Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Denmark Strait Cataract is an underwater waterfall that defies traditional waterfall characteristics. The Denmark Strait Cataract is the largest waterfall on Earth, located between Iceland and Greenland. It has a vertical drop of 2,000 meters, more than three times the height of Angel Falls. The cataract spans 480 kilometers across the Denmark Strait. Despite its massive size, it remains hidden underwater and cannot be seen from the surface. This invisible waterfall influences global ocean circulation and plays a role in shaping ecosystems.

Notes:
The Confederation of Indian Industry released a ‘Industry 4.0 adoption and strategic roadmap for Indian manufacturing Report’. Industry 4.0 refers to smart, connected production systems that interact with the physical world. Automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals are leading in adoption, while textiles, metals, and mining face challenges. Key drivers for Industry 4.0 in India include workforce up-skilling, digital infrastructure, and sustainability to meet global green manufacturing standards.

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:
Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty, sparing around 60 prisoners on death row. The country last executed someone in 2005 due to a lack of willing executioners. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, once sentenced to death during the independence war, approved the law after Parliament’s bill. Mnangagwa has consistently opposed capital punishment and commuted death sentences to life in prison through amnesties. Amnesty International praised Zimbabwe’s move as a positive step for abolition in the region. Globally, 113 countries, including 24 in Africa, have abolished the death penalty. In 2023, Amnesty recorded 1,153 executions, with most in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

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 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:
Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) launched the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative to empower women entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. It focuses on training women in traditional snack production to build sustainable ventures. MBMC collaborates with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under the ‘Award to Reward’ program. ‘Faral Sakhi’ set up a central kitchen, enabling SHG women to produce and sell snacks professionally, with municipal support for sales and advertising. The initiative aims to create sustainable employment and inspire societal transformation.

Notes:
The Finance Ministry launched the revamped ‘Baanknet’ e-auction portal as a one-stop platform for buyers and investors. It consolidates e-auction information from all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on properties like flats, houses, plots, shops, industrial land, vehicles, and machinery. The portal simplifies property discovery and participation in auctions, enhancing transparency and efficiency. It aids PSBs in recovering distressed assets, improving their balance sheets, and boosting credit availability. More than 1,22,500 properties are listed, and PSB executives received training for effective use.

Notes:
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched two Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), Amulya and Akshay, for the Indian Coast Guard. The launch highlights GSL’s focus on technological and operational excellence. GSL achieved a 100% growth in Gross Revenue, surpassing ₹2,000 crore. The shipyard is recognized as a leading Indian shipbuilder with advanced indigenous capabilities.

Notes:
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the indigenously developed “Paracetamol” by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) during the 40th Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. CSIR’s new technology aims to produce paracetamol domestically, reducing dependence on imported raw materials. Karnataka-based Satya Deeptha Pharmaceuticals Ltd will manufacture affordable paracetamol using this breakthrough. The initiative supports India’s self-reliance in pharmaceutical production and aligns with PM Modi’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision. The development addresses the current import dependency for key raw materials used in paracetamol production.