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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chaired 237th Meeting of CBT of EPF; Recommended 8.25% Interest Rate on EPF for FY25
In February 2025, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) chaired the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi, Delhi.
- During the meeting, CBT recommended to retain an annual rate of interest of 8.25% to be credited on EPF subscribers for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), as provided in last fiscal year.
i.After the actuarial valuation of the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme, CBT approved key changes in the scheme to provide greater financial security and support to the family members of EPF.
ii.It approved a minimum life insurance of Rs 50,000 for EPF members who die within the 1st year of service under EDLI scheme.
iii.The CBT has also approved the Revised Estimates (RE) for FY25 and Budget Estimates (BE) for FY26 for EPFO and the schemes monitored by it.
About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):
Central Provident Commissioner (CPFC)- Ramesh Krishnamurthi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1952
>> Read Full News
8th edition of Invest Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit 2025 Held in Bhopal
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th edition of the premier biennial event, Invest Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 which was held on 24 and 25 February 2025, at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) in Bhopal, MP. The summit was organized by the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion (DIPIP), Government of MP.
During the GIS- 2025, MP secured investment commitments through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 30.77 lakh crore, and the proposals were expected to generate 21.36 lakh employment opportunities.
- Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) addressed the closing ceremony of GIS-2025 in the presence of Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister (CM) of MP.
Collaborations and Agreements across Sectors at GIS 2025:
- Infrastructure: Rs 1.3 lakh crore MoU between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to enhance connectivity.
- New and Renewable Energy (NRE): Rs 5.72 lakh crore.
- Mining & Mineral Resources: Rs 3.22 lakh crore.
- Urban Development & Housing (UDH): Rs 1.97 lakh crore.
- Power, Science & Technology, Public Health and Family Welfare, Higher Education: Rs 2.35 lakh crore combined.
- Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion: Rs 8.6 lakh crore.
About Madhya Pradesh:
Chief Minister (CM)- Mohan Yadav
Governor– Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary, and Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserves– Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, and Kanha Tiger Reserve
>> Read Full News
GoI Elevated Railways CPSE’s IRCTC and IRFC to Navratna Status
On March 3, 2025, The Department of Public Enterprises (DoPE), Ministry of Finance (MoF) upgraded two Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE’s) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR), Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) to the prestigious Navratna status.
- With this upgrade, IRCTC and IRFC join 24 existing Navratna companies, becoming the 25th and 26th respectively.
- This upgrade empowers CPSEs with enhanced financial autonomy, enabling them to invest up to Rs 1,000 crore without prior government approval.
What is Navratna Status?
i.CPSEs in India are categorized as Miniratna, Navratna, and Maharatna, based on financial performance and operational efficiency. The Navratna status, introduced in 1997, is granted to Miniratna Category-I companies that:
- Must score ≥60/100 on six parameters: net profit, net worth, total manpower cost, total cost of production, cost of services, PBDIT (Profit Before Depreciation, Interest, and Taxes), and capital employed.
- Must have obtained an “Excellent” or “Very Good” Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) rating in three out of the last five years.
ii.Advantages: Navratna companies are also allowed to invest up to 15% of their net worth on a single project, or 30% of their net worth in a given year, subject to a cap of Rs 1,000 crore.
About Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation(IRCTC):
- Established: 1999
- Chairman & Managing Director(CMD): Sanjay Kumar Jain
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
- Role: Monopoly provider of railway catering, online ticketing, and tourism services.
- Financial Year (FY) 2024 Financials:
- Turnover: Rs 4,270 crore
- Profit After Tax (PAT): Rs 1,111 crore
- Net Worth: Rs 3,230 crore
About Indian Railway Finance Corporation(IRFC):
- Established: 1986
- CMD & Chief Executive officer (CEO): Manoj Kumar Dubey
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
- Role: Mobilizes funds for Indian Railways’ infrastructure projects via bonds and loans.
- FY2024 Financials:
- Turnover: Rs 26,644 crore
- PAT: Rs 6,412 crore
- Net Worth: Rs 49,178 crore
GoI Approves Rs 42,000 Crore Arunachal Frontier Highway along the LAC
In February 2025, the Government of India (GoI) approved the Rs 42,000 crore Arunachal Frontier Highway project, the first road project in India to be sanctioned on such a large scale.
