Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 25th February 2025

 National News 

1. Telangana to host Miss World pageant in May 2025 

• The 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant will be held in Telangana from May 7 to May 31. The opening and closing ceremonies, including the grand finale, are scheduled to take place in Hyderabad. 
• Nandini Gupta to Represent India at 72nd Miss World in Telangana. 
• The 71st Miss World was previously held in New Delhi and Mumbai. 

2. The ‘biggest ever’ Jhumur event attended by PM Modi in Guwahati.

•  Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the "largest ever" Jhumur (also called Jhumoir or Jhumair) event in history on 24 February. 
•  Jhumoir Binandini 2025, held to mark the 200th anniversary of Assam's tea industry, featured around 8,600 dancers at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. 
• 60 heads of missions and ambassadors of various countries also witnessed the “historic” event that marked the beginning of the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit. 
• The term "tea tribes" refers to the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community of tea plantation workers and their descendants. 
• These people came from central India – mostly from present-day Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal – and settled in Assam to work in the tea plantations being set up by the British in the 19th century. 
• The tea garden community has brought a variety of cultural practices from their homeland to Assam. 
• The Jhumur tradition is particularly noteworthy in this regard. 
• Jhumar is a folk dance of the Sadan ethno-linguistic group, whose origin can be traced from the Chota Nagpur region. 
• Women are the main dancers and singers, while the men play traditional instruments such as the madal, dhol or dhak (drums), cymbals, flute, and shehnai. 
• The attire varies by community, though red and white saris are particularly popular among women. 

3. The production and export of drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol banned by the government. 

•  Immediate and decisive action has been taken by the Indian government to control the export of unapproved combination drugs containing Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, manufactured by Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai, to certain countries in West Africa. 
•  As a part of this exercise, a joint team of CDSCO and state regulatory authorities conducted a comprehensive audit of Aveo Pharmaceuticals between February 21 and 22, 2025. 
• The findings of the audit led to the issuance of a Stop Activity Order, halting all operations at the company's premises. 
• Following the audit, the investigation team seized 1.3 crore tablets/capsules of tapentadol and carisoprodol and all related materials, including 26 API batches, to prevent further distribution. 
• In January, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), in collaboration with state regulators, had focused on auditing firms manufacturing and exporting drugs covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
•  Based on the analysis of the observations received from the audit, important decisions were taken to strengthen regulatory monitoring on the export of NDPS drugs from India. 
• In December 2022, the government launched risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing and testing firms to ensure regulatory compliance in the pharmaceutical sector.
• So far, 905 units have been inspected, resulting in action in 694 cases. 

4. Gupta elected Delhi Assembly Speaker; MLAs take oath in Maithili, Sanskrit, Urdu 

•  Three-time Rohini MLA and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijender Gupta was elected the Speaker of Delhi's eighth Legislative Assembly on Monday after pro tem Speaker Arvinder Singh Lovely administered oath to the legislators. 
• Several legislators in the 70-member House took the oath in their native languages, including Maithili (spoken widely in Bihar) and Punjabi, while many others opted for Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, and English. 
•  Addressing the House after being elected, Mr. Gupta said, "Members of the ruling and the Opposition parties are equal for me. Protecting the democratic values of the House will be my priority. We all must work together for the deve-lopment of Delhi." 
• Reposing faith 
• Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "I have full faith that the House will run smooth-ly under your guidance. As Leader of the Opposition (in the previous Legislative Assembly), you faced several issues; you were marshalled out several times." 
• The day started with Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena swearing in Mr. Lovely, the most senior MLA in the House, as pro tem Speaker at Raj Niwas.
•  The Gandhi Nagar MLA then started proceedings in the House by administering oath to Ms. Gupta and the Cabinet Ministers.
•  Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa took the oath in Punjabi, while Law Minister Kapil Mishra did so in Sanskrit. Several MLAs, including AAP's Sanjeev Jha, took the oath in Maithili. Aaley Mohammad Iqbal of AAP took the oath in Urdu. Mr. Lovely objected to BJP's Tarvinder Singh Marwah raising religious slogans after taking the oath. He also criticised AAP's Anil Jha for chanting "Jai Bhim" after his swearing-in and asked all MLAS to stick to the printed text.
•  Following the oaths, Mr. Gupta was elected as Speaker and, as per tradition, accompanied to the chair by the Chief Minister. 

