National Affairs
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first indigenous Automated Biomedical Waste Treatment Plant, “Srjanam,” at AIIMS New Delhi. It was developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST). It has an initial capacity of 400 kg/day and can process 10 kg of degradable medical waste daily. India generates 743 tonnes of biomedical waste daily, posing health risks. “Sṛjanam” is validated for antimicrobial effectiveness and is safer than organic fertilizers.
- India ranked 22nd in International Shipments and 38th in the overall Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023. Indian Ports’ “Turn Around Time” is 0.9 days, better than countries like the USA, Australia, and Singapore. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aligns with the blue economy and aims to transform India’s maritime sector. Key initiatives include expanding port capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, sustainability through green projects, and promoting coastal tourism. The vision also focuses on shipbuilding, workforce training, and enhancing India’s global maritime presence.
- After 40 years, the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam) saw the return of one-horned rhinos and is attracting more water birds than Assam’s Deepor Beel Ramsar site. The sanctuary is located in Nagaon District, Assam, covering 70.13 sq.km. It was designated a buffer zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in 2007 and is part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori ecosystem. The sanctuary is surrounded by human-dominated areas on all sides except the north.
- The Centre has extended the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme until 2025-26 under the 15th Finance Commission cycle. The scheme ensures fair prices for farmers and stabilizes essential commodity prices. Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), the government procures pulses, oilseeds, and copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through Central Nodal Agencies. 100% procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masur has been approved for 2024-25 to boost domestic production.
- Uttar Pradesh assembly becomes the first in the country with a translator facility. The proposal will be reviewed by the Ruling Committee and implemented after approval. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath oversaw translation rehearsals in Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhand, and English.
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first ‘Open-Air Art Wall Museum’ at Mausam Bhawan, New Delhi. The museum marks the 150-year journey of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is developed in collaboration with ‘Delhi Street Art’. It transforms IMD’s Lodhi Road headquarters into a visual narrative. The artwork showcases India’s meteorological advancements and the role of weather science in society.
- Ajmer is hosting the first-ever All India Transgender Conference, a 10-day transgender conference. The event began on February 17, 2025, with the Khichdi Tulai ritual. It aims to address issues faced by the transgender community across India. It is organized in memory of Anita Bai, mentor of Gaddipati Saloni Nayak. More than 2,000 transgender members from various states are participating.
International Affairs
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the ‘AI Action Summit’ in Paris on 11th February 2025 with French President Emmanuel Macron. France hosted the third International AI Summit on 10th-11th February 2025 to promote global cooperation in AI development. PM Modi announced that India will host the next Global AI Summit, following discussions at the Paris summit.
- The 12th World Government Summit held in Dubai, UAE, on February 10, 2025, and runs until February 13, 2025. It gathers global leaders, experts, and decision-makers to shape the future of governments. The summit’s theme is “Shaping Future Governments.” It is organized by a non-governmental organization founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2013.
- Greece’s parliament elected Constantine Tassoulas as president, a largely ceremonial role. His nomination sparked protests over the 2023 train crash, as critics say parliament failed to investigate political responsibility. The judicial probe into the disaster is still ongoing. Tassoulas, 66, has been a lawmaker since 2000 and served as culture and deputy defense minister. He won 160 votes in the 300-seat parliament and will succeed Katerina Sakellaropoulou in March. His nomination is seen as strengthening Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ power amid rising opposition pressure. He will be sworn in on March 13. The capital of Greece is Athens.
- Jotham Napat was elected as Vanuatu’s Prime Minister unopposed. His nomination was proposed by Charlot Salwai, a former Prime Minister. Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, located east of Australia and west of Fiji. The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila, and its currency is the Vanuatu vatu (VUV).
- India and the U.S. launched the TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative to boost cooperation in critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements. Announced during PM Modi’s visit to Washington, it aims to strengthen supply chains for essential materials. The initiative focuses on critical minerals, advanced materials, and pharmaceuticals. It aims to reduce barriers to technology transfer by streamlining regulations. It seeks to address export controls for smoother trade in strategic resources. It also promotes high-tech commerce, enhancing collaboration in advanced sectors.
- India, Singapore, and Oman are hosting the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman. The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is an annual platform for regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean. It brings together leaders, officials, private sector representatives, and experts to discuss key issues. The Indian Ocean was historically a major trade route, influenced by Indian merchants and dynasties like the Pallavas, Cholas, and Andhras. The Indian Ocean handles 70% of global container traffic and 90% of India’s energy trade.
