February 3rd Week Current Affairs 2025 – National & International Updates

Stay updated with the latest current affairs for February 2nd week, covering NDA. In this February 3rd Week Current Affairs 2025 update, we bring you the most important national and international news. Topics include the Ali Ai Ligang festival of Assam’s Mising tribe, India’s revamped coaching scheme, Supreme Court’s ruling on prisoner remission, geopolitical concerns over the Teesta River, marine heat waves, and cutting-edge AI developments.

FEBRUARY 3RD WEEK CURRENT AFFAIRS: NDA

• The Mising tribe, Assam’s largest tribal community, recently celebrated the Ali Ai Ligang festival. This festival marks the beginning of the sowing season and is deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the Mising people. Celebrated on the first Wednesday of the month of Fagun, the festival showcases the tribe’s rich cultural heritage and agricultural practices.
• Demographics and Culture of the Mising Tribe. The Mising people are part of the Tani ethnic group and primarily reside in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. According to the 2011 Census, their population in Assam was approximately 680,424. Their culture is closely tied to rivers and agriculture, with a historical practice of jhum cultivation evolving into settled wet paddy farming.
• Religious beliefs. The Mising tribe follows the cult of Donyi Polo, worshipping the Sun and Moon. This belief system influences their agricultural practices and festivals. The community’s spirituality is intertwined with their daily lives and farming activities.
• Recently, the Government of India revamped its coaching scheme aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This updated initiative extends benefits to children covered under the PM CARES scheme alongside Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The scheme, originally launched during the Sixth Five-Year Plan, has evolved to remove caste and income restrictions for PM CARES beneficiaries.
• The coaching scheme provides free preparation for various competitive examinations. It includes Civil Services examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions. Additionally, it covers recruitment tests for banks, insurance companies, and public sector undertakings (PSUs). Students will also receive coaching for entrance exams for prestigious institutions in engineering, medicine, management, and law.
• Recently, the Supreme Court of India made a ruling regarding prisoner remission. The court directed states to consider the premature release of prisoners even if they do not apply for remission. This marks a very important change from previous rulings where an application was mandatory. The decision aims to address overcrowding in prisons and ensure fair treatment for eligible convicts.
• About Remission and Its Legal Framework. Remission refers to the reduction of a prison sentence. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), state governments can remit sentences at any time.
• States can set conditions for remission, such as regular reporting to authorities. The President and Governors also have the power to grant remission under Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution. However, certain restrictions apply, especially for life sentences.
• The Mullaperiyar dam has been at the centre of a long-standing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. On February 19, 2025, the Supreme Court directed a supervisory committee to address the concerns raised by Tamil Nadu regarding the dam’s maintenance. This committee, formed by the Centre, is headed by the National Dam Safety Authority.
• Background of the Mullaperiyar Dam. The Mullaperiyar dam was built in 1895 and is located on the Periyar River in Kerala. It is operated by Tamil Nadu under a lease agreement. The dam has been a subject of contention due to safety concerns, especially after the 2011 earthquake in Sikkim. Kerala has raised alarms about the dam’s structural integrity, while Tamil Nadu maintains that it is safe.
• The Teesta River, a vital waterway for both India and Bangladesh, is once again at the centre of diplomatic tensions. Bangladesh has sought China’s assistance for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP). This move raises concerns in New Delhi regarding China’s increasing influence in South Asia.
• About Teesta River. The Teesta River flows through India and Bangladesh, impacting millions. It stretches 414 km, with 151 km in Sikkim, 142 km in West Bengal, and 121 km in Bangladesh. The river is crucial for agriculture, drinking water, and sustaining biodiversity. However, its water-sharing has been a contentious issue, particularly during lean seasons.
• In response to Bangladesh’s engagement with China, India announced plans to send a technical team to discuss the Teesta management project. This decision is seen as an attempt to maintain influence in the region. However, India’s concerns stem from China’s growing presence and potential espionage activities related to the project.
• China’s Role in the Teesta Project. China’s involvement in the TRCMRP has been framed within a broader context of its strategic interests in South Asia. The 2016 agreements between China and Bangladesh included investments in various sectors, including river management. The signing of the MoU between Bangladesh Water Development Board and Power China has intensified India’s apprehensions.
• Bangladesh’s renewed approach to China for the Teesta project could shift regional dynamics. The interim Bangladeshi government has set conditions for the project, including public hearings and a finalised masterplan by December 2026. Experts suggest that a multilateral approach involving India, China, and international financial institutions may be necessary for effective management.
• The Teesta River basin is strategically located near India’s northeastern corridor. Increased Chinese influence in Bangladesh raises security concerns for India, particularly regarding border stability. The potential formation of a Bangladesh-China-Pakistan axis further complicates the geopolitical landscape.
• Recent studies highlight the serious impacts of marine heat waves on marine mammals in Arctic and Subarctic regions. As ocean temperatures rise, these mammals face increased mortality rates, reduced reproductive success, and heightened vulnerability to diseases. The Arctic Ocean is expected to become a hotspot for MHWs, which are defined as periods when sea surface temperatures (SST) exceed historical norms for extended durations.
• MHWs occur when SST anomalies surpass the local 90th percentile for at least five consecutive days. They can vary in scale, impacting areas from a few to thousands of kilometres. The study examined MHW characteristics in the Bering Sea and Barents Sea, crucial pathways to the Arctic Ocean. Key historical events from 2014 to 2019 were analysed to understand their ecological consequences.
