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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Overview of PM of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay’s visit to India from February 20 to 21, 2025
The Prime Minister (PM) of Bhutan His Excellency (HE) Dasho Tshering Tobgay visited India from February 20 to 21, 2025 to participate in the inaugural ‘Leadership Conclave of the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL)’and to deepen the unique and historical partnership.
- During his visit, he held bilateral meetings with PM of India Narendra Modi, reinforcing the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two nations.
i.On February 21 2025, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the inaugural ‘SOUL Leadership Conclave 2025’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi (Delhi).
- PM of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, graced the event and delivered the keynote address as the Guest of Honor.
ii.The two-day SOUL Leadership Conclave, from February 21 to 22, 2025 was a premier platform for leaders across diverse fields, including politics, sports, arts, media, spirituality, public policy, business, and social sectors, to share their inspiring journeys and discuss leadership insights.
About Bhutan:
Prime Minister (PM)- Dasho Tshering Tobgay
Capital- Thimphu
Currency- Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
>> Read Full News
PM Narendra Modi Released 19th Installment of PM-KISAN Scheme in Bihar
On February 24 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi released the 19th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
- With the release of the 19th installment, more than 9.8 crore farmers including 2.41 crore female farmers across the country are estimated to benefit from the scheme and will receive the direct financial assistance exceeding Rs 22, 000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
i.It is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) launched in 2019 and is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW).
ii.In February 2025, Ministry of Finance (MoF) allocated Rs 63,500 crore for the scheme in the Union Budget for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) which is same as estimated for FY25.
About Bihar:
Chief Minister (CM)- Nitish Kumar
Governor- Arif Mohammed Khan
Capital- Patna
National Park (NP)- Valmiki National Park
>> Read Full News
Ministry of AYUSH Felicitated Ayurveda Stalwarts with ‘National Dhanwantri Ayurveda Awards’
In February 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) bestowed the prestigious ‘National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards’ for 2025 on 3 distinguished practitioners in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of traditional Indian medicine.
- The awardees for National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 include Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal and Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni.
- The awards were conferred by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao,Ministry of AYUSH and MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) to the 3 recipients of the award during an event held at Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Winners of National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025:
i.Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, known for his mastery as a Nadi Vaidya, is also an distinguished author.
ii.Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal , eminent scholar of Dravyaguna Vigyana with over 60 years of service. He was also honoured with the Vanoushadi Vanaspati and Lifetime Achievement Awards which further consolidates his legacy in raising Ayurveda’s stature worldwide.
iii.Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni, founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference and Vishwa Ayurveda Prabodhini. He has an experience of over 40 years in the field of Ayurveda.
About National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards :
i.The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award is instituted by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India(GoI). These awards were conceptualised to recognise the stalwarts who have dedicated their lives to Ayurveda.
ii.Each awardee receives a citation, a trophy featuring the Statue of Lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
iii.These awards reflects India’s commitment to promoting holistic healthcare while preserving traditional medical knowledge.
About Ministry of AYUSH:
Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC)– Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao (Constituency- Buldhana, Maharashtra)
CAG & IIT Madras Signed Two MoUs to Enhance Data Analytic Skills
On 24 February 2025, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to improve innovation, enhance data analytic skills, and support technology-driven governance practices.
- The key focus areas of the MoU are data governance and security, big data and digital infrastructure readiness, academic and research collaboration, advanced auditing practices, sustainability and governance, and joint research and development initiatives.
Key Points:
i.The first MoU focuses on two critical fields: cyber security and updating manuals and protocols by developing guidelines for auditing digital data to enhance security measures and governance.
ii.The second MoU was signed between IIT Madras and the International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development (ICED), Jaipur, Rajasthan to work together on capacity building and research in Environment Audit and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
iii.This collaboration will make use of Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other technology developments to increase the efficacy of these auditing domains.
iv.The partnership will improve the efficacy and efficiency of the audit process by combining the resources and experience of both organizations.
About Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG):
Comptroller and Auditor General(CAG) – K Sanjay Murthy
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established -1858
President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates National Tribal Festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav 2025’
The National Tribal Festival 2025 known as Aadi Mahotsav 2025, a flagship initiative organized by Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), was inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi (Delhi).
- The festival, held from February 16 to 24, 2025 focused on empowering Tribal Communities through Culture and Commerce by providing them with an extensive marketplace to promote their products and reach modern consumers.
