Daily GK Update- 18th Feb, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kerala govt allocates additional ₹300 crore for integrated healthcare scheme: The Kerala government has allocated an additional ₹300 crore for Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASAP), its integrated health protection scheme designed to provide coverage to over 64 lakh poor and vulnerable people in the State.With this additional allocation, the total amount earmarked for the flagship scheme in the present financial year has gone up to ₹54 crore.KASAP aims at providing a health cover of ₹5 lakh annually to over 41.99 lakh poor and vulnerable families (approximately 64 lakh beneficiaries) that form the bottom 40 per cent of the Kerala population.

 

2. HAL and IIIT Dharwad sign MoU for collaborative research, skill development: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Information Technology, Dharwad to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in advanced technologies.The partnership will focus on joint research, internships, and technical education in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics, AR/VR, and Digital Manufacturing, particularly in applications relevant to the aerospace and defence sectors.Under this MoU, HAL officers will have opportunities to pursue higher education at IIIT Dharwad, while students will gain hands-on experience through internships at HAL’s various divisions.

 

3. Government approves Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan Scheme till 2025-26: The Centre has approved continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme during the 15th Finance Commission cycle up to 2025-26.The integrated PM-AASHA Scheme is aimed at effective implementation of procurement operations, which is crucial for providing remunerative prices to farmers and also controlling price volatility of essential commodities.Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of the integrated PM-AASHA Scheme, the procurement of the notified pulses, oilseeds and copra conforming to the prescribed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) is undertaken by the central nodal agencies at the MSP (minimum support price) directly from the pre-registered farmers through the State level agencies.

 

4. Gyanesh Kumar appointed as new Chief Election Commissioner: Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He succeeded Rajiv Kumar.CEC Gyanesh Kumar is a former IAS officer from the 1988 batch of the Kerala cadre. He has served as secretary in the ministry of parliamentary affairs.Vivek Joshi has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner. He is an IAS officer from the 1989 batch of the Haryana cadre. President Droupadi Murmu has appointed both commissioners.As the next Chief Election Commissioner, he would be in charge of elections in five states – Opposition-ruled Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and NDA-ruled Bihar and Assam — in the immediate future. The election in Bihar is due later this year – the rest take place in 2026.

 

5. PD Singh appointed as CEO of Standard Chartered India: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given its approval to appoint corporate banking veteran and former JP Morgan India CEO Prabdev (PD) Singh as the CEO for Standard Chartered (StanC) in India.Singh will start his three-year term on April 1 succeeding Zarin Daruwala who retires from the bank at the end of March.Singh brings nearly three decades of experience, having previously served as CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank in India, where he played a key role in shaping the bank’s corporate banking franchise.

 

6. SBI Cards appoints Salila Pande as MD & CEO: Salila Pande has been appointed as the MD & CEO of SBI Cards and Payment Services Board, with effect from 1 April 2025.The appointment of Pande, who has been nominated by the State Bank of India, will be for a period of two years.The board has approved the appointment of Pande pursuant to the superannuation of AbhijitChakravorty from the services of the State Bank of India from March 31, 2025, it said.Pande is the chief general manager at the State Bank of India. She is a career banker and had joined the SBI in 1995 as a probationary officer and has been with the country’s largest banking group since then.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. APEDA facilitates first-ever sea shipments of Indian pomegranates to Australia: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports successfully completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates respectively to Australia via sea.The first air shipment took place in July 2024, following the successful market access facilitation by APEDA and National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).The first-ever sea-freight shipment departed from India on December 6, 2024 and arrived in Sydney on January 13, 2025 with 5.7 metric tons (MT) of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra, packed into 1,900 boxes, each containing 3 kg of premium fruit.

 

2. Meta introduces subsea internet cable Project Waterworth to cross over 50,000 km: Meta introduced its internet subsea cable Project Waterworth, which will cross 50,000 km in length and bring enhanced connectivity to the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other locations whilst becoming the longest subsea cable project in the world.The investment involves billions of dollars and is set to span across years, in a bid to bring AI access to users all around the world.Subsea cables projects, such as Project Waterworth, are the backbone of global digital infrastructure, accounting for more than 95% of intercontinental traffic across the world’s oceans to seamlessly enable digital communication, video experiences, online transactions, and more.

According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) data, the country hosts around 17 international subsea cables across 17 district landing stations.

 

3. India among most affected countries by climate change from 1993-2022: CRI: India is among the nations hit hardest by extreme weather over the past 30 years, according to the newly released 2025 Climate Risk Index (CRI).Between 1993 and 2022, the country endured more than 400 extreme events — including floods, heatwaves, and cyclones — leading to 80,000 fatalities and economic losses nearing $180 billion.The CRI measures both the human and economic consequences of climate-related disasters, ranking countries based on fatalities, damages, and the number of people affected.Climate Risk Index puts India in sixth place among the 10 most affected countries, showing high absolute fatalities and economic losses in addition to high absolute and relative numbers of people affected. The report highlights the country’s increasingly frequent extreme weather events over the past three decades, including floods, heat waves, cyclones, and droughts.

