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AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY

Table of Contents
Hand Written Notes ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Detailed Content............................................................................................................................................................. 13

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Hand Written Notes

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1)

PM - Prime Minister
GIS - Global Investors Summit
MP - Madhya Pradesh
NGEL - NTPC Green Energy Ltd
UK - United Kingdom
FBAA - Fly Bharathi Aviation and Aeronautics
UAE - United Arab Emirates
NPP - Nuclear Power Plants

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2)

CBT - Central Board of Trustees

EPF - Employees’ Provident Fund
EDLI - Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance

DoPE - Department of Public Enterprises

MoF - Ministry of Finance
MoR - Ministry of Railways
IRCTC - Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation
IRFC - Indian Railway Finance Corporation

4)

GoI - Government of India

LAC - Line of Actual Control

5)

PM - Prime Minister

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6)

DEPwD - Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

MoSJE - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1)

CoP - Conference of the Parties

CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity
MPTFO - Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme
NBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans

BANKING & FINANCE

CSA - Corporate Sustainability Assessment

CDP - Carbon Disclosure Project

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2)

CUB - City Union Bank

CSK - Chennai Super Kings

3)

IIBX - International Bullion Exchange

GIFT City - Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

1)

RBI - Reserve Bank of India

HPI - House Price Index

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1)

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

CLPS - Commercial Lunar Payload Services

ENVIRONMENT
1)

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Walter Salles
(1st oscar of Brazil)

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APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

1)

SOGF - Skillhub Online Games Federation

Dr. Mayank Sharma

SPORTS
1)

BOOKS & AUTHORS

1)

Ram Nath Kovind Rajkamal Prakashan

(Former President of India)

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IMPORTANT DAYS
1)

PM - Prime Minister
NBWL - National Board for Wildlife

2)
3 March 2025

STATE NEWS
1)

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UNESCO and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) host stakeholder consultation on
AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in India

International Seminar on "Formalization and Social Security Coverage for Workers in the Informal Sector:
Challenges and Innovations" Hosted by India Concludes in New Delhi

“JNPA amongst top global ports and India’s largest port with 10+ million TEUs capacity”: Sarbananda
Sonowal

Dhruv Maggu Honored as One of ELITE Magazine's Most Influential Indians at the Prestigious Museum of
the Future

Ashok Leyland inks MoU with ESAF Small Fin bank

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Detailed Content
Current Affairs 4 March 2025: Headlines

Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chaired 237th Meeting of CBT of EPF;
Recommended 8.25% Interest Rate on EPF for FY25
8th edition of Invest Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit 2025 Held in Bhopal
GoI Elevated Railways CPSE’s IRCTC and IRFC to Navratna Status
GoI Approves Rs 42,000 Crore Arunachal Frontier Highway along the LAC
PM Narendra Modi Participates in the NXT Conclave
‘Sugamya Yatra’ Launched on International Wheelchair Day 2025
16th CoP to the Convention on Biological Diversity Resumed in Rome, Italy
Yes Bank Tops S&P Global CSA 2024, CDP, & Featured in Sustainability Yearbook 2025
CUB Partnered with CSK to Launch Co-Branded Credit Card
HDFC Bank Executes 1st gold trade through IIBX
RBI Reports 3.1% Increase in All-India HPI for Q3 FY25
97th Academy Awards – Oscars 2025: ‘Anora’ Won 5 awards, ‘The Brutalist’ won 3 awards
Padma Shri Awardee Koneru Humpy, India’s Youngest-ever Woman Grand Master Appointed
Brand Master of SOG Grandmaster Series
Dr. Mayank Sharma Officially Took Charge as CGDA
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Lander Landed on the Moon
Two New Species of Jumping Spiders Discovered in Western Ghats
2024-25 Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha defeated Kerala to Clinch 3rd Title
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarathi’s Autobiography titled ‘Diyaslai’ Explored at
IGCNA
World Wildlife Day 2025 – March 3
World Hearing Day 2025 – March 3
Assam Designated Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve as 8th National Park & Renamed as ‘Sikhna
Jwhwlao National Park’

