UPSC Current Affairs January 2025 - Part 03

 Additional News

• Arctic-Boreal Zone: Research reveals that 34% of the Arctic-Boreal Zone is now a carbon source rather than a sink, with thawing permafrost and wildfires contributing to this shift.
• Pollinators: The excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers reduces flower populations and harms pollinator insects like bees, which are critical for food crops and ecosystem health.
• DRDO's Scramjet Engine Development: DRDO’s Hyderabad-based lab successfully conducted a 120-second ground test of a scramjet combustor, crucial for hypersonic missile systems.
• Mission SCOT: The Prime Minister congratulated the team behind Mission SCOT, which aims to enhance space situational awareness by tracking objects in Low Earth Orbit.
• Kalaripayattu: The traditional martial art of Kalaripayattu has been included for demonstration at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, replacing its competition section.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Over 4.14 lakh bogus crop insurance claims have been identified under PMFBY in Maharashtra.
• Australopithecus Diet: New research suggests that Australopithecus primarily relied on a plant-based diet, challenging previous assumptions about early hominin meat consumption.
• Rash Behari Bose: January 21 marks the death anniversary of Rash Behari Bose, an important figure in India's freedom struggle, known for his leadership in the Ghadar Movement and the formation of the Azad Hind Fauj.

 In October 2023, the Union government officially announced the formation of the National Turmeric Board (NTB).

National Turmeric Board (NTB) Overview:

• Headquarters: Nizamabad, Telangana (a key turmeric-producing area)
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Key Members and Departments: Representatives from the Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Department of Commerce
• States Representation: States will be represented on a rotating basis
• Type: Executive body (not a statutory body)

India's Leadership in the Global Turmeric Market:

• India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric globally, contributing 70% of global production and 62% of global trade.
• In the 2023-24 season, India cultivated turmeric on 305,000 hectares and produced over 1 million tonnes.
• Key producing states: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• India grows over 30 varieties of turmeric across more than 20 states, with notable varieties like Erode Turmeric (Tamil Nadu), Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya, known for high curcumin content), and Kandhamal Haldi (Odisha), which have GI (Geographical Indication) tags.
• Targets:
• Double turmeric production to 2 million tonnes in five years.

Reach $1 billion in turmeric exports by 2030

Tags : UPSC 2025 current affairs preparation, UPSC current affairs January 2025, UPSC 2025 daily current affairs, Best sources for UPSC current affairs 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs for prelims, UPSC 2025 current affairs for mains, Important current affairs for UPSC 2025, UPSC current affairs strategy 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs notes, UPSC current affairs PDF 2025, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 preparation, UPSC 2025 current affairs online classes, UPSC current affairs quiz 2025, How to study current affairs for UPSC 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs magazines, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 prelims and mains, Current affairs updates for UPSC 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs analysis, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 PDF download, UPSC 2025 current affairs important topics,