• Marine mammals, including species like narwhals and bowhead whales, show delayed responses to MHWs. This delay stems from their position in the food web and their biological traits, such as long life spans and high mobility. While their blubber provides insulation, it can hinder their ability to regulate body heat during extreme temperature shifts.
• The study reveals a concerning trend of increased mortality among marine mammals during prolonged warm periods. For instance, humpback and fin whales exhibited high mortality rates following the Gulf of Alaska MHW from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, the first recorded case of avian influenza in a polar bear in 2024 puts stress on the health risks posed by MHWs and their potential to facilitate disease transmission among species.
• MHWs can lead to toxic algal blooms, further endangering marine mammals. The long-term consequences include reduced population sizes and low calf production rates. For example, spotted seals in the Bering and Chukchi seas suffered high mortality and poor pup health due to warmer conditions.
• In response to MHWs, some species may alter their foraging behaviours or migrate northward. However, Arctic residents lack this option. Changes in prey distribution can also lead to increased entanglement in fishing gear, as demonstrated by the shift of humpback whales towards southern fishing areas post-MHW.
• Nvidia has developed Evo 2, the largest artificial intelligence system dedicated to biological research. Announced in 2025, this system aims to revolutionise medicine and genetics. Evo 2 can read and design genetic codes across all forms of life. It uses nearly 9 trillion pieces of genetic information from over 128,000 organisms. This technology promises to transform research by identifying patterns in massive datasets that would take years to analyse manually.
• Evo 2 is a collaborative effort between Nvidia, the Arc Institute, and Stanford University. It is built on Nvidia’s DGX Cloud platform, utilising 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors. The model has 40 billion parameters, making it comparable to current large language models. Evo 2 can process DNA sequences of up to 1 million nucleotides, allowing it to understand complex genetic relationships.
• Evo 2 has shown promise in identifying harmful mutations in genes such as BRCA1, which is linked to breast cancer. In early tests, it achieved over 90% accuracy in predicting disease-causing mutations. This capability could lead to more precise treatments, including targeted gene therapies. Understanding gene variants is crucial for developing effective therapeutics.
• The Government of Kerala has launched Nayanamritham 2.0. This initiative is the world’s first government-led programme for AI-assisted chronic eye disease screening. It follows the success of Nayanamritham 1.0. The programme aims to enhance early detection and improve accessibility to quality eye care throughout the state.
• Nayanamritham 1.0 introduced diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening at Family Health Centers. This phase involved expert interpretation by ophthalmologists at secondary and tertiary care centres. The initial programme laid the groundwork for expanding eye care services in Kerala.
• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) released the Global Infrastructure Resilience Report, assessing disaster preparedness. The Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index (GIRI) provides financial risk data for key sectors like transport, energy, telecom, water, and health. A $9.2 trillion annual investment is needed by 2050 to address infrastructure gaps and climate resilience. Infrastructure is vulnerable to disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and droughts. Many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) face weak infrastructure governance. The report emphasizes data-driven risk assessment, economic benefits of resilience, nature-based solutions, informed policymaking, and global collaboration.
• The Government of India launched the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and hosted the First Chief Information Officer (CIO) Conference 2025 in New Delhi. These are part of the Government. In: Harmonisation of Digital Footprint initiative. The conference focused on harmonizing government websites for a unified digital brand identity. Enhancing website accessibility and performance through the Government .In platform was a key priority. Localizing content was emphasized to ensure inclusivity for all users.
• Microsoft unveiled Majorana 1, its first quantum computing chip, to improve stability, speed, and practicality in quantum computing. The chip utilizes Majorana particles, an exotic quantum state, to minimize computational errors and enhance reliability. It is developed by Microsoft, with validation from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S.
• UNESCO launched the “Imagine a world with more women in science” campaign. The campaign marks the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). It promotes diverse perspectives in science using #EveryVoiceInScience. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared February 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. Globally, women make up only one-third of scientists and hold just 1 in 10 Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leadership roles. In India, 43% of STEM enrolments are women, but only 18.6% are scientists, and 25% lead R&D projects.
• Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai led the Indian delegation to the 4th No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference. The conference was held in Munich, Germany on 13th February 2025. The conference covered terror financing, financial inclusion, risk-based approaches, and organized crime. More than 200 officials and experts from the Egmont Group and international organizations attended. Previous conferences were held in Paris (2018), Melbourne (2019), and New Delhi (2022).
• Brazil will host the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025. As the 2025 chair, Brazil aims to focus on global governance reform and stronger cooperation among Global South nations. BRICS was founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. The bloc now has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia.
• Similipal Tiger Reserve successfully used the TrailGuard AI system as an anti-poaching tool. TrailGuard AI is a camera-based alert system designed for wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence in remote areas. It combines durable hardware, AI algorithms, and real-time transmission. The system detects poachers, illegal loggers, and wildlife entering restricted areas. It captures images, processes them to identify animals, humans, or vehicles, and transmits alerts in 30-40 seconds. The system works on low power but switches to high power when detecting movement, ensuring quick intervention.

