08th-10th March 2025

1. India Wins ICC Champions Trophy for the Third Time
2. Bangalore City University to be Renamed After Dr. Manmohan Singh
3. Glass-Ceiling Index 2025: Best Countries for Working Women
4. LIC Ranked World’s 3rd Strongest Insurance Brand
5. Rajeev Shukla Replaces Jay Shah in ACC Leadership
6. World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Runs Aground Near South Georgia Island
7. Punjab Launches ‘Project Hifazat’ to Strengthen Women and Child Safety
8. Sea Dragon 2025 Naval Exercise: Strengthening Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities
9. Uttar Pradesh Adopts Digital Monitoring for Routine Child Vaccination Through RISE App
10. Assam Names Electronics City After Ratan Tata
11. IndiGo Becomes the World’s Second Fastest-Growing Airline in Seat Capacity
12. Kerala Police Strengthens Cybersecurity with Advanced Security Operations Centre (SOC)
13. Anju Rathi Rana Appointed As The First Woman Law Secretary
14. SIDBI and Federal Bank Partner to Strengthen MSME Financing
15. PhonePe Launches ‘Insuring HEROES’ Campaign for International Women’s Day 2025
16. HDFC Bank Signs MoU with Indian Air Force and CSC Academy; Launches Project HAKK
17. SBI Life Insurance Introduces 2 New Child Insurance Plans: ‘Smart Future Star’ & ‘Smart Platina Young Achiever’
18. SIDBI signs MoU with FBL to Strengthen MSME Financing
19. HDFC Bank Launches ‘Project HAKK’ to Support IAF Veterans and Families
20. Infineon Technologies and CDIL Signs MoU to Strengthen India’s Power Semiconductor Manufacturing
21. PM Narendra Modi Conferred ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’
22. Federal Bank Limited Appointed Padma Shree Awardee Vidya Balan as Its First-Ever Brand Ambassador
23. DRDO Unveils BM-04 SRBM to Enhance India’s Defense Capabilities
24. Europe’s Ariane 6 Successfully Launches French Spy Satellite
25. FIFA Banned Russia, Congo from 2026 World Cup
26. Veteran Bangladeshi Cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim Announced Retirement from ODIs
27. Australian Tennis Icon & Dual Grand Slam Champion, Fred Sydney Stolle Passed Away
28. AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu Unveils Daggubati Venkateswara Rao’s Book ‘Prapancha Charitra’
29. Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 – March 7
30. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates WSDS 2025 in New Delhi
31. India’s MoD Signs USD 248 Million Contract with Russia’s RoE for Procurement of Engines for T-72 Tanks for IA
32. CEA and TPPDL organised the 5th Edition of Lineman Diwas in New Delhi
33. Niva Bupa Launches ‘Rise’ to Empower India’s Missing Middle
34. BoB Introduced “BoB Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account”
35. BoI Signs MoU with IA to Enhance ‘Rakshak Salary Package’ Benefits
36. CredResolve Secures USD 1.1 Million Funding to Expand AI-Based Debt Recovery Solutions
37. RBI Imposes Rs 76.6 lakh Penalty on 4 NBFCs for Non-Compliance
38. ICRA Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.5% for FY26
39. India’s OTAI & Malaysia’s MPOC Collaborate to Promote Palm Oil Benefits in India
40. YouGov India Value Rankings 2025: Amazon, Flipkart, and Amul Rank as India’s Top Brands
41. Professor Suman Chakraborty Wins UNESCO’s TWAS Award for Developing Low-Cost Medical Diagnostic Solutions
42. GoI Appointed Vikas Khushal as CMD of HPCL for 5 years
43. RBI Approves One-Year Extension for Sumant Kathpalia CEO of IndusInd Bank
44. Dr Himanshu Pathak Assumes Charge as DG of ICAR-ICRISAT
45. Indian GM Pranav Venkatesh Won ‘FIDE World Junior U20 Championship 2025’

National News

1. TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit 2025

• What:
  • The Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, has outlined India’s vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and become a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Why:
  • This vision is part of India’s commitment to global sustainability and climate action, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to combat climate change.
• Tell me more:
  • India has already reduced its emission intensity of GDP by 36% between 2005 and 2020.
  • The Union Budget of 2025 focuses on energy security and expanding clean energy capacity.
  • India slashed its greenhouse gas emissions by 7.93% in 2020.

