Daily Current Affairs of 01st March 2025 in English

Introduction:

Daily Current Affairs of 01st March 2025, witnessed a series of significant events across various domains, ranging from infrastructure development to geopolitical concerns, cultural celebrations, and scientific discoveries. Here's an in-depth look at the noteworthy occurrences of the day.

Top Current Affairs and News Headlines – March 01, 2025

Daily GK Update – 01st March 2025: Current Affairs

Here are the major national and international updates, developments, and key events from 01st March 2025:

National News

🔹 Champakam Dorairajan Case and India’s First Constitutional Amendment

Champakam Dorairajan, a Brahmin woman from Madras, played a crucial role in India’s legal history by challenging caste-based reservations in education. The Supreme Court’s ruling in State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951) led to the First Amendment of the Constitution, introducing Article 15(4) to enable affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes. This landmark case was the first where the Supreme Court struck down a law for violating fundamental rights, sparking national debates on merit and equality.

🔹 Centre Proposes Reduction in States’ Share of Central Taxes from 2026

The Union government is considering reducing states’ share of central tax revenue from 41% to 40%. The proposal will be reviewed by the Finance Commission, chaired by economist Arvind Panagariya, which is set to submit its report by October 31, 2025, for implementation in FY 2026-27. This move, aimed at addressing rising central expenditure, could strain Centre-State financial relations. Additionally, the Centre plans to impose restrictions on revenue-deficit grants to regulate freebies and debt waivers by state governments.

🔹 U.S.-Ukraine Relations Strained: Trump and Vance Confront Zelensky

A high-tension meeting in the White House saw U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly confront Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting, initially planned for discussions on Ukraine’s war with Russia, turned into a heated exchange, marking a historic diplomatic rift.

State News

🔹 Madhya Pradesh Leads Gharial Conservation Efforts

Madhya Pradesh (MP) has emerged as a frontrunner in gharial conservation, hosting over 80% of India’s population of these critically endangered crocodilians. Recently, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released 10 gharials into the Chambal River, reaffirming the state’s commitment to wildlife protection.

Economy News

🔹 Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) – January 2025 Report

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), a crucial economic performance indicator, showed a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 4.2% in January 2025, improving from 3.5% in December 2024. The cumulative growth for April 2024–January 2025 stood at 6.1%, surpassing the previous year’s 5.3%. This steady rise reflects positive momentum in industrial output.

🔹 India’s GDP Growth in Q3 of FY 2024-25

India’s economic growth accelerated in Q3 FY 2024-25, with Real GDP rising to 6.2% from 5.4% in the previous quarter. Revised estimates project a 6.5% Real GDP growth for the full fiscal year, while Nominal GDP is expected to expand by 9.9%.

🔹 EPFO Retains 8.25% Interest Rate for 2024-25

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to maintain the 8.25% annual interest rate on provident fund deposits for FY 2024-25. Despite demands for an increase, the government cited economic factors for retaining the current rate.

🔹 SEBI Launches ‘Bond Central’ for Corporate Bonds

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched Bond Central, a centralized database portal designed to enhance transparency and simplify access to corporate bond information. This initiative aims to provide a single, reliable source for investors and market participants.

Schemes News

🔹 Government Achieves 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) Target

Under the Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020, India has successfully formed 10,000 FPOs, achieving the goal ahead of the 2027-28 deadline. The milestone was marked by the launch of the 10,000th FPO in Khagaria, Bihar, benefiting around 30 lakh farmers, including 40% women. This initiative strengthens small and marginal farmers by enhancing market access and financial support.

Science & Technology News

🔹 NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope to Map the Universe in Unprecedented Detail

NASA is preparing to launch its SPHEREx telescope, designed to create the most detailed and colorful cosmic map ever. Using infrared spectroscopy across 96 bands, it will provide insights into galaxy formation, cosmic history, and the distribution of life-forming molecules. Unlike the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which focuses on high-resolution observations of specific regions, SPHEREx will map the entire sky within months.

