- The roadmap was developed through extensive consultations across every Australian state and territory, along with key stakeholders in India.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative seeks to generate long-term economic benefits for both countries by fostering collaboration and investment, assisting businesses in navigating India's dynamic and growing market.

      (ii) India is projected to become the third-largest economy by 2030. The strategy aligns with India's economic trajectory, with Australia working to strengthen ties with Indian businesses and communities, recognizing the immense trade and investment potential.

Main Point :-   (i) The partnership aims to assist fintech hardware entrepreneurs in developing and scaling payment and financial technology solutions by providing innovation guidance, mentorship, and regulatory and compliance support through workshops and collaboration with industry and government entities.

      (ii) The agreement provides infrastructure and market access support, enabling businesses to test, validate, and enhance their products while leveraging Paytm’s vast merchant network.

(iii) Additionally, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, Paytm Foundation, the initiative will support deep-tech startups in Climate Tech, Web3, Agritech, and Mobility.

Main Point :-   (i) The ACADA system detects chemical warfare agents (CWA) and programmable toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) by monitoring the air in the area.

      (ii) It is based on the Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) principle and includes two highly sensitive IMS cells for continuous detection and monitoring of harmful/toxic chemicals.

(iii) The use of ACADA in field units will significantly enhance the IA's defensive Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) capabilities for both operations and peacetime, particularly in responding to industrial accident-related disaster relief situations.

Main Point :-   (i) Dubai International Airport (DXB) remained the busiest airport in the world, with 4.8 million seats, reflecting a 1% increase in capacity compared to February 2024.

      (ii) Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in the USA held the second spot, with 4.6 million seats, marking a 2% increase in capacity over the previous year

(iii) London Heathrow Airport (LHR) retained its position as Europe's busiest airport, ranking 5th globally in 2025 with 3.85 million seats.

Main Point :-   (i) The project includes 84 kilometers (km) of trunk and secondary sewerage & drainage pipelines, 176 km of lateral sewerage & drainage pipelines connecting homes, 50,000 new domestic sewer connections, the construction of one sewage treatment plant, and five new pumping stations to prevent waterlogging.

      (ii) This project will enhance living conditions and health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children, by lowering exposure to waterborne and vector-borne diseases and mitigating flood risks.

(iii) Additionally, the project will assist Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) in developing a comprehensive IT-based asset management system, increasing property tax revenue, expanding an earlier ADB intervention's early flood warning system, raising community awareness on water, sanitation, and hygiene, and promoting women's employment through skill training and internship programs.

Main Point :-   (i) The partnership aims to strengthen the MSME ecosystem by offering funding for machinery and equipment financing, working capital, Cash Credit (CC), Overdraft (OD), business loans, loans against property, and more.

      (ii) Furthermore, risk sharing, co-lending, and joint financing options will be explored to extend credit facilities to MSMEs.

      - Additionally, the number of new loans disbursed showed a negative growth of 29.02%.

Main Point :-   (i) As of December 31, 2024, the Assets Under Management (AUM) of MFIs stood at Rs 1,42,695 crore, reflecting a decrease of 0.1% compared to Q3FY24 and 6.5% on a sequential basis.

      (ii) According to the report, the average loan amount disbursed per account during Q3FY25 was Rs 51,691 crore, marking a 15.2% increase from the same quarter of FY24.

(iii) The report also revealed that the Portfolio At Risk (PAR), defined as unpaid loans over 30 days, decreased to 8.8% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 3.5% during the same period last year.

Main Point :-   (i) The IATF 16949 certification is a mandatory requirement for automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) suppliers, ensuring compliance with high-quality management standards in the automotive industry.

      (ii) IATF 16949 is a critical quality management standard, based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001, specifically developed to address the unique needs of the automotive sector.

(iii) INOX India Limited, a leading manufacturer of cryogenic storage, re-gas, and distribution systems for LNG, industrial gases, and cryo-scientific applications, operates in India, Brazil, and Europe.

Main Point :-   (i) The company sells A/Cs under the O General brand and operates in India through its subsidiary Fujitsu General (India).

      (ii) CCI approved the acquisition under the green channel route, as per Section 6(4) of the Competition Act, 2002, read with Rule 3 of the Competition (Criteria of Combination) Rules, 2024.

(iii) The green channel mechanism provides automatic approval for combinations that do not significantly impact competition once the involved parties file a notice for the combination.

Main Point :-   (i) The NASM-SR demonstrated its Man-in-Loop feature, allowing human intervention during the missile's operation.The NASM-SR demonstrated its Man-in-Loop feature, allowing human intervention during the missile's operation.

      (ii) The missile was launched in Bearing-only Lock-on after Launch (LOAL) mode, initially guided by a broad target direction and then precisely hitting a smaller target.

(iii) The missile successfully targeted and hit a small ship at its maximum range of 50 kilometers (km) while operating in sea-skimming mode.

Main Point :-   (i) The Athena lander is accompanied by a 3-foot (1 meter) drone, Grace, named after the late computer programming pioneer Grace Hopper.

      (ii) The drone will attempt various test hops before venturing into a crater estimated to be 65 feet deep.

Main Point :-   (i) Anil Ramanath Joshi's literary journey began in 1970 with the publication of his first Gujarati poetry collection, Kadach. He further enriched Gujarati poetry with Baraf Na Pankhi, a collection of poems, in 1982. In 1988, he also published Pavan Ni Vyaspithe, a collection of essays.

      (ii) Anil Ramanath Joshi also authored a collection of children's stories and fables titled Chakli Bole Chi Chi Chi, and his collection of essays, Pavan Ni Vyaspithe, was chosen for the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi Award in 1990.

(iii) However, on October 11, 2025, he returned the 1990 Sahitya Akademi Award as a protest against the increasing attacks on literary writers.

      - Earlier in his acting career, Gene Hackman worked on television shows such as Route 66 and Naked City, improvisational theatre, and Broadway comedies before starring in more than 100 films, including his iconic role as Lex Luthor in the Superman films of the 1970s and 1980s.

Main Point :-   (i) Gene Hackman has appeared in popular films like Runaway Jury, The Conversation, and The Royal Tenenbaums. His final significant film appearance was as Monroe Cole in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004.

      (ii) He won two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

(iii) He was also nominated for Oscars for his performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

      - The Indo-French Life Sciences Sister Innovation Hub aims to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the healthcare domain through innovation, research, and development.

Main Point :-   (i) The Indo-French Life Sciences Sister Innovation Hub aims to promote healthcare research and innovation by leveraging expertise from both countries to address public health issues and foster collaboration between research institutes, academia, and businesses.

      (ii) The collaboration focuses on two critical areas: One Health and Digital Health, bringing together top innovation hubs from both India and France to work on these key domains.

(iii) The agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties, supporting research, and enhancing innovation to tackle global healthcare challenges.

      - However, it may take up to six months for Ratan Tata's will to go through all formalities and be approved by the Bombay High Court before his wealth is distributed.

Main Point :-   (i) The Foundation is focused on philanthropy and technological research aimed at benefiting Indian society.

      (ii) Notably, Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, will not be a part of the RTEF board.

      - There is no officially declared theme for World NGO Day 2025, but "Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future" is widely mentioned in news sites.

Main Point :-   (i) World NGO Day was created in the European Union (EU) by Marcis Liors Skadmanis in 2009, a Latvian-British tech entrepreneur and philanthropist from the United Kingdom (UK).

      (ii) The first-ever global World NGO Day event was held on 27 February 2014 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in Helsinki, Finland.

(iii) NGO refers to a non-profit, citizen-based organization that operates independently from government control and is involved in various sectors, such as humanitarian aid, environmental protection, education, and social welfare.

      - The objective is to develop impactful visualizations that support evidence-based policymaking for a Viksit Bharat.

Main Point :-   (i) The hackathon will be hosted on the MyGov platform and is open to undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and research students.

      (ii) A panel of experts from the industry and academia will evaluate the top 30 entries, with prize money for the winners.

(iii) The first prize will be Rs 2 lakh, two second prizes of Rs 1 lakh each, two third prizes of Rs 50,000 each, and twenty-five consolation prizes of Rs 20,000 each.

      - Additionally, the agreement also provides coverage for death during operations, offering Rs. 10 lakhs, and covers the cost of imported medicines, including transportation, up to Rs. 10 lakhs. Furthermore, the ITBP personnel will also benefit from air ambulance costs of up to Rs. 10 lakhs.

Main Point :-   (i) PNB has extended its Rakshak Account benefits to ITBP pensioners receiving their pension from PNB, offering lifetime Personal Accidental Insurance (PAI) coverage of Rs. 50 lakhs and Air Accidental Insurance (AAI) coverage of Rs. 100 lakhs.

      (ii) PNB has demonstrated its commitment to supporting India’s armed forces, particularly the ‘Himveers’ (personnel) of ITBP, by providing specialized financial products and services.

Main Point :-   (i) This digital process requires only three hours to complete, including smooth negotiation, preparation, application, and acceptance. In contrast, a traditional document-based approach typically extends the process to two days.

      (ii) The digitization of this transaction demonstrates MUFG's dedication to technological integration in trade finance and marks a substantial improvement in trade efficiency. The bank continues to expand its transaction banking capabilities to provide better service to its customers.

Main Point :-   (i) PM Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for the 'Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute' in Garha village, Chhatarpur district, MP, and inaugurated the 'Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025' in Bhopal, MP.

      (ii) In Bihar, PM Narendra Modi recently launched the '19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme', providing financial support to farmers nationwide.

(iii) While in Assam, PM Narendra Modi recently attended the 'Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025' and inaugurated the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit 2025' in Guwahati, Assam.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative is a part of GeM's foundational pillar of social inclusion, which is committed to improving ease of doing business and establishing direct market linkages to annual procurement for startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and youth, especially those from backward sections of society.

      (ii) During the event, GeM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Delhi-based FICCI-Ladies Organisation (FLO), a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

(iii) Through this MoU, GeM aims to provide direct access for women entrepreneurs with government buyers, sans intermediaries, ensuring better product prices, generating job opportunities, and promoting inclusive growth.

      - Key dignitaries at the conference included the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who both participated and delivered the keynote address. The UN was represented by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General (SG), and Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator.

Main Point :-   (i) India has been a key contributor to UN peacekeeping missions for over 70 years, providing nearly 300,000 troops across 50 missions since the 1950s and pioneering the deployment of women peacekeepers, including the first all-women Formed Police Unit (FPU) in 2007, which served in Liberia until 2016.

      (ii) Dr. Kiran Bedi made history as the first female UN Police Advisor, serving from 2003 to 2005, further solidifying India's leadership in peacekeeping operations.

(iii) The Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), established in 2000 by the Indian Army (IA) with support from the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), is dedicated to enhancing India's contributions to UN peacekeeping and offers comprehensive training programs for both Indian and international military personnel.

      - A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an agreement between two or more countries where they agree on certain obligations that affect trade in goods and services, as well as protections for investors and intellectual property rights, among other topics.

Main Point :-   (i) The negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK began on January 13, 2022, under the leadership of then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. So far, 14 rounds of negotiations have been held, with the 14th round starting in January 2023 and paused in May 2024 due to the UK general elections.

      (ii) In November 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met on the sidelines of the Group-20 (G-20) Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During their meeting, both leaders agreed to resume negotiations for the FTA.

(iii) Trade between India and the UK has grown significantly, with bilateral trade rising to USD 21.34 billion in FY24. The UK is the 6th largest investor in India, contributing USD 35.3 billion, and India is the 2nd largest source of FDI into the UK, with a 28% Year-on-Year increase in investment.

      - This high-speed transport system offers benefits such as immunity to weather conditions, collision-free travel, speeds twice that of airplanes, and low energy consumption.

Main Point :-   (i) The Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system that uses capsules or pods traveling through vacuum-sealed tubes, reaching speeds of up to 1,100 km/hour.

      (ii) The hyperloop system uses vacuum-sealed tubes to reduce air resistance, electromagnetic propulsion for high-speed travel, and capsules equipped with advanced life support systems for safety and comfort.

(iii) The Ministry of Railways (MoR) has already granted IIT Madras Rs. 8.7 crore (approximately USD 1 million) twice for the hyperloop project’s development and has provided an additional USD 1 million grant, marking the third such contribution to accelerate the project’s progress.

      - Strategic partners include the Mumbai-based Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the Chennai-based Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Energy Consortium, and Denmark-based Indo-Danish Chamber of Commerce (IDCC) & Confederation of Danish Industry (DI).

Main Point :-   (i) India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070, while Denmark targets 2045, with the Green Transition Alliance India (GTAI) being a crucial part of their collaborative effort to address climate change and promote sustainable energy practices.

      (ii) Established as part of the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) from 2020, GTAI draws inspiration from successful initiatives like the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) and Wind Alliance India (WAI), aiming to support India’s climate goals through sector collaboration.

(iii) GTAI will operate through three working groups focused on Renewable Energy, Green Fuels, and Energy Efficiency to keep up with evolving trends and foster a dynamic approach to sustainable energy solutions.

Main Point :-   (i) The account offers Cyber Fraud Protection covering up to Rs. 25,000 for account holders. It also provides Family Benefits, allowing up to five family members to open zero-balance salary accounts.

      (ii) Additionally, it includes Insurance Coverage, featuring a health insurance plan with OPD benefits, Rs. 15 lakh accident insurance, and top-up plans of up to Rs. 30 lakh.

(iii) The account extends Loan Benefits, offering additional home loans beyond company-set limits for Maharatna PSU employees. It also provides an Exclusive Debit Card, which comes with a free Platinum Debit Card and offers eight complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year.

Main Point :-   (i) The Prepaid Citizen Card will enable seamless, cashless transactions for essential services within GIFT City and will be accepted nationwide. It will serve as a secure digital identity and payment solution for GIFT City’s growing population and workforce.

      (ii) The VMS will ensure enhanced security in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by tracking, verifying, and regulating visitor access. It will integrate identity verification, visitor pre-registration, and a streamlined check-in/check-out process, allowing only authorized individuals to enter the premises.

      - Additionally, microfinance loans extended by Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Local Area Banks (LABs) will now attract a risk weight of 100%. The revised risk weight for loans to Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) has been implemented with immediate effect.

Main Point :-   (i) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clarified that microfinance loans, which are not classified as consumer-type credit and meet certain criteria, will be categorized under the Regulatory Retail Portfolio (RRP). Additionally, banks are required to implement appropriate policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance with the qualifying criteria.

      (ii) The reduction in risk weights is expected to free up to Rs 40,000 crore in capital, allowing banks to extend loans of up to Rs 4 lakh crore to 'AAA-rated' companies.

(iii) In November 2023, RBI raised risk weights for bank loans to NBFCs to 125% to curb unsecured loans, including consumer credit, but excluding housing, education, and vehicle loans.