- The project is a part of the Act East Policy, which seeks to expand the region’s air, rail, and road networks while improving connection with Southeast Asia.
i.This highway, which follows the Line of Actual Control (LAC), can improve the connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh (AR), strengthen security, and stimulate economic growth in the isolated border regions.
ii.The Arunachal Frontier Highway is an essential component of India’s initiatives to enhance connectivity along the border between China and India.
- The highway is around 1400-km-long and in some places, it will run as close as 20 km to the LAC.
iii.The project will improve access to important locations including Tawang, Mechuka, and Kibithu by connecting and passing through 12 districts along the Indo-China border. It will also connect to the Trans-Arunachal Highway, establishing a strong road system throughout the state.
iv.The project is anticipated to improve India’s defence capabilities by ensuring quick access to border areas for the Indian Armed Forces.
PM Narendra Modi Participates in the NXT Conclave
In March 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi participated in the NXT Conclave in New Delhi, Delhi. During the event, he launched the NewsX World channel. He highlighted that the network includes channels in Hindi, English, and various regional languages.
i.PM Modi highlighted India’s advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital infrastructure, emphasizing the role of technology in governance and economic development.
ii.He discussed India’s leadership in AI, that India was the co-host of the AI Summit in France, which will play a crucial role in shaping the future, and its plans to host the next edition.
iii.Additionally, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to global economic development through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
iv.He also highlighted India’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and emerging opportunities in various sectors. The conclave also served as a platform for discussions on India’s role in shaping the future of global business and governance.
‘Sugamya Yatra’ Launched on International Wheelchair Day 2025
In March 2025, Sugamya Yatra was launched Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in New Delhi, Delhi by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD). Sugamya Yatra was launched on the occasion of International Wheelchair Day, 1 March 2025.
- This initiative aims to improve accessibility, challenge misconceptions about people in wheelchairs, and promote inclusivity in society. The event brought together various organizations and participants to promote a more accessible environment for all.
i.The Sugamya Yatra received support from multiple organizations, including the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDDU-NIPPD), the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
ii.Sugamya Yatra will be conducted across India, from villages to metropolitan cities. This initiative serves as a crucial message to policymakers, engineers, and architects to take proactive measures in making our environment disability-friendly
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
16th CoP to the Convention on Biological Diversity Resumed in Rome, Italy
The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) resumed from February 25 to February 27, 2025 at the headquarters of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Italy.
- Earlier, the COP 16 held in Cali, Columbia in October 2024, which was paused due to lack of quorum required for biodiversity finance related agreements.
- Later, it was resumed virtually in December 2024 but again it was ended abruptly.
i.During the conference, member countries adopted landmark biodiversity funding agreement, aimed at establishing a long-term financial mechanism to protect biodiversity and ensure the success of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
- The agreement focuses on two primary objectives such as: bridging the biodiversity finance gap and implementing article 21 of the CBD.
ii.A new international fund,‘Cali Fund’ was launched which aimed to help protect biodiversity as well as boost the biodiversity funds.
- It is designed for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources.
iii.The FAO urged for bold action to transform the Agrifood Systems (AFS) in support of global biodiversity targets during the COP16.2 of CBD which saw the participation of representatives from more than 150 countries.
- While addressing the conference, Qu Dongyu, Director-General (DG) of FAO emphasized on adopting integrated approach across government sectors, to ensure 4 betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life-leaving no one behind.
About Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):
It is of the specialized agencies of United Nations (UN), to make international efforts to combat hunger and to achieve food security for all.
Director-General (DG)- Qu Dongyu
Headquarters- Rome, Italy
Established- 1945
>> Read Full News
BANKING & FINANCE
Yes Bank Tops S&P Global CSA 2024, CDP, & Featured in Sustainability Yearbook 2025 
In February 2025, the United States of America (USA) based S&P Global released the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) 2024 and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), where Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Yes Bank Limited was recognized as India’s highest-rated bank in sustainability for the third consecutive year.
- Yes Bank achieved a CSA score of 72 out of 100 and is the only Indian lender featured in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025.
- The bank also retained its A(Leadership Band) rating from CDP, highlighting its strong climate risk management and disclosure practices.
