The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the Jhumoir Binandini 2025, a Mega Jhumoir programme in Guwahati, Assam today( 24 February).

• Addressing the gathering, he said there was a reverberating atmosphere filled with energy, enthusiasm and excitement at the event.
• He noted the impressive preparations by all the artists of the Jhumoir, which reflected the fragrance and beauty of the tea gardens. 
• The Prime Minister highlighted the announcement of bonuses for Assam Tea Corporation workers to increase their income.
• He emphasized the support being provided to approximately 1.5 lakh women in tea gardens, who receive Rs. 15,000 during pregnancy to alleviate financial concerns.
• Additionally, the Assam government is opening over 350 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in tea gardens for the families’ health, he added. 

The Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025

The Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025, is a spectacular cultural extravaganza with 8,000 performers participating in the Jhumoir dance, a folk dance of Assam Tea Tribe and Adivasi Communities of Assam that embodies the spirit of inclusivity, unity and cultural pride, and symbolises Assam’s syncretic cultural mélange. The Mega Jhumoir event symbolises 200 years of the tea industry, and also 200 years of industrialisation in Assam.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has announced its Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony, scheduled to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on February 27.

• The awards will be presented under two major categories: Prani Mitra Award and Jeev Daya Award.
• The Prani Mitra Award will be conferred under five sub-categories, namely Advocacy (Individual), Innovative Idea (Individual), Lifetime Animal Service (Individual), along with two awards each for Animal Welfare Organizations and for Corporate, PSUs, Government Bodies, or Co-operatives.
• The Jeev Daya Award will be presented in three sub-categories: Individual, Animal Welfare Organization, and for either Schools, Institutions, Teachers, or Children.
• The occasion will be graced by Union Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Professor SP Singh Baghel and George Kurian.

SBI Life Insurance Company said that its board has approved the appointment of Dorababu Daparti as Deputy chief executive officer (CEO) with effect from 24 February 2025.

• The firm added that this appointment is based on the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee.
• Dorababu Daparti is a highly accomplished banking professional with over 29 years of experience in the financial industry.
• He holds a Masters degree in Sciences (M.Sc.) and is a Chartered Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).
• Daparti began his career with the State Bank of India (SBI) in 1995 and has since held various managerial and executive roles within the organization.

Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi’s Heart Lamp: Selected Stories is the only book nominated from India. The International Booker Prize longlist of 13 books has been announced. 

• This year 11 novels and two collections of short stories are in the running for the prize.
• It is forthcoming from Penguin Random House India and And Other Stories in the UK in April 2025.
• All 13 authors have been longlisted for the first time for the Prize, including three with their debut books and eight with their first English-language publications.
• The cash prize of £50,000 will be divided equally between the writer and translator. In addition, there is a prize of £5,000 for each of the shortlisted titles: £2,500 for the author and £2,500 for the translator.
• The shortlist of six books will be announced on April 8 and the winner, on May 20 at a ceremony at Tate Modern, London

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conferred 32 gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service medals to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel for their exemplary service and selfless dedication to duty, often in challenging and extreme conditions.

He presented six President's Tatrakshak medals (distinguished service), 11 Tatrakshak medals (gallantry) and 15 Tatrakshak medals (meritorious service) - for 2022, 2023 and 2024 - during the 18th ICG investiture ceremony in Delhi.

Key Ponits

• Indian Coast Guard personnel conferred medals for their exemplary service
• Rajnath Singh said medals are not just a memento, but a symbol of bravery
• He said that ICG seized Rs 37,000 crore worth of drugs in a year

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy carried out successful flight-trials of first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship missile (NASM-SR) from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on February 25, 2025.

• The trials demonstrated the missile’s capability against ship targets while launched from an Indian Naval Seaking Helicopter.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy for successfully conducting the flight tests of the missile.
• The missile uses an indigenous imaging infra-red seeker for terminal guidance.
• The missile has been developed by different labs of DRDO including Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory.

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi left for France for a four-day visit to boost bilateral military cooperation and get a first hand experience on some of the cutting edge military technologies that the European nation possesses.

