Current Affairs One - Liner : 6th March 2025

National:

• The Government of India launched five pilot projects for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles under the National Green Hydrogen Mission on March 5, 2025. With 37 vehicles, 9 refuelling stations, and a budget of ₹208 crore, the initiative explores hydrogen transport's feasibility across 10 routes, like Delhi-Agra and Pune-Mumbai.

• India's EPHL and Belgium's John Cockerill Defence (JCD) have formed a joint venture for the Zorawar Light Tank Program, announced on March 4, 2025. This JV focuses on manufacturing turrets with 50% indigenous content under the Make in India initiative. It has a 60:40 ownership ratio, favoring JCD for technology transfer.
• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated India's first AI-powered solar manufacturing line on March 3, 2025, at Goldi Solar's facility in Surat, Gujarat. The facility has a production capacity of 14 GW and integrates advanced AI technologies for precision and efficiency. This initiative supports India's net-zero goals and the Make in India vision by boosting clean energy manufacturing.
• On March 4, 2025, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a total outlay of ₹3,880 crore for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
• The Union Cabinet approved a ₹4,081 crore Ropeway Project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath on March 5, 2025, reducing travel time to 36 minutes. It uses advanced 3S technology with a capacity of 18,000 passengers daily, boosting tourism and creating jobs.

Banking:

• Mintoak acquired Digiledge for $3.5 million on March 4, 2025, to strengthen its CBDC and bill payment solutions. This acquisition supports India's e-rupee ecosystem and allows Mintoak's partner banks, like HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and SBI, to provide advanced CBDC-based services.
• HDFC Bank launched Project HAKK (Hawai Anubhavi Kalyan Kendra) on March 5, 2025, in partnership with the Indian Air Force and CSC Academy. This initiative aims to provide financial and government services to IAF pensioners, veterans, and their families. It includes 25 service centers across India, offering over 500 G2C and B2C services. The project also focuses on skill development for financial independence.
• YES Bank partnered with the World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai on March 5, 2025, to empower MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). The partnership aims to provide financial solutions, facilitate global trade opportunities, and offer capacity-building initiatives. This collaboration focuses on enhancing MSME competitiveness and integrating them into global value chains.

Economy:

• Chhattisgarh FM Om Prakash Choudhary presented the Rs 1.65 lakh crore budget for FY26 on March 3, 2025, in Raipur. The budget emphasizes "GATI" (Good Governance, Accelerating Infrastructure, Technology, and Industrial Growth). Key allocations include Rs 10,000 crore for Krishak Unnati Yojana and Rs 8,500 crore for rural housing under PMAY-G.
• Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma presented the Rs 15,198.76 crore state budget for FY26 on March 4, 2025, in Aizawl. The budget prioritizes the Bana Kaih Scheme, with a 75% increase in allocation to Rs 350 crore, supporting farmers and entrepreneurs. It also introduces a universal health insurance scheme with coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per year for beneficiaries.

Important Days:

• The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed on March 5 annually to promote peace and security. The 2025 theme is "Strengthening Global Commitments for a Peaceful Future", focusing on disarmament and addressing emerging threats like autonomous weapons.

Appointments:

• The Government of India appointed Ajay Bhadoo as the CEO of Government e-Marketplace (GeM), effective March 3, 2025. He is an IAS officer from the 1999 Gujarat cadre and also serves as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce.

Awards & Honours:

• Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), was honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality and Education Through Technology award on March 5, 2025. The award, presented by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Shekhawat at the Vibrant Bharat Global Summit 2025.
• Nithin Kamath, Founder and CEO of Zerodha, was honored with the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2024 on March 5, 2025. Recognized for his innovative low-margin, high-volume brokerage model, he transformed the Indian brokerage industry.
• Chinese architect Liu Jiakun won the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize on March 4, 2025, for blending traditional Chinese elements with contemporary design. His work emphasizes social equity in architecture. The award ceremony will be held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi later this spring, honoring his remarkable contributions to the field.

Questions:

Q.1 Ajay Bhadoo was appointed as the CEO of which Indian government platform on March 3, 2025?
a) UPI
b) Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
c) Digital India Corporation
d) Bharat Broadband Network

Answer: b) Ajay Bhadoo, an IAS officer, took over as CEO of Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to enhance public procurement efficiency.

Q.2 Who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality and Education Through Technology award in 2025?
a) Ritesh Agarwal
b) Dr. Suborno Bose
c) Deep Kalra
d) Sanjiv Mehta

Answer: b) Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), was honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality and Education Through Technology award on March 5, 2025.