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1. Why was there a stampede at the Maha Kumbh?
– The largest “Amrit Snan” (holy dip) during the Maha Kumbh takes place on Mouni Amavasya.
– During this, around 1:30 AM on the night of January 28-29, 2025, a stampede occurred at the Sangam Ghats in Prayagraj.
– Several people lost their lives in the accident, and dozens were injured.
– According to Dainik Bhaskar, 14 bodies were brought to the medical college for post-mortem immediately after the incident. Later, some more bodies were brought from the fairgrounds by ambulance.
– On the site of the stampede, belongings, clothes, shoes, and slippers were scattered everywhere. Injured people were lying on the ground, and grieving relatives were crying near the bodies. Some were searching for their loved ones, with tears in their eyes. Some people didn’t want to let go of the hands of the deceased, fearing that the bodies might get lost. When the rescue team tried to carry a body, the family members ran and held on to it.
Devotees stopped in Rae Bareli and other districts:
– After the stampede at the Maha Kumbh, officials in Rae Bareli and neighboring districts of Prayagraj are on high alert, and traffic heading towards Prayagraj has been partially stopped.
– District administrations in Varanasi and Ayodhya have asked people not to come.
Two major reasons for the stampede:
– Due to the “Amrit Snan,” most pontoon bridges were closed, which led to a large crowd gathering at the Sangam. As a result, some people got stuck in the barricades and fell. This caused rumors of a stampede to spread.
– There were no separate entry and exit routes at the Sangam. People were coming and going through the same paths. When the stampede occurred, people didn’t have an opportunity to escape, and they kept falling over each other.
– VIP culture also played a role.
9 Crore Devotees at Mouni Amavasya:
– On January 29, 2025, Mouni Amavasya witnessed an estimated 9 crore devotees arriving at Prayagraj for the holy dip.
– According to the administration, an estimated 8 to 10 crore devotees were expected to bathe at Sangam and 44 other ghats by evening.
History of Stampedes at Kumbh Melas:
– Prayagraj (2013): On February 10, a stampede at the railway station during Mouni Amavasya led to the death of 36 people.
– Haridwar (2010): A stampede at Har Ki Pauri during the Kumbh Mela resulted in 7 deaths.
– Nashik (2003): A stampede at the Nashik Kumbh Mela caused the death of 39 people.
– Ujjain (1992): A stampede during the Simhastha Kumbh at Ujjain resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people.
– Prayagraj (1954): A stampede during the Mouni Amavasya at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela caused around 800 deaths.
Mythological Origin of the Kumbh Mela:
– The Sanskrit word Kumbh means “pot” or “vessel.”
– It is believed that during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) by the gods and demons, Dhanvantari emerged with a pot of nectar (amrit). To prevent the demons from getting the nectar, Indra’s son Jayant fled with the pot.
– Sun, Saturn, Jupiter, and Moon went along to protect him and the pot.
– While Jayant was fleeing, the nectar spilled at four places: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar.
– He kept running for 12 days, and since a day of the gods is equivalent to one year for humans, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these places every 12 years based on the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.
– A half-Kumbh is celebrated every 6 years at Prayagraj and Haridwar.
– This festival that occurs every 12 years is called the Purna Kumbh or Maha Kumbh.
These four places are located on riverbanks:
1. Ganga in Haridwar
2. The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj
3. Kshipra in Ujjain
4. Godavari in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar
It is believed that taking a dip in these rivers during the Kumbh Mela, when the celestial bodies are in a specific alignment, washes away sins and grants virtue.
How is the location for the Kumbh Mela decided?
– It depends on astrological calculations. The 12-year interval between Kumbh Melas is also due to the fact that Jupiter takes 12 years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
– Every 6 years, a Ardh Kumbh (Half Kumbh) is also held at Prayagraj and Haridwar.
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2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Mission Mausam’ in January 2025, how much will it cost in two years?
a. ₹ 1000 crore
b. ₹ 2000 crore
c. ₹ 3000 crore
d. ₹ 4000 crore
Answer: b. ₹ 2000 crore
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Mission Mausam’ in New Delhi in January 2025.
– He stated, “We have launched Mission Mausam to make India weather-resilient and climate-smart.”
– The Union Cabinet had approved ‘Mission Mausam’ on September 11, 2024.
– According to The Hindu News, the Prime Minister’s office also announced that the IMD Vision-2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation will be released.
– This document includes plans for weather forecasting, weather management, and climate change mitigation.
What will be controlled through this?
– ₹2000 crore will be spent on Mission Mausam to control climate-related disasters such as cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
– Around 10,000 people die every year in India due to various types of disasters.
– The goal of Mission Mausam is to enhance India’s capacity to predict and manage extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.
