Daily Current Affairs- 24th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 24th March 2025

Gujarat achieves 95% of NITI Aayog’s TB-Free target

In the news: Gujarat has emerged as one of the top-performing states in India by achieving 95% of the tuberculosis (TB) elimination target set by NITI Aayog for the year 2023–24.

• Under NITI Aayog’s TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Gujarat has made remarkable progress, fulfilling 95% of its annual target for TB elimination.
• The state has implemented extensive measures including door-to-door screenings, free diagnostics, nutrition support, and early treatment interventions to curb the spread of tuberculosis.
• Gujarat’s Nikshay Poshan Yojana (a nutritional support scheme for TB patients) and public-private partnership models have contributed significantly to the improved outcomes.
• Districts like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot have been key contributors to the state's high performance by implementing rigorous case tracking and community engagement programs.
• According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Gujarat reported one of the highest rates of TB notification and successful treatment in the country in 2023–24.
• The National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017–25) aims to eliminate TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set by WHO.
• World TB Day is observed every year on March 24 to raise public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease; the date commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the tuberculosis-causing bacterium. 

Government to lapse $23 billion scheme to boost domestic manufacturing: Report

In the News: The Indian government may allow around $23 billion (approximately ₹1.9 lakh crore) of its ambitious Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to lapse, as per recent media reports dated March 2025.

• Scheme Overview: The PLI scheme, launched in 2020, aimed to boost domestic manufacturing across 14 key sectors including electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles, and solar equipment by offering financial incentives based on incremental output.
• Reason for Lapsing Funds: Several companies have failed to meet investment or output targets, and some sectors have attracted limited interest, resulting in lower disbursements than originally planned.
• Utilized Amount: As of March 2025, only around ₹6,800 crore has been disbursed under the scheme, far below the allocated amount.
• Key Sectors Affected: Sectors such as solar PV modules, textiles, and semiconductors have reportedly seen fewer successful proposals, leading to potential lapses in allocated funds.
• Official Stance: While the government is considering reallocating unused funds or modifying the scheme, no official confirmation has been made yet about fully discontinuing the unutilized funds.
• Significance: The lapsing of the funds would mark a major shift in India’s industrial policy approach, especially at a time when global companies are diversifying supply chains away from China.
• Impact on ‘Make in India’: This development could potentially impact the ‘Make in India’ and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) initiatives, unless replaced with a more targeted or sector-specific manufacturing strategy. 

PRC to Moran community

In the News: On March 23, 2025, the Government of Assam announced its decision to grant Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) to the Moran community, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the group.

• Community Background: The Morans are an indigenous ethnic community of Assam, primarily inhabiting Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, and nearby districts in Upper Assam. They are one of the six communities seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in the state.
• Significance of PRC: The Permanent Resident Certificate is a crucial document for availing benefits in education, employment, and other government schemes. The PRC will allow the Moran community to apply for state-level government jobs and access various welfare schemes more easily.
• Pending ST Demand: The community continues to demand Scheduled Tribe (ST) status under the Constitution, which is still under consideration by the Central Government. PRC is seen as a step forward toward fulfilling that larger demand.
• Government Statement: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision during a public event, stating that the PRC would help address the socio-economic challenges of the Moran people.
• Political Importance: The move holds political significance ahead of upcoming elections, as it seeks to address the aspirations of key indigenous communities in Assam.
• Other Communities in Line: Along with Morans, five other communities — Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Matak, and Tea Tribes — have also been demanding ST status for years. 

Trump announces 25% tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil

In the news: On March 24, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that, if re-elected, he would impose a 25% tariff on any country importing oil from Venezuela, aiming to punish nations engaging economically with the Maduro regime.

• The proposed 25% tariff would apply to countries importing crude oil from Venezuela, including major buyers like India and China.
• Trump stated that the tariff is intended to penalize countries that support “dictatorships,” particularly targeting the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
• The announcement signals a reversal of the Biden administration’s approach, which had relaxed sanctions on Venezuela in 2023 to incentivize democratic reforms.
• Trump criticized President Biden’s foreign policy, accusing it of emboldening authoritarian leaders and weakening U.S. energy leverage globally.
• The move is expected to affect global oil supply chains, possibly leading to higher fuel prices and strained diplomatic relations with energy-importing nations.
• The proposed tariff is part of Trump’s broader campaign strategy to reassert S. energy dominance and adopt a tougher stance on countries perceived as adversaries.

From Delhi to Oslo: Story of M F Husain’s painting sold for a record Rs.118 crore

In the news: On March 20, 2025, M.F. Husain’s monumental painting “Voices” (1958) was sold for ₹118.08 crore at Pundole’s auction house in Mumbai, setting a new auction record for modern Indian art.

• The painting “Voices” was created by Maqbool Fida Husain in 1958 and is considered one of his most iconic works, showcasing abstract figures and bold symbolism.
• Measuring 6 x 5.7 feet, the painting is among Husain’s largest known canvases and represents a turning point in his artistic career from narrative themes to abstraction.
• The artwork was first exhibited at Delhi’s Art Today gallery in 1971 and later formed part of the Oslo-based collection of gallerist Hilde Holtegaard, who acquired it from the artist.
• The painting remained in private international collections for decades before being brought back to India for auction in 2025.
• It fetched ₹118.08 crore (approx. $14.2 million) at Pundole’s auction house, making it the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold at an auction.
• The record-breaking sale surpasses the previous high set by S H Raza’s “Gestation” (₹51.75 crore) and reflects the rising global recognition of Indian modern art.
• F. Husain, known as the ‘Picasso of India,’ was a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG) and one of India’s most celebrated modernists. 

Exercise Sea Dragon 2025

In the News: The Indian Navy is participating in the multilateral Exercise Sea Dragon 2025, a maritime anti-submarine warfare drill hosted by the United States Navy in Guam in March 2025.

• Participants: The exercise involves the navies of India, United States, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Australia, reflecting strong Indo-Pacific naval cooperation.
• Indian Participation: The P-8I maritime patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy, known for its advanced surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities, is participating in the exercise.
• Focus Area: The drill emphasizes coordinated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training and intelligence sharing among participating nations to enhance interoperability in tracking and neutralizing undersea threats.
• Objectives: It aims to boost collaborative tracking of submarines, simulate complex ASW scenarios, and develop joint operational tactics, especially in the context of rising maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
• Significance: Sea Dragon is a vital platform for India to demonstrate its growing naval capabilities and foster deeper defence ties with like-minded countries in the region, especially amidst concerns about China’s naval expansion.