Source: IE

2. Fifth Edition of ‘Lineman Diwas’ Celebrated in New Delhi

• What:
  • The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (Tata Power-DDL) organized the Fifth Edition of ‘Lineman Diwas’ to recognize linemen’s contributions.
• Why:
  • The event aims to honor linemen and ground maintenance staff for ensuring uninterrupted power supply and to promote safety, collaboration, and innovation.
• Tell me more:
  • The theme for the 5th edition was ‘Seva, Suraksha, Swabhiman’, signifying dedication, service, and sacrifice.

Source: BS

State News

1. Bengaluru City University Renamed Dr Manmohan Singh

• What:
  • Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that Bengaluru City University will be renamed Dr Manmohan Singh, making it the first university in India to bear his name.
• Why:
  • The renaming is a tribute to Dr Manmohan Singh’s lasting legacy and contributions to India’s economic reforms and development.
• Tell me more:
  • The announcement was made during the Chief Minister’s record 16th budget speech in the state Assembly on March 7, 2025.
  • Government Arts College and Government RC College will be integrated as constituent colleges under the university.
  • Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had previously announced plans for a research and study centre at Bangalore University dedicated to Singh’s contributions.

Source: IT

2. Punjab Launches Project Hifazat

• What:
  • Punjab has launched ‘Project Hifazat’ to empower women and children facing violence, enhancing the response mechanism and creating a safe environment for reporting abuse.
• Why:
  • The project aims to eliminate fear and improve support for victims of domestic violence and harassment by streamlining coordination among departments and providing immediate assistance.
• Tell me more:
  • The project utilizes the 181 helpline and is supported by Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya, offering 24×7 emergency and non-emergency services.
  • Calls are categorized and emergency cases are transferred to the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112).
  • Non-emergency cases are directed to one stop centres, district child protection units, and district hubs for women’s empowerment for further support.

Source: TOI

3. Uttar Pradesh Introduces RISE App for Vaccination

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh has launched the ‘Rapid Immunisation Skill Enhancement’ (RISE) app to digitally monitor routine vaccination among children, enhancing the capacity of health workers.
• Why:
  • The app aims to improve vaccination efficiency by updating health workers on evolving guidelines and new technologies, ensuring timely immunization.
• Tell me more:
  • The RISE app provides digital training for staff nurses, ANMs, and health visitors on session management, vaccine safety, and handling adverse effects.
  • It helps track and counsel families hesitant about vaccination, aiming for higher immunization coverage.
  • Initially piloted in 181 districts nationwide, the app is now being implemented statewide in Uttar Pradesh.

Source: HT

4. Assam Names Electronics City After Ratan Tata

• What:
  • The Assam Cabinet has approved naming the Assam Semiconductor & Electronics Logistics Park (ASELP), Jagiroad Tata OSAT Center, and a proposed township as Ratan Tata Electronics City (RTEC) in recognition of the Tata Group’s contributions.
• Why:
  • The naming is a tribute to the unparalleled contributions of the Tata Group and its Chairman Emeritus, Late Ratan Naval Tata, to Assam’s development.
• Tell me more:
  • The Tata Group plans to establish a large-scale electronics and mobile technology manufacturing facility in Assam with an investment of Rs 30,000 crore over five years.
  • This project is expected to create over 30,000 jobs and follows the establishment of a semiconductor packaging and testing unit in Jagiroad.
  • Tata Power has also signed MoUs for renewable energy projects in Assam, aiming for up to 5000 MW of clean energy capacity.

Source: ET

5. Kerala Launches Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre

• What:
  • Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the “Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre” (SOC) of the Kerala Police Cyber Division to enhance cybersecurity for police systems and critical infrastructure.
• Why:
  • The centre aims to strengthen cybersecurity by monitoring threats, identifying vulnerabilities, and ensuring robust data protection across police networks.
• Tell me more:
  • The SOC was designed and developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) using its AI-powered TRINETRA solution.
  • The centre will operate 24×7 to secure computers and infrastructure at police headquarters, city commissionerates, and affiliated stations.
  • It will monitor endpoints, network traffic, and user behaviour to proactively detect anomalies and mitigate cyber threats.

