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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Overview of Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s visit to India from February 17 to 18, 2025
The Amir of Qatar, His Highness (HH) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani visited India from February 17 to 18, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. This visit marked his 2nd bilateral trip to India, following his first official visit in March 2015. He was accompanied by high-level delegations, including Ministers, Senior Officials and a Business Delegation.
- During his visit, he engaged in significant discussions with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi(Delhi).
i.On the sidelines of the visit, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi (Delhi) in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) organized the ‘India-Qatar Joint Business Forum’ on February 18 2025 in New Delhi (Delhi).
ii.As part of his visit, both countries signed several pivotal agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), ranging from strategic partnerships and economic cooperation to cultural and energy exchanges.
About Qatar:
Prime Minister (PM)– Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani
Capital– Doha
Currency– Qatari Riyal (QAR)
>> Read Full News
25th Quarterly Bulletin PLFS by NSO: India’s Urban Unemployment Rate Slightly Decreased to 6.4% in Q3FY25
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched its 25th Quarterly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which presents data for the period October – December 2024 (Q3) for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25.
- As per the data, India’s urban Unemployment Rate (UR) in Current Weekly Status (CWS) among persons aged 15 years and above decreased to 6.4% during Q3 FY25 from 6.5% during Q3 FY24.
- UR among males aged 15 years and above remained the same at 5.8% during Q3 FY24 and Q3 FY25 and the UR among females aged 15 years and above decreased to 8.1% in Q3 FY25 from 8.6 % in Q3 FY24.
About the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI):
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge (IC))- Rao Inderjit Singh (Constituency: Gurgaon, Haryana)
>> Read Full News
India & Argentina signed MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Lithium Exploration and Mining
On February 19, 2025, India and Argentina formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in lithium exploration and mining.
- The agreement was formalised during the meeting chaired by the Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Coal(MoC) and Ministry of Mines(MoM) and H.E. Raúl Alejandro Jalil, Governor of Catamarca, Argentina, in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The agreement, signed between Nagpur(Maharashtra) based Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) under the Ministry of Mines(MoM), and Argentina’s Catamarca Provincial Government.
Objective:
To strengthen collaboration in critical mineral resource development, particularly lithium, a key component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy(RE) storage.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
i.Strategic Resource Security: Argentina, part of the “Lithium Triangle” (with Chile and Bolivia), holds over 50% of global lithium reserves. This collaboration aims to diversify India’s lithium supply chain, reducing reliance on China.
ii.Ongoing Projects: New Delhi based Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and Greenko are already engaged in lithium exploration in Catamarca. The MoU will expand India’s participation through long-term supply agreements and infrastructure investments.
- In 2024, KABIL and Argentina’s CAMYEN (Catamarca Minera y Energética Sociedad del Estado) signed USD 200 million project for exclusive exploration rights to five lithium brine blocks (15,703 hectares) in Catamarca.
- It marked India’s first government-led lithium mining initiative abroad, granting exploitation rights post-discovery.
iii.Sustainable Practices: Emphasis on eco-friendly mining, knowledge exchange, and regulatory frameworks to ensure mutual benefits.
Economic and Geopolitical Implications
i.Energy Transition: Lithium access supports India’s 500 Gigawatt (GW) RE target by 2030 and EV adoption goals
ii.Latin American Outreach: Strengthens India’s foothold in Latin America, fostering trade diversification and geopolitical alliances
About Argentina:
President –Javier Gerardo Milei
Capital – Buenos Aires
Currency – Argentine Peso (ARS)
MeitY Unveils Digital Brand Identity Manual to Standardize Government Websites & Digital Platforms
On 18 February 2025, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) to standardize government websites and digital platforms.
- The DBIM was launched by Union Minister of State(MoS) Jitin Prasada, MeitY, during the inaugural Chief Information Officer (CIO) Conference 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi.
- As part of the ‘Gov.In the: Harmonization of Government of India’s Digital Footprint’ initiative, the DBIM aims to provide a unified online presence for all ministries, departments, and agencies.
28th GBBC: WB Lead in India’s Bird Count for 3rd Consecutive Year
In February 2025, West Bengal (WB) recorded the highest number of bird species across 37 states and union territories (UTs) in India, with 543 species, topping the national list for the third consecutive year. This achievement came during the 28th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), one of the world’s largest birding events, held from February 14 to February 17, 2025.
- According to preliminary results, the total number of bird species in India increased to 1,068 in 2025, up from 1,036 in 2024. Additionally, the number of checklists (a list of birds that one can see, hear, or identify) submitted from India reached 44,300 in 2025.
- In the GBBC India 2025 rankings, WB led with the highest number of species, followed by Uttarakhand in second place with 446 species. Other states in the list include Assam with 414 species, Karnataka with 380 species, Maharashtra also with 414 species, and Kerala with 342 species.
