Current Affairs 22 March 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon’s Official visit to India from March 16 to 20, 2025Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand (NZ), was on five-days official visit to India from March 16 to 20, 2025, following an invitation from PM of India Narendra Modi. The visit aims to enhance India-New Zealand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defence, education, technology, agriculture, space, and sports.

• It was his first visit to India. He is accompanied by Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities, and Sport and Recreation, and Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Agriculture, and Forestry, and a high-level delegation of officials, and representatives of businesses.
• PM Narendra Modi and PM Christopher Luxon jointly inaugurated the 10th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Delhi  with PM Luxon as the Chief Guest (CG).

Highlights of the visit:
i.During NZ PM Christopher Luxon visit to India, New Zealand joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), became its 50th member.
ii.During his visit NZ PM Christopher Luxon engaged in summit-level discussions with PM Narendra Modi. The two leaders addressed a range of bilateral, regional, and national issues, and issued a joint statement. During the meeting India and New Zealand signed several MoUs.
iii.India and New Zealand have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and aim to finalize it within the next two months. This agreement is expected to enhance trade and economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors.
iv.PM of New Zealand showed interest in becoming part of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
About New Zealand (NZ):
Prime Minister (PM)– Christopher Luxon
Capital– Wellington
Currency– New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
>> Read Full News

DAC Approves Rs 54,000 Crore Defence Acquisitions; CCS Clears Rs 7,000 Crore ATAGS Artillery DealOn 20 March 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), operating under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and led by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD has approved eight capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs 54,000 crore. These procurements aim to enhance the operational strength of the Indian Army (IA), the Indian Navy (IN), and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• Under the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’ initiative, the DAC has introduced new guidelines to streamline the Capital Acquisition Process.

i.The DAC has sanctioned the procurement of a 1350 HorsePower (HP) engine,Varunastra torpedoes and Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems.
ii.The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi, has approved a Rs 7,000 crore contract for the procurement of 155 millimeter (mm) Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).

• IA plans to acquire 307 units along with 327 gun-towing vehicles, gradually replacing older 105 mm and 130 mm artillery systems.

About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister– Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,UP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Sanjay Seth (Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)
>> Read Full News

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired 4th NSAC meeting in New Delhi; Launches Sagarmala 2.0 & S2I2In March 2025, the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,  Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi,Delhi to review the progress of key projects under Sagarmala, the flagship programme of the MoPSW.

• During the meeting, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the plan of  Sagarmala 2.0, aiming to bridge infrastructure gaps and position India as a global maritime leader.This initiative follows the successful implementation of the original Sagarmala Programme.
• He launched the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S212), a forward-looking program aimed at accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship in the maritime sector.

i.The MoPSW is executing 839 projects worth Rs.5.79 lakh crore under the Sagarmala Programme, with 272 projects already completed at an investment of Rs.1.41 lakh crore.
ii.Additionally, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has allocated Rs.10,000 crore for 119 projects across coastal states and Union Territories under the Sagarmala scheme.
About Sagarmala 2.0:
i.With a budgetary support of Rs.40,000 crore, Sagarmala 2.0 seeks to catalyse investments worth Rs.12 lakh crore over the next decade.
ii.The focus areas include shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling, aiming to expand port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually by 2047.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister- Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Dibrugarh, Assam) Minister of State (MoS)– Shantanu Thakur (Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal, WB)
>> Read Full News

India Ranks 2nd Globally in Funding for Women-Led Startups: Tracxn ReportAccording to a report by Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Indian tech startup research and analytics firm Tracxn Technologies Limited, India ranks second globally, after the United States of America (USA) in terms of total funding raised by companies with women founders.

• The global tech sector has over 69,000 women-founded tech companies, which have collectively raised USD 309 billion in funding. However, in 2024, only 11.7% of total funding went to women-led startups due to economic challenges.
• India has over 7,000 active women-led startups, accounting for 7.5% of all startups in the country with a total capital mobilization of USD 26.4 billion.