Benefits of ‘Mission Mausam’:
– Various sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, defense, environment, aviation, water resources, energy, tourism, shipping, transport, energy, and health will directly benefit from Mission Mausam.
– It will also improve data-based decision-making in urban planning, road and rail traffic, maritime activities, and environmental monitoring.
– Efforts will be made to prevent droughts through cloud seeding, as well as to manage excessive rainfall.
Under which Ministry is ‘Mission Mausam’ being implemented?
– Three major institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences have been entrusted with this task: (i) India Meteorological Department (IMD) (ii) Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) (iii) National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)
– They will be supported by other bodies of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, such as the Indian National Ocean Information Service Centre, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology.
Key Elements of ‘Mission Mausam’ Include: (i) Deployment of next-generation radar and satellite systems with advanced sensors. (ii) Development of high-performance supercomputers and advanced Earth system models. (iii) GSI-based automated decision support systems for real-time data sharing.
Increase in Meteorological Equipment:
– By 2026, the number of equipment such as Doppler radar, wind profilers, radiometers, and radiosondes will increase many times over.
– These tools are essential for recording weather-related information such as surface, air, and sea data.
Weather GPT:
– Weather GPT is an AI-based language model designed to provide weather information.
– Its aim is to assist in understanding and providing information related to weather forecasting, current weather conditions, and other weather-related data.
Full Form of GPT:
– GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer.
– It is a type of AI that uses neural networks to generate text and content similar to human-generated text and answer questions.
– GPT is used in several applications, including chatbots, content creation, and search. Its most notable example is ChatGPT.
Cloud Seeding – Use Abroad:
– Techniques to enhance or suppress rainfall are already being used in countries like the USA, Canada, China, Russia, and Australia, primarily through cloud seeding using aircraft.
– Some of these countries have initiated cloud seeding projects aimed at reducing hail damage to fruit orchards and grain fields, known as over-seeding.
– Now, more research will be conducted in India on cloud seeding, with efforts to improve its accuracy.
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3. When was the 150th foundation day of the India Meteorological Department celebrated?
a. 12 January 2025
b. 13 January 2025
c. 14 January 2025
d. 15 January 2025
Answer: c. 14 January 2025
India Meteorological Department (IMD)
– Chief: Mrityunjay Mahapatra
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– Established: 15 January 1875
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4. Which became the first state of independent India to implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
a. Uttarakhand
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Madhya Pradesh
d. Bihar
Answer: a. Uttarakhand
– The Uttarakhand government implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, 2025.
– Although Uttarakhand is the second state after Goa to implement UCC, Goa had done so under the Portuguese Civil Code.
– Therefore, Uttarakhand will be the first state post-independence to implement a Uniform Civil Code.
– Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched a web portal for the implementation of UCC Uttarakhand-2024.
– The UCC bill was presented in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on February 6, 2024.
– On March 11, 2024, the President approved the UCC bill.
– On January 20, 2025, the Cabinet approved the regulations.
How the Draft Was Prepared:
– The draft was 749 pages long and divided into 4 sections.
– 2.33 lakh written feedbacks were collected online.
– More than 70 public meetings were held.
– The draft was created after consultations with 60,000 people.
What is UCC?
– Generally, there are two types of laws in the country:
Criminal Law and Civil Law
Criminal Law:
– It deals with criminal cases such as theft, robbery, assault, murder, and fraud.
– There is a common court, process, and punishment for all religions or communities.
Civil Law:
– It covers matters related to marriage, family, and property.
– Different religions in India place importance on customs, traditions, and rituals in matters related to marriage, family, and property.
– Therefore, such laws are referred to as Personal Laws.
– For example, Muslims have marriage and property division governed by Muslim Personal Law.
– Similarly, Hindus follow the Hindu Marriage Act for marriage, and separate personal laws exist for Christians and Sikhs.
What Will Change in the State with UCC:
– The UCC aims to eliminate personal laws and create a uniform law for everyone.
– This means that every citizen living in Uttarakhand, regardless of religion or caste, will be governed by the same law in personal matters.
– For instance, under personal law, Muslim men can marry four times, but under the Hindu Marriage Act, marrying another woman while the first wife is alive is a crime.
– A single law will be made that both Muslim and Hindu communities will have to follow.
– However, the draft of Uttarakhand’s new law excludes tribals from its provisions.
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5. On whom will the provisions of the Uttarakhand Government’s ‘Uniform Civil Code’ Bill not apply?
a. Muslim
b. Tribe
c. Hindu
d. Jain
Answer: b. Tribe
– The provisions of this bill will not apply to tribal communities.
– These tribes include Tharu, Boksa, Rajee, Bhotiya, and Jaunsari communities.
– The bill states, “Nothing in this Code shall apply to members of any Scheduled Tribe, or to any group of people whose customary rights are protected under Part 21 of the Constitution of India, as interpreted in Article 142 of the Constitution read with Article 366, Clause (25).”