 

4. Wipro names Amit Kumar as Managing Partner and Global Head of Consulting: Amit Kumar has been appointed as Managing Partner and Global Head of Wipro Consulting.He will lead Wipro’s AI-driven growth and help clients with business and technology transformations.Amit brings 24 years of experience across various industries like High-Tech, Energy, Automotive, and Retail.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. 6th Edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian: The sixth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian is set to take place at Mount Fuji, Japan from February 25 to March 9, 2025. This joint military exercise between India and Japan aims to enhance interoperability between their armed forces. It focuses on urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a United Nations mandate. The exercise follows the successful visit of India’s Chief of the Army Staff to Japan in October 2024, which laid the groundwork for stronger bilateral defence cooperation. In addition to tactical training, the exercise promotes cultural exchanges. These interactions encourage understanding of each other’s traditions and values. Such social components are essential for effective collaboration in real-world scenarios.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo Becomes First to Run Half-Marathon Under 57 Minutes: Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda has made history in the half-marathon. He became the first person to run the race in under 57 minutes.Kiplimo finished in 56 minutes, 42 seconds in Barcelona. The 24-year-old set the record at the World Athletics Gold Label race.He broke the old record of 57:30 set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in October. Kiplimo beat the record by 48 seconds, the biggest improvement ever.He was the half-marathon record holder from 2021 to 2024. With this run, he reclaimed his title. Kiplimo also set a world best time of 39:47 for 15 kilometers during the race

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. DoT and ITU Join Hands to Explore Future-Ready Infrastructure Planning with AI- Driven Digital Twin Technologies: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have signed a Letter of Intent to explore AI-driven Digital Twin technologies for advanced infrastructure planning.DoT’s “Sangam: Digital Twin” initiative creates a virtual replica of physical infrastructure, including telecom networks. This initiative enables real-time monitoring, simulation, and analysis to enhance infrastructure planning and development.By integrating advanced technologies like AI and 5G, Digital Twin optimizes decision-making, improves efficiency and supports future-ready digital infrastructure.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. LIC launches marketing tech platform under project DIVE; set to redefine customer engagement: State-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched its marketing technology (MarTech) platform to redefine customer engagement.The platform is the first major milestone in project DIVE (Digital Innovation and Value Enhancement).This launch represents LIC’s first step towards becoming a global digital champion in the insurance industry, leveraging world-class technology to revolutionize customer engagement at an unprecedented scale.The MarTech platform introduces an intelligent, multi-channel engagement capability, enabling LIC to run hyper-personalized, always-on campaigns that enhance customer experience and drive business growth.

 

2. IRDAI unveils Bima Trinity plan, reviews insurance sector at 9th Bima Manthan: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) held the 9th edition of Bima Manthan, its quarterly review meeting with insurance company CEOs.The discussions focused on the performance of the life and general insurance industry, the progress of the state insurance plan, distribution reforms, and enhancing disclosure and transparency.A key highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of Bima Trinity, a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing accessibility, affordability, and efficiency in the insurance sector. 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 17th Feb, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jitendra Singh chairs 12th All India Pension Adalat: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 12th All India Pension Adalat in New Delhi.During the event, the Minister interacted with pensioners from different states and provided on-the-spot redressal of their pension-related grievances. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister dedicated the Pension Adalat to all the pensioners.The Pension Adalat sought to resolve long-standing pension cases pending for more than 120 days in 16 departments, as well as ministries, which were also attending the Adalat. Nearly 180 cases pertaining to ministries were discussed during the Adalat.

 

2. Lok Sabha Speaker forms 31-member Select Committee to examine new Income Tax Bill: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted a 31-member Select Committee to examine the new Income Tax Bill. The panel will be headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda and it will submit its report by the first day of the next session.The Income-Tax Bill 2025 which aims at consolidating and amending the law relating to income tax was introduced in the Lok Sabha. While introducing the Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to refer the draft law to a Select Committee of the House.Speaking on the Bill, Ms Sitharaman said that the new legislation has fewer sections and chapters in comparison to the existing Income Tax Act, and it has been simplified for easy comprehension by the common people.

 

3. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 begins in Uttar Pradesh: The third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, an initiative fostering cultural and intellectual ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, commence at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan; Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have inaugurated the prestigious cultural event.The initiative, organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with various ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, aims to celebrate and strengthen the ancient civilizational bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.This year, the government has decided to bring around thousand delegates from Tamil Nadu under five different categories.The main theme of this year’s event is highlighting the significant contributions of Sage Agasthya to the world of Health, Philosophy, Science, Classical Tamil Literature, and cultural unity of the Nation.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. JICA, Uttarakhand sign agreement for integrated horticulture development promotion project: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing (DHFP), Government of Uttarakhand, have signed the ‘Records of Discussions’, an official agreement document, for a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) titled ‘Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Promotion Project’.The project aims to promote stable production of horticulture crops and strengthen marketing system through the dissemination of integrated model of market-oriented production and proper management of distribution facilities in Tehri Garhwal and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand.

