IMPORTANT DAYS

National Science Day 2025 celebrated on 28 February

• National Science Day (Rashtriya Vigyan Divas) is celebrated annually on 28 February in India.

• The day honours Sir C V Raman's discovery of the "Raman Effect" on 28 February 1928.

• Theme for National Science Day 2025: "Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for VIKSIT BHARAT."

• Sir C V Raman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for the Raman Effect.

• In 1954, Raman was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.

• National Science Day was officially declared by the Government of India in 1986, with the first celebration held in 1987.

• The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) coordinates National Science Day activities.

• India ranks 39th in the Global Innovation Index 2024 and 6th in global intellectual property (IP) filings, reflecting significant advancements in science and technology.

• National Awards for the Popularization of Science are presented each year on National Science Day, established by DST in February 1987.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Aadhaar Good Governance portal launched by the government of India

• The government has launched the Aadhaar Good Governance portal to simplify the Aadhaar authentication approval process.

• The portal enables both government and private organizations to request Aadhaar authentication for public interest services.

• Aadhaar authentication can be utilized for services in areas such as innovation, knowledge sharing, and enhancing access to essential services.

• It aims to improve citizens' access to services in sectors like healthcare, education, e-commerce, and hospitality.

• The portal aligns with recent amendments to the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2025, under the Aadhaar Act of 2016.

APPOINTMENTS

Appointment of New SEBI Chairman

• Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Finance and Revenue Secretary, has been named the new Chairman of SEBI.

• He has been appointed for a three-year tenure, succeeding Madhabi Puri Buch.

• His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

• Madhabi Puri Buch's term ended on February 28, 2025, after completing three years as SEBI Chairman.

• Buch was the first woman to serve as SEBI's head, assuming office on March 2, 2022.

• The SEBI Chairman is appointed by the central government based on recommendations from the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee.

• Pandey is an IAS officer from the 1987 batch, hailing from the Odisha cadre.

AWARDS

Raj Kamal Jha Wins Banaras Lit Fest Award

• Raj Kamal Jha won the 'Banaras Lit Fest Award' in the 'Ruskin Bond Fiction Book Award' category.

• He was honoured for his novel The Patient in Bed Number 12.

• The award recognizes excellence in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and translation.

• The Patient in Bed Number 12 delves into the lives of young Indians, struggling with their past while confronting a future marked by distrust and hatred.

• The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2025 celebrate literary works that explore identity, history, language, and contemporary issues.

• Kashinath Singh, a renowned Hindi writer, will be awarded the 'Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award'.

• The Banaras Lit Fest will be held from March 7 to 9, 2025, at Hotel Taj in Banaras.

• The awards aim to honour works that inspire reflection and enrich society's cultural landscape.

Anant Ambani’s Vantara Wins Prani Mitra Award

• Vantara, a large-scale wildlife rescue center, has been honoured with the prestigious Prani Mitra National Award.

• The 'Prani Mitra' Award is India's highest recognition for animal welfare.

• The award acknowledges the efforts of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) under Vantara.

• Vantara’s Elephant Care Centre houses over 240 rescued elephants, including 30 from circuses and more than 100 from the logging industry.

• The Centre provides top-tier veterinary care and compassionate support for both the physical and mental well-being of the elephants.

• The Elephant Care Centre is recognized as the world's largest elephant hospital.

• The award was presented at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.

• The Prani Mitra Award is granted to corporations, PSUs, government bodies, and cooperatives in the Corporate category for their contributions to animal welfare.

RANKING AND INDEX

India holds the 5th position in the global economy rankings.

• India is ranked 5th among the world's largest economies, according to NITI Aayog.

• India's real GDP is projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2025.

• From 2015 to 2025, India's real GDP is expected to grow from $2.4 trillion to $4.3 trillion.

• India has recorded the highest inflation-adjusted growth of 77% among the top 20 economies, outperforming China and the United States.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

International Radiobiology Conference on Space Radiation Begins in New Delhi

• The International Radiobiology Conference on the "Biological Effects of Space Radiation, Heavy Ions, and Human Space Missions" started in New Delhi.

• The three-day event is organized by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) under DRDO.

• Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, and Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, inaugurated the conference.

• The conference focuses on the biological impacts of space radiation and aims to explore mechanisms and biomedical countermeasures.

• Discussions will center around the growing radiation effects in future space missions.

• International collaboration is emphasized to mitigate the biological impacts of radiation.

• The conference covers various fields, including space exploration, healthcare, and material science.

• Scientists and medical experts from both India and abroad are attending the event.

SPORTS

Dalibor Svrcina Wins Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men's Tennis Championship

• Dalibor Svrcina won the Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men's Tennis Championship, defeating Brandon Holt of the USA 7-6 (3), 6-1 in the final.

• The tournament was organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, PCMC, PMC, and PMDTA.

• The event took place at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium.

• Svrcina earned 100 ATP ranking points and a prize of USD 22,730 (approximately Rs. 19.90 lakhs).

• Runner-up Brandon Holt received 60 ATP points and USD 13,350 (approximately Rs. 11.70 lakhs).

• In doubles, Indian players Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth triumphed 3-6, 6-3, 10-0 over the Australian duo of Blake Bayldon and Matthew Christopher Romios.

Indian Women's Basketball Team Wins 3rd SABA Women’s Championship

• The Indian senior women’s basketball team clinched the 3rd SABA Women’s Championship 2025, defeating the Maldives 107-32 in the final.

• This marked India’s first participation in the SABA Women’s Championship.

• The event, held from 23-26 February 2025, was organized by the South Asian Basketball Association and hosted by the Basketball Federation of India at KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

• The championship served as a qualifier for the level 2 of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

• With this victory, India secured a spot in the level 2 of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in China from 13-20 July 2025.