Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 4, 2025

Notes:
The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) by NITI Aayog assesses the fiscal health of Indian states. It covers 18 major states that contribute significantly to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), public expenditure, revenue, and fiscal stability. Odisha ranks first in the index, followed by Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, and Gujarat. As states handle two-thirds of public spending and one-third of total revenue, their fiscal health is crucial for national economic stability. The index uses data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for the financial year 2022-23 to compare and benchmark fiscal performance. It helps policymakers make informed decisions to improve fiscal sustainability and resilience. The index evaluates tax buoyancy, which measures how responsive a state’s tax revenue is to its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth. It assesses revenue generation, including own tax and non-tax receipts.

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2021-22. It has three components: ‘Adarsh Gram’, ‘Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled Caste (SC) Communities’, and ‘Hostel’. The scheme aims to improve socio-economic indicators in SC-dominated villages by ensuring infrastructure and services. It reduces poverty by generating employment through skill development and income-generating schemes. 25 states submitted Perspective Plans for 2023-26, and Rs. 457.82 Crore was released for 8146 projects, including 987 for skill development in 2023-25. In 2024-25, 4,991 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram. The Hostel component provides residential facilities in quality institutions and schools to boost SC literacy and enrolment. A total of 891 hostels have been sanctioned under PM-AJAY, including 27 in 2024-25. In 2024-25, Rs. 6.64 Crore was used for administrative expenses under PM-AJAY.

Notes:
New observations of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter show unexpected atmospheric activity above and around the storm. The Great Red Spot is an anticyclone, a high-pressure system that creates a long-lasting storm. It is located in Jupiter’s Southern Hemisphere. It appears as a massive red spot, though the cause of its red color remains unknown. The storm extends above Jupiter’s main cloud layers and is the largest known storm in the Solar System. The storm has existed for at least 150 years and may be even older. Its long duration is linked to Jupiter’s gaseous composition, which lacks a solid surface that would dissipate the storm’s energy. Unlike hurricanes on Earth that weaken upon landfall, Jupiter’s storm remains active due to its deep atmosphere.

Notes:
Rajasthan has the highest number of railway stations with installed solar power plants, totaling 275 stations. This information was provided by Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the Lok Sabha on 2nd April 2025. During the financial year 2024-25, India added 25 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, including 6 GW of solar energy. As of 31st March 2025, the total installed solar power capacity in the country has reached 21 GW. Indian Railways aims to achieve 100% electrification by 2025-26 and become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. Indian Railways aims to install 20 GW of solar power capacity on its vacant land by 2030.

Notes:
A rare Binturong was captured on a camera trap by the Wildlife Trust of India’s Garo Green Spine project team in Narang Wari Village Reserve Forest, Meghalaya. The forest is in the buffer zone of Balpakram National Park. The Binturong, also known as the bearcat, is the largest civet in India. It is an omnivorous mammal found in dense forests of Southeast Asia. Its range extends from Nepal, India, and Bhutan to Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Balpakram National Park, located in Meghalaya, is known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. It is situated in the West Garo Hills district, about 134 km from Shillong. The park is called the “Land of Perpetual Winds” due to strong winds across the plateau.