Sunday, February 16, 2025

2 Feb 2025 daily current affairs with gs_ budget 2025-26 explained

Comprehensive Summary of YouTube Video: Current Affairs - Honey Gs Academy (Transcription Based)

Comprehensive Summary of YouTube Video: Current Affairs - Honey Gs Academy (Transcription Based)

Channel: Honey Gs Academy

Key Topics:

This video provides a daily current affairs update, emphasizing the Union Budget, Science and Technology, and Polity. Key highlights include World Wetlands Day, Dignified Death, Modernization of the National Statistical System, and a detailed overview of the Budget 2025-26.

Important Days: World Wetlands Day (February 2nd)

Celebration Date: February 2nd, commemorating the 1971 Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran.

Theme 2025: "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future."

National Event: Celebrated at Parvati Arga Ramsar site in Uttar Pradesh this year.

Ramsar Sites in India: Increased to 89 with 4 new additions. Tamil Nadu has the highest number (20). Total area covered is 1358 million hectares across 20 states.

India's Rank: India holds the 3rd rank in terms of the number of Ramsar sites globally.

Polity: Dignified Death (Passive Euthanasia)

Second State to Approve: Karnataka becomes the second state to approve a policy on dignified death, following Kerala.

Constitutional Basis: Supreme Court in Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) case recognized the right to die with dignity under Article 21, approving passive euthanasia.

Passive Euthanasia: Withholding medical treatment to allow natural death, as opposed to active euthanasia which involves actively ending life (illegal in India).

Economy: Modernization of National Statistical System

Collaboration: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation partners with IIT Delhi to modernize the Indian Statistical System.

Economy: Union Budget 2025-2026 Highlights

Special Course: A special course on Budget 2025-26 is being launched for ₹49, covering basics, taxes, deficits, schemes, and exams (Economic course students exempt).

8th Consecutive Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her 8th consecutive budget.

Six Key Principles: Budget focused on six key principles, remembered as "HEN-PF":

  • Health (High-quality healthcare)
  • Education (Quality education for all)
  • Employment (Skilled workforce with meaningful employment)
  • N (Zero Poverty)
  • P (Increased women's participation in the economy, aiming to raise it from 40% to 70%)
  • Force (Building strength through protein - analogy for robust economic measures)

Four Priorities (GYAN): The budget prioritizes four groups:

  • Gareeb (Poor)
  • Youth
  • Annadata (Farmers)
  • Nari Shakti (Women Power)

Income Tax Slab Changes

Slab (₹ Lakhs) Tax Rate
0-4 0%
4-8 5%
8-12 10%
12-16 15%
16-20 20%
20-24 25%
24+ 30%

Basic Customs Duty Changes

  • Zero Tax on 25 Critical Minerals: Import of 25 critical minerals (like Lithium, Cobalt) now has zero basic customs duty.
  • Zero Tax on Handicraft Exports: Exemption from basic customs duty for handicraft exports.

MSME Classification Changes

Revised MSME Classification: Changes proposed but not yet implemented; will be effective post cabinet approval and ministry notification, likely from April 1st. Based on Investment and Turnover.

Category Current (2020) Proposed (2025)
Investment (₹ Crore) Turnover (₹ Crore) Investment (₹ Crore) Turnover (₹ Crore)
Micro 1 5 2.5 10
Small 5 50 25 100
Medium 10 250 125 500

Fiscal Deficit and Revenue Deficit Targets

  • Fiscal Deficit Target: Revised to 4.8% of GDP for FY25, and 4.4% for FY26, aiming towards 3% as per FRBM Act.
  • Revenue Deficit: Targeted at 1.9% in current year and 1.5% in the next fiscal year.

Capital Expenditure

  • Capital Expenditure:11.21 lakh crore, which is 3.1% of GDP (same for FY25 and FY26). Revised down from 3.4% in the last budget.
  • Capital to Revenue Expenditure Ratio: 2.84 - highest in 20 years, indicating high-quality fiscal spending.

Government Debt Target

  • Government Debt Target: Revised to 57.1% of GDP for the current fiscal year and projected 56.1% for the next fiscal year.
  • Long-term Target: Aim to bring it to 50% (+/- 1%) by FY31, still above the FRBM Act and NK Singh Committee recommendations (60% for general government, 40% for Union).

FDI Limit in Insurance

  • Increased FDI Limit: FDI limit in insurance sector increased from 74% to 100% under automatic route.

New Schemes

  • Bharatiya Bhasha Pustaka Scheme: To make books available in all Indian languages for students and faculty in educational institutions. Implemented by Ministry of Education, UGC, and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti.
  • Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana: Focus on 100 agriculturally challenged districts to improve agriculture in drought-prone areas, benefiting 17 crore farmers. Details on specific districts awaited.
  • National Geo-Spatial Mission: To modernize land records and improve urban planning using geospatial technology.
  • National Manufacturing Mission: Focus on boosting manufacturing (Make in India) across Micro, Small, Medium, and Large industries, emphasizing:
    1. Ease and cost of doing business
    2. In-demand jobs creation
    3. Vibrant and dynamic MSME sector
    4. Technology adoption
    5. Quality product manufacturing
  • Mission for Pulses (Atma Nirbharta): 6-year mission for self-sufficiency in pulse production. NAFED to procure Toor, Urad, and Masoor for 4 years, ensuring MSP.
  • 5-Year Mission for Cotton Production: To boost cotton production.
  • Kisan Credit Card Limit Increased: Kisan Credit Card limit increased from ₹3 lakhs to ₹5 lakhs.
  • Jal Jeevan Mission Extension: Extended until 2028.
  • Makhana Board: To be established in Bihar to promote Makhana (Lotus seeds).
  • Urea Plant in Namrup, Assam: New Urea plant in Namrup, Assam, expected to produce 12.7 lakh metric tons of Urea.

Art & Culture: Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar 300th Jayanti

300th Birth Anniversary: Celebrating 300th birth anniversary (1725-2025) of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, Holkar queen of Indore.

Historical Significance: Known for restoring the Kashi temple. Called "The Philosopher Queen" by British writer John Kaye.

Government Policy: Swarel App - Indian Railways Super App

Swarel App: Indian Railways launched "Swarel" - a super app providing a one-stop solution for all railway services. Developed by Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS).

Appointments: Rajesh Nirwan - Head of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security

New Head: Rajesh Nirwan appointed as the head of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the apex body for aviation security in India.

Places in News: Kurdistan, Iraq

Kurdistan: India provided food aid to Kurdistan region in Iraq. Kurdistan region spans across Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Armenia.

Sports: ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup

India Wins: India won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup for the second consecutive time, defeating South Africa, hosted by Malaysia.

Player of the Series: Gongoli Trisha (from Telangana, India) won the "Player of the Series" award.

Andhra Pradesh Specific Current Affairs

  • First Drone City of India: To be established in Orvukal village, Kurnool district, by Garuda Aerospace (Chennai based).
  • Vidya Shakti Scheme: Andhra Pradesh government to provide online coaching for JEE Advanced to government college students, starting in Guntur and Anantapur districts in the first phase, initiated by Nara Lokesh.
  • Chali Utsavalu (Winter Festival): Tourism festival held in Araku Valley, Alluri district, Andhra Pradesh.

This is a comprehensive, transcription-based summary of the current affairs discussed in the YouTube video by Honey Gs Academy. For detailed information, please refer to the original video.

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