DAILY GK 12-14 FEB 2025

 DAILY GK 12-14 FEB 2025

1.       RBI APPROVES VOLUNTARY MERGER OF TWO URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANKS

·         The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the voluntary merger of two Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) in India. The merger of Vasco-Da-Gama (Goa)-based Citizen Co-operative Bank Limited (CCB) with Thane (Maharashtra)-based TJSB Sahakari Bank Limited.

·         Also, the merger of Satara (Maharashtra)-based Pune Commercial Co-operative Bank (PCC Bank) with Pune (Maharashtra)-based Pimpri Chinchwad Sahakari (PCS Bank).

·         As per RBI’s report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, the number of UCBs in India decreased steadily over the last 20 years from 1,926 to 1,472.

·         Since 2004-05, the UCB sector in India saw 156 mergers, of which 6 mergers were in  2023-24. Among these 6 mergers in 2023-24, maximum mergers were in Maharashtra (3), followed by Telangana (2), and Gujarat (1).

·         Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) categorized into four tiers Tier 1 –Deposits up to Rs 100 crore

·         Tier 2 – Deposits above Rs 100 crore and less than Rs 1,000 crore.

·         Tier 3 – Deposits above Rs 1,000 crore and less than Rs 10,000 crore.

·         Tier 4 – Deposits above Rs 10,000 crore.

 

2.       RBI 6TH BI-MONTHLY MONETARY POLICY FOR FY 25

·         The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met from February 5 to 7, 2025 and released the 6th bi-monthly monetary policy for the financial year 2024-25 (FY 25). 

·         This was the first meeting chaired by Sanjay Malhotra after assuming charge as RBI Governor on December 11, 2024. 

·         This session marked the 53rd meeting of the MPC and was the last one for FY 25.

·         Reduce the policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 6.25%, from 6.5 % effective immediately.

·         Consequently, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate was adjusted to 6.00%, while the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate were set at 6.50%.

·         RBI projected real GDP growth for FY 26 for Quarter 1 (Q1 April-June 2025) expected at 6.7%, Q2 (July-September 2025) at 7.0% and Q3 and Q4 at 6.5% each.

·         RBI Projects Retail Inflation at 4.2% for FY 26, Retains 4.8% Forecast for FY 25

·         RBI to Introduce ‘bank.in’ and ‘fin.in’ Domains to Enhance Cybersecurity

·         RBI to Implement AFA for Cross-Border Digital Transactions

·         RBI Allows Non-Bank Brokers Access to NDS-OM, Forms Panel on Market Timings

·         RBI Defers Implementation of LCR and Project Financing Norms to 2026

 


3.       RBI IMPOSES PENALTY ON FEDERAL BANK & KARUR VYSYA BANK

·         The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties totaling Rs.35.60 lakh on Federal Bank Limited and Karur Vysya Bank Limited for non-compliance with specific regulatory directions.

·         Federal Bank has been fined Rs.27.30 lakh for not complying with RBI directions on interest rates of deposits.

·         Karur Vysya Bank has been penalized Rs.8.30 lakh for not complying with RBI directions on the loan system for bank credit delivery. 

 

4.       BOOK “I AM?”

·         Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar unveiled the book “I Am?”, compiled by Gopichand P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group.

·         The book delves into themes of unity, spirituality, and interfaith dialogue, emphasizing the importance of harmony in diversity.

 

5.       BOOK “I AM A SOLDIER’S WIFE:THE LIFE AND LOVE OF TONI LIDDER 

·         Memoir titled “I Am a Soldier’s Wife:The Life and Love of Toni Lidder  authored by Geetika Lidder, wife of late Brigadier Lakhwinder Singh Lidder was launched  in New Delhi

·         The book honors Brigadier Lakhwinder Singh’s life as a soldier, husband, father, and leader and acknowledges the 4 C’s of leadership: Character, Competence, Conduct, and Commitment.

 

6.       WORLD PULSES DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 10

·         The United Nations (UN’s) World Pulses Day (WPD) is observed annually on February 10 across the globe to highlight the importance of pulse crops, such as chickpeas, dry beans, and lentils, in the world’s food systems.

·         The theme of WPD 2025 is “Pulses: Bringing diversity to agrifood systems” underscores the vital role of pulses in promoting diversity, both above and below the ground.

·         The slogan of WPD 2025 is “Love pulses for a healthy diet and planet”.

·         Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters– Rome, Italy

·         Established- 1945

 

7.       INTERNATIONAL EPILEPSY DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 10

·         International Epilepsy Day is observed annually on the 2nd Monday of February across the globe to raise awareness about epilepsy, a neurological disorder, as well as its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

·         This year, 2025, the International Epilepsy Day Theme is “My Epilepsy Journey”

·         International Epilepsy Day is a collaborative effort between the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).

·         International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Headquarters– Washington, D.C

 

8.       NATIONAL DEWORMING DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 10

·         National Deworming Day (NDD) is organized biannually across all states and Union Territories (UTs) of India to combat intestinal worms, also known as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), among all preschool and school-age children, both enrolled and unenrolled, between the ages of 1-19 years. 

·         The first round takes place in February, and the second round in August.

·         NDD is a flagship program of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), launched in 2015.

 

9.       WORLD UNANI DAY 2025- FEBRUARY 11 

·         World Unani Day is observed annually on February 11 across the globe to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan, also known as Hakim Ajmal Khan, a prominent social reformer and renowned Unani scholar.

·         He is widely recognized as the pioneer of Unani medicine in India.

·         The theme for World Unani Day 2025 is “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions-A Way Forward“. 

·         In recognition of Hakim Ajmal Khan’s contributions to the advancement of Unani medicine, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy), Government of India (GoI), designated his birth anniversary (11th February) as World Unani Day.

 

10.    SAFER INTERNET DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 11

·         Safer Internet Day (SID) is celebrated globally on the second Tuesday of February to raise awareness and promote safe and responsible use of the internet, especially for children and young people. 

·         The theme of SID 2025 is “Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online.”

 

11.    NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 12

·         National Productivity Day, also known as National Productivity Council (NPC) Foundation Day, is observed annually on February 12 in India to promote a culture of productivity, efficiency, and innovation.

·         The theme for National Productivity Week 2025: “From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups”

 

12.    WORLD RADIO DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 13 

·         The theme for WRD 2025 is “Radio and Climate Change”, highlighting radio’s vital role in disseminating information about climate change, amplifying environmental advocacy, and promoting sustainable practices.

·         In 2011, UNESCO adopted a resolution during its 36th General Conference, proclaiming February 13th as WRD to commemorate the establishment of UNs Radio.

 

13.    NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2025 – FEBRUARY 13

·         National Women’s Day is annually observed on 13th February across India to honor the birth anniversary of Sarojini Chattopadhyay Naidu also known as Sarojini Naidu and popularly named as the “Nightingale of India” or “Bharat Kokila”.

·         A prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle, she played a crucial role in the Indian Nationalist Movement (INM) and was the first woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1925.