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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.
• 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.
Note: In February 2024, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had increased the interest rate on
EPF from 8.15% (in FY23) to 8.25% for FY24.
Key People: Union Minister of State (MoS) Shobha Karadlaje, MoL&E and Vice-Chairperson of CBT;
Sumita Dawra, Secretary, MoL&E; Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC),
were also present at the event.
Key Changes in EDLI Scheme:
i.Minimum Life Insurance for death within 1 year of service: CBT introduced a minimum life insurance
of Rs 50,000 for EPF members who die within the 1st year of service.
ii.Coverage for non-contributory period: As per CBT, now, if a member dies within 6 months of their last
contribution received, the EDLI benefit will be admissible,
subject to the condition the name of member is not stuck off
from the pay roll.
iii.Consideration of service continuity rules: Earlier, a gap
of even one or two days between employment in two
establishments led to the refusal of minimum EDLI benefits
from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, as the condition of continuous
service of 1 year is breached.
• As per the new changes, a gap of maximum 2
months between 2 spells of employment will now
be considered as continuous services.
Other Key Decisions:
i.Pension on Higher Wages (PoHW): CBT informed that so far, EPFO has processed 72% the applications
related to Supreme Court’s(SC) ruling on PoHW.
ii.Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS): From January 2025, EPFO has successfully implemented
the CPPS across all its Regional Offices (ROs).

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• Under this system, pension payments for all ROs are disbursed through a Centralized Pension
Disbursement Account (CPDA) maintained at the New Delhi(Delhi) Branch of State Bank of
India(SBI).
• As on January 2025, EPFO has disbursed Rs 1,710 crore as pension to 69.35 lakh pensioners
through CPPS.
iii.Reduced penalties for delay in PF payments: EPFO has set the penalty for late PF remittances at 1%
per month which was officially notified in June 2024, to reduce litigation.
iv.Annual Budget approval: 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 Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E):
Union Minister- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency- Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- Shobha Karandlaje (Constituency- Bangalore North, Karnataka)
About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):
Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC)- Ramesh Krishnamurthi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1952

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.
Note: Invest MP – GIS was started in 2007 in Indore, MP. The 7th Invest MP – GIS was held on January 11th
and 12th, 2023 at the Brilliant Convention Centre (BCC) in Indore.
Diplomatic & Global Participation:
i.The event witnessed the participation of 13 Ambassadors (including Nepal, Morocco, Zimbabwe, etc.), 6
High Commissioners from Rwanda, Seychelles, Jamaica, Lesotho, and Uganda.
ii.Entrepreneurs from 60 countries were invited to explore investment opportunities.
iii.The diplomatic delegation at GIS-2025 was led by the Consul Generals from Germany, Japan, Switzerland,
and Malaysia.
iv.Presence of over 300 leading Indian industrialists, including Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya
Birla Group (ABG), Gautam Adani, Chairperson of Adani Group, Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing
Director (CMD) of Godrej Industries Limited (GIL), etc.
v.9 countries, including Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, and Canada, participated as partner
countries at the GIS 2025.

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Key Events of GIS 2025:

The GIS 2025 event featured summits and thematic sessions to
foster growth, attract investments, and highlight the state’s
unique potential. They are:
• Information Technology (IT) and Technology Summit
• Energy & Renewable Energy(RE) Summit
• Pravasi MP Summit
• Tourism Summit
• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and
Startup Summit
• Mining Summit
ii.Various Exhibitions & Expos were organised including the MP
Mobility Expo, the Central India Fabric & Fashion Expo, the
Madhya Pradesh Legacy Pavilion, the “One District-One Product”
(ODOP) Village, etc.
iii.The event also hosted a series of structured B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2G (Business-to-
Government) meetings, designed to promote collaboration, facilitate investments, and strengthen
partnerships.
v.Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) addressed the closing ceremony of GIS-
2025.
• The event also witnessed 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.
Key MoUs at GIS 2025:
1.New Delhi (Delhi) based NTPC Limited (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation), India’s largest
integrated energy company and its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) have signed multiple MoUs
with the MP government during the GIS 2025.
• The MoUs worth Rs 2 lakh crores covers various renewable projects based on Solar, Wind, Pump
Hydro, and other carbon-neutral energy sources in MP.
2.Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Hindalco Industries Limited (HIL), the metals flagship company of Aditya
Birla Group (ABG) has signed an MoU with the MP government to invest Rs15,000 crore over the next 2
years.
• A significant portion will be allocated to a new aluminum smelting capacity, and the group also
plans to open a large mine called Banda.
3.New Delhi based EaseMyTrip, one of the leading travel organisations in India announced a Rs 200
crore investment in the electric bus (e-bus) manufacturing sector.
i.The investment aims to revolutionize sustainable transport in MP, aligning with India’s USD 3 billion
Electric Vehicle (EV) industry, which is expanding at an 18% Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).
• EaseMyTrip through its subsidiaries, YoloBus and Easy Green Mobility, has secured a tender to
introduce e-buses buses in Sagar and other cities in MP.

