India is participating in the 40-day expedition in association with the National Institute of Water and  Atmospheric Research (NIWA), New Zealand, as a permanent member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources to assess the diversity and distribution of the living resources in the Ross Sea area

• The Ross Sea is located in the Southern Ocean, near the South Pole.
• It covers approximately 1.55 million square kilometers.
• It is the largest polar marine ecosystem in the world.
• The sea is home to many penguins, whales, and other marine species.
• The Ross Sea is relatively shallow and is mostly covered by the Ross Ice Shelf.
• The Ross Sea is the first protected area in Antarctica, helping to preserve its unique ecosystem.

In a recent development, the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which aims to improve groundwater levels, has been expanded to address water scarcity in regions with declining water resources.

• Originally targeting seven water-stressed states, the scheme is now set to include twelve states, with new additions.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana is a central sector scheme, which aims to improve groundwater levels.
• Launched in 2019, the scheme, which was originally set to run from 2020 to 2025, has now been extended until 2027.
• Funded jointly by the Government of India and the World Bank with a total cost of Rs. 6,000 crore, the scheme focuses on strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable groundwater management and incentivizing states to adopt better water practices.
• Managed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the initiative also emphasizes enhanced data monitoring and effective groundwater interventions.

Recently the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has issued a warning that the Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project in Madhya Pradesh will lead to the submergence of crucial tiger habitats in the Satpura Wildlife Sanctuary and Melghat Tiger Reserves.

• The project is a dam-based irrigation initiativeaimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in Madhya Pradesh.
• It involves the Morand and Ganjal Rivers.While the Morand River is a tributary of the Ganjal River, the Ganjal is itself a left-bank tributary of the Narmada River.
• Satpura Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 2000, is located south of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura ranges.
• It is home to Bengal tigers, leopards, and diverse flora, and connects with Pench National Park.
• Melghat Tiger Reserve, established in 1967 and declared a tiger reserve in 1974, lies in Maharashtra’s Gavilgarh Hill.
• Known for its tropical dry forests and home to the critically endangered forest owlet, it was the first tiger reserve in Maharashtra under Project Tiger.

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force jointly conducted a comprehensive training exercise, Ex Winged Raider, in the Eastern Theater.

• The exercise emphasized the critical role of airborne forces in modern military strategy, enabling swift action across diverse environments.
• It focused on special airborne operations, enhancing rapid deployment using both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including the Chinook helicopter for the first time in the region.
• Ex Winged Raider aligns with India’s broader goal of enhancing inter-service coordination, supporting the move towards integrated theater commands for more efficient military operations.

Israeli forces began withdrawing from a key Gaza corridor on Sunday, February 9, 2025, as part of Israel’s commitments under a fragile ceasefire deal with Hamas, according to Israeli officials.

• The withdrawal focused on the Netzarim Corridor, a strategically important military zone that separated northern and southern Gaza.
• This 6-kilometer stretch of land was established during the Gaza conflict, which began in 2023 and continues.
• Named after a former Israeli settlement, the corridor served as a key operational area for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and played a role in securing aid routes across the region.
• The withdrawal marks a significant development in the conflict, potentially indicating a shift in military strategy or priorities.
• The decision may also have broader implications for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, given the corridor’s previous role in controlling both military operations and aid distribution.

World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day is observed every year on February 14.

• A congenital heart defect is a heart condition present at birth, caused by abnormal development of the heart or nearby blood vessels. The exact causes remain unclear, and these defects are considered anomalies rather than diseases.
• The theme for CHD Awareness in 2025 is “Remember Our Hearts.” This day provides a platform to inform people about the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment options for CHDs.

The Grameen Credit Score Scheme was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2025 budget.

• Aims to enhance financial inclusion for Self Help Groups (SHGs) and rural women entrepreneurs in India.
• Public Sector Banks will develop a ‘Grameen Credit Score’ framework to serve the credit needs of SHG members and rural populations.
• This initiative represents a shift in assessing the creditworthiness of millions of women involved in SHGs, aligning them with India’s formal financial system.
• The scheme seeks to restore credit discipline in the microfinance sector by providing a standardized assessment of creditworthiness.

India has recently added four new wetlands to the Ramsar Convention’s list, increasing its total to 89 sites—the highest in Asia and third globally.

• The newly designated sites are:
  • Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuaryin Tamil Nadu
  • Therthangal Bird Sanctuaryin Tamil Nadu
  • Khecheopalri Wetlandin Sikkim
  • Udhwa Lakein Jharkhand
• This marks the first Ramsar site for both Sikkim and Jharkhand. Tamil Nadu now leads among Indian states with 20 Ramsar sites.
• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, provides a framework for national and international efforts to conserve and wisely use wetlands.
• World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands. This date marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention.
• The theme for 2025 is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,”

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad, Haryana.

• It is a data dashboard providing a comprehensive overview of one of South Asia’s largest maternal and child health databases.
• The platform offers access to clinical data, images, and biospecimens collected from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers.
• Developed under the GARBH-INi program, it aims to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes by facilitating research and collaboration.

Recently, Chaman Arora was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri for his book “Ik Hor Ashwthama”.

• The Sahitya Akademi Awards were inaugurated in 1954 and are given by the Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Culture.
• The first awards were presented in 1955.
• These awards are conferred upon the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages recognized by the Akademi, which include the 22 languages listed under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, as well as English and Rajasthani.
• The award comprises a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000.