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Current Affairs - 16 & 17 March, 2025 A SCHOOL FOR LIFE….,

16 & 17,
March 2025

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National International
1. ICGS Saksham made port call at Port 2. World Consumer Rights Day, March 15
Victoria, Seychelles • World Consumer Rights Day,
• Indian Coast Guard observed annually on March
(ICG) Offshore Patrol 15, serves as an essential
Vessel Saksham made a reminder of the need to uphold consumer
port call at Port rights and protection.
Victoria, Seychelles, on March 12, 2025 for • It was first observed in 1983.
a three-day visit aimed at strengthening • This date was chosen to commemorate
maritime cooperation and fostering President John F. Kennedy's address to the
regional partnerships. US Congress on March 15, 1962, where he
• The National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets became the first world leader to formally
onboard the vessel participated in a recognize consumer rights.
Walkathon and a beach cleanup activity, • 2025 theme: ‘A Just Transition to
contributing to the Government’s ‘Puneet Sustainable Lifestyles’
Sagar Abhiyan’ campaign aimed towards
environmental sustainability and marine Economy & Policy
conservation. 3. Third edition of PM-YUVA Scheme
• Following its visit to Seychelles, ICGS • The department of
Saksham proceeded to Madagascar as part Higher Education, under
of its overseas deployment plan, furthering the Ministry of
diplomatic engagements and enhancing Education launched the
Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard collaboration third edition of the Prime
in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young
• ICGS Saksham is the eleventh and final Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0 - Young,
Samarth-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Upcoming and Versatile Authors scheme)
commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard on 11 March, 2025.
(ICG) on 16 March, 2022. • Aim: to train young authors under the age
• Saksham was built by Goa Shipyard (GSL). of 30 (makes up 66% of the population) to
• The construction of Samarth class was promote reading, writing, and book culture
motivated by a desire to triple the Coast in India.
Guard assets in the aftermath of 2008 • Program is open to participants across
Mumbai attacks. India, covering 22 Indian languages +
• They are an improvement over the earlier English.
Sankalp class, with a larger beam and more • The program provides mentorship and
powerful engines. publishing opportunities to enhance Indian
• Seychelles (East Africa) Capital and largest literature on a global platform.
city: Victoria • The scheme aligns with the government’s
• President: Wavel Ramkalawan effort to encourage youth to engage with
• Vice-President: Ahmed Afif India’s heritage, culture, and contributions
• Currency: Seychellois rupee of key figures.
• Madagascar (East Africa) Capital and • It focuses on three themes: the role of the
largest city: Antananarivo Indian diaspora in nation-building, the
• President: Andry Rajoelina Indian Knowledge System, and makers of
modern India from 1950 to 2025.
• Prime Minister: Christian Ntsay
• The scheme is in line with the National
• Currency: Ariary Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which

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highlights the need to create a knowledge- Science and Technology

driven ecosystem. 5. Delhi world’s most polluted capital again:
• The National Book Trust, India, will IQAir
oversee the implementation of PM-YUVA • According to a
3.0. report titled
• The selected manuscripts will be published ‘2024 World
and translated into multiple Indian Air Quality’
languages to encourage literary exchange. released by
• The initiative includes interactions with IQAir, a Swiss
experienced writers, participation in technology
literary events, and opportunities for company, India
selected (50 young authors will be selected houses 13 of
under PU-YUVA 3.0) authors to contribute the world’s 20
to contemporary discourse. most polluted
• The program focuses on documenting the cities, with
contributions of the Indian diaspora in Assam’s
various spheres, including political, Byrnihat
economic, and socio-cultural fields. topping the
list.
• The scheme covers the work of visionaries
in education, science, economy, and social • It was the 7th
empowerment over the years. annual World
Air Quality Report.
• The scheme was first launched on 31st May
2021. • Delhi remained the most polluted capital
city in the world in 2024.
• PM-YUVA 2.0 was launched on 2nd
October 2022. • Annual particulate matter (PM2.5)
concentrations in India averaged 50.6
4. India's retail inflation eases to seven-month micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³)
low of 3.61% in February in 2024.
• According to the data • While annual PM2.5 levels have fallen
released by the Ministry roughly 30 percent since 2018, they remain
of Statistics and Program more than 10 times above the World
Implementation, India’s Health Organization's recommended limit
retail inflation eased to a 7-month low of of five µg/m³.
3.61% in February 2025, down from 4.31% • A slight decrease in dangerous PM2.5
in January, as food price pressures softened. concentrations (7% decline in PM2.5
• This brings inflation below the Reserve concentrations in 2024) improved India’s
Bank of India’s (RBI) medium-term target ranking from third in 2023 to fifth in 2024.
of 4% for the first time since August 2024. • Overall, 35 per cent of the Indian cities
• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based reported annual PM2.5 levels exceeding 10
inflation remained within the RBI’s 2-6% times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per
tolerance band. cubic metre.
• Rural inflation dropped to 3.79% in • Air pollution in India has reduced life
February from 4.59% in January. expectancy by approximately 5.2 years.
• Urban inflation also saw a decline from • The dangerous PM2.5 particles, smaller
3.87% to 3.32%. than 2.5 microns, caused severe health
issues, including heart disease and cancer.
• Only 7 countries (Australia, New Zealand,
the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia

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and Iceland) met WHO air quality • Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of
standards in 2024. Bridgestone India, has been named the Vice
• A total of 126 (91.3 per cent) out of 138 Chairman of the association.
countries and regions exceeded the WHO's • Founded in 1975, ATMA represents India’s
annual PM2.5 guidelines value of 5 µg/m³ ₹90,000 crore (approximately US$11
• Note: A study by Lancet Planetary Health billion) automotive tyre industry.
noted that between 2009 and 2019, an • Its members include six leading tyre
estimated 1.5 million deaths annually in manufacturers (Apollo, Bridgestone India,
India were tied to long-term PM2.5 Ceat, Goodyear India, JK Tyre, and MRF)
exposure. who collectively account for over 90% of
the country's tyre production.
Top 20 most polluted global cities with the
worst AQI in 2024-25 7. India signs MoU with Armenia for
cooperation in field of medical products
regulation
• India has signed a
Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with
Armenia for cooperation in the field of
medical products regulation.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of
External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar
and Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat
Mirzoyan in Delhi.
• The two ministers agreed to explore
cooperation in digital technologies and
pharmaceuticals.
• The two nations also signed an MoU on
Cooperation between the Sushma Swaraj
Institute of Foreign Service and the
Diplomatic School of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
• Armenia (Republic of Armenia, landlocked
country in the Armenian Highlands of
West Asia) Capital and largest city:
Yerevan
6. Arun Mammen Appointed as Chairman of • President: Vahagn Khachaturyan
ATMA • Prime Minister: Nikol Pashinyan
• Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman • Currency: Dram (֏) (AMD)
and Managing Director of
MRF Ltd, has been elected as 8. Assam becomes first state to approve BioE3
the Chairman of the Policy, signs historic MoU with DBT
Automotive Tyre • The Department of
Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), the Biotechnology (DBT)
industry body representing India's and the Government
automotive tyre sector. of Assam signed a
landmark Memorandum of Understanding

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(MoU) under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for • ASTRA missile is designed and developed
Economy, Environment, and Employment) by DRDO (Defence Research and
Policy. Development Organisation) capable of
• This Centre-State partnership is the first of engaging the targets over 100km and
its kind under the BioE3 framework and equipped with advanced guidance and
aims to accelerate high-performance navigation capabilities, allowing the missile
biomanufacturing while fostering a to destroy targets with greater accuracy.
sustainable biotechnology ecosystem in • The missile has already been inducted into
Assam. the Indian Air Force.
• The BioE3 Policy, approved by the Union
Cabinet on 24th August 2024, envisages to 10. MoD signs Rs 2906 crore contract
establish India as a global leader in bio- with BEL for ‘Ashwini’ radar
based innovations. • The Ministry of
• It emphasizes sustainable biomanufacturing Defence (MoD) has
across various thematic areas including bio- signed a capital
based chemicals, APIs, biopolymers, acquisition contract
enzymes, climate-resilient agriculture, with Bharat Electronics
functional foods, smart proteins, carbon Limited (BEL),
capture& utilization, precision Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), for the
biotherapeutics (cell & gene therapy, procurement of Low-level Transportable
mRNA therapeutics & monoclonal Radar (LLTR) 'Ashwini' for INR 2,906
antibody), as well as futuristic marine and crore.
space research. • The Ashwini radar is an active
• By integrating these diverse fields, the electronically scanned phased array radar.
Policy seeks to drive both economic growth • It is indigenously designed and developed
and environmental sustainability. by the Electronics and Radar Development
Establishment, a laboratory under the
9. Tejas LCA AF MK1 Test-fires Beyond Defence Research and Development
Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile Organisation (DRDO)
• The Aeronautical
Development Features of Ashwini
Agency (ADA) has • Capable of tracking a wide range of aerial
successfully conducted a test-launch of the targets, from high-speed fighter aircraft to
homegrown ASTRA Beyond Visual Range slow-moving objects such as unmanned
Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from a Light aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.
Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF MK1 prototype • Advanced capabilities will provide the IAF
fighter plane. with improved surveillance and tracking of
• The test launch was carried out off the aerial threats, thereby strengthening
coast of Chandipur, Odisha. national air defence.
• Being a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air • Features integrated Identification Friend or
Missile means it can hit targets beyond a Foe (IFF) systems with electronic scanning
fighter pilot can see. in azimuth and elevation, enabling 4D
• The test-firing successfully demonstrated surveillance.
the direct hit of the missile on the flying • It has advanced Electronic Counter-
target. Countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities and
• All the subsystems performed accurately, can operate across various terrains,
meeting all mission parameters and especially designed for mobility.
objectives.