- The 2025 festival’s theme : “A Celebration of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, Tribal Craft, Culture, Cuisine, and Commerce,” embodies the essence of tribal life.
TRIFED Signs Multiple Strategic MoUs:
i.During the Aadi Mahotsav, TRIFED signed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Tea Trunk, a Goa-based premium tea brand, Meesho, an Indian electronic (e)-commerce company based in Bengaluru (Karnataka), the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) based in Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) located in Wardha (Maharashtra) to support tribal businesses.
ii.TRIFED also signed MoUs with Reliance Retail Limited based in Mumbai (Maharashtra), Hindustan Computers Limited Foundation (HCLF) based in Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP), and Torajamelo based in Indonesia, aiming to implement the Business-to-Business (B2B) approach and enhance the tribal product market.
About Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA):
Union Minister– Jual Oram (Constituency- Sundargarh, Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)– Durgadas Uikey (Constituency- Betul, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
>> Read Full News
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Regional Dialogue on Social Justice in New Delhi
On 24 February 2025, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour and Employment(MoL&E); Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS) inaugurated the two-day Regional Dialogue on Social Justice and the 74th Foundation Day of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Union Minister of State(MoS) Shobha Karandlaje, MoL&E; Sumita Dawra, Secretary, MoL&E and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General(DG) of International Labour Organization (ILO) were also present at the event.
i.The Global Coalition for Social Justice, launched by the ILO in November 2023, has already garnered 336 partners, including 90 governments, to promote policy coherence and action for advancing social justice globally.
- During the event, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), India’s largest workers’ association, joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice. BMS, alongside the Confederation of Indian Industry-Employers’ Federation of India (CII-EFI), presented a Joint Statement on Responsible Business Conduct.
ii.Several key publications were launched during the event, including Best Practices on Responsible Business Conduct in India, Position Paper on Transforming India’s Social Protection Landscape through Data Pooling, and Shram Samarth: A Journey to Excellence. Additionally, an exhibition demonstrated the use of technology in labour welfare, social security, and industrial safety.
iii.The event commemorated the 74th Foundation Day of the ESIC, with an award ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements within its organization.
Note: According to the World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024, India’s social protection increased from 24.4% to 48.8% .
About Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC):
Director General(DG) – Ashok Kumar Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1952
Security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ was conducted by ICG in WB
In February 2025, a two-day coastal security exercise, ‘Sagar Kavach’, conducted in West Bengal(WB). The exercise was coordinated by Kolkata(WB) based Coast Guard Region(North East, NE). The State Coastal Security Operation Centre (SCSOC) at Headquarters Coast Guard District No. 8, Haldia was the nerve centre for the exercise.
- The drill validated coastal security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the 158 kilometre(km) coastline.
i.The exercise witnessed simulated scenarios included hijacking of fishing boats, smuggling, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planting, and attacks on vital assets.
ii.The exercise also featured coordinated sea and air surveillance by the Indian Coast Guard(ICG) to enhance readiness against terror threats.
Indian Navy Hands Over INS Guldar to MTDC for Underwater Museum and Artificial Reef
In February 2025, the Indian Navy (IN) handed over an Indian Naval Ship (INS) Guldar, Landing Ship Tank, to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) at Karwar, Maharashtra on an ‘as is where is’ basis for conversion into India’s first underwater museum and artificial reef.
- The MTDC has taken the ship under their charge to convert it into an underwater museum and artificial reef near the Nivati Rocks, off the coast of Vengurla in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra.
i.The conversion process will include a complete cleaning of the ship to remove any potential pollutants or hazardous materials ensuring environmental approvals as per guidelines.
ii.The INS Guldar was built at Gdynia Shipyard, Poland, and was commissioned into the IN in 1985.
iii.The ship was assigned to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from 1985 to 1995. Then it was transferred to the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), where it remained until its decommissioning in 2024.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates Prakriti 2025 Conference
On 24 February 2025, Union Minister Manohar Lal, Ministry of Power (MoP) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) inaugurated the Prakriti 2025, an international conference on carbon markets, held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The conference was organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under MoP.
