Daily Current Affairs

UNESCO launched a global campaign titled “Imagine a World with More Women in Science” to increase participation and representation of women in STEM fields worldwide.

Campaign Details:

• Organization – UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
• Campaign Title – “Imagine a World with More Women in Science”
• Partner – Canada’s International Development Centre (IDRC)
• Occasion – Marks the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Objectives:

• STEM Participation – Increase women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Gender Equality – Promote gender parity in scientific research and innovation
• Global Awareness – Highlight barriers faced by women in scientific careers
• Role Models – Showcase successful women scientists as inspirational figures

Significance: The campaign addresses the global gender gap in STEM fields and promotes inclusive scientific development that benefits all of humanity.

Exam Focus: UNESCO + IDRC (Canada) → Women in Science campaign.

President Donald Trump appointed Dan Bongino as the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Appointment Details:

• Name – Dan Bongino
• Position – Deputy Director of FBI
• Appointed By – President Donald Trump

Background:

• Former Secret Service Agent – Served in federal law enforcement
• Conservative Political Commentator – Known for media presence and political analysis
• Law Enforcement Experience – Background in federal security operations

Role of Deputy Director: The FBI Deputy Director is the second-highest position in the bureau, assisting the Director in managing operations, investigations, and strategic initiatives.

Exam Focus: Dan Bongino → FBI Deputy Director (appointed by Trump).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on February 24, 2025 in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Scheme Details:

• Annual Benefit – ₹6,000 to small and marginal farmers
• Distribution Pattern – Three equal installments of ₹2,000 each
• 19th Installment Release – February 24, 2025
• Location – Bhagalpur, Bihar

About PM-KISAN:

• Launch Year – 2019
• Objective – Provide income support to small and marginal farmers
• Beneficiaries – Farmer families owning cultivable land
• Implementation – Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts

Impact: PM-KISAN has provided financial security to millions of farming families, helping them meet agricultural expenses and improving rural incomes.

Exam Focus: PM-KISAN → ₹6,000 annually, 19th installment, Launch year: 2019.

Haryana launched the Witness Protection Scheme 2025 to ensure the safety of witnesses in judicial proceedings and strengthen the rule of law.

Scheme Details:

• Name – Haryana Witness Protection Scheme 2025
• State – Haryana
• Objective – Ensure safety of witnesses in legal proceedings

Protection Against:

• Intimidation – Threats to prevent testimony
• Harassment – Pressure tactics to influence witnesses
• Violence – Physical harm or fear of harm
• Coercion – Forced withdrawal of testimony

Expected Benefits:

• Encourage witnesses to come forward without fear
• Improve conviction rates in criminal cases
• Strengthen the judicial process
• Uphold rule of law and public confidence in justice system

Exam Focus: Haryana → Witness Protection Scheme 2025.

The Soliga community at the Biligirirangana Hills (BRT) Tiger Reserve in Karnataka has emerged as a model for community-based wildlife conservation through sustainable coexistence with nature.

Key Details:

• Tribe – Soliga community
• Location – Biligirirangana Hills (BRT) Tiger Reserve, Karnataka
• Approach – Community-led conservation model

Contribution to Conservation:

• Traditional Knowledge – Application of indigenous ecological wisdom
• Sustainable Coexistence – Harmonious living with wildlife
• Forest Rights Recognition – Legal acknowledgment of tribal forest rights
• Active Participation – Involvement in conservation planning and implementation

Significance:

• Demonstrates successful integration of tribal communities in wildlife conservation
• Challenges the notion that human presence is incompatible with conservation
• Provides replicable model for community-based conservation elsewhere
• Preserves both biodiversity and indigenous cultural heritage

About BRT Tiger Reserve: Located in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district, BRT Tiger Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and successful community conservation initiatives.

Exam Focus: Soliga tribe → BRT Tiger Reserve, Karnataka → Community-based conservation model.

The Indian Coast Guard concluded the Sagar Kavach coastal security exercise in West Bengal on February 22, 2025, covering a 158-kilometer coastline.

