Current Affairs Update: A Comprehensive Guide for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Government Exams

Staying updated with current affairs is crucial for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking. This article covers the key events from 25th February 2025, categorized into Politics & Governance, Economy & Finance, Science & Technology, International Relations, Environment & Climate Change, Defense & Security, and Sports & Awards. Let’s dive in!

Politics & Governance

New Education Policy (NEP) 2025 Amendments

The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2025, focusing on vocational training and AI integration in school curricula. This move aligns with the government’s vision of making India a global skill hub.

The amendments also emphasize mother-tongue education till Class 5, a policy first introduced in NEP 2020, which was inspired by global best practices in multilingual education. Historically, India’s education policies have evolved from Macaulay’s Minutes (1835), which promoted English education, to Radhakrishnan Commission (1948) and Kothari Commission (1964-66), which laid the foundation for modern Indian education reforms.

The Radhakrishnan Commission emphasized the importance of higher education and the need for universities to be centers of research and learning. The Kothari Commission recommended the establishment of a 10+2+3 educational structure, which is still in place today. The NEP 2020 aimed to overhaul the education system by focusing on holistic development, critical thinking, and flexibility in subject choices. The 2025 amendments build on these foundations by integrating AI and vocational training, preparing students for the demands of the 21st-century job market.

Supreme Court Ruling on Electoral Bonds

The Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment on electoral bonds, declaring them unconstitutional due to lack of transparency. This ruling overturns the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018, and mandates full disclosure of political donations.

Historically, India has struggled with political funding transparency. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, was one of the earliest legislations to regulate election funding, but loopholes persisted. The introduction of electoral bonds was meant to address black money in politics but led to opaque donations, making this ruling a critical milestone.

The Electoral Bond Scheme was introduced by the Finance Act, 2017, allowing anonymous donations to political parties through bonds purchased from the State Bank of India. Critics argued that this lack of transparency undermined democratic accountability. The Supreme Court’s ruling in 2025 marks a significant step towards ensuring transparency in political funding, aligning with global best practices such as the United States’ Federal Election Campaign Act and the United Kingdom’s Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act.

Digital India Act, 2025

The Digital India Act, 2025, was introduced in Parliament, replacing the outdated Information Technology Act, 2000. The new law focuses on data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulation of AI technologies.

The earlier IT Act was framed when internet penetration was low in India. Since then, data protection debates have evolved, especially after the Right to Privacy verdict (2017) by the Supreme Court. With global trends emphasizing GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe, India’s new Digital India Act aligns with modern digital governance principles.

The Digital India Act, 2025 introduces stringent data protection measures, including the establishment of a Data Protection Authority (DPA) to oversee compliance. It also addresses the ethical use of AI, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly. This act is a significant step towards making India a global leader in digital governance, building on the success of initiatives like Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Digital Locker.

Economy & Finance

RBI’s Monetary Policy Update

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained the repo rate at 5.25% in its February 2025 review, citing stable inflation and robust GDP growth. The GDP growth forecast for FY 2024-25 was revised to 7.5%, up from 7.2%.

Historically, India’s monetary policies have evolved from the Hilton Young Commission (1926), which led to the establishment of the RBI in 1935, to the liberalization reforms of 1991, which shifted India towards an inflation-targeting regime. The current policy framework is governed by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), established in 2016.

The Hilton Young Commission recommended the creation of a central bank to regulate the monetary system and stabilize the currency. The RBI was established in 1935 and nationalized in 1949. The 1991 economic reforms, initiated by then Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, marked a turning point in India’s economic history, leading to the liberalization of the economy and the adoption of market-oriented policies. The MPC, established in 2016, is responsible for setting the repo rate to achieve the inflation target set by the government.

Union Budget 2025 Highlights

The Union Budget 2025 introduced several reforms, including:

• A 10% tax rebate for startups in the green energy sector.
• Increased allocation for MGNREGA to ₹1.2 lakh crore.
• A new Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of ₹50,000 crore to boost rural development.

