till 7 February '25 Flashcards
1
Q
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the _____ National Games at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
in Dehradun, Uttarakhand while celebrating 25 years of the formation of the state.
- The National Games 2025 will be held in 11 cities across 8 districts of Uttarakhand from 28th January to 14th February 2025.
- The theme for the National Games 2025 is ‘Green Games’ with an aim to focus on sustainability.
ii.The tournament will witness the participation of more than 10,000 athletes from 36 states and one union
territory.
iii.Competitions will be held for a total of 35 sports disciplines over the period of 17 days. - Out of the total sport events, medals will be awarded for 33 sports, while two will be exhibition
sports.
iv. ____ and ____ have been included in the National Games for the first time
A
38th ; Yoga and Mallakhamb
A special park, called the Sports Forest, is developed near the venue, for planting more than 10,000 saplings by athletes and guests.
- Moreover, the medals and certificates awarded are made from environmentally friendly and
biodegradable materials.
Note: The 37th National Games was held in 2023 at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa
2
Q
About Odisha:
Chief Minister(CM)-
Governor–
Capital– Bhubaneswar
Tiger Reserve –
A
Mohan Charan Majhi
Hari Babu Kambhampati
Similipal Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Tiger Reserve
3
Q
About Uttarakhand:
Chief Minister(CM)-
Governor–
Capitals–
Tiger Reserve–
A
Pushkar Singh Dhami
Gurmit Singh
Dehradun (Winter), Bhararisen (Summer)
Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rajaji Tiger Reserve
4
Q
During the meeting (National level conference with Labour Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories), Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched two significant initiatives during the conference : _____ and ________ and under the e-Shram initiative.
State & UT Microsites:
i. The e-Shram Microsites are state-specific digital platforms which are combined with the national e-Shram database which will simplify the registration of unorganized workers through the two-way integration
between State portals and the eShram portals. * This will also provide access to both Central and State welfare programs for unorganized workers, employment opportunities, skilling programmes, etc.
ii. The microsites will provide a ready-to-use digital infrastructure to the states/UTs replacing the need for costly and lengthy development processes. * The real-time analytic dashboards will help in better policy decision-making and would provide
state-specific tools for their labor market requirements.
iii. The platforms are available in different languages for easy access to workers from different regions
A
State & UT Microsites ; Occupational Shortage Index (OSI)
Occupational Shortage Index (OSI):
i. The Occupational Shortage Index (OSI) has been launched with an aim to match labour market demand and supply and to increase employment in India.
ii. The index is based upon International Labour Organization (ILO) methodology and quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data that provides factual data of occupations falling short of employees which matches job seekers’ skills with industry demands
iii. It also supports policymakers, training institutions, and businesses in effective decision making in workforce planning and skill development initiatives, improving job matching and guiding State governments and employers to create specific skill development programs.
5
Q
the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), in collaboration with the New Delhi (Delhi) based Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), launched Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative designed to help Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) join ONDC
The initiative with a budget of ______ over ____ years, aims to onboard 5 lakh micro and small enterprises, 50% of these being women-led businesses.
* The initiative seeks to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt digital commerce and enhance their market reach.
A
Rs.277.35 crore ; 3
6
Q
About Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME):
Union Minister–
(Constituency: Gaya (Lok Sabha), Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS)– Shobha Karandlaje
A
Jitan Ram Manjhi
7
Q
About Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC):
ONDC is a public technology initiative launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) aimed at promoting a decentralized open electronic (e)-commerce model.
Non-Executive Chairperson– _____
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- _____
A
Ram Sewak Sharma ; 2021
8
Q
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, has introduced India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng district of ______ at the North Eastern Region (NER) State Meet- 2025, held in Guwahati, Assam.
- National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) is a key stakeholder in developing the fisheries and aquaculture organic cluster.
A
Sikkim
- This initiative focuses on encouraging fish farming using organic methods, avoiding harmful chemicals, and supporting eco-friendly practices.
- These projects aim to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also launched 50 new projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total cost of Rs 50 crores covering all North Eastern Region states except Arunachal Pradesh (AR) and Mizoram.
- In 2016, Sikkim was officially certified as India’s first fully organic state.
9
Q
the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that _____ has successfully eradicated the gambiense form of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health issue
A
Guinea
- HAT present in Guinea has become the 1st Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) to be eradicated in the country.
- The achievement comes just ahead of the global observance of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) on January 30, 2025
10
Q
an Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader ______ was appointed interim president of Syria after the ‘The Conference for Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution’ event in Damascus, Syria. He succeeds former Syrian Ba’ath Party leader Bashar al-Assad whose government fell on December 8, 2024, ending his nearly 14-year struggle to retain power
A
Ahmed al-Sharaa
11
Q
_____ won International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship trophy 2022-2025. The country secured the championship for the third consecutive time.
- This was the 3rd edition of the ICC Women’s Championship. Each Team has to play 3 One Day International (ODI) matches against all other teams. At the end of the cycle, Team which secured
top position will be awarded.
A
Australia
12
Q
The official logo and mascot of the 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 were unveiled in an event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
A
The logo includes elements that symbolize the dynamic nature of para athletics and the inclusive spirit of the event.
* The logo highlights the championship’s core values of empowerment and equality.
The mascot is an elephant, representing strength and determination.
* The mascot, an elephant, symbolizes resilience, reflecting the unwavering spirit of para-athletes
13
Q
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM)-
Governor–
Capital– Chennai
Tiger Reserves -
A
Muthuvel Karunanidhi (MK) Stalin
Ravindra Narayana Ravi
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Anamalai Tiger Reserve
14
Q
_________, the American long jump legend and the world’s oldest living Olympic gold medalist in athletics, passed away at the age of 94 in Indiana, the United States of
America (USA). He was born on November 7, 1930, in Indiana.
A
Gregory Curtis Bell (Greg Bell)
15
Q
the Data Informatics and Innovation Division (DIID), Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation (MoSPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ______ under the Data Innovation Lab (DIL)
initiative to modernize India’s National Statistical System (NSS).
A
Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi)
- This partnership aims to connect government and academia to bring fresh ideas into India’s
statistical system, using academic expertise to solve real-world challenges.
16
Q
the World Health Organization (WHO) declared ____ as the 1st African country to
achieve the elimination of Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness.
