For Indian students preparing for competitive examinations like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, staying abreast of current affairs is paramount. These exams often test not just recent developments but also their historical roots and broader implications. This detailed analysis explores significant events from February 28, 2025, across various domains, weaving in historical context to provide a robust foundation for aspirants.

Politics & Governance

Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections

On February 5, 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a landmark victory by securing a two-thirds majority in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, ending a decade-long dominance by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had governed since 2015 under Arvind Kejriwal. Historically, Delhi’s political landscape has been shaped by shifts in power, from the Congress dominance in the 1990s and early 2000s to AAP’s rise as a grassroots alternative in 2013. The BJP’s 2025 triumph, driven by promises of infrastructure development, women’s safety, and pollution control, mirrors its national ascendancy since 2014 under Narendra Modi. The appointment of Rekha Gupta as Chief Minister on February 19, 2025, marks a historic milestone as Delhi’s first female CM, reflecting a growing trend of women in leadership roles, akin to Indira Gandhi’s premiership (1966–1977, 1980–1984). This shift could influence urban governance policies, a key topic in UPSC’s General Studies Paper-II.

President’s Rule in Manipur

The resignation of N. Biren Singh as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9, 2025, amid escalating ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, led to the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, under Article 356 of the Constitution. Manipur has a turbulent history of ethnic strife, notably the Naga-Kuki clashes of the 1990s and the 2001 ceasefire extension protests. The state’s strategic location along the Indo-Myanmar border has long made it a focal point for central intervention, with President’s Rule previously imposed in 2001 and 2007. This latest move highlights recurring governance challenges in India’s Northeast, a region critical for SSC and Banking exams’ current affairs sections due to its geopolitical significance.

Ban on Opioids

On February 21, 2025, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) banned the manufacture and export of opioids tapentadol and carisoprodol following reports of addiction and deaths in West African countries. India, a global pharmaceutical hub since the liberalization of its drug industry in the 1990s, has faced scrutiny over drug misuse before, such as the tramadol controversy in 2018. The 2025 decision aligns with India’s obligations under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) and reflects its shift toward ethical pharma practices, a topic relevant for UPSC’s international relations and health policy discussions.

Economy & Finance

GDP Growth and Economic Indicators

India’s GDP growth for the October-December 2024 quarter rose to 6.3%, up from 5.4%, driven by strong rural demand after a favorable monsoon and increased government expenditure. Historically, India’s economy has oscillated between high growth—like the 8-9% rates during the 2003-2008 boom—and slowdowns, such as the 4.5% dip in 2019-20 pre-COVID. The 2025 projection of 6.3% to 6.8% annual growth, down from 8.2% in 2023-24, echoes the post-1991 liberalization challenges of balancing rural-urban disparities, a recurring theme in Banking and SSC economic awareness questions.

Stock Market Volatility

On February 28, 2025, the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex dropped by 1.2%, rattled by fears of a global trade war sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats on Canada, Mexico, and China. India’s markets have faced similar external shocks before, such as the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2008 Global Recession, which saw Sensex crashes of over 10%. The 2025 downturn, impacting IT and financial sectors, underscores India’s integration into global markets since the 1991 reforms, a critical area for UPSC’s economic globalization essays.

Monetary Policy Adjustment

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points in February 2025, the first reduction since the 2020 COVID-19 crisis when rates were slashed to 4%. Established under the RBI Act, 1934, and revamped in 2016 for inflation targeting, the RBI has historically used rate cuts—like in 2008-09—to spur growth. This move, aimed at reviving manufacturing and urban consumption, reflects adaptive monetary policy, a key topic in Banking exams’ financial awareness sections.

Science & Technology

Pharmaceutical Innovations

Sun Pharmaceutical, founded in 1983 and now India’s top drug firm, unveiled plans in February 2025 to launch Utreglutide (GL0034), a GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity and diabetes, within four to five years. India’s pharma sector, which emerged as a generics leader post the 1970 Patent Act, now eyes the $150 billion global weight-loss drug market. This follows successes like Ranbaxy’s generics in the 1990s, making it a case study for UPSC’s science and technology advancements.

ISRO’s Upcoming Missions

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), established in 1969, builds on milestones like Aryabhata (1975), Chandrayaan-1 (2008), and Mars Orbiter Mission (2013) with its 2025 focus on Gaganyaan—India’s first manned mission—and the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). These efforts, reducing launch costs, echo ISRO’s cost-effective ethos seen in Mangalyaan’s $74 million budget, a frequent UPSC science topic.

