JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS

By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

I. Appointments & Resignations

●​ ISRO Chairman: Dr. V. Narayanan became the 11th Chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research
Organisation), replacing S. Somanath. (ISRO founded Aug 15, 1969; HQ: Bengaluru; First
Chairman: Vikram Sarabhai).
●​ SEBI Chairman: Tuhiin Kanta Pandey became the 11th Chairman of SEBI (Securities and Exchange
Board of India), replacing Madhabi Puri Buch. (SEBI founded April 12, 1988; HQ: Mumbai;
Regulates Indian stock market).
●​ IDBI Bank MD & CEO: Rakesh Sharma appointed as MD & CEO of IDBI Bank.
●​ BCAS Director General: Rajesh Nirvan appointed as DG of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security

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(BCAS).
●​ Bar Council of India President: Manan Kumar Mishra re-elected for a record seventh consecutive
term.

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●​ NMDC CMD: Amitabh Mukherjee appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of National Mineral
Development Corporation.
●​ Petroleum & Natural Gas Ministry Director: Sagar Singh Kalsi appointed.
●​ DGCA Chief: Faiz Ahmed Kidwai appointed as Chief of Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
●​ AFI President: Bahadur Singh Sahoo elected as President of Athletics Federation of India.
●​ Lebanon President: Joseph On appointed.
●​ Indian Bank MD & CEO: Vinod Kumar appointed.
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●​ PNB MD & CEO: Ashok Chandra appointed.
●​ RBI Executive Director: Ajit Ratnakar Joshi appointed.
●​ NIIT Chancellor: Amitabh Kant appointed as Chancellor of National Institute of Information
Technology University.
●​ Intel CEO: Lip Booten appointed as new CEO.
●​ Standard Chartered Bank CEO (India & South Asia): Prabhdev Singh appointed.
●​ Delhi CM: Rekha Gupta became the new Chief Minister of Delhi, marking BJP's return after 27
years. (Delhi has 70 assembly seats; BJP won 48, AAP 22).
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●​ Odisha High Court Chief Justice: Justice Harish Tandon sworn in.
●​ Germany Chancellor: Fredric Merz appointed.
●​ Puma India Brand Ambassador: PV Sindhu appointed for Badminton accessories. (PV Sindhu is the
first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals).
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●​ Goibibo Brand Ambassador: Rishabh Pant appointed.

●​ NIIT Chancellor: Amitabh Kant appointed.
●​ Tata Motors Brand Ambassador: Vicky Kaushal appointed.
●​ GSMA President: Gopal Vitthal elected as President of Global System for Mobile Communication
Association.
●​ US National Intelligence Director: Tulsi Gabbard appointed.
●​ Canara Bank Executive Director: S.K. Mazumdar appointed.
●​ NITI Aayog CEO: B.V.R. Subrahmanyam's tenure extended by one year. (NITI Aayog is a
government think tank, replaced Planning Commission in 2015).
●​ ICAI 73rd President: Charanjot Singh Nanda appointed for 2025-26.
●​ City Bank India Head: K. Balasubramanian appointed.
●​ UIADI CEO: Bhuvnesh Kumar appointed as CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India.
●​ ASSOCHAM Secretary General: Manish Singhal appointed.

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●​ BSF Additional DG: Mahesh Kumar Agrawal appointed as Additional Director General of Border
Security Force.
●​ ICSI President: Dhananjay Shukla elected as President of Institute of Company Secretaries of
India.
●​ Airtel & Jio Starlink Partnership: Spcex partnered with Airtel and Jio for Starlink internet
services in India.
●​ US 47th President & VP: Donald Trump (47th President) and J.D. Vance (50th VP) sworn in. (US
Presidential term is 4 years).
●​ Ireland PM: Michael Martin re-elected as PM of Ireland for the second time.
●​ Belgium PM: Bart De Wever appointed as new PM.
●​ Trinidad & Tobago PM: Stuart Young sworn in as new PM.

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●​ Namibia's First Female President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed. (Namibia is a
Southwestern African country).
●​ IDBI Bank MD & CEO: Rakesh Sharma appointed.

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●​ NITI Aayog Full-time Member: Rajiv Gauba appointed.
●​ CGDA Chief: Dr. Mayank Sharma appointed as Chief of Controller General of Defence Accounts.
●​ Revenue Secretary (Additional Charge): Ajay Seth given additional charge.
●​ IFCI MD & CEO: Rahul Bhave appointed as MD & CEO of Indian Financial Corporation of India.
●​ New Finance Secretary (March 2025): Ajay Seth appointed.
●​ PM's New Private Secretary: Nidhi Tiwari appointed.
●​ PM's 2nd Principal Secretary: Shashikant Das appointed. (PK Mishra is the 1st Principal
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Secretary).
●​ Assam's Second Capital: Dibrugarh declared as the second capital of Assam (Dispur is the first
capital).
●​ Telangana High Court Chief Justice: Justice Sujoy Paul appointed.
●​ Manipur Chief Secretary: Prashant Kumar Singh appointed.
●​ Punjab Kings Captain (IPL 2025): Shreyas Iyer appointed.
●​ Maruti Suzuki MD & CEO: Hisashi Takeuchi appointed.
●​ Central Economic Advisor: V. Anantha Nageswaran's tenure extended.
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●​ FBI 9th Director: Kaas Patel appointed.

●​ Indian Men's Cricket Team Batting Coach: Sitanshu Kotak appointed.
●​ Singapore President (India Visit): Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited India (Jan 14-18).
●​ Indonesia's 10th Full BRICS Member: Indonesia became the 10th full member of BRICS. (BRICS
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original members are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. Later, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia
joined. Saudi Arabia's inclusion is pending).
●​ New Development Bank Member: Indonesia joined BRICS' New Development Bank (NDB).

II. Awards & Honors

●​ Padma Vibhushan 2025: Seven individuals awarded Padma Vibhushan. (Padma Awards introduced
in 1954; Padma Vibhushan is India's second-highest civilian award after Bharat Ratna).
○​ List of Padma Vibhushan Awardees (2025):
■​ Shri Durbavarur Nageswara Reddy (Medicine)
■​ Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs) - 44th CJI, first Sikh CJI.
■​ Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia (Kathak Dancer)
■​ Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art) - Famous violinist.

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■​ M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Literature & Education) - Malayalam writer (posthumous).

■​ Osamu Suzuki (Trade & Industry) - From Japan (posthumous).
■​ Shardha Sinha (Art) - Folk singer from Bihar (posthumous).
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●​ Padma Bhushan 2025: 19 individuals awarded Padma Bhushan. Notable mentions:
○​ P.R. Sreejesh (Hockey) - Goalkeeper, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist.
○​ Shekhar Kapur (Film Director)
○​ Sushil Kumar Modi (Politics) - Former Deputy CM of Bihar (posthumous).
○​ Pankaj Udhas (Singer) - (posthumous).
○​ Vivek Debroy (Literature & Education) - (posthumous).

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○​ Sadhvi Ritambhara (Social Work) - For women empowerment.
○​ Vinod Dham (Science & Engineering) - From USA (posthumous).
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●​ Padma Shri 2025: 113 individuals awarded Padma Shri. Notable mentions:
○​ Arijit Singh (Singer)
○​ R. Ashwin (Cricketer)
○​ Harvinder Singh (Para-Archer) - First Indian archer to win Paralympic Gold.
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●​ Arjuna Award 2025 (2024 performance): 34 players honored (32 regular, 2 lifetime).
●​ Dronacharya Award 2025 (2024 performance): Coaches awarded (Regular: 3, Lifetime: 2).
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●​ Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy 2025 (2024 performance): Chandigarh University awarded
(for performance in Khelo India Games). (Oldest National Sports Award, started 1956-57).
●​ Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2025 (2024 performance): Four players awarded:
○​ D. Gukesh (Chess) - Youngest World Chess Champion (December 2024), youngest recipient
of this award.
○​ Manu Bhakar (Shooting) - First Indian to win two medals in a single Olympics (Paris 2024).
○​ Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey) - Men's Hockey Team Captain.
○​ Praveen Kumar (Para Athletics) - High Jump, Gold medalist in Paris Paralympics.
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●​
●​ 97th Oscar Awards (Academy Awards) 2025: Held in Los Angeles, USA.
○​ Best Picture: Anora (Won 5 Oscars).
○​ Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora).
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○​ Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist).

