Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

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:
Latika Katt, a renowned Indian sculptor, passed away at 76 in Jaipur. She was known for larger-than-life sculptures, public busts, and capturing nature’s organic forms. Her works include a 20-ft bronze sculpture of Jawaharlal Nehru at Jawahar Bhawan, Delhi. She experimented with terracotta, papier-mâché, stone, and bronze over five decades. She won the Beijing Art Biennale Award (2010) for Makarsankranti Nahan at Dashaswamedh Ghat.

Notes:
Bharat Parv has been organized annually since 2016 at Red Fort, New Delhi from January 26-31 as part of Republic Day celebrations. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism, it takes place at Lawns and Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort. Bharat Parv 2025 features Republic Day tableaux, Armed Force Band performances, cultural shows, regional cuisines, crafts bazaar, and government pavilions. The theme for 2025 is ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, encouraging citizen participation through People’s Choice Voting.

Notes:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Project Abhay, an initiative to boost truck drivers’ health and safety. The project, developed by IIT Delhi’s Centre for Rural Development & Technology (CRDT), screens truck drivers’ health. Over 50,000 truck drivers across six states were screened, focusing on health and vision issues. More than half of drivers had vision problems, and the project successfully corrected many. The initiative improved drivers’ social security benefits and quality of life.

Notes:
The US President signed an executive order to prepare a large-scale migrant detention center at Guantánamo Bay. Guantánamo Bay, located in southeastern Cuba, is a sheltered inlet with strategic importance, near the Windward Passage. It is served by the ports of Caimanera and Boquerón. “Gitmo” has housed terrorism suspects since 9/11 and has a Migrant Operations Centre for migrants from Haiti and Cuba. The current facility is small and cannot accommodate the 30,000 detainees expected in the new center.

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 Finance Minister announced a ₹20,000 crore ‘Nuclear Energy Mission’ to develop indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). SMRs are small nuclear reactors with a maximum output of 300 MWe, producing 7.2 million kWh per day. In comparison, large nuclear plants generate over 1,000 MWe and 24 million kWh per day. SMRs are small, modular, and reactor-based, generating low-carbon electricity. They have small footprints, lower capital costs, and can be factory-built. SMRs can be deployed in locations unsuitable for large nuclear plants. They support incremental power additions, energy hubs, industrial heating, district heating, and hydrogen production.

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:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized World Wetlands Day 2025 at the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site on 2nd February. The event was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh. The celebration emphasized the importance of wetlands in environmental conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. The theme for 2025 was ‘Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future’, highlighting the need for collaboration to protect these biodiverse ecosystems and ensure future wellbeing.

Notes:
The Gyan Bharatam Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to preserve and protect manuscripts across India. The mission aims to survey, document, and conserve more than one crore manuscripts in academic institutions, museums, and libraries. Its significance includes preserving historical value, unveiling ancient Indian knowledge, ensuring longevity, and providing 24/7 access to manuscripts. The budget allocation for the National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) has been increased from Rs. 3.5 crore to Rs. 60 crore to support the new mission.