5. Weekly rest for pilots will be raised to 48 hours from July 1: Delhi HC 

• The Delhi High Court on Monday ruled that the weekly rest for pilots will be raised from 36 hours to 48 hours from July 1 with the implementation of the liberalised duty and rest norms announced by the aviation regulator last year. 
• The court of Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju passed an order on Monday setting July 1 as the date for implementing the new norms announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January 2024 but were put on hold following protest by airlines.
•   However, some provi-sions that airlines have vehemently opposed, including those that restrict night flying, have been pushed for a period "on or before" November 1, 2025. 
• The order follows an affidavit from the regulator last week on the proposed implementation time-frame following several rounds of court ordered mediation held by it between airlines and pilot unions. 
• Effective July 1, airlines will have to provide a weekly rest of 48 hours so that there are no more than "168 hours (or 7 days) between the end of one weekly rest period and the start of the next". The current rest period is 36 hours. 

Quarterly report 

• Airlines will be required to submit to the DGCA a quar-terly report of fatigue com-plaints raised by pilots and action taken on them. 
•  From November 1, the definition of night duty will be widened to include duty between midnight and 6 a.m., instead of midnight and 5 a.m. As airlines can-not assign pilots for duty for more than two consecutive nights, the new definition will effectively reduce the quantum of night flying. 
• Further, pilots cannot be given more than eight hours of flying, or a total 10 hours of duty period which includes pre- and post-flight tasks, for flights during night duty. The number of landings during night duty has been capped at two. 
• The implementation of additional 24 hours of rest on top of 120 hours of rest after two consecutive ultra long range flights such as those to the U.S. has been deferred till November. 
• Additionally, regulations governing pilot utilisation in unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, medical emergencies have been tightened.

 6. DU's 4th year undergraduate course to start amid unclear modalities 

•  Delhi University (DU) will see the first batch of four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) students advancing to the final year this July. However, the lack of clarity regarding the syllabus and prospectus has kept students and teachers anxious. 
•  The FYUP was envisaged by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the DU introduced it in 2022. Under the new framework, a student will receive an undergraduate certificate for completing one year, an undergraduate diploma after two years, an undergraduate degree after the third year, or an undergraduate degree with a research specialisation after the fourth year. 
• After the fourth year, the students will now have the option of completing master's in one year. 
• The NEP has stated that the multiple entry and exit points will help students choose the appropriate certification. "The four-year bachelor's programme allows the opportunity to experience the full range of holistic and multidisciplinary educa-tion in addition to a focus on the chosen major and minors as per the choices of the student," the NEP had stated. 
• Several DU teachers complained that while the policy is ambitious, its implementation has numerous gaps. On February 10, administrative officials, teachers, and principals met online to discuss the modalities of the fourth year syllabus. 
• According to the minutes of the meeting, research writing, academic projects and the eligibility requirements for the fourth year entry were discussed. A policy decision regarding the maximum number of students that can be registered under one teacher is yet to be taken. 
• The university also con-ducted a session in physical mode for college principals and department heads on February 19 to provide further clarity, but several who attended maintained that there are still many details yet to be ironed out.
•  University officials said the preparations are running smoothly. "The policy is in place, and the design ing of the syllabus is an ongoing process. It should be ready by the last week of March. The Vice-Chancellor [Yogesh Singh] and oth-er senior officials have set a timeline and have asked various departments to comply with it," sai Prakash Singh, DU's South campus director. 'Additional burden' 
• Maya John, who teaches History at Jesus and Mary College, said adding a fourth year to the curriculum requires additional faculty, funds, and infrastructure, which have not been discussed yet. "The syllabus for the fourth year has not been prepared holistically. It is only now that the departments have started to formulate the syllabus as the fourth year will begin in July," Ms. John alleged.
•   'Lack of planning' 
• In the first week of February month into the sixth semester teachers were instructed that the students planning to proceed to the fourth year are ad-vised to take up the Research Methodology paper so that they have the "requisite foundation to research in the seventh semester".
•  Several teachers said that they are now "scrambling to make arrangements" to teach the paper in the ongoing semester. Astha Ahuja, who teaches Economics at Aryabhatta College, said, "Many students want to exit the course after the third year and apply for jobs or higher education because of the lack of clarity.”

