Daily Current Affairs- 19th February 2025

Daily Current Affairs 19^th February 2025

INTERNATIONAL

India-Japan Joint Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian 2025’ to be Held at Mount Fuji

• The sixth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian is scheduled from February 25 to March 9, 2025, at Mount Fuji, Japan. This annual Indo-Japanese military exercise is a significant step in strengthening the strategic and defence cooperation between the two nations. 

APEDA Facilitates First-Ever Sea Shipments of Indian Pomegranates to Australia

• In a significant milestone for India's agricultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports completed India's first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates respectively to Australia via sea. 

NATIONAL

Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates India’s First Open-Air Art Wall Museum

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first “Open Air Art Wall Museum” a unique open-air art museum at “Mausam Bhawan” depicting and celebrating the 150 years of milestone journey of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

Union Minister Pabitra Margherita Inaugurates SILKTECH 2025

• The CSB’s International Conference – SILKTECH 2025 was inaugurated by Shri Pabitra Margherita, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles & Foreign Affairs, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as part of the Bharat Tex 2025 mega textile event. 

Reliance Secures 10 GWh Battery Capacity Under PLI Scheme

• Reliance New Energy Battery Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, has secured a 10 gigawatt-hour (GWh) capacity under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) signed a Programme Agreement with the company on February 17, 2025, marking a major step in India’s push for domestic battery manufacturing and reduced import dependence. 

Bhupender Yadav Opens ‘Waste Recycling and Climate Change 2025’ Conclave

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the ‘Waste Recycling and Climate Change 2025’ conclave, organized by the Recycling and Environment Industry Association of India (REIAI). The event focused on how waste recycling can contribute to India's environmental sustainability and economic growth. 

RSS Inaugurates New Headquarters in New Delhi

• The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art headquarters, ‘Keshav Kunj,’ in Jhandewalan, New Delhi. The newly built complex, covering a massive five lakh square feet across four acres, is designed to support the organization’s growing activities. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Standard Chartered Appoints P.D. Singh as India CEO

• Standard Chartered Bank has secured approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to appoint Prabdev (P.D.) Singh as its Chief Executive Officer for India and South Asia. Singh, a veteran in corporate banking and former CEO of JP Morgan India, will assume his new role on April 1, 2025. He will replace Zarin Daruwala, who is set to retire on March 31, 2025, after leading the bank for nearly a decade. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

Ministry of Labour & Employment Signs MoU with APNA to Boost Job Opportunities

• In a major step towards enhancing employment prospects for young job seekers, the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) has signed an MoU with APNA, one of India’s leading job recruitment platforms. This partnership will bring over 10 lakh job opportunities annually to the National Career Service (NCS) Portal, strengthening domestic employment avenues. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

PhonePe launches device tokenisation for credit and debit card transactions

• PhonePe rolled out a device tokenisation solution for credit and debit cards to enable users to tokenise them on the company’s application, and use it seamlessly across various services on its platform like bill payments, recharges, booking travel tickets etc.