Test your knowledge with the latest quiz on current affairs from 23rd January 2025 Current Affairs Quiz ! Stay updated and challenge yourself with key events and happenings around the world.
1) Which of the following statements about the recent Geographical Indications (GI) tag grant to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is incorrect?
A) The GI Registry in Chennai operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
B) The Andaman and Nicobar Islands received GI tags for seven indigenous products in a single instance, marking a first for any Union Territory.
C) Among the GI-tagged products, “Nicobari Mat” is also known as Chatrai-hileuoi.
D) The GI tags were granted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote the indigenous culture of the Nicobarese tribe.
E) The recognition of these GI products highlights the unique cultural heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: D) The GI tags were granted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote the indigenous culture of the Nicobarese tribe.
Explanation:
The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry is under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This makes option D incorrect, as the GI tags were granted by the GI Registry, not to promote tribal culture specifically but to recognize and protect the traditional and indigenous products of the region.
Other options are correct:
- A is correct: The GI Registry operates under DPIIT, MoC&I.
- B is correct: This is the first time a UT has received seven GI tags at once.
- C is correct: Nicobari Mat is called Chatrai-hileuoi.
- E is correct: The GI recognition indeed highlights the cultural heritage of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
2) Which of the following statements regarding the Rubber Board’s initiatives launched during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act, 1947, in January 2025 is incorrect?
A) The Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (ISNR) initiative aligns Indian rubber production with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
B) The INR Konnect platform is a mobile-based application designed to connect rubber plantation owners with adopters.
C) The Rubber Board (RB) functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
D) The Rubber Board’s headquarters is located in Kottayam, Kerala.
E) M. Vasanthagesan is the Executive Director (ED) of the Rubber Board as of 2025.
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: B) The INR Konnect platform is a mobile-based application designed to connect rubber plantation owners with adopters.
Explanation:
- Statement A is correct: The ISNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) initiative aims to align Indian rubber production with EUDR standards, ensuring sustainability and competitiveness in global markets.
- Statement B is incorrect: The INR Konnect platform is a web-based platform, not a mobile-based application. Its purpose is to facilitate the adoption of untapped rubber plantations to improve productivity.
- Statement C is correct: The Rubber Board (RB) operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
- Statement D is correct: The Rubber Board’s headquarters is in Kottayam, Kerala.
- Statement E is correct: M. Vasanthagesan is the Executive Director (ED) of the Rubber Board as of 2025.
3) The AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) consultation held on January 16-17, 2025, in Bangalore was organized by UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office in collaboration with which of the following organizations?
A) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), NITI Aayog, and IBM Research
B) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ikigai Law, and NASSCOM AI
C) Ministry of Science and Technology, Google India, and NASSCOM AI
D) Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and IIIT Hyderabad
E) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and OpenAI
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: B) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ikigai Law, and NASSCOM AI
Explanation:
- Statement A is incorrect: While MeitY was involved, NITI Aayog and IBM Research were not part of this consultation.
- Statement B is correct: The event was jointly organized by UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office, MeitY, Ikigai Law, and took place at IIIT Bangalore and NASSCOM AI office.
- Statement C is incorrect: Ministry of Science and Technology and Google India were not mentioned as partners.
- Statement D is incorrect: The RBI and IIIT Hyderabad were not involved. The event was held at IIIT Bangalore.
- Statement E is incorrect: UNDP and OpenAI were not part of this consultation.
4) In January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the United States' withdrawal from which international organization?
A) World Bank (WB)
B) World Health Organization (WHO)
C) United Nations (UN)
D) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
E) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: B) World Health Organization (WHO)
Explanation:
- Statement A is incorrect: The World Bank (WB) was not affected by the executive order.
- Statement B is correct: President Donald Trump initiated the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over its handling of global health issues.
- Statement C is incorrect: The United States did not withdraw from the United Nations (UN).
- Statement D is incorrect: The U.S. remains a member of NATO, a key military alliance.
- Statement E is incorrect: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was not included in the executive order.
5) By which year is the Yala Glacier in Nepal’s Langtang National Park predicted to vanish due to climate change?
A) 2030s
B) 2040s
C) 2050s
D) 2060s
E) 2070s
Correct Answer: B) 2040s
Explanation:
Scientific predictions indicate that the Yala Glacier could completely disappear by the 2040s due to accelerated melting caused by rising temperatures in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The region is warming twice as fast as the global average, leading to severe consequences for freshwater availability and increasing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The Global Glacier Casualty List, launched in 2024, has highlighted Yala Glacier as critically endangered, emphasizing the urgency of climate action.
6) In January 2025, the Government of India (GoI) and the United States of America (USA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in which of the following areas?
A) Space exploration and satellite technology
B) Cybercrime investigations and security collaboration
C) Renewable energy and climate action
D) Trade and investment in semiconductor manufacturing
E) Maritime defense and naval operations
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: B) Cybercrime investigations and security collaboration
Explanation:
The Government of India (GoI) and the United States (USA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January 2025 to enhance cooperation in cybercrime investigations. This agreement is aimed at strengthening security collaboration between the two nations to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and other cyber-related security threats. Given the increasing role of digital networks in transnational crimes, this MoU reflects a strategic effort to improve cyber resilience and intelligence-sharing between India and the U.S
7) Under the ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’, launched by Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai in January 2025, how much financial assistance is provided annually to landless agricultural labourers?
A) Rs 5,000
B) Rs 7,500
C) Rs 10,000
D) Rs 12,000
E) Rs 15,000
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: C) Rs 10,000
Explanation:
The ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’, launched in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, aims to support landless agricultural labourers by providing them with Rs 10,000 annually. This financial aid benefits 5.62 lakh landless agricultural labourers across the state. The scheme also extends to marginalized communities, including forest produce collectors, shepherds, and artisans. A total of Rs 562 crore has been allocated for the initiative, emphasizing economic support and social inclusion.
8) According to the Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, what is India’s global ranking in overall trust in institutions?
A) 1st
B) 2nd
C) 3rd
D) 4th
E) 5th
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: C) 3rd
Explanation:
The Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, an annual survey conducted by Edelman, ranks India as the third most trusted nation in terms of overall trust in institutions, despite its trust score remaining unchanged. India slipped one position from the previous year, now ranking behind China and Indonesia. The survey evaluates public trust in government, businesses, media, and NGOs, offering critical insights into global perceptions of institutional reliability.
9) Who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court as per the central government’s notification in 2025?
A) Justice Alok Aradhe
B) Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya
C) Justice Sanjiv Khanna
D) Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud
E) Justice Hima Kohli
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: A) Justice Alok Aradhe
Explanation:
As per the 2025 notification issued by the central government, Justice Alok Aradhe has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, while Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. These appointments follow the Collegium System, where the Supreme Court Collegium recommends judges, and the President of India approves their appointment. These judicial transfers are aimed at strengthening leadership in two of India’s busiest high courts.
10) Who has been elected as the President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for the year 2025?
A) Pawan G Chandak
B) Ranjeet Pandey
C) Ashish Garg
D) Dhananjay Shukla
E) CS Nagendra D. Rao
Answer Key:
Correct Answer: D) Dhananjay Shukla
Explanation:
On January 19, 2025, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) announced the election of Dhananjay Shukla as its President and Pawan G Chandak as its Vice President for the year 2025. The ICSI, a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, plays a crucial role in governance, compliance, and company secretarial practices. The election of new leadership aims to strengthen corporate governance frameworks and enhance the professional landscape for company secretaries in India.
