Answer: b

• India inaugurated its first World Peace Center in Gurugram, Haryana.
• Established by Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti under Jain Acharya Lokesh.
• Aims to promote non-violence, human values, and global harmony.
• Key Dignitaries Present at the event included former President Ram Nath Kovind, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
• Significance: Strengthens India’s voice on peace at global forums like UN & World Parliament of Religions.
• Key Objectives of the World Peace Center:
• Promoting Non-Violence & Peace: Spreading the message of ahimsa (non-violence).
• Spiritual & Moral Upliftment: Conducting workshops, meditation, and discourses.
• Global Harmony (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam): Encouraging unity and cooperation.
• Environmental & Ethical Awareness: Addressing climate change & ethical leadership.

Answer: a)

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, launched Swavalambini, a Women Entrepreneurship Programme.
• Objective: To establish a structured and stage-wise entrepreneurial journey for young women.
• Target Audience: Women in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• Aim:

1. Nurturing entrepreneurial spirit among young women.
2. Providing the mindset, resources, and mentorship needed to build and scale businesses.

• Key Features of Swavalambini Programme:

1. Faculty Development Programme (FDP):

Training for faculty members from participating HEIs.

Five-day training sessions to equip faculty with entrepreneurial knowledge.

2. Mentorship & Support:Business plan development with mentorship from industry experts & successful entrepreneurs.
3. Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP):Advanced training after initial entrepreneurial awareness.

Focus areas:

• Business Planning & Strategy.
• Leadership & Decision-Making Skills.
• Financial Literacy & Investment Strategies.
• Market Research & Competitive Analysis.

Answer: c)

• India has obtained a 9,000-square-kilometer exploration block in Zambia, a leading global copper producer, to search for copper and cobalt.
• Global Copper Market Trends:

1. Shrinking supply of copper ore (Bloomberg report).
2. China controls 50% of global smelting & refining capacity.
3. High demand drivers: EV batteries, renewable energy, and clean tech.
4. Top producers: Chile, Peru, China, DRC, U.S.
5. Geopolitical race: India, China, and the U.S. securing supply chains.

• India’s Copper Situation:

3. Domestic Production (2023-24): 3.78 million tonnes (8% lower than 2018-19).
4. Top producing states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan.
5. Copper Imports: Doubled to ₹26,000 crore (2023-24 vs. 2018-19).
6. Challenges: Large deposits require extensive exploration before mining (avg. 17 years for a copper mine).
7. Overseas Strategy: Investments in Zambia, Chile, DRC to meet demand, but with geopolitical risks.

• Africa’s Role in Critical Minerals:

1. Produces 70% of global cobalt & 16% of global copper.
2. DRC: Poised to be 2nd-largest copper supplier by 2030.

• India’s Efforts: Ministry of Mines working in DRC, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda to acquire mineral assets.

Answer: (b)

• Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA) 2025 concluded at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
• Key Highlights:

1. Hosted by Forbes India, featuring influential names in business, tech, and philanthropy.
2. Awards celebrated breakthrough innovations, leadership, and entrepreneurial success.

• Major Award Winners:

1. Emerging Innovator Award – BugWorks Research,Recognized for biotech innovation.
2. Focus: Transforming discoveries into real-world impact.
3. Outstanding Startup Award – BrowserStack, Revolutionized software testing solutions globally.
4. Founders: Ritesh Arora, Nakul Aggarwal.
5. Impact: Powers half of the world’s airlines, banks, and tech firms.

1. Icons of Excellence:

1. Ajay Singh (SpiceJet Chairman & MD),Recognized for transforming India’s aviation sector.
2. Katrina Kaif (Co-founder, Kay Beauty),Honored for entrepreneurial excellence in beauty industry.

Answer: c)

• The U.S. government has announced the creation of a Crypto Strategic Reserve, a move aimed at integrating cryptocurrencies into the country’s financial system.
• This initiative marks a significant step in acknowledging digital assets as part of national economic strategy.

ABOUT:

• The Crypto Strategic Reserve will function as a national stockpile of digital assets, similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but for cryptocurrencies.
• It will be managed under a federal regulatory framework to ensure security, transparency, and compliance with financial laws.
• The reserve will consist of five major cryptocurrencies:

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – The first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency.
2. Ethereum (ETH) – Known for its smart contract capabilities.
3. Ripple (XRP) – Used for fast and low-cost cross-border payments.
4. Solana (SOL) – A high-performance blockchain designed for decentralized applications.
5. Cardano (ADA) – Focuses on sustainability, security, and scalability.

• Significance of the Initiative:
• Economic Stability: Functions similarly to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, providing a financial buffer in economic uncertainty.
• Hedge Against Inflation: Cryptocurrencies can serve as a safeguard against currency devaluation and market fluctuations.
• Strengthens U.S. Financial Position: Establishes the U.S. as a leader in the global crypto economy and encourages institutional adoption.
• Diversification of Assets: Reduces reliance on traditional financial systems, adding resilience to the U.S. economy.

Answer: b)

• The Government of India has appointed Ajay Bhadoo, an IAS officer from the 1999 batch, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Government e Marketplace (GeM), effective March 3, 2025.
• Prior to this appointment, Bhadoo served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce since August 2024.
• The GeM portal, launched on August 9, 2016, is an online platform for public procurement of goods and services by central government ministries and departments.

Answer: b

Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria’s Chancellor on March 3, 2025, leading a three-party coalition government comprising the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos.

• Key figures in the new government include Andreas Babler as Vice Chancellor and Beate Meinl-Reisinger as Foreign Minister.

About Austria

• Capital:Vienna
• Official Language:German
• Government Type:Federal Parliamentary Republic
• President (2025):Alexander Van der Bellen
• Geographical Location:Landlocked country in Central Europe
• Bordering Countries:Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein
• Major River:Danube (Europe’s second-longest river)

Answer: c

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the two-day Visitor’s Conference for the academic year 2024-25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The conference serves as a platform for discussions on enhancing the quality of higher education in India.
• Vice-Chancellors of central universities, Directors of IITs, NITs, and other institutions of national importance participated in the event.

Answer: c

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan” initiative in New Delhi.

Aim : to empower women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by providing leadership training and capacity-building workshops.

The initiative seeks to enhance women’s participation in local governance and decision-making processes.

Answer: a

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated “Vantara,” a new cultural and tourism hub in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

• “Vantara” showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of the Saurashtra region, aiming to boost tourism and local economy.
• The project includes museums, art galleries, and performance centers to promote regional arts and crafts.

Answer: c)

• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently extended a heartfelt send-off to the Special Athletes and Coaches from Himachal Pradesh who have been selected to represent India at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, scheduled to take place in Turin, Italy, from March 7 to 16, 2025.

Himachal Pradesh’s Contribution:

• Total Indian Contingent:49 athletes and coaches
• From Himachal Pradesh:24 athletes and coaches
• Disciplines Participated: Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Floorball.

Enhanced Prize Money Announced by Himachal Pradesh Government:

Olympics, Winter Olympics & Paralympics:

• Gold Medal:Increased from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore
• Silver Medal:Increased from ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore
• Bronze Medal:Increased from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore

Asian Games & Asian Para Games:

• Gold Medal:Increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹4 crore
• Silver Medal:Increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹2.5 crore
• Bronze Medal:Increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹1.5 crore

Commonwealth Games:

• Gold Medal:Increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹3 crore
• Silver Medal:Increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹2 crore
• Bronze Medal:Increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore