Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on 25th February 2023.

* He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition. The festival is held under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and celebrates Karnataka's culture, traditions and history.

* Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the Delhi-Karnataka Sangh is taking forward the glorious heritage. He remarked that the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Delhi Karnataka Sangh are taking place at a time when the country is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of 75 years of independence.

* The Prime Minister said that one can witness the immortal soul of India when we analyse the circumstances from 75 years ago.

* Establishment of Karnataka Sangh is proof of people’s determination to strengthen the nation during its first few years and today, at the start of Amrit Kaal that dedication and energy are visible in the same measure.

* He complimented everyone who was part of this 75-year journey of Karnataka Sangh.

* The Prime Minister lauded the people of Karnataka for living the mantra of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He talked about ‘Naada Geethe’ by the Poet Kuvempu and praised the national feelings beautifully expressed in the revered song.

* In this song, the civilization of India is depicted and the roles and importance of Karnataka are described. When we understand the spirit of this song, we also get the crux of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat..

* The key aim of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is to promote the Indian ideology of “Unity in Diversity” India.

* It aims to build the interest of people in their neighboring states and UTs, and also encourages them to promote their culture. It also aims to foster a sense of common identity among the people of the country, the rich heritage, culture, customs, and traditions of the states must be encouraged..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Kerala

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The Kerala government on Friday (24th Feb 2023) launched robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, to clean sewages in this temple town, becoming the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes.

* Water Resources Minister, Roshi Augustine, launched Bandicoot under the Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.

* The robotic Tron Unit, which is the major component of Bandicoot, enters the manhole and removes sewage using robotic hands, similar to a man's limbs, the release, adding that the machine has waterproof, HD vision cameras and sensors that can detect harmful gases inside the manholes.

* Bandicoot, developed by Kerala-based Genrobotics, had recently bagged 'Kerala Pride' award at the Huddle Global 2022 conclave organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).

* Inaugurating the robotic scavenger in Guruvayur Municipality, Augustine said it was a major step towards use of technology-driven solutions for manhole cleaning across the state.

* Bandicoot robots are currently deployed in few towns across 17 states in India and three Union Territories. In 2018, KWA started using Bandicoot to clean the manholes in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, it was introduced in Ernakulam also, the release said.

* Genrobotics, a Technopark-based company, have developed "the world's first robotic scavenger" Bandicoot in an effort to eliminate manual scavenging providing respite for workers engaged in manhole cleaning..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   India

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* According to HedgewithCrypto research, India emerged as 7th biggest nation ready to adopt crypto in 2023.

* Australia is the biggest country when it comes to the adoption of cryptocurrency in 2023 with a score of 7.37 out of 10. The sale of cryptocurrency and other digital assets is legal and regulated in Australia.

* Following this, USA ranks as the second biggest country in crypto adoption with a score of 7.07 out of 10. Currently, there 33,630 crypto ATMs throughout the country.

* Ranking wise, Brazil comes third with a score of 6.81/10 and has seen a huge increase in average monthly searches for crypto of 355%. A new bill signed in December 2022 legalizes cryptocurrency throughout Brazil.

Here’s 10 countries ready for crypto adoption :

Correct Answer :   Uttarakhand

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On February 23, 2023, in the presence of Chief Minister "Pushkar Singh Dhami" and Tourism Minister "Satpal Maharaj", a contract was signed between the tourism department of the state and the private construction company 'SRM Engineering and FIL Industry Private Limited' for the Yamunotri ropeway project.

Important Key points :

* Proposed 3.38 km from Jankichatti (Kharsali) to Yamunotri Dham. Clearance has already been received from the Forest Ministry for the construction of long ropeway. The ropeway will be operated on PPP mode. About 167 crore rupees will be spent on this ropeway.

* Due to the construction of this ropeway, the devotees going to Yamunotri Dham will get six(6) km. You will not have to climb on foot.

* You can reach Yamunotri in just 15 to 20 minutes by ropeway. It takes about three(3) hours for the devotees to reach Yamunotri Dham situated at a height of about 11 thousand feet through the Jankichatti (Kharsali) pedestrian route.

* On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that after the completion of the rope-way project, Yamunotri Dham will be connected to its winter residence Kharsali, and the devotees will be able to reach Maa Yamuna easily and take advantage of pollution-free natural beauty. Along with providing facilities to the devotees, the employment resources of the people will increase at the local level as well.

* State Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve said that this 3.38 km long ropeway to be built on PPP mode will be of monocable detachable type, which will be constructed according to European standards on the lines of France and Switzerland.

* The tourism secretary said that the passenger capacity of this ropeway would be to carry about 500 people in an hour while eight passengers would be able to go in one coach at a time. The lower terminal of the ropeway will be built on 1.787 hectares of land at Kharsali while the upper terminal will be built on 0.99 hectares of land at Yamunotri..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck

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* Bhutan has taken a step towards modernising its digital infrastructure. The Himalayan kingdom has just found its first-ever digital citizen.

* The Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) mobile wallet, Royal Highness The Gyalsey (Prince) "Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck" has become the first digital citizen of Bhutan.

* The system in question uses cutting-edge technology to provide citizens with safe and verifiable credentials that can prove their identity.

* The Bhutan NDI is based on the “self-sovereign identity" model, which in turn relies on the framework provided by the Decentralised Identity (DID) technology.

* It has been designed to accord people greater control over their personal information, allowing them to limit who can access it. ensuring their privacy and protection.

