Current Affairs Quiz 20th February 2025 Quiz

Exp. Zomato unveils AI-powered platform Nugget to help businesses scale up

Food and delivery platform Zomato has introduced Nugget, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customer support platform designed to help businesses streamline their operations.

What is Nugget?

Nugget is a no-code, AI-powered customer support solution that enables businesses to automate customer service without requiring technical expertise.

It is designed to handle up to 80 per cent of customer queries autonomously, continuously learning and adapting in real time, Goyal boasts.

Exp. Manohar Lal Khattar opens Delhi Metro’s first vertical solar plant

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has inaugurated the country’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant installation.

He also inaugurated a one-megawatt (MW) rooftop solar plant at Khyber Pass depot of the Delhi Metro.

The 50 kilowatt (KW) capacity vertical solar plant at Okhla Vihar station will use bi-facial panels designed to capture sunlight from both sides.This is a pilot project and more such plants will be installed based on its performance.

With the inauguration of the rooftop capacity at the Khyber Pass metro depot in Timarpur, DMRC currently has 51 MW of total onsite rooftop solar capacity. These plants are present in 93 Stations and 15 depots of the Delhi metro system.

Exp. Kerala to be first state in country to collect, dispose of expired drugs

The Kerala government has launched ‘New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs’ (nPROUD) to collect and scientifically dispose of expired and unused medicines.

This is the first government-led initiative in India to address the safe disposal of medicines, starting in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat.

Unused medicines will be collected from homes or designated disposal facilities, with plans for statewide expansion. Improper disposal of medicines can cause antimicrobial resistance, health hazards, and environmental pollution, making this initiative crucial.

Exp. CCI approves amalgamation of Chaitanya India Fin Credit and Svatantra Holdings into Svatantra Microfin

The Competition Commission of India has approved amalgamations of Chaitanya India Fin Credit Private Limited and Svatantra Holdings Private Limited into Svatantra Microfin Private Limited.

SHPL is engaged in the business of making investments in equity shares, preference shares and other securities.

The proposed transaction relates to the amalgamation of Svatantra Holdings Private Limited (SHPL) and Chaitanya India Fin Credit Private Limited (CIFCPL) into Svatantra Microfin Private Limited (SMPL), through the Scheme of Amalgamation entered into between SHPL, CIFCPL, SMPL and their respective shareholders as has been approved by the board of directors.

CIFCPL is engaged in the business of providing micro finance loans and personal loans to low-income individuals and households in rural/ semi-urban areas. CIFCPL is a middle layer non-deposit taking NBFC-MFI registered with the RBI. in 2009. SMHFCL is a registered Non-deposit Taking Housing Finance Company (NBFC HFC) (Middle Layer).

Exp. Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated 77th Session of Executive Committee of the AARDO in New Delhi

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has inaugurated the 77th Session of the Executive Committee (EC-77) of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) in New Delhi, with participation from senior officials of AARDO member countries.

The session proposed new leadership for AARDO (President and Vice Presidents), review budget estimates, approve new memberships and MOUs, and assess development projects, HRD programs, and regional office activities from May 2023 to October 2024.

AARDO is established in 1962. AARDO is a multilateral organization promoting rural and agricultural development across 32 member countries in Africa and Asia, with India playing a key role in its support and operations.

The Indian government has been a long-term supporter of AARDO, providing financial assistance for infrastructure and facilitating its headquarters in New Delhi, along with active participation in governance and development initiatives.

Exp. Union Minister Jitendra Singh has inaugurated India’s first ‘Open Air Art Wall Museum’ at Mausam Bhawan in New Delhi.

It depicts and celebrates the 150-year milestone journey of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The initiative, developed in collaboration with ‘Delhi Street Art’, transforms the walls of IMD’s headquarters on Lodhi Road into a vibrant visual narrative of India’s meteorological advancements, history, and the impact of weather science on society.

Exp. TRIFED signs MoUs with Meesho, IFCA & Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialisation

 Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) has signed MoUs with Meesho, IFCA, and MGIRI during the ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ event to implement a B2B approach, enhancing market access for tribal products.

Meesho will onboard tribal products onto its platform and provide training, IFCA will connect tribal businesses with culinary professionals and hotels, while MGIRI will offer training and capacity building for artisans.

About TRIFED- TRIFED is an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI, dedicated to the socio-economic development of tribal communities through the marketing development of tribal products.

About Meesho- Meesho is an Indian e-commerce platform that primarily focuses on social commerce. It allows individuals and small businesses to sell products online through their portal and often through social media channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.

About IFCA- The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) is a professional organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the culinary arts in India. It serves as a national body that represents the interests of chefs and culinary professionals across the country.

About MGIRI- The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) is an institution in India dedicated to promoting rural industrialization. It was established to carry forward the vision of Mahatma Gandhi regarding sustainable rural development and self-reliance through the promotion of small-scale and cottage industries.

Exp. IRDAI permits one-time UPI mandate for buying life, health cover

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has permitted a one-time mandate for blocking the amount towards premium through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) mandate for issue of life and health insurance policies.

Under the facility called the Bima Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (Bima-ASBA), the transfer of money from the prospect to the insurer happens only when an insurance policy is issued. In this facility, insurers can offer a one-time mandate for blocking a certain amount through UPI in the bank account for the concerned prospect.

