Table of Contents
National News
MoHUA Launches ‘Culinary, Crafts & Clicks’ Festival
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in partnership with MyGov, has introduced the ‘Culinary, Crafts & Clicks – Moods & Magic’ festival. This event aims to highlight India’s cultural richness through food, traditional arts, and photography. The festival is set in key locations like Kartavya Path and Amrit Udyan, bringing together artisans, photographers, and food enthusiasts to celebrate India’s heritage.
International News
14AFAF 2025: Advancing Sustainable Fisheries in Asia-Pacific
The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF), themed “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific,” is set to take place from February 12 to 14, 2025, at the ICAR Convention Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. This event, jointly organized by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India, and the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), aims to address sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Defence News
Completion of Mehar Baba Competition-II
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully wrapped up the second edition of the Mehar Baba Competition-II (MBC-II), a crucial initiative aimed at advancing India’s capabilities in unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles (UAVs). This competition, launched on April 6, 2022, by the Honourable Raksha Mantri, was designed to develop swarm drone-based systems for detecting foreign objects on aircraft operating surfaces. The initiative concluded on July 29, 2024, marking a key milestone in strengthening collaboration between Indian industry, academia, and end-users.
India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘CYCLONE-III’ Begins in Rajasthan
India and Egypt have launched the third edition of their joint special forces exercise, ‘CYCLONE-III’, at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. This exercise, scheduled from February 10 to 23, 2025, is a crucial part of the growing military cooperation between the two nations. It follows the second edition held in Egypt in January 2024 and aims to enhance interoperability and strategic coordination between their special forces.
State News
THDC Expands into Thermal Energy with 660-MW UP Plant
THDC India Ltd (THDCIL) has achieved a significant milestone by commencing commercial operations of a 660-MW unit at its Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (STPP) in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. This marks the company’s entry into the domestic thermal energy sector. The project, with a total capacity of 1,320 MW (2×660 MW), is being developed at an investment of ₹13,000 crore. The second unit is expected to begin operations soon. Equipped with modern technologies like Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), the plant aims to enhance India’s power generation while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Banking News
RBI Fines Federal Bank & Karur Vysya Bank for Rule Violations
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on Federal Bank Ltd and Karur Vysya Bank Ltd for non-compliance with regulatory guidelines. Federal Bank has been fined ₹27.30 lakh, while Karur Vysya Bank faces a penalty of ₹8.30 lakh. This action follows RBI’s routine inspections, which identified violations in account management and credit delivery systems. These penalties highlight RBI’s firm stance on maintaining strict banking compliance.
Ranks & Reports News
India’s Rank in Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024
Corruption remains a significant global challenge, affecting governance, democracy, and development. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, released by Transparency International, ranks India at 96th position out of 180 countries, with a score of 38—a decline from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022. The CPI evaluates nations based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
India’s Logistics Performance Sees Major Leap in Global Rankings
India has achieved a remarkable milestone in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023, securing the 22nd rank in the International Shipments category and moving up to 38th place overall among 139 countries. This improvement underscores the country’s focused efforts on enhancing logistics efficiency, reducing costs, and integrating advanced technology.
NITI Aayog Unveils Report on State Higher Education
NITI Aayog has launched a policy report titled ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities’. Released by Vice Chairman Suman Bery, along with key officials from NITI Aayog and the Department of Higher Education (DHE), the report is a first-of-its-kind policy document focused on State Public Universities (SPUs). It provides detailed quantitative analysis on key aspects such as quality, funding, governance, and employability over the past decade. The report presents nearly 80 policy recommendations and a strategic roadmap to enhance India’s higher education landscape, aligning with the goals of NEP 2020 and India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Summits and Conferences News
President of India Inaugurates International Conference on Unani Medicine
On February 11, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an international conference on Unani medicine at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under the Ministry of Ayush. The event, titled “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A Way Forward”, marked the Unani Day celebrations and focused on Unani medicine’s role in contemporary healthcare.
Important Days News
International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism 2025
Violent extremism poses a significant threat to global peace, human rights, and sustainable development. It is not confined to any specific region, religion, nationality, or ideology, making it a universal challenge that affects nations worldwide. Extremist groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaida, and Boko Haram have dramatically shaped the modern perception of violent extremism through their use of terror tactics, territorial control, and digital propaganda to spread their ideologies.
Science and Technology News
Israeli Researchers Uncover Autism-Linked Brain Activity
A team of Israeli researchers from the University of Haifa has uncovered brain mechanisms involved in recognizing the emotional states of others. Their findings, published in Current Biology, highlight the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in emotional recognition and behavior. This breakthrough has potential implications for treating social disorders like autism, where individuals often struggle with social interactions and emotional perception.
Sports News
Meghalaya to Host 2027 National Games
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially announced that Meghalaya will host the 39th edition of the National Games in February/March 2027. IOA President PT Usha conveyed this decision to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, marking a significant milestone for the northeastern state. As the next host, Meghalaya will receive the IOA flag during the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand in Haldwani.
Advani Triumphs in Indian Snooker Championship
Pankaj Advani, India’s most decorated cueist, clinched his 36th national title and 10th men’s snooker championship at the Yashwant Club. In a dominant display of skill and determination, he defeated Brijesh Damani in the final, turning the tables after an earlier group-stage loss. His victory ensures his place in upcoming international championships, reinforcing his legacy as a top cue sports athlete.
Obituaries News
Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Passes Away at 85
The chief priest of the revered Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Acharya Satyendra Das, passed away at the age of 85 years on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. His demise has left the Hindu religious community and devotees of Lord Ram in deep mourning. The Acharya had been serving as the head priest of the temple since the age of 20 years, dedicating more than six decades of his life to religious service.
Gyalo Thondup, Elder Brother of the Dalai Lama, Passes Away at 97
Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama and a significant figure in Tibetan politics, died on February 8, 2025, at his residence in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India. He was 97 years old and had been suffering from age-related ailments. Born in 1928 in Taktser village, Amdo region of Tibet, Thondup was the second-eldest among the Dalai Lama’s six siblings. He played a pivotal role in advocating for Tibet’s freedom and interacted with numerous global leaders on behalf of his brother.
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