NATIONAL:
1. First-Ever National Creators Award
Why in news: PM Modi presented first-ever National Creators Award at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi
Key points:
• The 'National Creators Award recognises the talent of the country’s creator community.
• The award will be provided across twenty categories including the Best Storyteller Award, the Disruptor of the Year, Celebrity Creator of the Year, Green Champion
Award, and Best Creator for Social Change.
2. Ceasefire Agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango
Why in news: Centre extended ceasefire agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango for one year
Key points:
• The Central Government and NSCN/K-Khango and NSCN (Reformation) have mutually decided to extend the ceasefire agreement with effect from the 18th of April, 2024 for
one year.
• The ceasefire will be subject to adherence to the Ceasefire Ground Rules mutually agreed upon and signed by them.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. NATO
Why in news: Sweden officially became 32nd member of NATO
Key points:
• Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of NATO after it completed the accession process in Washington last night.
• Sweden had applied to join the military alliance following the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.
Value Addition:
• NATO - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization - was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France.
• Its aim was to block expansion by the Soviet Union - a group of communist states which included Russia.
• Members agree that if one of them is attacked, the others should help it defend itself.
2. Indian Navy Warship INS Kolkata
Why in news: Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata successfully rescues 21 crew members from bulk carrier MV True Confidence in Gulf of Aden
Key points:
• The Barbados-flagged Greek-operated cargo vessel was attacked by Houthis yesterday, killing three crew members and forcing the remaining to abandon the ship.
• The crew, including one Indian national, was rescued using integral helicopters and boats.
• Attack was the first fatal strike in a series of attacks on vessels by Iran-backed Yemen's Houthi rebels.
• The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November last year in what they term a campaign in solidarity with Palestinians during the war in Gaza.
3. International Solar Alliance
Why in news: Panama became 97th member to ratify the International Solar Alliance
Key points:
• Remarkably, just days before Panama’s joining, Malta was welcomed as the 119th country to enter the ISA fold.
• The ISA, a brainchild of India and France, aims to mobilize efforts across the globe to increase the use of solar energy and decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
4. Abortion as a Constitutional Right
Why in news: France became the only country to explicitly guarantee abortion as a constitutional right
Key points:
• This comes after the controversial decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strip women of the right to abortion.
• Arguments in favor of Abortion: Abortion rights are essential to uphold a woman's autonomy and bodily integrity.
• Denying abortion jeopardizes women's health, freedom, and equality.
• In India, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act 1971 permits licensed medical professionals to perform abortions in specific predetermined situations.
ECONOMY:
1. Coal Production in India
Why in news: Crossing 900 Million Tons, Coal Production reached an unprecedented milestone
Key points:
• This has set the stage to approach the ambitious one-billion-ton target by 31st March.
• During the current fiscal year, India has achieved a remarkable feat by surpassing last year's coal production of 893.19 MT, twenty-seven days in advance.
DEFENCE:
1. Exercise Samudra Laksamana
Why in news: Maritime operations under Exercise Samudra Laksamana
Key points:
• Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan and Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir undertook multifaceted maritime operations during the sea phase of Exercise Samudra Laksamana off Visakhapatnam.
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. International Women's Day
Why in news: International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March
Key points:
• The Day is observed every year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
• The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
• Theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment.
• The campaign theme: ‘Inspire Inclusion’.
SPORTS:
1. Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0
Why in news: Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 on March 5, 2024.
Key points:
• The inspiration for organizing the grand event of Mahakumbh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Kheloge Toh Khiloge’ slogan.
• After its two successful editions, Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 was inaugurated at the Luhnu Cricket Ground in Bilaspur.
• About MP Khel Mahakumbh
• It was launched in 2018.
• The second edition was organized in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, in 2023.
STATE/UT:
1. Rajasthan Government's Two-Child Rule
Why in news: Supreme Court (SC) Approved Rajasthan Government's Two-Child Rule
Key points:
• It upheld Rule 24 (4) of the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989, as non-discriminatory and constitutional.
• It stipulates a maximum limit of two children per candidate.
• A similar provision was upheld by the SC in its 2003 ruling in Javed vs. State of Haryana.
• It was introduced as an eligibility condition to contest panchayat elections.
• “Population control and family planning” is a subject on the concurrent list.
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