Daily Current Affairs of 03rd March 2025 in English

Introduction:

Daily Current Affairs of 03rd 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 03, 2025

Daily GK Update – 03rd March 2025: Current Affairs

Here are the major national and international updates, developments, and key events from 03rd March 2025:

National News

Sarbananda Sonowal Introduces ‘One Nation-One Port’ Initiative

In a significant push towards modernizing India's maritime sector, the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has launched a series of strategic initiatives to enhance port operations, improve global trade, and promote sustainability.

A key highlight of these reforms is the introduction of the ‘One Nation: One Port Process’ (ONOP), an initiative aimed at standardizing and optimizing port operations nationwide. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled this initiative during a stakeholder meeting, where discussions centered on the maritime sector's takeaways from the Union Budget 2025-26.

This initiative aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and supports the nation’s ambition of becoming a global maritime leader by 2047.

Appointments News

Manan Kumar Mishra Re-Elected as Bar Council of India Chairman

Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI) for the seventh consecutive term. His victory solidifies his influence within the legal community and demonstrates the trust placed in him by legal professionals across the country.

Apart from his legal expertise, Mishra also serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Bihar under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) banner.

Business News

Paytm Collaborates with Perplexity to Enhance AI-Powered Assistance

In a move to improve digital accessibility and financial decision-making, Paytm has partnered with Perplexity, an advanced AI-driven answer engine. This collaboration will integrate AI-powered search functionalities into the Paytm app, enabling users to ask queries, explore topics in multiple languages, and make well-informed financial choices.

Digital Payment Trends – February 2025: UPI, IMPS, FASTag, and AePS Performance

The Indian digital payments landscape exhibited mixed trends in February 2025, with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions showing a month-on-month (MoM) decline, while FASTag and Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) transactions experienced steady growth.

UPI Transactions

MoM Decline: 5% in volume (16.99B to 16.11B) and 6.5% in value (₹23.48T to ₹21.48T).

YoY Growth: 33% increase in volume and 20% increase in value.

IMPS Transactions

MoM Decline: 9% in volume (444M to 405M) and 7% in value (₹6.06T to ₹5.63T).

YoY Change: 24% decline in volume and 1% decline in value.

FASTag Transactions

MoM Increase: 1% in volume (380M to 384M) but a slight dip in value (₹6,614 crore to ₹6,601 crore).

YoY Growth: 19% in volume and 18% in value.

AePS Transactions

MoM: Stable at 94M, while value increased by 2% (₹24,026 crore to ₹24,410 crore).

YoY Growth: 14% in volume and 11% in value.

GST Collections Rise by 9.1% to ₹1.84 Lakh Crore in February 2025

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in February 2025 recorded a 9.1% year-on-year increase, amounting to approximately ₹1.84 lakh crore. This growth reflects the robustness of domestic economic activity and improved tax compliance.

Banking News

Bank of Baroda Receives ISO 22301:2019 Certification for Business Continuity Management

Public sector lender Bank of Baroda has achieved the ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) certification, awarded by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

This certification highlights the bank's commitment to operational resilience, risk management, and ensuring uninterrupted banking services during unforeseen disruptions.

City Union Bank and Chennai Super Kings Launch Co-Branded Credit Card

City Union Bank (CUB) has entered into a strategic alliance with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to introduce a co-branded credit card.

The new credit card is designed to provide CSK fans with exclusive rewards, offers, and unique cricket-related experiences, enhancing their shopping and entertainment experience.

YES BANK Hosts Export Conclave 2025 in Association with WTC Mumbai

YES BANK, in collaboration with World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai, hosted the Export Conclave 2025 at its headquarters.

This event served as a platform for exporters, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss emerging trade trends, challenges, and global opportunities. With a special emphasis on MSMEs, the conclave focused on trade facilitation, financial support, and innovation in export services.

Awards News

97th Academy Awards – Full List of Oscars 2025 Winners

Best Picture – Anora

Best Actor – The Brutalist

Best Supporting Actor – Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Best Actress – Mikey Madison, Anora

Best Supporting Actress – Zoe Saldana, Emilia Pérez

Best Animated Feature Film – Flow

Best Director – Sean Baker, Anora

Best International Feature Film – I’m Still Here (Brazil)

Best Sound & Visual Effects – Dune: Part Two

Sports News

Jay Shah Honored with ‘Icon of Excellence’ Award at FILA 2025

Jay Shah, the youngest chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been awarded the prestigious Icon of Excellence Award at the 14th Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA) 2025.

This accolade recognizes his contributions to cricket administration, innovation, and efforts to make the sport more inclusive and competitive globally.

Virat Kohli Achieves Milestone of 300 ODI Matches

Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli joined an elite club by playing his 300th One Day International (ODI) on March 2, 2025, during the Champions Trophy match against New Zealand in Dubai.

With this feat, Kohli became the seventh Indian cricketer and the 22nd overall in the world to reach this milestone.

Important Days

World Wildlife Day 2025: Date, Theme, and Significance

World Wildlife Day, observed annually on March 3, raises awareness about wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability. The event commemorates the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

The 2025 theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”, underscores the urgent need for funding sustainable conservation efforts.

Obituary News

Renowned Indian Artist Himmat Shah Passes Away at 92

Eminent Indian artist Himmat Shah, celebrated for his sculptures and modern art, passed away at 92 due to a heart attack at Shalby Hospital, Jaipur.

Throughout his career, Shah experimented with different materials, believing that “every material has life.” His Jaipur studio was filled with repurposed objects like bottles, wires, and ropes, which he transformed into remarkable artworks.