Indicators:
The CSA evaluates up to 1,000 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators, covering areas such as climate strategy, financial inclusion, human capital development, and corporate governance.
Highlights:
i.The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025 recognizes the top 15% of global banking leaders based on their ESG performance(Score 73).
- Out of 7,690 global firms assessed, only 780 companies were included in the Sustainability Yearbook 2025, with 51 of them hailing from India.
ii.The CDP assessment, which evaluated over 22,000 organisations, placed Yes Bank at the leadership level in 11 out of 17 key ESG parameters.
iii.In terms of governance, Yes Bank’s sustainability initiatives are overseen by a CSR and ESG Committee at the Board Level.
iv.Additional ESG initiatives of Yes Bank include a commitment to reach net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030, along with the disclosure of financed emissions from electricity generation loans, in line with global decarbonization standards.
ESG Distinctions:
- FTSE4Good Index Series: Included for the second consecutive year (2024)
- ISS ESG ‘Prime’ Status: YES Bank remains the only Indian Bank with this rating, reflecting superior sustainability performance.
About Yes Bank Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Prashant Kumar
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 2004
CUB Partnered with CSK to Launch Co-Branded Credit Card
In March 2025, the Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu, TN) based City Union Bank (CUB) announced a strategic partnership with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), to introduce a new co-branded credit card for cricket fans.
- The initiative provides CSK fans with a one-of-a-kind financial solution that combines banking privileges with exclusive bonuses tied to their favourite Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.
i.CUB – CSK Co-Branded Credit Card will get multiple benefits. Fans can experience the thrill of having CSK’s famous yellow color and lion logo on their credit card, demonstrating their support for the team.
ii.Cardholders will receive exciting rewards for every purchase, including additional points for CSK goods, match tickets, and experiences.
iii.The program offers exclusive access to events, fan meets, and much more. CSK fans will also receive exclusive discounts and incentives on official team items, allowing them to show off their team pride.
iv.CUB is not just targeting its existing customers but also new-to-bank customers with a fully digital onboarding process.
HDFC Bank Executes 1st gold trade through IIBX
In February 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based HDFC Bank Limited becomes the first domestic bank to trade 5 kilograms (kg) of gold at the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gujarat.
- HDFC Bank is currently in the process of becoming a Special Category Client(SCC) on IIBX and is now offering gold and silver forwards from Gift City.
i.The transaction was carried out by HDFC Bank’s GIFT City International Banking Unit (IBU) in partnership with Mumbai based Hindustan Platinum Private Limited, a global leader in refining and manufacturing high-purity precious metal products and industrial services.
ii.IIBX has extended an invitation to other nominated banks to join as SCCs and begin importing bullion through the exchange.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
RBI Reports 3.1% Increase in All-India HPI for Q3 FY25
In February 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its quarterly House Price Index (HPI) for the December quarter of 2024-25, showing a 3.1% increase in the All-India HPI for third quarter of the Financial Year 2024-25(Q3 FY25) compared to the 4.3% in Q2 FY25 and a 3.8% growth in the same quarter of the previous year. On a sequential quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, the All-India HPI rose by 0.4% in Q3 FY25.
i.The annual HPI growth showed significant variation across cities, with Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) experiencing the highest growth at 8.1%, while Kanpur (Maharashtra) saw the smallest increase at just 0.1%.
ii.This data is based on transaction-level information received from registration authorities in 10 major cities across India: Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), New Delhi(Delhi), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh, UP), Kochi (Kerala), Kolkata (WB), Lucknow (UP), and Mumbai (Maharashtra).
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
97th Academy Awards – Oscars 2025: ‘Anora‘ Won 5 awards, ‘The Brutalist’ won 3 awards
The 97th Edition of Academy Awards – Oscars 2025 was held on March 2, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA). The Academy Awards annually hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
- Anora emerged as the biggest winner, securing 5 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Film Editing, and Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
- The Brutalist won 3 awards, including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography (Dávid Jancsó), and Best Original Score (Daniel Blumberg).
- Emilia Pérez, a French musical crime comedy, earned 2 awards, including Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña) and Best Original Song (“El Mal”).
- American Actor, Adrien Brody Won Best Actor for “The Brutalist,” marking his second Oscar win following his first for ‘The Pianist’ in 2003.
