Daily GK Update- 16th Feb, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s First National Cow Culture Museum In Mathura: India is set to establish its first National Cow Culture Museum in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The project will be developed within the campus of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University. Conceived as a blend of tradition and scientific awareness, the museum aims to highlight the cultural, agricultural and economic significance of cattle in Indian society. Authorities state that the initiative seeks to present a comprehensive understanding of cattle beyond religious symbolism. Officials have indicated that the museum will showcase both the spiritual and practical importance of cows. It will explain cattle conservation, sustainable farming practices and the contribution of bovines to rural livelihoods. The project intends to demonstrate how cattle support agriculture through draught power and organic manure, and how dairy production sustains millions of households.

The initiative also aims to educate visitors about the economic link between cattle-based activities and rural development, thereby presenting a balanced narrative rooted in culture and science.

 

2. India Unveils AI Governance Framework Before Impact Summit 2026: India has released its first comprehensive artificial intelligence governance framework ahead of the five-day Impact Summit 2026. The move signals a calibrated shift from policy discussions to structured implementation. Rather than introducing a standalone AI law, the government has opted for a principle-based model supported by existing legislation and new oversight mechanisms. The framework seeks to balance rapid technological innovation with safeguards addressing bias, misuse and opacity in AI systems. The framework outlines seven guiding principles, described as “sutras”, to steer AI development and deployment across sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, finance and public administration. These principles emphasise trust as the foundation, a people-first approach, innovation over excessive restraint, fairness and equity, accountability, design transparency and safety with sustainability.AI systems are expected to augment human decision-making rather than replace it. Developers must ensure that algorithms are understandable by design, minimise discriminatory outcomes and incorporate clear accountability structures. The approach aims to promote innovation while embedding responsible practices at every stage of deployment.

 

3. Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel Gets Cabinet Approval: The Union Cabinet has approved a major infrastructure project featuring India’s first underwater rail-cum-road tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river. The 33.7-kilometre greenfield corridor will connect Gohpur on NH-15 with Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore. Executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, the project aims to transform connectivity across the Northeast. The centrepiece is a 15.79-kilometre twin-tube tunnel under the Brahmaputra. One tube will accommodate rail provision, while the other will serve a four-lane access-controlled highway. The design also includes a 1.26-kilometre road cut-and-cover section and a 4-kilometre rail cut-and-cover stretch.Once completed, it will be India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and only the second such structure globally. The corridor will significantly shorten travel between Gohpur and Numaligarh, which currently spans nearly 240 kilometres via the Kaliabhomora bridge route and takes around six hours.

 

4. Indus Valley Civilisation May Date Back 8,000 Years: Fresh archaeological research suggests that the Indus Valley Civilisation could be far older than previously believed. New radiocarbon dating from the site of Bhirrana in northern India indicates that organised settlement in the region may date back nearly 8,000 years. If confirmed, this would place its origins well before the era of Egypt’s earliest pharaohs, potentially reshaping long-held assumptions about the chronology of ancient civilisations. Major sites such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro display sophisticated urban planning. Streets were laid out in grid patterns, and many houses had wells, courtyards, and bathing platforms. Covered drainage systems ran beneath the streets, representing one of the earliest known examples of organised urban sanitation.Large granaries, dockyards, standardised weights, and intricately carved seals indicate complex trade and administrative systems. Unlike ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia, archaeologists have not found monumental temples or grand royal palaces, pointing to a potentially different and less centralised governance model.

 

5. National Conference on Workplace Safety and SHe-Box: The Ministry of Women and Child Development will organise a ‘National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace (SHe-Box)’ at Vigyan Bhawan on February 14, 2026. The conference aims to reinforce the Government’s commitment to ensuring safe, dignified and harassment-free workplaces across sectors and to strengthen implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.The event will be attended by Union Minister Annpurna Devi and Minister of State Savitri Thakur, along with senior officials from Central Ministries, States and Union Territories, representatives of Internal and Local Committees, international organisations, industry leaders, and civil society.The Ministry launched the SHe-Box portal on August 29, 2024, as a secure, multilingual, single-window digital platform. It allows women to file complaints online with assured confidentiality. Complaints are automatically forwarded to the concerned Internal Committee (IC) or Local Committee (LC), with real-time tracking to enhance transparency and accountability.The portal also functions as a compliance resource hub. Workplaces can upload committee details, annual reports, and information on awareness and training initiatives, strengthening enforcement of the POSH Act.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Modi, Macron Launch India-France Innovation Year: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President Emmanuel Macron to launch the ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ and advance strategic cooperation between the two nations. Macron’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19 underscores the deepening partnership, with discussions centred on artificial intelligence, defence collaboration, technology partnerships, and the Indo-Pacific.The visit follows sustained high-level engagement between the two leaders and reflects growing alignment amid global geopolitical shifts.A key highlight of the visit will be joint engagement at the AI Impact Summit in Mumbai. The two leaders had earlier co-chaired the AI Action Summit in France, attended by representatives from over 100 countries. That meeting promoted a human-centric, ethical, safe, and inclusive framework for artificial intelligence.The launch of the ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ aims to institutionalise collaboration between start-ups, researchers, and technology leaders. Both countries are expected to strengthen cooperation in emerging technologies, digital infrastructure, and AI capacity-building, particularly for developing nations.