○​ Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora).
○​ Emilia Perez (French movie) received 13 nominations.
○​ Indian nominations: All We Imagine As Light (P. Kapadia) & Anuja (Short film).
○​ (Oscar Awards started in 1929; Trophy is 13.5 inches, 4 kg, 24-karat gold coated. First
Indian recipient: Bhanu Athaiya in 1983 for Costume Design, Gandhi).
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●​ Pritzker Architecture Award 2025: Awarded to Liu Jiaqi from China. (Known as Nobel of
Architecture, started 1979 by Pritzker Family, USA). (Note: 2024 winner was Riken Yamamoto
from Japan).
●​ Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 (Dogri): Chaman Arora awarded for his book Ikhhor Ashwatthama.
(Given in 24 languages including 22 constitutional, English & Rajasthani; ₹1 lakh prize money;
started 1955).

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●​ Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024 (English): Anees-Ur-Rahman for translating Hazaron
Khwahishen Aisi. (Hindi: Madan Soni).
●​ Hoki India Awards 2024:
○​ Balbir Singh Senior Award (Player of the Year Women): Savita Punia.
○​ Baljeet Singh Award (Goalkeeper of the Year): Savita Punia.
○​ Balbir Singh Senior Award (Player of the Year Men): Harmanpreet Singh.
○​ Praghat Singh Award (Defender of the Year): Amit Rohidas.
○​ Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award: 1975 Hockey World Cup Winning Team.
○​ Jamanalal Sharma Award (Invaluable Contribution): Prasar Bharati.
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●​ Grammy Awards 2025 (67th): Held in Los Angeles.

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○​ Indian-American singer Chandrika Tandon awarded for her album Triveni (Best New Age
Ambient & Chant Album Category).
○​ Album of the Year: Beyoncé (Cowboy Carter).

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○​ Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar (Not Like Us).
○​ Song of the Year: Kendrick Lamar (Not Like Us).
○​ (World's most prestigious music award, USA; started 1959).
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●​ Gold Mercury Award 2025: Dalai Lama awarded for peace and global leadership. (International
Award, started 1961).
●​ Digital Transformation Award 2025: RBI awarded by Central Banking (London) for 'Pravah' and
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'Saathi' initiatives.
●​ Ramchar Award for Wetland Wise Use 2025: Jayashree Venkatesan (first Indian woman
recipient). (Ramasar Convention in Iran 1971, for wetland conservation).
●​ Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 (UK Govt.): Chiranjeevi (Actor) awarded.
●​ Knight Cross of the Order of Dannebrog (Denmark): Vijay Shankar awarded by King of Denmark.
●​ Stockholm Water Prize 2025: Gunter Bloschl awarded.
●​ Windham-Campbell Prize 2025: Rana Dasgupta awarded.
●​ Abel Prize 2025: Masaaki Kaishwara (Japanese Mathematician) awarded. (Known as Nobel Prize
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for Mathematics).
●​ Oman Ambassador: Godavari Venkat Srinivas appointed as India's next Ambassador to Oman.
●​ Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: 17 children awarded by President Droupadi Murmu.
(Award for children aged 5-18, started 1996 by Ministry of Women & Child Development).
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●​ Golden Globe Awards 2025 (82nd): Held in Los Angeles.

○​ Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language): Emilia Perez (French Film).
○​ India's All We Imagine As Light (P. Kapadia) nominated but didn't win.
○​ (US-based film awards, started 1944).
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●​ AIFA Awards 2025: Held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
○​ Best Film: Laapataa Ladies (Won 10 awards).
○​ Best Director: Kiran Rao (Laapataa Ladies).
○​ Best Actor (Male): Kartik Aaryan (Bhool Bhulaiyaa).
○​ Best Actress (Female): Nitanshi Goyal (Laapataa Ladies).
○​ Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema: Rakesh Roshan.
○​ (International Indian Film Academy Awards, started 2000).
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●​ ICC Awards 2024 (announced 2025):

○​ Men's Cricketer of the Year & Men's Test Cricketer of the Year: Jasprit Bumrah.
○​ Women's Cricketer of the Year & Women's T20 Cricketer of the Year: Amelia Kerr (New
Zealand).
○​ Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year: Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan).
○​ Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India).
○​ Men's T20 Cricketer of the Year: Arshdeep Singh (India).
○​ Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year: Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka).
○​ Emerging Women's Cricketer of the Year: Annabel Sutherland (Australia).
○​ (ICC Awards started 2004).
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●​ Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025: Indian National Centre for Ocean
Information Services (INCOIS) in Institutional Category. (Awarded annually on Jan 23 (S.C. Bose's
birthday); Instituted in 2019).

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●​ Balbir Singh Senior Award (Hockey India): Harmanpreet Singh (Men) & Savita Punia (Women) for
Player of the Year. Savita Punia also won Baljeet Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year.
●​ Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar 2025: Ram Sutar (sculptor).

III. Reports & Indices

●​ Global Terrorism Index 2025: India ranked 14th. (Top: Burkina Faso, Second: Pakistan, Third:
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Syria; Issued by Institute for Economics & Peace).
●​ World Air Quality Report 2024 (IQAir): India ranked 5th most polluted country. (World's most
polluted city: Burinhut (Assam); Most polluted capital: New Delhi; Top 3 countries: Chad,
Bangladesh, Pakistan; Swiss company IQAir).
●​ SIPRI Report (Arms Importer) 2025: India is the 2nd largest arms importer (8.3%). (Ukraine
(8.8%) is 1st, Qatar 3rd; India imports most from Russia, France, Israel, USA; Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute founded 1966 in Sweden).
●​ Henley Passport Index 2025: India ranked 85th (down from 80th in 2024). (Indian passport offers
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visa-free/on-arrival access to 57 countries; Top: Singapore; Second: Japan; Private firm Henley &
Partners; Started 2006).
●​ Corruption Perception Index 2024: India ranked 96th (down from 93rd in 2023). (Top: Denmark,
Finland, Singapore; Last: South Sudan; Issued by Transparency International since 1995).
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●​ Global Firepower Index 2025: India ranked 4th in military strength. (Top: USA, Russia, China;
Started 2006).
●​ World Happiness Report 2025: India ranked 118th (improved from 126th in 2024). (Top: Finland,
Denmark, Iceland; Issued by UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; Started 2012).
●​ FIDE Chess Rankings: D. Gukesh became India's highest-ranked player (4th worldwide). (World
Chess Champion and youngest to cross 2750 ELO rating).
●​ Fiskal Health Index (NITI Aayog): Odisha ranked 1st. (First time this report was released; Odisha's
financial health is strong).
●​ Global Internet Shutdown Report 2024 (Access Now): India ranked 2nd. (Top: Myanmar).
●​ States' Transfer to Panchayats Report 2024: Karnataka ranked 1st.
●​ Most Vultures in India (Report Feb 2025): Madhya Pradesh has the highest number.
●​ Fobs 2025 (Most Powerful Countries): USA ranked 1st, China 2nd, Russia 3rd.
●​ Most Earning Athletes 2025: Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 1st.