Source: ANI

International News

1. Ariane 6 Rocket Launches French Spy Satellite

• What:
  • Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched a French spy satellite, marking its first fully operational mission, and enhancing Europe’s independent access to space.
• Why:
  • The launch aims to consolidate Europe’s sovereignty in space, amid growing competition and reliance on external launch services like SpaceX.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ariane 6 rocket lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana, and deployed the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite for the French Air Force’s Space Command.
  • The launch was initially delayed but now marks a significant step in European space autonomy, coinciding with efforts to boost European defense.

Source: RT

Banking and Economy

1. IndiGo Ranked Second in Global Seat Capacity Growth

• What:
  • IndiGo Airlines has been ranked as the world’s second fastest-growing airline in terms of seat capacity, with a 10.1% year-on-year increase to over 134.9 million seats in 2024.
• Why:
  • The growth reflects IndiGo’s strategic expansion, particularly in domestic and international markets, including the Middle East and Thailand.
• Tell me more:
  • IndiGo also leads in flight frequency growth with a 9.7% increase, recording 749,156 flights in 2024.
  • The airline has a large aircraft order with over 900 planes, though about 80 are inactive due to supply chain issues.
  • IndiGo reported a net profit of INR 2,449 crore in the Oct-Dec quarter, despite an 18% decline from the previous year.

Source: ET

2. PhonePe Launches ‘Insuring HEROES’ Campaign

• What:
  • PhonePe has launched the ‘insuring HEROES’ campaign, offering exclusive discounts on term life and health insurance plans for women ahead of International Women’s Day.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to enhance women’s financial security by providing them with tailored insurance solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • The campaign offers discounts of up to 30% on term life insurance and up to 15% on health insurance plans, available on the PhonePe app until March 9, 2025.
  • Users can access these offers by selecting the ‘insuring HEROES’ banner and following the prompts to find suitable plans.

Source: ET

3. HDFC Bank Launches Project HAKK for Veterans

• What:
  • HDFC Bank has signed an MoU with the Indian Air Force to launch Project HAKK, aiming to provide support and services to defence pensioners, veterans, and their families.
• Why:
  • The project is designed to offer economic inclusiveness and financial independence to defence service veterans and their next of kin through skill development and training.
• Tell me more:
  • Initially, 25 centres will be set up across various Air Force units in cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune.
  • HDFC Bank, in association with CSC Academy, will provide training on financial products and services.
  • The centres will offer over 500 G2C and B2C services, including Aadhaar, NPS, PAN Card, and passport services.

Source: HDFC

4. SBI Life Launches New Child Insurance Plans

• What:
  • SBI Life Insurance has launched ‘SBI Life – Smart Future Star’ and ‘SBI Life – Smart Platina Young Achiever’, two new child-specific insurance products.
• Why:
  • These plans aim to empower parents in securing their children’s future aspirations by providing financial safeguards against rising education costs and lifestyle expenses.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘SBI Life – Smart Future Star’ is a participating plan offering long-term corpus growth through bonuses and flexible maturity payout options.
  • ‘SBI Life – Smart Platina Young Achiever’ is a non-participating plan offering guaranteed maturity benefits and a risk-free savings approach.
  • Both plans include an in-built waiver of premium benefit in case of death or accidental total permanent disability of the proposer.

Source: BS

5. SIDBI and Federal Bank Sign MoU for MSME Financing

• What:
  • SIDBI and The Federal Bank Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for growth and development.
• Why:
  • The MoU aims to enhance the MSME ecosystem by offering comprehensive financial support through various credit facilities.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement covers project finance, machinery/equipment finance, working capital, letter of credit, bank guarantee, and loan against property.
  • Joint financing options will also be explored to extend credit facilities to MSMEs.
  • The MoU was signed by Prakash Kumar, Deputy Managing Director of SIDBI, and Harsh Dugar, Executive Director of FBL.

