28th February 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

UDAN Yatri Cafe Inaugurated at Chennai Airport: A Major Step Towards Passenger Convenience 

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai International Airport, marking the second such facility under this pioneering initiative. The move is a significant step towards enhancing passenger convenience and aligning with the broader vision of making air travel more accessible, affordable, and seamless. This milestone follows the success of the first UDAN Yatri Cafe, which was inaugurated on December 19, 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the airport’s 100th anniversary.

Aadhaar Good Governance Portal Launched to Enhance Ease of Living and Service Accessibility

In a significant move towards digital governance and public service accessibility, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Aadhaar Good Governance Portal. This initiative aims to streamline the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests, ensuring seamless access to various public and private sector services. The launch aligns with the government’s vision of making Aadhaar more user-friendly, thereby promoting ease of living and ensuring better accessibility to essential services for citizens.

India’s Maritime Sector Set for Transformation: Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Key Initiatives

On the 15th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh, a grand tribute was paid to the visionary leader in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the remembrance ceremony, highlighting Nanaji’s unparalleled contributions to rural development, social reform, and political leadership. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla. Alongside the tribute, the program also included the inauguration of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s statue and a presentation based on the life of Lord Ram, titled “Ram Darshan”.

India’s Maritime Sector Set for Transformation: Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Key Initiatives

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced a series of transformative initiatives aimed at modernizing India’s maritime infrastructure and enhancing its role in global trade. The announcements were made during a stakeholder meeting in Mumbai, following the Union Budget’s emphasis on revitalizing the maritime sector. These initiatives are set to streamline operations, boost port efficiency, promote international trade, and develop India’s shipbuilding industry.

Appointments News

Tuhin Kanta Pandey Appointed as 11th SEBI Chairperson

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, India’s Finance Secretary, has been appointed as the 11th Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a three-year term. He succeeds Madhabi Puri Buch, the first woman chairperson of SEBI, whose tenure concludes on February 28, 2025. Pandey’s appointment was confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on February 27, 2025.

SBI Life Appoints Dorababu Daparti as Deputy CEO

SBI Life Insurance has appointed Dorababu Daparti as Deputy CEO, effective February 24, 2025, following approval from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. With over 29 years of experience in the financial sector, he previously held key roles at SBI, including CEO of SBI Maldives operations. Daparti holds an M.Sc. degree and is a Chartered Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).

Banking News

RBI Reverses Higher Risk Weights on Bank Loans to NBFCs and Microloans

The RBI will reverse its 2023 risk weight hike on bank loans to NBFCs, effective April 1, 2025, aligning risk weights with external ratings to boost lending and free up bank capital. The November 2023 hike had slowed NBFC credit growth from 15% to 6.7% and overall bank loan growth from 20% to 11.2%, forcing NBFCs to seek costly alternative funding. The RBI also clarified microloan risk weights: 75% for regulatory retail/business loans and 100% for consumer credit, resolving previous confusion.

Business News

Flipkart-Backed super.money Acquires BharatX for Growth

super.money has acquired BharatX in an all-cash deal to strengthen its position in India’s digital credit market, particularly in checkout financing. The acquisition focuses on BharatX’s tech stack to enhance credit-on-UPI solutions and integrate BNPL and EMI offerings. BharatX’s core team will work with super.money for six months before a role evaluation. With tightening credit cycles and reduced competition, super.money sees UPI-driven checkout financing as a key opportunity for expansion and innovation.

Defence News

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Unveils First Edition of ‘Sashakt Bharat’ Hindi Magazine

In a significant move to promote the use of Hindi in official communications, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released the first edition of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) bi-annual Hindi magazine ‘Sashakt Bharat’. The launch event took place on February 27, 2025, at South Block, New Delhi. The magazine is an initiative by the MoD’s Department of Official Language and serves as a platform to highlight the patriotism, valour, and sacrifices of the Armed Forces personnel while also discussing key government policies in Hindi.

