India’s First National Dolphin Research Centre

• India's newly inaugurated National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) will mark a critical milestone in conservation efforts for the endangered Gangetic dolphin on March 5, 2024.
•  The NDRC, which is ideally situated next to the Ganga River in Patna, Bihar, hopes to serve as a center for thorough research on a range of topics pertaining to Gangetic dolphins.
• About half of India's 3000 Gangetic dolphins are thought to reside in Bihar.
• Located inside the Patna University campus, this iconic building was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹ 30 crore and stands on the banks of the Ganges River.
• The main goal of the NDRC is to help scholars and students comprehend the ecology and behavior of freshwater dolphins, with a focus on the critically endangered Gangetic dolphin.

India’s First Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel Sector

• Union Minister for Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia on March 5, 2024 virtually inaugurated India's first green hydrogen plant in the stainless-steel sector, located at Jindal Stainless Limited in Hisar.
• The factory, which is housed at Jindal Stainless Limited in Hisar, represents a critical turning point in India's transition to renewable energy.
•  It is also the first off-grid green hydrogen facility with rooftop and floating solar power in the history of the stainless-steel industry.
• With its cutting-edge infrastructure and technology, the project demonstrates India's prowess in producing green energy.
• Over the next 20 years, it seeks to drastically cut carbon emissions by about 2700 metric tons annually and 54000 tonnes of CO2.

France Became the First Country to Protect Abortion Rights in its Constitution

• France on March 5, 2024 has made history by becoming the first country in the world to include the right to abortion in its constitution.
• The protection of reproductive rights has advanced significantly as a result of this ruling, which has drawn praise and criticism from a variety of social groups.
• During a special joint session of the French parliament, 780 votes were cast in favor of the constitutional amendment, while just 72 votes were cast against it.
• This crucial event resulted in the French Constitution's Article 34 having clear language that guarantees women's legal choice to choose an abortion.

Singapore Grants Conditional Approval for the Merger of Air India and Vistara

• The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has awarded provisional clearance to the merger of Air India and Vistara on March 5, 2024.
• According to CCCS, the commitments given by both sides are adequate to allay the regulator's worries about competition.
• Vistara was founded as a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata.
•  In November 2022, Singapore's premier airline revealed its intention to combine Vistara and Air India, hoping to establish a stronger, more expansive full-service presence.

Marginal Decline in UPI Transactions in February

• India's UPI transactions in February were somewhat lower in volume and value than in January of last year, with total of ₹ 18.28 trillion and ₹ 12.10 billion as of March 5, 2024, respectively.
• This decrease, which was 0.7% in value and 0.8% in volume, can be ascribed to a number of things, such as the month's shorter length and technological problems at some banks.
•  One of the primary causes of the fall was the several banks' technical malfunctions, which resulted in server outages and unsuccessful UPI transactions.
•  February's shorter month count also had a role in the decline.
• The volume and value of Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) transactions increased by 5% and 0.4%, respectively, in February.

Chaksu introduced in India to Protect Fraud Calls and Text Platforms

• The Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and the "Chakshu" feature were released by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the Sanchar Saathi Portal on March 5, 2024.
• The objective of this project is to promote cooperation among relevant parties in the fight against financial fraud and the improper use of telecom resources in cybercrime.
• A citizen-focused service called "Chakshu" was launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the Sanchar Saathi Portal.
• It seeks to provide people the authority to report communications they believe to be fraudulent that they receive through calls, texts, or WhatsApp, among other means.
• Citizens can use "Chakshu" to report a variety of fraudulent actions, including identity theft, sextortion, and other forms of communication intended to deceive people.

‘Chola’ Building at Naval War College Inaugurated (Defence)

• Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated the new Administrative & Training building at the Naval War College (NWC), Goa on March 5, 2024.
•  The contemporary structure, known as the "Chola," honors the powerful maritime dominion of the Chola dynasty in ancient India.
•  An important turning point in the NWC's history, the occasion reaffirmed the organization's dedication to fostering marine ideas and providing top-notch military instruction.
• It also reflects India's newfound pride in its rich historical legacy and its departure from the mindset of slavery, as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasized from the Red Fort's ramparts.

PCI Suspension Lifited

• The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) was suspended, on February 2, but the suspension was lifted by the First Ministry on March 5, 2024, effective immediately.
•  After all of the candidates were chosen in the committee elections without facing any opposition, the decision was made.
•  Notably, the PCI's term ended on January 31 and the committee was placed on hold because fresh elections were taking longer than expected.
• The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has confirmed that the primary reason for the suspension is being investigated.
• The World Shooting Para Sport World Cup 2024 will take place in New Delhi from March 6–15, 2024.

Suman Kumar 

• As the first female sniper in the Border Security Force (BSF), Sub-Inspector Suman Kumari made history on March 5, 2024.
• Her eight-week completion of a rigorous sniper course at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics in Indore demonstrates not just her remarkable skills but also her spirit of innovation.
• Suman's achievement of the esteemed "instructor grade" is evidence of her skill and knowledge.
• Suman was the only female student in the course, which noted for its demanding physical and mental requirements, out of 56 male students.

First Indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam

• Prime Minister Modi witnessed the “Core Loading” at the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu on March 5, 2024.
• This historic project was entirely planned and built domestically by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), in association with more than 200 Indian enterprises.
• India is poised to become the second nation to run a commercial Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR), after Russia, with the commissioning of the 500 MWe PFBR.
• With this accomplishment, India not only establishes itself as a leader in nuclear technology but also demonstrates its dedication to creating sustainable energy sources.

‘MYUVA Scheme’ for Young Entrepreneurs in UP

• The 'MYUVA Scheme' was launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on March 5, 2024.
• Through this programme, the government hopes to train 1 lakh young entrepreneurs annually.
• Its goal to support 1 lakh young entrepreneurs per year by providing interest-free loans up to ₹ 5 lakh.
• For the fiscal year 2024–2025, a sizeable budget of ₹ 1000 crore has been set aside to facilitate the scheme's execution.
•  MYUVA offers opportunities for self-employment to educated and competent youngsters around the state.
• Those having educational credentials as well as those who have participated in various government-sponsored training programs are among the beneficiaries.

Punjab Budget 2024 Presented

• The budget for the fiscal year 2024–25, which totals more than ₹ 2 lakh crore, was submitted to the assembly on March 5, 2024, by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
• The agriculture sector has been allotted ₹ 13784 crore, while the education sector has been given ₹ 16987 crore. It was the AAP government's first comprehensive budget.
• The AAP administration took office in March 2022. On March 22, it passed a vote on account, and in June, it unveiled its budget for the remaining portion of the year.
• Crop diversification has been given a budget of ₹ 1000 crore. There is also a revolving fund established for the acquisition of Basmati crops.