Current Affairs - National

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.

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.

The PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme, launched by the Ministry of Education, targets young authors below the age of 30 years. The scheme aims to promote reading, writing, and the book culture in India while projecting Indian literature on a global scale. It focuses on training young authors to contribute to national and international literary conversations. By supporting themes like the contribution of the Indian diaspora, Indian knowledge systems, and modern Indian history, the program aligns with NEP 2020, empowering young minds to become future leaders.

The highest MGNREGS wage rate, currently ₹374 per day, is paid in states like Haryana and Sikkim. These wages are linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for agricultural labourers but have not been fully adjusted for inflation. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has recommended revising these wages to ensure they better reflect the rising cost of living and make the scheme more effective in supporting rural livelihood security. Additionally, pending wage dues and budget constraints have impacted the scheme's overall effectiveness.

India launched its first-ever Exploration Licence auction on March 13, 2025, specifically in Goa. This auction aims to unlock deep-seated mineral reserves and covers 13 mineral blocks across 10 states. Goa was chosen as the venue for this significant event. Additionally, the AI Hackathon 2025, focused on "Mineral Targeting using AI," was also held as part of this initiative, further emphasizing the importance of Goa in the event's proceedings.