🇮🇳 National News
India has introduced the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for flight crew, launched by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. With this initiative, India becomes the second country after China to implement digital licensing for pilots.
The EPL aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and convenience in the aviation licensing process, marking a major step in aviation sector modernization.
EPL = Electronic Personnel License. Remember the country sequence: China (1st), India (2nd). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India.
Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant — a 50 KW installation at Okhla Vihar station on the Delhi Metro network. The plant captures sunlight from both sides, maximizing energy generation.
Additionally, a 1 MW rooftop solar plant was inaugurated at Khyber Pass depot. With these additions, Delhi Metro’s total rooftop solar capacity now stands at 51 MW, covering 93 stations and 15 depots.
| Installation | Capacity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Bi-Facial Solar Plant | 50 KW | Okhla Vihar Station |
| Rooftop Solar Plant | 1 MW | Khyber Pass Depot |
| Total Metro Solar Capacity | 51 MW | 93 Stations + 15 Depots |
A bi-facial solar panel captures sunlight from both front and rear surfaces, increasing energy yield by 10–30% compared to traditional panels. This is the first vertical bi-facial solar plant in India. Key numbers: 50 KW, 1 MW, 51 MW total.
Kerala has launched nPROUD — New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs — the first government-led initiative in India for the safe disposal of expired and unused medicines. The programme has been initially implemented in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat.
The initiative aims to prevent:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – caused by improper drug disposal entering water systems
- Environmental pollution – pharmaceutical contamination of soil and water
- Public health hazards – accidental consumption of expired drugs
nPROUD = New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs. Kerala is the first state to launch a government-led expired drug disposal initiative. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a WHO-designated global health threat, worsened by pharmaceutical waste in the environment.
The 77th Executive Committee Session (EC-77) of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) was inaugurated by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.
AARDO was established in 1962 and covers 32 member countries across Africa and Asia, with its headquarters in New Delhi.
AARDO = African-Asian Rural Development Organization. Established: 1962. HQ: New Delhi. Members: 32 countries (Africa + Asia). AARDO focuses on rural development cooperation between African and Asian nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first edition of the SOUL Leadership Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Guest of Honor for the event is Bhutan PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay.
The conclave focuses on cross-sector collaboration spanning politics, sports, arts, media, spirituality, business, and public policy.
This is the first edition of the SOUL Leadership Conclave. Bharat Mandapam is India’s premier convention centre located at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, which also hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2023.
💼 Business & Economy
Zomato has launched ‘Nugget’, an AI-powered customer support platform designed as a no-code solution for businesses. The platform can autonomously handle up to 80% of customer queries, significantly streamlining support operations.
Key stat: 80% automation capability. No-code platforms allow businesses to deploy technology solutions without programming knowledge. Zomato is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana and is listed on BSE and NSE.
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) has signed MoUs with Meesho, IFCA, and MGIRI during the Aadi Mahotsav festival. The partnerships aim to improve market access and capacity building for tribal artisans across India.
TRIFED = Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. It operates under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and manages the Tribes India brand. Aadi Mahotsav is a national tribal festival celebrating tribal culture, craft, cuisine, and commerce.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced Bima-ASBA, a UPI-based one-time mandate system for life and health insurance policies. Under this system, funds are transferred only upon policy issuance, ensuring greater transparency and consumer protection.
Bima-ASBA works on the same principle as ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) used in IPO applications — money is blocked but debited only upon allotment/issuance. IRDAI is headquartered in Hyderabad and was established under the IRDA Act, 1999.
🌐 International News
Brazil has officially joined OPEC+ as an observer nation, approved by Brazil’s National Council for Energy Policy. As an observer, Brazil can participate in oil policy discussions while maintaining independent production decisions.
OPEC+ = OPEC members + allied oil-producing nations (like Russia, Kazakhstan, Mexico). OPEC HQ: Vienna, Austria. Founded: 1960. Current OPEC members: 12 countries. Brazil is one of the world’s top 10 oil producers and joining as an observer does not bind it to production quotas.
Mount Dukono erupted on February 20, 2025, located on Halmahera Island in North Maluku Province, Indonesia. The eruption sent an ash cloud reaching 2,000 meters into the atmosphere, prompting aviation and safety warnings in the region.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Mount Dukono is located on Halmahera Island in the Maluku Islands (Moluccas). Indonesia has over 130 active volcanoes.
India has been elected Vice President of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) at an election held in Singapore. IALA has recently transitioned from an NGO to an inter-governmental organization (IGO).
India will also host key upcoming IALA events:
- Council Meeting – December 2025
- Conference & General Assembly – September 2027, Mumbai
IALA = International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation. Its transition from NGO → IGO is significant for exam purposes. IALA sets standards for lighthouses, buoys, and marine navigation systems globally.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) held in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 20–21, 2025. South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from December 2024 to November 2025.
G20 Presidency rotation: India held the presidency in 2023, followed by Brazil (2024) and South Africa (2025). The G20 comprises 19 countries + EU + African Union. South Africa’s presidency theme focuses on “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
An MoU has been signed between MECL (Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited, India) and the Catamarca Government (Argentina) for lithium exploration and investment. Argentina is part of the Lithium Triangle, and this partnership supports India’s growing needs for EV battery manufacturing and renewable energy storage.
The Lithium Triangle comprises Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile — together holding over 50% of the world’s lithium reserves. Lithium is critical for Li-ion batteries used in EVs, smartphones, and grid storage. In India, lithium reserves have been found in Jammu & Kashmir (Reasi district).
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) have signed an MoU focusing on joint research, training, and workshops. This partnership continues a collaborative relationship that began in 1994.
CSIR was established in 1942 and operates under the Ministry of Science & Technology. It runs a network of 38 national laboratories. NAST is Nepal’s apex body for science and technology. India-Nepal scientific cooperation has been ongoing since 1994.
📅 Important Days
International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21 to promote the preservation of linguistic diversity worldwide. The day commemorates the Bangla Language Movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where students were killed in 1952 while protesting for the recognition of Bangla as a state language.
Declared by UNESCO in 1999, first observed in 2000. The Bangla Language Movement (1952) in erstwhile East Pakistan is the historical basis. India’s Eighth Schedule recognizes 22 official languages. Don’t confuse with Hindi Diwas (September 14) or World Hindi Day (January 10).
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