A
Niger
Niger’s success marks the 2nd time the country has eliminated a Neglected Tropical Disease
(NTD), having been certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission in 2013.
- Niger joins 4 other countries: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Mexico (2015) and Guatemala
(2016) that have been verified by the WHO for eliminating onchocerciasis.
Note: As of December 2024, 54 countries worldwide had successfully eliminated at least one NTD. WHO’s goal is to see 100 countries eliminate at least one NTD by 2030.
17
Q
State Bank of India (SBI’s) Economic Research Department (ERD) report, new investment announcements in India surged by a robust ____ Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y), to over Rs 32 lakh crore in the first 9 Months (April –December) of Financial Year 2024-25 (9MFY25) from Rs 23 lakh crore during the same period in the last year. This growth reflects the sustained momentum in investment activities across India.
- It also highlighted that domestic investment announcements in India during the last two FYs
(FY23 and FY24) have witnessed a significant increase of Rs 37 lakh crore.
A
39%
18
Q
Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Garuda Aerospace Private Limited, leading drone manufacturing company in India, pledged to invest _____ for the development of India’s 1st ‘Drone City’ in Andhra Pradesh (AP). The proposed drone city will be established in Orvakal village of Kurnool
district of AP.
- The announcement came during a strategic meeting held between Agnishwar Jayaprakash,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Garuda Aerospace and Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
A
Rs 100 crore
19
Q
the Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh based _____
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Tiruchirapalli District Tiny & Small Scale
Industries Association (TIDITSSIA) to foster mutual cooperation and support local industries.
A
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
- The signing ceremony was attended by Pyda Rama Krishna, Assistant General Manager (AGM)
of SIDBI, J.P. Jagadish, Branch Manager of SIDBI, P. Rajappa, President of TIDITSSIA, along with
other dignitaries.
i. Under the MoU, SIDBI will conduct capacity-building training for selected office-bearers and staff of TIDITSSIA, offer support to the association’s members, and organize buyer-seller meetings.
ii. It supports around 450 members in securing business loans at an interest rate approximately 1% lower than that offered by other financial institutions
20
Q
_______ won the Best International Cricketer of the Year (also called the
Polly Umrigar Award) 2023-24 in the Men’s category, and
_________ won the Best International
Cricketer of the Year 2023-24 in the Women ’s category at the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) Awards 2025 (Naman Awards)
A
Jasprit Bumrah ;
Smriti Mandhana
- Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, fondly called the “God of Cricket” or “Master Blaster,”
was presented with the Colonel CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award of the Year 2024
21
Q
the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of a
1992-batch senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Rajasthan cadre _______ as the Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
A
Rajesh Nirwan
22
Q
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s astronaut and the fighter pilot of Indian Air
Force (IAF), Group Captain ______, has been named the pilot for Axiom Mission 4(Ax-4), a
private spaceflight for International Space Station (ISS).
- With this announcement, he will become the 1st Indian astronaut to go to the ISS on a private mission and also the 1st Indian to go to space in the last 40 years.
A
Shubhanshu Shukla
23
Q
1st February
A
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Day is celebrated annually on 1st February across India to commemorate the
establishment of the ICG, India’s maritime armed force under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- 1st February 2025 marks the observance of 49th Raising Day of the ICG.
- The day honours the crucial role of the ICG in safeguarding India’s coastlines and enforcing
maritime laws.
24
Q
February 1 - 7
A
The United Nations (UN’s) World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) is observed annually across the globe
during the first week of February (1-7) to promote peace, tolerance, and nonviolence among people of all faiths.
WIHW 2025 is observed from 1-7 February 2025.
* WIHW promotes the shared values of “Love of God and Love of the Neighbor” or “Love of the
Good and Love of the Neighbor.” Its message is inclusive, open to all, and entirely voluntary
25
the Gujarat Biodiversity Board (GBB), under the Forest and Environment Department of the Government of Gujarat, declared the ______ in Guneri village, Lakhpat taluka, Kutch District , as the **first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) of Gujarat.**
Inland Mangrove Guneri
This initiative aims to protect a unique mangrove ecosystem that grows in a non tidal environment, boosting the region’s ecological value.
- to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the region’s flora and fauna
26
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) announced the inclusion of four new wetlands from India in Ramsar Convention list, bringing the total number of internationally recognized Ramsar sites in India to _____
Globally, there are **2,529** Ramsar wetlands. Wetlands are unique ecosystems that play a crucial role in supporting diverse species of plants and wildlife, both aquatic and terrestrial
**89**
The newly added sites are
1. the Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and
2. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu (TN),
3. Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim, and
4. Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand.
This also marks the first Ramsar sites for both Sikkim and Jharkhand.
* Tamil Nadu now has 20 Ramsar sites, the highest number in India, followed by Uttar Pradesh
(UP) with 10
27
_____ in collaboration with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched **‘AgriHub’**, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Centre of Excellence (CoE) to foster technological innovation, startup incubation, and industry collaboration in agritech sector.
Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT-I), Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
- The CoE will utilize AI, Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) which will help in
addressing the critical agricultural challenges such as: drought, floods, and low productivity and
will also promote sustainable agriculture in India.
* It is supported by the MP government, ICAR-IISR Indore(MP), ICAR-CIAE Bhopal(MP), and C-DAC
Pune(Maharashtra)
28
the senior military officers observed the ________, joint operations aboard several Indian Navy Ship (INS) to witness the operations and readiness of Indian armed forces : Indian Navy (IN), the Indian Army (IA), and the Indian Air Force (IAF), in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The exercise was held for 2 days from January 30-31, 2025
Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX-2025)
- TROPEX is the Indian Navy’s (IN) largest exercise, held every two years, to improve coordination among the armed forces and to test readiness in case of threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- The previous exercise, TROPEX 23 involved extensive operational activities, including coastal defence operations (Sea Vigil) and amphibious maneuvers (AMPHEX)
29
Elon Musk owned social media platform, X Corp (formerly known as Twitter, Inc.), a wholly owned subsidiary of X Holdings Corp, unveiled its **1st Digital Wallet**, peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service ______ in partnership with Visitors International Stay Admission (VISA), to launch a real-time payment system aiming to create an “everything application (app).”
