CURRENT AFFAIRS
01 March, 2025
1. NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY 2025 –
• India celebrates National Science Day (NSD) on 28th February annually to honor Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata (CV) Raman’s discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928.
• The 2025 theme, “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat”, highlights the role of scientific innovation and youth leadership and aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• In 1986, the Government of India designated 28th February as National Science Day, which was first celebrated in 1987.
What are the Key Facts About CV Raman-
• Early Life: CV Raman was born on 7th November 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. He earned his M.A. in Physics from Presidency College, Madras and contributed significantly to atomic physics and optics.
• He founded the Raman Research Institute (1948), Indian Journal of Physics (1926), and Indian Academy of Sciences (1934).
• His research spanned optics, light scattering, X-rays, acoustics, and sea colors, leading to the discovery of the Raman Effect.
• Honors & Recognition: Knighted in 1929 by the British government, CV Raman won the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics for Raman Effect, making him the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in science.
• He was also honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1954, India’s highest civilian award.
2. DELIMITATION AND CONCERNS OF SOUTHERN STATES –
• The Union Home Minister assured that the upcoming delimitation exercise would not harm southern states and promised them a fair share of any seat increase.
Delimitation-
• Delimitation means the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies.
• This ‘delimitation process’ is performed by the ‘Delimitation Commission’ that is set up under an act of Parliament.
• Delimitation Commission: It is a high powered 3 member body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court.
• It includes two Supreme Court or High Court judges, one appointed as chairman by the central government, and the Chief Election Commissioner as an ex-officio member.
• Its orders are presented to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies but cannot be modified.
• It has powers of a civil court.
• It has been set up four times till February 2024 i.e., 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002.
3. INDIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN Q3 OF FY 2024-25 –
• India’s economic growth has shown a remarkable improvement in the third quarter (Q3) of FY 2024-25, with the Real GDP increasing to 6.2%, up from an initially reported 5.4% in the previous quarter.
• This positive growth trajectory is reflected in the revised estimates, which project India’s Real GDP growth at 6.5% for the full financial year 2024-25. Furthermore, the Nominal GDP is expected to witness a growth rate of 9.9%, both of which are revised upwards from the First Advance Estimates.
• This article delves into the various aspects of India’s economic performance, sectoral contributions, and projected growth trends for FY 2024-25.
4. INS GULDAR TO BE SUNK OFF SINDHUDURG FOR SCUBA TOURISM BOOST –
• In a major push for adventure tourism in Maharashtra, the state’s tourism department will acquire the decommissioned naval warship INS Guldar and deliberately sink it near Nivati Rocks, Sindhudurg District.
• This initiative aims to create India’s first artificial reef to enhance scuba diving tourism while also promoting marine biodiversity. The project follows global examples of repurposing decommissioned ships as artificial reefs, like the USS Spiegel Grove in Florida and Thai Royal Navy ships in Chonburi.
5. TUHIN KANTA PANDEY APPOINTED AS 11TH SEBI CHAIRPERSON –
• Tuhin Kanta Pandey, India’s Finance Secretary, has been appointed as the 11th Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a three-year term.
• He succeeds Madhabi Puri Buch, the first woman chairperson of SEBI, whose tenure concludes on February 28, 2025. Pandey’s appointment was confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on February 27, 2025.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. What is the name of India’s first indigenously developed air-launched anti-ship missile system recently tested by DRDO ?
a) BrahMos-NG
b) Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR)
c) Nirbhay
d) Varunastra
Q2. What is the primary objective of the SWAYATT initiative ?
a) Encouraging foreign investments in e-commerce
b) Promoting participation of women entrepreneurs, startups, and youth in public procurement
c) Providing financial assistance to large corporations
d) Establishing a global e-commerce platform
Q3. RS-24 Yars is an intercontinental ballistic missile of which country ?
a) Russia
b) China
c) Japan
d) Australia
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the National Education Policy 2020:
1. NEP 2020 retains the three-language formula, with greater flexibility.
2. The policy mandates that the three languages must include English, Hindi, and the local regional language.
Which of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both
d) None
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: NEP 2020 retains the three-language formula from the 1968 NEP but allows states more flexibility in choosing their languages, addressing concerns from non-Hindi-speaking states.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The policy does not mandate that Hindi, English, and the local regional language must be chosen. States are allowed to select their languages, with at least two being native to India, which could include regional languages but not necessarily Hindi.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India:
1. The CAG is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and is responsible for overseeing the financial system of the country at both the Centre and State levels.
2. The CAG’s primary duty is to ensure the financial accountability of the executive through audits.
3. The CAG’s reports related to government accounts are submitted directly to the Parliament.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: The CAG is indeed the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and is responsible for overseeing and controlling the financial system of both the Centre and the States.
• Statement 2 is correct: The CAG’s primary duty is to ensure financial accountability through audits, while upholding the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the area of financial administration.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The CAG’s reports related to government accounts are first submitted to the President, who then lays them before both Houses of Parliament, not directly to the Parliament.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | B | A | A | B |