Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025
1. Point Nemo, which was seen in news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Atlantic Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Arctic Ocean
[D] Indian Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Arctic Ocean
[D] Indian Ocean
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
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.
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.
2. Subhadra scheme is the women-centric scheme of which state?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
IIM Sambalpur will research the impact of Subhadra Yojana in Odisha. An MoU was signed with the Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department at Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave-2025. The institute will conduct real-time assessments, provide policy recommendations, and develop monitoring frameworks. The scheme provides ₹10,000 annually to eligible women for five years (₹50,000 total). It aims to foster women’s entrepreneurship and support child development. The scheme is expected to benefit over 1 crore women in Odisha.
IIM Sambalpur will research the impact of Subhadra Yojana in Odisha. An MoU was signed with the Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department at Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave-2025. The institute will conduct real-time assessments, provide policy recommendations, and develop monitoring frameworks. The scheme provides ₹10,000 annually to eligible women for five years (₹50,000 total). It aims to foster women’s entrepreneurship and support child development. The scheme is expected to benefit over 1 crore women in Odisha.
3. Which country has become the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis?
[A] Kenya
[B] Libya
[C] Algeria
[D] Niger
[B] Libya
[C] Algeria
[D] Niger
Correct Answer: D [Niger]
Notes:
Niger has become the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis, or river blindness. It joins Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala as WHO-verified onchocerciasis-free nations. Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease affecting the eyes and skin, causing severe disability. It leads to disfiguring skin conditions, vision loss, and permanent blindness in severe cases. The disease has severely impacted livelihoods for decades. Over 99% of cases still occur in 31 African countries.
Niger has become the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis, or river blindness. It joins Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala as WHO-verified onchocerciasis-free nations. Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease affecting the eyes and skin, causing severe disability. It leads to disfiguring skin conditions, vision loss, and permanent blindness in severe cases. The disease has severely impacted livelihoods for decades. Over 99% of cases still occur in 31 African countries.
4. What is the name of application recently launched by Indian railways for providing multiple railway services?
[A] RailConnect
[B] SwaRail
[C] RailGo
[D] None of the Above
[B] SwaRail
[C] RailGo
[D] None of the Above
Correct Answer: B [SwaRail]
Notes:
The Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp, designed to streamline various railway services. The app offers services like reserved and unreserved ticket bookings, as well as platform ticket bookings. A major focus of the app is enhancing user experience with a clean and seamless interface. It has been developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
The Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp, designed to streamline various railway services. The app offers services like reserved and unreserved ticket bookings, as well as platform ticket bookings. A major focus of the app is enhancing user experience with a clean and seamless interface. It has been developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
5. South Georgia Island, which was seen in the news, lies in which ocean?
[A] Pacific Ocean
[B] Arctic Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
[B] Arctic Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Correct Answer: C [Atlantic Ocean]
Notes:
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is drifting toward South Georgia Island after breaking from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf. South Georgia Island is a mountainous, barren island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, covering 3,756 sq.km. The island has over 160 glaciers and peaks like Mount Paget (2,935 m).
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is drifting toward South Georgia Island after breaking from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf. South Georgia Island is a mountainous, barren island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, covering 3,756 sq.km. The island has over 160 glaciers and peaks like Mount Paget (2,935 m).
6. The Golden-headed Cisticola bird (Cisticola exilis) was recently discovered at which national park in Kerala?
[A] Periyar National Park
[B] Eravikulam National Park
[C] Mathikettan Shola National Park
[D] Silent Valley National Park
[B] Eravikulam National Park
[C] Mathikettan Shola National Park
[D] Silent Valley National Park
Correct Answer: C [Mathikettan Shola National Park]
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.
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.
7. The term “SWAMIH Investment Fund” that was recently seen in news, is sponsored by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
[D] Ministry of Urban Development
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
[D] Ministry of Urban Development
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Finance]
Notes:
Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund 2.0 aims to revive stalled real estate projects by providing financial support. The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹15,000 crore to complete one lakh housing units. Real estate developers and National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) had long requested the fund’s second tranche. SWAMIH Fund I, launched earlier, was created to complete stressed and stalled housing projects. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance. It is a Category-II AIF (Alternate Investment Fund) debt fund registered with SEBI.
Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund 2.0 aims to revive stalled real estate projects by providing financial support. The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹15,000 crore to complete one lakh housing units. Real estate developers and National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) had long requested the fund’s second tranche. SWAMIH Fund I, launched earlier, was created to complete stressed and stalled housing projects. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance. It is a Category-II AIF (Alternate Investment Fund) debt fund registered with SEBI.
8. Which institute has launched India’s first cancer genome database to help research on the disease?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] IIT Roorkee
[D] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] IIT Roorkee
[D] IIT Madras
Correct Answer: D [IIT Madras]
Notes:
IIT Madras launched India’s first cancer genome database to boost cancer research. India is underrepresented in global cancer genome studies, limiting targeted diagnostics and drug development. The Cancer Genome Programme started in 2020 and has sequenced 960 whole exomes from 480 breast cancer samples across India. The Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA) will help in early diagnosis, disease progression tracking, and treatment planning. The database supports personalized medicine and helps identify high-risk groups and novel drug targets.
IIT Madras launched India’s first cancer genome database to boost cancer research. India is underrepresented in global cancer genome studies, limiting targeted diagnostics and drug development. The Cancer Genome Programme started in 2020 and has sequenced 960 whole exomes from 480 breast cancer samples across India. The Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA) will help in early diagnosis, disease progression tracking, and treatment planning. The database supports personalized medicine and helps identify high-risk groups and novel drug targets.
9. Which state government has denotified three Proposed Reserve Forests (PRF) to grant land rights to residents?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Nagaland
[D] Mizoram
[B] Manipur
[C] Nagaland
[D] Mizoram
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Assam government has denotified three proposed reserve forests in Tinsukia district—Talpathar, Mohongpathar, and Duarmarah. This will provide land rights to over 20,000 residents, converting these areas into revenue villages. The state also announced a Rs 600 crore grant for 25,000 places of worship. New policies were introduced to support startups and defence manufacturing. The decision aims to balance environmental conservation with social and economic development.
Assam government has denotified three proposed reserve forests in Tinsukia district—Talpathar, Mohongpathar, and Duarmarah. This will provide land rights to over 20,000 residents, converting these areas into revenue villages. The state also announced a Rs 600 crore grant for 25,000 places of worship. New policies were introduced to support startups and defence manufacturing. The decision aims to balance environmental conservation with social and economic development.
10. Which organization has launched the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository?
[A] Department of Biotechnology
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Correct Answer: A [Department of Biotechnology ]
Notes:
The Department of Biotechnology launched the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI). It provides clinical data, images, and biospecimens from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers. It is one of South Asia’s largest maternal and child health databases. The repository will help researchers worldwide improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. THSTI also inaugurated a Ferret Research Facility with high biosafety standards. The facility will support vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research on emerging infectious diseases.
The Department of Biotechnology launched the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI). It provides clinical data, images, and biospecimens from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers. It is one of South Asia’s largest maternal and child health databases. The repository will help researchers worldwide improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. THSTI also inaugurated a Ferret Research Facility with high biosafety standards. The facility will support vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research on emerging infectious diseases.