Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released findings from the second Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES). The survey collects data on household spending on goods and services. It helps assess economic well-being, update the Consumer Price Index, and measure poverty and inequality. The Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) is the main indicator for analysis. Urban-rural consumption differences declined in 2023-24 across major states. MPCE increased for all household types in both rural and urban areas. Kerala has the lowest urban-rural MPCE gap, followed by Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. Consumption inequality declined across almost all major states. The Gini coefficient fell to 0.237 (rural) and 0.284 (urban) in 2023-24.

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.

Notes:
RBI released the Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) to measure the growth of digital transactions in India. Digital payments grew by 11.1% YoY as of September 2024. The RBI-DPI for September 2024 stood at 465.33, up from 445.50 in March 2024. The index tracks five key factors: Payment Enablers, Infrastructure (Demand & Supply), Payment Performance, and Consumer Centricity. UPI’s share in digital payments surged from 34% in 2019 to 83% in 2024, with a CAGR of 74%. UPI transactions grew from ₹5.86 lakh crore (2018) to ₹246.83 lakh crore (2024).

Notes:
The Union Budget 2025-26 introduced the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme to provide digital textbooks in Indian languages. It aims to make learning more accessible for students in schools and universities. The scheme will offer study materials in multiple regional languages to support diverse linguistic backgrounds. It seeks to bridge the gap in educational resources for students across India. This initiative complements the ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing) program, which focuses on translating and developing academic content in Indian languages.

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).

Notes:
The Indian women’s U19 cricket team won the 2nd ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by nine wickets. The final was played on 2 February 2025 at Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team, led by Niki Prasad, had earlier won the inaugural ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 in Malaysia. The tournament, organised by the ICC, took place in Malaysia from 18 January to 2 February 2025.

Notes:
The Finance Minister announced a ₹20,000 crore ‘Nuclear Energy Mission’ to develop indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). SMRs are small nuclear reactors with a maximum output of 300 MWe, producing 7.2 million kWh per day. In comparison, large nuclear plants generate over 1,000 MWe and 24 million kWh per day. SMRs are small, modular, and reactor-based, generating low-carbon electricity. They have small footprints, lower capital costs, and can be factory-built. SMRs can be deployed in locations unsuitable for large nuclear plants. They support incremental power additions, energy hubs, industrial heating, district heating, and hydrogen production.

Notes:
Sree Gowreeswara Temple, Cherai, has ended a century-old practice of requiring men to remove upper garments before worship. The tradition was a social construct linked to the caste system, not a scriptural rule. It originated to ensure the punool (Brahmin sacred thread) was visible. Cherai Gowreeswara Temple is located in Kerala. Built in 1912, the temple’s idol was installed by Sree Narayana Guru, a social reformer who fought against caste oppression. Some major Kerala temples still enforce this rule, like Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Guruvayur, and Ettumanoor temples.

Notes:
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.

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.