Context: Ten months since the Reserve Bank of India imposed business restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank, the RBI has finally removed the restrictions after complete determination of remedial measures and compliance verification. Key Highlights: Why Was The Restriction Imposed? The RBI had placed curbs on Kotak Mahindra Bank for reasons related to its IT management. The RBI said that the bank had persistently failed to rectify “serious deficiencies and non-compliances” and it resulted in severe outages in 2022 and 2023, which resulted in inconvenience to customers. RBI’s Decision to Remove Restrictions Compliance and Remedial Measures Taken Bank’s Response With the restrictions removed, Kotak Mahindra Bank is now set to increase stakes on digital expansions and credit card products. Source: The Hindu
India’s Retail Inflation
Context: India’s retail inflation dipped to 4.31% in January 2025 from 5.22% in December 2024 and 5.1% in January 2024. Food inflation declined for the third straight time, though fruits and edible oils saw an increase in price. Key Highlights:
TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection
Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come up with fresh regulations aimed to tightrope walk between curbing spam calls and messages. These regulations to the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018, come with strict timelines for compliance imposed along with enhanced penalties and consumer facilitation measures. Important Provisions of The New Rules More Stringent Complaint Handling and Faster Remedial Action Specific Identification of Commercial messages Harsh penalties on Repeats AI Enabled Spam Detection & Monitoring The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India. It consists of a chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members. The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January 2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.
Hyderabad Bird Atlas Project
Context: The Hyderabad Bird Atlas is a three year project aimed at mapping the avian fauna of the city to understand bird distribution, monitor changes in bird populations, and assist land use planning. Key Highlights: Nehru Zoological Park Construction of Nehru Zoological Park was initiated on 26 October 1959 and was opened to public on 6 October 1963. The Park is managed by forest department, Government of Telangana, and is named in memory of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
India and France Strengthen Cooperation on the IMEC
Context: India and France are jointly implementing the IMEC, which aims to enhance connectivity between India and Europe through sea and land routes. Key Highlights:
Current Affairs 12 February, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz12 February, 2025 International Affairs 1. USAID Freeze Context: On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump, on his first day in office for a second time, issued an executive order freezing USAID foreign assistance for 90 days. Key Highlights: What is USAID? Elon Musk and Marco Rubio in the Mix Impact of Freeze on the World USAID in India Political and Global Reactions Conclusion UPSC Mains PYQ: What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC-2019) National Affairs 1. Appointment of Chief Minister Context: N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9, 2025. Neither the ruling BJP nor the Opposition party can stake any claim for the formation of the new government. Key Highlights: Source: The Hindu 2. COP29 Context: COP29 taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been labeled the “Climate Finance COP“ for facilitating negotiations on key aspects of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Key Highlights: Why Article 6.2 Is Important for India? India’s Carbon Trading and the Market Readiness India’s Leadership Potential in South-South Partnership with Africa Risks & Challenges for India The Way Forward 3. Cybersecurity Context: THE ASSAULT ON KAVERI 2.0: Kaveri 2.0 is a property registration portal in Karnataka, which saw a DDoS attack in December 2024, so the attacks ramped up in January and went on into February 2025. The system was essentially crippled using AI-powered bots; property registrations in the state were halted for days. Key Highlights: For this probably, some revenue loss has occurred, for sure, to the state government of Karnataka. Timeline of Cyber Attacks on Karnataka Infrastructure Karnataka is known for cyber security breaches: 4. Su-57 fighter Jet Context: Rosoboronexport and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) offered India a partner on the Su-57, Russia’s fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). The offer envisions localizing production in India, perhaps at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), with the start of production possibly as early as 2025. Key Highlights: Fifth generation technologies for India. Possible implications for India Russia’s offer to localise the Su 57 and transfer technology holds unique value for India.India will have to make an assessment of these and tie them to its long range strategic goals regarding the Make in India initiative, international partnerships being built in the background, and the changing geopolitical environment. 5. Parliamentary Updates Disbursement of Money to Sahara Group Depositors PACs Allowed to Fuel Retailing AI Centers of Excellence (CoE) Announced Recovery of ₹3.58 Trillion under Insolvency Process Important points by finance minister during Budget Discussions 6. The NITI Aayog Report on Strengthening State Public Universities (SPUs) Major Issues Pertaining to State Public Universities (SPUs) Important Policy Recommendations of the NITI Aayog Challenges Towards Implementation 7. India Energy Achievements & Goals India’s Energy Transition and 2030 Goals Ethanol Blending and Sustainable Fuels Initiatives Manufacturing Energy and Resource Exploration Banking/Finance 1. Foreign Direct Investments in Government Securities Net Inflows into Fully Accessible Route (FAR) Securities What is FAR? What is the Structure of FAR? Reasons That Prompted FAR in the First Place? Other Routes for Foreign Investments in Bonds 2. Sebi Cracks Down on Stock Price Manipulation What is Stock Manipulation? Stock manipulation” refers to the act of intentionally influencing the price of a stock by deceptive means, such as spreading false information, making large, coordinated trades, or using other tactics to artificially inflate or deflate the price to gain personal profit, which is considered illegal. Intervention of Sebi in LSIL and PIFL Sebi’s New Way of Surveillance Some Important Commonalities in Investigations Implications and Takeaways for Investors Economy 1. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Disinvestment Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are government-owned companies that operate in India’s energy, manufacturing, finance, and telecommunications sectors. They are also known as Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs). How do PSUs impact India? PSUs are vital to India’s economic and social development, They contribute significantly to GDP, They drive infrastructure growth, They provide employment opportunities, and They promote socio-economic welfare. A Historical Context: Performance of PSUs since 2019-20 Comparison of PSUs in Action between 2020-21 and 2024-25 Comparison With the First Term of the Modi Government (2014-19) Why the Change? Budget 2025 26: Indicators of Change or Continuity? Although the government announced a strategy in 2021, it remains undecided regarding PSU disinvestment. The reliance on PSUs for dividends continues, while stake sales are slowly progressing. Agriculture 1. NABARD’s Export Pathshala Workshop Context: NABARD, in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Pvt Ltd, organized a three day workshop in order for Odisha’s Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to expand their businesses globally.The workshop convened policymakers, financial institutions, exporters, and supporting organizations to strengthen India’s agri export ecosystem. Major Objectives & Training Focus Key Stakeholders and Expert Contributions Strategic Roadmap for Agri Exports Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) 2. Union Budget 2025-26: Agriculture and Rural Development Context: Update on a previous year’s initiators with continuation of schemes which are well functioning.The reduced gap between Budget Estimates (BE) Revised Estimates (RE) signifies better performance in implementation. Resource Allocation Sector wide Key New Initiatives and their likely Impact Pulses Self Sufficiency Mission (₹1,000 crore) High Yielding & Climate Resilient Seeds Initiative Value Chain Development for Fruits & Vegetables (₹500 crore) Sector Specific Missions Structural Challenges in Urgent Attention State Coordination and Governance Deficits Facts To Remember 1. Union Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurates Bharat TEX 2025 in Greater Noida Bharat TEX 2025, India’s largest global textile Event was officially inaugurated by Minister of Textile, Giriraj Singh at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida today. 2. WHO faces communication challenges on bird flu after US withdrawal World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that communication with the US on the bird flu outbreak has become difficult. This is due to the US withdrawal from the UN health agency. 3. India’s Net Direct Tax Collection Rises 14.69% to ₹17.78 Lakh Crore Country’s net direct tax
Union Budget 2025-26: Agriculture and Rural Development
Context: Update on a previous year’s initiators with continuation of schemes which are well functioning.The reduced gap between Budget Estimates (BE) Revised Estimates (RE) signifies better performance in implementation. Resource Allocation Sector wide Key New Initiatives and their likely Impact Pulses Self Sufficiency Mission (₹1,000 crore) High Yielding & Climate Resilient Seeds Initiative Value Chain Development for Fruits & Vegetables (₹500 crore) Sector Specific Missions Structural Challenges in Urgent Attention State Coordination and Governance Deficits
NABARD’s Export Pathshala Workshop
Context: NABARD, in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Pvt Ltd, organized a three day workshop in order for Odisha’s Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to expand their businesses globally.The workshop convened policymakers, financial institutions, exporters, and supporting organizations to strengthen India’s agri export ecosystem. Major Objectives & Training Focus Key Stakeholders and Expert Contributions Strategic Roadmap for Agri Exports Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Disinvestment
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are government-owned companies that operate in India’s energy, manufacturing, finance, and telecommunications sectors. They are also known as Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs). How do PSUs impact India? PSUs are vital to India’s economic and social development, They contribute significantly to GDP, They drive infrastructure growth, They provide employment opportunities, and They promote socio-economic welfare. A Historical Context: Performance of PSUs since 2019-20 Comparison of PSUs in Action between 2020-21 and 2024-25 Comparison With the First Term of the Modi Government (2014-19) Why the Change? Budget 2025 26: Indicators of Change or Continuity? Although the government announced a strategy in 2021, it remains undecided regarding PSU disinvestment. The reliance on PSUs for dividends continues, while stake sales are slowly progressing.
Stock Manipulation
What is Stock Manipulation? Stock manipulation” refers to the act of intentionally influencing the price of a stock by deceptive means, such as spreading false information, making large, coordinated trades, or using other tactics to artificially inflate or deflate the price to gain personal profit, which is considered illegal. Intervention of Sebi in LSIL and PIFL Sebi’s New Way of Surveillance Some Important Commonalities in Investigations Implications and Takeaways for Investors