 

2. Munich Security Conference 2025: Recent developments at the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) have brought into light shift in the geopolitical landscape between the United States and Europe. The conference, held in February 2025, was marked by discord and differing priorities among attendees. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the absence of Ukrainian representatives from crucial negotiations has raised concerns about the future of European security and unity. The conflict in Ukraine has led to a reassessment of Western policies. European nations are now urged to ramp up their military expenditures to deter Russian aggression. Current NATO spending guidelines may rise from 2% to 3% of GDP. This is in response to Russia’s increased military budget, which exceeds European spending.

 

3. Indian Ocean Conference 2025 : The 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) commenced in Muscat on February 16-17, 2025. This year’s theme is Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership. The conference aims to enhance inclusivity and encourage new partnerships within the maritime sector. It gathers participants from over 60 countries and international organisations. This reflects the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region and the necessity for collaborative solutions. Future efforts should focus on strengthening maritime infrastructure. Investment in port modernisation and naval expansion is essential. Enhancing regional cooperation through IORA and QUAD can boost maritime security. Promoting the Blue Economy and sustainable development is crucial for long-term viability. Finally, developing disaster preparedness and climate action plans will help mitigate future risks.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Global defence firm Saab signs MoU with HAL for laser warning system: Swedish defence and security company Saab has signed an agreement with Indian defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning System-310 (LWS-310).The agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between Saab South Africa and HAL, which began in 2005 during the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter Programme.The MoU includes a Maintenance Transfer of Technology (ToT), aligning with India’s defence procurement procedure. Under this agreement, HAL will acquire the capability to manufacture LWS-310 domestically, with Saab providing infrastructure support, training programs, and technical expertise. This initiative aims to ensure long-term support for the Indian armed forces while promoting local defence production.

 

2. Special Grade  Steel MDN100: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the public sector undertaking Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Aero India 2025 event. This agreement focuses on the indigenous development of a special grade  steel known as MDN100. This steel is designed for aeronautical applications, particularly for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The initiative supports India’s goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. MDN100 steel is characterised by high strength and toughness. These properties make it suitable for use in highly stressed aircraft components. The steel’s excellent forgeability allows for weight-saving designs in aircraft construction. This is crucial for enhancing the performance and efficiency of modern combat aircraft.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Rajat Patidar named RCB captain ahead of IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar, the 31-year-old middle order batter, has been appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).After having released Faf du Plessis, who had captained the side in the previous seasons, the Bengaluru-franchise were without a captaincy candidate ahead of the 2025 season.Patidar, who had led Madhya Pradesh to the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this season, will become the eighth player to lead RCB.Patidar made his IPL debut in 2021 and has been a part of the franchise since then. With the ability to dominate pace and spin with equal ease, he has featured in 27 games for RCB, scoring 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85. He was one of the three retentions for RCB ahead of the mega auction, apart from Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal. He was retained for INR 11 Crore.

 

2. ICC announces prize money for 2025 Champions Trophy: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced prize money for the 2025 Champions Trophy, starting on February 19 in Pakistan.The total prize pool of this edition has been increased by an impressive 53 per cent from the 2017 edition to a total prize money of US 4.5 million Dollar.The winners will earn US 2.24 million dollar, while the runners-up will get US 1.12 million dollar. Losing semi-finalists will receive 560,000 dollar each.Every group match win is worth over US 34,000 dollars, while teams finishing fifth or sixth will earn 350,000 dollars. The seventh and eighth-placed teams will take home 140,000 US dollars. All eight teams are guaranteed 125,000 US dollar for participating.This is the first ICC event in Pakistan since 1996. The tournament will run for 19 days, with 15 matches being played in Pakistan and the UAE.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. TCS partners with UPM to modernise its IT landscape with AI and automation: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed an agreement to drive end-to-end IT transformation of UPM, a global company that provides renewable and responsible solutions, to boost adoption of an AI-first operating model.The partnership further solidifies TCS’ leadership in Finland, where it has been operational for over 25 year The digital transformation aims to accelerate UPM’s growth, enhance user experience, and support the adoption of an AI-first operating model.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda gets board approval to raise up to Rs 8,500 crore equity : The board of public sector lender Bank of Baroda has approved the bank’s plan to raise up to Rs 8,500 crore through common equity shares to support business growth and meet regulatory norms.The Mumbai-based lender would use various modes, including Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), in suitable tranches up to March 2028 and beyond, as required.The bank’s capital adequacy stood at 15.96 per cent, with Common Equity Tier-I (CET-I) at 12.38 per cent at the end of December 2024. BoB had raised capital via QIP of Rs 4,500 crore during FY21.

