Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 February 2025

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. High levels of faecal coliform were found in the river water at Maha Kumbh.

• According to a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), high levels of faecal coliform (microbes from human and animal excreta) were found in river water at Maha Kumbh.
• As per the CPCB, the river water quality doesn’t meet the bathing quality standards.
• The amount of faecal increased due to the huge number of people bathing in the Maha Kumbha.
• Faecal coliform is a marker of sewage contamination in water. 
•  A permissible limit of 2,500 units of faecal coliform per 100 ml of water has been set by CPCB standards.
• The tribunal granted one day for the counsel appearing for the state of Uttar Pradesh to examine the report and file a response.

Topic: State News/Uttar Pradesh

2. UP assembly will be first in India to be equipped with the facility of a translator.

• The translation rehearsals of Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhand and English have been reviewed by UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
• The proposed arrangement will be placed before the Ruling committee.
• They will be implemented after approval by the House.
• During the session started on 18 February, discussions are expected to be held on the Prayagraj stampede and Sambhal violence.
• The budget session will be held from till March 5. The session started with the address of Governor Anandiben Patel.
• The budget will be presented for financial year 2025-26 on February 20.
• Discussions will be held on the budget in the House on February 24, 25, 27 and 28.
• On March 3, 4 and 5th, the demands of budget grants will be discussed.
• The budget will be passed by the government on 5th Mach.

Topic: Defence

3. Exercise Dharma Guardian 2025 will be held at Mount Fuji, Japan from February 25 to March 9.

• This will be the sixth edition of Joint Military Exercise between India and Japan.
• The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between the two forces during joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under UN mandate.
• On February 11, Cyclone III exercise started between Special Forces of India and Egypt at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.
• The exercise would end on February 23.
• Exercise Cyclone is conducted annually and alternatively in India and Egypt.
• Its last edition was conducted in Egypt in January 2024.
• The aim of the exercise is to promote the military-to-military relationship between the two countries.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. India and Qatar have agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

• His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, paid a state visit to India on 17-18 February 2025.
• This was the second state visit of His Highness the Amir to India.
• On 18 February, bilateral talks were held by PM Narendra Modi with HH the Amir at Hyderabad House.
• 'Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership’ signed between the two sides.
• In the light of the newly established Strategic Partnership, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations through regular and structured cooperation in all areas.
• It includes politics, trade, investment, security, energy, culture, education, technology, innovation, sustainability, and people-to-people ties.
• Two agreements and five MoUs were signed during the state visit of the Emir of Qatar.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. A day-long conclave on ‘Waste Recycling and Climate Change 2025,’ inaugurated by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.

• 18 February, this conclave was organized by the Recycling and Environment Industry Association of India (REIAI).
• India generates around 62 million tonnes of waste annually, with the amount of plastic, electronic and hazardous waste increasing rapidly.
• The Minister said, there is a need for urgent action given the increasing pressure on landfills, depletion of natural resources and damage to the environment due to uncontrolled waste disposal.
• The Minister said that India's circular economy is expected to have a market value of $2 trillion by the year 2050 and create 10 million jobs.
• The ministry has been instrumental in formulating policies and regulations, including the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, that incentivize recyclers and integrate the informal sector into formal recycling systems.
• These initiatives are aimed at streamlining waste management and promoting eco-friendly production in industries.
• The ministry has notified several market-based Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for e-waste, end-of-life vehicles, plastic packaging, waste tyres, waste batteries, used oil etc.
• The government has laid down policies, but it is important to adopt an industry-wide cyclical approach to pursue sustainable development and resource efficiency.

Topic: National News

6. Digital brand identity manual has been launched by government to standardize online platforms.

• This will bring uniformity across government websites and digital platforms.
• The manual was launched by Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada.
• It is tailored to fulfil needs of government in setting up a harmonious visual identity across its digital platforms.
• It aims to ensure digital harmonization by facilitating simplified citizen interactions.
• The manual provides a blueprint for aligning the different digital platforms of the Indian government.

Topic: Indian Economy

7. In Oct-Dec 2024 quarter, unemployment rate in urban areas declined to 6.4%.

• In the October-December quarter, unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas decreased to 6.4%.
• In December quarter of current Financial Year, unemployment rate was 6.5%.
• Labour Force Participation Rate in urban areas among persons aged 15 years and above rose to 50.4% in Oct– Dec quarter of 2024.
• It stood at 49.9% during October – December quarter in 2023.

