Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 February 2025

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

1. Guillain Barre Syndrome cases rise in Maharashtra.

• Case of Guillain Barre Syndrome cases have significantly increased in Maharashtra.
• According to a report by the state health department, 140 cases are diagnosed with the Guillain Barre Syndrome.
• Most affected patients are from Pune city, while the remaining cases have been reported from nearby areas.
• The main symptoms of GBS include sudden weakness in the hands or legs, paralysis, and difficulty walking.
• Guillain–Barré syndrome:
  • It is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.
  • It begins with tingling or numbness in the feet and hands, followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving joints.
  • Most people make a full recovery from GBS with treatment and rehabilitation.
  • It most commonly affects people aged between 30 and 50.

Topic: Miscellaneous

2. GMR Airport joins United Nations Global Compact initiative.

• GMR Airports Ltd has committed to bring its operations and strategies in line with UNGC's ten principles.
• These ten principles focus on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption.
• Airports at Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa and Medan (Indonesia) are operated by GMR.
• Airports in Bhogapuram (Visakhapatnam) and Crete (Greece) are being developed by GMR.
• All GMR airports are certified as green building by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) or the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
• United Nations Global Compact initiative is world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative launched in 2000.

Topic: National News

3. Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush launched “Shatavari –For Better Health".

• “Shatavari –For Better Health" is a species-specific campaign.
• Minister lauded the efforts of National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi for launching this new initiative to promote awareness about Shatavari.
• Shatavari is a medicinal plants. It benefits women’s health.
• Minister emphasized Shatavari is relevant for achieving the Panch Pran Goal given on 15 August 2022 by PM Modi to make India developed by 2047.
• Panch Pran (five resolves) include goal of developed India, to remove any trace of colonial mindset, take pride in our roots, unity and sense of duty among citizens.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. DILEX 2025 will be organized by the Council for Leather Exports on 20-21 Feb in New Delhi.

• The Delhi International Leather Expo (DILEX) 2025 will be organized by the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) on the 20th and 21st of February in New Delhi.
• DILEX is a B2B event designed to provide a platform to manufacturers and exporters to showcase their latest collections, innovations, and capabilities to international buyers who are looking for viable sourcing options.
• It aims to boost exports, create employment, and strengthen India's presence in global markets in sync with the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.
• The aim of the council is to reach a target of $47 billion by 2030, with a special focus on footwear and leather exports.
• The Union Budget 2025 has given a much-needed boost to the leather and footwear sector by enhancing credit access, rationalizing levies, and retaining the key policy framework.
• This year, the Leather Expo is expected to have over 200 exhibitors.
• The government has implemented several reforms to boost trade and industry.
• Meeting a major demand of the industry, the basic customs duty (BCD) on wet blue leather has been reduced from 10% to zero from February 2, 2025.

Topic: Sports

5. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

• He played his final Ranji Trophy group-stage match for Bengal against Punjab at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, marking the end of his illustrious career.
• The 40-year-old Saha, who debuted internationally in February 2010, represented India in 49 matches, including 40 Tests and nine ODIs.
• He also represented Bengal and Tripura in domestic cricket, playing 142 first-class and 116 List A matches.
• Saha played his last international match in 2021 against New Zealand.
• In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Saha has played for several franchises, with one of the highlight performances of his career being a century for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2014 final.

Topic: Agriculture and Allied Sectors

6. Ten additional commodities and their tradable parameters have been added to the e-NAM platform to increase agricultural trade.

• These new commodities include wheat flour, dragon fruit, besan, and dried tulsi leaves.
• The aim of initiative is to increase the coverage of agricultural commodities.
• Other aims of this initiative are to offer more opportunities for farmers and traders to benefit from the digital trading platform.
• Additional tradable parameters are in line with the government’s continuous attempts to modernize the agricultural sector.
• Now, two hundred thirty-one commodities are listed on the e-NAM platform after addition of new commodities.

Topic: Banking System

7. In first three quarters of current fiscal year 2024–2025, Public Sector Banks have reported an increase of 31.3% year over year in net profit to Rs. 1,29,426 crore.

