20th February 2025

1. Rekha Gupta Named Delhi’s New Chief Minister
2. Uttarakhand Officer Leverages Technology to Prevent Forest Fires
3. Google unveils ‘Ananta,’ its largest campus in India
4. Karnataka Bank Marks 100 Years with New Product Launches
5. Kerala Leads in Scientific Disposal of Expired Medicines
6. Ajmer Hosts First-Ever All India Transgender Conference
7. Zomato Introduces AI-Powered Customer Support Platform ‘Nugget’
8. Reliance Beats Apple, Ranks 2nd in FutureBrand 2024
9. Milind Rege: Mumbai Cricket’s Encyclopedia Passes Away at 76
10. TrailGuard AI: Revolutionizing Anti-Poaching Efforts in Wildlife Conservation
11. 5th International Conference on Green Metro Systems held in New Delhi
12. Rajasthan government renamed Foy Sagar as Varun Sagar & King Edward Memorial as Maharishi Dayanand Vishrant Grih
13. MSDE, Intel collaborate to launch AI for Entrepreneurship initiative for youth
14. FutureBrand Index 2024: Samsung Tops; India’s Reliance Industries Ranks 2nd
15. LIC Launches ‘One Man Office’ to Empower Agents with Digital Services
16. UGRO Capital Partners with FMO & Secured Rs 2,600 Million in NCDs
17. LTIMindtree Partners with Eurobank for Banking Technology Transformation
18. India’s Overall Exports during April 2024-January 2025 at USD 682.59 billion with an estimated growth of 7.21%
19. MHI Inks Agreement With RNBL for 10 GWh ACC Batteries Under PLI Scheme
20. BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Awards 2024: Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker won Top Honour
21. Governor of Massachusetts Honors Nita Ambani with Citation for Philanthropic Contributions
22. PCTL acquires 25% stake in Seven Technology LLC for USD 1 million
23. PRL Scientists Discovered a New Exoplanet TOI-6038A B Using PARAS-2 Spectrograph
24. RBI Injects ₹2.5 Lakh Crore to Strengthen Banking Liquidity

National News

1. Intel and Ministry of Skill Development Launch AI Module

• What:
  • The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Intel have launched the ‘AI for Entrepreneurship’ micro-learning module for young innovators across India.
• Why:
  • The program aims to skill 1 lakh youth in India through the program.
• Tell me more:
  • The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is also a part of this initiative.
  • The module aims to demystify artificial intelligence (AI) and foster entrepreneurial thinking among young innovators.

Source: BS

State News

1. Uttarakhand Develops Advanced Forest Fire App

• What:
  • An Indian Forest Service Officer has developed a Forest Fire App for Uttarakhand after studying apps from Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
• Why:
  • The app aims to mitigate forest fires, especially in light of recent devastating incidents globally, including those in Los Angeles.
• Tell me more:
  • The app was developed by Haridwar DFO Vaibhav Singh over several years and has received 31 updates.
  • Singh tested the app while serving as DFO of Rudraprayag from 2020 to 2022.
  • He collaborated with an ecologist in Canada to create a prototype within three months.
  • The app reduces response time to five hours, tracks the exact location of fires, firefighters, and vehicles.
  • The app allows users to geo-tag forest fire locations and provides satellite images to alert the forest department.
  • It will also collaborate with the Indian Meteorological Department for weather updates related to fire spots.

Source: ETV

2. Kerala Launches nPROUD – Initiative for Safe Disposal of Unused Drugs

• What:
  • Kerala is set to launch nPROUD (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) to collect and dispose of expired and unused medicines.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to tackle the lack of proper disposal systems, preventing environmental pollution, health hazards, and antimicrobial resistance.
• Tell me more:
  • Health Minister Veena George will inaugurate the project on February 22 in Kozhikode.
  • The project will start in Ulliyeri panchayat and expand statewide in phases.
  • Unused medicines will be collected from homes at scheduled intervals, and the public can also drop them in designated blue boxes.
  • Wholesale and retail pharmacies, as well as clinics, must bring their expired stock to collection centres.
  • Collected medicines will be processed at the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) waste treatment plant.
  • The project follows the Biomedical Waste Management Act and Rules for safe disposal.

