Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 22, 2025

February 22, 2025

What is the theme of World Thinking Day 2025?

(A) Inspire Inclusion
(B) Our Story
(C) Empowering Women
(D) Unity in Diversity

Show Answer

Answer: B

Observed annually on February 22 by 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across 150 countries.

Aim : to promote international friendship and raise awareness of issues affecting young women and
Theme : “Our Story,” focuses on sharing experiences and strengthening global unity.

Consider the following statements regarding the Dulari Kanya Scheme:
1. It is an initiative of the Assam government to promote the welfare of girl children.
2. The scheme provides a fixed deposit of ₹30,000 for institutional births.
3. A direct benefit transfer of ₹20,000 is given when the girl child is admitted to Class XI.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Arunachal Pradesh government has recently announced enhancements to the Dulari Kanya Scheme.

The Dulari Kanya Scheme is an initiative by the Arunachal Pradesh government to promote the welfare of girl children through financial incentives.
Objective:Promote institutional births and support girl child education.
Financial Incentive:₹30,000 fixed deposit for institutional births (earlier ₹20,000).
Education Support:₹20,000 direct benefit transfer for Class XI admission.
Total Benefit:₹50,000 per girl child.
Withdrawal Condition:Accessible only when the child turns 18.
Government’s Goal:Encourage institutional deliveries, improve maternal and child health, and promote girls’ education.

Consider the following statements regarding the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA):
Statement 1: IALA was founded in 1957 as an NGO to harmonize global maritime navigation systems.
Statement 2: India has been elected Vice President of IALA during its first General Assembly in Singapore.
Which of the above statements are correct?

(A) Only Statement 1
(B) Only Statement 2
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

Answer: C

India has been elected as Vice President of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) during its first General Assembly in Singapore.

India to host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in Mumbai (September 2027).
Establishment:Founded in 1957 to harmonize global maritime navigation systems.
Transition to Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO):In August 2024, IALA transitioned from a non-governmental organization to an IGO, following ratification by 34 member states.

Consider the following statements regarding the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):
1. It was established through the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
2. NCST is mandated to investigate and safeguard the rights of Scheduled Tribes in India.
3. The Chairperson and members of NCST are appointed by the Prime Minister of India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Recently, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) celebrated its 22^nd Foundation Day on February 19, 2025.

Established:Under Article 338A via the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
Replaced:The combined National Commission for SCs and STs with separate NCSC and NCST.
Composition:Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and 3 members appointed by the President.
Mandate:Investigates, monitors, and safeguards ST rights under the Constitution.
22nd Foundation Day:February 19, 2025; focus on Forest Rights Act

Government Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes

Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarships:Financial aid for ST students.
National Overseas Scholarship:Supports ST students for higher education abroad.
Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY):Concessional loans for ST women’s livelihood.
Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana:Education loans for ST students.
PVTG Development Program:Special focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
PTP-NER Scheme:Boosts tribal product marketing in the Northeast.

Consider the following statements regarding OPEC and OPEC+:
1. OPEC was established at the Baghdad Conference in 1960 with five founding members.
2. OPEC+ was formed in 2016 to include additional non-OPEC oil-producing nations.
3. India is a full-fledged member of OPEC+.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Recently, Brazil approved entry into OPEC+.

About Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Established:1960, Baghdad Conference by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela.
Objective:Stabilize and coordinate petroleum policies among member nations.
Headquarters:Vienna, Austria.
Members (2024):12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, UAE, Nigeria, Libya.
India’s Status:Not a member but a major oil importer.

OPEC+

Formation:2016, OPEC + 10 non-OPEC nations (e.g., Russia, Kazakhstan, Mexico).
Objective:Stabilize global oil markets amid U.S. shale oil surge.

Which of the following statements about the nPROUD initiative is correct?

(A) It is India’s first private-sector initiative for the disposal of expired medicines.
(B) It was launched in Tamil Nadu as a pilot project.
(C) It aims to collect and safely dispose of expired and unused medicines.
(D) It is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Show Answer

Answer: C

India’s first government-led initiative for the safe collection and disposal of expired medicines launches on February 22, 2025, under Kerala’s nPROUD program.

Objective:Collect and scientifically dispose of expired and unused medicines to prevent environmental pollution and health hazards.

Implementation:

Collection Methods:Scheduled pickups from households and designated blue drop-off boxes.
Pilot Phase:Initiated in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat, with plans for statewide expansion.
Collaboration:Led by the Drugs Control Department, supported by local self-government bodies and Haritha Karma Sena members.
Background:Builds upon the 2021 PROUD pilot in Thiruvananthapuram, which disposed of 21 tonnes of unused medicines.

Consider the following statements regarding Cannabis Cultivation in India:
1. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, regulates cannabis cultivation in India.
2. Uttarakhand was the first Indian state to legalize industrial hemp cultivation.
3. The Himachal Pradesh government recently approved a pilot project for cannabis cultivation in 2025.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2, and 3
(D) None of the above

Show Answer

Answer: D

The Himachal Pradesh government has approved a pilot project for cannabis cultivation, focusing on its agricultural, medicinal, and industrial applications.

The pilot project for cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh will commence on the campuses of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University in Palampur and Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture in Nauni, Solan.

About

Scientific Name:Cannabis sativa
Common Uses:Medicinal, Industrial (Hemp), and Recreational
Main Chemical Compounds:
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol):Psychoactive component
- CBD (Cannabidiol):Non-psychoactive, medicinal benefits

Legal Status in India

Regulated Under:Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
Allowed:Use of leaves and seeds for medicinal and industrial purposes (state-regulated)
Prohibited:Production and sale of cannabis resin and flowers
States Permitting Controlled Cultivation:
- Uttarakhand (2018)– First Indian state to legalize industrial hemp
- Madhya Pradesh (2019)– Approved for medicinal and industrial use
- Himachal Pradesh (2025)– Approved pilot project for cannabis cultivation.