Eminent Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla was on Saturday( 22 March) named the recipient of the 59th Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour. He will be the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the award.

• The 88-year-old short story writer, poet and essayist, considered one of the greatest contemporary writers in the language, is the 12th Hindi writer to receive the award.
• The award carries with it a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh, a bronze statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, and a citation.
• The decision was made during the meeting of the Jnanpith Selection Committee, chaired by eminent storyteller and Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray.

Megastar Chiranjeevi expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm upon receiving the UK's Lifetime Achievement Award, stating that the recognition motivates him to continue his work with even greater vigor.

•  Chiranjeevi made history as the first Indian celebrity to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the British government.
• The award was presented to him at a special ceremony held at the UK Parliament in London on March 19. Chiranjeevi's brother,
• Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, extended his heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment.
• The event, which took place at the House of Commons, was graced by notable dignitaries, including Members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party, such as Navendu Mishra (Stockport), Sojan Joseph, and Bob Blackman.

Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar has been conferred with the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan award. The announcement was made by CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday( 20 March) in the state Legislative Assembly.

• A committee, headed by Fadnavis, to select the name for the award on March 12, unanimously decided on Sutar’s name for the award.
• Sutar designed the Statue of Unity the world’s tallest statue in Gujarat.
• He has also been assigned by the Maharashtra government to make a statue of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar to be installed at Chaityabhoomi.
• Sutar, who turned 100 last month, hails from the Dhule district of Maharashtra.

The Indian Navy and the French Navy will carry out the 23rd edition of their bilateral naval exercise, VARUNA, from March 19 to 22.

• The exercise has been an important part of India-France maritime cooperation since it began in 2001 and reflects the strong naval partnership between the two countries.
• VARUNA 2025 will focus on improving coordination and cooperation between the two navies. The exercise will include various drills and manoeuvres involving underwater, surface, and air operations.
• Key warships and aircraft from both navies will take part, including India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and France’s aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle. Other participants include fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine.
• The exercise will feature advanced air defence drills and fighter jet exercises, including mock air combat between India’s MiG-29K and France’s Rafale-M jets.
• Anti-submarine warfare drills will focus on strengthening underwater surveillance, while surface warfare operations will involve coordinated movements and engagements by ships from both navies.
• Maritime patrol aircraft will assist in improving situational awareness, and replenishment-at-sea exercises will boost logistical cooperation.

The Ministry of Ayush launched the first batch of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme, aiming to build a more accountable, compassionate, and citizen-centric workforce, according to an official statement.

• Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, inaugurated the program, which is part of the broader Capacity Building Commission initiative designed to transform the mindset of Central Government employees toward public service.
• The Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha inaugurated the first batch of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme on 18th March 2025.
• This programme is launched and anchored by Capacity Building Commission - an initiative aimed at transforming the approach of Central Government employees towards public service.
• The Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme serves as a powerful reminder of the larger mission of governance—to bring meaningful change to people’s lives.
• The programme is designed to strengthen the spirit of service, or ‘Seva Bhav’, fostering a workforce that is more accountable.

International Day of Forests (IDF) is celebrated on 21 March 2025 . The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012.

• The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
• On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
• The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. The theme for 2025 is "Forests and Food".
• Millions of people around the world have used it as an opportunity to celebrate all types of forests, recognize the importance of trees and forests, and take action to protect them.
• From cleaning the air we breathe to reducing urban heat, growing nutritious food for wildlife (and people!), reducing stress and more, trees provide many benefits!

National Immunization Day (also called National Vaccination Day) is a nationwide healthcare event, typically observed on the 16th of March every year, intending to encourage the deserved recognition of the policymakers, the healthcare workers, as well as the other stakeholders and their works in conducting several successful vaccination drives.

History of the day

The inception of National Vaccination Day dates back to March 16, 1995, marking a pivotal moment in India's healthcare journey. On this day, the first dose of the oral polio vaccine was administered under the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating polio from the country.

This massive effort led to India being declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2014, underscoring the effectiveness of coordinated vaccination campaigns.

Key takeaways

• National Vaccination Day marks India's dedication to public health
• Started on March 16, 1995, with the Pulse Polio Programme
• India was declared polio-free by WHO in 2014.

Finland is named the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2025 published Thursday ( 20 March 2025).

• Other Nordic countries are also once again at the top of the happiness rankings in the annual report published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
• Besides Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden remain the top four and in the same order.
• United States fell to its lowest ranking (No. 24, one spot below the United Kingdom and two below Germany). 
• India ranked 118th in the World Happiness Report 2025 published Thursday, up from the 126th position in the previous year but below countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, Ukraine and Palestine.

India ranks 24th out of 33 countries on the “Future of Free Speech” index, which measures global support for free speech and identifies which topics people believe should be open for discussion and criticism.