Exercise Details:

• Name – Sagar Kavach (meaning “Ocean Shield”)
• Location – West Bengal
• Concluded On – February 22, 2025
• Led By – Coast Guard Region North East
• Coverage – 158 km of coastline

Simulated Scenarios:

• Fishing Vessel Hijacking – Response to maritime piracy attempts
• Smuggling Operations – Interdiction of illegal cross-border activities
• IED Planting – Detection and neutralization of improvised explosive devices
• Terrorist Attacks – Counter-terrorism and rapid response drills

Objectives:

• Test coastal security preparedness
• Enhance coordination among security agencies
• Identify and address security gaps
• Improve response time to maritime threats

Exam Focus: Sagar Kavach → Coastal security exercise → West Bengal → 158 km coastline.

Manohar International Airport (GOX) in Goa became the first Indian airport to win the prestigious Sarvashrestha Suraksha Puraskar (Golden Trophy) for excellence in occupational safety.

Award Details:

• Airport – Manohar International Airport (Airport Code: GOX)
• Operator – GMR Goa International Airport Ltd. (GGIAL)
• Award – Sarvashrestha Suraksha Puraskar (Golden Trophy)
• Category – Service Sector
• Event – NSCI Safety Awards 2024
• Venue – The Lalit, Mumbai

Recognition Areas:

• Occupational Safety – Comprehensive workplace safety protocols
• Health Standards – Employee health and wellbeing programs
• Service Excellence – Best practices in service industry safety management
• Risk Management – Proactive hazard identification and mitigation

About NSCI: The National Safety Council of India is an autonomous body that promotes safety culture across various sectors through awareness, training, and recognition programs.

Exam Focus: Manohar International Airport (GOX) → First Indian airport → Sarvashrestha Suraksha Puraskar.

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli achieved a historic milestone by becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 international runs, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Record Details:

• Player – Virat Kohli
• Milestone – 14,000 international runs (across all formats)
• Status – Fastest to reach this landmark
• Previous Record Holder – Sachin Tendulkar

Career Highlights:

• Multiple batting records across formats
• Consistent performance in all conditions
• Former Indian cricket team captain
• One of the modern era’s greatest batsmen

Significance: This achievement places Kohli among cricket’s all-time greats and demonstrates his remarkable consistency and longevity at the highest level of international cricket.

Exam Focus: Virat Kohli → Fastest to 14,000 international runs → Surpassed Sachin Tendulkar.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant created history by becoming the first team to defend the Indian Super League (ISL) Winners Shield, defeating Odisha FC 1-0 at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

Match Details:

• Winner – Mohun Bagan Super Giant
• Opponent – Odisha FC
• Score – 1-0
• Venue – Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
• Winning Goal – Scored in injury time by Dimitrios Petratos

Achievements:

• Second Consecutive ISL Winners Shield – Back-to-back titles
• First Team to Defend – Historic accomplishment in ISL
• AFC Champions League 2 Qualification – Direct entry to continental competition
• Dramatic Victory – Injury-time winner showcased resilience

About ISL Winners Shield: The ISL Winners Shield is awarded to the team that finishes at the top of the league table at the end of the regular season, separate from the playoff championship.

Continental Impact: The victory ensures Mohun Bagan’s direct qualification for the AFC Champions League 2, allowing them to compete at the Asian club football level.

Exam Focus: Mohun Bagan → First team to defend ISL Winners Shield → Beat Odisha FC 1-0.

NASA is set to launch its Athena lunar mission on February 26, 2025, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Mission Details:

• Mission Name – Athena
• Spacecraft – Nova-C lunar lander
• Launch Date – February 26, 2025
• Launch Vehicle – SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
• Launch Site – Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

About Nova-C:

• Robotic lunar lander spacecraft
• Designed to deliver payloads to the Moon’s surface
• Part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative
• Supports scientific research and technology demonstrations

Launch Complex 39A: This historic launch pad has been used for numerous landmark missions, including Apollo moon landings and Space Shuttle launches. It is now operated by SpaceX for commercial and NASA missions.

Objectives:

• Advance lunar exploration technologies
• Conduct scientific experiments on the Moon
• Support NASA’s Artemis program goals
• Demonstrate commercial lunar landing capabilities

Exam Focus: Athena mission → Nova-C spacecraft → Falcon 9 → Launch: Feb 26, 2025 → Kennedy Space Center.