Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly current affairs pdf.

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March 22 & 23 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

1. What is the theme of World Water Day 2025, and why is it significant?
A) Clean Water for All
B) Sustainable Water Usage
C) Glacier Preservation
D) Protecting Wetlands
E) River Basin Management
Answer: C) Glacier Preservation

Event and Location:

• Event: World Water Day 2025
• Date: March 22, 2025
• Location: Global (Proposed at UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Raise Awareness: Promote conservation of freshwater and glacier ecosystems.
• Support SDG 6: Ensure access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
• Combat Climate Change: Address glacier melting and water scarcity.
• Promote Sustainability: Encourage responsible water usage and protection.

Theme of 2025:

• Theme: Glacier Preservation.
• Focus: Importance of glaciers in freshwater storage, climate regulation, and sustaining rivers.

Key Data and Findings:

• UNESCO: Glaciers hold about 70 percent of global freshwater.
• India (ISRO): 16,627 glaciers, mainly in the Himalayas.
• Glacier-fed Rivers: Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, Yamuna.
• Impact: Melting glaciers affect water supply, agriculture, and monsoons.

Challenges and Solutions:

• Challenges: Climate change, pollution, deforestation, water scarcity.
  Solutions: Climate action, afforestation, glacier monitoring, sustainable water use.

Important Terms Explained:

• Glacier Preservation:
  • Protection of glaciers to ensure water security and climate balance.
• SDG 6:
  • UN goal for universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
• ISRO’s Role:
  • Monitors glaciers in India to assess water and climate impacts.

Tabular Summary:

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2. What is the theme of World Meteorological Day 2025?
A) Weather Ready, Climate Smart
B) Early Warnings Save Lives
C) Climate Knowledge for All
D) Closing the Early Warning Gap Together
E) Global Weather Cooperation
Answer: D) Closing the Early Warning Gap Together

Event and Location:

• Event: World Meteorological Day 2025
• Date: March 23, 2025
• Location: Global

Mandates and Objectives:

• Purpose: To mark the 75th anniversary of WMO’s formation and emphasize global weather cooperation.
• Theme Focus: Promoting early warning systems to reduce the impact of extreme weather events.
• First Observed: 1961
• Organized By: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Significance and Theme:

• Anniversary: Celebrates 75 years of WMO, established in 1950.
• Theme: “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”.
• Relevance: Highlights the importance of timely weather alerts for public safety and economic stability.
• Key Focus Areas: Climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and technological innovations in forecasting.

Importance of Early Warning Systems:

• Protects Lives: Helps evacuate and prepare for disasters.
• Supports Governments: Enables planning for extreme weather events.
• Boosts Economy: Minimizes damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
• Strengthens Resilience: Aids long-term climate adaptation strategies.

India’s Role – IMD:

• Established: 1875
• Key Functions: Weather forecasting, cyclone warnings, seismic monitoring, public awareness, and climate research.

Technology in Meteorology:

• Satellites & Radar: Provide accurate, real-time weather data.
• AI & Machine Learning: Improve prediction models.
• Supercomputers: Handle large-scale climate simulations.
• IoT & Sensors: Enable real-time environmental monitoring.

Effects of Climate Change:

• Frequent Heatwaves: Leads to droughts and water shortages.
• Intense Cyclones: Affects coastal areas.
• Unstable Monsoons: Impacts agriculture.
• Sea Level Rise: Threatens low-lying regions.

Contribution on World Meteorological Day:

• Reduce Carbon Emissions: Use energy-efficient appliances and travel sustainably.
• Support Green Policies: Advocate for renewable energy and climate-friendly laws.
• Raise Awareness: Educate communities about climate change and preparedness.
• Plant Trees: Enhance air quality and reduce global warming.

Important Terms Explained:

• Closing the Early Warning Gap Together:
  • Aims to ensure equal access to weather warnings globally, reducing disaster impacts.
• Early Warnings for All Campaign:
  • A UN initiative to deliver early warning systems to every citizen on Earth by 2027.
• India Meteorological Department (IMD):
  • India’s national weather agency responsible for forecasts, alerts, and climate monitoring.

Tabular Summary:

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3. Shaheed Diwas, observed on March 23 every year, commemorates the martyrdom of which trio of Indian revolutionaries?
A) Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose
B) Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar
D) Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan
E) Rani Laxmi Bai, Mangal Pandey, Tantia Tope
Answer: C) Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar

Event and Location:

• Event: Shaheed Diwas 2025
• Date: March 23, 2025
• Location: Nationwide observance with major events in Punjab and Delhi

Mandates and Objectives:

• Purpose of the Day: To commemorate the execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev by the British in 1931.
• Educational Significance: To instill patriotic values among students through programs and competitions.
• Public Awareness: To remember the revolutionary sacrifices that contributed to India’s independence movement.