Main Point :-   (i) In 2025, the 'Evolve' initiative is being hosted in 10 key cities across India, including New Delhi (Delhi), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP), Kolkata (West Bengal, WB), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), Hyderabad (Telangana), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Kochi (Kerala), Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP), and Ahmedabad (Gujarat).

      (ii) Launched in 2014, 'Evolve' is a transformative platform designed to empower India's MSMEs, having positively impacted over 9,000 entrepreneurs across more than 50 cities.

(iii) Through 'Evolve,' Axis Bank aims to provide MSMEs with strategies to optimize operations, boost competitiveness, and expand market presence.

      - The policy stipulates that a "strike" is defined when the AQI remains above 400 for at least three of the five preceding days, with a minimum 25-day gap between strikes.

Main Point :-   (i) Construction bans are often enforced through government and court orders to address severe pollution levels in the region.

      (ii) Parametric insurance offers a straightforward, transparent, and effective solution to address the financial challenges faced by workers due to environmental factors in the area.

Main Point :-   (i) HAL's training institute, HMA, will offer induction training, middle and senior management programs, specialized workshops, and certification programs in areas like Six Sigma, Quality, Reliability, Data Analytics (DA), and Industry 4.0.

      (ii) The collaboration will also involve industrial visits, knowledge-sharing sessions, joint conferences, internships, and project-based learning opportunities for BEML professionals.

Main Point :-   (i) Under the agreement, NTPC and EDF will establish a Joint Venture Company (JVC) with a 50:50 partnership, subject to receiving the necessary approvals from the Government of India (GoI).

      (ii) The JVC will independently undertake projects or may establish additional joint ventures and subsidiaries to execute such projects within India and its neighboring countries.

(iii) NTPC Limited contributes one-fourth of India's power requirements with an installed capacity of over 77 gigawatts (GW). The company is committed to achieving 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

Main Point :-   (i) The report projected that the services sector will make up 60% of India's GDP, while manufacturing will account for 32%. Both sectors will become crucial drivers of economic growth.

      (ii) The report outlined 5 key sectors—electronics, energy, chemicals, automotive, and services—that will act as strategic growth levers due to alignment with international trends and scalability. These sectors have the potential to address India's unique challenges and advantages.

Main Point :-   (i) Fernandez, who was appointed CFO in January 2024, previously served as President of Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing division. He also held various leadership positions, including President of Latin America, CEO of Brazil, and CEO of the Philippines.

      (ii) Srinivas Phatak, who is currently serving as Deputy CFO, will assume the role of CFO.

Main Point :-   (i) National Protein Day, celebrated on February 27, was first observed in India in 2020 with the launch of the "Right to Protein" (RTP) initiative, a national-level public health campaign aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of adequate protein consumption.

      (ii) The first-ever National Protein Day was observed on February 27, 2020.

Main Point :-   (i) On February 21, 2025, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the inaugural 'SOUL Leadership Conclave 2025' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi (Delhi).

      (ii) PM of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, graced the event and delivered the keynote address as the Guest of Honor.

(iii) The two-day SOUL Leadership Conclave, from February 21 to 22, 2025, served as 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.

Main Point :-   (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, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) allocated Rs 63,500 crore for the scheme in the Union Budget for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), which is the same as estimated for FY25.

      - Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, known for his mastery as a Nadi Vaidya, is also a distinguished author.

Main Point :-   (i) Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal, an eminent scholar of Dravyaguna Vigyana with over 60 years of service, has been honoured with the Vanoushadi Vanaspati and Lifetime Achievement Awards, further consolidating his legacy in raising Ayurveda's stature worldwide.

      (ii) Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni, founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference and Vishwa Ayurveda Prabodhini, has over 40 years of experience in the field of Ayurveda.

(iii) Instituted by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India (GoI), the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award recognises the stalwarts who have dedicated their lives to Ayurveda. Each awardee receives a citation, a trophy featuring the Statue of Lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.

Main Point :-   (i) The second MoU was signed between IIT Madras and the International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development (ICED), Jaipur, Rajasthan, to collaborate on capacity building and research in Environment Audit and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

      (ii) This collaboration will leverage Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other technological developments to enhance the efficacy of these auditing domains.

(iii) The partnership aims to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the audit process by combining the resources and experience of both organizations.

      - During the event, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), India's largest workers' association, joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice. BMS, along with the Confederation of Indian Industry-Employers' Federation of India (CII-EFI), presented a Joint Statement on Responsible Business Conduct.

Main Point :-   (i) 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 showcased the use of technology in labour welfare, social security, and industrial safety.

      (ii) The event also commemorated the 74th Foundation Day of the ESIC, featuring an award ceremony that recognized outstanding achievements within the organization.

(ii) As per the World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024, India's social protection coverage has risen from 24.4% to 48.8%.

Main Point :-   (i) The exercise included simulated scenarios such as hijacking of fishing boats, smuggling, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planting, and attacks on vital assets.

      (ii) It also featured coordinated sea and air surveillance by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to enhance readiness against terror threats.

Main Point :-   (i) The conversion process will involve a thorough 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 Indian Navy in 1985.

(iii) The design was developed in collaboration with the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, Maharashtra, and the Indian Army.

Main Point :-   (i) Union Minister Manohar Lal emphasized the importance of switching to renewable energy (RE) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and achieve emissions targets.

      (ii) He also highlighted India’s cultural heritage and traditional practices, such as Ganga Deep Puja and Govardhan Puja, as examples of India’s ecological sensitivity, complementing modern sustainability efforts.

(iii) Carbon reduction targets will be implemented gradually, with a 40% reduction by 2027 and the remaining by 2030.

      - The exercise involves participation from the Indian Army (IA) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The Indian contingent, comprising 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.

Main Point :-   (i) The exercise aims to strengthen the India-Japan relationship by boosting military ties and promoting cultural understanding for regional cooperation. It will focus on physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills, and disaster response strategies to enhance skills, combat readiness, and teamwork for effective operations.

      (ii) India and Japan also conduct military exercises such as the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX), a bilateral 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.

(iii) A joint air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), with the 1st edition held in Japan in January 2023.

      - The RBI launched this initiative in 2016, and it has been observed annually across the country to promote financial awareness among the people.

Main Point :-   (i) As part of FLW 2025, banks have been directed to spread financial literacy awareness by displaying RBI-developed posters on their web portals, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mobile applications (apps), and display boards at their branches.

      (ii) The campaign will cover topics such as risk diversification, responsible borrowing, maintaining a good credit score, and household budgeting, with a special focus on homemakers, working women, and women entrepreneurs.

(iii) This year's FLW includes multimedia campaigns by RBI to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy for women.

Main Point :-   (i) Under the revised norms, housing loans under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) will no longer be included in the exposure to commercial real estate (CRE).

      (ii) This exclusion aims to differentiate between priority sector housing and other real estate loans to streamline the exposure guidelines.

(iii) In terms of caps, the new norms allow residential mortgages (non-PSL) to be up to 25% of total loans, compared to the previous limit of 10%. For other real estate loans, excluding housing loans, the cap is now set at 5% of total loans. Additionally, loans to builders and developers are restricted to 5% of total loans.

Main Point :-   (i) The global firm has forecasted India's GDP to slow down further to 6.2% in FY27, with an expected increase to 6.6% in FY28.

      (ii) The firm emphasized that the tax relief measures announced by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in the Union Budget for FY25, coupled with the 25 basis point (bps) policy rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in February 2025, are expected to support domestic demand in FY25.

(iii) However, they may not be enough to completely counterbalance the impact of external headwinds on growth.

Main Point :-   (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 a Rs 2,500 crore investment for Renewable Energy (RE) development in MP.

      - Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi , who has been serving as DCGI since February 2023, was originally set to retire on February 28, 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi also holds the additional charge of secretary-cum-scientific director at the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), MoH&FW.

      (ii) Previously, he worked with reputed multinational companies, including Gurugram (Haryana)-based Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited and Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (DRL).

(iii) New Delhi (Delhi)-based CDSCO, under MoH&FW, is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the manufacturing, sales, export, and import of medicines, vaccines, cosmetics, and medical devices in India.

Main Point :-   (i) The IOA also cited "numerous complaints" from athletes, coaches, and relevant authorities regarding the non-participation of Indian boxers in several important national and international events, including the lack of medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (France).

      (ii) 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.

(iii) 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.

      - 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."

Main Point :-   (i) 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.

      (ii) 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.

(iii) 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.

Main Point :-   (i) During the Aadi Mahotsav, TRIFED signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with several organizations, including Tea Trunk (a Goa-based premium tea brand), Meesho (an Indian e-commerce company based in Bengaluru, Karnataka), the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) in Wardha, Maharashtra, to support tribal businesses.

      (ii) TRIFED also signed MoUs with Reliance Retail Limited (Mumbai, Maharashtra), Hindustan Computers Limited Foundation (HCLF, Noida, Uttar Pradesh), and Torajamelo (Indonesia) with the goal of implementing the Business-to-Business (B2B) approach and enhancing the tribal product market.

Main Point :-   (i) SIB QUICKPL is integrated with the Account Aggregator (AA) framework and the Income Tax portal for instant verification.

      (ii) The platform eliminates the need for document uploads, ensuring that the approved loan amount is credited directly to the applicant’s savings account.

(iii) This platform offers a fast, transparent, and customer-centric financing solution, tailored to the evolving financial needs of modern Indians.

      - Vishnu Choudhary claimed 2 gold in both the Men’s Individual and Men’s Team in the Recurve category.

Main Point :-   (i) Kushal Dalal secured 2 gold in both the Men’s Compound Team and Men’s Compound Individual.

      (ii) Basanti Mahato won gold in the Women’s Recurve, defeating Fong You Jhu of Chinese Taipei after a remarkable comeback from 0-4 down to win 6-4.

(iii) Vishnu Choudhary earned a silver medal in the Mixed Team Recurve alongside women’s individual champion Basanti Mahato, after losing to China 6-0 in the final, while Chinese Taipei secured the bronze. Additionally, the Women’s Compound Team, comprising Avneet Kaur, Madhuravarshini Muruganantham, and Chikitha Taniparth, won bronze after a shoot-off victory against Iran. South Korea claimed gold, while Kazakhstan secured silver.

Main Point :-   (i) This decision was based on the recommendation of an inter-ministerial committee on mines and minerals, chaired by Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, a member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).

      (ii) The move aligns with the Union Cabinet’s approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on January 29, 2025, which has been allocated a budget of ₹34,300 crore over seven years.

(iii) The mission aims to enhance the exploration and mining of critical minerals in India, including their recovery from other mineral mines, overburden, and tailings.

      - All samples are stored at a temperature of minus 196°C in Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) to maintain a cryogenic state, helping preserve the genetic diversity of species.

Main Point :-   (i) The samples can be preserved in the bio-bank for a minimum of 40 to 45 years.

      (ii) CCMB plans to establish bio-banks at other zoos, including the National Zoological Park in Delhi and Nandankanan Zoological Park in Barang, Odisha.

(iii) The animal museum has been created to preserve the bodies and skeletons of deceased animals. It currently houses specimens from 19 species at Darjeeling Zoo, including animals such as the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and Siberian Tiger.

      - The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shoor, an advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel, showcased India's maritime strength at NAVDEX 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), based in Goa, presented its locally designed Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) at NAVDEX 2025.

      (ii) Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), based in Hyderabad, introduced its indigenously developed Light Armoured Multi-role Vehicle (LAMV), which meets NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standards, at IDEX 2025.

(iii) The 18th edition of IDEX will be held from January 25 to 29, 2027, at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.

      - The Solar Powered Tricycle is designed to improve independence and mobility for people with disabilities.

Main Point :-   (i) The tricycle is equipped with solar panels and motor assistance, making it an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional mobility aids.

      (ii) This innovation not only reduces physical effort but also supports global sustainability goals by promoting renewable energy and clean transportation.

(iii) The award highlights ATC's commitment to reinventing mobility, improving accessibility, and advancing innovation in assistive technology.

      - NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) Research Foundation, aims to evaluate the experiences of countries that have implemented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) systems to derive insights and policy recommendations for India.

Main Point :-   (i) To improve healthcare delivery, accessibility, quality, and affordability, the draft paper suggests several multifaceted finance strategies that address both supply-side and demand-side issues.

      (ii) The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched in 2018, has played a crucial role in reducing financial burdens for families.

(iii) The government aims to strengthen these programs further through policy interventions and stakeholder consultations.

Main Point :-   (i) Datia Airport spans approximately 118 acres, featuring a 1810-meter-long and 30-meter-wide runway, a 768 square meter terminal building with a capacity of 100 passengers per hour, and an apron designed to accommodate two ATR-72 (Avions de Transport Régional / Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) aircraft.

      (ii) The airport features modern infrastructure, including X-ray machines, Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems, Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD), Handheld Metal Detector (HHMD), walkie-talkies, Radiotelephony (RT) sets, and a baggage handling system, ensuring passenger convenience and security.

(iii) It offers various passenger facilities, such as Televisions (TVs), a Flight Information Display System (FIDS), a Public Address (PA) system, a reserved lounge, and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi). Additionally, it houses an Emergency Response Centre (ERC) equipped with a fire truck and an ambulance for emergency situations.

Main Point :-   (i) The Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaan achieved five Guinness World Records, including 6,004,912 pledges for the most pledges received for a health campaign in one week, 13,892,976 pledges for both the most pledges in one month and overall, 62,525 photos for the largest online photo album of people displaying a digital certificate, and 12,798 videos for the largest online video album of people saying the same sentence.

      (ii) This achievement involved 1,81,667 volunteers, including 1,33,758 Ayurveda students, 16,155 teachers, and 31,754 physicians, setting a world record in itself.

(iii) Richard Williams Stenning, the Guinness World Records adjudicator, officially announced the successful completion of all five records and presented the certificates to Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao, Ministry of AYUSH, in Mumbai.

      - The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Union Power Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Power/Energy) from participating States, and Chairmen & Managing Directors (CMDs) of Central and State Power Utilities.

Main Point :-   (i) Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) topped the ratings by New Delhi (Delhi)-based Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) for the third consecutive year in recognition of operational excellence.

      (ii) AEML also earned an A+ rating from New Delhi (Delhi)-based Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) in recognition of exceptional customer service, while 15 DISCOMs secured the "A" grade.

(iii) The first edition of the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR) Report for FY 2023-24 was launched, where AEML ranked as Number 1, followed by TPDDL and NPCL, recognized as the best-performing DISCOMs.

Main Point :-   (i) The dialogue, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Pune International Centre (PIC), focused on addressing the complexities of economic fragmentation and identifying actionable pathways for resilience and resurgence.

      (ii) The key focus areas of the 9th edition of the Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) included Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, African Transformation, Blue Economy, International Monetary System (IMS), Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Climate Change. These sectors were explored in depth to address the complexities of economic fragmentation and to identify actionable pathways for resilience and resurgence in the global economy.

