Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Researchers have identified Stellaria bengalensis, an annual herb, in Kalimpong, West Bengal. It grows at altitudes of 2,245-2,450 meters in muddy soil slopes, similar to Stellaria mcclintockiae found in Kerala earlier this year. Stellaria bengalensis is an annual herb, 8-10.5 cm tall, with white flowers, no bracts, and sharp, pointed seeds. India has about 22 Stellaria species, mostly in the Himalayas, and the new species is currently assessed as ‘data deficient’ by IUCN.

Notes:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Blue Origin a commercial space launch license for the New Glenn rocket. The New Glenn rocket was developed by Blue Origin, an American space technology company. New Glenn is a heavy-lift, two-stage rocket named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. It stands 320 feet tall and has a 7-meter-wide payload fairing. The first stage is reusable, powered by seven BE-4 engines, producing over 3.8 million pounds of thrust. The second stage uses two BE-3U engines, powered by liquid hydrogen and oxygen, generating over 320,000 pounds of vacuum thrust.

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Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the EU’s Schengen area on January 1, 2025. Previously, both countries held partial membership in the Schengen area. The Schengen area operates as a single jurisdiction with a common visa policy for international travel.

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Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 31st National Children’s Science Congress in Bhopal, held from January 3 to 6, 2025. More than 700 child scientists, teachers, and mentors from across India and Gulf countries like Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia participated in the event. The theme of the event is “Understanding Ecosystems for Health and Well-being.” The event aims to inspire children to develop scientific temper and solve societal problems through innovation. Activities include the Chandrayaan Mission Exhibition, Water Rocketry, Robotics, Hydroponics, Environmental Snakes and Ladders, Cheetah Conservation Exhibition, and scientific folk songs.

Notes:
Canada announced that the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) of 7.66 lakh international students will expire by the end of next year. The Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) scheme offers a pathway for foreign nationals and students. It is launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024. The program aims to address labor shortages and encourage development in smaller rural communities. The scheme targets individuals willing to settle long-term in these areas to promote growth and address local workforce needs.

Notes:
The first photographic proof of Pallas’s cat in Himachal Pradesh was captured during a snow leopard survey. This highlights the urgent need for conserving lesser-known species in the Indian Himalayas. Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is a small, long-haired cat in the Felidae family. It was named after Peter Simon Pallas, who first described it in 1776. It is mainly found in Central Asia, including parts of Iran, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Pallas’s cats inhabit mountainous plains and semi-desert foothills. The IUCN lists them as “Least Concern” and they are on CITES Appendix II.

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The Export Inspection Council (EIC) has launched a study on food testing infrastructure for exports. It was set up under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963. It ensures quality control and inspection of Indian exports. EIC is the official certification body for exports, ensuring products meet quality and safety standards for importing countries. It provides mandatory certification for specific food products and voluntary certification for others. EIC operates through Export Inspection Agencies in major cities, with NABL accredited laboratories and 30 sub-offices. It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Notes:
The Odisha government launches the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme to promote education among Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates by providing a one-time incentive of ₹5,000 to ST students enrolling in Class IX and Class XI. It is implemented for the 2024-2025 academic year and targets students with annual family incomes below ₹2,50,000. The incentive is available only for ST students in government and government-aided schools within the state. Eligible students receive ₹5,000 directly in their bank accounts, with applications processed through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.

Notes:
Union Minister of Education launched Sashakt Beti and e-Drishti projects at the University of Delhi’s Samarpan Samaroh event. Project Sashakt Beti empowers orphaned and single-parent female students with family incomes under ₹4 lakh by providing laptops. Project e-Drishti supports visually impaired students by providing tablets to improve their learning and research capabilities.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) building in Rohini, Delhi. The state-of-the-art facility spans 2.92 acres, costs ₹187 crore, and will be completed in 30 months. The institute will include a 100-bed research hospital with advanced clinical research, education, and treatment facilities. The project supports the “Heal in India” initiative and aims to make India a global health and wellness hub. CARI, established in 1979, focuses on Ayurvedic research, particularly in preventive cardiology.