National News
1. What cultural festival was launched by MoHUA and MyGov?
Answer: The ‘Culinary, Crafts & Clicks – Moods & Magic’ festival was launched to showcase India’s heritage through food, traditional arts, and photography at Kartavya Path and Amrit Udyan.
International News
2. What is the focus of the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF)?
Answer: Held in New Delhi from February 12–14, 2025, the forum promotes sustainable fisheries under the theme “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific”.
Defence News
3. What was the objective of the Mehar Baba Competition-II?
Answer: Conducted by the Indian Air Force, it aimed to develop swarm drone systems for detecting foreign objects on aircraft surfaces, enhancing UAV capabilities.
4. What joint military exercise began between India and Egypt?
Answer: ‘CYCLONE-III’ commenced at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, to strengthen special forces interoperability from February 10–23, 2025.
State News
5. What thermal energy milestone was achieved by THDC India Ltd?
Answer: THDC began commercial operations of a 660-MW unit at Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant in Uttar Pradesh, marking its entry into thermal energy.
Banking News
6. Why were Federal Bank and Karur Vysya Bank fined by RBI?
Answer: RBI imposed penalties of ₹27.30 lakh and ₹8.30 lakh respectively for non-compliance with account management and credit delivery norms.
Ranks & Reports
7. What was India’s rank in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024?
Answer: India ranked 96th out of 180 countries with a score of 38, reflecting a decline from previous years.
8. How did India perform in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023?
Answer: India ranked 22nd in International Shipments and 38th overall among 139 countries, showing major improvement in logistics efficiency.
9. What report did NITI Aayog release on higher education?
Answer: Titled “Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities,” the report offers 80 policy recommendations to improve SPUs.
Summits & Conferences
10. What event was inaugurated by the President of India on Unani Day?
Answer: President Droupadi Murmu opened an international conference on Unani medicine at Vigyan Bhawan, focusing on integrative health solutions.
Important Days
11. What is observed on 12th February to combat extremism?
Answer: The International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism is observed to promote peace and counter radical ideologies.
Science & Technology
12. What autism-related discovery was made by Israeli researchers?
Answer: Researchers identified the medial prefrontal cortex’s role in emotional recognition, offering insights into autism-related social behavior.
Sports News
13. Which state will host the 2027 National Games?
Answer: Meghalaya will host the 39th National Games in February/March 2027, receiving the IOA flag during the closing ceremony in Uttarakhand.
14. Who won the Indian Snooker Championship 2025?
Answer: Pankaj Advani clinched his 36th national title and 10th men’s snooker championship, defeating Brijesh Damani in the final.
Obituaries
15. Who was Acharya Satyendra Das and what was his legacy?
Answer: Chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, he passed away at 85 after serving over six decades in religious service.
16. Who was Gyalo Thondup and why was he significant?
Answer: Elder brother of the Dalai Lama and key figure in Tibetan politics, he passed away at 97 in Kalimpong, West Bengal.