Current affairs 24 March 2025

Delhi Joins National e-Vidhan Platform as 28th Legislature.

• Delhi Assembly signed an MoU with Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and GNCTD to implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), becoming the 28th legislature on the platform.
• NeVA aims to digitize legislative processes, enabling paperless, efficient, and transparent governance.
• Hosted on Meghraj 2.0 cloud, NeVA ensures secure, real-time access across all devices for MLAs and staff.

Vinod Kumar Shukla Wins Jnanpith Award for Hindi Literature.

• Celebrated Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla from Chhattisgarh has been honored with the Jnanpith Award for his five-decade literary contribution.
• His acclaimed works include Naukar ki Kameez, Khilega to Dekhenge, and children's books.
• Shukla acknowledged the responsibility the award brings.
• His achievements: Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh Fellowship, the Raza Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award, etc.

Centre Lifts 20% Export Duty on Onions from April 1, 2025.

• The Government has withdrawn the 20% export duty on onions effective April 1, 2025, to support farmers as rabi arrivals improve supply.
• Despite past export restrictions, onion exports reached 17.17 LMT in FY 2023–24 and 11.65 LMT in FY 2024–25 (till March 18).
• Mandi prices dropped 39% and retail prices fell 10% in the last month, prompting the policy shift.

India’s GDP Doubles, Poised to Surpass Japan: IMF.

• India’s GDP grew by 105% in a decade, rising from $2.1 trillion in 2015 to $4.3 trillion in 2025, as per the International Monetary Fund data.
• In comparison, the US & China’s GDP grew by 66% and 44% in the past decade.
• India is now the 5th-largest economy, behind the US, China, Germany, and Japan.
• With Japan’s stagnant growth, India is set to overtake it in global GDP rankings soon.

India Launches Second Indigenous Frigate "Tavasya".

• The second frigate of Project 1135.6, Tavasya, was launched by Goa Shipyard Limited on March 22, 2025, showcasing India's naval self-reliance.
• Named after Bhima’s mace, it features BrahMos missiles, sonar, stealth tech, and advanced systems for multi-dimensional combat.
• With high indigenous content, Tavasya boosts Aatmanirbharta and domestic defence production.