Table of Contents
National News
Indian Vishvaa Rajakumar Prodigy Wins Global Memory Championship
Vishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old Indian, won the Memory League World Championship 2025, recalling 80 digits in 13.5 seconds. He used the Memory Palace technique and emphasized hydration for cognitive enhancement. Calling it an amazing experience, he plans to become a memory trainer and establish a memory institution in India.
Purnima Devi Barman Named in TIME’s Women of the Year List
Purnima Devi Barman, an Indian biologist and wildlife conservationist, has been named in TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025 list, recognizing 13 global leaders. She is the only Indian woman honored, alongside figures like Nicole Kidman and Gisele Pelicot. Known for her work in conserving the greater adjutant stork (Hargila), Barman’s efforts have had a significant impact in India, Cambodia, and beyond.
PM Modi To Attend Mauritius’ National Day Celebrations As Guest of Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Mauritius next month to participate as the Guest of Honour at the country’s National Day celebrations. This announcement was made by Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who emphasized that Modi’s presence underscores the deep and historic bilateral ties between the two nations.
India’s First Wildlife Biobank Opens at Darjeeling Zoo
India has taken a major step in wildlife conservation with the establishment of the country’s first zoo-based biobank at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in Darjeeling, West Bengal. The facility, which became operational in July 2024, is designed to store and preserve genetic materials from endangered species. Alongside the biobank, the zoo has also launched an animal museum, further strengthening its conservation and research capabilities.
Reports News
India’s Suicide Rate Drops 30% in Three Decades: Lancet
A Lancet study (GBD 2021) reports a 30% decline in India’s suicide death rate (1990-2021), with rates dropping from 18.9 to 13 per lakh. The decline is more significant among females, driven by mental health initiatives and policy reforms. Globally, one suicide occurs every 43 seconds on average.
Appointments News
Kash Patel Sworn in as the Ninth Director of the FBI, Takes Oath on Bhagavad Gita
Indian-origin Kash Patel was officially sworn in as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, February 21, 2025. Patel, known for his close ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump, took his oath on the sacred Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita, marking a significant moment in U.S. history. His swearing-in ceremony took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath. Patel succeeds Christopher Wray, who resigned at the conclusion of the Biden administration.
Science and Technology News
Microsoft Unveils Magma: The AI Model That Can See, Read, and Take Action in the Real World
Microsoft has introduced Magma, a groundbreaking multimodal AI model capable of understanding both images and language in digital and physical environments. This revolutionary AI model can read, interpret, and act upon real-world tasks, such as navigating applications and controlling robotic movements. Developed by researchers from Microsoft Research, the University of Maryland, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, KAIST, and the University of Washington, Magma is the first foundation model capable of interpreting and grounding multimodal inputs within its surroundings.
First Astronaut with Disability Cleared for ISS Mission
In a groundbreaking development, the European Space Agency (ESA) has medically cleared British astronaut John McFall, a former Paralympian with a prosthetic leg, for long-duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS). This historic decision marks a significant milestone in making space exploration more inclusive.
ISRO Develops World’s Largest Vertical Propellant Mixer
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone by developing a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer, the largest of its kind globally, for solid propellant production. This indigenous mixer, created in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bengaluru, is set to enhance the efficiency and safety of solid rocket motor manufacturing, marking a substantial advancement in India’s space capabilities.
New Bat Coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2 Discovered in China
Chinese researchers have identified a new bat coronavirus, named HKU5-CoV-2, which has the ability to infect human cells. The virus uses the ACE2 receptor, the same pathway that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, uses to enter human cells. The discovery has raised concerns about potential zoonotic transmission, emphasizing the need for continuous surveillance of bat-borne viruses.
Summits and Conferences News
PM Modi Inaugurates First SOUL Leadership Conclave
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the SOUL (School of Ultimate Leadership) Conclave 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, emphasizing leadership development for Viksit Bharat. The event focuses on equipping future leaders across governance, business, technology, sports, and social sectors with strategic skills and adaptability. A dedicated SOUL campus will be set up near GIFT City, Gujarat, to provide world-class leadership training, reinforcing India’s global leadership ambitions.