Provisions:
Rules for Live-In Relationships:
– A live-in relationship must be registered.
– The termination of the relationship must also be registered.
– If a live-in relationship lasts more than one month without registration, the individuals may face imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to ₹10,000, or both.
Ban on Marriage with Multiple Individuals:
– At the time of marriage, no party should have a living spouse.
– The bill imposes a ban on polygamy or polyandry.
– Registration of marriage (at the local body level) will be mandatory.
– There will be a prohibition on any conditions for remarriage (e.g., halala or iddat).
Marriageable Age for Men and Women:
– The marriageable age for men is 21 years, and for women, it is 18 years.
– Prohibited marriages are defined, including marriages between direct siblings (both blood-related and cousin siblings). However, if such marriages are already practiced and accepted in a religion, they will be allowed.
Equal Property Rights for Daughters:
– The draft of the new law states that both sons and daughters will have equal rights to their parents’ property.
Husband’s Responsibility for Wife’s Parents After Her Death:
– The new law states that if the wife dies and her parents have no support, the husband will be responsible for their maintenance.
Simplification of Adoption Process:
– Under the new law, everyone will have the right to adopt. Additionally, in case of a child being orphaned, the guardianship process will be simplified.
Uttarakhand:
– Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
– Governor: Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh
– Capital: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
– Population: 10,086,292 (2011 Census)
– Official Languages: Hindi, Sanskrit
– Major Dance Forms: Chholiya
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6. Name the anti-tank guided missile of India, whose field testing was completed in January 2025?
a. Arjun
b. Prithvi
c. Amogha 1
d. Nag Mk 2
Answer: d. Nag Mk 2
– Three tests of this missile were conducted at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer.
– The missile system successfully destroyed all targets with precision.
– DRDO provided this information in January 2025.
– With this, the missile is fully ready to be inducted into the Indian Army.
– Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the Indian Army for this achievement.
NAG MK 2:
– It is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile.
– It operates on the “fire and forget” principle.
– The missile can operate in all weather conditions.
– It can easily and accurately destroy enemy tanks and military vehicles.
– It is equipped with infrared technology, which locks on to the target before launch.
– Its range is 4 kilometers.
– It has been developed by DRDO.
– The cost of the missile is ₹300 crore.
– Its first successful test was conducted in 1990.
– Trials were also conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
– Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamath
– Established: 1958
– Headquarters: DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi
– DRDO plays a significant role in making India self-reliant in the defense sector.
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7. Which player won the title of Australian Open Men’s Singles 2025?
a. Alexander Zverev
b. Nicola Pietrangeli
c. Jannik Sinner
d. Matteo Berrettini
Answer: c. Jannik Sinner
– 23-year-old Italian player Jannik won this title in the match held on January 26.
– In the Men’s Singles final at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, he defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev in three sets to claim the victory.
– Since 2024, Sinner has won 3 Grand Slam titles.
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8. Who won the title of Australian Open Women’s Singles 2025?
a. Petra Kvitova
b. Sloane Stephens
c. Svetlana Kuznetsova
d. Madison Keys
Answer: d. Madison Keys
– 29-year-old American player Madison Keys claimed this title in the match held on January 25 at the Rod Laver Arena.
– She defeated the world number 1 player, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, in the final.
– Madison Keys is the second oldest woman to win the Australian Open singles title.
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9. Who won the title of Australian Open Men’s Doubles 2025?
a. Harry Heliovaara and Henry Patten
b. Simone Bolelli and Henry Patten
c. Harry Heliovaara and Andrea Vavassori
d. Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli
Answer: a. Harry Heliovaara and Henry Patten
– Finland’s Harry Heliovera and Britain’s Henry Patten won this title.
– They defeated Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 6-7(16), 7-6(5), 6-3 in the final.
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10. Who won the title of Australian Open Women’s Doubles 2025?
a. Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko
b. Taylor Townsend and Katerin Siniakova
c. Iga Swiatek and Taylor Townsend
d. Elena Rybakina and Katerin Siniakova
Answer: b. Taylor Townsend and Katerin Siniakova
– America’s Taylor Townsend and Czech Republic’s Kateřina Siniaková, the top-ranked pair, won the title.
– They defeated the world number 3 pair of Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
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11. Who won the Australian Open Mixed Doubles 2025 title?
a. John Pearce and Kimberly Birrell
b. Olivia Gadecki and John Pearce
c. John-Patrick Smith and Olivia Gadecki
d. Kimberly Birrell and John-Patrick Smith
Answer: b. Olivia Gadecki and John Pearce
– Australia’s female player Olivia Gadecki and male player John Peers won this title in the match held on January 24.
– The two players defeated Australia’s female player Kimberly Birrell and male player John-Patrick Smith.
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