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4.SAGE Group, a leading business conglomerate in the United Kingdom(UK), has announced an investment
of Rs 1,450 crore in MP, focusing on renewable energy, hospitality, and industrial growth.
• Of the Rs 1,450 crore, Rs 500 crore will be invested to develop RE projects, and Rs 300 crore will
be allocated for a new hotel project.
5.During the Urban Development Session at the GIS, an MoU was signed with a Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based
aviation company Fly Bharathi Aviation and Aeronautics Private Limited (FBAA) for the development
of Ujjain’s airport, involving an investment of Rs 750 crore.
6.Five companies signed MoUs for urban air services.
• Air India Express (AIE):For international flights from Indore to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Bangkok in Thailand, and domestic destinations Patna (Bihar), Kochi (Kerala),
and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).
• Frankfinn: Establishment of 5 aviation academies, generating 6,000-7,000 jobs.
• Pradhaan Air Express Private Limited: Rs 150 crore investment for intrastate air services in
Ujjain.
• Inn Avia Aviation Consultant GmbH: Rs 500 crore investment for Maintenance, Repair, and
Operations (MRO) facility in Bhopal.
• Urban Development & Housing Department collaborated with the Administrative Staff College
of India (ASCI) for training programs.
Investment Roadmap at GIS 2025:
i.The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) major Dabur
India Limited (DIL) headquartered in Ghaziabad, Uttar
Pradesh(UP) pledged Rs 550 crore over the next 2 years,
expanding its existing Rs 1,000 crore investment in MP. DIL
plans to enhance its Ayurveda and herbal product lines.
ii.Mumbai based Reliance Industries
Limited (RIL) announced Rs 60,000 crore to set up biofuel
projects, marking its entry into MP’s RE sector.
iii.NTPC Limited committed Rs 1.2 trillion for 2
Gigawatt(GW) of renewable power capacity and an
additional Rs 80,000 crore for 2 greenfield Nuclear Power
Plants (NPPs).
iv.Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Adani Group pledged Rs 1.1
trillion for projects in pumped storage, cement, mining, smart
meters, and thermal energy, with plans for an additional Rs 10 trillion in a greenfield smart city, airport,
and coal-gasification project, generating 120,000 jobs by 2030.
v.Mumbai based Avaada Group committed Rs 50,000 crore for solar, wind, and battery storage projects
over 3-5 years.
vi.Ahmedabad based Torrent Power Limited (TPL) will invest Rs 26,500 crore in renewable energy and
pump storage projects in MP.
• TPL signed an MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of MP,
to set up a 2.2 GW pump storage capacity and another 2 GW renewable capacity comprising solar
and wind.
vii.New Delhi based Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), and New Delhi based Rural Electrification
Corporation Limited(REC), offered lending support of Rs 26,800 crore and Rs 21,000 crore, respectively.
viii.Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) based OPG Power Generation Private Limited (OPGPL) pledged Rs 13,400
crore for battery storage, green hydrogen, and hybrid power projects.

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ix.New Delhi based Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) committed to invest Rs 2,500 crores phase-
wise in renewable energy projects in MP.
x.The Indo-European Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (IECSME), the GIIC, and
the IGCC signed MoUs with the MPIDC to promote sustainable and long-term investment in MP.
Madhya Pradesh’s Transformation and Potential:
i.MP is India’s fifth-largest state by population and among the top states for agriculture and minerals
iii.The state now has:
• Over 5 lakh kilometers (km) of road network
• 100% electrified rail network with 80 stations being modernised
• Power surplus status with 31,000 Megawatt (MW) generation capacity (30% clean energy)
iv.MP is recognised as India’s organic cotton capital, contributing 25% of India’s supply. MP government
has designated 2025 as the ‘Year of Industries’ to boost industrial growth.
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

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.

