Current Affairs 04 Jan 2025

Details: The study highlights that rural-to-urban migration in India has declined due to better government services and enhanced economic opportunities in rural areas, which reduce the need for workers to move to cities.

Details: 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).

Details: The CII study highlights challenges in India’s education system and recommends increasing the education budget to 6% of GDP. This aligns with global standards and aims to improve the quality of education in the country.

Details: On January 3, 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the draft rules, which specify that a Data Fiduciary must obtain verifiable consent from a child’s parent or legal guardian before processing the child’s personal data. This ensures the consent is legitimate and necessary for activities like health services or education.

Details: The ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative aims to empower women engaged in producing traditional festive snacks by providing training and resources to scale their businesses sustainably. The programme is implemented in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog.

Details: 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.

Details: Gujarat government and Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat (BCSG) conducted India’s first coastal and wader bird census from January 3 to 5, 2025, at the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary in Jamnagar. Jamnagar district in Gujarat hosts 300+ bird species, including 50+ wader bird species. The three-day event includes expert talks on Day 1, bird counting on Day 2, and a closing ceremony with knowledge sharing on Day 3. The census will focus on wader and coastal bird species in the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary.

Details: IIT Bombay researchers developed a solution to tackle soil pollution using bacteria that consume toxic pollutants and produce essential nutrients. These bacteria degrade harmful substances, boost plant growth hormones, inhibit harmful fungi, and improve nutrient availability for plants. This innovation can reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and enhance soil health and fertility. The bacteria, mainly from the genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, were isolated from highly toxic environments and contaminated soils. They effectively break down aromatic pollutants like carbaryl, naphthalene, and phthalates, commonly found in pesticides and industrial by-products. The research offers an eco-friendly alternative to expensive traditional soil remediation methods.

Details: The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul), a small wild feline native to the steppes of Central Asia, was recently photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh. This finding underscores the importance of conservation efforts for lesser-known and elusive species.

Details: hief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 31st National Children’s Science Congress in Bhopal, held from January 3 to 6, 2025. More than 700 child scientists, teachers, and mentors from across India and Gulf countries like Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia participated in the event. The theme of the event is “Understanding Ecosystems for Health and Well-being.” The event aims to inspire children to develop scientific temper and solve societal problems through innovation. Activities include the Chandrayaan Mission Exhibition, Water Rocketry, Robotics, Hydroponics, Environmental Snakes and Ladders, Cheetah Conservation Exhibition, and scientific folk songs.