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1. How did the heated debate between Trump and Zelensky happen at the White House?
– The peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has been postponed.
– Trump said – “We will no longer fight against Russia together with Ukraine.”
– There was a disagreement between Trump and Zelensky regarding the need to make a deal with Russia after the Ukrainian president called Russian leaders “killers.”
– This led to a heated argument, and Zelensky walked out of the meeting.
– Trump then said, “We will no longer fight against Russia together with Ukraine.”
Why did the argument happen?
– On February 28, 2025, a meeting took place between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
– During this time, a heated debate occurred between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky.
– The two leaders spoke for nearly 50 minutes, and there were several moments when they pointed fingers at each other.
– This was the first time in White House history that such a tense conversation occurred between two heads of state.
– Vance accused Zelensky of insulting the United States, while Trump reprimanded the Ukrainian president several times. Trump accused Zelensky of playing a dangerous game that could lead to World War III.
– After this, an upset Zelensky walked out of the conversation, swiftly exited the building, and left for the hotel in his black SUV. A deal regarding minerals was supposed to take place between the two leaders, but the conversation was canceled.
How the confrontation started
– Before the conversation with Trump, Zelensky said, “There should be no agreement with Russian President Putin in the peace deal.”
– In response, Trump said, “We want this war to end as soon as possible. Hopefully, we won’t have to send more troops. I appreciate the mineral deal because we needed it. Now, we are being treated fairly by your country.”
– Trump said, “If I hadn’t coordinated with both Russia and Ukraine, no agreement would have been possible. I’m not with Putin, nor with anyone else. I am only with America.”
– Trump and Zelensky had a good conversation for about 30 minutes, but it turned into an argument when Vice President JD Vance intervened during the conversation.
– Trump scolded Zelensky while sitting in the Oval Office, told him to be more “grateful,” and said, “You are not in a position to decide how we are going to feel.”
– Trump told the Ukrainian president that either they should “make a deal with Russia” or “we will be out.” Sitting next to them, American Vice President JD Vance also attacked Zelensky, calling him “disrespectful.”
– Later, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to apologize for the previous confrontation with President Donald Trump.
– On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to apologize for the extraordinary clash with President Donald Trump at the White House.
After the heated debate, European countries supported Ukraine
– Ukraine’s European partners, along with other global leaders, supported President Volodymyr Zelensky, while the White House expressed support for President Donald Trump’s “America First power” after the notable confrontation between the two leaders in the Oval Office.
– President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would not participate in peace talks with Russia until it gets security guarantees against any further aggression.
The situation in Ukraine
– Senior journalist ‘Prakash Ke Ray’ says, “Older people in Ukraine are fighting. They are being forcibly sent to the front lines. A large number of soldiers are fleeing from the battle.”
– A large number of young people have fled the country. The sale of land and property in Ukraine has been ongoing for a long time. The arrogance of the lecherous neo-Nazi gangs has ended.
– In such a situation, Zelensky should understand that America and Europe have used him as a pawn.
– Europe is itself America’s lapdog; how can it help further! One can show off in front of their father, but not in front of the godfather. The world saw this again yesterday.
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2. Who has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by the central government?
a. Ajay Tyagi
b. Rakesh Paswan
c. Tuhin Kant Pandey
d. Ajay Kumar Verma
Answer: c. Tuhin Kant Pandey
– The central government has appointed Tuhin Kanta Pandey as the Chairman of SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
– Prior to this, he was serving as the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs.
– His tenure will begin on March 1, 2025, for the next 3 years.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey replaces Madhabi Puri Buch, whose term has ended.
– Note: Madhabi Puri Buch was SEBI’s first female chairman. She became embroiled in controversy when, in August 2024, the American company Hindenburg Research released a report claiming economic ties between the Adani Group and SEBI.
About Tuhin Kanta Pandey:
– Tuhin Kanta Pandey is an IAS officer from the 1987 batch of the Odisha cadre.
