Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random (Last 20 months)

Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, received the 2024 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize in recognition of her lifelong dedication to human rights, gender equality, and global peace initiatives. Her leadership in establishing key institutions such as Chile’s Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, implementing major social reforms, and her global advocacy through roles at the UN highlight her impact. The award also acknowledges her resilience shaped by political turmoil, her commitment to democratic values, and her principled stance on rights issues worldwide, including critical assessments of policies affecting civil liberties.

Neeraj Parakh has been appointed as the CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Power, effective from January 20, 2025. With over 29 years of experience, Parakh has played a crucial role in leading major projects within the Reliance Group, particularly in thermal power and renewable energy ventures. He has been integral in executing large-scale projects like Yamuna Nagar and Sasan, contributing significantly to power generation. Parakh's leadership skills have been essential in driving technological advancements, vendor localization, and regulatory compliance within the company.

The Railway Board, responsible for overseeing the management and operations of Indian Railways, has been functioning since 1905 without statutory authority. This historical context is significant as the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to grant it a formal legal status, consolidating provisions of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989. This step aims to streamline railway governance and bring historical practices under a modern legislative framework.

The “Fare Se Fursat” initiative was launched by Alliance Air under the leadership of Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu. This innovative scheme aims to provide passengers with fixed airfares, reducing the uncertainty and stress caused by fluctuating ticket prices. Initially introduced on a pilot basis across select routes until the end of the year, the program seeks to evaluate its impact on passenger satisfaction and affordability. By ensuring predictable pricing, Alliance Air aims to enhance travel convenience and promote greater trust and transparency in India’s domestic aviation sector.

The Rs 2,500-crore pollution control vessel, GSL Yard 1267, was launched for the Indian Coast Guard by the Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth. This vessel, which is 72% indigenously built, was constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited. It is equipped with advanced technology specifically designed to combat coastal pollution and protect marine environments, showcasing India's growing capabilities in defence and environmental protection through domestic manufacturing.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles from a single launcher off Odisha’s coast. The test demonstrated high precision, reliability, and operational readiness, marking a crucial step towards induction into the Indian Armed Forces. Developed with contributions from multiple DRDO laboratories and industry partners like Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, Pralay is a solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile with advanced guidance systems capable of carrying multiple warhead types. The successful trial reinforces India’s indigenous missile development program and strengthens national defence capabilities.

National Geographic Day is celebrated every year on January 27 to honour the foundation of the National Geographic Society, which was established on this date in 1888. The day commemorates the organization's significant contributions to science, exploration, and environmental conservation. National Geographic has inspired generations with its stunning photography, research, and educational initiatives. The day serves as a reminder of society’s commitment to preserving the planet and promoting curiosity about Earth, nature, and humanity.

Brazil is hosting the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro, emphasizing its leadership within the G20 Troika, which includes India and South Africa. The summit’s theme, "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet," focuses on equitable global development and sustainability. This follows India’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, showcasing continuity and cooperation among member nations. Brazil’s role in hosting this major event highlights its commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

The Union Cabinet has approved the restructuring of the PM SVANidhi Scheme and extended its lending operations till 31 March 2030. This extension provides a longer financial window for street vendors and small businesses to access affordable credit. With a total outlay of ₹7,332 crore, the scheme also introduces features like UPI-linked RuPay Credit Cards for eligible beneficiaries and digital cashback incentives to promote digital transactions. Additionally, coverage is widened beyond statutory towns to include census towns and peri-urban areas, thereby ensuring greater inclusivity and long term support for grassroots entrepreneurship.

The REPM scheme represents a strategic initiative to build India’s first fully integrated domestic manufacturing ecosystem for high-value rare earth permanent magnets. Its core focus is to promote manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets, which are vital for sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, aerospace, and defence. By developing end-to-end capacity from rare earth oxides to finished magnets, the scheme aims to reduce dependence on imports, particularly from China. With an approved outlay of over ₹7,000 crore, the initiative supports long-term national goals like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047 while strengthening supply-chain resilience.

