ALL EXAM QUIZ 20.01.2025

Explanation:

• SHE COHORT 3.0 launched by Punjab to empower women-led startups.
• On 15 January, Punjab launched SHE COHORT 3.0 (Startups Handholding & Empowerment—Cohort 3.0) at Mohali.
• The initiative supports aspiring female entrepreneurs and students in building and scaling technology-based ventures, with assistance from business incubators and ecosystem enablers.
• Inaugurated by Secretary Science, Technology, and Environment, Punjab, Priyank Bharti, the event highlighted the upcoming plans of Startup Punjab to boost the state’s startup ecosystem in the presence of over 250 emerging start-ups, innovators, and students.
• This initiative provides a platform for budding poor and marginalized women entrepreneurs to showcase their talent and ideas for start-ups and become self-reliant by using science and technology.
• Their startup can also generate income for others and is a helpful step towards making a developed India a reality by 2047.

Explanation:

• Indian Army's first 'Bhargavastra' counter-drone micro-missiles successfully tested by India.
• India has successfully tested its first domestically developed Bhargavastra micro-missile system, designed to counter swarm drone threats.
• The trials included two successful firings at Gopalpur Seward Firing Range.
• A new micro-missile system being developed for the Indian Army has successfully engaged virtual targets beyond 2.5 kilometres.
• It offers a cost-effective solution against large-scale drone attacks that pose a continuous security challenge.
• Following these successful demonstrations, the system is set to undergo extensive trials later this year for its induction into the armed forces.
• The 'Bhargavastra' counter-drone system demonstrates the ability to detect small aerial vehicles at distances over 6 km and neutralize them using guided micro munitions.
• The Bhargavastra system has the capability to launch more than 64 micro missiles simultaneously.
• Economic Explosives Limited is developing this mobile platform-mounted system, which ensures rapid deployment in threatened areas.
• Its design is suitable for operations in various terrains, including high altitude regions, meeting specific military requirements.

Explanation:

• India becomes fourth country to achieve unmanned docking in space.
• After the United States, Russia and China, India became the fourth country to develop and test the docking capability.
• India has achieved this milestone by successfully docking two satellites named Chaser and Target under the SpaDex mission.
• The space docking has been completed by the indigenously developed Bharatiya Docking System by ISRO.
• Docking technology is critical in assembling the space station and in crewed missions.
• This technology will help India to transfer materials from one satellite or spacecraft to another, such as payloads, lunar samples or, eventually, humans in space, etc.
• India is also targeting to build its own space station by 2035.

Explanation:

• Odisha government to provide ₹20,000 monthly pension to people jailed during Emergency.
• Odisha government will provide a monthly pension of ₹20,000 and medical expenses coverage to individuals jailed during the Emergency.
• Emergency was imposed in India from 1975 to 1977 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The Odisha government constituted state-level and district-level committees to select the beneficiaries.
• The benefits will be provided to all eligible people who are alive as of January 1, 2025.
• Beneficiaries must submit an application in the prescribed manner to the Collector and District Magistrate, together with supporting documentation and the names of three famous co-detainees.

Explanation:

• This year's 76th Republic Day celebrations will include Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, as the Chief Guest.
• On January 25 and 26, President Subianto will visit India as part of a state visit at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation.
• This will be President Prabowo's first visit to India since taking office in October 2024.
• The visit will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the two nations' relationship, which was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018.
• An Indonesian leader has been invited as the main guest for the Republic Day celebrations for the fourth time.
• President Sukarno attended the very first Republic Day celebrations in independent India in 1950.
• In the ASEAN area, Indonesia has become India's biggest trading partner.
• A military contingent consisting of 352 members would accompany Mr. Prabowo.
• It will be the biggest foreign contingent so far. 189 cadets from the military bands and 152 marching troops will be part of it.
• The first foreign contingent to march on the Rajpath was from France in 2016, with its president serving as the main guest.
• Since then, inviting the guest nation's military marching contingent has become a practice.
• The Indonesian Air Force, however, will not participate in the flypast.

Explanation:

• India has been ranked second for digital skills in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
• India has ranked 4th in Artificial Intelligence and Green Skills.
• India is ranked only behind the United States, as per the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
• India ranked 25th across all indicators. According to the report, India has been placed as a future skills contender.
• USA, UK, Germany, Australia, and others have been categorised as “future skills pioneers”.
• By assessing four key factors, the index has assessed how well-prepared nations are to satisfy the changing needs of the global labour market.
• Skills Fit, Academic Readiness, Future of Work, and Economic Transformation are these factors.
• On the Future-Oriented Innovation and Sustainability criteria, India had a low score.
• India received the lowest score of 59.1 out of the top 30 nations in terms of "skills fit."

Explanation:

• Government launched the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app to promote battlefield tourism.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app.
• It is an initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Tourism, as well as the Army.
• Now, the locations of the 1962, 1971, and 1999 (Kargil) conflicts, the Siachen base camp, and the Galwan clash of 2020 site will be available for tourists.
• Indian Army is transforming border areas and historic battlefields into tourist destinations.
• Tourists can also visit Doklam, where a 73-day stand-off took place between India and China in 2017.
• On the western side, tourists can visit some parts of Kargil, Batalik and Drass.
• This initiative is part of broader efforts to promote the holistic development of border areas.

Explanation:

• 'One Plate, One Bag' campaign has been launched for plastic-free Maha Kumbh.
• "One Plate, One Bag" campaign has been launched to replace plastic bags and disposable items with other materials.
• Cloth bags, steel plates and glasses are being distributed at the Maha Kumbh to make plastic-free Maha Kumbh.
• This initiative is led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• It was introduced by RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah Krishna Gopal at Sector 18 on Old GT Road.
• More than 2 million steel plates and glasses have been collected to replace single-use plastics at food stands and communal kitchens.

Explanation:

• US government removed restrictions on three key Indian nuclear entities.
• The restrictions on Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR) have been removed by the US government.
• This decision has been taken to enhance the US-India relationship and strengthen collaboration in nuclear energy and related sectors.
• These nuclear entities had previously faced tight export controls due to their nuclear and defence activities.
• This step will streamline licensing procedures in the field of nuclear energy and research between the US and India.
• After the restriction is removed, both countries will work more closely on critical areas such as advanced nuclear energy technology, research, and development (R&D).
• The US and India see this development as an effort to enhance energy security and ensure sustainable development on a global scale.

Explanation:

• Union Cabinet approved establishment of Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• The Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO will be used for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicles.
• It will support as a standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota.
• This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.
• The third Launch Pad (TLP) has been designed to have a configuration that is universal and adaptable.
• It will support not only NGLV but also the LVM 3 vehicles with a semi-cryogenic stage.
• TLP will be established within a duration of 4 years. Rs 3984.86 crore will be required for the establishment of the launch pad and the associated facilities.
• Currently, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads: the First Launch Pad (FLP) and the Second Launch Pad (SLP).
• The Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be established by 2035 and an Indian-crewed lunar landing by 2040.