IMPORTANT DAYS

World Water Day 2025 observed on March 22.

• World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 since 1993 to raise awareness about water and sanitation challenges.

• The goal is to encourage sustainable management of freshwater resources and address water-related issues.

• The theme for World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’, highlighting the importance of glaciers in supporting life

• Glaciers provide essential meltwater for drinking, agriculture, industry, clean energy, and ecosystems.

• The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to establish World Water Day on December 22, 1992.

• The first celebration took place in 1993.

• Currently, 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries, where over 25% of renewable freshwater is withdrawn to meet demand.

• A NITI Aayog report highlights that nearly 600 million Indians face severe water stress, and around 200,000 die annually due to inadequate access to safe water.

NATIONAL NEWS

Jal Shakti Abhiyan

• On March 22, 2025, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025 was launched to mark World Water Day.

• The initiative was inaugurated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Government of Haryana in Panchkula.

• The campaign promotes water conservation and management through community participation and innovative approaches.

• The theme for 2025 is “जल संचय जन भागीदारी: जन जागरूकता की ओर” (People’s Action for Water Conservation—Towards Intensified Community Connect).

• It emphasizes water security, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge in response to climate change and growing water challenges.

• The program will target 148 districts across India to ensure sustainable water management.

• The initiative encourages stronger collaboration between government agencies, communities, and stakeholders.

• It aims to raise nationwide awareness and make the vision of ‘हर बूंद अनमोल’ (Every Drop Counts) a reality.

NITI Aayog Hosts National Workshop on Strengthening India’s Innovation Ecosystem

• NITI Aayog organized the National Workshop on Building Synergies in the Indian Innovation Ecosystem on March 22 at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• The event, hosted by the Gujarat Council of Science and Technology (GUJCOST) under the Department of Science and Technology, aimed to enhance India’s innovation landscape.

• The workshop facilitated dialogue and knowledge sharing among government officials, academic leaders, industry experts, startup founders, and international delegates.

• Key topics discussed included R&D investments, state innovation policies, global innovation trends, and grassroots entrepreneurship.

• The agenda focused on fostering cross-sectoral synergy to boost India's innovation ecosystem.

• Several interactive sessions were moderated by renowned leaders in the fields of innovation and technology.

AWARDS

Vinod Kumar Shukla Wins 59th Jnanpith Award 2024

• Renowned Hindi poet and writer Vinod Kumar Shukla has been honoured with the 59th Jnanpith Award for 2024.

• The award, India’s highest literary honour, was announced in New Delhi on March 22.

• Shukla, born on January 1, 1947, in Rajnandgaon, resides in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

• His first poetry collection, ‘Labhaag Jai Hind,’ was published in 1971.

• His acclaimed novels include “Naukar Ki Kameez,” “Khilega To Dekhenge,” and “Deewar Mein Ek Khidki.”

• He has previously received prestigious awards like the Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh Fellowship, Raza Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue

• The 4th round of the India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue took place in New Delhi, bringing together important stakeholders to address key maritime security concerns.

• India was represented by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs.

• The EU delegation was led by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy, European External Action Service.

• Both sides discussed maintaining a secure maritime environment to promote inclusive growth and global stability.

• They reviewed ongoing maritime cooperation and explored ways to enhance regional and international security mechanisms.

• Areas of focus included countering illicit maritime activities, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, regional capability development, and capacity-building efforts.

INDEX AND RANKING

India Ranks 118th in World Happiness Report 2025

• India ranked 118 out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025.

• The report was released by the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

• Finland retained its position as the happiest country, followed by Denmark and Iceland in second and third places.

• The ranking is based on six factors: social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perception of corruption.

• Western nations, particularly European countries, dominated the top 20 rankings.

• Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, securing 6th and 10th positions respectively.

• Among India’s neighbors, Sri Lanka ranked 133, Bangladesh 134, Pakistan 109, Nepal 92, and China 68.

• The United Kingdom ranked 23rd, its lowest position since 2017.

• The report emphasized the impact of “caring and sharing” on overall happiness and satisfaction.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

India’s Bio-Economy Surges to $165 Billion in 2024

• India's bio-economy has expanded 16 times in the last decade, growing from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024.

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced this while unveiling the India Bioeconomy Report 2025 (IBER 2025) at the BIRAC Foundation Day event on March 21.

• The bio-economy sector now contributes 4.25% to India’s GDP.

• It has recorded a 17.9% CAGR over the past four years, strengthening India’s position as a rising biotech leader.

• BioSaarthi, a six-month global mentorship program for biotech startups, was introduced to support emerging entrepreneurs.

• The India Bioeconomy Report, published annually by the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC, analyzes sector growth, trends, and policy recommendations.

SPORTS

Gujarat Puts Forward Bid to Host the 2030 Commonwealth Games

• India has officially submitted a bid to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 2030.

• This move marks a significant step toward India’s goal of hosting major global sporting events, including the 2036 Olympics.

• The bid is led by PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, highlighting Ahmedabad’s preparedness to host the event.

• Hosting the Games would boost India’s global sports profile and bring substantial economic advantages.

India to Host 11th Asian Swimming Championship in Ahmedabad

• India will host the 11th Asian Swimming Championship at the Naranpura Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, from October 1 to 15.

• The event will feature swimming, diving, artistic swimming, and water polo competitions.

• Top swimmers from Japan and South Korea are expected to participate in this continental event.

• The Swimming Federation of India received in-principle approval from the Gujarat government and Asia Aquatics to organize the championship.

• India previously hosted the 10th Asian Age Group Championships in 2019.

Anahat Singh and Veer Chotrani Win PSA Challenger Squash Titles in Chennai

• Anahat Singh clinched the women’s title at the PSA Challenger Squash tournament in Chennai, defeating top-seed Akanksha Salunkhe.

• This was Anahat’s third victory over Akanksha in their last four encounters.

• Veer Chotrani secured the men’s title after a remarkable comeback in the final.

• He defeated Melvil Scianimanico of France to claim his sixth PSA title.

• Anahat was the third seed, while Veer entered the tournament as the second seed.

Japan Becomes First Team to Qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

• Japan secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Bahrain 2-0.

• It became the first non-host nation to qualify, joining co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

• Japan claimed one of the two automatic qualification spots from Group C.

• The qualification process will continue until June, concluding after the third round.

• In Group B, South Korea leads the table, with Iraq and Jordan following closely.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Trump Administration Revokes Legal Status of 530,000 Migrants

• The Trump administration announced the revocation of temporary legal status for 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.

• These migrants, who arrived in the US since October 2022 with financial sponsors, were granted two-year permits to live and work.

• Their legal status will be revoked on April 24 or 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.

• This move effectively ends the two-year "parole" granted under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

• The humanitarian parole system allows the president to temporarily admit people from war-torn or politically unstable countries.

• Biden introduced the parole entry program for Venezuelans in 2022, later expanding it to Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans in 2023.

• Diplomatic and political relations between the US and these four nations have remained tense.