11th February 2025

1. IA and IAF Conduct Joint Airborne Operations Exercise ‘Ex: Winged Raider’
2. CDAC under MeitY Signs LoI with LEGO Group to Empower Indian Toy Industry
3. IDFC FIRST Bank Launches Exclusive Banking Package for Senior Citizens
4. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Launched ‘HERizon Care’, India’s 1st Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan for Women
5. RBI Approves Voluntary Merger of Two Urban Co-operative Banks
6. Board of GIC Re Approved Setting-up Wholly-owned Subsidiary in UK
7. CitiBank Appointed Ashu Khullar as its Global Co-head of GAM; K. Balasubramanian Named CEO of Citi India
8. ISRO Successfully Carried out Ignition Trial of Indigenous CE20 Cryogenic Engine
9. Real Madrid & Brazil Legend Marcelo Announces Retirement from Football
10. Samuel Nujoma, Namibia’s 1st President & Fierce Freedom Fighter Passed Away
11. International Epilepsy Day 2025 – February 10
12. National Deworming Day 2025 – February 10
13. International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025: Date, Theme, History & Why It Matters
14. Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Ranks No. 1, India at 80th
15. PM Modi and Macron to Inaugurate Indian Consulate in Marseille
16. India to Host Inaugural WAVES Summit in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025
17. Rohit Sharma Becomes Second-Highest Six-Hitter in ODI History
18. Varsha Bharath’s Bad Girl Wins NETPAC Award at IFFR
19. IDFC FIRST Bank Expands AI Amitabh Bachchan Avatar
20. US President Trump Recognizes February 9 as ‘Gulf of America Day’
21. DRDO Unveils Research Verticals to Boost DIA-CoEs’ Research

National News

1. CDAC-Noida and LEGO Group Collaborate to Boost Toy Industry

• What:
  • CDAC-Noida and Creative Play Lab (LEGO Group) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for developing electronic and IT-based solutions for the toy industry.
• Why:
  • To foster the growth of the Indian electronic toys industry by developing prototypes and equipping young engineers with necessary skills.
• Tell me more:
  • The project “Development of Electronics and IT-based Control and Automation Solutions for Consumer Electronic Goods (Toy Industry)” is a MeitY initiative where young engineers from SC/ST and NER backgrounds engage in R&D activities for a year, including hands-on experience in designing and developing electronic toys.
  • LEGO India will provide mentorship to 1-2 students per batch, and students will have the opportunity to visit LEGO Group’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark.
  • CPL will share knowledge through webinars, providing insights on toy development, standards, and feedback on prototypes.

Source: PIB

2. India to Host First World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit

• What:
  • India will host the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1-4.
• Tell me more:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with eminent personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan and Mukesh Ambani, regarding the summit.
  • Participants in the interaction included Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Shahrukh Khan, Rajnikanth, and others.
  • The summit will spotlight advancements in animation, gaming, entertainment technology, and regional and mainstream cinema.

Source: BS

International News

1. AI Action Summit in Paris

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the Indo-French bilateral summit and will co-chair the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit with Macron.
• Why:
  • To foster innovation while ensuring AI remains inclusive, secure, and trustworthy and to inaugurate an India-France bilateral AI roadmap.
• Tell me more:
  • The AI Action Summit will be attended by global leaders and tech CEOs like Sundar Pichai (Google) and Sam Altman (OpenAI).
  • Modi and Macron will address the India-France CEOs Forum and jointly inaugurate the newest Indian Consulate General in Marseilles.
  • Discussions will focus on defence, security, and sovereignty, with potential announcements in the defence sector, including India’s procurement of Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines.
  • Modi and Macron will visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in Marseilles.
  • The 2047 Horizon Roadmap for India-France strategic partnership will be reviewed.
  • This is the third high-level AI summit, following events in the UK (2023) and South Korea (2024).

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. IDFC FIRST Bank Launches Banking Products for Senior Citizens

• What:
  • IDFC FIRST Bank has launched an exclusive range of banking products and services for senior citizens.
• Why:
  • To prioritize security, convenience, and financial well-being for the elderly with tailored accounts and value-added services.
• Tell me more:
  • The new offerings include a Senior Citizen Savings Account and Senior Citizen Fixed Deposits.
  • Senior citizens get an additional 0.5% interest on Fixed Deposits and face no penalty for premature FD closure.
  • The bank provides ₹2 lakh of cyber insurance coverage and a one-year complimentary MediBuddy health membership, offering unlimited doctor video consultations for up to 4 family members.
  • Senior citizens can avail a full-body health check-up, a ₹500 wallet balance for health expenses, and up to 15% discounts at network pharmacies.
  • The bank launched a ‘Senior Citizen Specials’ feature on its mobile banking app, offering an intuitive interface that simplifies banking for older adults.
  • The Senior Citizen Savings Account eliminates over 30 common charges typically levied on savings accounts.

