Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Seva Bhoj Yojana benefits many religious institutions. It is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Culture in August 2018. The scheme reimburses CGST and the Central Government’s share of IGST on raw food items used for free meals. Institutions must serve free food to at least 5,000 people in a month. Eligible institutions must have been distributing free food for at least three years. The District Magistrate must certify the institution. The GST Authority verifies claims and forwards them to the Ministry for reimbursement.

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:
PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahiis) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is approved for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The scheme aims to provide skill training through Short-Term Training, Upskilling/Re-skilling, and Entrepreneurship Development Programs. Training is conducted by empanelled institutes. It targets SCs, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers. A Union minister recently emphasized its importance in empowering marginalized communities.

Notes:
The Indian para-archery team won six gold medals at the 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup – World Ranking Tournament. India topped the medals tally with a total of 12 medals, including six gold, three silver, and three bronze. The tournament took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from February 2-11, 2025.

Notes:
The West Bengal government announced the “Nodi Bandhan” scheme in the 2025-26 budget to develop Bengal’s riverine areas and check erosion along the Ganga. “Nodi Bandhan” aims to link rivers and wetlands, creating livelihood opportunities. The scheme will support pisciculture, irrigation, and small-scale industries related to agriculture and fisheries.

Notes:
The oldest known Jurassic bird fossil was recently found in China’s Fujian Province. The fossil is of a species called Baminornis zhenghensis and is estimated to be 149 million years old. The discovery of Baminornis zhenghensis is considered a landmark discovery and one of the most important bird fossils ever found. It shows that birds and dinosaurs lived alongside each other in China during the Jurassic period.

Notes:
Researchers have warned that AI chatbots are vulnerable to indirect prompt injection attacks. This technique tricks chatbots into executing malicious commands. It exploits large language models (LLMs) by embedding harmful instructions in documents or emails. Attackers can manipulate chatbots to search for sensitive data or alter long-term memory settings. These attacks appear benign but can lead to serious security risks.

Notes:
Global Tourism Resilience Day is observed every year on February 17 to highlight the tourism sector’s resilience and adaptability. The day stresses the importance of a strong tourism industry that can recover from setbacks and support economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainability. Tourism remains vulnerable to global challenges like pandemics, economic crises, and climate change. Established by the UN General Assembly, the day promotes strategies for recovery and collaboration. In 2025, the UN is hosting a global discussion on climate action to advance climate-resilient tourism.

Notes:
The sixth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian, a joint military exercise between India and Japan, is scheduled to take place at Mount Fuji, Japan from February 25 to March 9. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability between the two forces. It involves joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a UN mandate. The aim is to strengthen military ties through improved interoperability, joint operations, and the exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise helps promote military-to-military relations between India and Japan.

Notes:
ISRO has developed a 10-tonne vertical propellant mixer for solid motors, making India’s space sector more self-reliant. It is the world’s largest solid propellant mixing equipment, designed by Satish Dhawan Space Centre with Central Manufacturing Technology Institute. The mixer enhances productivity, quality, and efficiency in heavy solid motor production. It weighs around 150 tonnes and measures 5.4m in length, 3.3m in breadth, and 8.7m in height. It features hydrostatic-driven agitators and remote operation via PLC-based SCADA control. Solid propulsion is crucial for India’s space transportation, requiring precise mixing of hazardous ingredients.