25 Feb 2025 daily current affairs with GS| indian economy

Honey GS Academy - Daily Current Affairs (February 25th)

Welcome to the daily current affairs summary with GS points. Today, we have several very important articles from various fields.

APPSC Group 2 Exam - Course Feedback

We launched an Economics course, and it's been well-received. Questions from our weekly and unit tests appeared directly in the recent APPSC Group 2 exam. This isn't to boast, but to highlight that we offer high-quality content, PDF notes, weekly tests, and unit tests at an affordable price, designed with aspirants in mind. We provide comprehensive syllabus coverage.

The purpose is *not* to say *only* these questions came. The main objective is to demonstrate high-quality content at an affordable price and also weekly, unit tests.

The course includes a 45-day revision series with grand tests every 15 days (covering the syllabus in three parts), culminating in a mega grand test (150 marks) on the 50th day. This cycle repeats every 50 days until December 31, 2025. There are no separate fees for test series, notes, classes, or revision. It's a single price for multiple benefits.

Here are some of the examples.

• Foreign Currency Reserves: The question asked what components are included in the foreign currency reserves managed by the RBI. Our weekly test (Question 12) covered the same options: Foreign Currency Assets, Gold, and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
• Balance of Payments (BOP): The exam had a question on government actions when the BOP is in deficit. Our test had the *exact same question*, including options like currency devaluation (we used the term "rupee devaluation," which is equivalent) and increasing import duties.
• Article for Loan Requirement : Which Article deals with taking loan.
• Devaluation effects: What are the impacts of devaluation, our tests included the impacts.
• Fiscal Deficit for 2025-26 Budget: A question was there about the Fiscal Deficit.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: The aim of the scheme in exam and we asked the extended year of the scheme.
• Current Account Surplus: Why is there a surplus in the current account and quater 4 is asked.
• Items not in GST : What is the item which is not in GST?.

We aim to provide in-depth explanations for every option in the answer key, helping you understand the subject matter thoroughly. We encourage you to take advantage of this affordable and comprehensive course for your upcoming Group 2 exams in both Telugu states.

1. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) - 19th Installment

Key Points:

• PM Modi launched the 19th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• This installment benefits 9.8 crore farmers.
• The amount released in this installment is ₹22,000 crores.
• Exam Tip: Questions can be asked about the scheme's basics, the number of beneficiaries, or the amount released in a specific installment.

PM-KISAN Scheme - Basics

• The scheme provides ₹2,000 per installment, three times a year, totaling ₹6,000 annually.
• Budget Allocation (Logic): Since each installment is around ₹20,000 - ₹22,000 crores, multiplying by three gives an approximate annual budget allocation of ₹60,000 - ₹66,000 crores. This helps you make educated guesses even if you don't know the exact figure.
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Scheme Type: Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union Government). *Not* a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. This is a crucial distinction.
• Eligibility: Farmer families (husband, wife, and minor children) owning up to 2 hectares (5 acres) of land.
• Launch Date: February 24, 2019 (6 years ago, as mentioned by PM Modi).
• Launch Location: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Implementation (Retrospective): Implemented retrospectively from December 1, 2018.
• Benefit Transfer: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – money is directly transferred to bank accounts.
• Kisan e-Mitra: An AI chatbot for PM-KISAN. PM-KISAN is the *first* government scheme to use an AI chatbot. This is important from both an economics and government schemes perspective. It falls under the "inputs" section of agriculture.

It is recommended to pause the video and review the notes thoroughly to understand better.

2. Financial Literacy Week

• An annual event organized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Held in February (24th to 28th this year).
• Theme 2024: Financial Literacy for Women's Prosperity. This year focused on the financial literacy of women, emphasizing its importance for household well-being.

3. Space Current Affairs

• China's Shot 10R (Zhongxing 10R): A Chinese communication satellite launched from Xichang (or Jiuquan) using a Long March 3B rocket. It was placed in Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

There's a comprehensive 3-hour video on Space Technology available on the Honey GS Academy YouTube channel. It covers basics and updates, making it easier to understand space-related news.

4. Defence Current Affairs

• Tejas Supply Delay: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is delaying the delivery of Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets to the Defence Ministry. A committee headed by Rajesh Kumar Singh has been formed to investigate.

A 3-hour video on Defence is also available, covering basics and current updates.