(iii) The dialogue brought together a diverse group of academicians, policymakers, and industry experts from various countries, including Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

Main Point :-   (i) The marathon featured captivating performances of classical dance forms, including Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Odissi.

      (ii) This monumental achievement was registered in the name of MP, with the Guinness World Records team declaring it a world record and presenting the certificate to CM, Mohan Yadav.

(iii) The 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival, held from February 20 to 26, 2025, celebrates and promotes Indian classical dance forms, attracting artists and audiences from around the world.

      - The Plenary selected Mr. Giles Thomson from the United Kingdom (UK) as the next FATF Vice President, succeeding Mr. Jeremy Weil from Canada, who has served since July 1, 2023, and will step down on June 30, 2025. Mr. Thomson will hold the position for two years, starting July 1, 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) and Nepal were added to the FATF Grey List due to strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT) frameworks. Both countries have committed to addressing gaps in supervision, financial intelligence, and the prosecution of financial crimes.

      (ii) The Philippines was removed from the FATF Grey List after successfully addressing its action plan, which included stricter casino supervision, improved access to beneficial ownership data, and enhanced terrorism financing investigations. The FATF emphasized continued collaboration with the Asia/Pacific Group to maintain these reforms.

      - The 56th edition of the DG-level Border Coordination Conference is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh in July 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Currently, hotlines exist between the force chiefs of both countries, as well as officers holding ranks such as Inspector General (IG) (regional commander for BGB), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (sector commander for BGB), and other field-level officers. These communication links facilitate real-time exchange of information and intelligence, enabling effective monitoring of border issues and curbing cross-border crimes.

      (ii) During the meeting, India emphasized the importance of completing the fencing along the remaining sections of the 4,096 km-long border shared with Bangladesh, which spans across five Indian states—Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and West Bengal. According to official data, 864.48 km of the border remains unfenced, including 174.51 km classified as a 'non-feasible' gap.

(iii) The Directors General (DGs) of India and Bangladesh discussed the need to initiate fencing or the creation of a Single-Row Fence (SRF) at approximately 99 patches covering around 70-72 km of the border, following joint inspections and consultations. Previously, both sides had agreed to fencing at 92 patches, covering 95.8 km of the border.

      - The bank will actively support PGTI tournaments, helping expand the sport's reach and strengthen professional golf in India. Over 20 tournaments are held each year, led by Kapil Dev, President of PGTI, and Amandeep Johl, CEO of PGTI.

Main Point :-   (i) These include personal banking, business banking, wealth management, and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) banking.

      (ii) This program provides tailored financial solutions such as investment products, wealth management, and exclusive golf privileges for members.

(iii) The bank offers various investment products like Mutual Funds, Alternate products, Sovereign Gold Bonds, and the National Pension System (NPS).

Main Point :-   (i) AMFL was penalized Rs 6.20 lakh for failing to report household income details of certain borrowers to CICs.

      (ii) Additionally, it did not provide factsheets to certain gold loan customers and lacked an auto-escalation mechanism for complaints that were partially or fully denied by its internal grievance resolution system, preventing their escalation to the internal ombudsman for final resolution.

(iii) JMFHL received a penalty of Rs 1.50 lakh for violating multiple provisions of the "Non-Banking Financial Company Housing Finance Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2021."

      - This initiative aims to integrate financial literacy into school curriculums. Educating students about investment principles early on will help create a financially aware generation capable of making informed financial decisions in the future.

Main Point :-   (i) MITRA is a platform designed to help investors and their legal heirs trace, recover, and reclaim inactive or forgotten investments, ensuring rightful ownership and transparency in the investment process.

      (ii) India's Mutual Fund (MF) industry has seen significant growth, with assets under management (AUM) surpassing Rs 65 lakh crore in December 2024, up from Rs 10.51 lakh crore in December 2014, as per the 'Where the Money Flows' study by Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company (MOAMC).

Main Point :-   (i) India was recognized for its progress in vehicle safety since 2014. This includes introducing a 'new car safety assessment program' and making 'Anti-lock Braking Systems' (ABS) mandatory in all new 2-wheelers.

      (ii) The award was presented to Union Minister of State (MoS) Ajay Tamta, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), by Etienne Krug, Director of the Department for Social Determinants of Health at WHO, on behalf of the Indian Government.

      - Sunil Bharti Mittal is the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, a conglomerate with diversified interests in telecom, insurance, real estate, education, and more. He also chairs Airtel Africa Plc, overseeing operations in 17 African countries.

Main Point :-   (i) Bharti Enterprises has formed joint ventures with major global partners, including Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), SoftBank Group Corp., and the UK and French governments, enhancing its global footprint.

      (ii) Sunil Bharti Mittal is a member of influential business bodies like the International Business Council, the India-UK CEO Forum, and the Prime Minister's Council on Trade & Industry, contributing to key global policy discussions.

(iii) In 2007, Sunil Bharti Mittal was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to trade and industry, and in 2016, he was elected as the Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

      - Similarly, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D), based in Delhi, slipped to 201-300 (in 2025) from 151-175 (in 2023).

Main Point :-   (i) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), ranked in the range of 201-300, down from 176-200 (in 2023).

      (ii) Also, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), which was featured in the previous edition of rankings in the 151-175 range, has not been included in the 2025 rankings.

(iii) Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA), a private deemed-to-be university based in Bhubaneswar (Odisha), debuted in the latest edition of rankings and has been ranked in the 201-300 range, with an overall score of 26.9-34.2.

      - On 22 September 2024, global leaders adopted the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future, reaffirming their commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Main Point :-   (i) The report highlights significant progress in the Asia-Pacific region on SDGs, including reducing income poverty (SDG 1), addressing undernourishment (SDG 2), supporting small-scale industries (SDG 9), reducing hazardous waste (SDG 12), mitigating land degradation (SDG 15), and combating human trafficking and intentional homicide (SDG 16).

      (ii) Additionally, the availability of SDG data has increased to 54%.

      - The event was also attended by senior government representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh.

Main Point :-   (i) Key areas of focus for increased regional cooperation include marine resource management, training and capacity building programs, research and policy advocacy, addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, resolving regional issues, etc.

      (ii) The partnerships are expected to improve the blue economy in the area, balance economic growth with marine ecological preservation, reduce poverty, and provide India with global leadership and responsibility, which is anticipated to bring several improvements in achieving the national objective of "Viksit Bharat 2047."

(iii) India receives continued support and collaboration from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other relevant organizations.

Main Point :-   (i) A roundtable discussion was held to strengthen UK-India collaboration in telecom security and innovation under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI).

      (ii) During the discussion, the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT) under DoT, MoC, and SONIC Labs (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Main Point :-   (i) The campaign, using the hashtag #EveryVoiceInScience, builds on the momentum of the UNESCO Call to Action Closing the Gender Gap in Science, launched during the 2024 celebration of this International Day.

      (ii) The campaign highlights the vital role of women in advancing scientific progress.

(iii) To shape the campaign, UNESCO conducted a global survey among its scientific community, gathering over 700 responses from diverse disciplines.

      - This reduces the chances of fraud and unauthorized access, ensuring that investors receive accurate and legitimate information.

Main Point :-   (i) By consolidating all financial data, the platform simplifies the management and transfer of assets, streamlining processes like inheritance and asset transmission.

      (ii) Investors can easily view their holdings and recent transactions using a single login, enabling quicker decision-making based on up-to-date financial information.

(iii) The app incorporates robust security features, including two-factor authentication, ensuring a secure and safe user experience. Both the CDSL MyEasi and NSDL SPEED-e apps offer access to the unified platform's features.

      - The report highlighted that economic growth across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to slow in 2025, primarily due to rising trade tensions and shifts in the global tariff landscape.

Main Point :-   (i) The report projected that global growth will ease from an estimated 3.9% in 2024 to 3.7% in 2025 and further decline to 3.5% in 2026.

      (ii) The report observed that most economies are still trailing their pre-pandemic growth levels, with China's GDP approximately 1.2% below its pre-pandemic trend, aligning with the global average. India lags by nearly 2% but remains better positioned than ASEAN economies, where GDP levels are 5% below pre-pandemic figures.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative supports the development of new space products and intellectual property, fostering research and innovation in the Indian space sector.

      (ii) In October 2024, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 1,000 crore Venture Capital (VC) fund for the spacetech sector through IN-SPACe, a single-window, independent nodal agency operating autonomously under the DoS.

Main Point :-   (i) As part of this collaboration, HAL executives will have the opportunity to enroll in Master's and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs at DIAT, take part in specialized modules on emerging technologies, and participate in faculty and student exchange programs.

      (ii) This partnership will also enable joint conferences, seminars, and collaborative research projects, fostering advancements in India's defense and aviation capabilities.

      - He is a 1987-batch retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre.

Main Point :-   (i) B.V.R. Subrahmanyam served in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) under Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh (2004–2008) and Narendra Modi (March 2012–March 2015).

      (ii) In 2015, he was appointed as the Additional Chief Secretary (CS) of Chhattisgarh and in 2018, as the CS of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

(iii) In 2021, he was appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) to the Government of India (GoI).

Main Point :-   (i) In 1926, delegates from Girl Guide and Girl Scout organizations around the world gathered in the United States of America (USA) at the 4th WAGGGS World Conference, where they decided to create Thinking Day as a special day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

      (ii) In 1999, at the 30th World Conference in Dublin (Ireland), the name was changed to "World Thinking Day" to better reflect the global reach of the celebration.

Main Point :-   (i) A significant portion of the budget has been allocated to development projects (22%), followed by education (13%), agriculture and allied sectors (11%), medical and health (6%), and social security (4%).

      (ii) Uttar Pradesh’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected to reach ₹27.51 trillion in FY25. The fiscal deficit is estimated at ₹91,400 crore, accounting for 2.97% of the projected GSDP for FY25.

(iii) Total estimated receipts stand at ₹7,79,242.65 crore, comprising revenue receipts of ₹6,62,690.93 crore and capital receipts of ₹1,16,551.72 crore.

      - The total receipts for 2025-26 are estimated to be around ₹1,01,034.75 crore, including ₹62,540.54 crore in revenue receipts and ₹38,494.21 crore in capital receipts.

Main Point :-   (i) The tax revenue within revenue receipts is projected at ₹39,917.74 crore, which includes the state’s share of ₹15,902.92 crore in central taxes, while non-tax revenue is expected to generate ₹22,622.80 crore.

      (ii) Additionally, total estimated revenue receipts from the state's own sources amount to ₹28,410.30 crore, with ₹24,014.82 crore from tax revenue and ₹4,395.48 crore from non-tax revenue.

(iii) The budget projects a revenue surplus of ₹2,585.89 crore for 2025-26, with a fiscal deficit estimated at ₹12,604.92 crore, accounting for 2.94% of the state's GDP.

Main Point :-   (i) He has served as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and District Collector (DC) of Panipat and Hisar in Haryana.

      (ii) Over the years, he has held key positions as Director and Principal Secretary in multiple departments, and in 2021, he was promoted to Additional Chief Secretary (ACS).

(iii) The office of the Chief Secretary (CS) is excluded from the tenure system, meaning there is no fixed tenure for this position.

Main Point :-   (i) He has served as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and District Collector (DC) of Panipat and Hisar in Haryana.

      (ii) Over the years, he has held key positions as Director and Principal Secretary in multiple departments, and in 2021, he was promoted to Additional Chief Secretary (ACS).

(iii) The office of the Chief Secretary (CS) is excluded from the tenure system, meaning there is no fixed tenure for this position.

Main Point :-   (i) He has served as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and District Collector (DC) of Panipat and Hisar in Haryana.

      (ii) Over the years, he has held key positions as Director and Principal Secretary in multiple departments, and in 2021, he was promoted to Additional Chief Secretary (ACS).

(iii) The office of the Chief Secretary (CS) is excluded from the tenure system, meaning there is no fixed tenure for this position.

Main Point :-   (i) He has served as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and District Collector (DC) of Panipat and Hisar in Haryana.

      (ii) Over the years, he has held key positions as Director and Principal Secretary in multiple departments, and in 2021, he was promoted to Additional Chief Secretary (ACS).

(iii) The office of the Chief Secretary (CS) is excluded from the tenure system, meaning there is no fixed tenure for this position.

      - These water bodies will undergo restoration, including desilting, cleaning, ecological rejuvenation, and landscaping with minimal disruption to the historic sites. Informative signage will be installed to enhance visitor experience and community engagement. Through this collaboration, Bisleri aims to ensure the long-term preservation and improvement of India's heritage sites.

Main Point :-   (i) The 'Adopt A Heritage (AAH)' programme, launched in 2017, is a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Ministry of Culture (MoC), and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). In September 2023, a revamped version of the programme was introduced as 'AAH 2.0'.

      (ii) The initiative seeks to establish a framework for collaboration with public and private sector organizations, trusts, societies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and others, to create or enhance facilities at Protected Monuments using their CSR funds, with the aim of improving the visitor experience and making the adopted monuments more visitor-friendly.

(iii) The facilities under this program are categorized into four main areas: Hygiene, Accessibility, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) facility, and Knowledge. As of February 2025, 21 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between ASI and partnering entities across Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), Tamil Nadu (TN), Odisha, Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.

      - EPL will be securely accessible through the electronic-Governance of Civil Aviation (eGCA) Mobile Application. This initiative aligns with the Government of India's (GOI) "Ease of Doing Business" (EoDB) and "Digital India Initiatives" (DII).

Main Point :-   (i) The launch of EPL follows ICAO's Amendment 178 to Annex 1 Personnel Licensing, which encourages Member States to adopt electronic licenses.

      (ii) EPL will phase out printed cards, reducing paper and plastic usage, contributing to environmental sustainability. It provides real-time access to credentials, enhancing global job opportunities for Indian pilots.

(iii) The DGCA had previously issued 62,000 smart card licenses, with the requirement for printed cards in 2024 standing at approximately 20,000.

      - They also exchanged the finalised ToR on the formation of the Su-30 Forum, which aims to enhance collaboration between the Air Forces of both nations, focusing on Su-30 maintenance, expertise exchange, and best practices.

Main Point :-   (i) The 12th meeting of MIDCOM was held in New Delhi, Delhi in 2023.

      (ii) Malaysia assumed the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2025 under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability".

Main Point :-   (i) The award acknowledges efforts in reducing workplace injuries, implementing best OSH practices, and promoting continuous improvements.

      (ii) The airport achieved zero fatal, non-fatal, and permanent disability incidents, contributing to its success in securing the award.

(iii) The airport is named after Manohar Gopalkrishna Prabhu Parrikar, the former Union Minister of Defence (MoD) and Chief Minister (CM) of Goa.

      - Initial agreements in 1997 and 2002 led to joint workshops and training programs beyond their official duration. The new MoU aims to revive and expand this collaboration for enhanced scientific engagement.

