Current Affairs 25 February 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 25 February 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoM Classifies Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz as Major MineralsIn February 2025, the Ministry of Mines (MoM) announced the reclassification of Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz as major minerals to enhance the exploration and scientific mining of these resources, which are key sources of many critical minerals.

• After this, the mining of these minerals will be regulated under Section 8A of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957.

i.This classification is based on the recommendation of an inter-ministerial committee on mines and minerals, chaired by National Institution for Transforming India(NITI) Aayog member Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat..
ii.This move follows the Union Cabinet’s approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on January 29, 2025, with a budget of Rs. 34,300 crore over seven years.

• The mission aims to explore and mine critical minerals in the country, including recovering them from other mineral mines, overburden, and tailings.

About Ministry of Mines (MoM):
Union Minister – G. Kishan Reddy(Constituency – Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State(MoS) – Satish Chandra Dubey(Rajya Sabha -Bihar)
>> Read Full News

Datia Airport Becomes 8th Public Airport in MP with DGCA LicenseOn February 22, 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), granted Datia Airport, in Datia(Madhya Pradesh, MP), a license as a public aerodrome under the 3C/Visual Flight Rules (VFR) category.

• With this approval, Datia Airport is now the 8th public airport in MP, open for public use. It will improve regional connectivity and support economic growth in the Datia region.
• The other licensed public airports in MP are Raja Bhoj International Airport (Bhopal Airport) in Bhopal, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (Indore) in Indore, Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Air Terminal (Gwalior Airport) in Gwalior, Dumna Airport (Jabalpur Airport) in Jabalpur, Khajuraho Airport in Khajuraho, Rewa Airport in Rewa, and Satna Airport in Satna .

Highlights:
i.Datia Airport covers about 118 acres, with a runway that is 1810 meters (m) long and 30 m wide. The terminal building spans 768 square meters (sq.m) and can accommodate 100 passengers per hour.

• The apron is designed to accommodate two ATR-72 (French: Avions de transport régional or Italian: Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) aircraft.

ii.The airport is equipped with modern infrastructure, including X-radiation (X-ray) machines, Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems, Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD), Handheld Metal Detector (HHMD), walkie-talkies, Radiotelephony (RT) sets, and a baggage handling system to ensure passenger convenience and security.
iii.It also offers passenger facilities, including Televisions (TVs), a Flight Information Display System (FIDS), a Public Address (PA) system, a reserved lounge, and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi). Additionally, it has an Emergency Response Centre (ERC) equipped with a fire truck and an ambulance.
About Madhya Pradesh (MP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Mohan Yadav
Governor – Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Capital – Bhopal
Dance – Jawara, Tertali, Lehangi

NITI Aayog Forms Committee to Develop a Plan for Transforming AIIMSIn February 2025, Government think tank National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog based on New Delhi(Delhi) formed a committee to develop a plan aimed at transforming All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, into a premier institution for medical practice and research.

• The committee chaired by its member, Dr. V K Paul, will evaluate existing systems and propose comprehensive reforms with defined timelines.

Key Points:
i.The committee has been charged with determining ways to strengthen governance systems, create Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for clinical, academic, and research excellence, and propose ways to improve patient management.  Additionally, it will examine ways to guarantee AIIMS operations’ financial stability and independence.
ii.NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) Research Foundation, aimed to evaluate the experiences of several nations that have implemented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) methods in order to gain significant insights and policy recommendations for India.
iii.In order to improve healthcare delivery, accessibility, quality, and affordability, the draft paper suggests several multifaceted finance strategies that address both supply-side and demand-side issues.
iv.The Ayushman Bharat scheme was launched in 2018 and has played a vital role in decreasing financial burdens for families.
v.The government aims to strengthen these programs further through policy interventions and stakeholder consultations.
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
Chairperson – Narendra Modi
Vice Chairperson – Shri Suman Bery
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – B. V. R. Subrahmanyam
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2015

Darjeeling Zoo Unveils India’s First Bio-Bank and Animal MuseumIn February 2025, Darjeeling (West Bengal, WB) based Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP), popularly known as Darjeeling Zoo opened India’s first bio-bank (Frozen Zoo) and an animal museum.

