UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 19-02-2025

One Liners 19-02-2025

Geography

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

It is the 2^nd largest country in African continent.
Capital – Kinshasa.
Situated – Astride the equator, West-Central Africa.
Coastline – 25-mile (40-km) on the Atlantic Ocean.
Border countries:
- North – Central African Republic and South Sudan.
- East – Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania.
- Southeast – Zambia Angola.
M23 rebellion – It is an armed conflict in DRC’s North Kivu.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has recently captured eastern DRC’s 2^nd largest city, Bukavu.

Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale

It is a macro seismic intensity scale used to determine the intensity of the earthquake.
Intensity of earthquake – A value that represents the degree of oscillation of the Earth's surface during an earthquake.
It is greater when the earthquake closer to the surface of the earth.
Intensity depends on:
- Degree of destruction of standard buildings.
- Witnesses sensations.
- Changes in topography of the earth's surface.
- Depth and magnitude of the earthquake source.
It is known as the MSK or MSK-64.

Polity & Governance

Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS)

India has the 2^nd largest arable land of 156.06 million ha. and ranks 2^nd worldwide in farm output.

DPPQS – It act as an apex organization for advising on all the matters related to plant protection.
Established in – 1946, on the recommendation of Woodhead Commission.
Headed by – Plant Protection adviser.
Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Objectives – Effective implementation of integrated pest management, plant quarantine and locust control & research, etc.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

Established in – 1952.
A statutory body – Under the provisions of Cinematograph Act 1952.
Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Headquarters – Mumbai.
Objective – To regulate the public exhibition of films after certified by the Central Board of Film Certification in India.
Certification process – Is in accordance with Cinematograph (certification) Rules, 1983, and guidelines issued by the central government.

World Food India (WFI)

1^st edition of World Food India was held in 2017.
Launched by – Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Objective – To introduce the world to rich Indian food culture as well as promote investments in the country's diverse food processing sector.

Economy

National Stock Exchange (NSE)

According to 2024, Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 report, NSE has claimed the top spot as the most valuable unlisted company in India.
NSE – It has surged by an impressive 201% in value, reaching an estimated worth of Rs 4,70,250 crore.
Unlisted companies – Comprise 22% of the 2024 list, a 4% decline from last year.

An unlisted company is a business whose shares are not traded on a stock exchange.

International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)

Established in – 2020, under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
Headquarters – Gujarat.
IFSCA – It is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India.
Objectives:
- To develop a strong global connect
- Focus on the needs of the Indian economy
- To serve as an international financial platform for the entire region and the global economy as a whole.

Agriculture

BIOFACH 2025

BIOFACH – It is the world’s leading trade fair for organic food.
17^th edition, 2025 – It will be the meeting point for the entire organic, natural and millets industry.
Held at – Messezentrum in Nuremberg, Germany.
Letter of Intent (LoI) – Between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Nuremberg Messe to make India the Partner Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026.
Co-located with – Natural Expo India and Millets India.

Environment

Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary

A female Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus) has given birth to 8 pups at the Bankapura wolf sanctuary.

It is the 1^st ever wolf sanctuary in Karnataka.
Established in – 2021.
Located in – Bankapur, Koppal district.
Habitat for wolves – Its open fields and hills, naturally supports wolf populations, including those outside the sanctuary’s boundaries.
Characteristics – Vast shrub forests and rocky terrains.
Other fauna – It provides conservation of striped hyena, Indian fox, golden jackal and others.

Miscellaneous

Open-Air Art Wall Museum

India’s 1^st “Open-Air Art Wall Museum” at Mausam Bhawan (India Meteorological Department).

It is a unique open-air art museum depicting to celebrate the 150 years of milestone journey of India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Collaboration with – Delhi Street Art.
Showcase – 38 Murals Depicting IMD’s meteorological legacy and impact.