Main Point :-   (i) The partnership under the 2025 MoU will involve exchanging scientific knowledge, research materials, and experts, along with organizing joint S&T seminars, workshops, and training programs.

      (ii) It includes joint research projects, access to major research facilities, technology collaborations, and institutional twinning for capacity development.

(iii) The cooperation will cover biological sciences, food technology, water and environmental technologies, mining sciences, metallurgy, biomaterials, nanotechnology, alternative energy, polymer sciences, and drug discovery.

      - India is set to host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027, both in Mumbai (Maharashtra). These meetings will provide a platform for India to showcase its advancements in maritime technology, navigation systems, and global maritime partnerships.

Main Point :-   (i) Founded in 1957, IALA (formerly known as the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) was established as an NGO to unite marine aids to navigation authorities, manufacturers, consultants, and scientific and training organizations from around the world.

      (ii) In August 2024, 34 member states ratified IALA's transformation into an IGO, enhancing its ability to regulate and standardize marine navigation, leading to its name change to the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA).

(iii) As an IGO, IALA sets international standards for safe and efficient navigation, harmonizes global maritime systems, promotes safety initiatives, and works with member states, organizations, and industry partners to tackle emerging challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection.

Main Point :-   (i) The digital onboarding procedure follows the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Aadhaar OTP-based eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) guidelines, providing a secure and smooth experience for customers.

      (ii) Customers can open accounts easily through the bank's website with minimal documentation, subject to regulatory transaction limits.

(iii) API Banking allows corporates to streamline, automate, and improve financial processes by integrating transactions initiated in corporate accounting systems with the bank’s core banking system, reducing the need for manual data entry and duplication.

Main Point :-   (i) The SHC provides the soil status based on 12 parameters, including macronutrients (Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and Sulphur (S)), micronutrients (Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Boron (B)), along with pH (Acidity or Basicity), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Organic Carbon (OC).

      (ii) Under the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, soil samples are collected twice a year—after the harvesting of Rabi and Kharif crops or when no crop is standing in the field. As of February 2025, a total of 24.74 crore SHCs have been generated, and 8,272 soil testing laboratories have been established across the country.

      - The delegation included NBS Rajput, Joint Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), MoPP&P; A P Singh, Associate Professor, NCGG; Prisca Mathew, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Consultant, NCGG; and Mukesh Bhandari, Research Associate, NCGG.

Main Point :-   (i) The two-day official visit concluded with a clear plan for a five-year collaboration (2024-2028) between SLIDA and NCGG to conduct capacity-building programs for Sri Lankan government workers, aiming to improve public sector efficiency.

      (ii) The NCGG has trained 95 Sri Lankan civil servants to date, and around 8 modules will be held annually under the program. The first training module for 40 officers will take place soon.

(iii) Prior to the MoU signing, over 200 Sri Lankan police officers had already received training at NCGG, and three capacity-building training programs were previously organized for senior and mid-level officers of Sri Lanka.

Main Point :-   (i) The first contract, valued at Rs. 1,220.12 crore, involves the procurement of 149 SDRs from Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the ICG. SDRs were procured under the 'Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured, IDDM)' category of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

      (ii) The second contract, worth Rs. 697.35 crore, involves the procurement of 1,868 RTFLTs from Faridabad (Haryana) based Action Construction Equipment (ACE) Limited and Ballabgarh (Haryana) based JCB India Limited, a subsidiary of Joseph Cyril Bamford Excavators Limited in the United Kingdom (UK).

(iii) The RTFLTs will be produced under the 'Buy (Indian)' category, which will support the indigenisation effort and the Make in India initiative in defence.

      - This initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort, celebrating IMD's legacy and contributions through public art.

Main Point :-   (i) A total of 38 murals showcase key moments in weather forecasting, meteorological advancements, and their impact on society.

      (iii) The murals depict significant weather events in India's history, advancements in meteorological technology like satellites and radars, and highlight IMD's role in disaster management, agriculture, daily life, and its efforts in issuing early warnings for cyclones, monsoons, and extreme weather conditions.

(iii) Delhi Street Art was founded by Late Yogesh Saini.

Main Point :-   (i) The project, costing Rs. 82.03 crores, was managed by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), New Delhi, under the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), MoPSW.

      (ii) The terminal features a Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) Jetty and an Electric Level Luffing Crane for efficient cargo handling.

(iii) Located 91 km from Gelephu (Bhutan), 108 km from the Bangladesh border, and 147 km from Guwahati, the terminal is projected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027.

Main Point :-   (i) The service was introduced on February 18, 2025, during the assembly session, pending approval from the House of Suit.

      (ii) Members can now select the appropriate channel at their seat to listen to live translations in their earplugs in any of the four regional dialects (Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, and Bhojpuri).

      - EAM S. Jaishankar and Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, unveiled a specially designed logo marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, symbolizing their strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

Main Point :-   (i) EAM S. Jaishankar and Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, launched the book Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman, published by the Indian Embassy in Muscat. The book highlights the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations and the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora in Oman.

      (ii) On the sidelines of the conference, EAM S. Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Brunei, Bangladesh, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Nepal.

(iii) These discussions covered key regional and global issues of mutual concern, emphasizing India's commitment to strengthening its engagement in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Main Point :-   (i) As per RBI data, outward remittances increased by 3.3% Y-o-Y in the 3rd Quarter (October-December) of FY25 to USD 6,670.4 million compared to the same period last financial year.

      (ii) The RBI data also revealed that remittances for the maintenance of close relatives dropped by approximately 25.2% to USD 2,757 million, while remittances for gifts decreased by 21.38% to USD 2,215.5 million.

Main Point :-   (i) TCP will accelerate progress and optimize the impact of JICA's ongoing Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan with the department, focusing on improving supply chains, strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and increasing the productivity of high-value crops.

      (ii) The Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) strategy, a market-driven farming model developed by JICA, is expected to grow with the support of the new TCP.

(iii) This initiative will improve agricultural productivity, contribute to broader socio-economic development by promoting sustainable livelihoods, expanding rural economies, and building long-term resilience of the horticulture industry in Uttarakhand.

      - The app features a section for the most frequently accessed reports, allowing users to quickly find key information. Additionally, the search function enables users to find data directly from the home screen, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple sections.

Main Point :-   (i) The app includes a section to help users locate banking facilities within a 20-kilometer radius of their current location. It also provides access to economic data from SAARC countries through the 'SAARC Finance' link.

      (ii) The app integrates with the RBI's Database on the Indian Economy (DBIE) portal, ensuring real-time updates and accuracy. It is available for both iPhone (iOS version 12 and above) and Android users, with a built-in feedback mechanism for user suggestions and improvements.

Main Point :-   (i) The committee, led by Dinesh Kumar Khara, is tasked with reviewing the proposed amendments and suggesting a framework for their implementation. The report is expected to be submitted within 3 months.

      (ii) Based on the committee’s recommendations, the IRDAI will forward proposals to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), MoF will draft a new bill for stakeholder feedback.

Main Point :-   (i) India's GDP expanded by 5.4% in real terms during the July-September quarter of FY25 (Q2 FY25), which was below the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s forecast of 7%.

      (ii) The manufacturing sector, as indicated by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), grew from 3.3% in Q2 FY25 to 4.3% in Q3 FY25.

Main Point :-   (i) The 2024 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 is the fourth edition, featuring the 500 most valuable private companies in India. The average age of the companies on the list is 43 years.

      (ii) The threshold for qualifying in the 2024 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 is Rs 9,580 crore as of 13 December 2024, reflecting a 43% increase from the Rs 6,700 crore threshold in 2023.

Main Point :-   (i) Nageswaran played a significant role in India’s annual Economic Survey 2024-25, which projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.3% to 6.8% for Financial Year 2025-26.

      (ii) Nageswaran assumed the position of the 18th Chief Economic Adviser on January 28, 2022, succeeding Krishnamurthy Venkata (KV) Subramanian, the 17th CEA, who served from 2018 to 2021.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative to celebrate IMLD originated in Bangladesh, where it honors the language martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1952 language movement in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in an effort to protect the dignity of their mother tongue, 'Bangla.'

      (ii) On November 17, 1999, the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared February 21 as "International Mother Language Day" to honor the Bengali people's struggle and sacrifice for their language and culture. The first IMLD was observed on December 21, 2000, following the UNESCO proclamation.

(iii) The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially recognized this observance in its resolution (A/RES/56/262) in 2002.

      Provisions include free solar plants and 150 electricity units per month for residents.

Main Point :-   (i) Estimated Revenue Receipts of Rs 2,94,536.49 crore and Revenue Expenditure of Rs 3,25,545.90 crore, resulting in a Revenue Deficit of Rs 31,009.41 crore.

      (ii) Estimated Fiscal Deficit of Rs 84,643.63 crore, which is 4.25% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Main Point :-   (i) On the sidelines of the visit, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi (Delhi), in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), organized the 'India-Qatar Joint Business Forum' on February 18, 2025, in New Delhi (Delhi).

      (ii) As part of his visit, both countries signed several pivotal agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), ranging from strategic partnerships and economic cooperation to cultural and energy exchanges.

      - The Unemployment Rate (UR) is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons among the total labour force. The Current Weekly Status (CWS) of a person refers to their activity status based on the reference period of the last 7 days preceding the survey date.

Main Point :-   (i) Overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in urban areas for individuals aged 15 years and above increased to 50.4% in Q3 FY25 from 49.9% in Q3 FY24. Male LFPR increased to 75.4%, and Female LFPR increased slightly to 25.2%.

      (ii) Overall Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for urban areas among individuals aged 15 years and above increased to 47.2% in Q3 FY25 from 46.6% in Q3 FY24. Male WPR rose to 70.9%, and Female WPR increased to 23.2%.

(iii) LFPR is the percentage of persons in the labour force (working, seeking, or available for work) in the population, while WPR is the percentage of employed persons in the population.

      - The collaboration aims to strengthen cooperation in the development of critical mineral resources, particularly lithium, a vital component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy (RE) storage.

Main Point :-   (i) Argentina, part of the "Lithium Triangle," holds over 50% of global lithium reserves. This collaboration aims to diversify India’s lithium supply chain, reducing dependency on China. Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and Greenko are already engaged in lithium exploration in Catamarca, with KABIL and Argentina's CAMYEN having signed a USD 200 million agreement for exclusive exploration rights to five lithium brine blocks in 2024.

      (ii) The partnership emphasizes eco-friendly mining, knowledge exchange, and establishing regulatory frameworks to ensure mutual benefits. This initiative promotes sustainable exploration and mining practices while advancing both nations' energy and environmental goals.

(iii) Access to lithium supports India’s 500 GW renewable energy (RE) target by 2030 and bolsters its electric vehicle (EV) adoption goals. The agreement also strengthens India’s geopolitical presence in Latin America, promoting trade diversification and regional alliances.

Main Point :-   (i) The DBIM defines key elements of digital identity, including visual components such as logos, color palettes, typography, and imagery, along with verbal identity aspects like brand voice, messaging frameworks, and taglines, to create a consistent digital brand for the Government of India (GoI).

      (ii) This toolkit is powered by Bhashini’s multilingual support, enhancing content discovery and service accessibility by making government apps more user-friendly, compliant, and available in all official languages.

      - As of January 2025, OPEC+ consists of 22 member countries.

Main Point :-   (i) Brazil's participation in OPEC+ is limited to the Charter of Cooperation (CoC), a forum for oil-producing countries to discuss production strategies.

      (ii) Brazil is the 7th-largest oil producer globally, producing approximately 4.3 million barrels per day, which accounts for 4% of global oil output. In 2024, crude oil became Brazil's top export, contributing 13.3% to the country's foreign sales, surpassing its soy exports.

(iii) OPEC+ is a coalition of OPEC members and 10 non-OPEC oil-producing nations that collaborate on oil production targets to influence global prices. Formed in 2016, it includes countries like Russia, Mexico, and Malaysia, with Russia being the largest non-OPEC member.

      - Furthermore, KBL inaugurated a centenary building and two museums at its headquarters in Mangaluru (Karnataka), showcasing the bank's 100-year journey.

Main Point :-   (i) P Pradeep Kumar, Chairman of KBL; Srikrishnan K, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KBL; and spiritual leader Sadguru Madhusudan Sai were present at the event.

      (ii) 'KBL Stri' is a savings bank account designed to empower women in determining their success, whether they are homemakers, professionals, or entrepreneurs. The account offers two variants: the Signature account and the Premium account.

      - Bima-ASBA allows insurers to offer a One-Time Mandate (OTM) via UPI to block a specific amount in the bank account of the prospect, transferring money only after the insurance coverage is granted.

Main Point :-   (i) The insurance premium amount will be deducted when the insurer accepts the proposal. If the insurer rejects the proposal, the funds will be unblocked and released.

      (ii) The blocked funds remain in the policyholder's account until an underwriting decision is made. The premium is deducted after the insurance is issued. If rejected, the funds will be unlocked within one business day. The block remains valid for up to 14 days or until the underwriting decision is made.

(iii) Insurers must send a proposal form with a standard declaration to policyholders to block the amount using UPI, and the UPI-OTM service allows consumers to authorize a block on money instead of a direct debit, ensuring faster transaction processing.

Main Point :-   (i) The insurance coverage is provided by Mumbai, Maharashtra-based TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited.

      (ii) Customers of the Prospera NRE Savings Account must maintain an Average Monthly Balance (AMB) of Rs 25,000. This balance can be maintained in either the NRE Prospera Savings Account alone or in the NRE Prospera and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts together (with a maximum of one NRO account permitted).

(iii) The account follows the Savings Bank (SB) interest rate slab of Federal Bank and comes with a Mastercard Prospera Debit Card. There are no Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) for Prospera NRE Savings Account holders.

Main Point :-   (i) The Government of India's (GOI) Capital Expenditure (CapEx) rose 47.7% (from 10.3%) YoY in Q3 FY2025, the highest in 6 quarters.

      (ii) Aggregate capital outlay and net lending of 24 state governments (excluding Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, and Manipur) grew 9.9% Year-over-Year (YoY), up from 7.0% in Q2.

(iii) Service exports hit an all-time high of USD 36.9 billion in December 2024, with Q3 exports rising 17.5% YoY, while merchandise exports rebounded with a YoY growth of 3.3%, reversing the 4.3% contraction in Q2.

Main Point :-   (i) The women featured in the list have achieved significant wealth through industries such as retail, cosmetics, energy, finance, and technology, leading their family businesses to global prominence.

      (ii) The top 10 wealthiest women globally, as highlighted by Forbes, have collectively accumulated a net worth exceeding approximately USD 500 billion.

(iii) According to the Forbes Billionaire List 2024, women now represent 3% of the global billionaire population.