• It is opened as part of the national conservation plan, in collaboration with Darjeeling Zoo and the Hyderabad (Telangana) based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T).

Note: The bio-bank, established in July 2024, has already collected Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and tissue samples from 60 animals across 23 species.
Key points:
i.The bio-bank gathers and stores cells and tissue samples from endangered species, along with reproductive cells from deceased animals, for preservation.

• These samples can be utilized for future research and may even play a crucial role in the potential revival of critically endangered species that are either extinct or on the brink of extinction.

ii.All samples are being preserved at a temperature of minus 196 degree Celcius (°C) in Liquid nitrogen (LN2), ensuring they remain in a cryogenic state. This process also helps maintain the genetic diversity of species.
iii.The samples can be stored in the bio-bank for a minimum of 40 to 45 years
iv.CCMB also plans to establish bio-banks at other zoos, including the National Zoological Park in Delhi (New Delhi) and Nandankanan Zoological Park in Barang (Odisha).
v.The museum has also been established to preserve the bodies and skeletons of deceased animals. It currently houses specimens of 19 species from Darjeeling Zoo, including animals such as the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and Siberian Tiger.
About West Bengal (WB):
Chief Minister  (CM) – Mamata Banerjee
Governor – C.V. Ananda Bose
Capital – Kolkata
Airports – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Bagdogra International Airport, Balurghat Airport

Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaan’s 1st Phase Achieves 5 Guinness World RecordsIn February 2025, the Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaan, under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy), achieved five Guinness World Records, underscoring India’s commitment to holistic healthcare and the global recognition of Ayurveda.

• The New Delhi (Delhi) based National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), with support from the Ministry of AYUSH, celebrated the completion of the first phase of the Abhiyaan in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The campaign reached over 1.29 crore individuals, exceeding the target of 1 crore, during the closing ceremony.

Note: The Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan initiative aims to bring Ayurveda to every individual’s doorstep by educating people about their unique Prakriti, or Ayurvedic body type. It was launched on Ayurveda day on October 29, 2024.
Key points:
i.The five Guinness World Records achieved are

1. 6,004,912 pledges, the most pledges received for a health campaign in one week,
2. 13,892,976 pledges, the most pledges received for a health campaign in one month,
3. 13,892,976 pledges, the most pledges received for a health campaign overall,
4. 62,525 photos, the largest online photo album of people displaying a digital certificate,
5. 12,798 videos, the largest online video album of people saying the same sentence.

ii.This achievement involved 1,81,667 volunteers, including 1,33,758 Ayurveda students, 16,155 teachers, and 31,754 physicians, setting a world record in itself.
iii.Richard Williams Stenning, the Guinness World Records adjudicator, officially announced the successful completion of all five records and presented the certificates to the Union Minister of State (MoS)/ (Independent Charge, IC) Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao, the Ministry of AYUSH in Mumbai.
About National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM):
Chairman – Vaidya Jayant Deopujari
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 2020

Union Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar chaired the Regional meeting of Power Sector 2025, AEML Tops on 3 National Rankings On February 20, 2025, the Regional meeting of Power Sector was convened in New Delhi (Delhi) and was chaired by Union Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry of Power (MoP), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) alongside Union Minister of State (MoS) Shripad Yesso Naik, MoP, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

• During the meeting, the 13th Integrated Ratings, the 4th edition of CSRD report and DUR reports for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) were released highlighting top-performing distribution utilities across India.
• The meeting discussed strategies for a financially viable power sector, including privatization, tariff rationalization, and support for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSP).

Key People: The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Union Power Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Power/Energy) from participating States and Chairmen & Managing Directors (CMDs) of Central and State Power Utilities.
Reports and Rankings:
i.Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) topped the ratings, by New Delhi (Delhi) based Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) for 3rd consecutive year in recognition for operational excellence.
ii.AEML also earned an A+ rating from the New Delhi (Delhi) based Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) in recognition for exceptional customer service. Fifteen DISCOMs secured the “A” grade.
iii.The first edition of the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR) Report for FY 2023-24 was launched AEML ranked as the Number 1 followed by TPDDL, and NPCL were recognized as the best-performing DISCOMs.
>> Read Full News

MEA and PIC Jointly Organised 9th AED in Pune, Maharashtra
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with Pune International Centre (PIC) organised the 9th edition of Asia Economic Dialogue (AED), an annual flagship ‘Track 1.5 Dialogue’ on geoeconomics, which was held from February 20 to 22, 2025 at PIC in Pune, Maharashtra.

