Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Alappuzha district administration will launch a plastic-cleaning drive for the Vembanad Lake rejuvenation project in January. The campaign aims to make Vembanad plastic-free and is part of ongoing conservation efforts for the lake, a Ramsar site and India’s second-largest wetland. Vembanad Lake, a Ramsar site and the second-largest wetland system in India, is the largest lake in Kerala and the longest in India. The lake is fed by four rivers: Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala. Vembanad is separated from the Arabian Sea by a barrier island and hosts the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin inaugurated India’s first-ever glass bridge at Kanyakumari. The bridge connects the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue. It is part of a Rs 37-crore initiative by the Tamil Nadu government. The bridge enhances the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Notes:
Pakistan constructs its largest nuclear power plant, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5), with a capacity of 1200 MWe. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) issued the licence after reviewing safety, radiation protection, and nuclear security standards. C-5 features a Chinese Hualong third-generation Pressurised Water Reactor with advanced safety systems and a lifespan of 60 years. The plant will cost USD 3.7 billion and is Pakistan’s third nuclear plant of this design. Nuclear energy contributes 27% of Pakistan’s electricity, with an installed capacity of 3,530 MW.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet extended a one-time special package for Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme. DAP is the second most-used fertilizer in India after urea and is rich in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Phosphorus in DAP promotes root development and accelerates plant growth. It dissolves quickly in soil, releasing essential nutrients for plants. The NBS scheme provides subsidies based on nutrient content to ensure affordable fertilizers for farmers. The scheme promotes balanced fertilization, soil health, and sustainable agriculture. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers oversees the NBS scheme.

Notes:
The first photographic proof of Pallas’s cat in Himachal Pradesh was captured during a snow leopard survey. This highlights the urgent need for conserving lesser-known species in the Indian Himalayas. Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is a small, long-haired cat in the Felidae family. It was named after Peter Simon Pallas, who first described it in 1776. It is mainly found in Central Asia, including parts of Iran, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Pallas’s cats inhabit mountainous plains and semi-desert foothills. The IUCN lists them as “Least Concern” and they are on CITES Appendix II.

Notes:
IIT Madras is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture on Project VISTAAR to enhance agricultural extension through digitalization. Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) aims to strengthen the agricultural extension system. The project highlights opportunities for start-ups to innovate and improve agriculture and allied sectors. Start-ups can help farmers with technologies for better productivity and market information. IIT Madras’ Centre for Research on Start-ups developed a platform with data on 12,000 agriculture-related start-ups. The MoU enables farmers and stakeholders to access start-up capabilities and improve agricultural efficiency.

Notes:
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has fully implemented the Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS). CPPS allows 7.85 million pensioners to access their pensions from any bank or branch nationwide. It eliminates physical verifications and ensures seamless pension disbursement. The new system replaces the decentralised model, which relied on limited agreements with specific banks. Pensioners no longer need to transfer pension payment orders (PPO) when moving or changing banks. Pension amounts are immediately credited upon release, enhancing convenience and ease of living.

Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified the use of methylcobalamin (MeCbl), an active form of Vitamin B12. Methylcobalamin, structurally distinct from other Vitamin B12 forms, contains a methyl group bonded to a cobalt atom. It is found in supplements and food sources like fish, meat, eggs, milk, and milk products. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and neurological function. Deficiency can cause severe health issues, often requiring supplementation. It supports vital functions like cell growth, blood formation, and protein synthesis.

Notes:
The Export Inspection Council (EIC) has launched a study on food testing infrastructure for exports. It was set up under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963. It ensures quality control and inspection of Indian exports. EIC is the official certification body for exports, ensuring products meet quality and safety standards for importing countries. It provides mandatory certification for specific food products and voluntary certification for others. EIC operates through Export Inspection Agencies in major cities, with NABL accredited laboratories and 30 sub-offices. It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Notes:
Preparations for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple are nearing completion for January 15. ‘Makaravilakku’ is an annual festival held on Makar Sankranti at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. The festival begins with the Thiruvabharanam procession and ends with the Guruthi ritual. The Guruthi ritual is performed to please the deities of the forest.