Current Affairs One - Liner : 1st April 2025

National:

• India launched Operation Brahma to aid Myanmar after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 25, 2025. The mission deployed six aircraft and five naval ships, delivering over 625 metric tons of essential supplies, including food and medical aid. A 200-bed field hospital was set up in Mandalay for critical care.

• The Hnatlangpui Cleanliness Drive was launched in Aizawl, Mizoram on March 31, 2025, focusing on sanitation and waste management. Organized by the Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation Department, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), and Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), it includes a Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility and a Monitoring Committee for waste oversight.
• The Telangana government launched a program to provide fine rice free of cost through ration shops under the PDS starting April 1, 2025. Benefiting over 3.10 crore people, eligible cardholders receive 6 kg fine rice per person per month.
• Rajgir, Bihar, will host the Hero Asia Cup Hockey 2025 from August 29 to September 7, 2025, at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. The tournament will feature eight teams, including India, Pakistan, and Japan, serving as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
• On March 31, 2025, under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) scheme, 4,991 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram for the year 2024-25. These villages focus on improving socio-economic infrastructure for SC-dominated areas with over 40% SC population. Since inception, 11,076 villages have achieved Adarsh Gram status. The initiative ensures inclusive and holistic rural development.
  

Banking:

• The Lok Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, on March 28, 2025, replacing the 1925 Act to modernize maritime laws. The Bill aligns India's regulations with international conventions, defining responsibilities, liabilities, and rights of carriers.
• The Union Cabinet approved a ₹22,919 crore Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme on March 28, 2025, to boost domestic production. The scheme aims to attract investments of ₹59,350 crore and create 91,600 direct jobs, reducing import dependence. It focuses on manufacturing sub-assemblies and strengthening India's electronics supply chain.
• Axis Bank, in partnership with J.P. Morgan, launched India's first blockchain-based 24/7 cross-border payment system on March 26, 2025. Using J.P. Morgan's Kinexys Digital Payments platform, it enables real-time USD clearing for businesses from GIFT City.
• Federal Bank acquired an additional 4% stake in Ageas Federal Life Insurance (AFLIC) for ₹105 crore on March 28, 2025. This increases its ownership from 26% to 30%, subject to regulatory approvals.
• The Government of India issued the order for equity conversion in Vodafone Idea Limited on March 29, 2025, and the company received it on March 30, 2025. Through this, GoI will acquire a 48.99% stake by converting ₹36,950 crore of spectrum dues into equity. Promoters' combined stake will reduce to 25.57%, while GoI becomes the largest shareholder.
  

MoUs:

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India signed an MoU with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) on March 28, 2025, in New Delhi. This partnership focuses on enhancing audit planning, processes, and capacity building in urban development.
• Chhattisgarh signed an MoU with NASSCOM on March 26, 2025, in Bengaluru to boost skill development and strengthen the state's IT ecosystem. The initiative aims to develop Naya Raipur as an IT hub, fostering startups and attracting investments.

Science & Technology:

• The SpaceX Fram2 mission, led by crypto investor Chun Wang, launched on April 1, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This marks the first human spaceflight to achieve true polar orbit, crossing both poles. The crew will conduct 22 scientific experiments during their three-to-five-day journey.
• On March 31, 2025, Dhruva Space and Infostellar announced their collaboration during the 3rd India-Japan Space Dialogue in Tokyo. The partnership integrates Dhruva Space's Hyderabad-based ground station antenna with Infostellar's StellarStation platform to improve satellite communication services.
• A new snakehead fish species, Channa nachi, was discovered on March 27, 2025, in Meghalaya near the Simsang River system. It has a unique bicolor appearance, transitioning from creamish-yellow to blue, with distinct pale-blue marbling. Its name, "nachi," reflects the Garo language, emphasizing local cultural ties.

Reports:

• The International Labour Organization (ILO)'s World Social Protection Report 2024–26, released on March 26, 2025, highlights India's social security coverage doubling to 48.8% by 2024, benefiting 920 million people. Key schemes include Ayushman Bharat, Atal Pension Yojana, and eShram Portal. The report emphasizes India's role in global welfare and advocates for universal coverage.