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●​ Indian Green House Gas Emissions (2020): Reduced by 7.93% compared to 2019.
●​ World's Largest Steel Manufacturer (March 2025): JSW Steel became the most valuable.
(Newcor Corp 2nd, ArcelorMittal 3rd).
●​ QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of
Mines), Dhanbad, ranked highest among Indian institutions. (Top 3 globally: MIT, Imperial College
London, Harvard University & Oxford University).
●​ World's Largest Milk Producer: India ranked 1st. (USA 2nd, China 3rd).
●​ Highest Coal Production: India recorded its highest coal production in 2023-24.

IV. Economy & Finance

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●​ Union Budget 2025-26: Presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (8th consecutive
time).
○​ Theme: Sabka Vikas (All-round Development).

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○​ Total Expenditure/Budget Size: ₹65.34 lakh crore.
○​ Fiscal Deficit Target: 4.4% of GDP.
○​ Tax-Exempt Personal Income: Up to ₹12 lakh.
○​ New Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Dhanyadhanya Krishi Yojana.
○​ Major Scheme Allocations:
■​ Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana: ₹9406 crore.
■​ PM Awas Yojana (Urban): ₹1794 crore.
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■​ PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana: ₹8260 crore.
■​ Jal Jeevan Mission: ₹67000 crore.
■​ MNREGA: ₹86000 crore.
■​ Space Technology: ₹1230 crore.
■​ PM Garib Kalyan Yojana: ₹3000 crore.
■​ Khelo India: ₹1000 crore.
■​ India AI Mission: ₹2000 crore.
■​ PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: ₹63500 crore.
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■​ Skill India Program: ₹2700 crore.

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●​ Parliament Member Salary Hike: 24% increase approved by Indian Government.
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●​ RBI Repo Rate: New repo rate set at 6.25% after 5 years.
●​ India AI Mission Allocation: ₹10371 crore allocated by Central Government.
●​ One Nation One Subscription Scheme: Launched by Central Government for nationwide access
to research articles and journals (₹6000 crore allocated for 3 years).

V. National Events & Schemes

●​ First Organic Fisheries Cluster: Sikkim launched India's first organic fisheries cluster. (Sikkim was
India's first fully organic farming state in 2016).
●​ First White Tiger Breeding Center: Approved by Central Government in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
●​ Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025: Hosted in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.
●​ First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.

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●​ Swayam Prabha (DD): DD National's Swayam Prabha to launch 34 new e-learning channels by
January 2025.
●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.
●​ Samridh Parivar Yojana: Launched by Madhya Pradesh Government.
●​ Ganga Dolphin Safari: Uttar Pradesh to build Dolphin Safari in Varanasi for Ganga Dolphin
conservation.
●​ First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.
●​ Project Pragtipath: Karnataka Government to improve rural road network.
●​ First Biobank: Started in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
●​ First Native MRI Machine Testing: Started in AIIMS Delhi.
●​ PM's Vanatara Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: Inaugurated in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

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●​ 25th & 26th Navratna PSUs: IRCTC (25th) & IRFC (26th) granted Navratna status. (Navratna
status provides greater financial and operational autonomy to PSUs).
●​ Searchable Engine for Assembly Debates: Punjab Assembly became the first to launch this for

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debates since 1947.
●​ PM Yuva Lekhak Paramarsh Yojana (PM Yuva 3.0): Launched by Ministry of Education to
globalize Indian writing.
●​ First Green Hydrogen Plant in North India: Laid foundation stone in Himachal Pradesh.
●​ Sahakar Taxi Service: Central Government launched cooperative-based transport service.
●​ National Geospatial Knowledge Based Land Survey: Inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chauhan for
urban housing.
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●​ Telekom as Compulsory Subject: Telangana Government mandated Telugu in schools.
●​ Jal Thal Raksha 2025 (Military Exercise): Indian Army conducted in Bet Dwarka, Gujarat.
●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.
●​ First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.
●​ First Night Safari (Kukrail): To be built in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Jharjhar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuary: Punjab to develop its first Leopard Safari here.
●​ PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana: New scheme announced in Union Budget 2025-26 for agricultural
productivity.
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●​ Pradhan Mantri Balika Samridhi Yojana & Mukhyamantri Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana: Launched
by Tripura Government.
●​ Asmita Loan Scheme: Launched by SBI to provide collateral-free loans to women entrepreneurs.
●​ Expiring Drug Collection & Disposal Project: Kerala launched the first such project.
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●​ Transgender All India Conference: Hosted in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

●​ Ban on Gutka, Nicotine, Tobacco Pan Masala: Jharkhand imposed a complete ban.
●​ Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana: Odisha became the 34th state/UT to implement it.
●​ Kanuuma Festival: Cattle festival celebrated in Telangana.
●​ Eastern India's First & Country's Sixth Astronomical Observatory: Inaugurated in West Bengal.
●​ Gaan Ngai Festival: Celebrated by Kabui Rongmei Naga community in Manipur.
●​ Rajiv Yuva Vikasama Yojana: Telangana Government launched to financially help backward class
youth.
●​ Vigyan Dhara Yojana: Central Government launched to promote scientific research and
innovation.
●​ Vision 2020 India Goodwill Ambassador: Krishnachari Srikkanth appointed to fight avoidable
blindness.
●​ Vanatara Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: Inaugurated by PM Modi in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

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●​ Prahchanda Prahar Exercise 2025: Indian Armed Forces conducted in Arunachal Pradesh.
●​ Balpan ki Kavita Initiative: Launched by Ministry of Education to re-establish Indian poetry for
young children.
●​ Green & Digital Shipping Corridor: India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent.
●​ Gawah Suraksha Yojana: Haryana Government launched to ensure witness protection.
●​ PM Yuva Lekhak Paramarsh Yojana (PM Yuva 3.0): Launched by Ministry of Education to
globalize Indian writing.
●​ Cooperative Based Transport Service: Central Government launched "Sahakar Taxi."
●​ 69th Railway Division: To be established in Jammu under Northern Railway Zone.
●​ First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.
●​ First Biobank: Started in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.

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●​ PM Modi's Second Principal Secretary: Shashikant Das appointed.
●​ First Permanent Art Village: To be built in Prayagraj.
●​ Budget with Tamil Alphabets for Rupee Symbol: Tamil Nadu used Tamil alphabets instead of

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Rupee symbol in its budget.
●​ Atal Bihari Vajpayee Lok Seva Evam Navachar Sansthan: Inaugurated in Reduit, Mauritius.
●​ Ganga & Sharda River Corridor Project: Uttarakhand Government announced to promote
religious tourism.
●​ First Bio Polymer Plant: Laid foundation stone in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Mahakumbh 2025: Hosted in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Kumbhvani FM Channel: Launched by Uttar Pradesh Government to spread the spirit of
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Mahakumbh.
●​ Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025: Launched in New Delhi on Swami Vivekananda's
162nd birth anniversary.
●​ Hindu & Sikh Priests' Samman Yojana: Delhi Government launched.
●​ Bhargavastra (Micro Missile System): India's first indigenous micro missile system designed to
counter drone swarms.
●​ India's First Private Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility: Started in Andhra Pradesh.
●​ Cashless Treatment Scheme for Accident Victims: Launched by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
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●​ First Permanent Art Village: To be built in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

●​ Abkari Policy 2025 (Uttarakhand): Decision to close liquor shops near religious places.
●​ Madhav Tiger Reserve (MP): Declared India's 58th Tiger Reserve.
●​ Him Kavach Uniform: DRDO launched new uniform for soldiers in extreme cold.
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●​ One Nation One Port: Unveiled by Sarbananda Sonowal to ease trade and increase efficiency.
●​ Mamnur Airport Development: Central Government approved development in Telangana.
●​ First Submerged Museum: To be established in Mumbai via INS Guldar.
●​ Nag MK2 (Anti-tank Missile): DRDO successfully tested its 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
●​ Rashtriya Haldi Board First Chairman: Palle Ganga Reddy appointed. (HQ in Nizamabad,
Telangana; India produces over 70% of world's turmeric).
●​ PM Modi Awarded Order of Freedom of Barbados: Highest civilian honor.
●​ First Female Law Secretary: Anju Rathi Rana appointed.
●​ Parvatmala Project (Ropeway): Uttarakhand received approval for two ropeway projects
(Kedarnath & Hemkund Sahib) under this project. (Total cost ₹7000 crore).
●​ Ramchar Site Additions: 4 new Ramsar Sites added, bringing total to 89. (Sakrakottai Bird
Sanctuary, Therthangul Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Khechio Paleri Wetland (Sikkim's first),
Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand's first)).

