NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela kicks off in Faridabad: The 38th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, one of India’s biggest cultural events, kicked off and will run until February 23 in Faridabad.This highly anticipated event promises an extraordinary showcase of regional and international crafts, handlooms, traditions, and a variety of multi-cuisine food.Attracting over a million visitors annually from both India and around the world, the mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism, in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, and External Affairs.This year, the fair is being celebrated as ‘Shilp Mahakumbh,’ inspired by the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, with artisans from across the globe presenting their unique works. The event will feature more than 1,000 stalls, offering a diverse range of handicrafts, textiles, and cultural artifacts. This edition will also see participation from a record 648 artisans from 42 countries, bringing a global touch to the festival.
2. Maharashtra government launches Maitri 2.0 portal to make investment process hassle-free: To make the investment process hassle-free and without administrative and procedural delays, the Maharashtra government has launched the MAITRI (Maharashtra Industry, Trade and Investment Facilitation Cell) 2.0 Portal.The portal has integrated 119 services from 16 departments to create a seamless online ecosystem for government-to-business (G2B) services. The transparent processing of applications and the proactive escalation in case of delays from real-time tracking (RTS) Timelines ensure that services are rendered in a timely and efficient manner.
3. 32nd session of Indian Art History Congress begins: The 32nd session of the Indian Art History Congress begins in Noida, UP. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the three-day event.The conference aims to be a platform that brings together conversations on the various forms of artistic and performative representations of the epics.The theme for this year event is “Rendering of Indian Epics in Art and Culture,” which aims to highlight the diverse forms of artistic expressions based on the epics.
4. Cabinet approves extension of tenure of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for 3 years: The Centre has approved eight thousand 800 crore rupees for the Skill India programme for the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26.Demand-driven skill development is the focus of the government, and emphasis will be placed on convergence and quality enhancement.The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme are now combined under the composite central sector scheme of the Skill India Programme.The government has also approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years, till 31st March 2028.This would help in facilitating the socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers, improving working conditions in the sanitation sector, and aiming to achieve zero fatalities while performing hazardous cleaning.
5. Biren Singh Quits As Chief Minister 2 Years After Manipur Violence Began: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned and handed over his papers to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. The development came amidst rumblings within the state BJP seeking a change of leadership in strife-torn Manipur.The governor accepted Singh’s resignation, along with that of his council of ministers, and requested that he continue in office until alternative arrangements are made.Biren Singh’s tenure as Manipur Chief Minister has been marked by several controversies, primarily centred on his handling of ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023, allegations of instigating conflict, and questions regarding his governance.The ethnic strife, which saw brutal clashes between the majority Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups in the surrounding hills, resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced thousands of people. The state’s inability to contain it raised serious concerns about Singh’s leadership.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. FICCI and Expo City Dubai Forge Partnership Ahead of 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has signed an MoU with Expo City Dubai during the Cities in Action Forum 2025 to boost international urban cooperation.The partnership will facilitate India’s participation in the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) & Mayor’s Forum in October 2025 at Expo City Dubai.The summit will bring together mayors, business leaders, and policymakers to address urban challenges, focusing on sustainability, infrastructure development, and climate resilience.The collaboration aligns with India’s Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT, offering opportunities for Indian urban leaders to engage with global experts and explore investment prospects.
2. India to host first ‘WAVES summit’ in Mumbai from 1 to 4 May: India will host the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1- 4, 2025.This summit will bring together the world’s top media CEOs, biggest entertainment icons, and creative minds from around the globe, unifying entertainment, creativity, and culture.The WAVES summit is being positioned by the government as India’s global event for the entertainment sector to what Davos is for the economic sector.The summit will spotlight advancements in animation, gaming, entertainment technology, and regional and mainstream cinema, fostering collaborations and setting the stage for India’s creative economy to shine globally.
3. Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports.This move, framed as a restoration of fairness in sports, has ignited a fierce debate across political and social landscapes. Critics argue that the order discriminates against transgender individuals, while supporters hail it as a necessary step to uphold the integrity of women’s sports.Trump signed the executive order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a symbolic nod to its intent.
4. Singapore Is World’s Most Powerful Passport of 2025, India at 80th spot: The Singaporean passport has emerged as the strongest passport in the world with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 out of 227 countries across the globe, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index.
India found the 80th spot on the list, with easy access to 56 nations. Compiled by Henley & Partners, the index assessed 199 passports based on the data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).Per the list, South Korea and Japan followed Singapore in the second position with easy access to 190 countries. Seven countries, including Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, Finland and Denmark shared the third rank with access to 187 destinations without prior visa requirements.India shared the 80th spot with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Tajikistan. Its neighbour Myanmar secured the 88th sport with access to 45 destinations. Sri Lanka shared the 91st position with Iran and Sudan with access to 42 countries.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India-Russia Deal on Klub-S Missile System: India has recently finalised an agreement with Russia to acquire anti-ship cruise missiles. This move aims to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet. The specifics of the deal, such as the name, quantity, and cost of the missiles, have not been disclosed by the defence ministry. However, sources indicate that the deal involves the Klub-S missile system, part of the Kalibr missile family. The Indian Navy’s submarine fleet includes several Russian-origin vessels. Notable submarines include INS Sindhughosh and INS Sindhurakshak. Some submarines have been decommissioned and more are expected to retire soon. India is also exploring partnerships with Germany for future submarine construction while continuing to rely on Russian platforms.