Important Terms Explained:

• Shaheed Diwas: A day observed annually on March 23 to honor three young revolutionaries.
• Inquilab Zindabad: A powerful slogan meaning “Long Live the Revolution” popularized by Bhagat Singh.
• J.P. Saunders Assassination: British officer assassinated by the trio in response to Lala Lajpat Rai’s death.
• Hussainiwala Memorial: Cremation site of the three martyrs, located in Punjab, and a major tribute spot.

Tabular Summary:

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

4. What is India’s rank in the World Happiness Report 2025?
A) 126th
B) 94th
C) 118th
D) 139th
E) 109th
Answer: C) 118th

Event and Location:

• Event: World Happiness Report 2025
• Date: March 20, 2025 (Published Week)
• Location: Global

Mandates and Objectives:

• Published By: Wellbeing Research Centre (University of Oxford), in collaboration with Gallup and UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
• Purpose: To assess global happiness levels across countries using key social and economic indicators.
• First Published: 2012

India’s Performance:

• Current Rank: 118th (out of 147 countries)
• Previous Rank: 126th (2023), 139th (2020)
• Best Rank: 94th (2011)
• Lowest Rank: 144th (2019)

Key Improvements for India:

• Personal Freedom: Ranked 23rd in 2024 – highest in five years.
• GDP per Capita Rank: Improved to 93rd (from 97 in 2022).
• Perception of Corruption: Improved to 56th (from 71 in 2022).

Areas of Concern:

• Low Social Support: Weak community ties and limited public trust.
• Economic Inequality: Widening income and wealth disparities.
• Mental Health: Increase in stress and poor work-life balance.

Global Highlights:

• Top 5 Happiest Countries:

1. Finland (1st for 8th consecutive year)
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands

• Bottom 5 Countries:

143. Zimbabwe
144. Malawi
145. Lebanon
146. Sierra Leone
147. Afghanistan (Unhappiest for 4th year)

Notable Global Changes:

• Costa Rica: Ranked 6th – entered top 10 for the first time.
• Mexico: Ranked 10th – also entered top 10 for the first time.
• United States: Dropped to 24th due to rising social isolation.
• United Kingdom: Ranked 23rd – lowest since 2017.

Ranking Factors Explained:

• GDP per Capita: Reflects economic prosperity.
• Social Support: Measures strength of relationships and trust.
• Healthy Life Expectancy: Health and longevity of population.
• Freedom to Make Life Choices: Individual autonomy in decision-making.
• Generosity: Charitable and helpful behavior in society.
• Perception of Corruption: Public trust in governance.

Tabular Summary:

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

5. What is India’s global rank in all-time funding for women-led tech startups?
A) 1st
B) 2nd
C) 3rd
D) 4th
E) 5th
Answer: B) 2nd

Event and Location:

• Event: Global funding trends for women-led tech startups in 2024
• Date: Report released in March 2025
• Location: Global (India ranks 2nd globally)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Report Published By: Tracxn
• Objective: Track global funding performance of women-led tech startups
• Key Focus: Investment trends, city-level data, sectoral performance, and government support

Global Funding Trends:

• 2024 Funding: $29.6 billion (↓11% from 2023 and ↓21% from 2022)
• 2023 Funding: $33.1 billion
• 2022 Funding: $37.5 billion
• Women-led Startups Share: 11.7% of total global funding in 2024
• Total Women-Led Startups: 69,000+
• Cumulative Funding Raised: $309 billion
• Large Deals in 2024: 45 rounds above $100 million
• $1 Billion+ Deals: OpenAI, Abound, Wiz

India’s Performance:

• All-Time Rank: 2nd globally (after the US)
• Total Funding Raised: $26.4 billion
• Highest-Funded Year: 2021 ($6.3 billion)
• 2022 Share: 15.18% of global funding
• 2024 Annual Rank: 3rd (after US and UK)
• 2024 Contribution: 3.96% of global women-led startup funding

Indian City-Wise Trends:

• Top Cities: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR
• Unicorn Trend: No new women-led unicorns in 2023 or 2024
• Last Surge: 2021 saw 8 new unicorns

Sector-Wise Investment:

• 2024 Top Sector: Enterprise Applications – $16.1 billion
• Top All-Time Sectors:
  • Retail – $7.8 billion
  • Edtech – $5.4 billion
  • Enterprise Applications – $5 billion
• IPOs and Acquisitions:
  • Women-Led IPOs in 2024:
  • MobiKwik
  • Usha Financial
  • Tunwal
  • Interiors and More
  • LawSikho
• Startup Acquisitions:
  • 2021 – 45
  • 2022 – 36
  • 2023 – 25
  • 2024 – 16

Government Initiative:

• TREAD Program (Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development)
  • Objective: Empower women entrepreneurs
  • Support: Financial loans via NGOs, training, and networking opportunities

Important Terms Explained:

• Tracxn:
  • A global data intelligence platform that tracks startup ecosystems, investments, and emerging business models.
• TREAD Scheme:
  • A Government of India initiative supporting women-led businesses through financial aid and entrepreneurial development via NGOs.

