Daily Current Affairs – 11-03-2025

Tamil Nadu

Startup India completes 9 years

® The Startup India initiative, launched in 2016 , has completed 9 years . ® The initiative aims to promote innovation among startups in India . ® January 16 is celebrated as National Startup Day . ® The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade ( DPIIT ) has recognised over 1.59 lakh startups . ® India is currently the world’s third largest startup ecosystem . ® Union Minister Piyush Goyal has launched the ‘ PRABHAAV Factbook ’ and the ‘ Bharat Startup Challenge ’ on the occasion of the 9th Foundation Day of Startup India . ® The ‘ PRABHAAV (Powering a Resilient and Agile Bharat for the Advancement of Visionary Startups) Factbook’ serves as a comprehensive guide to India’s startup ecosystem and its growth between 2016 and 2024 . ® The ‘Bharat Startup Challenge’ will present 75 challenges across various sectors.

INCOIS wins disaster management award

® The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad has been announced as the winner of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025 under the institutional category. ® It is an annual award given by the Government of India to recognize contributions in the field of disaster management.

PMSGMBY completes one year

® The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) has completed one year of implementation. ® The scheme aims to provide free electricity ( 300 units/month ) to 1 crore households by March 2027 . ® As of January 2025 , 8.46 lakh households have benefited from rooftop solar installations under the scheme. ® Under the scheme, a subsidy of up to 40% is provided. ® An estimated 45% of the beneficiaries now have zero electricity bills. ® Gujarat (41.47%) has the highest number of beneficiary households as of January 2025 .

Award for voter awareness

® Doordarshan has won an award under the Electronic Media category for its comprehensive campaign on Voter Awareness and Education during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 .

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) – India’s Solar Push

® As of April 2025, India’s rooftop solar capacity has surpassed 17 GW. ® Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) involve embedding solar elements into building structures like facades, roofs, and windows. ® BIPV serves a dual purpose: generating electricity and acting as a functional building component. ® It supports clean energy generation without compromising architectural aesthetics. ® India targets 300 GW of solar capacity by 2030 under its renewable energy goals.

Discovery of Antibiotic-Producing Thermophilic Bacteria

® Researchers from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) have discovered thermophilic Actinobacteria in the Rajgir hot springs, Nalanda, Bihar. ® These bacteria produce antibiotic compounds effective against multiple pathogenic microorganisms. ® Thermophilic bacteria are heat-loving microbes that thrive in temperatures between 45°C to 70°C. ® Actinobacteria, a group of Gram-positive bacteria, are well known for producing antibiotics like streptomycin and tetracycline. ® Some species of Actinobacteria are thermophilic, enabling survival in extreme heat environments such as hot springs.

2017 OF201: New Distant Dwarf Planet Discovered

® A new distant dwarf planet, named 2017 OF201, has been discovered at the edge of the solar system. ® It is approximately 700 km in diameter and takes about 25,000 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. ® The object lies three times farther from Earth than Neptune. ® As a dwarf planet, it is spherical due to gravity but has not cleared its orbital path, distinguishing it from regular planets.

India’s AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat

® The Union Ministry of Electronics & IT released the report titled ‘India’s AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat’. ® India is projected to need 1 million AI-skilled professionals by 2026. ® The country aims to become a USD 23–35 trillion economy by 2047. ® AICTE data shows 14.9 lakh approved B.Tech seats for 2024–25, marking a 16% rise over four years. ® As per the India Skills Report 2024 (by Wheebox), India’s AI industry is expected to reach USD 28.8 billion by 2025.