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.
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:
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
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
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)
Disinvestment
Context: The Union Budget 2025-26 has introduced a subtle yet significant change in the way capital receipts are presented. Instead of specifying disinvestment targets, the budget now bundles them under “miscellaneous capital receipts”, which include privatisation, asset monetisation, and stake sales. Key Highlights of the Disinvestment Shift Reduced Transparency in Disinvestment Targets Disinvestment Goals Missed for Consecutive Years Backtracking on the 2021 Privatization Policy Moving Head in Contrary Direction: Investment in Sick PSUs rather than Privatising Fiscal Constraints Make Disinvestment More Critical: Disinvestment Disinvestment is the selling or liquidation of assets, subsidiaries, and business units by an organization or government. It can also be termed as reducing capital expenditures. Why is disinvestment done? Types of disinvestment How is disinvestment done?
India-EFTA Trade Deal
Context: India and EFTA have progressed a step to enhance investments following the launch of a dedicated desk to facilitate European businesses who may want to upscale their India operations. The news comes ahead of the expected commitment of $100 billion in foreign direct investment each side is going to make forth from the signed trade deal. Essential Facts of the Trade Deal EFTA Members Participating: Economic Gains Available What’s Next?
Non Deliverable Forwards (NDFs)
Context: “The NDF(non-deliverable forward) was showing opening at 88. Since Ifelt that RBIwill surely intervene, Iasked exporters to cover it at whatever level they got above 87.90. The intervention was very strong as the rupee rose to 87.41 before the fall to 87.60. RBImay have sold $1-2 billion to protect the rupee,” said Anil Kumar, head of treasury at Finrex Treasury Advisors. Non Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) Non Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) are financial contracts used for speculating or hedging against currency fluctuations in markets where currencies are not freely traded. They are widely used by companies and investors to manage currency risk in restricted or controlled foreign exchange markets. How NDFs Work? Why NDFs Are Used? NDF Market & Applications
RBI Guidelines on Gold Auctions: Key Instructions for Banks and NBFCs
Context: The RBI has framed explicit directives to support transparency, non-discrimination and implementing instructions in an auction of pledged gold held by scheduled commercial banks/Non Banking Financial Companies/ Primary Cooperative Banks. The process of determining the reserve price becomes the most important affair when gold is used as collateral. Key Highlights: Reserving Price Establishment
Current Affairs 11 February, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz11 February, 2025 International Affairs 1. Trump’s Gaza Proposal and Its Geopolitical Implications Context: Donald Trump, who is known for his bold negotiation tactics, proposed on February 4, 2025, that Gaza’s 2.3 million residents be relocated to Egypt and Jordan while the U.S. would redevelop the strip into a global tourist hub. This highly controversial proposal has sparked widespread reactions, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) stating that Saudi Arabia would not establish ties with Israel without a Palestinian state. Key Highlights: Key Trump Proposal & Reactions West Asia Geopolitical Reconfigurations Trump’s Foreign Policy Approach Economic Consequences Structural Economic Challenges Saudi Arabia’s Critical Position Challenges & Outlook Abraham Accord The Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements signed between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain on September 15, 2020. These deals, mediated by the US, concern Israel and the UAE before Israel and Bahrain. The signing was hosted by US President Donald Trump on the Truman Balcony, where he hoped to evoke historic peace treaties that were otherwise relevant only in previous administrations. 2. India U.S. Trade Talks Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump this week are expected to focus on tariff negotiations, with India considering further import duty reductions on U.S. goods like pecan nuts to ease trade tensions. Key Highlights: India’s Tariff Concessions on U.S. Agricultural Imports India’s Case for Low Tariffs on U.S. Industrial Products Possible U.S. Concessions for India U.S. Strategy: Tariffs as Negotiation Tool Further Trade & Defence Talks 3. UK-India Defence Partnership India (DPI) Context: The United Kingdom (UK) has launched the Defence Partnership India (DPI), a dedicated cell within the UK Ministry of Defence to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with India. The announcement was made during Aero India, where multiple defence agreements were signed between the two nations. Key Highlights: Establishment of DPI Defence Agreements signed at Aero India The UK India Defence Partnership India (DPI) is one step forward towards joint defence production, increased security cooperation, and supply chain integration. The agreements signed at Aero India will not only boost indigenous defence manufacturing but also foster strategic interoperability between the two countries. 4. Modi arrives in France for AI summit National Affairs 1. Aero India 2025 Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Aero India as “the Kumbh of research”, as the biennial air show got under way at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Introduction History of Aero India Key Highlights of Aero India Event Highlights Read more>> 2. India’s Global South Strategy Context: India has made itself increasingly an anchor in the Global South, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing the attention of Indian foreign policy toward the amplification of the voice of developing countries. A reflection of that aspiration is a series of endeavors, such as the Voice of Global South Summit 2024, geared toward pushing India to become more proactive in reformation toward the more equitable global governance order. India’s Strategic Turn Around to China India and China: Competition or Different Strategy? Key Strategies for India to Succeed Human Centric Development Strengthening Global Governance & Institutional Capacity 3. The 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) Context: India is emerging as one of the global voices for a more representative, inclusive system of global governance. The 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), that took place on 17th August 2024 was thematically tagged under “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future,” while 123 countries participated with only China and Pakistan missing. What is Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS)? Key Outcome 3rd VOGSS 2024 Healthcare & Agriculture What is the Global South? India’s Expectations as a Voice of Global South The Way Ahead for India Conclusion India can forge a new and effective governance landscape in the global world, advancing Global South interests, but leadership has to be supported by strategic policies, credibility in global commitments, and strong domestic development. That way, it determines success to lead the Global South effectively, where domestic priorities meet international responsibilities. UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Mains Q.“If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (2021) Q.Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario. (2016) 4. India Justice Report 2025-26 Context: The India Justice Report 2025-26 shows a resolute downward trend since 2019 in budgetary allocations to justice related schemes. Moreover, a significant aspect that the report has brought forward is that the actual expenditure incurred in a lot of sub components, especially in police modernisation and forensic capacity building, has been much lower than both the Budget Estimates (BE) and the Revised Estimates (RE). Key Highlights: Shrinking State Police Modernisation Budget Shifting Funds for Forensic Modernization The Modernisation of Prisons Fund Judiciary Related Schemes: Optimal Fund Utilisation 5. India’s Renewable Energy Context: India will likely fail to meet the February 10 deadline for submitting its third round of climate action plans under the Paris Agreement on account of hurdles in the adoption of renewable energy (RE). A major setback is that 40 GW of RE projects tendered by government agencies remain unsold. Key Challenges in Renewable Energy Adoption Lack of Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) Dropping Renewable Energy Prices Threating SEBs Stalled Investments and Regulatory Setbacks Coal Continues to Dominate Power Generation Consequences for India’s Climate Targets 6. Union Budget 2025-26: Health Sector Allocations and Issues Context: Union Budget 2025-26 charts out four major growth drivers agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports through reforming taxation, power, urban development, mining, finance, and regulation. The social sector spend, in general, public health, remains grossly disappointing and has dropped to 3.9% of the budget 2025 26 from 5.3% of the budget 2019-20. Key Highlights: Budget and Growth Trends Public Health Spending Still Below Targets Ayushman Bharat and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Structural Challenges in Fund Utilization
