Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 15, 2025

Answer: B

• International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), observed annually on February 15, is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer and expressing support for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors, and their families.
• In 2025, the theme of ICCD is “Inspiring Action,” focusing on actionable solutions to address the challenges faced by childhood cancer patients and their families

Answer: A

• India ranked 96 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024 as its overall score dropped a point to 38, according to a Transparency International report released on February 11, 2025.
• Transparency International report reveals that while 32 countries have made significant strides in reducing corruption since 2012, 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened in their efforts.
• Last year, India’s score was 39, and it stood at the 93rd position in the list.The CPI evaluates 180 countries based on expert and business perceptions of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 to 100.
• The CPI scale ranges from 0 to 100, where:0 indicates highly corrupt countries, with significant corruption in the public sector,while 100 indicates very clean countries, with minimal corruption.
• Denmark, Finland, and Singapore top the CPI list as the least corrupt nations in 2024.
• Pakistan ranks 135th, Sri Lanka stands at 121st, and Bangladesh is further behind at 149th while China holds the 76th position in Transparency International’s latest CPI.

Answer: B

• “Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, S.P. Singh Baghel, recently released the ‘Devolution Index Report 2024,’ titled ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking.’’
• The report provided insights into the progress of decentralization across states and Union Territories in India.
• It ranks states and Union Territories based on six key dimensions, including legal framework, functions, finances, institutional framework, capacity building, and accountability and transparency.
• The Index specifically examines how independent Panchayats are to make and implement independent decisions, reflecting the true spirit of Article 243G of the Constitution.
• Article 243G empowers state legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats across 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule.

Answer: A

• “ISRO and IIT Madras recently announced the development of an indigenous Shakti-based semiconductor chip for space-based applications.”
• IRIS (Indigenous RISC-V Controller for Space Applications) marks a significant milestone in India’s “Make in India” efforts in semiconductor design and fabrication.
• Developed by IIT Madras and ISRO, this Shakti-based aerospace-quality chip highlights India’s growing capabilities in semiconductor technology and its commitment to self-reliance.
• It is part of the SHAKTI project, supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the ‘Digital India RISC-V’ initiative, which encourages the indigenous development of microprocessor-based products
• Based on RISC-V architecture, IRIS is supported by the ‘Digital India RISC-V’ (DIRV) initiative and is optimized for performance and error correction.
• RISC-V is an open standard Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) based on established RISC principles, offering flexibility and security for designing custom processors.
• It can be used in applications for launch vehicles, ground stations, and both IoT and industrial IoT systems.

Answer: C

• Recently India and France reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), which was launched during the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023.
• The project, involving Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, faced delays due to the Gaza conflict, but both countries emphasized its importance for regional trade and economic growth and pledged to work together more closely on its implementation.
• The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) is a connectivity project aimed at enhancing trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, and Europe by developing infrastructure such as ports, railways, roads, sea routes, and pipelines.
• Announced in 2023 during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, it involves India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.
• IMEC consists of two corridors: the eastern corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf, and the northern corridor linking the Gulf to Europe, with a cross-border railway network, maritime routes, and additional infrastructure like electricity grids, fiber optics, and hydrogen pipelines.
• The project aims to reduce costs, enhance regional supply chains, promote economic cooperation, and lower emissions, supported by the US-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).

Answer: B

• “The Karnataka government unveiled the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2025-30, aiming to make the state a leading destination for high-technology manufacturing investments in Asia. The policy focuses on attracting sectors like aerospace, electronics, and biotechnology to boost innovation and economic growth.”
• The policy will establish 12 new investment zones across 30,000 acres, adding to over 200 existing industrial areas.
• ₹3,800 crore has been allocated for clean water supply to these zones, supporting the broader strategy of enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs.
• Investors will have the option of capital subsidies or production-linked incentives, with a strong focus on green initiatives and aligning with global sustainability goals.
• The policy also emphasizes the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Answer: A

• “PETA India recently unveiled Asia’s first hyper-realistic, life-sized animatronic elephant, Ellie, at St. Joseph’s School in Bengaluru. The initiative, led by PETA, aims to raise awareness about animal welfare and the plight of elephants in captivity.”
• UN Secretary-General Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Environment Program Goodwill Ambassador, actress Dia Mirza, lent her voice to Ellie as part of a unique PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India) initiative to foster empathy among children.
• Since May 2023, Ellie has reached over 165,000 children across India, visiting private, public, and international schools.
• Through these visits, PETA India aims to raise awareness about ethical treatment of elephants and combat practices that involve animal cruelty.
• PETA was founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco. It is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
• PETA India was established in 2000. It is one of the most prominent animal rights organizations in India.