• Current Affairs Book Offer: A combined Current Affairs and GK/GS book is available on Amazon for ₹297, with delivery within 3-4 days.

• Awards and Recognition

  • Fit India Icon: Ayushmann Khurrana selected for the Fit India Icon award by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
  • Asian Film Awards: "All We Imagine as Night" won Best Film at the Asian Film Awards.

• International Relations & Agreements

  • RBI Agreement: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made an agreement with Mauritius to promote trade in local currencies.
  • OIC Meeting: The Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) held its 19th session in Indonesia. The organization was founded in 1969.
  • Varuna Exercise: Bilateral naval exercise "Varun" was conducted between India and France.

• Conferences and Events

  • 27th International Glass Congress: Held in West Bengal, India.

• Rankings and Reports

  • Future of Free Speech: India's ranking in "Future of Free Speech" is 24.

• Environment and Sustainability

  • Green Waste Processing Plant: India's first PPP-based green waste processing plant started in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
  • World Sparrow Day: World Sparrow Day was observed on March 20th. Ujjwala was launched, with the sparrow as its mascot.

• Other News

  • Sunita Williams: Sunita Williams returned to the US think tank.

• Indian Constitution: Article 20 protects individuals from being punished more than once for the same crime.

• Bangladesh: India secured operational rights for a terminal at Mongla Port in Bangladesh.

• Paris Olympics: Manu Bhaker won India's first medal at the Paris Olympics. Servjot Singh participated as well.

• OIC Meeting: The 19th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) took place in Indonesia. The OIC was founded in 1969.

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Moirang in India became the country's 43rd UNESCO World Heritage site in the cultural category.

• World Space Award: ISRO received the World Space Award for the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

• Supreme Court Ruling on Development vs. Environment (Auroville Foundation Case):

  • The Supreme Court overturned an NGT order, emphasizing the equal importance of development and environmental protection.
  • Case: Auroville Foundation vs. Navraj Modi (concerning the Auroville Foundation in Tamil Nadu facing NGT restrictions).
  • The court cited Articles 14 (equality), 19 (freedom, including development), and 21 (right to life, including a clean environment) of the Indian Constitution, forming a "golden triangle" to balance these rights.
  • Development is a right and cannot be sacrificed solely for environmental concerns.

• Awards and Honors:

  • Abhinav Bindra: Received the Olympic Order from the IOC for winning India's first individual gold medal in shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
  • Shah Rukh Khan: The first Indian actor honored with a customized gold coin by the Grévin Museum in Paris.

• Pageantry:

  • Kenza Lily: The world's first Miss AI.
  • Victoria: The new Miss Universe (from Denmark).

• National News:

  • Rashtrapati Bhavan: The Durbar Hall has been renamed "Ganatantra Mandap."

• Awards and Honors:

  • Rigonmachen received the Gandhi Mandela Award 2023.
  • Supriya Sity is the first woman officer in the Army Air Defence Corps operationally deployed in Siachen Glacier.
  • Abhinav Bindra was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the IOC. He won India's first individual gold medal in shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
  • Shah Rukh Khan is the first Indian actor to be honored with a customized gold coin by the Grévin Museum in Paris.
  • Gandhi Mandela Award 20 was recently given to Rigota Bencho.

• Developments and Initiatives:

  • India's first medical institutional museum was established in Chandigarh.
  • Paisa Bazaar launched PV Money for personal finance management.
  • Kenza Lily is the world's first Miss AI.
  • Victoria became Miss Universe.

• Policy and Governance:

  • The Rashtrapati Bhavan's Darbar Hall was renamed the Republic Mandap.
  • The Supreme Court recognized the right to development in a specific case (details not provided).

• Economics:

  • The Economic Survey 2023-24 reported 8.2% real GDP growth in FY24, followed by a decrease to 6.4%.

• Biology/Zoology:

  • The world's largest fish is the Sark (also known as a dogfish).
  • A new species of critically endangered kilfish was discovered in the Gongoni Forest in Kenya.

• Environment and Conservation:

  • Uttarakhand is the first state in India to launch a Gross Environmental Product (GEP) index.
  • The new kilfish species discovered in Kenya is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List.
  • IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Founded in 1948, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.

• Geography and Organizations:

  • Kenya: Capital is Nairobi. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters are located in Kenya (established June 5, 1972). The Maasai tribe resides in Kenya.

• Sports:

  • Olympic Esports: Saudi Arabia selected as the first host.