Tabular Summary:

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

6. Who has been appointed as the new Chancellor of NIIT University in March 2025?
A) K Kasturirangan
B) Raghuram Rajan
C) Amitabh Kant
D) Rajiv Kumar
E) Ajit Doval
Answer: C) Amitabh Kant

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of Amitabh Kant as Chancellor of NIIT University
• Date: March 10, 2025
• Location: Neemrana, Rajasthan (Campus Location of NIIT University)

Mandates and Objectives:

• New Appointment: Amitabh Kant appointed Chancellor (Chairperson) of NIIT University.
• Predecessor: Succeeds scientist K Kasturirangan.
• Objective: Strengthen NU’s focus on innovation, industry-aligned education, and skilling.

About Amitabh Kant:

• Former Roles:
  • CEO of NITI Aayog (2016–2022)
  • India’s G20 Sherpa (2023)
• Key Initiatives:
  • Make in India
  • Startup India
  • Atal Innovation Mission
  • Aspirational Districts Programme
  • Ease of Doing Business reforms
• Global Role:
  • As G20 Sherpa, enhanced India’s position in international economic policy dialogue.

Vision for NIIT University:

• Focus: Future-ready workforce development through skilling and innovation.
• Industry Linkages: Over 700 partnerships including IBM, TCS, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte.
• Achievements: 100% placement record for students.
• Leadership Support: NU President Prof. Prakash Gopalan welcomed Kant’s vision for advancing research and technology-driven education.

Important Terms Explained:

• Chancellor:
  • The ceremonial and strategic head of a university, providing leadership in academic and industry alignment.
• G20 Sherpa:
  • A representative of a country responsible for preparing the agenda and coordinating meetings for the G20 summits.
• NITI Aayog:
  • Government of India’s policy think tank responsible for strategic planning and development programs.

Tabular Summary:

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7. Anuj Kumar Singh, recently appointed as Joint Secretary in UPSC, belongs to which service?
A) IAS
B) IRTS
C) IRSEE
D) IPS
E) IRS
Answer: C) IRSEE

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of Anuj Kumar Singh as Joint Secretary in UPSC
• Date: March 2025
• Location: UPSC, Delhi

Mandates and Objectives:

• New Appointment: Appointed as Joint Secretary (Director level) in UPSC.
• Service Cadre: 2009-batch officer of Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE).
• Tenure: Five years or until further orders.
• Selection Process: Appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme on the recommendation of the Ministry of Railways.
• Objective: To leverage his administrative and technical experience for UPSC’s operational enhancement.

Role and Significance:

• Responsibility: To take charge immediately at UPSC headquarters.
• Purpose: Strengthen UPSC’s strategic framework and efficiency.
• Relieving Orders: Directed to be relieved from current duties at the earliest for smooth transition.

Important Terms Explained:

• IRSEE:
  • Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers – A Group ‘A’ service of Indian Railways responsible for electrical engineering operations.
• Central Staffing Scheme:
  • A mechanism for placing officers from various services in central government departments on deputation, especially for mid- to senior-level posts.
• UPSC:
  • Union Public Service Commission – India’s central recruitment agency for appointments to and examinations of All India Services and Central Services.

Tabular Summary:

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8. Who has been appointed as Goibibo’s new brand ambassador in 2025?
A) MS Dhoni
B) Shubman Gill
C) Rishabh Pant
D) Rohit Sharma
E) Virat Kohli
Answer: C) Rishabh Pant

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of Rishabh Pant as Goibibo Brand Ambassador
• Date: March 2025
• Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Brand Strategy: Combine cricket nostalgia with travel offers.
• Campaign Focus: Youth engagement through humour and celebrity association.
• Goal: Promote Goibibo’s travel services in a fun, relatable way.

Campaign Highlights:

• New Brand Ambassador: Rishabh Pant
• Featuring: Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar
• Theme: Humorous twist on Gavaskar’s iconic “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid” commentary line
• Tone: Light-hearted, engaging, and youth-oriented

Important Terms Explained:

• Brand Ambassador:
  • A public figure chosen by a company to promote its brand image and connect with its audience.
• Goibibo:
  • An Indian travel booking platform offering a wide range of services including flights, hotels, and buses.

Tabular Summary:

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

9. Who has been selected for the 59th Jnanpith Award?
A) Prabha Varma
B) Damodar Mauzo
C) Vinod Kumar Shukla
D) Anamika
E) Pratibha Ray
Answer: C) Vinod Kumar Shukla

Event and Location:

• Event: Selection of Vinod Kumar Shukla for 59th Jnanpith Award
• Date: March 2025
• Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Award Name: Jnanpith Award (59th Edition)
• Presented For: Outstanding contribution to Hindi literature
• Awarded By: Bharatiya Jnanpith
• Prize Components: ₹11 lakh cash prize, bronze Saraswati statue, and citation

Recipient Highlights:

