Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
The first Raisina Middle East Conference was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on 28-29 January 2025. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar was the Chief Guest. Dr. Jaishankar visited the UAE from 27-29 January 2025. This was his third visit to the UAE since his reappointment in June 2024. The Raisina Dialogue is India’s top conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics. The event was organised by the Observer Research Foundation, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The conference brought together policymakers, academics, media, and business leaders to discuss regional and global integration.

Notes:
The saffron reedtail damselfly, also known as Indosticta deccanensis, was recently spotted for the first time in Karnataka along the Netravati River. This rare species is endemic to the Western Ghats and is part of the shadow damselfly family (Platystictidae). It has slender bodies with saffron coloration and thrives in pristine, slow-moving forest streams. Previously found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this discovery extends its known range. Damselflies are predatory, aerial insects found near freshwater habitats, and their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem.

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.

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).

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:
The Gyan Bharatam Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to preserve and protect manuscripts across India. The mission aims to survey, document, and conserve more than one crore manuscripts in academic institutions, museums, and libraries. Its significance includes preserving historical value, unveiling ancient Indian knowledge, ensuring longevity, and providing 24/7 access to manuscripts. The budget allocation for the National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) has been increased from Rs. 3.5 crore to Rs. 60 crore to support the new mission.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) restrained the Andhra Pradesh Government from proceeding with six infrastructure projects in Kolleru wetland. Kolleru Lake is a large, shallow freshwater lake in northeastern Andhra Pradesh. It lies between the Krishna and Godavari deltas near Eluru. It is Asia’s largest shallow freshwater lake, covering 308 sq. km. It acts as a flood-balancing reservoir and drains into the Bay of Bengal via the Upputeru River. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1999 and a Ramsar Site in 2002. It is an Important Bird Area (IBA) on the Central Asian Flyway, hosting species like Siberian cranes, pelicans, and painted storks.

Notes:
The Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru, India developed the high-entropy alloy (HEA) catalyst for hydrogen production. CeNS is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The catalyst is made of platinum, palladium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese (PtPdCoNiMn). The catalyst was prepared using two methods: electrodeposition and solvothermal processes.  The catalyst is more efficient than pure platinum and uses seven times less platinum than commercial catalysts.  The catalyst is stable and efficient for over 100 hours in alkaline seawater.

Notes:
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 Framework Agreement on the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially come into force. India established IBCA through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was launched on April 9, 2023, marking 50 years of Project Tiger. It aims to conserve seven big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. Member countries are Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia. The alliance aims to collaborate, share expertise, and secure financial support to conserve big cats globally.