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:
India Gate was illuminated in purple and orange on 30th January 2025 for World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day. World NTDs Day has been observed annually on 30th January since 2022. The day aims to raise awareness about NTDs and the need for global action. Iconic landmarks worldwide are lit up to highlight the cause. NTDs are infectious diseases that mainly affect poor communities in tropical regions. These diseases receive less attention compared to other major health issues.

Notes:
Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru developed a new method to measure solar storms’ size and speed. The method improves predictions of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which can disrupt Earth’s communication systems and power grids. It measures CME radial size and expansion speed, crucial for understanding their impact on Earth’s magnetic field. The approach estimates instantaneous expansion speed using a single observation point, making it more efficient. The method was tested on a 2010 CME event and will be used with Aditya-L1 for better space weather forecasting.

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:
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.

Notes:
For the first time, India is fully funding its contingent for the Asian Winter Games under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) Scheme. The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin, China, from 7-14 February 2025. An 88-member Indian contingent, including 59 athletes and 29 officials, will compete. Athletes in Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, and Speed Skating (Long Track) will receive financial support. The ANSF scheme funds athlete training, foreign coaches, and support staff for international events.

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 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 budget allocation for PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) in 2025-26 increased by 37% compared to last year. PM-SYM provides old-age protection and social security for unorganized workers in India. It is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, with LIC managing pensions. The scheme is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation and CSC eGovernance Services.

Notes:
The 13th edition of the India-Maldives military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ held in Maldives from 2-15 February 2025. The opening ceremony took place at the MNDF Official Composite Training Center in Maafilaafushi on 2 February 2025. ‘Ekuverin’ means ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language. It is an annual bilateral exercise, held alternately in India and the Maldives since 2009. The 12th edition was held in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, from June 11-24, 2023. A platoon-level contingent from both nations participates. The exercise enhances coordination for counter-insurgency, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.