Feb 25, 2025 | Current Affairs for UPSC, State PCS & other Govt. Exams

BJP leader Vijender Gupta has been elected as the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on February 20, 2025.

On February 24, 2025, PM Modi inaugurated the largest-ever Jhumoir dance performance at Guwahati's Sarusajai Stadium to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Assam's tea industry.

Pankaj Advani secured the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship men's title, marking his 14th Asian title across snooker and billiards events.

The championship, featuring men's, women's, and under-21 categories, was organized by the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports and hosted by the Qatar Billiards Sports Federation in Doha, Qatar, from February 15-21, 2025.

PM Modi, in the 119th edition of Mann Ki Baat, highlighted the role of the Soliga tribe in Karnataka's BRT Tiger Reserve in conserving tigers. He noted that the tiger population in the reserve has been steadily increasing, crediting the Soligas, who worship tigers, for their efforts in coexistence and conservation.

Mr. Modi also referenced similar examples of harmony between animals and tribal communities in other states, mentioning Karnataka’s Huli Vesha dance. The Soligas were the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve to have their forest rights legally recognized by a court ruling in 2011.

However, the NTCA’s 2022 report on the Status of Tigers, Co-Predators, and Prey noted a decline in the tiger population, attributing it to human presence and habitat degradation, emphasizing the need for further investigation and conservation measures.

India and Bangladesh have agreed to establish a new communication link between the deputy commanders of their respective border-guarding forces and have identified approximately 99 new locations for erecting fences along their shared border.

This was the first high-level meeting between the two forces since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.

The decisions were finalized during the biannual director general-level talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), which concluded on February 22, 2025.

According to official data, 864.48 km of the India-Bangladesh border remains unfenced, including 174.51 km classified as a "non-feasible" gap.

To enhance coordination, both sides have decided to establish a new hotline between the additional director general (ADG) of the BSF's Eastern Command in Kolkata and his BGB counterpart at the force's headquarters in Dhaka.

On February 20, 2025, the government rolled out the Haryana Witness Protection Scheme, 2025 to ensure the safety of witnesses as the state prepares to implement the three new criminal laws.

The scheme applies to witnesses in cases involving offenses punishable by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of seven years or more. If a witness requests a change of identity, the competent authority may grant it based on a threat analysis report.

This could include assigning a new name, profession, or parentage, along with providing supporting documents recognized by government agencies.

A Witness Protection Cell will be established in each district, headed by the deputy commissioner of police or superintendent of police of the concerned district. The cell's primary responsibility will be to implement witness protection orders issued by the competent authority.

The competent authority may also order the relocation of a witness to a safe location within the state or anywhere in India. The expenses for relocation will be covered by the Witness Protection Fund, or, if the witness agrees in writing, they may bear the cost themselves.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the tenth edition of Financial Literacy Week (FLW) 2025 on February 24, 2025, with the theme: "Financial Literacy: Women's Prosperity."

FLW 2025 will be observed from February 24 to 28, 2025, focusing on promoting financial awareness and inclusion, particularly for women, to enhance their economic well-being.

China successfully launched the ChinaSat-10R (Zhongxing-10R) communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) on February 22, 2025.

- The satellite replaces the aging ChinaSat-10 and is expected to enhance China's communications infrastructure.
- It was carried by a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, launched the revamped format of the 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS), the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey.

To ensure inclusivity and fair evaluation, the Super Swachh League has been introduced, recognizing cities excelling in cleanliness based on citizen feedback, on-site inspections, certifications, and waste management effectiveness.

Indore, which has won the overall cleanest city award for seven consecutive years, is featured in this edition along with Surat and Navi Mumbai in the Million Plus Cities category.

The Super Swachh League includes cities ranked in the top three at least twice between 2021 and 2023. The top cleanest cities in India as of 2024 include:

Category	City	State
Very Small Cities (< 20,000)	Panchgani	Maharashtra
Very Small Cities (20,000 – 50,000)	Vita	Maharashtra
Medium Cities (50,000 – 3,00,000)	Ambikapur	Chhattisgarh
Big Cities (3,00,000 – 10,00,000)	Noida	Uttar Pradesh
Million Plus Cities (> 10,00,000)	Indore	Madhya Pradesh
Million Plus Cities (> 10,00,000)	Navi Mumbai	Maharashtra
Million Plus Cities (> 10,00,000)	Surat	Gujarat

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured their second consecutive Indian Super League (ISL) Winners Shield with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Odisha FC at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on February 23, 2025.