International Relations

India-France Relations

PM Narendra Modi’s visit to France from February 10-12, 2025, strengthened Indo-French ties, rooted in the 1998 Strategic Partnership. Co-chairing the AI-Action Summit with President Emmanuel Macron and visiting ITER (joined by India in 2005), Modi echoed past collaborations like the Rafale deal (2016). The Marseille consulate opening enhances ties dating back to Nehru’s 1950s diplomacy, vital for UPSC’s bilateral relations questions.

India-U.S. Engagements

Modi’s February 12-14, 2025, U.S. visit with President Trump built on the 2005 Nuclear Deal and Quad initiatives (2017), focusing on defense and climate. Indo-U.S. relations, strained during the Cold War but revitalized post-1991, remain a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy, relevant for SSC and UPSC global affairs.

Environment & Climate Change

Avalanche in Uttarakhand

The February 28, 2025, avalanche in Mana, Uttarakhand, devastated a BRO camp, echoing disasters like the 2013 Kedarnath floods. The Himalayas, fragile since colonial-era deforestation, underscore sustainable development needs, a key UPSC environmental topic.

Green Hydrogen Partnership

India’s Green Hydrogen Partnership with the EU in February 2025 builds on the 2021 National Hydrogen Mission, aiming to lead in hydrogen fuel. India’s renewable push, from Solar Alliance (2015) to 38% carbon intensity cuts by 2025, exceeds Paris Agreement goals, a milestone for climate questions.

Air Pollution Crisis

New Delhi’s February 2025 pollution peak triggered GRAP Stage 4, a system introduced in 2017. The NCAP (2019) expansion reflects decades-long battles with smog since the 1980s, critical for environmental policy discussions.

Defense & Security

The Agni-V MIRV test in February 2025 enhances India’s nuclear triad, initiated with Agni-I (1989). The S-400 deployment, contracted in 2018, and INS Vagsheer commissioning under Project-75 (2005) bolster defense, rooted in post-1962 modernization. A 250% cyberattack surge prompted the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025, evolving from CERT-In’s 2004 inception, key for security topics.

Sports & Awards

India’s 3-1 Test series win over England in February 2025 recalls the 1971 victory, boosting WTC rankings. Football’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification revives the 1950s Golden Era. Padma Awards 2025 and Neeraj Chopra’s Laureus nod highlight India’s rising global stature, ideal for GK sections.

Miscellaneous News

The February 25, 2025, Supreme Court ruling on same-sex civil unions follows the 2018 Section 377 decriminalization. Bharati-1b’s discovery by IIA builds on India’s astronomy legacy, like Aryabhata. The NYES, targeting 5 million jobs, echoes MNREGA (2005), vital for socio-economic questions.

Conclusion

February 2025 encapsulates transformative developments across domains, enriched by historical parallels. Aspirants must contextualize these events—Delhi’s political shift, economic maneuvers, ISRO’s strides, diplomatic wins, and environmental strides—to excel in UPSC GS, SSC GK, and Banking awareness. Stay informed and analytical for a competitive edge!

current affairs quiz questions

Below are 20 multiple-choice current affairs quiz questions based on the article, designed for Indian students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams. The questions span various categories, with detailed explanations to aid preparation.

Question 1: Which party won a two-thirds majority in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections held in February 2025?
Option 1: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Option 2: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Option 3: Indian National Congress
Option 4: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
Option 5: Samajwadi Party
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive two-thirds majority in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections on February 5, 2025, ending the decade-long dominance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had governed since 2015. This shift is significant for UPSC aspirants as it reflects changing political dynamics in the National Capital Territory, historically a battleground for major parties like Congress and AAP. The BJP’s focus on infrastructure, women’s safety, and pollution control was key to its victory.

Question 2: Who became the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi in February 2025?
Option 1: Smriti Irani
Option 2: Rekha Gupta
Option 3: Atishi Marlena
Option 4: Sheila Dikshit
Option 5: Sushma Swaraj
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Rekha Gupta assumed office as Delhi’s Chief Minister on February 19, 2025, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold this position. This contrasts with Sheila Dikshit, who served as CM from 1998 to 2013 but was not the first in 2025 context. For SSC and Banking exams, such milestones are key GK points, reflecting gender representation in governance.

