Upcoming Lecture Topics:
- March 15th: Awards and Exercises
- March 16th: Sports
- March 17th: Science & Technology, and Recent Appointments
SEBI Launches i-Sport Portal: The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched a new i-Sport portal.
MeerKAT Telescope Discovery: The MeerKAT telescope in South Africa discovered a galaxy 32 times larger than the Milky Way.
Mission 300 African Energy Summit: The Mission 300 African Energy Summit was held in Tanzania.
Upcoming Lecture Schedule:
- March 15th: Awards and Exercises
- March 16th: Sports
- March 17th: Science & Technology, and Recent Appointments
Recent Awards and Titles:
- Jasprit Bumrah won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year.
- Diya Chitale won the women's singles title at the National Table Tennis Championship.
Government Schemes and Initiatives:
- The Indira Amma Aatmiya Bharosa and Indira Amma Indal schemes were launched in Telangana.
Astronomy:
- LID 568 is a large black hole.
- ISRO launched its new mission, NVS-02, using GSLV-F15.
Cultural Events:
- The Gond tribal festival, Nagoba Jatara, was held in Telangana.
- Telangana's state festival is Sadar Festival.
- Uttar Pradesh received the award for the best tableau in the Republic Day parade (depicting the Maha Kumbh).
Legal Developments:
- The Bombay High Court ruled that the use of loudspeakers is not an inherent part of religious practice under Article 25.
Governance:
- Dibrugarh was declared the second capital of Assam by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma.
Economy and Finance:
- SEBI launched the i-Sport portal.
Scientific Discoveries:
- The MeerKAT telescope discovered a galaxy 32 times larger than the Milky Way.
International Summits:
- The Mission 300 African Energy Summit was held in Tanzania.
Current Affairs: India
Legislation: Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (Article 44). Gujarat also formed a committee to study its implementation.
Sports: The first Women's Hockey India League title was won (winner not specified in this chunk). Jasprit Bumrah won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year. Diya Chitale won the women's singles title at the National Table Tennis Championship.
Technology: Jammu and Kashmir launched a digital tree database for each Chinar tree.
Government Schemes: Telangana launched the Indira Amma Atmiya Bharosa and Indira Amma Indal schemes.
Astronomy: LID 568, a massive black hole, was discussed in current events.
Space: ISRO launched its NVS 02 mission using the GSLV F15.
Culture: The Gond tribal Nagoba Jatra festival took place in Telangana.
76th Republic Day: The 76th Republic Day was celebrated on January 26th, 2025. The Uttar Pradesh Maha Kumbh tableau won first place.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees: Vasudev Nair (Kerala), Osamu Suzuki, and Sharada Sinha (Bihar folk singer) were posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
ICC Awards: Jasprit Bumrah won the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year awards.
Marylebone Cricket Club: Jay Shah was chosen as a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club's global advisory board.
Uniform Civil Code: Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (Article 44). Gujarat also formed a committee to study the issue.
Women's Hockey India League: The winner of the first Women's Hockey India League is not specified in this chunk.
Digital Tree Base for Chinar Trees: Jammu and Kashmir launched a digital tree base for each Chinar tree.
Sir Garfield Sobers Award: Jasprit Bumrah won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year award.
National Table Tennis Championships: Diya Chitale won the women's singles title at the 2025 National Table Tennis Championships. (Note: Manika Batra, Srija Akula, and Sharath Kamal are also mentioned as notable table tennis players).
Telangana Schemes: Telangana launched the Indira Amma Atmiya Bharosa and Indira Amma Indal schemes.
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- **Awards and Honors:**
- Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award: Incois received the award.
- Padma Vibhushan Award (Posthumous): Vasudev Nair, Osamu Suzuki, and Sharada Sinha were honored.
- ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year: Jasprit Bumrah.
- ICC Cricketer of the Year: Jasprit Bumrah.
- Marylebone Cricket Club Global Advisory Board Member: Jay Shah.
- **Government and Politics:**
- Ireland's new Prime Minister: Michael Martin.
- Launch of the battlefield surveillance system "Sanjay": Launched in Delhi by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- 76th Republic Day celebrated on January 26, 2025. Uttar Pradesh's Maha Kumbh tableau won first place.
- National Commercial Agriculture Research Institute (Previously Tobacco Research Centre): Located in Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh.
- **Other Current Events:**
- India's first air taxi prototype, "Zero," launched.
- Nomination for Best Short Film (Live Action) at the Oscars 2025: Anuja.
