Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

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.

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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized World Wetlands Day 2025 at the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site on 2nd February. The event was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh. The celebration emphasized the importance of wetlands in environmental conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. The theme for 2025 was ‘Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future’, highlighting the need for collaboration to protect these biodiverse ecosystems and ensure future wellbeing.

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Britain will be the first country to introduce laws against Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools used to generate sexual abuse images of children. Possessing, creating, or distributing these AI tools will be punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It will also be illegal to possess AI paedophile manuals, punishable by up to 3 years. The law will criminalize websites promoting child abuse content with up to 10 years in prison. AI is making it easier for predators to manipulate images and groom children. 500,000 children in the UK face abuse each year, with online abuse increasing.

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India leads the global index in digital well-being with a score of 67 out of 100. 58% of Indians are satisfied with their digital experiences, the highest among major countries. India has the strongest support networks for youth, with 9-12 sources of guidance. 78% of Indian Gen Z sought support, up from 65% in 2023. Parental engagement increased, with 70% of parents monitoring teens’ online activities.

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Chhota Bheem, a famous tiger from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, recently died while being treated for multiple fractures in Bhopal’s Van Vihar. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura and Vindhya ranges, covering 1536 sq. km. The reserve includes a 716 sq. km core zone and an 820 sq. km buffer zone. It has one of the highest tiger densities globally and features a landscape with valleys, hills, and the Bandhavgarh Fort. The reserve’s flora includes Sal forests and grasslands, while fauna includes tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and other species.

Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved key policies, including the Semiconductor Policy and Drone Policy, ahead of the Global Investor Summit (GIS) on February 24-25 in Bhopal. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, after his visit to Japan, announced Japanese cooperation in metro rail, smart transportation, urban planning, and waste management. A special channel will be created to promote Japanese investment. The Semiconductor Policy aims to make Madhya Pradesh a hub for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. The Drone Policy seeks to attract investments in multiple sectors. The cabinet also approved PM Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0 to build 10 lakh houses in five years.

Notes:
Astronomers discovered Gaia BH3, a massive black hole close to Earth, using the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Gaia telescope. Gaia Mission, launched in 2013, aims to create the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way, surveying 1% of its 100 billion stars. It orbits the Sun at Lagrange Point 2 (1.5 million km from Earth), avoiding atmospheric distortion. Gaia scans the sky every two months using two telescopes. It helps detect exoplanets, main belt asteroids, and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) by tracking stellar movements and brightness changes.

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OpenAI launched a new AI tool called Deep Research on February 2. It is the first major release after the DeepSeek controversy. Deep Research gathers information from the internet and creates reports like a research analyst. OpenAI showcased its capabilities in a YouTube demonstration video. The tool was also privately presented to US lawmakers and government officials in Washington, DC.

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A Parliamentary committee urged the government to develop a clear SOP and obtain approvals for timely completion of projects under the PRASHAD scheme. The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014. It aims to enhance cultural preservation and spiritual tourism at pilgrimage sites across India. Key objectives include improving infrastructure, connectivity, and conservation of heritage sites. It promotes local employment through skill development and supports eco-friendly tourism. The scheme is 100% publicly funded, with additional support from CSR and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Notes:
New Delhi hosted the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias from 5-7 February 2025. The event brought together global pharmacopoeial leaders, regulators, and industry experts to enhance cooperation in pharmaceutical standards. Key discussions focused on pharmaceutical harmonization, regulatory convergence, and improving public health. The first meeting was held in Geneva in 2012, and the 10th in Strasbourg in 2020. WHO defines pharmacopeia as a legally binding collection of quality standards for medicines. The meeting was organized by WHO and hosted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).