Question 3: Under which constitutional provision was President’s Rule imposed in Manipur in February 2025?
Option 1: Article 352
Option 2: Article 356
Option 3: Article 360
Option 4: Article 370
Option 5: Article 355
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, 2025, under Article 356, following the resignation of CM N. Biren Singh due to ethnic violence. Article 356 allows the central government to take over state administration during a breakdown of governance, a recurring event in Manipur’s history (e.g., 2001, 2007). This is a critical topic for UPSC’s Polity section.

Question 4: What was the GDP growth rate of India for the October-December 2024 quarter as reported in February 2025?
Option 1: 5.4%
Option 2: 6.3%
Option 3: 6.8%
Option 4: 8.2%
Option 5: 4.5%
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: India’s GDP growth for the October-December 2024 quarter was reported at 6.3%, an improvement from the previous quarter’s 5.4%, driven by rural demand and government spending. The annual projection for 2025 is 6.3%–6.8%, lower than 2023-24’s 8.2%. This economic indicator is vital for Banking exams’ financial awareness and UPSC’s economic analysis.

Question 5: Which U.S. policy announcement contributed to the Indian stock market’s decline on February 28, 2025?
Option 1: Interest rate hike
Option 2: Tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China
Option 3: Withdrawal from NATO
Option 4: Ban on Indian IT firms
Option 5: New climate regulations
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: On February 28, 2025, the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex fell by 1.2%, linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats on Canada, Mexico, and China, raising fears of a global trade war. This external shock mirrors past events like the 2008 recession, making it a key analytical point for UPSC’s economic globalization discussions.

Question 6: What was the primary reason for the RBI’s repo rate cut in February 2025?
Option 1: Rising inflation
Option 2: Slowdown in manufacturing and urban consumption
Option 3: Strong rural demand
Option 4: Global trade war fears
Option 5: Increase in private investments
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee cut the repo rate by 25 basis points in February 2025, the first reduction in nearly five years, to address a slowdown in manufacturing and urban consumption. This contrasts with strong rural demand, making it a nuanced economic policy question for Banking and SSC exams.

Question 7: Which Indian pharmaceutical company announced plans to launch Utreglutide (GL0034) in February 2025?
Option 1: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Option 2: Cipla
Option 3: Sun Pharmaceutical
Option 4: Aurobindo Pharma
Option 5: Lupin
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: Sun Pharmaceutical, India’s largest drug company by revenue, announced in February 2025 its plan to launch Utreglutide (GL0034), a GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity and diabetes, within four to five years. This positions India in the $150 billion global weight-loss drug market, a key science and technology topic for UPSC.

Question 8: Which ISRO mission aims to send Indian astronauts to space, as highlighted in February 2025?
Option 1: Chandrayaan-3
Option 2: Mangalyaan-2
Option 3: Gaganyaan
Option 4: Aditya-L1
Option 5: RLV-TD
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending Indian astronauts to space, was a focus in February 2025, building on successes like Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan. This human spaceflight initiative is a landmark for India’s space program, frequently tested in SSC and UPSC GK sections.

Question 9: During PM Modi’s visit to France in February 2025, what summit did he co-chair with President Emmanuel Macron?
Option 1: Climate Action Summit
Option 2: AI-Action Summit
Option 3: Defense Cooperation Summit
Option 4: Nuclear Energy Summit
Option 5: Trade Partnership Summit
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: From February 10-12, 2025, PM Narendra Modi co-chaired the AI-Action Summit in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing Indo-French collaboration in technology. This builds on the 1998 Strategic Partnership, making it a significant international relations topic for UPSC.

Question 10: What was the key focus of PM Modi’s discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump in February 2025?
Option 1: Space exploration
Option 2: Strengthening bilateral ties and defense cooperation
Option 3: Economic sanctions
Option 4: Immigration policies
Option 5: Oil trade agreements
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: During Modi’s U.S. visit from February 12-14, 2025, discussions with President Trump focused on strengthening bilateral ties, defense cooperation, and global challenges like climate change. Rooted in the 2005 Nuclear Deal, this engagement is a staple in UPSC’s foreign policy questions.

Question 11: What natural disaster struck the Mana region in Uttarakhand on February 28, 2025?
Option 1: Earthquake
Option 2: Flood
Option 3: Avalanche
Option 4: Landslide
Option 5: Cyclone
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: An avalanche struck Mana, Uttarakhand, on February 28, 2025, impacting a BRO camp and highlighting Himalayan vulnerabilities, akin to the 2013 Kedarnath floods. This environmental disaster is crucial for UPSC’s disaster management and ecology sections.