      - The NFMP is a project implemented by the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC), Government of Nagaland, with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Main Point :-   (i) The project aims to enhance forest ecosystems and income generation by re-establishing Jhum areas and supporting livelihoods through village-specific interventions carried out by Joint Forest Management Committees.

      (ii) The project, running from 2017 to 2027, will cover 185 villages across 11 districts and 22 Forest Ranges. It plans to cover an area of 79,096 hectares under Forest Intervention and establish 555 Self Help Groups (SHGs) to improve livelihoods.

(iii) The SKOCH Award is one of the highest independent honors, awarded since 1997, recognizing states and organizations in the fields of governance, technology, economics, and the social sector for their dedicated and independent outcome-based assessment process.

      - Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, administered the oath of office and secrecy to the CM and the ministers at the ceremony.

Main Point :-   (i) This event marks the end of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s 10-year rule in Delhi.

      (ii) The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah (Ministry of Home Affairs), BJP President Jagat Prakash (JP) Nadda, and several BJP-led state CMs, including those from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh (AP).

(iii) In the 2025 Delhi assembly elections, the BJP won 48 out of the 70 seats, while AAP secured 22 seats. After being selected as the CM by BJP legislators, Rekha Gupta met Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena to stake her claim to form the government.

Main Point :-   (i) Salila Pande began her banking career as a Probationary Officer (PO) with SBI in 1995.

      (ii) Salila has accumulated extensive experience through various positions across the bank in several locations.

(iii) She has held significant roles, including President and CEO of SBI California (USA), Vice President - Mid Office at SBI Singapore, and Deputy General Manager (DGM) (Business and Operations) in Delhi.

      - SHPL is involved in investing in equity shares, preference shares, and other securities. It is an unregistered Core Investment Company as per the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.

Main Point :-   (i) CIFCPL and SMPL provide microfinance and personal loans to low-income individuals and households in rural and semi-urban areas, while SMHFCL offers secured housing loans, loans against property, and loans to corporations/institutions for construction and real estate projects.

      (ii) NS Blackwater and JFE Steel BW are newly formed special-purpose vehicles created for the proposed combination, while BW Coal Mine imports and supplies coking coal.

(iii) The acquisition aligns with India's growing demand for high-quality coking coal, a key raw material in steel production.

Main Point :-   (i) Organized by the Nagaon Wildlife Division under Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (Assam), the two-day event showcased the region's rich cultural heritage through traditional performances, ethnic cuisine, and community activities.

      (ii) The festival featured a 20-kilometer cyclothon and a nature orientation program for school students.

(iii) The event also emphasized the importance of preserving Assam's biodiversity, which faces various environmental challenges.

Main Point :-   (i) In 2025, WB uploaded 1,909 checklists, a slight decrease from 2,223 entries in 2024. Kerala led India in checklist submissions with 9,856 entries. Darjeeling recorded the highest number of species in WB with 252 species, though lower than last year's 308 species.

      (ii) South 24 Parganas emerged as the top district in WB with 513 checklists, while in 2024, Darjeeling held the top position with 342 checklists.

(iii) The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a global annual bird-watching event held every February, launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society (USA). It helps monitor bird populations through eBird, an online platform. India joined GBBC in 2013 with 200 participants.

Main Point :-   (i) The partnership will involve the development of advanced equipment, including robotic spot-welding systems designed to improve the quality and efficiency of production.

      (ii) Additionally, the development of high-precision jigs and fixtures will improve accuracy in coach manufacturing, while specialized automated technologies will address India's specific manufacturing needs, and assembly machinery will help achieve international quality standards.

Main Point :-   (i) On November 26, 2007, during its 62nd session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/62/10, declaring February 20th of each year as World Day of Social Justice, starting from the 63rd session of the UNGA.

      (ii) The first-ever World Day of Social Justice was observed on February 20, 2009.

Main Point :-   (i) In 2016, she became the first Indian woman to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

      (ii) In 2017, she received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (National Sports Promotion Award in India) and was honored by Vogue India with the Global Philanthropist and Leader of the Year award.

      - The 'Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2025' officially commenced on February 16, 2025, at Benoa Port, Bali, focusing on maritime interoperability, regional security cooperation, and disaster relief operations.

Main Point :-   (i) The exercise saw participation from over 30 countries, including the USA, Russia, China, Australia, and Singapore, under the theme 'Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability', emphasizing humanitarian aid, natural disaster response, and crisis management.

      (ii) IN’s participation aligns with India’s 'Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)' vision, following its involvement in Exercise LA PEROUSE in January 2025, where INS Mumbai and a P-8I aircraft participated.

(iii) Strengthening bilateral naval ties, Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, visited India as part of a high-level delegation accompanying Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the Republic Day Parade 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) During the event, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also virtually inaugurated the first 'Sachal Aaykar Seva Kendra' in Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai. This center will offer digital services, guidance for grievance redressal, and promote tax awareness.

      (ii) She also introduced a new scheme called the 'Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDKY)', which aims to improve agricultural productivity in 100 districts with low agricultural output.

      - It is integrated with the ANANDA (Atma Nirbhar Agents New Business Digital Application) platform from LIC. ANANDA helps agents onboard clients and forms the basis for this service.

Main Point :-   (i) OMO provides features like a Premium calculator, benefit illustrations, Electronic National Automated Clearing House (E-NACH) registration, address change, online loan requests, premium renewal payments, claim-related submissions, and more.

      (ii) Additionally, it offers a knowledge center, various health and insurance-related calculators, an office locator, National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) search, and other tools to help agents serve their customers better.

      - It is integrated with the ANANDA (Atma Nirbhar Agents New Business Digital Application) platform from LIC. ANANDA helps agents onboard clients and forms the basis for this service.

Main Point :-   (i) OMO provides features like a Premium calculator, benefit illustrations, Electronic National Automated Clearing House (E-NACH) registration, address change, online loan requests, premium renewal payments, claim-related submissions, and more.

      (ii) Additionally, it offers a knowledge center, various health and insurance-related calculators, an office locator, National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) search, and other tools to help agents serve their customers better.

Main Point :-   (i) Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed Bharat Tex 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, emphasizing its role in showcasing India's rich cultural diversity through traditional textiles and garments.

      (ii) Union Minister Giriraj Singh, MoT, inaugurated the Indie Haat at the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (NCMHA), New Delhi, which featured traditional weaves and crafts, promoting the blend of tradition and innovation in the textile sector.

(iii) Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita, MoT, inaugurated the 'International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Silk Sector – SILKTECH 2025' organized by the Central Silk Board (CSB) at Bharat Mandapam as part of Bharat Tex 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Farmers pay only 2% (Kharif crops), 1.5% (Rabi crops), or 5% (horticulture/commercial crops), with the remaining amount subsidized by the government.

      (ii) Includes yield losses, prevented sowing (up to 25% of the sum insured), post-harvest losses (14 days post-harvest), and localized calamities.

Main Point :-   (i) FMO fully subscribed to the INR-denominated NCD issuance, showing its commitment to supporting sustainable growth and helping entrepreneurs succeed.

      (ii) A successful transaction in December 2023, which mainly supported green finance with an unlisted NCD issue of USD 30 million (Rs 2,490 million), has strengthened UGRO Capital's reputation as a trusted partner for impact financing.

(iii) UGRO Capital has raised Rs 1.5 billion from both global and domestic development financial institutions and impact funds, including IFU (Denmark Government Sovereign Fund), Asian Development Bank (ADB), ResponsAbility, Calvert Impact Capital, Enabling Qapital, GMO, Water Equity, Microvest, and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA).

      - As part of the agreement, Eurobank S.A. has chosen LTIMindtree as the service partner for the Temenos implementation program at Eurobank Luxembourg.

Main Point :-   (i) LTIMindtree will handle services such as maintenance, data migration, quality assurance, and post-production support.

      (ii) In addition, LTIMindtree will work on advancing the technology for Eurobank Group's operations in Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Greece.

(iii) As part of this partnership, LTIMindtree and Eurobank launched a new Global Delivery Center in Pune (Maharashtra), reaffirming their commitment to developing new banking technologies.

Main Point :-   (i) In January 2025, merchandise exports were USD 36.43 billion, slightly lower than USD 37.32 billion recorded in January 2024. On the other hand, merchandise imports for January 2025 stood at USD 59.42 billion, showing an increase from USD 53.88 billion in January 2024.

      (ii) In January 2025, India’s services exports were estimated at USD 38.55 billion, increasing from USD 31.01 billion in January 2024.

(iii) Meanwhile, services imports for January 2025 stood at USD 18.22 billion, up from USD 14.84 billion in January 2024.

Main Point :-   (i) The signing marks a critical milestone in the implementation of the technology PLI Scheme under the "National Programme on ACC Battery Storage," approved by the Union Cabinet in May 2021, with a total outlay of Rs.18,100 crore to achieve a total manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh.

      (ii) Under the agreement, a cumulative capacity of 40 GWh has been awarded to 4 selected beneficiary firms out of the targeted 50 GWh.

Main Point :-   (i) The nominations for the 2024 award were announced on January 16, 2025, showcasing 5 remarkable Indian sportswomen.

      (ii) The shortlisted nominees, who proceeded to the public vote, included Aditi Ashok (professional golfer), Manu Bhaker (professional shooter), Avani Lekhara (professional shooter), Smriti Mandhana (India women's cricket vice-captain), and Vinesh Phogat (professional freestyle wrestler).

Main Point :-   (i) Seven Technology LLC is the parent company of Dinie Correspondente Bancario e Meios de Pagamento (Dinie) in Brazil, which is the first embedded finance start-up offering Application Programming Interface (API)-based solutions.

      (ii) The acquisition is expected to be completed within 45 days, after which Seven Technology and Dinie will become associate entities of Paytm.

(iii) In December 2024, Paytm's parent company, One97 Communications Singapore Private Limited (Paytm Singapore), agreed to sell its Stock Acquisition Rights (SARS) in Japan's PayPay Corporation to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for Japanese Yen (JPY) 41.9 billion (around Rs 2,364 crore).

      - It is also the 5th exoplanet detected using the combined efforts of PRL Advanced Radial Velocity Abu Sky Search (PARAS-1) and PARAS-2 spectrographs. It is only the 5th sub-Saturn exoplanet discovered in a binary system.

Main Point :-   (i) TOI-6038A b has a high density of 1.62 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), suggesting its formation through High-Eccentricity Tidal Migration (HEM) or early disk-driven migration. Its internal structure analysis indicates that 75% of its mass consists of a massive rocky core, while the remaining 25% is a Hydrogen-Helium (H/He) envelope.

      (ii) Its host star, TOI-6038A, is part of a binary system with a companion K-type star, TOI-6038B, which is located 3217 Astronomical Units (AU) away.

(iii) PARAS-2 is Asia's highest-resolution stabilized radial velocity (RV) spectrograph.

Main Point :-   (i) He served as an economist with the World Bank (WB) from 1967 to 1976 and as Editor of the Indian Express (IE) from 1987 to 1990.

      (ii) He was a nominated Member of Parliament (MP) and held the position of Minister of Disinvestment, Communications, and IT in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet.

(iii) He was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in 1982. In 1990, he received the Padma Bhushan for Literature and Education.

      - During the conference, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (MoP and MoHUA) inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant installed on the Metro Viaduct at Okhla Vihar Metro Station in New Delhi, aiming to make metro operations more sustainable.

Main Point :-   (i) These efforts support India’s renewable energy (RE) goal of achieving 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030, including a 50 KW vertical solar plant at Okhla Vihar Metro Station using bi-facial panels that capture sunlight from both sides.

      (ii) Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) plans to install a 60 MW solar power plant using the elevated metro structure during Phase-4, eliminating the need for extra land.

(iii) Several metro systems in cities like Bengaluru (Karnataka), New Delhi (Delhi), Hyderabad (Telangana), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kochi (Kerala), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Nagpur (Maharashtra), and Pune (Maharashtra) have earned IGBC Certification for their commitment to eco-friendly designs, use of green materials, and solar power integration.

Main Point :-   (i) The inauguration of NAKSHA took place in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh (MP). The project is expected to cost around Rs. 194 crore, fully funded by the Government of India (GoI).

      (ii) The goal of the NAKSHA program is to create and update land records in urban areas, ensuring accurate and reliable documentation of land ownership.

      - A ghat (a series of steps leading down to the water) and a statue of Lord Varun will also be constructed around the lake for people to sit and pray.

Main Point :-   (i) King Edward Memorial Bhawan was built between 1912 and 1913 and named after King Edward VII during British rule. It is located on Railway Station Road, Ajmer, Rajasthan.

      (ii) The building has now been renamed to honor Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, who attained nirvana (spiritual liberation) in Ajmer.

(iii) The renaming process removes symbols of slavery and creates symbols of freedom and inspiration.

Main Point :-   (i) The program is designed for people from all socio-economic backgrounds, including rural areas, and offers a certification jointly issued by MSDE, NSDC, Skill India, and Intel upon completion.

      (ii) The curriculum covers the use of AI in business, entrepreneurial strategies, and real-world problem-solving.

(iii) In addition to theoretical learning, the program includes interactive video lectures, case studies of AI-powered startups, and practical experience applying AI tools, helping learners understand the concepts clearly.

Main Point :-   (i) The FutureBrand Index is an annual report that evaluates the top 100 global brands based on the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Market Capitalization ranking. The report analyzes brand evolution from 2014 to 2024, highlighting key trends shaping growth and sustainability in the marketplace.

      (ii) Samsung ranks 1st, excelling in innovation and sustainability, while Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) ranks 2nd, marking the first time an Indian company has made it to the top three, followed by Apple (3rd), Nike (4th), and ASML (5th), with other notable brands like Danaher, Disney, MOUTAI, TSMC, and IHC securing top spots.

(iii) Top Gainers include China Construction Bank (Rank 23, up 147 places) for financial stability, Agricultural Bank of China (Rank 24, up 84 places) for B2B growth, and Bank of America (Rank 61, up 27 places) for improved digital banking. Top Decliners are Shell (Rank 144, down 83 places) due to environmental concerns, Meta (Rank 57, down 35 places) for data privacy issues, and Berkshire Hathaway (Rank 106, down 71 places) due to governance and financial challenges.

Main Point :-   (i) The eVTOL air ambulances are designed for fast, efficient, and eco-friendly medical transport, addressing delays in road ambulances. With an 8-meter wingspan, they can take off and land in constrained spaces like rooftops and small fields, making them ideal for both urban and rural deployments.

      (ii) The eVTOL air ambulances can operate at a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour (km/h) with an initial range of approximately 110 km, extendable to over 200 km.

(iii) India's growing eVTOL market includes emerging players such as Archer Aviation Inc. and Sarla Aviation Private Limited.

Main Point :-   (i) The partnership focuses on sustainable development by improving energy use, reducing costs, and enhancing public infrastructure. It also supports climate action through energy-efficient projects, clean cooking, electric mobility, and capacity-building initiatives.