• The report show that while many Indians express belief in the importance of free speech, the country’s legal and political environment does not reflect these sentiments.
• Scandinavian countries – Norway, Denmark, and Sweden – and two democratic nations – Hungary and Venezuela – top the list showing the highest level of support for free speech, Muslim-majority countries and the Global South show the lowest levels of support.
• India ranks 24th on the list with an overall score of 62.63.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in India dropped to $1.4 billion during the first 10 months of the 2024-25 financial year (April 2024-January 2025), a significant decrease from $11.5 billion during the same period last year.

• This decline was primarily due to increased repatriation and outward FDI from India. 
• According to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Gross FDI remained strong, showing a 12.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth, reaching $67.7 billion during April 2024-January 2025, compared to $60.2 billion in the same period of the previous year.
• Repatriation and disinvestment by foreign investors in India rose to $46.1 billion in the 2024-25 period, up from $36.9 billion during April 2023-January 2024.
• Overseas investments by Indian companies, or outward FDI, surged significantly to $20.2 billion in the period from April 2024 to January 2025, up from $11.8 billion in the same period the previous year.

The Union Cabinet approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost growth in the livestock sector.

The revised mission will be implemented as a Central Sector component of the Development Programmes scheme, with an additional outlay of Rs.1,000 crore, bringing the total allocation to Rs.3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Two new activities have been introduced under the revised RGM.

1. The first is a one-time assistance of 35 percent of the capital cost for the establishment of Heifer Rearing Centres, which will help in creating 30 housing facilities with a total of 15,000 heifers.
2. The second initiative aims to encourage farmers to purchase High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF heifers by providing a 3 percent interest subvention on loans taken from milk unions, financial institutions, or banks for such purchases.  This will facilitate the systematic induction of high-yielding breeds.

Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday formally launched the ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam' scheme with a budget of 6,000 crore, aimed at providing self-employment opportunities to 5 lakh unemployed youth across the state.

• The scheme is mainly expected to benefit the youth from SC, ST, BC, and minority communities. Under the scheme, financial assistance between 50,000 and 4 lakh will be provided.
• The beneficiaries list will be announced on June 2, coinciding with Telangana Formation Day celebrations. 
• The scheme is expected to generate employment opportunities for 4,000 to 5,000 people in each of the 119 assembly constituencies.
• The govt allocated 6,000 crore for the initiative.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday( 17 March, 2025) launched a new mobile application for candidates to access the Pradhan Mantri Internship Scheme (PMIS) and urged the industry to participate in the programme.

• Sitharaman said the scheme helps youth, especially in Tier-II and -III cities, to better understand the job market, and the industry can contribute to the country and the economy by participating in the scheme.
•  The second pilot round of the PMIS is underway and the FM said 325 companies have put up nearly 118,000 internship opportunities.
• The scheme has covered all 735 districts of the country.

Salient features of the Scheme are:

• 12-month paid internships in top companies of India.
• This scheme provides an opportunity to the youth to get training, and gain experience and skills within the real-life environment (at least six months) of the businesses or organizations that help in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, in turn, assisting enhancement of her/his employability.
• The scheme targets individuals aged 21 to 24 who are currently not enrolled in any full-time academic program or not in full-time employment, offering them a unique chance to kick-start their careers.
• Each intern will be supported with monthly financial assistance of Rs.5,000, supplemented by one-time financial assistance of Rs. 6,000.

Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan on Friday inaugurated Bharat Petroleum Corporation’s floating solar power plant at the Kochi Refinery.

The 3.2MW AC floating solar plant has been set up in the rainwater harvesting pond and covers eight acres of the waterbody, which has a total area of around 19 acres, according to a release.

The plant has been set up at a cost of Rs.28.93 crore.

Ms. Muraleedharan also visited the 150 TPD municipal solid waste to compressed bio gas (CBG) plant being set up by BPCL near the Brahmapuram waste dumping yard of the Kochi Corporation and reviewed its progress

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a new Brownfield ammonia-urea Complex at Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) in Namrup, Assam.

• The complex will have an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) and will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs.10,601.40 crore.
•  The project will be financed through a joint venture (JV) with a debt-equity ratio of 70:30 under the New Investment Policy, 2012, as amended on October 7, 2014.
• The commissioning of the Namrup-IV Project is expected to be completed in four years.  

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Groups’ holding firm Tata Sons’ proposed acquisition of an additional 10% stake in the over-the-top (OTT) services platform Tata Play from Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings.

• It is pertinent to note that Baytree Investments (Mauritius) is an affiliate of Temasek.
• Tata Play (erstwhile Tata Sky) is the group’s digital content distribution arm. It offers  OTT and direct-to-home services to its customers.
• The development comes almost a month after Tata Sons reportedly sought approval from CCI for acquiring additional stakes in Tata Play.
• At that time, Tata Sons owned 70% stake in the OTT services provider after it bought an additional 10% stake in the company from Teamsek Holdings for INR 835 Cr in April 2024.
• The remaining 30% stake lies with the global entertainment brand Walt Disney.