 

2. Denmark’s Iron Age Temple Unearthed at Hedegaard: A 2,000-year-old Iron Age temple complex discovered beneath grasslands at Hedegaard near Ejstrupholm in central Jutland is reshaping understanding of early northern European power centres. Danish archaeologists have confirmed that the site, long considered ordinary farmland, conceals a remarkably preserved settlement of significant political, religious, and economic importance. The scale and complexity of the structures suggest Hedegaard was far more than a rural village; it functioned as a fortified hub of influence around the turn of the Common Era. The first major clue emerged in 1986 when archaeologist Orla Madsen uncovered an unusually rich burial ground containing weapons and elite grave goods. Excavations paused in 1993, leaving much of the site unexplored. Research resumed in 2016 under Museum Midtjylland, but it was only in 2023 that archaeologists recognised the burial ground as part of a vast fortified settlement. Surveys revealed workshops, elite residences, defensive palisades, and a central temple structure, indicating an organised and hierarchical community.

 

3. Internet Pioneer David J. Farber Dies At 91: David J. Farber, widely regarded as a “grandfather of the internet”, passed away on 7 February in Tokyo at the age of 91. According to his family, the cause of death was heart failure. A distinguished computer science professor, Farber spent decades shaping the foundations of modern networking and mentoring pioneers who later built the core architecture of the global internet. Since 2018, he had been teaching at Keio University in Japan. Farber began his career in the mid-1950s at Bell Laboratories, a period when computers functioned largely in isolation. His early research focused on linking computing systems with telecommunications, laying the groundwork for networked communication. At a time when data exchange was limited, he advocated for interconnected systems that would eventually evolve into today’s internet infrastructure.His work helped shift computing from standalone machines to interactive communication platforms, a conceptual leap that proved transformative for digital development.

 

4. Philippine Eagle Among World’s Largest Raptors: The Philippine eagle, scientifically known as Pithecophaga jefferyi, is one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey on Earth. Often nicknamed the “monkey-eating bird”, it is endemic to the Philippines and serves as a national symbol. However, the species is now listed as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 500 mature individuals believed to survive in the wild. The Philippine eagle ranks among the world’s largest eagles by body length. Adults measure between 76 and 102 centimetres from head to tail, with an average wingspan of around 1.9 metres. Weight ranges from 4.5 to 8 kilograms, with females typically larger and heavier than males.Its strong, curved beak and long, sharp talons—measuring up to 7.6 centimetres—allow it to grip prey securely in dense forest habitats. Unlike open-country raptors, it is adapted for manoeuvring through thick tree cover.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. US Airlifts Micro Nuclear Reactor in Historic Test: The United States has conducted its first-ever air transport of a micro nuclear reactor aboard a military cargo aircraft, marking a milestone in rapid nuclear deployment capability. The Departments of Energy and Defense jointly transported a Ward microreactor developed by California-based Valar Atomics from California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah aboard a C-17 aircraft. The reactor was flown without nuclear fuel.The demonstration signals Washington’s intent to expand advanced nuclear energy for both military and civilian applications, amid rising energy demands and strategic competition.President Donald Trump’s administration views small nuclear reactors as critical to boosting domestic energy production and supporting national security needs. Last year, the administration issued executive orders aimed at accelerating nuclear deployment to meet growing demand from defence infrastructure and artificial intelligence sectors.The Energy Department has also awarded grants to support development of small modular and microreactor technologies. Officials describe the airlift as proof that compact reactors can be deployed rapidly to remote or strategic locations.

 

2. Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility Inaugurated in Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. The strategic infrastructure, located on the Moran Bypass, marks a major boost to India’s defence preparedness and disaster response capability in the region. The Prime Minister made a historic landing at the facility and witnessed a 40-minute aerial display by the Indian Air Force, showcasing fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. The facility is 4.2 kilometres long and has been built at a cost of around ₹100 crore. It is capable of handling fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 74 tonnes. Advanced surface engineering ensures durability and high load-bearing capacity. During the inauguration, Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets successfully operated from the strip, demonstrating its operational readiness.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Rashid Khan Reaches 700 T20 Wickets Milestone: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan scripted history in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by becoming the first bowler to claim 700 wickets in men’s T20 cricket. The landmark was achieved during Afghanistan’s group-stage match against the United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. His solitary wicket in the contest was enough to take him past the unprecedented mark.Already the leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, Rashid’s latest achievement reinforces his reputation as one of the most dominant spinners in modern cricket.The 700-wicket mark spans domestic T20 leagues, franchise tournaments, and international appearances. Rashid’s consistency across formats of the shortest game has been remarkable since his debut as a teenager. His ability to deliver economical spells while striking regularly has made him a sought-after asset in global leagues.The milestone places him well ahead of his contemporaries and underlines Afghanistan’s rise as a competitive force in world cricket.

