Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh has approved a pilot project for controlled cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use. It becomes the fourth state in India to allow this, after Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Cannabis is naturally found in Himachal but was banned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985; recent amendments now allow regulated cultivation. The focus is on non-narcotic applications like textiles, paper, food, cosmetics, and biofuel. Globally, many countries lead in hemp cultivation, making it a trillion-dollar industry with over 25,000 products.

Notes:
DRDO successfully conducted three flight trials of the VSHORADS off Odisha’s Chandipur coast. Tests targeted high-speed, low-altitude aerial threats, simulating low-flying drones. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India’s man-portable air defense missile system, known as the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). This system is designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at ranges up to 6 kilometers. The VSHORADS, which represents a significant advancement in India’s defense technology, is notable for its state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker, making it technically superior to existing man-portable air defense systems in the Indian armed forces.

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:
DRDO and IIT Hyderabad unveiled India’s largest metal 3D printing machine for rocket components. It was developed at the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Hyderabad. The machine uses Powder-based Directed Energy Deposition technology for additive manufacturing. It has a build volume of 1m x 1m x 3m, making it one of India’s largest metal 3D printers. The system features dual heads for thermal balancing and speed. A key milestone was achieved with the successful fabrication of a one-meter-high component, advancing large-scale additive manufacturing in India.

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 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair 2025 held from February 7 to 23 in Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana. It is organized by the Union Ministries of Tourism, Culture, External Affairs, Textiles, and the Haryana government. The fair showcases India’s and other countries’ crafts, textiles, culture, and cuisine. The 37th edition in 2024 saw participation from 45+ countries, 592 foreign artists, and 1.3 million visitors. For 2025, BIMSTEC is proposed as the partner organization, enhancing international collaboration.

Notes:
The Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Culture to promote traditional performing arts. It offers financial assistance to cultural organizations for training artists under the guidance of a Guru. Cultural organizations across India that follow the Guru-Shishya tradition can apply. The scheme supports shishyas aged 3 and above in music, dance, theatre, and traditional arts. It provides Rs. 15,000 per month for each Guru/Director, with up to 18 shishyas in theatre and 10 in music/dance. The objective is to ensure regular training in the traditional Guru-Shishya system.

Notes:
Researchers have developed a self-actuating drug delivery system for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It releases therapeutic agents only when needed by targeting inflammation in joints. RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy cells, mainly affecting joints in hands, wrists, and knees. Symptoms include chronic pain, joint damage, unsteadiness, and deformity; it can also affect organs like the lungs, heart, and eyes. The system uses microspheres loaded with methotrexate, a common anti-rheumatic drug. It includes polymer-lipid hybrid micro-composites, ensuring high drug efficiency and responsiveness to inflammation-related enzymes.

Notes:
Romanian Tennis player Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1, announced her retirement at 33. Her comeback attempt was hampered by injuries after serving a doping ban. She retired after a first-round loss to Lucia Bronzetti at the Transylvania Open in Romania. Halep won Wimbledon 2019 and the French Open 2018. She secured 24 WTA singles titles and earned over $40 million in prize money.

Notes:
The upcoming India-US defence deal includes co-production of Stryker infantry combat vehicles. Stryker is an eight-wheel-drive combat vehicle developed for the US Army by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). It was the first new military vehicle inducted into the US Army since the 1980s. The Stryker family includes different variants like infantry carriers, mobile gun systems, and medical evacuation vehicles. It is known for speed and flexibility in urban warfare. The vehicle has a range of 483 km, top speed of 100 km/h, and is air-transportable by C-17 and C-130 aircraft.