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Current Affairs Study PDF – March 2025

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam
Table of Contents
NATIONAL AFFAIRS....................................................................................................................................................... 6
CABINET APPROVALS ............................................................................................................................................... 6
LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION ............................................................................................................................... 10
FESTIVAL ................................................................................................................................................................... 27
OTHER NEWS ............................................................................................................................................................ 27
STATE NEWS …………..................................................................................................................................................... 44
GOVT SHCEMES ............................................................................................................................................................ 83
CENTRAL SCHEMES ................................................................................................................................................. 83
STATE GOVT SCHEMES ........................................................................................................................................... 89
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ......................................................................................................................................... 89
VISITS ……………… .......................................................................................................................................................... 95
VISIT TO INDIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 95
FOREIGN VISITS ..................................................................................................................................................... 101
BANKING & FINANCE NEWS ..................................................................................................................................... 105
BANKING NEWS...................................................................................................................................................... 105
RBI IN NEWS ........................................................................................................................................................... 105
SEBI .......................................................................................................................................................................... 115
LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS ..................................................................................................................................... 124
AGREEMENTS & MoUs SIGNED ............................................................................................................................ 126
OTHER BANK NEWS .............................................................................................................................................. 134
FINANCE NEWS ....................................................................................................................................................... 141
ECONOMY & BUSINESS NEWS .................................................................................................................................. 147
MoU’s & AGREEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 157
COMMITTEES & MEETINGS ...................................................................................................................................... 179
SUMMITS, EVENTS & CONFERENCE ........................................................................................................................ 184
INDEX ……………………………………................................................................................................................................. 204
RANKING ................................................................................................................................................................. 204
REPORTS ................................................................................................................................................................. 224
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 242
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 259
ACQUISITION & MERGERS........................................................................................................................................ 287
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ......................................................................................................................................... 296

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DEFENCE …………… ...................................................................................................................................................... 308

EXERCISE ................................................................................................................................................................. 308
MoU Signed ............................................................................................................................................................. 313
TEST ......................................................................................................................................................................... 318
OTHER DEFENCE NEWS ........................................................................................................................................ 320
SPORTS …………….. ....................................................................................................................................................... 324
OBITUARY …………… ................................................................................................................................................... 346
BOOKS & AUTHORS ................................................................................................................................................... 349
IMPORTANT DAYS ..................................................................................................................................................... 351
APPS & WEB PORTAL................................................................................................................................................ 411
ENVIRONMENT……… .................................................................................................................................................. 414

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
CABINET APPROVALS
Cabinet approvals on March 5 2025
On March 5 2025, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the
following proposals:
i.Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a total outlay of Rs.
3,880 crore.
ii.The construction of a 12.4 kilometer (km) ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji
in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme (NRDP)– Parvatmala Pariyojana
at a total cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.
iii.The construction of a 12.9 km ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand under
NRDP – Parvatmala Pariyojana, at a total cost of Rs. 4,081.28 crore.
Union Cabinet Approves Revision of LHDCP
i.The Union Cabinet has approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme
(LHDCP) to improve livestock health. It consists of 3 main components:
1.National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP),
2.Livestock Health and Disease Control (LHDC) and
3.Pashu Aushadhi, a newly added component focusing on affordable veterinary medicines.
iii.The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 3,880 crore for 2 years 2024-25 and 2025-26, which includes Rs.
75 crore allocated for providing high-quality, affordable generic veterinary medicines and incentives for
the sale of medicines under the ‘Pashu Aushadhi’ component.
iv.The programme also includes 3 sub-components: Critical
Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP), Establishment
and Strengthening of Existing Veterinary Hospitals and
Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU) and
Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).
v.The program will focus on controlling diseases like Foot and
Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis, Peste des Petits
Ruminants (PPR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Lumpy Skin
Disease through vaccination and improved healthcare facilities.
vi.The scheme also facilitates doorstep delivery of livestock healthcare through the ESVHD-MVU, including
Pashu Aushadhi, via a network of Pradhan Mantri Kisan (PM-Kisan) Samriddhi Kendras and Cooperative
Societies.
Cabinet Approves Construction of Ropeway Project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji,
Uttarakhand
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the
construction of a 12.4 km ropeway connecting Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand.
• This initiative is part of the ‘NRDP-Parvatmala Pariyojana’, aiming to enhance connectivity and
promote tourism in hilly regions.
• The project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis
at a total capital cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.
Ropeway Specifications:
i.Technology: The ropeway will utilize Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology for the
Govindghat-Ghangaria section (10.55 km) and Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology for the
Ghangaria-Hemkund Sahib Ji section (1.85 km).

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ii.Capacity: Designed to transport 1,100 Passengers Per Hour Per Direction (PPHPD), accommodating up
to 11,000 passengers daily.
iii.Duration: The development is planned over a period of 2 years, with the project expected to be
operational by 2027.
Note: Hemkund Sahib Ji is a revered Sikh shrine and a pilgrimage site situated at an elevation of 15,000
feet (ft) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
Cabinet Approves Construction of Ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
The CCEA approved the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath in
Uttarakhand under NRDP- Parvatmala Pariyojana, aiming to enhance accessibility and promote tourism in
the region.
• The project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis
at a total capital cost of Rs. 4,081.28 crore.
Ropeway Specifications:
i.Technology: The ropeway will utilize Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology.
ii.Capacity: Designed to transport 1,800 PPHPD, the system aims to serve approximately 18,000
passengers daily.
iii.Duration: The development is planned over a period of two years, with the project expected to be
operational by 2027.
About National Ropeways Development Programme (NRDP)-Parvatmala Pariyojana:
i.The Parvatmala Scheme, launched by the Government of India (GoI), to improve connectivity in
challenging terrains by developing eco-friendly ropeway networks.
ii.This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative focuses on boosting tourism, enhancing accessibility to
remote areas, and offering cost-effective, sustainable transportation solutions.
iii.The scheme, overseen by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), is being implemented in
various states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the North East.
iv.In February 2021, the GoI amended the Allocation of Business Rules 1961, enabling MORTH to manage
the development of ropeways and alternate mobility solutions.
About Uttarakhand:
Chief Minister (CM)– Pushkar Singh Dhami
Governor- Gurmit Singh
Capital- Dehradun
Dams- Tehri Dam, Tumaria Dam, Maneri Dam

Cabinet Approvals on March 19, 2025

On March 19 2025, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the
following proposals/schemes:
i.Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD), with additional Rs 1,000 crore for the
program, thus bringing the total budget to Rs 2,790 crore for the period of the 15th Finance Commission
(FC) cycle i.e. from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
ii.Incentive Scheme for promotion of low-value Bharat Interface for Money- Unified Payments
Interface (BHIM-UPI) transactions Persons to Merchant (P2M)’, with estimated budget of Rs
1,500 crore for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
iii.Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), with an additional Rs 1,000 crore, bringing the total
allocation to Rs 3,400 crore during 15th FC cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
iv.Setting up of a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) annual
capacity of urea production, at Namrup in Assam, with total estimated cost of Rs 10,601.40 crore.

