Daily Current Affairs

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has become the first railway zone in India to handle 250 million tons of originating freight in a single financial year (2024–25). This milestone was achieved on March 21, 2025 — a full 11 days ahead of the planned timeline.

• Milestone – First Indian railway zone to cross 250 million tons in originating freight loading
• Financial year – 2024–25
• Achieved ahead of schedule – 11 days before the planned date
• Significance – Cements ECoR’s position as the top freight-handling railway zone in India

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has inaugurated a floating solar power plant at its Kochi Refinery, marking a significant step in the company’s renewable energy and sustainability agenda.

• Inaugurated by – Sarada Muraleedharan, Kerala Chief Secretary
• Location – Kochi Refinery, Kerala
• Significance – Demonstrates BPCL’s shift toward integrating clean energy into its core operations

Celebrated Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla, aged 88, has been selected as the recipient of the 59th Jnanpith Award — India’s most prestigious literary recognition — honoring his distinctive voice that blends linguistic innovation with emotional nuance.

• Award – 59th Jnanpith Award
• Historic first – First writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the Jnanpith
• Among Hindi authors – The 12th Hindi author to be so recognized
• Age – 88 years at time of award

Acclaimed sculptor Ram Sutar, creator of the iconic Statue of Unity, has been conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award — the state’s highest civilian honour. The announcement was made by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly, with a selection panel headed by the Chief Minister.

• Age – 100 years; still actively creating art
• Current project – Sculpting a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai
• Previous honours – Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2016)

The book March of Glory was officially released to commemorate 50 years since India’s historic 1975 Hockey World Cup victory. The launch took place at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.

• Authors – Hockey historian K. Arumugam and journalist Errol D’Cruz
• Subject – India’s win in Kuala Lumpur on March 15, 1975
• Occasion – 50th anniversary of the 1975 World Cup triumph

Scapia has resumed issuance of its travel-focused credit cards in partnership with Federal Bank, following a pause in 2024 caused by regulatory restrictions imposed on Federal Bank.

• Original launch – 2023; cards designed exclusively for the travel segment
• Pause reason – Regulatory limitations on co-branded partner Federal Bank in 2024
• Differentiator – Entire product line and mobile app ecosystem built around travel experiences and benefits

Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal has been signed as the brand ambassador for Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle and electric vehicle categories, debuting with the “Take the Curvv” campaign during the IPL season.

• Promoted vehicle – Tata Curvv, a mid-size SUV with category-first innovations
• Campaign format – 20-second commercials spotlighting the SUV’s design and features
• Campaign message – Targeting consumers who want to “break free from the expected”
• Alignment – Supports Make in India initiative and Tata’s EV expansion

Subramanian Sarma has been elevated to the position of Deputy Managing Director and President at Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T), effective April 2, 2025, with a term running until February 3, 2028.

• Qualification – Chemical Engineering graduate with a Master’s from IIT Bombay
• Experience – Over four decades at L&T; approximately 30 years managing Oil & Gas operations in the Middle East
• Effective date – April 2, 2025
• Term ends – February 3, 2028

Scientists have achieved a landmark breakthrough by creating the world’s first “supersolid” state using light — a phase that behaves like a solid while retaining superfluid properties, meaning it can flow without friction while maintaining structural order.

• Published in – Journal Nature, March 5, 2025
• Led by – Italy’s National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO) and CNR-Nanotec
• Lead scientist – Iacopo Carusotto
• Description – A coherent fluid of quantum light droplets that preserve their pattern while navigating around obstacles

World TB Day is observed every year on March 24 to raise global awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and mobilize action toward eliminating the disease. The day highlights the severe health, societal, and economic consequences caused by TB.