Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 03, 2025

Answer: c

Observed annually on January 3^rd.

• Aim : to emphasize the integral connection between mental and physical health.
• This day encourages individuals to adopt holistic approaches that promote overall well-being.

Answer: c

Current Context : Over 10,000 migrants died in 2024 attempting to reach Spain by sea, making it one of the deadliest years for migration.

About the Canary Islands

• Location: Spanish archipelago, 62 miles west of Morocco, in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Main Islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro.
• Political Status: Part of Spain and EU’s outermost regions.
• Climate: Subtropical, warm temperatures, minimal seasonal variation. Influenced by the Canary Current.

Answer: a

Current Context : As of November 2024, the Rupee’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) of the Indian rupee reached 108.14, a rise from 107.20 in October 2024. This is the highest REER level in 2024.

Overvaluation Implication: A REER above 100 indicates the rupee is overvalued relative to the 2015-16 base year, reducing export competitiveness and making imports cheaper.

REER vs NEER:

• NEER: Nominal Effective Exchange Rate; reflects the weighted average of bilateral exchange rates with multiple trading partners but does not account for inflation.
• REER: Adjusts NEER for inflation differences between domestic and foreign economies, providing a better measure of currency competitiveness.

Calculation: REER = NEER × (Domestic Price Index ÷ Foreign Price Index).

Currency Basket: The indices now include 36 currencies, up from 6, reflecting India’s broader trade relations.

Answer: b

Current Context : Kaamya Karthikeyan, a 17-year-old from Navy Children School in Mumbai, became the youngest female in the world to conquer the Seven Summits by scaling the highest peaks on all seven continents.

Date of Completion: December 24, 2024, when she reached the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica at 17:20 Chilean Standard Time.

Climbed Peaks:

• Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
• Europe: Mount Elbrus (Russia)
• Australia: Mount Kosciuszko (Australia)
• South America: Mount Aconcagua (Argentina)
• North America: Mount Denali (USA)
• Asia: Mount Everest (Nepal)
• Antarctica: Mount Vinson (Antarctica)

Accompaniment: She was accompanied by her father, Cdr S. Karthikeyan, during the final climb of Mount Vinson.

Answer: b

Current Context : In a significant environmental crisis, Russian authorities have declared a federal-level emergency in response to a catastrophic oil spill along the Black Sea coast.

About Black Sea

• Location: A body of water bordered by six countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey. It is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosporus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles Strait.
• Hydrography: Low salinity, anoxic deeper layers with hydrogen sulfide.
• Rivers: Drained by major rivers such as the Danube, Dniester, and Don.
• Geopolitical Importance: Strategic for trade routes, military access, and energy transport.
• Ecology: Hosts diverse species like dolphins and sturgeon, despite anoxic depths.

Answer: c

Current Context : India’s badminton star, Lakshya Sen, showcased his talent with an impressive third-place finish at the inaugural King Cup International Badminton Open held in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Event: Inaugural King Cup International Badminton Open.
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand.
• Opponent in Bronze Playoff: Defeated French rising star Alex Lanier.
• Age: 23 years old, hailing from Almora, India.

Answer: b

Current Context : Pangi Valley is set to benefit from improved snow-clearing operations with the introduction of a state-of-the-art truck-mounted snow blower machine.

About Pangi Valley

• Remote valley in Chamba district, located between Zanskar and Pir Panjal ranges at ~11,000 feet elevation.
• Known for harsh winters with 3,000–4,700 mm snowfall (Dec–March), often isolating the region.
• Population comprises Aryan descendants (Rajputs, Brahmins) and Mongolian-origin Bhots.

Answer: b

Current Context : Two Guler miniature paintings, exemplifying the Kangra style, achieved a record ₹31 crore at a Mumbai auction.

• Nainsukh’s Masterpiece (circa 1750): Sold for ₹15 crore, this painting depicts Raja Balwant Dev hosting a musical soiré
• Anonymous Descendant’s Work (circa 1775): Fetched ₹16 crore, illustrating a verse by 12th-century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, showing Lord Krishna dancing with gopis in a lush Vrindavan grove.

About Kangra Miniature Paintings

• Flourished in the mid-18th century under Rajput patronage in Himachal Pradesh.
• Originated in Guler; gained prominence in Kangra under Maharaja Sansar Chand’s rule.

Key themes: Radha-Krishna love stories, Hindu mythology, nature, and seasonal landscapes.