Source: UNI

6. Infineon Partners with CDIL for Power Chips

• What:
  • Infineon, a German semiconductor company, has signed an agreement with CDIL Semiconductors to supply silicon wafers for manufacturing power chips in India. These chips will be used in products like power inverters, solar technology, and automobile power solutions.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to leverage CDIL’s local expertise and Infineon’s technology to drive innovation and accelerate the “Make in India” initiative.
• Tell me more:
  • Under the agreement, Infineon will provide bare semiconductor wafers to CDIL, which will process them for assembly and packaging.
  • Initially, CDIL will produce power chips for Indian customers and later explore overseas opportunities.

Source: ET

7. Niva Bupa Launches ‘Rise’ Health Plan for Middle India

• What:
  • Niva Bupa Health Insurance has launched ‘Rise,’ a health insurance plan to provide affordable healthcare to India’s “Missing Middle” segment.
• Why:
  • The plan addresses the gap for individuals who earn too much for government schemes but too little for private insurance.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘Rise’ allows treatment in private or government hospitals and offers unlimited digital consultations.
  • The plan offers a Flexi-Pay option to initiate the policy with 20% of the premium.
  • For a 35-year-old individual with ₹10 lakh sum insured, pricing ranges from ₹6,416 to ₹8,669.

Source: ANI

8. Bank of Baroda Launches Special Savings Account for Women NRIs

• What:
  • Bank of Baroda has introduced a specialized savings account for women NRIs, known as the BoB Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account, offering benefits like concessional loan rates and free insurance coverage.
• Why:
  • The bank aims to cater to the changing needs of global Indian women by empowering them through this account.
• Tell me more:
  • The account provides benefits such as reduced processing fees, full waivers on locker rent, and a customised debit card with complimentary airport lounge access.
  • Additionally, the bank has upgraded its bob Premium NRE & NRO Savings Account with enhanced features like higher transaction limits and free safe deposit locker.

Source: ET

9. Bank of India Signs MoU with Indian Army

• What:
  • Bank of India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to extend the BOI Rakshak Salary Package to Army personnel, veterans, and Agniveers.
• Why:
  • The bank aims to provide special benefits and enhance its association with the Indian Army by offering a tailored salary package.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU includes benefits such as enhanced free comprehensive Personal Accident Insurance Cover, attractive offers on debit and credit cards, and other privileges.
  • The BOI Rakshak Salary Scheme is designed for defence personnel, offering free personal accidental insurance cover of up to ₹100 lakh and free air accidental coverage of ₹200 lakh.
  • Lt. Gen. Rajeev Puri chaired the ceremony, and Subrat Kumar, Executive Director of Bank of India, assured best banking products and customer service.

Source: ET

10. CredResolve Raises $1.1 Million in Funding

• What:
  • CredResolve, an AI-driven collections platform, has raised $1.1 million in funding led by UNLEASH Capital Partners, with participation from CDM Capital.
• Why:
  • The funding is likely aimed at supporting CredResolve’s innovative AI-driven approach to debt recovery, which enhances efficiency and compliance with RBI regulations.
• Tell me more:
  • CredResolve uses AI to automate recovery workflows, improve borrower communication, and ensure strict compliance with RBI regulations, thereby increasing recovery rates and reducing operational inefficiencies.
  • The company was founded in August 2023 and is headquartered in Gurgaon.

Source: ZEE

11. RBI Imposes Penalties on Non-Banking Financial Companies

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India has imposed penalties totaling Rs 76.6 lakh on four non-banking financial companies for non-compliance with its peer-to-peer lending platform directions.
• Why:
  • The penalties were imposed due to deficiencies in regulatory compliance by these companies.
• Tell me more:
  • Fairassets Technologies India was fined Rs 40 lakh, while Bridge Fintech Solutions and Rang De P2P Financial Services each received a penalty of Rs 10 lakh.
  • Visionary Financepeer was penalized Rs 16.6 lakh.
  • The penalties are based on non-compliance with the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company – Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2017’.

