Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
India ranked 22nd in International Shipments and 38th in the overall Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023. Indian Ports’ “Turn Around Time” is 0.9 days, better than countries like the USA, Australia, and Singapore. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aligns with the blue economy and aims to transform India’s maritime sector. Key initiatives include expanding port capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, sustainability through green projects, and promoting coastal tourism. The vision also focuses on shipbuilding, workforce training, and enhancing India’s global maritime presence.

Notes:
Mission Amrit Sarovar has rejuvenated or built over 68,000 ponds, helping address water scarcity. It was launched in 2022 under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.” It aims to develop or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars in each district, targeting around 50,000 ponds nationwide.

Notes:
National Women’s Day is celebrated in India on February 13 to honor Sarojini Naidu. She was a freedom fighter, poet, and the first woman President of the Indian National Congress (1925). She was also the first woman governor of an Indian state. Known as the “Nightingale of India”, she played a key role in India’s independence movement. The day highlights women’s empowerment, gender equality, and leadership. The Indian government designated February 13 to recognize her contributions to social justice and literature, inspiring generations.

Notes:
Researchers recorded the first-ever sighting of an adult abyssal anglerfish (also known as black demon fish or black seadevil fish) in broad daylight. The Black Seadevil Fish is a deep-sea predator known for its terrifying appearance and unique hunting adaptations. It has dark coloration, sharp teeth, and a monstrous shape, giving it the nickname “black devil.” It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
The carcass of a 45-50-year-old male elephant was found in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) near the Indo-Nepal border. Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) is a protected area in the Upper Gangetic Plain, Uttar Pradesh. It became part of ‘Project Tiger’ in 1987 and is a core area of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary has a fragile Terai ecosystem with sal and teak forests, grasslands, swamps, and wetlands.

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:
Russia has developed an mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine, set for free distribution by early 2025. mRNA vaccines provide genetic instructions to help the body produce antigens that trigger an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines, this is not preventive but treats existing cancer by targeting tumor-specific antigens. It trains the immune system to attack cancer cells by producing proteins similar to tumor antigens.

Notes:
The Kerala government launched the nPROUD (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) initiative. The program aims to collect and dispose of unused and expired medicines in a scientific manner. nPROUD is India’s first government initiative for safe drug disposal. It will be piloted in Kozhikode Corporation and Ullyeri panchayat before scaling up. The project involves local self-government bodies and the Green Brigade for implementation.

Notes:
The 2nd All India State Water Ministers Conference was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on 18-19 February 2025. It was organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The conference aimed to adopt effective water management strategies and ensure water security. The theme was “India@2047 – Water Secure Nation”, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed and water-secure India.

Notes:
Nauru, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, plans to sell citizenships to fund the relocation of 10,000 residents threatened by rising sea levels. It is the world’s smallest republic, covering 8 square miles, with a population of 12,500. It is located 1,300 km northeast of the Solomon Islands, its closest neighbor is Banaba in Kiribati. A fossilized coral atoll, it is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific.