Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
China unveiled the CR450, the world’s fastest high-speed train, with test speeds of 450 km/h and a commercial speed of 400 km/h. It surpasses the CR400 Fuxing trains (350 km/h) and reflects breakthroughs in speed, energy efficiency, safety, and comfort. Developed through 200,000 km of tests, 3,000 simulations, and 2,000 platform tests. Features include water-cooled traction, high-stability bogies, and a 20% reduction in energy use. Enhances passenger comfort with noise reduction, spacious cabins, and storage for bicycles and wheelchairs. Aligns with China’s plan to expand its rail network to 70,000 km by 2035.

Notes:
Karnataka government announced a ₹100 crore plan to develop Yadgir Fort under the “One District, One Spot” initiative to boost tourism. ₹33 crore comes from the MLA grant, and ₹67 crore from the state government. Yadgir Fort is located in Yadgir district, one of the largest forts in Karnataka. The fort is built on a monolith, measuring 850m in length, 500m in width, and 100m in height. It has inscriptions from various dynasties like Kalyana Chalukyas, Yadavas, Bahmani Sultans, and others.

Notes:
K S Manilal, a renowned taxonomist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on 1st January 2025 in Thrissur, Kerala. He is celebrated for translating and annotating Hortus Malabaricus, a 17th-century Latin botanical treatise on the flora of Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa. Manilal spent 35 years making the 12-volume work accessible to academics during his tenure as a botany professor at the University of Calicut (1976–1999). His contributions include 198 research papers, 15 books, and extensive work on medicinal plants and taxonomy. He played a key role in conserving Kerala’s Silent Valley rainforest in the 1980s.

Notes:
The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative democratizes access to global scholarly knowledge in India, aligning with NEP 2020 and ViksitBharat@2047 goals. A ₹6,000 crore budget is allocated for its first phase (2025–2027). The primary objective of the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) is to provide equitable access to scholarly research journals and articles from top international publishers to all eligible students, faculty, and researchers across India. The initiative promotes interdisciplinary research, particularly benefiting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. A unified portal will streamline digital processes for students, researchers, and faculty. The Department of Higher Education will lead awareness campaigns for maximum user adaptation.

Notes:
Russia has introduced a new tourist tax, replacing the previous resort fee, effective today. Travelers will pay an additional 1% of their lodging costs to support regional tourism infrastructure. The tax was added to the Russian Tax Code in July 2024 under a new chapter, “Tourist Tax.” Regional authorities can implement the tax as a local levy, with many regions already adopting it. The tax starts at 1% in 2025 and will increase to 3% by 2027.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet extended a one-time special package for Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme. DAP is the second most-used fertilizer in India after urea and is rich in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Phosphorus in DAP promotes root development and accelerates plant growth. It dissolves quickly in soil, releasing essential nutrients for plants. The NBS scheme provides subsidies based on nutrient content to ensure affordable fertilizers for farmers. The scheme promotes balanced fertilization, soil health, and sustainable agriculture. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers oversees the NBS scheme.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh became the first state in India to link its forest ecosystem with Green GDP. Chhattisgarh has introduced a plan linking forest ecosystem services to Green GDP, highlighting environmental contributions like clean air, water conservation, and biodiversity. The initiative aims to balance economic development with environmental preservation for future generations. Forest services, including climate regulation, soil enrichment, water purification, and carbon absorption, will be integrated into economic planning. With 44% forest cover, Chhattisgarh’s forests support livelihoods, provide forest products, and mitigate climate change. The plan aligns with the ‘Developed India 2047’ vision, emphasizing ecological and economic sustainability. Forest valuation will include CO2 absorption, water provision, biodiversity, and eco-tourism contributions.

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:
The Prime Minister emphasized Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC’s) role in empowering small businesses and transforming e-commerce. ONDC was launched in 2022 by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce. It aims to provide equal opportunities for MSMEs in digital commerce and democratize the e-commerce sector. ONDC promotes open networks for exchanging goods and services through digital platforms. Partners like Paytm, Meesho, Magicpin, Mystore, Craftsvilla, and Spice Money enable users to order food or products from businesses listed on the ONDC platform.