Note: In 2024, India ranked 3rd globally in terms of funding raised by startups co-led by women, after the USA and the United Kingdom(UK).
Key Highlights:
i.Globally, women-led tech companies secured USD 29.6 billion in funding in 2024, reflecting an 11% decline from USD 33.1 billion in 2023 and a 21% drop from USD 37.5 billion in 2022.
ii.The top cities with the highest funding for women-led startups in 2024 were:San Francisco – USD 9.4 billion, New York City – USD 1.9 billion, London – USD 1.8 billion.
iii.Among Indian cities, Bengaluru leads in both the number of women-led startups and the amount of funding raised. Mumbai and Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) follow in second and third place, respectively.
>> Read Full News

DPIIT Signs MoU with YES BANK and Kyndryl Solutions to Support Startups Ecosystem in IndiaOn March 20, 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), Government of India (GoI) has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Mumbai (Maharashtra) based YES BANK Limited and Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Kyndryl Solutions Private Limited to boost India’s startup ecosystem.
MoU with YES BANK:
i.The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, and Rohit Aneja, Zonal Business Head at YES Bank.
ii.The DPIIT – YES BANK partnership aims to promote innovation and offer vital support to product startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs throughout India.
iii.The initiative focuses on supporting early-stage startups through YES Bank’s HeadStartup program, which provides customized banking and financial solutions, such as working capital, credit access, and cash flow management.
iv.Startups will also benefit from YES BANK’s vast network, strategic partnerships, and industry expertise, which will help them secure funding and grow their market presence.
MoU with Kyndryl Solutions:
i.The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, and a representative from Kyndryl, with senior officials from both organizations present.
ii.The DPIIT-Kyndryl Solutions partnership, with its expertise in digital transformation and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), aims to empower startups in the manufacturing and Information Technology (IT) sectors.
iii.It offers mentorship, infrastructure, and market access, helping startups integrate their solutions into industries like automotive, pharmaceuticals, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), oil & gas, and government services.
iv.Under this, Kyndryl will establish programs to support digital product startups, AI innovators, and entrepreneurs.
v.Startups will receive mentorship on product development, market readiness, cybersecurity resilience, and enterprise deployment.
About the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT):
Secretary – Amardeep Singh Bhatia
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1995

C-DOT Launches “Samarth” Incubation Program to Support Startups in Telecom and IT
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a Telecom Research and Development (R&D) centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) , Ministry of Communications (MoC) has introduced the first cohort of its incubation program, “Samarth” to promote innovation in telecommunications and Information Technology (IT).

• To implement the program effectively, C-DOT has partnered with New Delhi based Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

i.The  Program aims to support startups and innovators developing advanced technologies in Telecom Software Applications, Cyber Security, fifth generation (5G)/6G Technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) Applications, and Quantum Technologies.
ii.It will be conducted in a hybrid mode, combining online and offline interactions. Each cohort will have 18 startups, with two cohorts running for six months each, accommodating 36 startups in total. Only DPIIT-recognized startups are eligible to apply through the following links: www.cdot.in and cdot.sayuj.net
iii.Selected startups will receive funding up to Rs 5 lakh, a six-month office space at the C-DOT Campus, access to advanced lab facilities for R&D and potential collaboration under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian Fintech firm, Lendbox Outranked Giants Aditya Birla and Titan to become Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing companyIn March 2025, the United Kingdom (UK) based Financial Times (FT) and Germany based Statista jointly released their 7th annual ranking of 500 high-growth Asia-Pacific companies. New Delhi (Delhi)-based Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Lendbox has topped the latest rankings and has registered Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 536.64%, with its revenues increasing to USD 51.13 million in 2023. This year total 81 Indian firms featured on the list.