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v.Construction of a 6-lane access-controlled Greenfield high-speed National Highway (NH) to connect

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) Port (Pagote) with 29.219 kilometer (km)-long Chowk in
Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 4,500.62 crore.
Cabinet Approved Revised National Program for Dairy Development(NPDD):
The Union Cabinet has approved the revised NPDD which is a Central Sector Scheme(CSS), by allocating
additional Rs 1,000 crore for the program, thus bringing the total budget to Rs 2,790 crore for the
period of the 15th Finance Commission (FC) cycle i.e. from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• The primary objective of this initiative is to modernize and expand dairy infrastructure.
• The revised NPDD will give a boost to the dairy sector by creating infrastructure for milk
procurement, processing capacity, and better quality control.
Key Benefits:
i.The revised NPDD is expected to set up 10,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies, processing in the North
Eastern Region (NER), and the formation of 2 Milk Producer Companies (MPCs) with dedicated grant
support .
ii.The revised NPDD is expected to transform India’s modern dairy infrastructure, in alignment with White
Revolution 2.0 and will further support the newly set up cooperatives by facilitating them with advanced
technology, and quality testing labs.
Two Key Components of NPDD:
i.Component A: This component of the scheme aimed to improve important dairy infrastructure, such as
milk chilling plants, advanced milk testing laboratories, and certification systems.
ii.Component B: It is known as ‘Dairying through Cooperatives (DTC)’ which will continue to promote
dairy development through cooperation with the Government of Japan and Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in accordance with the agreements signed.
• This component primarily focuses on the sustainable development of dairy cooperatives,
enhancing production, processing, and marketing infrastructure in 9 states: Andhra Pradesh
(AP), Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
(UP) and West Bengal (WB).
Key Progress:
i.So far, NPDD scheme has benefitted over 18.74 lakh farmers and has created more than 30,000 direct
and indirect jobs.
ii.The milk procurement capacity has been increased by an additional 100.95 lakh liters(l) per day.
iii.More than 51,777 village-level milk testing laboratories have been strengthened under this scheme,
while 5,123 bulk milk coolers with a combined capacity of 123.33 lakh liters have been installed.
iv.Additionally, 169 labs have been upgraded with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) milk analysers, and
232 dairy plants now have modern systems for detecting adulteration.
Cabinet Approved Rs 1500 Crore Incentive Scheme for Low-Value BHIM-UPI Transactions:
The Union Cabinet has approved ‘Incentive Scheme for promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions
Persons to Merchant (P2M)’, with estimated budget of Rs 1,500 crore for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
• The scheme will cover only UPI P2M transactions up to Rs 2,000 for small merchants and will
be implemented from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
• As per the scheme, small merchants accepting UPI payments up to Rs 2,000 will receive an
incentive at the rate of 0.15% per transaction and will not pay Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).
Key Features:
i.The scheme has clarified that no incentive will be paid by the GoI to large merchants for
transactions above Rs 2,000 and these transactions will remain MDR-free.
ii.Acquiring banks will get 80% of their admitted claim amount for all quarters of the scheme, without any
conditions.

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iii.While, the remaining 20% of the admitted claim amount for each quarter will be disbursed, after the
completion of the following two conditions:
• 10% of the admitted amount will be paid only when the technical decline rate of the acquiring
bank will be below 0.75%.
• And, 10% of the remaining admitted amount will be paid only when the system uptime of the
acquiring bank will be above 99.5%.
Key Benefits:
i.The scheme will allow small merchants to avail of UPI services at no extra cost.
ii.The scheme will provide seamless payment facilities to common citizens with no additional charges.
Points to Note:
• The GoI has set the target of achieving Rs 2,000 crore total transaction volume in FY25.
• As per Reserve Bank Of India(RBI), MDR upto 0.90% of transaction value is applicable across all
card networks. (for Debit cards). As per National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) , MDR
upto 0.30% of transaction value is applicable for UPI P2M transaction. In January 2020, MDR
was made zero for RuPay Debit Cards and BHIM-UPI transactions.
Cabinet Approved Implementation of Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission(RGM) with Enhanced
Allocation for FY25 and FY26
The cabinet has approved the Revised RGM, as central sector component of development programmes
scheme, with an additional Rs 1,000 crore, bringing the total allocation to Rs 3,400 crore during 15th FC
cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• This revised RGM aims to strengthen livestock development and increase farmers’ income
through improved milk production.
i.Two new incentives have been introduced to the scheme:
• The 1st one is One-time assistance of 35% of the capital cost for setting up of Heifer Rearing
Centres to Implementing Agencies for 15,000 heifer cows across 30 housing facilities.
• 2nd-one is offering 3% interest subvention on loan taken by the farmer from milk
unions/financial institutions/banks for the purchase of High Genetic Merit (HGM) In-Vitro
Fertilization (IVF) heifer cows.
ii.The scheme will continue to support key activities of RGM such as: semen station strengthening,
Artificial Insemination (AI), bull production, cattle breeding programs, among others.
Key Progress:
i.With the implementation of RGM, India’s milk production has increased by 63.55% in the last decade,
with per capita milk availability has increased from 307 grams (gm) per day (in FY14) to 471 gm per day
(in FY24).
• Additionally, livestock productivity has increased by 26.34% during the last 10 years.
ii.Over 8.39 crore animals have been covered and 5.21 crores farmers have benefitted from the National
Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) which was introduced under the RGM.
• NAIP aimed to provide free of cost AI at the farmer’s doorstep in 605 districts across India
where the baseline AI coverage was less than 50%.
iii.So far, total 22 IVF labs have been established across the country under the State Livestock Boards
(SLBs) or in Universities and more than 2,541 HGM calves have been born.
Cabinet Approved Setting Up of New Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Plant in Assam:
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for setting up of a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea
Complex of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) annual capacity of urea production, at Namrup in Assam.
• The new complex will be established within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley
Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL), with total estimated cost of Rs 10,601.40 crore.

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Key Points:
i.The new complex will be constructed through Joint Venture (JV) with Debt Equity Ratio (DER) of 70:30,
under the New Investment Policy, 2012 read with its amendments on October 7, 2014.
• Also, the tentative overall time schedule for starting of the project is 48 months.
ii.The cabinet has also approved the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)’s 18% equity participation in
relaxation to the limits outlined in Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), under the Ministry of
Finance(MoF), guidelines; and formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to monitor the process of
setting up of Namrup-IV Fertilizer plant.
iii.Equity pattern in the proposed JV for entities involved in the project will be: Government of Assam
(40%), BVFCL (11%), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) (13%), NFL (18%) and Oil India
Limited (OIL) (18%).
Cabinet Approved Construction of 6-lane Highway Project in Maharashtra
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the
construction of a 6-lane access-controlled Greenfield high-speed National Highway (NH) to connect
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) Port (Pagote) with 29.219 kilometer (km)-long Chowk in
Maharashtra.
• The project will be developed in Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) mode at an estimated cost
of Rs 4,500.62 crore.
• The project aimed at addressing connectivity issues and improving the logistic efficiency of
connecting JNPA port and Navi Mumbai International Airport (Maharashtra).
Key Points:
i.The project alignment will start at JNPA Port (NH348) near Pagote village and will end at Mumbai-Pune
Highway (NH-48).
• The project will also link Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa NH (NH-66).
ii.The new corridor will traverse the Uran-Chirner NH, starting from Amra Marg from Navi Mumbai
(Maharashtra); Goa NH, and Pune Expressway.
iii.The project will enhance connectivity by reducing travel time from Mumbai to Goa NH to just 20-30
minutes from Mumbai Trans Harbour Bridge (Atal Setu).

LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION

IndiaAI & GSI Launch ‘IndiaAI Hackathon 2025’ to Revolutionize Mineral Targeting with AI
In March 2025, IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD) under New Delhi (Delhi) based Digital
India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with
the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines (MoM), launched
the ‘IndiaAI Hackathon 2025’ themed “Mineral Targeting using Artificial Intelligence.”
• The initiative aims to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
(ML) technologies to enhance mineral discovery and geological analysis in India.
• As part of the launch, MoM and Goa government launched India’s first-ever Exploration
Licence (EL) auction in Goa and also featured a Roadshow for the fifth tranche of critical
mineral block auctions.
About AI Hackathon 2025:
i.The Hackathon aims to enable the identification of new potential areas for exploration of critical minerals
like Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Nickel-Platinum Group Element deposits(Ni-PGE), and copper(Cu), as
well as other commodities like diamond, iron(Fe), manganese(Mn), and gold(Au) within a pre-defined
39,000 square kilometer(sq. km) area in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh(AP).
ii.It focuses on identifying hidden, deep mineral bodies using depth modeling and developing AI/ML
algorithms for data cleaning, integration, modeling, and validation.

