CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 February, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS

19 February, 2025

1.      APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER –

•        Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kushan has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). His appointment was decided by a three-member Selection Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

•        His appointment coincides with the Supreme Court hearing on a challenge to the new CEC & Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

•        CEC & Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023

•        Headed by : Law Minister (Currently Arjun Ram Meghwal).

•        Members : Two senior bureaucrats serving as secretaries to the Government of India.

•        Function: Shortlists five candidates for the Selection Committee.

Selection Committee:

•        Headed by the Prime Minister of India.

•        Other Members: A Union Minister nominated by the PM and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha.

•        Power: Can consider names beyond the shortlist (Under Section 8 of the Act).

•        Appointment: The President appoints the selected candidate.     

2.      INCOME-TAX BILL 2025 –

•        The Income-Tax Bill, 2025, introduces a new ‘Tax Year’ concept, replacing the existing Assessment Year, aiming to simplify tax reporting.

About Income-Tax Bill, 2025

•        Simplification: Streamline the 1961 Income-tax Act by removing obsolete provisions, redundant clauses, and complex legal jargon.

•        Modernization: Reflect evolving economic realities (e.g., digital assets, new income sources). 

3.      INDIA’S FIRST OPEN-AIR ART WALL MUSEUM INAUGURATED AT MAUSAM BHAWAN –

•        Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key departments, inaugurated India’s first “Open Air Art Wall Museum” at Mausam Bhawan, New Delhi.

•        The initiative, developed in collaboration with Delhi Street Art, celebrates 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) through a vibrant series of murals, depicting its history, technological advancements, and contributions to society.

•        The unique project merges science and art, offering a visually engaging representation of India’s meteorological journey.

4.      INDIA-QATAR TO DOUBLE TRADE TO $28B BY 2030 –

•        India and Qatar have decided to upgrade their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and energy. This decision was taken during the two-day visit of Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to India.

•        Both nations aim to double bilateral trade from the current $14.08 billion to $28 billion over the next five years. Additionally, Qatar has expressed interest in expanding investments in India’s key sectors.

5.      PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA TURNS NINE –

•        Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), India’s flagship crop insurance scheme, has completed nine years since its launch on February 18, 2016, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

•        The initiative aims to provide comprehensive crop insurance to Indian farmers, safeguarding them against various risks like natural disasters, pests, and diseases.

•        Over these nine years, the scheme has proven to be a vital tool for farmers, disbursing ₹1.75 lakh crore in claims to over 23.22 crore farmers. This has not only helped in stabilizing farmers’ incomes but also fostered a culture of innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Who has been appointed as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner ?

          a) Rajiv Kumar

          b) Nripendra Mishra

          c) Gyanesh Kumar

          d) Syed Akbaruddin

Q2.  Under the AI for Entrepreneurship initiative launched by the Government of India, how many lakh youths are targeted to be trained ?

          a) 1 lakh

          b) 2 lakh

          c) 3 lakh

          d) 4 lakh

Q3.  Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Narendra Modi and Elon Musk Meet in Washington, D. C.. What did Elon Musk give to PM Modi during the meeting ?

          a) A Tesla Model X

          b) A SpaceX astronaut helmet

          c) A hexagonal ceramic heatshield tile from Starship Test Flight 5

          d) A prototype of Tesla’s Cybertruck

Q4.  What is the primary objective of the India-US TRUST initiative ?

          a) To promote trade between India and the US

          b) To counter China’s dominance in the critical minerals supply chain

          c) To enhance cooperation in defense and security

          d) To promote investment in renewable energy

Explanation-

          The TRUST initiative aims to reduce China’s dominance in the critical minerals supply chain by promoting cooperation between India and the US in critical minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements (REEs).

Q5.  Assertion (A): The M23 rebel group, which captured Goma in January 2025, is reportedly supported by Rwanda.

          Reason (R): The DRC holds about 40% of the world’s Coltan supply.

          Which of the following is the correct explanation ?

          a) Both assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

          b) Both assertion and reason are correct, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

          c) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.

          d) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.

Explanation-

          Assertion (A) is correct: The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has captured Goma, and competition for Coltan in Goma is a significant factor driving the conflict in eastern DRC.

          Reason (R) is correct: The DRC holds around 40% of the world’s Coltan supply, which makes it a valuable resource for armed groups like M23. Thus Both assertion and reason are correct, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

Answer Key