Current Affairs January-II 2025

Explanation: Madhya Pradesh launched the PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment Training & Hunar) to train youth for careers in the Army, police, and paramilitary forces. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav unveiled the scheme at the State-Level Youth Festival. The initiative fosters patriotism, skill development, and employability among energetic youth. Training includes physical fitness, written exam coaching (general knowledge, math, English), and personality development. Divisional-level training centers will be set up, managed by district sports and youth welfare officers. Rural youth coordinators and departmental employees will support the program. The scheme aims to channel youth enthusiasm into meaningful employment opportunities.

Explanation: The 74th Senior National Basketball Championship is organized by the Gujarat State Basketball Association under the Basketball Federation of India. The tournament is hosted at Sidsar Sports Complex Indoor Stadium, Bhavnagar, Gujarat. More than 900 national and international players, along with more than 150 officials and state representatives, are participating. India aims to host the 2036 Olympics, with Gujarat planning five world-class sports events in 2025, 2026, and 2029.

Explanation: Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army chief, was elected President on 9 January 2025, filling a two-year vacancy since Michel Aoun’s term ended. His election signals reduced influence of Hezbollah, following its war with Israel, and revived Saudi and international involvement in Lebanon. Aoun pledged to ensure state control over arms, rebuild areas affected by war, and prevent Israeli attacks. Aoun’s presidency aims to revive governance and tackle Lebanon’s economic crisis.

Explanation: The UJALA scheme, launched on 5th January 2015 as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme, focuses on making affordable LED lighting accessible to millions of households in India. By January 2025, over 36 crore LED bulbs had been distributed, significantly contributing to energy conservation and reducing electricity bills for Indian families.

Explanation:The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tingri County, Shigatse, Tibet, approximately 80 km north of Mount Everest. This region, situated at an altitude of 4-5 km above sea level, is known for its spiritual significance as the seat of the Panchen Lama. While the tremors were felt in distant locations like Kathmandu and Kolkata, the epicenter was not in these areas.

Explanation: Project ‘Veer Gatha 4.0’ has received a huge nationwide response as part of Republic Day celebrations. It was launched in 2021 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The project aims to spread awareness of Gallantry awardees’ bravery and life stories, instilling patriotism and civic values in students. It is a joint initiative by the Ministries of Defence and Education. The initiative’s inspiring journey has expanded its reach nationwide.

Explanation:
Indonesia joined the BRICS group to enhance collaboration with other developing countries. This membership aligns with Indonesia’s goals of fostering stronger partnerships and collective economic development among emerging economies.

Explanation: The National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) was launched on January 11, 2025, by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. National River Traffic and Navigation System aims to ensure safe and efficient operation of inland vessels. The launch took place during the 2nd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC). IWDC, established in 2023, serves as an apex platform for policy discussions to promote inland waterways in India.

Explanation: A group of 12 critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) was recently spotted at Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan, boosting conservation efforts. Desert National Park (DNP) is located in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer and spans over 3,160 sq. km, making it one of India’s largest national parks. The park lies in an extremely arid region with annual rainfall below 100 mm. Its terrain includes craggy rocks, salt lake bottoms, dunes (20% of the park), and three main lakes: Rajbaugh, Malik Talao, and Padam Talao.

Explanation:
The study titled ‘Landslide Dam Studies in Uttarakhand, India – Past, Present, and Future’ by researchers from IIT Roorkee highlights the Alaknanda River’s vulnerability in the Garhwal region. The unique topography of Uttarakhand, with its narrow valleys and deep gorges, makes the region prone to landslides, increasing the risk of natural dam formation along the river.

Explanation: The shallow wave basin research facility, established by IIT-Madras at the Discovery satellite campus in Thaiyur, is designed to meet India’s research and industry needs in coastal engineering and port management. This multidirectional facility can simulate complex wave and current interactions, making it a critical tool for tackling issues faced by Indian ports and waterways.

Explanation: India celebrates National Youth Day on January 12, honoring Swami Vivekananda’s legacy of youth empowerment. The National Youth Festival (NYF) 2024, held on January 10-12 at Bharat Mandapam, is reimagined as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. It is organized under the National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, with shared costs between the Centre and the host state/UT. The festival includes cultural events, youth conventions, exhibitions, and adventure activities, involving around 7,500 delegates.

Explanation: In January 2025, Jharkhand’s Chief Minister Hemant Soren initiated a substantial financial transfer under the Maiya Samman Yojana. This programme aimed to empower women by providing direct cash transfers. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), part of the INDIA bloc.

Explanation:The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tingri County, Shigatse, Tibet, approximately 80 km north of Mount Everest. This region, situated at an altitude of 4-5 km above sea level, is known for its spiritual significance as the seat of the Panchen Lama. While the tremors were felt in distant locations like Kathmandu and Kolkata, the epicenter was not in these areas.