CURRENT AFFAIRS
29 January, 2025
1. INDIA AND CHINA AGREED TO REVIVE THE ANNUAL KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA (KMY) –
• Mount Kailash is a diamond-shaped peak made of black rock, located in Tibet.
• India organizes the KMY annually between June and September through the Lipulekh Pass (since 1981) in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La Pass (since 2015) in Sikkim.
• Mount Kailash stands at 6,638 meters and is considered a sacred peak by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bons (indigenous religion of Tibet).
• For Tibetans Buddhists, Kailash is the cosmic axis, or Mount Meru, connecting heaven and earth.
• In Hinduism, it is the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
• In Jainism, Kailash is Ashtapada, where Rishabhanatha attained enlightenment.
• Mount Kailash is considered the spiritual center of the Earth, with the Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Kamali, and Indus rivers originating from it.
• Lake Mansarovar is located at the base of the mountain.
• Mount Kailash, though lower in height than Mount Everest (8,849 meters), remains unclimbed as its ascent is prohibited due to its sacred significance.
2. UTTARAKHAND ADOPTS UNIFORM CIVIL CODE –
• Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister officially rolled out the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all residents of the State, except the Scheduled Tribes and natives who have migrated out of the State.
• Uttarakhand has become the first Indian State to implement the UCC post Independence.
Key Features of Uttarakhand’s UCC
Marriage and Divorce Regulations:
• Bans practices such as halala, iddat, and talaq from Muslim Personal Law.
• Ensures equal property and inheritance rights for women.
• Mandates online registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships .
• Marriages can be performed according to religious customs, but registration within 60 days is mandatory
• Both men and women have equal grounds for divorce, ensuring gender neutrality in the divorce process.
Rights in Live-in Relationships:
• Landlords cannot deny housing to registered live-in couples.
• Live-in relationships (before or after UCC) must be registered within one month of implementation.
• Termination of live-in relationships can be done online or offline with mutual confirmation.
• Pregnancies during live-in relationships must be reported within 30 days of childbirth.
Will Registration:
• Options for uploading handwritten/typed wills, filling out an online form, or recording a three-minute video.
• Armed forces personnel and mariners can create a ‘privileged will’ under flexible rules.
• Simplifies the creation, cancellation, and modification of wills and codicils for testamentary succession
Administrative Framework:
• Sub-registrars verify applications within 15 days (or three days in emergencies).
• Rejection appeals can be made to registrars within 30 days; further appeals to the registrar-general within another 30 days.
Enforcement and Penalties:
• Violators receive warnings initially; repeated offenses result in fines.
3. WHAT IS THE ‘BEATING RETREAT’ CEREMONY ? –
• The Beating Retreat Ceremony marks the formal conclusion of India’s Republic Day celebrations. Held on January 29 at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, this historic event is a spectacular display of India’s military traditions, musical excellence, and patriotic fervor. The ceremony sees massed bands from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Delhi Police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) performing soulful tunes, creating an ambiance of nostalgia and national pride.
4. LADAKH TOPS KHELO INDIA WINTER GAMES 2025; ARMY RETAINS ICE HOCKEY TITLE –
• The first phase of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 concluded with Ladakh emerging as the top performer. Hosted in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, the games featured exciting competitions, including a thrilling men’s ice hockey final where the Indian Army successfully defended its title.
• The games also showcased impressive performances in skating and ice hockey, with notable achievements from Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
5. PM MODI KICKS OFF 38TH NATIONAL GAMES IN DEHRADUN –
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, marking an important milestone for the state as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• The event highlighted India’s growing sports culture and provided a platform for youth across the country to showcase their talent. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of sports in shaping the future, promoting fitness, and boosting the local economy.
• The Games are being held under the theme of ‘Green Games,’ showcasing the nation’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Nagoba Jatara Festival is recently celebrated in which state ?
a) Odisha
b) Karnataka
c) Maharashtra
d) Telangana
Q2. Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is developed by which organization ?
a) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
b) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
d) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Q3. Which country’s leader, Alexander Lukashenko, was declared the winner of a presidential election?
a) Ukraine
b) Latvia
c) Russia
d) Belarus
Q4. Which of the following statements about Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) is correct ?
1. A JPC is set up through a motion passed in one house of Parliament and must be agreed to by the other house.
2. Members of a JPC include only MPs from the Lok Sabha.
3. JPCs are permanent bodies that function continuously throughout the year.
4. JPC recommendations have binding legal power, compelling the government to act on them.
Choose the correct answer using the codes below :
a) Only 1
b) 1 and 3 only
c) Only 1 and 4
d) 2 and 3 only
Explanation-
Statement 1 is correct: A JPC is indeed set up through a motion passed in one house of Parliament, with the agreement of the other house.
Statement 2 is incorrect: A JPC includes MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, not just Lok Sabha.
Statement 3 is incorrect: JPCs are ad-hoc bodies, meaning they are formed for specific tasks and not permanent or continuous.
Statement 4 is incorrect: JPC recommendations have persuasive value but cannot compel the government to act on them, though the government must report follow-up actions.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding “Scheduled Caste”:
1. The term, “Scheduled Caste” was first incorporated into the Government of India Act of 1909.
2. The term “Scheduled Caste” is defined under Article 366 of the Indian Constitution.
3. The Governor has the power to notify Scheduled Castes for a state after consulting with the State Council of Ministers.
How many of the above given statements are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The term “Scheduled Castes” was first used in the Government of India Act of 1935. The act was passed by the UK Parliament in 1935 and came into force in 1937.
Statement 2 is Correct: Article 366 defines the term “Scheduled Caste”.
Article 366(24) of the Indian Constitution defines the term “Scheduled Caste”. It also defines “Scheduled Tribes” in Article 366(25).
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Governor does not have the power to notify Scheduled Castes for a state. The President of India has the power to designate certain groups as Scheduled Castes (SCs) in a state after consulting with the Governor.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
D | A | D | A | A |