NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Odisha govt disburses ₹5,000 cr under Subhadra Yojana: The Odisha government has disbursed ₹5,000 crore under the Subhadra Yojana, benefiting 1.18 crore women across the state.The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to married women, enhancing their economic empowerment and social security.The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday in Odisha on September 17, 2024.
2. Maharashtra Disburses ₹17,000 Crore to 2.38 Crore Women Under Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: The Maharashtra government disbursed over ₹17,000 crore in financial assistance to 2.38 crore women in a period of seven months since it launched the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana last year.The State has launched Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in June 2024, with the objectives to promote rehabilitation, economic development and empowerment of women and girls in the age group 21 to 65 years.Through the disbursement of ₹1,500 per month, the scheme intends to rehabilitate women economically and socially, to make them self-reliant, to promote their empowerment and to improve the health and nutritional status of women and children dependent on them.
3. Punjab Govt launches Project Hifazat to protect women: Punjab government has launched Project Hifazat to protect women from violence on the eve of International Women’s Day.The Project was launched by Punjab’s Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur in Chandigarh.The project aims to protect women and children from violence by providing immediate assistance from government departments. It provides a dedicated helpline number, ‘181’, which the victim can call for help.The initiative aims to improve the response mechanism of the government departments to report of violence against women through better inter-departmental coordination.
4. Soil Fertility Mapping in India: The Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) is pioneering a transformative project aimed at enhancing soil health through digital soil fertility mapping. This initiative utilises geo-spatial techniques and data from Soil Health Cards (SHC) to provide farmers with essential information for optimising agricultural practices. The project has successfully generated soil fertility maps for 351 villages across Maharashtra, marking step towards sustainable farming. Soil fertility maps provide farmers with location-specific data about nutrient availability. This enables targeted fertiliser application, reducing the risk of overuse or underuse. Consequently, farmers can maximise their economic returns while minimising input costs. By promoting balanced fertiliser use, the initiative supports sustainable agricultural practices.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India takes part in the 69th Session of UNCSW starting in New York: A delegation of the Government of India, led by Annpurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD), participated in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which started on 10 March 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.The session witnessed large-scale participation from all UN member states, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, philanthropists, academia, civil society, women’s collectives, and UN agencies.At the 69th CSW session, the Minister held bilateral meetings with leaders including Ms Melrose Karminty (Sierra Leone), Mr Sodyq S. Safoev (Uzbekistan), Dr Vindhya Persaud (Guyana), and Ms Antonia Orellana Guarello (Chile) to strengthen cooperation on gender equality and social welfare.CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Imphal to participate in Mauritius National Day celebrations 2025: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Imphal arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, ahead of the country’s 57th National Day celebrations on March 12, reinforcing strong maritime ties between the two nations.INS Imphal will contribute a marching contingent, a naval band, and a helicopter for the ceremonial flypast, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending as the Chief Guest.Commissioned in December 2023, INS Imphal is a Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) indigenous destroyer with advanced weaponry and technology, aligning with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision for regional security.
2. Ministry of Defence signs ₹2,906 crore radar contract with BEL for the Indian Air Force: The Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad for the procurement of Low-level Transportable Radar, LLTR (Ashwini).
The radar is indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, DRDO.The radar is capable of tracking aerial targets from high-speed fighter aircraft to slow moving targets such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and helicopters. Its acquisition will significantly enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force.
3. 10 March – CISF Raising Day: CISF Raising Day is celebrated every year on 10th March to mark the establishment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in 1969.The day recognizes the contribution of CISF in safeguarding India’s critical infrastructure, public sector undertakings (PSUs), airports, metro networks, government buildings, and various strategic installations.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Department of Posts Signs MoU with FSID, IISC, for documentation of Technology Architecture for Digital Address DPI: Department of Posts has undertaken an initiative namely “Digital Address Code” aimed at establishing a digital public infrastructure for a standardized, geo-coded addressing system in India ensuring simplified addressing solutions for citizen-centric delivery of public and private services to establish ―Address as a Service (AaaS) in India.As a part of this initiative, the Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, has signed an MoU with the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, for designing and documenting the technology architecture for the Digital Address Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).The collaboration between the Department of Posts and FSID, IISc marks a significant step towards a seamless, efficient, and technology-driven addressing system, reinforcing India’s leadership in digital innovation.
2. Scrub Typhus: Scrub typhus is an infectious disease affecting rural populations in India. Recent research marks its prevalence and impact on health. Conducted by the Christian Medical College, Vellore, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the study examined over 32,000 individuals in Tamil Nadu. It revealed that scrub typhus is often overlooked as a cause of fever hospitalisations. Symptoms typically appear 10 days post-infection. Common signs include fever, headache, body aches, and rash. Due to its nonspecific symptoms, scrub typhus is frequently misdiagnosed. Diagnostic tests are available in major hospitals but are scarce in rural communities.
3. Plastic Ice VII: Scientists have confirmed the existence of Plastic Ice VII, a fourth form of water that emerges under extreme conditions. This revelation, led by Livia Bove from Sorbonne University, alters our comprehension of water’s behaviour in harsh planetary environments. The discovery of Plastic Ice VII involved sophisticated techniques. Researchers employed quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) alongside diamond-anvil cells to study minute high-pressure samples. These methods enabled scientists to observe molecular motion at the atomic level. Their analysis confirmed that while Plastic Ice VII retains a crystalline structure, its molecules rotate in specific, preferred directions.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports 2025: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India has released the Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025. This initiative aims to combat age fraud in sports, ensuring fair competition and protecting genuine athletes. The draft is open for public comments and suggestions, marking update after 15 years. The NCAAFS addresses age verification, penalties, and governance in sports. The NCAAFS seeks to implement a robust verification system through a centralised database. The code introduces strict penalties for those involved in falsifying age records. It also enhances transparency and accountability in sports governance, aligning with international best practices.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. PM Modi receives the highest Civilian Award of Mauritius at the National Day Celebrations: The Mauritius government conferred its highest civilian award, “The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean”, to the visiting Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.This is his second official visit to Mauritius after 2015.During his visit, eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries, and PM Modi was also the Chief Guest of the National Day celebration of Mauritius.PM Modi attended the 57th National Day celebrations of the Republic of Mauritius as the Chief Guest.During the celebrations, the President of the Republic of Mauritius H.E. Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K) award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius, on PM Modi.
2. IIFA Awards celebrated its silver jubilee edition in Jaipur: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards has completed 25 years this year. Its Silver Jubilee edition was celebrated this year in Jaipur on March 8, 2025.
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