Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 12th February 2025

 National News 

1. Indian Cricket Team Urges People To Join Donate Organs, Save Lives’ 

• Ahead of the third ODI against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Indian team players including former captain Virat Kohli urged people to join the ‘Donate Organs, Save Lives’ campaign and pledge for organ donation. 
• Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) took a major step towards raising awareness about organ donation through the ‘Donate Organs, Save Lives’ initiative. 
• This initiative aims to inspire cricket fans to pledge their support for donating organs, putting forth the importance of a single decision which could impact lives. With millions watching, the initiative hopes to encourage individuals to pledge for organ donation, ultimately saving millions of lives in the future. 

2. Indian Institute of Spices Research to host spice start-up conclave 

• ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, will be organising a startup conclave — Rise Up– from February 19 to 21. The objective of the event is to generate innovative ideas and foster entrepreneurship in spice cultivation, processing and value addition. 
• The three-day conclave will have sessions on themes including the potential of innovations, the future of spice-based entrepreneurship, and technological advancements in the spice industry. 
• Organized in collaboration with Kerala Startup Mission, the Ideathon invites students, entrepreneurs and startups to submit their ideas online by February 15. Each team may have up to five members. 
• Submitted ideas will be reviewed initially by a panel of experts and the selected ideas can be presented on the first day of the event at IISR. 
• The total prize pool for the event is ₹1,00,000, and further support will be provided by the research institution for the development of promising ideas. 
• Director of ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology -George Ninan 

3. 3rd Kashi Tamil Sangamam to be held from Feb 15

•  The third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is to be held from the 15th of February. This year’s theme will be ‘Sage Agasthiyar’. 
• The participants will also be experiencing Mahakumbh and a visit to the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. 
• In connection with this, school students dressed like Sage Agasthiyar participated in a walkathon in Chennai. The walkathon was organised by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil and SASTRA deemed University. 

4. Reliance Consumer launches sports drink ‘Spinner’ at ₹10 

• Reliance Consumer Products has launched the sports drink ‘Spinner’ at an aordable price of ₹10 and the beverage would lead the movement to create a sports beverage category of up to $1 billion in the next three years. 
• The sports drink has been co-created with former Sri Lankan cricketer and current coach of Sri Lanka, Muttiah Muralitharan. 
• The beverage brand has partnered with top IPL franchises such as Lucknow Super Giants, SunRisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Mumbai Indians, which will drive awareness and increase brand visibility across the country, the company said. 
• The sports drink is available in three flavours – Lemon, Orange, and Nitro Blue. 

5. ONGC signs pact with BP for oil exploration 

• State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has signed a pact with global oil major BP to explore collaboration in exploration and production, trading and other energy vectors, in India and internationally. 
• The MoU comes within a month of ONGC selecting BP as a technical service provider for raising output from its flagship Mumbai High oil and gas field. 
• ONGC and BP have agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership across the energy industry in India and internationally, focused on oil and gas exploration and production, as well as trading and extending to other energy vectors. 

International News 

6. The World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 started on February 11, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

• The 12th edition of the summit will continue till February 14, 2025. The theme of the summit is "Shaping Future Governments". 
• Heads of state, government ocials, global institutions, and experts are participating in the summit. 
• The summit brings them together to explore emerging trends in governance and critical sectors. 
• Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, took part in High-Level Roundtable on the Future of Mobility and the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable.
• He described India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative in a more detailed way. 
• Mission LiFE was introduced by PM Modi on 20th October, 2022 at Kevadia, Gujarat. 
• It focuses on bringing about behaviour changes in individuals for combatting climate change.
•  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry for Mission LiFE’s national level coordination and implementation. 
• WGS 2025 serves as a global platform for dialogue on governance, innovation, and sustainable development. 

7. FAO launched the “Ugbaad” climate-resilient agriculture project in Somalia 

• This seven-year climate resilient agriculture project aims to enhance climate adaptation and resilience for vulnerable communities in Somalia. 
• The $95 million “Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia” project, called “Ugbaad,” means a symbol of hope. 
• It will help in tackling climate change challenges and strengthen agrifood systems through large-scale investment. 
• This project was approved in October 2024. 
• It is a step towards tackling the challenges posed by climate change, restoring productive landscapes, and empowering vulnerable local communities. 
• In Somalia, the agricultural sector is the main economic activity for an estimated 65 per cent of the population. 

Defence News 

8. Russia oers to partner with India for joint production of Su-57 fighter 

• Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned defence exports company, a participant in the ongoing Aero India 2025, has oered to partner with India on the Su-57, Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). 
• "Rosoboronexport, together with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), proposes to localise FGFA aircraft in India. This production of the FGFA at the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) plant might take place as early as 2025. It can be provided this year itself," a representative of Rosoboronexport said on the second day of the air show. The UAC is the manufacturer of the aircraft. 
• The representative further said that fifth-generation technologies would be provided to India. "Additionally, Rosoboronexport oers technological development in terms of fifth generation technologies comprising engine, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AE-SA) radars, optics, All elements, software communication means, and air weapons that might also boost the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) national programme of India," the representative said. 
• He added that India can manufacture these critical technologies without any fear of sanctions. 
• 'No threat of sanctions'
•  "There shall be no fears in terms of potential threat of sanctions or a decision from above that some parts or components of the aircraft won't be delivered to India," he said. 
• He also said that Russia oered long term cooperation to India, including partnership in upgrading the capabilities. aircraft's 
• "The Russian side proposes to continue 60 years of successful cooperation in terms of aircraft production between our countries," he said. 

