Current Affairs One - Liner :18th February 2025

National:

• The RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) was launched in Mandaura village, Sonipat, Haryana, on February 15, 2025. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between rural technological needs and cutting-edge innovations.

• Madhya Pradesh unveiled India's first dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025 on February 15, 2025. This policy aims to attract multinational companies and establish the state as a digital and technological hub, focusing on sectors like IT, finance, engineering, and business process outsourcing.
• Union Minister JP Nadda launched the National Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) on February 10, 2025. This initiative covers 111 endemic districts across 13 states and focuses on door-to-door administration of anti-filarial medication.
• Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia released commemorative postage stamps for the Maha Kumbh 2025 on February 13, 2025, at the Arail Ghat Post Office in Prayagraj. The stamps highlight the cultural and spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh.
• The Gujarat government launched G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods) to empower 50,000 underprivileged women across 10 districts. The initiative, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, aims to promote economic independence through financial assistance and skill training.
• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Intel India, launched the AI for Entrepreneurship micro-learning module on February 17, 2025. This initiative aims to empower 1 lakh young innovators by providing them with essential AI skills and fostering entrepreneurial thinking.
• India's fourth-generation deep-sea submarine, Matsya-6000, successfully completed its wet trials at L&T Shipbuilding facility in Kattupalli Port, Chennai between January 27 and February 12, 2025. Part of the Samudrayan Project under the Deep Ocean Mission, the submarine is designed for scientific research and exploration up to 6,000 meters deep.
• The Government of India approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme until 2025-26 on February 17, 2025. This scheme ensures remunerative prices for farmers and stabilizes the market by procuring pulses, oilseeds, and copra under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
• India unveiled the world's largest 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer for solid rocket propellants on February 16, 2025. Developed by ISRO and CMTI, the mixer enhances the production of solid rocket motors by ensuring precise mixing of sensitive and hazardous ingredients.

Banking:

• South Indian Bank introduced 'SIB Quick FD' on February 15, 2025. This service allows users to open a fixed deposit (FD) instantly without the need for a savings account, starting with as little as ₹1,000. The entire process is fully digital, ensuring convenience and speed for investors.

Economy:

• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the state's annual budget for the 2025-26 fiscal on February 17, 2025. The ₹2.90 lakh crore budget prioritizes capital expenditure, infrastructure, urban development, agriculture, and irrigation.

MoUs:

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APNA on February 18, 2025, in New Delhi. This MoU aims to bring over 10 lakh job opportunities annually to the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
• The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) and Tea Trunk signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 18, 2025, at the Aadi Mahotsav event in New Delhi. The aim is to bolster the tribal economy by promoting the marketing and development of tribal products, ensuring fair remuneration for tribal communities.

Sports:

• Indonesia won their first-ever Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship by defeating China on February 16, 2025. The event took place at the Conson Gymnasium in Qingdao, China.

Appointments & Resignations:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of PD Singh as the CEO of Standard Chartered India. Singh, a corporate banking veteran and former CEO of JP Morgan India, will start his three-year term on April 1, 2025, succeeding Zarin Daruwala, who retires on March 31, 2025.

Awards & Honours:

• Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran was conferred with an Honorary Knighthood by the United Kingdom on February 14, 2025. The honor recognizes his contributions to UK-India business relations. Chandrasekaran highlighted Tata Group's notable brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley and their significant employment in the UK.

Questions:

1. What is the key feature of South Indian Bank’s 'SIB Quick FD' launched on February 15, 2025?

a) Minimum deposit of ₹10,000

b) Requires a savings account

c) Fully digital FD opening without a savings account

d) Available only to senior citizens

Answer:c) ‘SIB Quick FD’ allows customers to open an FD instantly starting at ₹1,000 without needing a savings account.

2. Who has been appointed as the CEO of Standard Chartered India, effective April 1, 2025?

a) PD Singh

b) Zarin Daruwala

c) Sandeep Bakhshi

d) Uday Kotak

Answer:a) PPD Singh will succeed Zarin Daruwala as CEO of Standard Chartered India starting April 1, 2025.