Current Affairs Today: 03rd February 2025 | Daily GK Update
National News
1. What trend was highlighted in the Economic Survey 2024–25 regarding female workforce participation?
Answer: Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) rose from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 41.7% in 2023–24, driven by rural employment and women-centric schemes. Sikkim led with 56.9%, and 21 states reported FLFPR between 30–40%.
2. What is Kavach and how will it transform Indian Railways?
Answer: Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system to be deployed nationwide over six years, enhancing safety and efficiency across India’s railway network.
International News
3. What advisory did the Indian Embassy issue for nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Answer: Indians in Bukavu were urged to evacuate due to escalating violence from rebel groups like M23, reflecting the embassy’s commitment to citizen safety.
4. What legal status was granted to Mount Taranaki in New Zealand?
Answer: It was granted legal personhood, recognizing it as a living entity with rights, rooted in Māori cultural beliefs and environmental justice.
5. What new tariffs did the U.S. impose on February 1, 2025?
Answer: Tariffs were imposed on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking.
6. Who visited India to strengthen Russia–India relations?
Answer: Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, arrived on February 3, 2025, to discuss cooperation in economy, education, and technology.
Defence News
7. What recent trials did DRDO conduct for air defence?
Answer: DRDO successfully tested three VSHORADS missiles on February 1, 2025, targeting low-altitude aerial threats like drones and loitering munitions.
8. What study did India’s Defence Ministry initiate in February 2025?
Answer: A pilot study on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), exploring AI integration in warfare and its ethical implications.
Economy News
9. What progress was made in gender budgeting under Union Budget 2025–26?
Answer: Gender Budget allocation rose to ₹4.49 lakh crore, making up 8.86% of the total budget — a 37.25% increase from FY 2024–25.
10. What change was made to the FDI limit in insurance?
Answer: FDI limit was raised from 74% to 100%, encouraging foreign investment with simplified regulatory conditions.
Schemes News
11. What is the PM-JANMAN Package and whom does it benefit?
Answer: Launched in November 2023, it targets Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), aiming to improve their infrastructure and socio-economic conditions.
Important Days
12. What is the theme of World Wetlands Day 2025?
Answer: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” — observed on February 2, emphasizing biodiversity and climate resilience.
13. What is the theme of World Cancer Day 2025?
Answer: “United by Unique” — part of a three-year campaign (2025–2027) to raise awareness and reduce the global cancer burden.
Science & Technology
14. What AI initiatives were announced in Union Budget 2025?
Answer: Establishment of a Centre of Excellence in AI for education, with increased funding for AI in agriculture, healthcare, and governance.
15. What technical issue is ISRO facing with the NVS-02 satellite?
Answer: A malfunctioning valve prevented orbit-raising maneuvers, leaving the satellite in elliptical GTO instead of its intended geostationary orbit.
Awards News
16. Who were the major winners at the Grammy Awards 2025?
Answer: Kendrick Lamar won multiple awards; Beyoncé made history at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Current Affairs Today: 03rd February 2025 | Daily GK Update
National News:
- The Economic Survey 2024–25 highlighted a sharp rise in Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in India, increasing from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 41.7% in 2023–24. This growth has been largely driven by rural employment and women-centric schemes. Sikkim led with a FLFPR of 56.9%, and 21 states reported FLFPR between 30–40%.pib+1
- Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system set to be deployed nationwide by Indian Railways over the next six years. It aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency by preventing collisions and signal passing at danger, transforming Indian Railways into a safer network.indiatoday+1
International News:
3. The Indian Embassy issued an advisory urging nationals in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, to evacuate due to escalating violence from rebel groups including M23, reflecting a priority on citizen safety.studyiq
4. Mount Taranaki in New Zealand was granted legal personhood, recognizing it as a living entity with rights under Māori cultural beliefs and environmental justice principles.studyiq
5. On February 1, 2025, the U.S. imposed new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China to address issues related to illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking.studyiq
6. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, visited India on February 3, 2025, to bolster cooperation in economy, education, and technology between Russia and India.studyiq
Defence News:
7. On February 1, 2025, DRDO successfully tested three Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) missiles aimed at neutralizing low-altitude aerial threats like drones and loitering munitions.studyiq
8. India’s Defence Ministry initiated a pilot study on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), exploring ethical and operational issues regarding the integration of AI in warfare.studyiq
Economy News:
9. Gender budget allocation in Union Budget 2025–26 rose to ₹4.49 lakh crore, comprising 8.86% of the total budget. This marks a 37.25% increase from FY 2024–25, reflecting intensified focus on gender-inclusive growth.prsindia
10. The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector was raised from 74% to 100%, simplifying regulatory norms and encouraging more foreign investments.prsindia
Schemes News:
11. The PM-JANMAN Package, launched in November 2023, addresses the needs of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by improving their infrastructure and socio-economic conditions.studyiq
Important Days:
12. The theme of World Wetlands Day 2025, observed on February 2, was “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” emphasizing biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.drishtiias
13. World Cancer Day 2025 was themed “United by Unique,” starting a three-year campaign (2025–2027) to raise cancer awareness and mitigate its global burden.studyiq
Science & Technology:
14. The Union Budget 2025 announced AI initiatives including the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in AI for education, and enhanced funding for AI applications in agriculture, healthcare, and governance.prsindia
15. ISRO faced a technical setback with the NVS-02 satellite due to a malfunctioning valve that prevented its intended orbit-raising maneuvers, leaving it in an elliptical Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) instead of geostationary orbit.studyiq
Awards News:
16. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, Kendrick Lamar won multiple awards, while Beyoncé made history with significant wins, highlighting a major night for music icons.studyiq