In order to import additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, India's public sector oil and gas corporations, such as GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), are actively negotiating with US suppliers. Aside from getting more LNG for India's expanding natural gas consumption, industry observers believe that increased energy imports from the US could indicate a reduction in New Delhi's trade surplus with Washington in the face of Trump's tough rhetoric and tariff threats. By 2030, the government hopes that natural gas's percentage of India's primary energy mix will have increased from just over 6% to 15%.

Through a number of important initiatives, the ₹10,900 crore PM E-Drive scheme seeks to improve electric mobility in India and support national environmental objectives. Faster EV adoption, charging infrastructure, an EV manufacturing ecosystem, a focus on public transportation, and a decreased reliance on fossil fuels are the strategies the program uses to accomplish its goal. The Project Implementation and Sanctioning group (PISC), an interministerial authorised group led by the Secretary of Heavy Industries, was established to guarantee the effective implementation and oversight of the PM E-DRIVE initiative and to optimise its effects.

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Based on an analysis of seismic wave data that shows deformations at the boundary between the solid inner core and the liquid outer core, recent scientific research suggests that Earth's inner core is not only slowing down in its rotation but also appears to be changing shape, suggesting a more dynamic and fluid nature to the planet's deepest region than previously believed.

Manipur was placed under President's rule, and the state assembly was placed under suspended animation, the Centre declared Thursday, four days after N Biren Singh quit as Chief Minister. The Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups have been engaged in ethnic strife in Manipur since May 2023. The fighting has claimed the lives of almost 200 people.During its duration, the President's Rule, which is imposed under Article 356, essentially transfers all state government powers to the Centre and state legislature functions to Parliament. The High Courts' operation is the only exception to this rule, and it has not changed

According to the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025 report published by Germanwatch, India has been ranked as the sixth-most severely affected country by extreme weather events. Climate change-induced disasters have resulted in at least 80,000 deaths and caused nearly $180 billion in inflation-adjusted economic damages in the country. The Climate Risk Index is an annual report that evaluates the impact of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and heatwaves, ranking countries based on their vulnerability and exposure to climate-related disasters.

Strong tremors shook the high-rise buildings in Delhi-NCR and portions of northern India early Monday morning, waking residents and sending many running outside. The National Centre for Seismology reports that the 4.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:36 AM IST, with its epicentre in Delhi's Dhaula Kuan. High-rise structures that are built close to one another can be seen in the Delhi-NCR area where the earthquake happened. Particularly when the epicentre is close by, these kinds of structures are more likely to tilt and shake violently.

On February 16, 2025, India's External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar, travelled to Oman to attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference. In the opening session of the conference, EAM gave the keynote address, highlighting India's dedication to fostering regional cooperation and guaranteeing a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean area.The Sultanate of Oman's Foreign Minister, H.E. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, met with EAM in a bilateral discussion during his visit, and the two leaders discussed the entire range of India-Oman ties. EAM expressed his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman's leadership for hosting the Indian Ocean Conference and for their unwavering support in fostering closer ties between India and Oman.

Gyanesh Kumar was named as the next chief election commissioner by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Rajiv Kumar, who will step down on Tuesday after turning 65, will be replaced by Gyanesh Kumar. By the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Act, 2023, which went into effect in December 2023, this is the Chief Election Commissioner's first appointment. Gyanesh Kumar is an IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu are the panel's other commissioners.

In an effort to standardise government websites and digital platforms, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology  launched the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) in New Delhi today. Visual identities are one of the essential components of a consistent digital identity that are defined by the DBIM. In addition to verbal identities like brand voice, message frameworks, and taglines, these identities include logos, colour schemes, typography, and images. The whole user experience in service delivery is intended to be improved, as well as citizen participation.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) published on Tuesday by the Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry, the unemployment rate for people aged 15 and over in the nation's cities during the October–December 2024 period was 6.4%. The unemployment rate was 8.1% for women and 5.8% for males. The cohort's unemployment rate was 6.5% in the equivalent quarter of 2023 and 6.4% in the July–September 2024 quarter. Last year, the unemployment rate for women was 8.6%. Gujarat had the lowest unemployment rate of 3% and Himachal Pradesh had the highest rate at 10.4%. At 24%, the female unemployment rate in Himachal Pradesh was also the highest. In Delhi, it is 1.3%. The percentage of jobless people in the labour force in current weekly status (CWS), or the number of people who are either employed or unemployed on average during a week, is what the PLFS defines as the unemployment rate.