 

2. Shriram Finance raises $500 million via SACE ECB loan: Non-banking finance company (NBFC) major Shriram Finance has raised $500 million via SACE External Commercial Borrowing Push loan facility, with a tenor of 10 years.SACE is an Italian export credit agency run under the government of Italy. Shriram Finance has raised over $2.5 billion in offshore funding in the current financial year.HSBC acted as the sole export credit agency, while Coordinator and ING Bank acted as the social loan coordinator for the transaction.Executive Vice Chairman of Shriram Finance – Umesh Revankar

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NTPC Wins Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 for Water Resilience: NTPC Ltd., India’s largest integrated power utility, has been honoured with Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 in the Water Resilience category.The award was presented at a ceremony organised by the UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) in Chennai.The Forward Faster Sustainability Awards celebrate organisations in India that have made significant strides in advancing sustainability and corporate responsibility, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition reaffirms NTPC’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices in its operations and contributing towards global sustainability goals.

 

Daily GK Update- 16th Feb, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jitendra Singh chairs 12th All India Pension Adalat: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 12th All India Pension Adalat in New Delhi.During the event, the Minister interacted with pensioners from different states and provided on-the-spot redressal of their pension-related grievances. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister dedicated the Pension Adalat to all the pensioners.The Pension Adalat sought to resolve long-standing pension cases pending for more than 120 days in 16 departments, as well as ministries, which were also attending the Adalat. Nearly 180 cases pertaining to ministries were discussed during the Adalat.

 

2. Lok Sabha Speaker forms 31-member Select Committee to examine new Income Tax Bill: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted a 31-member Select Committee to examine the new Income Tax Bill. The panel will be headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda and it will submit its report by the first day of the next session.The Income-Tax Bill 2025 which aims at consolidating and amending the law relating to income tax was introduced in the Lok Sabha. While introducing the Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to refer the draft law to a Select Committee of the House.Speaking on the Bill, Ms Sitharaman said that the new legislation has fewer sections and chapters in comparison to the existing Income Tax Act, and it has been simplified for easy comprehension by the common people.

 

3. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 begins in Uttar Pradesh: The third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, an initiative fostering cultural and intellectual ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, commence at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan; Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have inaugurated the prestigious cultural event.The initiative, organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with various ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, aims to celebrate and strengthen the ancient civilizational bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.This year, the government has decided to bring around thousand delegates from Tamil Nadu under five different categories.The main theme of this year’s event is highlighting the significant contributions of Sage Agasthya to the world of Health, Philosophy, Science, Classical Tamil Literature, and cultural unity of the Nation.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. JICA, Uttarakhand sign agreement for integrated horticulture development promotion project: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing (DHFP), Government of Uttarakhand, have signed the ‘Records of Discussions’, an official agreement document, for a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) titled ‘Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Promotion Project’.The project aims to promote stable production of horticulture crops and strengthen marketing system through the dissemination of integrated model of market-oriented production and proper management of distribution facilities in Tehri Garhwal and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand.

 

2. Munich Security Conference 2025: Recent developments at the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) have brought into light shift in the geopolitical landscape between the United States and Europe. The conference, held in February 2025, was marked by discord and differing priorities among attendees. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the absence of Ukrainian representatives from crucial negotiations has raised concerns about the future of European security and unity. The conflict in Ukraine has led to a reassessment of Western policies. European nations are now urged to ramp up their military expenditures to deter Russian aggression. Current NATO spending guidelines may rise from 2% to 3% of GDP. This is in response to Russia’s increased military budget, which exceeds European spending.

 

3. Indian Ocean Conference 2025 : The 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) commenced in Muscat on February 16-17, 2025. This year’s theme is Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership. The conference aims to enhance inclusivity and encourage new partnerships within the maritime sector. It gathers participants from over 60 countries and international organisations. This reflects the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region and the necessity for collaborative solutions. Future efforts should focus on strengthening maritime infrastructure. Investment in port modernisation and naval expansion is essential. Enhancing regional cooperation through IORA and QUAD can boost maritime security. Promoting the Blue Economy and sustainable development is crucial for long-term viability. Finally, developing disaster preparedness and climate action plans will help mitigate future risks.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Global defence firm Saab signs MoU with HAL for laser warning system: Swedish defence and security company Saab has signed an agreement with Indian defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning System-310 (LWS-310).The agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between Saab South Africa and HAL, which began in 2005 during the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter Programme.The MoU includes a Maintenance Transfer of Technology (ToT), aligning with India’s defence procurement procedure. Under this agreement, HAL will acquire the capability to manufacture LWS-310 domestically, with Saab providing infrastructure support, training programs, and technical expertise. This initiative aims to ensure long-term support for the Indian armed forces while promoting local defence production.

