Awards & Recognition:
- Jnanpith Award: Vinod Kumar Shukla (Chhattisgarh), Hindi writer, received the 59th Jnanpith Award.
- Sahitya Akademi Award (Translation): Anisur Rahman, for the translation of "Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi." Award amount: ₹50,000.
- Sahitya Akademi Award (Hindi): Gagan Gil
- Sahitya Akademi Award (English): Stron Kite
- Global Sustainability Ranking: Yes Bank, first Indian bank included.
Economics & Finance:
- IMF Projection: India to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027, surpassing Japan and Germany.
Government & Initiatives:
- "Catch the Run" Campaign: Launched in Haryana.
- Senior Citizens Commission: Kerala, first Indian state to establish.
- Sign Language Broadcast: Punjab's Legislative Assembly, first in India.
- National Karma Yogi Jan Seva Programme: First batch launched by the Ayush Ministry.
International Affairs:
- Japan-China-South Korea Trilateral Meeting: Held in Tokyo.
Sports:
- IPL 2024: 18th season started in Kolkata.
- FIDE World Chess Cup 2025: India to host.
History & Culture:
- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev Tribute: Paid on March 23rd.
- Tallest Hanuman Statue: Unveiled in Bengaluru, Karnataka (72-foot).
- Darbar Hall Renamed: Republic Pavilion (Ganatantra Mandap).
Organizations & Institutions:
- NIIT Head: Amitabh Kant appointed.
- National Tobacco Research Institute: Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh.
- Sahitya Akademi: Established in 1954.
Conferences:
- 27th International Glass Congress: Held in West Bengal, India.
Disaster Management:
- Kavachom: Disaster risk warning system launched by Kerala.
Important Dates:
- World Water Day: Celebrated on March 22nd.
Purple Fest:
- First held in Goa in 2023.
- Held in Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi (2025).
- Organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to showcase the achievements and talents of differently-abled individuals.
Color Symbolism:
- Purple represents differently-abled individuals.
- Pink represents the LGBT community.
- Green represents the environment.
Name Change: Darbar Hall renamed Republic Hall.
72-foot Hanuman Statue: Unveiled in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): The lecture mentions the Secretary-General of IORA but doesn't state who was appointed.
Happy Birthday Subhas Chandra Bose: The lecture mentions Subhas Chandra Bose's birthday but does not give the date.
Sahitya Akademi Translation Award 2024: Awarded to Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi (English translation) for the English language category. No awards were given in Hindi or Urdu categories.
US Presidential Elections:
- Donald Trump became the 47th US President.
- J.D. Vance became the 50th US Vice President.
- Both belong to the Republican Party.
Kho Kho World Cup:
- India won the first Kho Kho World Cup in both men's and women's categories.
Swamitva Yojana:
- This scheme is related to establishing the true ownership of property.
SRFI Indian Tour 2025 Squash Tournament:
- Held in Chennai.
- Winner (Women's Singles): Anahat Singh.
- Winner (Men's Singles): Veer Choithani.
- SRFI (Squash Racquet Federation of India) headquarters located in Chennai.
Mizoram:
- Chapchar Kut festival
- Chiro festival
- Bamboo dance
- Blue Mountain location
- First Export of Anthurium Flowers: The first-ever export of 1024 Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore was facilitated by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).
APEDA Details: APEDA was established in 1986 and is headquartered in Delhi.
Iran: Plans to adopt Makran as its future capital (Tehran is the current capital).
Telangana: Location of the Kunuma festival.
India's Anti-Drone System: Bhargavastra system developed to counter multi-drone attacks.
Kerala: Location of the Makaravilakku festival (held on Makar Sankranti at the Sabarimala Temple).
SRFI Indian Tour 2025 (Squash):
- Held in Chennai.
- Women's singles winner: Anahat Singh.
- Men's singles winner: Veer Choithani.
Infrastructure Projects: The Z Mor tunnel, part of the Zojila tunnel, was inaugurated in Sonmarg, Jammu & Kashmir. It connects Leh and Srinagar.
Defense Technology: DRDO developed a snow cover (Him Kavach) that can withstand temperatures from +20°C to -60°C.
National Boards: The National Turmeric Board's headquarters is in Nizamabad.
Andhra Pradesh:
- Unveiling of a 58-foot statue of Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati, announced by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Potti Sriramulu is known by the epithet "Amarajeevi."
- Unveiling of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statue in Vijayawada.
India: The Fazl Ali Commission's report led to the 7th Constitutional Amendment (1956), resulting in 14 states and 6 union territories. Currently, there are 28 states and 8 union territories.
California: Pink fire retardant (ammonium phosphate) used to fight wildfires in Los Angeles.
Formation of Andhra Pradesh: Potti Sriramulu's 58-day fast-unto-death in 1953 led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh as India's first linguistic state.
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## National News
* **South Coast Railway Headquarters:** Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway headquarters in Visakhapatnam.
* **Karnataka's Garuda Portal:** Karnataka launched the Garuda portal for online filing of FIRs related to wildlife crimes.
* **Potti Sriramulu Statue:** A 58-foot-tall statue of Potti Sriramulu was erected in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh. Sriramulu's 58-day hunger strike in 1953 led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh as a linguistic state.
* **BCCI Secretary:** Jay Shah was appointed as the BCCI secretary.
* **Bharatpol Launch:** The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched Bharatpol, modeled after Interpol.
## International Recognition
* **Blue Flag Certification:** Kapad and Cherai beaches in Kerala received the global Blue Flag certification.
## Archaeological Discoveries
* **Megalithic Structures in Kerala:** Over 110 megalithic structures were discovered near the Malampuzha dam in Palakkad district, Kerala. These structures are from the Iron Age and are made of granite and boulders. Three rock shelters were also found, containing paintings of animals and humans. The site is believed to be a burial ground, with artifacts interred alongside the deceased.
## Geology
* **Igneous Rocks:** Granite and basalt are examples of igneous rocks, also known as primary rocks, formed from cooled lava after volcanic activity. They are characterized by the absence of fossils and the presence of crystals. Megalithic structures are constructed from granite and boulders.
## Urbanization in India
* **Indus Valley Civilization:** The first urban civilization in India, predating the use of iron; its inhabitants used copper and bronze.
* **Mahajanapada Period:** The second phase of urbanization, where the use of iron was prevalent.
## Important Days
* **World Tuberculosis Day:** March 24th. Theme: "Commit, Invest, and Deliver."
* **Forest Day:** March 21st.
* **Water Day and Bihar Day:** March 22nd.
* **Martyrs' Day and Meteorology Day:** March 23rd.
## Events
* **18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:** Held on January 9th, 2025 in Odisha. The Chief Guest was the President of Trinidad and Tobago.
* **Republic Day 2025 Chief Guest:** The Chief Guest for Republic Day 2025 was the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.
## Appointments
* **ISRO Chairman:** Dr. V. Narayanan was appointed as the 11th chairman of ISRO.
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* **World Tuberculosis Day:**
* Celebrated on March 24th.
* Commemorates Robert Koch's discovery of the TB bacterium in 1882.
* India's target for TB elimination: 2025 ("TB Harega, Desh Jeetega").
* Global target for TB elimination: 2030.
* India has the highest number of TB cases globally (27%).
* Vaccine: BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin).
* 2023 theme was "Yes, We Can End TB".
* **Other Observances:**
* March 21st: Forest Day
* March 22nd: Water Day and Bihar Day
* March 23rd: Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs' Day) and Meteorology Day
* **Indian Railway:**
* 69th railway division established in Jammu.
* **International Relations:**
* Republic Day 2025 Chief Guest: President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.
* **Law and Order:**
* Bharatpol: Launched by CBI, modeled after Interpol.
* **Awards and Recognition:**
* Yamini Krishnamurti: Padma Vibhushan (2016); autobiography: "A Passion of Dance".
* Sai Paranjpe: Padma Shri Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ajantā Ellora International Film Festival.
* R.K. Shriram Kumar: Sangeet Kalanidhi Award (violinist).
* Urmila Satyanarayanan: Nritya Kalanidhi Award (Bharatanatyam).
* Lakshminarayan Subramaniam: Padma Vibhushan (2025, violinist).
* **Recent Deaths:**
* Zakir Hussain (Tabla): Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Padma Vibhushan (2023).
* **Environment:**
* India's first shorebird and wetland bird census: Jamnagar, Gujarat (2025).
* Indore: Launched climate mission to become the world's first energy-literate city.
* **Sports:**
* Santosh Trophy Winner: Bengal (33rd).
* **Space:**
* ISRO's Aditya-L1 Mission: Launched using GSLV F10 rocket.
* **Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners:**
* Manu Bhaker
* D. Gukesh (chess)
* Harmanpreet Singh (hockey)
* Praveen Kumar (para-athlete, high jump)
```* **France's White Hydrogen Reserves:** Discovery of significant white hydrogen reserves in the Moselle region of France, estimated at 46 million tons and valued at $92 billion. This is considered a pollution-free, clean energy source with zero carbon emissions, potentially a fuel of the future.
* **Indian Mineral Reserves:**
* **Thorium:** Monazite sand in Kerala.
* **Uranium:** Jadugoda mines in Jharkhand.
* **Copper:** Khetri, Rajasthan.
* **Gold:** Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka.
* **Indore's Climate Mission:** Indore recognized as the world's first energy-literate city following the launch of its climate mission.