Source: BS

2. Bajaj Allianz Launches HERizon Care for Women

• What:
  • Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has introduced HERizon Care, India’s first comprehensive health insurance plan designed exclusively for women.
• Why:
  • To offer holistic coverage for critical illnesses, maternal and reproductive health, and legal expenses, ensuring financial security at every life stage for women.
• Tell me more:
  • The policy provides two key covers: Vita Shield, which safeguards against 34 critical illnesses, and Cradle Care, which focuses on reproductive health.
  • Optional extensions include Child Education, Loss of Job, and Incidental Expenses for medical recovery support under Vita Shield.
  • Cradle Care covers surrogate mothers’ medical expenses and oocyte donors’ hospitalization costs, with optional covers for infertility treatments, adoption expenses, maternity care, prenatal and congenital disability treatments, and prophylactic surgeries.
  • It provides legal expense support for cases like sexual assault, kidnapping, and acid attacks.
  • HERizon Care is available for women aged 18 to 80 years and children from 90 days to 35 years, with coverage ranging from INR 3 lakhs to INR 2 crores.

Source: BS

3. RBI Approves Amalgamation of Co-operative Banks

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved two voluntary amalgamations in the urban co-operative bank (UCB) space.
• Why:
  • To consolidate unviable UCBs with viable counterparts, close non-viable entities, and suspend the issuance of new licenses.
• Tell me more:
  • The Citizen Co-operative Bank (Vasco-De-Gama, Goa) will merge with TJSB Sahakari Bank (Thane, Maharashtra), and Pune Commercial Co-operative Bank (Satara, Maharashtra) will merge with Pimpri Chinchwad Sahakari Bank (Pune, Maharashtra).
  • The schemes will come into effect on February 10, 2025, with the branches of the merging UCBs functioning as branches of the respective acquiring banks.
  • Since 2004-05, there have been 156 mergers in the UCB sector, including six in 2023-24.
  • During 2023-24, licenses of 24 UCBs were cancelled, raising the total number of cancellations to 70 since 2015-16, with 94.3 per cent in the non-scheduled category.

Source: HBL

4. GIC Re to Incorporate Subsidiary in the UK

• What:
  • General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re)’s board has approved the incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary named GIC Re, India Service Company, in the United Kingdom.
• Why:
  • To expand the corporation’s international presence.
• Tell me more:
  • The new company will be incorporated as per applicable UK laws, and approval from Irdai will be sought before making the investment.
  • The company has no minimum capital requirement and can be set up with a capital of £1.
  • GIC Re’s group includes subsidiary companies such as GIC Re South Africa, GIC Re Corporate Member, London, and GIC Perestrakhovanie LLC, Moscow.
  • In Q3 FY25, GIC Re reported a 6.8 per cent growth in net profit to Rs 1,621.35 crore and a net premium rise of 18 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 9,281.03 crore.

Source: BS icici

5. IDFC FIRST Bank Extends Amitabh Bachchan’s AI Avatar Initiative

• What:
  • IDFC FIRST Bank, partnering with Ikonz, has expanded the use of Amitabh Bachchan’s AI avatar to 10 more branches in 5 new cities.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative brings Amitabh Bachchan’s interactive digital avatar to greet customers and provide information about banking products.
  • Ikonz Studios, based in Hyderabad, is one of the first global companies to introduce hyper-realistic, multilingual intelligent avatars.
  • The partnership leverages AI and Holographic Extended Reality to create an immersive experience.

Source: HBL

6. Google Renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America After Trump’s Order

• What:
  • Google officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’ on Google Maps for American users after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change the name.
• Why:
  • To restore American pride in the nation’s history and achievements, recognizing the Gulf as a vital resource for the United States.
• Tell me more:
  • For Mexican users, it will remain the Gulf of Mexico, and for the rest of the world, both names will be displayed.
  • Trump’s executive order titled ‘Restoring Names That Honour American Greatness” directs the US Secretary of the Interior to formalise the name change within 30 days.
  • Trump also declared February 9 as ‘Gulf of America Day’.
  • The newly named Gulf includes the “US Continental Shelf area bounded to the northeast, north, and northwest by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, extending to the maritime boundary with Mexico and Cuba”.

Source: BS

Reports and Indices

1. Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Tops, India Ranks 80th

• What:
  • The 2025 Henley Passport Index ranks Singapore as the world’s most powerful passport, while India shares 80th place with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Tajikistan.
• Why:
  • The index assesses passports based on the number of destinations they provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to.
• Tell me more:
  • Singaporean passport holders can access 193 destinations visa-free.
  • Japan and South Korea are in second place with visa-free access to 190 countries.
  • Afghanistan ranks last, with access to only 25 destinations.
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant gains, securing access to 185 destinations and holding 10th place.
  • China has moved from 94th place in 2015 to 60th in 2025, now allowing entry to 58 countries.