The 'Saushrutam 2024' seminar, celebrating Sushruta Jayanti, was hosted by the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. The event took place from July 13 to 15, 2024, and featured live surgical demonstrations and expert discussions. The seminar honoured Sushruta, the father of surgery, and provided a platform for medical professionals to observe complex surgical procedures. This gathering of notable dignitaries and experts underscored the importance of both traditional and modern surgical techniques in contemporary medical practice.

Phase-II of the specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC countries was launched at Visakhapatnam, reflecting India’s commitment to regional health cooperation. The programme is hosted at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and aims to strengthen cancer care capacities among participating nations. Health professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal are being trained to address the growing cancer burden and disparities in access to treatment. Implemented by the Tata Memorial Centre with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the initiative underscores India’s role in promoting healthcare collaboration across the BIMSTEC region.

Bengaluru, Karnataka, has been chosen as the location for the BIMSTEC Energy Centre, following the signing of a Host Country Agreement between India and BIMSTEC. This initiative aims to strengthen energy cooperation among BIMSTEC member states, promoting energy security and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. The centre will foster inter-grid connectivity, regional connectivity, and collaboration on energy issues. The agreement was formalized by MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumder and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indramani Pandey, marking a significant step in India's engagement with BIMSTEC and its commitment to regional cooperation.

Odisha has taken a significant step by allocating ₹16 crore for forest management and protection in 100 villages under the Forest Right Act. The funds will be directly managed by gram sabhas, reflecting a shift from the Forest Department to community-based management. This initiative is part of a broader plan to implement Community Forest Resource plans across 400 villages, showcasing Odisha’s commitment to sustainable forest governance.

Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, expanded the Chief Minister’s Nishchay Self Help Allowance Scheme to support unemployed graduates from Arts, Science, and Commerce streams. The scheme targets young individuals between the ages of 20 and 25 who are actively searching for jobs and are not enrolled in further studies. Beneficiaries will receive a monthly allowance of ₹1,000 for up to two years, providing crucial financial support during their job seeking phase. This initiative reflects Bihar’s commitment to empowering its youth and reducing the financial hardships faced by unemployed graduates in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off two new train services—Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Amrit Bharat 2.0—from locations in Bihar. The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will run from Jaynagar to Patna, while the Amrit Bharat 2.0 train will start from Saharsa Junction and travel to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Maharashtra. Both events will be conducted via video conferencing from Madhubani, Bihar, emphasizing the state's central role in this major railway initiative. This highlights Bihar's growing significance in national infrastructure development under Indian Railways.

The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is situated in Assam, India, and serves as a vital habitat for the endangered hoolock gibbons, India's only ape species. The sanctuary's protection is crucial for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. The National Board for Wildlife's decision to delay oil exploration in the area highlights the ongoing debate between development and conservation. Assam's rich wildlife heritage, including the Kaziranga National Park and other protected areas, underscores the state's significance in India's conservation efforts. Effective management of these protected areas is essential for preserving India's natural heritage.

The Meghalaya government has entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NorthEast United FC to promote football development and position Shillong as the 'Football Capital' of India. The partnership, effective from 2025 to 2028, involves collaboration between the football club, the Department of Tourism, and the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. This initiative aims to enhance grassroots football programs, nurture local talent, and boost sports tourism in the state, reflecting Meghalaya’s commitment to fostering a strong sporting culture and leveraging football as a tool for youth engagement and regional recognition.

The successful launch of Koreasat 6A communications satellite was made possible by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. This launch demonstrates SpaceX's capabilities in providing reliable and efficient launch services for satellite deployment. As a leading player in private space exploration, SpaceX continues to play a crucial role in advancing global satellite communications. The Falcon 9 rocket's geostationary orbit insertion capabilities ensured Koreasat 6A reached its designated position at 116° East, enabling South Korea's satellite communications operator to provide enhanced fixed and broadcast services.

India has taken a significant step towards leveraging artificial intelligence for national security by launching its first AI data bank. This initiative focuses on real-time analytics from satellites, drones, and IoT devices to support scalable AI solutions in governance, business, and cybersecurity. The move aligns with India's broader vision of utilizing AI for innovation, disaster management, and economic growth, emphasizing responsible AI usage and transparency. This development showcases India's efforts to harness cutting-edge technology to enhance national security and promote economic progress.