<\/span><\/h3>\nContext<\/strong>: Government e Marketplace (GeM) commemorated\u00a0<\/strong>six years of Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through eTransactions (SWAYATT) initiative.<\/p>\nKey Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Launch:<\/strong>\u00a0Initiated in\u00a02019, aimed to boost participation of women-led enterprises, youth, and startups in public procurement.<\/li>\n
- Goals:<\/strong>\n
\n- Promote social inclusion by enhancing ease of business and providing direct market linkages for startups, women entrepreneurs, MSEs, SHGs, and youth, especially from backward sections.<\/li>\n
- Facilitate training and onboarding of sellers and promote small-scale businesses in government procurement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Growth Stats:<\/strong>\n
\n- Startups have fulfilled \u20b935,950 Crore in orders.<\/li>\n
- At launch, GeM had 6,300 women-led enterprises and 3,400 startups.<\/li>\n
- Now, women entrepreneurs comprise 8% of the total seller base on GeM, 177,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs have fulfilled \u20b946,615 Crore in orders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Future Goals:<\/strong>\n
\n- Aim to onboard 1 lakh startups and double women entrepreneurs\u2019 participation, increasing their share of overall public procurement from 3.78%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>SPHEREx<\/strong>: 26th February<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext<\/strong>: NASA is tentatively scheduled to launch its new megaphone-shaped space telescope called\u00a0<\/strong>Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx).<\/p>\nKey Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Duration:\u00a0<\/strong>Two years.<\/li>\n
- Mission Objectives:\u00a0<\/strong>SPHEREx will collect data on over 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars in the Milky Way.\n
\n- It will explore the origins of the universe, focusing on the period after the Big Bang.<\/li>\n
- It will create a 3D map of the cosmos in 102 different wavelengths of light (colours).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Cosmic Inflation:\u00a0<\/strong>SPHEREx will measure cosmic inflation, which occurred around 14 billion years ago.\n
\n- Cosmic inflation is believed to explain the universe\u2019s flatness and lack of curvature on large scales.<\/li>\n
- Inflation remains poorly understood, and SPHEREx can help improve that understanding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- PUNCH Mission:<\/strong>\u00a0SPHEREx will launch alongside NASA\u2019s PUNCH mission, which studies the Sun\u2019s solar wind.\n
\n- PUNCH consists of four small satellites in low Earth orbit.<\/li>\n
- It will make 3D global observations of the inner heliosphere to understand how the Sun\u2019s corona becomes the solar wind.<\/li>\n
- The satellites will map the transition zone where the Sun\u2019s corona turns into solar wind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN: 26th February<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext<\/strong>: The 6th edition of India- Japan Joint Military Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN has commenced in the East Fuji Manoeuvre Training area of Japan.<\/p>\nKey Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- It\u00a0is an\u00a0annual event\u00a0conducted alternatively in India and Japan. Last edition in Rajasthan in 2024.<\/li>\n
- Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To enhance interoperability between the two forces while undertaking joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under\u00a0UN mandate.<\/li>\n
- Significance:\u00a0<\/strong>The exercise underscores the shared commitment of India and Japan towards regional security, peace and stability, while advancing their common vision of a free, open and\u00a0inclusive Indo-Pacific.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>India-European Commission Partnership: 27 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext<\/strong>: Recently, a delegation led by\u00a0<\/strong>European Commission (EC) President\u00a0Ursula von der Leyen is\u00a0in India\u00a0for a two-day visit exploring a \u2018security and defence partnership\u2019.<\/p>\nEconomic Cooperation:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Trade:\u00a0<\/strong>The EU is one of\u00a0India\u2019s largest trading partners, accounting for\u00a0nearly 11% of India\u2019s total trade, and the USA (10.8%) and China (10.5%).\n
\n- As of 2023, bilateral trade between India and the EU reached approximately \u20ac120 billion.<\/li>\n
- The EU is the\u00a0second-largest destination for Indian exports\u00a0(17.5% of the total) after the USA (17.6%), while China only ranks fourth (3.7%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Investment and Business Ties:\u00a0<\/strong>The EU is one of the largest foreign investors in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of over $100 billion in sectors such as automobiles, renewable energy, and information technology.<\/li>\n
- Supply Chain Resilience:<\/strong>\u00a0Both are focusing on diversifying supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.<\/li>\n
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA),\u00a0officially known as the\u00a0India-EU Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA),\u00a0has been under negotiation since 2007.<\/li>\n
- It aims to enhance market access, reduce tariffs, and streamline trade regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>About European Commission (EC): 27 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- It traces its origins to the formation of the\u00a0European Economic Community (EEC) in 1958, following the\u00a0Treaty of Rome.<\/li>\n
- The\u00a0Maastricht Treaty (1993)\u00a0and the\u00a0Lisbon Treaty (2009)\u00a0further strengthened its powers, ensuring that it remains a key player in EU governance.