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ii.Participants will analyze multi-parametric geoscience datasets to generate mineral predictive maps.
iii.Prize Money:
• First Prize: Rs. 10 lakh
• Second Prize: Rs. 7 lakh
• Third Prize: Rs. 5 lakh
• Special Prize: Rs. 5 lakh for all-women teams (if no women team secures a top 3 position).
CIL & NFTDC Signs MoU to Critical Minerals Technology :
On March 18, 2025, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna Central Public
Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Coal (MoC) signed a non-binding Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad (Telangana) based Non-Ferrous Materials Technology
Development Centre (NFTDC), an autonomous Research and
Development (R&D) institution under MoM.
• The collaboration aims to enhance technology
development and expertise in the critical minerals sector.
• It aligns with CIL’s strategy to expand its technology beyond
coal mining and diversify into critical minerals essential for
Renewable Energy(RE), electric vehicles, and advanced
manufacturing.
About Geological Survey of India (GSI):
Director General(DG) -Asit Saha
Headquarters – Kolkata, West Bengal(WB)
Founded – 1851

Indore Launches India’s 1st PPP-Based Green Waste Processing Plant

Indore city in Madhya Pradesh (MP), India’s cleanest city for 7 consecutive years, is set to launch
India’s first green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) through a
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This initiative aims to convert green waste into valuable
products, supporting sustainability and economic growth.
• This initiative aligns with the vision of Garbage-Free Cities under the SBM-U advancing efforts
toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable urban environment
Project Overview:
i.Location and Size: The plant will be constructed on a 55,000 square feet (sq ft) plot in Bicholi Hapsi,
Indore, MP.
• The plant will recycle wood and branches to produce wood pellets, serving as an alternative to
coal and promoting energy conservation.
ii.Daily Waste Processing Capacity: Indore generates approximately 30 tons of green waste
daily, including wood, branches, leaves, and flowers. This volume could increase to 60-70 tons during
autumn.
iii.Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC): IMC will provide land for the plant and manage the collection
and transportation of green waste.
• The IMC will earn Rs.3,000 per ton in royalty fees for supplying wood and branches to the
facility.

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iv.Astronomical Industries Private Limited in Indore (MP), handles the establishment of infrastructure,
including sheds, electricity, and water facilities, and oversees the plant’s operations.
Points to Note:
i.Private firms have established the Meghdoot and sub-grade plants in Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
covering 10,000 to 15,000 sq ft, that processes garden waste like leaves and small twigs from the
municipal corporation.

GoI Launches Pilot projects of Hydrogen-Fuelled Vehicle under NHGM

In March 2025, the Government of India (GoI) launched five pilot projects to use hydrogen-fuelled buses
and trucks as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had issued guidelines for implementing
Pilot projects in the Transport Sector under NGHM in February 2025.
Key Highlights of the Pilot Projects:
i.MNRE has approved five pilot projects with 37 vehicles (trucks and buses) and 9 hydrogen refuelling
stations.
ii.The trial vehicles include 15 hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles and 22 hydrogen internal combustion
engine-based vehicles.
iii.These vehicles will run on 10 different routes across India, namely Greater Noida – Delhi – Agra,
Bhubaneswar – Konark – Puri, Ahmedabad – Vadodara – Surat, Sahibabad – Faridabad – Delhi, Pune –
Mumbai, Jamshedpur – Kalinga Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram – Kochi, Kochi – Edappally, Jamnagar –
Ahmedabad, and NH-16 Visakhapatnam – Bayyavaram.
• The above projects have been awarded by major companies such as TATA Motors Limited
(TML), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), National Thermal Power Corporation(NTPC) Limited,
Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), Ashok Leyland,
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
(BPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
iv.The GoI has allocated financial support of Rs 2.08 billion for these projects, which are expected to be
completed within 18 to 24 months.
v.The pilots aim to assess the feasibility, safety, and economic
viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles and refuelling
infrastructure. They also intend to establish a foundation for
expanding hydrogen-based mobility in India.
About National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM):
i.NGHM was launched in January, 2023 by MNRE with an outlay
of Rs. 19,744 crores up to Financial Year 2029-30.
ii.It will help India to achieve Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)
through clean energy and act as an inspiration for the global
Clean Energy Transition.
iii.The Mission will significantly decarbonize the economy,
reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports, and allow India to take
technology and market leadership in Green Hydrogen.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches India’s first AI-Powered Solar Manufacturing Line in
Gujarat
In March 2025, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE),
inaugurated India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered solar manufacturing line at Goldi Solar
Private Limited’s newly built facility in Kosamba, Surat, Gujarat.

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• The AI-enabled facility improves precision, scalability, and efficiency, changing solar
manufacturing and aiding India’s transition to a net-zero future.
i.These advancements include high-speed stringers that can produce an astounding 10,000 cells per hour
using AI-driven automation. This ensures consistent quality, reduces errors, and minimizes material waste.
ii.The facility also uses AI-powered Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) technologies for real-time quality
control. These devices use powerful computer vision to detect and eradicate microscopic defects.
iii.Additionally, the plant has AI-powered 3-Display Electro Luminescent (EL) and visual inspection
devices that examine both the front and back of the modules.

MoF Launched BAANKNET, e-Bkray to Enhance PSU Bank E-auctions for Asset Sales
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has launched a revamped e-auction portal ‘BAANKNET (Bank Asset
Auction Network)’ which was originally launched in January 2025, to further streamline the listing and
auctioning of banks’ assets.
• The portal is specifically designed to improve transparency and accelerate the process of
disposing of Non-Performing Asset (NPA) cases.
• Apart from it, the platform ‘e-Bkray’ was launched in February 2019, to boost the sale value
realized through bank e-auctions.
• Both the portals developed by the Department of Financial Services, MoF
Key Features of BAANKNET portal:
i.Transparency: The portal ensures high level of transparency throughout the property auction process
by using the state-of-the-art technology and integrating automated Know Your Customer (KYC) tools,
secure payment gateways, and bank verified property titles.
• At present, all 12 Indian Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of
India (IBBI) are using this platform for listing and auction of properties across India.
ii.Robust Architecture: It ensures smooth reliability and accessibility for users through mobile and web
interfaces.
iii.Comprehensive Property Listings: It facilitates a convenient solution from property ‘search’ to ‘sale’
for all types of properties across India, streamlining the whole auction process.
iv.Simplified Navigation: It offers an easy-to-use interface for property search and auctions, which makes
the process user-friendly and accessible.
v.Bank Verified Titles: It ensures that all property titles are verified by banks.
About Ministry of Finance (MoF):
Union Minister- Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS)- Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency- Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

Union Finance Minister and MoS of Finance Launched New Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs
In March 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate
Affairs (MoCA), a long with Union Minister of State
(MoS) Pankaj Chaudhary, MoF, launched the New Credit Assessment
Model based on the scoring of digital footprints of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in post budget interaction held at
Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• In Union Budget for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), MoF
announced that Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will build their
in-house capability to examine MSMEs for credit, to remove
their dependence on external assessment.