* The development of Bhutan NDI was made possible through a partnership between GovTech Bhutan and Bhutan-based DHI InnoTech. The company’s director, Ujjwal Dahal described the project as “important" and “pioneering."

* According to media report, India has been consistently supporting Bhutan’s efforts to establish a digital infrastructure. The two nations are collaborating on various technology initiatives.

* This includes the construction of Bhutan’s third international internet gateway, with the Indian government facilitating a concessional rate to reduce the cost of its operation.

* Under Bhutan’s flagship programme ‘Digital Drukul,’ an optical fibre backbone has been provided at the village level across all 20 districts of the country. As the country continues to expand its digital capabilities, this latest development marks a major milestone in Bhutan’s journey towards a digital future..

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Pakistan

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Pakistan has received a deposit of $700 million from the China Development Bank, which will provide a much-needed boost to the country's foreign exchange reserves.

The deposit comes as Pakistan has been struggling with its external debt and has barely enough dollars to cover less than three weeks' worth of imports.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced Friday (24th Feb 2023) the news on Twitter and referred to the deposit as a "lifeline" for Pakistan.

Earlier this week, Dar announced that the board of the China Development Bank had approved a loan facility for Pakistan worth $700 million, and the formalities had been completed.

The loan will bolster the country's diminishing foreign exchange reserves, and the money is expected to arrive at the State Bank of Pakistan this week.

The coalition government has been trying to increase the country's foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at $3.25 billion as of February 17, 2023.

However, the delay in the revival of the $6.5 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme has made it difficult for the government to achieve this goal.

Pakistan is also looking to refinance two more commercial loans worth $500 million and $800 million.

Aim : Pakistan is aiming to refinance Chinese loans up to $2 billion by the end of February or the first week of March 2023.

This deposit from China is expected to ease some of the pressure on Pakistan's economy, which has been struggling due to the pandemic and external debt.

Pakistan’s external debt servicing obligation for the ongoing fiscal year 2022-23 is $23 billion, of which $6 billion has been repaid and $4 billion rolled over, leaving $13 billion yet to be funded.

The country also has further repayment obligations of $75 billion during FY24-26..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Bengaluru

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The First G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the G20 Indian Presidency is scheduled during 24th-25th February, 2023 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Union Finance Minister "Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman" and Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), "Dr Shaktikanta Das" will jointly chair this meeting.

The G20 is an intergovernment forum of the world’s major economies — 19 countries and the EU — that addresses issues related to the economy, financial stability, climate change and sustainable development.

Ms Sitharaman will also hold talks with representatives of more than 10 countries, including the US, Italy, Spain, Indonesia and the UK.

Seventy-two delegates will attend the meetings, which will be held over three sessions.

The G7 countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US — will be taking part under the leadership of Japan.

Jeremy Hunt, the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, is expected in Bengaluru on Thursday(23rd Feb 2023) and will meet the heads and founders of Indian tech companies for talks on boosting partnerships with Britain.

The start of the G20 event coincides with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the global effects from the ongoing conflict are expected to be part of the talks...

Source : The National News

Correct Answer :   Andhra Pradesh

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Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice S Abdul Nazeer took oath as the new governor of Andhra Pradesh on Friday (24th February 2023) morning. Abdul Nazeer took charge as the third governor, after the bifurcation of the state.

* The Chief Justice of the High Court, CJ Prashant Kumar Mishra, administered the oath to Abdul Nazeer at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.

* CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu and other public representatives attended the ceremony.

* Abdul Nazeer from Karnataka retired last month after working as a Supreme Court judge.

* Abdul Nazeer is recognized as the third person to be directly promoted to the highest court of the country without serving as the Chief Justice of the High Court..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Peru

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* South American country Peru on Thursday(23rd February 2023) declared a "health emergency" in view of the increasing outbreak of dengue in the country.

* The emergency has been initiated in 13 departments in the north, central and southeast of the country due to an outbreak of dengue.

* The emergency would remain in place for 90 days, according to an official notice, after the health ministry recorded more than 11,500 cases and 16 deaths due to the disease so far in 2023.

* This represented a "considerable increase" of 72 percent from the same period in 2022. Last year, the country had more than 72,800 dengue cases and 84 deaths.

* Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease that can provoke a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and sometimes death.

* Earlier this month (February 2023), neighbor Bolivia also declared a health alert with a cumulative number of more than 6,800 cases and 26 deaths..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   24th February

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The Central Excise Day is celebrated in India every year on February 24 to commemorate the establishment of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

The day is observed to recognise the efforts of the Central Excise and Customs officials who work tirelessly to safeguard the country’s economy.

The Central Excise and Customs Department is responsible for collecting indirect taxes on goods and services in India and also the imported goods. It also ensures that these taxes are paid on time and that all imports and exports comply with the regulations and laws enacted by the government.


Central Excise Day History :

* The Central Excise and Salt Act was passed on February 24, 1944, to make changes in the law related to salt and Central duties.

* In total, it was a combination of 11 Acts concerning the excise duties. In 1985, a Central Excise Tariff Act was introduced and it became a part of the old Central Excises and Salt Act.

* With effect from September 28, 1996, the Act was known as the Central Excise Act 1944.


Central Excise Day Significance :

* The significance of Central Excise Day lies in recognising the hard work and dedication of the officials who work to collect taxes, prevent smuggling, and curb fraudulent activities.

* The day also highlights the role that the department plays in promoting economic growth and development.

* The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is responsible for administering Customs, Goods, and Service Tax (GST), Narcotics, Central Excise, and Service Tax in India.

Source : News18