* **Santosh Trophy:** Bengal won the 33rd Santosh Trophy.
* **ISRO's Aditya-L1 Mission:** Launched using the GSLV F14 rocket.
* **Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Recipients 2024:**
* Manu Bhaker
* D. Gukesh (chess)
* Harmanpreet Singh (hockey)
* Praveen Kumar (para-athlete, high jump)
* **Sangit Kalanidhi Award:** R.K. Shriram Kumar.
* **Arab Spring/Jasmine Revolution:** The Jasmine Revolution originated in Tunisia and spread across the Arabian Peninsula, becoming known as the Arab Spring. It led to the removal of long-term rulers in Tunisia, Libya (including the death of Muammar Gaddafi), and Egypt.
* **ISRO Mission:** Launch of PSLV-C60 carrying the SPACES mission (India's first space docking mission).
* **Kerala Landslide:** Landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, declared a major disaster by the central government.
* **Tamil Nadu Tourism:** India's first glass bridge, the "Boating Arc Beach," opened in Tamil Nadu.
* **Pro Kabaddi League:** Haryana won the Pro Kabaddi League season 24, defeating Patna.
* **Tunisian Political Situation:**
* Kamal Morjane dismissed as Prime Minister of Tunisia.
* Najla Bouden Romdhane succeeded Hichem Mechichi as Prime Minister; second woman to hold the post.
* **Tunisia:** Sarraj Jaffrani appointed as Tunisia's Prime Minister, the second woman to hold the position. Kamil Madduri, the previous Prime Minister, was dismissed.
* **France:** A 92 billion dollar white hydrogen reserve discovered.
* **Awards:** Violinist R.K. Sriram Kumar to receive the Sangeet Kalashri award.
* **World TB Day:** Observed on March 24th.
* **Kerala:** Over 110 megalithic structures discovered.
* **Amravati:** A 58-foot statue of Potti Sriramulu, who advocated for the creation of states based on language, to be erected.
* **Mizoram:** First-ever export of Anthurium flowers to Singapore by APEDA.
* **Sports:** Anuj Singh and Veer Chauhan won the women's and men's singles titles respectively at the SRFI Indian Tour 2025.
* **Cultural:** Purple Fest 2025 held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. "Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi" to receive the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award 2024 (English language category).
* **IMF Prediction:** India will become the world's third-largest economy in 2025, surpassing Japan, and Germany in 2027.
* **August 2023:** Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander landed on the moon's south pole on August 23rd (National Space Day). National Sports Day is on August 29th. World Sanskrit Day is on August 31st.
* **September 2023:** International Charity Day on September 5th. International Police Cooperation Day is on September 7th. International Literacy Day on September 8th. National Hindi Day on September 14th. National Engineers Day and International Democracy Day on September 15th. World Ozone Layer Protection Day on September 16th. World Bamboo Day on September 18th. International Peace Day on September 21st. World Alzheimer's Day on September 21st. World Rivers Day on September 24th. World Tourism Day on September 27th. World Heart Day on September 29th.
* **October 2023:** International Coffee Day on October 1st. International Day of Non-Violence on October 2nd. World Teachers' Day on October 5th. International Day of the Girl Child on October 11th. World Sight Day on October 12th. International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13th. World Students' Day on October 15th. World Food Day on October 16th. World Statistics Day on October 20th. United Nations Day and World Polio Day on October 24th. National Unity Day on October 31st.
* **November 2023:** International Biosphere Reserve Day on November 3rd. World Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5th. National Legal Services Day on November 9th. Ayurveda Day on November 10th. National Education Day on November 11th. National Public Service Broadcasting Day on November 12th. National Milk Day and Constitution Day on November 26th. World Sustainable Transport Day on November 26th.
* **December 2023:** World AIDS Day on December 1st. World Computer Literacy Day on December 2nd. Indian Navy Day on December 4th. World Soil Day on December 5th. Armed Forces Flag Day on December 7th. International Human Rights Day on December 10th. International Mountain Day on December 11th. Vijay Diwas on December 16th. First World Basketball Day on December 21st. National Mathematics Day on December 22nd. National Farmers' Day on December 23rd. National Consumer Day on December 24th. Good Governance Day on December 25th. Veer Bal Diwas on December 26th. International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27th.
* **Other Dates:**
* Air Force Day: October 8th
* National Startup Day: January 16th, 2016 (Start-up India initiative)
* National Voters' Day: January 24th
* Martyrs' Day: January 30th (Mahatma Gandhi's assassination), March 23rd, 1931 (Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev's execution)
* World Cancer Day: February 4th
* Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: January 9th
* Parakram Diwas: January 23rd (Subhas Chandra Bose's birthday)
* Panchayati Raj Day: April 24th, 1993 (73rd Constitutional Amendment)
* Civil Services Day: April 21st
* World Labour Day: May 1st
* World Milk Day: June 1st
* Kargil Vijay Diwas: July 26th
* Toilet Day: November 19th
* Brain Lipi Day: January 4th
* Coast Guard Day: February 1st
* Deworming Day: February 10th
* World Wildlife Day: March 3rd
* National Technology Day: May 11th
* Anti-Terrorism Day: May 21st
* **June Observances:**
* World Environment Day (June 5th) - Theme: Land restoration.