‘X Money’
* VISA, one of the largest United States of America (USA) credit card networks, will be the 1st partner for X’s Money Account service, set to launch later in 2025.
i. The company will utilize Visa Direct, Visa’s real-time money transfer solution, to fund X Money’s wallet,
link to a debit card for payments to other users, and facilitate smooth transfers back to your bank account.
ii. X Money will enable users to transfer funds instantly to their bank accounts through Visa Direct.
30
Mumbai (Maharashtra)- based Avaada Group partnered with Casale, a company fully owned by Casale Holding and headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, to develop **India’s largest green ammonia plant** in ______.
Gopalpur, Odisha
* This project will help India transition away from fossil fuel-based ammonia production, aligning with the country’s net-zero emission commitments.
i. The facility will have a production capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day (TPD) and aims to drive clean energy adoption, reduce carbon emissions, and support sustainable industrial growth.
ii. Casale will provide the Green Ammonia Process License, engineering designs, key equipment, and technical expertise to establish the facility.
iii. Casale had licensed a total green ammonia capacity of 5,700 metric tonnes per day (MTD) in India till now.
31
England (The United Kingdom, UK) based the University of Sussex awarded an honorary doctorate to _____, a prominent business leader from the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Tata Group and a distinguished alumnus of the university, for his exceptional contribution to global business leadership
Noel Naval Tata
32
the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted three consecutive flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of _____
Odisha
- These tests were conducted against high-speed targets flying at very low altitude.
33
the Indian Navy (IN) launched its 9th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, named ______, at M/s Suryadipta Projects Private Limited in Thane, Maharashtra.
The launching ceremony was presided over by Commodore (Cmde) Rakesh Anand (Retd.), Group Head of Marine Division
Landing Ship Ammunition 23 (LSAM 23) (Yard 133)
34
the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) based in Tokyo, Japan launched the ______, a navigation satellite aboard its H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. This launch marks Japan’s first satellite launch of 2025 and the fourth consecutive successful launch for the H3, reinforcing its role as Japan’s new flagship launch vehicle.
‘Michibiki 6’
35
an Indian-origin astronaut from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Sunita “Suni” Williams set a new record for the longest total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, reaching ______. This milestone was achieved during the 92nd United States of America (USA) spacewalk.
i. The spacewalk was part of **Expedition 72**, which began on September 23, 2024.
ii. This marked her ninth spacewalk, breaking the previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes held by former astronaut Peggy Whitson.
iii. During this spacewalk, Sunita Williams, along with her mission partner Butch Wilmore, performed maintenance on the International Space Station (ISS) and collected material samples from the Destiny laboratory and Quest airlock for scientific analysis
62 hours and 6 minutes
36
____ won the 2nd edition of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 (U19) Women’s T20 (Twenty 20) World Cup 2025 for the 2nd consecutive time by defeating South Africa with 9 wickets in the final at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia
India
- India’s women cricket team was led by captain Niki Prasad and South Africa’s women cricket
team was led by captain Kayla Reyneke
37
Indian Chess Grandmaster _____ won the **‘Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025’** trophy by defeating World Chess Champion of 2024, D Gukesh in the tiebreaker held in Wijk aan Zee,
Netherlands.
* With this victory, he became the 1st Indian Chess player since Viswanathan Anand in 2006 to win the Tata Steel Masters title.
* He previously reached a career-high World Ranking of 8 in July 2024 and was a runner-up at the Chess World Cup 2023, where he lost to Magnus Carlsen in the final.
R Praggnanandhaa
38
February 2
The United Nations (UN’s) World Wetlands Day is observed annually on February 2 across the globe to raise awareness about the critical role wetlands play in supporting both people and the planet.
* The day commemorates the Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance (Ramsar Convention), an intergovernmental treaty signed on 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran along the shores of the Caspian Sea.
The theme for World Wetlands Day 2025, **“Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.**
The theme highlights the urgent need to protect wetlands for the benefit of all people for future
generations
- The first UN-recognized World Wetlands Day was observed on February 2, 2022.
39
About Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
- The Ramsar Convention Secretariat is based at the headquarters of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in _____
- Secretary-General (SG)– Dr. Musonda Mumba
Gland, Switzerland.
40
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated ______ , India’s largest mobility expo in India at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. It has also become the world’s 2nd largest automotive expo.
Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
- Theme: “Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain”
i. The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 aimed to bring together the entire value chain of the mobility sector from automobile manufacturers to components, electronic parts, tyre and energy storage makers, among
others under a single umbrella.
ii. It is an industry-led and government-supported initiative and was coordinated by Engineering Export
Promotion Council India (EEPC India) with joint support of various industry bodies and partner
organisations such as : Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Indian Steel Association (ISA), among others.
iii. During the event, more than 239 launches from all concurrent events. Also, 90 vehicles were launched at
the Auto Expo Motor Show 2025
41
Pune (Maharashtra)-based EKA Mobility, a leading EV manufacturing company in India, launched ______ , India’s **1st fully stainless-steel luxury electric bus for long-distance travel**.
* It has launched India’s most extensive and largest collection of electric commercial vehicles at global expo which includes over 11 electric platforms, spanning buses, trucks, and Small Commercial Vehicles (SCVs).
* These vehicles are complemented by EKA Connect, a cutting-edge fleet management platform using real-time data analytics to optimize performance, efficiency, and uptime.
“EKA COACH”
42
New Delhi (Delhi)- based the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has approved the proposal to set up **India’s 1st white tiger breeding centre** in Govindgarh area of ______.
Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh (MP)
* The approval follows the recommendations made by the expert committee of CZA during its 114th meeting held in December, 2024 and subsequently by the technical committee during its 112th meeting held in December, 2024.
* This new white tiger breeding facility will be developed as part of the revised Master (Layout) Plan of Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo White Tiger Safari and Zoo, Mukundpur, Satna (MP).
Note: In 2011, the Government of India (GoI) gave its in principle approval to establish a breeding centre for the white tigers in MP as part of conservation efforts.