Books & Authors

🔹 Kailash Satyarthi’s Autobiography ‘Diyaslai’ Discussed at IGNCA

A literary discussion on Diyaslai, the autobiography of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi, was recently held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The book chronicles Satyarthi’s journey from humble beginnings in Madhya Pradesh to his global advocacy against child labor, including his role in the Global March Against Child Labour across 186 countries.

Important Days

🔹 World Seagrass Day 2025: Significance & Conservation Efforts

Observed annually on March 1, World Seagrass Day raises awareness about the ecological importance of seagrass in marine ecosystems. Seagrass helps stabilize coastlines, supports biodiversity, and acts as a crucial carbon sink. The United Nations declared this day in 2022 following a resolution by Sri Lanka.

Obituaries

🔹 Chess Grandmaster Boris Spassky Passes Away at 88

Legendary Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, has passed away at the age of 88. Renowned for his strategic brilliance and contributions to chess, Spassky’s legacy as both a competitor and an ambassador of the game remains unparalleled.

Daily Current Affairs Question Answers in English of

25th February 2025

1. What was the result of the Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951)?

A) Struck down a law related to caste-based reservations

B) Established the First Amendment of the Indian Constitution

C) Allowed unrestricted caste-based reservations

D) Declared the reservation law as constitutional

Answer: B) Established the First Amendment of the Indian Constitution

Explanation: The Champakam Dorairajan case led to the first constitutional amendment, which introduced Article 15(4), allowing affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes, after the Supreme Court struck down caste-based reservation in education as unconstitutional.

2. What is the primary objective of the government’s proposal to reduce states’ share of central taxes?

A) To increase states’ autonomy

B) To reduce central debt

C) To address rising central expenditure

D) To promote central-state financial equality

Answer: C) To address rising central expenditure

Explanation: The Union government is considering reducing states' share of central tax revenue as part of a strategy to manage rising central expenditure, which could lead to potential strains in Centre-State financial relations.

3. Which Indian state is leading efforts in gharial conservation?

A) Uttar Pradesh

B) Madhya Pradesh

C) Rajasthan

D) West Bengal

Answer: B) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Madhya Pradesh is leading gharial conservation, hosting over 80% of India’s gharial population. The state has been actively involved in conservation efforts, including releasing gharials into the Chambal River.

4. Which index showed a year-on-year growth of 4.2% in January 2025?

A) Consumer Price Index

B) Index of Eight Core Industries

C) Wholesale Price Index

D) Global Competitiveness Index

Answer: B) Index of Eight Core Industries

Explanation: The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) showed a year-on-year growth of 4.2% in January 2025, signaling positive momentum in industrial output.

5. What is India’s projected Real GDP growth for FY 2024-25?

A) 5.4%

B) 6.2%

C) 9.9%

D) 10.5%

Answer: B) 6.2%

Explanation: India’s Real GDP growth for Q3 of FY 2024-25 rose to 6.2%, and the projected growth for the full fiscal year is 6.5%.

6. What interest rate has the EPFO decided to retain for FY 2024-25?

A) 8.5%

B) 8.25%

C) 7.75%

D) 9.0%

Answer: B) 8.25%

Explanation: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to maintain the annual interest rate of 8.25% for provident fund deposits in FY 2024-25, despite demands for an increase.

7. Which initiative did SEBI launch to improve corporate bond transparency?

A) BondNet

B) Bond Central

C) BondLink

D) Bond Access

Answer: B) Bond Central

Explanation: SEBI launched "Bond Central," a centralized database portal aimed at enhancing transparency and simplifying access to corporate bond information for investors and market participants.

8. How many Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) has India formed under the Central Sector Scheme?

A) 5,000

B) 8,000

C) 10,000

D) 12,000

Answer: C) 10,000

Explanation: India successfully formed 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) ahead of the 2027-28 deadline, benefiting around 30 lakh farmers, including 40% women.