• Recipient: Vinod Kumar Shukla
• Age: 88 years
• Language: Hindi
• First From: Chhattisgarh
• Position in Hindi Literature: 12th Hindi writer to receive the award

Notable Works:

• Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi – Won Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999
• Naukar Ki Kameez (1979) – Adapted into a film by Mani Kaul
• Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992) – Noted poetry collection

Selection Committee:

• Chairperson: Pratibha Ray
• Members: Madhav Kaushik, Damodar Mauzo, Prabha Varma, Anamika, A. Krishna Rao, Prafful Shiledar, Janki Prasad Sharma, Madhusudan Anand

Important Terms Explained:

• Jnanpith Award:
  • India’s highest literary honour presented annually to an author for their outstanding contribution to literature.
• Sahitya Akademi Award:
  • A national award given to writers for exceptional literary work in one of the 24 Indian languages recognized by the Akademi.

Tabular Summary:

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

10. Which property makes the newly created light-based supersolid unique?
A) It emits laser beams continuously
B) It can flow without friction like a superfluid while having solid structure
C) It reacts only with magnetic fields
D) It exists only at room temperature
E) It absorbs electricity and transforms it into heat
Answer: B) It can flow without friction like a superfluid while having solid structure

Event and Location:

• Event: Creation of the world’s first supersolid made from light
• Date: Published on March 5, 2025
• Location: Italy (Institutions involved – CNR-INO, CNR-Nanotec, University of Pavia)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Discovery: Light transformed into a supersolid, a new state of matter.
• Objective: Explore novel quantum phases combining properties of solids and superfluids.
• Institutions Involved: CNR-INO, CNR-Nanotec, University of Pavia

Key Features of Supersolid:

• Definition: A phase of matter that exhibits both crystalline structure (like solids) and frictionless flow (like superfluids).
• Creation Method: Used semiconductor nanostructures to form quantum droplets of light arranged periodically.
• Breakthrough: This is the first time light, traditionally considered pure energy, has been given a solid-like structure.

Potential Applications:

• Quantum Computing: Could improve qubit stability and error reduction.
• Energy Storage: May enable light-based photonic energy storage innovations.
• Materials Science: Useful for new material development with enhanced properties.
• Photonics: Can lead to next-gen light-emitting and optical technologies.

Key Scientists’ Insights:

• Iacopo Carusotto (CNR-INO): Describes supersolid as a fluid with coherent quantum droplets and crystalline order.
• Dimitrios Trypogeorgos (CNR-Nanotec): Calls it a fundamentally new approach to supersolidity.
• Daniele Sanvitto (CNR-Nanotec): Highlights it as a bridge between fundamental science and real-world uses.
• Dario Gerace (University of Pavia): Predicts transformation of photonic device technology through this discovery.

Important Terms Explained:

• Supersolid:
  • A quantum phase of matter that combines the rigidity of solids with the frictionless flow of superfluids.
• Quantum Droplets:
  • Tiny, coherent light particles arranged in periodic patterns used to form the supersolid.
• Photonic Devices:
  • Devices that use light (photons) for information processing and communication.

Tabular Summary:

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11. Which company has launched India’s first hydrogen-powered truck trials under the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
A) Ashok Leyland
B) Tata Motors
C) Mahindra & Mahindra
D) Hyundai India
E) Eicher Motors
Answer: B) Tata Motors

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered truck trials
• Date: March 4, 2025
• Location: Multiple freight corridors across India including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar

Mandates and Objectives:

• Launched By: Tata Motors
• Funded By: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• Under: National Green Hydrogen Mission
• Objective: Trial hydrogen-powered trucks to support India’s net-zero goal by 2070
• Duration: Up to 24 months

Trial Highlights:

• Total Vehicles: 16 hydrogen-powered trucks
• Vehicle Types:
  • H2-ICE (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine)
  • H2-FCEV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)
• Models Featured:
  • Tata Prima H.55S (H2-ICE and FCEV variants)
  • Tata Prima H.28 (H2-ICE)
• Range: 300–500 km per charge
• Use Case: Long-haul heavy-duty freight movement
• Routes: Major corridors including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and more

Significance and Impact:

• Aligns with India’s sustainable transport and decarbonization goals
• Supports energy self-reliance by promoting green hydrogen
• Aims to develop infrastructure and test real-world commercial viability of hydrogen trucks
• Focus on enhancing driver comfort, productivity, and safety

Important Terms Explained:

• H2-ICE (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine):
  • A combustion engine powered by hydrogen instead of traditional fossil fuels.
• H2-FCEV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle):
  • A vehicle that uses hydrogen to produce electricity in a fuel cell to power an electric motor.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission:
  • A government initiative launched to promote the commercial development and adoption of green hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative in multiple sectors.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 22 & 23

12. Where was Purple Fest 2025 held?
A) India Gate
B) Rashtrapati Bhavan, Amrit Udyan
C) Red Fort
D) Pragati Maidan
E) Jantar Mantar
Answer: B) Rashtrapati Bhavan, Amrit Udyan