\nStructure and Composition<\/li>\n - The\u00a0European Commission (EC)\u00a0is the\u00a0executive arm of the\u00a0European Union (EU),\u00a0which is\u00a0based in Brussels, Belgium, and operates independently from the national governments of EU member states.<\/li>\n
- EC is composed of\u00a027 Commissioners,\u00a0one from each EU member state, are\u00a0appointed for a five-year term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award: 27 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext<\/strong>: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has announced the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony, to be held in New Delhi.<\/p>\nKey Highlights<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- This initiative aims to\u00a0recognize outstanding individuals and organizations\u00a0for their remarkable contributions to animal welfare and protection.<\/li>\n
- The awards will be presented under\u00a0two major categories:\u00a0Prani Mitra Award and Jeev Daya Award.\n
\n- The Prani Mitra Award\u00a0will be conferred under\u00a0five sub-categories:\u00a0Advocacy (Individual), Innovative Idea (Individual), Lifetime Animal Service (Individual), along with two awards for\u00a0Animal Welfare Organizations\u00a0and for\u00a0Corporate, PSUs, Government Bodies, or Co-operatives.<\/li>\n
- The Jeev Daya Award\u00a0will be presented in\u00a0three sub-categories:\u00a0Individual, Animal Welfare Organization, and for either Schools, Institutions, Teachers, or Children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Make the World Wear Khadi Campaign: 27 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext<\/strong>: The Make the World Wear Khadi campaign\u00a0is launched by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.<\/p>\nKey Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Goal:\u00a0<\/strong>Blend India\u2019s textile heritage with global fashion trends, positioning Khadi as a global brand.<\/li>\n
- Target Audience<\/strong>: Advertising professionals and freelancers from domestic and international markets.<\/li>\n
- Part of:<\/strong>\u00a0Inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES).<\/li>\n
- It is a key forum for promoting discussions, collaboration, and innovation in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>About Khadi: 27 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Khadi is a traditional Indian fabric made from hand-spun and hand-woven cotton, silk, or wool.<\/li>\n
- It is associated with the Indian independence movement led by\u00a0Mahatma Gandhi.\n
\n- It symbolizes\u00a0self-reliance and the promotion of indigenous products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Key Characteristics of Khadi:<\/strong>\n
\n- Hand-Spun:<\/strong>\u00a0The yarn is spun by hand using a spinning wheel (charkha).<\/li>\n
- Hand-Woven:<\/strong>\u00a0The yarn is woven into fabric using traditional looms.<\/li>\n
- Eco-Friendly:<\/strong>\u00a0Since it is hand-made, Khadi is more sustainable compared to machine-made fabrics.<\/li>\n
- Natural Fabric:<\/strong>\u00a0It is made from cotton, silk, or wool, all of which are natural fibers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>National Science Day 2025: 28 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext:<\/strong> National Science Day is celebrated every year on 28th February to commemorate the discovery of the \u2018Raman Effect\u2019 made by the physicist Sir C.V. Raman.<\/p>\nKey Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the\u00a0Nobel Prize in 1930\u00a0for the discovery of the Raman Effect.<\/li>\n
- The first celebration\u00a0took place on\u00a0February 28, 1987, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues to inspire generations.<\/li>\n
- The objective\u00a0of the observation of National Science Day is to spread the message of the importance of science and its application among the people.<\/li>\n
- Theme for 2025:\u00a0Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for VIKSIT BHARAT.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Facts about C.V. Raman: 28 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- V. Raman founded the\u00a0Indian Journal of Physics in 1926.<\/li>\n
- He became the\u00a0first Indian director of the\u00a0Indian Institute of Science\u00a0(IISc) in 1933.<\/li>\n
- He established the Raman Research Institute in\u00a01948.<\/li>\n
