Feb 20, 2025 | Current Affairs for UPSC, State PCS & other Govt. Exams

India has been elected Vice President of the International Organisation of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) at its first General Assembly, held in Singapore from February 18-21, 2025.

IALA officially became an intergovernmental organization on August 22, 2024, after functioning as a non-governmental organization (NGO) since its establishment in 1957.

The Indian delegation at the assembly was led by K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) signed a MoU on February 18, 2025, at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi.

This agreement establishes a broad framework for bilateral scientific and technological collaboration between the two nations. The India-Nepal scientific partnership has a strong foundation, dating back to 1994, when CSIR and NAST first signed an agreement to promote joint research initiatives.
India and Argentina have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in the mining sector, focusing on lithium exploration and investment opportunities.

A MoU was signed on February 19, 2025, between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under India's Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina.

Both nations also discussed ongoing lithium exploration efforts by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) and Greenko in Catamarca, along with opportunities for increased Indian participation in Argentina’s mining projects.
The Jharkhand government has imposed a one-year ban on the sale, manufacture, storage, and distribution of gutkha and pan masala across the state.

The Health and Family Welfare Department issued a notification enforcing the ban under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
Reliance Foundation founder and chairperson Nita Ambani has been honored with the Governor's Citation by Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, recognizing her as a "visionary leader, compassionate philanthropist, and true global changemaker."

Recently, Ambani also received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Brand India’ award at the 20th edition of the India Business Leader Awards (IBLA).

Additionally, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) honored her with the 2023 Global Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility.

As a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), she played a key role in bringing the IOC session back to India after 40 years. The IOC session is the supreme decision-making body of the Olympic movement.
Rekha Gupta, BJP’s first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, was sworn in as Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister by Lt Governor VK Saxena at Ramlila Maidan.
On February 19, 2025, India and Malaysia enhanced defense cooperation, particularly between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The focus was on exchanging expertise and best practices for maintaining their Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 (Su-30) combat aircraft fleets.

During Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh's visit to Kuala Lumpur, the two nations also explored collaboration in the defense industry, maritime security, multilateral engagements, and other key emerging areas.
Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker has been awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) 2024.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting, securing a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She further cemented her legacy by winning a second bronze medal in the mixed 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh, making her the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games post-independence.

The only other Indian athlete to achieve multiple medals in a single Olympic edition was Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals at the Paris 1900 Olympics.
The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Sujata and ICGS Veera, departed from Sihanoukville port, Cambodia, on February 19, 2025, after a successful three-day visit.

A major highlight of the visit was the handover of a Small Arms Simulator to the Royal Cambodian Army as part of ongoing defense exchanges. This event reinforced the strong maritime partnership between India and Cambodia and aligned with India’s "SAGAR" (Security And Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
On February 20, the World Day of Social Justice highlights the importance of promoting fairness, equality, and inclusivity in societies across the world. The theme for 2025 is “Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future.”
Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) is showcasing its indigenously developed Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) at NAVDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi. These vessels exemplify India's advancing maritime capabilities as part of the "Make in India".
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a major global birdwatching event, and for the third consecutive year, Bengal has recorded the highest number of bird species in India. Held from February 14 to 17, 2025, birdwatchers across India documented 1,068 species, with Bengal leading at 543 species.

Darjeeling topped the Bengal list with 252 species, a decline from last year's 308.

Started in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, the GBBC encourages birdwatchers to count birds and upload their observations to eBird, an online database.

India

first participated in 2013, with 200 participants. Last year, over 5,300 people took part nationwide, including 344 from Bengal.
Feb 19, 2025 Feb 21, 2025

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