Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Pune district in Maharashtra is the worst-hit region for Zika virus in India, with 125 out of 151 cases reported in 2024. Maharashtra recorded 140 cases, followed by Karnataka (10) and Gujarat (1). The Zika virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit dengue and yellow fever. It can cause microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The virus was discovered in the Zika Forest, Uganda (1947), and the first human case was reported in 1952. A major Zika outbreak occurred in Brazil (2015).

Notes:
The Economic Survey projects 6.3-6.8% growth for 2025-26, driven by a strong external account, fiscal consolidation, and stable private consumption. It stresses that domestic growth drivers will be more crucial than external factors in the future. The Survey calls for deregulation and reforms to focus on economic freedom for individuals and organizations. India’s growth is estimated at 6.4% in 2024-25, the slowest in four years. The retreat of globalization means India must leverage its demographic dividend and strong domestic balance sheets for future growth.

Notes:
The Finance Minister announced that National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) will establish a partial credit enhancement facility for corporate bonds in the infrastructure sector. NaBFID is a specialized Development Finance Institution (DFI) supporting infrastructure development in India. It was established in 2021 under the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act, 2021. Its objectives include filling gaps in long-term infrastructure financing, developing bond and derivatives markets, and boosting economic growth. NaBFID is regulated and supervised by the RBI as an All-India Financial Institution (AIFI). It focuses on long-term credit solutions for infrastructure projects in India.

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:
Uttar Pradesh implemented ‘Operation Eleven’ for crowd management during the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan at Maha Kumbh. The plan ensures one-way traffic and smooth movement on pontoon bridges. Additional police forces and barricades have been deployed to prevent overcrowding at Triveni ghats. Special monitoring is in place at key locations for enhanced security. The initiative follows strict instructions from CM Yogi Adityanath under the state’s “zero-error” programme.

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 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:
Black kites were recently found nesting in a tower structure in Chennai. They are medium-sized birds of prey from the Accipitridae family. Unlike other raptors, they are opportunistic hunters, often gliding in thermals to search for food. They have brown plumage, dark wingtips, bead-like dark brown eyes, and a hooked black beak. Their habitat ranges from wetlands and coasts to grasslands and woodlands. They are mainly found in tropical regions of Australasia, Eurasia, and Africa. They are monogamous and form lifelong pair bonds.

Notes:
The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha about the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) 2.0. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs launched the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) 2.O. The scheme aims to strengthen democracy, promote discipline, tolerance, and awareness of parliamentary practices. The NYPS 2.0 web portal allows citizens to participate through three categories. Under Institution Participation, schools (Kishore Sabha) and colleges (Tarun Sabha) can organize Youth Parliament sessions. Group Participation allows groups to conduct sessions following portal guidelines, while Individual Participation enables citizens to take a quiz on ‘Bhartiya Democracy in Action.’

Notes:
The Union Home Ministry urged states to prevent the misuse of the State Emblem of India, emphasizing that the Lion Capital is incomplete without “Satyameva Jayate” in Devanagari. The emblem is an adaptation of Ashoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath, featuring four lions on a circular abacus with Dharma Chakras, an elephant, horse, bull, and lion. Adopted on 26 January 1950, it shows three visible lions, omitting the bell-shaped lotus. “Satyameva Jayate”, meaning “Truth alone triumphs”, is from the Mundaka Upanishad. Its use is restricted under the 2005 Act and 2007 Rules.