• As per the report, Malaysia-based Borong and The Philippines-based Etaily secured 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively.

i.Singapore with 108 companies, has topped among all cities as well as countries featured on the list. It is followed by Japan and South Korea, each contributing 91 companies.
ii.Among top 10 companies on the list, 5 were from India such as: Lendbox; BluSmart ; BigHaat (7th); Zypp Electric (8th); and Kuku FM (10th).

• Some of the notable Indian companies on the list: Gurugram (Haryana)-based BluSmart (6th), Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based e-commerce company, Meesho (72nd), Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Titan Company Limited (301st), Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL)(374th), and Havells India Limited (396th).

About Financial Times (FT) Group:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Jon Slade
Headquarters- London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Founded- 1888
>> Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI cuts minimum investment in social stock exchange instruments to Rs 1,000On March 19 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revised the minimum investment threshold for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) Instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000.

• This decision, effective immediately, aims to encourage retail investors to support Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) working in sectors like education and healthcare.

Key Highlights of the Reform:
i.Investment Reduction: SEBI lowered the minimum investment for ZCZP instruments from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000, making it affordable for smaller investors.
ii.Objective: Encourage retail investors to participate in funding social projects. Increase capital flow to NPOs working in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and rural development.
iii.Regulatory Framework: The decision aligns with Section 11 and Section 11A of the SEBI Act, 1992, and Regulation 299 of the SEBI ICDR (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations.
iv.Previous Adjustments: In November 2023, SEBI reduced the minimum issue size for ZCZP from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh and the application size from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10,000, showing a consistent effort to promote the SSE.
v.Implementation: The change amends SEBI’s circular from September 19, 2022, updated on December 28, 2023, and is based on recommendations from the public and Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee (Chaired by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam).
About Social Stock Exchange (SSE):
i.Introduced in the Union Budget 2019-20, the SSE is a dedicated segment under existing stock exchanges to connect social enterprises and donors/investors.
ii.Purpose: Channel funds to NPOs and for-profit social enterprises (FPSEs). Ensure transparency through impact assessment reports and financial disclosures.
About Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) Instruments:
i.Definition: These are donation-based financial instruments where investors fund NPOs without expecting interest or principal repayment.
ii.Features:

• Issued only by SSE-listed NPOs.
• Funds are utilized for pre-defined social welfare projects.

iii.Minimum maturity period: 5 years (as per SEBI norms).

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

RBI’s Survey: US, UK and Singapore Overtake GCC Nations as India’s Top Remittance Hubs in FY24In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published a paper titled ‘Changing Dynamics of India’s Remittances: Insights from the Sixth Round of India’s Remittances Survey’ in its monthly bulletin. As per the results from the 6th round of India’s remittance survey, there has been gradual shift in India’s inward remittance patterns as advanced economies (AEs) have replaced the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations as the dominant source of remittances to India.

• As per RBI’s survey, AEs such as: the United States of America (USA); Singapore; Canada and Australia together accounted over 50% of India’s remittances in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24). This reflects a shift in migration patterns towards a skilled Indian diaspora.

i.The combined share of GCC countries such as: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain stood at 38% in FY24, compared to 47% recorded in FY17.
ii.USA emerged as the largest source of remittances, accounting 27.7% of total inward remittances to India in FY24, increase from 23.4% in FY21.
iii.State-wise distribution of remittances: Among all Indian states, Maharashtra received the largest share of remittances, accounting 20.5% in FY24; followed by Kerala (19.7%), Tamil Nadu (TN) (10.4%), Telangana (8.1%); and Karnataka (7.7%).
iv.Increase in India’s share to international migrants: India’s share of international  migrants has tripled from 6.6 million (in 1990) to 18.5 million (in 2024), with this, its share in international migrants has increased from 4.3% to more than 6% during the same period.
>> Read Full News

BPCL Signs Quadripartite MoU with BluJ Aerospace, ANERT & CIAL to Launch World’s 1st Hydrogen-Powered VTOL Aviation EcosystemIn March 2025, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) signed a quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telangana based BluJ Aerospace Private Limited, Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to establish the world’s 1st hydrogen-fueled Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aviation ecosystem.

