Daily Current Affairs 21st Feb 2025

Daily Current Affairs 21st Feb 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

Dear Readers,

This post contains daily current affairs 21st Feb 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related current affairs 21st Feb 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 21st Feb, 2025 Current affairs test.

National News

India Launches Electronic Pilot Licenses

India has modernized its aviation sector by introducing the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for flight crew.
With this initiative, India becomes the second country globally after China to implement digital licensing for pilots.
The EPL was launched by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, aiming to enhance transparency, efficiency, and convenience in the licensing process.

Delhi Metro Installs India’s First Vertical Bi-Facial Solar Plant

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, inaugurated the first vertical bi-facial solar plant in the country.
He also inaugurated a one-megawatt (MW) rooftop solar plant at the Khyber Pass depot of the Delhi Metro.
The 50-kilowatt (KW) vertical solar plant at Okhla Vihar station is designed to capture sunlight from both sides for maximum energy efficiency.
The vertical solar installation is a pilot project, and more such plants may be introduced based on its success.
With the commissioning of the Khyber Pass rooftop solar plant, Delhi Metro now has a total onsite rooftop solar capacity of 51 MW, covering 93 stations and 15 depots.

Kerala Becomes the First Indian State to Collect and Dispose of Expired Drugs

Kerala has launched ‘New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs’ (nPROUD) to collect and safely dispose of expired and unused medicines.
This is India’s first government-led initiative to address the issue of safe disposal of pharmaceuticals.
Initially implemented in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat, the program will eventually expand statewide.
Improper disposal of medicines can lead to antimicrobial resistance, environmental pollution, and public health hazards, making this initiative essential.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Inaugurates 77th Session of AARDO Executive Committee in New Delhi

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the 77th Session of the Executive Committee (EC-77) of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) in New Delhi.
The session included participation from senior officials of AARDO member countries.
Key agenda items included:
- Election of new leadership (President and Vice Presidents).
- Review of budget estimates and approval of new memberships.
- Evaluation of development projects, HRD programs, and regional office activities (May 2023 – October 2024).
Established in 1962, AARDO promotes rural and agricultural development across 32 member countries in Africa and Asia.
India has been a long-term supporter of AARDO, providing financial assistance and hosting the organization’s headquarters in New Delhi.

PM Modi to Inaugurate SOUL Leadership Conclave

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first edition of the SOUL Leadership Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay will be the Guest of Honor and will deliver the keynote address.
The two-day conclave will bring together leaders from various domains, including:
- Politics, sports, arts, media, spirituality, business, and public policy.
The event will foster an environment of collaboration, thought leadership, and inspiration, particularly for young audiences.

Business News

Zomato Introduces AI-Powered Customer Support Platform ‘Nugget’

Zomato has launched Nugget, an AI-powered customer support platform to help businesses streamline operations.
Key Features of Nugget:
- No-code platform: Businesses can automate customer service without requiring technical expertise.
- Handles up to 80% of customer queries autonomously while continuously learning and adapting.

TRIFED Signs MoUs with Meesho, IFCA & MGIRI to Boost Tribal Products

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) signed MoUs with:
- Meesho: To onboard tribal products onto its platform and provide training.
- IFCA: To connect tribal businesses with chefs, culinary professionals, and hotels.
- Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI): To provide training and capacity building for artisans.
These agreements were signed during the Aadi Mahotsav event and aim to enhance market access for tribal products.

Agreements & MoUs

India-Argentina MoU on Lithium Exploration & Mining

India and Argentina signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in lithium exploration and investment.
The agreement was signed between MECL (India) and the Catamarca government (Argentina) to enhance mineral resource development.
Key Objectives:
- Accelerate lithium exploration and ensure resource security.
- Create investment opportunities for Indian companies.
- Support electric vehicle battery and renewable energy storage needs.
Argentina is part of the ‘Lithium Triangle’, making it a crucial partner for India’s critical mineral needs.

India and Nepal Strengthen Scientific Collaboration (CSIR-NAST MoU)

India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) signed a new MoU to enhance scientific cooperation.
Key Focus Areas:
- Joint research, workshops, and training programs.
- Knowledge exchange and collaborative projects.
This agreement continues a long-standing partnership since 1994 and aims to boost regional scientific and economic development.

International News

Brazil Joins OPEC+ as Observer

Brazil has officially joined OPEC+ as an observer, marking a significant shift in its energy policy.
Approved by Brazil’s National Council for Energy Policy, the decision allows Brazil to participate in global oil policy discussions while maintaining independent production decisions.
This move aligns with Brazil’s role as host for the United Nations Climate Summit, balancing energy security and environmental commitments.

Mount Dukono Eruption in Indonesia

Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted on February 20, 2025, spewing an ash cloud 2,000 meters high.
The eruption occurred on Halmahera Island, North Maluku Province.
Indonesian authorities have issued aviation warnings and safety advisories for residents.

India has been elected Vice President of IALA in Singapore.
This marks the transition of IALA from an NGO to an inter-governmental organization (IGO).
India will:
- Host the IALA Council Meeting (December 2025).
- Organize the IALA Conference & General Assembly (September 2027, Mumbai).
This position strengthens India’s role in maritime safety and navigation.

EAM Jaishankar to Attend G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg (Feb 20-21, 2025).
South Africa, the current G20 President (Dec 2024 – Nov 2025), will host the summit.

Banking & Financial News

IRDAI Introduces One-Time UPI Mandate for Insurance Premium Payments

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has permitted a one-time UPI mandate for buying life and health insurance policies.
This system, known as Bima-ASBA, ensures that money is transferred only upon policy issuance.

Important Day

International Mother Language Day (February 21)

The International Mother Language day is observed on February 21.
This day marks the Bangla Language Movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and promotes the preservation of linguistic diversity worldwide.