Daily Current Affairs and GK | 5 March 2025

Topic: National News

1. India achieved the target of a maternal mortality rate of 100 deaths per one lakh live births.

• National Health Policy (NHP) target of a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 100 deaths per one lakh live births has been achieved.
• Between 1990 and 2020, the maternal mortality rate declined by 83%, which is higher than the decline in Global MMR.
• During this period, a 69% decline has been registered in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India while the decline in Global IMR was 55%.
• Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of children under one year of age.
• 75% decline was registered in the ‘Under 5 [years] Mortality Rate’ while the global rate of decline was 58%.
• The ninth meeting of the National Health Mission’s (NHM) Mission Steering Group has been chaired by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.
• He spoke about the role of ASHA workers in the healthcare system and highlighted the need for their further empowerment and welfare.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

2. 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific was inaugurated in Jaipur.

• The forum was held during March 3-5, 2025. The forum focused on sustainable waste management and circular economy solutions. 
• The forum also focused on Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R) principles. 
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, India, is hosted the forum in collaboration with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). 
• The forum was supported by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Japan’s Ministry of Environment, and various other international and regional organizations.
• Cambodia hosted the last forum in 2023. India hosted the forum last time in 2018. This was the 8th edition and held in Indore.
• The Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) announced by Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs.
• It is a multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships.
• A MoU for CITIIS 2.0 was signed for urban sustainability with ₹1,800 crores investment for 18 cities across 14 cities. 
• CITIIS 2.0 is a flagship initiative driving integrated waste management and climate action.
• The Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum was launched in 2009.
• It was launched to promote sustainable waste management and resource efficiency. 
• Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013-2023) outlined 33 voluntary goals for more resource-efficient and circular economy.
• The aim of new 3R and Circular Economy Declaration (2025-2034) is to catalyze transformational changes in resource and waste management. 
• The theme of the forum is Realizing Circular Societies towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific.
• Initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, GOBAR-Dhan Scheme, E-Waste Management Rules, and Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic highlight India’s leadership in circular economy and 3R policies. 
• India banned single use plastic on 1st July 2022.

Topic: Reports and Indices

3. As per Lancet study, nearly a third of the projected population in India will be overweight or obese by 2050.

• The study says that 21.8 crore Indian men and 23.1 crore Indian women will be overweight or obese by 2050. 
• At the global level, over half of adults and a third of children and adolescents will be overweight or obese by 2050. 
• Obesity prevalence in 15-24 years age group is increasing.
• Young men’s obesity has grown from 0.4 crore in 1990 to 1.68 crore in 2021. This is projected to be 2.27 crores by 2050. 
• Young women’s obesity has grown from 0.33 crore in 1990 to 1.3 crore in 2021. This will be 1.69 crore by 2050. 
• In 2021, India was at the top in obesity prevalence among young men and women. In 2021, India surpassed China and the United States. 
• Obesity among children in India is increasing.
• Number of obese boys grew from 0.46 crore in 1990 to 1.3 crore in 2021. This will increase to 1.6 crore by 2050. 
• Obesity among girls has grown from 0.45 crore in 1990 to 1.24 crore in 2021. This will grow to 1.44 crore by 2050. 
• Only 40% countries have a functional policy for obesity. Low and middle-income countries’ policy coverage is only 10%. 

Topic: International Appointment

4. Christian Stocker sworn in as the new Austrian chancellor.

• On 3 March, Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria's new chancellor, heading a three-party coalition government formed five months after last year's election.
• Stocker's center-right People's Party (ÖVP), the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos reached an agreement after their first attempt to form a coalition in January failed.
• He took over as head of the ÖVP from former Chancellor Karl Nehmer, who resigned in January after initial talks between the three parties failed.
• SPÖ leader Andreas Bebler is sworn in as Vice-Chancellor.
• A former lawyer, Stocker has been a member of the Austrian parliament since 2019 and served as the party's secretary general from September 2022 until he replaced Nehammer.
• India and Austria have maintained close diplomatic relations since 1949, with 2019 marking 70 years of bilateral relations.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

5. India's first hydrogen truck trials have been begun by Tata Motors.

• The trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks have been commenced by Tata Motors in India, marking a significant step towards reducing emissions in long-haul freight transport.
• The project is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• The aim of this project is to assess the feasibility of hydrogen as a clean fuel option for commercial vehicles.
• The trial began in New Delhi, involving 16 hydrogen-powered trucks operating on key freight corridors including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
• The trial is expected to last for 24 months.
• Vehicles equipped with both Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (H2-FCEV) technologies will be deployed by Tata Motors.
• The Tata Prima H.55S prime movers (available in H2-ICE and FCEV variants) and the Tata Prima H.28 H2-ICE truck, with an operational range between 300 and 500 km, are included in the models.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives 

6. Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats launched by Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

• Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats were launched  on 5 March 2025.
• Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats were launched under International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations of Ministry.
• The initiative aims to set up at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district.
• The initiative will be a beacon for gender-sensitive and girl-friendly governance practices.
• The launch event was attended by Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel and others.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

7. Vantara has been inaugurated by PM Modi on 4 March 2025.

• Vantara is a unique wildlife conservation, rescue and rehabilitation initiative in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• Vantara is a safe haven for animals. It promotes ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare.
• At the time of visit to Vantara, PM Modi saw an elephant. This elephant was the victim of an acid attack.
• He praised industrialist Anant Ambani for his efforts.
• Vantara is set up by Reliance Industries with Reliance Foundation. It is a 3,000-acre sanctuary.