Event and Location:

• Event: Purple Fest 2025
• Date: March 2025
• Location: Rashtrapati Bhavan, Amrit Udyan, New Delhi

Mandates and Objectives:

• Organized By: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Main Objective: Promote inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment of Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities)

Event Highlights:

• Attendees: 23,500 participants including Divyangjan, corporate representatives, and dignitaries
• Chief Guest: President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu
• Other Guests: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar and MoS B.L. Verma

Key Activities:

• Cultural Segment: Performances by Divyang artists
• Literary Segment: ‘Meet the Director’ and author interactions
• Sports Segment: Blind Cricket, Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball
• Collaborations: With Tata Power, AIF, Hans India, and Tech Mahindra Foundation
• Focus Areas: Skilling, education, employment, and accessibility for Divyangjan

MoUs Signed For:

• Improving accessibility infrastructure
• Promoting inclusive growth and economic empowerment
• Creating skilling and employment opportunities for Divyangjan

Important Terms Explained:

• Divyangjan:
  • A respectful term used in India to refer to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
• DePwD:
  • Department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment dedicated to the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
• Adaptive Sports:
  • Sports modified to meet the needs of individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Tabular Summary:

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13. Where was Meghalaya’s first scientific coal mining block inaugurated?
A) West Khasi Hills
B) South Garo Hills
C) Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills
D) Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi
E) Shillong
Answer: C) Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills

Event and Location:

• Event: Inauguration of Meghalaya’s First Scientific Coal Mining Block
• Date: March 22, 2025
• Location: Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Mandates and Objectives:

• Ban Background: NGT banned unsafe rat-hole mining in 2014 due to environmental and safety concerns.
• SC Verdict: Supreme Court lifted the ban in 2019, allowing scientific mining under regulation.
• Objective: Replace unscientific practices with sustainable, legal, and safer coal mining methods.

Launch of Scientific Mining:

• Block Name: Saryngkham-A
• Inaugurated By: CM Conrad K. Sangma
• Mine Owner: Dapmain Shylla
• Agreement: Part of January 2024 deal between Central Government and three Meghalaya miners

Features of Scientific Coal Mining:

• Safety Compliance: Uses modern safety protocols to prevent miner fatalities.
• Environmental Measures: Regulated methods to minimize ecological damage.
• Legal Oversight: Operates under government-approved norms ensuring transparency.

CM’s Remarks and Importance:

• Economic Relief: CM highlighted the hardships during the 10–11-year ban period.
• Historic Moment: Called it a landmark step for economic revival and regulated mining.
• Community Impact: Emphasis on relief for communities dependent on coal mining.

Impact on Meghalaya:

• Employment: Expected rise in job opportunities.
• Economic Boost: Revival of the coal sector will strengthen the state’s finances.
• Safety and Sustainability: Mining will be safer and environmentally friendly.
• Legal Clarity: Ensures coal operations are transparent and within regulatory boundaries.

Important Terms Explained:

• Rat-Hole Mining:
  • A banned method of coal mining involving narrow tunnels and unsafe manual extraction, prone to accidents and environmental damage.
• Scientific Coal Mining:
  • A legal and regulated method of coal extraction following safety standards, environmental protocols, and government norms.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT):
  • A special tribunal in India established for effective disposal of environmental cases and enforcement of legal rights related to the environment.

Tabular Summary:

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14. What is the installed capacity of BPCL’s newly inaugurated floating solar power plant at Kochi Refinery?
A) 2.5 MW
B) 4.0 MW
C) 3.2 MW
D) 5.5 MW
E) 1.8 MW
Answer: C) 3.2 MW

Event and Location:

• Event: Inauguration of Floating Solar Power Plant at Kochi Refinery
• Date: March 22, 2025
• Location: Kochi Refinery, Kerala

Mandates and Objectives:

• Inaugurated By: Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan
• Objective: To promote renewable energy integration in refinery operations and reduce carbon footprint.
• Plant Type: Floating solar project utilizing rainwater harvesting pond.

Project Details:

• Capacity: 3.2 MW AC
• Area Covered: 8 acres of a 19-acre waterbody
• Investment: ₹28.93 crore
• Purpose: Sustainable energy generation and land resource conservation

Environmental and Economic Benefits:

• Land Use Efficiency: Utilizes water surface instead of land.
• Efficiency Boost: Water’s cooling effect enhances panel performance.
• Water Conservation: Reduces evaporation from waterbody.
• Carbon Reduction: Reduces dependency on fossil fuels and cuts emissions.
• Cost Impact: Helps lower operational energy expenses over time.

Additional Visit:

• Bio-Gas Plant Location: Near Brahmapuram waste dumping yard
• Capacity: 150 TPD (Tons Per Day)
• Purpose: Convert municipal waste into compressed bio-gas (CBG)
• Impact: Promotes waste-to-energy solutions and sustainable waste management

Important Terms Explained:

• Floating Solar Power Plant:
  • A solar energy system installed on a waterbody, offering better efficiency and land conservation.
• Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG):
  • An eco-friendly fuel produced from organic waste, used as a renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels.
• Rainwater Harvesting Pond:
  • A waterbody used to collect and store rainwater, repurposed for solar installations in this project.

