Current Affairs 26 March 2025

1. Jhandu Kumar & Seema Rani Set National Records At Khelo India Para Games
Jhandu Kumar and Seema Rani created history by setting
national records at the Khelo India Para Games. Jhandu Kumar showcased exceptional strength in para powerlifting, breaking previous records in his category. Seema Rani excelled in para athletics, setting a new national benchmark in the discus throw event. Their performances highlighted India's growing dominance in para sports and inspired young athletes. The Khelo India Para Games continue to provide a vital platform for para-athletes to showcase their talent and achieve excellence.

Foot notes:
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New National Records: Seema Rani from Punjab lifted 97 kg in the women's elite 61 kg category, while Jhandu Kumar from Bihar lifted 206 kg in the men's elite 72 kg category.
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Seema Rani's Achievement: Seema, who has polio since the age of three, won her second gold medal in as many Khelo India Para Games. She started her para powerlifting journey five years ago and has represented India in several international tournaments.
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Jhandu Kumar's Journey: Jhandu, 28, started his powerlifting journey in 2014. He hopes to make his debut for India soon. This achievement is a significant milestone for him, as he converted his previous silver medal to gold this year.
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Medal Tally: Haryana is currently leading the medal tally with 29 gold medals, followed by Tamil Nadu with 24 and Rajasthan with 22.
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Para Shooting Events: The shooting events at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range were dominated by Paralympians, including Mona Agarwal, who won gold in the mixed 50m prone SH1 event.
2. India Becomes the World’s Top Milk Producer
India has officially become the world's largest milk producer,
surpassing all other nations. The country's dairy industry contributes over 23% of global milk production. Government initiatives like the National Dairy Plan and White Revolution have played a crucial role in this achievement. Cooperative networks such as Amul and Mother Dairy have strengthened milk production and distribution. This milestone ensures better food security, economic growth, and improved livelihoods for millions of dairy farmers in India.

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Record Milk Production: India produced 208,984,430 tonnes of milk in 2024, surpassing other major milk-producing countries like the United States, Pakistan, and China.
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Top Milk-Producing States: Uttar Pradesh is India's highest milk-producing state, accounting for around 15.72% of the country's total milk production, followed closely by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
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Dairy Industry Growth: India's dairy industry has grown consistently, with milk production increasing by nearly 2% to 207 million metric tonnes in 2023.
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Global Demand: India's growing population, rapid urbanization, and improving incomes are driving demand for milk and milk products, making it an attractive market for dairy producers.
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Export Opportunities: India's largest dairy exporter, Amul, distributes products to 25 countries, highlighting the potential for Indian dairy companies to expand their global presence.
3. Bellatrix Aerospace Partners with Astroscale Japan
Bellatrix Aerospace has partnered with Astroscale Japan to
enhance in-orbit servicing and space sustainability. This collaboration focuses on developing advanced propulsion systems for satellite debris removal and life extension missions. Bellatrix Aerospace, known for its electric and chemical propulsion technologies, will contribute its expertise to Astroscale's space debris mitigation efforts. The partnership aligns with global initiatives to maintain a cleaner and safer orbital environment. This marks a significant step toward sustainable space exploration and satellite management.

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Space Debris Removal: The partnership aims to develop solutions for active debris removal, satellite servicing, and sustainable in-orbit mobility.
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Technology Expertise: Bellatrix Aerospace brings its expertise in green propulsion and electric propulsion thruster technologies, while Astroscale contributes its knowledge in debris mitigation, life extension, and satellite servicing.
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Market Expansion: The collaboration enables Bellatrix Aerospace to enter the Japanese space market, while Astroscale expands its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Indian Space Sector Growth: The partnership reflects the growing importance of India's private space sector, with the government opening up the industry to commercial players and establishing a $116 million fund to support startups.
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Global Implications: The collaboration has far-reaching implications, as the number of orbiting satellites increases, and potential collisions pose a significant risk, estimated at over $500 million over the next five years.
4. Ajinkya Rahane, First Indian to Captain Three Different IPL Teams
Ajinkya Rahane has become the first Indian cricketer to
captain three different teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has previously led the Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, and a third franchise, setting a unique record in the tournament's history. Known for his calm leadership and tactical acumen, Rahane has been a dependable figure in the IPL. His ability to adapt and guide different teams showcases his experience and cricketing intelligence. This achievement further cements his legacy as one of India’s finest leaders in T20 cricket.