- In\u00a01954,\u00a0the Government of India honored him with the Bharat Ratna.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About Raman Effect<\/strong><\/h4>\nWhen a beam of light passes through a transparent medium (such as a liquid or gas), a small fraction of the scattered light changes in wavelength. This change occurs due to the interaction of light with the vibrational and rotational energy levels of the molecules in the medium.<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Jahan-e-Khusrau Sufi Music Festival: 28 February 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext:<\/strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the\u00a025th<\/sup> anniversary Sufi music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025.<\/p>\nKey Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Jahan-e-Khusrau Festival:<\/strong>\n
\n- International festival dedicated to\u00a0Sufi music, poetry, and dance.<\/li>\n
- Celebrates the\u00a0legacy of Amir Khusrau.<\/li>\n
- Brings together artists from across the world.<\/li>\n
- Organized by the\u00a0Rumi Foundation.<\/li>\n
- Founded by filmmaker and artist\u00a0Muzaffar Ali in 2001.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- During the festival, the Prime Minister also visited\u00a0TEH Bazaar (TEH: The Exploration of the Handmade), which showcased\u00a0One District-One Product crafts\u00a0and exquisite artifacts from across India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About <\/strong>Amir Khusrau<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Amir Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of the\u00a0Chishti Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.<\/li>\n
- He started out in the service of princes and nobles, before becoming a permanent fixture in the\u00a0court of the Delhi Sultanate.<\/li>\n
- Khusrau served at least five Sultans\u00a0\u2014 Muizuddin Qaiqabad, Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.<\/li>\n
- He wrote in\u00a0Persian, the language of the court, as well as\u00a0Hindavi.<\/li>\n
- Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji\u00a0bestowed upon Khusrau the\u00a0title of \u2018Amir\u2019.\u00a0He also bestowed him with the\u00a0sobriquet of Tuti-yi-Hind, the\u00a0\u2018Parrot of India\u2019, title.<\/li>\n
- Khusrau made lasting contributions to\u00a0Indian classical music and qawwali,\u00a0and is also credited for\u00a0developing Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.<\/li>\n
- He is also credited with crafting dozens of\u00a0ragas\u00a0and creating\u00a0ornate khayal music.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About Sufism<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Sufism is a\u00a0mystic dimension of Islam\u00a0which formally\u00a0originated in the Middle East between the ninth and tenth centuries.<\/li>\n
- Mysticism\u00a0is a religious practice in which people search for truth, knowledge and\u00a0closeness to God through meditation and prayer. It focuses\u00a0on\u00a0inner purity, love, and devotion for salvation.<\/li>\n
- Sufism came to India in the\u00a011th and 12th centuries,\u00a0after the\u00a0arrival of Islam via the Arab trading community\u00a0in South India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Aditya-L1: 1 March 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContext:<\/strong> Aditya-L1 has made a significant discovery by capturing the\u00a0first-ever image of a solar flare \u2018kernel\u2019\u00a0in the lower solar atmosphere\u00a0(photosphere and chromosphere).<\/p>\nAbout Aditya-L1<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- It was launched in September 2023, by ISRO\u2019s PSLV C-57 rocket.<\/li>\n
- It was placed in a halo orbit around the\u00a0Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1)\u00a0in January\u00a02024.<\/li>\n
- It is India\u2019s first dedicated space-based solar mission.<\/li>\n
- It stays approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth, directed towards the Sun, which is about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance.<\/li>\n
- It would study the outer atmosphere of the Sun.\u00a0It will neither land on the Sun nor approach the Sun any closer.<\/li>\n
- Aditya\u201d means the Sun in Sanskrit, and \u201cL1\u201d refers to Lagrange Point 1 in the Sun-Earth system. L1 is a location in space where the\u00a0gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth are in equilibrium, allowing objects placed there to remain stable relative to both celestial bodies. The L1 point allows the spacecraft to continuously observe solar activities without any eclipse or occultation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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