• He will engage with senior French military leaders at Les Invalides in Paris, beginning with a Guard of Honour, followed by discussions with French Army Chief General Pierre.
• General Dwivedi's itinerary includes visits to the prestigious Ecole Militaire, the Technical Section of the French Army, and the Battle Lab Terre at Versailles.
• He will also travel to Marseille to visit the 3rd Division of the French Army and witness a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division with live firing exercises in Carpiagne.
• On his final day, General Dwivedi will lay a wreath at the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial and deliver a talk at the Ecole de Guerre, highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare and India's strategic vision.

Zero Discrimination Day celebrated on 1 March highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change.

• Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.
• Each year, the day adopts a unique theme to address pressing issues where discrimination persists. This year the theme is “We stand together”.

Zero Discrimination Day History

Zero Discrimination Day first came into existence on March 1, 2014, as an initiative by UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The movement stemmed from the Zero Discrimination Campaign launched on World AIDS Day in December 2013. The campaign was created to champion equal access to healthcare and eradicate discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

India retained the fastest-growing major economy tag as the country’s GDP grew by 6.2 percent in the third quarter of FY25, up from the revised rate of 5.6 percent in the previous quarter.

• India recorded a GDP growth of 8.6 percent in the third quarter of the last fiscal year.
• The increase in the third-quarter GDP number was supported by higher rural consumption following a good monsoon and increased government spending.
• As per the First Revised Estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), real GDP is estimated to grow by 6.5 percent in FY 2024-25, and nominal GDP is expected to witness a growth rate of 9.9 percent in the fiscal year. 
• MoSPI data also highlighted that India’s real GDP grew by 9.2 percent in the financial year 2023-24, the highest annual growth in 12 years, excluding the post-pandemic rebound in FY22.
• This growth was attributed to double-digit growth in the ‘Manufacturing’ sector (12.3 percent), the ‘Construction’ sector (10.4 percent), and the ‘Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services’ sector (10.3 percent).

India's gross goods and services tax (GST) collections rose 9.1 per cent to about Rs. 1.84 lakh crore in February 2025.

According to official data released on Saturday, March 1, on a gross basis, mop-up from the central GST stood at Rs. 35,204 crore, state GST at Rs. 43,704 crore, integrated GST at Rs. 90,870 crore, and compensation cess at Rs. 13,868 crore in the month under review.

• GST revenues from domestic transactions jumped 10.2 per cent to Rs. 1.42 lakh crore, while those from imports grew 5.4 per cent to ?41,702 crore during February. 
• The total refunds issued during February were Rs.20,889 crore, a 17.3 per cent increase over the year-ago period. 
• The net GST collections during February 2025 grew 8.1 per cent to about Rs.1.63 lakh crore.

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a 4.6 per cent year-on-year growth in January 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• The Eight Core Industries, which account for 40.27 per cent of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), serve as a key indicator of the country’s economic performance.
• The next set of ICI data for February 2025 is scheduled for release on 28 March 2025.
• The positive momentum was driven by increased production in cement, refinery products, coal, steel, fertilisers, and electricity, while crude oil and natural gas saw a decline.
• Cement production witnessed the highest growth, surging by 14.5 per cent compared to January 2024.
• Refinery Industries expanded by 8.3 per cent.
• Coal production increased by 4.6 per cent, while steel and fertilisers rose by 3.7 per cent and 3.0 per cent, respectively. Electricity generation posted a modest 1.3 per cent rise.
• The cumulative growth rate of the ICI for April 2024 to January 2025 stood at 4.4 per cent, reflecting steady expansion in India’s industrial sector.

The government on Friday( 28 February) said it has achieved the target of establishing 10,000 farmer producer organisations (FPOs) under a flagship central scheme.

• The 10,000th FPO, registered in Khagaria district in Bihar, focuses on maize, banana and paddy and was launched recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The central scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs" was launched on February 29th 2020 with a budget outlay of Rs 6,865 crore till 2027-28.
•  This achievement not only boosts agricultural productivity and income but also contributes to rural job creation and economic resilience.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted a license to the newly developed Datia airport as a public aerodrome under the 3C/VFR category.