Topic: International News

8. U.S to impose reciprocal tariffs against India and China from April 2.

• During the first address to a joint session of Congress, US President Donald Trump said that the US faced high tariffs from several nations, including India.
• Trump declared that the US would implement reciprocal tariffs on multiple nations beginning April 2.
• Reciprocal tariffs mean duties imposed by one country on another to match the tariff rates set by the other.
• These tariffs are applied on imported goods from the respective country as a countermeasure. 
• After this reciprocal tariff, the cost of Indian-made goods in the US market will rise due to higher import duties.
• It would make Indian exports less competitive and reduce their attractiveness to US buyers.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives 

9. “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan” has been launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

• The “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan” was launched at the National Workshop for Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in New Delhi.
• This Abhiyan is a comprehensive and targeted capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Women-Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• This campaign is more focused on enhancing decision-making capabilities Women Elected Representatives, and reinforcing their role in grassroots governance.
• Nearly 1.4 million women across the country are associated with Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• More than 1,200 elected Women Representatives participated in the National Workshop of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• During the event, 23 elected Women Representatives received awards for their extraordinary work in their panchayats.

Topic: Important Days

10. World Hearing Day 2025: 03 March

• The World Health Organization observes World Hearing Day on March 3 of each year.
• It is observed globally to encourage ear and hearing care as well as to increase public knowledge of how to prevent hearing loss.
• The theme of World Hearing Day 2025 is "Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!"
• The purpose of the day's establishment in 2007 was to increase awareness about deafness.
• World Hearing Day was initially named International Ear Day.
• In 2016, International Ear Day was renamed World Hearing Day.
• World Hearing Day 2025 marked the launch of:
• 1. WHO-ITU Global standard for safe listening in video game play and sports
• 2. School module on smart listening, for inclusion into educational programs

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

11. A multi-nation alliance for collaboration on sustainable development launched by India.

• On March 3, the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration, knowledge sharing, and private sector partnerships for sustainable urban development, was launched by India.
• This forum will enable policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to advance sustainable waste management and resource efficiency in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India follows and strongly advocates the P (Pro-Planet People) approach and highlights the role of 3Rs and circular economy principles in ensuring sustainable urban development and resource efficiency.
• The role of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and circular economy principles in ensuring sustainable urban development and resource efficiency was highlighted.
• A key MoU for CITIIS 2.0 was signed at the launch event in Jaipur, marking a significant milestone in urban sustainability initiatives.
• Union Minister Manohar Lal announced that the government will sign agreements worth ₹1,800 crore under this initiative, benefiting 18 cities across 14 states and serving as lighthouse projects for other urban areas.
• In 2009, the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific was launched to promote sustainable waste management, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles across the region.

Topic: International Appointments

12. Yamandú Orsi became new President of Uruguay.

• Yamandú Orsi, a leftist leader and former mayor, became Uruguay's new President.
• He narrowly won the November election against the ruling centre-right coalition.
• The outgoing conservative President Luis Lacalle Pou presented him with the presidential sash during a ceremony.
• High living costs, inequality and persistent levels of violent crime have dented the popularity of Lacalle Pou's outgoing government.
• In 2024, approximately 19% of Uruguay's population lived in "multidimensional" poverty.
• Uruguay's economy is mainly driven by farm exports.
• Uruguay is a key U.S. ally in the region but China is the top trading partner. It will be a challenge for the new government to maintain relations with both countries.

Topic: Banking/Finance

13. Non-food credit growth of the Banking system declined to 12.5% year-on-year in January 2025.

• The banking system’s non-food credit growth stood at 16.2% in the same period of 2024.
• In January 2025, non-food credit growth was a three-month high, as per the RBI.
• The services sector’s credit growth declined to 13.8% year-on-year. This decreased from 21.0% in last year.
• Credit growth to the computer software sector grew in January 2025.
• Personal loan growth declined to 14.2% year-on-year.
• The slow growth in vehicle loans and credit card outstanding segments led to this decline in growth.
• Credit to agriculture and allied activities increased by 12.2% year-on-year.
• Credit to the industry has shown 8.2% growth on a year-on-year basis.