- Who will be honoured with the “Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema” award at IIFA 2025? Rakesh Roshan
- What is the name of Asia’s first Life-sized animatronic elephant unveiled in Bengaluru? Ellie
- Who was honoured with Grand Medaille, the highest award from Aero-Club de France ?? Tom Cruise
- Which company & Garuda Aerospace to establish a Centre of Excellence for UAV design? Tata Elxsi
- Who from Bangladesh becomes 1st Woman Cricketer to be banned by ICC for Corruption? Shohely Akhter
- Who becomes the new captain for RCB for IPL 2025? Rajat Patidar
- Which date has been officially recognized as “Gulf of America Day’? February 9
- Which bank partnered with Ikonz Studios to expand Al Amitabh Bachan Avatar? IDFC FIRST Bank
- Which organization launches ‘Donate Organs, Save Lives” to promote organ donation awareness? ICC
- HAL’s upgraded Hindustan Jet Trainer 36 has been renamed as? Yashas
This section breaks down these current affairs items through the lens of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), focusing on the “why,” “what,” and “how” aspects.
1. Rakesh Roshan to be honoured with “Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema” at IIFA 2025
- What:
- Rakesh Roshan, a veteran Indian film director, producer, and actor, will receive the “Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema” award at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2025.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Art and Culture: This highlights the recognition of significant contributions to Indian cinema, a crucial aspect of India’s cultural heritage. UPSC often asks questions related to prominent figures and their contributions to the arts.
- Soft Power: Indian cinema plays a vital role in India’s soft power projection globally. Recognizing film industry stalwarts underscores this aspect.
- Awards and Recognitions: Awareness of significant awards and their recipients is essential for the preliminary and main exams.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on Rakesh Roshan’s contributions to Indian cinema, the significance of the IIFA awards, or the role of cinema in India’s cultural diplomacy.
2. Asia’s First Life-Sized Animatronic Elephant, “Ellie,” Unveiled in Bengaluru
- What:
- “Ellie,” Asia’s first life-sized animatronic elephant, has been unveiled in Bengaluru.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Science and Technology: This highlights advancements in animatronics and robotics, which are relevant to the S&T section of the syllabus.
- Environment and Conservation: It could signify a move towards using technology for animal welfare and conservation efforts, particularly in the context of human-animal conflict. Elephants are protected species and are of great importance to Indian wildlife.
- Innovation and Development: This showcases India’s growing capabilities in cutting-edge technologies.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the technology behind animatronics, its potential applications in conservation, or the ethical considerations surrounding its use.
3. Tom Cruise Honored with Grand Medaille from Aero-Club de France
- What:
- American actor Tom Cruise received the Grand Medaille, the highest award from the Aero Club de France.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- International Relations: This highlights cultural exchanges and recognitions between countries.
- Science and Technology (Aviation): The award relates to contributions to aviation, which is a relevant area within S&T.
- Awards and Recognitions: Knowledge of prestigious international awards is important.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the Aero Club de France, the significance of the award, or the broader context of international recognition in aviation.
4. Tata Elxsi & Garuda Aerospace to Establish Centre of Excellence for UAV Design
- What:
- Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace will establish a Centre of Excellence for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Design.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Science and Technology: UAVs (drones) have significant applications in various sectors, including defense, agriculture, and disaster management.
- Defense and Security: UAVs are crucial for modern warfare and surveillance.
- Economy: The drone industry has significant economic potential.
- Government Policies: The Indian government is actively promoting the use of drones through various policies and initiatives.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the applications of UAVs, the government’s drone policy, or the role of private sector collaboration in technological development.
5. Shohely Akhter (Bangladesh) Banned by ICC for Corruption
- What:
- Shohely Akhter, a Bangladeshi cricketer, has been banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for corruption.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Sports Governance: This highlights the issue of corruption in sports and the efforts to combat it.
- International Organizations: The role of the ICC in maintaining integrity in cricket is relevant.
- Ethics and Integrity: This raises broader questions about ethical conduct in sports and public life.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the ICC’s anti-corruption measures, the challenges of combating corruption in sports, or the ethical dimensions of sports governance.
6. Rajat Patidar, New Captain for RCB (IPL 2025)
- What:
- Rajat Patidar is the new captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Sports: While seemingly niche, sporting events can reflect broader social and economic trends. The IPL is a major sporting and economic event in India.
- Leadership: Changes in leadership in prominent organizations (even sports teams) can be relevant.
- Social Impact: The IPL has a significant social and cultural impact in India.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- This is less likely to be a direct question, but it could be used as an example in a broader question about the socio-economic impact of sports in India.
7. February 9 Recognized as “Gulf of America Day”
- What:
- February 9 has been officially recognized as “Gulf of America Day.”
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- International Relations: This highlights the importance of the Gulf of America region and its significance to related nations.
- Geography: The Gulf of America is a significant geographical feature.
- Environmental Concerns: The Gulf of America is also relevant in terms of environmental concerns and maritime issues.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the geographical features of the Gulf of America, its strategic importance, or environmental issues related to the region.
8. IDFC FIRST Bank Partners with Ikonz Studios to Expand AI Amitabh Bachchan Avatar
- What:
- IDFC FIRST Bank has partnered with Ikonz Studios to expand the AI Amitabh Bachchan avatar.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Science and Technology (artificial intelligence): This highlights the growing use of AI in various sectors, including banking and entertainment.
- Digital Economy: This signifies the increasing digitalization of the Indian economy.
- Banking and Finance: The use of AI in banking is a significant trend.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the applications of AI in banking, the ethical considerations of using AI avatars, or the broader impact of digitalization on the Indian economy.
9. ICC Launches “Donate Organs, Save Lives” Campaign
- What:
- The ICC has launched the “Donate Organs, Save Lives” campaign to promote organ donation awareness.
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Social Issues: This highlights the importance of organ donation and its potential to save lives.
- Health: Organ donation is a crucial aspect of public health.
- Awareness Campaigns: This showcases the role of organizations in raising awareness about important social issues.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on the challenges of organ donation in India, the role of awareness campaigns, or the ethical considerations surrounding organ donation.
10. HAL’s Upgraded Hindustan Jet Trainer 36 Renamed as “Yashas”
- What:
- HAL’s upgraded Hindustan Jet Trainer 36 has been renamed “Yashas.”
- Why (significance for UPSC):
- Defence and Security: This highlights advancements in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
- Science and Technology: Developing advanced jet trainers is crucial for the Indian Air Force.
- Make in India: This showcases India’s efforts to promote indigenous defence production.
- How (Potential UPSC Questions):
- Questions could focus on India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, the role of HAL, or the significance of jet trainers in modern warfare.