43
______ is set to establish India’s first **Artificial Intelligence (AI) University**, to become a Center of Excellence(CoE) for AI education and innovation. The university will focus on AI research, innovation, and skill development.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra government has formed a task force chaired by Parrag Jaiin Nainutia, the Principal Secretary (Information Technology, IT), Government of Maharashtra, has been formed for planning and implementation
44
According to the list of Top 10 powerful countries in the world 2025 released by an American business magazine Forbes, the _______ secured the top spot as the most powerful country in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 30.34 trillion.
United States of America (USA)
- The USA was followed by China in the 2nd spot with a GDP of USD 19.53 trillion and Russia in the 3rd position with a GDP of USD 2.2 trillion respectively.
* India secured the 12th position with a GDP of USD 4.27 trillion in the list as of February 2025.
Note: In terms of global GDP, India is positioned at the 5th spot behind the USA, China, Germany, and
Japan.
5 parameters that denote a country’s power –
* A leader
* Economical influence
* Political influence
* Strong international alliances
* A strong military
45
Montreal (Canada)-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its ‘Full-year and December 2024 international passenger market performance data’, showing record-high demand for air travel.
As per the report, India’s domestic flights have recorded a Passenger Load Factor (PLF) of ______ in 2024 (down by 0.6% point compared to 2023), the highest among all domestic markets.
* India has surpassed the United States of America (USA) (84.1%) and China (83.2%), are ranked
at 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
* As per Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s data, the aviation sector in India witnessed 163 million passengers boarding domestic flights in 2024.
86.4%
46
Abuja(Nigeria)-based Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially
acknowledged the exit of three West African Countries – Republic of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Republic
of Niger from the regional economic bloc
The split occurred after the three departing countries rejected ECOWAS’s demands to restore
civilian rule. Their leaders have criticized ECOWAS, saying it is too influenced by France, their
former colonial ruler.
* ECOWAS has advised its remaining 12 members to keep recognizing the passports of these
three countries and continue trade with them until further instructions are given
47
Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat launched Sensex Future &
Options (F&O) contracts on the India International Exchange (India INX), India’s first international stock exchange platform and subsidiary of Bombay Stock Exchange Limited (BSE) at Gujarat International Finance
Tech-City- International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
This new offering will allow the international investors to trade and settle BSE derivatives in
United States Dollar (USD), facilitating greater participation from global traders and investors.
* This will also enable the global investors to trade India’s benchmark equity index without currency conversion risks.
About India International Exchange (India INX):
It is India’s 1st international exchange established at GIFT City in 2017. It offers global investors with a wide range of investment opportunities in a regulated, tax-efficient, and technologically advanced environment.
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Vijay Krishnamurthy
Headquarters- Gandhinagar, Gujarat
48
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on _____ for failing to comply with regulatory guidelines.
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited (ESFBL) and
- New Delhi (Delhi) based India Post Payments Bank
Limited (IPPB)
49
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the capital
market regulator, is planning to introduce a new financial product that combines Mutual Funds (MFs) investments with _______.
* The announcement was made by SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Puri Buch aiming to enhance Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in rural areas.
i. The product would enable customers to combine life insurance with MFs investments, offering a more
affordable and appealing solution that promotes financial inclusion in underserved regions.
ii. Additionally, SEBI is working on the **“Pay Right” initiative**, which will help investors verify the authenticity of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, reducing the risk of digital fraud.
Term Life Insurance (TLI)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the capital
market regulator, is planning to introduce a new financial product that combines Mutual Funds (MFs) investments with Term Life Insurance (TLI).
* The announcement was made by SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Puri Buch aiming to enhance Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in rural areas.
i. The product would enable customers to combine life insurance with MFs investments, offering a more affordable and appealing solution that promotes financial inclusion in underserved regions.
ii. Additionally, SEBI is working on the “Pay Right” initiative, which will help investors verify the
authenticity of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, reducing the risk of digital fraud.
50
CRISIL Ratings Limited (formerly Credit Rating and Information Services of India Limited) latest report, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by ____ in the Financial
Year 2025-26 (FY26), marginally higher than the 6.4% growth estimated for current financial year (FY25).
* On the external front, India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) is expected to widen from 1.0% of
GDP (in FY25) to 1.3% (in FY26) due to export headwinds from trade policies of the United
States of America(USA).
6.5%
51
Hyderabad (Telangana) based startup incubator Technology Hub (T-Hub) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the______ during ITFA’s inaugural event at the Hyderabad Turkish Consulate General in Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, Telangana.
* The MoU aims to strengthen collaboration between the innovation ecosystems of both countries, as they emerge as global leaders in economy and technology
Indo-Turkiye Friendship Association (ITFA)
52
________ from South Africa (SA), a 33-year-old model, made history by becoming the first Black South African woman to win the 40th edition of the Mrs. World title in 2025.
Tshego Gaelae
- Sri Lanka’s (SL) Ishadi Amanda was named first runner-up, while Thailand’s Ploy Panperm
took the second runner-up.
* The grand finale took place in Las Vegas, United States of America (USA), where Gaelae was crowned by Viktoria Horshkova, the winner of Mrs. World 2024
53
_______, the first Flemish Nationalist was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Belgium.
Bart Albert Liliane De Wever
54
the Ministry of Railways (MoR) introduced the _____, which serves as a one-stop solution for Indian Railways (IRs) services.
* It was developed by the New Delhi (Delhi) based Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to improve digital infrastructure and provide convenient access to a wide range of railway-related services.
‘SwaRail’ SuperApp (application)
The app is currently in its beta testing phase and is available for download on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
i. The SuperApp offers Single Sign-On, allowing users to access all services with one set of credentials.
Moreover, the same credentials will be used to access existing Indian Railways apps.
ii. It integrates ticket booking, Passenger Name Record (PNR) status, food ordering, more for a simplified experience and can be accessed using Mobile Personal Identification Number (MPIN) or biometric
authentication.
iii. It aims to offer a seamless and user-friendly experience, integrating multiple railway services into one platform, reducing the need for several individual apps.
55
an international team of researchers discovered two new species, _____ and ______, closely related to the “Queen of Spices,” green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), in the Western Ghats of Kerala. This discovery contributes to both spice production and conservation efforts.
‘Elettaria facifera’ and ‘Elettaria tulipifera’
56
February 4
World Cancer Day (WCD) is observed annually on February 4 across the globe to raise awareness of fundamental cancer issues and promote efforts in prevention, detection, and treatment.
