Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Tungabhadra River water turned green near villages in Mundargi taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka, causing panic. It is a major tributary of the Krishna River, sacred to Hindus, and mentioned as “Pampa” in the Ramayana. The river originates from the Tunga (147 km) and Bhadra (178 km) streams in the Western Ghats and runs 531 km to meet the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. It passes through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and forms an interstate boundary.

Notes:
The “One Plate, One Bag” campaign was launched at the Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj, to promote a plastic-free event. Cloth bags and steel plates and glasses are being distributed to replace plastic and disposable items. Around 70,000 cloth bags have been distributed from six centers so far. More than 2 million steel plates and glasses collected nationwide are being supplied to langars and food outlets. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath urged pilgrims to adopt eco-friendly practices and avoid single-use plastic during the pilgrimage.

Notes:
India’s economic growth is projected at 6.7% annually for fiscal years starting April 2025, as per the World Bank. The services sector is expected to continue expanding steadily. Manufacturing is set to strengthen due to government efforts to improve the business environment. Investment growth will remain stable, with private investment rising and public investment moderating. For 2024-25, growth is expected to ease to 6.5% due to slower investment and weak manufacturing performance.

Notes:
The World Economic Forum released the Global Risk Report, first published in 2006, categorizing extreme weather as an “environmental risk.” The 2024-2025 report is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) and assesses risks over short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years) periods. Short-term risks include misinformation, extreme weather events, and state-based armed conflict. Long-term risks include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and critical earth system changes. Four key spheres shaping global risks are technological, geostrategic, climatic, and demographic, expected to intensify. The report highlights addressing short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons.

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:
The Rubber Board launched two initiatives, iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect. iSNR ensures compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by streamlining the rubber supply chain for EU markets. It provides traceability certificates verifying the origin of rubber products and their compliance with EUDR standards. This initiative aims to make Indian natural rubber competitive and responsible globally, promoting sustainable production and industry growth. INR Konnect is a web-based platform connecting untapped rubber growers with adopters to improve plantation productivity. It certifies participants, offers training in sustainable practices, and maintains a database of certified tappers.

Notes:
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to develop the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal. The project, located on the Karnali River, is a run-of-the-river hydropower initiative. It will supply electricity to Nepal, India, and Bangladesh for 25 years under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model. It will generate 3,466 million units of electricity and reduce two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Notes:
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) launched the Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. The program aims to create awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens. The initiative will build a pool of Indian talent to address emerging IG issues. The program offers bi-annual internships: six-month and three-month tracks. Interns receive mentorship from global experts and a stipend of ₹20,000/month, along with support for mandatory outreach programs.

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) retained India’s growth projection at 6.5% for FY26 and FY27, citing it as “in line with potential.” Growth in India slowed due to an unexpected deceleration in industrial activity, with 5.4% growth reported for the September quarter. The World Bank maintained its higher growth projection for India at 6.7% for FY26 and FY27, predicting it to remain the fastest-growing major economy. The World Bank highlighted growth driven by the services sector, strengthened manufacturing, improved logistics, and tax reforms. NSO’s First Advance Estimates project FY25 growth to slow to 6.4%, below RBI’s 6.6% forecast for FY25.

Notes:
Lake Naivasha in Kenya is severely affected by the invasive water hyacinth, covering large areas. It is a shallow freshwater lake in Kenya’s southern Rift Valley, fed by the Malewa and Gilgil Rivers from the Aberdare Mountains. The lake is surrounded by extinct or dormant volcanoes and features vegetation like Cyperus papyrus and submerged plants. It supports waterbirds, large mammals, fishing, flower farming, and geothermal power, making it economically vital. Lake Naivasha is a Ramsar site, recognized for its ecological importance. Water hyacinth, an invasive species from South America, blocks sunlight, reduces airflow, and harms aquatic life.