Daily Current Affairs and GK | 18 February 2025

Topic: State News/Madhya Pradesh

1. India's first dedicated GCC policy has been released by Madhya Pradesh.

• Madhya Pradesh became the first state to launch a dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy.
• The Madhya Pradesh GCC Policy 2025 is a combination of incentives for capital expenditure, payroll, upskilling, and research.
• A designated nodal agency will be responsible for its implementation.
• This policy targets sectors such as IT, finance, engineering, human resources, and emerging technologies.
• This policy aims to attract over 50 GCCs and generate more than 37,000 jobs.
• Madhya Pradesh will act as a centre of excellence for IT/ITeS, advanced analytics, R&D and digital transformation.
• The policy has been unveiled ahead of Madhya Pradesh's biennial Global Investors' Summit.
• This policy is India's first dedicated framework for fostering GCC growth in tier-2 cities.

Topic: Science and Technology

2. AI programme has been launched by centre to empower 1 lakh young innovators.

• ‘AI for Entrepreneurship’ micro-learning module has been launched by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, National Skill Development Corporation and Intel India. 
• The programme aims to encourage entrepreneurial thinking among young Indian entrepreneurs and clarify AI concepts. 
• By 2025, it aims to equip one lakh young people with the necessary skills for a technologically advanced economy. 
• The program will teach young people about AI and how to use emerging technology to identify commercial prospects. 
• It includes creative problem-solving, entrepreneurial tactics, and AI for business growth. 
• Both urban and rural learners can access the program. After finishing the module, participants will be jointly certified by Intel, MSDE, NSDC, and Skill India.

Topic: National Appointments

3. Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner.

• President Droupadi Murmu appointed Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
• His tenure will be till 26 January 2029. He is India's 26th Chief Election Commissioner.
• On 18 February 2025, incumbent Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar's term came to an end.
• CEC Gyanesh Kumaris a former IAS officer. He is 1988 batch officer of the Kerala cadre.
• In the ministry of parliamentary affairs, he held the position of secretary.
• President Droupadi Murmu has apppointed Dr. Vivek Joshi as the newly appointed Election Commissioner.
• He is an IAS officer from 1989 batch of Haryana cadre.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

4. First-ever regional dialogue on social justice on 24-25 February 2025 will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

• Ministry of Labour & Employment will host it in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Employers’ Federation of India (EFI).
• India is leading the first ‘Regional Dialogue’ under the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
• As part of the dialogue, 80+ Coalition partners from the Asia Pacific region will come together.
• Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, will be the keynote speaker.
• First-ever regional dialogue on social justice will also mark 74th Foundation Day of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.
• Global Coalition for Social Justice was launched by  International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2023. Participation in it is voluntary.
• Participation is open to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international institutions, enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.

Topic: State News/Odisha

5. A 2.90 lakh crore rupees state budget has been presented by Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi for the 2025-26 fiscal.

• The budget focuses on agriculture and irrigation. 37,838 crore rupees has been allocated for the farm and allied sector.
• This is an increase of about 12 per cent in comparision to last year’s budget.
• Approximately 48% of Odisha’s workforce is dependent on agriculture. 80% of people are living in rural areas.
• ‘CM Kisan Yojana’ has been allocated 2,020 crore rupees.
• ‘Shree Anna Abhiyan’ has been allocated 600 crore rupees for the promotion of millets.
• 16 new initiatives has been announced in the budget. These include Rs 30 crore Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. A Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs was launched by FM Sitharaman.

• On 17 February, the 'Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs' launched by the Centre, as announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, to boost micro, small, and medium enterprises.
• Under this scheme, collateral-free loans up to Rs 100 crore are provided to MSMEs for the purchase of plant, machinery, or equipment.
• Under the scheme, 60% guarantee coverage will be provided by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for credit facilities up to Rs. 100 crores.
• This will be sanctioned to eligible MSMEs under MCGS-MSME for the purchase of equipment/machinery.
• While launching the scheme, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also distributed sanction letters to eligible MSMEs under the scheme in Mumbai.
• The scheme requires the borrower to be an MSME with a valid Udyam Registration Number.
• The guaranteed loan amount will not exceed Rs 100 crore, although the total project cost may be higher.
• Additionally, at least 75% of the project cost should be for purchasing equipment or machinery.
• Besides, keys were also handed over to home buyers who benefited through the SWAMIH (Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing) fund.
• As of January 24, over 50,000 homes have been successfully delivered under the SWAMIH Fund, with a commitment to deliver an additional 20,000 homes each year for the next three years.
• SWAMIH Fund 2 will be established as a blended finance facility with contributions from the government, banks, and private investors, as announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
• The target of this fund of Rs 15,000 crore will be to complete another 1 lakh units soon.

