ATC ‘s CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 MArch 2025 TODAY

1) ISRO successfully conducted a hot test, known as the Power Head Test Article (PHTA), on its semi-cryogenic engine (SE2000), a crucial step towards developing advanced propulsion systems for future heavy-lift space missions.
▪️Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) :-
➨Formed :- 15 August 1969
➨Headquarter :- Bangalore, Karnataka, India
➨Chairman :- V Narayanan

2) Star Health Insurance has launched the SheTARA campaign in Tamil Nadu to promote preventive healthcare among women while also encouraging more women to join as insurance agents.
▪️Tamil Nadu :-
➨ CM – M K Stalin
➨ Guindy National Park
➨ Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
➨Sathyamangalam tiger reserve (STR)
➨Mudumalai National Park
➨Mukurthi National Park
➨ Indira Gandhi (Anamalai) National Park
➨Kalakkad Mundanthurai tiger reserve (KMTR)

3) Vikas Kaushal has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for a five-year term.
➨He succeeds Rajneesh Narang, who had been serving as the interim CMD.

4) The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, successfully concluded its visit to Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand, reinforcing bilateral naval cooperation between India and Thailand.

5) To boost the electronic toy sector, for the first time in India “e-Toycathon 2025” was organized by C-DAC under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY’s) research initiatives.
➨ e-Toycathon 2025 which successfully concluded at CDAC-Noida, aimed at fostering innovation in the toy sector by providing a platform for young researchers and innovators to develop indigenous, sustainable solutions.

6) Takashi Nakajima has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), effective April 1, 2025.

7) Madhav National Park, located in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, has been declared as India’s 58th Tiger Reserve, marking a significant milestone in the country’s tiger conservation efforts.
➨This declaration was made official by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
▪️Madhya Pradesh: –
Gandhi Sagar Dam
Bargi Dam
Bansagar Dam
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
Omkareshwar Dam
Madikheda Dam
Indira Sagar Dam
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

8) A Mahila Samriddhi Scheme has been launched in Delhi by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.
➨ Under this scheme, eligible women in Delhi belonging to weaker economic sections will be able to get monetary assistance of Rs 2,500 monthly.

9) The National Highways Logistics Management (NHLML) and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a state-of-the-art multi-modal logistics park (MMLP) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
▪️Uttar Pradesh :-
➨Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Dudhwa National Park
➨National Chambal Sanctuary
➨Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar Lake
➨Kashi Vishwanath Temple
➨Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary

10) Dr Sridhar Mitta was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship over five decades.

11) In the 2024 World Air Quality Report, India is ranked as the fifth most polluted country globally, a slight improvement from its third-place ranking in 2023, with 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities located within India.

12) The Indian government has extended the free import policy for yellow peas and urad, making it easier for traders to import these pulses until May 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026, respectively.
➨This move aims to stabilize prices and ensure adequate supply in the domestic market, benefiting food processing industries and maintaining food security.

13) Assam government announced plans to launch its own satellite to assist in collecting data for essential socio-economic projects and to enhance border surveillance.
➨ This announcement was made by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog during the presentation of the state budget for 2025-26.
▪️Assam
CM – Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
➨Dibru Saikhowa National Park
➨ Akashiganga Waterfalls
➨ Kakochang Waterfall
➨ Chapanala Waterfalls
➨Kaziranga National Park
➨Nameri National Park
➨Manas National Park

14) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, in Arunachal Pradesh.
➨Situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the strategically important Sela Tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
◾️Arunachal Pradesh :-
➨CM :- Pema Khandu
➨Governor :- Lt Gen Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
➨Namdapha Tiger Reserve 🐅
➨ Kamlang Tiger Reserve 🐅
➨Mouling National Park