- WCD is an international campaign that serves to honor those impacted by cancer and drive
actions that can shape a better future for cancer care.
- The campaign theme of WCD 2025-2027 is “United by Unique,” emphasizes the importance of
personalized, patient-centered care in the battle against cancer.
- A lavender ribbon is universally recognized as a symbol of support for individuals battling all forms of cancer.
- The official colors of WCD are blue and orange, symbolizing hope, solidarity, and action in the fight against cancer.
57
President of Indonesia, ______, visited India from January 23 to 26, 2025, at
the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi. This visit marked his 1st bilateral trip to India commemorating the 75th Anniversary of India-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations.
Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo
This marks the 1st time, a 190-member ensemble band from the Indonesian Military Academy
(Akmil), and a 152-personnel marching contingent from Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI)
participated in the Republic Day Parade in India
58
the Ministry of Finance (MoF) notified the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as an option for central government employees who are already covered under the National Pension System (NPS). The scheme aims to offer retirees a guaranteed pension, ensuring financial security and dignity post-retirement.
As per MoF, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) will monitor UPS
regulations and provide operational guidelines.
* The scheme will come into effect from ______
April 01, 2025
i. Full Assured Pension: Under the UPS, all central government employees who have served for
minimum 25 years, will receive 50% of their last drawn salary from the past 12 months before
superannuation as pension.
ii. Proportionate Pension for shorter services: The pension will be proportionate for those with shorter service periods (less than 25 years) of qualifying service, based on their service time.
iii. Assured Pension for VR: For employees retiring voluntarily after completing 25 years of service, the assure payout/pension will start from the date they would have attained the age of superannuation (had
they continued in service until official retirement).
iv. Assured family pension: The scheme has a provision of family pension, in case of an employee’s death. The family of the deceased employee will be eligible to receive 60% of the pension amount that employee
was receiving immediately before his death.
* The pension will be provided to the legally wedded spouse of the deceased, according to the date of superannuation, VR or retirement under FR 56 (j).
v. Assured minimum pension: The scheme has a unique feature of assured minimum pension for those employees who have served for at least 10 years, will be entitled to receive a minimum pension benefit of Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation.
vi. Inflation Indexation: The assured pension, family pension, and minimum pension will be indexed to
inflation. Also, UPS subscribers will be entitled to receive Dearness Relief (DR), based on the All India
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) as in the case of serving employees.
vii. Lumpsum payment at superannuation: Apart from gratuity, UPS subscribers will receive a lumpsum payment equivalent to 1/10th (10%) of their monthly emoluments (pay + DA) as of the retirement date for
every completed 6 months of service.
* This payment will not affect or change the assured pension amount
59
In December 2024, the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) has notified that the Government of India (GoI) has withdrawn the _______, commonly known as the Windfall tax, thereby eliminating levies on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), crude oil, petrol, and diesel. This move, effective immediately, aims to enhance profitability in the oil sector, foster growth in the energy industry, and boost exports.
* Alongside, the **Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC)** on petrol and diesel exports has also been removed
Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED)
60
The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF 2025) was held from January 20-24, 2025 in _____.
* The annual meeting is based on the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age” with the
event organized around five sub-themes: Reimagining growth, Industries in the intelligent age, Investing in people, Safeguarding the planet and Rebuilding trust
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland
8 Indian states represented at WEF 2025 – Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Andhra Pradesh (AP),
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu(TN), Karnataka, and West Bengal(WB).
61
The 25th edition of Edelman Trust Barometer was launched
during the WEF 2025 in Switzerland. According to the report,
India slipped to ____ spot in terms of the trust of the general population in the government, businesses, media and
NGOs. - **China topped the list followed by Indonesia at the 2nd spot**
India ranked low at _____ place when it comes to trust of people in other countries, in companies with Indian headquarters.
3rd ; 13th
* Within the high-income group, India was
ranked fourth after Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and China.
- Canada topped this list of foreign-headquartered companies, followed by Japan, Germany, the UK,
France and the United States of America (USA), while those ranked higher than India also included Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China and Brazil.
- Despite the overall decline in trust, India (75) remains one of the most trusted countries among
developing nations including China (77%), Indonesia (76), and the UAE (72).
* Five of the largest 10 global economies were among the least trusting nations – Japan (the least
trusting at 37%), Germany (41), the UK (43), the US (47) and France (48)
62
During the WEF 2025, 7 countries from Africa – Angola, Bangladesh, Gabon, Guatemala, Kenya, Senegal,
and Tanzania– joined the _____, bringing a total to 25 countries with a
combined population of over 1.5 billion people.
Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP)
* GPAP was launched during the WEF’s Sustainable Development Summit in 2018.
* Maharashtra state, through its Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, has joined the
GPAP in 2022.
* It will find solutions to tackle challenges such as promoting sustainable materials, strengthening
recycling systems, reducing GHGs etc
63
The Navigating Global Financial System Fragmentation report : January 2025 developed in collaboration with Oliver Wyman was released at the event which estimated that fragmentation resulting from statecraft policies could cost the global economy USD 0.6 trillion to USD 5.7 trillion – up to _____ of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – due to reduced trade and cross-border capital flows as well as lost economic
efficiencies.
5%
* It could also increase global inflation by more than 5% in a very high fragmentation scenario.
* The report shows that the economic impact of rising geo-economic fragmentation could cross the disruptions caused by the 2008 financial crisis or the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the most extreme fragmentation scenario, Eastern and Western blocs could observe GDP growth decline by over 10% – with India, Brazil, Türkiye, and emerging economies in Latin America, Africa and South-East Asia bearing the greatest burden.
64
Indian-origin South African filmmaker ______ has been appointed to the Global Arts and Culture Council (GACC) at the GACC’s inaugural meeting held at WEF 2025.
Anant Singh
* He is known for highlighting apartheid, Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and gender-based violence through his films and one such film is ‘Long Walk to Freedom, a biopic of Nelson Mandela.
* He was honored with WEF’s Crystal Award in 2001.
65
The 31st Annual Crystal Award was announced at the WEF 2025 in Davos-Klosters.
* The Crystal Awards 2025 was presented by Hilde Schwab, Chairwoman and Co-Founder of the WEF’s World Arts Forum.
