Daily Current Affairs of 13th February 2025 in English

Introduction:

Daily Current Affairs of 13th February 2025, witnessed a series of significant events across various domains, ranging from infrastructure development to geopolitical concerns, cultural celebrations, and scientific discoveries. Here's an in-depth look at the noteworthy occurrences of the day.

Top Current Affairs and News Headlines – February 13, 2025

Daily GK Update – 13th February 2025: Current Affairs

Here are the major national and international updates, developments, and key events from 13th February 2025:

National News

PM Modi’s Thoughtful Gifts to French President and First Lady

During his official visit to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a selection of exquisite gifts to French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. These gifts showcased India's rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship, symbolizing the deep historical and artistic ties between the two nations.

Lok Sabha Expands Language Translation Services

In an effort to promote linguistic inclusivity, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the addition of six more languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu—to the House's translation services. This expansion aims to facilitate broader participation by Members of Parliament and strengthen democratic engagement. However, the inclusion of Sanskrit sparked discussions about its practicality and official recognition in Indian states.

International News

Romanian President Resigns Amid Political Crisis

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis stepped down ahead of an impeachment vote following the controversial annulment of the country's presidential elections last year. Accusations of Russian interference led to the election cancellation, triggering mass protests. Senate President Ilie Bolojan has assumed interim leadership until fresh elections are conducted in May 2025.

State News

Haryana Introduces ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ Initiative

The Haryana government has launched the ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ campaign to promote sustainable farming by improving soil health. Over the next three to four years, soil samples from every acre of farmland will be analyzed, and farmers will receive Soil Health Cards to guide their agricultural practices for enhanced productivity.

Economy News

Industrial Output Growth Slows to 3.2% in December 2024

India’s industrial output, as per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), recorded a slower growth rate of 3.2% in December 2024, compared to 5% in November. The manufacturing sector’s weaker performance was a key factor behind the decline, though electricity generation saw an increase.

Retail Inflation Eases to 4.31% in January 2025

India’s retail inflation dropped to 4.31% in January 2025, marking its lowest level in five months. The fall was primarily due to a decrease in food prices, particularly vegetables, following fresh winter harvests.

Banking News

SEBI Launches MITRA to Help Investors Track Dormant Mutual Fund Accounts

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced the Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA) to assist investors in locating and reclaiming inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios. This initiative addresses concerns about investors losing access to their investments due to outdated contact details or lack of KYC updates.

RBI Lifts Digital Onboarding Ban on Kotak Mahindra Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank, allowing it to resume digital onboarding of new customers and issue fresh credit cards. These restrictions were imposed in April 2024 due to IT infrastructure shortcomings, which the bank has now rectified.

RBI Permits Small Finance Banks to Offer Credit via UPI

In a significant step towards financial inclusion, the RBI has allowed Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to provide pre-approved credit lines through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This move is expected to benefit small businesses and individuals with limited access to formal banking services.

Canara Bank Appoints Dr. Madhavankutty G as Chief Economist

Canara Bank has named Dr. Madhavankutty G as its Chief Economist. With over 20 years of expertise in economic research and banking, he will be instrumental in shaping the bank’s financial strategy.

RBI to Issue New ₹50 Banknotes with Governor Sanjay Malhotra’s Signature

The RBI has announced the issuance of fresh ₹50 banknotes featuring the signature of its newly appointed Governor, Sanjay Malhotra. These notes will maintain the existing Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series design, while previously issued ₹50 notes will remain legal tender.

Important Days

International Darwin Day – 12th February

Observed annually on February 12, International Darwin Day honors Charles Darwin’s contributions to evolutionary science. This day encourages scientific exploration, rational thinking, and innovation.

National Productivity Day 2025

National Productivity Day, celebrated on February 12 in India, emphasizes efficiency and innovation across industries. The theme for 2025 is “From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups.”

Summits and Conferences

India to Host the Next Global AI Summit

During the AI Action Summit in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will host the upcoming Global AI Summit. This reflects India's growing role in AI development and its commitment to global cooperation in emerging technologies.