– He was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs on September 7, 2024.
Position of SEBI Chairman:
– The new SEBI chairman will receive a salary of ₹5.62 lakh.
– The salary will be equivalent to that of a government secretary, along with other benefits, or ₹5,62,500 per month without a car and house.
What is SEBI?
– The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body for securities and financial markets in India.
– It regulates the securities and commodity markets in the country.
– It was established on April 12, 1988.
– It was granted statutory recognition under the SEBI Act, 1992, on January 30, 1992.
– It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Finance.
Functions of SEBI:
– Protecting the interests of investors.
– Promoting the development of the securities market.
– Providing provisions related to the securities market.
– Monitoring and regulating market activities.
– Ensuring compliance with regulations.
– Taking corrective measures in case of any violations.
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3. Who will be the new Chancellor of Germany?
a. Olaf Scholze
b. Armin Laschet
c. Annalena Baerbock
d. Friedrich Merz
Answer: d. Friedrich Merz
– Germany’s opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, won the national election on February 23, 2025.
– The conservative alliance of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) secured victory with 28.5% of the votes.
– The previous chancellor was Olaf Scholz.
Friedrich Merz
– He was born in 1965 in the western state of Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia, into an elite political family. His father was a judge and a member of the CDU, while his grandfather was the mayor of Brilon.
How is the Chancellor elected?
– Like India, Germany has a democracy and parliamentary system, but the method of electing the Chancellor is different.
– In India, the candidate for Prime Minister is not always declared before the election.
– However, in Germany, all parties must announce their candidate for Chancellor.
– Elections are fought based on the name and face of this candidate.
– If their party or coalition wins the election, they must secure a majority in the Bundestag (lower house of parliament).
– If a party or coalition achieves a majority, they form the government.
About Germany
– Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe.
– Capital: Berlin
– Chancellor: Friedrich Merz
– Currency: Euro
– Population: 83.3 million (2023)
– Neighboring countries: Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands
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4. When is National Science Day celebrated?
a. 26 February
b. 27 February
c. 28 February
d. 29 February
Answer: c. 28 February
Theme 2025
– Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat.
Why is National Science Day celebrated?
– This day is celebrated to acknowledge the contribution of scientists to the development of the country.
– The day is dedicated to the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’.
– On February 28, 1928, Indian physicist C. V. Raman made an important discovery in the field of spectroscopy, known as the ‘Raman Effect’.
– For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.
Since 1986, this day has been celebrated annually in India due to the discovery of the Raman Effect.
What is the Raman Effect?
– The Raman Effect explains what happens to light waves when they scatter after passing through or striking different substances, and how their speed is affected.
– Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
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5. To end the Russia-Ukraine war, three proposals were voted on in the United Nations General Assembly in February 2025, in which the US supported Russia for the first time, while how many countries, including India, did not participate?
a. 70
b. 65
c. 55
d. 45
Answer: b. 65
Key Demands in the Ukrainian Proposal
– Ukraine presented a three-page proposal demanding the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, “reducing tensions, swiftly ending hostilities, and finding a peaceful resolution to the war against Ukraine,” as well as calling for “comprehensive, lasting, and just peace.”
– The proposal was brought to the United Nations on February 24, 2025, to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has been going on for three years.
– 93 countries voted in favor of the proposal, 18 countries voted against it, and 65 countries, including India, China, and Brazil, abstained from voting.
– Among India’s neighboring countries, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka abstained from voting, while Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Myanmar voted in favor of the proposal.
Countries that Voted Against the Proposal
– The 18 countries that voted against the draft proposal included Russia, the United States, North Korea, Belarus, Hungary, Israel, Haiti, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Mali, the Marshall Islands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palau, Sudan, among others.
The United States Presented a Separate Proposal
– The United States also presented a proposal to the United Nations General Assembly calling for an end to the war but did not mention Russia’s aggression. When France and other European countries amended the proposal to declare Russia as the aggressor, the United States decided not to participate in the vote.