Rekha Gupta, a three-time council member is Delhi's new chief minister.The BJP has attempted to establish a legacy and send a message to its female voter base by selecting Gupta, who began her political career with the Delhi University Students Union elections. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, President J.P. Nadda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of the States ruled by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), first-time MLA Rekha Gupta will take the oath of office as Delhi's ninth chief minister.

The Supreme Court stays a Lokpal order bringing High Court judges under its jurisdiction while terming the top anti-corruption ombudsman’s interpretation “very disturbing”. The Supreme Court issues a notice to the Union Government in a suo motu case initiated against a Lokpal decision which held that it can exercise jurisdiction over High Court Judges. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Abhay S Oka express disapproval of the Lokpal's reasoning and stayed the operation of the order.

The Ministry of Mines shifts minerals Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz from the list of minor minerals to the category of major minerals. Quartz, Felspar and Mica are found in pegmatite rocks, which are an important source of many critical minerals such as Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, etc. These minerals have vital role in various new technologies, in energy transition, spacecraft industries, healthcare sector, etc. Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member NITI Aayog, recommended that these minerals be shifted from the list of minor minerals to the category of major minerals. Once categorised as major minerals, there would be an increase in exploration and scientific mining of these minerals which are an important source of many critical minerals.

The Indian Army contingent leaves for the sixth iteration of the joint military exercise between Japan and India, known as DHARMA GUARDIAN. The East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area in Japan will host the exercise from February 24 to March 9, 2025. The yearly DHARMA GUARDIAN event alternates between Japan and India. The exercise's last edition was held in Rajasthan in February and March of 2024. The Indian contingent, consisting of 120 personnel, mainly includes troops from a battalion of the MADRAS Regiment along with personnel from other arms and services. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) contingent, of similar strength, is represented by the 34th Infantry Regiment. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the two forces while conducting joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a UN mandate. It focuses on a high level of physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.

The Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater breeds in peninsular India for the first time, with its site found in the saltpans of Aandivilai near the Manakudy Mangroves in Kanniyakumari district. Merops persicus, a near-passerine bird from the bee-eater family, is a passage migrant and winter visitor in India. It has a slender, brightly colored body with green feathers, blue facial sides, a black eye stripe, and a yellow-brown throat. It lives in open areas and forests and breeds across Northern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of India. It nests alone or in small colonies and sometimes shares colonies with European bee-eaters.

Malappuram, northern district in Kerala with a high rate of lifestyle diseases, introduces the 'Healthy Plate' project to encourage nutritious eating habits. The district administration, in partnership with the health and food safety departments, as well as the hotel and restaurant association, launches this initiative to offer healthier meal choices and spread awareness about good dietary practices. The project first starts at the civil station canteen in Malappuram Town, providing special nutritious meals for journalists and government officials. The public can also visit and order a health plate. Soon, the initiative expands to hotels and restaurants across the country, ensuring access to balanced and wholesome meals for everyone. The 'Healthy Plate' menu focuses on including whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, leafy greens, dairy products, fish, meat, and eggs in a balanced way. Malappuram District Collector V R Vinod emphasizes that although food habits cannot be forcibly changed, raising awareness and ensuring access to healthier food choices is crucial. He states, "People are willing to eat healthy, but availability remains a challenge. This initiative seeks to bridge that gap."

Trump's sudden shift on Kyiv shakes the transatlantic alliance, prompting European leaders to cross the ocean in a urgent effort to strengthen it. Fears grow in European capitals that the post-World War II alliance is on the verge of collapse as Trump holds talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet separately with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this week, trying to persuade him to continue supporting Ukraine. This marks a sharp shift from the Joe Biden administration’s strategy of backing Ukraine and distancing Russia. The move threatens NATO unity and puts pressure on US-EU relations. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) states that Trump’s team seeks a “grand bargain” with Russia, which could redefine global power dynamics, arms agreements, and resource control.