Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 21st February 2025

Mising Tribe:

Assam’s largest tribal community, the Mising tribe, celebrated the Ali Ai Ligang festival recently.

• The Mising people are an indigenous tribe from Northeast India. They are part of the Tani people, who speak Tibeto-Burmese languages.
• They live in parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in India and Tibet in China.
• Tibetans call them “Lhobhas,” which means “southerners’ ‘ because they live in South Tibet and areas now in Arunachal Pradesh.
• They are one of the largest tribal groups in Assam. According to the census of India 2011, the total population of Mising is 680,424 in Assam.
• They have a life close to the rivers, and therefore they can be described as the only riparian tribe of Northeast India.
• Life and culture of Mising people revolve around agriculture and fishing.
• The agriculture practice of the Mising people was originally ‘Jhum’ or slash & burn method.
• However, after settling down in the plains of Assam, they have mastered the art of wet paddy cultivation, and at present they are good settled cultivators.
• Drawing their origin in Jhum cultivation, the main festival of the Mising people is ‘Ali-Aye-Ligang’. Ali means edible root, Aye means seed, and Ligang means sowing festival.
• The Mising people practice the cult of Donyi Polo, which literally translates into worshiping the Sun and the Moon.

World Record For Nuclear Fusion:

A world record for nuclear fusion has been smashed after the WEST Tokamak reactor, in southern France, was able to maintain plasma for more than 22 minutes.

• Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier one while releasing massive amounts of energy.
• The process releases energy because the total mass of the resulting single nucleus is less than the mass of the two original nuclei.
• The leftover mass becomes energy.
• Fusion reactions take place in a state of matter called plasma — a hot, charged gas made of positive ions and free-moving electrons with unique properties distinct from solids, liquids or gases.
• The sun, along with all other stars, is powered by this reaction.
• The devices designated for the task of doing this here on Earth—nuclear fusion reactors — are called tokamaks.
• Tokamaks are often also called ‘artificial suns’ due to the fact that these doughnut-shaped machines replicate processes that occur in the sun.
• There are currently over 200 tokamaks in operation across the globe with the scientific milestones achieved in these devices developing a roadmap for the operation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, the world’s largest fusion experiment.
• A commercial tokamak will aim to use the thermal energy of plasma heated by fusion to heat water, create steam, and, in turn, spin a turbine that generates electricity.
• Fusion can involve many different elements in the periodic table. However, researchers working on fusion energy applications are especially interested in deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion.
• DT fusion produces a neutron and a helium nucleus. In the process, it also releases much more energy than most fusion.

National Dam Safety Authority:

The Supreme Court recently directed a supervisory committee chaired by the head of the National Dam Safety Authority, to look into issues raised by Tamil Nadu against Kerala concerning the maintenance of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.

• NDSA is a statutory body set up by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 8(1) of the National Dam Safety Act, 2021.
• It operates with a clear mandate to regulate, oversee, and inspect dams.
• This authority plays a crucial role in formulating policies and guidelines that govern the construction, maintenance, and operation of dams
• A key function of the NDSA is to resolve any issue between the State Dam Safety Organisations of states or between a State Dam Safety Organisation and any owner of a specified dam in that state.
• The NDSA actively engages in nationwide awareness programs to educate citizens about dam safety.
• In the face of natural calamities or unforeseen events, the NDSA ensures that comprehensive emergency response plans are in place.
• It is headed by a chairman and assisted by five members to lead its five wings – policy and research, technical, regulation, disaster and resilience and administration and finance.
• It has its headquarters at New Delhi.

Evo 2 AI System:

AI chipmakers Nvidia have unveiled powerful AI system for genetic research created new AI called Evo 2.

• It is a powerful new foundation modelthat understands the genetic code for all domains of life.
• It is the largest publicly available AI model for genomic data.
• It was built on the NVIDIA DGX Cloud platform in a collaboration led by nonprofit biomedical research organization Arc Institute and Stanford University.
• The model was built using 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure.
• It is trained on an enormous dataset of nearly 9 trillion nucleotides pieces of genetic information taken from over 128,000 different organisms on a wide array of species across domains of life — including plants, animals and bacteria.
• In early tests, it accurately identified 90% of potentially harmful mutations in BRCA1, a gene linked to breast cancer.
  Potential applications of Evo 2 AI System:
• It can be applied to biomolecular research applications including predicting the form and function of proteins based on their genetic sequence, identifying novel molecules for healthcare and industrial applications, and evaluating how gene mutations affect their function.
• The model can be applied to scientific fields such as healthcare, agricultural biotechnology and materials science.