Source: ET

12. Malaysia and India Collaborate on Palm Oil Awareness

• What:
  • The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and the Oil Technologists’ Association of India (OTAI) have partnered to promote awareness of Malaysian palm oil’s health benefits in India.
• Why:
  • This collaboration aims to foster sustainable trade growth between the two countries by addressing misconceptions and highlighting palm oil’s nutritional and industrial applications.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership will focus on consumer education, industry engagement, and scientific research to strengthen palm oil’s position in India’s food and non-food sectors.

Source: BS

Reports and Indices

1. The Economist 2025 Glass-Ceiling Index

• What:
  • Sweden has taken the top position in the Economist’s 2025 Glass-Ceiling Index, surpassing Iceland as the best country for working women, while New Zealand has notably improved its ranking.
• Why:
  • The ranking reflects countries’ progress in promoting gender equality, particularly through supportive policies for working families and women’s representation in various sectors.
• Tell me more:
  • The OECD observed an average increase in women’s parliamentary representation to 34% in 2024, with significant gains in Japan and Britain.
  • Women’s labour-force participation rose to 66.6%, though it remains lower than men’s at 81%.
  • Methodology: Evaluated the working conditions for women across the OECD – which is a group of 29 nations and ranked it based on ten-point criteria, like labour force participation, salary levels, paid parental leave, and political representation.

Source: IE

2. Brand Finance Insurance 100 2025 Report: LIC Ranked Third in Strongest Insurance Brands

• What:
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has been ranked third among the world’s strongest insurance brands with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88 out of 100.
• Why:
  • The ranking reflects LIC’s strong brand presence and performance, driven by factors like improved financial results and market conditions.
• Tell me more:
  • Poland-based PZU and China Life Insurance secured the top two spots with BSI scores of 94.4 and 93.5, respectively.
  • LIC ranks 12th in overall brand value among global insurance brands, with SBI Life at 76th.
  • The top 100 insurance brands saw a 9% increase in brand value due to improved underwriting results and rising interest rates.

Source: DE

3. Amul Ranked Third in India’s Most Valued Brands

• What:
  • Amul has been ranked as the third most valued brand in India in the YouGov India Value Rankings 2025, alongside e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart.
• Why:
  • This recognition is due to Amul’s cooperative model, which ensures fair pricing for farmers and affordability for consumers, making high-quality dairy products accessible nationwide.
• Tell me more:
  • Amul holds the top position in tier-2 cities and is among the top three in tier-1 and -3 cities, with strong rankings among both male and female consumers.
  • The YouGov rankings are based on consumer insights from 1.3 lakh urban Indians, evaluating brands for their value for money across various sectors.

Source: HBL

GDP Forecasts

1. India’s GDP Expected to Grow 6.5% in FY26

• What:
  • ICRA projects India’s GDP to grow by 6.5% in fiscal year 2026, driven by a recovery in domestic consumption and investment activity.
• Why:
  • This growth is anticipated due to a pickup in rural and urban demand, supported by factors like favorable farm cash flows and income tax relief.
• Tell me more:
  • Rural demand is expected to remain robust, supported by farm cash flows from the rabi harvest and above-normal reservoir levels.
  • Urban consumption is poised for improvement due to income tax relief, rate easing, and moderation in food inflation, benefiting sectors like automobiles and consumer goods.
  • Investment activity will be supported by increased government capital expenditure and a healthier housing demand outlook.
  • The growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) is projected at 6.3%, driven by consumption and investment recovery, while external demand is expected to remain subdued.

Source: TOI

Defence News

1. US Navy Launches Black Widow 2025 Exercise

• What:
  • The U.S. Navy has initiated the Black Widow 2025 anti-submarine warfare exercise in Hawaii, involving various naval units to enhance integrated undersea warfare tactics.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to advance and refine anti-submarine warfare capabilities through simulated enemy submarine tracking and engagement.
• Tell me more:
  • Participating units include USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Michael Murphy, submarines USS Mississippi and USS Montana, along with P-8A Poseidon aircraft and an MH-60R Sea Hawk.
  • The exercise is part of broader ASW efforts, with similar drills like Sea Dragon 25 involving forces from Australia, India, Japan, and South Korea.
  • Sea Dragon 25 will culminate in tracking a live U.S. Navy submarine.