Source: BS HPI

Defence News

1. Ex Winged Raider: Indian Army Enhances Airborne Operation Readiness

• What:
  • The Indian Army conducted Ex Winged Raider, a comprehensive training exercise focused on special airborne operations.
• Why:
  • To demonstrate operational readiness, enhance inter-service synergy, and improve airborne insertion techniques using fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
• Tell me more:
  • The exercise included training on airborne operations from the Chinook Helicopter, a first in the Eastern Theatre.
  • Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, marking the first flight with both chiefs in the cockpit.
  • The joint operation highlights coordination between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.

Source: BS

2. DRDO Enhances Research Focus Across its Centres of Excellence

• What:
  • The Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM) at DRDO released redefined and augmented Research Verticals & Thrust Areas across DRDO Industry Academia – Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs).
• Why:
  • To streamline and enhance the focus of Directed Research and meet future technology requirements of DRDO laboratories.
• Tell me more:
  • The existing 65 Research Verticals distributed across 15 DIA-CoEs have been redesigned into 82 Research Verticals.
  • New research areas include ‘Compound Semiconductor Technologies’ at IITB, ‘Laser Beam Combining based Communication, Power Transmission & Manufacturing and Extraction & Recycling of Materials’ at IITH, and others.

Source: PIB

Science and Technology

1. ISRO Completes Ignition Trial of Indigenous CE20 Cryogenic Engine

• What:
  • ISRO completed the ignition trial of the indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark (LVM)-3.
• Why:
  • To simulate engine ignition in the vacuum condition of space and study the restart operation of a cryogenic engine.
• Tell me more:
  • The trial was completed on February 7 in the High Altitude Test Facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
  • ISRO has outlined a series of tests for engine start in bootstrap mode to enhance the capability for multiple cryogenic engine restarts during flight.
  • The CE20 engine is qualified to operate for thrust levels ranging from 19t to 22t in flight with a single start.
  • The CE20 engine is qualified for the Gaganyaan mission.

Source: IE

Awards

1. “Bad Girl” Wins NETPAC Award at IFFR 2025

• What:
  • Varsha Bharath’s debut film, “Bad Girl,” has won the NETPAC Award (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • The last Tamil film to win this award was Arun Karthick’s “Nasir” (2019).
  • Other Indian films that have received this honor include Mani Kaul’s “Naukar ki Kameez” (1999) and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s “Vidheyan” (1995).
  • The film stars Anjali Sivaraman, Shanthi Priya, Hridhu Haroon, Teejay Arunasalam, and Saranya Ravichandran.
  • Amit Trivedi is making his Tamil debut with this film, which is presented by Anurag Kashyap and Vetrimaaran.

Source: IE

Important Dates

1. International Epilepsy Day – February 10

Source: IED

2. National Deworming Day – February 10

Source: NHM

3. International Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11

• Theme: Unpacking STEM careers: Her Voice in Science

Source: IE UN

Sports

1. Marcelo Retires: End of a Trophy-Laden Football Career

• What:
  • Former Brazil and Real Madrid defender Marcelo (Brazilian former professional footballer) has announced his retirement from football.
• Tell me more:
  • Marcelo played for Real Madrid from 2007-2022, winning 25 trophies in 546 games, including six La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League titles.
  • He scored in the 2014 Champions League final, helping Real Madrid win their 10th European crown.
  • Marcelo also won two Copa del Rey trophies, five Spanish Super Cups, four Club World Cups, and three European Super Cups with Real Madrid.
  • He last played for Fluminense, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2023.
  • Marcelo made 58 appearances for Brazil, winning the Confederations Cup in 2013, a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and a bronze in 2008.
  • Marcelo captained Real Madrid towards the end of his career in Madrid.

Source: ALJ

2. Rohit Sharma Surpasses Gayle in ODI Sixes Record

• What:
  • Rohit Sharma surpassed Chris Gayle’s record for the second-highest number of sixes in ODI cricket during his innings in the second ODI between India and England in Cuttack.
• Tell me more:
  • Rohit moved past Gayle’s record of 331 sixes to reach a tally of 338 sixes in ODIs during his 119-run knock off 90 balls.
  • Shahid Afridi of Pakistan holds the overall record with 351 sixes in ODI cricket.
  • Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka is in fourth place with 270 sixes, and MS Dhoni holds the fifth position with 229 sixes.

Source: TOI

Miscellaneous

1. Namibia’s Founding Father, Sam Nujoma, Passes Away at 95

• What:
  • Sam Nujoma, who led Namibia to independence and served as its first president, has died at the age of 95.
• Why:
  • Nujoma was known as the father of the nation for his role in Namibia’s independence from apartheid South Africa.
• Tell me more:
  • Nujoma was part of a generation of African leaders that included Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe, Kenneth Kaunda, and Samora Machel.
  • Nujoma was the first African leader to be hosted at the White House by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Source: IE

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