Tabular Summary:

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15. Which railway zone became the first to achieve 250 MT of originating freight loading in FY 2024–25?
A) South Central Railway
B) Northern Railway
C) Western Railway
D) East Coast Railway
E) Eastern Railway
Answer: D) East Coast Railway

Event and Location:

• Event: East Coast Railway becomes first zone to achieve 250 MT freight loading
• Date: March 21, 2024
• Location: East Coast Railway Zone, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Achievement: First railway zone in India to load 250 MT of originating freight in a financial year.
• Year: FY 2024–25
• Timeline: Achieved 11 days ahead of schedule.
• Objective: Enhance freight capacity and efficiency in railway operations.

Performance Highlights:

• Freight Loading: 250 MT in 2024–25 (record-breaking milestone)
• Consecutive Years (Above 250 MT): 2 years
• Consecutive Years (Above 200 MT): 6 years
• Freight Unloading (2024–25): 228.3 MT
• Growth in Unloading: 2.6% increase from 222.4 MT in 2023–24

Key Contributors:

• Coalfields: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (Talcher)
• Ports: Paradeep, Dhamara, Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Gopalpur
• Iron Ore Mines: Bailadila (Chhattisgarh), Keonjhar (Odisha)
• Industries: Steel and aluminium sectors

Success Factors:

• Planning: Meticulous logistics and coordination with stakeholders
• Government & Industry Coordination: Seamless operations with private and public sectors
• Workforce: High dedication and operational efficiency by ECoR employees

Economic Significance:

• Industrial Boost: Facilitates movement of raw materials like coal and iron ore
• Trade Enhancement: Freight efficiency at ports supports exports
• Revenue Growth: Increases financial performance of Indian Railways

Important Terms Explained:

• Originating Freight:
  • Total quantity of freight loaded at a zone’s starting point, not counting received freight.
• East Coast Railway (ECoR):
  • A key railway zone headquartered in Bhubaneswar, known for its high freight volume operations.

Tabular Summary:

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16. Which organization has launched the ‘Samarth’ incubation program for telecom startups?
A) ISRO
B) C-DAC
C) C-DOT
D) STPI
E) NITI Aayog
Answer: C) C-DOT

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of ‘Samarth’ Startup Incubation Program
• Date: March 2025
• Location: C-DOT Campus, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Launched By: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), under DoT, Government of India
• Implementation Partner: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under MeitY
• Objective: Support startups in Telecom and ICT through funding, infrastructure, and mentorship
• Program Name: Samarth

Program Highlights:

• Focus Areas: Telecom software, 5G/6G, AI, IoT, Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies
• Cohort Details: 18 startups per batch, 2 batches per year (36 startups annually)
• Mode: Hybrid
• Duration: Six months per cohort

Benefits to Startups:

• Financial Support: Up to ₹5 lakh per startup
• Infrastructure: Office space at C-DOT campus for 6 months
• Access: C-DOT lab facilities and research programs
• Mentorship: Guidance from C-DOT experts and industry leaders
• Eligibility: Only DPIIT-recognized startups can apply

Important Terms Explained:

• C-DOT:
  • Centre for Development of Telematics – Autonomous R&D institution under DoT, focused on telecom innovations.
• STPI:
  • Software Technology Parks of India – Government body under MeitY supporting IT and electronics innovation across India.
• DPIIT:
  • Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade – Grants startup recognition in India.

Tabular Summary:

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17. Who among the following represented the UK during the skill development collaboration discussions in Odisha?
A) Vibha Dhawan
B) Trilochan Panda
C) Andrew Fleming
D) Debi Dutta Tripathy
E) Sampad Chandra Swain
Answer: C) Andrew Fleming

Event and Location:

• Event: UK Delegation’s Visit for Skill Development Collaboration
• Date: March 2025
• Location: Odisha, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Delegation Name: UK Skills and Chartered Bodies Mission
• Objective: Strengthen vocational education and skill development in Odisha
• Key Focus: Integrating UK-style apprenticeships and industry-led training programs

Key Officials Involved:

• From India: Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of Skill Development and Technical Education, Odisha
• From UK: Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North-East India

Focus Areas of Collaboration:

• Vocational Training: In advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, digital skills, and sustainable infrastructure
• Skill Models: Adoption of UK-style apprenticeship and skilling frameworks
• Goal: Build a globally competitive and employable workforce in Odisha

Additional Initiative – Net-Zero Vision for Bhubaneswar:

• Organized By: UK Government, Odisha Energy Department, GRIDCO
• Objective: Develop a roadmap for Bhubaneswar’s clean energy transition
• Target: Contribute to India’s 2070 net-zero goal and Odisha’s 10.9 GW renewable energy target by 2029-30