• Theme of 9th AED: ‘Economic Resilience and Resurgence in an Era of Fragmentation’.
• The 9th edition of AED, aimed at addressing the complexities of economic fragmentation and identifying actionable pathways for resilience and resurgence.

i.The dialogue was focused on exploring key contemporary sectors in geoeconomics, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, African Transformation, Blue Economy, the International Monetary System(IMS), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Climate Change.
ii.The dialogue has brought together a diverse group of academicians, policymakers, and industry experts from various countries: Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

139 Artists Set World Record with 24-Hour Dance Marathon at Khajuraho Dance Festival in MP
In February 2025, 139 Artists (classical dancers) achieved a ‘Guinness World Record’ by performing continuously for over 24 hours, 9 minutes, and 26 seconds in a grand ‘Classical Dance Relay Marathon’ at the inauguration of 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival held in Madhya Pradesh (MP).

• The Classical Dance Relay Marathon was held from February 19-20, 2025 , inaugurated by Chief Minister (CM) of MP, Mohan Yadav.
• The marathon featured captivating performances of classical dance forms, including Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Odissi.

i.This monumental achievement was registered in the name of MP and the Guinness Book team declared it as a world record and handed over the certificate to CM, Mohan Yadav.
ii.The 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival is being held from February 20 to 26, 2025 to celebrate and promote Indian classical dance forms, attracting artists and audiences from around the world.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Highlights of FATF Plenary meeting held from 19-21 February 2025The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog against financial crimes, conducted its second Plenary under Mexico’s Elisa de Anda Madrazo Presidency from 19 to 21 February 2025 at Paris, France.
Here are the major outcomes:
1.Membership & Global Cooperation

a.Guest Jurisdiction Initiative:

• Kenya joined the FATF as a guest to enhance regional representation. Kenya joins the Cayman Islands and Senegal who began participating in the guest initiative in October 2024.

b.Russia’s Suspension:

• Russia’s membership remains suspended (since February 2024) over concerns about sanctions evasion.

c.Leadership Change:

• The Plenary selected Mr. Giles Thomson, from the United Kingdom (UK) to be the next FATF Vice President.  He will succeed Mr Jeremy Weil from Canada, who has served in this role since 1 July 2023 and will step down on 30 June 2025. Mr. Thomson will hold this position for two years from 1 July 2025.

2.Compliance Updates: Grey List Changes

Jurisdictions Added to Increased Monitoring (Grey List):

• Laos or Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and Nepal were added due to strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering/countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT) frameworks. Both countries committed to resolving gaps in supervision, financial intelligence, and prosecution of financial crimes.

Jurisdiction Removed from Grey List:

• Philippines exited the list after successfully addressing its action plan. Key achievements included stricter supervision of casinos, improved access to beneficial ownership data, and enhanced TF investigations. The FATF urged continued collaboration with the Asia/Pacific Group to sustain reforms.

About Financial Action Task Force:
President – Elisa de Anda Modrazo (Mexico)
Headquarters- Paris, France
Founded – 1989
Note – The FATF Plenary meets three times a year, usually in February, June and October.
>> Read Full News

IDEX and NAVDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi: 17–21 February 2025The 17th edition of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the 8th edition of the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) were held from 17 to 21 February 2025 held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. (ADNEC) Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

• It was organized by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, UAE and Tawazun Council UAE.

