Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Raksha Mantri congratulated DRDO on the successful Field Evaluation Trials of the Nag Mk 2 missile. The Nag Mk 2 is a third-generation, indigenously developed Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile. It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It features fire-and-forget technology for precision targeting with minimal operator intervention. The missile can neutralize modern armored vehicles with explosive reactive armor (ERA). The Nag Missile Carrier version-2 was also field evaluated, and the weapon system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army.

Notes:
The Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) to develop degraded and rainfed areas. Activities include ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil conservation, rainwater harvesting, nursery raising, and pasture development. WDC-PMKSY 1.0 improved groundwater, surface water, crop productivity, and farmers’ income. In 2021-22, 1150 projects covering 50 lakh hectares were sanctioned under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 with ₹12,303 Crores. 56 new projects worth ₹700 Crores are sanctioned in 10 top-performing states, covering 2.8 lakh hectares to improve farmers’ income, combat land degradation, and enhance climate resilience.

Notes:
The Government of India has designated areas around Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to protect it from urbanization and development. The sanctuary is located in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, in the Himalayan foothills. It covers altitudes between 1,800 and 3,400 m, showcasing a transition from pine forests to alpine meadows. The sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, with a sacred temple at 2,850 m above sea level.

Notes:
Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the registration portal for the 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS). KTS 3.0 will start on 15th February 2025 and run until 24th February 2025 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The event aims to celebrate and reaffirm the historical connection between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, two ancient centers of learning. KTS is an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, focusing on celebrating the civilizational link between these two regions.

Notes:
The Union Government launched Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan to promote battlefield tourism in India. It is a joint initiative by the Indian Army and the Ministry of Tourism. The program focuses on showcasing 77 historic battlefields and border sites where significant military actions occurred. Notable sites include Galwan Valley (2020 India-China clashes), Doklam (2017 India-China standoff), Dras (Kargil War), Siachen Base Camp (highest battlefield), Longewala (1971 India-Pakistan war), and Bum La and Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh).

Notes:
National Startup Day is celebrated on January 16 to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of startup founders in India. India is the third-largest startup hub with over 99,000 registered firms and a $500 billion ecosystem. The Startup India Scheme, launched in 2016, fostered a supportive environment for startups with financial incentives and simplified procedures. In 2022, PM Modi declared January 16 as National Startup Day.

Notes:
The Twipra Student Federation (TSF) protested in Agartala, demanding the Roman script for the Kokborok language. Kokborok is the language of the Borok people, officially recognized in Tripura on January 19, 1979. It is a Sino-Tibetan language with roots traced back to the 1st century AD. Historical records of Tripuri kings in Raj Ratnakar were written in Kokborok. The term “Kokborok” combines Kok (verbal) and Borok (people). As of the 2011 Census, 8,80,537 people in Tripura speak Kokborok, comprising 23.97% of the state’s population.

Notes:
Siachen Glacier now has 4G and 5G services provided by an Indian telecom firm. It is a piedmont glacier in the Karakoram Range, part of the “Third Pole,” containing vast freshwater reserves. It is the world’s second-longest nonpolar glacier after Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan. Known as the highest battleground, India gained control in 1984 under Operation Meghdoot.

Notes:
The world’s first 52-foot Mahamrityunjaya Yantra has been installed at Tapovan Ashram, Jhunsi Havelis, Prayagraj, a sacred Maha Kumbh site. The Yantra is a spiritual marvel believed to connect devotees with the higher consciousness of Lord Shiva. It symbolizes “Victory over Death,” helping individuals overcome fears of death, disease, and danger. The Yantra enhances courage, positivity, and spiritual energy among devotees. This monumental installation holds immense significance for spiritual seekers and devotees of Lord Shiva.

Notes:
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report “Prospects for Children in 2025” warns of escalating crises affecting children globally. More than 473 million children, or 19%, lived in conflict zones in 2023, facing risks like displacement, starvation, and trauma. Nearly 400 million children are in countries burdened by debt, limiting education, healthcare, and social services. In low-income nations, debt servicing outpaces social spending, deepening poverty for 1.8 billion children. Climate change impacts children, with only 2.4% of climate finance directed to child-responsive initiatives. Digital inequality affects access to essential services, especially for youth in low-income countries and adolescent girls. UNICEF calls for increased financing to protect children’s health, education, and well-being.