Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 5th March 2025

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. 

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. 

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%. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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: 

• WHO-ITU Global standard for safe listening in video game play and sports 
• School module on smart listening, for inclusion into educational programs 

11. 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. 

12. 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. 

13. Govt grants Navratna status to IRCTC and IRFC 

• The Government of India upgraded the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) to the prestigious status of Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). 
• With this, IRCTC and IRFC have become the 25th and 26th Navratna among the CPSEs, respectively, marking a major milestone for the Indian Railway companies. 
• The elevation to Navratna status grants the two companies’ greater financial autonomy, allowing it to invest up to Rs 1,000 crore without seeking government approval, thereby fast-tracking their decision-making abilities.
• Founded in 1986, IRFC is primarily responsible for mobilising funds for Indian Railways’ massive infrastructure expansion and modernization projects. Meanwhile, IRCTC, which was founded in 1999, provides ticketing, catering, and tourism services for the state-owned Indian Railways. 
• The Indian government categorizes CPSEs into three groups: Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna. The centre’s aim is to make these PSUs much more competitive and efficient. 

14. 15th Finance Commission Releases Grants worth Rs.699 Crores for Rural Local Bodies of West Bengal 

• The Centre has released the 15th Finance Commission Grants for the Financial Year 202425 for Rural Local Bodies in West Bengal, which includes the second installment of Untied Grants of Rs 694.4 crore and the withheld portion of the first installment of Untied Grants of Rs 4.9 crore. 
• According to the Panchayati Raj Ministry, these funds are for the 21 eligible District Panchayats, 326 eligible Block Panchayats and 3,220 eligible Gram Panchayats. 
• The Untied Grants would be utilised by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for location-specific needs under the Twenty-Nine (29) Subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs. 

15. Levi’s ropes in Diljit Dosanjh as global ambassador 

• In an iconic partnership, American clothing brand, Levi’s, has signed up Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh to be the face of the brand. 
• This collaboration marks a significant moment in the fashion industry, bringing together two Greatest Of All Times (G.O.A.T.) forces that resonate with the youth. 
• This fusion of Levi’s exclusive style and Diljit’s genre-defying artistry has set the stage for a new era in fashion and music. 

Recent Brand Ambassador 

• PV Sindhu – PUMA India 
• Mo Farah – Tata Mumbai Marathon 
• MS Dhoni – Eurogrip Tyres 
• Rashmika Mandanna – Chennai-based real estate developer, DRA 
• Sonu Sood – Brand Ambassador and Honourary Tourism Advisor for Thailand 
• Harbhajan Singh & Sania Mirza – Dubai Sports Council brand ambassador 

16. RBL Bank appoints Agrawal as president of branch banking, Pari as COO.

• Private sector lender RBL Bank appointed Narendra Agrawal as president and head of branch banking and retail liabilities and T S Pari as chief operations officer (COO). 
• Agrawal has over 25 years of experience across deposits, lending, distribution, and payments. He brings strong track record of scaling businesses and driving profitable growth through digital-first approach. 
• Agrawal will focus on deposit growth, enhancing customer experience through an omnichannel strategy, and strengthening the business’s contribution to the lender’s long-term plan. 
• Pari, who has more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles across foreign and private sector banks, will be responsible for driving efficiencies, customer centricity, and strengthening risk management practices in core business operations. 

17. Rishabh Pant nominated for Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award 

• Indian cricket team’s swashbuckling batter-keeper, Rishabh Pant has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Award 2025 in the comeback of the year category. The awards ceremony will take place in Madrid on April 21. 
• Pant suffered the near-fatal car accident on December 30, 2022 while driving from Delhi to his hometown Roorkee. 
• After undergoing initial treatment at a hospital in Dehradun, Pant was airlifted to Mumbai where he was under the care of the BCCI’s specialist consultant 

Recent Award 

• Icon of Excellence award at Forbes India Leadership Awards 2025 -ICC Chairman Jay Shah 
• Sarvashrestha Suraksha Puraskar (Golden Trophy) – Manohar International Airport, Goa 
• Time Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025 – Purnima Devi Barman 
• Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE)- Sunil Bharti Mittal 
• Memory League World Championship – Vishvaa Rajakumar 

18. Krishna Jayasankar becomes 1st Indian woman to cross 16m in indoor shot put 

• India’s Krishna Jayasankar made history at the 2025 Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships by becoming the first Indian woman to cross the 16-metre mark in indoor shot put. Her record-breaking throw measured 16.03 metres. 
• The 22-year-old broke the previous Indian indoor record of 15.54 metres. Poornarao Rane set that record at the 2023 American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships. 
• Krishna was in fourth place until the penultimate round. However, she clinched the bronze medal with her final throw. Mya Lesnar of the USA bagged the Gold while compatriot Gabby Morns claimed a sliver. 
• Krishna’s previous best indoor throw was 15.03 metres, recorded last month at the same venue. India’s overall women’s shot put record remains 18.41 m. Abha Khatua set it at the Federation Cup 2024. 