Note:The 18th edition, IDEX 2027, was scheduled for 25–29 January 2027 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Key Highlights:
i.Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shoor, an advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel, represented India’s maritime strength at NAVDEX 2025.
ii.Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) based in Goa presented its locally designed Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) at NAVDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
iii.Hyderabad based Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) introduced its indigenously developed Light Armoured Multi-role Vehicle (LAMV), compliant with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards, at IDEX 2025.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE):
President– Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister(PM)– Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Capital– Abu Dhabi
Currency– UAE Dirham (AED)
>> Read Full News

India, Bangladesh Agreed to Launch new ‘Hotline’ between Border ForcesIn February 2025, India and Bangladesh have agreed to launch a new ‘hotline’ or links of communication for effective communication between border forces. This link will be established between the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) eastern command based in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB) and his Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) counterpart based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• This decision was finalized during the 55th Director General (DG)-level Border Coordination Conference, bi-annual meeting held from February 18 to 20, 2025 at BSF headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The Indian Delegation was led by Daljit Singh, DG of BSF and Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, DG of BGB.

Note: The 56th edition of DG-level Border Coordination Conference is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in July, 2025.
Key Points:
i.At present, hotlines exist between the force chiefs of two countries and officers in ranks of Inspector General (IG)(regional commander for the BGB), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (sector commander for the BGB) and other field-level officers.

• These communications links help in conveying real-time information and intelligence so that issues related to the front and instances of cross-border crimes can be checked effectively.

ii.During the meeting, India highlighted the significance of fencing on the remaining areas of the 4,096 kilometer (km)-long frontier that spans across 5 Indian states(Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and WB) on the eastern flank.

• As per the official data, till now, a total of 864.48 km of the front has not been fenced, including 174.51 km of ‘non-feasible’ gap.

iii.DG of both countries discussed that fencing or the creation of a single-row fence (SRF) at about 99 patches, which covers around 70-72 km of the front, needs to be started after due consultations and a joint inspection by the two sides.

• Previously, the fencing work agreed upon 92 patches, covering 95.8 km of the border.

About Bangladesh:
President- Mohammed Shahabuddin
Capital- Dhaka
Currency- Bangladeshi Taka(BDT)

BANKING & FINANCE

IndusInd Bank Partners with PGTI as its Official Banking Partner
In February 2025, IndusInd Bank Limited announced its partnership with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) as its official Banking Partner.

• This partnership demonstrates the bank’s dedication to offering its Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNIs) and High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) an exceptional experience under the guidance of PIONEER banking.

i.This collaboration is a continuation of several initiatives that IndusInd Bank has undertaken over the years to create value-added premium experiences that are in line with the varied banking needs of UHNIs and HNIs, particularly in the area of sports.
ii.Bank will actively support PGTI tournaments during the competition, helping to expand the sport’s reach and strengthening the professional golf landscape in India.

• Over 20 tournaments are held throughout the year on the tour, which is led by Kapil Dev, President of PGTI and Amandeep Johl, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PGTI.

iii.The PIONEER banking program offers customized financial solutions, including investment products, wealth management, and exclusive golf privileges for members.

• These solutions are further categorized into personal banking, business banking, wealth management and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) banking.
• Wealth management solutions offer a wide range of investment products ranging from Mutual Funds, Alternate products, Sovereign Gold bonds and National Pension System (NPS).

RBI Imposes Penalty on Citibank, AMFL, JMFHL for Non-Compliance
In February 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Citibank, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based Asirvad Micro Finance Limited (AMFL), and Mumbai (Maharashtra) based JM Financial Home Loans Limited (JMFHL) for violating regulatory norms.
i.Citibank was fined Rs 39 lakh by the RBI for failing to upload corrected data in specific sectors within seven days of receiving rejection reports from Credit Information Companies (CICs) and for reporting violations of “Large Exposures” restrictions with delay.
ii.RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 6.20 lakh on AMFL for failing to report the household income of certain borrowers to CICs.

• It also failed to provide factsheets to certain gold loan customers and failed to set up a system of auto-escalation procedure for all complaints that were partially or completely denied by its internal grievance resolution mechanism to the internal ombudsman for a final decision.

iii.JMFHL was fined Rs 1.50 lakh by the RBI for violating several of the “Non-Banking Financial Company – Housing Finance Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2021” regulations.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

AMFI launches 3 new investor initiatives: Chhoti SIP, Tarun Yojana, MITRAIn February 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has introduced three new initiatives with an aim to promote financial inclusion, investor awareness, and investment recovery.