• This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2070 and aims to revolutionise urban and regional air mobility.

Key Objective of the MoU:
Introduce green hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft to improve speed, efficiency, and noise reduction while significantly reducing carbon or Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Role of BPCL:
i.BPCL will establish Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure (HRI) for VTOL aircraft developed by BluJ Aerospace through its upcoming Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram of Kerala to support sustainable aviation.

• The HRS in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram will drive research and pilot projects under Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley Program, fostering commercial hydrogen applications and sustainable transportation solutions.

ii.BPCL will also engage in Research and Development (R&D) initiatives to design and develop an Indigenous Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) with high power density for efficient vertical lift-off, advancing India’s hydrogen technology capabilities.
iii. Bharat Petroleum aims to achieve Net Zero status by 2040 with a phased investment of ₹1 lakh crore. As part of its plan, BPCL will set up electric vehicle charging stations at approximately 7,000 fuel stations over the next five years.
Note:
i.BPCL is the 2nd largest Indian Oil Marketing Company (OMC), and a Fortune Global 500 Company.
ii.Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)-based ANERT is an autonomous organisation established in 1986 under the Societies Act by the Government of Kerala, functioning under the Department of Power.

• ANERT is the State Nodal Agency (SNA) for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India (GoI).

iii.Kerala-based CIAL owns and operates the Cochin International Airport (COK) started operating on 25 May 1999.

• It is the first airport in India built under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), and the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.

About the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)- Krishnakumar Gopalan
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
BPCL was incorporated on 3 November 1952, under the Indian Companies Act, 1913, under the name ‘Burmah-Shell Refineries Limited’. In 1976, the Burmah Shell Group of Companies was taken over by the GoI to form Bharat Refineries Limited, which was later renamed BPCL in 1977.

UK & Odisha Government Collaborate on Net-Zero Vision for Bhubaneswar
In March 2025, The Government of United Kingdom (UK) in partnership with the Energy Department of Odisha and GRIDCO Limited (formerly known as Grid Corporation of Odisha) organized a workshop on ‘Net-Zero Vision for Bhubaneswar’ in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) based in New Delhi, Delhi participated as the knowledge partner.
• The event focused on creating a roadmap for the city’s transition to a sustainable and low-carbon future.

Note: This was the second Net-Zero transition workshop organized by the UK Government.
i.The workshop brought together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and experts to explore strategies for achieving Net-Zero emissions in Bhubaneswar.
ii.During the event, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General (DG) of TERI, and Dr. Debi Dutta Tripathy, Additional Secretary to the Government of Odisha, to accelerate Odisha’s clean energy transition.
iii.In alignment with India’s Net-Zero commitment, Odisha has set specific milestones for its energy transition, targeting 2036 (Odisha’s 100th statehood year) and 2047 (100 years of India’s independence).

AFMS & NIMHANS Signed MoU to Enhance Mental Health Support for Armed Forces 
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), an inter-services organisation under the Ministry of Defence(MoD) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) based National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve mental health care for military personnel and their families.

• The MoU was signed by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General(DG) of AFMS, and Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS.

Objectives:

• Focus on research, faculty exchanges, and academic activities in mental health
• Develop programs to tackle Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression among defence personnel.
• Provide specialized training for medical staff to address mental health issues.

GRSE Signs MoU with PWD Nagaland for Modular Steel Bridges
In March 2025, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Public Works Department (PWD) (Roads & Bridges) of the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland, in Kohima (Nagaland), for supplying 8 sets of Double Lane Modular Steel Bridges in Nagaland.

• This marks the first-ever MoU between GRSE and a Northeastern State, aligning with the Government of India’s (GoI) “Make In India” (MII) initiative for regional development.
• GRSE has previously supplied modular bridges to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), various state governments, and Friendly countries Like Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Till date, GRSE has supplied over 5,800 Modular Bridges.

