Daily Current Affairs- 24th February 2025

Daily Current Affairs 24th February 2025

INTERNATIONAL

NTPC, EDF India collaborate for PSP to explore avenues in distribution

• State-owned power giant NPTC and EDF India, an arm of French firm Electricite de France, have joined hands to set up pumped hydro storage and hydro projects bundled with renewable energy projects and explore opportunities in the distribution business.
• NTPC and EDF India have signed a non-binding term sheet to develop, own, operate and maintain pumped storage projects and any other hydropower projects. 

NATIONAL

PM Modi lays foundation stone of cancer hospital in MP

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 24) laid the foundation stone for the Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute in Madhya Pradesh’s Garha village at the invitation of Bageshwar Dham chief Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri. 

Indian Navy hands over Guldar ship to MTDC for underwater museum

• In a landmark initiative, the Indian Navy has handed over decommissioned Landing Ship Tank INS Guldar to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) for conversion into India’s first underwater museum and artificial reef. 

PM Modi inaugurated MP GIS

• The Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit (GIS) kicks off in Bhopal on February 24. The two-day event aims to attract investment to the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit on Monday, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the closing ceremony on Tuesday (February 25). 

SPORTS

Man Singh, Bhagirathi Bisht Win Titles at 2025 New Delhi Marathon

• Asian champion Man Singh won the men’s race at the New Delhi Marathon 2025, while Bhagirathi Bisht clinched the women’s title in India’s national capital, The New Delhi Marathon is recognised as India’s national marathon by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and is a certified World Athletics race. This was the 10th edition of the New Delhi Marathon. 

Squash: Saurav Ghosal Wins PSA Challenger Title

• Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal clinched the PSA Challenger title at the Octane Sydney Classic in Australia. He defeated Abdelrahman Nassar of Egypt in straight games 3-0 in the final clash. 

Virat Kohli Becomes Fastest to 14,000 ODI Runs

• Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has created history as he became the quickest batter to score 14,000 runs in One-Day Internationals during the ICC Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan in Dubai. Kohli is the quickest ever to the milestone, having completed his 14,000 ODI runs in 287 innings. Kohli is now only the third batter in ODI cricket to have scored 14,000 runs, after the legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara. Kohli already holds the record for scoring the most ODI centuries (50). 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Central Excise Day: India

• The Central Excise Day is observed on February 24 every year in India and holds immense historical and administrative significance, On February 24, 1944, the Central Excise and Salt Act, aimed at monitoring the production and regulation of salt and other manufactured goods, was established. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

First-Ever Regional Dialogue on Global Coalition for Social Justice in New Delhi

• Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurated the First-Ever Regional Dialogue on Global Coalition for Social Justice at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on 24 February, the 2-day Dialogue is hosted by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Employers’ Federation of India (EFI). 

RANKING

Global University Reputation 2025

• The Times Higher Education (THE) World Reputation Rankings 2025 evaluates the most prestigious universities worldwide based on academic excellence and global recognition.

Key Points:

• Harvard University retained its top position for the 14th year in a row.
• University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shared the second position.

Performance of Indian Universities:

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru dropped from the 101-125 band in 2023 to the 201-300 band in 2025.
• IIT Delhi slipped from 151-175 to 201-300 band.
• IIT Madras fell from 176-200 to 201-300 band.
• IIT Bombay was removed from the list after previously being ranked in the 151-175 band.
• Shiksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), Bhubaneswar, entered the rankings for the first time in the 201-300 band.