India Assumes Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation
India has assumed the Chairmanship of BOBP-IGO from Bangladesh during the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives (Feb 20-22, 2025). Led by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, India reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable fisheries, regional cooperation, and small-scale fishers’ welfare. Under India’s leadership, BOBP-IGO will focus on marine resource management, capacity building, policy advocacy, and combating IUU fishing, aligning with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision for economic and environmental sustainability.
Hyderabad to Host International Art Exhibition – Know the Date, Venue, and Timings
Art lovers in Hyderabad are in for a visual treat as Srishti Art Gallery and Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad come together to present an international art exhibition titled “Topographies of Tents, Terracotta, and Time.” This unique cross-cultural exhibition will showcase the works of renowned international and national artists exploring deep themes of identity, displacement, and transformation.
State news
PM Modi Inaugurates First SOUL Leadership Conclave
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the SOUL (School of Ultimate Leadership) Conclave 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, emphasizing leadership development for Viksit Bharat. The event focuses on equipping future leaders across governance, business, technology, sports, and social sectors with strategic skills and adaptability. A dedicated SOUL campus will be set up near GIFT City, Gujarat, to provide world-class leadership training, reinforcing India’s global leadership ambitions.
India Assumes Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation
India has assumed the Chairmanship of BOBP-IGO from Bangladesh during the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives (Feb 20-22, 2025). Led by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, India reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable fisheries, regional cooperation, and small-scale fishers’ welfare. Under India’s leadership, BOBP-IGO will focus on marine resource management, capacity building, policy advocacy, and combating IUU fishing, aligning with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision for economic and environmental sustainability.
Uttarakhand Tightens Land Laws for Outsiders
The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Bhoo Kanoon (Land Law Amendment Bill) 2025 on February 19, 2025, to regulate land transactions by non-residents. The law aims to protect cultural heritage, natural resources, and citizens’ rights, preserving Uttarakhand’s identity. It bans agricultural land purchases in 11 hill districts and imposes restrictions on residential land sales. The bill will be tabled in the Budget session concluding on February 24, 2025.
Rajasthan Unveils First Green Budget: Prioritizing Bijli, Sadak, Paani
Rajasthan Green Budget 2025-26: Deputy CM and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the state’s first-ever Green Budget with a ₹5.37 lakh crore outlay, focusing on Bijli (electricity), Sadak (roads), Paani (water), health, and agriculture, aligning with SDGs 2030. The government plans to create 2.75 lakh jobs (1.25 lakh government, 1.5 lakh private) and has fulfilled 73% of its first Budget announcements.
Mising Tribe Celebrates Ali Ai Ligang Festival 
The Mising tribe, one of Assam’s largest indigenous communities, recently celebrated the Ali Ai Ligang festival, a significant cultural and agricultural event. Observed on the first Wednesday of the Assamese month of Fagun, the festival marks the beginning of the sowing season. It is deeply connected to the agricultural traditions of the Mising people, who primarily depend on farming for their livelihood.
Kerala Unveils Nayanamritham 2.0: AI-Driven Eye Screening
The Kerala government has introduced Nayanamritham 2.0, an AI-driven eye screening initiative aimed at early detection of chronic eye diseases. This program, in partnership with health-tech company Remidio, marks the world’s first government-led AI-assisted screening program for conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Banking News
SBI Cuts India’s FY25 GDP Forecast to 6.3%
The State Bank of India (SBI) has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) to 6.3%, slightly below the National Statistical Office’s (NSO) projection of 6.4%. This adjustment reflects concerns over slowing economic momentum, particularly in lending, manufacturing, and aggregate demand. The new estimate comes at a time when policymakers are focused on sustaining growth through fiscal and monetary measures.
20th February 2025 Current Affairs (Dail...
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19th February 2025 Current Affairs (Dail...