Signatories:
The MoU was signed by Subrato Ghosh, Director (Personnel), GRSE, and Swarai Meru, Chief Engineer, PWD Nagaland in the presence of Natarajan Partheepan, General Manager (Bailey Bridges), GRSE.
Note: Kolkata (West Bengal)-based GRSE is a Mini Ratna Category I company that dates back to 1884. The Company was taken over by the GoI in 1960.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Veteran Indian Actor and Padma Awardee Chiranjeevi Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at UK ParliamentIn March 2025, Veteran Indian Actor and Padma awardee, Konidela (K) Chiranjeevi conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Public Service through Cultural Leadership from Bridge India during a ceremony held at the United Kingdom (UK)’s Parliament known as House of the Commons, in London, the UK.

• The event was organised by British-Indian Member of Parliament (MP), Navendu Mishra.

About K. Chiranjeevi:
i.K.Chiranjeevi has an extensive experience of over 40 years in Indian cinema and had worked in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films.

• Some of his notable works include: ‘Rudra Veena’, ‘Indra’, ‘Tagore’, ‘Swayam Krushi’, among others.

ii.He was honoured with Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd highest civilian award in the category of ‘Arts’ in 2006 .

• In May 2024, he was bestowed with Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd highest civilian award, in the field of Arts for his contributions in Indian cinema.

iii.He started his political career in 2008, with the launch of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) and later, merged PRP with Indian National Congress (INC) in February 2011.

• He has served as MP to Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) from 2012 to 2018.

iv.He has also served as Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism with independent charge (IC) from 2012 to 2014.
About the United Kingdom (UK):
Prime Minister (PM) – Keir Starmer
Capital- London
Currency- Pound Sterling (GBP)

Austrian Hydrologist Günter Blöschl Won 2025 Stockholm Water PrizeIn March 2025, renowned Austrian hydrologist, Günter Blöschl has been named as the recipient of Stockholm Water Prize for year 2025 by the Prize Committee. He won this award in recognition of his world-renowned work on flood risk reduction, water resource management, flood scaling, and regional process hydrology.

• He will officially receive this prize by His Majesty (HM) King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, during World Water Week (WWW) observed annually in the month of August at Stockholm City Hall in Sweden.

About Günter Blöschl:
i.He is a professor at the Vienna University of Technology (UT) in Vienna, Austria.
ii.At present, he is serving as the head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management as well as the Director of the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems at Vienna TU, that he founded over 15 years ago.

• He is also working as a part-time professor at the University of Bologna, Italy.

iii.He has received various awards for his notable water-related work like: ERC Advanced Grant from the European Research Council and Robert E. Horton Medal from American Geophysical Union.
iv.He is a full member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, a member of the United States of America (USA)-based National Academy of Engineering (NAE).
About Stockholm Water Prize:
i.The award is considered as the ‘Nobel Prize of Water’, established in 1991 by the Stockholm Water Foundation.
ii.The award is presented annually by  Stockholm (Sweden)-based Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (RSAS), to an individual, organisation, or institution for exceptional water-related achievements.

• The award is also supported by: London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based International Water Association (IWA); (United States of America, USA)-based Water Environment Federation (WEF); and The City of Stockholm in Sweden.

ii.The recipient will be awarded a USD 150,000 cash prize along with an Orrefors crystal sculpture.
iii.Japanese professor Taikan Oki won the Stockholm Water Prize for year 2024.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Kirsty Coventry Elected as 10th President of the IOCOlympic Champion Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward, a 41-year-old from Zimbabwe, has been elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland for an eight-year tenure. She secured the position through a secret ballot among seven candidates during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. She will succeeds Thomas Bach.

