Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
World Economic Forum has published “Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network 2023-2024 Impact Report”. The report highlights key innovations tackling global challenges. It focuses on seven core areas, including AI, agriculture, health, biotechnology, and energy transition. Drones are being used to deliver healthcare in India. Autonomous mobility in Saudi Arabia has improved transport efficiency and safety. Alternative proteins, including plant-based and cultivated sources, are being developed for food security. The Saagu Baagu pilot in Telangana helped 7,000 chili farmers increase incomes and reduce agriculture’s environmental impact through agritech.

Notes:
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida has launched BIMCOIN, a blockchain-powered digital currency for campus transactions. It is the first business school in India to introduce such technology, following IIT Madras. BIMCOIN aims to provide students with real-world fintech experience and promote blockchain learning. It operates on a permissioned blockchain, ensuring secure, transparent, and decentralized transactions. Unlike traditional banking, BIMCOIN minimizes fraud and errors by securely recording transactions on the blockchain. This initiative sets a new trend for integrating digital currency in academic institutions.

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The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member judicial committee to investigate the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on 29 January 2025. The stampede, caused by a rush of millions for a holy dip, resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries. The committee is headed by Justice Harsh Kumar, with former DGP V K Gupta and retired IAS officer D K Singh as members. The committee will examine the causes and recommend preventive measures. It is required to submit its report to the government within a month.

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:
Gujarat declared the inland mangrove in Guneri village, Kutch, as its first Biodiversity Heritage Site. It is 45 km from the Arabian Sea and 4 km from Kori Creek, with no seawater inflow. The site is a rare inland mangrove forest, one of only eight globally. It may have originated after the Miocene marine transgression or along the lost Saraswati River. Limestone deposits in the region help sustain groundwater flow for the mangroves. The site was designated under The Biodiversity Act, 2002, after consultation with local bodies.

Notes:
Japan successfully launched the Michibiki 6 satellite on the new H3 rocket, aiming to improve its navigation system. The launch occurred at the Tanegashima Space Center, and the satellite separated successfully 29 minutes after liftoff. Michibiki 6 will be the fifth satellite in Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS). The system supplements US GPS and improves positioning for various devices. Japan plans to expand to seven satellites by 2026 and an 11-satellite network by the late 2030s. The launch was the fourth successful flight for the H3 rocket system.

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 Philippines declared a food security emergency to stabilize high rice prices. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel authorized the release of rice buffer stocks held by the National Food Authority (NFA). The decision was based on recommendations from the National Price Coordinating Council. The Rice Tariffication Law allows the Agriculture Secretary to act during extraordinary price hikes. Rice inflation in the Philippines hit 21.4% in December 2023. The country’s GDP grew by 5.6% in 2024, below the 6-6.5% target. The economy faced setbacks due to extreme weather, geopolitical tensions, and low global demand.

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.

Notes:
OpenAI launched a new AI tool called Deep Research on February 2. It is the first major release after the DeepSeek controversy. Deep Research gathers information from the internet and creates reports like a research analyst. OpenAI showcased its capabilities in a YouTube demonstration video. The tool was also privately presented to US lawmakers and government officials in Washington, DC.