Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh assembly becomes the first in the country with a translator facility. The proposal will be reviewed by the Ruling Committee and implemented after approval. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath oversaw translation rehearsals in Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhand, and English.

Notes:
The Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation has introduced a real-time monitoring and networking system in Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, covering 53 sq km. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1983. The sanctuary includes the catchment area of Peppara Dam, built on the Karamana River. The new system aims to enhance wildlife protection and conservation efforts in the region.

Notes:
India has been elected Vice President of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore. T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, led the Indian delegation. The 1st General Assembly of IALA marks its transition from an NGO to an inter-governmental organization (IGO). IALA, founded in 1957, sets global maritime navigation standards. India will host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai. This highlights India’s leadership in maritime safety and international cooperation.

Notes:
Nvidia has unveiled a powerful AI system called Evo 2 for genetic research. Evo 2 is the largest publicly available AI model for genomic data. It was built using 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors on Amazon’s cloud with Arc Institute and Stanford University. It is trained on 9 trillion nucleotides from 128,000+ organisms, covering plants, animals, and bacteria.

Notes:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a high-powered Dinesh Khara Committee, led by former SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, to review and update the Insurance Act, 1938. The committee will assess the feasibility of 100% FDI in the insurance sector and propose the introduction of composite insurance companies offering life, non-life, and health insurance under one entity. It also aims to enhance policyholder protections and ensure revenue retention within India. The committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the Union Finance Ministry for legislative amendments to align the sector with modern needs.

Notes:
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a major global birding event where birdwatchers count species. Bengal led India in bird species recorded for the third consecutive year. The event took place from February 14 to 17, 2025, with India documenting 1,068 species. Bengal recorded 543 species, showcasing its rich bird diversity. Rare species like the Ibisbill and Common Starling were spotted.

Notes:
International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21 every year to promote linguistic diversity. UNESCO established it in 1999, recognizing the Bengali people’s struggle for language rights. The 2025 theme is “Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day,” marking 25 years of preserving linguistic heritage.

Notes:
Researchers at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a method to reduce anion migration in CsPbX3 perovskite nanocrystals. Perovskite nanocrystals have the same structure as calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3). They follow the chemical formula ABX₃, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ are cations, and ‘X’ is an anion. These crystals can be designed with various physical, optical, and electrical properties. They are used in optoelectronics, including solar cells, photodetectors, and LEDs. Perovskite LEDs combine the benefits of OLEDs and QLEDs, making them promising for next-generation lighting.

Notes:
Amit Shah chaired the 27th Western Zonal Council meeting in Pune, Maharashtra, attended by CMs, officials, and senior ministers. The council evolved from an advisory body to a platform for sharing best practices and fostering collaboration. The Western region contributes 25% to India’s GDP and is crucial for global trade, ports, and urban development. Health issues like malnutrition and stunting among children were emphasized for urgent action.

Notes:
India’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose for the first time after three quarters. PMI measures business activity in manufacturing and services sectors through surveys. It helps assess whether market conditions are expanding, contracting, or stable. There are two types: Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI. Manufacturing PMI is based on new orders, output, employment, supplier delivery times, and stock purchases. A PMI above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 shows contraction. PMI is released monthly by S&P Global, a global financial analytics firm.