Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   December 16

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* Vijay Diwas is observed annually on December 16 to honour the Indian armed forces' victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

* The 13-day intense battle resulted in India’s decisive win, leading to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

* This day also pays tribute to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the conflict.

* In Bangladesh, this day is celebrated as ‘Bijoy Dibos’ or Victory Day, marking their independence from Pakistan.

* Vijay Diwas serves as a reminder of India’s military strength and the successful culmination of the war.

Correct Answer :   Boost Inland Waterways Cargo

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* The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme was launched to promote long-haul cargo transportation on major rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak.

* The scheme specifically targets cargo owners who transport goods over 300 km using inland waterways, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.

* As part of the launch, Minister Sonowal flagged off three cargo ships and two barges from Kolkata's GR Jetty, signalling the commencement of regular cargo services on National Waterways 1 and 2.

* This initiative is expected to reduce road congestion and promote the efficient use of inland water transport in India.

Correct Answer :   South Korea

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* South Korea has announced an investment of $1.9 billion (2.7 trillion won) to develop technologies aimed at combating climate change.

* This marks a 3.9 percent increase from the previous allocation of 2.6 trillion won.

* The investment is part of South Korea’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

* This initiative highlights South Korea’s proactive approach toward sustainable development and its focus on meeting global climate goals through technological innovation and green investments.

Correct Answer :   United States

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* The United States military successfully tested its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), known as "Dark Eagle," at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

* This test demonstrated the missile’s ability to travel faster than 3,800 miles per hour (Mach 5), which is over five times the speed of sound.

* The "Dark Eagle" is designed to strike distant and well-defended targets with precision, marking a major milestone in hypersonic weapons development.

* The successful trial included the complete LRHW system, including the ground-based launcher and operations centre, moving the U.S. closer to operational deployment by 2025.

Correct Answer :   India

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* India has become the first country to define standards for ‘green steel,’ setting an emissions cap of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel produced.

* Along with this, a star-rating system was introduced to classify steel producers based on their emissions performance.

* The ?15,000 crore Green Steel Mission aims to promote sustainable steel production, with 37% of public procurement reserved for top-rated steel.

* To achieve this, the industry plans a significant ?260,000 crore transition toward adopting green technologies, underscoring India’s commitment to reducing industrial carbon emissions.

Correct Answer :   Australia

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* India and Australia are working towards finalizing the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), a free trade agreement aimed at eliminating tariffs, liberalizing services, and enhancing trade opportunities.

* This collaboration focuses on key areas such as goods, services, digital trade, and government procurement while exploring new areas like innovation, critical minerals, and agri-tech.

* The CECA reflects the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual growth.

Correct Answer :   IIT Madras

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* IIT Madras developed DHARINI, a groundbreaking high-resolution 3D atlas of the foetal brain.

* This revolutionary tool maps over 5,000 brain sections and 500 brain regions during the crucial second trimester of pregnancy.

* It aids in understanding brain disorders such as autism, and cerebral palsy, and mental health conditions like depression.

* By utilizing thin slices of still-born brains for cellular-level imaging, DHARINI uniquely captures the developing brain in fetuses.

* It surpasses existing brain atlases, including the 2016 US Allen Institute's adult brain atlas, and is expected to advance artificial intelligence research and brain science significantly.

Correct Answer :   Article 136

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* Article 136 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court discretionary power to hear special leave petitions (SLPs).

* This extraordinary jurisdiction allows the Court to address cases involving substantial questions of law or potential miscarriages of justice, even where no direct right of appeal exists.

* Originating from the Government of India Act, of 1935, the mechanism empowers the Court to intervene in both civil and criminal matters.

* SLPs are instrumental in reducing the backlog of pending cases, ensuring justice in exceptional situations, and maintaining the Court's role as the ultimate arbiter of law in India.

Correct Answer :   50%

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* In 2023, India contributed nearly 50% of the estimated malaria cases in the region, marking a significant share compared to other countries.

* This highlights the burden of malaria in India despite notable progress in reducing cases over the years.

* Alongside Indonesia, which accounted for nearly one-third of cases, these two countries are central to the regional malaria statistics.

* Efforts to further reduce malaria cases in India are critical to achieving global malaria reduction targets.

Correct Answer :   Andhra Pradesh

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* Andhra Pradesh is pioneering India’s first statewide skill census, aiming to map skill gaps and strengths among its workforce.

* Building on the success of a pilot project in Mangalagiri, this initiative will cover 3.5 crore working-age individuals across 1.8 crore households.

* By aligning existing skills with industry demands and addressing youth unemployment, the census seeks to boost job creation and economic development.

* Innovative measures like linking Skill IDs to Aadhaar will enhance accessibility to skilling opportunities, showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to addressing employment challenges through targeted interventions.