Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
IIT Bombay developed a shockwave-based, needle-free syringe for painless drug delivery, reducing skin damage and infection risks. The syringe uses high-energy shockwaves to create a microjet of liquid drug that penetrates the skin without needles. It consists of a driver, driven section, and drug holder, powered by pressurized nitrogen gas. Effective in tests on rats, it showed deeper tissue penetration with minimal skin damage. The device supports over 1,000 uses, needing only nozzle replacements, making it cost-effective. It could accelerate immunization drives like Mission Indradhanush and lower risks of needle-related infections.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its biannual Financial Stability Report (FSR), focusing on the health and resilience of the Indian financial system. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) highlights improvements in the banking sector’s asset quality and resilience. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) achieved a 12-year low Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio of 2.6% by September 2024. The Provisioning Coverage Ratio (PCR) rose to 77%, mainly due to proactive provisioning by Public Sector Banks (PSBs). The slippage ratio increased slightly to 0.7%, showing controlled NPA growth. Household debt in India reached 42.9% of GDP by June 2024, rising gradually. India’s Real GDP growth is projected at 6.6% for 2024-25, supported by rural consumption, government investments, and services exports.

Notes:
On 15 January 2025, the Indian Navy will commission three major combatants: INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vagsheer. INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project-15B Vishakhapatnam Class stealth destroyer. It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagaon Dock Limited. It has 72% indigenous content and is India’s first AI-enabled warship. The ship has a displacement of 7,400 tons, is 163 meters long, and can reach speeds up to 60 km/h. It has a range of 15,000 km and is equipped with BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 missiles, and advanced anti-submarine weapons.

Notes:
The government has initiated a review of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to update its base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23. This change aims to reflect structural economic changes and enhance the accuracy of inflation measurement and GDP calculations. The 18-member committee, led by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, will also explore transitioning to a Producer Price Index (PPI) to include services, which constitute over half of India’s economic output, thus aligning with international practices.

Notes:
World Braille Day is observed on January 4 to highlight the importance of Braille for blind and partially sighted individuals. The United Nations General Assembly declared January 4 as World Braille Day in 2018 to honor Louis Braille, the creator of the Braille system. Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots, including symbols for music, math, and science. According to the World Health Organization, 2.2 billion people globally have vision impairments, with nearly half being preventable or unaddressed cases.

Notes:
Tularemia, also called ‘rabbit fever,’ has risen by over 50% in the US recently. It is a rare but potentially deadly infectious disease. It primarily affects children aged 5-9, older men, and American Indians or Alaska Natives. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can infect various animals, especially rabbits and rodents. The disease is transmitted to humans through tick bites, contact with infected animals, or contaminated water. Symptoms can range from skin ulcers to severe respiratory issues.

Notes:
Aero India 2025, Asia’s biggest biennial air show, will be held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, from February 10-14, 2025. The first edition was in 1996, and the 14th edition was held in 2023. The event will showcase India’s aerospace and defence advancements, featuring air displays and exhibitions of military aircraft on February 13-14. It is organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The theme of Aero India 2025 is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities.”

Notes:
A webinar on osteoporosis was organized by Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore recently. Experts highlight calcium intake, regular exercise, and healthy habits to prevent bone loss. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them thinner and more prone to fractures. It commonly affects bones like hips, wrists, and the spine. The condition occurs when bone loss outpaces new bone creation, often due to low hormone levels. The disease is often called “silent” because it shows no symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Notes:
National Bird Day is celebrated annually on January 5 to raise awareness about bird conservation and their ecological importance. It was established in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition. It highlights issues like bird extinction, habitat destruction, and the illegal pet trade. The day aligns with the birth of the wild bird preservation movement in the early 20th century. It promotes efforts to conserve bird populations in the wild and improve the welfare of birds in captivity. The day commemorates conservation achievements, including saving endangered species like the Bald Eagle and California Condor from extinction.

Notes:
A study revealed the migration strategy of common noctule bats, which travel thousands of kilometers across Europe in spring, using warm storm fronts to conserve energy. The common noctule is an insectivorous bat with a golden to dark brown body, narrow wings, and a powerful flight pattern. It echolocates at low frequencies around 25kHz, audible to some humans, especially children. They inhabit forests, open areas, and urban settings, roosting in hollow trees, buildings, and caves. During winter, they hibernate in caves or urban structures, especially in Eastern Europe. IUCN lists the species as “Least Concern.”