Intel Corporation announced that its board of directors has appointed Lip-Bu Tan, an accomplished technology leader with deep semiconductor industry experience, as chief executive officer, effective March 18. 

• He succeeds Interim Co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle (MJ) Johnston Holthaus.
• Tan will also rejoin the Intel board of directors after stepping down from the board in August 2024.
• Zinsner will remain executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Johnston Holthaus will remain CEO of Intel Products. Frank D.
• Yeary, who took on the role of interim executive chair of the board during the search for a new CEO, will revert to being the independent chair of the board upon Tan becoming CEO.

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) has appointed Dr. Lakshmi Venu as its Vice Chairman. Dr. Lakshmi, who has been serving as a Director at TAFE, brings experience in the farm mechanisation and auto component sectors.  

• Dr. Lakshmi has been recognised as one of Business Today’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2023 and received the Economic Times “Young Leaders - 40 under 40” recognition.
• She is also the Managing Director of Sundaram-Clayton Ltd., an automotive component manufacturer.
• She holds a degree from Yale University and a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the University of Warwick, UK.

Infosys McCamish Systems has agreed to pay US$17.5 million ($27.6 million) into a fund to settle all the pending class action lawsuits and resolve all allegations made in the incident.

In November 2023, Infosys had disclosed that Infosys McCamish Systems was impacted by a cyber security event, resulting in the non-availability of certain applications and systems.

In April last year, Infosys said McCamish, in coordination with its third-party vendor eDiscovery, identified up to 6.5 million individuals whose information was subject to unauthorised access and data exfiltration in the incident.

Stuart Young was sworn in as the new prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago at the President's House, succeeding Keith Rowley, who had previously resigned.

• Young took the oath of office in the presence of President Christine Kangaloo. He pledged to work toward building a safer nation and called on all citizens to unite in facing challenges.
• His first initiative after assuming office will be a Cabinet reshuffle.
• Young, 50, previously served as minister of energy and energy industries, and minister in the Office of the Prime Minister. Like Rowley, he is a member of the People's National Movement (PNM).

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is on a two-and-a-half-day visit to India as part of a multi-nation tour, marking the first high-level trip by a top official from the Donald Trump administration. 

• Gabbard arrived in New Delhi early Sunday( 16 March 2025) and has since engaged in a series of crucial discussions with Indian officials, focusing on intelligence cooperation, cybersecurity, and defence ties.
• During her stay, Gabbard has participated in multiple high-profile meetings and conferences aimed at strengthening bilateral security collaboration.
• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval  also held a meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, America’s Director of National Intelligence in New Delhi. 
• According to sources, the two leaders had a detailed discussion on several facets of Indo-US relations. Tulsi Gabbard is visiting India as a part of her multi-nation visit. 

India and New Zealand have decided to start detailed negotiations on a mutually beneficial free trade agreement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday( 17 March 2025) after talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.

• The FTA was stalled in 2015 following their failure to narrow differences in sensitive areas including dairy and agriculture.
• India and New Zealand began negotiating the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in April 2010 to boost trade in goods, services, and investment but the talks stalled after nine rounds of discussions.
• The ninth round of negotiation was held in 2013.
• The two nations had already announced the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand FTA on the eve of the bilateral meeting between Modi and Luxon.

Online travel ticket booking platform Goibibo has appointed famous Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant as its new brand ambassador, unveiling a campaign that also features cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar.

• The campaign brings a playful twist to one of Gavaskar's iconic commentary phrases as it showcases travel deals and encourages viewers to plan their next trip with ease.
• Goibibo has been creating fun advertisements that appeal to a wide range of travellers, and the new promotion continues that trend. 
• The campaign adds a fun spin on Sunil Gavaskar's phrase, ‘Stupid, Stupid, Stupid’ during commentary, to guide customers in their travel and stay plans.

Anuj Kumar Singh (IRSEE) has been appointed as Joint Secretary (Director level) in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Delhi.

The appointment has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of five years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.

Singh is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer from the 2009 batch.

His selection for Central deputation was recommended by the Ministry of Railways.

Following his appointment, he has been directed to assume his new role at UPSC with immediate effect.

Boxing champion George Foreman, the former two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. 

• Known for his devastating power inside the ring and his larger-than-life personality outside of it, Foreman’s impact stretched far beyond boxing. 
• He was a preacher, an entrepreneur, and a beloved figure who inspired generations. 
• His family confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, and tributes from the boxing world and beyond have poured in, honoring the man who stood as a pillar of the sport.

Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, has been appointed as the Chairperson of NIIT University. The appointment is effective from March 10, 2025. With this, Kant succeeds renowned scientist K Kasturirangan in the role.

Kant brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at NITI Aayog (2016–2022), where he spearheaded key initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission, the Aspirational Districts Programme, and the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence.

He also played a pivotal role in the launch of flagship programs like Make in India, Startup India, and Ease of Doing Business reforms.

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana was named the official Fit India Icon by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the Fit India Movement’s inaugural ceremony in New Delhi. 