 International news

 7. After an 8-month gap, India-UK free trade agreement negotiations started again to settle unresolved issues. 

•  India and the United Kingdom declared that the Free Trade Agreement negotiations would resume.
•   Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for the UK's Department for Business and Trade, and Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, made the announcement on February 24. 
• However, the ministers refused to provide a timeframe for the conclusion of the negotiations and the signing of the FTA
• . In addition to the FTA, the nations are discussing a bilateral investment pact, a totalization agreement, and a double contribution convention on social security. 
•  In 2023–2024, India and the UK had $21.34 billion in bilateral trade.
• The sixth-largest investor in India is the United Kingdom. 

State News 

8. M.P. receives proposals of over 3 lakh crore on first day of mega investor meet

•   The Adani Group, Reliance Industries, National Thermal Power Corporation, Avaada Group and Hindal-co Industries were among the major companies that committed to invest in Madhya Pradesh on the in-augural day of the State's Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Bhopal on Monday. 
•  The State government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoUs) worth more than 3 lakh crore at the two-day summit inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
•   The MoUs were inked in various sectors such as renewable energy, trade, innovation and skill development. 
• In his inaugural address, Mr. Modi said that Madhya Pradesh was turning into a preferred investment destination and this was the right time to invest in the State with a strong talent pool and thriving industries. 
• "Madhya Pradesh is the fifth largest State of India in terms of population. It is among the top States of India in terms of agriculture and is also among the top five States of the country in terms of minerals. It has every possibility, every potential, to be among the top five States of the country in terms of GDP," Mr. Modi said. 
•  In a veiled attack at the State's Congress regime before 2003, Mr. Modi said that industrial development in the State was a challenge two decades ago but later BJP governments had focused on good governance. 
• Among the significant investment proposals received by the State, the Adani Group promised ₹1.1 lakh crore into pumped storage, cement, mining, smart meters and thermal energy. The Group's chairman, Gautam Adani, said that the move will create 1.2 lakh employment op-portunities by 2030.
•  NTPC Green Energy Ltd. signed an MoU with Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Ltd. for renewable power generation projects with an invest-ment of 1.2 lakh crore. 
• The Reliance Industries also entered into an MoU with the State for investment of ₹60,000 crore for biofuel based projects. 
• Avaada Group chairman Vineet Mittal announced an investment of ₹50,000 crore in renewable energy projects over the next five years. 
• Aditya Birla Group's Hindalco Industries promised an investment of ₹15,000 crore over the next five years.