- A state of emergency has been declared on Greece’s Santorini, Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi due to a swarm of undersea earthquakes. An earthquake swarm occurs when multiple seismic events of similar intensity hit a small area in quick succession. These swarms often involve thousands of low-intensity quakes without a major shock over weeks. They commonly occur in active geothermal regions where seismic energy builds up and is released in small amounts.
- Brazil will host the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025. As the 2025 chair, Brazil aims to focus on global governance reform and stronger cooperation among Global South nations. BRICS was founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. The bloc now has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia.
Defense and Security
- The Indian Army and Indian Air Force conducted EX Winged Raiders in the Eastern Theater. The exercise focused on special airborne operations to improve inter-service synergy. It aimed at enhancing interoperability, crucial for the planned integrated theatre command. Interoperability allows different armed forces to use each other’s weapon systems efficiently. The exercise involved airborne insertion techniques using fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Chinook helicopters were used for special airborne operations. The training enhanced troop expertise, rapid deployment, and mission readiness.
- The 3rd edition of Exercise CYCLONE, a joint special forces drill between India and Egypt, is taking place in Rajasthan from February 10 to 23. The exercise takes place at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. It involves the special forces of both countries, focusing on counter-terrorism, high-intensity combat, and survival techniques. The goal is to improve coordination between the Indian and Egyptian Armies.
- Russia has offered India the R-37M missile, one of the world’s best air-to-air missiles. It was developed by Russia. The R-37M is designed to target enemy fighter jets and drones beyond visual range (BVR). It evolved from the R-33 missile and targets high-value platforms like tanker aircraft. Its guidance system includes inertial navigation, radar homing, and semi-active radar for the terminal phase. The missile has a range of 300-400 km and speeds up to Mach 6, making it highly effective for long-range interception.
- Ukraine has acquired the Gravehawk hybrid surface-to-air missile system to counter Russia’s missile attacks. It is developed by the United Kingdom. It targets short-range threats, especially fast-moving airborne objects. Missiles can reach Mach 2.5 and engage targets up to 12 miles away. It is effective against drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
- BrahMos NG, the next-generation supersonic cruise missile, will have its first flight test in 2026, with production starting in 2027-28. It is jointly developed by India and Russia. It is lighter, smaller, and more compact than its predecessor. It weighs 1.6 tonnes and is 6 metres long, compared to the older 3-tonne, 9-metre version. It has a 290 km range and 3.5 Mach speed. It will be deployed on Sukhoi-30MKI and LCA Tejas.
- India and the US plan to procure and co-produce Javelin anti-tank guided missiles for India’s defense needs. Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget missile designed to destroy heavily armored vehicles. It was developed by US defense companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The missile is effective against main battle tanks, lighter military vehicles, bunkers, fortifications, and helicopters.
- INSV Tarini reached Port Stanley on February 18, 2025, completing the third phase of Navika Sagar Parikrama II. The expedition highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender empowerment and maritime excellence. It is crewed by two women officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A. The voyage, covering over 21,600 nautical miles, started from Goa on October 2, 2024. Route includes Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland), Cape Town (South Africa), and back to Goa. INSV Tarini, a 56-foot sailing vessel, has previously completed Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017.
Science and Technology
- The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope discovered a rare Einstein ring around the galaxy NGC 6505. NGC 6505 is an elliptical galaxy located 590 million light-years away in the Draco constellation. The discovery is considered extraordinary, especially for Euclid’s early data. An Einstein ring is a circular light ring formed due to gravitational lensing by a galaxy, dark matter, or a galaxy cluster.
- The Crocodile Catfish was recently discovered in the Bahini River, Guwahati, raising ecological concerns. It is one of the largest freshwater catfish species in Asia, found in countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It can grow over 1.5 meters and weigh more than 50 kg, with a dark body and broad head. Its conservation status is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
- UNESCO launched the “Imagine a world with more women in science” campaign. The campaign marks the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). It promotes diverse perspectives in science using #EveryVoiceInScience. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared February 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. Globally, women make up only one-third of scientists and hold just 1 in 10 Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leadership roles. In India, 43% of STEM enrolments are women, but only 18.6% are scientists, and 25% lead R&D projects. UNESCO’s Headquarters are located in Paris and Audrey Azoulay is the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Current Affairs: 1 February- 10 February