Source: IT

3. All India Conference of Transgenders Held in Ajmer

• What:
  • The transgender community of Ajmer is holding the All India Kinnar Mahasammelan, a 10-day conference, at a private school in Vaishali Nagar.
• Why:
  • The conference aims to discuss issues faced by the third gender and is organized in memory of Anita Bai, the mentor of Gaddipati Saloni Nayak of Ajmer’s transgender community.
• Tell me more:
  • The conference was inaugurated with the Khichdi Tulai ritual.
  • The purpose of the Khichdi Tulai ritual is to collectively express faith to the goddess Bahuchara.

Source: ETV

4. Similipal Tiger Reserve Implements AI Surveillance to Combat Poaching

• What:
  • Similipal Tiger Reserve has deployed TrailGuard AI, an advanced surveillance system with 100-150 AI-powered cameras, to combat poaching.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to enhance enforcement capabilities and protect wildlife by detecting movement and classifying objects in real time.
• Tell me more:
  • The cameras operate on low power and switch to high power when detecting movement, transmitting images via a cellular network.
  • TrailGuard AI was developed by Nightjar Technologies and is designed for challenging terrains like Similipal.
  • The technology has potential applications in wildlife monitoring and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
  • Its success in Similipal has led to adoption in five states, including Kanha Tiger Reserve and Dudhwa National Park.

Source: TH

5. Delhi Metro Hosts International Conference on Green Mobility

• What:
  • The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) organized the 5th International Conference on Green Metro Systems in New Delhi.
• Why:
  • The conference aims to discuss sustainable urban mobility and innovations in metro systems.
• Tell me more:
  • Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar Metro station during the conference.
  • The solar panels capture sunlight from both sides, utilizing the metro’s elevated structure for energy generation.
  • The conference highlighted India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and the importance of transitioning to renewable energy.

Source: PIB

6. Rajasthan Renames Historic Lake and Building in Ajmer

• What:
  • The Rajasthan government has renamed Foy Sagar lake to Varun Sagar and King Edward Memorial Bhawan to Maharishi Dayanand Vishrant Grih in Ajmer.
• Why:
  • The renaming aims to remove symbols of colonial history and replace them with names that reflect Indian heritage and values.
• Tell me more:
  • Foy Sagar was named after a British officer, and the new name honors Lord Varun, the god of water.
  • A statue of Lord Varun and a ghat will be built around the lake for worship.
  • The King Edward Memorial Bhawan was renamed to honor Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, who achieved nirvana in Ajmer.
  • The decision followed orders from the Ajmer Municipal Corporation.

Source: TP

Banking and Economy

1. Google Unveils Largest Campus in India, “Ananta”

• What:
  • Google has unveiled its largest campus in India, named “Ananta,” located in Bengaluru.
• Why:
  • The campus signifies Google’s commitment to innovation in India and its potential to drive AI advancements.
• Tell me more:
  • The campus incorporates water waste recycling, rainwater harvesting, and smart photochromic glass to reduce its environmental footprint.
  • Ananta aims to foster collaboration and rejuvenation with amenities like a gym, daycare, cafeteria, and a mini forest named Aranya.
  • Google follows a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week.
  • Google has a workforce of over 10,000 in India, with offices in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Gurugram.

Source: IE

2. Karnataka Bank Launches New Banking Products for Women

• What:
  • Karnataka Bank has launched two new products, ‘KBL Stri’ and ‘KBL One Family Banking Programme,’ on its 101st founders’ day.
• Why:
  • The new products aim to enhance banking solutions for women and families, promoting financial inclusion and convenience.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘KBL Stri’ is a savings account designed specifically for women, allowing them to define their own success.
  • ‘KBL One Family Banking Programme’ links family members under one ID, offering tailored benefits and shared privileges.
  • The bank aims to improve its processes, products, and service culture through various initiatives.

