NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Govt revises guidelines for Market Intervention Scheme: The agriculture ministry has revised guidelines for the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), increasing the procurement limit of crops to 25% from 20%. The guidelines have been revised to encourage states to implement the MIS.The MIS is implemented on the request of the state/UT government for procurement of various perishable agricultural/horticultural commodities such as tomato, onion, potato, etc, for which minimum support price (MSP) is not applicable and there is a reduction of at least 10% in market prices in states/UTs as compared to the rates of the previous normal season.Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is a component of PM-AASHA scheme.
2. THDC India enters thermal energy sector, begins operations of 660-MW unit at Khurja plant: THDC India Ltd THDCIL has started commercial operations of a 660-MW unit at its Khurja Power Plant, marking an entry into the domestic thermal energy sector.Until now, the company was generating 1,424 MW from hydro, 113 MW from wind and 50 MW of solar energy.THDCIL is setting up a 1,320-megawatt (2X660 MW) super thermal power project at Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh (UP) at an investment of around ₹13,000 crore.
3. Logistics Performance Index: India at 22nd spot: As per the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), 2023 India moved up to 22nd Rank in the Global Ranking in International Shipments category and the Overall 38th Rank in Logistics Performance Index score.Indian Ports have registered quantum improvement in “Turn Around Time”.Global comparison of Indian Ports on “Turn Around Time” parameter, as published in World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Report-2023, acknowledges Indian Ports “Turn Around Time” as 0.9 days which is better than USA (1.5 days), Australia (1.7 days), Belgium (1.3 days), Canada (2.0 days), Germany (1.3 days), UAE (1.1 days), Singapore (1.0 days), Russian Federation (1.8 days), Malaysia (1.0 days), Ireland (1.2 days), Indonesia (1.1 days), New Zealand (1.1 days) and South Africa (2.8 days).
4. Charanjot Singh Nanda elected as ICAI President for term 2025-26: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which is the world’s largest accountancy body, has a new President in Charanjot Singh Nanda for the term 2025-26.Nanda, who was hitherto Vice-President of ICAI, was elected as the 73rd President at a meeting of the Central Council in New Delhi.D Prasanna Kumar, a Chartered Accountant from Andhra Pradesh (Southern India Regional Council) was elected as Vice President.Nanda, a practising Chartered Accountant for over three decades, has been associated with ICAI’s Central Council since 2004 and has served multiple terms.Nanda had completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from M.L.N. College in 1987, consistently securing a position on the Merit List at Kurukshetra University throughout his undergraduate studies. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1991.
5. 12 February – National Productivity Day: National Productivity Day is observed annually on February 12 in India, to generate awareness about the importance of productivity in achieving economic growth and sustainability, under the guidance of the National Productivity Council (NPC). It is a part of a week-long event, taking place from February 12 to 18.This day raises awareness that productivity is more than just increasing output; it is a comprehensive concept that considers environmental problems, human resource development and quality of work.Theme 2025 – From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive StartupsThe National Productivity Day commemorates the establishment of the National Productivity Council (NPC) which was registered on February 12, 1958, under the Societies Registration Act, of 1960. Notably, it is an autonomous body that was introduced to promote India’s productivity culture.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 2nd India-France AI Policy Roundtable held on the sidelines of AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris: The Second India-France AI Policy Roundtable was held at Sciences Po University, Paris, as a side event to the AI Action Summit 2025.The event was organized by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, the IndiaAI Mission, and Sciences Po Paris.Experts emphasized collaboration between India and France on indigenous AI models, multilingual large language models (LLMs), federated AI infrastructure, and sustainable AI practices.The Second Roundtable built upon key objectives from the First Roundtable held in Bengaluru during Technology Dialogue 2025, focusing on inclusive AI frameworks, diverse datasets, governance, public-private partnerships, and foundational models.
2. Dubai hosts largest MRO Middle East and AIME 2025 edition: MRO Middle East and AIME 2025 is the largest edition ever, hosted in Dubai, focusing on aircraft modernization and MRO services.Over 250 international exhibitors participated, reflecting strong aviation sector growth amid record-high passenger demand.GE Aerospace announced a $10 million investment to expand engine service capacity in the Middle East.Airbus’ Middle East Services Forecast 2024-2043 projected global services demand to reach $32 billion, with a 4.5% CAGR over 20 years.Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurated the event, reinforcing its importance as the region’s premier aerospace innovation platform.
3. FAO Launches $95M Climate Resilient Agriculture Project in Somalia: The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) officially launched a seven-year project with Somalia that aims to enhance climate adaptation and resilience for vulnerable communities in the country.The 95 million dollar “Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia” project, dubbed “Ugbaad,” which means hope in Somalia, will tackle climate change challenges and strengthen agrifood systems through large-scale investment.In Somalia, the agricultural sector is the main economic activity for an estimated 65 percent of the population, contributing about 75 percent of the gross domestic product.