FAQs on February 3rd Week Current Affairs 2025

1. What are the key highlights of February 3rd week current affairs 2025?

The major highlights include:

• Ali Ai Ligang festival celebrated by Assam’s Mising tribe.
• Revamped coaching scheme by the Government of India for disadvantaged students.
• Supreme Court ruling on prisoner remission.
• Teesta River dispute and China’s involvement in Bangladesh’s river project.
• Marine heat waves and their impact on Arctic marine mammals.
• Nvidia’s Evo 2 AI system for biological research.
• Kerala’s Nayanamritham 2.0 initiative for AI-assisted eye disease screening.
• CDRI’s Global Infrastructure Resilience Report.
• Microsoft’s Majorana 1 quantum chip and UNESCO’s campaign for women in science.
• BRICS Summit 2025 in Brazil.
• Trail Guard AI deployed in Similipal Tiger Reserve for anti-poaching efforts.

2. Why is the Supreme Court ruling on prisoner remission important?

The Supreme Court of India directed states to consider the premature release of prisoners even if they do not apply for remission. This is a significant shift from previous policies where prisoners had to submit an application. The ruling aims to reduce overcrowding in prisons and ensure fair treatment of eligible convicts.

3. What is the Teesta River dispute about?

The Teesta River dispute involves India and Bangladesh over water-sharing issues. Recently, Bangladesh sought China’s assistance for a river management project, raising concerns for India. China’s growing influence in South Asia through this project is being closely monitored by Indian authorities.

4. What is the significance of Nvidia’s Evo 2 AI system?

Nvidia’s Evo 2 is the largest AI system dedicated to biological research. It can read and design genetic codes, analyze disease-causing mutations, and revolutionize medical and genetic research. Early tests have shown over 90% accuracy in detecting harmful mutations like BRCA1, linked to breast cancer.

5. What is Nayanamritham 2.0, and why is it important?

Nayanamritham 2.0 is a government-led AI-assisted eye disease screening initiative in Kerala. It builds on the success of Nayanamritham 1.0, which focused on diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening. The new phase aims to enhance early detection of chronic eye diseases and improve healthcare accessibility.

6. What are marine heat waves (MHWs), and why are they concerning?

Marine heat waves (MHWs) are periods when sea surface temperatures exceed historical norms for extended durations. These are particularly harmful to marine mammals like narwhals, bowhead whales, and seals. MHWs can cause:

• Increased mortality rates in marine species.
• Reduced reproductive success.
• Toxic algal blooms that impact food chains.
• Disease transmission risks, such as avian influenza in polar bears.

7. What is TrailGuard AI, and how is it being used in Similipal Tiger Reserve?

TrailGuard AI is an AI-powered camera-based alert system designed to combat poaching and illegal logging. It detects wildlife, poachers, and vehicles, sending real-time alerts within 30-40 seconds. Recently, Similipal Tiger Reserve successfully implemented TrailGuard AI to enhance wildlife protection and anti-poaching measures.

8. When and where is the BRICS Summit 2025 happening?

The BRICS Summit 2025 will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6-7, 2025. The focus will be on global governance reform and stronger cooperation among Global South nations.

9. What is the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference, and why is it significant?

The NMFT Conference is an international forum focusing on terror financing and organized crime. In 2025, the 4th NMFT Conference was held in Munich, Germany, on February 13, with India’s Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, leading the delegation.

10. What is Microsoft’s Majorana 1 quantum chip?

Majorana 1 is Microsoft’s first quantum computing chip, designed to:

• Enhance stability, speed, and practicality in quantum computing.
• Reduce computational errors using Majorana particles (an exotic quantum state).
• Improve reliability for future quantum applications.

11. How does the Global Infrastructure Resilience Report help in disaster preparedness?

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) released this report, which:

• Assesses financial risks in key sectors (transport, energy, telecom, water, health).
• Highlights the economic benefits of resilience.
• Calls for a $9.2 trillion annual investment by 2050 to address climate and infrastructure gaps.

12. What is UNESCO’s ‘Imagine a world with more women in science’ campaign?

UNESCO launched this campaign to:

• Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11).
• Promote diverse perspectives in science using #EveryVoiceInScience.
• Address gender gaps in STEM fields, where women hold only 1 in 10 leadership roles globally.

13. What is the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) launched by the Government of India?

The DBIM aims to:

• Harmonize government websites for a unified digital identity.
• Improve website accessibility and performance via the Government .In platform.
• Ensure localization of content to promote inclusivity for all users.