🇮🇳 National News
Sahitya Akademi’s Festival of Letters 2025 is described as the largest literary festival in Asia. Venue: Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the festival. Mahesh Dattani will be the chief guest at the Sahitya Akademi Awards ceremony. The Samvatsar Lecture will be delivered by Upamanyu Chatterjee.
Participation: 700 writers, representing 50+ languages, across 100 literary sessions
Theme focus: Indian Literary Traditions
Activities: National Seminar, storytelling, author readings, discussions, and cultural performances. The festival highlights inclusivity: young writers, women authors, Dalit, North-East, tribal, and LGBTQ writers.
- Event: Festival of Letters 2025 (Asia’s largest literary festival)
- Venue: Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi
- Inaugurated by: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- Chief Guest: Mahesh Dattani
- Samvatsar Lecture: Upamanyu Chatterjee
- Participation: 700 writers, 50+ languages, 100 sessions
Why it matters: High-visibility cultural events are often asked through venue-person-role mapping.
The Assam Cabinet named the upcoming Electronics City in Jagiroad as “Ratan Tata Electronic City.”
The naming recognizes Ratan Tata’s contributions to Assam and acknowledges the Tata Group’s role in the state’s industrial development.
- Location linkage: Jagiroad (Assam) → Ratan Tata Electronic City
- Questions may target who/where/why named
- State cabinet decisions can feature in static+current mix questions
The Government approved a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath. It falls under Parvatmala Pariyojana.
Estimated cost: ₹4,081.28 crore
Execution model: PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
Technology: Tri-cable Detachable Gondola
Aim: Better all-weather connectivity, improved pilgrimage access, and tourism support.
- Length: 12.9 km
- Route: Sonprayag to Kedarnath
- Cost: ₹4,081.28 crore
- Model: PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
- Technology: Tri-cable Detachable Gondola
- Scheme: Parvatmala Pariyojana
Why it matters: Infrastructure projects are tested via numbers + scheme + technology.
The Supreme Court of India held that protection against disability-based discrimination is a fundamental right under the Constitution of India.
The ruling strengthens principles of equality and non-discrimination. It came while hearing petitions challenging parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules, considered discriminatory against persons with disabilities.
- Theme: Fundamental rights + equality + disability discrimination
- Context: Challenge to MP & Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules
- Supreme Court rulings often become direct polity MCQs
Achanta Sharath Kamal announced retirement from table tennis. His final tournament: WTT Star Contender.
Venue: Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
Dates: March 25 to 30, 2025
- Tournament: WTT Star Contender
- Venue: Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
- Dates: March 25-30, 2025
- Sports retirements are often asked with event + location + dates
Nithin Kamath (Founder & CEO, Zerodha) won EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024. Recognised for transforming India’s brokerage space through a low-margin, high-volume trading model.
- Recipient: Nithin Kamath
- Company: Zerodha (Founder & CEO)
- Award: EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
- Recognition for: Low-margin, high-volume trading model
- Business awards are often asked as match-the-following
PM Narendra Modi received the ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’. The honour cites his strategic leadership and support to Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award was received on his behalf by Union Minister Pabitra Margherita in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Ceremony attendees: Dame Sandra Mason, Mia Amor Mottley, and Kerrie Symmonds
- Recipient: PM Narendra Modi
- Award: Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados
- Received by: Union Minister Pabitra Margherita
- Location: Bridgetown, Barbados
- Recognition for: Leadership & support during COVID-19
Why it matters: International honours to Indian leaders are common factual questions.
🌐 International News
A 17-member delegation from the Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee met PM Narendra Modi.
Delegation head: Chairman Tatsuo Yasunaga
Participants included Japanese industries like manufacturing, banking, airlines, pharmaceuticals, plant engineering, and logistics. They briefed PM Modi on the 48th Joint Meeting of the committee.
- Delegation size: 17 members
- Committee: Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee
- Led by: Chairman Tatsuo Yasunaga
- Event mentioned: 48th Joint Meeting
- Bilateral business platforms are frequently asked in IR/economy sections
💼 Business & Economy
PhonePe launched ‘Insuring HEROES’ ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8).
Under the campaign, women get discounts up to 30% on selected term life and health insurance plans.
- Company: PhonePe
- Campaign: ‘Insuring HEROES’
- Discount: Up to 30%
- Plans covered: Term life and health insurance
- Occasion: International Women’s Day (March 8)
Why it matters: Corporate campaigns linked to important days often appear as direct MCQs.
👔 Appointments
Anju Rathi Rana became India’s first woman Law Secretary. She is an officer of the Indian Legal Service. She succeeds Niten Chandra.
- Name: Anju Rathi Rana
- Position: Law Secretary
- Service: Indian Legal Service
- Milestone: India’s first woman Law Secretary
- Predecessor: Niten Chandra
Why it matters: “First in India” appointments are highly testable.
Ajay Bhadoo has been appointed as CEO of Government e Marketplace (GeM). He is currently Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
He will guide GeM’s shift into a next-generation digital marketplace, supported by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
- Name: Ajay Bhadoo
- New position: CEO, Government e Marketplace (GeM)
- Current role: Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce
- Support partner: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Focus: Next-generation digital marketplace
Why it matters: Governance + digital procurement platforms are trending exam topics.
📅 Important Days
Jan Aushadhi Diwas is observed every year on March 7. It promotes generic medicines under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
Awareness drive: March 1-7
Flagship event location: NCR region
- Date: March 7
- Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
- Awareness week: March 1-7
- Focus: Promote generic medicines
- 2025 flagship event: NCR region
Why it matters: Government schemes + observance days are recurring prelims themes.
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