This follows historical budgetary trends, including Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which outlined state-driven economic policies, and the Five-Year Plans (1951-2017), which shaped India’s economic priorities.

The First Five-Year Plan (1951-56) focused on agriculture and irrigation, while subsequent plans emphasized industrialization and self-reliance. The 1991 reforms marked a shift towards liberalization, privatization, and globalization. The Union Budget 2025 continues this trend by promoting sustainable development and rural infrastructure, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

GST Reforms

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council approved a simplified four-tier tax structure, reducing compliance burdens for small businesses. This reform aims to increase GST revenue, which crossed ₹2 lakh crore in January 2025.

India’s tax reforms trace back to the Direct Taxes Enquiry Committee (1971), which recommended tax simplification. The GST, implemented in 2017, replaced multiple indirect taxes, marking a historic shift in India’s tax structure.

The GST was introduced to create a unified market by eliminating the cascading effect of taxes. The four-tier tax structure includes rates of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, with essential items taxed at lower rates and luxury items at higher rates. The GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister, is responsible for making recommendations on tax rates, exemptions, and other related issues.

Science & Technology

ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Gaganyaan Mission, India’s first manned spaceflight. The mission, which began in 2022, marks India’s entry into the elite club of nations with human spaceflight capabilities.

This achievement builds on India’s space history, from Aryabhata (1975), India’s first satellite, to the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions. The development of ISRO under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai played a pivotal role in making India a space power.

The Gaganyaan Mission aims to send a three-member crew to low Earth orbit for a period of 5-7 days. The mission is a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey, following the success of the Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan missions. The Indian Human Spaceflight Programme (IHSP) was approved by the government in 2018, with the goal of achieving human spaceflight capabilities by 2022.

AI in Healthcare

India launched its first AI-powered healthcare platform, AarogyaAI, to provide personalized medical advice and early disease detection.

AI in healthcare has roots in IBM’s Watson Health, and India’s push for AI aligns with global trends seen in China’s AI medical diagnostics and Silicon Valley innovations.

The AarogyaAI platform uses machine learning algorithms to analyze medical data and provide personalized treatment recommendations. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to leverage AI for improving healthcare outcomes, as outlined in the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2018).

International Relations

India’s G20 Presidency

India concluded its G20 Presidency with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2025, focusing on climate finance, digital transformation, and global health security.

India’s leadership in G20 builds on its non-alignment movement (NAM) legacy and participation in BRICS, SCO, and QUAD.

The G20 is a forum for international economic cooperation, comprising 19 countries and the European Union. India’s presidency focused on addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and health security. The Delhi Declaration 2025 emphasizes the need for increased climate finance to support developing countries in their transition to a low-carbon economy.

India-UK Free Trade Agreement

After years of negotiations, India and the UK finalized a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expected to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.

The India-UK economic partnership dates back to colonial-era trade routes, evolving into modern FTAs post-1991 liberalization.

The India-UK FTA aims to reduce tariffs on goods, increase market access for services, and promote investment in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, and renewable energy. This agreement is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two countries and create new opportunities for businesses and consumers.

Environment & Climate Change

Net Zero Target

India reaffirmed its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, as announced at COP26.

This goal aligns with India’s participation in Paris Agreement (2015) and Kyoto Protocol (1997).

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 is a significant step towards addressing climate change and transitioning to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Project Cheetah

The Project Cheetah initiative, which reintroduced cheetahs to India in 2022, achieved a major milestone with the birth of 10 cheetah cubs in Kuno National Park.

Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, making this project a historic conservation success.

The Project Cheetah initiative aims to restore the cheetah population in India and promote biodiversity conservation. The successful birth of 10 cheetah cubs in Kuno National Park is a significant achievement, demonstrating the potential for species reintroduction and habitat restoration.

Conclusion

Staying updated with current affairs is essential for cracking competitive exams. This article provides a comprehensive overview of key events from 25th February 2025, tailored for Indian students. For more detailed analysis, refer to credible sources like The Hindu, PIB, and Reuters.

