Current Affairs February 2025

Explanation: The Economic Survey projects 6.3-6.8% growth for 2025-26, driven by a strong external account, fiscal consolidation, and stable private consumption. It stresses that domestic growth drivers will be more crucial than external factors in the future. The Survey calls for deregulation and reforms to focus on economic freedom for individuals and organizations. India’s growth is estimated at 6.4% in 2024-25, the slowest in four years. The retreat of globalization means India must leverage its demographic dividend and strong domestic balance sheets for future growth.

Explanation: TROPEX-25 or Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise 2025 is India’s largest biennial maritime exercise, led by the Indian Navy with participation from the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The exercise focuses on joint warfare, power projection, and countering challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. Senior military leaders witnessed operations aboard INS Vikrant, highlighting India’s carrier-based air power. The exercise demonstrated integrated fleet operations, uniting the Eastern and Western Fleets. Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force participated, symbolizing growing joint warfare coordination. TROPEX-25 strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, signaling deterrence against China’s expanding naval presence. The exercise reinforces India’s role in regional security and Quad cooperation.

Explanation: Indrayani River in Pune is covered with toxic white foam amid rising Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases linked to water contamination. It is located in Maharashtra. It originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala and flows 103.5 km through Pune district before merging into the Bhima River, a tributary of the Krishna River. The river is rain-fed and supports irrigation and agriculture. It has religious significance, with Alandi (samadhi of Dnyaneshwar) and Dehu (hometown of Saint Tukaram) on its banks. Valvan Dam at Kamshet on the river is used for hydroelectric power generation.

Explanation: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha’ (BGBO) scheme to bridge the rural-urban development gap. The scheme has a budget of ₹5,000 crore over five years and aims to develop 60,000 villages. It focuses on improving basic infrastructure for better living conditions in rural areas, covering 80% of the state’s population. Villagers will plan and implement projects, with 40% of funds reserved for tribal areas. Transparent governance ensured through district collectors and social audits.

Explanation: Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO is collaborating with China for the Chang’e-8 lunar mission in 2028. A 35-kg indigenous Pakistani rover will explore the Moon’s south pole as part of the mission. Chang’e-8 is part of China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project and aims to test technologies for a lunar science base. The mission will conduct surveys, lunar sample analysis, and resource utilization experiments. China has allocated 200 kg of payload capacity for international participation. This follows Pakistan’s iCube Qamar CubeSat launch on China’s Chang’e-6 mission in May 2024.

Explanation: A US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed at Amritsar airport on 5th February 2025. The deportees spent between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 1 crore on expenses and agent fees to reach the US. They traveled through the “dunki route,” an illegal and dangerous immigration path. “Dunki” or “donkey journey” refers to long, risky routes taken due to a lack of legal permits or financial resources. American authorities deported individuals who used this illegal route to enter the US.

Explanation: Jotham Napat was elected as Vanuatu’s Prime Minister unopposed. His nomination was proposed by Charlot Salwai, a former Prime Minister. Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, located east of Australia and west of Fiji.

Explanation: The World Health Organization released the 2025 edition of the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11). ICD is a key tool for tracking global health trends and statistics. It supports WHO’s efforts to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals and national health targets. ICD is used to understand the causes, extent, and consequences of diseases and deaths worldwide. It is essential for health records, statistics, and cause of death certificates. In India, the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) handles ICD-related activities as a WHO Collaboration Centre.

Explanation: The Uttar Pradesh government launched the ‘Jal Kalash’ initiative at Prayagraj during Mahakumbh. It aims to collect and recycle plastic water bottles to prevent environmental harm. The initiative is led by G Ashok Kumar, former Director General of Namami Gange Mission. A 20-day campaign (Feb 1-20, 2025) is organized by Development Alternatives in collaboration with the HCL Foundation. Adarsh Seva Samiti and Mangal Bhumi Foundation are also providing local support to the initiative.