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●​ Kashi Tamil Sangam 3.0: Organized in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

●​ Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Yojana (Feb 2025): Officially launched in Puducherry.
●​ Solar Desalination Technology: IIT Kanpur developed to preserve agricultural produce using
sustainable energy.
●​ Rural India Mahotsav 2025: Inaugurated by PM Modi in New Delhi (Theme: Building a Resilient
Rural India for Developed India 2047).
●​ Gangesagar Mela Initiatives: West Bengal launched 'e-Anusandhan', 'e-Parichay', and 'Bandhan'
initiatives to attract pilgrims.
●​ First International Olympic Research Conference: To be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
●​ Dindayal Upadhyay Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Kalyan Yojana: Chhattisgarh Government
launched for landless farmers.

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VI. International Relations & Events

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●​ India's First Human-Rated Docking in Space: India became the 4th country to achieve this. (Top
3: USA, Russia, China).
●​ ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India won by defeating New Zealand. (India won for the 3rd time;
First time 2002 (joint winner with Sri Lanka), 2nd time 2013 (vs England)). Player of the
Tournament: Rachin Ravindra (NZ).
●​ COP16 (CBD) Fund Launch: Cali Fund launched to promote biodiversity finance.
●​ First World Pickelball League 2025: Bengaluru Jawan won, defeating Pune United.
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●​ Panch Mission: NASA and SpaceX to launch for solar atmosphere study.
●​ India's Contribution to UN Budget 2025: US$37.64 million.
●​ UAE Year of Community: UAE President declared 2025 as the Year of Community.
●​ Lobhshar Festival 2025: Celebrated in Ladakh.
●​ Miss World 2025 (First Black Woman): Tashego Gilei from South Africa.
●​ India AI Mission Funding: Central Government allocated ₹10371 crore.
●​ Aero India 2025: To be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka (Asia's premier aerospace and defense
exhibition).
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●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.

●​ First Women's Hockey India League 2025: Odisha Warriors won.
●​ Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: Observed on Feb 17.
●​ World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025: Observed Feb 1-7 (Theme: Solidarity for Peace).
IA

●​ 13th Edition of Exercise Ekuberin (India-Maldives): Joint military exercise held in Feb 2025.
●​ World Listening Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Ear and Hearing Care for All).
●​ ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India won, New Zealand runner-up.
●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.
●​ India's First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.
●​ Aero India 2025: To be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
●​ Global Entrepreneurship Development Summit (Livestock Sector): Held in Pune, Maharashtra.
●​ Operation Devil Hunt: Bangladesh security forces launched to prevent mob attacks and
vandalism.
●​ International Arab Leopard Day 2025: Observed on Feb 10.
●​ Handball International Championship Trophy (Men's Youth & Junior): Held in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh.
●​ 13th Edition of Exercise Ekuberin (India-Maldives): Joint military exercise held in Feb 2025.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Observed on March 15 (Theme: A Just Transition to a
Sustainable Lifestyle).
●​ Pashmina Utsav: Held for the first time in Kathmandu, Nepal.
●​ India-Egypt Joint Military Exercise Cyclone 2025 (3rd Edition): Held in Rajasthan.
●​ Bango Sagar 2025 Naval Exercise (4th Edition): India-Bangladesh Navy exercise held in Bay of
Bengal (along with 5th Coordinated Patrol).
●​ Trinidad & Tobago President: Christine Carla Kangaloo awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
Puraskar by India.
●​ CR450 Prototype (Fastest High-Speed Train): China launched.
●​ Anti-Dumping Duty (Digital Platos): Ministry of Finance imposed on five countries.
●​ Glass Bridge Over Sea: India's first glass bridge connecting Thiruvalluvar statue and Vivekananda

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Rock Memorial inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.
●​ US Issues 1 Million+ Non-Immigrant Visas to Indians (2nd consecutive year): New record set by
USA.

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●​ World Economic Forum 2025 (55th Annual Meeting): Held in Davos, Switzerland.
●​ Chagos Archipelago Dispute: India supported Mauritius in its dispute with the UK over the Chagos
Archipelago. (Archipelago in Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, largest island is Diego Garcia).
●​ Nagorno-Karabakh Region Peace Treaty: Signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. (Region
disputed for 40 years).
●​ Armenia & Azerbaijan: Landlocked countries in Western Asia.
●​ International Day of Hope: UN General Assembly declared July 12 as International Day of Hope.
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●​ Hungary's President (3rd time): John Mahama.
●​ Cold Ship Space Station: China approved construction in South China Sea.
●​ Abolition of Capital Punishment in US History: Donald Trump became the first President to
pardon all death row inmates, including those involved in federal crimes.
●​ 72nd Miss World Pageant 2025: Held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
●​ International Happiness Day 2025: Observed on March 20 (Theme: Caring and Sharing).
●​ Global Leadership in Science and Innovation (Theme for National Science Day): Emphasizes
empowering Indian youth.
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●​ World Theatre Day 2025: Observed on March 27 (Theme: Theatre and a Culture of Peace).
●​ International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Observed on March 30 (Theme: Towards Zero Waste in
Fashion and Textiles).
●​ Operation Brahma: India launched to assist Myanmar after earthquake devastation.
IA

●​ ICC Women's Championship 2022-25: Australia won its third title.

●​ World Wildlife Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Wildlife Conservation: Financing
Investing in People and Planet).
●​ FIFA Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025: Tamil Nadu to host.
●​ Myanmar & Thailand Earthquake: 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit on March 28, 2025.
●​ 9th Asian Winter Games 2025: China (Harbin) to host. China topped medal tally with 85 medals
(32 Gold).
●​ 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference 2025: Held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha (Theme: Diaspora's
Contribution to a Developed India). Chief Guest: Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad
and Tobago. (Celebrates return of Mahatma Gandhi on Jan 9, 1915; held every two years since
2015).
●​ Raisina Dialogue 2025 (10th Edition): Held in New Delhi. Inaugurated by PM Modi. Theme:
Kalachakra: People, Peace, and Planet.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025: India topped medal tally.
●​ Gaan Ngai Festival: Celebrated by Kabui Rongmei Naga community in Manipur.
●​ Varuna Naval Exercise 2025 (23rd Edition): India-France bilateral naval exercise.
●​ World Sparrow Day 2025: Observed on March 20 (Theme: Hope for Sparrows).
●​ World Happiness Report 2025: India ranked 118th. (Finland 1st, Denmark 2nd, Norway 3rd).
●​ F1 Grand Prix 2025: Lando Norris won Australian F1. Oscar Piastri (Australia) won China F1.
●​ International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day 2025: Observed on March 5.
●​ BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025: Held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat (Theme: Youth as a Bridge for
Intra-BIMSTEC Exchange).
●​ International Mother Language Day 2025: Observed on Feb 21 (Theme: Silver Jubilee
Celebration of International Mother Language Day).

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●​ World Wetland Day 2025: Observed on Feb 2 (Theme: Protecting Wetlands for Our Shared
Future).
●​ World Theatre Day 2025: Observed on March 27 (Theme: Theatre and a Culture of Peace).

