ALL EXAM QUIZ 11.02.2025

Explanation:

• NSDC International Academy has been inaugurated at Greater Noida.
• Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), inaugurated the NSDC International Academy at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• This academy has been designed to provide world-class skill development and training programs.
• NSDC International Academy is a landmark initiative to fulfill the gap between Indian youth and global employment opportunities.
• This academy will act as a center of excellence that will offer specialized training programs aligned with the skill demands of countries like Germany, Japan, and Israel.
• The central government aims to empower individuals with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive global workforce.

Explanation:

• Government signed contracts worth over 10,000 crores for Pinaka rocket system.
• The government inked contracts worth more than 10,000 crore with defense entities for the procurement of Area Denial Munition Type-1 and high-explosive rockets with enhanced range for the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system.
• It will enhance the Indian Army's firepower capabilities.
• The contract for an upgrade in Shakti software has also been signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• The government has inked contracts with Economic Explosive Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).
• The ADM Type-1 of the Pinaka MLRS has a "specialized warhead" to deliver a quantum of sub-munitions over a larger area targeting mechanized forces, vehicles and personnel.
• HEPF Mk-1 (E) rockets are advanced versions of in-service HEPF rockets.

Explanation:

• GMR Airport joins United Nations Global Compact initiative.
• GMR Airports Ltd has committed to bring its operations and strategies in line with UNGC's ten principles.
• These ten principles focus on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption.
• Airports at Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa and Medan (Indonesia) are operated by GMR.
• Airports in Bhogapuram (Visakhapatnam) and Crete (Greece) are being developed by GMR.
• All GMR airports are certified as green building by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) or the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
• United Nations Global Compact initiative is world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative launched in 2000.

Explanation:

• Fort William, the headquarters of the Army's Eastern Command, renamed Vijay Durg.
• Fort William, the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, has been renamed Vijay Durg, and one of its gates, St George's Gate, has been renamed Shivaji Gate.
• Defence officials said the decision to change the name was taken in December 2024.
• The British built the historic Fort William located in Kolkata and named it after King William III.
• Fort William, built in brick and mortar in 1781, has six gates: Chowringhee, Plassey, Calcutta, Water Gate, Treasury Gate, and St George Gate.
• The fort has been renamed as Vijay Durg, based on the oldest fort along the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra, which served as a naval base during Chhatrapati Shivaji's time.
• The renaming of the fort and its gates symbolises India's recognition of its military heritage.
• After independence, control of the fort passed into the hands of the Indian Army, which substantially extended and renovated it.

Explanation:

• Repo rate cut by 25 bps to 6.25% by the RBI after nearly five years.
• Almost after five years, the policy repo rate has been reduced by 25 basis points, from 6.50% to 6.25%, by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• The announcement was made by Governor Sanjay Malhotra on 7 February in Mumbai, following a three-day meeting of the MPC.
• As a result, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate will be fixed at 6.00%, while the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate will both remain at 6.50%.
• A ‘neutral’ stance has also been unanimously decided to be maintained by the MPC, with a clear focus on aligning inflation with the target while supporting growth.
• In May 2020, the last rate cut was by 25 basis points to 6.25%.
• The most recent revision was in February 2023, when the policy rate was raised by 25 basis points to 6.50%.
• Mr Malhotra said inflation has moderated and is expected to decline further in 2025-26, gradually coming in line with the target.
• Real GDP estimates have been revised from 6.9% to 6.7% for the next financial year by the bank.
• CPI inflation for the current financial year has been projected at 4.8%, with Q4 at 4.4%, by the RBI.
• Assuming a normal monsoon, CPI inflation for the financial year 2025–26 has been projected at 4.2%.

Explanation:

• Argentina announced it will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Argentina's libertarian President Milei instructed Gerardo Werthein (foreign minister) to withdraw Argentina’s participation in the World Health Organization.
• He took this decision due to WHO’s management of health issues, particularly its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• He also highlighted the WHO’s perceived lack of independence from the political influence of other countries.
• Milei declared the WHO a harmful organization.
• The United States is by far the largest contributor to the WHO. It provided around $950 million (£760 million) funding to WHO in 2024.
• Argentina’s annual contribution to WHO is around $8 million.

Explanation:

• Multiple initiatives to empower girls under ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ launched by the Odisha government.
• A series of initiatives have been implemented under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme by the Odisha government to address the alarming gender imbalance and declining child sex ratio in India.
• The government has designed key programs such as “Nirbhaya Kadhi” (Fearless Bud) and “Mo Gelha Jiya” (My Dear Daughter) in Ganjam, “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal, “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar, and “Veerangana Yojana” in Deogarh district to empower adolescent girls.
• These initiatives focus on preventing child marriage, combating sex selection and female foeticide, promoting higher education, and building self-esteem and confidence through martial arts and self-defence.

Explanation:

• On 7 February, the continuation and restructuring of the ‘Skill India Programme (SIP)’ till 2026, with an outlay of Rs 8,800 crore for the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26, has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
• The government has combined three components—Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme—under the composite central sector scheme, the Skill India Programme (SIP).
• The government has launched these initiatives to provide structured skill development, on-the-job training (OJT), and community-based learning, ensuring that both urban and rural populations, including marginalized communities, have access to high-quality vocational education.
• The government will introduce over 400 new courses on AI, 5G technology, cybersecurity, green hydrogen, and drone technology under the Rs 6,000 crore PMKVY 4.0 scheme to keep pace with evolving industry demands and the advent of new-age technologies.
• Apart from this, a total outlay of Rs 1,958 crore has been allocated for the NAPS to support a seamless transition from education to work, ensuring that industry-specific skills are gained by apprentices through real-world exposure.
• Under this, 25% of the stipend, up to Rs 1,500 per month, will be provided to an apprentice aged between 14 and 35 years through direct benefit transfer (DBT) by the government.
• An outlay of Rs 858 crore has been allocated for the community-centric skilling initiative, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), which places special emphasis on women, rural youth, and economically disadvantaged groups aged between 15 and 45 years.

Explanation:

• Madhya Pradesh government approved the Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy 2025.
• The Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy 2025 has been designed to boost drone manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance in the state.
• The policy includes several incentives for the drone sector. Under this scheme, a capital subsidy of up to 40 percent (maximum Rs 30 crore) will be provided to entrepreneurs who are setting up drone-manufacturing units in the state.
• Units investing more than Rs 50 crore will be given customised incentives.
• Under this scheme, up to Rs 2 crore will be provided for research and development, while stamp duty exemption is also included in the policy.
• This policy would bring an investment worth over Rs 400 crore in the next few years.
• The government will set clear guidelines and faster approvals to facilitate operations for drone companies.

Explanation:

• The 38th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela kicked off on 7th February in Faridabad. It will run until February 23.
• This highly anticipated event will showcase regional and international crafts, handlooms, traditions, and a variety of multi-cuisine food.
• This year, the fair is being celebrated as ‘Shilp Mahakumbh,’ inspired by the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.
• An MoU has been signed between DMRC and Haryana Tourism Corporation for this event.
• The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is being organized in partnership with the union ministries of tourism, textiles, culture, and external affairs.
• For the first time, two states, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, have been designated as theme states to give the fair a ‘Crafts Maha Kumbh’ identity.
• The event will have more than 1,000 stalls and a record 648 artisans from 42 countries will participate in this event.
• The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries have been included as partner countries.