 Defence news 

9. Our aim is to reach defence exports worth ₹50,000 crore by 2029, says Rajnath Singh 

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India had achieved 88% self-sufficiency in ammunition production, and defence exports had reached about 23,000 crore in 2023-24. 
• He was speaking at the 16th Foundation Day of the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. 
•  "Our goal is to reach *50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029," Mr. Singh said. 
•  Economic growth 
• The Minister said the government was committed to creating a robust defence industry in India, which supported the security of the nation and contributed to the coun-try's economic growth. 
• He called upon IIT-Mandi students to contribute to this vision by focusing on technological solutions that would enhance India's defence capabilities and further advance the nation's self-reliance in this critical sector. 
•  Emphasising the necessity of innovation and knowledge creation in shaping the future of technology, Mr. Singh under-scored the importance of fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation that would allow India to lead in emerging fields, including artificial intelli-gence, machine learning, and digital technologies. 
•  He asked the students to excel in technological innovation in order to make India a developed country by 2047, and advised them to follow the principles of "initiate, improve, and transform (IIT)". 
•  "India's technological sector is on the rise and is expected to reach $300-350 billion dollars in the next five years. With more than 1.25 lakh start-ups and 110 unicorns, our country is emerging as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world," Mr. Singh said. Digital economy
• The Defence Minister high-lighted India's digital economy. 
• "India's telecom sector is now the second largest in the world. With the success of initiatives like UPI (Unified Payments Interface), India is setting global standards in digital transactions. We are in the midst of an unparalleled digital revolution. The students should actively contribute to the development of India's digital ecosystem as technological innovation is central to India's growth story in the coming decades," Mr. Singh said. 

Appointment News 

10. Govt extends Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi’s tenure as DCGI by one year

•   The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved an extension of tenure for Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for a one-year term. 
•  Raghuvanshi, who took charge as DCGI on February 23, 2023, was initially set to superannuate on February 28 this year. In addition, he also holds the additional charge of secretary-cum-scientific director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC). 
• The DCGI is the head of the country’s apex health regulatory body, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which is responsible for the regulation, manufacturing, sales, export, and import of all medicines, vaccines, cosmetics, and medical devices in the country. 

Recent Appointments 

• CEO of NITI Aayog – B V R Subrahmanyam (extension one year) 
• Managing Partner and Global Head of Wipro Consulting – Amit Kumar 
•  Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) – Gyanesh Kumar;26th (replace Rajiv Kumar).
•  Election Commissioner – Dr. Vivek Joshi (replace Gyanesh Kumar) 
• Brand Ambassador of ICC Championship Trophy 2025 –Shikhar Dhawan (India), Shane Watson (Australia), Tim Southee (New Zealand), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Pakistan). 

11.Kash Patel sworn in as 9th FBI director

•  Indian-origin Kash Patel was sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), taking oath on the sacred Hindu text of Bhagavad Gita. 
• Kash Patel is not the first Indian-American to have taken his oath of office on the Gita. Earlier, Congressman Suhash Subrahmanyam also took his oath on the Gita. 
• Patel, a former Justice Department counterterrorism prosecutor, was nominated to replace Christopher Wray as the FBI director in November. About Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 
• FBI was set up on 26 July 1908 by the United States Attorney General Charles Bonaparte when Theodore Roosevelt was the President.
•  The FBI is the investigating arm of the US Justice Department. 
•  It is the US government’s main law enforcement agency and gathers intelligence regarding threats to US national security. 
•  Headquarters – Washington D.C.

 Banking news 

12. Reserve Bank of India has launched the Financial Literacy Week 2025. 

• Financial Literacy Week 2025 campaign will run from February 24 to 28. 
• “Financial Literacy – Women’s Prosperity” is the theme of the Financial Literacy Week. 
• The theme of this year emphasizes empowering women financially and socially. 
• This campaign will create awareness about the risks and precautions while using these platforms.
• The campaign was launched by Abhishek Mazumdar, General Manager, RBI Regional Office Itanagar. 
• Under this campaign, banks have been instructed to spread awareness by displaying RBI-developed posters on their websites, ATMs, mobile applications, and display boards at their branches. Important Days 13.

 23 February – World Peace and Understanding Day 

• World Peace and Understanding Day is observed every year on February 23, marks the anniversary of the Rotary Club’s founding in 1905, emphasizing its commitment to global peace and humanitarian service. 
• The day highlights the importance of fostering dialogue, cultural exchange, and collaboration among nations to resolve conflicts and build sustainable peace. 