9. On February 10, 2025, UK-India Defence Partnership – India (DP-I) formally launched on the first day of 15th edition of Aero India 2025 

• UK announced formal launch of DP-I, a dedicated cell within the U.K. Ministry of Defence for deepening cooperation with India. 
• At Aero India 2025, other defence cooperation agreements between India and the U.K were also signed. These include following. 
• Production of Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) and Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) in India. 
• Establishment of an Advanced Short-Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in India. 
• UK and India signed a statement of intent (SOI) to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for Indian Navy ships. 
• A contract was signed between Thales U.K. and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to deliver Laser Beam-Riding MANPADs (LBRMs).
• STARStreak high-velocity missiles and launchers will be delivered this year.
• Both Thales and BDL will further collaborate to produce Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs). 
• Work is being done by General Electric (GE) Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to develop India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility to deliver Landing Platform Dock (LPD) by 2030. 

Economy News 

10. Maldives to finalise free trade pact with India soon, says Minister Saeed 

• The Maldives will soon finalise a trade pact with India, a senior Maldivian Minister has said, barely two weeks after New Delhi appeared to caution the island nation over possible "revenue loss" from simi-lar deals inked with other countries, including China. 
• According to Maldivian media, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed confirmed the move Monday night in an interview to a local television channel. Mr. Saeed had said President Mohamed Muizzu during his state visit to India in October 2024 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "expressed keen interest" in signing the Free Trade Agreement. Ocial sources based in the capital Male, who are familiar with the developments, told The Hindu that bilateral negotiations on the FTA are scheduled to begin soon. 
• Mr. Muizzu is focused on securing trade agree-ments with major global markets, ensuring that such arrangements benefit Maldivians, Mr. Saeed noted, pointing to the preferential trade agreement signed with Turkey in November 2024 and the FTA with China that came into eect on January 1, 2025. "Most of the aquatic products originating in the Maldives exported to China will enjoy zero tari treatment, China's Minis-try of Commerce said fol-lowing the signing of the agreement. 
• 'Revenue loss' 
• Mr. Saeed's announcement assumes significance, coming soon after New Delhi's rare comment on a neighbour's trade partnership choices. Addressing the weekly media briefing of the Ministry of External Aairs on January 31, 2025, spokesperson Randhir Jais wal said: "Recent agreements that are likely to result in revenue loss for the Maldives government are obviously a matter of concern and do not bode well for the long-term fiscal stability of the country." 
• While he didn't name the two countries, he flagged possible implications to India's Maldives policy and noted: "We would, obviously, need to take that into account while framing our own policies." 
• Meanwhile, Mr. Saeed said in his television interview that such trade pacts would help the Maldives boost its exports and become less reliant on imports. 
• The Indian Ocean archipelago is currently negotiating a foreign currency crisis amid low foreign reserves and high public debt. In its October 2024 update, the World Bank said the Maldives faces "heightened external and fiscal vulnerabilities" that require urgent implementation of comprehensive economic reforms. 

11.A new HS code introduced by India to allow exports of GI-recognised rice varieties 

• India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an amendment to the Customs Tari Act to provide an HS (Harmonised System) code for exporting geographical indication (GI) recognised rice. 
• This is the first time an HS code has been introduced for GI-recognised rice. 
• The Indian Patent Oce has given a GI tag to 20 rice varieties. 
• Navara, Palakkadan Matta, Pokkali, Wayanad Jeerakasala, Wayanad Gandhakasala, Kalanamak, etc. are some GI-tagged recognised varieties of rice. 
• The HS Code will help in the export of GI-tagged rice, particularly when the Central government bans shipments of general varieties of rice. 
• Now, the GI-tagged rice can be exported without any problem or special notification from the Finance Ministry. 

Appointment News 

12. Dr. Madhavankutty G has been appointed by Canara Bank as chief economist 

• His appointment is eective from January 2025. He was earlier a senior economist at Bank of India, Aditya Birla Group, and the Times Group. 
• In his new role, he will provide strategic advice to the top management on economic and financial sector developments of domestic and global importance. 
• Canara Bank was founded in July 1906. It is headquartered in Bengaluru. It was nationalized in 1969. 
• K Satyanarayana Raju is its MD and CEO. The government has merged Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank. 

