Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
A study by IIT Roorkee identified the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand as highly vulnerable to landslide-induced natural dams. The Alaknanda is one of the two main headstreams of the Ganges River, originating from the Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers in the Garhwal Himalayas. It spans approximately 190 km before merging with the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag, where it is officially called the Ganga. Alaknanda contributes more water to the Ganga than the Bhagirathi. The river’s banks host key pilgrimage sites, including Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib, and Joshimath, and form part of the Char Dham Yatra.

Notes:
South Africa’s High Court blocked a 1,500 MW coal power plan, supporting constitutional rights and sustainable energy. The ‘Cancel Coal’ case, led by civil society, challenged the government’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to add 1,500 MW of coal power. The youth-led protest opposes the expansion of coal, citing environmental and health concerns. South Africa relies on coal for 71% of its energy supply. The ruling emphasizes the constitutional duty to protect the environment and sets a global precedent for transitioning to renewable energy.

Notes:
Divers near Kalpeni Island in Lakshadweep discovered possible wreckage of a 17th or 18th-century European warship. Kalpeni Island is part of the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea, covering 2.79 square kilometers. It is 287 kilometers from Kochi, Kerala, and lies southeast of Kavaratti Island. Kalpeni forms a single atoll with islets Tilakkam, Pitti, and Cheriyam. The island is known for coral reefs, clear waters, white beaches, and a 2.8-kilometer-wide lagoon, it is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island’s culture reflects its Maliku community heritage, with a climate similar to Kerala.

Notes:
Dr. V. Narayanan, Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), has been appointed as the new ISRO Chairman and Space Secretary. He will succeed S. Somanath on January 14, 2025, for a two-year term or until further orders. Dr. Narayanan, a propulsion expert, joined ISRO in 1984 and has worked on projects like ASLV, PSLV, GSLV Mk-II, and GSLV Mk-III. He chaired the expert committee for Chandrayaan-2’s hard landing and delivered propulsion systems for Chandrayaan-3. His predecessor, S. Somanath, led major missions, including Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and Gaganyaan’s first flight.

Notes:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) launched a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims. The scheme will cover all road accidents caused by motor vehicles, implemented through an IT platform combining eDAR and NHA systems. A pilot program, started in Chandigarh in 2024 and expanded to six states, focused on providing timely medical care during the golden hour. Initiatives include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for trucks, E-Rickshaw safety guidelines, vehicle tracking devices, and driver training institutes. Faceless services for vehicle registration and monitoring will be standardized nationwide by March 2025.

Notes:
John Dramani Mahama was sworn in for a second term as Ghana’s president on January 7 in Accra. Mahama, 66, won the December 7 election by a wide margin, making a political comeback. He replaces Nana Akufo-Addo, who stepped down after two terms. Mahama promised to boost the economy and create jobs to address public discontent. The ceremony was attended by over 20 global leaders, marking a significant event in Ghana’s democratic tradition. Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer and maintains democratic stability in a region facing challenges.

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The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts AI, big data, and security management specialists as the fastest-growing jobs. The report is based on data from over 1,000 global companies, covering 14 million workers in 22 sectors across 55 economies. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). By 2030, 170 million new jobs will be created, but 92 million jobs will be displaced, leading to a net increase of 78 million jobs. Drivers of change include technology, digital access, economic shifts, green transition, and demographic trends. Fastest-growing roles include FinTech engineers, software developers, and autonomous vehicle specialists. India focuses on AI, robotics, energy technologies, and semiconductors, with AI adoption surpassing the global average.

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Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched the All India Radio Kumbhvani FM channel (103.5 MHz) for Maha Kumbh 2025 at Circuit House, Prayagraj. The channel will bring Mahakumbh to remote areas, providing live commentary for those unable to attend. It aims to spread the ambience of the Mahakumbh globally, promoting India’s religious traditions and providing vital information to devotees.

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The overestimation of gold import figures from April to November was due to a data migration error. The error occurred during the shift from the SEZ Online system to ICEGATE, causing double counting of imports into Special Economic Zones and domestic zones. As a result, the gold import figures for November were revised down by 5 billion, from 14.8 billion to $9.9 billion. ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) is an online portal that offers electronic services for customs-related activities. It is a part of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). It facilitates the electronic filing of import and export documents.

Notes:
The first Kho Kho World Cup began on 13 January 2025 at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India. It was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India with support from the Indian Olympic Association, the event runs from 13–19 January 2025. Each team has 12 players, with 9 taking the field during a match. The tournament features men’s teams from 20 countries and women’s teams from 19 countries, divided into four groups. India’s men’s team is led by Pratik Waikar, and the women’s team by Priyanka Ingle.