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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).

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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 (COP16.2) to the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) resumed from February 25 to 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.
• Susana Muhamad, the COP16 President from Colombia, stressed the need for urgent action and
highlighted that ambitious plans require adequate funding to succeed.
Note: Armenia will host the 17th COP (COP17) to the CBD in 2026.
Background:
i.CBD is an international treaty, established in 1992, for the conservation of biodiversity , the sustainable use
of components of biodiversity, and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.
• At present, CBD has 196 member countries including India.
ii.Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was established during COP15 held in
Montreal, Canada in 2022, managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

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• Currently, it is operational and received initial funding from Austria, Canada, Denmark, France,
Germany, among others, which amounted to nearly USD 382 million.
Key Highlights of COP16.2 CBD:
Biodiversity Funding Agreement:
During the conference, member countries adopted a landmark biodiversity funding agreement, aimed at
establishing a long-term financial mechanism to protect biodiversity and ensure the success of the KMGBF.
• The agreement focuses on two primary objectives such as: bridging the biodiversity finance
gap from all sources (public, private and international) and implementing article 21 of the
CBD, to establish permanent financial mechanisms under the authority of the COP, ensuring
sustained long-term funding for biodiversity protection.
Key Points:
i.Resource Mobilisation: The governments pledged to mobilise USD 200 billion annually by 2030 from
all sources to support biodiversity initiatives across the world, including the mobilization of minimum USD
20 billion annually in Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 2025 and USD 30 billion annually by 2030,
in line with target 19 of the KMGBF.
• So far, the GEF has allocated over USD 3 billion in support of biodiversity goals, generating an
additional USD 22 billion, including USD 1.9 billion from the private sector.
ii.Financial Mechanism: During the conference, members countries agreed on adopting the financial
mechanism of the convention which focuses on the GEF and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
(GBFF).
• Also, the COP adopted the 4-year framework of biodiversity programme priorities of the CBD and
its protocols to inform about next GEF replenishment (2026-2030).
iii.Monitoring framework for the KMGBF: The COP agreed to provide a set of indicators for monitoring
the progress towards the goal and targets of the KMGBF in the 7th and 8th national reports.
• One of the key additions to the monitoring framework is an indicator for target 22 i.e. on land use
change and land tenure in the conventional territories of Indigenous Peoples and local
communities.
Cali Fund Launched to Boost Biodiversity Finance:
The key outcome of the resumed CBD COP16 was the launch of a new international fund, ‘Cali Fund’, 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.
• Initially, the fund was adopted on November 2, 2024 at COP16 CBD held in Cali.
About Cali Fund:
i.The fund will receive financial support from companies who use genetic data from nature in their
businesses.
ii.Also, the financial contributions to the Cali fund will be used for the implementation of the CBD, including
supporting the implementation of the KMGBF.
iii.Minimum 50% of the Cali fund will be allocated to the indigenous people and local communities
recognizing their pivotal role in protecting nature.
iv.The fund will be administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) in collaboration with the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP).
• Also, the Secretariat of the CBD will host the Cali Fund Secretariat.
v.The disbursements of fund will be used to boost the implementation of KMGBF, the universal plan to stop
and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 adopted under CBD.

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Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative:

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.
• The event built on momentum from COP16 held in October 2024, where, FAO, the Government of
Columbia and the CBD secretariat launched the ‘Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative’.
• 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 Agri-NBSAPs:
i.The initiative helps the governments integrate AFS into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans (NBSAPs) and implementation efforts.
• The initiative will be implemented for a period of 5 years i.e. from 2025 to 2030, covering the 7th
and 8th phases of national reporting and the timeline for implementation of KMGBF.
ii.Under this initiative, 15 countries will be selected based on criteria such as their alignment with the FAO’s
Country Programming Framework (CPF) and their request for support in implementing the KMGBF.
iii.The initiative will provide targeted support to the governments in their efforts in identifying and
implementing actions in AFS that will enable them to achieve biodiversity goals specified in their NBSAPs.
• This targeted support includes: institutional capacity, policy coherence, stakeholder participation,
knowledge generation and access to finance.
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

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.