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Key Features:
i.This new credit assessment model will use the digitally fetched and verifiable data available in the
ecosystem.
• Also, it will devise automated journeys for MSME Loan appraisal using objective decisioning for
all loan applications and model-based limit assessment for both Existing to Bank (ETB) as well
as New to Bank (NTB) MSME borrowers.
ii.The digital footprints of MSMEs will include: name and Permanent Account Number (PAN)
authentication using National Securities Depositories Limited (NSDL), mobile and email verification using
One Time Password (OTP), Application Programming Interface
(API) fetch of Goods and Services Tax (GST) data through
service providers, analysis of bank statements using account
aggregator, API-enabled commercial and consumer bureau
fetch, among others.
Key Benefits:
i.The new model will enable the MSMEs to submit their
application from anywhere through online mode, reduced
paperwork and branch visit, quick in-principle sanction of loan
through digital mode, smooth processing of credit proposals, end-to-end Straight Through Process (STP),
reduced Turnaround Time (TAT), among others.
ii.The model is expected to be major improvement over the conventional assessment of credit eligibility
based only on asset or turnover criteria.
• MSMEs will be covered in this new model without a formal accounting system.
About Ministry of Finance (MoF):
Union Minister- Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS)- Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency- Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

MoL&E Launched India’s Social Protection Data Drive

In March 2025, the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) launched Phase-01 of India’s Social
Protection Data Pooling Exercise. For this, it is actively collaborating with Geneva (Switzerland)-based
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and various state governments, to obtain a comprehensive
overview of social protection coverage in India.
• The exercise consolidated India’s position in negotiating trade and social security agreements
with other countries and signifies India’s commitment to promoting decent work in global value
chains.
About Phase 01 of Exercise:
i.The Ministry has identified 10 selected states for the first phase of the exercise: Uttar Pradesh (UP),
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Tamil Nadu (TN), Odisha, Andhra Pradesh (AP),
Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat, for data consolidation at the central level.
ii.Labour departments of state governments are playing a pivotal role in compilation of respective state-
specific data and sharing the same with the central government for further consolidation, verification and
de-duplication.
Key Progress in India’s social security coverage:
i.More than 200 crore records were processed to identify unique beneficiaries by using encrypted
Aadhaar as a unique identifier across 34 key central schemes such as: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO), Atal Pension
Yojana (APY) and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN), among others.

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ii.The social protection data pooling exercise showed that 65% of India’s population i.e. 92 crore people, is
covered by minimum one social protection benefit (cash and in-kind both), with 48.8% receiving cash
benefits.
iii.According to ILO’s World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-
26, social protection coverage in India has doubled from 24.4% (in
2021) to 48.8% (in 2024). The report has considered central social
protection schemes which hadn’t been considered previously.
• However, this estimation by ILO i.e. 48.8% is still an
underestimation, as it does not consider: in-kind benefits
provided to citizens of the country like food security and
housing benefits; and social protection schemes
implemented by state governments.
About Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E):
Union Minister- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency- Porbandar,
Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- Shobha Karandlaje (Constituency- Bangalore North, Karnataka)

NITI FTH, CII & AICTE Launch Dx-EDGE for MSME Digital Transformation
In March 2025, the NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH) of NITI Aayog (National Institution for
Transforming India), in collaboration with the New Delhi (Delhi)-based Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) and the New Delhi-based All India
Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the Ministry of Education (MoE), launched the Digital
Excellence for Growth and Enterprise (Dx-EDGE) initiative.
• The initiative aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with digital
tools, knowledge, and ecosystems to enhance efficiency, revenue, and global competitiveness.
About Dx-EDGE initiative:
The Dx-EDGE initiative is led by CII, with support from the NITI FTH and AICTE.
• It helps MSMEs tackle technology, workforce, and certification challenges by linking academia
with industry, providing hands-on training, and enabling global market access through digital
certifications.
Key Features:
i.Centers of Digital Excellence: CII will establish nationwide centers to guide MSMEs in adopting tailored
digital solutions.
ii.Skill Development: Aims to create a large pool of technical expertise by connecting academic
institutions with industry needs.
iii.Public-Private-Academia Partnership (PPAP): Promotes co-development of innovative solutions
through collaboration between MSMEs, tech firms, and institutions.
NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH):
On March 5, 2025, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) launched the NITI Frontier
Tech Hub (NITI-FTH), a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming India into a technology-driven
economy.
• It serves as a frontier tech action tank, promoting advanced technological innovations to drive
India’s economic and social development.
About Confederation of Indian Industry (CII):
Director General (DG) – Chandrajit Banerjee
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Founded – 1895

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NITI Aayog Launches 2nd Edition of Trade Watch Quarterly for Q2 of FY25
In March 2025, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI)
Aayog released the second edition of the “Trade Watch Quarterly” (TWQ) publication for the Second
Quarter of the Financial Year 2024-25(Q2 FY25 : July to September) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• This edition presents a detailed analysis of India’s trade position and offers key insights into the
textile sector, a key contributor to economic growth.
India’s Trade Performance in Q2 FY25:
i.India’s total trade grew by 5.67% to USD 839 billion, during April–September 2024 compared to the
same period in 2023, with exports rising 5.23% to reach USD 395 billion and imports increasing 6.07%
Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y), reached USD 445 billion.
ii.Copper entered the top 10 import sectors with a 28% Y-o-Y increase due to rising infrastructure
demand.
iii.Composition of exports remained stable, with a Y-o-Y export growth in electrical machinery and nuclear
reactors, while mineral fuels and iron & steel witnessed a decline.
iv.The merchandise trade deficit with Free Trade Agreement(FTA) partners climbed to USD 26 billion.
• Exports to Japan increased by 30%, driven by smartphone shipments, while imports from the
UAE surged 48%, largely due to high gold demand.
Regional Contribution:
i.North America and the European Union (EU) continue to dominate India’s exports, accounting for
approximately 40%.
• The United States of America(USA), the United Arab Emirates(UAE), and the Netherlands
remain India’s top export destinations, collectively making up 33% of total exports.
• The growth in exports to the Netherlands has been primarily driven by smartphones and
petroleum.
ii.Northeast Asia and West Asia remain key sources of imports, contributing to approximately 40% of
total imports.
• Notably, gold imports have driven import growth from West Asia.
• China , the United Arab Emirates(UAE), and Russia continue to be the top sources of India’s
imports. Imports from the UAE saw a significant surge, largely due to increased shipments of
specific goods.
Focus on Textile Sector:
i.The textile sector remains a vital contributor to industrial output, employment, and export earnings.
India is among the top 10 global textile exporters, holding a 4% share in global trade.
ii.India predominantly exports natural fibre-based products like cotton and carpets, making up 70% of
total textile exports.
• India was the 6th largest textile exporter in 2023 globally, with a strong presence in natural
fibre-based products like cotton and carpet threads
iii.India’s textile sector plays a crucial role in the country’s industrial output, employment, and exports,
contributing 5% to total exports and amounting to USD 34.2 billion in 2023.
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2015

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GSI Celebrates 175th Foundation Day & Launches Two Significant Digital Initiatives
On 4 March 2025, Geological Survey of India (GSI) celebrated its 175th Foundation Day with a grand
ceremony at its headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
• The event was graced by Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Coal (MoC) and Ministry of
Mines (MoM).
• He unveiled a commemorative plaque and a special postal cover to honour the 175-year
journey of GSI.
Note: On March 2, 2025, the GSI organized a nationwide
walkathon across 27 locations to kick off its 175th Foundation
year celebrations, promoting fitness and raising awareness
about geoscience, with the theme “Geoscience for a Safe World”.
Key People:
The programme was graced by P. M. Prasad, Chairman and
Managing Director (CMD), Coal India Limited, Ghanashyam
Sharma, CMD, Hindustan Copper Limited, Yashodhara Ray
Chaudhuri, Additional Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General
(C & AG) (Mines), A. D. Chaudhary, Director, Indian Museum,
Asit Saha, Director General (DG), GSI, Dr. Joydeep Guha,
Additional Director General (ADG) and Head of Department
(HoD), GSI, Dr. Joyesh Bagchi, ADG (PSS), GSI, other senior
officials and retired GSI employees were also present at the
event.
Key Points:
i.During the event, Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, launched two significant digital initiatives: the Field
Data Acquisition Application (App) and the Geo-heritage App ‘Bhuvirasat’.
• These initiatives aim to improve efficiency of data collection and promote awareness of India’s
rich geo-heritage.
ii.He highlighted GSI’s alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, focusing on sustainable development
and resource security.
iii.The event featured several key highlights, including the release of a video showcasing GSI’s 175-year
legacy, the launch of a special publication on ‘Gondwana Basins on the Indian sub-continent’, and the
unveiling of a special postal cover by India Post, Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications
to commemorate the occasion.
iv.The event showcased GSI’s contributions and rich legacy, featuring a Map Gallery and various
exhibitions, including a working model of a drilling rig, an art exhibition, and displays of GSI’s mineral
exploration and research advances.
v.Dr. Joyesh Bagchi, ADG (PSS), GSI, presented a strategic roadmap on ‘Critical Mineral Exploration
Strategy’, emphasizing minerals essential for India’s green energy transition.
vi.GSI handed over Regional Mineral Targeting projects to private exploration agencies, promoting public-
private partnerships.
About Geological Survey of India (GSI):
The GSI is one of the oldest geological surveys in the world and the second oldest survey in India after the
Survey of India (founded in 1767).
Director General (DG) – Asit Saha
Headquarters – Kolkata, West Bengal(WB)
Established – 1851