Key Highlights:
i.In 2025, WB uploaded 1,909 checklists, a slight decrease from the 2,223 entries in 2024. Kerala topped India in terms of checklists, with 9,856 entries.
ii.Darjeeling topped the WB list with the highest number of species, recording 252 species, which is lower than last year’s total of 308 species.
iii.South 24 Parganas emerged as the top district in WB with 513 checklists. Last year, however, Darjeeling (WB) held the top spot with 342 checklists.
About Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC):
i.The GBBC is an annual global bird-watching event held every February, where bird enthusiasts from around the world count and report the bird species they observe through eBird, an online platform. This initiative helps monitor bird populations and biodiversity on a global scale.
ii.It was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society in the United States of America (USA)
iii.India joined the GBBC for the first time in 2013, with 200 participants taking part in the event.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Brazil to Join Major Oil-Exporting Nations in OPEC+ Group
In February 2025, Brazil’s government approved its membership in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) plus, a coalition of 22 major oil-producing nations, marking a significant move for the country. Brazil was officially invited to join in 2023.
- The ‘National Council for Energy Policy’ (Conselho Nacional de Política Energética, CNPE) authorized the move, marking a key step in Brazil’s emergence as a significant contributor in the global oil market.
- This decision comes ahead of Brazil’s role as the host of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November 2025.
Note: As of January 2025, OPEC+ has 22 member countries.
About Brazil:
President– Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Capital- Brasília
Currency- Brazilian Real (BRL)
>> Read Full News
BANKING & FINANCE
Karnataka Bank Celebrated its 101st Founders’ Day by Launching Two New Products 
On 18 February 2025, Karnataka Bank Limited(KBL) celebrated its 101st Founders’ Day, marked over a century of the bank’s operations, by launching two new products ‘KBL Stri’ and ‘KBL One Family Banking Programme’. It also introduced a savings account for children and a high-interest term deposit scheme.
- During the ceremony, KBL released a Rs 100 commemorative coin and a special postal stamp, and it has expanded its branch with 15 new branches in various locations.
- The bank also released 101 symbolic lapel pins, launched new products, and presented Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment letters to three eligible beneficiaries.
- In addition to these, KBL inaugurated a centenary building and two museums which showcase the KBL’s 100-year journey at its headquarters in Mangaluru( Karnataka).
About Karnataka Bank:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma
Headquarters – Mangaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1924
Tagline – Your Family Bank Across India
>> Read Full News
IRDAI Launches Bima-ASBA to Make Insurance Premium Payment Easier via UPI
In February 2025, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) allowed a One-Time Mandate (OTM) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for insurance companies through a new payment mechanism called Bima-Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (Bima-ASBA).
- The initiative intends to simplify the payment procedure for life and health insurance policies, allowing policyholders to block funds in their bank accounts for premium payments, assuring seamless transactions without rapid debits.
- This new payment mechanism will be effective from March 1, 2025.
About Bima-Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (Bima-ASBA):
i.Bima-ASBA requires the prospect to transfer money to the insurer only when an insurance coverage is granted.
ii.In this facility, insurers can offer an OTM for blocking a certain amount in the bank account for the concerned prospect via UPI.
iii.The amount for the insurance premium will be deducted when the insurer chooses to accept the proposal. If the insurer does not accept the plan, the funds will be unblocked and released.
iv.The blocked funds remain in the policyholder’s account until an underwriting decision is reached. The premium will be deducted after the insurance is issued.
- If rejected, the funds will be immediately unlocked within one business day. The block is valid for up to 14 days, or until the underwriting decision is reached.
v.Insurers have been requested to send a proposal form to policyholders through a standard declaration to block the amount using UPI.
vi.UPI-OTM service helps in multiple scenarios when the consumer chooses to authorize a block on money rather than direct debits, allowing for quicker transaction processing.
About the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
IRDAI was constituted as an autonomous body in 1999 and later incorporated as a statutory body in April 2000.
Chairman- Debasish Panda
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Federal Bank Launches Prospera NRE Savings Account for NRIs
On February 19, 2025, Aluva (Kerala)-based Federal Bank Limited, an Indian Private Sector Bank (PVB) has launched a new savings account called “Prospera Non-Resident External (NRE) Savings Account” an exclusive banking solution designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
- This account offers attractive benefits, including complimentary insurance benefits worth Rs 60 lakh, competitive interest rates, special reward points for debit card expenditures, etc.
- The insurance coverage is provided by Mumbai, Maharashtra based TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited.
- The customers of Prospera NRE Savings Account must maintain an Average Monthly Balance (AMB) of Rs 25,000 and this balance can be maintained in either the NRE Prospera Savings Account alone or in the NRE Prospera and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts together (with a maximum of one NRO account permitted).