Agreements and Collaborations

IIITDM Kancheepuram Partners with ERNET India for IoT Research

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram has partnered with ERNET India to set up a joint research lab focused on IoT development. This initiative aims to enhance technological research and innovation.

Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace Collaborate on UAV Development

Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace have signed an MoU at Aero India 2025 to establish a Centre of Excellence for drone engineering. This aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ vision and aims to advance domestic UAV technology.

Science and Technology

AIIMS Delhi Introduces ‘Srjanam’ for Biomedical Waste Management

AIIMS Delhi has launched ‘Srjanam,’ India’s first automated biomedical waste conversion system, developed by CSIR-NIIST. This eco-friendly innovation reduces reliance on incineration, minimizing environmental harm.

Sports News

ICC Players of the Month – Jomel Warrican and Beth Mooney

The ICC named West Indies’ Jomel Warrican and Australia’s Beth Mooney as the Players of the Month for January 2025. Warrican’s stellar performance in West Indies’ historic Test victory in Pakistan and Mooney’s dominance in the Ashes earned them this recognition.

Shikhar Dhawan Named ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Ambassador

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has been appointed as an official ambassador for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

Daily Current Affairs Question Answers in English of

13th February 2025

1. Who did Prime Minister Narendra Modi present thoughtful gifts to during his official visit to France?

A) French Prime Minister and his wife

B) French President and First Lady

C) European Union leaders

D) Indian diplomats in France

Answer: B) French President and First Lady

Explanation: PM Modi presented gifts to French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during his visit to France, symbolizing the cultural ties between the two countries.

2. Which new languages were added to the Lok Sabha's translation services?

A) Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Punjabi

B) Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, Urdu

C) Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Nepali, Konkani, Oriya

D) Hindi, English, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu

Answer: B) Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, Urdu

Explanation: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that six languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu—were added to the House’s translation services to foster inclusivity.

3. Why did Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resign?

A) Personal health issues

B) Controversy over the annulled presidential elections

C) Economic collapse in Romania

D) Ongoing corruption charges

Answer: B) Controversy over the annulled presidential elections

Explanation: President Klaus Iohannis resigned after the annulment of Romania's presidential elections, which sparked protests and accusations of Russian interference.

4. What is the main objective of the Haryana government’s 'Har Khet-Swasth Khet' initiative?

A) Promoting digital farming technologies

B) Improving soil health for sustainable farming

C) Introducing new farming equipment

D) Encouraging the use of chemical fertilizers

Answer: B) Improving soil health for sustainable farming

Explanation: The 'Har Khet-Swasth Khet' campaign aims to enhance soil health across Haryana, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and increasing productivity.

5. What was the industrial output growth rate for India in December 2024?

A) 4.1%

B) 5%

C) 3.2%

D) 6.3%

Answer: C) 3.2%

Explanation: India’s industrial output growth slowed to 3.2% in December 2024, a decrease from 5% in November, mainly due to weaker performance in the manufacturing sector.

6. What was the retail inflation rate for India in January 2025?

A) 5.5%

B) 6.1%

C) 4.31%

D) 3.8%

Answer: C) 4.31%

Explanation: India’s retail inflation dropped to 4.31% in January 2025, mainly due to falling food prices, especially vegetables after the winter harvest.

7. What is the name of the initiative launched by SEBI to help investors track dormant mutual fund accounts?

A) MITRA

B) FINTRACK

C) SAFE INVEST

D) FUNDLOCATOR

Answer: A) MITRA

Explanation: SEBI introduced the Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA) to help investors locate and reclaim dormant mutual fund accounts.

8. Which bank had restrictions lifted by the RBI regarding digital onboarding in 2025?

A) ICICI Bank

B) HDFC Bank

C) Kotak Mahindra Bank

D) Axis Bank

Answer: C) Kotak Mahindra Bank

Explanation: The RBI lifted restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank, allowing it to resume digital onboarding and issue new credit cards after addressing IT infrastructure issues.

9. Which type of banks can now offer pre-approved credit lines via UPI, as per the RBI’s latest move?

A) Nationalized Banks

B) Commercial Banks

C) Small Finance Banks

D) Foreign Banks

Answer: C) Small Finance Banks

Explanation: The RBI allowed Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to offer pre-approved credit lines via UPI, enhancing financial inclusion.

