Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025

 Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025

    Stay updated with the latest Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025 including key highlights, including the conclusion of Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela 2025, six years of SWAYATT initiative by Government e-Marketplace (GEM) and discovery of ancient marine evidence by China's Zhurong rover. Learn about the NAKSHA initiative to modernise urban land records, the Herath festival celebrated by the Kashmiri Pandit community and the launch of NASA's SPHEREx telescope. Explore insights on challenges in biodiversity loss in agriculture, CISF training centre named after Rajaditya Chola and India's efforts to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025. Get insights for UPSC and competitive exams from this comprehensive Current Affairs analysis!

Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025

Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025

 1. Mahashivratri Festival: Mahashivratri was celebrated on 26 February 2025 (Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025)

Mahashivratri Festival: 26 February 2025

 📌 Background:
     Mahashivratri is considered to be the biggest festival of Lord Shiva and is celebrated on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna. In 2025, Mahashivratri was celebrated on February 26. This day is also known as the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees fast on this day, keep vigil throughout the night and offer water, milk, belapatra and dhutura to the Shivlinga.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Indian Culture and Religion:  Mahashivratri represents Hindu tradition and spiritual significance.
2.  Tourism and Economy:  Varanasi, Ujjain, Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath and other Shiva temples attract a large number of tourists and devotees, thus boosting the local economy.
3.  National Unity:  Mahashivratri is celebrated in different states in India through different traditions, which reinforces the concept of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'.
4.  Environment and Biodiversity:  Belpatra and Dhutura are plants traditionally used in Mahashivratri worship, so their conservation is important.
5.  Administration and Crowd Management:  Major religious festivals involve government and local administration planning, crowd control, security arrangements and sanitation

Mahashivratri is a symbol of Indian culture, religious traditions and social tolerance. This festival is important in terms of culture, administration, economy and environment in terms of UPSC examination.

 2. Conclusion of Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela (Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025)

:
    The Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela which started on 13th January 2025 concluded on 26th February 2025. It is the largest public gathering in the world.

 📌 Background:
 Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela is considered to be the largest religious and public gathering in the world. In 2025, the fair ran from January 13 to February 26. According to Hinduism, bathing in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati is believed to lead to salvation.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Indian Culture and History: Religious and Historical Significance of Mahakumbh Mela.
2.  Economy: Millions of tourists boost economic growth and tourism.
3.  Environmental impact: Management plans to prevent massive waste generation, water pollution.
4.  Security and Management: Crowd control, use of digital tracking system.
5.  Foreign Policy: World Heritage Recognition (UNESCO) and India's Soft Power Diplomacy.

3. Six Years of SWAYATT Initiative: 

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated six years of SWAYATT initiative. Launched in 2019, the initiative promotes women and youth participation in public procurement.

 📌 Background:
 SWAYATT (Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions) initiative started in 2019. It aims to provide government procurement opportunities for women and youth startups. Over 5 lakh women entrepreneurs connected by 2025 through government e-marketplace (GeM).

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Indian Economy: Helping Startups and Growth of MSME Sector.
2.  Sociology: Women's Opportunities for Economic Self-Reliance.
3.  Digital India: Increasing transparency through e-marketplace.

 4. Evidence of Ancient Ocean on Mars: 

    China's Zhurong rover has discovered evidence of an ancient ocean on Mars. Ground-penetrating radar data have detected sandbank-like structures beneath the Martian surface.

 📌 Background:
     China's Zhurong rover has hinted at an ancient ocean beneath the Martian surface.
 Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology has detected structures such as layers of sand.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Space Exploration: Key to India's ISRO and NASA's future Mars missions.
2.  Environment and Astronomy: Exploring the Possibility of Life on Mars.
3.  India-China rivalry: China's growing influence in space technology and research.

 5. Launch of NAKSHA initiative: 

    Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the National Geospatial Knowledge Based Urban Settlement Survey (NAKSHA) initiative on 18 February 2025. The initiative aims to modernize urban land records in India.

 📌 Background:
 On February 18, 2025, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'NAKSHA' initiative. It is a national geospatial knowledge based urban real estate survey.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Urbanization: Urban Land Management and Transparent Land Records.
2.  Digital India: Simplifying Land Management through Geospatial Data Technology.
3.  Agriculture and Land Administration: Using Technology to Avoid Land Disputes.

 6. Herath Festival:

    Herath is a special festival of the Kashmiri Pandit community to celebrate Mahashivratri. The festival starts on the 13th day of the month of Phalgun and continues till the new moon.