      (ii) Odisha aims to lead in energy efficiency and sustainability, helping India achieve its Net Zero goals and a low-carbon future through modern technology and public-private partnerships.

      - Additionally, Dr. Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch Haryana-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as an Election Commissioner. He is currently serving as the Chief Secretary (CS) of Haryana.

Main Point :-   (i) Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer, has held key positions, including Joint Secretary (Defence Production) in MoD (2007-2012) and Additional Secretary in MHA (2019), where he contributed to the abrogation of Article 370.

      (ii) He served as India's Parliamentary Affairs Secretary (2021-2022) and later as Cooperation Secretary (2022-2024), playing a key role in enacting the MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023 and establishing three national cooperative bodies: BBSSL, NCOL, and NCEL.

(iii) The CEC and ECs are now appointed by the President based on a PM-led panel's recommendation under the 2023 Act. A search committee proposes names, service conditions match a Cabinet Secretary, and the 6-year term has no reappointment, ensuring independence as per SC’s advice.

Main Point :-   (i) Before wet testing, Matsya-6000 completed dry tests at a 500-meter operational range to evaluate integration and performance, ensuring its readiness for advanced trials.

      (ii) From January 27 to February 12, 2025, Matsya-6000 underwent wet testing at Kattupalli Port, conducting eight dives: five unmanned and three manned.

(iii) The tests assessed key parameters, including power control, buoyancy, stability, maneuverability, safety, and the functionality of its scientific instruments.

      - The event, themed 'Green Games,' emphasized sustainability with eco-friendly welcome kits, e-waste medals, and tree plantations for medalists.

Main Point :-   (i) The latest edition of the National Games witnessed the participation of over 16,000 athletes from 28 states, 8 Union Territories (UTs), and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). Competitions were held in 35 different sports, with 33 medal events, awarding a total of 448 gold, 448 silver, and 594 bronze medals.

      (ii) 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu from Karnataka and India's top backstroke swimmer Srihari Nataraj (Bengaluru, Karnataka) were honored as the Best Female Athlete and Best Male Athlete, respectively, at the 38th National Games.

(iii) Meghalaya is set to host the 39th edition of the National Games, tentatively scheduled for February or March 2027.

Main Point :-   (i) The LoI was signed by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General (SG), ITU, and Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), DoT, MoC, during his official visit to Geneva.

      (ii) In addition to infrastructure planning, DoT and ITU signed an agreement to initiate a 'Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) fellowship scheme' focused on telecommunications and emerging technologies.

(iii) The proposed scheme envisions supporting PhD fellowships over five years in the ITU focus areas.

Main Point :-   (i) During the exercise, security personnel were deployed to the coast via hovercraft. The exercise simulated securing critical infrastructure and responding to potential land-based threats, enhancing overall preparedness.

      (ii) The District Administration of Devbhoomi Dwarka, along with the Forest Department, Maritime Board of Gujarat Energy, and National Security Guard (NSG), supervised the operations, ensuring smooth coordination and effective response strategies.

Main Point :-   (i) The Volvo FM "Forward Control Medium Height Cab" 420 4×2 Road Train features a 24-feet intermediate trailer and a 44-feet semi-trailer, providing a total cargo volume of 144 cubic meters (m), which is 50% higher than standard semi-trailers.

      (ii) The Road Train is certified by MoRTH and Pune, Maharashtra-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for operations between Nagpur and Bhiwandi, Maharashtra.

(iii) The Road Train is equipped with advanced safety features, including the Electronic Braking System (EBS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and a 360-degree camera system, ensuring a safe and stable journey.

Main Point :-   (i) On February 11, 2025, PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron led the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, France. During the summit, PM Modi announced that India will host the next AI summit in 2026.

      (ii) On February 13, 2025, PM Modi arrived in the USA for an official visit. This marked his 10th visit to the USA as Prime Minister and the 4th time he visited with Donald Trump as President.

(iii) PM Modi and President Donald Trump launched a new initiative called the 'Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA)'.

Main Point :-   (i) Countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have applied for membership

      (ii) At the 2024 summit in Kazan (Russia), Indonesia became the 11th member, while Nigeria was named a "partner country".

Main Point :-   (i) Under the new rules, SEBI has made it mandatory for listed companies to provide the audit committee with the required information, as specified in the new standards, when submitting any proposal for the review and approval of an RPT.

      (ii) SEBI also announced that it has relaxed the timeline for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to hold investments in dematerialized (demat) form.

(iii) All provisions of SEBI's circular have come into effect immediately.

Main Point :-   (i) From 2018 to 2024, wind energy grew at a 7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), with a forecasted increase to 11% CAGR from 2025 to 2027.

      (ii) Hydropower is expected to grow at a 7% CAGR between 2025 and 2027, with a 21.1 GW small hydropower potential identified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

(iii) In 2024, nuclear energy capacity rose by 13%, and the government plans to triple its capacity from 8.2 GW to 22.5 GW by 2032.

Main Point :-   (i) In 1994, R. Manicka Vasagam was appointed as the Director of the Directorate of Advanced Technology and Planning at ISRO in Bengaluru (Karnataka), and from 1996 to 1999, he served as the Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), later becoming the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Institute of Information Technology (TANITEC).

      (ii) He also served as the Director of the Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and was the Chancellor of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in Chennai.

(iii) In 1982, he received the Hari Om Ashram Prerit Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Research Award and in 1984, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Centennial Medal.

Main Point :-   (i) The event provided a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable energy solutions, shaping the future of energy on a global scale.

      (ii) India Energy Week 2025 serves as a crucial forum for global discussions on energy security, innovation, and sustainability, fostering international cooperation in the energy sector.

Main Point :-   (i) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to develop a dedicated and efficient maritime infrastructure.

      (ii) Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), India’s Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) recently signed a non-binding MoU to explore strategic opportunities in the energy sector.

      - The Madhya Pradesh GCC Policy 2025 aims to transform tier-2 cities like Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior into global operations centers, offering a competitive edge to businesses looking to expand in India.

Main Point :-   (i) The policy focuses on sectors like IT, Finance, Engineering, HR, and Emerging Technologies (ET), with special emphasis on AI and Cybersecurity, while offering incentives for CapEx, payroll subsidies, upskilling programs, and R&D.

      (ii) The policy aims to attract over 50 GCCs, generating more than 37,000 direct jobs in sectors such as IT, ITES, advanced analytics, R&D, and digital transformation.

(iii) Madhya Pradesh's IT exports have tripled in the last three years, with an annual growth rate of 43%. Additionally, MP ranked 4th in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) 2023 rankings released by the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).

Main Point :-   (i) Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (USFB), based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, received a penalty of Rs 6.70 lakh for non-compliance with RBI's directions regarding 'Loans and Advances Statutory and Other Restrictions.'

      (ii) Shriram Finance Limited (SFL), an NBFC based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, was fined Rs 5.80 lakh for violations related to 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) guidelines and 'Data Format for Furnishing Credit Information to Credit Information Companies (CICs).'

Main Point :-   (i) The goal of the Olympic Esports Games is to merge traditional sports with esports, creating more opportunities for athletes and teams. The "Road to the Games" will begin in 2025, with initial Olympic esports competitions leading up to the main event in 2027.

      (ii) This initiative was announced during the 142nd IOC Session in July 2024.

      - HAL entered into an agreement with Collins Aerospace, a North Carolina (USA)-based aerospace and defense company and a subsidiary of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies Corporation), to set up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the HAL Accessories Complex in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Main Point :-   (i) Union Minister of State (MOS) Sanjay Seth from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) handed over Restricted Military Type Certificates (RMTC) for the Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile and the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) aircraft during the 15th Aero India International Seminar, held in Bengaluru before the main event.

      (ii) During Aero India 2025, Russia-based Rosoboronexport, in collaboration with its Russian aerospace and defense corporation Unit United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), proposed a partnership with India for the production of the Sukhoi-57 Export Variant (Su-57E), Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet, and is ready to initiate its localization at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities.

Main Point :-   (i) The RSVC functions as a permanent hub for technological integration at the Panchayat level, impacting 15-20 villages over several years and offering a comprehensive suite of 12 technology tracks to address diverse rural challenges.

      (ii) Additionally, the center enhances market access for rural producers by collaborating with platforms such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Amazon.com Inc., and Market Mirchi (a RuTAG innovation by IIT Bombay in Mumbai), enabling rural entrepreneurs to expand their market reach and sell their products effectively.

      - Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bites of infected Culex mosquitoes.

Main Point :-   (i) The State Health Ministers who participated in the meeting included Satya Kumar Yadav (Andhra Pradesh), Ashok Singhal (Assam), Shyam Bihari Jaiswal (Chhattisgarh), Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel (Gujarat), Irfan Ansari (Jharkhand), Dinesh Gundu Rao (Karnataka), Rajendra Shukla (Madhya Pradesh), Mukesh Mahaling (Odisha), Mangal Pandey (Bihar), Prakashrao Abitkar (Maharashtra), and Brijesh Pathak (Uttar Pradesh).

      (ii) The MDA campaign will take place twice a year, covering 111 endemic districts across 13 states: Andhra Pradesh (AP), Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and West Bengal (WB). Starting from February 10, 2025, anti-filarial medicines will be provided free of cost to over 17.5 crore people across these endemic districts.

Main Point :-   (i) Other philatelic releases focusing on Maha Kumbh include special covers and cancellations on sacred Snan days, 'Divya, Bhavya, and Digital Mahakumbh', and a picture postcard celebrating 'Prakhyat Prayagraj'.

      (ii) The Kumbh Mela is rooted in Hindu mythology, linked to the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). Maha Kumbh occurs once every 144 years at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

      - The peripheries will feature the words "Bharath" in Devanagari script on the left and 'INDIA' in English on the right.

Main Point :-   (i) Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980), often referred to as Rafi Sahab, was born in Punjab. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1967 for his contribution to Art.

      (ii) Previous commemorative coins were issued in honor of legendary singers like Begum Akhtar (renowned Ghazal artist) in 2014 and Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi (iconic Carnatic singer) in 2017.

      - Deposits made through the 'SIB Quick FD' service are insured under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), offering coverage up to Rs. 5 lakh per depositor, ensuring a secure and reliable investment experience for customers.

Main Point :-   (i) Individuals do not need a savings account with South Indian Bank to open a Fixed Deposit (FD), providing greater flexibility and accessibility for all customers. The entire process is digital and paperless, allowing customers to set up an FD in just 5 minutes.

      (ii) The UPI fund transfer feature streamlines the payment process, making it more convenient. Only two documents, PAN and Aadhaar, are required to open an FD, and the service is available 24/7, offering customers flexibility to manage their investments at any time.

(iii) The minimum investment amount to start an FD is just Rs. 1,000, making it accessible to a wide range of investors. South Indian Bank also offers competitive interest rates on its FDs, with the added benefit of flexibility for premature withdrawals, catering to various customer needs.

Main Point :-   (i) A pioneering composite insurance product that provides coverage for life, personal accidents, property, and surgical hospitalization.

      (ii) A localized, women-centric insurance field sales force aimed at improving insurance penetration in underserved areas. Bima Vahaak is set for a soft launch in April 2025.

(iii) The Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF), established to develop and operate this platform, has completed its foundational processes and is now prepared for industry participation and capitalization.

Main Point :-   (i) The "Knight Commander (KBE for men) or Dame Commander (DBE for women)" of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is the second-highest rank within the Order of the British Empire. In 2024, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises Limited, was conferred with the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).

      (ii) Other Indian recipients of the honorary KBE include the late Ratan Tata (2009), the late sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar (2001), and the late Tata Steel veteran Jamshed Irani (1997), who were honored by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

(iii) Natarajan Chandrasekaran joined the Board of Tata Sons Private Limited in 2016 and became its Chairman in 2017. He also chairs the boards of key Tata Group companies, including Tata Steel Limited, Tata Motors Limited, Tata Power Limited, and Air India Limited. In 2023, he was awarded France's highest civilian honor, the 'Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur' (Knight of the Legion of Honour), and in 2022, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in the field of Trade and Industry.

Main Point :-   (i) P.D. Singh holds two Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degrees and an engineering qualification. He is well-known for his contributions to the banking sector.

      (ii) P.D. Singh has over ten years of experience at Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) based in London, United Kingdom (UK).

(iii) Before joining Standard Chartered, Singh was the CEO of JPMorgan Chase and Co in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

      - The MDN100 Steel offers excellent forgeability and is ideal for manufacturing highly stressed aircraft parts, providing significant weight-saving benefits.

Main Point :-   (i) This initiative aligns with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) campaign, contributing to India's combat aircraft programs.

      (ii) MIDHANI has been a crucial supplier of critical materials for DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in various aeronautical projects. MIDHANI also showcased SuperNi 41 plates at Aero India 2025, a nickel-chromium-based superalloy designed to withstand extreme temperatures in aero engines.

(iii) ADA’s ongoing combat aircraft programs include Light Combat Aircraft Mark 2 (LCA Mk2), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and Twin-Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the Indian Navy.

      - The barge has been indigenously designed and built in collaboration with an Indian ship design firm and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Main Point :-   (i) Model testing was conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam (AP), to ensure seaworthiness.

      (ii) The MCA Barges play a crucial role in the IN's operational capabilities, assisting in the transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of ammunition and materials to naval platforms, both at jetties and outer harbors.

(iii) These MCA Barges align with the Government of India’s (GoI) ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, reinforcing India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

      - Rinov Rivaldy and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti set the stage for Indonesia’s victory by defeating China’s Gao Jiaxuan and Wu Mengying with a commanding 21-11, 21-13 scoreline, giving Indonesia an early 1-0 lead.

Main Point :-   (i) Alwi Farhan secured a 21-15, 21-13 victory over China’s World Junior Champion Hu Zhe’an, extending Indonesia’s lead to 2-0. However, China fought back as Xu Wenjing defeated Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-12, 21-13, bringing the score to 2-1.

      (ii) China narrowed the gap to 2-1 as Xu Wenjing defeated Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-12, 21-13 in the Women’s Singles match. However, in the Men’s Doubles, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin secured Indonesia’s historic victory by defeating China’s Chen Xujun and Huang Di 21-15, 21-9, sealing the championship and igniting celebrations among the Indonesian team.

(iii) Team India was eliminated in the Quarterfinals and finished in 6th place in the final standings.

      - The scheme aligns with the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), launched by the Government of India (GoI) in January 2023, aimed at improving the quality of life in 500 aspirational blocks across 27 states and 4 Union Territories (UTs).

Main Point :-   (i) The four key pillars of G-SAFAL for women's empowerment are Social Security, Livelihood Creation, Financial Inclusion, and Social Development and Empowerment.

      (ii) The scheme will provide beneficiaries with thorough training and support, along with a grant of Rs. 80,000 to help them create new opportunities for financial stability.