14. 24 February – Central Excise Day

•  Central Excise Day is celebrated annually on February 24 in India to honour the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and its role in tax administration. 
• The day acknowledges the dedication and contributions of excise officers in preventing tax evasion and ensuring compliance with indirect tax laws.
• Central Excise Day promotes transparent and efficient tax collection, ensuring a level playing field for businesses and preventing illegal trade activities 

Award news 

15. Ministry of Ayush presented the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards. 

•  Ministry of Ayush conferred the prestigious National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards for their exceptional contributions to the field of traditional Indian medicine. 
• It has been presented by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (IC) during an event held at Mumbai. 
•  Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal, and Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni received the award.
•  Each recipient received a citation, a trophy featuring the Statue of lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of ₹5 Lakh.
•  The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards represent India's commitment towards holistic healthcare while preserving traditional medical knowledge. 
• This award will inspire new generations to follow holistic health practices that promise a healthier and happier society. 

Science and Technology news 

16. ‘Innovate with GoIStats’ hackathon has been launched by the government on the MyGov Platform. 

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation launched a hackathon named ‘Innovate with GoIStats’. 
• The theme of this hackathon will be Data-Driven Insights for Viksit Bharat.
• The main aim of the hackathon is to inspire students and researchers to use the vast official statistics generated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) to create innovative data-driven insights. 
• The Hackathon will take place on the MyGov platform between 25th February to 31st March. 
• Students pursuing undergraduate, and postgraduate or doing research can participate in the event. 
• The top 30 entries, selected by a panel of expert evaluators from the industry and academia will get prize money. 

17.Microsoft introduces new gen AI model ‘Muse’ 

• Microsoft has introduced Muse, its first generative AI model for game ideation. Muse is a gen AI model of a video game “that can generate game visuals, controller actions, or both”.
• Before renaming it as Muse, Microsoft originally referred to the gen AI model as the World and Human Action Model (WHAM). 
• Muse is developed by the Microsoft Research Game Intelligence and Teachable AI Experiences (Tai X) teams in collaboration with Xbox Games Studios’ Ninja Theory. 
• Muse was developed around the idea of how innovations in AI capabilities can support creativity. The tech giant found the gaming industry to be the perfect use case for Muse. 

Infrastructure and Energy News 

18. India's wind power capacity will increase to 63 GW by 2026–27. 

• India’s annual wind power capacity addition is projected to more than double to an average of 7.1 gigawatts (GW) over the next two financial years, compared with 3.4 GW in fiscal year 2023-25.
•  According to a report released on 24 February, this growth, driven by government measures to boost the sector, is expected to raise India's total installed wind capacity to about 63 gigawatts by 2026–27. 
• According to a Crisil report, capacity addition remained slow in FY2023-24 and 2024-25, ranging between 6-7 GW. 
• This was due to less use of wind power capacities, which stood at 5.9 GW in FY21-23 and 5.2 GW in FY23-25.
•  The report said the slow progress is mainly due to weak interest from developers due to low tariffs, leading to low returns, as well as challenges related to land availability and transmission infrastructure in areas with high wind power potential. 
• Capacity addition is expected to be boosted by government incentives for hybrid renewable projects—combining solar, wind, and/or storage—as well as a more favorable cost structure for wind projects. 
• Wind power is expected to contribute 30-50% to these hybrid projects, as it generates power during peak demand times, while solar power is mostly active during the day. 

19. The DGCA has granted the license to Datia Airport. 

• Datia Airport has been granted a public aerodrome license under the 3C, VFR category by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. 
• Regional aircraft can operate in visual flying circumstances under the 3C, VFR category. 
• Datia Airport is now Madhya Pradesh's eighth public airport following this permission. 
• On roughly 184 acres, Datia Airport has been constructed. 
• Its runway measures 30 meters in width and 1810 meters in length. 
•  The airport's terminal building occupies 768 square meters. 
•  From Datia Airport, people would be able to travel to Bhopal and Khajuraho. 

