Table of Contents
National News
PM Modi’s Gifts to French President and First Lady Showcase India’s Rich Traditions
During his two-day visit to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a series of exquisite gifts to French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and artistic heritage of India. The gifts were carefully selected to highlight the country’s diverse craftsmanship, traditional artistry, and historical legacy.
Lok Sabha Expands Translation Services to 6 More Languages
In a significant move to promote linguistic inclusivity, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the extension of translation services in the House to six additional languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu. This expansion aims to enhance accessibility for Members of Parliament and strengthen democratic participation. The initiative is part of a broader effort to eventually offer translation services for all 22 languages recognized under Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution. However, the inclusion of Sanskrit sparked debate, with concerns raised about its communicability and official status in states.
International News
Romanian President Resigns Amid Impeachment Pressure
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has resigned ahead of an impeachment vote triggered by the cancellation of the country’s presidential election last year. His decision to stay in office until a new vote in May led to widespread protests and political turmoil. The election was annulled over alleged Russian interference, but critics argued that Iohannis’s actions undermined democracy. Senate President Ilie Bolojan will now serve as interim president until fresh elections take place in May 2025.
State News
Haryana Launches ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ to Boost Soil Health
The Haryana government has launched the ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ campaign to improve soil health and ensure sustainable farming practices. Under this initiative, soil samples from every acre of farmland in the state will be collected over the next three to four years, and Soil Health Cards will be issued to all farmers. The campaign aims to help farmers make informed decisions about soil fertility, nutrient management, and crop productivity.
Economy News
India’s Industrial Output Growth Slows to 3.2% in December 2024
India’s industrial output growth slowed to 3.2% in December 2024, a drop from 5% in November, according to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The decline was largely driven by weaker manufacturing sector performance, while electricity generation saw a strong increase. This slowdown raises concerns about the overall economic momentum as the country heads into 2025.
India’s Retail Inflation Drops to 4.31% in January 2025
India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), eased to 4.31% in January 2025, marking its lowest level in five months. This is a decline from 5.22% in December 2024, bringing some relief to consumers and policymakers. The fall in inflation is mainly attributed to a slowdown in food prices, particularly vegetables, as fresh winter supplies entered the market.
Banking News
SEBI Unveils MITRA to Track Inactive Mutual Fund Folios
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced the Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA), a platform designed to help investors track, trace, and reclaim inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios. This move is aimed at addressing a growing issue in the mutual fund industry—investors losing access to their investments due to outdated contact details, unawareness, or lack of KYC compliance.
RBI Clears Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Digital Onboarding Ban
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed the restrictions placed on Kotak Mahindra Bank, allowing it to resume onboarding new customers online and issuing fresh credit cards. These restrictions were imposed in April 2024 due to critical shortcomings in the bank’s IT infrastructure. With the corrective measures now in place, the bank can fully restart its digital operations.
RBI Allows SFBs to Offer Credit via UPI
In a major step towards expanding digital credit access, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to offer pre-sanctioned credit lines through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This move is expected to enhance financial inclusion by making credit more accessible, especially for individuals and small businesses who have limited exposure to formal banking systems.
Canara Bank Names Dr. Madhavankutty G as Chief Economist
Canara Bank has announced the appointment of Dr. Madhavankutty G as its new Chief Economist, effective January 2025. With over two decades of experience in economic research, banking, and corporate sectors, Dr. Madhavankutty will play a key role in shaping the bank’s economic strategy. His expertise in financial sector trends and macroeconomic analysis will guide the bank’s decision-making in an evolving global economic landscape.
RBI to Issue ₹50 Banknotes with Governor Sanjay Malhotra’s Signature
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the issuance of new ₹50 denomination banknotes featuring the signature of its newly appointed Governor, Sanjay Malhotra. Malhotra took charge as the 26th RBI Governor in December 2024, succeeding Shaktikanta Das. These new banknotes will maintain the existing design under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, ensuring continuity in India’s currency framework. Importantly, all previously issued ₹50 notes will remain valid and continue to be legal tender, as confirmed by the RBI.
Important Days News
International Darwin Day, Date
Darwin Day, observed annually on February 12, commemorates the life and contributions of Charles Darwin, the pioneer of the theory of evolution and natural selection. It serves as a global tribute to his groundbreaking work, reshaping our understanding of biology and species evolution. The event promotes scientific thinking, curiosity, and rational thought, while encouraging scientific institutions, educators, and governments to advance science education and research.
National Productivity Day 2025, Date, Theme
National Productivity Day is observed annually on February 12 in India to raise awareness about the critical role of productivity in economic growth, sustainability, and innovation. Organized under the guidance of the National Productivity Council (NPC), this day marks the beginning of a week-long celebration from February 12 to 18, focusing on enhancing efficiency across industries, startups, and businesses.
Theme: “From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups.”
Summits and Conferences News
India to Host Next Global AI Summit: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will host the next Global AI Summit, following discussions at the AI Action Summit in Paris. The summit, co-chaired by PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, focused on fostering global cooperation in AI development. India’s leadership in AI, its commitment to inclusivity, and the establishment of key AI initiatives were highlighted during the event.
Agreement News
IIITDM Kancheepuram and ERNET India Collaborate to Establish Joint Research Lab for IoT
The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram has entered into a significant partnership with Education and Research Network of India (ERNET), an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The collaboration, which aims to enhance research and development in cutting-edge technologies, was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday. This partnership will see the establishment of a joint research laboratory, focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) functionality validation sandbox project.
Tata Elxsi & Garuda Aerospace to Boost India’s UAV Sector
In a major step towards boosting India’s self-reliance in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace have partnered to establish a Centre of Excellence for drone design, engineering, and certification. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Aero India 2025, marking a crucial development in India’s UAV sector. The collaboration aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and aims to develop indigenous drone solutions for defence, agriculture, and smart city applications.
Science and Technology News
AIIMS Delhi Unveils ‘Srjanam’ for Biomedical Waste Management
India has taken a major step in biomedical waste management with the launch of ‘Srjanam’, the country’s first automated biomedical waste conversion system at AIIMS Delhi. Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated this indigenous innovation on February 10, 2025. Developed by CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, ‘Srjanam’ is an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional biomedical waste disposal methods. The system aims to reduce environmental hazards by eliminating the need for incineration, a widely used but pollution-causing method.
Sports News
Warrican, Mooney Shine as ICC Players of the Month
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Players of the Month for January 2025, recognizing Jomel Warrican (West Indies) and Beth Mooney (Australia) for their outstanding performances. Warrican’s brilliant spin bowling played a crucial role in West Indies’ historic Test victory in Pakistan, earning him his maiden ICC Men’s Player of the Month award. Meanwhile, Mooney’s explosive batting was instrumental in Australia’s dominant Ashes triumph, securing her the ICC Women’s Player of the Month title.
Shikhar Dhawan Named ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Ambassador
The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan and Dubai, is already creating a buzz in the cricket world. Adding to the excitement, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has been named as one of the four official event ambassadors for the prestigious tournament. The tournament, which has seen some memorable moments in the past, is poised to deliver more thrilling cricket action, and Dhawan’s involvement as an ambassador adds an extra layer of intrigue for fans.
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