Current Affairs - February 5, 2025 Current Affairs

The Indian Army has collaborated with IIT Guwahati to develop bamboo-based composite bunkers as an alternative to conventional construction materials. These bunkers aim to enhance sustainability, reduce weight, and improve deployability in high-altitude areas like Arunachal Pradesh. The agreement, signed between the Army’s 4 Corps and IIT Guwahati, aligns with the Army’s ‘Decade of Transformation’ vision. The new bunkers will be tested for durability, including small arms fire resistance, and provide an eco-friendly solution to military infrastructure challenges while improving logistics and operational efficiency.

India has emerged as the world's 2nd largest mobile manufacturer, driven by the rapid expansion of its electronics industry. The country now has over 300 mobile manufacturing units, a significant rise from just 2 in 2014. Nearly 99.2% of mobile phones sold in India are locally produced, with the manufacturing value surging from ₹18,900 Cr in FY14 to ₹4,22,000 Cr in FY24. Additionally, mobile phone exports have surpassed ₹1,29,000 Cr, reflecting India's growing role in the global electronics supply chain. The focus is now shifting towards semiconductor production and strengthening the electronics value chain.

L&T Finance Limited (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India, has introduced ‘Knowledgeable AI’ (KAI), an AI-powered virtual home loan advisor. KAI is designed to enhance customer experience by offering personalized assistance, instant loan calculations, and expert guidance throughout the home loan process. Unlike traditional chatbots, KAI provides a more interactive and intuitive experience, helping users navigate complex financial decisions. This launch is part of L&T Finance’s broader digital strategy to integrate AI into financial services, making home loan applications more seamless and accessible for customers.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed a resolution calling for a nationwide socio-economic and caste survey, modeled after its own state-level initiative. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also declared February 4 as Telangana Social Justice Day to mark the Cabinet’s approval of the survey. The objective of the survey is to address inequalities and ensure better representation and opportunities for SCs, STs, OBCs, and other marginalized communities. This move highlights Telangana’s commitment to social justice and inclusive development.

Maharashtra is set to establish India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) university, aiming to drive AI education, research, and innovation. A task force comprising experts from academia, industry, and government has been formed to oversee the project. The university will focus on AI research, skill development, and technological innovation while fostering collaboration between various stakeholders. It aligns with broader national goals to enhance AI capabilities and make Maharashtra a global hub for AI education and policy formulation. This initiative reflects the state's commitment to advancing technology-driven growth.

Out of the total 4,096.7 km of the India-Bangladesh border, around 864.482 km remains unfenced due to various challenges, including land acquisition and objections from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Bangladesh has expressed concerns regarding the new fencing along the border, while India has assured that it will adhere to existing agreements. This issue highlights the complexities of border management and bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations.

Airtel Payments Bank has partnered with Karnataka Bulldozers as a co-sponsor for the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2025, starting on February 8. This collaboration is aimed at promoting secure digital banking and financial awareness among cricket fans. By leveraging Cricket’s vast audience, Airtel Payments Bank seeks to reinforce trust in digital transactions and highlight the benefits of secure online banking. The partnership aligns with the bank’s commitment to digital security, making it a strategic move to engage with millions of users and expand awareness about safe banking practices.

The United Kingdom, along with India, held consultations on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation on February 4 in Delhi. The discussions covered various topics, including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, as well as the use of artificial intelligence in military operations. The talks also focused on regional non-proliferation, space security, and export control regimes. The UK reiterated its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and nuclear disarmament efforts.

India's fruit and vegetable exports witnessed a significant growth of 47.3% in volume over five years, from 2019-20 to 2023-24. This surge was driven by various factors, including trade expansion to 123 countries, entry into 17 new markets like Brazil, Ghana, and the Czech Republic, and promotional efforts by APEDA. Additionally, initiatives under the Agriculture Export Promotion Scheme (2021-26), trade fairs, and financial assistance contributed to strengthening India's position in the global fruit and vegetable export market.

WAVES 2025 aims to combat misinformation in broadcasting by unveiling AI-powered solutions for live misinformation detection. As part of this initiative, the TruthTell Hackathon is offering a ₹10 lakh prize pool to encourage the development of AI-driven fact-checking tools. The event has garnered significant interest, with over 5,600 global registrations and a notable 36% participation from women. Organized by the IT Ministry and ICEA, the initiative provides mentorship and incubation support, fostering innovation in media technology to ensure accurate and reliable information dissemination.