Current Affairs - March 4, 2025 Current Affairs

The first-ever river dolphin survey in India recorded a total of 6,327 dolphins across 28 rivers in eight states, with over 8,500 km surveyed. The survey, which involved 3,150 man-days, highlighted the importance of conservation efforts. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of river dolphins, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. The survey's findings are critical for promoting eco-tourism, conservation, and raising awareness about wildlife, as emphasized by the Prime Minister.

Firefly Aerospace successfully carried out the Blue Ghost Mission 1, which landed on the Moon on March 2, 2025. This marked the second private lunar landing. The mission was launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on January 15, 2025, and it carried ten scientific instruments, including a lunar soil analyzer. The mission will also study lunar dust behaviour under solar influence and capture significant lunar events like a total eclipse and lunar sunset. Firefly Aerospace played a key role in this pioneering lunar mission.

Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria’s new Chancellor, leading a 3-party coalition government. This coalition ended a 5-month political deadlock. The coalition comprises Stocker’s Austrian People’s Party, the Social Democrats, and the liberal Neos, following unsuccessful attempts to include the far-right Freedom Party. Stocker’s government faces several pressing issues, including rising unemployment, a looming recession, and a strained budget, which will require careful management and cooperation between the coalition parties.

National Defence Day is observed on March 3rd each year in India to honour the bravery, sacrifices, and valour of the country's armed forces. The day serves as a tribute to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for their role in safeguarding India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In 2025, India celebrated the 87th anniversary of this important event. Various activities, such as parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, and exhibitions, are conducted to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the armed forces in maintaining national security.

India is the leading source of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, with over 80,000 Indian tourists visiting in the first two months of 2025. During this period, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 492,000 tourists, marking a strong start to the year, just behind 2019. The country is aiming for a target of 3 million visitors in 2025, having already achieved 16% of this goal in the initial months. This highlights India's significant role in Sri Lanka's tourism industry.

The Madhya Pradesh government announced an initiative to provide permanent power connections to farmers for just Rs 5, aiming to reduce the financial burden on farmers and improve agricultural productivity. The initiative, announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, will help farmers access affordable electricity and enhance irrigation facilities. Additionally, a plan to distribute 30 lakh solar irrigation pumps will further benefit farmers, reduce energy costs, and support eco-friendly farming practices. This move will also support rural electrification and ensure uninterrupted power supply to farming households.

The discovery of new species of jumping spiders occurred in India, but the title references both India and Sri Lanka, highlighting the biodiversity significance of both countries. Sri Lanka is included due to its ecological role in the region, alongside India. Both countries are recognized for their diverse ecosystems, which contribute to the discovery of new species.

Krishna Jayasankar became the first Indian woman to surpass the 16m mark in indoor shot put, setting a new record with a throw of 16.03m. This achievement was part of her performance at the 2025 Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Championships, where she earned a bronze medal. Her record-breaking throw surpassed the previous 15.54m mark. Despite this, India's overall women's shot put record remains 18.41m, held by Abha Khatua. This highlights Krishna Jayasankar's significant milestone in Indian athletics.

World Hearing Day is observed annually on March 3 to raise awareness about hearing loss, advocate for ear and hearing care, and promote efforts to tackle hearing-related challenges. Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), this event encourages individuals to take action towards hearing health. The 2025 theme, "Empower yourself," focuses on personal responsibility for hearing care, highlighting the need for preventive measures and early intervention. The day emphasizes the importance of hearing protection and supporting those with hearing impairments.

Atal Dulloo, the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, was honoured with the ‘Certificate of Exemplary Leadership’ by the Election Commission of India for his outstanding role during the 18th Lok Sabha elections. Under his leadership, the region recorded the highest voter turnout since 1989, a significant rise from the 2019 elections. The successful conduct of the elections involved over 11,629 polling stations and 80,724 trained personnel, marking a milestone in the electoral process following Jammu and Kashmir's reorganization in 2019.

The Uttarakhand government launched the "Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana" to support single women by providing financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh. Under the scheme, 75% of the amount will be granted, while beneficiaries will contribute just 25%. This initiative aims to empower 2,000 women in its first phase, helping them achieve financial independence and self-reliance. The scheme reflects the state's focus on supporting women in their economic journey.

The declaration of English as the national language was made by the United States. This decision was implemented through an executive order, aiming to streamline communication and enhance national unity. The order allows federal agencies to decide on providing multilingual services, reflecting the country's recognition of its linguistic diversity. While millions of residents speak other languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic, the order focuses on promoting English as the primary language for official use.