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Three Teams, One Captain: Rahane has previously captained Rising Pune Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals, and now he's all set to lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 season.
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Experience and Maturity: KKR CEO Venky Mysore highlighted Rahane's maturity and experience as the reasons behind his appointment as captain, aiming to alleviate the pressures of leadership from younger players.
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Record-Breaker: Rahane will be the fourth player overall to lead three IPL teams, joining the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Steve Smith.
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IPL Performance: Rahane has a good batting record in the IPL, accumulating 2,810 runs for Rajasthan Royals.
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Leadership Skills: Rahane's leadership skills are well-known, having captained India to a historic 2-1 series win in Australia in 2020-21.
5. Sanjay Singh Elected UWW-Asia Bureau Member
Indian wrestling official Sanjay Singh has been elected as a
Bureau Member of United World Wrestling (UWW) Asia. His appointment strengthens India’s representation in the continental wrestling body. Sanjay Singh has been actively involved in promoting wrestling and developing athletes at the grassroots level. His role in UWW-Asia will focus on enhancing the sport’s growth and governance across the region. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian wrestling on the international stage.

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Election Details: Singh secured 22 out of 38 votes during the UWW-Asia General Assembly in Amman, Jordan, demonstrating strong support from the Asian wrestling community.
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Significance: His election marks a significant achievement for Indian wrestling, further strengthening the country's presence on the international wrestling stage.
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Benefits for Indian Wrestlers: Singh's presence in the UWW-Asia Bureau is expected to provide Indian wrestlers with greater representation, improved international exposure, better training programs, and enhanced opportunities to compete at higher levels.
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Growth of Wrestling in Asia: His leadership is anticipated to contribute significantly to the growth of wrestling across Asia, providing Indian wrestlers with a stronger platform to showcase their talent globally.
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Reaction: Singh expressed his gratitude, stating that his election is a testament to the growth and recognition of Indian wrestling at the global level, and he looks forward to working closely with UWW-Asia to promote and develop the sport across the continent.
6. SRV Media appoints Abhishek Mishra as Vice President of Human Resources
SRV Media has appointed Abhishek Mishra as the Vice
President of Human Resources. Mishra brings extensive experience in talent management and organizational development. His leadership is expected to drive SRV Media’s HR strategies, focusing on employee engagement and workplace culture. The appointment aligns with the company’s vision for expansion and strengthening its workforce. With this move, SRV Media aims to enhance its HR operations and foster a more dynamic work environment.

Foot notes:
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New Role: Abhishek Mishra has been appointed as the Vice President of Human Resources at SRV Media, overseeing the company's human resources strategy.
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Key Responsibilities: In his new role, Mishra will focus on organizational culture, leadership development, and talent management, driving growth and expansion at SRV Media.
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Agency Growth: SRV Media continues to expand its services, solidifying its position as a trusted partner for strategic communications across various verticals.
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Leadership Team: Mishra joins a leadership team that includes Dr. Vikram Kumar, Co-founder and Managing Director, and Anushka Dey, Vice President of Public Relations.
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Company Profile: SRV Media is an integrated marketing and communications agency known for its innovative solutions and client-centric approach, offering services such as digital marketing, performance marketing, and content marketing.
7. Times Internet appoints Johney Maheshwari as Head of Corporate Development
Times Internet has appointed Johney Maheshwari as the
Head of Corporate Development. He will lead strategic investments, mergers, and acquisitions to drive the company’s growth. Maheshwari brings extensive experience in business expansion and financial strategy. His appointment aligns with Times Internet’s vision of strengthening its digital ecosystem. This move is expected to accelerate innovation and market leadership in India’s digital space.

