Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
HIMKAVACH is a multi-layer clothing system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed for extreme cold conditions ranging from +20°C to -60°C. It has successfully passed user trials and is specifically tailored for use in the Himalayan region. The system ensures optimal protection and functionality for soldiers facing harsh weather. Its effectiveness emphasizes India’s commitment to improving military preparedness in challenging environments, especially in border areas with extreme cold conditions.

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India celebrates National Youth Day on January 12, honoring Swami Vivekananda’s legacy of youth empowerment. The National Youth Festival (NYF) 2024, held on January 10-12 at Bharat Mandapam, is reimagined as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. It is organized under the National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, with shared costs between the Centre and the host state/UT. The festival includes cultural events, youth conventions, exhibitions, and adventure activities, involving around 7,500 delegates.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit 2025 in France from February 10 to 11. The summit will be hosted at the Grand Palais in Paris, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron. The event will bring together Heads of State, international leaders, CEOs, academics, NGOs, and civil society members. The summit will focus on five themes: public interest in AI, the future of work, innovation and culture, trust in AI, and global AI governance.

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The Indian High Commission launched Sri Lanka’s first Hindi Certificate Course through open and distance learning on World Hindi Day 2025. The launch occurred during the Bharat-Sri Lanka Hindi Sammelan, organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC). The initiative marks the 50th anniversary of World Hindi Day celebrations. A collaboration between the Open University of Sri Lanka and SVCC, the course aims to make Hindi learning accessible across the country. This programme highlights the growing demand for Hindi as a global language and strengthens academic ties between India and Sri Lanka.

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Silver nanowire-based conductive ink technology was transferred to two startups at NIT Warangal. The startups are M/s Chematico Technologies Private Limited (incubated at IIT Ropar) and M/s Vasanthbala Functional Materials Pvt Ltd (incubated at NIT Warangal). The technology was developed under a project funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It aims to reduce dependency on foreign countries and tap into the growing demand for advanced electronic materials. The ink is used in flexible electronics, wearable devices, solar panels, RFID tags, and more. The global market for this ink is expected to surpass $16.87B by 2032. India imports conductive ink worth $15,72,000 annually from countries like the US, China, and Taiwan.

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The Sri Lankan Navy recently arrested 17 Indian fishermen near Neduntheevu Island. Neduntheevu, also called Delft Island, is the largest island in the Palk Strait, Sri Lanka. It covers 50 sq.km, with an 8 km length and 6 km width. The island is flat, oval-shaped, and often wind-swept, offering a soothing environment. It lacks streams; freshwater comes from surface water and artificial ponds. The island has dry shrubs, semi-arid tropical plants, and tall palm trees. A Dutch fort made of coral chunks is located on the island, which has a population of 4,800.

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Russia’s atomic agency has shipped the reactor vessel for the sixth unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to India. The Kudankulam plant, located in Tamil Nadu, is India’s largest nuclear power plant with six reactors and a total capacity of 6,000 MW. The reactor vessel, weighing 320 tonnes, was manufactured by Rosatom’s division Atommash and shipped from Novorossiysk at the end of 2024. The reactor vessel will travel 6,000 miles by sea to reach the construction site.

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IIT Roorkee researchers developed a method to degrade plasticizers like diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) using bacterial enzymes. DEHP is found in plastics and personal care products, posing health risks. Esterase enzyme from Sulfobacillus acidophilus breaks DEHP into mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethyl hexanol. The enzyme was structurally studied using X-ray crystallography and remains active for about a month. Researchers used four additional enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni to complete the degradation process. Integrating enzymes into bacteria ensures prolonged activity and continuous degradation without needing fresh batches. Plasticizers enhance flexibility and shine in products but can be absorbed through the skin, posing health dangers.

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The Lokpal of India has declared January 16 as “Lokpal Day,” with the first observance on January 16, 2025. The decision was made during a meeting on March 14, 2024. Lokpal Day highlights the establishment of the Lokpal and aims to raise awareness about its role in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

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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).