Topic: Reports and Indices

8. Four Indian universities found place in the World Reputation Rankings 2025.

• According to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World Reputation Rankings 2025, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru is the best University in India.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Madras, and Shiksha ‘O” Anusandhan are the other Universities that found place in this ranking.
• IISc, which was ranked 101-125 in 2023, is now ranked at 201-300.
• IIT Delhi and IIT Madras now rank at 201-300. In the 2023 ranking, they were ranked 151-175 and 176-200 respectively.
• Shiksha ‘O’ Anusandhan is the new entrant in this ranking. It is ranked 201-300.
• IIT Bombay, which was ranked 151-175 in the 2023 ranking, has not got place in this year’s ranking.
• Harvard University secured the first position in the ranking for the 14th consecutive year in THE World Reputation Rankings. 
• Oxford is ranked second with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Six institutions of the USA are in the top 10 of the ranking.
• Tsinghua University in China maintains the eighth position globally.
• Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2025 gives ranking to the top universities for academic reputation and prestige globally.

Topic: National News

9. Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s First “Open-Air Art Wall Museum” at Mausam Bhawan.

• India’s first “Open Air Art Wall Museum” shows 150 years of milestone journey of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• The “Mausam Bhawan” special art showcase features 38 unique murals depicting India’s meteorological history, the evolution of weather forecasting, and its impact on agriculture, disaster management, and everyday life.
• These artefacts showcase significant meteorological events, advances in technology like satellites and radar, and the role of IMD in protecting lives through early warnings for cyclones, monsoons and extreme weather conditions.
• The murals also pay tribute to India’s literary and cultural heritage.
• The initiative has been developed in association with “Delhi Street Art”. It has transformed the walls of IMD’s headquarters.

Topic: Agriculture and Allied Sectors

10. The first-ever sea shipments of Indian pomegranates to Australia facilitated by APEDA.

• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with Agrostar and K B Exports, successfully completed India's first commercial trial consignment of premium Sangola and Bhagwa Pomegranates to Australia by sea.
• After obtaining market access for Indian pomegranate exports to Australia, an action plan and standard operating procedure (SOP) for export of pomegranates to Australia were signed in February 2024.
• The first air consignment was dispatched in July 2024 after successful market access facilitation by APEDA and the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).
• The first sea freight shipment departed from India on December 6, 2024 and arrived in Sydney on January 13, 2025, carrying 5.7 metric tonnes (MT) of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra.
• These were packed in 1,900 boxes, each containing 3 kg of premium fruits.
• Another commercial sea shipment carrying 1,872 boxes (6.56 tonnes) of the Bhagwa variety arrived in Brisbane, Australia, on January 6, 2025.
• India's agricultural export scenario is growing at an unprecedented pace, with fresh fruit exports growing 29% year-on-year.
• Pomegranate alone has witnessed a growth of 20%, indicating the immense potential of this segment.
• APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI, which plays a vital role in facilitating agricultural and processed food exports.

Topic: Sports

11. The inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2027 in Saudi Arabia.

• The International Olympic Committee said the first Olympic eSports Games will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two years later, part of a 12-year deal signed with the country last year.
• The IOC has been looking at Esports for a number of years, setting up a dedicated commission to explore opportunities for the younger generation involved in gaming.
• With its traditional audience gradually aging, the governing body is attempting to connect with a younger generation of potential Olympic fans.
• In 2021, the IOC developed the Olympic Virtual Series, a pilot venture into Esports before signing a deal with Saudi Arabia last year to host the Olympic Esports Games.
• A six-member committee has been formed to determine which sports will be included in the first edition of the eSports Olympics.
• Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 Soccer World Cup.

Topic: National Appointments

12. P D Singh will be the new CEO of Standard Chartered India.

• Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of P D Singh as its chief executive officer (CEO) for India.
• He will take the place of Zarin Daruwala, who will retire on March 31. His appointment will become effective April 1.
• He was the CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank in India, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the bank’s corporate banking franchise.
• Standard Chartered is a British multinational bank with operations in wealth management, corporate and investment banking, and treasury services.
• Its largest shareholder is the Government of Singapore-owned Temasek Holdings.
• Jose Vinals is the group chairman of Standard Chartered.

Topic: Banking/Finance

13. Government is planning to raise the deposit insurance limit from ₹5 lakh.

• The Finance Ministry is looking to raise the current limit of ₹5 lakh for deposit insurance.
• Money deposited by bank customers is insured under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
• The deposit insurance limit was increased to ₹5 lakh in 2020 from ₹1 lakh. 1 Lakh was fixed in 1993.
• When a bank fails due to any uncertainties, the DICGC acts as a guard to secure the money of depositors.
• The government is planning to increase the deposit insurance limit after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placed curbs on the Mumbai-based New India Co-operative Bank for lack of liquidity.