The recipients of the award included renowned architect and 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate _____ from Japan, celebrated fashion designer, philanthropist and champion of women’s rights ______ from Belgium, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global advocate for children’s rights _____ from UK.
Riken Yamamoto ;
Diane von Furstenberg ;
David Beckham
About Crystal Award:
The Crystal Award is given to those cultural leaders who have made notable contributions in promoting
social, environmental and creative progress worldwide
66
About World Economic Forum(WEF):
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Børge Brende(Norway)
Headquarters–
Founded–
Cologny, Switzerland
1971
67
the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that ____ officially certified
as malaria-free, celebrating a major achievement in the country’s nearly century-long fight against the
disease.
- 45th Malaria-Free Country
Georgia
WHO grants certification of malaria elimination to a country when it can demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that
indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least three consecutive years
68
the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the New Delhi (Delhi)
based International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and its Secretariat have officially become a full-fledged treaty-based inter-governmental international organization and international legal entity with effect from _______.
The MEA acting as the Depository of the Framework Agreement on behalf of the Government of India (GoI), confirmed that 5 countries--have officially deposited their
instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval under Article VIII (1) of the Framework
Agreement.
January 23, 2025
1. Republic of India,
2. Republic of Nicaragua,
3. Kingdom of Eswatini,
4. Federal Republic of Somalia, and
5. Republic of Liberia
Note: Currently, 27 countries, including India, have agreed to join IBCA, along with several international and national organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation.
69
Background of IBCA (International Big Cat Alliance):
i. On April 9, 2023, Narendra Modi, Minister (PM) of India
launched IBCA during the ______ event.
* In February 2024, the Government of India (GoI)
approved the establishment of IBCA with its headquarters in New Delhi and **one-time budgetary support of Rs. 150 crore for IBCA, covering five years
from 2023-24 to 2027-28.**
ii. It was established through the _____, the nodal organization
under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
iii. It aims to conserve seven big cat species—**Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.**
iv. Its membership is open to all United Nations (UN’s) countries, including range countries that host these species and non-range countries interested in supporting big cat conservation.
v. It fosters international collaboration in big cat conservation, uniting expertise and best practices to enhance global protection efforts.
‘Commemoration of 50 Years of India’s Project Tiger’
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
Director General(DG) – S P Yadav
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 2023
70
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director General(DG) of the Biotechnology Research and
Innovation Council (BRIC) and Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and
Technology (MoS&T), inaugurated India’s first ______, at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Biotech Science Cluster,
Faridabad, Haryana, marking a significant advancement in biomedical research and innovation
- He also launched the ______ data repository and Information Sharing Hub at THSTI; and witnessed the signing of an important Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA).
Ferret Research Facility
- ‘GARBH-INi-DRISHTI’
71
About Ferret Research Facility:
i. The newly opened THSTI Ferret Research Facility is a cutting-edge center that follows top safety and
research standards.
* Ferret Research involves using ferrets as animal models to study various diseases, particularly
those affecting the ____ system.
ii. It represents an important step in India’s efforts to combat both infectious and non-communicable diseases.
iii. The facility will play a key role in vaccine
development, testing treatments, and studying new infectious diseases, strengthening India’s ability to handle pandemics and making India, a leader in global scientific research.
respiratory
72
About GARBH-INi DRISHTI:
i. A data platform GARBH-INi-DRISHTI was created under the GARBH-INi program, offers a huge collection of clinical data, images, and biospecimens from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and mothers.
* The GARBH-Ini (Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced
Research on Birth Outcomes – DBT India Initiative) program under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T),
launched in ____, aimed at improving the health of mothers and children while developing tools
to predict preterm birth risks.
ii. As one of the largest maternal and child health databases in South Asia, it will help researchers globally improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
2014
73
the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a unit of Earth
System Science Organization (ESSO) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), celebrated its ‘____
Foundation Day’ in Medchal-Malkajgiri, Telangana.
26th
Dr. Kalaiselvi, Director-General (DG) of Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) launched two new services, ‘Hilsa Fishery Advisory (HiFA) services’ and ‘INCOIS
Global Ocean Reanalysis (IGORA) Version 1’ to improve ocean and fishery management.
- The Hilsa Fishery Advisory (HiFA) Service uses
machine learning to predict the availability of Hilsa fish along the West Bengal coast.
* The INCOIS Global Ocean Reanalysis (IGORA)
Version 1 provides critical ocean climate data
essential for research and forecasting.
74
_____ and India’s largest airport operator, joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest
corporate sustainability initiative, to advance its commitment to becoming a global leader in sustainable aviation.
GMR Airports Limited (GAL), formerly GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited (GIL)
- Through its membership with the UNGC, GAL has committed to aligning its strategies and operations with the ten principles of UNGC, covering human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, while also promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
75
About United Nations Global Compact (UNGC):
The UN Global Compact (UNGC) is a voluntary initiative that encourages businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. It has over 20,000 participating companies across more than 160 countries.
* UNGC provides a platform for businesses to contribute to achieving the UN’s SDGs. By participating, companies commit to transparency and accountability, reporting annually on their progress.
Chairman – H.E. António Guterres
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Sanda Ojiambo
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America(USA)
Established –
2000
76
The 13th edition of the joint military exercise ____ hosted by Maldives between the Indian Army (IA) and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), commenced in the Archipelago Nation (Maldives)
* The 14-day exercise will run from February 2 to 15, 2025
‘Ekuverin’
i. It is a bilateral annual exercise conducted between India and Maldives since 2009 to strengthen military relations between the two countries.
* Ekuverin means “Friends” in the Dhivehi language.
* The 12th edition was held in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand (India) from June 11 to 24, 2023.
ii. The exercise conducted alternatively between India and Maldives involves platoon-level contingents from both countries.
iii. The aim of the exercise is to enhance the interoperability in counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, carry out joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
77
_____, India’s leading Public Sector Bank (PSB), has become a signatory of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).
Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
* With this move, IOB became one of the early adopters in the India banking sector to join this global initiative, reaffirming its commitment in tackling climate change and promoting responsible banking
- i. As a PCAF signatory, IOB will measure and disclose the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions related to its
financed activities and adopt globally harmonized methodologies for GHG accounting, aligning with global best practices in the financial industry.
ii. This initiative will help in strengthening the bank commitment to Environmental, Social, and
Governance (ESG) principles and responsible banking practices
- About Indian Overseas Bank (IOB):
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Ajay Kumar Srivastava
Headquarters- Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
Established- 1937
Tagline- Good People to Grow With
78
About Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF):
i. PCAF is a global initiative formed in 2015 by 14 Dutch financial Institutions (FIs) under the leadership of the ____. It was launched globally in **2019**.
* As of January 2025, more than 550 FIs have joined the PCAF initiative.
ii. It facilitates a standardized framework for FIs to measure and disclose GHG emissions from their lending and investment activities, helping them to identify climate risks and align with international climate targets.
iii. Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based _____ was the 1st major Indian bank to sign the PCAF in September 2016. Later, New Delhi (Delhi)-based PSB, Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed this
framework in November 2024.
Hague (the Netherlands)-based ASN Bank
- Union Bank of India (UBI)
79
Bengaluru (Karnataka) based CreditAccess (CA) Grameen Limited, India’s largest NonBanking Financial Company-Microfinance Institution (NBFC-MFI) received a _____ loan from Washington, D.C. (United States of America, USA) based International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group (WBG).
USD 50 million
* The funding aims to improve financial access for micro-entrepreneurs and support 3–4 million additional women borrowers involved in agriculture and related activities
80
In February 2024, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI) signed a contract with ____ for procurement of **anti-ship cruise missiles**. The agreement was signed in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoD in New Delhi, Delhi.
* The purchase of these anti-ship cruise missiles will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy (IN)’s submarine fleet
Russia
81
_____, an Indian- American entrepreneur and vocalist won her first Grammy Award under the category **Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for “Triveni”** at the **67th annual Grammy Awards** (also known as Grammy 2025), the biggest musical awards night, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, the United States of America (USA).
* She shared the award with her collaborators, Wouter Kellerman( 3rd time), a South African
flutist, and Eru Matsumoto(first time), a Japanese cellist.
* _____ became the first woman to win the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical at the
Grammy Awards 2025.
Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon
- Amy Allen (USA)
82
______ from the USA, an American singer-songwriter won the Album Of The Year (AOTY) Grammy Award for the first time for Cowboy Carter.
- She also claimed her first Grammys in the Country & American Roots Music Field, winning Best Country
Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Album.
- Now she became the 35-time Grammy-winning star and she also became the first Black artist to win
the Grammy for Best Country Album category.
* With those totals, she has won more Grammys than any other artist in history, and she also has
the most Grammy nominations of any artist in history with a total of 99.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (often referred to as Queen Bey)
83
Indian at the Grammy Awards:
i. India has made a significant mark at the Grammy Awards , with over ___ Grammys credited to Indian
musicians.
ii. Late musician Ravi Shankar has won 5 Grammy Awards, the most Grammys among Indian musicians.
* Pandit Ravi Shankar was the first Indian musician to win the Grammy Award in 1968 for Best Chamber Music Performance for the album West Meets East.
iii. Late Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has won 4 Grammy Awards while Ricky Kej holds 3 Grammys.
iv. AR Rahman, flutist Rakesh Chaurasia, and record producer PA Deepak have won two each.
v. Instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, lyricist Gulzar, singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, percussionist V Selvaganesh, composer Ganesh Rajagopalan, audio engineer H Sridhar, and singer-songwriter Tanvi Shah have won the award once each.
* Tanvi Shah became the first female from India to win a Grammy award (2010) for the song Jai
Ho, for writing the Spanish lyrics for the song.
25
84
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the latest version of the **Finite _____of Structures (FEAST) software** at the 8th National Finite Element Developers’ Meeting held at the Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad(IIT-H) in Hyderabad(Telangana).
i. FEAST was developed by ISRO’s Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), to analyse the behaviour of structures under various loads in aerospace, automobile, civil, mechanical, and
marine engineering. It allows engineers to test designs virtually before physical construction.
ii. The software will be crucial for upcoming ISRO projects such as the Human Mission, Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
Element Analysis
- Over the years, multiple versions have been launched, with over 4,000 licenses sold across India
85
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved 2 strategic defence projects.
These include the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States of America (USA) based General Atomics(GA), valued at USD 3.99 billion, and the
indigenous development of 2 nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
* The deal includes 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian variants, with the Indian Navy(IN)
receiving 15 drones, while the Indian Army(IA) and the Indian Air Force(IAF) will each get eight.
* The acquisition of Predator drones aims to strengthen India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
i. The Predator drones, capable of flying for up to 40 hours(h), will bolster India’s maritime surveillance and
strike capabilities, particularly in high-threat regions like the Indian Ocean.
ii. These drones will provide real-time surveillance and conduct precision strikes in high-threat environments, crucial for maintaining regional stability.
iii. These drones have the ability to operate at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet allow them to gather intelligence and conduct strikes over extended periods.
86
Indian wicketkeeper-batter ____ announced his retirement from all forms
of cricket. His retirement was marked by his final ‘Ranji Trophy’ appearance for West Bengal (WB) against Punjab at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, WB
Wriddhiman Saha
87
February 4
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Human Fraternity is observed annually on February 4 across the globe to foster peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity among people of
diverse faiths.
The day also falls within World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), which takes place during the 1st week of February every year, since 2010.
* 4th February 2025 marks the observance of the 5th International Day of Human Fraternity.
* It emphasizes the importance of dialogue between different religions and belief systems to
promote mutual understanding, harmony, and cooperation
88
About United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC):
UNAOC was established in ____, as the political initiative of Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General (SG), and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey
2005
89
Gurugram (Haryana) based Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Delhi(Delhi) based _____ during the IICA-CMAI Masterclass on Global & Indian Carbon Markets as part of the India Climate Week 2025 (February 3 to 7, 2025), held in New Delhi.
Carbon Markets Association of India
(CMAI)
* The partnership aims to strengthen carbon markets and support decarbonization in India, while equipping industry professionals, policymakers, and academics with knowledge on navigating India’s evolving carbon markets.
90
About Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI):
i. CMAI is a non-profit industry group focused on helping India transition to a **net-zero future** by decarbonizing difficult-to-reduce sectors.
ii. It works with key ministries like Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ministry of Power (MoP), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog.
