Current Affairs - March 17, 2025 Current Affairs

Hockey Jharkhand triumphed in the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025, claiming their first-ever national title. They defeated the defending champions, Hockey Haryana, in a thrilling final that ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a penalty shootout. Jharkhand won the shootout 4-3, with contributions from players like Rajni Kerketta, Nirali Kujur, Binima Dhan, and Captain Alebla Rani Toppo. This victory marked a historic achievement for Jharkhand in Indian women's hockey, as it was their first title after a previous runner-up finish in 2015.

India and New Zealand have officially launched negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to strengthen their bilateral relations and boost economic cooperation. This agreement aims to enhance supply chain integration, expand market access, and promote economic resilience for both nations. The FTA negotiations were announced in March 2025 during a meeting between Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay. This agreement marks India's second FTA in the Oceania region, following the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in 2022.

The first-ever Fit India Carnival was inaugurated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on March 16, 2025. This three-day event aimed to promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and healthy lifestyle choices among citizens. It featured a variety of activities such as fitness challenges, traditional martial arts demonstrations, and wellness programs. High-profile participants like Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and wrestling champion Sangram Singh contributed to the event's success.

Mumbai Indians won their second Women’s Premier League title by defeating Delhi Capitals by 8 runs in the final at Brabourne Stadium. Harmanpreet Kaur's impressive knock of 66 and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round performance, which included three key wickets, were crucial in securing the victory. Harmanpreet Kaur was named Player of the Match, while Sciver-Brunt earned the Player of the Tournament and the Orange Cap for her outstanding performances throughout the season.

The Hyperloop testing facility where the 410-meter-long Hyperloop tube is being developed is located at IIT Madras. This tube is set to become the world’s longest high-speed tube. The project is supported by the Indian Railways Ministry, with funding and technical assistance, while the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai is responsible for developing the necessary electronic technology for the Hyperloop system. IIT Madras is also known for its innovations in fields like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data science, as showcased during the Open House 2025 exhibition.

National Vaccination Day is observed annually on March 16 to emphasize India’s commitment to public health through immunisation. This day marks the first dose of the oral polio vaccine administered under the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme in 1995. The day serves to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines, honour healthcare workers, and encourage community participation in immunisation drives. It is a reminder of the importance of vaccination in eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases and protecting future generations.

In 2025, the United States has reported over 300 cases of measles, a highly contagious viral disease. Measles can lead to severe complications such as blindness, pneumonia, and death, particularly due to Vitamin A deficiency. The disease spreads through airborne transmission, and vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the key preventive measure.

The Lachit Barphukan Police Academy was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Dergaon, Assam. This state-of-the-art facility aims to enhance law enforcement training. It spans 340 acres and includes modern infrastructure such as smart classrooms, a weapon training simulator, research labs, and a modern parade ground.

The MoU for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) will be signed in New Delhi on March 18, 2025. This significant development involves the establishment of 1,139 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (U-AAMs), the upgrading of 553 mohalla clinics, and the creation of new healthcare facilities. The agreement comes after a legal and political process, where the new Delhi government has decided to move forward with this initiative, aiming to improve primary healthcare services across the region.

Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a historic peace agreement on March 13, 2025, aimed at ending their long-standing conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The peace treaty was a significant step toward establishing stability in the South Caucasus. Although both nations agreed on the text of the treaty, Azerbaijan called for constitutional amendments in Armenia before the official signing could occur, introducing some uncertainty in the timeline for finalizing the agreement. This treaty aims to end nearly four decades of tension and hostilities between the two nations.

The 353rd Governing Body Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 10 to March 20, 2025. India participated actively in the meeting, with Ms Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, leading the Indian delegation. During the meeting, India highlighted its achievements in areas such as social protection, fair migration pathways, and living wages, while supporting various ILO initiatives. The meeting was an important event for fostering global collaboration on labour and employment issues.