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• 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.

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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 the 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).

• The 97th Academy Awards recognized outstanding achievements in 23 categories, honoring

films released in 2024. Comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony, marking his first time in
this role.
• The comedy-drama film ‘Anora’ led the awards, winning 5 Oscars. French musical crime comedy
film Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations, winning 2 awards, and the Drama film ‘The
Brutalist’ received 3 awards.

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Nominations of 97th Academy Awards:

i.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).
ii.These awards highlight the exceptional talents of both emerging and established artists in the film
industry.
iii.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’.
• The film received support from prominent figures like Priyanka Chopra and 2-time Oscar winner
Guneet Monga.
iv.‘Laapataa Ladies’, India’s official entry in the Best International Feature category at the 97th Academy
Awards, The Hindi film, directed by Kiran Rao, is not part of the shortlisted films.
Highlights:
i.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).
ii.The Brutalist won 3 awards, including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography (Dávid Jancsó),
and Best Original Score (Daniel Blumberg).
iv.Emilia Pérez, a French musical crime comedy, earned 2 awards, including Best Supporting Actress (Zoe
Saldaña) and Best Original Song (“El Mal”)
iv.Dune: Part Two won 2 awards, including Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
97th Academy Awards – Oscars 2025 Winners:

S.No Winner Category Film Name

Best Actor in Leading

1 Adrien Nicholas Brody The Brutalist
Role

Best Actor in Supporting

2 Kieran Kyle Culkin A Real Pain
Role

Best Actress in Leading

3 Mikaela Madison Rosberg Anora
Role

Best Actress in
4 Zoë Yadira Saldana-Perego Emilia Pérez
Supporting Role

Best Animated Feature

5 Gints Zilbalodis Flow
Film

Shirin Sohani and Hossein In the Shadow of

6 Best Animated Short Film
Molayemi the Cypress

7 Dávid Jancsó Best Cinematography ‘The Brutalist’

8 Paul Tazewell Best Costume Design Wicked

9 Sean Baker Best Director Anora

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Basel Adra, Rachel Szor,

Best Documentary
10 Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval ‘No Other Land’
Feature Film
Abraham

Molly O’ Brien and Lisa Best Documentary Short ‘The Only Girl In
11
Remington Film The Orchestra’

12 Myron Kerstein Best Film Editing ‘Anora’

Best International
13 Walter Salles (Brazil) ‘I’m Still Here’
Feature Film

Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Best Makeup and

14 ‘The Substance’
Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli Hairstyling

15 Daniel Blumberg Best Original Score ‘The Brutalist’

“El Mal” Jacques Audiard, Camille

16 Best Original Song ‘Emilia Pérez’
& Clément Ducol

17 Anora Best Picture –

18 Frances Hannon Best Production Design ‘Wicked’

Victoria Warmerdam and Best Live Action Short

19 ‘I’m Not A Robot’
Wim Goossens Film

Gareth John, Richard King, Ron

20 Best Sound ‘Dune: Part Two’
Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill

Paul Lambert, Stephen James,

21 Best Visual Effects ‘Dune: Part Two’
Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer

Best Writing (Adapted

22 Peter Straughan ‘Conclave’
Screenplay)

Best Writing (Original

23 Sean Baker ‘Anora’
Screenplay)
Notable Honorees:
i.At the 97th Academy Awards several individuals received their first Oscar for their outstanding
contributions to cinema:
ii.American costume designer, Paul Tazewell became the first Black person to win the Oscar for ‘Best
Costume Design’ for his work on “Wicked.”
iii.Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis secured Latvia’s first-ever Oscar by winning ‘Best Animated Feature’
for “Flow.”
iv.Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles earned Brazil’s ‘inaugural Academy Award’ with “I’m Still Here,”
winning ‘Best International Feature Film’.

