Current Affairs Today: 22nd March 2025 | Daily GK Update
National News
1. What was the focus of Purple Fest 2025 held at Rashtrapati Bhavan?
Answer: Organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Purple Fest 2025 celebrated inclusivity and empowerment for Divyangjan, with 23,500 attendees participating in literary events, sports, and cultural programs.
2. What is ‘Samarth’ and who launched it?
Answer: ‘Samarth’ is an incubation program launched by C-DOT to support startups in telecom, cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and quantum tech. It runs in hybrid mode with STPI as the implementation partner.
International News
3. What was the global funding trend for women-led tech startups in 2024?
Answer: Funding declined to $29.6 billion, down 11% from 2023. Despite this, India ranked second globally in all-time funding for women-led tech startups, after the U.S.
State News
4. What collaboration is being explored between Odisha and the UK?
Answer: A UK delegation visited Odisha to explore partnerships in vocational education, focusing on apprenticeships, renewable energy, and digital skills.
5. What milestone did Meghalaya achieve in coal mining?
Answer: Meghalaya inaugurated its first scientific coal mining block, “Saryngkham-A,” marking a shift from banned rat-hole mining to sustainable practices.
6. What tribute is Andhra Pradesh planning for Potti Sriramulu?
Answer: A 58-foot statue will be installed in Amaravati, along with a museum, health center, and school in his native village, honoring his role in Andhra Pradesh’s formation.
Business News
7. What renewable energy project was launched by BPCL?
Answer: BPCL inaugurated a 3.2 MW floating solar power plant at Kochi Refinery, built on an 8-acre pond, with an investment of ₹28.93 crore.
Appointments News
8. Who is the new brand ambassador for Goibibo?
Answer: Rishabh Pant was appointed, featured in a campaign with Sunil Gavaskar blending cricket nostalgia with travel deals.
9. Who was appointed Chancellor of NIIT University?
Answer: Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO and India’s G20 Sherpa, was appointed Chancellor, succeeding K. Kasturirangan.
10. Who was appointed Joint Secretary in UPSC?
Answer: Anuj Kumar Singh, a 2009-batch IRSEE officer, was appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme for five years.
Ranks & Reports
11. What is India’s rank in the World Happiness Report 2025?
Answer: India ranked 118th, improving from 126th in 2023 and 139th in 2020, driven by better corruption perception and rising personal freedom.
Science & Technology
12. What breakthrough was achieved in light-based physics?
Answer: Scientists created the world’s first “supersolid” from light, combining superfluid and solid properties, with potential applications in quantum computing and energy storage.
Important Days
13. What is the theme of World Water Day 2025?
Answer: “Glacier Preservation,” emphasizing glaciers’ role in water security and climate regulation.
14. What is the theme of World Meteorological Day 2025?
Answer: “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together,” marking the 75th anniversary of WMO and promoting disaster preparedness.
Obituaries
15. Who was George Foreman and what was his legacy?
Answer: The legendary American boxer and businessman passed away at 76. He was a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, known for his comeback and humanitarian work.
Miscellaneous News
16. What milestone did East Coast Railway achieve in freight loading?
Answer: ECoR became the first railway zone to surpass 250 million tons of originating freight in FY 2024–25, reaching the target 11 days ahead of schedule.