5. Environment - Black Plastic

• Source: Black plastic is produced from the recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) like computers, TVs, and other electronic appliances.
• Use: It's often used in cooking utensils (the black coating on top).
• Health Risk: It poses a risk to human health.
• Harmful Chemical: Decabromodiphenyl ether. The presence of "Modi" in the name might make it easier to remember.

6. Geography Articles

• Reclassification of Major Minerals: The Ministry of Mines has reclassified four minerals – Barites, Mica, Quartz, and Feldspar – from minor to major minerals. This is due to their high economic value.
  • Governing Act: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
  • Licensing: Mining these minerals now requires a license from the Indian Bureau of Mines.
• Critical Minerals: It's crucial to distinguish between *critical* minerals and *major* minerals. Critical minerals (30 in total) have high economic value *and* high supply risk (difficult to process/purify). The recently reclassified minerals are *major*, not critical. An example of a critical mineral is lithium (found in Jammu & Kashmir's Reasi district), which is difficult to process.
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Report: India has the second-largest road network in the world (63.45 lakh km). National Highways constitute 1.46 lakh km. The construction rate is 33.8 km per day.
• Datia Airport: Approved in Madhya Pradesh. This is the eighth airport in the state. Questions often focus on the location.

7. Art and Culture

• Jhum Dance (Assam): Performed by 8600 people in Assam in front of PM Modi to celebrate 200 years of the Assam tea industry. Performed by tea tribes.

8. International Relations

• Tea Horse Road: The Chinese ambassador to India highlighted its importance. It's an ancient trade network connecting Tibet, China, and India. Tea was traded from Tibet, and horses were used in the Chinese military.
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF): An annual event (meeting three times a year) hosted in Paris under the presidency of Elisa De Anda Madrazo (Mexico), the first female president of FATF.
  • Purpose: Combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and countering cryptocurrencies.
  • Founded by: G7 countries.
  • Outcomes:
    • Black List: No changes (North Korea, Iran, Myanmar). Countries on the black list receive no international assistance.
    • Grey List: Laos and Nepal were added. The Philippines were removed. The grey list serves as a warning.
    • Vice President: Giles Thompson (from the UK).
    • Members: No changes. Russia's suspension continues.
    • Guest Country: Kenya was elected as a new guest country.

9. Government Policy

• Adolescent Girls Club: An initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development for girls aged 10-19 (including intermediate and degree students) in government and private schools. Launched first in Nagaland. Part of Mission Shakti.
• Mission Shakti: Has two sub-schemes:
  • Sambal: Focuses on safety and security (One-Stop Centers, Women's Helpline).
  • Samarthya: Focuses on empowerment (Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Swadhar Greh, Sakhi Niwas, Palna - National Creche Scheme).
• Gender Budgeting: There is no seprate budget for gender, but within different schemes alloted budget comes under it.

10. Tech Triumph Program

• Launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to promote gaming technology in India at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. This platform aims to showcase India's gaming talent globally.

11. Saras Aajeevika Mela

• Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This fair showcases handicrafts by artisans. This year's theme focuses on the "Lakhpati Didi" initiative of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), aiming to empower women and enhance their export capabilities by providing marketing opportunities.

12. Tribes in News

• Soliga Tribe (Karnataka & Tamil Nadu): Praised by PM Modi for their contribution to increasing the tiger population. They reside in the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Tiger Reserve (Karnataka, *not* Tamil Nadu as mentioned in some papers). They were the first tribe to get forest rights within a tiger reserve.
• Bodo Tribe (Assam): Bathouism was recognized as the official religion of the Bodo tribe by the Assam government. Bathouism involves five philosophical concepts ("Ba" means five, "Thou" means चिंतन - thought/contemplation): Air, Land, Fire, Sky, and Sun (*not* water).

13. Summits

• 21st African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) Summit: Hosted by Delhi. The theme was South-South Cooperation (Global South refers to developing countries – it's an economic term, not a geographical one). AARDO was established in 1962 in Cairo. Headquarters are in Delhi. Members (currently 33) are from Asia and Africa. The goal is rural development.

14. Committees

• Committee for Modernization of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): Headed by NITI Aayog member V.K. Paul.

15. Books

• Life on Mars: Written by Namita Gokhale.

16. Reports

• Tourism Report (Domestic): Released by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Taj Mahal is ranked first, Golconda Fort is sixth, and Charminar is ninth.

17. AP and TS Local News

• There were no significant local news items reported.

We will continue regular classes from tomorrow. Thank you, and Happy Shivaratri!