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.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says that India’s technological sector is growing and is likely to reach 300-350 billion US dollars in the next five years. Speaking at the 16th Foundation Day of IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, on February 24, 2025, he mentions that India has over 1.25 lakh start-ups and 110 unicorns, making it the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world. He encourages students to take advantage of this growth and contribute to India’s technological progress while leading globally in research and development. He also talks about India’s progress in defence self-reliance, stating that the country has achieved 88% self-sufficiency in ammunition production and that defence exports have reached about Rs 23,000 crore in 2023-24. He adds that the goal is to increase defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. He reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a strong defence industry that ensures national security and boosts economic growth.

U.S. pharmaceutical company Amgen to invest approximately $200 million this year in a new technology center in Hyderabad, India, with plans for further investments. CEO Robert Bradway announced this at the site's inauguration. The center focuses on enhancing drug development through artificial intelligence and data science. Amgen aims to employ about 2,000 people at the Hyderabad site by the end of the year, with around 300 employees already on board, according to Som Chattopadhyay, Amgen's National Executive for India. Additionally, Hyderabad hosts the BioAsia conference this week, featuring executives from Amgen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and several Indian pharmaceutical companies.

Jhumur, is a traditional folk dance performed by the Adivasi tea tribes of Assam during the harvest season. It is complemented by traditional instruments including the Madal, Dhol, Taal and Flute. The dance is done to commemorate a number of events, such as weddings, community meetings, and harvest celebrations.
The term "tea tribe" describes a multiethnic and multicultural group of tea garden laborers and their offspring.
These individuals came from Central India, primarily from what is now West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
In the 19th century, they came to Assam to work in the British-established tea estates.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi is launching India’s first Centre for Advanced Research on Addictive Behaviours (CAR-AB) to address the growing problem of internet and technology addiction among children and youth. Approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), this center focuses on developing effective solutions for managing excessive technology use. The Economic Survey of India (2024-25) points out that internet overuse is a major factor affecting the mental health of children and adolescents. It also stresses the need for interventions at schools and within families to help control this issue.

DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully test the Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR) at ITR, Chandipur. The trials confirm the missile’s Man-in-Loop capability and its ability to accurately strike a small ship target in sea-skimming mode at its maximum range. The missile employs Bearing-only Lock-on after launch mode, allowing it to select a target from multiple options nearby. It initially locks onto a large target within a specified search area, and in the terminal phase, the pilot identifies a smaller concealed target, ensuring a precise hit. The missile features an indigenous Fiber Optic Gyroscope-based INS and Radio Altimeter for mid-course guidance, along with an integrated avionics module, Electro-Mechanical actuators for aerodynamic and jet vane control, thermal batteries, and a PCB warhead. It is powered by solid propulsion with an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer. The trials confirm that the missile successfully achieves all mission objectives.

A 1.4-meter Buddha head was discovered in Ratnagiri during an excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), confirming the site's Tantric Buddhist heritage. Additionally, a number of stupas with Vajrayana Buddhist deities have been found during the excavation. It is estimated that some of these artifacts date back about 1,500 years. Once a bustling hub of Buddhist study and pilgrimage, Ratnagiri is one of the three Buddhist sites known as the "Diamond Triangle," together with Lalitgiri and Udayagiri in Odisha. According to historical records, Ratnagiri was inhabited between the fifth and thirteenth centuries, and Vajrayana Buddhist activity persisted there until the sixteenth century.

India builds the world's longest hyperloop test facility, achieving a major milestone in high-speed transportation. This follows the completion of a 422-meter test track in December 2024. The new infrastructure, spanning 40–50 km, tests the feasibility of commercial hyperloop operations with support from Indian Railways. India's 422-meter vacuum tube testing facility is developed through collaboration between Indian Railways, L&T Constructions, and Avishkar Hyperloop at IIT Madras. TuTr Hyperloop, a deep-tech startup at IIT Madras, conducts India's first commercially successful hyperloop pod test, highlighting the country's dedication to this advanced transportation technology. Additionally, IIT Madras and Indian Railways collaborate on a vertical take-off and landing vehicle with financial support from Indian Railways.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) introduces Ocelot, a new quantum computing chip designed to lower the cost of quantum error correction by up to 90% compared to current methods. Developed by the AWS Center for Quantum Computing at the California Institute of Technology, Ocelot marks significant progress toward building fault-tolerant quantum computers. These advanced computers aim to solve complex problems that traditional computers cannot handle. AWS designs Ocelot with error correction built into its architecture from the start, using the "cat qubit." Named after Schrödinger's cat thought experiment, cat qubits naturally reduce certain types of errors, minimizing the resources needed for quantum error correction.

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"Are you some kind of collector?"
Meant as mockery, these words instead ignited a spark.

Hemant Pareek is a true embodiment of resilience and determination. Coming from a humble background in Rajasthan—his father, a priest, and his mother, a daily laborer under MGNREGA—Hemant witnessed his mother’s struggle for fair wages. That moment planted the dream of becoming a District Magistrate in his heart.
Despite the challenges of a Hindi-medium education and financial struggles, he never gave up on his UPSC journey. On his second attempt, his unwavering resolve led him to secure an impressive 884th rank in the 2023 UPSC results.
Stories like Hemant’s prove that true determination knows no limits.

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander lands safely in the Moon's Mare Crisium region, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This controlled descent paves the way for a new phase of lunar exploration, as Blue Ghost is the first of three spacecraft set to explore the Moon's lesser-known areas. The mission encourages more private investment in deep space exploration and plays an important role in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a human presence on the Moon.

The Government of India grants 'Navratna' status to two railway public sector companies, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). With this, IRCTC becomes the 25th Navratna among Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), while IRFC is the 26th. This status gives them more financial independence, allowing them to invest up to Rs 1,000 crore without government approval. As a result, they can make business decisions faster and improve efficiency. The Indian Government classifies CPSEs into three categories based on their financial performance and efficiency—Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna. Companies that meet specific financial and performance criteria receive 'Navratna' status, which grants them more flexibility in investment and expansion.

The Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Bengaluru-based DRDO lab, successfully tests the Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft. This advanced system produces and regulates breathable oxygen for pilots during flight, removing the need for traditional liquid oxygen cylinders. The ILSS undergoes extensive trials on the LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), meeting strict aeromedical standards. It performs well in various flight conditions, including altitudes up to 50,000 feet and high-G maneuvers.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen unveils a five-part plan to raise 800 billion euros for Europe's defense and provide immediate military aid to Ukraine after the suspension of US support. She states that "ReArm Europe" aims to secure a safe and resilient Europe, working closely with NATO partners. The plan enables EU countries to quickly send military equipment to Ukraine, including air and missile defense systems, artillery, missiles, drones, and anti-drone technology. Von der Leyen describes the EU as facing a "clear and present danger" due to growing security threats. Additionally, uncertainty over US support, especially after Washington halts aid and former President Donald Trump comments on NATO, pushes Europe to take stronger action.