Current Affairs - March 24, 2025 Current Affairs

New Delhi became the 28th legislature to join the National e-Vidhan Platform (NeVA). The Delhi Assembly signed an MoU with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to implement the platform. The goal of NeVA is to digitize legislative processes, promoting paperless, efficient, and transparent governance while ensuring real-time, secure access for legislators and their staff through Meghraj 2.0 cloud.

Mizoram made history with the first-ever export of Anthurium flowers to Singapore. This export was a significant milestone for India’s floriculture sector, particularly for the North Eastern Region (NER). Facilitated by APEDA in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Mizoram, the consignment of 1,024 cut flowers highlighted the state’s floriculture potential. The export not only boosts India’s agricultural exports but also provides economic benefits to local farmers, especially women. This achievement also underscores the growing role of Mizoram in the global floriculture market.

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India saw a significant 33% increase in their dividend payout for the financial year 2023-24, which rose to Rs 27,830 crore from Rs 20,964 crore in the previous year. This surge reflects the remarkable financial growth of PSBs, who collectively posted their highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.41 lakh crore. The increase in dividend payouts demonstrates not only improved profitability but also a positive trend in the financial stability of PSBs, allowing them to return greater value to their shareholders, including the Indian government.

Vinod Kumar Shukla, a prominent Hindi writer, was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award for his exceptional contributions to Hindi literature. At 88 years old, he became the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious recognition. Known for his unique writing style and emotional depth, Shukla’s works include short stories, poetry, and essays. His recognition marks a significant achievement for the state of Chhattisgarh, as he is the first from there to be honoured with India's highest literary award, adding to his legacy as a significant figure in Hindi literature.

Goa Shipyard Limited launched the second frigate of Project 1135.6, named ‘Tavasya,’ on March 22, 2025. This launch is a significant step in showcasing India's naval self-reliance and the country’s increasing capabilities in defence production. The frigate is equipped with advanced technology, including BrahMos missiles, sonar, and stealth capabilities, making it suitable for multi-dimensional combat. Its high indigenous content highlights India's focus on boosting Aatmanirbharta, or self-sufficiency, in the defence sector, further promoting domestic production.

World TB Day is observed every year on March 24 to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB), one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. The date was chosen to commemorate Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of the TB bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, on March 24, 1882. The theme for World TB Day 2025, "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver," emphasizes the need for increased global commitment and investment to eliminate TB. The day serves as a reminder to strengthen efforts in combating TB and highlights the ongoing challenges of drug-resistant strains.

SBI Mutual Fund launched two new investment schemes focused on India's public sector banking sector: the SBI BSE PSU Bank Index Fund and the SBI BSE PSU Bank ETF. These schemes are designed to track the BSE PSU Bank Index, offering investors a way to invest systematically in the public sector banking space. Both funds aim to provide diversified exposure to the leading PSU banks, with 95% of assets allocated to securities in the index, while the remaining 5% is managed for liquidity purposes.

India is hosting the 3rd Central Asian Youth Delegation from March 22–28 under the International Youth Exchange Program. This initiative aims to enhance cultural and diplomatic ties between India and the Central Asian nations. Delegates from five Central Asian countries visit heritage sites and engage with youth leaders and institutions such as IIT Delhi and GCCI. The program is in line with Prime Minister Modi's vision from the 2022 summit, which emphasized stronger regional youth cooperation.

The Indian government has decided to lift the 20% export duty on onions effective from April 1, 2025, in order to support farmers, especially as the rabi season’s supply improves. Despite previous export restrictions, onion exports for FY 2023-24 and 2024-25 (until March 18) showed positive results. The policy shift comes after a significant drop in mandi prices (39%) and retail prices (10%) over the past month, which impacted the onion market, prompting the government to take action to stabilize prices and support farmers.

ISRO has set a target to land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040. This ambitious goal is part of India’s broader space exploration objectives. Additionally, ISRO plans to launch the Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035, further advancing India’s presence in space. The Chandrayaan-5 mission, co-developed with Japan, plays a crucial role in progressing towards these human spaceflight ambitions. These developments showcase India’s significant strides in space innovation and international collaboration, positioning ISRO as a key player in global space exploration.

Ashok Singh Thakur has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for a 3-year term. INTACH, founded in 1984, is a leading organization in India focused on the preservation of cultural, natural, tangible, and intangible heritage. Under Thakur’s leadership, the organization is working to revise its Charter to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation, reflecting its commitment to preserving India's diverse heritage in a holistic manner.