SPORTS
1. Maguire suspended from bowling in international cricket : Ireland’s Aimee Maguire has been suspended from bowling in international cricket immediately after an Independent Assessment confirmed that the left-arm spinner uses an illegal bowling action.The 18-year-old was reported by match officials for a suspect bowling action during the first ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series against India in Rajkot on 10 January.
2. Real Madrid legend Marcelo announces retirement from football: Real Madrid and Brazil defender Marcelo has announced his retirement at the age of 36.The left-back won five Champions League crowns and six La Liga titles with the Los Blancos and also represented his country in two World Cups during an illustrious career that spanned 19 years.
3. 9th Asian Winter Games kick off in Harbin: The 9th edition of the Asian Winter Games (AWG) 2025 has commenced in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China.Chinese President Xi Jinping officially declared the games open in the presence of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and other distinguished guests. The games will continue until the 14th February.A record 34 countries and regions are participating in these games. The 88-member Indian contingent, including 59 athletes and 29 team officials, will take part in the event.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Shiv Shakti Point’s Age : India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission marked milestone in lunar exploration. On August 23, 2023, India became the first nation to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s south pole. The mission’s landing site, known as Shiv Shakti point, is estimated to be around 3.7 billion years old. This age coincides with the emergence of primitive microbial life on Earth. The findings from Chandrayaan-3 contribute to our understanding of the moon’s evolution. The age of the landing site aligns with critical events in Earth’s history. The geological features observed may offer clues about the moon’s past conditions and the potential for life in similar environments.
2. Heart Failure Trends and Mortality in India: India’s heart failure landscape presents alarming statistics. Recent findings reveal that heart failure patients in India are nearly a decade younger than those in high-income countries. The National Heart Failure Registry (NHFR) indicates a one-year mortality rate of 25%, with variations based on the underlying cause of heart failure. Addressing the high mortality rates associated with heart failure requires comprehensive strategies. These include enhancing disease management, increasing awareness, and ensuring timely medical interventions.
3. ISRO Successfully Tests CE20 Cryogenic Engine Ignition: On February 7, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted an ignition trial of the CE20 cryogenic engine. This engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). The test took place at the High Altitude Test Facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. Restarting a cryogenic engine is complex. To address this, ISRO is investigating the use of turbopumps in bootstrap mode. This method aims to enable both the thrust chamber and gas generator to reignite under the expected tank head conditions during flight.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI forms Working Group to review trading and settlement timings of financial markets : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has established a 9-member Working Group to conduct a comprehensive review of the trading and settlement timings for financial markets.The group will examine various developments in the financial sector over recent years, including the increased electronification of trading, the availability of Forex and certain interest rate derivative markets operating on a 24×5 basis, the growing participation of non-residents in domestic financial markets, and the round-the-clock availability of payment systems.The Working Group will be chaired by Radha Shyam Ratho, Executive Director at the Reserve Bank of India, and will include eight other members.The Working Group’s primary objective is to review the current trading and settlement timings for various financial markets regulated by the RBI. This includes the functioning hours of market infrastructures for trading, clearing, settlement, and transaction reporting. Additionally, the group will analyze any challenges or frictions arising from the current timings, such as their impact on price/rate transmission across markets, market volatility, trade distribution, liquidity requirements, and netting efficiency.
2. IDFC FIRST Bank, Ikonz launch Amitabh Bachchan’s AI avatar: IDFC FIRST Bank, in partnership with Ikonz, has used the latest artificial intelligence (AI) avatar of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan at 10 more branches in 5 new cities including Delhi, Gurugram, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Hyderabad.The initiative allows Bachchan to connect with another 70 million people.Last year, Ikonz partnered with IDFC FIRST Bank to bring the legend’s AI avatar as the face of all banking communication at their Juhu Branch in Mumbai. In a short span, the initiative has been widely accepted and has led to better efficiency and customer trust.Bachchan, during the launch, said the one of its kind initiatives using the latest technology will help him to connect with people in a unique way.This partnership between IDFC FIRST Bank and Ikonz Studios leverages the power of AI and Holographic Extended Reality to create an immersive experience.Founder and CEO of Ikonz Studios- Abinav Varma Kalidindi
3. RBI approves two voluntary urban co-operative bank amalgamations: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved two voluntary amalgamations in the urban co-operative bank (UCB) space — The Citizen Co-operative Bank (Vasco-De-Gama, Goa) with TJSB Sahakari Bank (Thane, Maharashtra) and Pune Commercial Co-operative Bank (Satara, Maharashtra) with Pimpri Chinchwad Sahakari Bank (Pune, Maharashtra).The Scheme of Amalgamation of The Citizen Cooperative Bank with TJSB Sahakari Bank has been sanctioned in exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.The Scheme will come into force with effect from February 10, 2025, whereby the branches of Goa-based UCB will function as branches of TJSB Sahakari Bank.The Scheme of Amalgamation of Pune Commercial Co-operative Bank with Pimpri Chinchwad Sahakari Bank has been sanctioned in exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
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