Daily Current Affairs and GK | 16 and 17 March 2025

Topic: Sports

1. Mumbai Indians have clinched their second Women's Premier League title.

• Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 8 runs at the Brabourne cricket Stadium in the final of the Women's Premier League.
• For Delhi Capitals, it was their third consecutive loss in the final of the tournament.
• The Women's Premier League (WPL) is an annual Women's Twenty20 cricket tournament in India.
• It is organized by the WPL Governing Council, under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• The Women's Premier League (WPL) was started in 2023 and five teams participate in the event.
• Full list of award winners:

Topic: Important Days

2. India observes National Vaccination Day every year on March 16. 

• The day highlights the vital role of immunization in public health. 
• It marks the launch of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme in 1995. 
• On this day, the first oral polio vaccine dose was administered. 
• The programme aimed to eliminate polio through mass vaccination. 
• In 2014, the World Health Organisation declared India polio-free. 
• National Vaccination Day represents India’s commitment to disease prevention.
• The theme of National Vaccination Day 2024 was "Vaccines Work for Everyone".

Topic: State News/Assam

3. Amit Shah inaugurated Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam. 

• As per Shah, the academy would become India's top police training institution within five years. 
• He paid tribute to Lachit Barphukan. Lachit Barphukan is known for leadership in Assam’s victory over the Mughals. 
• Lachit Barphukan’s biography has been translated into 23 languages. 
• The first phase of construction of academy was completed at a cost of ₹167 crore. ₹1,050 crore has been allocated for all three phases. 
• The academy aims to become the finest police academy in India. 
• Shah highlighted Assam’s rapid development under PM Modi. 
• Several major peace agreements have been signed in the past decade. 
• The Assam-Bodoland Agreement was signed in 2020. The Karbi Anglong Agreement was signed in 2021. 
• The Tribal Peace Agreement was signed in 2022. In 2023, agreements were signed with ULFA, Assam-Meghalaya, and Assam-Arunachal. 
• A ₹27,000 crore semiconductor manufacturing project is being set up in Assam. 
• The Advantage Assam 2.0 summit secured investment agreements worth ₹5.18 lakh crore. 
• During the previous government’s tenure, Assam received ₹1.27 lakh crore in grants. 
• Under Modi’s leadership, this amount has increased fourfold to ₹4.49 lakh crore. 
• Several major infrastructure projects are underway. 
• The Bharatmala highway expansion covers over 200 km. It is being built at a cost of ₹10,000 crore. 
• The Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge is under construction. It has an investment of ₹3,000 crore. 
• The Silchar-Churaibari corridor is being made four-lane.
• A ₹1,000 crore project is developing new roads on Majuli Island. 
• The National Highway 715-K project will connect Majuli and Jorhat. 
• The Gopinath Ji airport is being expanded. An AIIMS medical institution is being set up in Assam. 
• The conviction rate in Assam has increased. It has risen from 5% to 25%.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. On 17 March, a dedicated app for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

• The aim of this app launch is to increase participation by facilitating easy registration for the second round of the scheme, which accepts applications till March 31.
• This app seeks to address the challenge of limited computer access by taking advantage of the widespread use of mobile phones, providing a user-friendly alternative for many applicants.
• Along with the launch of the app, a facilitation centre dedicated to PMIS will be set up in Kolkata.
• The centre is a joint effort between the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• PMIS cells will be integrated by the CII, which operates 47 model career centres, to mobilize candidates and provide necessary guidance.
• Additionally, MCA is set to set up independent PMIS cells, in which the Ministry will provide the necessary space to involve more young individuals.
• In the first round of PMIS announced during Budget 2024-25, 28,141 candidates accepted internship offers.
• The second round, launched in January, aims to provide over 100,000 internship opportunities across over 300 companies to meet the ambitious target of 1.25 lakh internships for FY 2025.
• PMIS provides a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 and a one-time grant of Rs 6,000 to meet contingency expenses.

Topic: Sports

5. 33 medals secured by India at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025.

• A remarkable campaign at the Special Olympics World Winter Games was concluded by Indian athletes with 33 medals, including 8 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze, in Turin, Italy.
• In the final medal distribution, India won 10 medals each in snowshoeing and alpine skiing, six in snowboarding, four in short track speed skating, two in cross-country skiing, and one in floorball.
• After a long wait of 8 years, the 12th edition of the Special Olympics Winter Games took place from 8 to 15 March.
• This was the first time Italy hosted the Special Olympics World Games.
• The first World Winter Games since 2017 saw 1,500 athletes from more than 100 countries compete in eight sports in Italy's Piedmont region.
• Santiago, Chile will host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games.
• The first Special Olympics International Games were held in 1968.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

6. 10^th edition of Raisina Dialogue inaugurated by PM Modi in New Delhi.

• Inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue 2025 was joined by PM of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, as the chief guest.
• The three-day Raisina Dialogue is being held from 17th March till 19th March.
• This year’s theme for Raisina Dialogue is “Kālachakra – People, Peace and Planet”.
• Representatives from about 125 countries are taking part in the 10th Raisina Dialogue.
• More than 3500 participants are joining the Dialogue in-person.
• During Raisina Dialogue 2025, conversations will be held across six pillars.
• Raisina Dialogue:
  • It is being held annually since 2016. It is a multilateral conference organized to discuss international issues.
  • It is a flagship conference of India on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
  • It is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation.