• The initiatives launched by the AMFI include Chhoti Systematic Investment Plan(SIP) or Sachetisation of Mutual Funds(MFs), Tarun Yojana, and Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant(MITRA).

About the initiatives:
i.Chhoti SIP:This initiative has launched a Rs.250 SIP, which makes it easier for the small investors and first-time participants to invest in mutual funds.

• This minimum investment initiative will also encourage the people from lower-income groups and those unfamiliar with investing to invest in mutual funds.

ii.Tarun Yojana: This initiative aims to include financial literacy into school curriculums. The early education of the students about the investment principles will make a financially aware generation for making informed financial decisions in the future.
iii.Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant(MITRA): This platform has been developed to help investors and their legal heirs identify, recover and reclaim their inactive or forgotten investments to ensure rightful ownership and transparency in the investment process.
Note: India’s Mutual Fund(MF) industry has expanded rapidly with assets under management (AUM) surpassing Rs 65 lakh crore in December 2024 , up from Rs.10.51 lakh crore in December 2014, according to the ‘Where the Money Flows’ study by Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company (MOAMC).
About Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI):
AMFI was incorporated in 1995 under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding Section 8 of the new Companies Act, 2013), as a non-profit organization.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Venkat Nageswar Chalasani
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

India receives ‘Prince Michael Decade of Action Road Safety Award’ for Advancements in Vehicle Safety & Infrastructure In February 2025, the Government of India (GoI) was honored with the ‘Prince Michael Decade of Action Road Safety Award’, the highest award in the field, at the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held in Marrakech, Morocco. India shared this honor with the Kingdom of Morocco, as both countries were recognized for their efforts in improving road safety.

• The conference was organised by the Kingdom of Morocco and the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme of the conference is “Commit to Life”.
• The Ministerial Conference united transportation leaders from multiple countries to create a strategic plan focused on reducing global road fatalities by 50% by 2030, emphasizing the global collaboration to enhance road safety.

i.India was recognized for advancements in vehicle safety since 2014, including the introduction of a ‘new car safety assessment program’ and the mandatory implementation of ‘Anti-lock Braking Systems’ (ABS) in all new 2-wheelers.
ii.The award was presented by Etienne Krug, Director of the Department for Social Determinants of Health, WHO to Union Minister of State (MoS) Ajay Tamta, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), on behalf of the Indian Government.
About Morocco:
Prime Minister (PM)-  Aziz Akhannouch
Capital- Rabat
Currency- Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
>> Read Full News

Bharti Enterprises Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal presented with ‘Honorary Knighthood Medal’ On February 22 2025, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of New Delhi (Delhi) based Bharti Enterprises, was honored with the ‘Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his contributions to strengthening business relations between the United Kingdom (UK) and India.

• The KBE medal was presented by BHC to India, Lindy Cameron at the investiture ceremony held at the British High Commissioner’s (BHC) residence in New Delhi.
• The ceremony follows the announcement made in 2024, declaring Sunil Bharti Mittal as the first Indian citizen to receive the KBE under King Charles III.

About Sunil Bharti Mittal:
i.Sunil Bharti Mittal, is an Indian industrialist, philanthropist and the founder & chairman of Bharti Enterprises, a conglomerate with diversified interests in telecom, insurance, real estate, education, malls, hospitality, agriculture, and food.
ii.Bharti Enterprises, has formed joint ventures with global partners such as Singapore based Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), Japan based SoftBank Group Corp., the UK and French governments.
iii.He chairs Airtel Africa Plc, overseeing operations across 17 African countries, providing mobile services to over 100 million customers.
iv.He leads Gurugram (Haryana) based Bharti Airtel Limited, one of India’s largest mobile operators, serving over 550 million customers across South Asia and Africa.
v.He is a member of the International Business Council, the India-UK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Forum, and the Prime Minister’s (PM) Council on Trade & Industry, contributing to global business policy discussions
vi.Additionally, he is a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Circle of Advisors at the University of Cambridge, England, UK.
vii.He has also served on the Governing Body of the London Business School (LBS), UK and as a member of the India Advisory Group at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK.
viii.In 2016, he was elected as Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), reflecting his leadership in global business.
ix.In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd-highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions to trade and industry.
Note: As of 2024, Forbes India ranked him as the 7th richest person in India, with a net worth of USD 30.7 billion.