Daily Current Affairs Question Answers in English of

03rd March 2025

National News

1. What is the primary objective of the ‘One Nation: One Port Process’ (ONOP) initiative?

a) Privatization of Indian ports

b) Standardizing and optimizing port operations nationwide

c) Increasing port taxes for revenue generation

d) Merging all major ports under a single authority

Answer: b) Standardizing and optimizing port operations nationwide

Explanation: The ONOP initiative aims to bring uniformity in port operations, improving efficiency and global trade competitiveness.

2. Which Indian minister launched the ‘One Nation: One Port Process’ initiative?

a) Nitin Gadkari

b) Piyush Goyal

c) Sarbananda Sonowal

d) Hardeep Singh Puri

Answer: c) Sarbananda Sonowal

Explanation: Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, introduced this initiative during a stakeholder meeting.

Appointments News

3. Who has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India for the seventh consecutive term?

a) Ranjan Gogoi

b) Manan Kumar Mishra

c) Harish Salve

d) Kapil Sibal

Answer: b) Manan Kumar Mishra

Explanation: Manan Kumar Mishra secured his position again, reinforcing his leadership in India’s legal community.

4. Which political party does Manan Kumar Mishra represent in the Rajya Sabha?

a) Indian National Congress

b) Bharatiya Janata Party

c) Aam Aadmi Party

d) Trinamool Congress

Answer: b) Bharatiya Janata Party

Explanation: Apart from his legal career, Mishra serves as a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar under the BJP banner.

Business News

5. Which AI-driven platform has Paytm partnered with to enhance AI-powered assistance?

a) ChatGPT

b) Perplexity

c) Bard

d) DeepMind

Answer: b) Perplexity

Explanation: The collaboration aims to integrate AI-powered search into the Paytm app for better user experience.

6. What was the percentage decline in UPI transaction volume from January to February 2025?

a) 2%

b) 3%

c) 5%

d) 7%

Answer: c) 5%

Explanation: UPI transactions fell from 16.99 billion to 16.11 billion, marking a 5% decline in volume.

7. Which digital payment system showed a month-on-month increase in transaction volume in February 2025?

a) UPI

b) IMPS

c) FASTag

d) NEFT

Answer: c) FASTag

Explanation: FASTag transactions increased from 380 million to 384 million in February 2025.

8. By what percentage did GST collections increase in February 2025 compared to the previous year?

a) 5.2%

b) 7.4%

c) 9.1%

d) 11.3%

Answer: c) 9.1%

Explanation: GST collections reached ₹1.84 lakh crore, reflecting a 9.1% year-on-year growth.

Banking News

9. Which bank received the ISO 22301:2019 certification for Business Continuity Management?

a) Punjab National Bank

b) Bank of Baroda

c) State Bank of India

d) Canara Bank

Answer: b) Bank of Baroda

Explanation: The certification, awarded by BSI, recognizes the bank’s commitment to operational resilience.

10. City Union Bank has launched a co-branded credit card in partnership with which IPL team?

a) Mumbai Indians

b) Royal Challengers Bangalore

c) Chennai Super Kings

d) Delhi Capitals

Answer: c) Chennai Super Kings

Explanation: The credit card offers exclusive benefits for CSK fans.

Awards News

11. Which film won the Best Picture award at the 97th Academy Awards?

a) Oppenheimer

b) The Brutalist

c) Anora

d) Flow

Answer: c) Anora

Explanation: Anora won Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars.

12. Who won the Best Actor award at the 2025 Oscars?

a) Paul Mescal

b) Cillian Murphy

c) Bradley Cooper

d) The Brutalist

Answer: d) The Brutalist

Explanation: The lead actor from The Brutalist won the Best Actor award.

Sports News

13. Who won the ‘Icon of Excellence’ Award at the 2025 Forbes India Leadership Awards?

a) Sourav Ganguly

b) Jay Shah

c) Rahul Dravid

d) Roger Binny

Answer: b) Jay Shah

Explanation: The ICC chairman was honored for his contributions to cricket administration.

14. Virat Kohli played his 300th ODI against which team?

a) Australia

b) Pakistan

c) New Zealand

d) South Africa

Answer: c) New Zealand

Explanation: Kohli reached this milestone during the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.

Important Days

15. What is the theme of World Wildlife Day 2025?

a) “Protecting Endangered Species”

b) “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”

c) “Sustainable Habitats for Wildlife”

d) “Biodiversity for a Better Future”

Answer: b) “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”

Explanation: The theme highlights the need for sustainable conservation funding.

16. World Wildlife Day is observed on which date?

a) March 1

b) March 2

c) March 3

d) March 4

Answer: c) March 3

Explanation: The day marks the adoption of CITES in 1973.

Obituary News

17. Renowned Indian artist Himmat Shah, who recently passed away, was famous for his work in which field?

a) Music

b) Sculpture

c) Poetry

d) Dance

Answer: b) Sculpture

Explanation: Himmat Shah was a celebrated sculptor known for his innovative use of materials.

18. At what age did Himmat Shah pass away?

a) 85

b) 88

c) 92

d) 95

Answer: c) 92

Explanation: The eminent artist passed away at the age of 92 in Jaipur.

19. Where was Himmat Shah’s studio located?

a) Mumbai

b) Jaipur

c) Delhi

d) Kolkata

Answer: b) Jaipur

Explanation: His studio in Jaipur was known for its use of repurposed materials.

20. What was the cause of Himmat Shah’s death?

a) Cancer

b) Stroke

c) Heart attack

d) Respiratory failure

Answer: c) Heart attack

Explanation: He passed away due to a heart attack at Shalby Hospital, Jaipur.