Source: HBL

3. Zomato Launches AI-Powered Customer Support Platform ‘Nugget’

• What:
  • Zomato has introduced Nugget, an AI-powered customer support platform designed to streamline operations for businesses.
• Why:
  • The platform aims to help businesses automate customer service without requiring technical expertise.
• Tell me more:
  • Nugget can handle up to 80% of customer queries autonomously and continuously learns in real time.
  • It currently manages over 15 million customer interactions per month for Zomato, Blinkit, and Hyperpure.
  • Key features include accurate image classification, automated quality audits, intelligent conversations, and AI-powered analytics.
  • Nugget is the first product from Zomato Labs, the company’s incubator for in-house innovations.

Source: BS

4. Reliance Industries Ranked Second Best Brand Globally

• What:
  • Reliance Industries Ltd has been ranked the second best brand globally on the FutureBrand Index for 2024.
• Why:
  • The ranking highlights brands that evolve strategies to deliver on both brand purpose and experience, staying ahead of market shifts.
• Tell me more:
  • Reliance jumped 11 places from 13th in 2023 to 2nd in the latest ranking.
  • The list is led by Samsung, with Reliance ahead of brands like Apple, Nike, and Walt Disney.
  • The FutureBrand Index evaluates companies based on brand perception strength across 18 attributes.
  • The index considers emotional and functional attributes to assess a brand’s potential for long-term success.

Source: BS

5. LIC Launches “One Man Office” Service for Agents

• What:
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched the “One Man Office” (OMO) service to enhance its sales force’s digital capabilities.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to provide a comprehensive digital ecosystem for LIC agents, improving their efficiency and productivity.
• Tell me more:
  • It facilitates digital policy sales, after-sales services, and tracks business performance.
  • The service is built on LIC’s ANANDA platform and includes features like a premium calculator and online loan applications.

Source: ET

6. UGRO Capital Raises ₹2,600 Million via NCDs from FMO

• What:
  • UGRO Capital has raised ₹2,600 million through Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) from FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank.
• Why:
  • The funds are intended to drive initiatives in women empowerment, address territorial inequalities, and foster youth empowerment.
• Tell me more:
  • The INR-denominated NCD issuance was fully subscribed by FMO.
  • This is a repeat engagement with FMO, following a December 2023 transaction where a USD 30 million NCD issuance supported green financing.
  • The new issuance is part of UGRO Capital’s strategy to diversify its borrowing profile.

Source: ET

7. LTI Mindtree Partners with Eurobank for Banking Innovation

• What:
  • LTI Mindtree has collaborated with Eurobank S.A. to enhance customer experience and improve banking operations.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to establish a Global Delivery Center in India and modernize Eurobank’s technology infrastructure.
• Tell me more:
  • The collaboration will support Eurobank Luxembourg’s Temenos implementation program, providing maintenance and data migration services.
  • The initiative will drive innovation and operational efficiency across Eurobank Group in Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Greece.
  • The partnership is part of a multi-year relationship facilitated by Fairfax Digital Services.

Source: BS

8. India’s Total Exports and Imports Show Positive Growth

• What:
  • India’s total exports for January 2025 are estimated at USD 74.97 Billion, a 9.72 percent increase compared to January 2024.
  • Total imports for January 2025 are estimated at USD 77.64 Billion, a 12.98 percent increase compared to January 2024.
• Why:
  • The data reflects the overall trade performance of India.
• Tell me more:
  • During April-January 2024-25, total exports are estimated at USD 682.59 Billion, a 7.21 percent increase.
  • During April-January 2024-25, total imports are estimated at USD 770.06 Billion, an 8.96 percent increase.
  • Merchandise exports in January 2025 were USD 36.43 Billion, down 2.40% from January 2024.
  • Merchandise imports during January 2025 were USD 59.42 Billion, a 10% increase from January 2024.

