UPSC Prelims Facts – 16 January 2025

Prelims FACTS

Experts attribute the severity of the wildfires in USA to hydroclimate whiplash

  • A rare meteorological condition wherein an extremely wet season is succeeded by an extremely dry season.
  • Impact –
    • Amplification of hazards like flash floods, wildfires, landslides, disease outbreaks etc.
    • Affect water quality via harmful algal blooms.

Since the launch of the online ‘suspect registry’, the Centre has declined 6 lakh fraudulent transactions

  • Established by – Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries.
  • Aim – To enhance fraud risk management in the financial ecosystem.
  • Using data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the registry will serve as a central-level database with consolidated data on cybercrime suspects.

77th Indian Army Day celebrated recently

  • Observed annually on 15th January
    • Commemorate the appointment of General K. M. Cariappa as the 1st Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949. 
  • Armed Forces Veterans’ Day – Celebrated on 14th January to mark the retirement of KM Cariappa in 1953
  • Indian Navy Day – 4th December.
  • Indian Air Force Day – 8th October.

A Golden Langur was killed in an accident on National Highway 117 in Assam

  • Found exclusively in Assam, and neighbouring Bhutan.
  • Active during the day (Diurnal) and primarily live in trees (Arboreal).
  • Conservation Status –
    • Endangered under IUCN Red List lists the golden langur as Endangered, and it is protected under 
    • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I.
    • Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972

India has successfully tested Bhargavastra

  • India’s 1st indigenous micro-missile system
  • Purpose – To counter the threat of swarm drones.
    • Swarm drones – Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) working together as a coordinated system.

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