Topic: Defence

7. The wet trials of India's fourth-generation deep-sea submarine Matsya-6000 successfully completed at the port.

• Under the Deep Ocean Mission initiatives, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has tasked the National Institute of Ocean Technology with developing the Matsya-6000, a fourth-generation deep-sea submersible under the Samudrayaan Project.
• This trial is a significant step towards conducting shallow water trials up to a depth of 500 metres by the end of 2025.
• Measuring 2.1 metres in diameter, this ultramodern submarine is designed for three-person operation.
• Matsya 6000 is a significant milestone in the country's ocean exploration capability.
• The submarine features a ballast system for diving, thrusters for movement in three directions, a battery bank for power supply, and syntactic foam for surfacing.
• It includes a sophisticated power distribution network, state-of-the-art control hardware and software, as well as underwater navigation devices.
• Inside the submarine, special attention has been given to human life-support systems, navigation joysticks to gain access to various environmental and vital parameters, as well as various oceanographic sensors, underwater lighting, and cameras outside the submarine.

Topic: National News

8. Government approved continuation of the PM-AASHA scheme till 2025-26.

• The Central government approved the continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme during the 15th Finance Commission cycle up to 2025-26.
• The integrated PM-AASHA Scheme's aim is the effective implementation of procurement operations.
• The government has allowed the procurement of Tur, Urad and Masur under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
• In the Budget 2025, the government has also announced that procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad and Masur up to 100 per cent of the state's production will be continued for another four years.
• Under the price support scheme of PM-ASHA scheme, notified pulses, oilseeds and copra conforming to prescribed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) are procured by Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) through State level agencies directly from pre-registered farmers at MSP.
• The procurement has already started in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana and a total quantity of 0.15 LMT of Tur (Arhar) has been procured in these States.
• Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved Tur Procurement in 9 States under Price Support Scheme for the Kharif 2024-25 season.

Topic: Defence

9. Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo started on February 16.

• The fifth Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo, hosted by the Indonesian Navy, started on February 16.
• It is scheduled to take place from February 16 - 22, 2025.
• More than 30 ships from more than 15 countries are participating in this exercise.
• Russia, China, India and the US are participating in this exercise.
• The theme of the exercise is “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability”.
• It emphasized on multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response protocols.
• International Fleet Review celebrated the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Indonesian Navy.

Topic: Space and IT

10. The world’s largest 10-tonne propellant mixer for rocket motors unveiled by India.

• The world’s largest 10-tonne propellant mixer for solid rocket motors has been developed by India in a major technological breakthrough.
• ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute in Bengaluru, designed the mixer.
• The mixer weighs 150 tonnes and measures 8.7 metres in height, 5.4 metres in length and 3.3 metres in width.
• This ensures the precise and safe mixing of the solid propellant ingredients needed for a rocket launch.
• ISRO described it as a symbol of India's growing self-reliance in space technology under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat in Space' initiative.
• The advanced system promises improved productivity, quality, and safety in solid motor production.
• The mixer, equipped with remote-controlled operations, was handed over to ISRO last week, marking another milestone in India's space journey.

Topic: Important Days

11. Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: 17 February

• Every year on 17 February, Global Tourism Resilience Day is celebrated.
• Global Tourism Resilience Day is an opportunity to look at and reflect on the resilience of the global tourism industry.
• The United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Global Tourism Resilience Day on 17 February 2023.
• Over the past few years, the tourism industry has faced unprecedented challenges, from natural disasters to pandemics, and political instability to economic recession.
• The term "tourism resilience" is used to describe the ability of a tourist destination to withstand and recover from a crisis.
• In February 2024, 2027 was proclaimed the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism by the General Assembly.
• The pandemic generated a loss of 2.7 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021, and 2022 combined.
• International tourist arrivals reached 89% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and 98% in January–September 2024.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives 

12. National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) pilot program will be inaugurated.

• Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NKSHA) pilot program on 18th February.
• It will be launched in 152 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in 26 states and 3 Union Territories (UTs) at Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.
• The NAKSHA program will be implemented by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The main aim of the program is to modernize land survey processes in urban areas.
• The main objective is to create and update land records, ensuring accurate documentation of land ownership, improving urban planning, and reducing land-related disputes.
• This program will leverage IT-based systems for property record administration to enhance transparency, and efficiency, and support sustainable development.
• The Survey of India has been designated as the technical partner for the NAKSHA initiative.
• It will conduct aerial surveys and provide orthorectified imagery through third-party vendors to the respective state and Union Territory governments.
• It will develop an end-to-end web-GIS platform with storage facilities managed by the National Informatics Centre Services Inc.
• The NAKSHA pilot program will cost ₹194 crore, with full funding by the central government.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

13. France’s president Emmanuel Macron to host emergency European summit on Ukraine.

• Many European country's leaders including Britain’s prime minister will attend the emergency summit on the Ukraine war.
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa from the European Union will attend the summit.
• Some countries are unhappy that the meeting is only for selected leaders and not a full EU summit.
• The meeting has been called by Emmanuel Macron to discuss the tumultuous change in the U.S. approach to Ukraine and the attendant risks to the security of the European continent.
• U.S. officials suggested Europe would have no role in any talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.