The amount towards the insurance premium will be debited only after the insurer decides to accept the proposal. In case the insurer does not accept the proposal, the amount shall be unblocked and shall be available at the disposal of the prospect.

Insurers have been asked to send a proposal form to policyholders through a standard declaration to block the amount through UPI and have been mandated to offer the facility to both life and health insurance policyholders. Both the Insurance Councils have to issue a standard declaration within a week of Irdai’s circular to be included in the proposal for authorization.

The amount under Bima-ASBA shall be unblocked automatically after the expiry of 14 days from the initial date of blocking funds, or within one working day from the date of non-acceptance of the proposal form. This facility for customers will go live on or before March 1, 2025.

Exp. SEBI cancels registration of 19 foreign venture capital investors

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cancelled the registrations of 19 foreign venture capital institutions (FVCI) after investigations found that they had been violating capital market regulations.

Among the 14 entities whose strike-off dates were available, 11 had been defunct for more than five years, while three had been defunct for periods ranging from 10 months to three years in their respective jurisdictions.

SEBI had issued show-cause notices to these 19 entities in December 2024, but did not receive any response.

Some of the entities whose FVCI registration has been cancelled:

• Blackstone Capital Partners (Singapore) VI FVCI
• Axis Capital Mauritius
• IFCI Sycamore India Infrastructure Fund
• Blackstone Family Investment Partnership (Singapore) VI-ESC FVCI
• Summit Partners India Venture Capital Investments

Exp. RBI Launches ‘RBIDATA’ App for Easy Access to Economic and Financial Data

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new mobile application, ‘RBIDATA’, offering seamless access to over 11,000 series of economic and financial data related to the Indian economy.

The mobile app offers macroeconomic and financial statistics relating to the Indian economy in a user-friendly and visually engaging format.

Users will be able to view time series data in graphs/charts and download data for analysis. There will also be details such as data source, unit of measurement, frequency and recent updates.

Further, the app’s ‘Banking Outlet’ section will help users find banking facilities within 20 kilometres of their location and they can also access data about SAARC countries through the ‘SAARC Finance’.

Exp. India-Argentina forge agreement for Lithium exploration & mining

India and Argentina signed an MoU to expand cooperation in lithium exploration and investment.

The agreement between MECL (India) and the Catamarca government aims to boost critical mineral resource development.

The collaboration is expected to accelerate lithium exploration, enhance resource security, and create investment opportunities for Indian companies.

Argentina, known for its vast lithium reserves as part of the ‘Lithium Triangle,’ is a crucial partner for India in securing essential minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage.

The discussions covered ongoing lithium exploration efforts by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) & Greenko in Catamarca and the possibilities of increasing the participation of Indian companies in mining projects of Argentina.

Both sides explored avenues for investment, long-term supply agreements, and joint ventures that would help strengthen India’s access to this critical mineral.

Exp. India and Nepal Strengthen Scientific Ties with CSIR-NAST MoU

India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nepal’s Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) signed an MoU to enhance scientific and technological collaboration.

The partnership, dating back to 1994, has facilitated joint research, workshops, and training programs.

The 2025 MoU focuses on collaborative initiatives like knowledge exchange, research projects, and training programs in key scientific fields.

This renewed agreement aims to strengthen Indo-Nepal cooperation in innovation, economic progress, and regional development.

Exp. India elected vice president of International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation

India has been elected to the vice presidency of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore.

The first General Assembly of IALA also marks its transition from a non-governmental organization (NGO) to an inter-governmental organization (IGO), where India was elected to its Vice Presidency.

India is hosting the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai.

 India’s election to this prominent position reinforces its dedication to advancing maritime safety, enhancing navigational aids, and fostering international cooperation within the maritime sector.

Exp. Rekha Gupta takes oath as Delhi CM

Mrs Rekha Gupta takes oath as the new Chief Minister of Delhi at the iconic Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.  Rekha Gupta has won the Shalimar Bagh seat in the Delhi assembly elections.

She began her political journey with ABVP at the Daulat Ram College of Delhi University, in 1992. She became the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union. Rekha Gupta has also served as the General Secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi.

Rekha will be the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi after Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit and Atishi.

 The BJP has returned to power in Delhi after over 26 years, ending the 10-year rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.

Exp. PM Modi to inaugurate 1st edition of SOUL Leadership Conclave

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first edition of the SOUL Leadership Conclave at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay will deliver the keynote address as the Guest of Honor.

The two-day SOUL Leadership Conclave will serve as a premier platform where leaders from diverse domains like politics, sports, arts and media, the spiritual world, public policy, business and the social sector will share their inspiring life journeys.

The conclave will foster an ecosystem of collaboration and thought leadership, facilitating learning from both failures and successes, to inspire young audiences.

Exp. EAM Jaishankar to attend G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in South Africa

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will participate in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled for February 20-21 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jaishankar will attend the meeting at the invitation of South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.

On the sidelines of the summit, Jaishankar is also set to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other participating countries.

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2024, and will hold the position until November 2025.

The G20, comprising 19 leading economies along with the European Union and African Union, represents 85% of global GDP, over 75% of international trade, and about two-thirds of the world’s population. The presidency rotates annually among members.