CURRENT AFFAIRS
14 February, 2025
1. PARIS AI SUMMIT 2025 –
• The Prime Minister (PM) of India visited France to co-chair the Paris Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit 2025. Also, the 2nd India-France AI Policy Roundtable was held on the sidelines of the summit.
• The AI Action Summit is a global forum that brings together world leaders, policymakers, technology experts, and industry representatives to discuss AI governance, ethics, and its role in society.
• The AI Action Summit in Paris is the 3rd summit, following the Bletchley Park Summit (UK 2023) and the Seoul Summit (South Korea 2024).
• Bletchley Park Declaration (28 countries): Advocated safe, human-centric, and responsible AI.
• Seoul Summit (27 nations): Reaffirmed international cooperation and proposed a network of AI Safety Institutes.
2. CHEETAH CUBS BIRTH IN KUNO NATIONAL PARK –
• A cheetah at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (NP) gave birth to two cubs, bringing the total to 26 cheetahs, including 14 cubs.
• About Kuno NP: Kuno NP (Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh) was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1981 and upgraded to a national park in 2018.
• Geography: It primarily consists of dry deciduous forest and the Kuno River, a major Chambal tributary, flows through the park.
• It is located in the Vindhyan Hills.
• Fauna: Leopard, Striped hyena, Indian wolf, Blackbuck, Sambar deer, Gharial (Kuno river).
• It was selected under the Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India.
3. WHEN SUNITA WILLIAMS WENT TO SPACE AND RETURNING DATE –
• NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore went to space on 5 June 2024. They traveled in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was on its first crewed test flight. Their missions was originally planned for only eight days, during which they had to check the performance of the Starliner before NASA could approve it for future missions.
• On 6 June 2024, the spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS). However, NASA noticed problems with the thrusters and helium leaks. These issues created safety concerns and NASA decided to delay the astronauts’ return until the spacecraft could be fixed.
4. ONE YEAR OF PM SURYA GHAR: A BRIGHT MILESTONE –
• The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) marks its first anniversary on February 13, 2025, celebrating a year of promoting affordable solar energy for Indian households.
• Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2024, the scheme aims to install rooftop solar panels in one crore households by March 2027, reducing electricity costs and promoting sustainability. The scheme has significantly boosted India’s renewable energy sector and contributed to environmental conservation.
• Largest Rooftop Solar Initiative: The world’s largest domestic rooftop solar scheme, aiming to benefit one crore households by 2027.
• Current Progress: As of January 27, 2025, over 8.46 lakh households have installed solar panels.
• Increased Installation Rate: Monthly installations have surged tenfold, reaching 70,000 per month.
• Financial Support: ₹4,308.66 crore in Central Financial Assistance (CFA) has been disbursed to 5.54 lakh households.
• Subsidy Benefit: Up to 40% subsidy, with an average subsidy of ₹77,800 per household.
• Zero Electricity Bills: 45% of beneficiaries now receive zero electricity bills, depending on usage.
5. NEW INCOME TAX BILL INTRODUCED IN PARLIAMENT –
• On February 13, 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Income Tax Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session. The bill aims to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961, which has become bulky and complex due to multiple amendments over the years.
• The new legislation simplifies tax provisions, introduces clearer terminology, and expands the number of sections and schedules. Despite opposition protests, the bill was introduced after a voice vote.
• The Lok Sabha was then adjourned until March 10, 2025, for the second half of the Budget session.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. R-37M Missile is developed by which country ?
a) Australia
b) India
c) Russia
d) France
Q2. What is the name of the joint airborne exercise conducted by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force in February 2025 ?
a) Exercise Winged Raiders
b) Exercise Gagan Shakti
c) Exercise Yudh Abhyas
d) Exercise Vayu Shakti
Q3. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state ?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Uttarakhand
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Maharashtra
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France:
1. The visit focused on deepening collaboration between India and France in nuclear energy, especially the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
2. The defense cooperation discussions included India’s offer to sell its Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system to France.
3. The two nations launched the “India-France Year of Innovation,” which will be celebrated starting in March 2026.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
Statement 1 is correct: The visit focused on nuclear energy collaboration, particularly the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project.
Statement 2 is correct: The defense discussions included India’s offer to France regarding the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system.
Statement 3 is correct: The “India-France Year of Innovation” will indeed be celebrated starting in March 2026.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the AI Action Summit held in Paris on February 10-11, 2025:
1. The AI Action Summit concluded with the signing of the “Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet” statement by over 50 countries, including India, China, and the European Commission.
2. The U.S. and the U.K. were signatories to the “Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) for People and the Planet” statement.
3. India was a founding member of the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable AI, launched by France in collaboration with UNEP & ITU.
4. The Paris Declaration on Maintaining Human Control in AI-enabled Weapon Systems was endorsed by India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1, 3, and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation-
1. The AI Action Summit concluded with the signing of the “Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet” statement by over 50 countries, including India, China, and the European Commission — Correct. The statement was signed by over 50 countries, including India, China, and the European Commission.
2. The U.S. and the U.K. were signatories to the “Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) for People and the Planet” statement — Incorrect. The U.S. and the U.K. abstained from joining the statement.
3. India was a founding member of the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable AI, launched by France in collaboration with UNEP & ITU — Correct. India is a founding member of the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable AI.
4. The Paris Declaration on Maintaining Human Control in AI-enabled Weapon Systems was endorsed by India — Incorrect. India did not endorse this declaration.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
C | A | A | B | A |