Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
New Delhi hosted the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias from 5-7 February 2025. The event brought together global pharmacopoeial leaders, regulators, and industry experts to enhance cooperation in pharmaceutical standards. Key discussions focused on pharmaceutical harmonization, regulatory convergence, and improving public health. The first meeting was held in Geneva in 2012, and the 10th in Strasbourg in 2020. WHO defines pharmacopeia as a legally binding collection of quality standards for medicines. The meeting was organized by WHO and hosted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).

Notes:
The Haryana government launched the “Mahri Laado” Radio Programme under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. BBBP was launched by the Government of India on 22nd January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. The scheme aims to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and ensure equal opportunities, care, and dignity for girls and women.

Notes:
India is now the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturing country after China, followed by Vietnam. 99.2% of mobile phones sold in India are made domestically. Mobile phones account for 43% of India’s total electronics production. The electronics sector grew rapidly, reaching a valuation of USD 155 billion in FY23. Electronics production nearly doubled from USD 48 billion in FY17 to USD 101 billion in FY23. Electronics is now India’s fifth-largest export commodity. Despite growth, India holds less than 1% of the global electronics export share.

Notes:
PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School Namchi, Sikkim, is the only school from Northeast India to receive a Green School Rating. The Green Carnival and Green School Award Ceremony 2025 was organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in New Delhi. This annual event engages young environmentalists and recognizes sustainable schools. Over 10,000 schools submitted Green School Audit reports (July-Dec 2024), but only 150 schools received the Green School rating. Schools are evaluated based on their sustainability practices under the Green School Programme Network.

Notes:
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh will become India’s second cheetah habitat. Six to eight cheetahs from South Africa are expected to arrive before summer 2025. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh. It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion along the Chambal River. Declared a sanctuary in 1974, it covers 368 sq. km and is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The sanctuary features diverse topography, including hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam, enhancing its ecological richness.

Notes:
Sierra Leone hosted the first-ever African Urban Heat Summit on February 6, 2025. Freetown’s Heat Action Plan (HAP) was launched, marking Africa’s first comprehensive urban heat response plan. The summit was organized by Freetown and Climate Resilience for All (CRA), gathering mayors, policymakers, and climate experts. Extreme heat is affecting African cities, straining healthcare and economies. The HAP includes cooling corridors, green spaces, and protective measures for vulnerable groups. 70% of Africa’s population will live in cities by 2050, with deadly heatwaves expected by the 2090s.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a two-day International Conference on Unani Medicine in New Delhi on 11 February 2025. The event, held on 11-12 February 2025, is organized to mark Unani Day. Unani Day is observed on 11 February to honor Hakim Ajmal Khan, a freedom fighter and Unani physician. The conference is organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under the Ministry of Ayush.

Notes:
The International Bird Festival will be held from February 16-18 during Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj, to promote environmental conservation. It aims to raise awareness among environmentalists, ornithologists, and devotees about rare bird species. More than 200 species of migratory and local birds, including Indian Skimmer, Flamingo, and Siberian Crane, will be showcased. Birds from 10+ countries like Siberia, Mongolia, and Afghanistan have arrived at the Ganga-Yamuna banks. Experts will hold discussions on bird migration, climate change, and ecological balance. The festival blends Indian culture, spirituality, and scientific awareness, inspiring future environmental conservation efforts.

Notes:
India ranked 96 out of 180 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), with a score of 38. India’s score dropped from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022, ranking 93rd in 2023. Among neighbors, Pakistan ranked 135, Sri Lanka 121, Bangladesh 149, and China 76. Denmark topped the list, followed by Finland and Singapore. Corruption threatens climate action by misusing funds and obstructing policies. 32 countries improved since 2012, but 148 stagnated or worsened. Over two-thirds of countries scored below 50, with a global average of 43. Corruption fuels authoritarianism, instability, and human rights violations.

Notes:
The 12th World Government Summit held in Dubai, UAE, on February 10, 2025, and runs until February 13, 2025. It gathers global leaders, experts, and decision-makers to shape the future of governments. The summit’s theme is “Shaping Future Governments.” It is organized by a non-governmental organization founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2013.