• Culture and Heritage:

  • UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage:
    • Navroz (Parsi New Year): Added to the list in 2016. Currently, there are 15 elements on this list.
    • Karwa Dance: Newest addition.
    • Kalbeliya Dance: Added in 2010.
    • Kumbh Mela: Added in 2017.
  • Religious New Years:
    • Jewish New Year: Rosh Hashanah
    • Malayalam New Year: Vishu (Kerala)
  • Regional Festivals:
    • Navreh Festival: Celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Ugadi: Celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Gudi Padwa: Celebrated in Maharashtra.

• International Relations and Organizations:

  • ICC Annual Conference: Held in Colombo; headquarters in Dubai.
  • UN General Assembly: 53rd member: Coted D'Ivoire.

• Indian Politics:

  • 18th Lok Sabha's Protem Speaker: Bharatari Meheta
  • Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla (Article 93 of the Constitution)

• National Events:

  • "Our Constitution, Our Respect" event: Bikaner (2024), Prayagraj, Guwahati.

• International Events:

  • 45th COSPAR Space Science Symposium: South Korea.
  • India's first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra: Mauritius.

• International Appointments:

  • President of the European Commission: Ursula von der Leyen

• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage:

  • Navroz (Parsi New Year): Added in 2016. 15 elements on the list. Karwa Dance is the latest addition. Kumbh Mela (2017), Kalbeliya dance (2010).

• Religious Observances:

  • Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year.

• Lok Sabha:

  • Article 81 of the Indian Constitution.
  • First meeting: May 13, 1952.
  • First Speaker: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar.
  • First female Speaker: Meira Kumar.
  • Current General Secretary: Utpal Kumar Singh.

• Lok Sabha Secretariat & AI:

  • Agreement with MeitY for AI in parliamentary speeches (multilingual support). Ashwini Vaishnaw is the current minister of MeitY.

• Sports:

  • Wimbledon Men's Singles: Carlos Alcaraz.
  • Australian Open 2025: Jannik Sinner (Men's), Aryna Sabalenka (Women's).
  • Copa América: Argentina (winner), Colombia (runner-up).

• India-related Current Affairs:

  • ITBP seized 108 kg of gold on China border (Operation "Jald").
  • CBI launched Operation "Chakra" to combat cyber networks.

• Technology & Government:

  • Lok Sabha Secretariat & MeitY launch "Sansad Bhashini" (AI translation). Ashwini Vaishnaw is the current minister of MeitY.

• Samarth Program:

  • C-DOT incubation program for telecom startups.

• Festivals:

  • Kharchi Puja: Tripura. Garia Puja and Hojagiri are also in Tripura.

• Rajasthan Government Initiatives:

  • Mangla Pashu Beema Yojana: Livestock insurance scheme.
  • Ladli Protsahan Yojana: ₹1.5 lakh in seven installments for girls up to 21 years old.
  • Shiksha Sanjeevani Beema Yojana: Insurance for school children in case of accidents (₹1-1.3 lakh).

• Financial Inclusion:

  • RBI released the Financial Inclusion Index for FY 2023-24.

• Events:

  • First World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit held in Goa.

• Agriculture:

  • NABARD launched Agri Startup to support agricultural startups.
  • NABARD established on July 12, 1982, based on Shivmangal Committee recommendations.

• Telecommunications and IT:

  • C-DOT launched the "Samarth" incubation program for startups.
  • C-DOT stands for Centre for Development of Telematics.

• Maharashtra:

  • Aims for a $1 trillion economy.
  • Traditional dances: Lavani, Lezim, Tamasha.
  • Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.
  • Warli painting originates in Maharashtra.

• Paris Olympics:

  • P.V. Sindhu and Sharath Kamal: Flag bearers at the opening ceremony.
  • Manu Bhaker and P.R. Sreejesh: Flag bearers at the closing ceremony.

• Maharashtra Government Initiatives:

  • Target: $1 Trillion economy.
  • "MahaTech" established, reporting directly to the Chief Minister.
  • Devendra Fadnavis is the Chief Minister.
  • Mahayuti is the ruling coalition.

• Awards:

  • Grammy Award: Music
  • Emmy Award: Television
  • Pritzker Prize: Architecture
  • Ramnath Goenka Award, Pulitzer Prize, Chameli Devi Award, Gauri Lankesh Award: Journalism

• India Current Affairs:

  • Karnataka: Second state to introduce a Gig Workers Bill (after Rajasthan).
  • Tata Asset Management: Launched India's first Tourism Index Mutual Fund.
  • Hebrocyrtus swaminathan: New jumping spider species named after M.S. Swaminathan.

• Ramnath Goenka Awards:

  • 19th edition presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
  • 27 journalists received awards across 20 categories.
  • Award money: ₹1 lakh.
  • Mridulika Jha: Won for Hindi category for coverage of the "Donkey Route".

• "Donkey Route" Coverage:

  • Mridulika Jha: Coverage detailed illegal entry of Haryana residents into the USA.