 

2. Magnus Carlsen Wins FIDE Freestyle Chess Title 2026: Magnus Carlsen secured another major milestone in his illustrious career by winning the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. The Norwegian grandmaster defeated American Fabiano Caruana in the final held at Weissenhaus, Germany, from 13 to 15 February. The victory marks the first official Freestyle Chess World Championship recognised by FIDE, adding a new crown to Carlsen’s extensive list of global honours. Carlsen clinched the title with a 2.5–1.5 scoreline in the four-game final. A draw in the fourth game was sufficient to secure victory, and he calmly maintained an equal position to close the contest. The decisive moment came in game three, when Carlsen produced a remarkable comeback from what experts described as a nearly lost position. That turnaround shifted the momentum firmly in his favour heading into the final game.Caruana, one of the world’s leading grandmasters, pushed the match deep into strategic battles, but Carlsen’s precision under pressure proved decisive.

 

3. Ayesha Karim Wins Veergatha 5.0 Super 100 Honour: A Class IV student from Guwahati has brought national recognition to Assam by winning the prestigious Veergatha 5.0 Super 100 title. Ayesha Karim, a student of Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti School in Amingaon, earned the distinction for her evocative artwork portraying the valour of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Her achievement places Assam on the national map, as she is the only student from the state in five years to secure this honour. Ayesha’s winning sketch paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his courage during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Through detailed expression and emotional depth, the young artist captured the spirit of selflessness displayed by the Indian Army officer. The jury commended her ability to convey patriotism and resilience through visual storytelling.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. DBS Pilots Visa Intelligent Commerce For AI Payments: DBS Bank has become the first issuer in Asia-Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce (VIC), marking a significant milestone in the evolution of agent-initiated digital payments. The collaboration with Visa aims to validate AI-ready card credentials, authentication systems and payment signals, ensuring ecosystem readiness for secure, consent-driven transactions conducted by artificial intelligence agents on behalf of customers.The initiative positions DBS at the forefront of translating agentic commerce from concept to practical deployment across the region.

 

2. DBS Pilots Visa Intelligent Commerce For AI Payments: Visa Intelligent Commerce integrates application programming interfaces and a partner ecosystem to enable secure, transparent payments through AI agents. Using Visa’s secure infrastructure, AI systems can execute transactions within issuer-controlled safeguards.Through pilot trials, DBS and Visa successfully demonstrated real-world food and beverage transactions using DBS and POSB credit and debit cards. AI-powered agents completed everyday purchases while adhering to authentication and authorisation protocols managed by the issuer. The collaboration will now expand to online shopping, travel bookings and other digital services.DBS Bank has become the first issuer in Asia-Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce (VIC), marking a significant milestone in the evolution of agent-initiated digital payments. The collaboration with Visa aims to validate AI-ready card credentials, authentication systems and payment signals, ensuring ecosystem readiness for secure, consent-driven transactions conducted by artificial intelligence agents on behalf of customers.The initiative positions DBS at the forefront of translating agentic commerce from concept to practical deployment across the region.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. CCI Imposes ₹27.38 Crore Penalty on Intel Corporation for Anti-Competitive Practices: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of ₹27.38 crore on Intel Corporation for engaging in anti-competitive practices related to its India-specific warranty policy.The Commission found that Intel abused its dominant position in the market for Boxed Micro Processors (BMPs) for desktops in India by enforcing unfair business practices.The ruling reinforces CCI’s commitment to ensuring fair competition and preventing misuse of market dominance in India’s technology and semiconductor sector.

 

2. RBI Proposes Strict Rules to Curb Harsh and Coercive Debt Recovery Practices: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft guidelines to curb harsh and coercive debt recovery practices, explicitly banning abusive language, threats, harassment, public humiliation, misleading claims, and excessive or anonymous calls by banks or recovery agents.Under the proposed norms, recovery calls and visits will be permitted only between 8 am and 7 pm, agents must avoid sensitive occasions (such as bereavement or festivals), and recovery agents can interact only with borrowers or guarantors, not relatives or associates.Banks are required to establish a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism, document and record all recovery calls, notify borrowers in writing when a case is assigned to or changed between recovery agents, and pause recovery if a genuine grievance is pending.

 

3. Reserve Bank of India Digital Payments Index Rises to 516.76 in September 2025: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Digital Payments Index (DPI) increased to 516.76 in September 2025, up from 465.33 in September 2024, indicating rapid growth and adoption of digital payments across India.

The RBI-DPI had earlier stood at 493.22 in March 2025, showing a consistent upward trend in digital payment usage over successive reporting periods.According to the RBI, the rise in the index was mainly driven by strong growth in payment performance and payment enablers, reflecting improvements in both transaction efficiency and enabling infrastructure.Constituted with March 2018 as the base year (index value 100), the RBI-DPI has been published on a semi-annual basis since 1 Jan 2021 and is based on five parameters: payment enablers, payment infrastructure (demand-side and supply-side), payment performance, and consumer centricity.