Key Highlights of Workshop:

• Andrew Fleming: Highlighted UK’s urban sustainability expertise and Odisha’s potential in EV innovation
• MoU Signed Between:
  • Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI
  • Debi Dutta Tripathy, Additional Secretary, Odisha Energy Department
• GRIDCO’s Role:
  • Trilochan Panda, MD of GRIDCO, confirmed commitment to state’s clean energy strategy

Important Terms Explained:

• UK Skills and Chartered Bodies Mission:
  • A delegation focused on international collaboration in skill development, representing UK-based professional institutions.
• Apprenticeship Model:
  • A structured training program combining practical work experience with classroom learning, based on UK’s skilling system.
• GRIDCO:
  • Grid Corporation of Odisha – Responsible for power transmission and renewable energy projects in the state.

Tabular Summary:

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18. What is the primary objective of upgrading e-NAM to e-NAM 2.0?
A) To provide crop insurance
B) To enable better offline mandi operations
C) To integrate logistics and value-added services for efficient trade
D) To restrict interstate trading
E) To increase tax collection from APMCs
Answer: C) To integrate logistics and value-added services for efficient trade

Event and Location:

• Event: Initiatives to promote farmer participation in e-NAM and launch of e-NAM 2.0
• Date: March 18, 2025
• Location: Lok Sabha, New Delhi

Mandates and Objectives:

• Purpose: Encourage small and marginal farmers to join e-NAM for better price realization
• Initiative By: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Information Provided By: Shri Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture

Key Features of e-NAM & Farmer Support:

• e-NAM Access: Online registration through portal and mobile app (Android & iOS)
• Assistance: Training in APMCs and toll-free number – 18002700224
• FPO Support:
  • 4392 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) onboarded as of Feb 28, 2025
  • FPOs help aggregate produce and access trading at scale
• Farm Gate Module: Farmers can sell produce without visiting APMC physically

e-NAM 2.0 – Platform Upgrade:

• Reason: Logistics challenges in inter-mandi and inter-state trade
• Objective: Make platform more efficient, scalable, inclusive, and user-friendly
• New Features:
  • Bank account validation
  • eKYC via Aadhaar
  • Integration of assaying, logistics, and value-added services
  • Open network compliance

Trade Facilitation:

• Tradable Parameters: Finalized for 231 commodities (as of Feb 28, 2025)
• Inter-State Trade: Requires recognition of trading licenses from other states
• Aim: Promote faster trade, reduce wastage, and ensure better incomes

Important Terms Explained:

• e-NAM (National Agriculture Market):
  • A pan-India electronic trading platform to link APMCs and provide farmers with better price discovery.
• FPO (Farmer Producer Organization):
  • A collective of farmers formed to improve access to markets, technology, and services.
• APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee):
  • State-regulated markets where farmers traditionally sell their produce.
• Assaying Services:
  • Testing of agricultural commodities to check quality parameters for transparent pricing.

Tabular Summary:

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19. What is the total amount recovered from ineligible beneficiaries under the PM-KISAN scheme so far?
A) ₹216 crore
B) ₹316 crore
C) ₹416 crore
D) ₹516 crore
E) ₹616 crore
Answer: C) ₹416 crore

Event and Location:

• Event: Identification of ineligible beneficiaries and recovery of funds under PM-KISAN
• Date: March 18, 2025
• Location: Lok Sabha, New Delhi

Mandates and Objectives:

• Scheme: PM-KISAN – Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
• Launched: February 2019
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Benefit: ₹6,000 per year in 3 equal instalments via DBT to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts

Key Measures for Transparency:

• Aadhaar-based payment, land seeding, and e-KYC made mandatory
• Facial authentication-based e-KYC introduced in June 2023
• e-KYC completion essential to resume halted payments
• Over ₹3.68 lakh crore disbursed across 19 instalments since launch

Ineligible Beneficiaries and Recovery:

• Ineligible categories: Income tax payees, govt. employees, PSU staff, constitutional post holders
• Amount recovered: ₹416 crore from such ineligible beneficiaries
• Payments withheld for farmers failing to meet e-KYC or Aadhaar-linking requirements

Tech Interventions & Reforms:

• PM-KISAN portal and mobile app for registration, e-KYC, and payment status
• Kisan-eMitra AI chatbot launched in September 2023 for multilingual query resolution
• 5 lakh+ CSCs (Common Service Centres) onboarded for doorstep services
• Grievance redressal system available on portal

Outreach & Impact:

• Saturation drives since November 15, 2023, added 1.5 crore new farmers
• Based on 2019 IFPRI study, PM-KISAN led to:
  • Better access to credit
  • Increased investment in agriculture
  • Support for incidental expenses like education and healthcare
  • Enhanced risk-taking capacity in farming decisions

Scheme Integration:

• PM-KISAN is integrated with other schemes like Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to expand credit access to farmers.