Agreement News 

20. Bisleri Signs MoU with Archaeological Survey of India to Revive Water Bodies at Heritage Sites Across India 

• Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has signed an MoU with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0 Programme’ to integrate heritage conservation with sustainable water management. 
• As part of Bisleri’s CSR initiative ‘Nayi Umeed,’ the partnership will focus on the rejuvenation of four historic water bodies: Chand Baori (Abhaneri), Baori (Neemrana), Padma and Rani Talabs (Ranthambore Fort), and Budha Budhi Pond (Kalinjar Fort) through desilting, cleaning, ecological revival, and landscaping. 
• The project will be implemented in phases to maintain the integrity of the sites, with the addition of informative signages to boost tourism and encourage local community participation. 
• Bisleri is committed to creating a meaningful impact on society through sustainability-driven initiatives. This collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India under the ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0 Programme’ is a testament to our dedication to both environmental stewardship and heritage conservation. 

21. HAL, DIAT forge partnership to boost aerospace research, innovation 

•  Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s nodal training institute, HAL Management Academy (HMA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) to bridge the gap between industry and academia. 
•  The MoU with Pune-based DIAT, a prestigious institute under DRDO, aims to promote cutting-edge research in the aerospace sector and drive technological advancements. 
• Under this partnership, HAL officials will have the opportunity to pursue master’s and PhD programs at DIAT, participate in specialized capsule modules on emerging technologies, and engage in faculty and student exchange programs. 

Rank and reports news 

22.Internet shutdowns highest in 2024 globally, India tops in government-ordered curbs 

•  India did not impose the highest number of Internet shutdowns last year, with Myanmar seeing one addi-tional disruption in 2024, according to a report by the advocacy body Access Now. However, the number of shutdowns imposed by the government in charge of the Union and State governments here is still higher in India. 
•  Fewer shutdowns hap-pened in India in 2024 than in the previous year. "People in 16 States and [Union] Territories experienced a shutdown, with State Government officials in Manipur (21), Haryana (12), and Jammu & Kashmir (12) topping the list of of-fenders in India," the report said. 
• "Of the 84, 41 shut downs were related to protests, and 23 were related to communal violence." More shutdowns hap-pened globally in 2024 than in any past year. 
• In all, 296 Internet shut-downs happened globally in 2024, the report found, 
• and India's cumulative 84 curbs accounted for 28% of these. Eighty-five were imposed in Myanmar, and 11 of these were a result of other countries and groups: "China imposed two [shutdowns on areas in Myanmar) and Thailand four, while the exiled National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta'ang Na-tional Liberation Army (TNLA) imposed one shutdown each in areas they controlled. The remaining two shutdowns were imposed by unknown parties," the report said. 
• A particular focus of anti-shutdown advocates' ire has been examination-related shutdowns. India im-posed five such shutdowns ahead of key exams in 2024. One was during the General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examinations in Jharkhand, which took place for five-and-a-half hours from Sep-tember 22 morning through the afternoon. 
• That same month, As-sam imposed similar shut-downs in most districts for government job exams. 
• Rajasthan issued a shutdown for the Rajasthan Public Service Commission exam in January. Exam-related Internet shutdowns are a disproportionate response to the possibility of cheating in exams, Access Now said. 

Sports news 

23. Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the ISL League after a 1-0 victory over Odisha FC. 

•  On 23 February, the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 League was won by Mohun Bagan Super Giant after their 1-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata. 
•  Mohun Bagan Super Giants sealed the championship with two matches to spare as they reached 52 points from 22 matches. 
• The Mariners became the first team in the ISL to successfully defend their title of league winners. 
•  Dimitrios Petratos scored the only goal of the match for the Mariners in extra time and eventually took the game. 
• The win takes them to 52 points and gives them an unassailable lead over second-placed FC Goa, who have 42 points with three matches remaining.
•  The side coached by José Molina achieved this victory on the basis of 16 wins and four draws while keeping their sixth consecutive clean sheet—the most by any team in the competition. 