AMTZ Wins Award in BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest 2024 for Solar Powered Tricycle
In February 2025, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, AP) based Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone’s (AMTZ) Solar Powered Tricycle won the Outstanding Project Award at the BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest 2024. This mobility solution was developed by the Assistive Technology Centre (ATC) at AMTZ.

• The Solar Powered Tricycle was officially launched by Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), in August 2024.

i.The award was presented by the BRICS Partner Innovation Center and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, recognises ground-breaking innovations that contribute to sustainable development and empower marginalised communities.
ii.ATC’s Solar Powered Tricycle is a mobility solution developed to improve independence and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
iii.It was equipped with solar panels and motor assistance, providing an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional mobility aids.
iv.This innovation aims to reduce physical effort while also aligning with global sustainability goals by supporting renewable energy and clean transportation.
v.This global award highlights ATC’s dedication to reinventing mobility, increasing accessibility, and pushing innovation in assistive technology.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China Launched ChinaSat-10R Communication Satellite into OrbitIn February 2025, China has successfully launched a new communication satellite ‘ChinaSat-10R’ or Zhongxing-10R, through Long March-3B carrier rocket into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) to replace ChinaSat-10, launched in 2011. This also marks the 8th orbital launch attempt of the year by China.

• The satellite was lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, Southwest China.
• The launch of this satellite marks the 560th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

About ChinaSat-10R:
i.It is a series of communications satellites operated by Beijing (China)-based China Satellite Communications Corporation Limited (China Satcom), subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

• The satellite of this series offer a range of communication services, including television broadcasting, internet connectivity, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), among others.

ii.The satellite was developed by Beijing (China)-based China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
iii.The satellite will primarily provide satellite communication services to users in China, in various sectors such as: transportation, emergency response, energy, forestry, among others as well as in countries and regions along the Belt and Road.
About Long March 3B:
i.It is a 3-stage heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle powered with 4 liquid-fuelled strap-on boosters to enhance its lifting capability.

• It is a part of Long March 3 series, designed specifically for launching heavy payloads into GTO.

ii.It was developed by CASC’s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) based in Fengtai district, Beijing (China).
iii.It is 56.3 meter (m) tall, 3.35 m diameter, having a lift-off mass of 456 metric tons (MT).
About China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC):
President- Zhang Zhongyang
Headquarters– Beijing, China
Established- 1999

SPORTS

Pankaj Advani wins 2025 Asian Snooker Championship Title
In February 2025, India’s Pankaj Advani won the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship’s men’s title, defeating Amir Sarkosh of Iran in the final. He won the championship for the fourteenth time in the Asian Snooker and Billiards tournaments.

• The Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) organized the Men’s, Women’s, and Men’s under-21 Asian Snooker Championship, which was held in Doha, Qatar, from February 15 to 21, 2025, and was hosted by the Qatar Billiards Sports Federation (QBSF).

i.Pankaj Advani has won five Asian snooker championships in team, 6-red, and 15-red categories.  He has also won two gold medals at the Asian Games (Guangzhou 2010, Doha 2006) and nine Asian Billiards titles.
ii.He has won 18 billiards world titles, including the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Billiards Championship 17 times and the World Team Billiards Championship once.
iii.The Indian government has given him several awards for his accomplishments, including the Arjuna Award in 2004, Khel Ratna in 2006, Padma Shri in 2009, and Padma Bhushan in 2018.
iv.Narantuya Bayarsaikhan of Mongolia defeated Ng On Yee of Hong Kong, China in the women’s section of the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship.
v.Shaheen Sabzi of Iran defeated Zihao Dong of China in the under-21 men’s title of the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship.

