Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 06, 2025

Answer: b

National Bird Day is observed annually on January 5^th .

• Established in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition, the day aims to raise awareness about the importance of birds and the challenges they face, including habitat loss, illegal trade, and neglectful ownership.

Answer: c

Vitul Kumar has been appointed as the acting Director General of the CRPF after the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh.

• He is a 1993 batch IPS officer from Uttar Pradesh.
• Born on August 3, 1968, in Bhatinda, Punjab.
• He has served in various leadership roles within the CRPF, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG), and Additional Director General (ADG).

Answer: c

Maharashtra’s first made-in-India surgical robot, the SSI Mantra, has been installed at Noble Hospital and Research Centre in Pune.

• The system features five robotic arms and a 3D HD headset for surgeons, enhancing precision and control during surgeries.
• It was used for a robotic right extended hemicolectomy on a patient with colon carcinoma.
• The SSI Mantra was developed in 2017 by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava.
• The robot is designed for various surgeries, including general surgery, cardiac and thoracic operations, urology, gynecology, and complex procedures.

Answer: d

Koneru Humpy secured her second Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship title in New York, scoring 8.5 points over 11 rounds.

• She defeated Indonesia’s Irene Sukander in the final match.
• At 37 years old, Humpy is the top-ranked Indian player and the second woman to win this title more than once.

Answer: b

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the ‘Financial Stability Report, December 2024,’ a biannual publication assessing the stability of the Indian financial system.

• The report projects India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow at 6.6% in 2024-25, driven by a revival in rural consumption, government spending, and services exports.
• The central government’s debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to decrease from its pandemic peak of 62.7% in 2020-21 to 56.8% by 2024-25.
• States’ outstanding liabilities are projected to decline from 31% to 28.8% during the same period.
• Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) have shown improved soundness, with strong profitability, declining non-performing assets (NPAs), and adequate capital and liquidity buffers.
• The report notes that under baseline stress scenarios, the Gross Non-performing Asset (GNPA) ratio could increase from 2.6% in September 2024 to 3% by March 2026.
• The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) is a non-statutory body set up by the Government of India in 2010 as the apex-level forum.
• The FSDC is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and includes heads of financial sector regulators such as the RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA, and FMC, along with the Finance Secretary.

Answer: c

West Bengal government decided to supply water to farmlands through pipelines from the Teesta River and its canals, aiming to enhance irrigation efficiency without acquiring additional land for new canals.

• The Teesta River is approximately 400 km long, serving as a right bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River, and flows through both India and Bangladesh.
• It originates in the Himalayas near the Tso Lhamo Lake, in Sikkim and flows to the south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
• Major tributaries of the Teesta include Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Zemu Chhu, and Rangit.
• The Teesta Barrage Project, one of the largest irrigation projects in West Bengal, aims to create 9.22 lakh hectares of irrigation potential across six northern districts and generate 67.50 MW of hydropower from canal falls.

Answer: c

Indians continue to dominate the list of H-1B visa recipients, accounting for more than 70% of total approvals.

• H1-B visa was introduced in 1990 to address skill gaps in the U.S. by allowing employers to hire foreign workers for specialized occupations requiring high skill levels.
• The visa is valid for up to six years. After this period, the visa holder must leave the U.S. for at least 12 months or apply for permanent residency.

Answer: a

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed an affordable device to diagnose and manage tinnitus. 

• Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source, commonly described as ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears.
• It is often caused by underlying conditions such as age-related hearing loss, ear injuries, or circulatory system issues.
• Symptoms can include sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, irritability, and significant impacts on mental health and social life.
• Treatment options may include hearing aids, sound-masking devices, medications, and strategies to cope with the noise.