- 27th International Glass Congress: Held in West Bengal, India.
- First Indian cities included in the list of recognized wetland cities: Indore and Udaipur.
- Blood cancer drug "Kathem" recognized by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
- **National Level Events:**
- The National Mining Ministers' Conference was held in Odisha.
- The 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference took place in Patna.
- **Sports:**
- An Se-young won the women's singles title at the India Open Badminton 2025.
- **International Politics:**
- J.D. Vance became the 50th Vice President of the USA. He is a member of the Republican Party.
- **Cultural Heritage:**
- The World Monuments Fund included the Moon in its list of endangered sites for the first time.
- A 72-foot-tall Hanuman statue, the tallest in India, was installed in Bengaluru.
- **Technology & Governance:**
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched Entity Locker.
- The "Kavacham" disaster risk warning system was launched by Kerala.
- India ranked 4th in the Global Firepower Index 2025.
- Three Indian banks (HDFC, ICICI, and SBI) were included in the list of the top 25 global banks.
- **Awards & Honors:**
- The Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award was given to Inkosi.
- The first Air Taxi prototype in India, "Zero," was launched, and the award was given to David Vakam, Diane Van, and Paajar Prize winner Rikan Saab.
- **Agriculture & Research:**
- The name of the National Tobacco Research Institute in Andhra Pradesh (Rajamundry) was changed to the National Commercial Agriculture Research Institute.
- **International Appointments:**
- Micheal Martin became the new Prime Minister of Ireland.
- **Defense:**
- Defense Minister Rajnath Singh launched the "Sanjay" battlefield surveillance system in Delhi.
- **Industry:**
* **India's First Private Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility:** Located in Andhra Pradesh.
- **Festivals:**
* **Hali Makar Vilakku Festival:** Held in Kerala, outside the Sabarimala Temple during Makar Sankranti.
* **21st Third Eye Asian Film Festival:** Held in Mumbai.
- **US Politics (Potentially Inaccurate):**
* **47th US President & Vice President:** Donald Trump and Kamala Harris (Note: The transcript incorrectly states Mike Pence and incorrectly identifies the Vice President as JD Vance).
* **Heads of Intelligence Agencies:** Tulsi Gabbard (incorrectly identified as head of the Intelligence Bureau in the transcript) and Chris Wray (FBI Director).
- **Government Schemes:**
* **Swamitva Yojana:** A property card scheme launched by the Panchayati Raj Ministry on April 24th (Panchayati Raj Day).
* **Bharat Ranabhumi Darshan App:** Launched in Maharashtra to promote war memorial tourism.
- **Conferences:**
* **85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference:** Held in Patna.
* **3rd National Mines Ministers' Conference:** Held in Odisha.
- **Sports:**
* **India Open Badminton 2023 Women's Singles Winner:** An Seyoung.
- **International Politics (Potentially Inaccurate):**
* **50th US Vice President:** Kamala Harris (Note: The transcript incorrectly states JD Vance). The Vice President is a member of the Republican Party.
- **Cultural Heritage:**
* **World Monuments Fund's At-Risk List:** Includes the Moon.
* **India's Tallest Hanuman Statue:** A 72-foot statue installed in Bengaluru.
- **Technology & Governance:**
* **Entity Locker Launch:** Launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- **Nuclear Energy:**
* **Nuclear Power:** Russia exported the sixth and final 1000-megawatt unit for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. The plant's location is in Tamil Nadu, as is Kalpakkam.
- **Government Organizations:**
* **Atomic Energy Commission:** The central government formed the Atomic Energy Commission under the chairmanship of Ajit Kumar Mohanty.
- **UNESCO Heritage:**
* **UNESCO Heritage Certificate:** The Charaideo Maidam in Assam, the 43rd site in the Ahom dynasty burial ground, received a UNESCO heritage certificate. This site is composed of 35 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed heritage components. Other sites mentioned include: Hoyle Shwer Temple (42nd), Shanti Niketan (41st), and Dholavira (40th). Hoyle Shwer Temple is located in Karnataka, Dholavira in Gujarat, and Shanti Niketan in West Bengal.
- **Festivals:**
* Kanuma festival related to cattle is celebrated in Telangana.
* Maveli Villkku festival took place in Kerala, outside the Sabarimala Temple during Makar Sankranti.
* The 21st Third Eye Asian Film Festival was held in Mumbai.
- **Semiconductor Industry:** India's first private semiconductor manufacturing facility started in Andhra Pradesh.