• Public Sector Banks have reported an overall operational profit of Rs. 2,20,243 crore for the same time period.
• Total net non-performing assets outstanding is Rs. 61,252 crore. NPA ratio has declined to a 0.59%.
• Deposits increased by 9.8% year over year. Public Sector Banks overall business grew by 11.0%.
• Total aggregate business is worth Rs. 242.27 lakh crore.
• The credit growth was at 12.4%. Retail credit grew at 16.6%. Agriculture credit grew at 12.9%. MSMEs credit grew at 12.5%.
• Aggregate Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio has been reported at 14.83%, higher than the required 11.5%.

Topic: National News

8. NSDC International Academy has been inaugurated at Greater Noida.

• Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), inaugurated the NSDC International Academy at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• This academy has been designed to provide world-class skill development and training programs.
• NSDC International Academy is a landmark initiative to fulfill the gap between Indian youth and global employment opportunities.
• This academy will act as a center of excellence that will offer specialized training programs aligned with the skill demands of countries like Germany, Japan, and Israel.
• The central government aims to empower individuals with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive global workforce.
• The academy specializes in internationally recognized language certifications.
• NSDC International Academy in Greater Noida is a flagship initiative of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India.
• This facility has modern classrooms equipped with interactive technology and advanced labs focused on soft skills and language learning.

Topic: Defense

9. Government signed contracts worth over 10,000 crores for Pinaka rocket system.

• The government inked contracts worth more than 10,000 crore with defense entities for the procurement of Area Denial Munition Type-1 and high-explosive rockets with enhanced range for the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system.
• It will enhance the Indian Army's firepower capabilities.
• The contract for an upgrade in Shakti software has also been signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• The government has inked contracts with Economic Explosive Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).
• The ADM Type-1 of the Pinaka MLRS has a "specialized warhead" to deliver a quantum of sub-munitions over a larger area targeting mechanized forces, vehicles and personnel.
• HEPF Mk-1 (E) rockets are advanced versions of in-service HEPF rockets.

Topic: Personality in News

10. After the death of his father, Prince Rahim al-Husseini was named Aga Khan V.

• On 5 February, Prince Rahim al-Husseini has been appointed as the new Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, following the death of his father.
• Prince Rahim, 53, who was named Aga Khan V in his father's will, becomes the 50th hereditary imam of the Ismailis.
• His father, Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim al-Husseini passed away in Portugal on February 4 at the age of 88.
• The Aga Khan is regarded by his followers as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and is considered the head of state.

Topic: Important Days

11. International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2025: 6 February

• Every year on 6 February, International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed.
• The day provides an opportunity to highlight progress and raise awareness to end this harmful practice.
• This year, the theme of the day is 'Step Up the Pace.'
• The focus of the theme is on strengthening alliances and building a movement to end FGM.
• It was first celebrated in 2003.
• Since 2008, nearly 7 million girls and women have accessed prevention and protection services.
• In addition, 48 million people have made a public declaration to renounce FGM, and 220 million people have been reached with mass media messages on the issue.
• Over the past two years, nearly 12 000 grassroots organizations and 112 000 community and frontline workers have worked to bring about change.

Topic: Space and IT

12. ISRO released FEAST software at the 8th National Finite Element Developers’ meeting at IIT-Hyderabad.

• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) released the latest version of the Finite Element Analysis of Structures (FEAST) software.
• A union of industry leaders, academicians, and researchers took part in the 8th national finite element developers’ meeting.
• The main aim of the meeting was to promote indigenously developed finite element-based structural analysis software.
• FEAST software has been developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• It is a structural analysis software based on the finite element method, which will be used for analysing the behaviour of structures under various loads in the fields of aerospace, automobile, civil, mechanical, and marine engineering.
• It will help engineers to test designs virtually before physical construction.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

13. Uttar Pradesh government approved the new Excise Policy for 2025-26.

• Under the new Excise Policy for 2025–26, the management of all liquor shops in the state will be handled through an e-lottery system.
• The license of the existing liquor shop will not be renewed till 2026-27.
• "Composite shops" is one of the main features of this policy, where beer, liquor, and wine will be sold from a single counter.
• The new policy is also expected to lead to higher alcohol prices in the state.
• The government has set a target of Rs 55,000 crore in excise revenue. It is Rs 4,000 crore more than the previous financial year.
• Premium retail shop licenses will be renewed upon payment of an annual fee of Rs 25 lakh.
• As per the new policy, premium brand liquor shops will not be allowed within multiplexes or malls.
• The government has also streamlined the process for acquiring a personal home license.