– The U.S. also held a vote on its original proposal in the United Nations Security Council. Out of the 15 member countries, 10 supported the U.S. proposal, while 5 European countries abstained from voting.
– This clearly indicates deepening differences between the U.S. and Europe regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. The U.S. is now avoiding directly blaming Russia, which could lead to new complexities in international politics.
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6. How many Indian companies were banned by the US in February 2025 for interfering in the sale and transportation of Iranian petroleum products?
a. 6
b. 5
c. 4
d. 3
Answer: c. 4 (Flux Maritime LLP, BSM Marine LLP, Austinship Management Private Limited and Cosmos Lines Inc.)
– On February 24, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on a total of 16 companies worldwide, accusing them of being involved with Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical industries. Among these, four Indian companies are included.
– In 2024, sanctions were also imposed on Indian companies. Gabbro Ship Services was banned for being involved in Iran’s oil exports. Action was taken against three Indian shipping companies for being involved in a Russian project.
The United States has imposed sanctions on these companies:
1. Flux Maritime LLP, Mumbai
2. BSM Marine LLP, New Delhi
3. Austinship Management Private Limited, New Delhi
4. Cosmos Lines Inc., Thanjavur
Why were these companies banned?
– Of these four companies, three were banned for allegedly being the commercial or technical managers of ships involved in transporting Iranian oil and petroleum products, while one company, Cosmos Lines, was banned for allegedly being involved in transporting Iranian petroleum.
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7. When was Rare Disease Day celebrated in the year 2025?
a. 23 February
b. 24 February
c. 27 February
d. 28 February
Answer: d. 28 February
Theme 2025
– More than you can imagine; an anthology of rare experiences
– Rare Disease Day is observed every year on the last day of February.
– The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about rare diseases.
– It also aims to provide access to medical facilities for individuals with rare diseases and their families.
– 350 million people around the world suffer from rare diseases.
– Generally, a rare disease is one that affects a small percentage of a country’s population—less than 100 patients per 100,000 people.
– In India, a disease is considered rare if it affects one in 5,000 people.
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8. The state government of Punjab has made it compulsory to teach which language as a main and compulsory subject in all the schools of the state?
a. Urdu
b. Hindi
c. Punjabi
d. Sanskrit
Answer: c. Punjabi
– In February 2025, the Punjab government ordered that Punjabi must be taught as a core and compulsory subject in all schools in the state, regardless of the education board they are affiliated with.
– If Punjabi is not included as a core subject in a student’s certificate, it will be considered invalid.
– The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008 will be strictly enforced.
– Private schools violating the rule will be fined ₹50,000.
– Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, accused the CBSE of removing Punjabi from its list of regional languages for Class 10.
– He termed it a “well-thought-out conspiracy” against Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabi culture.
– However, the CBSE clarified that no changes had been made to the language list.
Punjab
CM – Bhagwant Mann
Governor – Gulab Chand Kataria
Capital – Chandigarh
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9. Which institution, in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways, developed India’s first Hyperloop test track, which is 422 meters long?
a. IIT Kanpur
b. IIT Bombay
c. IIT Madras
d. IIT Kharagpur
Answer: c. IIT Madras
– In February 2025, a video clip showcasing India’s first 422-meter-long Hyperloop test track, located at IIT-Madras, was also shown to the audience.
– Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced that Indian Railways and IIT-Madras will collaborate on Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicle technology, which will be funded by the Railways.
350 KM Distance Covered in 30 Minutes
– The track is 422 meters long and allows a high-speed train to travel at speeds of over 1,000 km/h, almost in a vacuum tube.
– The Hyperloop track demonstrated that a distance of approximately 350 KM can be covered in just 30 minutes.
– If implemented on a large scale worldwide, this would allow passengers to travel from Delhi to Jaipur (around 300 KM) in less than 30 minutes.