Nominations of 97th Academy Awards:
i.The 97th Academy Awards recognized outstanding achievements in 23 categories, honoring films that were released in 2024. Comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony, marking his first time in this role.
ii.The nominations of the 97th Academy Awards were announced by American Actress, Rachel Sennott and American actor, Bowen Yang on January 23, 2025 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills (USA).
iv.The only Indian film to make it to the Oscars shortlist was ‘Anuja’, which was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film but lost to I’m Not Robot.
About Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Bill Kramer (William Samuel Kramer II)
Headquarters- Beverly Hills, California, USA
Established-1927
>> Read Full News
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Padma Shri Awardee Koneru Humpy, India’s Youngest-ever Woman Grand Master Appointed Brand Master of SOG Grandmaster Series
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) appointed Padma Shri awardee Koneru Humpy, India’s youngest-ever woman Chess Grandmaster (GM) as Brand Ambassador of SOGF Grandmaster series.
- This collaboration marks a major milestone in the evolution of skill-based gaming, bridging the gap between conventional mind sports and the emerging digital competitive ecosystem.
About SOGF Grandmaster Series:
i.In November 2024, SOGF launched the 1st edition of the SOGF Grandmaster series. It hosted the 3 skill-based mind sports which require strategic, cognitive, and decision-making aptitudes to excel: Indian Chess Masters (ICM), Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB) and Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG).
ii.It is designed by the SOGF which aimed to set up a regulated and credible platform for competitive skill-based gaming, featuring formats such as chess, blind chess, and other strategic mind sports.
ii.Following the remarkable success of the South Zone, the upcoming West Zone finals is scheduled to take place from 3rd March to 4th March, 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Earlier, Ace Indian cricketer, Ajinkya Rahane was appointed as the brand ambassador for the West Zone finals of the SOGF Grandmaster Series.
About Koneru Humpy:
i.Koneru Humpy became the youngest female Grandmaster at the age of 15 in 2002.
ii.In December2024, Koneru Humpy won her 2nd Women’s World Rapid chess championship title with 8.5 points after defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar in the finals.
- Earlier, she won the World Rapid title in 2019 held in Georgia.
- With this, Koneru Humpy became the only player after China’s Ju Wenjun to win the title more than once.
iii.She was honoured with Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sports honours, in 2003.
- Also, she was bestowed with Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian award in 2007, in the field of ‘Sports’.
iv.In 2019, she was honoured with the ‘BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year’ title, in recognition of her contributions in chess both at national and international level.
About Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF):
President- Shankar Aggarwal
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2023
Dr. Mayank Sharma Officially Took Charge as CGDA
On March 1 2025, Dr. Mayank Sharma officially took charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), who is responsible for monitoring the Defence Accounts Departments (DAD) under the Ministry of Defence(MoD), which manages the financial aspects of the Indian Armed Forces and other defense related organisations.
- Dr. Sharma is a 1989-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer, who has an extensive experience of more than 30 years in government service.
- Earlier, he served in various capacities within the Government of India (GoI), including the DAD, under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
i.Dr. Sharma held major positions in the cabinet secretariat and represented India as the Alternate Permanent Representative at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UN-CCPCJ), and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
ii.He has also represented India at Laxenburg (Vienna)-based International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
- During his tenure as the head of the Consular Division at the Indian Embassy in Vienna, he was responsible for all consular affairs and handled high-level Indian delegations at UNODC.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Lander Landed on the Moon
On 2 March 2025, Texas (United States of America, USA) based Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its uncrewed Blue Ghost lander on the lunar surface in an upright, stable posture on the company’s first attempt.
- Blue Ghost Mission 1, also known as Ghost Riders in the Sky, is the first commercial firm to accomplish a successful soft-landing on the Moon and sets the standard for future exploration across cislunar space as part of Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Background:
Blue Ghost Mission 1 was launched on January 15,2025. It spent around 45 days travelling to the Moon, conducting system health checks and initiating scientific operations
About Blue Ghost lander:
i.The Blue Ghost lander, standing about 2 meters(m) tall, touched down on the Moon’s near side near Mons Latreille, an ancient volcanic feature within Mare Crisium, a vast lunar basin.
ii.Blue Ghost carries 10 payloads for NASA’s CLPS program under a USD 101.5 million contract.