- The account follows the Savings Bank (SB) interest rate slab of Federal Bank, and it comes with a Mastercard Prospera Debit Card. There are no Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) for Prospera NRE Savings Account holders.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
ICRA estimates India’s GDP Growth to Rise to 6.4% in Q3 FY2025
In February 2025, Gurgaon, Haryana based ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited), one of the most experienced Credit Rating Agencies in India, has projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to rise to 6.4% in the October – December 2024 Quarter (Q3), from 5.4% in Q2 of the Financial Year (FY) 2025, supported by increased government spending.
- However, the growth rate is projected to stay below Q1 FY2025 levels, with GDP lagging behind Gross Value Added (GVA) for the third consecutive quarter.
- The GVA growth is estimated to record a broad-based improvement to 6.6% in Q3 from 5.6% in Q2 of FY2025, driven by the Industrial: 6.2% (up from 3.6%); Services: 7.7% (up from 7.1%); and Agricultural: 4.0% (up from 3.5%) sectors.
- The Government of India’s (GoI) Capital Expenditure (CapEx) rose 47.7% (from 10.3%) YoY in Q3 FY2025, the highest in 6 quarters.
- Aggregate capital outlay and net lending of 24 state governments (excluding Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, and Manipur) grew 9.9% Year-over-Year (YoY), up from 7.0% in Q2.
- Service exports hit an all-time high of USD 36.9 billion in December 2024, with Q3 exports rising 17.5% YoY. Merchandise exports rebounded with a YoY growth of 3.3%, reversing the 4.3% contraction in Q2.
Godrej Partners with Bisiach & Carru for Advanced Railway, Aerospace Equipment
Godrej Enterprises Group has announced its partnership with the Italian automation specialist Bisiach & Carru on 17th February 2025 for manufacturing advanced railway and aerospace equipment in the country.
- The aim of the collaboration with the tooling business of Godrej & Boyce is to boost cost competitiveness, efficiency, quality, and technological innovation in critical industries.
It aligns with the Make in India initiative to become self-reliant in critical sectors and will initially work upon higher local manufacturing content and would expand with the increase in capabilities.
The partnership will involve the development of advanced equipment including developed robotic spot-welding systems that would increase the quality and efficiency of production.
- Moreover, the development of high-precision jigs and fixtures will enhance the accuracy in coach manufacturing, the specialized automated technologies will meet India’s specific manufacturing needs and assembly machinery will help in achieving international quality standards.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Forbes’ Top 10 Richest Women in the World in 2025: USA’s Alice Louise Walton Tops, India’s Savitri Devi Jindal Ranks 7th
In February 2025, Forbes India released its 5th Edition of the “Top 10 Richest Women in the World in 2025” list, highlighting the significant wealth amassed by women across different sectors.
- Alice Louise Walton, the daughter of United States of America (USA) based Walmart Inc. founder Sam Walton, has secured the top position globally with a net worth of USD 112.5 billion.
- India’s Savitri Devi Jindal and Family claimed the 7th position, with a net worth of USD 32.3 billion, from the JSW (Jindal South West) Group.
Note: The top 10 wealthiest women worldwide, as highlighted by Forbes, have established themselves as powerful leaders across various industries, with their combined net worth exceeding USD 500 billion (approximately).
About Forbes India:
Editor- Suveen Sinha
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established– 2009
>> Read Full News
Nagaland Forest Management Project receives the SKOCH Award
Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) was awarded with the prestigious SKOCH Award 2024 for improving forest ecosystems and supporting income generation.
- The award was presented on 15th February 2025 as part of the 100th SKOCH Summit held at Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
- It was received by Ango Konyak, Deputy Project Director, NFMP along with Wennyei Konyak, Resident Commissioner Nagaland House, New Delhi on behalf of the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC), Government of Nagaland (GoN).
The NFMP is a project implemented by DEFCC, Government of Nagaland and is assisted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project aims to improve forest ecosystems and income generation by re-establishing Jhum areas and supporting livelihoods through village specific interventions carried out by Joint Forest Management Committees.
- The timeline of the project is 2017-2027 and will cover 185 villages in 11 districts and 22 Forest Ranges.
- It aims to cover an area of 79,096 hectare under Forest Intervention and to form 555 Self Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance livelihood.
The SKOCH Award is one of the highest independent honors given to states and organizations since 1997 in the field of governance, technology, economics and social sector for their dedicated and independent outcome-based assessment process.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Rekha Gupta Sworn-in as 4th Women CM of Delhi, Parvesh Verma Sworn-in as Deputy CM
On 20 February 2025, Rekha Gupta, Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) leader, took oath as the 9th Chief Minister (CM) of Union Territory (UT) of Delhi at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi. She succeeded Atishi Marlena Singh.
- She has also become Delhi’s fourth woman CM, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi Marlena Singh
- Along with her, six cabinet ministers were sworn in, including Parvesh Singh Verma, who took oath as the Deputy CM.
- Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena administered oath of office and secrecy to the CM and the ministers at the function.
Note: This marks the end of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s 10-year rule.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister (CM)- Rekha Gupta
Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor- Vinai Kumar Saxena
Capital- New Delhi
>> Read Full News
SBI Cards Appoints Salila Pande as MD & CEO
In February 2025, SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited, SBICPSL(SBI Cards), a subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI), announced Salila Pande as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from April 1, 2025, for a period of two years.
- Salila Pande will succeed Abhijit Chakravorty, who will retire from SBI on March 31, 2025. She is currently working as a Chief General Manager (CGM) at SBI.
i.She began her banking career as a Probationary Officer (PO) with SBI in 1995.
ii.She has gained extensive experience through various positions across the Bank in several locations.
iii.She has served in important roles as the President and CEO of SBI California(the United States of America, USA), Vice President – Mid Office at SBI Singapore, and Deputy General Manager (DGM) (Business and Operations) in Delhi.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
CCI approved the amalgamation of SHPL and CIFCPL into SMPL
In February 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted approval for the amalgamation of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Svatantra Holdings Private Limited (SHPL), and Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Chaitanya India Fin Credit Private Limited (CIFCPL), a Non-Banking Financial Company – Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI) into Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Svatantra Microfin Private Limited (SMPL), an NBFC-MFI.
- This amalgamation will take place as per the Scheme of Amalgamation agreed upon by SHPL, CIFCPL, SMPL, and their respective shareholders, with approval from the boards of directors.
- As a result of this merger, Svatantra Micro Housing Finance Corporation Limited (SMHFCL), a NBFC Housing Finance Company (NBFC HFC) (Middle Layer) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SMPL.
Key Points:
i.SHPL is involved in investing in equity shares, preference shares, and other securities. It is an unregistered Core Investment Company in terms of Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
ii.CIFCPL and SMPL provide microfinance and personal loans to low-income individuals and households in rural and semi-urban areas.
iii.SMHFCL provides secured housing loans to low-income rural and urban families, loans against property, and loans to corporations/institutions for construction and real estate projects.
CCI approves interest acquisition in BW Coal Mine by NS Blackwater and JFE Steel
In February 2025, the CCI approved the acquisition of a combined 30% interest in Queensland, (Australia) based Blackwater (BW) Coal Mine by NS Blackwater Proprietary Limited, an Australian subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Steel (NS) Corporation and JFE Steel Australia (BW) Pty Limited, a subsidiary of JFE Holdings, Inc
- Under the approved deal, NS Blackwater will acquire a 20% interest, while JFE Steel BW will take a 10% interest in the BW Coal Mine, an open-cut mining operation in Queensland, Australia.
Key Point:
i.NS Blackwater and JFE Steel BW are newly formed special-purpose vehicles created for the proposed combination, while BW Coal Mine imports and supplies coking coal.
ii.The acquisition aligns with India’s growing demand for high-quality coking coal, a key raw material in steel production.
About Competition Commission of India(CCI):
It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.
Chairman – Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 2003
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Day of Social Justice 2025 – February 20 
The United Nations (UN’s) World Day of Social Justice is observed annually on February 20 across the globe to highlight the importance of social justice worldwide.
- This day raises awareness about critical issues such as poverty alleviation, employment, gender equality, and access to essential services like education, healthcare, and social services.
- The theme for World Day of Social Justice 2025: “Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future” focusing on the importance of inclusive policies and social protection in addressing systematic inequality.
Background:
i.On November 26, 2007, during its 62nd session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/62/10, declaring February 20th of each year as World Day of Social Justice, starting from the 63rd session of the UNGA.
ii.The first-ever World Day of Social Justice was observed on February 20, 2009.
About International Labor Organization (ILO):
Director-General (DG)– Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo (Togo)
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established– 1919
>> Read Full News
STATE NEWS
2nd edition of Simolu Festival held in Assam
The 2nd edition of the Simolu Festival, a vibrant celebration of the stunning Bombax Ceiba flowers, was held from February 15 to 16, 2025, in Nagaon, Assam. This festival celebrates nature, culture, and community, attracting nature enthusiasts, cyclists, and culture lovers to enjoy the beautiful simolu track.
- The Simolu Festival revolves around the majestic Bombax Ceiba trees, also known as Simul or Silk Cotton trees, which burst into bloom with striking red flowers.
- A central theme of the Simolu Festival is fostering a deeper understanding of the environment, especially among young people.
i.The two-day event was organised by Nagaon Wildlife Division under Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve(Assam), showcased the region’s rich cultural heritage through traditional performances, ethnic cuisine, and community activities.
ii.The festival included a 20 kilometer(km) cyclothon and a nature orientation program for school students.
iii.The event also highlights the importance of preserving Assam’s biodiversity, which is under threat from various environmental challenges.
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