Current Affairs - February 4, 2025 Current Affairs

Gujarat has appointed a panel, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, to draft the state's Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The five-member panel includes experts from various fields and is expected to submit its report within 45 days. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of implementing a Uniform Civil Code to ensure equal rights for all citizens. The move marks a significant step in legal reforms, as Gujarat becomes one of the states actively working towards drafting a UCC.

Mehak Sharma from Punjab set three national records in women’s weightlifting (87+ kg) at the 38th National Games. The event showcased remarkable performances across various disciplines, including weightlifting, shooting, and boxing. Her achievement highlights the growing dominance of Indian athletes in weightlifting, reflecting their rigorous training and dedication. Setting multiple national records in a single event is a significant milestone, emphasizing Mehak Sharma’s strength, technique, and consistency in the sport.

The Andhra Pradesh government launched 'Mana Mitra', India’s first WhatsApp-based governance platform. This initiative offers 161 civil services, aiming to make government services more accessible to citizens. With the platform, residents can easily access public services directly through WhatsApp, making it a significant step in digital governance. The platform is developed in collaboration with Meta and is set to expand with additional services in the future, further improving the accessibility of government services in the state.

The 13th edition of the bilateral military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ between India and the Maldives is being held in the Maldives. This annual exercise is conducted alternately in both nations, fostering military cooperation and strengthening defence ties. The previous edition in 2023 took place in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. ‘Ekuverin,’ which means ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language, reflects the close partnership between India and the Maldives in maintaining regional security and enhancing interoperability between their armed forces.

The unemployment rate in the country has reduced to 3.2% from the previous 6% in the last fiscal year during July 2023 – June 2024, as per the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). This decline is significant, especially among individuals aged 15 and above. The government has launched five employment schemes under the Prime Minister’s Package, aiming to create job opportunities and benefit over four crore youth in the next five years. These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on reducing unemployment and strengthening the job market through policy measures and economic reforms.

World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed from February 1 to 7 each year, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. This week serves as a global initiative to promote mutual understanding, dialogue, and cooperation among different religious communities. The theme for 2025 is ‘Uniting for Peace,’ emphasizing the importance of interfaith collaboration to address global challenges. The observance was first introduced by King Abdullah II of Jordan and has been celebrated annually since 2011, becoming a significant event in fostering religious harmony and peaceful coexistence worldwide.

World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4th, aiming to raise awareness, promote action, and encourage global collaboration to address the growing burden of cancer. The day was officially established on February 4, 2000, during the World Cancer Summit for the New Millennium in Paris. The theme for 2025, "United by Unique," highlights the personalized journey of each cancer patient, underscoring the importance of individualized care and inclusivity in cancer treatment. This day serves as a reminder to unite in the fight against cancer worldwide.

AgriHub, an AI-driven Center of Excellence, was launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with IIT Indore. This initiative aims to address challenges in Indian agriculture like drought, floods, and low productivity through AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning technologies. By focusing on technological innovation, startup incubation, and industry collaborations, AgriHub strives to empower farmers, researchers, and agribusinesses, creating a sustainable agritech ecosystem over the next 5 years.

R Praggnanandhaa secured his first-ever Tata Steel Masters Chess title by defeating D Gukesh 2-1 in a dramatic tie-breaker held in the Netherlands. Both players had finished the tournament with 8.5 points, leading to a tie-breaker match. The intense final featured surprising upsets, including a crucial early victory by Arjun Erigaisi over Gukesh, which helped set up the tie. Praggnanandhaa’s win marks a significant milestone in his career, further establishing him as one of India’s rising chess stars on the global stage.

Maharashtra was allocated a record ₹23,778 crore for railway projects in the 2025-26 Budget, marking a significant investment in the state’s railway infrastructure. With ongoing railway projects valued at ₹1.7 lakh crore, Maharashtra is set to witness major developments, including 132 new railway stations under the Amrit Stations Scheme. The tripartite agreement between the state, Centre, and RBI further ensures smooth funding for these projects. Additionally, the state has seen extensive railway expansion, with 2,105 km of new tracks laid since 2014, enhancing connectivity and economic growth.

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has partnered with PNB MetLife to increase life insurance accessibility across India, especially in rural and underserved areas. Through this collaboration, IPPB’s vast network of banking outlets will offer PNB MetLife’s life insurance products. This partnership aims to improve financial inclusion and security by providing affordable life insurance options to individuals in remote regions, making insurance more widely available. By leveraging IPPB’s reach, PNB MetLife seeks to bring financial protection to the masses, helping bridge the financial security gap in India.

Japan successfully launched the H-3 rocket, which carried the Michibiki No. 6 satellite, as part of its efforts to enhance its positioning system. This satellite is crucial for Japan’s version of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), providing high-precision location data with centimeter-level accuracy. The launch was conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan is aiming to have a full fleet of Michibiki satellites in operation to achieve greater self-sufficiency in its navigation systems and reduce reliance on external GPS sources.

Digital payment transactions in India saw a remarkable growth of 44% in the last fiscal year, reaching ₹18,000 crore. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) played a crucial role in driving this expansion, alongside significant contributions from IMPS and the National Electronic Toll Collection system. To further boost digital payments, the government allocated ₹3,500 crore for RuPay and BHIM-UPI promotion incentives. Additionally, the RBI’s Payment Infrastructure Fund facilitated the installation of 4.08 crore digital payment touchpoints in remote areas, enhancing financial inclusion and accessibility across the country.

The Large Area Additive Manufacturing (LAAM) system was developed at the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Hyderabad. This collaboration between IIT Hyderabad, DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), and industry partners aims to revolutionize manufacturing in the aerospace and defence sectors. The LAAM system, capable of fabricating large metal components, provides India with a major technological breakthrough in advanced manufacturing. This system uses laser and blown-powder technology, enabling the production of complex and large-scale parts essential for defence and aerospace applications.