• The event was held on Sunday( 16 March 2025) in the national capital. 
• Fit India Movement, which aims to make fitness an integral part of daily life in India and to promote physical fitness as a fundamental aspect of our everyday lifestyle.
• Ayushmaan, known for his impactful roles and strong fan following among the youth, is determined to inspire millions of Indians to embrace fitness with enthusiasm and dedication, encouraging people from all walks of life to prioritise their health and well-being.

Veteran Tamil actor Bindu Ghosh died on Sunday (16  at a Chennai hospital. Her family members confirmed to India Today that her funeral will take place on Monday( 17 March).

• She was 76. She was known for her comic roles in many films.
• She was undergoing treatment at the hospital.

About Bindu Ghosh 

Bindu is known for her comedy roles. She has appeared in several films alongside Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Prabhu, Vijayakanth, Goundamani, Senthil, and many others. Bindu made her debut with Kalathur Kannamma, which was also Kamal Haasan's first film. Her well-known films include Kozhi Koovuthu, Komberi Mookan, Mangamma Sabatham, Soorakottai Singakutti, Osai, and Dowry Kalyanam.

Renowned poet and Padma Bhushan awardee Ramakanta Rath, who was also a former bureaucrat, passed away at his residence in Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar on Sunday( 16 March 2025), marking the end of an era in Odia literature.

He was 91.

Rath’s contributions left an indelible mark on Indian literature.

About Ramakanta Rath 

Born on December 13, 1934, in Cuttack, Rath pursued his master’s degree in English Literature from Ravenshaw University. Despite a distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which he joined in 1957, his passion for literature remained undeterred. Before retiring in 1992, he held several key positions, including Chief Secretary of Odisha.

Dr. Shivkumar assumes charge of the CEO of Anusandhan National Research Foundation(ANRF) which aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

• He took charge from the Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Abhay Karandikar who was acting as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• Dr. Shivkumar who earlier held the post of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Energy Industry, Asia at Microsoft is a Distinguished Alumnus Awardee of IIT Madras & Ohio State University (2021).
• He is also a Fellow of the IEEE (2010), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (2015), ACM Distinguished Scientist (2010), Microsoft Gold Club (2024) and Technology Review TR100 young innovator (1999).

The Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP) in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, has been included in UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites under the Natural Heritage category.

• This marks the first time a site from Chhattisgarh has achieved such recognition.
• Located in the Bastar district, the 200-square-kilometer park is renowned for its lush green valleys, deep ravines, and enchanting waterfalls like the 150-foot-high Tirathgarh Falls.
• The Kanger River, with its pristine waters and unique rocky formations, adds to the park’s allure.
• The park’s rich biodiversity includes over 15 limestone caves such as Kotamsar, Kailash, and Dandak, which are geological wonders with archaeological significance.
• It is home to rare species like otters, mouse deer, giant squirrels, and the Lethis softshell turtle, alongside wild wolves. Bird enthusiasts can observe over 200 bird species, and the park boasts a diverse flora with more than 900 plant species.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth earlier this week after spending over nine months in space - after what was supposed to be an eight-day ISS (International Space Station) mission.

• Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore spent a total of 286 days in space.
• Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore, who had been at the ISS since June 5 last year, were flown back to Earth early Wednesday( 19 March 2025) in SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.
• They splashed down Florida's eastern coast and disembarked the capsule on stretchers - as is customary.
• Visuals of the astronauts smiling and waving from inside the capsule and on the stretchers were beamed live worldwide.
• Not just their families, but the astronauts' return was celebrated across the world.

Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a new research centre at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) today (17th March 2025).

• The ‘Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research’ will Support ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Initiatives, promoting self-reliance in advanced space technologies and attract Global Talent and Research Funding.
• This will position India as a leader in thermal sciences research for space applications.
• This state-of-the-art research facility, housed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will focus on critical advancements in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management-a key area for India's expanding space ambitions.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025. It is a six month programme from the telecom department that is aimed at developing innovative prototypes leveragin 5G tech.

• During this three-month period fr0m June 15 to September 15, each selected team will receive a seed fund of Rs 1,00,000 to develop their prototypes.
• Final evaluations will take place in late September 2025, with winners announced on October 1. The Technical Expert Evaluation Committee, comprising experts fr0m government, academia, and industry, will assess projects based on technical execution, scalability, societal impact, and innovation.
• The hackathon offers substantial rewards for winners, including Rs 5,00,000 for first place, Rs 3,00,000 for the runner-up, and Rs 1,50,000 for the second runner-up.
• Special recognition will also be given for the Best Idea and Most Innovative Prototype, each receiving Rs 50,000.

ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh have jointly developed 32-bit Microprocessors - Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201 - for space applications, the space agency has said.