 

2. Special Grade  Steel MDN100: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the public sector undertaking Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Aero India 2025 event. This agreement focuses on the indigenous development of a special grade  steel known as MDN100. This steel is designed for aeronautical applications, particularly for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The initiative supports India’s goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. MDN100 steel is characterised by high strength and toughness. These properties make it suitable for use in highly stressed aircraft components. The steel’s excellent forgeability allows for weight-saving designs in aircraft construction. This is crucial for enhancing the performance and efficiency of modern combat aircraft.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Rajat Patidar named RCB captain ahead of IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar, the 31-year-old middle order batter, has been appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).After having released Faf du Plessis, who had captained the side in the previous seasons, the Bengaluru-franchise were without a captaincy candidate ahead of the 2025 season.Patidar, who had led Madhya Pradesh to the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this season, will become the eighth player to lead RCB.Patidar made his IPL debut in 2021 and has been a part of the franchise since then. With the ability to dominate pace and spin with equal ease, he has featured in 27 games for RCB, scoring 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85. He was one of the three retentions for RCB ahead of the mega auction, apart from Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal. He was retained for INR 11 Crore.

 

2. ICC announces prize money for 2025 Champions Trophy: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced prize money for the 2025 Champions Trophy, starting on February 19 in Pakistan.The total prize pool of this edition has been increased by an impressive 53 per cent from the 2017 edition to a total prize money of US 4.5 million Dollar.The winners will earn US 2.24 million dollar, while the runners-up will get US 1.12 million dollar. Losing semi-finalists will receive 560,000 dollar each.Every group match win is worth over US 34,000 dollars, while teams finishing fifth or sixth will earn 350,000 dollars. The seventh and eighth-placed teams will take home 140,000 US dollars. All eight teams are guaranteed 125,000 US dollar for participating.This is the first ICC event in Pakistan since 1996. The tournament will run for 19 days, with 15 matches being played in Pakistan and the UAE.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. TCS partners with UPM to modernise its IT landscape with AI and automation: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed an agreement to drive end-to-end IT transformation of UPM, a global company that provides renewable and responsible solutions, to boost adoption of an AI-first operating model.The partnership further solidifies TCS’ leadership in Finland, where it has been operational for over 25 year The digital transformation aims to accelerate UPM’s growth, enhance user experience, and support the adoption of an AI-first operating model.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda gets board approval to raise up to Rs 8,500 crore equity : The board of public sector lender Bank of Baroda has approved the bank’s plan to raise up to Rs 8,500 crore through common equity shares to support business growth and meet regulatory norms.The Mumbai-based lender would use various modes, including Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), in suitable tranches up to March 2028 and beyond, as required.The bank’s capital adequacy stood at 15.96 per cent, with Common Equity Tier-I (CET-I) at 12.38 per cent at the end of December 2024. BoB had raised capital via QIP of Rs 4,500 crore during FY21.

 

2. Shriram Finance raises $500 million via SACE ECB loan: Non-banking finance company (NBFC) major Shriram Finance has raised $500 million via SACE External Commercial Borrowing Push loan facility, with a tenor of 10 years.SACE is an Italian export credit agency run under the government of Italy. Shriram Finance has raised over $2.5 billion in offshore funding in the current financial year.HSBC acted as the sole export credit agency, while Coordinator and ING Bank acted as the social loan coordinator for the transaction.Executive Vice Chairman of Shriram Finance – Umesh Revankar

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NTPC Wins Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 for Water Resilience: NTPC Ltd., India’s largest integrated power utility, has been honoured with Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 in the Water Resilience category.The award was presented at a ceremony organised by the UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) in Chennai.The Forward Faster Sustainability Awards celebrate organisations in India that have made significant strides in advancing sustainability and corporate responsibility, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition reaffirms NTPC’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices in its operations and contributing towards global sustainability goals.

 

Daily GK Update- 15th Feb, 2025

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jitendra Singh chairs 12th All India Pension Adalat: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 12th All India Pension Adalat in New Delhi.During the event, the Minister interacted with pensioners from different states and provided on-the-spot redressal of their pension-related grievances. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister dedicated the Pension Adalat to all the pensioners.The Pension Adalat sought to resolve long-standing pension cases pending for more than 120 days in 16 departments, as well as ministries, which were also attending the Adalat. Nearly 180 cases pertaining to ministries were discussed during the Adalat.

 

2. Lok Sabha Speaker forms 31-member Select Committee to examine new Income Tax Bill: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted a 31-member Select Committee to examine the new Income Tax Bill. The panel will be headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda and it will submit its report by the first day of the next session.The Income-Tax Bill 2025 which aims at consolidating and amending the law relating to income tax was introduced in the Lok Sabha. While introducing the Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to refer the draft law to a Select Committee of the House.Speaking on the Bill, Ms Sitharaman said that the new legislation has fewer sections and chapters in comparison to the existing Income Tax Act, and it has been simplified for easy comprehension by the common people.

