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.