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Sports • The WFI was initially suspended after its

11. Australia and England to play historic newly elected president, Sanjay Singh,
150th anniversary Test at MCG announced the U-15 and U-20 national
• Australia and England championships in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, in
will play a historic one- December 2023.
off day-night Test match • This move came amidst ongoing protests
to commemorate the by several renowned wrestlers, including
150th anniversary of the first Test match. Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang
• The historic pink-ball Test between the Punia.
two will be played between March 11-15, • These athletes had been leading protests
2027 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since early 2023 against the WFI’s former
(MCG), Australia president, Brij Bhushan Singh, accusing
• The 150th anniversary match will be the him of sexual harassment.
first men's test played under lights at the • In August 2023, United World Wrestling
100,000-capacity venue. (UWW), the global governing body for the
• Earlier this year, Australia women had sport, imposed a ban on WFI after it failed
contested in the first-ever day-night Test at to hold elections within the mandated time
the venue, coincidentally against England frame, further complicating the federation’s
in the Women’s Ashes trophy. standing.
• MCG is also the venue where Australia and • Elections were finally held in late
England had played the Centenary Test December 2023, with Sanjay Singh
back in 1977, with the hosts emerging emerging as the new president of WFI.
victorious by 45 runs. • However, selection of Sanjay Singh as
• Australia Capital: Canberra president sparked fresh protests from
• Largest city: Melbourne wrestlers who claimed he was an ally of
• Monarch: Charles III former president Brij Bhushan Singh.
• Governor-General: Sam Mostyn • Shortly after election, the Sports Ministry
suspended the federation once again, citing
• Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
concerns after Sanjay Singh’s
• Currency: Australian dollar announcement to host the nationals in
• England is a country that is part of the Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
United Kingdom. • In early 2024, UWW decided to lift its ban
• Capital and largest city: London on WFI, citing the completion of elections
• Part of a constitutional monarchy, direct and the successful organization of selection
government exercised by the government trials for upcoming international
of the United Kingdom competitions.
• Monarch: Charles III • Following this, the IOA dissolved its ad-
• Currency: Pound sterling (GBP; £) hoc committee in March 2024

12. Ban lifted on Wrestling Federation of 13. Khelo India Winter Games 2025
India, restoring its recognition as NSF for • The Khelo India Winter
sports Games 2025 (KIWG 2025),
• The Union Ministry of Youth the fifth edition of the
Affairs and Sports has flagship event under the
officially lifted the suspension Indian government’s Khelo India initiative,
on the Wrestling Federation was held in two phases.
of India (WFI), reinstating its status as a
National Sports Federation (NSF).

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• The first phase was held in Ladakh from

January 23 to 27 while the second phase
was held in Jammu and Kashmir from
March 9 to 12.
• KIWG 2025 mascot - Snow Leopard
• Army topped the Khelo India Winter
Games 2025 medal tally with seven golds,
four silvers and five bronze.
• Nayana Sri Talluri, the 15-year-old from
Telangana created history by winning a
hat-trick of gold medals in speed skating at
the Khelo India Winter Games.
• Alpine skier Aanchal Thakur won gold
medals in the alpine skiing slalom and giant
slalom events held in Gulmarg.

Khelo India Winter Games 2025 medal

tally
R State/UT/Team G S B T
1 Army 7 5 6 18
2 Himachal Pradesh 6 5 7 18
3 Ladakh 4 2 1 7
4 Maharashtra 3 5 5 13
5 Tamil Nadu 3 2 0 5
6 ITBP 2 5 3 10
7 Karnataka 2 3 1 6
8 Telangana 2 1 2 5
9 Jammu and Kashmir 2 1 1 4
10 Uttarakhand 1 2 3 6
11 CRPF 0 1 0 1
12 Haryana 0 0 2 2
13 Delhi 0 0 1 1
13 Madhya Pradesh 0 0 1 1
(R-Rank, G-Gold, S-Silver, B-Bronze, T-
Total)

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