10. Who has been appointed as Canara Bank's Chief Economist?

A) Dr. Raghuram Rajan

B) Dr. Madhavankutty G

C) Dr. Subramanian Swamy

D) Dr. Arvind Subramanian

Answer: B) Dr. Madhavankutty G

Explanation: Canara Bank appointed Dr. Madhavankutty G as its Chief Economist, with a wealth of experience in economic research and banking.

11. Which new ₹50 banknotes will be issued by the RBI in 2025?

A) Notes with Mahatma Gandhi's signature

B) Notes with Prime Minister Modi's signature

C) Notes with Governor Sanjay Malhotra's signature

D) Notes with RBI's old logo

Answer: C) Notes with Governor Sanjay Malhotra's signature

Explanation: The RBI will issue new ₹50 banknotes featuring the signature of its newly appointed Governor, Sanjay Malhotra.

12. What is the theme for National Productivity Day 2025 in India?

A) Green Manufacturing for Sustainable Growth

B) From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups

C) Empowering Youth for a Productive Future

D) Digital Transformation for Improved Efficiency

Answer: B) From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups

Explanation: The theme for National Productivity Day 2025 focuses on intellectual property protection to foster competitive startups.

13. What announcement did Prime Minister Narendra Modi make during the AI Action Summit in Paris?

A) India will lead AI research globally

B) India will host the next Global AI Summit

C) India will form a new AI development agency

D) India will ban AI technologies

Answer: B) India will host the next Global AI Summit

Explanation: PM Modi announced that India will host the next Global AI Summit, showcasing India’s growing role in AI development and technology.

14. Which two companies have partnered for drone engineering research?

A) Tata Consultancy Services and Boeing

B) Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace

C) Infosys and Airbus

D) Wipro and Drone Innovations

Answer: B) Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace

Explanation: Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace have collaborated to establish a Centre of Excellence for UAV (drone) development, supporting India’s 'Make in India' vision.

15. What does AIIMS Delhi’s 'Srjanam' system aim to address?

A) Patient care management

B) Biomedical waste management

C) Surgical procedures

D) Medical research

Answer: B) Biomedical waste management

Explanation: 'Srjanam' is India’s first automated biomedical waste conversion system, developed to reduce environmental harm and minimize reliance on incineration.

16. Which cricketer was named the ICC Player of the Month for January 2025 from the West Indies?

A) Chris Gayle

B) Jomel Warrican

C) Kieron Pollard

D) Shai Hope

Answer: B) Jomel Warrican

Explanation: Jomel Warrican was named the ICC Player of the Month for January 2025 after his stellar performance in West Indies’ historic Test victory in Pakistan.

17. Who was appointed as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Ambassador?

A) Sachin Tendulkar

B) Shikhar Dhawan

C) Virat Kohli

D) Rohit Sharma

Answer: B) Shikhar Dhawan

Explanation: Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was named as the official ambassador for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be held in Pakistan and Dubai.

18. What is the theme of International Darwin Day?

A) Evolutionary thinking and its applications

B) Celebrating biodiversity

C) Honoring Charles Darwin’s contributions to evolutionary science

D) Innovation in science and technology

Answer: C) Honoring Charles Darwin’s contributions to evolutionary science

Explanation: International Darwin Day, observed on February 12, honors Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work in the field of evolutionary science.

19. Which country’s President stepped down due to election-related controversy in early 2025?

A) Poland

B) Romania

C) Bulgaria

D) Greece

Answer: B) Romania

Explanation: Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigned amidst the political crisis following the annulment of presidential elections due to allegations of foreign interference.

20. What is the purpose of the 'Har Khet-Swasth Khet' campaign launched by Haryana?

A) To promote organic farming

B) To create awareness about pesticide use

C) To enhance agricultural productivity through soil health improvement

D) To support urban farming initiatives

Answer: C) To enhance agricultural productivity through soil health improvement

Explanation: The Haryana government launched the 'Har Khet-Swasth Khet' initiative to improve soil health and promote sustainable farming practices for better agricultural output