Agreement News

SIDBI Signs MoU with Tata Capital Limited to Strengthen MSME Financing

SIDBI has signed an MoU with Tata Capital Limited (TCL) to enhance financing opportunities for MSMEs. The partnership aims to provide funding for machinery/equipment financing, working capital loans, and loans against property. It will also explore co-lending, risk-sharing, and joint financing models to improve credit access for MSMEs.

Awards News

Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony 2025: Recognizing Excellence in Animal Welfare

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, organized the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony on 27th February 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was held to honor individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to animal welfare, protection, and compassionate treatment of animals. The AWBI, established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, plays a crucial role in ensuring that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering. The ceremony was attended by eminent personalities, including Union Ministers of State, senior government officials, representatives from various states, and distinguished animal welfare advocates.

Summits and Conferences News

Bharat Calling Conference 2025: A Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047

In a significant move towards shaping India’s economic future, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the ‘Bharat Calling Conference 2025’, organized by the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai. The conference, themed ‘Path to Viksit Bharat 2047: Pioneering Prosperity for All’, underscores India’s pivotal role in global economic growth and its potential as a leading investment destination. With a resilient economy, a large consumer market, and business-friendly government policies, India is set to attract investments across diverse sectors.

Ranks & Reports News

Yes Bank Leads S&P Global Sustainability Rankings 2025

Yes Bank has been recognized as India’s highest-rated bank in sustainability for the third consecutive year, according to the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) 2024 and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). With a CSA score of 72/100, it is the only Indian bank featured in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, which ranks the top 15% of global banking leaders. Among 7,690 global firms assessed, only 780 made the list. Yes Bank also retained its A- (Leadership Band) rating from CDP, reflecting excellence in climate risk management and disclosure practices. The CSA assessment covered 1,000 ESG indicators, including climate strategy, financial inclusion, human capital development, and corporate governance.

Science & Technology News

NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer: Mapping the Moon’s Water

NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer, a small satellite launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on February 26, aims to map lunar water and analyze its distribution, form, and variability in the Moon’s shadowed craters, especially at the South Pole. Equipped with HVM3 (NASA JPL) and LTM (University of Oxford) instruments, the mission will provide high-resolution water maps, aiding future lunar exploration and resource utilization. Part of NASA’s SIMPLEx program, this low-cost, high-risk mission could help astronauts extract water, oxygen, and fuel, advancing sustainable space travel.

Important Days

World NGO Day, Date, Theme, Significance, Quotes

World NGO Day, observed on February 27, recognizes the vital contributions of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, human rights, and environmental conservation. First celebrated in 2014 and officially recognized in 2010, the day was initiated by Marcis Liors Skadmanis and has gained global support. The 2025 theme, “Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future,” underscores the crucial role of local NGOs in achieving sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh Remembered on His 15th Death Anniversary

On the 15th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh, a grand tribute was paid to the visionary leader in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the remembrance ceremony, highlighting Nanaji’s unparalleled contributions to rural development, social reform, and political leadership. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla. Alongside the tribute, the program also included the inauguration of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s statue and a presentation based on the life of Lord Ram, titled “Ram Darshan”.

National Science Day 2025

National Science Day 2025 is an annual celebration in India, observed on February 28 to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by the eminent physicist Dr. C.V. Raman in 1928. This groundbreaking discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, making him the first Indian to receive this prestigious honor in the field of science. Every year, National Science Day is celebrated with a specific theme that highlights contemporary scientific challenges and opportunities. The theme of National Science Day 2025 is “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat.” This theme underscores the role of young minds in shaping India’s future in science and technology, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims for a self-reliant and developed India.

Obituaries News

Hollywood Legend Gene Hackman Passes Away at 95

Gene Hackman (1930-2025), an Oscar-winning actor, was found dead at 95 alongside his wife. Known for his versatile roles as both heroes and villains, he starred in classics like The French Connection, Unforgiven, Superman, and Bonnie and Clyde. Despite immense success, he remained private, avoiding Hollywood’s social scene. Born in San Bernardino, California, and raised in Danville, Illinois, he found inspiration in films, idolizing Errol Flynn and James Cagney.

INS Guldar to Be Sunk Off Sindhudurg for Scuba Tourism Boost