Sports:

• Aryna Sabalenka won the Miami Open 2025 on March 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida. She defeated Jessica Pegula in the women's singles final with a score of 7-5, 6-2. This victory marked her 19th WTA singles title and her first Miami Open title, solidifying her position as the World No. 1 in tennis.
• Sprinter Gurindervir Singh broke the Men’s 100m National Record at the Indian Grand Prix 1 on March 28, 2025, held at SAI, NSSC, Bengaluru, Karnataka. He clocked an impressive 10.20 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 10.23 seconds. This achievement crowned him as India’s fastest man in the 100m sprint category.
• Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala clinched India's first gold medal in the Asian Wrestling Championship 2025 on March 29, 2025, held in Amman, Jordan. She won the women's 62kg freestyle wrestling category, defeating North Korea's Ok J Kim with a close score of 8-7.

Govt.Schemes:

• Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana on March 30, 2025, in Kalahandi district. This ambitious housing scheme aims to provide pucca houses to over 5 lakh underprivileged families within three years, with a budget of ₹7,550 crore. Beneficiaries will receive ₹1.2 lakh for house construction, along with essential amenities like toilets, LPG connections, clean drinking water, and electricity.

Apps & Portals:

• Uttarakhand launched the Bhagirath Mobile App on March 28, 2025, under the Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2025 to conserve water sources. The app allows citizens to report endangered water sources like Naulas and Dharaas, supporting focused rejuvenation efforts. It aligns with the campaign's theme, "Dhara Mera, Naula Mera, Gaon Mera, Prayas Mera".
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal on April 1, 2025, in New Delhi. Developed by NITI Aayog and NCAER, the portal provides 30 years of data on social, economic, and fiscal parameters. It features a fiscal dashboard, state reports, and research insights, enabling evidence-based policymaking.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the ZooWIN portal on March 31, 2025. It tracks the availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccines (ARV) and Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) in real-time. Built on eVIN's framework, it enhances healthcare coordination and crisis management.
  

Important Days:

• The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) hosted Universal Acceptance (UA) Day 2025 on March 28, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event, themed "Connecting the Unconnected – Building a Multilingual Internet for Viksit Bharat", aimed to accelerate the adoption of Universal Acceptance and foster a more inclusive digital ecosystem.
• International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), observed on March 31, celebrates transgender achievements and raises awareness about their challenges. The 2025 theme is "Empowering Trans Voices: Visibility, Equity, and Justice."

Appointments:

• The 62nd National Maritime Day and Merchant Navy Week, inaugurated on March 31, 2025, emphasized sustainable maritime practices. Discussions revolved around eco-friendly shipping innovations, supporting India's Viksit Bharat vision. The theme was "Sustainable Shipping: Opportunities and Challenges."
• N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, joined the IMF Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth on March 26, 2025. The council, led by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, focuses on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity-led growth.

Awards & Honours:

• Renowned historian MyNaa Swamy received the Ugadi Award on March 29, 2025, at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, Vijayawada. He was honored for his contributions to historical research and social service, particularly in epigraphy and uncovering over 100 new inscriptions.
• The Dalai Lama received the Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability on March 31, 2025, in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The award acknowledges his dedication to peace, non-violence, and environmental stewardship, alongside his advocacy for Tibetan rights.

Books:

• "The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Transformation of India" by Sanjeev Chopra, published on March 18, 2025, explores Shastri's transformative role in Indian politics. It highlights his contributions to the Green Revolution, self-sufficiency, and key institutions like the Food Corporation of India.

Questions:

Q.1 Who won India’s first gold medal in the Asian Wrestling Championship 2025?
a) Manisha Bhanwala
b) Vinesh Phogat
c) Sakshi Malik
d Bajrang Punia

Answer: a) Manisha Bhanwala won India’s first gold medal in the Asian Wrestling Championship 2025 in the women’s 62kg freestyle category, defeating North Korea's Ok J Kim with a score of 8-7.

Q.2 According to the ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26, what percentage of India’s population was covered under social security by 2024?
a) 32.4%
b) 48.8%
c) 60.2%
d ) 75.6%

Answer: b) The ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26 revealed that India’s social security coverage doubled to 48.8% by 2024, benefiting 920 million people. Key schemes included Ayushman Bharat, Atal Pension Yojana, and eShram Portal.