district of Kerala through the Palghat gap It drains into the Arabian Sea near Ponnani town in Kerala. The Malampuzha dam is the largest dam on the river.

Notes:
The Indian men’s and women’s teams won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 titles at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The men’s team defeated Nepal 54-36, while the women’s team beat Nepal 78-40 in their respective finals. The tournament, backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams. Both finals showcased India’s dominance, with strong attacking and defensive performances.