Important Terms Explained:

• PM-KISAN:
  • A central sector scheme providing direct income support of ₹6,000 annually to eligible land-holding farmers through DBT.
• DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer):
  • Government payment method where subsidies and benefits are directly credited to beneficiary bank accounts.
• e-KYC:
  • Electronic Know Your Customer process mandatory for beneficiary verification.
• CSCs (Common Service Centres):
  • Digital access points for delivering various government services to rural and remote citizens.

Tabular Summary:

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20. What is the cut-off year considered for documenting built heritage under NMMA?
A) 1947
B) 1950
C) 1962
D) 1972
E) 2000
Answer: B) 1950

Event and Location:

• Event: Digitization and documentation of India’s cultural heritage
• Date: March 17, 2025
• Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Organizing Body: National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)
• Established: 2007
• Objective: Create a national digital database of built heritage, monuments, and antiquities for better preservation, research, and awareness

Achievements of NMMA:

• Antiquities Digitized: 12,34,937
  • 4,46,068 from ASI museums/branches
  • 7,88,869 from other institutions
• Built Heritage/Sites Documented: 11,406
• Budget Allocation (2024–25): ₹20 lakh

NMMA Objectives:

• Standardize documentation across institutions
• Raise awareness for cultural heritage conservation
• Train and build capacity for state departments, museums, NGOs, universities
• Collaborate with ASI and State Archaeology Departments

Acts Related to Heritage:

• Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958
  • Covers preservation of monuments and sites of national importance
  • Defines ancient monuments as structures over 100 years old
  • Includes remains, sites, and access to ancient monuments
• Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972
  • Antiquity: Object over 100 years old with historical, cultural, or scientific significance
  • Art Treasure: Human work of art of aesthetic value, declared by Central Government

Documentation Guidelines (Digitization Standards):

• Format: TIFF (300 dpi) for all images
• File Types: RAW/NEF must be converted to TIFF
• Documentation Format: MS Excel sheets with embedded and separate master images
• Applies to: Antiquities, paintings, heritage structures, monuments

Indian Heritage in Digital Space (IHDS) – Research Initiative:

• Objective: Use digital technologies for preservation and immersive sharing of cultural assets
• Key Features:
  • Crowdsourcing platform for public participation
  • Storage and distribution system for multimedia heritage content
  • Focus on 3D scanning, virtual reality, AI, and computer vision

Importance of Technology in Heritage Preservation:

• Enables virtual reconstructions of lost/damaged sites
• Offers interactive education and tourism tools
• Enhances research for historians, architects, scientists
• Builds high-resolution digital archives for long-term storage

Important Terms Explained:

• NMMA:
  • National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities – A government initiative to digitize and document India’s cultural heritage.
• IHDS:
  • Indian Heritage in Digital Space – A research initiative to digitally preserve and share Indian heritage through modern tech.
• AMASR Act, 1958:
  • Legal framework for preservation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
• Antiquity (under 1972 Act):
  • Objects over 100 years old with historical/cultural value (coins, sculptures, paintings, etc.)

Tabular Summary:

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21. What key milestone did the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) achieve before the end of FY 2024-25?
A) ₹4 Lakh Crore GMV
B) ₹3 Lakh Crore GMV
C) ₹5 Lakh Crore GMV
D) ₹6 Lakh Crore GMV
E) ₹2 Lakh Crore GMV
Answer: C) ₹5 Lakh Crore GMV

Event and Location:

• Event: GeM surpasses ₹5 lakh crore in Gross Merchandise Value
• Date: Announced on 17 March 2025
• Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Platform Name: Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
• Objective: Enhance transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in public procurement
• Target Groups Benefited: MSEs, startups, women-led enterprises

Key Achievements:

• ₹5 lakh crore GMV crossed before end of FY 2024-25
• Jump from ₹4 lakh crore to ₹5 lakh crore achieved in under 50 days (since 23 Jan 2025)
• Over 1.6 lakh government buyers registered
• More than 22 lakh sellers/service providers onboarded
• ₹1.15 lakh crore in public savings generated

Inclusivity Measures:

• SWAYATT Initiative (6th anniversary in 2025): Promotes startups, women, youth in e-transactions
• Startups onboarded: 29,000+
• Women-led Udyam verified businesses onboarded: 1.8 lakh+

Policy Reforms and Benefits:

• Reduced Transaction Charges
• Lower Vendor Assessment Fees
• Reduced Caution Money Requirements
• Focused on ease of participation for small businesses and priority groups

Technological Advancements:

• Executed one of India’s largest cloud migrations among government platforms
• Introduction of GeM AI:
  • AI-powered search
  • Real-time, accurate procurement suggestions
  • Enhanced decision-making for buyers

Important Terms Explained:

• GeM (Government e-Marketplace):
  • A digital platform facilitating online procurement of goods and services by government entities.
• SWAYATT:
  • Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions – A GeM initiative to promote inclusive procurement.
• GeM AI:
  • AI-integrated feature for smart procurement suggestions and decision-making.

Tabular Summary:

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Over All Review

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