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●​ 55th Foundation Day of Bangladesh: Celebrated on March 26.
●​ World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Observed on March 15 (Theme: A Just Transition to a
Sustainable Lifestyle).
●​ World Wildlife Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Wildlife Conservation: Financing
Investing in People and Planet).
●​ 9th Asian Winter Games 2025: Harbin, China to host.
●​ International Olympic Committee First Female & African President: Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe)
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appointed. (IOC founded 1894, HQ Lausanne, Switzerland).
●​ World Glacier Day 2025: Observed for the first time on March 21 (Theme: Glacier Preservation).
(UN declared 2025 as International Year of Glacier Conservation).
●​ World Air Quality Report 2024: India 5th most polluted country.
●​ Global Firepower Index 2025: India 4th.
●​ Henley Passport Index 2025: India 85th.
●​ World Happiness Report 2025: India 118th.
●​ Corruption Perception Index 2024: India 96th.
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●​ Sixteenth International Millets Festival: Held in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (India is 2nd largest
producer after Rajasthan; UN declared 2023 as International Year of Millets).
●​ International Arab Leopard Day 2025: Observed on Feb 10.
●​ World Radio Day 2025: Observed on Feb 13 (Theme: Radio and Climate Change).
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●​ 14th Asian Fisheries & Aquaculture Forum Meeting: Held in New Delhi (Theme: Greening Blue
Growth in Asia-Pacific).

VII. Science & Technology

●​ India's First Organic Fisheries Cluster: Sikkim launched India's first organic fisheries cluster.
●​ Panch Mission: NASA and SpaceX to launch for solar atmosphere study.
●​ Deepseek R1 AI Model: China launched, surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT.
●​ Magma AI Model: Microsoft unveiled.
●​ First Hyperloop Test Track: IIT Madras launched in collaboration with Indian Railways.
●​ Robotic Moon Lander Athena: NASA and SpaceX launched to Moon.
●​ Lexi Mission: NASA to launch to study Earth's magnetic shield from the Moon (Full form: Lunar
Environment Heliopheric X-ray Imager).

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ SpyreX Mission: NASA to launch to discover what happened right after the Big Bang (Full form:
Spectrophotometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer).
●​ AI University: India's first to be established in Maharashtra.
●​ Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex: ISRO successfully re-ignited Vikas Liquid Engine.
●​ CSIR Mega Innovation Complex: India's first inaugurated in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
●​ Semi-conductor Chip: ISRO collaborated with IIT Madras to develop indigenous semi-conductor
chip.
●​ First Solar Flare Image: Aditya L1 Mission took the first image. (India's first solar mission).
●​ First indigenous Micro-Missile System (Bhargavastra): Designed to counter drone swarms.
●​ LCA Tejas MK1A Engine: First F404 IN20 engine received from GE Aerospace; developed by HAL.
●​ Deepseek R1 AI Model: China launched, surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT.

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●​ Magma AI Model: Microsoft unveiled.
●​ First Hyperloop Test Track: IIT Madras launched in collaboration with Indian Railways.
●​ Robotic Moon Lander Athena: NASA and SpaceX launched to Moon.

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●​ First Native MRI Machine Testing: Started in AIIMS Delhi.
●​ World's Fastest High-Speed Train (CR450 Prototype): China launched.
●​ AI-Powered Chronic Eye Disease Screening Program (Nayan Amritam 2.0): Kerala launched,
world's first.
●​ Indian Genome Data Portal (Bharatiya Jaivik Data Kendra): Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
inaugurated.
●​ Solar Desalination Technology: IIT Kanpur developed to preserve agricultural produce using
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sustainable energy.
●​ Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana & Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme:
Extended till 2025-26. (PMFBY launched in 2016).
●​ Lunar Ice Source Discovery (Athena Lunar Lander): Intuitive Machines launched to discover
water ice sources on Moon's South Pole.
●​ First Indigenous Micro-Missile System (Bhargavastra): Designed to counter drone swarms.
●​ Semi-conductor Manufacturing Facility (Private): India's first started in Andhra Pradesh.
●​ Liquid Engine Re-ignition Demo: ISRO successfully conducted at Mahendragiri propulsion
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complex.
●​ AI-Generated Hindi Singer & Model (Maya): India's first.
●​ World's Most Dangerous Spider (Big Boy): Discovered in Australia.
●​ Crops Test: ISRO conducted to study plant growth in space.
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●​ First Coastal & Wetland Bird Census: Held in Jamnagar, Gujarat (Jan 3-5).
●​ Bacteria for Soil Pollution: IIT Bombay developed to boost agriculture.
●​ De-coding Indus Valley Civilization Script: Tamil Nadu offered $1 million reward for decoding.
●​ AI Model Magma: Microsoft unveiled.
●​ India's First Hyperloop Test Track: IIT Madras launched in collaboration with Indian Railways.
●​ Robotic Moon Lander Athena: NASA and SpaceX launched to Moon.
●​ New Semi-conductor Chip: IIT Madras & ISRO jointly developed indigenous semi-conductor chip.
●​ First Solar Flare Image: Aditya L1 Mission took the first image.
●​ Trojan 155mm Towed Artillery Gun System: Developed jointly by India and France.
●​ World's Largest Data Center: Reliance Industries to build in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
●​ India's First Biopolymer Plant: Laid foundation stone in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ World's Largest Iceberg (A23a): Stuck near South Georgia Island.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ AI-Driven Chroni Eye Disease Screening Program (Nayan Amritam 2.0): Kerala launched, world's
first.
●​ Computer Science's Nobel Prize (A.M. Turing Award 2024): Andrew Barto (USA) & Richard
Sutton (Canada) awarded for AI contributions. (Awarded since 1966).

VIII. Sports

●​ Pro Kabaddi League 2024: Haryana Steelers won.

●​ Santosh Trophy 2024: West Bengal won (33rd title), defeating Kerala. (Football tournament,
started 1941, organized by AIFF).
●​ First World Pickelball League 2025: Bengaluru Jawan won.

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●​ Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (5th Edition): Indian Army topped medal tally (7 Gold, 5 Silver,
6 Bronze - Total 18). (Held in J&K and Ladakh; Mascot: Monal/Mauli - state bird of Uttarakhand).
●​ First Women's Hockey India League 2025: Odisha Warriors won.

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●​ ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India won (3rd title), defeating New Zealand. Player of the
Tournament: Rachin Ravindra.
●​ Kho Kho World Cup 2025 (First Edition): India won both Men's & Women's titles, defeating Nepal
in both. (Hosted in New Delhi; Mascot: Tejas & Tara; Salman Khan was Brand Ambassador).
●​ Womens Premier League 2025 (3rd Edition): Mumbai Indians won (2nd title), defeating Delhi
Capitals. (Mumbai Indians won 2023, RCB won 2024; Delhi Capitals runner-up in all three
editions).
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●​ Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Vidarbha won (3rd title), defeating Kerala. (Domestic Indian cricket
tournament, started 1934 by BCCI).
●​ Australian Cricket Awards 2025: Travis Head won first Allan Border Medal.
●​ First Women's Hockey India League 2025: Odisha Warriors won.
●​ Khelo India Winter Games 2025: Indian Army topped medal tally.
●​ ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India won.
●​ Kho Kho World Cup 2025: India won both men's and women's titles.
●​ FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025: Tamil Nadu to host.
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●​ Miami Open Champion 2025: Jakub Mensik (Czech Republic) won.

