Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

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:
World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer and its prevention, detection, and treatment. It was established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000. The day unites communities, individuals, and organizations to tackle cancer-related challenges. The theme for World Cancer Day 2025 is “United by Unique.” It promotes a people-centered approach, recognizing that each cancer patient’s experience is unique. The campaign advocates for personalized care to ensure effective and compassionate treatment.

Notes:
Iran has unveiled two new missiles: Etemad and Ghadr-380. Etemad is a ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 km. It measures 16 meters in length and 1.25 meters in diameter. It is equipped with a precision-guided warhead for accurate targeting. Ghadr-380 is an anti-warship cruise missile with a range of over 1,000 km. It features anti-jamming capability, making it resistant to electronic warfare.

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.

Notes:
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers won the 6th Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 title, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the final. The final was held at Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, Odisha, on 1 February 2025. This was the first title win for the Bengal Tigers, earning them Rs 3 crore in prize money, while runners-up Hyderabad Toofans won Rs 2 crore. The league took place from 28 December 2024 to 1 February 2025. Odisha Warriors won the first Women’s Hockey India League title on 26 January 2025 in Ranchi.

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:
Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved India’s first white tiger breeding centre in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. The centre will be set up in Govindgarh, near Mukundpur’s white tiger safari. The project received in-principle approval in 2011. Rewa is believed to be home to the last wild white tiger. The centre is part of a revised masterplan for Mukundpur’s white tiger safari and zoo. The safari is named after Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo, who found a white tiger in 1951 and started a breeding program.

Notes:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation for north India’s first 1-MW green hydrogen plant in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The plant, costing Rs 9.04 crore, will produce 423 kg of green hydrogen daily using renewable energy. It aligns with the state’s goal to become India’s first green energy state by March 2026. Developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) and Oil India Limited, the plant will be completed within a year. The plant will use electrolysis and renewable energy to produce hydrogen, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting cleaner energy.

Notes:
Sankara Eye Hospital and CII Young Indians (Yi) Bengaluru launched a Braille-enabled Indian Constitution. Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot unveiled it in the city. The initiative empowers blind and visually impaired individuals to read and understand their rights. It promotes inclusivity by ensuring equal access to constitutional knowledge. Kaushik Murali from Sankara Eye Foundation called it a major step toward accessibility. The Braille version will be distributed to key institutions for wider reach.

Notes:
Rhododendron wattii is an endangered species found in Nagaland and Manipur, particularly in Dzukou Valley. It is a small tree, growing up to 25 feet, and is evergreen with leaf renewal year-round. It was first collected by Sir George Watt in the 1880s from Nagaland’s Japfu Hill range. The plant flowers from February to April, and fruits from April to December, with pink flowers pollinated by Fire-tailed Sunbirds and bumble bees. The species faces regeneration issues due to poor seedling survival, human activities, and wildfires, contributing to its decline.