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Union MoS Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma Launches R&D Initiatives under SRTMI
On March 12, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Ministry of Steel and
Ministry of Heavy Industries (MoHI) launched three Research and Development (R&D) schemes and the
‘SteelCollab’ web portal under the Steel Research Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) to boost steel
sector innovation.
• The launch took place during the event “Catalyzing R&D in the Indian Steel Sector” organized by
the Ministry of Steel in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The 3 schemes launched are Challenge Method, Open Innovation Method, and Start-up
Accelerator scheme.
Participants:
i.Major Steel Companies: New Delhi (Delhi) based companies, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL),
Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL); Mumbai (Maharashtra) based
companies Jindal South West (JSW) Steel Limited, Tata Steel Limited, Hyderabad (Telangana) based
National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, AP) based
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), and Kolkata (West Bengal,WB) based Metallurgical & Engineering
Consultants (MECON) (India) Limited.
ii.Research organizations: Bhubaneswar (Odisha) based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-
Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), the Sweden based Swedish Energy
Agency and Philippines based Asian Development Bank (ADB).
About SRTMI:
SRTMI is a collaborative platform established by the Ministry of Steel and the domestic steel industry to
promote R&D in steel technology, decarbonization, and digitalization.
Key Initiatives Launched:
i.Challenge Method Scheme: To identify and resolve critical
industry-wide challenges of national interest, such as improving
plant efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
ii.Open Innovation Method Scheme: Supports open research
proposals from academia and researchers in partnership with
the steel industry to foster innovative solutions.
iii.Start-up Accelerator Scheme: Provides funding and
mentorship to early-stage startups working on cutting-edge
steel technologies.
iv.SteelCollab Portal: A digital platform to connect industry
leaders, academia, researchers, and startups for collaborative projects on decarbonization, digitalization,
and advanced steel development.
v.The initiatives aim to drive innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in India’s steel industry, aligning
with the national goal of achieving 300 million tonnes (MT) of steel production capacity by 2030.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Launched India’s 1st Exploration Licence Auction for Critical
Minerals in Goa
In March 2025, Union Minister Gangapuram (G) Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Mines (MoM) and Ministry of
Coal (MoC), launched India’s 1st ever auction of Exploration
Licences (ELs) for 13 exploration blocks for critical minerals, in the
presence of Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister (CM) of Goa during an
event held in Dona Paula in Panaji, Goa.
• For the initial phase, licenses will be issued for auction of
exploration blocks for minerals like: Rare Earth
Elements (REE), Zinc (Zn), Diamond, Copper (Cu),
Platinum Group Minerals (PGE), among others, through a
transparent online bidding process.
• The event also featured a roadshow on the 5th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks and the launch
of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon 2025, a Mineral Exploration Hackathon focused on
‘Mineral Targeting Using AI’.

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Significance:
i.The exploration access will be granted exclusively to private entities which will enable them to explore a
maximum 1,000 square meter (sq. m) per licence.
ii.This initiative will accelerate exploration, increase private sector participation, and strengthen India’s
mineral security and self-reliance in critical minerals.
Background:
i.ELs were introduced through enactment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and
Regulation)(MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023, to allow private participation in reconnaissance and
prospecting for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals, including Lithium (Li), Cu, Cobalt (Co), Gold (Au),
Silver (Ag), among others listed in the new 7th Schedule of the Act.
ii.In October 2024, the Government of India (GoI) issued an order in exercise of its power given under
Section 20A of the MMDR Act, 2023, to conduct the EL auction process
About Ministry of Mines (MoM):
Union Minister- G. Kishan Reddy (Constituency- Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State (MoS)- Satish Chandra Dubey (Rajya Sabha- Bihar)

Union Minister Amit Shah Releases 24 Reprinted Sastu Sahitya Books, Rs 150 Coin in
Ahmedabad
In March 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) , Ministry of Cooperation
released 24 reprinted books by Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust during the
Akhand Anandotsav event in Ahmedabad.
• Union Minister Amit Shah also unveiled a Rs 150 commemorative coin in honor of the 150th
birth anniversary of Acharya Bhagwant Shri Buddhi Sagar Surishwar Maharaj.
Note: Trust was founded in 1907 under the inspiration of Bhikshu Akhandanand, who emphasized the
importance of knowledge and literature. Since 2023, Union Minister Amit Shah has been serving as the
president of the trust.
i.Union Minister Shah has written the preface for all 24 reprinted books, some of which have gone
through multiple editions.
ii.Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for the High-Performance Sports Center for para-athletes
has been laid here at a cost of approximately ₹350 crore
iii.He also Chairs the Golden Centenary Closing Ceremony of ADC Bank(Ahmedabad District Cooperative
Bank). On this occasion, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Cyber
Safety and Security Pilot Project, initiated by ADC Bank under the motto ‘Be Aware, Be Secure.’
iv.He also virtually laid the foundation stone for the Super Mall of Jetalpur Seva Sahakari Mandali.

MoPR Launches ‘MWFGP Initiative’ for Women’s Empowerment

On March 5, 2025, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India (GoI), launched a ‘Model
Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats (MWFGP)’ initiative at the National Convention at Vigyan Bhawan in
New Delhi (Delhi). It was launched as a key part of the International Women’s Day celebration on March 8,
2025.
• MWFGP is a program aimed at increasing women’s participation, safety, and leadership in local
governance.
• The objective of the initiative is to establish at least one Model Gram Panchayat in each
district in India, serving as a beacon for gender-sensitive and girl-friendly governance practices.
Key People: The event was graced by Union Minister of State (MoS) Anupriya Patel, Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare (MoHFW), Union MoS S. P. Singh Baghel, MoPR, Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of MoPR,
Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary of MoPR and along with representatives from various
Ministries/Departments, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and

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international organizations, including United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Highlights:
i.The model panchayats will reflect India’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s vision of creating safer,
more inclusive, and socially just Gram Panchayats, helping achieve a Viksit Bharat through Viksit
Panchayats.
ii.Initiatives Launched,
• Virtual Training Programs: For the development of Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats.
• Real-Time Monitoring Dashboard: To assess the progress of women-friendly gram
panchayats in India.
iii.This digital platform uses technology to track, analyze, and enhance women’s participation and welfare
at the grassroots level.
• It provides real-time insights and data-driven support to empower women leaders across the
country.
iv.MoPR will also organize a nationwide Mahila Gram Sabha on 8th March 2025 in all Gram Panchayats to
promote the goals of the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat initiative at the grassroots level.
About Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR):
Union Minister– Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS) – S.P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Unveils New Maritime Initiatives to Boost India’s Global
Trade
On February 27, 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and
Waterways (MoPSW), launched several initiatives includes One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP), Bharat
Global Ports Consortium and MAITRI Application(app), aimed at modernizing India’s maritime
infrastructure and enhancing its position in global trade.
• These announcements were made during a stakeholder meeting in Mumbai (Maharashtra)
focused on opportunities outlined in the Union Budget 2025-26 for the maritime sector.
New Maritime Initiatives :
i.ONOP: The One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP) was launched to standardize and streamline operations
across India’s major ports.
• ONOP streamlines with Immigration, the Port Health Organization (PHO), and Port Authorities,
reducing container documentation by 33% (from 143 to 96) and bulk cargo documents by 29%
(from 150 to 106), addressing inefficiencies, costs, and operational delays.
• This advances India’s maritime power, supporting ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and a developed India
by 2047.
ii.Sagar Ankalan -LPPI: The Sagar Ankalan Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for the Financial Year
2023-24 (FY24) was introduced to enhance port efficiency.
• LPPI evaluates India’s ports based on cargo handling, turnaround time, and container dwell time
to enhance performance and reduce inefficiencies in maritime infrastructure.
Note: India rises to the 22nd position in the World Bank’s (WB) Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023,
for “International Shipments” underscores its progress in global logistics.
iii.Bharat Global Ports Consortium: The consortium was launched to expand India’s maritime reach.
• The consortium is comprised of India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) in Mumbai (Maharashtra),
Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) in New Delhi (Delhi), and India Port Rail &
Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) in New Delhi.
• This strengthens India’s position in global logistics, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative and
boosting exports.

