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18 February, 2025
GK Update
Thu 20 Feb, 2025
National News
'Saras Aajeevika Mela-2025'
- To promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Vocal for Local' initiative, 'Saras Aajeevika Mela-2025' will be organized from February 21 to March 10 at Shilp Haat (Noida Haat), Sector 33A, Noida.
Related facts:
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Additional Central Assistance Approved from NDRF for Five States
- A High-Level Committee, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, approved ₹1,554.99 crore in additional central assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for five states affected by floods, flash floods, landslides, and cyclonic storms in 2024.
- This includes ₹608.08 crore for Andhra Pradesh, ₹170.99 crore for Nagaland, ₹255.24 crore for Odisha, ₹231.75 crore for Telangana, and ₹288.93 crore for Tripura.
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In the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released ₹18,322.80 crore to 27 states under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and ₹4,808.30 crore to 18 states from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) :
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Launch of DBIM & CIO Conference 2025
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and organized the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Conference 2025.
Related Facts:
Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM):
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State Special
Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana
- Bihar’s Rural Works Department Minister, Ashok Choudhary, has announced the revival of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana.
- Under this scheme, more than 42 bridges will be constructed.
Bihar :
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Budget for FY 2025-26 Presented: Rajasthan
- Rajasthan’s Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Diya Kumari, presented the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the Legislative Assembly on February 19, 2025.
Major announcements:
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Ban on Production, Storage, Sale, and Distribution of Pan Masala
- The Jharkhand government has imposed a complete one-year ban on the production, storage, sale, and distribution of gutkha and pan masala in the state.
| The order has been issued under Section 30(2)(A) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. |
'nPROUD' initiative launched
- The Kerala government has launched the 'nPROUD' (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) initiative for the scientific disposal of expired and unused medicines.
- This program will be officially launched on February 22, 2025.
Kerala :
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Decision to Provide 5 kg Rice: Karnataka
- The Karnataka government has decided to provide an additional 5 kg of rice per month to each member of BPL (Below Poverty Line) families under the Anna Bhagya Scheme.
International News
13th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 13th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting on February 19, 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur.
- Malaysia’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Lukman Hakim bin Ali, also participated in the meeting.
Malaysia:
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Need for UNSC Reforms: António Guterres
- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- Speaking at a meeting on global governance reforms on February 18, 2025, he stated that the Security Council should be expanded and made more inclusive to align with today's geostrategic realities.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
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Miscellaneous
Google’s Largest Campus in India
- • Google has inaugurated its largest campus in India, named "Anant", located in Hyderabad.
Google:
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Akhil Bharatiya Kinnar Mahasammelan
- For the first time, the Akhil Bharatiya Kinnar Mahasammelan is being organized in Ajmer. The event started on February 17, 2025, and will continue for 10 days.
Science and Technology
Flu Deadlier Than COVID-19 in the U.S.
- In the United States, particularly in California, influenza (flu) has now become a more deadly respiratory disease than COVID-19.
- Since July 1, 2024, at least 561 flu-related deaths have been reported in California, with the majority occurring among individuals over the age of 65.
Influenza:Influenza:
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India Successfully Launches 433 Foreign Satellites
- According to Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, India has successfully launched 433 foreign satellites. Out of these, 396 satellites were launched in the last decade, generating a revenue of $157 million and €260 million between 2014 and 2023.
Major satellite launching sites of India:
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Person in News
Rekha Gupta
- Rekha Gupta has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. She has been elected as an MLA from the Shalimar Bagh seat for the first time.
Rekha Gupta:
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Donald Trump
- According to a recent survey conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, the approval rating of U.S. President Donald Trump has seen a decline.
- This rating has dropped from 45% at the end of January to 44% now.
Related Facts:
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Francesco Rivella
- The inventor of Nutella, Francesco Rivella, passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 97.
- He worked for Michele Ferrero and helped develop the 1946 version of Nutella, known as Giandujot.
Milind Rege
- Former Mumbai captain and selector Milind Rege passed away at the age of 76 on February 19 due to a heart attack.
P.D. Singh
- Standard Chartered Bank has appointed P.D. Singh as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for India, effective April 1, 2025.
- He will replace Zarin Daruwala, who is set to retire on March 31, 2025.
Standard Chartered Bank:
| Founded: 1969 (by merger of Standard Bank and Chartered Bank) | Headquarters: London, United Kingdom | Headquarters in India: Mumbai, Maharashtra |
Economy and Banking
Total Registered Companies in India
- According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, as of January 31, 2025, a total of 28,05,354 companies were registered in India, out of which 65%, i.e., 18,17,222, are active.
Related Facts:
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MoU Between MoLE and 'Apna'
- The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the job recruitment platform 'Apna.'
- The objective of this partnership is to provide over 1 million job opportunities annually on the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
National Career Service (NCS) :
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India-UAE Bilateral Trade
- Bilateral trade between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has witnessed significant growth.
- According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this trade has nearly doubled over the past two years, reaching $83.7 billion.
Related Facts:
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Reports and Indexes
CRISIL Report
- According to the CRISIL report released on February 19, 2025, due to the government's continuous efforts to promote clean fuel, the domestic annual sales of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles are estimated to reach 1.1 million units by the end of the current financial year.
- The growth in CNG passenger vehicle sales has increased their share in the total passenger vehicle market to 15-16%, compared to 5.6% in FY 2016.
Related Facts:
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Important Days
NCST Foundation Day
- The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) celebrated its 22nd Foundation Day on February 19, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):
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Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day
- Arunachal Pradesh celebrates its Foundation Day every year on February 20.
- On February 20, 1987, it became the 24th state of the Indian Union.
- Earlier, it was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA).
Arunachal Pradesh:
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Mizoram Foundation Day
- Mizoram celebrates its Foundation Day every year on February 20.
- On February 20, 1987, Mizoram was declared the 23rd state of the Indian Union.
Related Facts:
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World Day of Social Justice
- World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on February 20.
- Its objective is to promote equality, solidarity, and justice in society to address issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights violations, and social security.
Theme for this year :
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