Source: USNI

2. India Unveils BM-04 Hypersonic Missile

• What:
  • The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled the BM-04, a short-range ballistic missile with potential hypersonic capabilities, at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defence exhibition in Hyderabad.
• Why:
  • The BM-04 is designed to neutralize enemy anti-access/area denial capabilities, ensuring operational freedom for Indian forces in contested battlefields.
• Tell me more:
  • The missile has an operational range of 400 to 1500 kilometers, despite being classified as short-range, and will be powered by solid fuel with a 500 kg conventional warhead.
  • It uses the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System and GPS for targeting and has an accuracy of less than 30 meters.
  • The BM-04 is road-mobile, deployed using a six-axle Tatra vehicle.

Source: ET

3. India Upgrades T-72 Tanks with New Engines

• What:
  • The Ministry of Defence has signed a USD 248 million contract with Rosoboronexport to procure 1,000 HP engines for T-72 battle tanks, including technology transfer for local production.
• Why:
  • This upgrade aims to enhance the Indian Army’s combat readiness and operational capabilities by improving the mobility and lifespan of its armoured fleet.
• Tell me more:
  • The T-72 tanks currently use 780 HP engines, and the upgrade will significantly boost their battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities.
  • The deal supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative by enabling local production of the engines through technology transfer to Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited.

Source: IT

Awards

1. PM Modi Receives Barbados Honorary Award

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados in recognition of his strategic leadership and assistance during the Covid pandemic.
• Why:
  • The award acknowledges Modi’s leadership and valuable assistance during the pandemic, symbolizing the enduring friendship between India and Barbados.
• Tell me more:
  • The award was received on behalf of Modi by Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita at a ceremony in Bridgetown, Barbados.
  • Modi dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion Indians and the close relations between India and Barbados.

Source: TP

2. Professor Suman Chakraborty Wins TWAS Award

• What:
  • Professor Suman Chakraborty, from IIT Kharagpur, has been awarded the 2026 TWAS Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences by UNESCO for his outstanding contributions to scientific knowledge.
• Why:
  • The award recognizes his innovative diagnostic solutions that are affordable and accessible, contributing significantly to sustainable development.
• Tell me more:
  • Professor Chakraborty has developed several diagnostic tools, including Oroscreen for oral cancer detection and Covirap for rapid COVID-19 testing.

Source: TH

Important Dates

1. Jan Aushadhi Diwas – March 7

• What:
  • The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) celebrated the 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 with over 100 events across the country, promoting the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanAushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP).
  • Theme: “जन औषधि: दाम कम, दवाई उत्तम”
• Why:
  • The celebrations aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of PMBJP, ensuring that affordable and quality medicines are accessible to the public.
• Tell me more:
  • The week-long program included awareness drives, health camps, heritage walks, and community engagement activities.
  • Key events included flagging off the Jan Aushadhi Rath, Jan Aushadhi Pratigya Yatras, and seminars at pharmacy colleges.
  • Renowned sand artist Padmashree Sudarshan Patnaik created a sand sculpture on Niladri Beach, Puri, reflecting the theme “Daam Kam Dawai Uttam.”
  • Qutub Minar was illuminated with lights, spreading the message of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana.

Source: PIB

Sports

1. India Wins ICC Champions Trophy

• What:
  • India has won the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time by defeating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
• Why:
  • The victory is a result of India’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament, showcasing their dominance in the cricket world.
• Tell me more:
  • India, led by Rohit Sharma, successfully chased down New Zealand’s score of 251-7, achieving 254-6 in 49 overs.
  • Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand’s batting.

Source: HT

2. 2026 FIFA World Cup Excludes Three Nations

• What:
  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has excluded Russia, Congo, and Pakistan due to various controversies.
• Why:
  • The exclusions are due to separate issues: Russia’s geopolitical sanctions, Congo’s third-party interference in its football federation, and Pakistan’s administrative failures.
• Tell me more:
  • Pakistan’s suspension is due to its failure to adopt a revised constitution for fair elections, while Russia remains banned following its invasion of Ukraine.
  • Congo’s suspension involves unauthorized financial changes and loss of control over its headquarters.