 📌 Background:
     Herath Mahotsav is a special festival of the Kashmiri Pandit community for Mahashivratri. This begins on the 13th day of Phalguna month and lasts till Amavasya.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Indian Culture and Diversity: Local Traditions and Religious Diversity in Jammu and Kashmir.
2.  National Integration: The Cultural Significance of Displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
3.  Constitution and Fundamental Rights: Religious Freedom and Protection of Traditional Festivals.

7. SPHEREx Telescope Launch:

     NASA's SPHEREx telescope is slated to launch on February 27, 2025. The objective of this mission is to create the most detailed and colorful map of the universe.
 📌 Background:
 On February 27, 2025, NASA will launch the 'SPHEREx' telescope. It aims to create the most detailed and colorful map of the universe.
 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Space Exploration: Astronomy and Scientific Progress.
2.  Scientific Approach: Space Studies and Applications of New Technologies.
3.  International collaboration: Research partnerships between countries like the US, Europe, and India.

8. Study of Biodiversity Loss in Agricultural Sector: 

    According to recent studies, the problem of biodiversity loss in agricultural sectors has been revealed. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, but unintended consequences may arise.

 📌 Background:
 According to the Kunming-Montreal Convention on Global Biodiversity, the goal is to protect 30% of land by 2030. However, over-biodiversity conservation is likely to affect agricultural production.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Agriculture and Environment: Ensuring Food Security by Balancing Biodiversity.
2.  United Nations Conventions: Impact of Global Biodiversity Treaty on India.
3.  Agricultural Policy: Sustainable Agriculture and Eco-Friendly Farming Techniques.

9. CISF Training Center Named: 

    The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has recently named its training center at Arakkonam in honor of Rajaditya Chola.

 📌 Background:
 CISF named its training center at Arakonam as 'Rajaditya Chola'. Rajaditya Chola was an important warrior king of the Chola dynasty.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1. History and Heritage: An important legacy of the Chola Empire. 
2. National Security: Importance of CISF's Role.
3. Culture and Tradition: An Initiative for Review of Ancient Indian History.

10. Obstacles in India's TB eradication efforts: 

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, but recent developments show a mismatch between technological advances and implementation in public health programmes.

 📌 Background:
     Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of eliminating Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. But, despite technological advances, public health programs continue to have implementation gaps, according to a new report.

 📌 UPSC Importance:

1.  Health Policy: TB Elimination Strategies and Barriers.
2.  SDG Goals: The global goal of eliminating TB by 2030.
3.  Health Sector Reform: Impact and Challenges of Governmental Health Systems.
4. The above subjects are important for UPSC exam, as they are related to History, Economics, Science-Technology, Environment, Governance and Health Policy.

Current Affairs for UPSC-26-02-2025-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 1. What is special about Mahashivratri?

 Answer: Mahashivratri was celebrated on 26 February 2025 across India. Special pujas were organized in Varanasi, Ujjain and Kedarnath.

 2. How did the Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela conclude?

 Answer: The Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela concluded on 26 February 2025. It is the largest religious gathering in the world and crores of devotees bathe in the holy confluence.

 3. What is the SWAYATT initiative?

 Answer: SWAYATT is an initiative of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), which encourages small entrepreneurs, women and youth to participate in the online government procurement process.

 4. What important discoveries did China's Zhurong rover make on Mars?

 Answer: The Zhurong rover found sandbank-like structures beneath the Martian surface, providing evidence of an ancient ocean.

 5. Why was the NAKSHA initiative launched?

 Answer: The NAKSHA initiative has been launched to modernize urban land records in India, which will improve land resource management.

 6. What makes Herath festival important?

 Answer: Herath is a special festival of the Kashmiri Pandit community to celebrate Mahashivratri, which begins on the 13th day of the month of Falgun and lasts till the new moon.

 7. What is the objective of the SPHEREx telescope?

 Answer: NASA's SPHEREx telescope is scheduled to launch on February 27, 2025, and will produce the most detailed and colorful map of the universe.

 8. What problem does the study of biodiversity loss point to?

 Answer: Biodiversity loss in agricultural areas is increasing, which could hamper the Global Biodiversity Framework's goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.

 9. The CISF training center was named after which historical leader?

 Ans: The CISF training center at Arakkonam is named after Rajaditya Chola.

 10. What is the challenge to India's TB eradication efforts?

 Answer: Despite advances in technology, implementation barriers in public health programs continue to hamper the goal of eliminating TB by 2025.

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