• Vikram 3201 is the first fully Indian-made 32-bit microprocessor qualified for use in the harsh environmental conditions of launch vehicles. The processor was fabricated at the 180nm (nanometer) CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) semiconductor fab of SCL.
• This processor is an advanced version of the indigenously designed 16-bit Vikram 1601 microprocessor, which has been operating in the avionics system of ISRO's launch vehicles since 2009.
• A "Make-in-India" version of the Vikram 1601 processor was subsequently inducted in 2016 after the 180nm semiconductor fab was established at SCL, the statement said.
• Kalpana 3201 is a 32-bit SPARC V8 (Scalable Processor ARChitecture, version 8) RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) microprocessor and is based on the IEEE 1754 Instruction Set Architecture.

Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday and became the first woman and first African to get perhaps the biggest job in world sports.

• It was a stunning first-round win for Coventry in the seven-candidate contest after voting by 97 IOC members.
• The 41-year-old Coventry gets an eight-year mandate into 2033 with a likely early test in meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Coventry’s win also was a victory for outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach, who has long been seen as promoting her as his successor. He did not use his right to vote.

The BCCI has announced a cash reward of Rs 58 Crore for Team India after its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, recognizing the efforts of players, coaching staff, and selectors.

• India dominated the tournament with four convincing wins.
• It defeated Bangladesh and Pakistan by six wickets each, secured a 44-run victory over New Zealand, and overcame Australia by four wickets in the semifinal before winning the final against New Zealand.
• India has won 23 of its last 24 completed matches in ICC men’s limited-overs tournaments.
• Rohit Sharma, who has guided India to consecutive ICC titles, holds an outstanding record of 27 wins and just three losses in ICC limited-overs tournaments.

The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 is set to begin on March 17 to March 23  in the UK for the first time.

• This tournament will see top kabaddi teams compete across the West Midlands, with matches in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
• 16 men’s teams and eight women’s teams, including England, Scotland and Wales, are going for glory as it takes place in the West Midlands.
• There will be action on each day of the tournament, with game start times varying from 9am until 6pm.
• The women’s final takes place on Sunday, March 23 at 1:45pm while the men’s final follows at 3:30pm on the same day. 
• Kabbadi is a sport that is widely played in India and Pakistan, while it is the national sport of Bangladesh and features as part of the Asian Games.

Veteran South African batter Faf du Plessis has been named the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

• The franchise announced the appointment via its social media handles on Monday ( 17 March 2025).
• The Delhi-based team secured du Plessis at his base price of Rs 2 crore during last year's mega auction in Jeddah, after he was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the auction.
• Axar Patel has been appointed Delhi Capitals’ captain for IPL 2025.
• Having been with the franchise since 2019, he was their top retention pick for Rs 16.50 crore ahead of the mega auction last November. 
• Delhi Capitals (DC) will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 24 (Monday) at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. 

Mumbai Indians won its second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals by eight runs in the final at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday ( 16 March 2025).

• Sharp performance from their bowlers and a solid knock from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur helped them beat Delhi Capitals by eight runs.
• The champions also fended off a valiant effort by Marizanne Kapp (40) in the second innings to secure a victory in the final over of the match at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai.
• This is Mumbai's 2nd title on the night
•  In 2023, Mumbai beat Delhi Capitals in the final of the Women's Premier League to clinch the title in the inaugural season of the women's domestic league. 

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, with funding from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has launched the 'Watan Ko Jano' programme to promote national integration. 

• This initiative exposes children under 18 from government-run homes to the cultural, historical, and technological advancements of other regions in the country.
• The programme has been effective in fostering unity among India's youth and contributing to a more inclusive society. ?
• Amit Shah
• In addition, the government is implementing various vocational training and skill development programmes, notably Mission Youth and Mission Yuva. 
• These missions aim to empower and enhance the skills of the region's youth, equipping them with the necessary tools and opportunities to excel in various sectors. 
• Under Mission Youth, over 4,290 youth clubs have been established since 2021, engaging more than 2 lakh youth in activities that promote socio-economic development and community participation. ?
• Rising Kashmir
• Collectively, these initiatives aim to empower the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, fostering their active participation in the nation's socio-economic development.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, with funding from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has launched the 'Watan Ko Jano' programme to promote national integration. 

• This initiative exposes children under 18 from government-run homes to the cultural, historical, and technological advancements of other regions in the country.
• The programme has been effective in fostering unity among India's youth and contributing to a more inclusive society.
• The government is also implementing various vocational training and skill development programmes, notably Mission Youth and Mission Yuva. 
• These missions aim to empower and enhance the skills of the region's youth, equipping them with the necessary tools and opportunities to excel in various sectors. 
• Under Mission Youth, over 4,290 youth clubs have been established since 2021, engaging more than 2 lakh youth in activities that promote socio-economic development and community participation. 

Delhi Police has formed district-wise dedicated anti-eve-teasing squads (Shistachar squads) across the national capital to check incidents of harassment and ensure the safety of women in public spaces.