Important Day News 

13. Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2025: 12 February 

• Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima across the country. 
• The 648th birth anniversary of saint Guru Ravidas celebrated on 12 February 2025. 
• He is famous for his eort against the caste system. 
• A famous sufi saint, Guru Ravidas is also known as Raidas, Rohidas and Ruhidas. 
• Guru Ravidas: 
• Guru Ravidas was born in 1377 CE in the village of Seer Goverdhanpur in Uttar Pradesh. 
• His 40 devotional poems were included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of Sikhism. 
• He was a great saint and a social reformer of medieval India. 
• He was contemporary to Kabirdas and Mirabai. 
• He had founded the Ravidassia religion in the 14th-century. 

Award News 

14. Senior NSG ocer Deepak Kumar Kedia received 'CA in Public Service' award by ICAI

•  Deepak Kumar Kedia, Inspector General (IG) Headquarters, National Security Guard (NSG) received the 'CA in Public Service' Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). 
• He has been awarded for his exceptional contributions to public service mainly in law enforcement and national security. 
• The award has been presented at the World Forum of Accountants Meet in New Delhi. 
• He was also awarded with the prestigious 'President Medal for Distinguished Service’ on the Republic Day.
•  Deepak Kumar Kedia, also known as the 'CA in Uniform’, has worked in the Steel Authority of India (SAIL). 

Science and Technology News 

15.India, 57 countries call for inclusive and sustainable AI 

• Fifty-eight countries, including India, China, Brazil, France, and Australia, signed a joint statement on "Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet" at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, with more signatories possible after the summit ends. 
• The statement was not signed by the U.S. and the U.K. The statement calls for promoting accessibility of Al and ensuring trust and safety in deploying the technology. 
• India and France are co-chairing the summit. The statement calls for making "innovation in Al thrive by enabling conditions for its development and avoiding market concentration driving industrial recovery and development", and fostering the tech in a way that "positively shapes the future of work and labour markets". 
• This is the third such international statement, with previous ones being issued after the summits in the U.K. and South Korea. It calls for AI "to be human rights based, human-centric, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy while also stressing the need and urgency to narrow the inequalities and assist developing countries in artificial intelligence capacity-building so they can build AI capacities". 
• The U.S. did not immediately explain its reasons for not signing the state-ment. 
• Earlier in the day, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance struck a defiant tone 
• against the themes high-lighted in the statement. "I'm not here this morning to talk about Al safety, which was the title of the conference a couple of years ago," Mr. Vance said. "I'm here to talk about AI opportunities." 
• "...We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking o, and we'll make every eort to encourage progrowth Al policies, and I'd like to see that deregulatory flavour making its way into a lot of the conversations at this conference," Mr. Vance said. 

16. India will host the next Global AI Summit 

• India will host the next international summit on artificial intelligence. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired the AI summit in Paris. 
• Participation in the Global South will be a priority for the next AI Summit. 
• India’s focus will be more on innovation and outcomes that drive productivity and create jobs. 
• India has been part of all five working groups dealing with international governance, the future of work, security and safety, AI for general interest, and innovation and culture. 
• China, France, Germany, and India are among the 61 signatories who agreed upon the statement that "AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy, taking into account international frameworks for all" and "making AI sustainable for people and the planet." 
• The US and Britain have not signed the Paris AI Summit's declaration entitled "Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence.". 

17.At Global Best M-Gov Award 2025, bronze award have been won by three Indian computer science students during World Government Summit in Dubai 

• Vice President of the United Arab Emirates presented the award.
• The award recognises innovative technological solutions developing and improving mobile government services and societal progress.
• The winning students are Sagar Teotia (team lead), Abhinav Mishra, and Anushka Singh. 
• They are from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, Delhi. 
• They were recognized for their application ‘AccessWay.’ 
• ‘AccessWay’ integrates augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and crowdsourced data. 
• ‘AccessWay’ integrates AI, AR, and crowdsourced data to provide accessible navigation, social connections, and emergency tools for individuals with disabilities. 
• As part of the World Government Summit, UAE government presents annual honours ‘M-Gov Award’ and ‘GovTech Award’. The awards recognised six winners for their contributions. 

Sports News 

18. Meghalaya to host next edition of National Games in February/March 2027 

• Meghalaya will host the 39th edition of the National Games in February/March 2027. 
• As host state of the next edition, Meghalaya will be handed the IOA flag during the closing ceremony of the ongoing 38th Games in Uttarakhand. 

Obituary News 

19. Acharya Mahant Satendra Das passed away on 12 February 2025 

• He was the chief priest of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. 
• He was a member of the Nirvani Akhara, which follows the Dashanami Sampradaya, a monastic order established by Adi Shankaracharya. 
• Das has been the chief priest of the Ram temple since before the Babri Masjid’s demolition on December 6, 1992. 
• Following a stroke, he was hospitalized to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. 
• He was struggling with illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes. 

Event News 

20. The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14 AFAF) begins in New Delhi 

• The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14 AFAF) is scheduled to be held from February 12-14. 
• It is a triennial event of the Asian Fisheries Society with its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 
• It is being jointly organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Kuala Lumpur and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. 
• India is hosting the Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum for the second time. India hosted the 8th AFAF in 2007 in Kochi.
•  ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ is the theme of this year’s Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum. 
• Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, inaugurated the event. 
• India has emerged as a key player in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.