Source: LM OC

3. Mushfiqur Rahim Retires from ODIs

• Mushfiqur Rahim, a veteran Bangladesh cricketer, has announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) following Bangladesh’s disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Source: IT

4. Fred Stolle Passes Away at 86

• Fred Stolle, a renowned Australian tennis player and commentator, has passed away at the age of 86.

Source: HT

Appointments

1. Rajeev Shukla Joins Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Board

• What:
  • Rajeev Shukla, BCCI vice-president, will represent India as an Executive Board Member on the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Board, filling the vacancy left by Jay Shah.
• Why:
  • The position became available after Jay Shah stepped down as ACC president to assume the role of ICC chairman.
• Tell me more:
  • Ashish Shelar, former BCCI treasurer, has been appointed as an Ex-Officio Board Member on the ACC Board.
  • Jay Shah vacated the ACC presidency in December 2024 after serving three consecutive terms.
  • Sri Lanka Cricket Board chief Shammi Silva took over as the new ACC president.

Source: IT

2. Dr. Anju Rathi Rana Appointed as Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Dr. Anju Rathi Rana as the Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice.

Source: BW

3. Vidya Balan Joins Federal Bank as Ambassador

• Federal Bank has appointed Vidya Balan as its first-ever brand ambassador, aligning her values with the bank’s principles of excellence, integrity, and social responsibility.

Source: FB

4. Vikas Kaushal Appointed HPCL Chairman

• What:
  • Vikas Kaushal, a global leader from Kearney, has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

Source: BS

5. RBI Approves One-Year Extension for IndusInd CEO

• The Reserve Bank of India has approved a one-year extension for Sumant Kathpalia as the CEO of IndusInd Bank, extending his term until March 23, 2026.
• Kathpalia’s original term was set to end on March 24, 2025, and this is the second time the RBI has approved a shorter tenure than proposed by the bank’s board.

Source: ET

6. Dr. Himanshu Pathak Appointed ICRISAT Director General

• What:
  • Dr. Himanshu Pathak has been officially welcomed as the Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) during an inauguration ceremony.
• Why:
  • Dr. Pathak’s appointment aims to strengthen ICRISAT’s mission to build agricultural resilience in dryland regions, addressing challenges like climate change and population growth.
• Tell me more:
  • ICRISAT is a CGIAR Research Center focused on enhancing dryland food systems and empowering communities.
  • Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, and Professor Prabhu Pingali, ICRISAT Governing Board Chair, expressed confidence in Dr. Pathak’s leadership.

Source: ICRISAT

7. Pranav Venkatesh Wins World Junior Chess Championship

• What:
  • Pranav Venkatesh from Bengaluru has become the new world junior chess champion, marking India’s third consecutive victory in the world junior championships.
• Tell me more:
  • Pranav is the 75th Grandmaster in Indian history and previously won gold medals in the world youth (U18) rapid and blitz championships.
  • Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion, was India’s first world junior champion in 1987 and praised Pranav’s dedication and analytical skills.

Source: TOI

Miscellaneous

1. Largest Iceberg A23a Runs Aground

• What:
  • The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean after drifting since 2020.
• Why:
  • The iceberg’s grounding is a natural phenomenon, not linked to climate change, but part of the natural growth cycle of the ice shelf.
• Tell me more:
  • A23a weighs nearly a trillion metric tonnes and spans an area of 3,672 square kilometers.
  • It calved from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 1986 and rested on the seabed for over 30 years before drifting.
  • The grounding is expected to have minimal impact on local wildlife and may even boost food availability for penguins and seals.

Source: CNN

2. Daggubati Venkateswara Rao’s Book Released

• The book “Prapancha Charitra” by former minister Daggubati Venkateswara Rao was launched at GITAM Deemed to be University, attended by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and former Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu.
• Daggubati Venkateswara Rao served as an MLA five times of Andhra Pradesh, a minister, and an MP, and is a doctor by profession.

Source: IE

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