Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh government approved renaming the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) to Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration. This honors Dr. Singh’s contributions to national and state development. The Cabinet acknowledged his transformative role during his tenure as Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister.

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:
Scientists at the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported 2024 as the hottest year since global temperature tracking began in 1850. Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) is part of the European Union’s (EU) Copernicus Earth Observation Programme and is managed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It provides free access to climate data on past, present, and future climates globally. C3S’s Climate Data Store offers updated datasets, tools, and expert guidance for visualizing climate information. The service supports a wide range of users, including scientists, policymakers, and the public.

Notes:
US President-elect Donald Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The proposal has sparked debates about its geopolitical and historical implications. Gulf of Mexico borders the southeastern coast of North America, connecting to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Gulf is the world’s largest and is often called the “Mediterranean of the Americas.” It formed due to seafloor subsidence and is shallow, with an average depth of 1,615 m. The climate ranges from tropical to subtropical, with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes. It holds large petroleum and natural gas deposits in its shallow areas.

Notes:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) conducted the engine ground run of the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior on January 11, 2025, ahead of Aero India 2025. Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) is an Indian unmanned and manned combat aircraft teaming system. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) developed this system. The system enhances surveillance, strike capabilities, and reduces human error.

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:
Pune hosts the Army Day Parade for the first time on 15 January 2025. The parade commemorates Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s appointment as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief in 1949. Traditionally held in Delhi, the parade started rotating to other cities in 2023, with Bengaluru and Lucknow hosting it before Pune. Pune, the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, was chosen for its historical ties to the Armed Forces. Indian Army Day, celebrated annually on January 15, marks a significant moment of pride for every Indian.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal has directed a rejuvenation committee to set a new timeline for the action plan to reduce pollution in the Pavana River. The Pavana River flows in western Maharashtra, crossing Pune and dividing Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. It originates from the Western Ghats. It flows through Dehu, Chinchwad, Pimpri, and Dapodi before joining the Mula River near Pune. It is about 60 km long and feeds into the Bhima River.

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 Forest Department is urging residents of Sheribikanahalli Tanda, in the Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary, to relocate due to the area’s ecological sensitivity. Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kalburgi District, North Karnataka, and spans 134.88 sq.km. It was declared a sanctuary in 2011. It is the first dry land wildlife sanctuary in South India and is also referred to as the Ooty of Telangana. The sanctuary is home to the Chandrampalli dam and four smaller dams. It also shelters the Lambani Tandas, a protected tribal community living in the forest.