By understanding the historical context and significance of these events, students can gain a deeper insight into the issues that shape India’s present and future. This knowledge is not only crucial for exams but also for becoming informed and responsible citizens.

current affairs quiz questions

Question 1: What is the primary focus of the amendments to the New Education Policy (NEP) 2025?
Option 1: Increasing the number of engineering colleges
Option 2: Promoting vocational training and AI integration in school curricula
Option 3: Reducing the duration of school education
Option 4: Introducing foreign languages as compulsory subjects
Option 5: Abolishing board examinations
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The amendments to the NEP 2025 focus on vocational training and AI integration in school curricula, aligning with the government’s vision of making India a global skill hub. This builds on the NEP 2020, which emphasized holistic education and multilingualism.

Question 2: Why did the Supreme Court declare electoral bonds unconstitutional?
Option 1: They were too expensive for political parties to purchase
Option 2: They lacked transparency in political funding
Option 3: They were not accessible to all political parties
Option 4: They violated the Right to Education
Option 5: They were not supported by the RBI
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Supreme Court declared electoral bonds unconstitutional due to their lack of transparency, as they allowed anonymous donations to political parties, undermining democratic accountability.

Question 3: What does the Digital India Act, 2025, primarily aim to regulate?
Option 1: Agricultural subsidies
Option 2: Data privacy and cybersecurity
Option 3: Foreign direct investments
Option 4: Public transportation systems
Option 5: Healthcare infrastructure
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Digital India Act, 2025, replaces the outdated IT Act, 2000, and focuses on data privacy, cybersecurity, and the regulation of AI technologies, aligning with global standards like GDPR.

Question 4: What was the repo rate maintained by the RBI in its February 2025 monetary policy review?
Option 1: 4.5%
Option 2: 5.0%
Option 3: 5.25%
Option 4: 6.0%
Option 5: 6.5%
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The RBI maintained the repo rate at 5.25% in its February 2025 review, citing stable inflation and robust GDP growth.

Question 5: Which of the following is a key highlight of the Union Budget 2025?
Option 1: Introduction of a wealth tax
Option 2: 10% tax rebate for startups in the green energy sector
Option 3: Abolition of GST
Option 4: Reduction in defense spending
Option 5: Increase in income tax rates
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Union Budget 2025 introduced a 10% tax rebate for startups in the green energy sector, along with increased allocations for MGNREGA and a new Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

Question 6: What is the significance of ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission?
Option 1: It is India’s first mission to Mars
Option 2: It marks India’s entry into human spaceflight capabilities
Option 3: It aims to establish a lunar colony
Option 4: It focuses on studying black holes
Option 5: It is a joint mission with NASA
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first manned spaceflight, making India one of the few countries with human spaceflight capabilities.

Question 7: What is the primary goal of India’s AarogyaAI platform?
Option 1: To provide free healthcare to rural areas
Option 2: To offer personalized medical advice and early disease detection
Option 3: To replace human doctors with AI
Option 4: To conduct medical research on rare diseases
Option 5: To regulate pharmaceutical companies
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: AarogyaAI is India’s first AI-powered healthcare platform, designed to provide personalized medical advice and early disease detection.

Question 8: What was the focus of the Delhi Declaration 2025 during India’s G20 Presidency?
Option 1: Space exploration
Option 2: Climate finance, digital transformation, and global health security
Option 3: Military alliances
Option 4: Cultural exchanges
Option 5: Nuclear disarmament
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Delhi Declaration 2025 focused on climate finance, digital transformation, and global health security, reflecting India’s leadership in addressing global challenges.

Question 9: What is the expected bilateral trade target under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?
Option 1: $50 billion by 2030
Option 2: $75 billion by 2030
Option 3: $100 billion by 2030
Option 4: $150 billion by 2030
Option 5: $200 billion by 2030
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The India-UK FTA aims to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

Question 10: By which year has India committed to achieving net-zero emissions?
Option 1: 2050
Option 2: 2060
Option 3: 2070
Option 4: 2080
Option 5: 2090
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as announced at COP26.

