Table of Contents
National News
PM Modi Inaugurates Vantara, an Animal Rescue and Conservation Centre in Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vantara, a state-of-the-art animal rescue, conservation, and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The event was attended by Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Anant Ambani, and Radhika Merchant. During his visit, PM Modi explored advanced medical facilities at the center’s wildlife hospital, which includes MRI, CT scans, and ICUs, and observed treatment procedures, including an Asiatic Lion undergoing MRI. His visit reinforced India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species.
New Global Alliance for Sustainable Growth Led by India
India launched the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) on March 3, 2025, promoting sustainable urban development through city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships. The initiative aligns with India’s Pro-Planet People (P-3) approach, focusing on 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and circular economy practices. With global participation, C-3 aims to enhance waste management and resource efficiency, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainability as highlighted by PM Narendra Modi.
India’s First River Dolphin Population Survey: Key Findings
India’s first comprehensive river dolphin survey (2021-2023) recorded 6,327 river dolphins, including 6,324 Gangetic dolphins and 3 Indus river dolphins. Conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) with state forest departments and conservation organizations, the survey covered 8,406 km in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basins and 101 km in the Beas river. The findings were announced by PM Narendra Modi during the 7th National Board for Wildlife meeting at Gir National Park. This study supports Project Dolphin, launched in 2020, to enhance river dolphin conservation and protect their habitats.
India’s Leadership in Green Hydrogen: Key Developments and Future Goals
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted India’s commitment to green hydrogen at the launch of the country’s first hydrogen-powered truck trials in New Delhi. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched with ₹19,744 crore, India aims to produce 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030, install 60-100 GW of electrolyser capacity, and reduce 50 MMT of CO₂ emissions. The first fleet of hydrogen-powered trucks will operate on key routes, with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) setting up hydrogen refueling stations in Faridabad, Vadodara, Pune, and Balasore, marking a major shift in India’s clean energy transition.
Supreme Court Advocates for Disability Rights as Fundamental
On March 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the right against disability-based discrimination is a fundamental right, aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The judgment allows visually impaired candidates to participate in judicial service recruitment, reinforcing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation. Delivered by Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, the ruling directs authorities to complete the selection process within three months, marking a significant step in disability rights and inclusion.
State News
Chhattisgarh Budget 2025: Emphasis on Capital Expenditure, Reforms, and Welfare Schemes
The Chhattisgarh Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary on March 4, 2025, amounts to ₹1,65,000 crore, focusing on capital expenditure, digital governance, infrastructure, and welfare schemes. Key reforms include the Business Reform Action Plan, GATI initiative, Mukhyamantri Mobile Tower Scheme, and increased capital outlay to enhance ease of doing business, transparency, and public welfare.
Agreements News
CII IGBC and India Overseas Bank MoU on Green Building Financing
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) have signed an MoU to provide accessible financing for IGBC-certified green buildings. This partnership promotes energy-efficient construction, water conservation, and sustainable materials in India’s real estate sector. The initiative offers preferential financing for developers and homebuyers of IGBC-rated projects and explores new models like IGBC Green Affordable Housing, IGBC NEST, and NESTPLUS, benefiting EWS and LIG groups.
Banking News
RBI’s Update on the Exchange and Deposit of ₹2000 Notes
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the window open for the exchange and deposit of ₹2000 notes, even after 98.18% of them have returned to the banking system. Since the withdrawal announcement on May 19, 2023, only ₹6,471 crore worth of these notes remain in circulation. Initially, RBI set an exchange and deposit deadline until October 7, 2023, but the extension ensures continued accessibility for individuals still holding these high-value notes.
Economy News
India’s Circular Economy: A $2 Trillion Market and 10 Million Jobs by 2050
India’s circular economy is projected to generate over $2 trillion in market value and create 10 million jobs by 2050, shifting from a “take, make, waste” model to a sustainable reuse and recycling system, as highlighted by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum. India has also applied to host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026, following WCEF 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil. Several key initiatives, MoUs, and reports were launched to promote sustainable waste management and urban circular economy practices.
