Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Rajasthan government recently dissolved nine districts and three divisions created in 2023. Rajasthan now has 41 districts and seven divisions. The divisions of Pali, Sikar, and Banswara were annulled. Eight districts, including Dudu, Kekri, Shahpura, and others, were abolished due to administrative necessity. Retained districts include Balotra, Beawar, Didwana-Kuchaman, and others. A High-Level Committee report deemed the new districts unviable, and a Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed to review their status.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin inaugurated India’s first-ever glass bridge at Kanyakumari. The bridge connects the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue. It is part of a Rs 37-crore initiative by the Tamil Nadu government. The bridge enhances the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Notes:
India’s GDP is projected to grow at 6.6% in 2024-25, signaling economic resilience. Growth is driven by rural consumption revival, increased government spending, and strong services exports. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) highlights the strength of India’s financial system and stability.

Notes:
The World Bank launched the Business Ready (B-READY) report, replacing the paused Ease of Doing Business report. The Ease of Doing Business report was suspended in 2020 due to data manipulation and ranking integrity concerns. B-READY serves as a benchmarking tool to evaluate the global business climate and promote inclusive private sector growth. It focuses on ten core topics: Business Entry, Location, Utility Services, Labor, Financial Services, International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution, Market Competition, and Insolvency.

Notes:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a 100% conviction rate for 2024, convicting 68 individuals in 25 high-profile cases. The NIA arrested 210 individuals across 80 cases, with 28 involving Left Wing Extremism and 18 related to North East insurgency. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks to combat terrorism. The agency operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, with its headquarters in New Delhi, led by the Director-General.

Notes:
Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) launched the Indore Climate Mission to make Indore the world’s first energy-literate city. IMC signed an MoU with the Energy Swaraj Foundation, leading to the mission’s launch on 30 November. The mission aims to make 5 lakh residents energy literate, a first in any Indian city. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy conservation, and encouraging eco-friendly lifestyles.

Notes:
The Gujarat government approved the creation of Vav-Tharad district by bifurcating Banaskantha district. The new district will have its headquarters in Tharad town. This raises the total number of districts in Gujarat to 34. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The move addresses a longstanding public demand and aims to improve administrative efficiency.

Notes:
India is promoting compressed biogas (CBG) as a future fuel to reduce fossil fuel usage and transition to renewable energy. CBG is produced from agricultural waste, animal waste, municipal solid waste, press mud, and sewage sludge. However, adoption of CBG plants has been slow, with only 115 plants operational as of December 2024, far from the 5,000 plant target by 2030. The GOBARdhan scheme, launched in 2018 under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase II, focuses on converting cattle dung, agricultural waste, and organic materials into Biogas, CBG, and bio-fertilizers. It promotes a circular economy by turning waste into wealth. The scheme is managed by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Notes:
The Tobacco Board has initiated several strategic activities to ensure the sustainability and growth of the tobacco industry. The Tobacco Board of India was established on January 1, 1976, under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975. It is headed by a chairperson and works towards the development of the tobacco industry. Its main functions include promoting tobacco exports, regulating FCV tobacco production and distribution, and supporting domestic and international tobacco trade. India is the second-largest producer of tobacco globally, after China. India is also the second-largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco, after Brazil.

Notes:
IIT Madras is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture on Project VISTAAR to enhance agricultural extension through digitalization. Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) aims to strengthen the agricultural extension system. The project highlights opportunities for start-ups to innovate and improve agriculture and allied sectors. Start-ups can help farmers with technologies for better productivity and market information. IIT Madras’ Centre for Research on Start-ups developed a platform with data on 12,000 agriculture-related start-ups. The MoU enables farmers and stakeholders to access start-up capabilities and improve agricultural efficiency.