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v.American Actor Adrien Brody Won ‘Best Actor in Leading Role’ for”The Brutalist,” marking his second
Oscar win, following his first for ‘The Pianist’ in 2003.
Points to Note:
i.Walt Disney holds the record for the most Oscars ever won, with a total of 26 awards throughout his
lifetime.
ii.Edith Head, an American costume designer, is the most awarded woman in Oscar history, having won 8
Academy Awards in the ‘Best Costume Design’ category.
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

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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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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 fauna (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.

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• 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.

• World Wildlife Day 2025 will provide a platform to explore and share innovative financial
solutions for wildlife conservation.
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.
iii.Prior to this, during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) held in Bangkok
(Thailand) from March 3 to 14, 2013, a proposal from the Kingdom of Thailand led to the adoption of
Resolution Conference 16.1.
iv.This resolution designated March 3rd as WWD and was subsequently endorsed by the UNGA.
• The first-ever WWD was observed on 3 March 2014.
Note: The CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with other relevant UN organizations, facilitates the
implementation of WWD.
2025 Events:
WWD Day Events in India:
On WWD Day, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi went on a lion safari at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in
Junagadh district, Gujarat during his state visit.
• 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.
• Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife in
Junagadh and announced the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation set for May 2025.
• He announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict
Management at SACON (Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History), Coimbatore, Tamil
Nadu and launched a book on river dolphins.
• The central government has approved Rs.2,900 crore for Project Lion, aimed at conserving
Asiatic lions, which inhabit 30,000 sq. km across 53 talukas in 9 Gujarat districts.
• Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed with Indian Railways to
prevent lion accidents on railway tracks in the Greater Gir region.
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.

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Other Global Events

i.On the occasion of WWD, the CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with partners such as the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), Wildlabs Community for Conservation Technology (WILDLABS), Jackson
Wild, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) organized the high-level UN celebration event
at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The Activities of event includes:
• World Wildlife Day Film Showcase: – Jackson Wild has organised this event which features
films highlighting science, wildlife, and nature conservation with the theme “Wildlife
Conservation Finance”.
• World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest – IFAW organized this contest to inspire
youth artists aged 4-18 to create traditional artworks that highlight the significance of wildlife
conservation.
Key Points:
i.Wildlife, encompassing species from highland steppes to coral reefs, plays a crucial role in sustaining
ecosystems and supporting biodiversity, vital for human livelihoods and achieving Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
ii.Forests alone are home to 60,000 tree species, 80% of amphibian species, and 75% of bird species,
providing essential resources like food, medicine, and income to over 1.6 billion people.
iii.Additionally, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) aims to mobilize at
least USD 200 billion annually for biodiversity and eliminate or reform harmful subsidies by 2030.
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).

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!”.
Points to Note:
i.Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) determines the theme for WHD and develops a range of
evidence-based advocacy materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, banners, infographics, and
presentations, to support the campaign.
ii.The day has been sponsored by the Office for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the WHO.

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Background:
i.The “Beijing Declaration” adopted during the First International Conference on Prevention and
Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss held in Beijing (China) in 2007.
• The declaration led to the establishment of “International Ear Care Day” to promote global actions
on hearing care.
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.
Significance:
i.Global Prevalence: Approximately 466 million individuals worldwide, including both children and
adults, live with disabling hearing loss. This number is projected to exceed 700 million by 2050, affecting
one in every ten people.
ii.Unmet Needs: Over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unaddressed globally, leaving a vast
majority without essential hearing health services.
iii.Economic Impact: Unaddressed hearing loss imposes an annual economic burden of nearly USD 1
trillion, encompassing productivity losses and social exclusion.
Key Statistics on Hearing Loss:
According to the WHO, hearing loss that is ‘disabling’ is defined as hearing loss higher than 35 decibels (dB)
in the better-hearing ear.
i.Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, nearly 20% of the global population, experience some form
of hearing loss.
ii.Of the 1.5 billion affected, 430 million individuals (including 34 million children) have disabling hearing
loss.
iii.By 2050, it is estimated that over 700 million people will have disabling hearing loss, indicating a
significant rise in prevalence.
iv.Unaddressed hearing loss imposes an annual global economic burden of approximately USD 980 billion,
accounting for productivity losses and social exclusion.
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director-General (DG)-Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Established- 1948

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.

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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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