Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry recently inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi. The Board aims to lead turmeric-related matters and enhance coordination with the Spices Board and other government agencies. It will include a Chairperson, a Secretary from the Department of Commerce, members from various ministries, and representatives from top turmeric-growing states. The Board will focus on research, value addition, promoting turmeric’s medicinal properties, improving yield, logistics, and exploring international markets. Quality and safety standards for turmeric production and exports are also key goals. The headquarters is in Nizamabad, Telangana.

Notes:
The Sada region in the Konkan area of Maharashtra is experiencing land-use changes, with croplands being converted into orchards and residential areas. It is a flat area formed by centuries of erosion, similar to plateaux found in the Satara district, Maharashtra. The region is rocky and barren most of the year but transforms during the monsoons, harboring unique endemic flora. It has highly weathered lateritic soil that helps recharge groundwater. The region boasts 459 plant species, 31 reptile species, 13 amphibians, 169 birds, and 41 mammals. It also features geoglyphs, believed to be around 10,000 years old.

Notes:
Google-backed Pixxel launched India’s first private satellite constellation, marking a milestone for the country’s private space sector. The satellites use hyperspectral imaging technology to capture detailed data across light bands for agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defense. This technology can help improve crop yields, track resources, monitor oil spills, and provide better details than existing technology. Three more satellites are expected to be deployed by mid-2025. The global satellite imagery market is projected to reach $19 billion by 2029.

Notes:
Indichip Semiconductors and Japan’s Yitoa Micro Technology will establish India’s first private semiconductor manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. The investment exceeds ₹14,000 crore and focuses on producing silicon carbide (SiC) chips. The facility will start with a capacity of 10,000 wafers/month, scaling up to 50,000 wafers/month in 2–3 years. The project aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, supporting electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions. Andhra Pradesh’s semiconductor policy aims to make the state a global manufacturing hub. The initiative will create thousands of jobs, spur innovation, and boost India’s semiconductor footprint.

Notes:
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry launched the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge and PRABHAAV Factbook to boost innovation and mentorship in India. The initiatives highlight India’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and focus on fostering growth in startups. The government aims to position India as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. These efforts reflect India’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and driving economic growth through a robust startup ecosystem.

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 Union Ministry of Culture and the Gujarat Government inaugurated a state-of-the-art museum and archaeological interpretation center in Vadnagar. Vadnagar, a 2,500-year-old town, was a hub on ancient trade routes, boasting rich heritage sites like Kirti Toran, Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and Sharmistha Lake. The museum complex spans 12,500 sq. m., features nine galleries, a 4,000 sq. m. excavation site, and highlights 5,000 artifacts. The ₹298 crore project integrates sustainability and includes five years of operations and maintenance.

Notes:
International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the World Employment and Social Outlook Report for 2025. The report highlights ongoing global labor market struggles due to geopolitical tensions, climate change costs, and unresolved debt issues. The global jobs gap in 2024 was 402 million, including 186 million unemployed, 137 million temporarily unavailable, and 79 million discouraged workers. The global unemployment rate stood at 5%, with youth unemployment at 12.6%. Low-income countries face challenges creating decent jobs, with informal work returning to pre-pandemic levels. Labour force participation declined in low-income nations but increased among older workers and women in high-income countries, though gender gaps persist.

Notes:
The Prime Minister praised Indian space startup Digantara for the success of its Mission SCOT. SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking) is Digantara’s first mission for space surveillance and one of the world’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites. It was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission and deployed in a sun-synchronous orbit. SCOT is designed to track Resident Space Objects (RSOs) as small as 5 cm in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with high accuracy and revisit rates. It addresses gaps in existing systems limited by fields of view, weather, and geography.

Notes:
Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh is appointed as Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The CRPF, India’s premier central police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensures internal security. It was established in 1939 as the Crown Representative’s Police during political unrest in princely states.