Topic: Sports

7. Fit India Carnival inaugurated by Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi on 16 March 2025.

• Fit India Carnival is a three day fitness and wellness festival.
• It aims to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
• The highlights of Fit India Carnival include sports activities like rope skipping, stationary cycling, arm wrestling, cricket bowling, squat and push-up challenges.
• During the event, a booklet about the benefits of Fit India Cycle initiative was also released.
• Actor Ayushman Khurana, Wrestler Sangram Singh and Several other sports Personalities were present during the event.
• Ayushmann Khurrana was honoured as a Fit India Icon at the event
• The event began with performances of Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Mallakhamb and showcased India’s rich martial arts heritage.

Topic: International News

8. ‘UN80 Initiative’ has been announced to improve efficiencies in the UN works.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced a new initiative, the ‘UN80 Initiative,’ to improve efficiencies in the United Nations' work.
• Under the ‘UN80 Initiative,’ proposals will be made to rapidly identify efficiencies and improvements in the way the UN works.
• It will also review the implementation of all mandates given to the UN by member states.
• The UN General Assembly approved a $3.72 billion budget for the United Nations for 2025. The US is the single largest financial contributor to the UN.
• For the fiscal year 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025, approved budget for UN Peacekeeping operations is $5.6 billion.
• India paid USD 37.64 million to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2025.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

9. India and New Zealand launched negotiations on FTA.

• India and New Zealand launched negotiations for a “comprehensive and mutually beneficial” free trade agreement.
• This will be a significant milestone to deepen trade ties and expand economic opportunities.
• This announcement has been made on the occasion of the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon.
• India exported merchandise worth $538 million to New Zealand in 2023-24, and imported goods of $335 million from from New Zealand.
• India’s goods export to New Zealand in 2024-25 (up to December 31) saw an annualized growth of 21.49% to $496 million.
• India primarily imports wool, iron and steel, fruit and nuts and aluminium from New Zealand.
• India exports pharmaceuticals, mechanical machinery, made-up textile articles, pearls, precious stones and metals to New Zealand.
• India and New Zealand share a longstanding partnership based on democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and economic complementarities.

Topic: Art and Culture

10. UNESCO's World Heritage Centre added six properties to India’s tentative list.

• These properties were added to list on 7 March. The newly added properties are given below.
  • Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh)
  • Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs (Telangana)
  • Ashokan Edict Sites (multiple states)
  • Chausath Yogini Temples (MP, Odisha)
  • Gupta Temples (multiple States)
  • Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas (MP, UP)
• Addition of a property to tentative list of World Heritage Centre is mandatory for inscription to the World Heritage List in future.
• India now has total 62 sites on the tentative list. The tentative list includes properties that a country intends to consider for UNESCO nomination.
• As of now, total 43 Indian properties are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• These include 35 in the cultural category, seven in natural category and one in mixed category.
• A World Heritage Committee meeting was for the first time hosted by India in 2024.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

11. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has granted a Certificate of Registration to Valueattics Reinsurance Ltd. 

• Valueattics Reinsurance Ltd. is the first company to be registered exclusively for reinsurance operations. 
• This registration has come within the newly revised regulatory environment. 
• IRDAI sees this as a major step in increasing competition in the reinsurance market. 
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), New India Assurance Company, and General Insurance Corporation of India have been identified as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for FY 2024-25. 
• These designations were made by the IRDAI. During the 129th Authority meeting held on March 12, several key initiatives were discussed. 
• These included Bima Sugam, Indian Risk-Based Capital, Ind AS, and the Risk-Based Supervisory Framework. 

Topic: Important Days

12. World Consumer Rights Day: 15 March

• World Consumer Rights Day is observed annually on March 15.
• It reminds us of the need for consumer rights and protection.
• This day gives us an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers and encourage those rights to be respected and protected.
• World Consumer Rights Day was first observed in 1983.
• The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2025 is, ‘A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles.’
• This theme reflects the urgent need to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices available, accessible, and affordable for all consumers.
• This year’s campaign highlights the ways to achieve sustainable lifestyles and calls for stronger consumer protection and empowerment worldwide.
• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at District, State and Central levels commonly known as “Consumer Commissions” for the protection of the rights of consumers.

Topic: Banking/Finance

13. RBI has been selected for the Digital Transformation Award 2025 by Central Banking at London in UK.

• Reserve Bank of India has been awarded for its digital initiatives named Pravaah and Sarthi.
• The awards committee noted that these digital initiatives have reduced the use of paper-based submissions, thus transforming RBI’s internal and external processes.
• Sarthi initiative was launched in January 2023. It enables RBI’s employees to store and share documents securely.
• It has improved record management and increased the options for data analysis through reports and dashboards.
• Sarthi has helped the RBI boost operational efficiency by automating processes. It allows task and performance tracking, improved collaboration, and integration with other RBI systems.
• Pravaah was launched in May 2024. It was created for external users to submit regulatory applications to the RBI.
• PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorisation) portal is a secure and centralized web-based platform for individuals and entities to apply online for various regulatory approvals from the RBI.