24. Virat Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar's record to become the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs. 

• On February 23, Virat Kohli became the fastest batsman to reach 14,000 ODI runs during the Champions Trophy 2025 match against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 
• The 36-year-old Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar (350 innings), achieving the feat in just 287 innings. 
• Kohli is only the third batsman to reach the milestone, joining Tendulkar and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (378 innings). 
• Additionally, Kohli also scored his 51st century in ODIs and helped India defeat Pakistan by six wickets. 
• During the match against Pakistan, Kohli also broke the record for most catches as a fielder for India in ODIs, taking 158 catches. 

25. Rohit Sharma becomes second fastest to complete 11,000 runs in ODI cricket 

•  India captain Rohit Sharma has become the second fastest batter after compatriot Virat Kohli to complete 11,000 runs in One-day Internationals during their Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh here. Rohit is only the fourth Indian and 10th batter overall to reach the mark in the 50-over format. 
•  The seasoned opener reached the mark in his 270th game, and is the second fastest behind Kohli to cross 11,000 runs in terms of innings. 
•  Kohli had crossed the 11,000-run mark in 222 innings while Rohit has brought up that many runs in 261 innings. In this list, they are followed by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (276 innings), Ricky Ponting (286) and Sourav Ganguly (288). 
• Rohit is now placed behind former India captain Ganguly (11,363 runs) in the list of overall highest run-scorers in ODI cricket, with Tendulkar cemented firmly at the top position with 18,246 runs in 463 matches. 

26. Gulveer Singh makes history by becoming first Indian to break 13-minute barrier in Men’s 5000 m Indoor Race 

•  In athletics, the Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist Gulveer Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian to break the 13-minute barrier in the men’s 5000 metre indoor race.
•   Competing at the BU Terrier DMR Challenge in Boston, Gulveer clocked an astonishing 12 minutes 59.77 seconds, a performance that not only sets a new National Record for India but also establishes a new Asian 5000m short track record. 
•  Last week, Gulveer set a new national record in the men’s 3000-metre indoor event, breaking a 16-year-old record. He clocked 7 minures 38.26 seconds, finishing second in the race and surpassing the previous Indian record of 7:49.47, set by Surendar Singh in 2008. 

27. Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan & Vijay Sundar Prasanth Win Pune ATP Challenger 100 Doubles Title 

• The top-seeded Indian duo, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prasanth have clinched the men’s doubles title of the Pune ATP Challenger 100. They defeated the second-seeded Australian pair, Blake Bayldon and Matthew Romios, 3-6, 6-3, 10-0 to be crowned champions in front of the home crowd. 
• This was Jeevan’s third career title, while it was the second for the duo as a pair, following their Hangzhou Open triumph late last year.

 Obituary news

 28. Odissi dancer Mayadhar Raut died at the age of 92.

•  Mayadhar Raut is considered the "Father of Odissi dance". 
•  He was one of the founding members of Kala Vikas Kendra at Cuttack in 1952.
•  He is known for his efforts towards revival and development (redefining and codifying) of this classical dance by focusing on ‘abhinaya’ (act). 
• He was the first Guru to introduce Mudra Vinyoga in the study of Odissi in 1955 and Sancharibhava in the dance. 
•  He was also the first to present on stage Geetagovinda ‘ashtapadis’, portraying Shriangara Rasa.
•   He received training from the masters Sarvashri Mohan Mohapatra, Yudhistira Mahapatra, Mohan Sundardev Goswami and Guru Pankaj Charan Das. 
•  He received many awards including the Padma Shri in 2010, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977).