President – Manish Dabkara
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established –
2022
91
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched
a nation-wide campaign ______ to encourage people’s participation and create awareness
about the watershed development activities carried out under Watershed Development Component of
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) in project areas.
“Watershed Yatra”
* During the event, the Union Minister also announced ‘Watershed-Janbhagidari Pratiyogita’ under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 for 2025 and 2026.
92
the President of _____, José Raúl Mulino Quintero announced that his country would not renew its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making it the 1st Latin American nation to
withdraw from the global infrastructure program.
Panama
* This decision follows the visit of the United States of America’s (USA) Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio, during which Panama faced pressure over its ties with China.
* Panama joined the BRI in 2017, but the initiative faced growing criticism, regarding the high
costs of projects and the financial strain of repaying loans by other countries.
Note: India strongly opposed the CPEC due to its route passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a region of India.
93
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) for Injury Prevention and Safety launched a ‘National Roadmap to address Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) among children and adolescents in India’ at the National Institute of
Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru (Karnataka).
* RTIs are the leading cause of death of children and adolescents, with ____ of all road crash fatalities in India.
* The roadmap aims for a multi-sectoral action plan
addressing road safety management, vehicular
regulations, school safety initiatives and enhanced post-crash care.
10%
i. On average, 45 children under 18 years old, lose their lives in road crashes daily, with 16,443 fatalities in 2022 alone. 5 million
children suffer non-fatal injuries requiring hospitalization each
year.
ii. Between 2011 and 2022, approximately 1.98 lakh children and
adolescents lost their lives in road crashes. 75% of fatalities were among 14-17 year-olds. Head injuries are the leading cause of death in child road crashes, with 50% of
deaths occurring at the scene
iii. Unsafe road conditions, lack of helmet use, and low adoption of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) contribute
to the crisis.
iv. Over half of safety-rated cars in India have a child-occupant safety rating of 3 stars or less. Only 20% of
large government hospitals have pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities.
Note: NIMHANS is planning to set up a polytrauma center in the North of Bengaluru, which will be a state-of-art Level 1 trauma centre
94
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (UN-PMI) in New York announced
that ____ has once again been featured in the UN’s ‘Honour Roll’ of 35 member states who have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day period specified in the financial regulations of the UN.
India
* According to the UN Committee on Contributions, as of January 31, 2025, India contributed USD
37.64 million to the 2025 UN Regular Budget.
* The UN Regular Budget is approved by UN General Assembly (UNGA) in December each year.
* Each member state is assessed based on the scale of assessment approved by UNGA, and
corresponding payment notes are issued by UN in early January each year
95
____, a financial advisory startup founded by internet personality Sharan Hegde,
became the first finfluencer-led company to obtain a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) license from the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
* It aims to disrupt India’s wealth management market by offering scalable solutions, including stock recommendations, thematic portfolios, small cases, and high-yielding debt solutions in the
future.
The 1% Club
96
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based state-owned National Bank for Financing Infrastructure
and Development (NaBFID) announced that it has extended _____ loan to Mumbai (Maharashtra)-
based Gramercy Techpark Private Limited, backed by New York (the United States of America, USA)-
based alternative investment management company Blackstone Inc., for setting up of 120 MegaWatt (MW) data centre at Mahape in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Rs 2,000 crore
97
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned 127 projects totaling
Rs.903.21 crore for _____ in the fiscal year 2024-25.
Himachal Pradesh (HP)
Chief Minister (CM) of HP Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this development during a meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly
(MLA)s from Kangra, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts of HP to discuss budget priorities for 2025-26.
98
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Tata
Communications Payment Solutions Limited (TCPSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Communications
that operates white label Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in India to sell its 100% stake to _____, the Indian subsidiary of Australian fintech company Findi.
Transaction Solutions International (TSI)
99
a Soyuz-2.1v rocket carrying multiple payloads was successfully launched from the
Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Region, Russia. This mission was carried out in the interest of the Russian Ministry of Defence and aimed at deploying military satellites into orbit. The Soyuz-2.1v is a lightclass rocket, designed for such tasks.
* This launch was conducted by the Russian Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno-kosmicheskiye sily, VKS), with support from their space troops.
* This launch was the 13th and final mission of the lightweight Soyuz-2 variant
100
_____, a California-based company, has developed an innovative method to launch satellites into low
Earth orbit without using traditional rocket fuel. Their system employs a ground-based, electric-powered kinetic launch mechanism, essentially a massive rotating arm, to catapult satellites into space. This approach aims to reduce both the cost and environmental impact of satellite launches.
SpinLaunch
101
______ won the first ever title of the ‘Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 (HIL 2024-25)’ by defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the final tournament held at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha.
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
* The 6th edition of Men’s HIL 2024-25 tournament, featured 8 teams, was held from December 28,
2024, to February 1, 2025.
* The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for the 2024-25 season were led by Captain Rupinder Pal Singh, while the Hyderabad Toofans were led by Captain Sumit Walmiki
102
February 6
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is
observed annually on February 6 across the globe to raise awareness and amplify global efforts to eliminate the harmful practice of FGM. This day serves as a platform for stakeholders to celebrate progress, advocate for the abandonment of FGM, and continue efforts to protect girls and women from this violation of their rights.
- 6 February 2025 marks the 14th observance of UN recognised International Day of Zero
Tolerance for FGM.
* The theme of International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM 2025 is: “Stepping Up the Pace:
Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation”.
103
the Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Bikashita Gaon,
Bikashita Odisha (BGBO) Scheme’ with a budget of _____ for five years for the rural infrastructural development project in Odisha.
* The scheme aims to enhance the basic infrastructure of villages and improving connectivity in rural areas.
Rs 5,000 crore
104
Himachal Pradesh(HP) Chief Minister(CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for North India’s first 1-megawatt (MW) green hydrogen plant in _____, Nalagarh Tehsil, Solan district.
* The Green Hydrogen Plant is a collaborative effort between the Himachal Pradesh Power
Corporation Limited (HPPCL) and Oil India Limited(OIL), with an estimated investment of Rs 9.04 crore.
Dabhota
* This initiative aligns with HP’s ambitious goal to become India’s first Green Energy State by March2026