- **Infrastructure Projects:**
* Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. This tunnel is part of the Zojila tunnel project.
* The Zojila tunnel connects Leh to Srinagar. The Banihal Pass/Jawahar Tunnel connects Jammu to Srinagar.
- **Defense and Technology:**
* DRDO created a Him Kavach that can withstand temperatures from +20°C to -60°C.
- **Government and Organizations:**
* The National Turmeric Board's headquarters is in Nizamabad.
* The Tobacco Board has been renamed the National Commercial Agricultural Research Institute, headquartered in Andhra Pradesh.
* The Future Minerals Forum 25 was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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- **Republic Day Parade:**
- IMD showcased tableau for the first time in 2025, celebrating its 150th anniversary.
- **Indian Navy:**
- INS Vagir, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine, was inducted under Project 75.
- **Interpol:**
- Interpol issued its first-ever Silver Notice to trace stolen assets. CBI launched "BharatPol".
- **Global Blue Flag Certification:**
- Kaplad and Cherai beaches in Kerala received the Global Blue Flag certification.
- **California Wildfires:**
- Ammonium phosphate was used to fight wildfires in California's forests.
- **Infrastructure:**
- PM Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, part of the Zojila tunnel project.
- The Zojila tunnel connects Leh and Srinagar.
- The Banihal Pass/Jawahar Tunnel connects Jammu and Srinagar.
- Foundation stone for South Coast Railway headquarters laid in Visakhapatnam.
- **National Boards & Institutes:**
- The National Turmeric Board's headquarters is in Nizamabad.
- The Tobacco Board has been renamed the National Commercial Agricultural Research Institute, headquartered in Andhra Pradesh.
- **Future Minerals Forum:**
- Future Minerals Forum 2025 was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- **Economic Developments:**
- A task force headed by Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog was formed to revise the base year for the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
- **Social Welfare Schemes:**
- ₹1 lakh financial assistance is provided under the nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims.
- **Cybersecurity:**
- India ranked second globally in the number of cyberattacks, according to a CloudSEK report.
- **Sports:**
- Anahat Singh won the Under-17 Junior Squash Open in Britain.
- **Technology and Governance:**
- Karnataka launched the Garuda Akshi portal for online wildlife crime FIR registration.
- **Publications:**
- The book "How India Scaled MTG 20" was authored by Amitabh Kant.
- **Aviation:**
- Mumbai Airport became the world's third and India's first airport to receive Level 5 accreditation from Airports Council International for customer experience.
- **Government Initiatives:**
- The "Gunottar" initiative to evaluate the performance of students in government schools was launched in Assam.
- A task force headed by Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog was formed to revise the base year of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
- **International Relations & Organizations:**
- Indonesia joined the BRICS alliance.
- Belarus joined the SCO.
- Finland (31st member) and Sweden (32nd member) joined NATO.
- Israel joined the Asian Development Bank.
- **Awards & Recognitions:**
- *The Brutalist* won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture in 2023.
- *All Quiet on the Western Front* won the Oscar for Best Film.
- The BAFTA award for Best Film went to *All Quiet on the Western Front*.
- **Economic Indicators:**
- The National Statistical Office estimated a 6.5% GDP growth for FY2024.
- **Appointments:**
- S. Somanath was appointed as the 11th chairman of ISRO.
- **Social Welfare:**
- A nationwide scheme provides ₹5 lakh in financial assistance to road accident victims.
- **18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:**
* Chief Guest: Trinidad and Tobago.
* Held in: Odisha, on January 9th.
- **Justin Trudeau's Resignation:**
* Resigned as Prime Minister of Canada.
* Replaced by: Mark Carney (from the Liberal Party).
- **India's First Organic Aquaculture Cluster:**
* Inaugurated by: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) in Sikkim.
- **82nd Golden Globe Awards:**
* Best Motion Picture: "The Banshees of Inisherin".
- **Awards Season Summary:**
* **Golden Globe:** Best Motion Picture - *The Banshees of Inisherin*
* **Oscars:** Best Picture - *Everything Everywhere All at Once*
* **BAFTA:** Best Picture - *All Quiet on the Western Front*
- **Republic Day 2024 Chief Guest:**
- Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia.
- **GDP Base Year:**
- The Indian government announced 2022-23 as the new base year for calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- **Green GDP Model:**
- Chhattisgarh became the first Indian state to adopt the Green Gross Domestic Product model.
- **Railway Division:**
- The 69th railway division of Indian Railways was established in Jammu.