With this Madhya Pradesh has become the state with its 8th operational airport, following this approval of Datia Airport by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

• An announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav , stating that Madhya Pradesh received yet another gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Chief Minister Yadav also informed that Datia and Satna airports will be formally inaugurated soon.
• It is expected that both these new airports are likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Bhopal to inaugurate the two-day Global Investors Summit on February 24.
• The Datia airport, spanning nearly 184 acres, will serve about 7.8 lakh population in Datia district and neighbouring areas, including Morena and Shivpuri of Madhya Pradesh.

Retail inflation for farm and rural workers eased slightly to 4.61 per cent and 4.73 per cent, respectively, in January from 5.01 per cent and 5.05 per cent in December 2024, showed the government data released on Monday( 24 February).

• The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) decreased by 4 points and 3 points, respectively, for the month of January 2025, reaching 1,316 and 1,328 points, the labour ministry said in a statement.
• According to the statement, the CPI-AL and CPI-RL stood at 1,320 points and 1,331 points, respectively in December 2024.
• The food index for CPI-AL decreased from 1,262 points in December to 1,255 points in January this year.
• Similarly, food index for CPI-RL declined from 1,269 points in December to 1,261 points in January.

Denmark has announced its Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) initiative in a bid to boost collaborative efforts between the two countries in the sustainable energy solutions sector and advance their joint global goal towards carbon neutrality.

GTAI is a key initiative under the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) signed in 2020, aiming to support India and Denmark in achieving their climate goals.

The alliance is inspired by the success of Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) and Wind Alliance India (WAI).

Key Features

• Several major Danish companies are joining GTAI as members, including Grundfos, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Better, Novonesis, MASH Makes, Rockwool, and A.P. Møller-Mærsk.
• Strategic partners include the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Indo-Danish Chamber of Commerce (IDCC), Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Energy Consortium.
• This announcement comes at a time when India is accelerating its efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, while Denmark aims to reach net-zero by 2045.

United States President Donald Trump announced his plans to sell ‘Gold Card’ residency permits, offering immigrants a pathway to American citizenship. He suggested that the Gold Card could replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa programme in the coming months.

• The EB-5 visa is currently one of the clearest routes to permanent US residency, which enables a foreigner to secure a Green Card by investing in US companies. 
• The EB-5 visa programme emerged as a favourable option for a large number of Indians, especially H-1B visa holders.
• The Trump government plans to introduce the Gold Card as an alternative to the EB-5 visa. Let's see how it will impact Indians.

India has sent a consignment of medical supplies & disaster relief material to Honduras in the wake of the recent Tropical Storm Sara. India has reaffirmed its commitment to the Global South by sending humanitarian assistance to Honduras in the wake of the recent Tropical Storm Sara.

• The 26-ton consignment to the Latin American nation comprises medical and surgical supplies in addition to blankets and sleeping mats.
• The consignment, sent on January 18, 2025, included life-saving and essential medicines including insulin, blood glucose monitors and strips, human albumin, ORS.
• India also extended assistance of USD 500,000 on January 2, 2025 to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake near the coast in the South Pacific Ocean caused major destruction and loss of life.

Soviet chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, who was famously defeated at the height of the cold war, has died at 88, the Russian Chess Federation has announced.

• Spassky is best remembered for his duel with US player Bobby Fischer in 1972, which was emblematic of the confrontation between east and west, and was later referred to as “the match of the century”.
• The iconic Cold War duel has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries and films.
• Most notably it inspired the Walter Tevis novel “The Queen’s Gambit,” which was adapted into the acclaimed Netflix series in 2020.
• Spassky became world champion in 1969 and held the title until he played the match that would define his career, facing the eccentric American prodigy.

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, officials confirmed on Friday( 28 february).

