ALL EXAM QUIZ 25.01.2025

Explanation:

• In a groundbreaking study, 23 species of blood-sucking flies belonging to the Culicoides genus were identified by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Among these, 13 species were registered for the first time in India.
• Recently published in the prestigious international journal ‘Parasites and Vectors’, these findings are the first comprehensive survey of these pests in the archipelago.
• These small insects, known locally as "Bhusi flies," though similar in appearance to flies, their feeding habits more closely resemble mosquitoes.
• They drink the blood mainly of livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as wild animals such as deer.

Explanation:

• "Parakram Diwas" (Courage Day) is celebrated on 23 January every year.
• The day is commemorated as the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
• On this day in 1897, Netaji was born in Cuttack, Odisha.
• This year marks the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• The day is observed to commemorate his outstanding contribution to India's freedom movement. He is known for his selfless service to the country.
• In 2021, the Modi government had announced that January 23rd would be celebrated as "Parakram Diwas".
• The first Parakram Diwas was held in 2021 at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
• The three-day event to be held from January 23-25, 2025 at Barabati Fort in the historic city of Cuttack, the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, was inaugurated by Odisha CM Shri Mohan Charan Majhi on 23 January.
• This year, the Parakram Diwas celebrations are being organised by the Ministry of Culture

Explanation:

• World Bank Neutral Expert said it is competent to resolve the Indus Water Treaty dispute.
• World Bank Neutral Expert has been appointed under the terms of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), 1960.
• It said it is “competent” to decide on differences between India and Pakistan on the design of hydroelectric projects built on the Indus Treaty rivers.
• The Neutral Expert has rejected Pakistan’s request to facilitate the establishment of a Court of Arbitration to resolve the issue.
• A neutral Expert has the right to decide on all seven questions over the Kishenganga, and Ratle projects.
• India welcomed the decision given by the Neutral Expert under Paragraph 7 of Annexure F to the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960
• A neutral Expert and a chairman of the Court of Arbitration regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants were established in 2022.
• Under the Indus water treaty, India has been granted access to the water from the ‘Eastern Rivers’ — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — and Pakistan retained rights to the waters from the ‘Western Rivers’ Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

Explanation:

• 1st Olympic Research Conference will be hosted by Gujarat.
• The event will be held at the Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) campus.
• Officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will gather to discuss the strategies and innovative economic models for financing and building “sustainable” sports infrastructure.
• It will help India position itself as a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics.
• They will also discuss how sustainable sports infrastructure can be built from large events like the Olympics.
• The 1st International Olympic Research Conference will take place from January 27-30.
• It will discuss financing and innovative economic models for hosting the Olympics in India.
• Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE) is collaborating with government agencies, and sports bodies to organize sports events including the Olympics.

Explanation:

• Indian government has made two decisions related to the agricultural and healthcare sectors.
• For the 2025-26 marketing season, the government has raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute to 5,650 rupees per quintal, an increase of 315 rupees compared to the previous season.
• This increase is expected to benefit around 40 lakh families engaged in raw jute production.
• Further, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the National Health Mission for two more years.
• In 2021, the Union Cabinet extended the implementation of the National Health Mission for five years till 2026.
• The mission has contributed significantly to improvements in maternal and child health, disease elimination, and healthcare infrastructure.
• Notably, India's Maternal Mortality Ratio has dropped by 83% since 1990, far outpacing the global decline of 45%.
• Additionally, the country has successfully achieved 97.98% coverage in the measles and rubella vaccination campaign, further bolstering its healthcare achievements.

Explanation:

• January 20, 2025, India's non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity has grown to 217 gigawatts.
• The New and Renewable Energy Ministry reports that in the past year, 3.4 gigawatts of wind power and a record 24.5 gigawatts of solar power have been installed.
• With 47% of all installed renewable energy capacity, solar energy continued to be the leading source of the nation's growth in renewable energy.
• With 71 percent of all utility-scale solar installations in the nation, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu were the best-performing states.
• Within ten months of its start, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has enabled seven lakh rooftop solar installations.
• Last year, India installed 3.4 gigawatts of new wind energy capacity, with Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka leading the way.
• Ninety-eight percent of the new wind capacity increases came from these states.

Explanation:

• Centre introduced Diamond Imprest Authorization scheme.
• The Union government has launched the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme for the duty-free import of natural cut and polished diamonds.
• It will take effect from April 1 and will offer a streamlined process to facilitate the duty-free import of natural cut and polished diamonds under ¼ carat (25 cents).
• The main aim of the scheme is to promote value addition and enhance export growth.
• The scheme comes with an export obligation that mandates a 10 percent value addition.
• Diamond exporters with Two Star Export House status or higher, and Diamond exporters with annual exports of at least $15 million are eligible for availing the benefit under this scheme.
• The initiative responds to ‘Beneficiation’ policies adopted by several natural diamond mining countries.
• The scheme is designed to provide a level playing field for Indian diamond exporters.
• The diamond industry is currently facing a steep decline in exports and job losses among workers.

Explanation:

• 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference concluded in Patna.
• The 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Patna.
• During the two-day conference, dignitaries participated in brainstorming sessions on the '75th Anniversary of the Constitution: Contribution of Parliament and State Legislative Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Values’.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla unveiled the 8th edition of a book titled Sansadiye Padhyati Evam Prakirya.
• He will also inaugurate the Neva Seva Kendra in the Bihar Legislature premises.
• Last time, Bihar hosted the All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in 1982.
• The 84th AIPOC was held at the Maharashtra Legislature premises in Mumbai.

Explanation:

• Sarala Aviation launched prototype for India's first air taxi.
• Sarala Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, launched a prototype for India's first air taxi, Shunya.
• Sarala Aviation aims to launch electric flying taxis in Bengaluru by 2028.
• The Shunya prototype air taxi has been designed for 20-30 km and can reach speeds of up to 250 kmph.
• The vehicle can accommodate up to six passengers and carry a maximum load of 680 kg.
• eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicle is currently on the market.
• Sarla Aviation was founded by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan in October 2023.

Explanation:

• Union Sports Minister inaugurated the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 in Ladakh.
• Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 has been kicked off in Ladakh at Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex.
• 19 teams from across states, UTs, and institutions will participate in this five-day competition.
• The second phase of KIWG 2025 will be focused on snow sports like skiing. It will be held in Jammu and Kashmir from February 22 to 25.
• For the second time, Ladakh is hosting the Winter Games.
• The events are being managed technically by SAI in collaboration with national sports federations.
• Himachal Pradesh leads with the largest contingent of 78 athletes.
• In the 2024 Khelo India Winter Games, Maharashtra topped the table by clinching 20 medals, including six golds. Karnataka finished second and also bagged six golds.