●​ Asian Wrestling Championship 2025: India won 10 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 6 Bronze). Gold
medalist: Manisha Bhanwala (Women's Wrestling).
●​ ICC Women's Championship 2022-25: Australia won its third title.
IA

●​ ICC Awards 2024 (announced 2025): Jasprit Bumrah (Men's Cricketer of the Year & Test Cricketer
of the Year), Amelia Kerr (Women's Cricketer of the Year & T20 Cricketer of the Year).
●​ 300 ODI Matches: Virat Kohli became 7th Indian cricketer to play 300 ODIs.
●​ Highest Runs in T20 Cricket (Indian Wicketkeeper): Dinesh Karthik (7451 runs), surpassed MS
Dhoni.
●​ World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025: India topped medal tally.
●​ Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award 2024: Harmanpreet Singh (Men) & Savita Punia
(Women).
●​ 7th Hockey India Jamnalal Sharma Award 2024: Prasar Bharati awarded.
●​ Most Runs in ODI History (Second Indian): Rohit Sharma.
●​ FIBA Basketball World Cup 2025: India is hosting.
●​ BWF World Blittz Championship 2024 (Women): R. Vaishali (India) won Bronze medal.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ Australian Open 2025: Jannik Sinner (Italy) won Men's Singles. Madison Keys (USA) won Women's
Singles.
●​ Cricket Batting Coach: Sitanshu Kotak appointed as new batting coach for Indian cricket team.
●​ Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Vidarbha won.
●​ BCCI Treasurer: Prabhtej Singh Bhatia appointed. (Jay Shah is BCCI Secretary).
●​ Most Earning Athletes 2025: Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list.
●​ Women's Premier League 3rd Edition: Started in Vadodara, Gujarat.
●​ Motorcycle Drag Racing 15th National Title: Hemant Mudappa won.
●​ Vijay Hazare Trophy (32nd): Karnataka won, Vidarbha runner-up.
●​ Bengaluru Open 2025 (Men's Doubles): Anirudh Chandrasekar (India) & Ray Ho (Taipei) won.
●​ 20th National Youth Athletics Championship 2025: Haryana topped.

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●​ Maharashtra Open 2025 (Men's Singles): Dalibor Svrčina won.
●​ Kabaddi World Cup 2025: India won both men's and women's titles.
●​ 38th National Games 2025: Held in Uttarakhand. Services Sports Control Board topped medal

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tally. (Mascot: Monal/Mauli).
●​ ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024: Jasprit Bumrah.
●​ ICC Women's T20 Cricketer of the Year 2024: Amelia Kerr.
●​ Australian Open 2025 (Men's Singles): Jannik Sinner won.
●​ Australian Open 2025 (Women's Singles): Madison Keys won.
●​ 38th National Games 2025: Uttar Pradesh Men's Kabaddi team won Gold.
●​ ICC Player of the Month (Jan 2025): Romario Shepherd (West Indies) & Beth Mooney (Australia).
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●​ Indian Women's Cricket Team Highest Score: Against Ireland.
●​ Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2025: Vaishnavi became first Indian to take a hat-trick.
●​ India Open Super 750 Badminton Tournament 2025: Viktor Axelsen (Men's Singles) & An
Se-young (Women's Singles) won.
●​ 41st Spanish Super Cup 2025: FC Barcelona won.

IX. Environment & Wildlife

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●​ India's First Organic Fisheries Cluster: Sikkim launched.

●​ Green GDP: Chhattisgarh became the first state to evaluate ecosystem for Green GDP (measures
economic output adjusted for environmental impact).
●​ First White Tiger Breeding Center: Approved by Central Government in Rewa, MP.
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●​ Global Firepower Index 2025: India 4th.

●​ World Wetlands Day 2025: Observed on Feb 2 (Theme: Protecting Wetlands for Our Shared
Future).
●​ First Biobank: Started in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
●​ World Wildlife Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Wildlife Conservation: Financing
Investing in People and Planet).
●​ World's Largest Iceberg (A23a): Stuck near South Georgia Island.
●​ First Coastal & Wetland Bird Census: Held in Jamnagar, Gujarat (Jan 3-5).
●​ Bacteria for Soil Pollution: IIT Bombay developed to boost agriculture.
●​ World Wildlife Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Wildlife Conservation: Financing
Investing in People and Planet).
●​ Forest & Food (Theme for International Forest Day): March 21.
●​ India's First Bio Polymer Plant: Laid foundation stone in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ Leopard Safari: Punjab to develop its first Leopard Safari in Jajjar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuary.
●​ One-Horned Rhinoceros Population (West Bengal): Increased to 392 (Assam 1st, West Bengal
2nd, Uttar Pradesh 3rd).
●​ World Glacier Day 2025: Observed for the first time on March 21 (Theme: Glacier Preservation).
(UN declared 2025 as International Year of Glacier Conservation).
●​ Ramchar Site Additions: 4 new Ramsar Sites added, bringing total to 89. (Sakrakottai Bird
Sanctuary, Therthangul Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Khechio Paleri Wetland (Sikkim's first),
Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand's first)).
●​ First White Tiger Breeding Center: Approved in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
●​ Yakala Glacier Disappearance: Nepal's Yakala Glacier to disappear by 2040 due to climate
change.

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●​ 23 Species of Flies (Culex Genus): Discovered by Zoological Survey of India researchers in
Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
●​ Chinar Tree Geo-tagging: Jammu & Kashmir began the process to preserve heritage.

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●​ Global Air Quality Report 2024: India ranked 5th most polluted.
●​ Most Vultures: Madhya Pradesh became the state with the highest number of vultures.
●​ Climate Neutrality by 2070: Uttarakhand signed an agreement with Iceland to achieve this.
●​ Olivelley Ridley Turtles Mass Nesting: Record mass nesting observed at Rushikulya coast, Odisha.
●​ Kanjar Ghati National Park (Chhattisgarh): Included in UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List
(Chhattisgarh's first).
●​ Global Air Quality Report 2024 (IQAir): India ranked 5th most polluted country, with New Delhi
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as the most polluted capital.

X. Arts, Culture & Festivals

●​ Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025: Held in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

●​ Lobhshar Festival 2025: Celebrated in Ladakh.
●​ Sarajeevika Mela 2025: Hosted in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Kanuuma Festival: Cattle festival celebrated in Telangana.
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●​ Gaan Ngai Festival: Celebrated by Kabui Rongmei Naga community in Manipur.

●​ Purple Fest 2025: Held in New Delhi.
●​ Sarajeevika Mela 2025: Hosted in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2025: Celebrated on Feb 19.
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●​ Lifon Mars Collected Stories (Book): Written by Namita Gokhale.

●​ Shigmo Festival 2025: Held in Goa.
●​ Pashmina Utsav: Held for the first time in Kathmandu, Nepal.
●​ Vasant Utsav Chakchar Koot: Held in Mizoram (also known as Bamboo Dance).
●​ Ajanta Verul International Film Festival (10th): Held in Maharashtra.
●​ Third Eye Asian Film Festival (21st Edition): Held in Maharashtra.
●​ Jallikattu Festival: Celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
●​ Mahakumbh 2025: Hosted in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Kumbhvani FM Channel: Launched by Uttar Pradesh Government to spread the spirit of
Mahakumbh.
●​ Swami Vivekananda's 162nd Jayanti: Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 began in New
Delhi.
●​ Gandhian Darshan Art Gallery: Union Minister Om Birla inaugurated near Rajghat, New Delhi.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ International Kite Festival: Started in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

●​ Lachit Barphukan Police Academy: Inaugurated by Amit Shah in Golaghat, Assam.
●​ Traditional Art of Dokra: PM Modi gifted a Dokra artifact to French President Emmanuel Macron
(related to Chhattisgarh).
●​ Jhumar Mahotsav Dance Performance: Assam to host the world's largest.
●​ Atukkal Pongal Festival: Celebrated in Kerala (after Holi, World's largest women's gathering
festival).
●​ Lezim Folk Dance: Related to Maharashtra (traditional martial dance).
●​ Aetikopaka Toys (Andhra Pradesh): 400-year-old tradition, GI-tagged, sharp-edge free, natural
colors.
●​ Shashwat Mithila Mahotsav 2025: Held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

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●​ World Puppet Day 2025: Observed on March 21 (Theme: Robots, AI, and the Dream of the
Puppet).
●​ Makaravilakku Festival: Held at Sabarimala Temple, Kerala.