- The conference aimed to raise awareness, knowledge, and resources to drive transformational climate initiatives and promote a sustainable, low-carbon future.
i.Union Minister Manohar Lal highlighted the significance of switching to renewable energy (RE) to minimize dependence on fossil fuels and achieve emissions targets.
ii.He also highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage and traditional practices, such as Ganga Deep Puja and Govardhan Puja, which reflect India’s deep-rooted ecological sensitivity and are complementary to modern sustainability efforts.
iii.Carbon reduction targets will be implemented gradually as part of the compliance mechanism, with a 40% reduction by 2027 and the remaining by 2030.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
6th Edition of India-Japan Joint Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ Begins in Japan
On 24th February 2025, the 6th edition of the India-Japan joint military exercise, ‘Dharma Guardian,’ began at the East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area in Japan.
- The exercise is scheduled from 24th February to 9th March 2025.
- The exercise aims to boost interoperability between India and Japan while focusing on joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations (UN) mandate.
Background:
i.Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN is an annual event conducted, since 2008, alternatively in India and Japan.
ii.The 5th edition of the exercise was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, India, from February to March 2024.
About Dharma Guardian Exercise 2025:
i.Participants: The exercise is held between the Indian Army (IA) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).
- The Indian contingent, consisting of 120 personnel, is represented by a battalion of the MADRAS Regiment along with troops from other arms and services.
- The Japanese contingent, also consisting of 120 personnel, is made up of troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment.
ii.Aim: It strengthens the India-Japan relationship, boosting military ties and promoting cultural understanding for regional cooperation.
iii.Focus: The exercise will focus on physical fitness, joint planning, and tactical drills, including disaster response strategies to enhance skills, combat readiness, and teamwork for effective operations.
iv.It also highlights India’s and Japan’s shared commitment to regional security, peace, and stability, while promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Other Exercises:
India and Japan also conducts other military exercises such as
i.Japan-India Maritime Exercise(JIMEX):
- A bilateral military exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).
- The 8th edition of JIMEX was held in Japan in June 2024.
ii.Veer Guardian:
- A joint air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
- The 1st edition of Veer Guardian was held in Japan in January 2023.
About Japan:
Prime Minister (PM) – Shigeru Ishiba
Capital – Tokyo
Currency – Japanese Yen (JPY)
BANKING & FINANCE
South Indian Bank Launches ‘SIB QUICKPL’, a Fully Digital Personal Loan Platform
On 24 February 2025, Thrissur (Kerala) based Private sector lender South Indian Bank Limited (SIB) launched “SIB QUICKPL”, a fully Digital Personal Loan platform designed exclusively for new customers.
- The innovative platform allows both salaried and self-employed persons with good credit profiles to obtain unsecured personal loans in only 10 minutes via a fully digital, paperless process, with the funds credited to a savings account with any bank in India.
About SIB QUICKPL:
i.SIB QUICKPL has been integrated with the Account Aggregator(AA) framework and the Income Tax portal to provide instant verification.
ii.There is no need to upload any documents, and the applicant’s savings account is immediately credited with the accepted loan amount.
iii.This platform ensures quick, transparent, and customer-friendly financing options customized to the modern Indian’s dynamic lifestyle.
About South Indian Bank Limited (SIB):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – P.R. Seshadri
Headquarters – Thrissur, Kerala
Established – 1929
Tagline – Experience Next Generation Banking
RBI Launched Financial Literacy Week 2025 to Focus on Women’s Prosperity
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based India’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched the Financial Literacy Week (FLW 2025) which commenced on February 24, 2025 and will be observed till February 28, 2025 across India.
- FLW 2025 was inaugurated by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Theme of FLW 2025: ‘Financial Literacy – Women’s prosperity’. This year’s theme of FLW is in alignment with the overall strategic objectives of the National Strategy for Financial Education 2020-2025.
About Financial Literacy Week 225(FLW 2025):
i.This initiative was launched by RBI in 2016 and since then, it has been observed annually across the country to promote financial awareness among the people.
ii.As part of the FLW 2025, the banks have been directed to spread awareness about financial literacy by displaying RBI-developed posters on their respective web portals, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mobile applications (apps), and display boards at their branches.
iii.The campaign will cover topics such as risk diversification, responsible borrowing, maintaining a good credit score and household budgeting and will have special focus on homemakers, working women and women entrepreneurs.
iii.As part of this year’s FLW, RBI has planned multimedia campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy for women.
Recent Related News:
In January 2025, RBI approved the establishment of National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Cooperation (NUCFDC) as an Umbrella Organisation (UO) to boost Urban Co-operative Bodies (UCBs) across India. It has also approved NUCFDC to function as a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC).