• She will be the first woman and the first African to serve as the President of the IOC.
• As IOC President, Coventry will oversee major global sporting events, including the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

About Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward:
i.Born on September 16, 1983, Kirsty Coventry is a Zimbabwean athlete, political figure, and sports administrator known for her achievements in swimming.
ii.She won multiple medals, including gold, silver, and bronze, making her one of the most decorated female swimmers in Olympic history.
Achievements :
Olympics

• In 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens(Greece), she won three medals, including a gold in the women’s 200meter(m) backstroke, a silver in the 100m backstroke, and a bronze in the 200m medley.
• In 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing(China), She won the gold medal in the 200m backstroke, defending her title from Athens 2004. She also won silver medals in the 200m individual medley, the 400m freestyle relay, and the 400m medley relay.

World Championships

• 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Canada Coventry won gold in both the 100 m and 200 m backstroke and silver in the 200 m and the 400 m medley.
• 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia Coventry won silver medals in the 200 m backstroke and 200 m medley.

Records:
In 2008, Coventry broke her first world record in the 200 m backstroke at the Missouri (United States) Grand Prix. She bettered the mark set by Krisztina Egerszegi (Hungary) in August 1991, the second oldest swimming world record. Her new record was 2:06:39.
Career:
i.Her fifth and final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Rio Olympics, after which she retired from competitive swimming. At the time of her retirement, she was tied with Hungary’s Krisztina Egerszegi for winning the most individual Olympic medals in women’s swimming.
ii.In 2018, was elected as the Chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, representing Olympic athletes worldwide.
iii.In 2023, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame for her contributions to the sport.
About International Olympic Committee (IOC):
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
Established– 1894

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

World’s First ‘Supersolid‘ Created from Light
An international team of scientists led by researchers at the Institute of Nanotechnology of the National Research Council (CNR Nanotec) in Lecce, Italy has transformed light into a “Supersolid” for the 1st time globally. A supersolid is a rare and counterintuitive phase of matter that uniquely combines the rigidity of a crystal with the frictionless flow of a superfluid.

• The emergence of a supersolid phase of matter in a photonic crystal polariton condensate is published in the ‘Nature’ journal (published on 5 March 2025).
• Unlike traditional atomic Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs), this research provides the first experimental evidence of a supersolid phase in a driven-dissipative, non-equilibrium system.
• Researchers created the supersolid state by condensing polaritons in a bound-in-the-continuum state within a photonic crystal waveguide.
• While supersolidity was predicted in the 1960s, its first experimental confirmation in 2017 was in traditional ultracold atom systems, specifically using dipolar quantum gases.

Note: The research involved institutions like CNR National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), Italy, Princeton University, the United States of America (USA), etc. with funding from several programs including the National Quantum Science and Technology Institute (NQSTI), Italy, and the European Union (EU).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Sparrow Day 2025 – March 20World Sparrow Day (WSD) is celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness about the declining population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and the urgent need for their conservation. The event is now observed in over 50 countries.

• The day emphasizes the importance of these small birds in maintaining ecological balance and highlights the challenges they face in urban and rural environments.
• The theme for WSD 2025 is “A Tribute to Nature’s Tiny Messengers”.

Background:
i.WSD was Initiated by the Nature Forever Society (NFS) of India, founded by Indian conservationist Mohammed Dilawar; Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France); and other national and international entities.
ii.The first WSD was celebrated on March 20, 2010.
Note: In 2012, the house sparrow was officially declared the State Bird of Delhi (India) by the then Chief Minister (CM) Sheila Dikshit
>> Read Full News

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – 21 March 2025The United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is annually observed across the globe on 21 March to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people of African descent and all those affected by racism and racial discrimination and exclusion.

• The 2025 theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is, “60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Racial of Discrimination (ICERD)”.

2025 commemorates the 60th anniversary of ICERD, the first of the 9 UN core international human rights treaties, laying the foundation for global efforts to combat racism and discrimination.
Background:
i.On 26 October 1966, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/2142 (XXI) titled “Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination” proclaiming 21 March of every year as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
ii.The first-ever International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was observed on 21 March 1967.
About the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
High Commissioner– Volker Türk (Austria)
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
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