NATIONAL NEWS

India Hosts The International Conference On Governance

India is hosting the annual Conference of the International Institute of Administrative Science (IIAS). The conference titled IIAS-DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) India Conference 2025 is being held in New Delhi from 10-14 February 2025.

The conference will provide a platform for experts from over 55 countries to explore innovations in public administration, governance, and policymaking.

They will also discuss the future of public administration, issues related to governance reforms, and the role of technology in shaping public governance.

The annual General Assembly meeting of the IIAS will also take place during the International Conference.

The Conference is being organised jointly by the International Institute of Administrative Science (IIAS) with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India.

The theme of the IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025 is “Next Generation Administrative Reforms – Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile”.

Haryana’s ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ Campaign Aims to Provide Soil Health Cards

The ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ campaign aims to collect soil samples from every acre of Haryana and provide farmers with soil health cards.

The target is to achieve this within the next 3-4 years.

So far, 70 lakh soil samples have been collected.

55 lakh soil samples have been analyzed.

86.65 lakh soil health cards have been distributed under the Soil Health Card Scheme.

17 new permanent soil and water testing laboratories have been established.

54 new small soil testing laboratories have been opened in various mandis.

240 small soil testing laboratories have been set up in government senior secondary schools and government colleges.

A Soil Health Card is used to assess the current status of soil health and, when used over time, to determine changes in soil health that are affected by land management.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India to Host Inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES)

India will host the first-ever World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025.

The event aims to establish India as a global media and entertainment hub, attracting media CEOs, entertainment professionals, and creative leaders from around the world.

WAVES is envisioned as the Davos for the entertainment industry, fostering collaboration, investment, and innovation.

The summit will focus on animation, gaming, visual effects, and filmmaking, highlighting future trends and industry growth.

Bangladesh Government Launches ‘Operation Devil Hunt’

Operation Devil Hunt was launched by Bangladesh's interim government in response to attacks on protesters allegedly carried out by supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party.

Over 1,300 people were detained in two days after the launch of the operation.

The operation led to the arrest of Chayan Islam, a former MP of Sirajganj-6, and Awami League members.

Gazipur Police made at least 100 arrests on the second day of the operation.

The operation aims to restore order and ensure public safety across Bangladesh.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Hindustan Jet Trainer-36 Gets a New Identity as ‘Yashas’

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially renamed its flagship jet training aircraft, the Hindustan Jet Trainer HJT-36, as ‘Yashas’ following extensive modifications aimed at enhancing its performance and operational efficiency.

The new name was unveiled by the Ministry of Defence's Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar in the presence of HAL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Dr DK Sunil and senior officials at Aero India 2025.

As part of its preparation for induction, ‘Yashas’ has been upgraded with state-of-the-art avionics and a modernized cockpit, improving training effectiveness and operational efficiency.

The enhancements include Weight reduction measures and Replacement of obsolete imported equipment with indigenous Line Replaceable Units (LRUs)

 

BUSINESS

NABARD Collaborated with Palladium Consulting India Private Limited

The Export Pathshala workshop aimed at enhancing agri and allied exports through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) was organized by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Private Limited (PCIPL).

The workshop provided training on export procedures, quality compliance, and market linkages, with a focus on fruits, vegetables, and spices exports from Odisha.

Participants included policymakers, financial institutions, exporters, FPOs, and industry experts.

Key sessions included topics on export documentation, compliance, post-harvest management, packaging for export readiness, value chain development, and risk mitigation for perishable goods.

Industry experts from NABARD, APEDA, the World Trade Centre, the Spices Board of India, and Bank of Baroda shared insights.

A field visit to PRB Super Foods in Khordha provided hands-on exposure to good packaging and logistics practices for large-scale agri-exports.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Corruption Perception Index 2024

India has been ranked 96th amongst 180 countries/territories in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index, released on 11th February 2025.

The Corruption Perception Index ranks the 180 countries/ territories on the basis of perceived public sector corruption level.

Denmark topped the Index for the seventh consecutive time and was perceived as the least corrupt country followed by Finland and Singapore.

The Corruption Perception Index is released by Berlin, Germany-based non-governmental organisation, Transparency International.

The first report was released in 1995 and since then every year the report has been released by Transparency International.

In 2024, India's overall score was 38.

The report was 0focussed on how “corruption hampers the fight against climate change”.

Henley Passport Index 2025

The Henley Passport Index 2025, compiled by Henley and Partners, ranks 199 passports based on visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to global destinations.

Based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, the rankings highlight global mobility trends.

Singapore secured first place with Visa-free access to 193 out of 227 destinations.

India’s ranked 80th position in the Henley Passport Index 2025

It shared 80th position with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Tajikistan with Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 62 countries

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Canara Bank Appoints Dr. Madhavankutty G As Chief Economist

Canara Bank appointed Madhavankutty G as Chief Economist, effective January 2025.

He will provide strategic advice on domestic and global economic and financial sector developments.

He has over two decades of experience in economic research across banking, conglomerates, and academia.

He previously worked as a senior economist at Bank of India, Aditya Birla Group, and Times Group.

He holds a postgraduate degree in business economics and a doctorate in international economics.

He served as a visiting faculty member at NMIMS, IMT Nagpur, and KJ Somaiya Institute, Mumbai.

 

SPORTS

2025 Para Archery Asia Cup

The 27-member Indian archery contingent of Para-archers ended their 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup -World Ranking Tournament campaign with six gold medals to top the medals tally.

Overall the Indian contingent won 12 medals - six gold, three silver, and three bronze in the tournament.

The 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup -World Ranking Tournament was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 2-11 February 2025.

On the last day of the competition, India won six medals including two golds.

Sarita won the gold in the women’s compound open by defeating Singapore's Nur Syahidah Alim.

Shyam Sundar Swami won the sixth and final gold medal for India in the men's compound open event by defeating Ken Swagumilang of Indonesia.

Rakesh Kumar won a bronze in the men’s compound open defeating Malaysia's Wiro Julin in a shootout.

Pooja lost her final match in the women's recurve open final to Slovakia's Zina Lavrinc and had to settle for a silver medal.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Productivity Day

National Productivity Day 2025 is observed on the 12th of February 2025.

The theme for National Productivity Day 2025 is “From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups”.

On February 12, 1958, the National Productivity Council of India was Registered under Societies Registration Act XXI, 1860.

To mark the council's establishment, its members decided to observe National Productivity Day every year on the same day.

So, apart from encouraging people to be more productive in their work, National Productivity Day also celebrates the anniversary of the establishment of the National Productivity Council.