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iv.MAITRI App & Digital Integration: The Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory
Interface(MAITRI) App was launched to streamline trade processes, reduce bureaucratic redundancies,
and expedite clearances.
• This digital solution aims to create a seamless ‘Virtual Trade Corridor’ (VTC) between India and
the United Arab Emirates (UAE), leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain for
efficiency and security.
• The initiative aligns with the India- Middle East- Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and will
expand to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations.
v.India Maritime Week 2025: India is set to host the India Maritime Week 2025 scheduled from October
27 to 31, 2025, in Mumbai.
• This bi-annual global maritime gathering aims to celebrate India’s ‘Maritime Virasat’ (heritage)
and ‘Maritime Vikaas’ (development).
• The week will feature the 4th edition of the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) and
the 2nd edition of Sagarmanthan, among others, with representation from 100 countries and
100,000 delegates.
vi.Maritime Sector Budget 2025: In line with the Union Budget 2025, Rs. 25,000 crore was allocated for
the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to modernize India’s ports and shipping infrastructure.
• MDF supports long-term investments with 49% government and 51% private sector
contributions.
• The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP 2.0) was revamped with an outlay
of Rs. 18,090 crore to level the playing field for Indian shipyards.
• The Tonnage Tax Regime (TTR) was extended to inland vessels to make river transport more
attractive.
vii.NCoEGPS: A website for the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS) was
also launched to promote sustainability in the maritime sector.
• This platform focuses on reducing carbon footprints, adopting cleaner fuels, and promoting eco-
friendly port management practices.
Note: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW also announced an investment of more than Rs. 4,800
crore at the Advantage Assam 2.0 event held in Guwahati (Assam), to transform the inland waterways
sector of Assam.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister- Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Dibrugarh, Assam)
Minister of State (MoS)- Shantanu Thakur (Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal, WB)

NITI Aayog Launches NITI-FTH & Releases a Paper on “Quantum Computing: National Security
Implications & Strategic Preparedness”
In March 2025, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog launched the ‘Frontier Tech Hub
(NITI-FTH)’, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming India into a technology-driven economy and
released a strategic paper on quantum computing titled “Quantum Computing: National Security
Implications & Strategic Preparedness” in partnership with Noida (Uttar Pradesh) based Data Security
Council of India (DSCI).
i.NITI-FTH will function as a frontier technology action tank, promoting advanced technical ideas to help
India’s economic and social development.
• The project also aims to encourage developing technologies that advance both human progress
and environmental sustainability.

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ii.The strategic paper focuses on quantum computing’s rapid progress and transformational possibilities in
a variety of domains, including defence, intelligence, and cybersecurity.
• It highlights the importance of a proactive, multi-pronged strategy to ensure national security in
the quantum computing era.
Note: The Government of India(GoI) had launched the National Quantum Mission(NQM) in 2023 with a
budget outlay of Rs.6,003 crore to develop an indigenous quantum technology ecosystem.

C-DOT Launches “Samarth” Incubation Program to Support Startups in Telecom and IT

In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a Telecom
Research and Development (R&D) centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) , Ministry
of Communications (MoC) has introduced the first cohort of its incubation program, “Samarth” to
promote innovation in telecommunications and Information Technology (IT).
• To implement the program effectively, C-DOT has partnered with New Delhi based Software
Technology Parks of India (STPI), an organization under the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY).
i.The Program aims to support startups and innovators developing advanced technologies in Telecom
Software Applications, Cyber Security, fifth generation (5G)/6G Technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI),
Internet of Things (IoT) Applications, and Quantum Technologies.
ii.It will be conducted in a hybrid mode, combining online and offline interactions. Each cohort will
have 18 startups, with two cohorts running for six months each, accommodating 36 startups in total. Only
DPIIT-recognized startups are eligible to apply through the following links: www.cdot.in and cdot.sayuj.net
iii.Selected startups will receive funding up to Rs 5 lakh, a six-month office space at the C-DOT Campus,
access to advanced lab facilities for R&D and potential collaboration under the C-DOT Collaborative
Research Program.

Union MoS Jayant Chaudhary Launched ‘DBIM-Compliant Website’ to Strengthen India’s Digital
Governance Ecosystem
In March 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched revamped ‘DBIM-Compliant’ website. This
marks a major step toward strengthening the digital governance ecosystem in India.
• The website is developed in alignment with the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) Version
3.0, which was introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in
February 2025.
• The Union MoS highlighted that the DBIM framework bolsters Government of India (GoI)’s
vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ by creating a unified and citizen-centric
digital ecosystem.
About DBIM-Compliant Website:
i.The website features Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered search, multi-language support through
BHASHINI (BHASHa Interface for India), person-led navigation, and centralized content management.
Thus, it enhances accessibility, uniformity, and ease of navigation for users.
ii.It ensures citizens can easily access important services and skilling resources, with its three-
click approach.
iii.The website serves as unified digital hub demonstrating all MSDE’s flagship schemes and initiatives like:
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY); Skill India Mission(SIM); National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and more.
iv.Each initiative/scheme of MSDE is seamlessly linked to its respective dashboard, portals and resources,

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ensuring real-time access to data performance metrics, and impact stories.

v.The integrated design of the website improves transparency and enables stakeholders, industries and
citizens to easily explore skilling opportunities, monitor progress, and engage with government programs
more efficiently.
About Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE):
Union Minister of State (MoS) (IC)- Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha member- Uttar Pradesh, UP)

MoE Launches ‘Baalpan ki Kavita’ initiative to Promote Indian Rhymes in Early Education
On March 25 2025, the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), under the Ministry of
Education (MoE), has launched the “Baalpan ki Kavita” initiative to compile traditional and newly
composed nursery rhymes in Bhartiya Bhasha (Indian languages) and English.
• The initiative aims to enhance learning at the foundational stage by helping young children
connect with the world around them through easily understandable and joyful poems and
rhymes in their mother tongue.
• This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on
enhancing foundational learning by incorporating culturally relevant content in children’s
native languages.
About Baalpan ki Kavita initiative:
i.DoSE&L in collaboration with MyGov, a platform to access government of India services from one place,
launched a nationwide competition invites contribution to the “Baalpan ki Kavita initiative: Restoring
Bhartiya rhymes/poems for young children”.
ii.Participants in the contest can submit either popular folklore poems/rhymes (with the author’s name
mentioned) or newly composed, joyful poems/rhymes in one of three categories:
• Pre-primary (ages 3-6)
• Grade 1 (ages 6-7)
• Grade 2 (ages 7-8)
iii.The competition opens on 26 March 2025 and closes on 22 April 2025 and participants can submit their
rhymes via MyGov portal.
About Ministry of Education (MoE):
Union Minister– Dharmendra Pradhan (Lok Sabha Constituency- Sambalpur, Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha- Uttar Pradesh, UP); Dr. Sukanta Majumdar
Constituency- Balurghat, West Bengal, WB)

Union Minister C.R. Patil Launches a book ‘Ripples of Change’

In March 2025, Union Minister Chandrakant Raghunath (C.R.) Patil, Minister of Jal Shakti
(MoJS), launched the book “Ripples of Change: Gender-transformative rural WASH programmes in
India” and an upgraded website for the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The initiatives align with the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) and Jal Jeevan
Mission (JJM) to promote inclusive development.
i.The book was published by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under MoJS and
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) India.
• It documents 10 powerful stories from rural India, highlighting gender
empowerment, community leadership, and innovation under SBM-G and JJM.
ii.The upgraded website adheres to Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) of Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY) and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0.