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Background and Experience: Maheshwari brings over a decade of experience in corporate development and investment banking, with specialized expertise in the Financial Services sector. He previously worked at Razorpay as Associate Director of Corporate Development and at EY in investment banking.
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Key Responsibilities: As Head of Corporate Development, Maheshwari will drive Times Internet's inorganic growth strategy, focusing on strategic investments and acquisitions that align with the company's broader business objectives.
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Company Growth: Times Internet has deployed over ₹1000 crore in investments and acquisitions over the past 10 years, with notable investee companies including Uber, Airbnb, Delhivery, Swiggy, and Ola.
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Leadership Comments: Puneet Gupt, COO of Times Internet, expressed excitement about Maheshwari's appointment, highlighting his exceptional track record and deep industry insights, which will reinvigorate the company's M&A and investment initiatives.
8. Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma Retain ICC Rankings
Indian cricketers Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma have
retained their positions in the latest ICC rankings. Mandhana continues to be among the top-ranked batters in women’s cricket, reflecting her consistent performances. Deepti Sharma remains a key all-rounder, maintaining her ranking due to her contributions with both bat and ball. Their steady positions highlight their impact on the Indian women's team and global cricket. This achievement reaffirms India’s strong presence in international women's cricket.

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Consistent Performance: Mandhana has been consistent with her bat, scoring crucial runs for India in recent matches, while Deepti has been impressive with her all-round skills.
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Rankings Overview: The top spot in the batters' rankings is held by Australia's Beth Mooney, followed by teammate Tahlia McGrath, while England's Sophie Ecclestone and Pakistan's Sadia Iqbal occupy the top two spots among bowlers.
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Other Indian Players: Apart from Mandhana, no other Indian player features in the top 10, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur ranked 11th, Jemimah Rodrigues 15th, and Shafali Verma just below her.
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Career Highlights: Mandhana has previously broken into the top five in the ICC Women's ODI rankings, climbing to fourth spot with a career-high 678 ranking points . Deepti has also made significant gains, rising to the No. 3 spot among all-rounders in the ICC Women's ODI rankings.
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International Recognition: The retention of their rankings is a testament to the duo's hard work and dedication to the sport, earning them recognition on the international stage.
9. Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness observed on 26th March
Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness is observed annually on
March 26 to raise awareness about epilepsy and support those affected by the condition. The day encourages global discussions to eliminate stigma and promote understanding of epilepsy. People wear purple and organize events to educate communities about seizure management and treatment options. The initiative was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a young girl from Canada, to increase public awareness. Purple Day highlights the importance of research, medical advancements, and inclusivity for epilepsy patients worldwide.

Foot notes:
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Global Observance: Purple Day is observed globally, with people from over 100 countries participating in awareness campaigns, events, and activities to promote epilepsy awareness and reduce stigma.
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Symbolism of Purple: The color purple is symbolic of epilepsy awareness, representing dignity, courage, and solidarity with those affected by the condition.
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Epilepsy Facts: Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common neurological disorders. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy remains shrouded in stigma and misinformation.
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Awareness Campaigns: On Purple Day, organizations, governments, and individuals come together to organize awareness campaigns, fundraisers, and events to promote epilepsy awareness, support research, and advocate for the rights of people with epilepsy.
10. Anupam Kher won Best Actor award
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has recently been honored with
multiple Best Actor awards for his performances in "The Signature" and "Vijay 69." At the OTTplay Awards 2025, he received the Best Actor (Male) Critics Award for both films. Additionally, Kher was awarded Best Actor - OTT at the Iconic Gold Awards 2025 for his role in "The Signature." These accolades highlight Kher's enduring talent and his significant contributions to Indian cinema.

Foot notes:
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Award Details: Kher received the award for his portrayal in the short film "Happy Birthday", which also won the Best Short Film award at the festival.
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Film Credits: The film was directed by Prasad Kadam and produced by FNP Media, starring Anupam Kher and Aahana Kumra.
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Anupam Kher's Reaction: Kher expressed gratitude, saying the credit goes to the young team of "Happy Birthday" and his co-actor Aahana Kumra.
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Previous Accolades: Anupam Kher has previously won numerous awards, including two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards.
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International Recognition: Kher's win at the New York City International Film Festival is a testament to his global recognition and appreciation for his acting talent.
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