• According to the police, they have been implementing multiple initiatives to curb crimes against women, including eve teasing, molestation, and other forms of harassment with the objective of fostering a safer public environment.
• Each district will form at least two squads, which will be supervised by the ACP Crime Against Women cell of the concerned district.
• According to a circular by the Delhi Police Commissioner, each squad will comprise an inspector, a sub-inspector, four female officers, five male officers and one personnel from special staff from the anti-auto theft squad for technical assistance.
• They will be provided with one four-wheeler and adequate two-wheelers to ensure effective patrolling and quick response. 

The Telangana government presented its 2025-26 budget with a total outlay of Rs.3,04,965 crore, allocating Rs.2,26,982 crore for revenue expenditure and Rs.36,504 crore for capital expenditure.

Major Initiatives:

Mega Master Plan 2050: Aimed at industrial development, this plan includes establishing greenfield industrial clusters in Ranga Reddy and Mahbubnagar districts. 
HICITI Project: To reduce urban congestion, Rs.7,032 crore is allocated for constructing 31 flyovers and 17 underpasses under the Hyderabad Integrated Connectivity and Infrastructure Transformation Initiative. 
Sectoral Allocations:

Agriculture: Rs. 24,439 crore

Rural Development: Rs. 31,605 crore

Education: Rs. 23,108 crore

Health: Rs. 12,393 crore

Energy: Rs. 21,221 crore

Welfare of Scheduled Castes: Rs. 40,232 crore

Welfare of Scheduled Tribes: Rs. 17,169 crore

Poll Guarantees and Welfare Schemes:

Mahalakshmi Scheme: Provides Rs. 2,500 per month, a gas cylinder at Rs. 500, and free travel in state-run RTC buses for women.?

Rythu Bharosa: Offers Rs. 15,000 per acre to farmers and tenant farmers.

Gruha Jyothi: Ensures 200 units of free electricity for all households.

Indiramma Indlu: Provides house sites and Rs. 5 lakh for the homeless.

Yuva Vikasam: Offers Rs. 5 lakh in assistance to students.

Cheyutha: Provides social security pensions of Rs. 4,000 per month.

Over Rs. 56,000 crore has been allocated to implement these six poll guarantees.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will host the third Central Asian Youth Delegation to India from March 22 to 28, as part of the International Youth Exchange Programme (IYEP). 

• This initiative aims to foster youth collaboration, promote cultural exchange, and strengthen diplomatic ties between India and the five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• The delegation, consisting of 100 members, will engage in a variety of activities that include exploring India’s rich historical, educational, and cultural landmarks. T
• he participants will also have opportunities to interact with local youth leaders and key stakeholders, further building bridges between the nations.
• During their visit, the delegation will be immersed in India’s cultural and heritage legacy with visits to iconic sites like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and various heritage landmarks in Goa. 
• These experiences will provide them with a deeper understanding of India’s architectural grandeur and historical significance.
• The delegation will also engage in academic and economic exchanges, interacting with students and faculty at IIT Delhi, one of India’s premier institutions, and visiting the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and the Goa Institute of Management.
• These interactions are aimed at showcasing India’s advancements in technology, research, and entrepreneurship, providing delegates with valuable insights into India’s growing role in the global economy.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel inaugurated the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre.

• The event, jointly organised by the Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) and the Central TB Division (CTD) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, aims to accelerate India’s efforts to eliminate TB by 2025.
• Anupriya Patel highlighted India’s significant progress in TB control and the critical role of innovation in achieving this goal.
• Patel outlined the achievements of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), noting that the number of missing TB cases had reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakh in 2023.
• The programme recorded 25.5 lakh TB cases in 2023 and 26.07 lakh in 2024, the highest number of notified cases ever.
• Citing the World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2024, she stated that TB incidence in India has declined by 17.7 per cent, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh in 2023, while TB-related deaths have fallen by 21.4 per cent, from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 22 per lakh in 2023.
• TB treatment coverage has increased significantly, rising from 53 per cent in 2015 to 85 per cent in 2023.

The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.

1. The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be held from 17-19 March, 2025 at New Delhi.

2. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dialogue on 17 March. Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, and deliver the keynote address.

3. The 10th Raisina Dialogue will witness participation of representatives from about 125 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of Industry, Technology Leaders, Academics, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth.

4. The theme of the 2025 edition is "Kalachakra - People, Peace and Planet”.

5. Over the course of three days, decision makers and thought leaders of the world will engage each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars:

(i) Politics Interrupted: Shifting Sands and Rising Tides;

(ii) Resolving the Green Trilemma: Who, Where, & How;

(iii) Digital Planet: Agents, Agencies and Absences;

(iv) Militant Mercantilism: Trade, Supply Chains & the Exchange Rate Addiction;

(v) The Tiger’s Tale: Rewriting Development with a New Plan; and (vi) Investing in Peace: Drivers, Institutions, & Leadership.

6. Over 3500 participants from about 125 countries will be joining the Dialogue in-person, and the proceedings will be viewed by millions across the world on various digital platforms.

The 353rd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 10 to March 20, 2025.