Question 12: Which missile’s MIRV variant was successfully tested by India in February 2025?
Option 1: Prithvi-II
Option 2: Agni-V
Option 3: BrahMos
Option 4: Akash
Option 5: Nirbhay
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Agni-V MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles) missile was successfully tested in February 2025, enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence. Evolving from Agni-I (1989), this development is a key defense topic for UPSC and SSC exams.

Question 13: Which submarine was commissioned by the Indian Navy in February 2025 under Project-75?
Option 1: INS Vikrant
Option 2: INS Vagsheer
Option 3: INS Arihant
Option 4: INS Kalvari
Option 5: INS Sindhurakshak
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: INS Vagsheer, the sixth Kalvari-class submarine under Project-75, was commissioned in February 2025, boosting India’s maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. This contrasts with INS Kalvari (2017), making it a specific defense fact for SSC GK.

Question 14: By what percentage did cyberattacks on Indian banking and government websites increase, as reported by CERT-In in February 2025?
Option 1: 100%
Option 2: 150%
Option 3: 200%
Option 4: 250%
Option 5: 300%
Answer: Option 4
Explanation: CERT-In reported a 250% increase in cyberattacks on Indian banking and government websites in February 2025, prompting the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025. This cybersecurity challenge is a growing concern for Banking and UPSC’s internal security topics.

Question 15: What was the outcome of the Test series between India and England concluded in February 2025?
Option 1: India won 2-1
Option 2: England won 3-1
Option 3: India won 3-1
Option 4: Series drawn 2-2
Option 5: England won 2-0
Answer: Option 3
Explanation: India clinched a 3-1 victory in the Test series against England in February 2025, strengthening its World Test Championship lead. Performances by Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja were pivotal, making it a notable sports update for SSC and Banking GK.

Question 16: Which Indian athlete was nominated for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award in 2025?
Option 1: PV Sindhu
Option 2: Neeraj Chopra
Option 3: Shubman Gill
Option 4: Bajrang Punia
Option 5: Mirabai Chanu
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: Neeraj Chopra was nominated for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award in 2025 for his continued dominance in javelin throw, following his Tokyo Olympics gold. This global recognition is a frequent GK question for government exams.

Question 17: Which opioids were banned by the DCGI in February 2025 due to addiction concerns in West Africa?
Option 1: Morphine and Codeine
Option 2: Tapentadol and Carisoprodol
Option 3: Tramadol and Fentanyl
Option 4: Oxycodone and Hydrocodone
Option 5: Methadone and Buprenorphine
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Drugs Controller General of India banned tapentadol and carisoprodol on February 21, 2025, due to addiction and fatalities in West Africa. This regulatory action aligns with India’s global health commitments, relevant for UPSC’s health policy questions.

Question 18: What is the projected annual GDP growth range for India in 2025, as per February 2025 reports?
Option 1: 5.4%–6.0%
Option 2: 6.3%–6.8%
Option 3: 7.0%–7.5%
Option 4: 8.0%–8.5%
Option 5: 6.0%–6.5%
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The annual GDP growth projection for 2025, reported in February, is 6.3%–6.8%, a decline from 2023-24’s 8.2%. This range reflects economic challenges like weak urban demand, making it an analytical question for Banking and UPSC aspirants.

Question 19: Which international agreement did India sign with the EU in February 2025 to promote green hydrogen?
Option 1: Paris Agreement
Option 2: Green Hydrogen Partnership Agreement
Option 3: Climate Resilience Pact
Option 4: Renewable Energy Accord
Option 5: Carbon Neutrality Treaty
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: India signed the Green Hydrogen Partnership Agreement with the EU in February 2025, aligning with the 2021 National Hydrogen Mission to lead in hydrogen fuel production. This environmental diplomacy is a key UPSC topic in climate change mitigation.

Question 20: Which Indian institute discovered the exoplanet Bharati-1b in February 2025?
Option 1: Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Option 2: Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
Option 3: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
Option 4: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Option 5: National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)
Answer: Option 2
Explanation: The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru discovered Bharati-1b, an exoplanet 520 light-years away, in February 2025. This breakthrough builds on India’s astronomical legacy, like Aryabhata, and is a science fact for SSC and UPSC exams.