Current Affairs Quiz — 19 February 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Gyanesh Kumar, who assumed charge on 19 February 2025, is India's which Chief Election Commissioner?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 26th
The Election Commission's press note says Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar belongs to the 1988 batch of the IAS from which cadre?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Kerala
Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre and served as District Collector of Ernakulam.
Who took charge as Election Commissioner on 19 February 2025, filling the vacancy created by Gyanesh Kumar's elevation as CEC?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Vivek Joshi
Vivek Joshi, who was Haryana's Chief Secretary, took charge as Election Commissioner the same day; Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was already a member.
Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, the Search Committee that prepares a panel of five names is headed by the:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Minister of Law and Justice
Section 6 of the 2023 Act provides for a Search Committee headed by the Minister of Law and Justice, with two members not below the rank of Secretary, to prepare a panel of five persons.
Consider the following statements about the Selection Committee under Section 7 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023: 1. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is a member. 3. The Chief Justice of India is a member. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Section 7 names the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister as members; the Chief Justice of India is not on the committee, so only the first two statements are correct.
Which state received the largest share of the ₹1,554.99 crore NDRF assistance approved on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh was approved ₹608.08 crore, the largest share; Tripura got ₹288.93 crore and Odisha ₹255.24 crore.
Which of the following states was NOT among the five that received additional NDRF assistance approved on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Kerala
The five states were Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Telangana and Tripura; Kerala was not among them.
Consider the following statements about the NDRF assistance approved on 19 February 2025: 1. It was approved by a High-Level Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister. 2. It is subject to adjustment of 50% of the opening balance available in the states' SDRF. 3. In 2024-25 the Centre released SDRF funds to all 28 states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
The High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah approved the aid subject to adjustment of 50% of the opening SDRF balance; SDRF funds in 2024-25 went to 27 states, not all 28, so only the first two statements are correct.
By what margin did New Zealand beat Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 60 runs
New Zealand made 320 for 5 and bowled Pakistan out for 260, winning by 60 runs.
Who was named Player of the Match in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener between Pakistan and New Zealand?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Tom Latham
Tom Latham, unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls, was named Player of the Match.
Besides Tom Latham, which New Zealand batter scored a century against Pakistan in Karachi on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Will Young
Will Young made 107 off 113 balls, the other century in New Zealand's 320 for 5.
Where was the first General Assembly of IALA held, at which India was elected to the Vice Presidency in February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Singapore
India was elected to IALA's Vice Presidency at the body's 1st General Assembly in Singapore.
IALA, whose first General Assembly was held in February 2025, was originally established in which year?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1957
IALA was established in 1957 as a non-governmental organisation.
What change in IALA's status was marked by its first General Assembly in Singapore?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — It moved from a non-governmental to an inter-governmental organisation
The first General Assembly marked IALA's transition from a non-governmental organisation to an inter-governmental organisation.
Which Jayanti of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was marked on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 395th
The padyatra in Pune marked the 395th Jayanti of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
What was the name of the padyatra led by Mansukh Mandaviya and Devendra Fadnavis in Pune on Shivaji Jayanti 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat
The 'Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat' Padyatra in Pune was joined by over 20,000 MY Bharat volunteers.
Who presented the Rajasthan Budget 2025-26 in the state Assembly on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Diya Kumari
Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the 2025-26 Rajasthan Budget.
How much did Rajasthan provide under its first Green Budget, presented with the 2025-26 Budget?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹27,854 crore
The Budget speech says ₹27,854 crore has been provided across sectors under the state's first Green Budget for 2025-26.
Rajasthan's estimated fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is what share of its GSDP?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 4.25%
The fiscal deficit of ₹84,643 crore is 4.25% of GSDP, as stated with the Budget.
Which Indian PSU signed an MoU with the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, on 19 February 2025 for critical mineral exploration?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)
The MoU was signed between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca.
Argentina, a partner in India's search for battery minerals, is part of which resource region?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Lithium Triangle
The Ministry of Mines described Argentina as known for its vast lithium reserves as part of the 'Lithium Triangle'.
Which edition of the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) met in Kuala Lumpur on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 13th
The 13th MIDCOM meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on 19 February 2025.
At the 13th MIDCOM, India and Malaysia exchanged terms of reference for a forum on the maintenance of which aircraft, flown by both air forces?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Su-30
The finalised terms of reference for a Su-30 Forum were exchanged, to share expertise and best practices in Su-30 maintenance.
Who was the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes when it marked its 22nd Foundation Day on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Antar Singh Arya
Chairperson Antar Singh Arya spoke on the Commission's work; Hansraj Gangaram Ahir chairs the backward classes commission and Nirupam Chakma is an NCST member.
How much did Bihar receive as the second instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for rural local bodies, announced on 19 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹821.80 crore
Bihar received ₹821.80 crore as the second instalment of untied grants, plus ₹47.93 crore withheld from the first instalment; Haryana got ₹202.47 crore.