(iii) The initiative will cover around 10 districts and talukas of Gujarat.

Main Point :-   (i) On February 6, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/77/269, officially designating February 17 as GTRD. The first-ever GTRD was celebrated on February 17, 2023.

      (ii) The annual observance aims to emphasize the necessity of enhancing resilience within the tourism sector to better manage disruptions and challenges.

Main Point :-   (i) The Devolution Index is based on extensive research and empirical analysis, providing insights into decentralization progress across States and UTs.

      (ii) The Index evaluates six key dimensions: Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Building, and Accountability of Panchayats.

      - A multi-hazard risk assessment was conducted across 0.77 million telecom towers, evaluating threats from floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

Main Point :-   (i) A disaster risk and resilience index was developed to assess telecom infrastructure vulnerability based on disaster intensity, frequency, and impact.

      (ii) Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi announced the launch of CDRI at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York, USA, on September 23, 2019. It is an international collaboration of 49 members focused on climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure solutions.

      - The MoU focuses on geriatric healthcare and substance abuse, critical areas for supporting an aging population in leading healthy lives. It aims to enhance the well-being of senior citizens through joint initiatives by both ministries, including awareness programs, training for service providers, and the establishment of geriatric health and de-addiction units under Ayush autonomous bodies.

Main Point :-   (i) The Ministry of AYUSH and DOSJE will collaborate on innovative initiatives to promote senior citizens' health, reduce drug demand, address substance abuse, and support mental rehabilitation through awareness programs and training service providers using AYUSH systems.

      (ii) Encouraging research in geriatric health, substance abuse, and mental health, focusing on the therapeutic benefits of traditional healthcare practices.

(iii) Supporting health promotion activities tailored for the elderly and individuals dealing with substance abuse.

      - SEBI's newly launched 'Related Party Transaction (RPT) Portal' aims to enhance transparency and corporate governance in India by providing comprehensive and standardized data on RPTs. Key highlights include that executive compensation will now be covered under RPTs, allowing promoters to reward themselves without shareholder approval.

Main Point :-   (i) The portal will compile detailed information on RPTs, including shareholding voting patterns from the last two years, helping investors and entities make informed decisions.

      (ii) Managed by three proxy advisories—InGovern Research Services, Institutional Investor Advisory Services India, and Stakeholders Empowerment Services—the platform will bridge information gaps and enhance governance practices.

(iii) Additionally, SEBI has approved new RPT disclosure standards to ensure greater transparency and investor protection. These new standards will require listed companies to provide detailed information when seeking RPT approval from shareholders and audit committees.

      - RBI has allowed New India Co-operative Bank to incur essential expenses like employee salaries, rent, and electricity bills, while ensuring eligible depositors receive up to Rs 5 lakh insurance from DICGC as per the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961.

Main Point :-   (i) The RBI superseded the Board of Directors (BoDs) of New India Co-operative Bank for 12 months to address governance issues under Section 36 AAA and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

      (ii) Shreekant, a former Chief General Manager of State Bank of India (SBI), has been appointed as the administrator to manage the bank’s affairs.

(iii) A committee of advisors, including Ravindra Sapra (former GM of SBI) and Abhijeet Deshmukh (Chartered Accountant), has been formed to assist in stabilizing operations, examining the financial situation, and working towards the bank’s revival.

Main Point :-   (i) The company also operates 22,395 Vakrangee Kendra outlets, with 81% of them situated in Tier-4 to Tier-6 locations.

      (ii) Vakrangee has set a target of achieving a revenue of USD 1 billion and a gross transaction value of USD 150 billion by 2030.

(iii) As of December 2024, the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) held a 4.41% stake in Vakrangee Limited.

Main Point :-   (i) To address these issues, KMB implemented corrective measures, submitted compliance reports, and conducted an external audit with RBI's approval. After evaluating the bank's improvements and compliance efforts, the RBI decided to remove the restrictions.

      (ii) Consequently, the "cease and desist" directive has been lifted for all banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), except for Paytm Payments Bank.

      - If Zulia increases its stake, it may become the largest foreign investor in the bank.

Main Point :-   AU SFB, established in April 2017, focuses on providing credit to retail customers and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and offers deposit and branch banking services.

Main Point :-   (i) Cube InvIT raised funds through long-term non-convertible debentures, offering a 7.67% coupon, with a tenure of 17 years and 10 months. The debentures include an anchor portion of Rs 258 crore.

      (ii) IFC’s investment will mobilize additional capital, driving advancements in India’s road infrastructure while maintaining adherence to international Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

(iii) Cube InvIT is an irrevocable trust formed under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as an InvIT.

Main Point :-   (i) Additionally, the bank signed another agreement for a LoC of USD 120 million for the procurement of high-speed guard boats.

      (ii) Both agreements are effective from January 20, 2025, with the last date for disbursement being 60 months after the scheduled completion of the project.

      - Hyundai Motor is the only large-cap stock added to the list.

Main Point :-   (i) United Airlines Holdings, Reddit A, and Natera Inc. (USA) will be the largest additions to the MSCI ACWI, with 23 securities added and 107 removed. Emaar Developments (UAE) and J&T Global Express Limited (China) will join the MSCI EM Index.

      (ii) 20 Indian stocks, including Afcons Infrastructure, Ola Electric, and Cartrade Tech, have been added to the MSCI India Domestic Small Cap Index. Meanwhile, 17 Indian stocks, such as Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar, DCB Bank, and Sun Pharma Advanced, have been excluded. Additionally, 8 Indian stocks saw an increase in their weight, while 9 experienced a decrease.

(iii) The MSCI Emerging Markets Index tracks the performance of growing economies worldwide and includes large and mid-cap companies from 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 1,251 constituents, the index covers 85% of the free-float-adjusted market capitalization in each of these countries.

      - In 2025, two special awards were introduced: the "Special Recognition Gamechanger 2025" and the "Inspirational Icon Award 2025", recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to sports and inspired future generations.

Main Point :-   (i) Pusarla Venkata Sindhu was honored with the "Inspirational Icon Award 2025" for her exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication to the sport of badminton.

      (ii) Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), received the "Special Recognition Game Changer Award 2025" for his transformative contributions to Indian cricket and the sport globally.

(iii) Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), led by Mukesh Ambani, was recognized for its significant contributions to sports development, while the "Chairperson's Award for Sports for Social Good 2025" was awarded to Downtown Heroes FC, a football club based in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

Main Point :-   (i) The Forward Faster Sustainability Awards honor organizations in India that have made significant contributions to promoting sustainability and corporate responsibility, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

      (ii) NTPC Limited, the largest integrated power utility in India, meets 25% of the country’s power needs. It has an installed capacity of over 77 Giga Watt (GW) and is building an additional 29.5 GW capacity, including 9.6 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity.

(iii) The company has set a goal to achieve 60 GW of RE capacity by 2032.

      - N Biren Singh served as the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur from March 15, 2017, to February 8, 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Due to the growing political instability, the Manipur Assembly, which had a tenure lasting until 2027, was placed under suspended animation. The Assembly was required to reconvene by February 12, 2025, as per Article 174(1) of the Indian Constitution, but failed to meet the deadline.

      (ii) Under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, President's Rule suspends the state government, and the Governor assumes executive powers on behalf of the President of India. The elected government is dissolved, and the Governor becomes the executive head, managing the administration under the guidance of the Union Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

(iii) President's Rule can remain in effect for up to 6 months, with the possibility of extension for a maximum of 3 years. Extensions require parliamentary approval every six months, and special conditions must be met after the first year. Since 1950, President's Rule has been imposed 134 times across 29 states and Union Territories, with Manipur and Uttar Pradesh seeing the most frequent impositions. Jammu & Kashmir holds the record for the longest duration of President's Rule, lasting over 12 years.

Main Point :-   (i) The acquisition supports ONGC’s and NTPC’s goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2038 and 2050, respectively. ONGPL plans to use Ayana's platform to expand further in the renewable energy sector.

      (ii) Ayana Renewable Power currently has a portfolio of 4 gigawatts (GW) of operational and under-construction assets.

      - ICCD is an annual event established in 2002 by Childhood Cancer International (CCI), a global organization that brings together national and grassroots parent groups of children with cancer.

Main Point :-   (i) The first ICCD was held on February 15, 2002.

      (ii) The ICCD campaign is a joint effort between CCI and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), also known as the Société Internationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique (SIOP).

(iii) CCI is a global network of 183 organizations, including parent groups, survivor associations, support groups, and cancer societies, operating in 94 countries across 5 continents.

      - The first-ever World Pangolin Day was celebrated in February 2012 and has since gained international recognition from animal welfare organizations and individuals around the globe, serving as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect pangolins and raise awareness about their endangered status.

Main Point :-   (i) Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, get their name from the Malay word "penggulung," meaning "roller," which refers to their unique self-defense behavior of curling up into a tight ball when threatened.

      (ii) These creatures are the only mammals fully covered in scales made of keratin, the same material found in human nails.

(iii) With their distinct armor-like appearance and curled-up defense mechanism, pangolins stand out in the animal kingdom.

      - A chargeback is a process that reverses a completed UPI transaction due to disputes, fraud, or technical errors. It is initiated by the payer's bank, and upon approval, the transaction amount is refunded to the payer.

Main Point :-   (i) Currently, remitting banks can initiate chargebacks from 'T+0' onwards in the UPI Dispute Resolution System (URCS), which doesn’t provide sufficient time for beneficiary banks to reconcile transactions, leading to rejected Return Requests (RET).

      (ii) In some instances, chargebacks are closed automatically with deemed acceptance, resulting in penalties imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

(iii) The new UPI rule applies solely to bulk upload options and the Unified Dispute Resolution Interface (UDIR), excluding front-end dispute resolution options, and allows beneficiary banks to reconcile transactions more effectively before chargebacks are automatically deemed approved.

Main Point :-   (i) Key benefits of this innovation include 80% faster processing, 75% lower compliance costs, and zero vendor dependencies.

      (ii) CERSAI was established under Section 20 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI Act, 2002) and incorporated as a company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. The Government of India (GoI) holds a 51% stake in the company.

      - China dominated the 9th Asian Winter Games (Harbin 2025), topping the medal tally with 32 Gold, 27 Silver, and 26 Bronze medals, totaling 85 medals. The Republic of Korea secured the second position with 16 Gold, 15 Silver, and 14 Bronze medals, totaling 45 medals. Japan followed closely in third place with 10 Gold, 12 Silver, and 15 Bronze medals, totaling 37 medals, excelling in short-track speed skating and skiing.

Main Point :-   (i) India sent its largest-ever contingent of 59 athletes to the Asian Winter Games 2025. Although India ended its campaign without any medals, the athletes showcased significant potential. Tara Prasad, India's skater, delivered a personal best performance, securing 8th place in the women's skating event.

      (ii) For the first time in the Asian Winter Games, Saudi Arabia participated in alpine skiing and snowboarding, while Cambodia made its debut in cross-country skiing, marking their historic entry into the competition.

(iii) Saudi Arabia officially received the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag as the host of the 10th Asian Winter Games (NEOM) 2029, making it the first country in West Asia to host the prestigious continental sporting event.

Main Point :-   (i) Apart from being a remarkable performer, Pandit Prabhakar Karekar was also a dedicated teacher. He was a graded artist with All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD), which helped him reach a wide audience across the country.

      (ii) Prabhakar Karekar was the founder and Chairman of the Swarprabha Trust.

(iii) Over the course of his career, he received many prestigious awards, including the Tansen Samman, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and Gomant Vibhushan Award, all recognizing his significant contributions to classical music.

      - The WGS 2025 addressed six key thematic conversations: Effective Governance and Accountability, Financing the Future and the Global Economy, Climate Crisis Mitigation and Resilient Cities, Human-centric Futures and Capacity Building, Global Health Transformations, and Emerging Frontiers and the Future.

Main Point :-   (i) Union Minister Bhupender Yadav (MoEFCC) represented India at WGS 2025, participating in the High-Level Roundtable on the Future of Mobility and the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable. His participation highlighted two key challenges for developing nations: the need for capacity building in clean technology and infrastructure, and the importance of securing adequate financing for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation.

      (ii) The WGS Awards Program recognizes ministers, businesses, and innovators who leverage new technologies and strategic partnerships to address global challenges and enhance governance and society. The key awards include the Global Best M-Gov Award, The GovTech Prize, Best Minister Award, World Data Visualization Prize, Shaping Future Governments Award, and Edge of Government Award.

(iii) Indian computer science students Sagar Teotia (Team Lead), Abhinav Mishra, and Anushka Singh from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology (MAIT), New Delhi, won the Bronze Award at the Global Best M-Gov Award 2025 during WGS 2025 in Dubai, recognizing the crucial role of universities and youth in tackling local and global challenges to create a better world.

Main Point :-   (i) The collaboration focuses on enhancing national security by delivering advanced tactical radios and equipment to Indian forces.

      (ii) L3Harris, with over 1 million fielded radios globally, brings extensive experience in military communications.

(iii) The agreement supports the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation framework, promoting next-generation defence technologies.

      - This initiative aligns with India's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" programs, reinforcing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Main Point :-   (i) In July 2021, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GOI), and Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu signed a contract worth ₹5,124 crore.

      (ii) The agreement involves a Joint Venture (JV) between Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) and Rosoboronexport (ROE) for the production of over 6.1 lakh 7.62×39 millimeter (mm) AK-203 rifles in India, with technology transfer from Russia.

(iii) On January 25, 2022, the first batch of 70,000 AK-203 rifles was delivered to the Indian Army (IA). An additional batch of 35,000 AK-203 rifles was delivered between May and July 2024.

      - Department of Defence Production, MoD, Secretary Sanjeev Kumar unveiled the new name of Hindustan Jet Trainer HJT-36, now called 'Yashas'.

Main Point :-   (i) Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based Adani Defence & Aerospace, in partnership with New Delhi (Delhi)-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) operating under MoD, introduced a Vehicle-Mounted Counter-Drone System at Aero India 2025.

      (ii) General Electric (GE) Aerospace, headquartered in Ohio, United States of America (USA), signed a five-year Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to support the sustainment of T700-GE-701D engines powering its AH-64E-I Apache helicopters.

(iii) ideaForge Technology Limited (Mumbai) introduced the NETRA 5 UAV, SWITCH V2 Tactical UAV, and a logistics UAV concept, while Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) partnered with France-based Safran Electronics & Defense to establish a joint venture (JV) for manufacturing and maintaining HAMMER weapons in India.

      - The MoU was signed by India’s Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC), Prataprao Jadhav (Ministry of AYUSH) and Indonesia’s Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, in the presence of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar (Minister of External Affairs - MEA).

