IMPORTANT DAYS

World Wetlands Day 2025 celebrated on 2 February

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd.

• This date marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971.

• The theme for World Wetlands Day 2025 is "Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future."

• The day aims to raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands for both humans and the environment.

• Wetlands are areas that are either water-covered or water-saturated, including mangroves, deltas, floodplains, rice fields, and coral reefs.

SPORTS

India won the U19 Women's World Cup final by defeating South Africa.

• India defended their U19 Women's World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 9 wickets in the final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• South Africa was restricted to just 82 runs in 20 overs by India’s bowlers.

• Trisha Gongadi’s stellar 44* off 33 balls, along with Sanika Chalke’s 26*, led India to a dominant victory.

• Trisha Gongadi shone as India’s star player throughout the tournament.

• She was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament for scoring 309 runs and taking 7 wickets.

• Trisha became the first U-19 player in Women’s T20 World Cup history to score a century.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Canada imposed 25% Tariffs against United States Goods.

• Canada announced a 25% tariff on C$155 billion ($106.5 billion) worth of U.S. goods, as stated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

• Tariffs on C$30 billion will be implemented starting February 4, with the remaining C$125 billion affected in 21 days.

• This move follows an earlier decision by former President Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, plus a 10% tariff on China.

• Energy imports from Canada, including oil, natural gas, and electricity, will be taxed at 10%.

• The U.S. imposed tariffs to curb the spread and production of fentanyl.

• In retaliation, Canada has placed tariffs on 1,256 U.S. products, representing 17% of all U.S. imports.

• Canada’s government is planning to take legal action under international law to challenge the U.S. tariffs.

• Mexico and Canada are the U.S.'s two biggest trading partners.

AWARDS

Sachin Tendulkar get BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Sachin Tendulkar was honoured with the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award in Mumbai on February 1.

• The award was presented at the Board's annual gala event in Mumbai.

• Tendulkar becomes the 31st recipient of this prestigious award.

• The Lifetime Achievement Award was introduced in 1994 to honour India’s first captain, Col. C.K. Nayudu.

• Jasprit Bumrah was named the winner of the Polly Umrigar Award for the best International Cricketer (Men's category) for 2023-24.

• Smriti Mandhana was recognised as the best International Cricketer (Women's category) for 2023-24.

• Sarfaraz Khan was awarded the Best International Debut Award.

• Tanush Kotian received the award for Best Performance in the BCCI Domestic Trophy.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Ministry of Railways has introduced the SuperApp ‘SwaRail’.

• The Ministry of Railways has launched the SuperApp ‘SwaRail’ as a one-stop solution for railway services.

• Currently in beta testing, the app is available for download on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

• ‘SwaRail’ offers a seamless, user-friendly interface to improve the overall user experience.

• The app integrates various railway services, eliminating the need for multiple apps.

• Developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), the app allows users to access all services with one set of credentials.

• Users can log in using their existing RailConnect or UTS App credentials.

• This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing convenience through technology for railway users.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

Government target Fiscal Deficit of 4.4% of GDP.

• The government has set a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP for FY2025-26, down from 4.8% in FY2024-25.

• Net market borrowing for FY2025-26 is targeted at ₹11.54 crore, with the remainder raised through small savings schemes.

• The gross borrowing target for FY2025-26 has been increased by 5.7%, reaching ₹14.82 lakh crore.

• The government expects gross tax revenue for FY2025-26 to be ₹38.40 lakh crore, an 11.72% increase from FY2024.

• Net tax receipts are estimated at ₹28.37 lakh crore.

• Total receipts (excluding borrowings) are projected at ₹34.96 lakh crore, while total expenditure is estimated at ₹50.65 lakh crore.

The Union Budget for FY2025-26 has allocated ₹6.8 lakh crore for defence.

• ₹6.8 lakh crore has been allocated for defence in the Union Budget for FY2025-26.

• Of this, ₹1.8 lakh crore is earmarked for military modernisation.

• The defence budget for FY2025-26 is 9.5% higher than the ₹6.22 lakh crore allocated in FY2024-25.

• Compared to last year’s revised estimates of ₹6.41 lakh crore, the allocation sees a 6% increase.

• 75% of the modernisation funds will be spent on purchasing weapons and equipment from domestic sources.

• The government plans to allocate ₹1.48 lakh crore of the ₹1.8 lakh crore to capital acquisition for modernisation.

• The remaining funds will go towards research and development in capital expenditure.

• ₹27,886.21 crore is allocated for procurement from domestic private industries.

• The Border Roads Organisation receives ₹7,146.50 crore, while DRDO is allocated ₹26,816.82 crore.