Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Vitul Kumar, a 1993 batch IPS officer from Uttar Pradesh, is appointed Acting Director General of the CRPF after Anish Dayal Singh’s retirement. Born in Bhatinda, Punjab, Kumar holds a degree in Electronics Engineering, enhancing his analytical skills in law enforcement. He has held key positions in the CRPF, progressing from Deputy Inspector General in 2009 to Special Director General in 2023. Kumar’s awards include the President’s Police Medal (2021) and Police Medal (2009).

Notes:
The Election Commission of India released 42 statistical reports for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and 14 reports for assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. This initiative aims to boost public trust and enhance transparency in the electoral system. In 2024, 47.63 crore women electors were registered, accounting for 48.62% of the total electors. Puducherry and Kerala had the highest female electors at 53.03% and 51.56%.

Notes:
Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency due to increased violence, including gang-related shootings. The capital is Port of Spain. The country is located northeast of Venezuela, south of Grenada, in the Atlantic Ocean. It has significant rivers like the Ortoire, Caroni, and Nariva Rivers. The Northern Range mountain range is in Trinidad, with El Cerro del Aripo being the highest peak at 940 meters.

Notes:
Global Family Day, also called World Peace Day, is observed annually on January 1 to promote peace and unity worldwide. It emphasizes the idea that all people are interconnected regardless of nationality, borders, or ethnicity. The concept originated in 1997 when the UN General Assembly declared the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for Children of the World. The UN officially recognized Global Family Day in 2001 after its initial success in 1999.

Notes:
China launched its first domestically developed deep-sea exploration ship, Tansuo-3 (Exploration-3). The ship officially entered service in Sanya City, Hainan province. Tansuo-3 has a range of 17,261 miles and includes icebreaking capabilities. It will strengthen China’s deep-sea exploration, alongside other icebreakers like Xuelong, Xuelong 2, and Jidi.

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:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has amended the rules for selecting experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). GEAC is a statutory committee under the 1989 rules for hazardous and genetically engineered organisms framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It was renamed from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010. GEAC operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Notes:
Scientists discovered that the dark markings on the Brazilian Velvet Ant absorb nearly all visible light, reflecting less than 1%. Velvet ants, a group of parasitic wasps, are known for bright coloration and a powerful sting. They are wingless, with distinct black and white markings, and are mainly found in Brazil’s Caatinga shrub desert. Velvet ants are highly mobile, covering long distances to find hosts, and are most active in early morning and late afternoon. The ultra-black pigmentation helps them absorb light and enhances their unique appearance in the animal kingdom.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry released the 6th edition of the “Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024” report in New Delhi. It was initiated in 2018 by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. LEADS 2024 evaluates logistics performance across four pillars: Infrastructure, Services, Operating Environment, and Sustainable Logistics. The report highlights initiatives by States and UTs and identifies region-specific opportunities. It aims to enable informed decision-making and improve logistics efficiency nationwide.

Notes:
Researchers in Kochi developed a captive breeding protocol for the endangered black-collared yellow catfish. This species is endemic to the Chalakudy River in Kerala and has unique genetic traits and a greenish-brown mottled appearance. It coexists with the endangered Horabagrus Nigricollaris and is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The breeding program started in 2020, and the first-generation stock was successfully bred. The protocol supports conservation efforts and ensures biodiversity preservation in the Western Ghats.