 

3. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 begins in Uttar Pradesh: The third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, an initiative fostering cultural and intellectual ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, commence at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan; Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have inaugurated the prestigious cultural event.The initiative, organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with various ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, aims to celebrate and strengthen the ancient civilizational bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.This year, the government has decided to bring around thousand delegates from Tamil Nadu under five different categories.The main theme of this year’s event is highlighting the significant contributions of Sage Agasthya to the world of Health, Philosophy, Science, Classical Tamil Literature, and cultural unity of the Nation.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. JICA, Uttarakhand sign agreement for integrated horticulture development promotion project: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing (DHFP), Government of Uttarakhand, have signed the ‘Records of Discussions’, an official agreement document, for a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) titled ‘Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Promotion Project’.The project aims to promote stable production of horticulture crops and strengthen marketing system through the dissemination of integrated model of market-oriented production and proper management of distribution facilities in Tehri Garhwal and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand.

 

2. Munich Security Conference 2025: Recent developments at the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) have brought into light shift in the geopolitical landscape between the United States and Europe. The conference, held in February 2025, was marked by discord and differing priorities among attendees. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the absence of Ukrainian representatives from crucial negotiations has raised concerns about the future of European security and unity. The conflict in Ukraine has led to a reassessment of Western policies. European nations are now urged to ramp up their military expenditures to deter Russian aggression. Current NATO spending guidelines may rise from 2% to 3% of GDP. This is in response to Russia’s increased military budget, which exceeds European spending.

 

3. Indian Ocean Conference 2025 : The 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) commenced in Muscat on February 16-17, 2025. This year’s theme is Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership. The conference aims to enhance inclusivity and encourage new partnerships within the maritime sector. It gathers participants from over 60 countries and international organisations. This reflects the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region and the necessity for collaborative solutions. Future efforts should focus on strengthening maritime infrastructure. Investment in port modernisation and naval expansion is essential. Enhancing regional cooperation through IORA and QUAD can boost maritime security. Promoting the Blue Economy and sustainable development is crucial for long-term viability. Finally, developing disaster preparedness and climate action plans will help mitigate future risks.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Global defence firm Saab signs MoU with HAL for laser warning system: Swedish defence and security company Saab has signed an agreement with Indian defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning System-310 (LWS-310).The agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between Saab South Africa and HAL, which began in 2005 during the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter Programme.The MoU includes a Maintenance Transfer of Technology (ToT), aligning with India’s defence procurement procedure. Under this agreement, HAL will acquire the capability to manufacture LWS-310 domestically, with Saab providing infrastructure support, training programs, and technical expertise. This initiative aims to ensure long-term support for the Indian armed forces while promoting local defence production.

 

2. Special Grade  Steel MDN100: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the public sector undertaking Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Aero India 2025 event. This agreement focuses on the indigenous development of a special grade  steel known as MDN100. This steel is designed for aeronautical applications, particularly for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The initiative supports India’s goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. MDN100 steel is characterised by high strength and toughness. These properties make it suitable for use in highly stressed aircraft components. The steel’s excellent forgeability allows for weight-saving designs in aircraft construction. This is crucial for enhancing the performance and efficiency of modern combat aircraft.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Rajat Patidar named RCB captain ahead of IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar, the 31-year-old middle order batter, has been appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).After having released Faf du Plessis, who had captained the side in the previous seasons, the Bengaluru-franchise were without a captaincy candidate ahead of the 2025 season.Patidar, who had led Madhya Pradesh to the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this season, will become the eighth player to lead RCB.Patidar made his IPL debut in 2021 and has been a part of the franchise since then. With the ability to dominate pace and spin with equal ease, he has featured in 27 games for RCB, scoring 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85. He was one of the three retentions for RCB ahead of the mega auction, apart from Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal. He was retained for INR 11 Crore.

 

2. ICC announces prize money for 2025 Champions Trophy: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced prize money for the 2025 Champions Trophy, starting on February 19 in Pakistan.The total prize pool of this edition has been increased by an impressive 53 per cent from the 2017 edition to a total prize money of US 4.5 million Dollar.The winners will earn US 2.24 million dollar, while the runners-up will get US 1.12 million dollar. Losing semi-finalists will receive 560,000 dollar each.Every group match win is worth over US 34,000 dollars, while teams finishing fifth or sixth will earn 350,000 dollars. The seventh and eighth-placed teams will take home 140,000 US dollars. All eight teams are guaranteed 125,000 US dollar for participating.This is the first ICC event in Pakistan since 1996. The tournament will run for 19 days, with 15 matches being played in Pakistan and the UAE.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. TCS partners with UPM to modernise its IT landscape with AI and automation: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed an agreement to drive end-to-end IT transformation of UPM, a global company that provides renewable and responsible solutions, to boost adoption of an AI-first operating model.The partnership further solidifies TCS’ leadership in Finland, where it has been operational for over 25 year The digital transformation aims to accelerate UPM’s growth, enhance user experience, and support the adoption of an AI-first operating model.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda gets board approval to raise up to Rs 8,500 crore equity : The board of public sector lender Bank of Baroda has approved the bank’s plan to raise up to Rs 8,500 crore through common equity shares to support business growth and meet regulatory norms.The Mumbai-based lender would use various modes, including Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), in suitable tranches up to March 2028 and beyond, as required.The bank’s capital adequacy stood at 15.96 per cent, with Common Equity Tier-I (CET-I) at 12.38 per cent at the end of December 2024. BoB had raised capital via QIP of Rs 4,500 crore during FY21.