Hyperloop Project to Begin
– Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The first 422-meter pod is just the beginning – it will play a crucial role in the development of advanced technologies.” He also announced that IIT-Madras would receive a third grant of $1 million to continue work on the Hyperloop project, with the first two grants already given.
– He further mentioned that Indian Railways will begin the Hyperloop project only when the technology is fully tested and ready for deployment.
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10. More than 100 crores will be spent to promote tourism in Bihar
– In February 2025, CM Nitish Kumar approved tourism plans in Bihar during the Pragati Yatra.
– The state’s Tourism and Industry Minister Nitish Mishra stated that a total of over ₹100 crore will be spent on these projects, which will promote tourism and create employment opportunities.
Approved Projects:
– Rishi Kund in Munger will be developed from a tourism perspective. The estimated cost of this project is more than ₹21.10 crore.
– The Samas Vishnudham temple area in Barbigha, Sheikhpura will be developed for tourism. The estimated cost of this project will be around ₹14.99 crore.
– The Ular Surya Temple in Dulhin Bazar, Patna district, will be developed for tourism. ₹14.98 crore will be spent on this project.
– The Sun Temple complex in Dev village, Tarari block, Bhojpur, will be developed with an estimated cost of ₹14.78 crore.
– Mangal Talab in Patna Sahib will be developed for tourism with an estimated cost of ₹14.05 crore.
– Tourist facilities will be developed at the Umnath Temple complex in Badh, Patna. The estimated cost of this project is ₹13.89 crore.
– Patneshwar Dham in Jamui will be developed for tourism. ₹9.89 crore will be spent on this project.
– Tourist facilities will be developed at the Satanda Hill in Lakhisarai. The estimated cost for this development will be ₹6.83 crore.
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11. Name the Indian-origin scientist who led the US team to discover dwarf galaxies containing black holes?
a. Sudeshna Sinha
b. Savita Subramanian
c. Ragadeepika pucha
d. Sunita Narayan
Answer: c. Ragadeepika pucha
– Raga Deepika Pucha’s parents live in Tenali City, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
– According to The Times of India News, this information was revealed in February 2025.
What are Dwarf Galaxies?
– Dwarf galaxies are small in size and contain a few billion stars.
– These galaxies are dimmer and smaller in size compared to larger galaxies.
Galaxies with Black Holes of Which Size?
– Under the leadership of Indian astrophysicist Raga Deepika Pucha, a team of scientists in the U.S. has discovered the largest samples to date, which include dwarf galaxies with medium-sized and active black holes.
– These findings are three times more than previously recorded black holes and dwarf galaxies, which will further help in understanding the evolution of dwarf galaxies and black holes.
– This discovery may open new opportunities to explore the development of early black holes in the universe.
How Many Dwarf Galaxies Identified?
– The scientist from Andhra Pradesh and her team have identified more than 2,500 dwarf galaxies, including those with Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN).
– Now, approximately 2% of dwarf galaxies host AGN, which is much higher than the previous 0.5%.
– This study has also revealed that scientists are missing low-mass, previously unseen black holes.
What Instrument Was Used to Gather Data?
– Raga Deepika Pucha’s team collected the largest information on dwarf galaxies so far using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).
– According to a statement from NoirLabs, DESI is an advanced instrument that captures light from 5,000 galaxies at once.
– This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Science Office.
– Using the initial data from DESI, Deepika’s team has gathered the largest data on dwarf galaxies with actively feeding black holes. This is also the most detailed collection of medium-sized black hole candidates to date.
– This five-year project is in its fourth year, and by the end of the project, nearly 40 million galaxies will be studied.
What is a Black Hole?
– A black hole is a region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape it.
– The space around it looks so dark and black that it appears completely black.
– This is why it is called a “black hole.”
– Black holes can be both large and small.
Note: In August 2022, NASA recorded the sounds around a black hole.
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