Current Affairs One - Liner : 7th February 2025

• National:
• The Himachal Pradesh Government initiated North India's first 1-MW Green Hydrogen Plant at Dabhota on February 6, 2025. Developed by HPPCL in collaboration with Oil India Limited, the plant aims to produce hydrogen using renewable energy sources.

• The e-NAM platform has added 10 new commodities, including dried Tulsi leaves, Besant (Chickpea flour), wheat flour, chana sattu, water Chestnut flour, asafoetida, dried fenugreek leaves, baby corn, dragon fruit, and water Chestnut. This expansion aims to enhance transparency and fair trading practices for farmers and traders.
• The NSDC International Academy was inaugurated at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on February 6, 2025. This facility aims to provide world-class skill development and training programs, focusing on foreign languages, healthcare, employability skills, and aviation. It is designed to bridge the gap between Indian youth and global employment opportunities.
• International:
• Panama became the first Latin American nation to exit China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on February 7, 2025. This decision followed increasing geopolitical tensions and pressure from the United States. Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino announced the withdrawal, although he denied that U.S. pressure played a role in the decision.
• Banking:
• The 1% Club, led by Sharan Hegde, secured a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) license from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on February 6, 2025. This license allows them to offer personalized financial planning services and manage assets worth ₹750 crore. This is the first time a finfluencer-led firm has obtained this license.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Findi's acquisition of a 100% stake in Tata Communications Payment Solutions Limited (TCPSL) on February 3, 2025. This deal, announced in November 2024, is valued at Rs. 330 crore, with an additional Rs. 75 crore contingent on certain conditions.
• Beacon launched India Bill Pay on February 4, 2025. This feature allows NRIs in Canada to pay Indian bills directly using Canadian dollars from their Beacon Money account. The service, available on Google Play and iOS, is a collaboration with Bharat Connect (BBPS) and YES BANK.
• Economy:
• In the first three quarters of the fiscal year 2024-2025, Public Sector Banks in India reported a 31.3% year-over-year increase in net profit, reaching ₹1,29,426 crore. This growth reflects improved asset quality, higher recoveries, and increased lending activities.
• The Uttar Pradesh government approved the Excise Policy for 2025-26 on February 3, 2025. Key changes include composite shops for selling beer, liquor, and wine from a single counter, and an e-lottery system for allocating liquor shop licenses.
• MoUs:
• An MoU was signed between the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and the National Book Trust (NBT) at the World Book Fair 2025 on February 7, 2025. This MoU aims to convert 500 NBT storybooks, general reading materials, and other engaging books into accessible formats for Deaf children through Indian Sign Language (ISL).
• Science & Technology:
• Russia launched the Soyuz-2-1v rocket carrying military satellites into orbit on February 5, 2025 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This marked the first space launch of the year for Russia and the final mission of the Soyuz-2-1v light launcher.
• Sports:
• The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers triumphed in the Men's HIL 2024-25, winning their 6th title by defeating the Hyderabad Toofans 4-3. The final took place at Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium on February 1, 2025.
• Defence:
• The Government of India signed contracts worth over ₹10,000 crore for the Pinaka rocket system on February 6, 2025. These contracts, with EEL and MIL, aim to enhance the Indian Army's firepower. The deals include Area Denial Munition Type-1 and high-explosive rockets with an extended range.
• Govt.Schemes:
• Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha’ scheme on February 5, 2025, to enhance rural infrastructure and connectivity. With a budget of ₹5,000 crore over five years, the scheme focuses on road connectivity, civic amenities, educational facilities, and micro-tourism development.
• Appointments:
• K Balasubramanian was appointed as the new head of Citibank India on February 5, 2025. He will succeed Ashu Khullar, who has been appointed as the global co-head of Global Asset Managers (GAM).

Questions:

1 Who has been appointed as the new head of Citibank India on February 5, 2025?

• A) Ashu Khullar
• B) Sandeep Bakhshi
• C) Uday Kotak
• D) K Balasubramanian

Answer: D) K Balasubramanian has been appointed as the new head of Citibank India, effective February 5, 2025. He succeeds Ashu Khullar.

2 Which two organizations signed an MoU to make books accessible for Deaf children through Indian Sign Language (ISL)?

• A) Ministry of Education & ISLRTC
• B) ISLRTC & National Book Trust (NBT)
• C) NBT & National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
• D) All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) & ISLRTC

Answer: B) The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and the National Book Trust (NBT) signed this MoU to promote inclusive education by converting books into Indian Sign Language (ISL) for Deaf children.