Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Two young Indian Navy officers aboard INSV Tarini recently crossed Point Nemo in the southern Pacific during Navika Sagar Parikrama-II. Point Nemo is the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, the farthest point from any landmass on Earth. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean and is named after Captain Nemo from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. It lies about 2,688 km from the nearest land. The closest human presence is often astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The region has minimal marine life and is used for space junk disposal due to its remoteness.

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:
Maharashtra will establish India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) university. A task force has been formed for planning and implementation. The university will focus on AI research, development, education, and innovation. It will encourage collaboration between industry, academia, and government. The task force includes experts from academia, industry, and government. The aim is to make Maharashtra a hub for AI education, skill development, and technological innovation. The university will also work on policy formulation related to AI.

Notes:
DRDO successfully conducted three flight trials of the VSHORADS off Odisha’s Chandipur coast. Tests targeted high-speed, low-altitude aerial threats, simulating low-flying drones. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India’s man-portable air defense missile system, known as the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). This system is designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at ranges up to 6 kilometers. The VSHORADS, which represents a significant advancement in India’s defense technology, is notable for its state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker, making it technically superior to existing man-portable air defense systems in the Indian armed forces.

Notes:
The Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) was discovered for the first time in Mathikettan Shola National Park, Idukki, after a long gap. This omnivorous bird primarily feeds on insects, slugs, and grass seeds. It is found in grasslands in mountain ranges, particularly in Australia, parts of India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, northern Kerala), and Asia. Male birds have golden-orange plumage during breeding and distinctive calls. The bird is listed as Least Concern by IUCN. Mathikettan Shola is in the Western Ghats, Kerala.

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.

Notes:
TROPEX-25 or Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise 2025 is India’s largest biennial maritime exercise, led by the Indian Navy with participation from the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The exercise focuses on joint warfare, power projection, and countering challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. Senior military leaders witnessed operations aboard INS Vikrant, highlighting India’s carrier-based air power. The exercise demonstrated integrated fleet operations, uniting the Eastern and Western Fleets. Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force participated, symbolizing growing joint warfare coordination. TROPEX-25 strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, signaling deterrence against China’s expanding naval presence. The exercise reinforces India’s role in regional security and Quad cooperation.

Notes:
The Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Culture to promote traditional performing arts. It offers financial assistance to cultural organizations for training artists under the guidance of a Guru. Cultural organizations across India that follow the Guru-Shishya tradition can apply. The scheme supports shishyas aged 3 and above in music, dance, theatre, and traditional arts. It provides Rs. 15,000 per month for each Guru/Director, with up to 18 shishyas in theatre and 10 in music/dance. The objective is to ensure regular training in the traditional Guru-Shishya system.

Notes:
Indrayani River in Pune is covered with toxic white foam amid rising Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases linked to water contamination. It is located in Maharashtra. It originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala and flows 103.5 km through Pune district before merging into the Bhima River, a tributary of the Krishna River. The river is rain-fed and supports irrigation and agriculture. It has religious significance, with Alandi (samadhi of Dnyaneshwar) and Dehu (hometown of Saint Tukaram) on its banks. Valvan Dam at Kamshet on the river is used for hydroelectric power generation.

Notes:
Russia is reportedly starting large-scale production of Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles. The Iskander (SS-26 Stone) is a road-mobile short-range ballistic missile system, first used in 2008 against Georgia. It is developed by Russia. It is designed for tactical strikes on small, high-value land targets. The missile is 7.3 meters long, weighs 3,750 kg, and has a 500 km range with a payload of 480-700 kg. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, travel at Mach 7, and reach over 30 miles in altitude. Equipped with decoys, maneuverable reentry, and self-targeting to bypass defense systems.