19. Padmakar Shivalkar, legendary Mumbai spinner, dies 

• Legendary Mumbai spinner Padmakar Shivalkar died at the age of 84. 
• Considered one of the best spinners to have never played for India, Shivalkar featured in a total of 124 first-class matches and claimed 589 wickets at 19.69 between 1961-62 to 1987-88. 
• The left-arm spinner made his debut at the age of 22 in Ranji Trophy and continued playing until he was 48 and took 361 wickets in India’s premier domestic competition, including eleven 10-wicket hauls. Shivalkar also played 12 List A matches and took 16 wickets. 
• He was honoured with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by the Indian cricket board. 

20. Belgium defence giant ties up with Indian firm to manufacture tank turrets 

• Belgium's John Cockerill Defence (JCD), the world's top-turret manufacturer for battle tanks, and the Pune-based Electro Pneu-matics & Hydraulics (EPH) Pvt. Ltd. announced a Joint Venture (JV) in India with initial focus on the Indian Army's light tank contest under way. 
• They had already tied up for supplying turrets for Zorawar, the light tank developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) which is currently in ad-vanced stages of trials. The development comes as India and Belgium look to scale up defence cooperation and are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation by the end of 2025. 
• The light tank is a critical requirement for the Indian Army, a need identified during the stand off with China in eastern Ladakh. 
• It will be a 60:40 JV between JCD and EPH in which the former will bring the technology and know-how while the latter will focus on the manufac-turing, according to Thier-ry Renaudin, Chief Execu-tive Officer, JCD. "We will get a new world-class turret...," he said. 
• While the initial focus on the Indian light tank requirement could eventually go up to 700 tanks, the focus of the JV is much broader, said Francois Michel, Group Chief Execu-tive Officer, John Cockerill. "There are several programmes in India that justify this JV. Our alignment is not for one single project, it goes way beyond. 
• We have the best technology available for tank turrets today. India's strength in electronics and Artificial Intelligence will allow us to build very efficient systems," he said during a select media interaction. 
• Giving an overview of EPH, Ingrid Rasquinha, Joint Managing Director, said that the company has been in the defence sector for 25 years, manufacturing simulators and missile launchers. "The ₹300 crore company, which has manufacturing facility at Chakan in Pune, generates 35-40% of its revenue from defence, one of its five verticals," Prashant Gadepalli, Director-Operations and Marketing, EPH, said. 

21. Belgium to scale up defence ties, set to sign MoU this year 

• Europe needs to develop its own "strategic autonomy", Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Pré-vot said on Tuesday, speaking about the U.S. decision to change its course on the Ukraine war. 
• As a result, Belgium will need to build its defence sector, Mr. Prevot said, pushing for cooperation with India. 
• He was speaking after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Princess Astrid, who led a delegation of more than 300 Belgian business leaders on an "economic mission" to India. Addressing the media along with Mr. Prevot, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said that India and Belgium will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation by the end of 2025. 
• New Delhi, which has been engaging all sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, will send Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Moscow this week for Foreign Office consultations. He is expected to prepare for a high-level meeting between Mr. Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin this year, with Mr. Putin due to visit India for the annual summit, and the PM invited to attend Russia's 80th Victory Day or "Pobjeda" celebrations in Moscow on May 9. 
• The high-powered Belgian delegation's visit comes amid turmoil in Europe over the changed U.S. stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, and reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is ceasing all aid to Kyiv after his showdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House on Friday. The Belgian visit follows last week's visit by European Union Commissioners led by European Commission 
• President Ursula von der Leyen, and comes two days before an extraordinary summit of the European Union to be held in Brussels on Thursday, where members are expected to chart their future course. 
• "The situation has. changed from a couple of weeks ago, so we need to be flexible and united... That's the message that we are disseminating in the European Union. So it means that we need to develop our own strategic autonomy, certainly regarding the defence sector," Mr. Prevot said, in response to a question from The Hindu. 
• "Belgium stands by Ukraine, we are with the Ukrainian people. There is an aggressor, and there is a victim [in this conflict]. It is not acceptable that some parts of the world try to put those two countries on the same footing," Mr. Prevot said, adding that the U.S. and Belgium would remain "strong allies". 
• Mr. Prevot said that while the Belgians had not discussed the Ukraine is-sue with Mr. Modi when they met on Tuesday, he was "aware of the con-cerns of Europe", and that Europe and Belgium in particular hopes India can be a "strong support" in the development of mili-tary capabilities, with Bel-gian companies offering to provide defence technologies to "make in India". 
• As part of overall efforts to scale up defence cooperation with India, Belgium will post a Defence Attache in India and the two countries will sign an MoU on defence cooperation by the end of 2025, Mr. Francken said. 
• The MoUs in the defence sector were among 24 MoUs signed with the Belgian delegation in the fields of food processing, health, engineering, and education.