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• It includes multilingual support and an inclusive design for better accessibility, updated security
protocols for enhanced protection, and a citizen-centric interface with unified branding for both
domestic and global users.
• DBIM acts as a comprehensive style guide and outlines the visual, textual, and experiential
elements necessary to harmonize India’s digital footprint.

‘Sugamya Yatra’ Launched on International Wheelchair Day 2025

In March 2025, Sugamya Yatra was launched Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in New Delhi, Delhi by the
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
(CCPD). Sugamya Yatra was launched on the occasion of International Wheelchair Day, 1 March 2025.
• This initiative aims to improve accessibility, challenge misconceptions about people in
wheelchairs, and promote inclusivity in society. The event brought together various
organizations and participants to promote a more accessible environment for all.
i.The Sugamya Yatra received support from multiple organizations, including the Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDDU-NIPPD), the Indian Sign
Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
ii.Sugamya Yatra will be conducted across India, from villages to metropolitan cities. This initiative serves
as a crucial message to policymakers, engineers, and architects to take proactive measures in making our
environment disability-friendly

Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah Inaugurated ‘Workshop on Sustainability &

Circularity in Dairy Sector’ in New Delhi
In March 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) inaugurated the ‘Workshop on
Sustainability and Circularity in the Dairy Sector’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The workshop was organised by the Department of
Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying (MoFAH&D) in partnership with National
Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
• Sustainability, efficiency and circularity of resources
in the dairy sector will play a pivotal role in realizing
Prime Minister (PM) Modi’s vision
of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’.
Key Dignitaries: Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh
alias Lalan Singh, (MoFAH&D); Union Minister of States
(MoSs) George Kurian and S.P. Singh Bhagel, MoFAH&D; and
other senior officials from DAHD, Ministry of Petroleum &
Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
(MNRE), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), among others were present at the event.
Key MoUs and Initiatives Introduced by NDDB:
i.During the workshop, NDDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in the
dairy sector by using the technical, financial and implementation support.
ii.NDDB has also signed MoUs with 26 Milk Union of 15 states, to establish biogas plants across the
country.

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iii.The event also witness the release of comprehensive guidelines aimed at sustainability in the dairy
sector along with the launch of financing initiatives under NDDB’s small scale biogas, large scale biogas or
compressed biogas (CBG) projects.
• During the event, NDDB Sustain Plus Project for financing sustainable dairying
interventions was launched, along with the release of ‘Margdarshika’ on circularity in the dairy
sector.
• All these initiatives are projected to boost the adoption of circular practices in dairy farming,
promoting efficient manure management and energy generation while mitigating
environmental impact.
iv.NDDB has introduced a new financing scheme with estimated budget outlay of Rs 1,000 crores, aimed
to provide financial assistance through credit support for small biogas, large-scale biogas plants, and CBG
projects, thereby facilitating the scaling up of several manure management models over the next 10 years.
Key Points:
i.Union Minister highlighted that PM Modi has set 3 ambitious target for India: to become USD 5 trillion
economy, to be world’s 3rd largest economy, and become a fully developed country in 2047.
ii.Union Minister highlighted about the ‘Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives’ which aimed to open all
accounts in cooperative banks and at present, 93% of the institutions in Gujarat have accounts in
cooperative banks.
iv.He underscored under White Revolution 2.0, the Government of India (GoI) aimed to form milk
unions in 80% of the districts of the country and increase the number of marketing dairies from the
current 28 to 3 times in number.
• He also mentioned that currently, 72% women are working in the cooperative dairy sector.
About National Dairy Development Board (NDDB):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)- Dr. Meenesh Shah
Headquarters- Anand, Gujarat
Established – 1965
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D):
Union Minister- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS) – S.P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP); George Kurian
(Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh, MP)

India’s First World Peace Center Inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana

In March 2025, India’s first World Peace Center was established under the leadership of Ahimsa Vishwa
Bharti founder, Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni and the efforts of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and inaugurated in
Gurugram, Haryana.
• The event was graced by Ram Nath Kovind, the former President of India, along with dignitaries
including Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Bihar,
Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana, Rekha Gupta, CM of Delhi.
i.Acharya Lokesh emphasized that the World Peace Centre will serve as an inspiration of spirituality and
social togetherness, providing a platform for peace education, environmental preservation, equality, and
institutional peace-building processes
ii.The World Peace Centre will play an important role in raising awareness, encouraging social
responsibility, and promoting sustainable development, as well as establishing institutional networks for
peace and harmony.

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ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan Inaugurates New Research Centre at IIT Madras
In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chairman Dr. V.
Narayanan inaugurated the ‘Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Fluid and Thermal
Science Research’ at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).
• This centre supports the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by promoting self-reliance in advanced
space technologies and attracting global talent and research funding.

About the Centre:

i.The centre is named after Sundaram Ramakrishnan, former Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
(LPSC) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), ISRO.
• He was the Project Director for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous
Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III.
• He was awarded the ‘Padma Shri’ in 2003 in the field of Science and Engineering for his
exceptional work in aerospace engineering.
ii.This new research centre is housed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and will focus on
critical advancements in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management including heat transfer,
cooling systems, and fluid dynamics, crucial for the development of next-generation spacecraft and
satellite technologies.
Additional Developments:
Along with the new research centre, the ‘Arcot Ramachandran Seminar Hall’ was also inaugurated at IIT
Madras by Professor Kamakoti.
• The seminar hall was named after Prof. Arcot Ramachandran, the former IIT Madras director to
honors his role in establishing the ‘Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory’.
Hyperloop Track in Asia Developed by IIT Madras:
i.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR) announced development of the longest
hyperloop test track at the IIT Madras, Thaiyur Campus in Chennai. The Hyperloop features the world’s
longest student-run hyperloop infrastructure.
• The 410-meter (m) Asia’s longest tube, developed by IIT Madras researchers was built in
collaboration with the MoR.
ii.The electronics technology for the system was developed at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
iii.Hyperloop: A revolutionary transportation system concept, 1st ideated by Tesla and SpaceX Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk in 2013, involves moving pods, vehicles designed for transportation
through a near-vacuum tube at speeds exceeding 1000 kilometers per hour (kmph).
Note: India becomes one of the first countries to develop a long-distance hyperloop system.

IAEA DG Rafael Mariano Inaugurates S N Bose Building at GCNEP

On March 18, 2025, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General (DG) of Vienna (Austria) based International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), inaugurated the S N Bose Building at the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy
Partnership (GCNEP), a Research and Development (R&D) unit in Haryana under the Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE)
• He also launched a Certificate Course in Nuclear Engineering during the event, which was
held at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The event was attended by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the
Atomic Energy Commission, along with diplomats from GCNEP partner countries and senior
officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and DAE.
i.The S N Bose Building, named after the renowned Indian Physicist Dr. Satyendra Nath Bose, will serve
as an advanced hub for research and training in nuclear science and technology.

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• The facility has advanced laboratories that support GCNEP’s specialized schools, enhancing its
capabilities in nuclear security, reactor technology, radiation safety, nuclear material analysis,
and radioisotope applications.