- Among them are instruments to measure subsurface heat flow, the structure and composition of the moon’s interior, and the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetic field.
- Other payloads will study how the lunar regolith interacts with the materials, test a radiation-tolerant computer and an electrodynamic dust shield.
iii.The lander transmitted its first photograph approximately 40 minutes after landing. The image displayed craters, the lunar surface, and a portion of the lander.
iv.The mission will run in lunar daylight for 14 Earth days. It includes technology demos and ten scientific devices. These consist of a telescope, a soil vacuum, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) test.
v.The manned Artemis program is part of the same initiative. Blue Ghost is also scheduled to capture images of a total solar eclipse on 14 March 2025, when the Earth passes between the moon and the sun.
Points to Note:
i.Firefly became the second private company to achieve a soft Moon landing, following Houston-based Intuitive Machines, whose Odysseus lander made an uneven but successful touchdown in 2024.
ii.As of February 2025, Only Russia, the United States of America(USA), China, India, and Japan have successfully made lunar landings.
About Firefly Aerospace:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Jason Kim
Headquarters – Texas, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 2017
ENVIRONMENT
Two New Species of Jumping Spiders Discovered in Western Ghats
In March 2025, Researchers from the University of Kerala discovered two new species of jumping spiders, ‘Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov’ and ‘Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov’ from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. This marks the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India.
- The findings, published in the February 2025 issue of Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed journal, also highlighted the Western Ghats’ abundant biodiversity.
About New Species of Jumping Spiders :
i.The two new species were discovered during field expeditions to Kulathupuzha in Kollam, Kerala in December 2022 and April 2023.
ii.These are distinguished by their remarkable physical features, which include a noticeable yellow triangular-shaped mark on the prosoma (the front portion of the body) of females, as well as characteristics of the copulatory organs in both men and females
iii.Males of E. palustris have a pale brown band along the length of their bodies, but males of E. falciformis have a brown carapace with a yellow-brown stripe.
- The females are similarly colored, but they also have white orbital setae surrounding their eyes.
iv.The size of the species varies slightly, E. falciformis measures 4.39 millimeters (mm). E. palustris measures 4.57 mm in males and 3.69 mm in females.
v.These spiders have been described as well-adapted to their surroundings, living in the dense forest of the Western Ghats. The genus was previously considered endemic to Sri Lanka.
SPORTS
2024-25 Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha defeated Kerala to Clinch 3rd Title
On March 2 2025, The Vidarbha cricket team won the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy by defeating Kerala cricket team based on a first-innings lead in the final at the Vidarbha Cricket Association(VCA) Stadium in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
- The Vidarbha cricket team was led by Akshay Wadkar and the Kerala cricket team was led by Sachin Baby.
- This victory marks Vidarbha’s 3rd Ranji Trophy title, having previously won in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
- The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy saw a record number of 32 teams participating, making it one of the most competitive editions of India’s premier domestic cricket tournament. The teams were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 8 teams.
Prize Money:
The champions Vidarbha received Rs.5 crore, while the runners-up, Kerala awarded Rs.3 crore.
Key Points:
i.Vidarbha’s impressive form was evident throughout the season. They topped their group in the league stage, winning six out of seven matches and accumulating 40 points.
ii.In the knockout rounds, they crushed Tamil Nadu by 198 runs in the quarterfinal and defeated the defending champions, Mumbai, by 80 runs in the semifinal. Vidarbha’s dominance continued as they won nine out of the 10 matches they played in the Ranji Trophy this season.
iii.Alongside their Ranji win, Vidarbha also finished as the runner-up in the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy, demonstrating their strength across both formats.