• Authorities believe the couple may have died nine days before their bodies were discovered.
• Police discovered Hackman in the kitchen, while Arakawa and their dog were found in a bathroom, where an open prescription bottle and scattered pills were present.
• Authorities have ordered a toxicology analysis on the medications, though results could take three months or longer.

Legendary Journey of Gene Hackman

Hackman's most popular role was Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II (1980).

He was also known for his performances in The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Scarecrow (1973), The Conversation (1974), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Under Fire (1983), Power (1986), Loose Cannons (1990), The Firm (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Behind Enemy Lines (2001), and Runaway Jury (2003). 

Professor Sabyasachi Kar has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), New Delhi, effective February 6.

• He succeeds Professor Chetan Ghate.
• Kar currently serves as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Chair Professor at IEG and is a member of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (Mospi) Committee on Regional Accounts.
• He has previously held academic roles, including co-editor of the Journal of South Asian Development and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Manchester.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the design of the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati at the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, officials said.

This milestone marks a significant step towards transforming the airport into a world-class aviation hub and a gateway to northeast India.

The NITB is designed to manage 13.1 million passengers per annum (MPPA), making it the first airport terminal of its kind in the northeast region of India.

The terminal is expected to be operational in the last quarter of 2025.

Manohar International Airport (GOX), developed and operated by GMR  Goa International Airport Ltd. (GGIAL) becomes the first airport, ever in India to receive the prestigious “Sarvashrestha Suraksha Puraskar (GOLDEN TROPHY)” at National Safety Council of India (NSCI) Safety Awards 2024 under ‘Service Sector’.

The award was given at a ceremony held in January 2025 at The Lalit, Mumbai.

National Safety Council of India (NSCI) set up by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India (GoI) invited entries from all over the nation to recognize and reward the organisations in various sectors for their exemplary Occupational in Safety & Health (OSH) performance & commitment to reduce workplace injuries, implementations of the best OSH practices and encourage continual improvements.

 Manohar International Airport was evaluated on its safety performance, safety statistics, safety commitments, safety awareness, training & promotional activities and innovations on ground. 

Tuhin Kanta Pandey assumed charge as the 11th chairman of capital markets regulator Sebi on Saturday. Pandey, a career bureaucrat who was serving as the Finance Secretary till now, was appointed chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) by the government.

• He replaces Madhabi Puri Buch, whose three-year tenure ended on Friday. Buch, who is reportedly unwell, was not present when Pandey arrived.
• All four Sebi whole-time members, Ashwani Bhatia, Amarjeet Singh, Ananth Narayan and Kamlesh Varshney, welcomed Pandey at the Sebi headquarters.
• Pandey has been appointed Sebi chairman for three years.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to retain the interest rate on provident fund deposits at 8.25% for 2024-25, sources said. 

• In 2024-25, the retirement body processed 50.8 million claims worth Rs 2.05 lakh crore, up from 44.5 million claims totaling Rs 1.82 lakh crore in 2023-24.
• The 8.25% interest rate for 2023-24 was based on Rs 1.07 lakh crore in income, the highest ever, on a Rs 13 lakh crore principal.
• This was an increase from 8.15% in 2022-23, which was declared on an income of Rs 91,151.66 crore on a Rs 11.02 lakh crore principal.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed a total penalty of Rs.5.05 crore on Indian Clearing Corporation (ICCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of BSE, for alleged violations related to cybersecurity and system audit norms.

• The penalty follows an inspection conducted by the market regulator between December 2022 and July 2023.
• SEBI issued a show-cause notice to ICCL in October 2024, highlighting multiple compliance lapses.
• One of the key findings was that ICCL had submitted a network auditor report to SEBI without incorporating management or board comments.
• The penalty underscores SEBI’s strict stance on cybersecurity compliance and risk management within financial institutions.
• The market regulator has reiterated that clearing corporations must adhere to prescribed norms, ensuring robust cybersecurity frameworks and timely resolution of audit observations.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) organised 10th edition of Financial Literacy Week (FLW) 2025  in Jammu today( 24 February).