• Indian Men's Cricket Team: Gautam Gambhir appointed as the new head coach.

• Russia: Prime Minister Modi awarded the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia's highest civilian honour.

• Ramnath Goenka Awards:

  • Awarded in the field of journalism.
  • Presented by the Indian Express.
  • 19th edition in 2023, started in 2005.
  • 27 journalists awarded across 20 categories.
  • Awarded by President Droupadi Murmu.
  • Prize money: ₹1 lakh.
  • Hindi Category: Mridulika Jha awarded for coverage of the "Donkey Route." The "Donkey Route" refers to the illegal entry of people from Haryana into the USA.

• Remittances to India (FY23-24):

  • Top Source: USA (27.7%).
  • Second Largest Source: UAE.
  • Within India: Maharashtra received the highest remittances, followed by Kerala.

• USA Updates:

  • Capital: Washington D.C.
  • River: Potomac River
  • FBI Head: Christopher Wray (Note: This information needs verification for accuracy, as the transcript mentions Kash Patel)

• India Awards and Appointments:

  • Maharashtra received the Best Agricultural State Award for 2024.
  • Gautam Gambhir appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team.

• SpaceX: Launched the Polaris Dawn mission.

• Military Equipment: Joraver is an indigenous light tank.

• World Happiness Index 2023:

  • Finland ranked first.
  • Denmark ranked second.
  • India ranked 118th.
  • Afghanistan ranked last.
  • Nepal ranked 92nd.
  • Pakistan ranked 109th.
  • World Happiness Day is celebrated on March 20th.

• Indian Air Force: Successfully tested the Rudram missile, India's first indigenous anti-radiation missile.

• UNESCO Initiatives:

  • UNESCO's 2024 meeting was held in Delhi, India. Project Pari was launched by India's Ministry of Culture to showcase Indian culture to foreign delegates.
  • The 2025 UNESCO meeting will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria.

• Government Investigations: A commission of inquiry, headed by Justice Brijesh Srivastava, was formed to investigate a stampede in Uttar Pradesh.

• World Happiness Index 2025:

  • Finland ranked first.
  • Denmark ranked second.
  • Afghanistan ranked last (147th).
  • India ranked 118th (improved from 126th in 2024).
  • Pakistan ranked 109th.
  • Nepal ranked 92nd.
  • USA ranked 24th.
  • World Happiness Day is celebrated on March 20th. World Sparrow Day is also celebrated on March 20th.

• World Happiness Ranking 2025:

  • Released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
  • Finland ranked first for the eighth consecutive year.
  • Denmark ranked second.
  • Afghanistan ranked last (147th).
  • India ranked 118th (improved from 126th in 2024).
  • Pakistan ranked 109th.
  • Nepal ranked 92nd.

• Remittances: The U.S. was the largest source of remittances to India in fiscal year 2023-24, according to an RBI survey.

• Awards: Mridulika Jha received the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism for her coverage of the Danki Marg.

• Economic Initiatives: The Maharashtra government announced plans to create a trillion-dollar economy through "MahaTech". The CDOT supported a cutting-edge incubation program for startups in the telecom and ICT sectors.

• Government Agreements: The Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology signed an agreement for Parliament speeches.

• New Species Discovery: A new species of killifish was discovered in Kenya's Gongoni forest.

• Financial Technology: The Paisa Bazaar launched "PB Money" for personal finance management.

• Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court recognized the right to development in the Oroville Foundation vs. Navroz case.

• International Meeting: The 19th session of the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) was held in Indonesia.

• Tax Reforms:

  • Tax removed on 36 life-saving drugs, including those for rare diseases and cancer.
  • New Income Tax regime introduced (replacing the 1961 bill).
  • Revised tax slabs:
    • Up to ₹12 lakh: Tax-free.
    • ₹0-4 lakh: 0% tax.
    • ₹4-8 lakh: 5% tax.
    • ₹8-12 lakh: 10% tax.
    • ₹12-16 lakh: 15% tax.
    • ₹16-20 lakh: 20% tax.
    • ₹20-24 lakh: 25% tax.
    • Above ₹24 lakh: 30% tax.

• Government Revenue Sources:

  • Borrowings: 24%
  • Corporation Tax: 17%
  • Income Tax: 22%
  • GST: 18%

• Government Expenditure:

  • Highest expenditure: States' share in taxes and duties (22%).
  • Second highest expenditure: Interest payments (20%).
  • Other significant expenditures: Defence, Rural Development, Home Ministry, Agriculture.

• Insurance Sector Reform: The FDI limit in the insurance sector has been increased from 74% to 100%.

• Maritime Development: A maritime development fund will be established, with the government contributing 49% of the funding.

