Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
India’s GDP is projected to grow at 6.6% in 2024-25, signaling economic resilience. Growth is driven by rural consumption revival, increased government spending, and strong services exports. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) highlights the strength of India’s financial system and stability.

Notes:
West Bengal won the Santosh Trophy national football championship by defeating Kerala in the final of the 78th edition. The final match was held on 31st December 2024 at GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad, Telangana. The Santosh Trophy is a premier state-level football tournament for men in India, organized by the All India Football Federation. The 78th edition’s final round was hosted by the Telangana Football Association from 14th to 31st December 2024 in Hyderabad.

Notes:
Global Family Day, also called World Peace Day, is observed annually on January 1 to promote peace and unity worldwide. It emphasizes the idea that all people are interconnected regardless of nationality, borders, or ethnicity. The concept originated in 1997 when the UN General Assembly declared the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for Children of the World. The UN officially recognized Global Family Day in 2001 after its initial success in 1999.

Notes:
A four-day faunal survey at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary enriched its biodiversity records. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kollam, Kerala, in the southern Western Ghats. It covers 172 sq. km and is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. The terrain is mostly hilly with ravines, featuring rich biodiversity. The sanctuary’s rivers, Shendurney, Kazhuthuruthy, and Kulathupuzha, merge to form the Kallada River. The sanctuary plays a key role in conserving the unique flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.

Notes:
Telangana will implement the Rythu Bharosa scheme, replacing the Rythu Bandhu scheme, starting from Sankranti. The scheme, launched in 2018-19, provides investment support to farmers for agriculture and horticulture crops. It offers Rs. 5,000 per acre per season for the purchase of inputs, with no cap on the number of acres. Eligible farmers must be residents of Telangana, own agricultural land, and have a Record of Forest Rights (ROFR) document if cultivating forest land. Small, marginal, and Scheduled Tribe farmers are eligible, but commercial and tenant farmers are not.

Notes:
A delegation from Andhra Pradesh, including Ministers and officials, will visit Karnataka to study the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women on non-premium State-run buses. Andhra Pradesh is considering launching a similar scheme. The 15-member delegation will engage with KSRTC officials to understand the operational aspects, benefits, and challenges of the scheme. Shakti Yojana, implemented by Karnataka’s Congress government, has been running successfully for more than a year. The Shakti scheme has significantly increased ridership, adding 23.17 lakh passengers daily.

Notes:
China is experiencing an outbreak of respiratory infectious diseases, including rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). HMPV cases, especially among children under 14 in northern provinces, are rising. HMPV symptoms include cough, congestion, fever, fatigue, and breathing difficulties; it can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia in vulnerable groups. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV; preventive measures like handwashing and avoiding contact are advised.

Notes:
Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) launched the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative to empower women entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. It focuses on training women in traditional snack production to build sustainable ventures. MBMC collaborates with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under the ‘Award to Reward’ program. ‘Faral Sakhi’ set up a central kitchen, enabling SHG women to produce and sell snacks professionally, with municipal support for sales and advertising. The initiative aims to create sustainable employment and inspire societal transformation.

Notes:
The Finance Ministry launched the revamped ‘Baanknet’ e-auction portal as a one-stop platform for buyers and investors. It consolidates e-auction information from all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on properties like flats, houses, plots, shops, industrial land, vehicles, and machinery. The portal simplifies property discovery and participation in auctions, enhancing transparency and efficiency. It aids PSBs in recovering distressed assets, improving their balance sheets, and boosting credit availability. More than 1,22,500 properties are listed, and PSB executives received training for effective use.

Notes:
SJVN Ltd, formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, signed an MoU with the Bihar Government to develop the 1000 MW Hathidah Durgawati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Kaimur district, Bihar. The project will generate 2,308.65 million units annually and cost ₹5,663 crore. It will create around 5,000 jobs and boost Bihar’s renewable energy and storage capabilities. SJVN plans to invest ₹10,000 crore for PSP development in Bihar. Four PSPs were allocated to SJVN, with Hathidah Durgawati prioritized for its viability. SJVN is also developing 12,000 MW of PSPs across other states to support India’s renewable energy goals.