• The Reserve Bank has been observing Financial Literacy Week annually since 2016 to enhance awareness on key financial topics among different segments of the population.
• FLW 2025, being observed from February 24-28, 2025, focuses on the theme “Financial Literacy: Women’s Prosperity”, aiming to empower women by improving their financial awareness and decision making capabilities.
• This year’s campaign highlights crucial topics such as risk diversification, responsible borrowing, maintaining a good credit score, and household budgeting. Special attention is being given to homemakers, working women, and women entrepreneurs.

A robotic NASA spacecraft called Lunar Trailblazer, which launched Wednesday( 26 February) night from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is aiming to provide a detailed map from orbit of the abundance, distribution and form of water across the moon.

While its launch went smoothly, things do not appear to be going well for the spacecraft, according to a NASA update.

The 11.5-foot (3.5-meter), 440-pound (200-kilogram) probe was designed to orbit low over the lunar surface to hunt for and map where water might be found in permanently shadowed regions on the moon.

Lunar Trailblazer powered up and began transmitting data after launch, but its operators began noticing power issues and subsequently lost communication with the probe some 12 hours after launch.

Mission operators at Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory were able to reestablish contact with the spacecraft hours later, but are still "working with NASA ground stations to reestablish telemetry and commanding to better assess the power system issues and develop potential solutions," NASA wrote in the update.

American space agency Nasa will launch the ambitious Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (Spherex) telescope on March 1,2025.

• The megaphone-shaped telescope will launch aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 8:39â€ïam on March 1 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
• The observatory will look to answer questions about the origin of the universe while mapping the distribution of galaxies.
• The telescope will provide an all-sky spectral survey over a two-year planned mission.
• The SPHEREx Observatory will collect data on more than 450 million galaxies along with more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way in order to explore the origins of the universe.

Ministry of Labour and Employment and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in collaboration with Global Coalition for Social Justice and International Labour Organization, with the support Confederation of Industry (CII) - Employers Federation of India (EFI) hosted a two-day Regional Dialogue on Social Justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice at Bharat Mandapam from 24-25 February 2025 in New Delhi.

Highlights

• Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the first two-day Regional Dialogue on Social Justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice in New Delhi on 24th February 2025
• Policymakers, academics, and representatives discussed contemporary social justice challenges.
• Discussions focused on inclusivity, economic equity, and opportunities for marginalized communities.
• Current policies were reviewed with strategies to address disparities.
• The need for collaboration between governments, civil society, and international partners was highlighted.
• Actionable recommendations were made for improving access to justice, education, and healthcare.
• The event emphasized India's commitment to social justice with a call for continued engagement.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 League Winners after their 1-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata.

• The Mariners successfully defended their title, becoming the first-ever ISL team to do so.
• With the win, they moved to 52 points, gaining an unassailable lead over second-placed FC Goa, who have 42 points with three games to spare.
• The Jose Molina-coached team sealed this victory on the back of 16 victories and four draws while recording their sixth consecutive clean sheet - the most by a team in the competition.
• After a cagey start, Odisha FC found their first breakthrough into the Mohun Bagan Super Giant defensive third from the inside channel of the right flank.

Virat Kohli has become the fastest batter to reach the milestone of 14,000 ODI  runs, getting there in his 287th innings in the Champions Trophy match against Pakistan in Dubai.

• Kohli began the game against Pakistan 15 runs short of 14,000, and passed the milestone during India's successful chase of 242, leading his team to victory with an unbeaten hundred, his 51st in the format.
• He reached his century by hitting the winning runs, a cover-driven boundary off part-time spinner Khushdil Shah.
• Kohli is only the third batter to score 14,000 runs in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the landmark in 350 innings, and Kumar Sangakkara, who took 378 innings.
• Kohli got to 14,000 in 63 fewer innings than Tendulkar.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has committed a phase-wise capital expenditure of INR 2,500 crore to expand Madhya Pradesh’s renewable energy capacity.