Why India’s Agriculture Trade Surplus is Shrinking
India’s agricultural exports have grown steadily, especially in basmati rice, spices, coffee, and tobacco, but a surge in imports of pulses and edible oils has significantly reduced the agriculture trade surplus. The trade surplus, which peaked at $27.7 billion in 2013-14, declined to $16 billion in 2023-24 and further dropped to $8.2 billion (April-December 2024). Despite a 6.5% rise in exports to $37.5 billion, factors like global price fluctuations, government restrictions, and production variations continue to impact India’s agriculture trade balance.
Ranks & Reports News
Lancet: 1 in 3 Indians Could Be Obese by 2050
A new study published in The Lancet predicts a sharp rise in obesity in India, with nearly 44.9 crore people (21.8 crore men and 23.1 crore women) expected to be overweight or obese by 2050, making up almost one-third of the population. India already had the highest number of overweight young adults in 2021, surpassing China and the U.S. The study also highlights rising obesity among adolescents and children, with numbers significantly increasing since 1990. Key factors driving this trend include dietary shifts towards processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, along with the rapid expansion of multinational fast-food chains in India.
Sports News
Steve Smith Announces Retirement from One-Day Internationals
Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs), ending a stellar career in the 50-over format. Initially a leg-spinning all-rounder, he transformed into a dependable middle-order batter, amassing 5,800 runs in 170 matches and securing two World Cup titles. Smith played a crucial role in Australia’s ODI dominance but will continue to focus on Test and T20 cricket for upcoming international assignments.
Science & Technology News
Aditya-L1 Captures First-Ever Image of a Solar Flare ‘Kernel’
India’s Aditya-L1 mission, the country’s first dedicated solar observatory, has made a groundbreaking discovery by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the photosphere and chromosphere. This rare observation provides crucial insights into solar energy bursts and their impact on space weather. The findings confirm a link between flare energy and temperature changes in the corona, addressing a major gap in solar research. With continuous data collection, Aditya-L1 is set to make more discoveries, advancing India’s solar science and strengthening global space weather predictions. The research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Blue Ghost Lands on the Moon: A New Era of Private Lunar Missions
On March 3, 2025, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost successfully landed on the Moon, marking a major milestone in private space exploration under NASA’s CLPS program. As the third private lunar mission and the first with an almost flawless landing, it aims to advance scientific research and technology demonstration. The lander-only mission, carrying 10 NASA payloads, will operate for ~14 Earth days, conducting robotic drilling tests, surface analysis, dust mitigation research, and capturing high-definition images of a solar eclipse on March 14.
Bose Metal: A Significant Step in Physics Research
A Bose metal is an unusual metallic state where Cooper pairs (paired electrons) form but do not transition into a superconducting state, challenging traditional theories that metals should be either superconductors or insulators at absolute zero. Researchers from China and Japan have provided compelling evidence that a thin layer of niobium diselenide (NbSe₂) may exhibit this state. Their findings, published in Physical Review Letters on February 13, 2025, represent a significant breakthrough in condensed matter physics.
NASA’s IM-2 Mission: Pioneering Lunar Mining and 4G Communication
NASA’s IM-2 Mission, launched on February 26, 2025, is a 10-day lunar exploration mission targeting Mons Mouton at the lunar south pole. It aims to mine water ice and rare minerals, essential for future lunar bases and Mars missions. Additionally, the mission will deploy Nokia’s 4G/LTE network, enabling high-speed communication on the Moon. The success of IM-2 could pave the way for a sustained human presence beyond Earth.
Summits & Conferences News
WAVES India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge
The WAVES India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge is part of the Create in India initiatives, aimed at capturing India’s beauty and diversity through aerial cinematography. Organized by Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the competition invites drone pilots and filmmakers to create high-quality 2–3-minute videos showcasing India’s landscapes, heritage, and vibrant culture from a bird’s-eye perspective.
Important Days
International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day – March 5
International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day, observed annually on March 5, was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2022 to promote awareness of disarmament and non-proliferation, especially among youth. The day highlights threats posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, emphasizing the need for global peace and security. The initiative began with a resolution proposal in 2021, leading to its official recognition on December 7, 2022, and the first observance on March 5, 2023.
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