Key highlights

• The Indian delegation was led by Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• Indian delegation made several interventions on key issues, showcasing India's achievements, learnings and perspectives to advance the shared agenda of promoting labour welfare, social justice and quality employment generation globally.
• India extended its support to ILO on the organization of the UN led Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar later this year, as it aims at reinforcing the social dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Social Development. 
• India's inspiring progress in promoting social justice and development was highlighted, as India has doubled its social protection coverage to 48.8 percent, increasing the average global social protection coverage by over 5 percent.

Context: The Supreme Court decided to examine a plea challenging the sole prerogative of the Centre, acting through the President, to appoint the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Background:

• The petitioner, Centre for Public Interest Litigation, referred to recent “deviations” in the CAG’s work, including reports on the “pause” in Maharashtra audits, a steady decline on audits on the Union government, the shelving of the performance audit on ‘debt sustainability’, allegations of corruption in recruitment to several vacancies in the CAG, among others.

Key points

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the supreme audit authority of the country.
• CAG acts as the guardian of public finances and ensures transparency in government spending.
• It is an independent constitutional authority, established under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution.
• Appointment & Tenure
  • Appointed by the President of India.
  • Holds office for 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
  • Removal process similar to that of a Supreme Court judge (cannot be removed except on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity, requiring a special majority in Parliament).

The CAG performs the following key functions:

• Auditing
  • Audit of Union Government: Examines the accounts of the central government.
  • Audit of State Governments: Audits the accounts of state governments.
  • Audit of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs): Reviews the finances of government-owned companies.
  • Audit of Autonomous Bodies: Checks the accounts of bodies funded by the government.
• Types of Audits Conducted
  • Financial Audit: Ensures the accuracy of financial statements.
  • Compliance Audit: Verifies whether expenditures comply with laws and regulations.
  • Performance Audit: Assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs.
  • Propriety Audit: Examines the legality and propriety of expenditures.
• Reporting – Submits audit reports to the President of India (for central government) and Governors (for state governments). These reports are then laid before Parliament and State Legislatures for discussion.

Independence of the CAG

• The CAG is an independent constitutional authority and is not subject to control by the executive or legislature.
• The salary and expenses of the CAG are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India, ensuring financial independence.
• The CAG can be removed only through a process of impeachment, similar to a Supreme Court Judge.

Source: The Hindu

Context: Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) has challenged the government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) to moderate and order the removal of content on social media.

Background: –

• X has asked the court to direct the government that orders to block content can only be issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, and not by invoking Section 79(3)(b) of the Act. 

Key takeaways

• In Shreya Singhal v Union of India (2015), the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act which criminally punished, among other things, sending false information “for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience”. SC said the provision was vague, giving the government unchecked powers to restrict the freedom of speech.
• After this decision, Section 69A of the IT Act became the primary law governing the matter. This section allows the Centre to issue orders blocking “any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource”, but unlike 66A, it contains safeguards against misuse.
• For blocking content under Section 69A, the Centre must deem it “necessary”. This “necessity”, however, is only justifiable under grounds provided in Article 19(2) of the Constitution which “imposes reasonable restrictions” on the freedom of speech “in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with Foreign States, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence”.
• The Centre must record its reasons in the blocking order so that it can be challenged in court.

Govt’s use of Section 79

• The SC in Shreya Singhal also clarified the application of another provision — Section 79 of the IT Act. The provision is a “safe harbour” measure that exempts an “intermediary” (such as X) from liability for information published on the platform by a “third party”, that is, users of the platform.
• But Section 79(3)(b) states that the intermediary could be held liable if it does not immediately remove such unlawful information “upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being notified by the appropriate Government or its agency”.
• The apex court limited the scope of this provision, ruling that the requirement under Section 79(3)(b) will only kick in once a court order has been passed to that effect, or the government issues a notification stating that the content in question is related to grounds provided in Article 19(2).
• But in 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a directive to all ministries, state governments, and the police saying that information blocking orders could be issued under Section 79(3)(b). A year later in 2024, MeitY launched a portal called “Sahyog” where the aforementioned authorities could issue and upload blocking orders.
• X’s challenge argues that MeitY’s orders are an attempt to “bypass the multiple procedural safeguards” provided under Section 69A. The petition relies upon the SC’s ruling in Shreya Singhal, and says that content can only be censored though the process given under Section 69A or through a court order.

Source: Indian Express

Context: After meeting on March 20, the Supreme Court collegium unanimously decided to transfer Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad High Court, where he originally came from.

Background:

• This came after a large sum of cash was allegedly recovered from Justice Varma’s residence after a fire.

About Collegium

• It is the system by which judges of the higher judiciary in India — the Supreme Court and High Courts — are appointed and transferred. 
• Although not rooted in the Constitution or any specific law, it has evolved over the years through judgments of the apex court popularly known as the the “Judges Cases”.
• The Supreme Court collegium is a five-member body headed by the incumbent Chief Justice of India (CJI), and comprising the four other senior most judges at that time. High Court collegiums are led by the incumbent Chief Justice and the two other senior most judges of that court.

