22nd March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

Purple Fest 2025: A Celebration of Inclusivity and Empowerment

The Purple Fest 2025, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and organized by DePwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, saw 23,500 attendees promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for Divyangjan. The event featured literary discussions, sports, corporate collaborations, and cultural performances, fostering an inclusive society.

C-DOT Launches ‘Samarth’ – A Cutting-Edge Incubation Program for Startups

International News

Global Funding for Women-Led Startups Declines in 2024; India Ranks 2nd in Tech Investments

In 2024, global funding for women-led tech startups fell to $29.6 billion, an 11% decline from 2023 and 21% from 2022, due to macroeconomic challenges. Despite the downturn, India ranked second globally in all-time funding for women-led tech startups, after the United States, as per Tracxn. Women-led startups accounted for 11.7% of total global funding, with 45 funding rounds exceeding $100 million. Key sectors like Enterprise Applications, Life Sciences, and FinTech continued to attract significant investment.

State News

UK Delegation in Odisha to Explore Collaborations in Skill Development

A UK Skills and Chartered Bodies Mission delegation is visiting Odisha to explore partnerships in vocational education and skill development. Discussions focused on industry-led skilling, UK-style apprenticeships, and training in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, digital skills, and sustainable infrastructure. Minister Sampad Chandra Swain and British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming emphasized collaboration to build a globally competitive workforce.

Meghalaya Inaugurates First Scientific Coal Mining Block: A Historic Milestone

Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated the state’s first scientific coal mining block, “Saryngkham-A”, at Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills, marking a shift from rat-hole mining, which was banned by the NGT in 2014 due to safety and environmental concerns. This initiative promotes safe and sustainable coal mining in the coal-rich Jaintia Hills region.

Potti Sriramulu’s 58-Foot Statue to be Installed in Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a 58-foot statue of Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati to honor his sacrifice for Andhra Pradesh’s formation in 1953. Along with a memorial, his native house in Padamatipalli will be converted into a museum, and a modern health center and high school will be established in his village. The project will be completed before his next birth anniversary.

Business News

BPCL Inaugurates Floating Solar Power Plant at Kochi Refinery

BPCL has inaugurated a 3.2 MW AC floating solar power plant at the Kochi Refinery, marking a major step toward sustainable energy. Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan inaugurated the project on March 22, 2025. Built on an 8-acre rainwater harvesting pond, the plant is part of BPCL’s efforts to integrate renewable energy, with an investment of ₹28.93 crore.

Appointments News

Goibibo Appoints Rishabh Pant as Brand Ambassador in a Campaign Featuring Sunil Gavaskar

Goibibo has appointed Rishabh Pant as its brand ambassador, launching a campaign featuring Sunil Gavaskar that playfully twists his iconic “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid” phrase. The youth-centric campaign blends cricket nostalgia with travel deals, aiming to attract travel enthusiasts by making trip planning fun and hassle-free. Pant’s energy and Gavaskar’s legacy enhance its mass appeal.

Amitabh Kant Appointed as NIIT University Chancellor

NIIT University (NU) has appointed Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO and India’s G20 Sherpa, as its new Chancellor (Chairperson), effective March 10, 2025. Succeeding K Kasturirangan, his leadership will focus on economic transformation, policy-making, and technology-driven innovation, reinforcing NU’s commitment to industry-aligned education and skilling.

Anuj Kumar Singh Appointed as Joint Secretary in UPSC

Anuj Kumar Singh, a 2009-batch IRSEE officer, has been appointed as Joint Secretary (Director level) in UPSC, Delhi under the Central Staffing Scheme for five years or until further orders. Recommended by the Ministry of Railways, his technical and administrative expertise is expected to enhance UPSC’s operational efficiency and strategic framework.

Ranks & Reports News

World Happiness Report 2025: India at 118th

India’s happiness ranking has improved steadily, reaching 118th in the World Happiness Report 2025, up from 126th in 2023 and 139th in 2020. Key factors include economic growth, better corruption perception (rank improved from 71 in 2022 to 56 in 2024), and rising personal freedom (ranked 23rd in 2024, highest in five years). India’s GDP per capita rank also improved to 93rd in 2024. However, it still lags behind Pakistan (109th) and Nepal (92nd) due to lower social support and economic inequality.

Science & Technology News

World’s First ‘Supersolid’ Created from Light: A Groundbreaking Discovery

Researchers have achieved a scientific breakthrough by transforming light into a supersolid, a new phase of matter combining superfluid and solid properties. Published in Nature (March 5), the study by CNR-INO, CNR-Nanotec, and the University of Pavia reveals that this light-based supersolid retains a coherent quantum droplet structure while enabling friction-free flow. This discovery has major implications for quantum computing, materials science, and energy storage, advancing our understanding of light-matter interactions and future photonic applications.

Important Days

World Water Day 2025: Theme, History, Significance & Glacier Preservation

World Water Day 2025, observed on March 22, focuses on “Glacier Preservation”, highlighting glaciers’ role in water security, climate regulation, and sustaining life. The United Nations urges global efforts to protect glaciers to combat climate change and water scarcity, emphasizing their critical importance for the planet’s future.

World Meteorological Day 2025: Significance, Theme, History, and Celebrations

World Meteorological Day 2025, observed on March 23, marks the 75th anniversary of the WMO with the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.” It highlights the importance of early warning systems in mitigating climate change impacts and extreme weather events, reinforcing global efforts for disaster preparedness and resilience.

Obituaries News

George Foreman, The Legendary Boxer and Business Icon Passes Away at 76

American boxing legend George Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, at age 76. A two-time heavyweight champion, Olympian, and successful businessman, Foreman was celebrated for his remarkable comeback in boxing. His family announced his demise, remembering him as a humanitarian and sporting icon.

Miscellaneous News

East Coast Railway Creates History: Becomes the First Railway Zone to Achieve 250 MT of Freight Loading in 2024-25

East Coast Railway (ECoR) has become the first railway zone in India to achieve 250 million tons (MT) of originating freight in FY 2024-25, reaching the milestone on March 21, 2024, 11 days ahead of schedule. This marks the second consecutive year of surpassing 250 MT, reinforcing ECoR’s position as India’s highest freight-loading railway zone and a key contributor to logistics and economic growth.