Questions and Answers (February 18, 2025 Current Affairs):

1. Q: Who emerged as the highest-paid athlete of 2025?
   • A: Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Q: Who became the joint-fastest player to score 6,000 runs in ODIs?
   • A: Babar Azam
3. Q: Who has ventured into audio storytelling as a co-founder of Velvet?
   • A: Pankaj Tripathi
4. Q: Which country plans to build the first deepwater “space station”?
   • A: China
5. Q: Which organization was honoured with the Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 for Water Resilience?
   • A: NTPC
6. Q: Who became the 8th player in the history of the NBA to surpass 30,000 career points?
   • A: Kevin Durant
7. Q: In which country was “Operation Devil Hunt” launched to crack down on violence?
   • A: Bangladesh
8. Q: In which city was India’s first automated biomedical waste treatment rig, Srjanam, inaugurated?
   • A: New Delhi
9. Q: Which city hosted the largest MRO Middle East & AIME 2025 Event?
   • A: Dubai
10. Q: Who became the first batter to score 150+ runs on their ODI debut?
    • A: Matthew Breetzke (South Africa)

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.

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In the dynamic landscape of current affairs, staying abreast of significant developments is crucial for UPSC aspirants. Today, we delve into ten key events that span sports, technology, international relations, and environmental sustainability.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: The Apex of Athletic Earnings

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued dominance in the realm of sports extends beyond the football field. Emerging as the highest-paid athlete of 2025 underscores his global brand appeal and lucrative endorsement deals. For UPSC, this highlights the intersection of sports, economics, and celebrity culture. Consider the impact of such figures on global marketing and soft power.

2. Babar Azam’s ODI Milestone: A Testament to Consistency

• Babar Azam’s achievement of becoming the joint-fastest player to score 6,000 ODI runs signifies his exceptional batting prowess. In the context of UPSC, this can be linked to the global popularity of cricket and its socio-cultural significance in South Asia. Additionally, it provides a lens to examine sports diplomacy and regional relations.

3. Pankaj Tripathi’s Venture: The Rise of Audio Storytelling

• Pankaj Tripathi’s co-founding of “Velvet” reflects the burgeoning audio storytelling industry. This development is significant for UPSC as it highlights the evolution of media consumption and the role of digital platforms in disseminating cultural narratives. The growth of regional language content, and the impact of the digital economy on the entertainment industry are subjects that can be derived from this event.

4. China’s Deepwater Space Station: A Leap into the Unknown

• China’s ambitious plan to construct the first deepwater “space station” signals its growing space exploration capabilities. This development has profound implications for international space law, maritime security, and strategic competition. UPSC aspirants should analyze the technological advancements and geopolitical ramifications of this project.

5. NTPC’s Sustainability Award: Water Resilience in Focus

• NTPC’s recognition with the Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 for Water Resilience underscores the critical importance of water conservation and sustainable development. For UPSC, this highlights India’s commitment to achieving its environmental goals and the role of public sector undertakings in promoting sustainable practices. This can be linked to India’s National Water Mission and climate change mitigation strategies.

6. Kevin Durant’s NBA Milestone: A Legacy of Excellence

• Kevin Durant’s entry into the 30,000 career points club in the NBA underscores his exceptional career. This event can be used to study the globalization of sports and the influence of American sports culture on a global scale.

7. “Operation Devil Hunt” in Bangladesh: Combating Violence

• The launch of “Operation Devil Hunt” in Bangladesh to crack down on violence reflects the challenges faced by nations in maintaining law and order. For UPSC, this highlights the complexities of internal security and the role of law enforcement agencies in addressing social unrest. This can be linked to the study of regional security dynamics and cross-border issues.

8. Srjanam in New Delhi: Advancing Biomedical Waste Management

• The inauguration of India’s first automated biomedical waste treatment rig, Srjanam, in New Delhi signifies progress in waste management technology. This is vital for public health and environmental sustainability. UPSC aspirants should consider the implications for urban planning, healthcare infrastructure, and waste disposal policies.

9. MRO Middle East & AIME 2025 in Dubai: Aviation Hub

• Dubai hosting the largest MRO Middle East & AIME 2025 Event reinforces its position as a major aviation hub. This event signifies the growth of the aviation industry in the Middle East and its impact on global trade and connectivity. Consider the geopolitical and economic implications of such events.

10. Matthew Breetzke’s ODI Debut: A Record-Breaking Start

• Matthew Breetzke scoring 150+ runs on his ODI debut is a rare achievement. This event can be used to show the global reach of Cricket, and the ever changing nature of records in sports.

UPSC Relevance:

• These events are significant for the General Studies papers, particularly GS-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations), GS-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management), and GS-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society).
• Analyzing these events will enhance your understanding of current trends and their implications for India and the world.
• Developing a holistic perspective by connecting these events to relevant syllabus topics is crucial for effective preparation.

By critically analyzing these current affairs, UPSC aspirants can develop a comprehensive understanding of the world around them, enhancing their ability to tackle the challenges of the examination.

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⛔️ Disclaimer ⛔️
This 100-day UPSC Prelims Preparation Plan is a structured guideline designed to help aspirants streamline their studies effectively. However, UPSC preparation is highly dynamic, and the depth of understanding required may vary based on individual strengths, weaknesses, and prior knowledge.

1️⃣ This plan does not guarantee success—your results depend on consistent effort, revision, and test practice.
2️⃣ The suggested sources are recommendations; aspirants should cross-check their relevance and supplement with additional materials if needed.
3️⃣ Current affairs, answer writing, and mock tests are crucial components—ensure regular practice alongside this schedule.
4️⃣ Flexibility is key! Adapt the plan according to your learning pace, job schedule, and retention capacity.

🔹 Final Note: Success in UPSC demands discipline, patience, and a positive mindset. Stick to the strategy, revise consistently, and trust the process! 🚀

Keep up the great work! 🚀📖