APPOINTMENTS
NITI Aayog CEO Subrahmanyam Gets One-Year Extension
• B V R Subrahmanyam’s tenure as NITI Aayog CEO has been extended for another year.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his extension.
• He was initially appointed as NITI Aayog CEO in February 2023 for a two-year term.
• NITI Aayog, established in 2015, serves as India's premier public policy think tank.
• The organization plays a key role in policy formulation and economic strategy for the government.
• Its governing council includes Chief Ministers of all states, Lieutenant Governors of UTs, and a Vice Chairperson.
• Suman Bery currently holds the position of Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
SPORTS
Pankaj Advani Clinches 2025 Asian Snooker Championship Title
• India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani secured the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship men’s title.
• He defeated Amir Sarkosh of Iran in the final.
• This marks Advani’s 14th Asian title across snooker and billiards formats.
• The championship was held in Doha, Qatar, from 15-21 February 2025.
• The event, covering Men’s, Women’s, and U-21 categories, was organized by the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports and hosted by the Qatar Billiards Sports Federation.
• In the women’s division, Mongolia’s Narantuya Bayarsaikhan triumphed over Ng On Yee of Hong Kong, China.
• Shaheen Sabzi of Iran claimed the Men’s U-21 title, defeating Zihao Dong of China.
Mohammed Shami Achieves 200 ODI Wickets, Becomes India's Top ICC Tournament Wicket-Taker
• Mohammed Shami has reached the milestone of 200 ODI wickets and 60 wickets in ICC events.
• He became the second-fastest to 200 ODI wickets, behind Mitchell Starc (102 matches).
• Shami achieved this feat in 104 ODIs, taking 202 wickets at an average of 23.63, with a best of 7/57.
• In terms of balls bowled, he reached 200 wickets in just 5,126 deliveries, surpassing Starc’s record of 5,240 balls.
• The milestone came during the ICC Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh in Dubai on 20 February.
• Shami has claimed six five-wicket hauls in ODIs.
• He is now India’s eighth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs.
• He overtook Zaheer Khan (59 wickets) to become India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC ODI tournaments, with a total of 60 wickets.
STATE NEWS
Madhya Pradesh Leads in Vulture Population in India
• Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest vulture population in India, according to the 2025 vulture census.
• The recent state-level census revealed that the vulture count has reached 12,981, showing a steady rise in their numbers.
• The Forest Department carried out the census across 16 circles, 64 divisions, and 9 protected areas in the state.
• The number of vultures in the state has shown consistent growth: from 8,397 in 2019 to 10,845 in 2024.
• Vulture counting began in 2016 as part of ongoing conservation efforts.
• The state is home to 7 vulture species, including 4 local and 3 migratory species.
• Winter is considered the best time for conducting the vulture census, as both local and migratory vultures can be easily observed.
• Vultures play a crucial role in the ecosystem by feeding on carrion, preventing the spread of diseases and helping in natural waste disposal.
Kerala Launches World’s First AI-Powered Chronic Eye Disease Screening Program
Kerala Launches World’s First AI-Powered Chronic Eye Disease Screening Program
• The program leverages artificial intelligence to improve early detection and streamline the screening process for eye diseases.
• It aims to make high-quality eye care more accessible and efficient across the state.
• The scope of Nayanamritham 2.0 has expanded to include screenings for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• This initiative will enable healthcare providers to offer enhanced patient care.
• By integrating ophthalmic AI into clinical workflows, Nayanamritham 2.0 sets a global benchmark for more efficient eye disease screening.
NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi Named Chief Guest for Mauritius National Day
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Guest of Honour at Mauritius' National Day celebrations on March 12.
• Mauritius celebrates National Day on March 12 each year, commemorating its independence from British rule in 1968.
• The day also marks Mauritius’ transition to a republic within the Commonwealth in 1992.
• India and Mauritius share a deep and long-standing relationship, with Mauritius being an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean.
Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025 Begins in New Delhi
• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025.
• The event is being held in New Delhi for three days.
• This year’s theme is ‘Unnat Krishi – Viksit Bharat’, highlighting advanced agriculture for national growth.
• Live demonstrations will showcase the latest crop varieties and innovations by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
• Exhibitions will feature new technologies, products, and services from IARI, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and other institutions.
• Farmers and experts will engage in technical sessions and interactive discussions on key topics like:
✓ Climate-resilient agriculture
✓ Crop diversification
✓ Digital agriculture
✓ Entrepreneurship in farming
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
India Takes Over BOBP-IGO Chairmanship, Strengthens Regional Cooperation
• India assumed chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh.
• Transition took place at the 13th Governing Council meeting in Male, Maldives.
• The event was part of a high-level conference on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-scale Fisheries.
• Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives, hosted the conference in collaboration with BOBP-IGO.
• The conference was successfully held from February 20-22, 2025, at Lankafinolhu, Maldives.
• Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, India, led the Indian delegation.
• Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, India, led the Indian delegation.
• India aims to enhance cooperation and provide strong policy guidance for the fisheries sector in member nations.
• The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, pledged to elevate BOBP-IGO’s success to greater heights.