4. 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum on “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific” held in Delhi: The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF), with the theme “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific” has been organized in New Delhi.The Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (AFAF) is a triennial event of the Asian Fisheries Society with its Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.This 14th AFAF is being jointly organized by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Kuala Lumpur; Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India; and the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), Mangalore.This prestigious event is being hosted in India for the 2nd time after the 8AFAF held at Kochi in 2007.
5. India ranks 96 out of 180 countries in Corruption Perceptions Index 2024: India ranked 96 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024 as its overall score dropped a point to 38, according to a Transparency International report.The index, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and business people, uses a scale of zero to 100, where “zero” is highly corrupt and “100” is very clean.In 2024, India’s overall score was 38 while it was 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022. India’s rank in 2023 was 93.Among India’s neighbours, Pakistan (135) and Sri Lanka (121) grappled with their respective low rankings, while Bangladesh’s ranking stood further down at 149. China ranked 76.
Denmark topped the list of being the least-corrupt nation, followed by Finland and Singapore.
6. 12 February – International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism: International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism is observed annually on 12 February.The day aims to raise awareness and strengthen global efforts to prevent violent extremism that can lead to terrorism.In its resolution 77/243, the General Assembly decided to declare 12 February the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, in order to raise awareness of the threats linked to violent extremism, as and when conducive to terrorism, and to enhance international cooperation in this regard.
7. 13 February – World Radio Day: World Radio Day is observed annually on 13 February.Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of radio in preserving freedom of expression, cultural diversity, and access to information.Theme 2025 – Radio and Climate ChangeIt is proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to recognize radio’s role in fostering dialogue, peace, and cultural diversity.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Shikhar Dhawan appointed as Brand Ambassador of ICC Championship Trophy 2025: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the Champions Trophy 2025. The left-handed batter Shikhar Dhawan named as one of the four ambassadors for the event.The other three ambassadors for the event are former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson, New Zealand pacer Tim Southee and former Champions Trophy-winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.The tournament will be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9.India will play their matches in Dubai as they have refused to travel to Pakistan for security reasons. India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.
2. India won 6 Golds in Para Archery Asia Cup 2025: India topped the medal tally at the 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup in Thailand, winning a total of 12 medals — six gold, three silver, and three bronze.Sarita and Shyam Sundar Swami won gold medals in the women’s compound open and men’s compound open categories, respectively.Sarita defeated Singapore’s Nur Syahidah Alim 143-142 in a closely contested women’s compound open final. Shyam Sundar Swami beat Indonesia’s Ken Swagumilang 143-141 to secure India’s sixth gold medal in the men’s compound open final.Reigning Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh won a bronze medal in the men’s recurve open with a 6-2 victory over Malaysia’s Nurfaizal Hamzah.India’s Adil Mohamed Nazir Ansari clinched a bronze medal in the men’s W1 (Rec/Comp) event with a 120-116 win over Hong Kong’s Yung Man Tai.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs on the topic of ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi.The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, members of the Committee.Cyber Crime Forensic Training Labs have been established in 33 states and union territories. On the ‘CyTrain’ platform, a “Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)” platform, 101,561 police officers have registered, and over 78,000 certificates have been issued.Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of raising awareness among the public to prevent cybercrime and requested all the members of the committee to promote the I4C helpline number 1930. India has become the third-largest country in terms of digital landscape in the world. The digital economy contributes 20 per cent to the total economy of India.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Easebuzz gets RBI authorisation to operate as online payment aggregator: Easebuzz, a digital payment solutions provider, has received final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator (PA).The approval, which allows the firm to continue facilitating digital transactions for businesses, comes a week after it announced integration support for third-party payment orchestrators.The company currently claims to processes an annualised Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of $30 billion and serves over 2 lakh businesses, including SMEs and startups.
2. India’s retail inflation eases to 4.3% in January 2025: A sharp decline in vegetable-led food prices pushed retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), down by 91 basis points to a five-month low of 4.3 per cent in January.A sharp decline of 237 basis points was observed in food inflation in January 2025 compared to December 2024. The food inflation in January 2025 is the lowest since August 2024.A significant decline in both headline and food inflation in rural areas was observed in January. It fell to 4.64 per cent in January from 5.76 per cent in December. Rural food inflation stood at 6.31 per cent in the same month compared to 8.65 per cent in the corresponding month. Urban areas too saw a sharp decline in headline inflation to 3.87 per cent from 4.58 per cent. While food inflation fell to 5.33 per cent from 7.9 per cent.
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