Main Point :-   (i) The MoU focuses on quality assurance and standardization by establishing protocols for the production, testing, and certification of traditional medicines. It ensures safety, efficacy, and quality to meet global standards, combats counterfeit products, and develops regulatory frameworks to facilitate trade in traditional medicines.

      (ii) The MoU promotes research and innovation by encouraging joint studies to scientifically validate traditional medicine practices and facilitating knowledge exchange through collaboration between academic institutions, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

(iii) The MoU boosts bilateral trade in traditional medicinal products, creating opportunities for manufacturers and exporters while enhancing market access for Ayurvedic and Jamu products, supporting industry growth. It aligns with India's vision to globalize Ayush products and strengthens global leadership in traditional medicine by supporting the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy, promoting integration into global healthcare systems, and positioning India and Indonesia as pioneers in the field.

Main Point :-   (i) Earlier, Easebuzz expanded into B2B (business-to-business) payments and launched an invoice management and payments platform in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Bharat BillPay (NBBL).

      (ii) Easebuzz has also been certified as a Biller Operating Unit (BOU) under Bharat Connect (formerly known as Bharat Bill Payment System, BBPS).

(iii) A PA license allows companies to handle e-commerce transactions, offer early settlements to select merchants, and provide credit in the form of term loans in partnership with Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and banks.

Main Point :-   (i) The project is being developed on the Marusudar River, located in the Kishtwar District of J&K.

      (ii) The project has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW), with an estimated total cost of ₹12,669.67 crore.

(iii) CVPPL is a joint venture established in 2011 between National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited (51%) and J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) (49%).

Main Point :-   (i) The report suggests that with targeted strategies and policy interventions, India's total gas consumption could exceed the projected trajectory, potentially reaching around 120 bcm annually by 2030.

      (ii) India's natural gas demand grew by over 10% in both 2023 and 2024, marking an inflection point, with total consumption in 2023 slightly surpassing the 2011 levels.

      - The prices of essential items such as vegetables, eggs, pulses, cereals, education, health, and clothing saw reductions.

Main Point :-   (i) Retail inflation is the rate at which the prices of goods and services purchased by consumers rise over time, serving as a key indicator of the cost of living, typically measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the average price changes for a fixed basket of goods and services paid by urban consumers.

      (ii) In January 2025, vegetable prices saw a significant drop in inflation, falling to 11.3% from 26.6% in December 2024, contributing to the overall decrease in food inflation. Items like coconut oil (54.20%), potato (49.61%), and coconut (38.71%) recorded the highest year-on-year (YOY) inflation, while products like jeera (-32.25%), ginger (-30.92%), dry chilies (-11.27%), brinjal (-9.94%), and LPG (-9.29%) saw the lowest YOY inflation.

(iii) Among Indian states, Kerala (6.76%), Odisha (6.05%), and Chhattisgarh (5.85%) reported the highest inflation rates, while Delhi (2.02%) and Telangana (2.22%) recorded the lowest. Additionally, the weakening of the Indian rupee (INR) led to increased costs for imported goods, particularly edible oils, which saw a 33-month high inflation rate of 15.6%.

Main Point :-   (i) Maaza, one of India’s favorite mango-flavored drinks, was originally launched by Parle Bisleri in 1976. Coca-Cola acquired Maaza in 1993, along with other top Indian beverage brands such as Thums Up, Limca, and Gold Spot.

      (ii) In 2024, The Coca-Cola Company reported net gains of USD 13 million for the December quarter and USD 303 million for the entire year through the refranchising of its bottling operations in India.

      - World Chess Champion of 2024, D. Gukesh, emerged as the youngest award winner in the 2025 list.

Main Point :-   (i) The 2025 list spans various sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, and entertainment, reflecting the dynamic and multifaceted talents of India's youth.

      (ii) The Forbes India 30 Under 30 list, launched in 2014, has evolved into a premier platform for recognizing young professionals and entrepreneurs across a variety of sectors.

(iii) The list has continually adapted to market trends, introducing updates such as separating Music and Entertainment, adding Education during the edtech boom, and incorporating Cryptocurrency (Web3) in 2023.

Main Point :-   (i) For the 2nd straight year, female athletes were absent from the top 100, and the list also does not feature any sportsperson from India.

      (ii) Coco Gauff, American professional tennis player, was the highest-paid female athlete in 2024, with earnings of USD 30.4 million for the 2nd consecutive year.

Main Point :-   (i) Konstantinos Tasoulas is a lawyer and former Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament. He was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ioannina, Greece, in 2000.

      (ii) In 2006, Konstantinos Tasoulas was appointed as the parliamentary representative of the ND party, and in 2010, he became its General Secretary. In 2007, he also served as the Defense Deputy Minister of Greece.

(iii) From 2014 to 2015, Konstantinos Tasoulas served as the Minister of Culture and Sports in Greece, and from 2019 to 2025, he served as the President of the Hellenic Parliament.

      - Charanjot Singh Nanda is a Fellow Member who has been practicing as a Chartered Accountant since 1991. He was elected as the Chairman of the Northern India Regional Council (NIRC) of ICAI during 2002-03. In 2004, he was elected to the Central Council of ICAI and has since served six terms. He is currently serving his seventh term as a council member for 2025-26.

Main Point :-   (i) In the year 2024-25, Charanjot Singh Nanda was elected as the Vice President of ICAI. Throughout his extensive career, he has chaired various committees of ICAI, including the Internal Audit Standards Board (IASB), the Committee for Members in Industry and Business, and the Women Members Empowerment Committee.

      (ii) He has represented ICAI in central government and regulatory committees, including the Quality Review Board and SEBI's Advisory Committees (2007-10). He has also represented ICAI on international platforms like SAFA and ACFE.

(iii) CA Prasanna Kumar D was elected to the Central Council of ICAI for three consecutive terms (24th, 25th, and 26th Council). He served as the Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Branch of ICAI during 2001-02 and was a member of the Southern India Regional Council from 2007 to 2016, where he also held the position of Chairman in 2013-14.

Main Point :-   (i) The report was prepared in consultation with state government officers from Higher and Technical Education departments of over 20 states and Union Territories (UTs), Vice Chancellors (VCs) and senior academicians from 50 SPUs, and heads of State Higher Education Councils (SHECs).

      (ii) Considering higher education expenditure as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), Bihar ranks highest at 1.56%, followed by Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) at 1.53% and Manipur at 1.45%. The mean per youth expenditure on higher education increased from Rs. 2,174 to Rs. 4,921 between 2005-06 and 2019-20.

(iii) As per the report, India has 495 SPUs, accounting for 81% of total student enrolment among Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). States with the highest number of SPUs are Karnataka (43), followed by West Bengal (WB) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) with 38 each.

Main Point :-   (i) The scheme aims to provide free electricity of 300 units per month to 1 crore households in India by March 2027. Rooftop solar installations will be implemented in phases, with projections to cross 10 lakh by March 2025, 20 lakh by October 2025, and 40 lakh by March 2026.

      (ii) As of January 2025, Gujarat led among all states in the highest number of households benefitting from the scheme, accounting for 41.47% of the total, followed by Maharashtra (22.79%), Uttar Pradesh (8.69%), Kerala (7.73%), and Rajasthan (3.14%).

      - Violations of the BIS Act, 2016, can lead to imprisonment of up to two years or fines starting from ₹2 lakh, increasing to ₹5 lakh or ten times the goods' value for repeat offences.

Main Point :-   (i) Under the BIS Act, 2016, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has been issuing QCOs, mandating specified products to obtain mandatory BIS certification. These QCOs comply with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

      (ii) Once a QCO takes effect, no entity can manufacture, import, distribute, sell, store, or display for sale any covered product without a valid BIS certification and standard mark.

(iii) DPIIT has been issuing QCOs since 1987, covering 81 orders for over 330 products under the BIS Act, including essential items such as cement, LPG gas stoves, pressure cookers, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

Main Point :-   (i) As per SEBI’s circular, the platform will help investors recover investments that may have been forgotten, lost, or left unclaimed due to outdated Know Your Customer (KYC) details or the demise of the original investor.

      (ii) The platform will be jointly hosted by two Qualified Registrar and Transfer Agents (QRTAs): Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Computer Age Management Services Limited (CAMS) and Hyderabad (Telangana)-based KFin Technologies Limited. These QRTAs will act as agents for Asset Management Companies (AMCs).

(iii) SEBI has mandated SEBI-registered brokers to establish a separate business unit (SBU) for trading in Government Securities (G-secs) through the Negotiated Dealing System Order Matching (NDS-OM).

      - The initiative aims to support businesses in transitioning to a low-carbon economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy adoption.

Main Point :-   (i) MSMEs play a crucial role in India's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070, and this collaboration aligns with the efforts of the Greening Indian Financial System (GIFS) Platform.

      (ii) The GIFS Platform focuses on incorporating sustainability and climate considerations into the strategies of Indian financial stakeholders.

(iii) This partnership highlights the increasing significance of sustainable finance in fostering inclusive and resilient economic growth.

      - The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a digital payment tool that can help achieve the goals of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and promote equitable economic growth.

Main Point :-   (i) In September 2023, the RBI expanded the scope of UPI by allowing pre-sanctioned credit lines to be linked through the platform. However, this feature was initially limited to commercial banks, excluding Payments Banks, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

      (ii) Customers must provide explicit consent before availing credit lines, ensuring transparency. SFBs determine credit limits, interest rates, and repayment tenure under their board-approved policies. Customers are required to review the terms and conditions before opting in.

(iii) This facility aims to support 'new-to-credit' (NTC) customers, including farmers, small entrepreneurs, and rural businesses, helping reduce dependence on informal lenders charging high-interest rates.

Main Point :-   (i) Axis Bank's Existing-to-Bank (ETB) customers with valid Know Your Customer (KYC) can open FD accounts even if their primary funds are held in another bank, eliminating the need to first transfer funds to an Axis Bank savings account.

      (ii) The Fixed Deposit (FD) will be processed once the payment is successfully completed and the funds are received from the payment gateway service provider.

(iii) The Account Aggregator (AA) ecosystem is a digital framework that enables individuals to securely access and share their financial information between institutions within the AA network.

Main Point :-   (i) AMSL has also entered into an MoU with Kanpur (Maharashtra)-based Troop Comforts Limited (TCL) under MoD to jointly develop, manufacture, and market next-generation air defence systems, including anti-drone and anti-aircraft solutions.

      (ii) These partnerships aim to address the current and future needs of the Indian Defence Forces, paramilitary forces, police organizations, central and state government agencies, the civil sector, and international export markets.

(iii) AMSL, established in 1985, manufactures advanced electronic and electro-mechanical solutions for industries such as infrastructure, transportation, aerospace, and defence.

Main Point :-   (i) Senate Speaker Ilie Bolojan will serve as interim president until May's rerun election.

      (ii) Ilie Bolojan is a respected Romanian politician known for his efficient administration and governance reforms. He has previously served as the Mayor of Oradea.

      - Direct-to-cell is a satellite communication system that allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites in orbit, eliminating the need for traditional cell towers in remote or underserved areas.

Main Point :-   (i) The system uses an eNodeB (evolved Node B) modem, which functions like a cell tower in space, enabling communication with LTE phones and IoT devices.

      (ii) Starlink, developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is the world's first and largest satellite constellation in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), providing affordable internet access to remote and underserved locations.

(iii) The V2 Starlink satellites weigh approximately 1,760 lbs (800 kg) at launch, nearly three times heavier than the previous generation satellites, which weighed 573 lbs (260 kg).

Main Point :-   (i) In 2011, the Member States of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution during its 36th General Conference, proclaiming February 13th as WRD to commemorate the establishment of UN's Radio.

      (ii) In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/67/124 and endorsed UNESCO's resolution, formalizing WRD.

(iii) The first-ever WRD was observed on February 13, 2012.

      - In 1917, alongside Annie Besant and other notable figures, she co-founded the Women's Indian Association (WIA) to advance women's rights and welfare.

Main Point :-   (i) A prominent figure in India's freedom struggle, Sarojini Naidu played a crucial role in the Indian Nationalist Movement (INM) and was the first woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1925.

      (ii) She served as the President of the All India Women's Conference (AIWC) in 1930, advocating for women's education, political participation, and social reforms.

      - The total revenue receipts are expected to rise by Rs 19,421.87 crore over the revised estimates for 2024-25. The State's Own-Tax Revenue (SOTR) is expected to increase by Rs 9,888 crore and the non-tax revenue by Rs 1,240 crore.

Main Point :-   (i) Social Security Pensions (SSPs), currently at Rs 1,600 per month for around 60 lakh elderly beneficiaries, may see a minor hike. Kerala has the largest SSP in India, spending over Rs 11,000 crore annually to provide a pension of Rs 1,600 per month.

      (ii) A major focus on disaster response, with a Rs 750 crore project for the 1st phase of rehabilitating victims of the 2024 Wayanad landslides, which reportedly caused over 200 deaths and significant economic damage.

(iii) Rs 21 crore were allocated for Stroke Care Units (SCU) in Ernakulam, Thrissur, and other locations. With this, Kerala will become the first Indian state to achieve the status of having SCU facilities in all district-level hospitals.

Main Point :-   (i) Jotham Napat was Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanna since 2016; re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2025.

      (ii) He was also the President of the Leaders Party.

(iii) He headed the National Disaster Committee post-Cyclone Pam (2015).

      - The initiative aims to support businesses in transitioning to a low-carbon economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy adoption.

Main Point :-   (i) MSMEs play a crucial role in India's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070, and this collaboration aligns with the efforts of the Greening Indian Financial System (GIFS) Platform.

      (ii) The GIFS Platform focuses on incorporating sustainability and climate considerations into the strategies of Indian financial stakeholders.

(iii) This partnership highlights the increasing significance of sustainable finance in fostering inclusive and resilient economic growth.

Main Point :-   (i) The 2024 CPI reveals that approximately 85% of the global population (about 6.8 billion people) live in countries experiencing high corruption levels.

      (ii) The most corrupt nations at the bottom of the ranking include South Sudan at 180th (score 8), Somalia at 179th (score 9), Venezuela at 178th (score 10), and Syria at 177th (score 12).

      - The Mistry family of Shapoorji Pallonji Group holds the 4th position with a net worth of USD 37.5 billion (approximately Rs. 3.25 lakh crore).

Main Point :-   (i) The Jindal family of OP Jindal Group follows at 7th place with a net worth of USD 28.1 billion (approximately Rs. 2.43 lakh crore).

      (ii) The Birla family of Aditya Birla Group occupies the 9th spot with a net worth of USD 23.0 billion (approximately Rs. 1.99 lakh crore).

(iii) The Bajaj family of Bajaj Group is ranked 13th with a net worth of USD 20.1 billion (approximately Rs. 1.74 lakh crore), while the Hinduja family of Hinduja Group holds the 18th position with a net worth of USD 15.2 billion (approximately Rs. 1.32 lakh crore).