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●​ Ayodhya Airport: Renamed Maharshi Valmiki International Airport.
●​ Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference 2025 (18th): Held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Chief Guest:
Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago. (Celebrates return of Mahatma Gandhi
to India on Jan 9, 1915).
●​ World Hindi Day 2025: Observed on Jan 10 (Theme: Hindi: A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural
Pride).
●​ Vasant Utsav Chakchar Koot: Held in Mizoram.
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●​ Gangasagar Mela (West Bengal): Second largest fair after Kumbh Mela.
●​ 150 Years of India Meteorological Department: Celebrated on Jan 15, 2025; PM Modi launched
Mission Mausam.
●​ Indian Railway's Swarel App: Launched to integrate railway services on one platform.
●​ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2025: Celebrated on Feb 19.

X. Persons in News
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●​ Donald Trump: 47th US President; first US President to be sentenced in a criminal case; 50th Vice
President is J.D. Vance.
●​ Martin Guptill: New Zealand cricketer announced retirement.
●​ Pranab Mukherjee: 13th President of India, monument approved.
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●​ V. Ramaswami: India's first Supreme Court judge against whom impeachment proceedings were
initiated (1993). (Died at 96).
●​ Anil Ambani: Reliance Group.
●​ Soheli Akhtar: First female cricketer banned due to corruption allegations.
●​ Arun Shourie: Author of The New Icon: Savarkar and the Facts.
●​ Viraj Kumar: Won Memory League World Championship 2025.
●​ Pankaj Adwani: Won Asian Snooker Championship 2025 (Men's Singles).
●​ Nikolas Maduro: Sworn in as Venezuela President for 3rd time.
●​ Anis-Ur-Rahman: Received Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024 (English).
●​ Vicky Kaushal: New Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors.
●​ Gopal Vittal: Elected as GSMA President.
●​ Elon Musk: Gifted PM Modi a hexagonal ceramic heat shield tile.
●​ John Mahama: Became President of Ghana for the 3rd time.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ Madan Soni: Received Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024 (Hindi).

●​ Bitra Chebet: First woman to run 5km in 13.54 minutes.
●​ D. Gukesh: Highest ranked Indian chess player (4th worldwide). (Youngest World Chess Champion;
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 recipient).
●​ Sharath Kamal: Table Tennis player, announced retirement. (Seven Commonwealth Games Gold
Medals, two Asian Games Bronze Medals).
●​ Rakesh Sharma: MD & CEO of IDBI Bank.
●​ Rajesh Nirvan: DG of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
●​ Bahadur Singh Sahoo: President of Athletics Federation of India.
●​ Manish Singhal: Secretary-General of ASSOCHAM.
●​ Mahesh Kumar Agrawal: Additional DG of Border Security Force.

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●​ Dhananjay Shukla: President of Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
●​ Santanu Kotak: New Batting Coach for Indian Cricket Team.
●​ Dr. K.M. Cherian: Heart surgeon, passed away. (First to successfully perform coronary artery

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bypass surgery in India).
●​ Sayed Abid Ali: Indian all-rounder cricketer, passed away.
●​ TV Gopalakrishnan: Mridangam artist, received R.K. Srikantan Trust Award. (Padma Bhushan
recipient 2012).
●​ Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram: Nuclear scientist, passed away. (Padma Vibhushan recipient 1999).
●​ Zoran Milanović: Re-elected as President of Croatia.
●​ Sketches Brand Ambassador: Jasprit Bumrah appointed. (ICC Test Player of the Year 2024).
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●​ Nandini Nandedwa: First female president of Namibia.
●​ Maasaaki Kaishwara: Japanese mathematician, awarded Abel Prize 2025.
●​ Lyu Jiajun: Chinese architect, awarded Pritzker Prize 2025.
●​ Vijay Rahtkar: President of National Commission for Women, launched book Karma Yogini
Veerangana. (National Commission for Women established Jan 31, 1992).
●​ Christine Carla Kangaloo: President of Trinidad & Tobago, Chief Guest for PBD 2025.
●​ Pankaj Tripathi: Co-founder of audio story platform, Velvet.
●​ Arjun Arora: Awarded Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 for Dogri language.
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●​ Travis Head: Won his first Allan Border Medal at Australian Cricket Awards 2025.
●​ Vitrai Chebet: First woman to run 5km in 13 minutes 54 seconds.
●​ Suhaili Akhtar: First woman cricketer banned for corruption charges.
●​ Ajinkya Rahane: First Indian cricketer to captain three different teams in 2025.
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●​ Amelia Kerr: ICC Women's T20 Cricketer of the Year 2024.

●​ Jasprit Bumrah: ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024.
●​ V. Ramaswami: First SC Judge to face impeachment proceedings.
●​ Ranveer Singh: Brand Ambassador for Zomato.
●​ Amitabh Kant: Former NITI Aayog CEO, authored How India Scaled Mount G20.
●​ Sourav Ganguly: Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism.
●​ Rohit Sharma: Second Indian player to score most runs in ODI cricket history.
●​ Dinesh Karthik: Indian wicketkeeper with most T20 runs (7451).
●​ Vaishnavi: First Indian woman to take a hat-trick in Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2025.
●​ Lionel Messi: First football player to receive US Presidential Medal of Freedom.
●​ Donald Trump: First US President to be sentenced in a criminal case.
●​ Christine Carla Kangaloo: President of Trinidad & Tobago, awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
Puraskar.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ John Mahama: Became President of Ghana for the 3rd time.

●​ Ajay Seth: Appointed as new Finance Secretary (March 2025).
●​ Ashok Chandra: New MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank.
●​ Vinod Kumar: New MD & CEO of Indian Bank.
●​ Anant Ambani: His organization Vantara honored with Pranimitra Rashtriya Puraskar 2025.
●​ Rana Dasgupta: Awarded Windham-Campbell Prize 2025.
●​ P.S. Raman: Author of Leo: The Untold Story.
●​ Rahul Bhave: Appointed MD & CEO of IFCI.
●​ Rekha Gupta: New Chief Minister of Delhi. (Fourth woman CM of Delhi).
●​ Anjoo Rathee Rana: First woman Law Secretary.
●​ Tanuska Singh: First woman pilot of Indian Air Force's Jaguar fighter jet squadron.

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●​ Virat Kohli: Seventh Indian cricketer to play 300 ODI matches.
●​ Ruchika Gupta: New Delhi CM.

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XI. Miscellaneous

●​ First Organic Fisheries Cluster: Sikkim launched India's first organic fisheries cluster.
●​ First White Tiger Breeding Center: Approved by Central Government in Rewa, MP.
●​ Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025: Hosted in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.
●​ First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.
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●​ Swayam Prabha (DD): DD National's Swayam Prabha to launch 34 new e-learning channels by
January 2025.
●​ United Arab Emirates Declares 2025 as the Year of Community.
●​ Lobhshar Festival 2025: Celebrated in Ladakh.
●​ Miss World 2025 (First Black Woman): Tashego Gilei from South Africa.
●​ India AI Mission Funding: Central Government allocated ₹10371 crore.
●​ Aero India 2025: To be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka (Asia's premier aerospace and defense
exhibition).
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●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.

