Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member judicial committee to investigate the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on 29 January 2025. The stampede, caused by a rush of millions for a holy dip, resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries. The committee is headed by Justice Harsh Kumar, with former DGP V K Gupta and retired IAS officer D K Singh as members. The committee will examine the causes and recommend preventive measures. It is required to submit its report to the government within a month.

Notes:
The US President signed an executive order to prepare a large-scale migrant detention center at Guantánamo Bay. Guantánamo Bay, located in southeastern Cuba, is a sheltered inlet with strategic importance, near the Windward Passage. It is served by the ports of Caimanera and Boquerón. “Gitmo” has housed terrorism suspects since 9/11 and has a Migrant Operations Centre for migrants from Haiti and Cuba. The current facility is small and cannot accommodate the 30,000 detainees expected in the new center.

Notes:
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd February every year. India added four new Ramsar sites on World Wetlands Day, February 2. The total number of Ramsar sites in India has now reached 89. The new sites include Sakkarakottai and Therthangal Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim, and Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand. Sikkim and Jharkhand have received their first-ever Ramsar sites. Wetlands support diverse aquatic life and play a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Notes:
The elusive rusty-spotted cat was recently spotted in the jungles of West Bengal’s Purulia district for the first time. It is the world’s smallest and lightest cat, weighing less than 1.5 kilograms. Scientifically known as Prionailurus rubiginosus, it features a fawn-grey coat with rusty spots, a short rounded head with white streaks by the eyes, and a moderately long, unmarked rusty tail. Its large eyes aid its nocturnal habits, while short legs and black-soled feet enhance agility. India holds 80% of its population, and it is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Notes:
Araku Utsav titled “Chali” is organized in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. The valley is part of the Eastern Ghats and sits between 600 m and 900 m above sea level. It houses the biodiverse Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests, known for bauxite mining. Often called the “Ooty of Andhra,” it is home to various tribes, mainly the Araku Tribes. Araku Arabica Coffee, famous in the valley, earned a GI Tag in 2019. The valley is surrounded by mountains such as Galikonda, Raktakonda, Sunkarimetta, and Chitamogondi.

Notes:
The Indian women’s U19 cricket team won the 2nd ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by nine wickets. The final was played on 2 February 2025 at Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team, led by Niki Prasad, had earlier won the inaugural ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 in Malaysia. The tournament, organised by the ICC, took place in Malaysia from 18 January to 2 February 2025.

Notes:
Iran has unveiled two new missiles: Etemad and Ghadr-380. Etemad is a ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 km. It measures 16 meters in length and 1.25 meters in diameter. It is equipped with a precision-guided warhead for accurate targeting. Ghadr-380 is an anti-warship cruise missile with a range of over 1,000 km. It features anti-jamming capability, making it resistant to electronic warfare.

Notes:
The Gyan Bharatam Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to preserve and protect manuscripts across India. The mission aims to survey, document, and conserve more than one crore manuscripts in academic institutions, museums, and libraries. Its significance includes preserving historical value, unveiling ancient Indian knowledge, ensuring longevity, and providing 24/7 access to manuscripts. The budget allocation for the National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) has been increased from Rs. 3.5 crore to Rs. 60 crore to support the new mission.

Notes:
Assam government has denotified three proposed reserve forests in Tinsukia district—Talpathar, Mohongpathar, and Duarmarah. This will provide land rights to over 20,000 residents, converting these areas into revenue villages. The state also announced a Rs 600 crore grant for 25,000 places of worship. New policies were introduced to support startups and defence manufacturing. The decision aims to balance environmental conservation with social and economic development.

Notes:
Bart De Wever was sworn in as Belgium’s Prime Minister by King Philippe on 3rd February 2025. He replaced Alexander De Croo, who led a seven-party coalition government. The June 2024 elections did not give a decisive mandate to any party or coalition. Belgium has a complex political system, divided into Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. De Wever is the first nationalist Flanders leader to become PM.