Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Fifteen Tamil Nadu fishermen were reportedly detained near Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) for crossing the maritime boundary. Diego Garcia is a coral atoll, the largest and southernmost island in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. It covers 44 sq. km with a V-shaped cay and an open lagoon. The UK leased Diego Garcia to the US in 1966 for a military base, displacing its inhabitants.

Notes:
The Gaan Ngai festival is celebrated by the Zeliarong community in Manipur after the harvest season. It marks gratitude for a good harvest, prayers for prosperity, and the beginning of the new year. The festival includes music, dance, and spiritual rituals, promoting unity and joy. The Zeliarong community, comprising the Rongmei, Liangmei, and Zeme tribes, is one of Manipur’s prominent tribal groups. Gaan Ngai lasts for five days and is typically celebrated in December or January, with the date varying each year.

Notes:
Around 100 tribal people from Pulicat will receive training in pearl spot culture, crab fattening, and clownfish aquaculture, organized by the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR). NBFGR was established in 1983 under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), focuses on fish germplasm conservation. Its infrastructure was set up in Lucknow in 1999. NBFGR’s vision includes the sustainable utilization and conservation of fish genetic resources. The bureau works on documenting fish diversity, developing databases, genotyping, and genebanking to support fish population health and sustainability.

Notes:
The ISRO mission that successfully germinated lobia seeds (also known as cowpea seeds) in space is called the “CROPS” experiment, which stands for “Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies”. The seeds sprouted on the fourth day, with leaves visible by the fifth day, marking a major milestone in space research. The experiment aims to develop sustainable food sources for long-term space missions and test plant growth in microgravity and controlled environments. Success supports astronauts by enabling food growth, oxygen generation, and CO₂ recycling in space. It highlights India’s capability in managing complex life-support systems and contributes to global space farming initiatives.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple of ISKCON in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, on January 15, 2025. The temple is now the second-largest ISKCON temple in Asia. The design of the temple blends spirituality and knowledge, with various facilities reflecting ISKCON’s mission to serve society.

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:
The Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system, developed by India and France, has secured an export order from Armenia. It is a 155 mm, 52-calibre towed gun system, jointly developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and KNDS France, and manufactured in India. The gun has a range exceeding 40 km, depending on the ammunition, and is designed for modern combat. It features advanced targeting, fire-control systems, modular design for easy transport, rapid firing rates, and terrain adaptability.

Notes:
Jharkhand Forest Department is studying ways to revive the declining Bison (Gaur) population at Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). It is located in the western part of Latehar district on the Chhotanagpur plateau in Jharkhand. It is part of the Betla National Park and was one of the first nine tiger reserves under ‘Project Tiger.’ It holds historical significance as the first reserve where a tiger census was conducted in 1932 using pugmark counting.

Notes:
The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects Report highlights the rising influence of Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs), led by China, India, and Brazil. EMDEs have significantly increased their global economic share from 2000 to 2025, with India maintaining leadership as the fastest-growing economy. India’s growth rate is projected at 6.7% annually for FY26–FY27, driven by robust services and manufacturing sectors. Services expansion and increased exports are enhancing South Asia’s trade integration, while manufacturing benefits from improved logistics and tax reforms. Private consumption is rising due to a strong labor market, better credit access, and declining inflation.

Notes:
Entity Locker, developed by National eGovernance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is a secure cloud-based platform for managing and verifying business documents. It caters to organizations, MSMEs, startups, trusts, and societies. The platform integrates with government systems for real-time access and verification. It offers legally valid digital signatures and ensures secure document management. Entity Locker aligns with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure and vision for enhanced digital governance.