9. What is the main focus of NASA's SPHEREx telescope?

A) High-resolution observations of specific regions

B) Mapping the entire sky in unprecedented detail

C) Studying exoplanets in the Milky Way

D) Observing the formation of black holes

Answer: B) Mapping the entire sky in unprecedented detail

Explanation: NASA's SPHEREx telescope will map the entire sky in unprecedented detail, using infrared spectroscopy across 96 bands to provide insights into galaxy formation and cosmic history.

10. Where was the literary discussion on Kailash Satyarthi's autobiography 'Diyaslai' held?

A) Jawaharlal Nehru University

B) Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

C) National Museum

D) Raj Ghat Memorial

Answer: B) Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

Explanation: The literary discussion on Kailash Satyarthi's autobiography "Diyaslai" took place at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), discussing his journey and advocacy against child labor.

11. When is World Seagrass Day observed?

A) March 2

B) March 1

C) April 1

D) February 28

Answer: B) March 1

Explanation: World Seagrass Day is observed annually on March 1 to raise awareness about the ecological importance of seagrass in marine ecosystems.

12. Who passed away recently, known as the 10th World Chess Champion?

A) Anatoly Karpov

B) Garry Kasparov

C) Boris Spassky

D) Mikhail Tal

Answer: C) Boris Spassky

Explanation: Legendary Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, passed away at the age of 88. He was renowned for his strategic brilliance and contributions to the game.

13. What was the main issue in the meeting between Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Volodymyr Zelensky?

A) U.S. military aid to Ukraine

B) Ukraine’s war with Russia

C) Trade agreements

D) Climate change policies

Answer: B) Ukraine’s war with Russia

Explanation: The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially planned to discuss Ukraine’s war with Russia, but it turned into a heated exchange.

14. Which article was introduced by the First Amendment of the Indian Constitution following the Champakam Dorairajan case?

A) Article 15(4)

B) Article 21

C) Article 19(1)

D) Article 16

Answer: A) Article 15(4)

Explanation: The First Amendment of the Indian Constitution introduced Article 15(4), which allows affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes in education.

15. What percentage of India’s gharial population is hosted in Madhya Pradesh?

A) 40%

B) 60%

C) 80%

D) 90%

Answer: C) 80%

Explanation: Madhya Pradesh hosts over 80% of India's gharial population, playing a significant role in their conservation.

16. Which country’s president had a heated meeting with U.S. officials regarding the Ukraine conflict?

A) Poland

B) Ukraine

C) Russia

D) Belarus

Answer: B) Ukraine

Explanation: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance regarding Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.

17. What was the cumulative growth of the Index of Eight Core Industries for April 2024–January 2025?

A) 5.3%

B) 6.1%

C) 3.5%

D) 4.2%

Answer: B) 6.1%

Explanation: The cumulative growth for the Index of Eight Core Industries from April 2024 to January 2025 stood at 6.1%, surpassing the previous year’s 5.3%.

18. Which organization launched the 'Bond Central' portal?

A) RBI

B) SEBI

C) IRDAI

D) Ministry of Finance

Answer: B) SEBI

Explanation: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the ‘Bond Central’ portal, aiming to enhance transparency in corporate bond markets.

19. Which sector benefited most from the formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)?

A) Manufacturing

B) Small and marginal farmers

C) IT sector

D) Industrial workers

Answer: B) Small and marginal farmers

Explanation: The formation of 10,000 FPOs has significantly benefitted small and marginal farmers, improving market access and financial support.

20. Which telescope will map the universe using infrared spectroscopy across 96 bands?

A) Hubble Space Telescope

B) SPHEREx

C) James Webb Space Telescope

D) Chandra X-ray Observatory

Answer: B) SPHEREx

Explanation: NASA’s SPHEREx telescope will create the most detailed and colorful cosmic map ever, using infrared spectroscopy across 96 bands to study galaxy formation and cosmic history.