●​ First Women's Hockey India League 2025: Odisha Warriors won.
●​ Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: Observed on Feb 17.
●​ World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025: Observed Feb 1-7 (Theme: Solidarity for Peace).
IA

●​ 13th Edition of Exercise Ekuberin (India-Maldives): Joint military exercise held in Feb 2025.
●​ World Listening Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Ear and Hearing Care for All).
●​ ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India won, New Zealand runner-up.
●​ Project Hifazat: Launched by Punjab Government for women's safety.
●​ India's First AI University: To be established in Maharashtra.
●​ Aero India 2025: To be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
●​ Global Entrepreneurship Development Summit (Livestock Sector): Held in Pune, Maharashtra.
●​ Operation Devil Hunt: Bangladesh security forces launched to prevent mob attacks and
vandalism.
●​ International Arab Leopard Day 2025: Observed on Feb 10.
●​ Handball International Championship Trophy (Men's Youth & Junior): Held in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh.
●​ 13th Edition of Exercise Ekuberin (India-Maldives): Joint military exercise held in Feb 2025.

IAS Freak SELECTION SERIES ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 18

 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Observed on March 15 (Theme: A Just Transition to a
Sustainable Lifestyle).
●​ Pashmina Utsav: Held for the first time in Kathmandu, Nepal.
●​ India-Egypt Joint Military Exercise Cyclone 2025 (3rd Edition): Held in Rajasthan.
●​ Bango Sagar 2025 Naval Exercise (4th Edition): India-Bangladesh Navy exercise held in Bay of
Bengal (along with 5th Coordinated Patrol).
●​ Trinidad & Tobago President: Christine Carla Kangaloo awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
Puraskar by India.
●​ CR450 Prototype (Fastest High-Speed Train): China launched.
●​ Anti-Dumping Duty (Digital Platos): Ministry of Finance imposed on five countries.
●​ Glass Bridge Over Sea: India's first glass bridge connecting Thiruvalluvar statue and Vivekananda

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Rock Memorial inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.
●​ US Issues 1 Million+ Non-Immigrant Visas to Indians (2nd consecutive year): New record set by
USA.

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●​ World Economic Forum 2025 (55th Annual Meeting): Held in Davos, Switzerland.
●​ Chagos Archipelago Dispute: India supported Mauritius in its dispute with the UK over the Chagos
Archipelago. (Archipelago in Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, largest island is Diego Garcia).
●​ Nagorno-Karabakh Region Peace Treaty: Signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. (Region
disputed for 40 years).
●​ Armenia & Azerbaijan: Landlocked countries in Western Asia.
●​ International Day of Hope: UN General Assembly declared July 12 as International Day of Hope.
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●​ Hungary's President (3rd time): John Mahama.
●​ Cold Ship Space Station: China approved construction in South China Sea.
●​ Abolition of Capital Punishment in US History: Donald Trump became the first President to
pardon all death row inmates, including those involved in federal crimes.
●​ 72nd Miss World Pageant 2025: Held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
●​ International Happiness Day 2025: Observed on March 20 (Theme: Caring and Sharing).
●​ Global Leadership in Science and Innovation (Theme for National Science Day): Emphasizes
empowering Indian youth.
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●​ World Theatre Day 2025: Observed on March 27 (Theme: Theatre and a Culture of Peace).
●​ International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Observed on March 30 (Theme: Towards Zero Waste in
Fashion and Textiles).
●​ Operation Brahma: India launched to assist Myanmar after earthquake devastation.
IA

●​ ICC Women's Championship 2022-25: Australia won its third title.

●​ World Wildlife Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Wildlife Conservation: Financing
Investing in People and Planet).
●​ FIFA Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025: Tamil Nadu to host.
●​ Myanmar & Thailand Earthquake: 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit on March 28, 2025.
●​ 9th Asian Winter Games 2025: China (Harbin) to host. China topped medal tally with 85 medals
(32 Gold).
●​ International Olympic Committee First Female & African President: Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe)
appointed. (IOC founded 1894, HQ Lausanne, Switzerland).
●​ World Glacier Day 2025: Observed for the first time on March 21 (Theme: Glacier Preservation).
(UN declared 2025 as International Year of Glacier Conservation).
●​ World Air Quality Report 2024: India 5th most polluted country.
●​ Global Firepower Index 2025: India 4th.

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 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ Henley Passport Index 2025: India 85th.

●​ World Happiness Report 2025: India 118th.
●​ Corruption Perception Index 2024: India 96th.
●​ Sixteenth International Millets Festival: Held in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (India is 2nd largest
producer after Rajasthan; UN declared 2023 as International Year of Millets).
●​ International Arab Leopard Day 2025: Observed on Feb 10.
●​ World Radio Day 2025: Observed on Feb 13 (Theme: Radio and Climate Change).
●​ 14th Asian Fisheries & Aquaculture Forum Meeting: Held in New Delhi (Theme: Greening Blue
Growth in Asia-Pacific).
●​ Earth Rotation Day 2025: Observed on Jan 8.
●​ International Customs Day 2025: Observed on Jan 26.

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●​ National Geographic Day 2025: Observed on Jan 27.
●​ National Youth Day 2025: Observed on Jan 12 (Theme: Youth Empowerment for Nation Building).
(Celebrates Swami Vivekananda's birthday).

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●​ World Hindi Day 2025: Observed on Jan 10 (Theme: Hindi: A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural
Pride).
●​ 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference 2025: Held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha (Theme: Diaspora's
Contribution to a Developed India). Chief Guest: Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad
and Tobago. (Celebrates return of Mahatma Gandhi on Jan 9, 1915; held every two years since
2015).
●​ National Startup Day 2025: Observed on Jan 16.
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●​ World Cancer Day 2025: Observed on Feb 4 (Theme: United by Unique).
●​ World Pulses Day 2025: Observed on Feb 10.
●​ World Unani Day 2025: Observed on Feb 11 (Theme: Innovation in Unani Medicine for Integrated
Health Solutions).
●​ No Smoking Day 2025: Observed on March 12 (Theme: Unmasking the Appeal).
●​ World Kidney Day 2025: Observed on March 13 (Theme: Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early,
Protect Kidney Health).
●​ National Vaccination Day 2025: Observed on March 16.
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●​ World Sparrow Day 2025: Observed on March 20 (Theme: Hope for Sparrows).
●​ International Day of Forests 2025: Observed on March 21 (Theme: Forests and Food).
●​ World Meteorological Day 2025: Observed on March 23 (Theme: Closing the Early Warning Gap
Together).
IA

●​ World Theatre Day 2025: Observed on March 27 (Theme: Theatre and a Culture of Peace).
●​ International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Observed on March 30 (Theme: Towards Zero Waste in
Fashion and Textiles).
●​ World Autism Awareness Day 2025: Observed on April 2 (Theme: Advancing Neurodiversity and
UN Sustainable Development Goals).
●​ RBI 90th Foundation Day: Observed on April 1. (RBI established on April 1, 1935).
●​ International Women's Day 2025: Observed on March 8 (Theme: Accelerate Action).
●​ International Women Judges Day 2025: Observed on March 10.
●​ National Archives Foundation Day 2025 (135th): Observed on March 11.
●​ World Social Justice Day 2025: Observed on Feb 20 (Theme: Strengthening Just Transition for a
Sustainable Future).
●​ National Science Day 2025: Observed on Feb 28 (Theme: Empowering Indian Youth for Global
Leadership in Science and Innovation for a Developed India).

IAS Freak SELECTION SERIES ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 20

 JAN-MAR 2025 CURRENT AFFAIRS
By - IAS Freak - ( UPSC INTERVIEW, BPSC SELECTED )

●​ Zero Discrimination Day 2025: Observed on March 1 (Theme: We Stand Together).

●​ World Hearing Day 2025: Observed on March 3 (Theme: Ear and Hearing Care for All).
●​ World Civil Defence Day 2025: Observed on March 1 (Theme: Civil Defence: Guarantee of
Security for the Population).
●​ 54th National Safety Week 2025: Observed March 4-10 (Theme: Safety and Wellbeing Crucial for
Developed India).
●​ International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day 2025: Observed on March 5.
●​ World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Observed on March 15.
●​ World Puppet Day 2025: Observed on March 21.

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IAS Freak SELECTION SERIES ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 21