Daily Current Affairs
(11 – Feb – 25)
1. India the Second Largest Country in Fish Production –
• India became the second largest fish producer due to strong financial and technical support provided to farmers by the current government.
• The fisheries sector is an important part of India’s economy. It plays a key role in food security, providing employment, and earning export revenue.
• India has a long coastline, large inland water resources, and diverse aquatic ecosystems.
• These resources make India one of the top fish producers in the world. Fisheries in India have grown from traditional practices to a more organized and modern industry.
• It includes marine fishing, inland fishing, and aquaculture.
2. Relation Between Bond Yield and Market –
• The BSE Sensex closed lower for the sixth consecutive day, reflecting a major sell-off among Foreign institutional investors/ Foreign Portfolio Investors (FIIs/FPIs).
• The market was impacted by mixed corporate earnings and concerns over the tightening of the U.S. tariff regime on imports.
• About Bond Yield
• Bond yield refers to the return an investor earns from holding a bond until maturity.
• It is influenced by interest rates, market demand, and economic conditions.
• The yield curve represents the relationship between bond yields and their maturity periods.
• Types of Yield Curves:
• Normal Yield Curve: Long-term bonds have higher yields than short-term bonds, indicating economic growth.
• Inverted Yield Curve: Long-term yields are lower than short-term yields, signaling a possible recession.
• Flat Yield Curve: Short-term and long-term yields are similar, reflecting economic uncertainty.
• Bond Price and Yield Relationship:
• When bond prices fall, yields rise.
• When bond prices rise, yields fall.
3. China to Build First Deepwater ‘Space Station’ in South China Sea –
• After years of deliberation and technical evaluations, China has officially approved the construction of a deep-sea research facility in the strategically significant South China Sea.
• The facility, referred to as a “deep-sea space station,” will be anchored 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) below the ocean surface. It aims to advance marine exploration and strengthen China’s geopolitical presence in the resource-rich region.
• Expected to be operational by 2030, the station will accommodate six scientists for month-long missions, enabling real-time experiments in extreme underwater conditions.
4. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for January 2025: Inflation Rate and Key Highlights –
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has released the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for January 2025, reporting an annual inflation rate of 2.31% (provisional) compared to January 2024.
• The increase in inflation is primarily due to the rising prices in the categories of manufactured food products, food articles, non-food articles, and textiles. The month-over-month (MoM) WPI change for January 2025 stood at (-) 0.45% compared to December 2024, indicating a marginal decline in wholesale prices.
5. Saab & HAL Join Forces for Advanced Laser Warning System in India –
• Swedish defence firm Saab has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning System-310 (LWS-310).
• The agreement, signed on February 13, 2025, focuses on strengthening India’s defence sector by allowing HAL to manufacture the advanced laser warning system domestically.
• This move aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and aims to enhance self-reliance in critical defence technology.
MCQ Quiz
Q1. What is the rank of India in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ?
a) 25th
b) 29th
c) 36th
d) 38th
Q2. Constantine Tassoulas has been elected as president of which country in February 2025 ?
a) Indonesia
b) Greece
c) Egypt
d) Vietnam
Q3. The Panchayat Devolution Index Report is released by which ministry ?
a) Ministry of Agriculture
b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
c) Ministry of Finance
d) Ministry of Rural Development
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 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI):
1. India’s rank in the 2024 CPI is 96th, reflecting a decline of three positions from the previous year.
2. Denmark is ranked the most corrupt country in the world according to the 2024 CPI.
3. The Corruption Perceptions Index uses data from 13 external sources, including institutions like the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
4. The CPI scale ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents a very clean public sector and 100 signifies high corruption.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Only 3
d) All four
Explanation-
Statement 1 is correct: India holds the 96th position in the 2024 CPI, with a score of 38, down from 39 in 2023.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Denmark is the least corrupt country, not the most corrupt.
Statement 3 is correct: The CPI uses data from 13 external sources, including institutions like the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
Statement 4 is incorrect: The CPI scale ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates high corruption and 100 represents a very clean and transparent public sector.