 

2. Shriram Finance raises $500 million via SACE ECB loan: Non-banking finance company (NBFC) major Shriram Finance has raised $500 million via SACE External Commercial Borrowing Push loan facility, with a tenor of 10 years.SACE is an Italian export credit agency run under the government of Italy. Shriram Finance has raised over $2.5 billion in offshore funding in the current financial year.HSBC acted as the sole export credit agency, while Coordinator and ING Bank acted as the social loan coordinator for the transaction.Executive Vice Chairman of Shriram Finance – Umesh Revankar

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NTPC Wins Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 for Water Resilience: NTPC Ltd., India’s largest integrated power utility, has been honoured with Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 in the Water Resilience category.The award was presented at a ceremony organised by the UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) in Chennai.The Forward Faster Sustainability Awards celebrate organisations in India that have made significant strides in advancing sustainability and corporate responsibility, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition reaffirms NTPC’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices in its operations and contributing towards global sustainability goals.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 14th Feb, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. BPCL signs major deals with Petrobras and Shipping Corporation of India: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has signed an MoU with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). As per the deal, the two companies will collaborate to create a dedicated, efficient, and future-ready maritime infrastructure.The deal aims to improve operational efficiency, expand capabilities, and drive innovation in the maritime sector. It will ensure a secure and resilient energy supply chain, supporting India’s growing energy needs.State-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is India’s largest shipping company. Its fleet features bulk carriers, crude oil tankers, product tankers, container vessels, passenger-cum-cargo vessels, LPG and offshore supply vessels.The MoU encompasses a long-term commitment by BPCL and SCI to explore opportunities that focus on enhancing India’s maritime strength while ensuring a reliable energy transportation network.

 

2. 13 February – National Women’s Day: National Women’s Day is observed annually in India on February 13th to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, a renowned political leader, poet, and champion of women’s rights.Known as the “Nightingale of India,” Sarojini Naidu was born on this day in 1879.The day recognizes the diverse struggles and dreams of women, promoting gender equality and leadership.In 1930, Naidu became the fourth president of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC). She was a strong proponent of women’s voting rights, which were later incorporated into India’s constitution.She also urged British authorities to grant women the right to vote, reinforcing her commitment to gender equality.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Asia’s 20 richest families: Mukesh Ambani leads: Reliance Industries’ Chairman, Mukesh Ambani, has secured the top spot on Bloomberg’s Asia’s 20 Richest Families list.Ambani, who took the reins of Reliance Industries in 2002 following the death of his father Dhirubhai Ambani, has expanded the Mumbai-based conglomerate into a global powerhouse with interests in oil refining, tech, retail, financial services, and green energy.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India-US Underwater Domain Awareness Cooperation: India and the United States have recently intensified their collaboration in underwater domain awareness (UDA). This focus emerged during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, where they announced the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA). This initiative aims to enhance industry partnerships and production within the Indo-Pacific region. India and the US are drafting a comprehensive framework for defence cooperation covering the period from 2025 to 2035. This includes accelerating technology cooperation across various domains such as space and air defence. The US is also reviewing its policy on releasing advanced military technologies, including fifth-generation fighters, to India.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. ICC bans Bangladesh’s Shohely Akhter for five years on corruption charges: Bangladesh offspinner Shohely Akhter has become the first female cricketer to be banned for corruption.Akhter, who has played two ODIs and 13 T20Is, was found guilty of attempting to fix, offering a bribe and failing to disclose full details of an approach to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code (ACU), as well as obstructing the investigation.She has been banned for five years from all cricket after she admitted breaching five provisions of the anti-corruption code.The charges against her centre around an approach she made to a Bangladesh cricketer during the 2023 Women’s T20 World held in South Africa. Akhter, 36, was not part of the Bangladesh playing squad for that World Cup, having last played in October 2022.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. IIT Madras, ISRO develop semiconductor for space research, other sectors: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and ISRO have developed an indigenous microprocessor for space applications which can be used in command-and-control systems and other critical functions in outer space.The SHAKTI microprocessor project is led by IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti at Prathap Subrahmanyam Centre for Digital Intelligence and Secure Hardware Architecture (PSCDISHA) in Department of Computer Science and Engineering.The SHAKTI class of systems are based on RISC-V, an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), for designing custom processors.“SHAKTI” is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under its ‘Digital India RISC-V’ initiative (DIRV). It aims to promote indigenous development of microprocessor-based products that offer best-in-class security and visibility for users adopting RISC-V technology.The ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) in Thiruvananthapuram proposed the idea of a 64bit RISC-V-based Controller and collaborated with IIT Madras in defining the specifications and designing of the semiconductor chip.