Question 11: What milestone did Project Cheetah achieve in 2025?
Option 1: Reintroduction of cheetahs in Africa
Option 2: Birth of 10 cheetah cubs in Kuno National Park
Option 3: Declaration of cheetahs as endangered
Option 4: Establishment of a new cheetah sanctuary
Option 5: Completion of cheetah genome sequencing
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Project Cheetah achieved a major milestone with the birth of 10 cheetah cubs in Kuno National Park, marking a success in conservation efforts.

Question 12: Which commission recommended the establishment of the RBI in 1935?
Option 1: Kothari Commission
Option 2: Hilton Young Commission
Option 3: Radhakrishnan Commission
Option 4: Sarkaria Commission
Option 5: Mandal Commission
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Hilton Young Commission (1926) recommended the establishment of the RBI, which was founded in 1935.

Question 13: What is the primary objective of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund introduced in the Union Budget 2025?
Option 1: To provide subsidies to farmers
Option 2: To boost rural development and agricultural infrastructure
Option 3: To promote organic farming
Option 4: To reduce crop insurance premiums
Option 5: To increase fertilizer production
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of ₹50,000 crore aims to boost rural development and agricultural infrastructure, supporting farmers and rural economies.

Question 14: Which global agreement influenced India’s Digital India Act, 2025?
Option 1: Paris Agreement
Option 2: Kyoto Protocol
Option 3: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
Option 4: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
Option 5: TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership)
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Digital India Act, 2025, aligns with global standards like the GDPR, focusing on data privacy and cybersecurity.

Question 15: What was the GDP growth forecast for FY 2024-25 as per the RBI’s February 2025 review?
Option 1: 6.5%
Option 2: 7.0%
Option 3: 7.2%
Option 4: 7.5%
Option 5: 8.0%
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: The RBI revised the GDP growth forecast for FY 2024-25 to 7.5%, up from 7.2%, citing robust economic performance.

Question 16: Which mission marked India’s entry into the elite club of nations with human spaceflight capabilities?
Option 1: Chandrayaan-3
Option 2: Mangalyaan
Option 3: Gaganyaan
Option 4: Aditya-L1
Option 5: Shukrayaan
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first manned spaceflight, making India one of the few nations with human spaceflight capabilities.

Question 17: What is the primary focus of the Delhi Declaration 2025?
Option 1: Space exploration
Option 2: Climate finance and digital transformation
Option 3: Military alliances
Option 4: Cultural exchanges
Option 5: Nuclear disarmament
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Delhi Declaration 2025 focused on climate finance, digital transformation, and global health security during India’s G20 Presidency.

Question 18: Which of the following is a key feature of the GST reforms approved in 2025?
Option 1: Introduction of a five-tier tax structure
Option 2: Abolition of GST for small businesses
Option 3: Simplified four-tier tax structure
Option 4: Increase in GST rates for essential items
Option 5: Removal of GST Council
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: The GST Council approved a simplified four-tier tax structure to reduce compliance burdens for small businesses and increase GST revenue.

Question 19: What is the primary goal of India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070?
Option 1: To reduce dependence on renewable energy
Option 2: To achieve carbon neutrality
Option 3: To increase fossil fuel consumption
Option 4: To promote deforestation
Option 5: To reduce agricultural output
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070 aims to achieve carbon neutrality, aligning with global climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

Question 20: Which historical event led to the establishment of the RBI in 1935?
Option 1: The Quit India Movement
Option 2: The Hilton Young Commission
Option 3: The Partition of India
Option 4: The Green Revolution
Option 5: The Economic Liberalization of 1991
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Hilton Young Commission (1926) recommended the establishment of the RBI, which was founded in 1935 to regulate India’s monetary system.