Killer Whales : On Australia’s island

Officials said that more than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a remote beach on Australia’s island state of Tasmania.

• Killer Whale is also known as Orcas which is found across the world.
• It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family and are the most widely distributed of all cetaceans.
• Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species, such as long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales, whose common names also contain “whale” instead of “dolphin”.
• Killer whales are highly social, and most live in social groups called pods (groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time).
• Killer whales rely on underwater sound to feed, communicate, and navigate.
• They are one of the most recognizable marine mammals, with their distinctive black and white bodies.
• Globally, killer whales occur in a wide range of habitats, in both open seas and coastal waters.
• Conservation Status: IUCN : Data Deficient

Bacterial Cellulose : Uses

Researchers reported in a study that Bacterial cellulose can be used as a bandage to significantly improve healing and regeneration in plants.

• Bacterial Cellulose is a natural polymer produced by certain bacteria.
• It has been identified as an effective material for plant wound care. Its unique properties facilitate improved healing and regeneration in plants.
• It offers a sustainable solution to plant injuries, potentially reducing the reliance on chemical treatments.
• This method not only promotes healthier plant growth but also aligns with eco-friendly agricultural practices.
• By enhancing the natural healing processes of plants, farmers can expect improved crop yields and resilience, contributing to food security and environmental conservation.

Pliosaur Skull:

A massive pliosaur skull (lived 145 million years ago) has been discovered embedded in the Jurassic Coast cliffs in Dorset, England.

• The skull was discovered on a cliff near Kimmeridge Bay along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Jurassic Coast, on England’s southern coast, is one of the world’s most renowned fossil hotspots.
• The skull has a prominent cranial crest, an elongated jawline, and a bite force stronger than that of a Tyrannosaurus rex.
• Tyrannosaurus. rex was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period (68–66 million years ago).
• Pliosaurs were top predators of the Jurassic oceans and among the deadliest marine reptiles in history.
• Jurassic oceans refer to the vast marine environments that existed during the Jurassic period (199.6 million to 145.5 million years ago).
• Possible sensory pits and a parietal eye suggest advanced hunting adaptations, similar to modern crocodiles.

South American Tapir : Spotted

The South American tapir (Lowland tapirs) has been spotted in the Cunhambebe State Park (Brazil’s Costa Verde region) for the first time in 100 years.

• The last confirmed sighting was in 1914 in the Serra dos Orgaos National Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Tapir is the largest land mammal in South America and has short legs and a rounded body, with a kind of flexible trunk.
• They are herbivores.
• It is Known as a “forest gardener,” the tapir aids seed dispersal, and creates natural trails that allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enhancing biodiversity.
• IUCN Status: Endangered.
• South American tapirs are one of four species of tapir alongside the Baird’s tapir, mountain tapir and Malayan tapir found in the forests of Central and South America as well as Southeast Asia.

Aravali Safari Park Project:

Haryana’s proposed Aravali Safari Park, featuring wildlife enclosures, hotels, and restaurants, faces debate over its impact on ecology, groundwater, and wildlife conservation.

• Aravali Safari Park Project is envisioned as the world’s largest safari park (approx 10,000 acres) and aims to support eco-tourism and compensatory afforestation.
• Inspired by UAE’s Sharjah Park, it is planned for compensatory afforestation to mitigate the loss of 26,000 acres of tropical forests in Great Nicobar.
• It will only be developed in areas where forest density is less than 40%.
• Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was amended in 2023 to bring it under the ‘forest’ activity, and allowing zoos to be built in forest areas.

DeepSeek AI:

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has launched generative AI models (known as DeepSeek) that rival global leaders like OpenAI, Google, and Meta while offering competitive performance at a significantly lower cost.

• DeepSeek is a free AI-powered chatbot similar to ChatGPT, providing text-based assistance via web, mobile, and API.
• Deepseek (AI firm) was founded by Liang Wenfeng in May 2023 that specialises in open-source Large Language Models (LLMs).
• DeepSeek-V3 excels in coding, translation, and writing, while DeepSeek-R1 outperforms OpenAI’s o1 in reasoning, math, and logic.

International Association of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA):

India has been elected Vice President of the International Association of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) during its first General Assembly in Singapore.

