1 Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander landed on the Moon
On March 2, 2025, Texas (United States, USA)-based Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its uncrewed Blue Ghost lander in an upright, stable posture on the lunar surface in the company’s first attempt . Blue Ghost Mission 1, also known as Ghost Riders in the Sky , is the first commercial firm to make a successful soft-landing on the Moon and sets the standard for future exploration in cislunar space as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
2 First test of indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas
The first test of the oxygen -based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) during flight in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been completely successful. This test was conducted on the LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 aircraft at an altitude of 50 thousand feet above sea level and in various flight conditions including maneuvers. The material used in this system is 90 percent indigenous, which reflects India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology. The Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) based on the indigenous On Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) is a state-of-the-art system designed to generate and control breathable oxygen for pilots during flight, eliminating dependence on conventional liquid oxygen cylinder-based systems. The ILSS was tested by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 aircraft of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The capability of the system was tested under stringent aeromedical standards at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet above sea level and in various flight conditions including manoeuvres.
3 Assam designated Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve as 8th National Park and renamed it ‘Sikhna Jwalao National Park’
In February 2025, the Assam government officially designated the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve , located in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts of Assam , as the 8th national park of the state . Assam’s new national park is named after Bodo legend Sikhna Jwalao , also known as Jaulia Dewan , who fought against the British in the Anglo-Bhutan War in 1865. The naming honours his bravery and contribution to the history and culture of the Bodo community. The decision was first announced by Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma during his Independence Day speech in 2024, and was implemented by the Assam cabinet on 16 February 2025.
4 Sahitya Akademi to organise annual Sahitya Utsav at Ravindra Bhavan, New Delhi from March 7 to 12
The Sahitya Akademi will organize the annual Sahitya Utsav at Ravindra Bhavan in New Delhi from March 7 to 12. It will be Asia’s largest literary festival. Akademi Secretary Dr. K. Srinivas Rao said that the six-day festival will be inaugurated by Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. More than 700 writers representing more than 50 languages from different parts of the country will participate in the event. There will be about 120 sessions in this festival, the theme of which is ” Indian Literary Traditions “.
5 Shri Ajay Bhadoo appointed as CEO of Government e Marketplace
The Government of India has appointed Shri Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce , as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Government e-Marketplace (GeM) with effect from March 3, 2025. He will assume this role in addition to his existing responsibilities in the Department of Commerce.
6 IIMC will become a world class media university
On March 4 , Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the conversion of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, into a world-class media university . IIMC was established in August 1965. IIMC currently operates from its headquarters in the JNU campus as well as 5 regional campuses – Dhenkanal, Aizawl, Amravati, Kottayam and Jammu.
7 Arab League summit held in Cairo
An emergency Arab summit was held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo , on March 4. Arab League leaders took this step in response to US President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Gaza . The Arab League was formed on March 22, 1945 in Cairo, Egypt. The Arab League currently comprises 22 countries – Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
8 Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan participated in the Kisan Mela organized at the Agriculture University in Jodhpur
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated in the Kisan Mela organized at Jodhpur Agricultural University , Rajasthan and addressed the students present there.
9 Dr. Mayank Sharma officially takes charge of CGDA
On 1 March 2025, Dr. Mayank Sharma officially took charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) , responsible for oversight of the Defence Accounts Departments (DAD) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which manages the financial aspects of the Indian Armed Forces and other defence related organisations.
10 Padma Shri awardee Koneru Humpy, India’s youngest woman Grand Master appointed as Brand Master of SOG Grandmaster Series
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) appointed Padma Shri awardee Koneru Humpy , India’s youngest female chess Grandmaster (GM), as the brand ambassador of the SOGF Grandmaster Series . This collaboration marks a major milestone in the growth of skill-based gaming, bridging the gap between traditional mind sports and the emerging digital competitive ecosystem.
11 Cricket: Australian legend Steve Smith announces retirement from ODI cricket
Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has announced his retirement from ODI cricket . With this, a chapter of his 14-year glorious career has come to an end. He will continue to play Test and T-20 cricket. Smith’s decision has come just after Australia’s four-wicket loss to India in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy. Where Smith played the role of top scorer by scoring 73 runs, which proved to be his last ODI innings. Smith scored five thousand eight hundred runs in 170 ODIs at an average of 43.2-8 and a strike rate of 86.9-6, which includes 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
12 India’s table tennis veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal announces retirement after WTT Star Contender in Chennai
India’s legendary table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal has announced his retirement after the WTT Star Contender in Chennai . The tournament will be played from March 25 to 30. 42-year-old Sharath Kamal, a record 10-time national champion, is currently India’s top-ranked men’s singles player. Sharath has won seven gold medals in the Commonwealth Games and two bronze medals in the Asian Games in his two-decade-long career. He played his fifth and last Olympics in Paris last year, in which he was the joint flag bearer in the opening ceremony. Sharath has been awarded the Arjuna Award, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri.
13 Khelo India Para Games to be held in New Delhi from 20 to 27 March
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has announced that this year Khelo India Para Games will be held in New Delhi from 20 to 27 March, in which many players from the world will participate. This will be the second edition of Khelo India Para Games. During this, about 1,230 para athletes will compete in six disciplines, including medal winners of Paris Paralympics 2024 and Asian Para Games 2022 held in Hangzhou, China. According to the program, Para Athletics, Para Archery and Para Powerlifting sports events will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from 21 to 26 March. At the same time, Para Badminton and Para Table Tennis events will be organized at Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex from 20 to 27 March. Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range will host para shooting events from 21 to 25 March. Khelo India Para Games is part of the Khelo India Mission, which provides a platform to talented players to showcase their sports and competitive skills.
14 Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held in Italy from March 7-17
The Special Olympics World Winter Games are scheduled to be held in Turin, Italy from March 7 to 17. The Indian team comprises 30 athletes , three officials and 16 support staff including coaches, making it the largest contingent. The special athletes will compete in six sports – alpine skiing, cross country skiing, floorball, short speed skating, snowboarding and snow shoeing.