* World Food Safety Day (June 7th)
* World Oceans Day (June 8th) - Theme: Awake New Depths.
* First International Sports Day (June 11th) - Theme: Sport Creates a Better World.
* World Blood Donor Day (June 14th)
* World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17th)
* Day of commemorating the fight against hate speech (June 18th)
* World Refugee Day (June 20th)
* 10th International Yoga Day (June 21st) - Theme: Yoga for Self and Society.
* United Nations Public Service Day (June 23rd)
* Olympic Day (June 23rd) - Established in 1894.
* Constitution Day (June 25th) - Marks the date of the Third Emergency in India (1975).
* **July Observances:**
* National Doctors' Day (July 1st) - Birthday of Bidhan Chandra Roy.
* World Population Day (July 11th) - Marks the day the world population reached 5 billion in 1983.
* Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18th)
* World Chess Day (July 20th)
* International Tiger Day (July 29th)
* **August Observances:**
* World Wide Web Day (August 1st) - Birthday of Tim Berners-Lee.
* Hiroshima Day (August 6th) - Commemorates the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.
* National Handicraft Day (August 7th) - Also Javelin Throw Day.
* International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9th)
* World Lion Day (August 10th)
* International Elephant Day (August 12th)
* National Space Day (August 23rd) - Commemorates Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander landing on the moon's south pole in 2023.
* National Sports Day (August 29th) - Birthday of Major Dhyan Chand.
* World Sanskrit Day (August 31st)
- **January:**
- World Hindi Day (January 10, 2024): Theme - Connecting Hindi Traditional Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence.
- National Youth Day (January 12): Celebrates Vivekananda's birthday.
- Indian Army Day (January 15).
- International Education Day (January 24).
- National Girl Child Day (January 24).
- National Voters' Day (January 25).
- National Tourism Day (January 25).
- Republic Day (January 26): Theme - India, the Mother of Democracy and Developed India.
- **February:**
- World Pulses Day (February 10): Theme - Pulses: Nutritious for people, planet and climate.
- World Radio Day (February 13).
- National Women's Day (February 13).
- International Mother Language Day (February 21).
- National Science Day (February 28).
- **March:**
- Zero Discrimination Day (March 1).
- International Women's Day (March 8).
- International Mathematics Day (March 14).
- World Consumer Rights Day (March 15).
- National Vaccination Day (March 16): Theme - Vaccines work for everyone.
- World Forestry Day (March 21).
- World Water Day (March 22).
- World Meteorological Day (March 23).
- World Tuberculosis Day (March 24).
- National Consumer Day (December 24).
- **April:**
- National Maritime Day (April 5).
- World Health Day (April 7): Theme - My health, my right.
- World Homeopathy Day (April 10).
- World Hemophilia Day (April 17).
- World Heritage Day (April 18): Theme - Exploring and experiencing diversity.
- International Earth Day (April 22): Theme - Invest in our planet.
- World Book and Copyright Day (April 23).
- World Malaria Day (April 25).
- World Intellectual Property Day (April 26).
- **May:**
- World Press Freedom Day (May 3).
- World Red Cross Day (May 8).
- World Thalassemia Day (May 8).
- International Nurses Day (May 12).
- International Family Day (May 15).
- International Day of Light (May 16).
- International Museum Day (May 18).
- World Metrology Day (May 20): Theme - Measuring our world for a sustainable future.
- International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22): Theme - Build a shared future for all life.
- World Football Day (May 25).
- First International Potato Day (May 30).
- World No Tobacco Day (May 31).
- **June:**
- World Environment Day (June 5): Theme - Solutions to plastic pollution.
- World Food Safety Day: June 7th
- World Oceans Day: June 8th (Theme: Planet Ocean: Tides are turning)
- First International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: June 11th (Theme: Sport unites us)
- World Blood Donor Day: June 14th
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: June 17th
- International Day of the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: June 26th
- World Refugee Day: June 20th
- International Day of Yoga: June 21st (Theme: Yoga for humanity)
- United Nations Public Service Day: June 23rd
- Olympic Day: June 23rd
- National Doctor's Day: July 1st
- **July:**
- World Population Day: July 11th
- Nelson Mandela International Day: July 18th
- World Chess Day: July 20th
- International Tiger Day: July 29th