03rd March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

Sarbananda Sonowal Unveils ‘One Nation-One Port’ Initiative

• In a major step towards enhancing India’s maritime infrastructure, the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has introduced a series of transformative initiatives aimed at modernizing the sector, strengthening global trade, and promoting sustainability.
• Among the key announcements is the launch of ‘One Nation: One Port Process’ (ONOP), a pioneering effort designed to standardize and streamline port operations across the country. The initiatives were unveiled by Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during a stakeholders’ meeting that focused on key takeaways from the Union Budget 2025-26 for the maritime sector. These measures are expected to play a vital role in making India a global maritime powerhouse while aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and a Developed India by 2047.

Appointments News

Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra Re-Elected as Chairman of Bar Council of India

• Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra has once again secured his position as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), marking his seventh consecutive victory.
• This historic win reaffirms his stronghold in the legal community and underscores the trust reposed in him by the legal fraternity. Notably, apart from being a legal luminary, Mishra also serves as a BJP Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Bihar.

Business News

Paytm Partners with Perplexity to Enhance AI-Driven Search and Assistance

• In a significant move towards enhancing digital accessibility and financial decision-making, Paytm has announced its partnership with Perplexity, an AI-driven answer engine.
• This collaboration aims to integrate AI-powered search into the Paytm app, allowing users to ask questions, explore various topics in local languages, and make informed financial decisions.

Digital Payment Trends in February 2025: UPI, IMPS, FASTag, and AePS Performance

• The digital payments ecosystem in India witnessed mixed trends in February 2025, with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions experiencing a month-on-month (MoM) decline, while FASTag and Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) transactions demonstrated steady growth.
• The variations in transaction volumes and values can be attributed to the shorter month of February and changing consumer payment behavior.
• – MoM Change: ↓ 5% in volume (16.99B to 16.11B) & ↓ 6.5% in value (₹23.48T to ₹21.48T). – YoY Growth: ↑ 33% in volume & ↑ 20% in value. – MoM Change: ↓ 9% in volume (444M to 405M) & ↓ 7% in value (₹6.06T to ₹5.63T). – YoY Change: ↓ 24% in volume & ↓ 1% in value.
• – MoM Change: ↑ 1% in volume (380M to 384M), slight dip in value (₹6,614 crore to ₹6,601 crore). – YoY Growth: ↑ 19% in volume & ↑ 18% in value.
• – MoM Change: Flat at 94M, but value ↑ 2% (₹24,026 crore to ₹24,410 crore). – YoY Growth: ↑ 14% in volume & ↑ 11% in value.

GST Collections Surge by 9.1% to Reach ₹1.84 Lakh Crore in February 2025

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in February 2025 saw a significant 9.1% year-on-year growth, reaching approximately ₹1.84 lakh crore, as per official data released. This increase highlights the robustness of domestic economic activity and improved compliance measures.

Banking News

Bank of Baroda Achieves ISO 22301:2019 Certification for Business Continuity Management

• Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, has been awarded the prestigious ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) certification by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
• This recognition underscores the bank’s strong commitment to operational resilience, business continuity planning, and risk management, ensuring uninterrupted banking services even during unforeseen disruptions.

City Union Bank Partners with Chennai Super Kings to Launch Co-Branded Credit Card 

• City Union Bank (CUB) has announced a strategic partnership with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to introduce an exclusive co-branded credit card.
• This collaboration aims to offer CSK fans a unique financial product that enhances their purchasing experience while allowing them to showcase their team spirit. The City Union Bank – Chennai Super Kings Co-Branded Credit Card is designed to provide customers with exciting rewards, exclusive offers, and memorable cricket-related experiences.

YES BANK Hosts Export Conclave 2025 in Collaboration with WTC Mumbai

• YES BANK, India’s sixth-largest private sector bank, joined forces with the World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai to host the prestigious Export Conclave 2025 at YES BANK House.
• The event served as a significant platform for exporters, industry leaders, and government officials to discuss emerging trade trends, challenges, and global market opportunities.
• With a strong focus on empowering MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and enhancing India’s export ecosystem, the conclave emphasized trade facilitation, financial support, and innovation in export services.

Awards News

Oscars Awards 2025: Full List of the 97th Academy Awards Winners

Sports News

ICC Youngest Chairman, Jay Shah Honored with Icon of Excellence Award at FILA 2025

• Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been honored with the prestigious Icon of Excellence award at the 14th Edition of the Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA 2025).
• This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to cricket administration, his efforts to bring new ideas into the game, and his role in making cricket more inclusive and competitive worldwide.

Virat Kohli Becomes Seventh Indian Cricketer to Play 300 ODIs

Virat Kohli, one of India’s greatest cricketers, has reached a historic milestone. On March 2, 2025, during the Champions Trophy match against New Zealand in Dubai, he played his 300th One Day International (ODI) match. With this achievement, Kohli became the seventh Indian and 22nd player in the world to reach this milestone.

Important Days

World Wildlife Day 2025: Date, Theme, History and Significance

• World Wildlife Day is a global event observed annually to celebrate and raise awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants. In the face of an escalating triple planetary crisis, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution, over one million species are at risk of extinction.
• This day serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for conservation efforts and sustainable practices to protect endangered species and their habitats.
• World Wildlife Day is observed every year on March 3 to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. In 2025, the day falls on Monday, March 3, and will be celebrated under the theme: “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”.

Obituaries News

Himmat Shah, Renowned Indian Artist, Passes Away at Age of 92

Himmat Shah, a famous Indian artist known for his sculptures and modern art, passed away at the age of 92. He died at Jaipur’s Shalby Hospital due to a heart attack. He believed that every material had life, and he experimented with different forms of art throughout his career. His studio in Jaipur was filled with old bottles, wires and ropes, which he turned into beautiful artworks.