The key current affairs updates for India as of **February 18, 2025**, curated from recent developments: --- ### **1. Political and Governance Updates** - **New Chief Election Commissioner Appointed**: Gyanesh Kumar was selected as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) by a committee headed by PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi . - **Deregulation Commission Announced**: PM Modi unveiled plans for a Deregulation Commission to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and boost ease of doing business, aligning with India’s economic transformation goals . - **Karnataka Tops Governance Index**: Karnataka ranked first in the 2024 Local Governance Performance Index, while Uttar Pradesh rose 10 places to 5th, reflecting improved transparency and administrative reforms . --- ### **2. Economic and Policy Developments** - **RBI Cuts Repo Rate**: The Reserve Bank of India reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25%, the first cut in five years, aiming to stimulate economic activity . - **SEBI Launches RPT Portal**: A new portal for Related Party Transactions (RPT) was introduced to enhance corporate governance transparency . - **Defense Export Milestone**: India finalized a $200 million deal to supply the Akash missile system to the Philippines, boosting defense exports . --- ### **3. Social and Environmental Issues** - **Maha Kumbh Mela Challenges**: Over 54 crore devotees bathed in Prayagraj, but the Central Pollution Control Board flagged high faecal coliform levels in river water. A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station during the event killed 18, prompting ₹10 lakh compensation for victims’ families . - **Extreme Weather Crisis**: A report highlighted India’s vulnerability to extreme weather, with 10% of global deaths and $180 billion in economic losses since 1993 . - **Yamuna Cleanup Initiative**: Delhi LG VK Saxena launched a three-year plan using trash skimmers and dredgers to clean the Yamuna River . --- ### **4. International Relations** - **BRICS Summit in Rio**: Brazil will host the 17th BRICS Summit (July 6–7, 2025), focusing on Global South cooperation and governance reforms . - **India-US Mission 500**: A bilateral initiative to boost trade and investment, announced during PM Modi’s visit to the U.S. . - **Philippines Defense Deal**: The Akash missile export deal strengthens India’s role as a defense supplier . --- ### **5. Legal and Judicial Updates** - **Supreme Court Directives**: The SC ordered retrials for a UP death row convict due to procedural lapses and sought data from high courts on pending bail appeals . - **New India Cooperative Bank Scam**: Two accused in a ₹122 crore fraud case were remanded to police custody until February 21 . --- ### **6. Science, Technology, and Defense** - **F-35 Stealth Jets Considered**: Discussions on acquiring F-35 fighter jets to enhance the Indian Air Force’s capabilities . - **Meta’s Undersea Cable Project**: A 50,000-km cable (Project Waterworth) will improve India-US digital connectivity, aiding economic growth . - **DRDO Success**: Successful flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) system . --- ### **7. Banking and Business** - **Axis Bank Funds Ashoka University**: A ₹104 crore grant was pledged for research in neurosciences and physics . - **Campa Cola’s IPL Entry**: Reliance’s Campa Cola secured IPL 2025 co-presenting rights, challenging Coca-Cola’s dominance . --- ### **8. Key Events and Days** - **Global Tourism Resilience Day**: Observed on February 17, emphasizing strategies to sustain tourism amid crises . - **International Childhood Cancer Day**: Highlighted on February 15, advocating for better healthcare access . --- ### **9. Regional Updates** - **Kerala Aadhaar-Linked Vehicle Rule**: Mandatory linking of Aadhaar-registered mobile numbers with vehicle certificates from March 1 . - **Maharashtra Factory Explosion**: Two deaths reported in Nagpur’s Kalmeshwar taluka . --- ### **10. Miscellaneous** - **Deportations from the U.S.**: Over 200 Indian migrants were deported, with reports of harsh treatment (handcuffing and chaining) during transit . - **Controversy Over "India’s Got Latent"**: Legal actions against comedians for alleged offensive remarks, drawing criticism from political and social groups . ---