Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
LingoSat, a joint project of Japan’s Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, is the first wooden satellite launched into orbit. It uses wood from honoki, a magnolia tree native to Japan, and is assembled using traditional Japanese crafts without screws or glue. The satellite’s name comes from the Latin word “Ligno,” meaning wood. LignoSat 1 is a CubeSat measuring 10 cm on each side and weighing 900 grams. LignoSat 2, a 2U CubeSat, is planned for launch in 2026.

Notes:
The National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) was launched on January 11, 2025, by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. National River Traffic and Navigation System aims to ensure safe and efficient operation of inland vessels. The launch took place during the 2nd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC). IWDC, established in 2023, serves as an apex platform for policy discussions to promote inland waterways in India.

Notes:
Germany recently faced its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in nearly 40 years, affecting water buffalo near Berlin. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease impacting livestock like cattle, swine, sheep, and goats but not horses, dogs, or cats. The disease severely affects livestock production and disrupts trade in animals and animal products. It circulates in 77% of global livestock, mainly in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of South America. FMD is not a human health risk and is transmitted through excretions, secretions, and aerosolized virus from infected animals.

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:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved oil and gas exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Jorhat district, Assam. It is the only sanctuary in India named after gibbons and has the densest gibbon population in Assam. The sanctuary’s terrain slopes from southeast to northwest, with the Bhogdoi River creating a waterlogged region.

Notes:
Rajasthan received an additional 5,000 MW allocation under the PM-KUSUM (Component A) scheme. The scheme targets commissioning projects by December 31, 2025, before sunsetting in March 2026. The scheme was launched in 2019. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme aims to reduce diesel usage in farming and boost farmers’ income. It supports India’s goal of achieving 40% installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy oversees implementation, requiring progress updates via the PM-KUSUM portal.

Notes:
The Indian Railways organized a “Paint My City” campaign in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh to beautify the city’s railway stations for the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela. The campaign aimed to showcase the city’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage to pilgrims and tourists. The campaign transformed Prayagraj railway station into art and culture centers. The campaign featured murals depicting Hindu mythology, Indian traditions, and women’s empowerment.

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:
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:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app on January 17, 2025, to report fraudulent communications directly from call logs. The app builds on the Sanchar Saathi portal, launched in May 2023, aimed at combating fraud calls and improving mobile security. Users can check and manage mobile connections, disconnect unauthorized ones, and verify device authenticity. The app supports the government’s broader goal of enhancing mobile network accessibility and security for Indian users.