- Earlier, Union Minister Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) inaugurated the corporate office of the NUCFDC during the inaugural function of International Year of Cooperatives 2025 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
RBI revises some lending norms for UCBs
On February 24 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised the norms for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), allowing them to classify loans of up to Rs 25 lakh, or 0.4% of Tier I capital, whichever is higher, as small-value loans, subject to a ceiling of Rs 3 crore per borrower.
- Earlier, UCBs could classify loans of up to Rs 25 lakh, or 0.2% of Tier I capital, as small-value loans, subject to a ceiling of Rs 1 crore per borrower.
Real Estate Exposure: Balancing Risk and Flexibility:
Old Norms:
- Aggregate exposure to real estate (including housing, commercial) capped at 10% of total assets.
- Could exceed by 5% only for priority-sector housing loans.
New Norms:
- Priority Sector Exclusion: Housing loans under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) excluded from commercial real estate (CRE) exposure.
- Revised Caps:
- Residential mortgages (non-PSL): Up to 25% of total loans (vs. 10% earlier).
- Real estate (excluding housing loans): Capped at 5% of total loans.
- Builder/developer loans: Limited to 5% of total loans.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
S&P Global Market Intelligence Projects India’s GDP to Grow at 6.4% in FY25 and FY26
In February 2025, New York (the United States of America, USA)-based S&P Global Market Intelligence projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at 6.4% for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) as well as for FY26. It has cited that monetary and fiscal stimulus will help the Indian economy to tackle rising challenges in the global market.
- The global analytics firm’s latest projection for the Indian economy for FY25 is slightly less than its previous estimate of 6.5%, while it has retained its December update projection for FY26 at 6.4%.
i.The global firm has projected India’s GDP will further slow to 6.2% in FY27 and is expected to increase to 6.6% in FY28.
ii.The firm highlighted that tax relief measures announced by Ministry of Finance (MoF) in Union Budget for FY25, along with the 25 basis point (bps) policy rate reduction by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in February 2025, should support domestic demand in FY25 but will be not sufficient to fully offset the effects of external headwinds on growth.
MP Govt & SECI signs MoU for 200 MW Solar Project at Dhar
In February 2025, the Government of Madhya Pradesh(MP) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Delhi(Delhi) based Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU)under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy(MNRE), to set up a 200 Mega Watt (MW) solar project in Dhar(MP) and a 1000 Mega Watt hour (MWh) battery storage project.
- The agreement was signed by Sivakumar V Vepakomma, Director (Power Systems) SECI and MP State Minister Manu Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, NRE, during the Global Investors Summit 2025, organised by the MP Government, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi in Bhopal(MP).
i.The solar project is part of a 500 MW agreement with Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) under the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme for 25 years.
ii.SECI also plans Rs 2,500 crore investment for Renewable Energy(RE) development in MP.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
ACC Approved Extension of Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi’s Tenure as DCGI by 1 Year
In February 2025, the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved an extension of tenure for Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) head of India’s apex health regulatory body i.e. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on a contract basis for 1 year.
- This extension will come into effect from March 1, 2025, or until the appointment of a regular incumbent to the post, whichever is earlier.
- This approval came after the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) proposed his name to the ACC as DCGI until a suitable candidate is found.
i.Raghuvanshi, who has been serving as DCGI since February 2023, was set to superannuate on February 28, 2025.
ii.He also holds the additional charge of secretary-cum-scientific director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), MoH&FW.
ii.Earlier, he worked with reputed multi-national companies such as Gurugram (Haryana)-based Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited and Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited (DRL).
Note: New Delhi (Delhi)-based CDSCO, under MoH&FW, is a regulatory body primarily responsible for manufacturing, sales, export, and import of all medicines, vaccines, cosmetics, and medical devices in India.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
First Detailed Geological Map of Moon’s South Pole from Chandrayaan Data
In February 2025, Astronomers generated the first-ever detailed geological map of the Moon’s south pole, where India’s Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, landed on 23 August 2023.
- The map was developed by researchers from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Panjab University in Chandigarh, and the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Data was collected from the rover Pragyan, launched by Vikram on a nine-day mission to analyze the chemical composition of the regolith, the loose rock fragments, and dust that cover the lunar surface.
- The new map of Vikram’s landing site was published in the journal Advances in Space Research.
Key Findings:
i.The geological data from the mission has confirmed that the Moon provides an underground ocean of molten rock or primordial magma.