• India is hosting the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai.
• IALA is a global organization dedicated to harmonizing marine aids to navigation (AtoN), ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible maritime operations.
• Founded in 1957 as a non-governmental organization (NGO).
• Became an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) on August 22, 2024, after ratification by 34 states.
• Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.

Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) : Launched

The Government of India launched the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and hosted the First CIO Conference 2025 under the Gov.In: Harmonisation of Digital Footprint initiative.

• This initiative is aimed at standardizing and integrating all government digital platforms under a single, cohesive digital identity to enhance service delivery and citizen engagement.
• Aim to Ensure consistency in design, accessibility, and governance across digital platforms,Improve efficiency and transparency in e-governance, Enable secure and future-ready digital infrastructure.
• The Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) is a framework for standardizing the digital identity of government websites, portals, and social media platforms. It ensures a unified, accessible, and citizen-centric digital experience across ministries and departments.

Dinesh Khara Committee:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed a high-powered committee, led by former SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, to review key provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938. Dinesh Khara Committee Established for Review and update the Insurance Act, 1938 to align with modern needs, Assess the feasibility of 100% FDI in the insurance sector, Facilitate the introduction of composite insurance companies (offering life, non-life, and health insurance under one entity), Strengthen policyholder protections and ensure revenue retention within India, Propose amendments to be forwarded to the Union Finance Ministry for legislative action.

Microsoft Majorana 1:

Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, its first quantum computing chip, designed to make quantum computing more stable, faster, and practical.Majorana 1 A quantum computing chip developed by Microsoft to enhance the stability and reliability of quantum processors. It Uses Majorana particles, a type of exotic quantum state, to minimize computational errors.Developed By Microsoft, with validation from DARPA (U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). A finalist in DARPA’s US2QC program, which aims to build the first large-scale quantum computer.

Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2025:

The 9th Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2025 is set to take place in Pune, Maharashtra, from February 20 to February 22, 2025.The Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) is a leading international geoeconomic conference that brings together policymakers, economists, business leaders, and academicians to discuss global and regional economic challenges. Hosted by: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. Co-organized by: Pune International Centre (PIC).

RBI Unveils RBIDATA App for Seamless Economic Data Access:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced RBIDATA, a new mobile application that provides seamless access to macroeconomic and financial data related to the Indian economy. This app is designed to cater to a wide range of users, including researchers, students, policymakers, and the general public, by offering a structured and interactive platform to explore over 11,000 economic data series.

Nagaland’s Forest Project Recognized with SKOCH Award:

The Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) received the SKOCH Award 2024 at the 100th SKOCH Summit in New Delhi on February 15, 2025. Ango Konyak and Wennyei Konyak accepted the award on behalf of the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland.

India’s Q3 FY25 GDP Growth Set at 6.4%:

India’s economy is set to grow at 6.4% in Q3 FY25, according to a projection by ICRA, up from 5.4% in the previous quarter. This growth is being driven by higher government spending and a rebound in exports, strengthening key economic sectors. The Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to rise by 6.6%, with industry growing at 6.2%, services at 7.7%, and agriculture at 4.0%. A notable highlight is the record $36.9 billion in service exports in December 2024, along with a strong recovery in merchandise exports.

Mount Dukono erupts in Indonesia:

Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted on February 20, 2025, spewing a massive ash cloud up to 2,000 meters into the air. The eruption, occurring on Halmahera Island in North Maluku province, has prompted Indonesian authorities to issue urgent aviation warnings and safety advisories for residents

Brazil Joins OPEC+ as Observer for Global Energy Influence:

Brazil has officially announced its decision to join the OPEC+ group of oil-producing nations as an observer, marking a significant step in its energy policy. This move, approved by Brazil’s National Council for Energy Policy, allows the country to participate in strategic discussions with major oil-exporting nations while maintaining its independence in production decisions. The timing of this decision is crucial, as Brazil prepares to host the United Nations climate summit, reflecting its efforts to balance energy security and environmental commitments.

Kerala Unveils nPROUD for Safe Drug Disposal:

The Kerala Health Department has launched the nPROUD (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) initiative, a significant step toward addressing the safe disposal of expired and unused medicines. This program aims to prevent environmental hazards and health risks caused by improper disposal of pharmaceuticals. Kerala is the first state in India to introduce such a systematic, government-led initiative for drug disposal.