Awards:
- Man of the Match: Danish Malewar(Vidarbha)
- Player of the Tournament: Harsh Dubey of (Vidarbha:476 runs and 69 wickets)
About the Ranji Trophy:
i.The Ranji Trophy is the premier first-class cricket tournament in India. It is named after the famous cricketer Ranjitsinhji, who was one of the first Indian cricketers to play for England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
ii.The tournament, which began in 1934, is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
iii.It is played in a round-robin league format, followed by knockout rounds leading to the final.
iv. Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) is the most successful team in the Ranji Trophy history, having won the title a record 42 times.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarathi’s Autobiography titled ‘Diyaslai’ Explored at IGCNA
In February 2025, Nobel laureate and social reformer Kailash Satyarthi launched his autobiography ‘Diyasalaai’ during the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
- The book was published by Rajkamal Prakashan and launched by former President of India Ram Nath Kovind, who attended the event as Chief Guest.
i.Satyarathi mentioned that he wrote a poem at the age of 15 which inspired him to become a matchstick which is the literal meaning of ‘Diyaslai’, as he desired to kindle a spark of change and create awareness against child labour.
ii.The book comprises 24 chapters which narrates his journey, from being born into the family with humble background in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh (MP) to his lifelong struggle for liberation of children from exploitation, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Wildlife Day 2025 – March 3 
The United Nations (UN’s) World Wildlife Day (WWD) is observed annually on 3rd March across the globe to honor and raise awareness about the diverse array of the world’s wild (animals) and flora (plants). This day emphasizes the importance of conserving wildlife and the critical role that conservation plays in preserving our ecosystems.
- WWD also draws attention to the ongoing threats posed by wildlife crime and human activities that contribute to the decline of species, urging accelerated efforts to protect and sustain biodiversity.
i.The theme for World Wildlife Day 2025, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” focuses on the importance of improving and making current financial efforts more effective and sustainable.
ii.It highlights the need for collective action to create a resilient future by ensuring that investments in wildlife conservation benefit both people and the planet.
iii.Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in Junagadh, Gujarat. Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Bhupender Yadav, along with other board members, also attended the meeting.
- On WWD Day, Prime Minister went on a lion safari at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Junagadh district, Gujarat during his state visit.
Background:
i.March 3rd was chosen to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
ii.On December 20, 2013, during its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3rd as WWD through resolution UN 68/205.The first-ever WWD was observed on 3 March 2014.
About Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
Secretary-General (SG)– Ivonne Higuero
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established- 1973
Parties- 185 Parties including 184 countries and the European Union (EU).
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
NBWL is a statutory body that advises the government on wildlife conservation and consists of 47 members.
- The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio chairperson, while the Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change acts as the vice-chairperson.
World Hearing Day 2025 – March 3 
World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed annually on 3rd March across the globe to raise awareness about hearing loss and to promote ear and hearing care. The day also serves as a call to action to address hearing loss and its associated challenges.
- 3rd March 2025 marks the observance of the 19th WHD.
- The theme of WHD 2025 is “Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”.
Background:
i.The “Beijing Declaration” adopted during the First International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss held in Beijing (China) in 2007.
ii.The first-ever International Ear Care Day was observed on 3rd March 2007. The date was chosen because the numbers 3 and 3 resemble the shape of ears.
iii.In 2016, the day was renamed as”World Hearing Day” to better reflect its broader mission of raising awareness about hearing loss and promoting ear and hearing care worldwide.
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director-General (DG)-Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Established- 1948
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STATE NEWS
Assam Designated Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve as 8th National Park & Renamed as ‘Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park’
In February 2025, the Assam government officially designated the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve located in the Kokrajhar and Chirang districts of Assam as the 8th National Park(NP) in the state.
- The new NP of Assam is named after the Bodo legend Sikhna Jwhwlao, also popularly known as Jaolia Dewan, who fought against the British in the Anglo-Bhutan war in 1865. This naming honors his bravery and contribution to the history and culture of the Bodo community.
- The decision was first announced by Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma during his Independence Day speech in 2024, and was carried out by the Assam Cabinet on 16 February 2025.
About Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park:
i.Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park spans 316 square kilometers (sq km) and is located along the India-Bhutan border.
ii.It is situated between the two existing NP, Raimona NP to the west and Manas NP to the east.
iii.The Runikhata Range in Chirang, the Jharbari Forest Range in Kokrajhar, and the Haltugaon Forest Division are all part of the park.
iv.The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including many different kinds of birds and reptiles, endangered golden langur, Asian elephants, one-horned rhinoceroses, and royal Bengal tigers.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM) – Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor – Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Capital – Dispur
Ramsar site – Deepor Beel
National Park(NP) -Kaziranga NP, Manas National Park, Dibru – Saikhowa NP, Nameri NP, Orang NP and Tiger Reserve (ONPTR), Dehing Patkai NP, Raimona NP.
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