OBITUARY

Padma Shri Awardee & ‘Father of Odissi Dance’ Mayadhar Raut Passes Away In February 2025, Padma Shri Awardee and renowned Odissi dancer Mayadhar Raut passed away at the age of 92 in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born on 6 July 1933 in Cuttack district, Odisha.

• He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in the field of Arts in 2010 and he is considered the “Father of Odissi dance“

About Mayadhar Raut:
i.Mayadhar Raut began to learn Odissi at the age of nine and he learned the ‘Gotipua‘ dance form, a forerunner to the classical Odissi dance. He was the first person to present the ‘Gotipua Dance on stage in 1944.
ii.He was a founder member of Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack in 1952, the first institute in India to teach Odissi.
iii.He was the first Guru to bring Mudra Viniyoga to the study of Odissi in 1955, and also Sanchari Bhava and Rasa Theory.
iv.In 1959, he and his colleagues established Jayantika, an association of scholars, performers, and gurus, that played a vital role in the reconstruction of modern Odissi.
v.He was also the first to perform Gitagovinda’s ‘Ashtapadi‘ on stage, as Shringara Rasa. His significant works include ‘Pashyati Dishi Dishi’, ‘Priya Charu Shile’ and ‘Sakhi’.
Awards:
He has been honored with several awards including the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977, the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award in 1984, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1985 and the Upendra Bhanja Samman in 2005.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Namita Gokhale released her 25th Book ‘Life on Mars: Collected Stories’
In February 2025, Eminent Author and Sahitya Akademi Awardee, Namita Gokhale released her 25th book titled ‘Life on Mars: Collected Stories’, published by Speaking Tiger Books.

• The book is a collection of 15 stories which explores themes of love, lust, fate, and death.

i.The book is divided into two sections namely, ‘Love and Other Derangements’ and ‘The Mirror of the Mahabharata’.
ii.So far, Namita Gokhale has written 24 books including fiction and non-fiction. Some of her famous books are: ‘Shakuntala’, ‘Paro: Dreams of Passion’, ‘Things to leave behind’, among others.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Central Excise Day 2025 – February 24The Central Excise Day is observed annually on 24th February across India to honor the contributions of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the authority responsible for managing indirect taxes in India. The day marks the anniversary of the enactment of the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944, on 24th February, 1944.

• It aims to promote the implementation of rules and regulations to ensure the highest standard of excise services.

Background:
i.The Central Excise Day dates back to 1944 when the Government of India (GoI) approved the Central Excise and Salt Act.
ii.This Act consolidated 11 previous laws related to excise duty and was introduced to bring about changes in the law concerning salt and central duties.
iii.On February 24, 1944, the Central Excise and Salt Act was enacted, and in its honor, Central Excise Day has been celebrated annually on this date.

• The first ever Central Excise Day was observed on February 24, 1944.

About Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC):
Chairman- Sanjay Kumar Agarwal
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1944
>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Gujarat FM Kanu Desai Presented Rs 3.70 Lakh Crore State Budget for FY26In February 2025, the Finance Minister of Gujarat Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai  presented a Rs 3,70,250.35 crore( Rs 3.70 trillion) budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) in the state legislative assembly (Gujarat Legislative Assembly), without proposing any new taxes. The budget outlay for FY26 witnessed an increase of 11.3% or Rs 37, 785 crore compared to previous budget.

• Also, the budget was based on 5 key pillars: social security, human resource development, infrastructure development, green growth and development of economic activities.

i.The state government announced a tax relief of Rs 148 crore by reducing the stamp duty on mortgage deeds and the motor vehicle tax or Electric Vehicle (EVs).
ii.Out of total budget outlay, Rs 2,36,044.27 crore has been allocated for the revenue account and Rs 1,34,206.08 crore for capital account.
iii.Rs 1,020 crore has been allocated for the development of 12 high-speed corridors spanning 1,367 kilometer (km), under the ‘Garvi Gujarat High-Speed Corridor’.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister (CM)– Bhupendrabhai Patel
Governor- Acharya Devvrat
Capital- Gandhinagar
National Park (NP)- Gir National Park, Marine National Park
>> Read Full News

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