Current Affairs One - Liner : 26th February 2025

National:

• The Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025, held from February 22–24 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, under the theme "Unnat Krishi – Viksit Bharat," was inaugurated by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. It showcased advanced agricultural technologies, climate-resilient crops, and innovations through exhibitions, live demos, and technical sessions. Over 1 lakh farmers attended, benefiting from seed sales, agro-advisory services, and farmer felicitations.

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed a five-member ad-hoc panel for boxing affairs on February 24, 2025. This was due to the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) failure to hold timely elections, originally scheduled for February 2, 2025.
• Mahashivratri, the Great Night of Shiva, will be observed on February 26, 2025. Devotees honor Lord Shiva with fasting, night-long vigils, and prayers. Temples are adorned beautifully, and hymns and mantras are chanted throughout the night.

Banking:

• South Indian Bank launched its fully digital personal loan platform, 'SIB QUICKPL,' on February 24, 2025. This platform aims to provide quick and hassle-free access to unsecured personal loans, with features including instant approval, a paperless process, flexible repayment options, and no collateral required.

Economy:

• S&P Global Market Intelligence has projected India’s GDP to grow at 6.4% for both FY25 (2024-25) and FY26 (2025-26), as announced on February 24, 2025. This forecast reflects a slight downward revision from their December estimate of 6.5% for FY25, while maintaining the 6.4% projection for FY26.

Science & Technology:

• Indian researchers used Chandrayaan-3 data to create the first detailed geological map of the Moon's south polar region, published on February 24, 2025. The map reveals highlands, low plains, and subsurface magma, confirming an ancient ocean of molten lava. This discovery offers new insights into the Moon's formation and evolution, estimated to be around 3.7 billion years old.

Defence:

• The Indian Navy handed over the decommissioned INS Guldar to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC) on February 21, 2025. The ship will be converted into India's first underwater museum and artificial reef near the Nivati Rocks, Sindhudurg.

Military Exercises:

• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the ‘Sagar Kavach (WB)-01/25’ security exercise along West Bengal’s 158 km coastline on February 21-22, 2025. The exercise tested and refined SOPs through simulated scenarios such as hijackings, smuggling, and IED planting. It involved multiple agencies, including the Indian Navy and BSF.

Important Days:

• International Asperger’s Day is observed on February 18, 2025. It aims to raise awareness about Asperger's Syndrome and honors Hans Asperger, who first described the condition.

Appointments:

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a one-year extension for Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on February 24, 2025. His term, initially set to end on February 28, 2025, will now extend from March 1, 2025.

Awards & Honours:

• On February 20, 2025, Banu Mushtaq's short story collection "Heart Lamp" was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025. This is the first time a Kannada book has achieved this recognition. The collection, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, explores community and family tensions.

Questions:

Q.1 Which Kannada book was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025?
a) "Heart Lamp"
b) "The Shadow Lines"
c) "Blue Hills"
d) "The Silent Sea"

Answer: a) "Heart Lamp," a short story collection by Banu Mushtaq and translated by Deepa Bhasthi, became the first Kannada book to be longlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2025.

Q.2 What is the projected GDP growth rate of India for FY25 and FY26, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence?
a) 6.5% for both years
b) 6.4% for both years
c) 6.3% for FY25 and 6.5% for FY26
d) 6.2% for FY25 and 6.4% for FY26

Answer: b) S&P Global Market Intelligence projected India's GDP growth at 6.4% for FY25 and FY26, revising the previous estimate of 6.5% for FY25.