NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. MP govt partners with AIIMS Delhi for maternal, infant mortality rate reduction: Madhya Pradesh government has formed a strategic partnership with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi to seek its regular assistance.A delegation of senior officials associated with National Health Mission of the Madhya Pradesh government attended a meeting in AIIMS Delhi and signed an agreement with the country’s premier government health institution.The discussion was focused on exploring evidence-based interventions and policy frameworks to improve healthcare services in the state.
2. India’s Amendments to Nuclear Liability Laws: The Government of India has announced amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (CLNDA) of 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act of 1962. This decision comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Paris and Washington. The amendments aim to facilitate foreign nuclear investments, particularly from American and French companies, which have faced legal hurdles for over 15 years. The amendments mark a notable shift from the government’s previous stance in 2015. They are intended to revive stalled projects, such as the Electricite de France’s (EDF) agreement to build six reactors in Jaitapur and Westinghouse Electric Company’s (WEC) plans for six reactors in Kovvada.
3. Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has raised concerns regarding the Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project in Madhya Pradesh. This project threatens vital tiger habitats and disrupts ecological corridors between the Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves. The NTCA has urged authorities to consider alternative sites to reconcile development needs with conservation efforts. Both the Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves are currently in a recovery phase. This recovery is attributed to successful voluntary village relocations. The NTCA cautions that losing the ecological corridor could reverse the progress made in increasing tiger populations.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Assam to host World’s Largest Jhumur Festival: Assam will host the world’s largest Jhumur dance, also called Jhumoir, on February 24, 2025, ahead of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment Summit.With over 7,500 dancers, the event aims for a Guinness World Record and will be attended by PM Narendra Modi.This summit is a platform to showcase Assam’s rich traditions to a global audience and attract investors.The two-day event is expected to draw investors from all around India and the world, solidifying Assam’s standing as a new investment destination in the country.
2. Trump Declares February 9 ‘Gulf of America Day’ After Renaming ‘Gulf of Mexico’: US President Donald Trump has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and designated February 9 as “Gulf of America Day” through an executive order.The order, titled “Restoring Names That Honour American Greatness” (Executive Order 14172), instructs the US Secretary of the Interior to formalise the name change within 30 days.The executive order defines the newly named Gulf as including the “US Continental Shelf area bounded to the northeast, north, and northwest by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, extending to the maritime boundary with Mexico and Cuba”.
3. Nokia picks Intel’s AI and data center leader Justin Hotard as new CEO: Pekka Lundmark, CEO of Nokia, will step down, with Justin Hotard appointed as his successor, effective April 1.Justin Hotard is currently the executive vice president and general manager of the Data Center & AI Group at Intel.Lundmark, who was appointed as Nokia’s CEO in 2020, will stay on as an advisor to Hotard until the end of the year.
4. 10 February – World Pulses Day: World Pulses Day is celebrated annually on 10 February to raise awareness about the importance of pulses in sustainable agriculture and global food security.Pulses, commonly known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants grown for consumption. Among the various types, dry beans, lentils and peas are the most popular. It is a common element in various cuisines, ranging from Mediterranean hummus to Indian dal.In 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/68/231), recognising 2016 as the International Year of Pulses. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), it was started with the aim of raising public knowledge about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses.
5. 10 February – International Day of the Arabian Leopard: International Day of the Arabian Leopard is observed every year on 10 February.To raise awareness about the Arabian leopard, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed February 10 as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard in resolution 77/295.Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the rapid disappearance of the Arabian leopard represents a major setback for biodiversity conservation in its native region, underscoring the urgency of addressing the nature crisis that threatens ecosystems worldwide.
6. 11 February – World Unani Day: World Unani Day is observed annually on 11 February to commemorate the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a prominent Unani physician and social reformer.The day aims to promote Unani medicine, an ancient system of healing with roots in Greece and the Middle East, and raise awareness about its benefits.Theme 2025 – Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A Way ForwardUnani medicine focuses on balancing the body’s four humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—for maintaining health.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Joint military exercise ‘Cyclone 2025’ between India and Egypt began in Rajasthan: A joint military exercise “Cyclone 2025”, between India and Egypt begin at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.The 14-day exercise aims to enhance defence cooperation between India and Egypt by sharing professional skills and improving interoperability of special forces in desert environments.This is the third edition of Cyclone exercise. Counter-terrorism operations, reconnaissance, raids, and other specialized missions will be part of the exercises which will also involve special forces skills like sniping, combat free fall, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target designation. The Indian Army contingent is represented by personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).The Egyptian contingent includes the Egyptian Commando Squadron and the Egyptian Airborne Platoon. Military cooperation between India and Egypt has strengthened in recent years. Both countries have emphasised the need to strengthen security efforts.
2. Pir Panjal winter festival begins in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch with focus on youth: The Indian Army launched the 51-day Pir Panjal Winter Festival in the border district of Poonch.Scheduled to conclude on March 31, the festival highlights the army’s dedication to youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and efforts being made to combat issues like drug abuse.The event will feature a range of sports and cultural activities, including a U-25 men’s cricket tournament, volleyball tournaments for men under-25 and women U-21, an open kho-kho competition for girls, as well as Gujari and Pahari folk dances and a dance talent hunt.
3. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Asia’s biggest Aero India show in Bangalore: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Asia’s biggest 15th Aero India show in Bengaluru.
The five-day event with the theme of Runway to a billion Opportunities will showcase India’s defence capabilities and indigenous innovations.Indian MSMEs and Startups have an opportunity to forge Joint ventures or collaborations with the global manufacturers and provide a resilient supply chain.Indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, Advanced Light Helicopter and C 295 transport aircraft produced in India are on display. ADA has exhibited a newly designed prototype of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft with fifth generation technology.
4. Indian Army and Indian Air Force conducts joint military exercise ‘Winged Raider’: The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force jointly conducted a comprehensive training exercise named EXWinged Raiders in the Eastern Theater.The exercise which was focused on special airborne operations was aimed to enhance inter-service synergy.The joint military exercise is part of the government of India’s effort to push for interoperability leading to the setting up of an integrated theatre command in the country.The exercise focused on special airborne operations and was conducted in the Eastern Theater of the Indian Army.
UK Launches Defence Partnership–India (DP-I): On February 10, 2025, the United Kingdom officially launched the Defence Partnership–India (DP-I). This initiative aims to deepen defence collaboration between the UK and India. The announcement coincided with the Aero India event, where several key agreements were signed. These agreements focus on advanced defence technologies and manufacturing capabilities. A notable development is the establishment of an Advanced Short-Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in Hyderabad. This facility will manufacture missiles for the Jaguar and Light Combat Aircraft-Mk1A. The agreement aims to enhance India’s indigenous defence capabilities and support exports.
SPORTS
1. Varun Chakravarthy becomes 2nd oldest cricketer to make ODI debut for India: The Indian team handed mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy his maiden ODI cap in the 2nd game of the three-match series.Varun received his cap from Ravindra Jadeja, after having a sensational T20I series against England, where he picked up 14 wickets from 5 matches.Varun, 33 years and 164 days old, became India’s second-oldest debutant in ODIs behind legendary wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer, who had made his debut in 1974 at the age of 36 years and 138 days.Varun has steadily risen in the 50-over format and was the best spinner in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over competition.
2. Former Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne Retires from International Cricket: Former Sri Lankan captain and opener Dimuth Karunaratne bid farewell to international cricket after playing his 100th Test against Australia in Galle.The 36-year-old scored 36 and 14 in his final match, which Australia won by nine wickets to secure a 2-0 sweep of the series.He became only the seventh Sri Lankan cricketer to achieve the milestone of 100 Tests.During his career, Karunaratne amassed 7,222 Test runs at an impressive average of nearly 40, with a career-best score of 244. In addition to his Test achievements, he played 50 ODIs, scoring 1,316 runs.As captain, Karunaratne led Sri Lanka in 30 Tests between 2019 and 2023, achieving 12 wins and 12 losses during his tenure.
3. Jil Teichmann wins the Mumbai Open 2025 Tennis tournament: Jil Teichmann of Switzerland defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand to win the singles title of the 2025 Mumbai Open tennis tournament.The final of the 2025 Mumbai Open tennis tournament was played in Mumbai, Maharashtra.In the semi-final, Jil Teichman defeated Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, of India while Mananchaya Sawangkaew defeated Rebecca Marino of Canada to reach the final.In the doubles, the Russian pair of Elena Pridankina and Amina Anshba defeated India’s Prarthana Thombare and her Dutch partner Arianne Hartono 6(4)-7(7), 6-2, 10-7 in the final.The Mumbai Open is the biggest professional women’s tennis tournament in India and it returned after a gap of six years in 2024. Mumbai Open 2025 is the fourth edition of the tournament.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Atal Bhujal Yojana Expanded: The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is initiative by the Government of India aimed at sustainable groundwater management. Launched on 25 December 2019, it addresses the critical issue of groundwater depletion in India. The scheme initially targeted seven water-stressed states and is now set to expand to twelve states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The scheme consists of two main components. The first is Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, with an outlay of Rs 1,400 crore. The second is an Incentive Component, which has a budget of Rs 4,600 crore. These funds are allocated to encourage states to achieve groundwater management targets.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Tamil film ‘Bad Girl’ wins NETPAC Award at International Film Festival of Rotterdam : Bad Girl, the debut feature film by director Varsha Bharath, has won the NETPAC Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025.The Tamil coming-of-age drama is presented by ace filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Vetri Maaran.The NETPAC Award (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) is given annually to a standout feature film from the Asia and Pacific regions. It specifically recognises emerging talents, considering only the first and second features of directors.This project marks the Tamil debut of National Award-winning music director Amit Trivedi, who has composed six songs for the movie. The film has cinematography by Preetha Jayaraman, Jagadeesh Ravi, and Prince Anderson, and editing by Radha Sridhar.
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