Source: BS

9. Reliance Secures 10 GWh Battery Manufacturing Capacity

• What:
  • Reliance New Energy Battery Limited has been awarded 10 GWh of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery manufacturing capacity under the ₹18,100 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for ACC.
• Why:
  • The purpose of this initiative is to promote local manufacturing and enhance cost competitiveness in the battery sector, particularly for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
• Tell me more:
  • The Programme Agreement was signed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries on February 17, 2025, following a global bidding process.
  • A total of 40 GWh capacity has now been allocated under this scheme, which aims to establish a total of 50 GWh of battery manufacturing capacity in India.

Source: ET

10. Paytm Cloud Acquires Stake in Brazilian Startup Dinie

• What:
  • Paytm Cloud has acquired a 25% stake in Brazilian embedded finance startup Dinie for $1 million.
• Why:
  • The investment aims to enhance financial services for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Brazil through Dinie’s platform.
• Tell me more:
  • After this transaction, Dinie will become an associate entity of Paytm Cloud.
  • Paytm has various associate entities globally, with many in mobile value-added services.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. Indian Researchers Discover New Exoplanet TOI-6038A b

• What:
  • Indian researchers have identified a new exoplanet named TOI-6038A b, which is 78.5 times the mass of Earth and 6.41 times its radius.
• Why:
  • The discovery aims to enhance understanding of planetary formation and evolution, particularly in the unique category of “Sub-Saturn” exoplanets.
• Tell me more:
  • The exoplanet orbits a bright, metal-rich F-type star every 5.83 days in a nearly circular path.
  • TOI-6038A b falls between Neptune-like planets and gas giants, making it significant for study.
  • This discovery was made using the advanced PARAS-2 spectrograph at Physical Research Laboratory’s (PRL) Mount Abu Observatory.

Source: ET

Awards

1. Reliance Industries Ranked Second Best Brand Globally

• What:
  • Reliance Industries Ltd has been ranked the second best brand globally on the FutureBrand Index for 2024.
• Why:
  • The ranking highlights brands that continuously evolve strategies to deliver on both brand purpose and experience.
• Tell me more:
  • Reliance jumped 11 places to rank 2nd, up from 13th in 2023.
  • The list is topped by Samsung and Reliance is ahead of brands like Apple and Nike.
  • The FutureBrand Index evaluates the PwC Top 100 companies by market capitalisation based on brand perception.
  • The index uses QualiQuant Interviews with over 3,000 informed professionals.

Source: BS

2. Manu Bhaker Wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year

• What:
  • Manu Bhaker has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2024, recognizing her achievements in sports.
• Why:
  • The award celebrates Indian female athletes and acknowledges their successes over the past year.
• Tell me more:
  • This is the fifth edition of the award, which involved voting by a panel of sports journalists followed by public voting.
  • Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting.

Source: OC

3. Nita Ambani Receives Governor’s Citation in Massachusetts

• What:
  • Nita Ambani has been awarded the distinguished governor’s citation by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey for her exceptional contributions to society.
• Why:
  • The citation recognizes Nita Ambani’s visionary leadership and significant influence in various sectors, including education, healthcare, sports, arts, culture, and women’s empowerment.
• Tell me more:
  • The announcement was made via a social media post by Reliance Foundation, highlighting her impact on countless lives in India and globally.
  • Nita Ambani wore a handwoven Shikargah Banarasi saree during the ceremony, showcasing Indian artisanal excellence and traditional values.

Source: TOI

Appointments

1. Rekha Gupta Set to Become Delhi’s New Chief Minister

• What:
  • Rekha Gupta is set to become Delhi’s new Chief Minister and will be taking oath on Thursday at Ramlila Maidan.
• Tell me more:
  • Gupta is a first-time BJP MLA representing the Shalimar Bagh constituency.
  • Gupta has also been a DUSU (Delhi University Students’ Union ) president and a civic body councilor.
  • Gupta is the fourth woman Chief Minister in the National Capital.

Source: FE

Miscellaneous

1. Milind Rege, Mumbai Cricket Legend, Passes Away

• Former Mumbai captain Milind Rege passed away due to a cardiac arrest at the age of 76.

Source: TH

Start Quiz of 20th February 2025 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 20th February 2025 on Desktop