• Udan Yojana: The Udan Yojana scheme aims to add 120 new destinations over the next 10 years.

• Bihar Infrastructure Development: A greenfield airport will be built in Bihar, and the West Kosi Canal project in Mithilanchal will be developed.

• Gyan Bharat Mission: This mission will focus on the preservation of over 1 crore handwritten manuscripts.

• Export Promotion: A "Bharat Trade Net" platform has been launched to improve export supply chains.

• Fiscal Deficit: The fiscal deficit is projected to be 4.8% of GDP in 2024-25 and 4.4% in 2025-26.

- **Agricultural Initiatives:**
    - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limit increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
    - National High Yielding Seed Mission for high-yield seeds.
    - Pulses Mission: 6-year duration.
    - Cotton Production Mission: 5-year duration.

- **Industrial Projects:**
    - Urea plant to be established in Namrup, Assam, with a production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons.
    - Makhana board to be established in Bihar.

- **Social Welfare Schemes:**
    - ₹500 crore allocated for establishing centers of excellence to promote educational initiatives.
    - Affordable cancer medicines and establishment of daycare cancer hospitals in all district hospitals within three years.
    - Jal Jeevan Mission extended until 2028.
    - Creation of a maritime development fund with 49% government funding.

- **Infrastructure Development:**
    - UDAN scheme to explore 120 new destinations in the next 10 years.
    - Construction of a greenfield airport in Bihar.
    - Development of the West Kosi Canal in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar.
    - "Gyan Bharatm" mission launched to preserve over 1 crore hand-written manuscripts.

- **Economic Policies:**
    - "Ek Bharat Trade Net" platform launched to improve export supply.
    - 100% FDI limit in the insurance sector (previously 74%).

- **Agricultural Initiatives:**
    - Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanay Krishi Yojana launched in 100 districts to increase agricultural productivity; expected to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.
    - Self-Reliance Mission in Pulses: 6-year mission focusing on Tur, Urad, and Masoor lentils.
    - Missions launched for vegetables, fruits, and millets (Shree Anna). 2023 declared as the year of millets (Shree Anna).
    - Makhana Board established in Bihar.
    - National High Yield Seed Mission to develop high-yielding seeds.
    - Cotton Production Mission: 5-year mission to boost cotton production and the textile industry.
    - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limit increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
    - Urea plant to be established in Namrup, Assam, with a production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons.

- **Budget 2025-26:** Presented for the eighth time by Nirmala Sitharaman. Focuses on achieving a "Developed India."

- **Developed India's Six Pillars:**
    - Poverty eradication.
    - 100% school education.
    - Affordable and accessible healthcare.
    - 100% skilled workforce.
    - 70% female participation in economic activity.
    - Making India the "Food Basket of the World."

- **Budget 2025-26's Four Engines:**
    - Agriculture
    - MSMEs
    - Investment
    - Exports
    - Fuel: Reforms
    - Guidance: Inclusivity
    - Destination: Developed India

- **Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanay Krishi Yojana:** Aims to increase agricultural productivity; launched in 100 districts; expects to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.

- **Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses:** Six-year mission focusing on tur, urad, and masoor lentils.

- **Other Missions:** Missions for vegetables and fruits, millets (Shree Anna); 2023 declared as the year of Shree Anna (coarse grains).

- **Makhana Board:** Established in Bihar.

- **National High-Yield Seed Mission:** Focuses on high-yield seeds.

- **Cotton Production Mission:** Five-year mission to improve cotton quality and boost the textile industry.

- **Kisan Credit Card Limit Increase:** Increased from ₹3 lakh.

- **Budget 2025-26:** Presented by Nirmala Sitharaman for the eighth time. Morarji Desai presented the budget 10 times. Presented on February 1st.

- **Historical Context:**
    - First budget in India (1860): James Wilson.
    - First budget post-independence: K. Shanmukham Chetty.
    - First budget in Republican India: John Matthai.
    - First female finance minister: Indira Gandhi.
    - First full-time finance minister: Nirmala Sitharaman.
    - Longest budget presentation: Nirmala Sitharaman (2020).

- **Vision for a Developed India:** Six key aspects:
    - Poverty eradication.
    - 100% school education.
    - Affordable and accessible healthcare.
    - 100% skilled workforce.
    - 70% women's participation in economic activity.
    - Making India the "Food Basket of the World".

- **Budget 2025-26's Four Engines:**
    - Agriculture
    - MSMEs
    - Investment
    - Exports
    - Fuel: Reforms.
    - Guidance: Inclusivity.
    - Destination: Developed India.

- **Agriculture Initiatives:** Pradhan Mantri DhanDhanaya Krishi Yojana launched in 100 districts to improve agricultural productivity.