- The previous missions such as the United States of America(USA) uncrewed Surveyor spacecraft, the crewed Apollo moonshots, and the robotic Russian Luna and Chinese Chang’e 3 probes, indicated the presence of such a sea of lava beneath the lunar surface.
ii.The Pragyan rover’s Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer had identified magma beneath the landing site. This suggested that the ancient ocean of molten lava covered the entire moon.
iii.The researchers identified the Schomberger crater as the primary source of the debris covering the Chandrayaan-3 landing zone.
iv.The scientists used the map to determine that the area was 3.7 billion years old, which is around the time the earliest evidence of microbial life appeared on Earth.
Point to Note:
- The South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the oldest of these craters and one of the biggest impact craters in the Solar System, was near where the Vikram lander had landed.
- Astronomers believe that around 4.5 billion years ago, a massive planetary rock collided with the young earth which led to the formation of the moon.
SPORTS
2025 Archery Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament, Stage I: India Tops Medal Tally With 5 Gold Medals
India concluded the ‘2025 Archery Asia Cup-World Ranking Tournament, Stage I’ organized by World Archery Asia (WAA), held from February 16 to 23, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Indian Archers topped the medal tally with an outstanding performance of securing 8 medals in the competition including 5 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze.
- South Korea finished second in the medal tally with 5 medals, including 2 gold.
- India set a new Under-21World Record by scoring 2129 in Men’s Compound Team .
Highlights:
i.Vishnu Choudhary claimed 2 gold in both the Men’s Individual and Men’s Team in the Recurve category.
ii.Kushal Dalal, claimed 2 gold in both the ‘Men’s Compound Team’ and ‘Men’s Compound Individual’.
iii.Basanti Mahato earned a gold in the ‘Women’s Recurve’, by defeating Fong You Jhu of Chinese Taipei after a remarkable comeback from 0-4 down to win 6-4.
iv.Vishnu Choudharysecured a silver medal in the ‘Mixed Team Recurve’ with women’s individual champion Basanti Mahato, where they lost to China 6-0 in the final. Chinese Taipei secured the bronze.
v.The ‘Women’s Compound Team’, comprising Avneet Kaur, Madhuravarshini Muruganantham, Chikitha Taniparth, earned bronze after a shoot-off victory against Iran. South Korea claimed gold, and Kazakhstan secured silver.
>> Read Full News
IOA Appoints Ad-Hoc Committee to Oversee Indian Boxing After BFI
On February 24, 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) replaced New Delhi(Delhi) based the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) with an ad-hoc committee following ongoing administrative instability within the federation.
- The ad-hoc committee, led by Madhukant Pathak, General Secretary of the Jharkhand Olympic Association as Chairman; Rajesh Bhandari, BFI Vice-President (VP) as Vice-Chairman (VC), along with boxing officials Dr. D.P. Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and boxer Shiva Thapa.
i.The decision was made because the tenure of the BFI office-bearers, including Ajay Singh as president, ended on February 2, 2025, but elections were not conducted.
ii.The IOA also cited “numerous complaints” from athletes, coaches, and relevant authorities about the non-participation of Indian boxers in several important national and international events including no medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (France).
iii.The ad-hoc committee will manage the affairs of the BFI and ensure the “smooth functioning of its activities” until free and fair elections are conducted.
iv.The committee will promptly address the grievances raised by the boxing community, ensure athlete participation in upcoming international competitions, and work towards conducting the elections as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Asperger’s Day 2025 – February 18
International Asperger’s Day is observed globally on 18th February to raise awareness about the importance of Asperger syndrome for individuals and the community. Which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.
- Asperger syndrome is a developmental disorder that is considered part of the autism spectrum. It primarily affects a person’s ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others.
i.On this day, the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NIEPID) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) of the Government of India (GoI), organized various programs at its national and regional centres to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome.
ii.The National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD) in Kolkata (West Bengal, WB), hosted a webinar on “Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome: Insights, Challenges, and Support Strategies.”
iii.The Composite Regional Centre (CRC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) organized an awareness program at the Jammu College of Physiotherapy in J&K to educate students and faculty members about the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome.
iv.The CRC in Nagpur (Maharashtra) organized a webinar on “Understanding and Supporting Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome”, while the CRC in Jaipur (Rajasthan) conducted a virtual webinar on the challenges of Asperger’s Syndrome and effective support strategies.
v.The CRC in Guwahati (Assam) organized a special event featuring the screening of a documentary on Asperger’s Syndrome, providing participants with a visual and educational insight into the condition.
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