 

2. Successful Test of Matsya-6000: India’s Deep Ocean Mission is making strides with the development of the Matsya-6000 submersible. This project, led by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, aims to enhance India’s capabilities in ocean exploration. The submersible, designed to operate at depths of up to 6,000 metres, will play important role in studying marine biodiversity and exploring ocean resources. Matsya-6000 has undergone extensive dry tests to evaluate its performance over a 500-metre range. Following these tests, it was moved to the L&T Shipbuilding facility for wet tests. These tests focused on assessing the submersible’s stability, manoeuvrability, and communication capabilities. Eight dives were conducted, including both unmanned and manned trials.

 

3. ISRO Develops World’s Largest Vertical Propellant Mixer: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has made advancement in its quest for self-reliance within the space sector. On February 13, 2025, ISRO announced the successful development of a 10-tonne Vertical Planetary Mixer, the largest of its kind for solid propellants globally. This innovative equipment was designed and manufactured in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bengaluru. This development is poised to enhance the production of solid rocket motors.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Exim Bank to provide $300 mn credit to Vietnam for boats, patrol vessels : The Export Import Bank of India will provide lines of credit totalling $300 million to Vietnam for procuring high-speed guard boats and offshore patrol vessels.The Exim Bank had entered into an agreement on July 31, 2024 with the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (GO-VNM), for making available to the latter, GoI supported Line of Credit (LoC) of $180 million for procurement of four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).The bank had also entered into an agreement with GO-VNM for making available to the latter, India supported LoC of $120 million for procurement of high-speed guard boats, it said in another circular.

 

2. Decentro Unveils India’s First Self-Hosted CKYC Solution to Align with CERSAI’s New Compliance Mandate: Decentro, a leading fintech infrastructure platform, has launched India’s first fully compliant, self-hosted CKYC (Central KYC) solution, enabling financial institutions to seamlessly transition to the new CERSAI compliance framework.This innovation eliminates third-party dependencies, allowing banks, NBFCs, and insurers to onboard customers faster while ensuring regulatory adherence.Additionally, the Union Budget 2025 has emphasized AI-driven KYC reforms, reinforcing the need for a secure, transparent, and centralized CKYC system. The evolving CKYC landscape presents challenges such as compliance risks, operational disruptions, and significant time and cost implications for institutions lacking the necessary infrastructure.

Co-Founder & CEO of Decentro – Rohit Taneja

 

3. Union Mutual Fund launches two new schemes for structured gold investments: Union Mutual Fund has launched two new funds that will invest in gold “at a time when investors are looking for diversified solutions”.Union Gold ETF and Union Gold ETF Fund of Fund opened for subscriptions and will continue till February 24, with a minimum investment requirement of Rs 1,000.Gold plays a key role in portfolio diversification due to its low correlation with other asset classes and potential as a hedge against inflation. Central banks globally are major buyers of gold, further supporting its demand and price.The schemes offer key benefits, including cost-effective exposure to gold without concerns related to making charges or storage.

 

4. RBI lifts restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank on onboarding new customers: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted the restrictions imposed on Kotak Mahindra Bank regarding onboarding new customers using online and mobile banking channels and issuing new credit cards.In April last year (2024), the RBI placed restrictions on the bank as it failed to plug gaps in its information technology (IT) systems, which resulted in frequent outages in the bank’s core banking system and online channels in the preceding two years, inconveniencing customers.Ten months after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank on onboarding new customers via its online and mobile banking channels, as well as the issuance of fresh credit cards, the central bank said that it has lifted all such restrictions, as it was satisfied with submissions and the remedial measures undertaken by the bank.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Airtel awards contracts to Nokia to expand 5G Wireless Broadband Access: Bharti Airtel has entered into a contract with Nokia to expand 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Wi-Fi solutions for regions with low or nil fiber connectivity.The deployment of fixed wireless broadband access via 5G networks stands out as a significant application of 5G technology, especially in India, which faces low fiber penetration and a high demand for digital services.Airtel will leverage Nokia’s FastMile 5G outdoor receivers that can serve two households concurrently and thus reduce connection expenses. Further, Airtel will implement Nokia’s Wi-Fi 6 access point for better in-home experience. Both these products, using Qualcomm Modem-RF and Wi-Fi 6 chipsets, will be produced in India and packaged in fully recyclable materials.