• In line with this, SECI and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a deal for the development of a solar and battery energy storage facilities.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said the deal involves setting up a 200 megawatt (MW) solar project in the city of Dhar and a 1,000 megawatt-hour battery energy storage project in the state
• The 200 MW solar project is part of a 500 MW agreement was executed in 2023 with MP Power Management Company Limited for 25 years under which SECI will supply the electricity to the state. 

The second meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), held in New Delhi on Friday (February 28, 2025), underscored the deepening partnership between India and the European Union in strategic technologies, digital governance, and digital connectivity. 

Highlights

• The meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw
• The discussions emphasized cooperation in digital transformation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital public infrastructure (DPI).
• The two sides agreed to collaborate on AI, semiconductors, High-Performance Computing, and 6G, aiming to enhance economic security while boosting competitiveness.
• Both sides committed to enhancing interoperability while ensuring robust protection of personal data, privacy, and intellectual property rights. 

The IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducted an International roadshow in Dubai on January 23rd, previewing the upcoming Bharat Calling Conference scheduled for February 27th, 2025, at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre.

• Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the conference.
• The Union Minister was the keynote speaker in the conference on the theme ‘Path to Viksit Bharat 2047: Pioneering Prosperity for All’. 
• The conference highlights how India stands at the forefront of global economic growth, offering unparalleled opportunities for investment across diverse sectors.
• A highlight will be the “Explore Bharat Exhibition,” presenting One District One Products from various Indian states to a global audience.

India is set to host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur from March 3 to 5, 2025.

• The event will focus on the theme “Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific.”
• Announced by Union Minister Manohar Lal during a curtain-raiser event at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, the 12th forum is expected to welcome over 500 international and domestic participants.
• The three-day event will feature plenary sessions, country-specific discussions, theme-based roundtables, and networking opportunities. 
• The Forum will also host an international ‘3R trade and technology exhibition’ with participation from over 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and start-ups. 
• The event will conclude with the adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration’ (2025-34), aimed at guiding Asia-Pacific countries in transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy. 

About Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum

The Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum was established by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) in 2009. It serves as a platform to help governments in the Asia-Pacific region integrate 3R and circularity into their policies.

The last Forum was hosted by Cambodia in 2023, while India previously hosted the eighth edition in Indore in 2018.

The Madhya Pradesh Global Investor Summit 2025 (GIS-2025) has drawn strong interest from international investors and delegates, who see immense potential in the state's growing economy.

Highlights

1. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. 
2. Norwegian delegate Erik Gudbrand Solheim highlighted India’s rapid economic progress and Madhya Pradesh’s commitment to sustainability.
3. He pointed to the Omkareshwar floating solar plant in Khandwa, describing it as a major step toward a greener future.
4. CEO of TWE OBT Pvt Ltd, shared that his company is already investing in Bhopal and is excited about the state’s growth plans. He hinted at expanding operations further, encouraged by the government’s vision.

India’s annual wind power capacity addition is projected to more than double to an average of 7.1 gigawatts (GW) over the next two financial years, compared with 3.4 GW in fiscal year 2023-25.

• This growth, driven by government measures to accelerate the sector, is expected to increase the country’s total installed wind capacity to approximately 63 GW by 2026-27, according to a report released recently.
• Capacity additions in financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 remained tepid, ranging between 6-7 GW, due to fewer successful auctions of wind capacities—5.9 GW in FY21-23 and 5.2 GW in FY23-25—according to a Crisil report.
• The slow progress was largely attributed to weak developer interest caused by low tariffs that dampened returns, as well as challenges related to land availability and transmission infrastructure in high wind potential areas, the report noted.

The country’s first ‘bio bank’ in a zoo is up and running at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, better known as Darjeeling Zoo, officials said.

• While a zoo, or zoological park, is often seen as an institute dedicated to exhibiting animals, it serves a much larger purpose — to study animals in captivity and through research and planning, make conservation efforts to aid their survival. 
• The Darjeeling Zoo is no exception, and in India, is the first zoo to have a genetic biobank facility. 
• The zoo serves as a vital hub for research and conservation, housing Himalayan species like the red panda, snow leopard, tahr, goral, and Siberian tigers.