- **Generation Beta Baby:**
- The first Generation Beta baby boy was born in Mizoram.
- **Aero India 2023:**
- Asia's largest air show, Aero India 2023, was held in Bengaluru.
* **Richest and Poorest Chief Ministers (India):**
* N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) - Richest
* Mamata Banerjee - Poorest
* **Sports:**
* **Kho Kho World Cup 2025:** Mascot - Tara Tejas; Winner - India (both men's and women's); Number of players - 9.
* **38th National Games:** Mascot - Molly
* **Economy:**
* **GDP Base Year:** India announced 2022-23 as the new base year for calculating GDP.
* **Green GDP Model:** Chhattisgarh adopted the green gross domestic product (GDP) model.
* **Railways:**
* **69th Railway Division:** Established in Jammu.
* **Number of Railway Zones:** 18 (Eastern Coastal Railway Zone recently added, headquartered in Visakhapatnam).
* **Other Current Affairs:**
* **Generation Beta's First Baby Boy:** Born in Mizoram; expected to run from 2025-2039.
* **Sports:**
* Bengal won the 33rd Santosh Trophy.
* D. Gukesh (chess), Manu Bhaker (shooting), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey), and Praveen Kumar (high jump) received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024. Praveen Kumar won a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics.
* India won both the men's and women's Kho Kho World Cup 2025; the mascot was Tara Tejas. There are nine players in a Kho Kho team.
* Mauli was the mascot for the 38th National Games.
* **Awards and Recognition:**
* Sai Paranjpe received the Padma Shri Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival (held in Maharashtra).
* **Technology:**
* Air India is the first airline to provide in-flight Wi-Fi on domestic routes.
* **Health:**
* Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreaks were reported in China; it causes respiratory problems.
* **Science and Events:**
* The 31st National Children's Science Congress was held in Madhya Pradesh.
* The 813th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was celebrated in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The Prime Minister attended.
* **Economy and Politics:**
* According to ADR reports, N. Chandrababu Naidu is the richest Chief Minister of India, and Mamata Banerjee is the poorest. N. Chandrababu Naidu is from Andhra Pradesh.
* The Indian government announced 2022-23 as the base year for calculating GDP.
* A state (name not specified) adopted the Green Gross Domestic Product model.
* **Sports:**
* Pro Kabaddi League 2024 winner: Haryana Steelers.
* Santosh Trophy 2023 winner: Bengal.
* **Awards:**
* Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 recipients: D. Gukesh (Chess), Manu Bhaker (Shooting), Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey), and Praveen Kumar (High Jump).
* **International Events:**
* UN's theme for 2025: International Year of Cooperation, Quantum Science, and International Year of Peace and Trust.
* Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) outbreak: China.
* **Environmental Issues:**
* Bhopal gas tragedy waste disposal started in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh.
* **Space Exploration:**
* ISRO's space docking mission (SPADEX) launched using PSLV-C50.
* ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission launched using GSLV-F15.
* **Infrastructure:**
* India's first glass bridge inaugurated in Tamil Nadu (near Swami Vivekananda Centre).
* **Records:**
* Youngest woman to climb the seven highest peaks: Kamya Karthikeyan.
* **Technology:**
* First airline to provide in-flight Wi-Fi on domestic routes in India: Air India.
* **Science & Culture:**
* 31st National Children's Science Congress held in Madhya Pradesh.
* 813th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti celebrated in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
* Padam Pani Lifetime Achievement Award at Ajantā Ellora International Film Festival: Sai Paranjape.
* **ISRO Space Mission:** ISRO launched its first space docking mission, SPADEX, using PSLV C60.
* **India's First Glass Bridge:** India's first glass bridge was inaugurated in Tamil Nadu, leading to the Swami Vivekananda Centre.
* **Youngest Woman to Climb Seven Summits:** Kamya Karthikeyan became the youngest woman to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.
* **Pro Kabaddi League Winner:** Haryana Steelers won the Pro Kabaddi League 2024.
* **United Nations Themes for 2025:** The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of: International Cooperation, Quantum Science, and International Peace and Trust.
* **Bhopal Gas Tragedy Waste Disposal:** Disposal of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy began in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh.
* **Santosh Trophy Winner:** Bengal won the 33rd Santosh Trophy.
* **ISRO's Aditya-L1 Mission Launch Vehicle:** ISRO launched its Aditya-L1 mission using GSLV F15.
* **Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners 2024:** D. Gukesh, Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2024.