How does the collegium system work?

• The SC collegium recommends the names of judges to be appointed to the apex court. So do HC collegiums (for their respective High Courts), although their recommendations must be approved by the SC collegium.
• These recommendations reach the government, whose role in the process is limited to conducting an Intelligence Bureau (IB) inquiry into the persons recommended. While the government can raise objections and seek clarifications regarding the collegium’s choices, it is bound under Constitution Bench judgments to approve the names if the collegium reiterates the same.

Why has the system been criticised?

• Critics have pointed out that the system is non-transparent, since it does not involve any official mechanism or secretariat. It is seen as a closed-door affair with no prescribed norms regarding eligibility criteria, or even the selection procedure.
• There is no public knowledge of how and when a collegium meets, and how it takes its decisions as there are no official minutes of collegium proceedings.

Have any alternatives been suggested?

• The Justice M N Venkatachaliah Commission, appointed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000, recommended the creation of a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) to replace the collegium. This would comprise the CJI and the two seniormost SC judges, the Union Law Minister, and an eminent person to be chosen by the President in consultation with the CJI.
• While the Narendra Modi government cleared the NJAC Bill in 2014, it was struck down by the SC within a year as unconstitutional.

Source: Indian Express

Context: Two satellite photos taken 33 years apart show the disappearance of Okjökull glacier in Iceland that was the first ice mass to be declared dead as a result of human-caused climate change.

Background: –

• Because of inconsistent monitoring and debates about the true sizes of glaciers, it is unclear exactly how many glaciers have been lost due to climate change, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Key Points

• Okjökull, often referred to as “Ok Glacier,” was a glacier located atop the Ok volcano in western Iceland. 
• In the late 19th century, it spanned approximately 16 square kilometers. However, due to rising global temperatures, it experienced significant shrinkage over the 20th century. By 2012, its area had diminished to merely 0.7 square kilometers.
• In 2014, glaciologists declared Okjökull “dead,” as it no longer possessed the characteristics essential for a glacier, notably the ability to move under its own weight. This marked the first instance in Iceland where a glacier lost its status due to climate change.

Additional Information

• In 2023, Iceland created the world’s first iceberg graveyard, where ice-like headstones were constructed for the 15 major glaciers listed on the Global Glacier Casualty List, all of which are either dead or critically endangered, according to the United Nations.
• The Global Glacier Casualty List (GGCL) is a comprehensive initiative aimed at documenting glaciers worldwide that have disappeared or are critically endangered due to climate change. 
• Established in 2024 through a collaboration between Rice University, the University of Iceland, the Iceland Glaciological Society, the World Glacier Monitoring Service, and UNESCO, the GGCL seeks to preserve the names and stories of these glaciers, highlighting their cultural, economic, and environmental significance.

Source: Live Science

Context: The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025, paving the way for SC sub-categorisation in reservation.

Background: –

• This legislation follows a Supreme Court verdict supporting SC sub-categorization and affirming states’ rights to enact necessary legislation in this regard.

Key Points

• As per the Bill, the Scheduled Castes will be divided into three categories – Group I will get 1% reservation within the 15% quota for SCs; Group II will get 9% reservation; and Group III will get 5% reservation.
• The Bill has divided 59 SC communities in the state into three groups for implementation of the 15 percent reservation for SCs. It provided one per cent reservation to 15 SC communities categorised as most socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged/overlooked which formed 3.288 percent of the total SC population in the state.
• Group-II, with 18 communities and comprising 62.748 per cent of the SC population, will be provided 9 per cent reservation and the third category comprising 26 significantly benefitted scheduled castes forming 33.963 per cent of the SC population will be given 5 per cent reservation.

Additional Information

• In 1975, the Punjab issued a notification dividing its 25% SC reservation at that time into two categories. In the first category, seats were reserved solely for the Balmiki and Mazhbi Sikh communities, which were the most backward communities in the state. As a result, they were to be given first preference for any reservations in education and public employment.
• The second category consisted of the rest of the SC communities, which didn’t get this preferential treatment. It was one of the first instances of existing reservations being ‘sub-classified’ by a state to provide benefits to certain communities beyond what was already being offered to scheduled caste communities as a whole.
• While the notification remained in force for nearly 30 years, it ran into legal hurdles when in 2004, a five-judge constitution bench struck down a similar law introduced by Andhra Pradesh in 2000. 
• In ‘E.V. Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh’, the Supreme Court struck down the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2000 for being violative of the right to equality. The law contained an expansive list of scheduled caste communities identified in the state and the quota of reservation benefits provided to each of them.
• On August 1, 2024, In a landmark 6-1 majority ruling, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that Scheduled Castes do not constitute a socially homogeneous class and can be sub-classified by States for the purpose of providing reservation to the less privileged among them.

Source: The News Minute