FESTIVAL
Yaoshang Festival Celebrated in Manipur after a year
In March 2025, the Yaoshang Festival(the festival of Holi), celebrated in Manipur, reflects the
community’s resilience in preserving cultural traditions despite challenges.
• It serves as a symbol of unity and hope, providing an opportunity for healing and a step toward
normalcy amid ongoing tensions.
i.Yaoshang, a five-day festival in Manipur, begins on the full moon day of the Lamta month (February–
March).
• The first day begins with the construction of small thatch huts, called “Yaoshang,” in various
localities. These huts are adorned with colourful decorations and serve as a focal point for the
festival.
ii.Dubbed Manipur’s version of Holi, it feature religious rituals, sports, community bonding and traditional
celebrations like the Thabal Chongba dance.
iii.Ethnic violence in Manipur since May 2023, involving conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo
communities, has resulted in casualties and widespread displacement. Security concerns likely led to the
festival’s cancellation in 2024, as large gatherings were deemed unsafe.

OTHER NEWS
Gujarat Leads India with 19,020 Hectares of Mangrove Plantation in Two Years Under ‘MISHTI’
Scheme
In February 2025, Gujarat emerged as the national leader in mangrove afforestation, by planting
mangroves across approximately 19,020 hectares at a cost of over Rs 76 crore under the Mangrove
Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes(MISHTI) scheme.
• Gujarat remains determined to environmental conservation, aligning with the vision of ‘Viksit
Gujarat to Viksit Bharat.’ This determination has positioned Gujarat at the leading edge of the
Central Government’s MISHTI scheme implementation.
Gujarat as Top Leading State under MISHTI scheme:
i.Gujarat’s mangrove environment is strategically placed, with Kutch leading the charge at 799 square
kilometers (sq km).
ii.The Gulf of Kutch covers 236 sq km, which includes the Marine National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, as
well as districts like Jamnagar, Rajkot (Morbi), Porbandar, and Devbhoomi Dwarka.
iii.The central and southern Gujarat region, covering Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Bharuch, Surat,
Navsari, and Valsad, has 134 sq. km of mangrove cover, including areas such as the Gulf of Khambhat and
Dumas-Ubhrat.
iv.The Saurashtra region, including Amreli, Junagadh, and Gir-Somnath, has a moderate mangrove cover of
6 sq. km.
v.With a 1,650 km-long coastline, Gujarat supports diverse ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs,
and seagrasses.
About Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes(MISHTI) scheme:
i.In 2023, the Government of India(GoI) launched the MISHTI scheme on the occassion of World
Environment Day(June 5), to increase mangrove forests across coastal states and Union Territories(UTs),
ensuring a sustainable future for both communities and ecosystems.

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• The GoI aims to plant 540 sq km of mangroves in five years under ‘MISHTI’ scheme.
• The scheme was implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC).
ii.The initiative aims to ensure long-term sustainability by expanding mangrove plantations, mapping
existing mangrove areas, assessing their geographical and hydrological conditions, establishing nurseries,
conducting awareness programs, facilitating training and
research, monitoring growth, and promoting ecotourism.
iii.More than 22,500 hectares of degraded mangrove land in 13
states have been restored since its launch to preserve mangroves
and the environment.
Mangroves in India:
Mangrove forests serve as an important green barrier by reducing
coastal erosion and also promoting fish breeding and sustaining
coastal communities. During cyclones, they protect vulnerable
regions, curb rising salinity, and protect agriculture.
i.According to the Indian State of Forest Report (IFSR) 2021, India
has approximately 4,992 sq. km. of mangrove forests.
ii.Mangroves in India are spread across nine states and three
Union Territories (UTs), with West Bengal(WB) having the
largest mangrove cover, approximately 2,114 sq. km., followed by Gujarat(1,122 sq km) and Odisha(492 sq
km).

Madhav National Park in MP Becomes India’s 58th Tiger Reserve

In March 2025, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) announced the Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh (MP) as 58th Tiger Reserve (TR) of
India and marking it as the ninth TR in MP.
• The other TRs of MP are Bandhavgarh TR, Kanha TR, Panna TR,
Sanjay TR, Satpura TR, Pench TR, Veerangana Durgavati TR,
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.
Note: Tiger Reserves are notified by the State Governments as per provisions
of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on advice of the National
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
About Madhav Tiger Reserve:
i.The Madhav Tiger Reserve is located in Shivpuri district within the Gwalior-Chambal region.
ii.The TR will span 1,751 square kilometres (sq km) featuring a core area of 375 sq km and a buffer
area of 1,276 sq km.
iii.As of March 2025, there are five tigers in the Madhav TR, including the two cubs that were born
recently. Two more tigers could be released into the TR.
iv.As part of the MP’s tiger reintroduction project, three tigers, including two females, were introduced to
the Madhav National Park in 2023.
Note: India is home to over 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, with approximately 3,682 tigers.
About Madhya Pradesh (MP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Mohan Yadav
Governor – Mangubhai C. Patel
Capital – Bhopal
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Phen Wildlife Sanctuary, Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary

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First Rear Fuselage for LCA Mk1A Handed Over to HAL by Indian Private Industry
In March 2025, the first rear fuselage for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Indian Private
Industry, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Private Limited, was handed
over to Bengaluru based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath
Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) at Aircraft Division in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
i.HAL had placed orders with several Indian private companies including Mumbai (Maharashtra) based
Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Private Limited, Hyderabad (Telangana)
based Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Hyderabad based VEM Technologies Private Limited and
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu, TN) based Lakshmi Mission Works Limited (LMW) to supply key modules for the
83 LCA Mk1A deal.
ii.The aircraft is already in the manufacturing line, and HAL has already manufactured 12 LCA MK1A rear
fuselages. With this supply, a major structure module produced by an Indian private partner will be
integrated into the LCA Mk1A aircraft, enabling HAL to fulfill further delivery obligations for IAF from
2025-26 onwards.
Note: The fuselage is the central structure of an aircraft that holds the pilot, passengers, and cargo, while
the rear fuselage provides support for the tail section and its related components.

GoI Elevated Railways CPSE’s IRCTC and IRFC to Navratna Status

On March 3, 2025, The Department of Public Enterprises (DoPE), Ministry of Finance (MoF) upgraded two
Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE’s) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR), Indian Railway Catering
and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) to the
prestigious Navratna status.
• With this upgrade, IRCTC and IRFC join 24 existing Navratna companies, becoming
the 25th and 26th respectively.
• This upgrade empowers CPSEs with enhanced financial autonomy, enabling them to invest up
to Rs 1,000 crore without prior government approval.
What is Navratna Status?
i.CPSEs in India are categorized as Miniratna, Navratna, and Maharatna, based on financial performance
and operational efficiency. The Navratna status, introduced in 1997, is granted to Miniratna Category-I
companies that:
• Must score ≥60/100 on six parameters: net profit, net worth, total manpower cost, total cost of
production, cost of services, PBDIT (Profit Before Depreciation, Interest, and Taxes), and capital
employed.
• Must have obtained an “Excellent” or “Very Good” Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) rating
in three out of the last five years.
ii.Advantages: Navratna companies are also allowed to invest up to 15% of their net worth on a single
project, or 30% of their net worth in a given year, subject to a cap of Rs 1,000 crore.
About Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation(IRCTC):
• Established: 1999
• Chairman & Managing Director(CMD): Sanjay Kumar Jain
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Role: Monopoly provider of railway catering, online ticketing, and tourism services.
• Financial Year (FY) 2024 Financials:
• Turnover: Rs 4,270 crore
• Profit After Tax (PAT): Rs 1,111 crore
• Net Worth: Rs 3,230 crore

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About Indian Railway Finance Corporation(IRFC):

• Established: 1986
• CMD & Chief Executive officer (CEO): Manoj Kumar Dubey
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Role: Mobilizes funds for Indian Railways’ infrastructure projects via bonds and loans.
• FY2024 Financials:
• Turnover: Rs 26,644 crore
• PAT: Rs 6,412 crore
• Net Worth: Rs 49,178 crore

GoI Approves Rs 42,000 Crore Arunachal Frontier Highway along the LAC
In February 2025, the Government of India (GoI) approved the Rs 42,000 crore Arunachal Frontier
Highway project, the first road project in India to be sanctioned on such a large scale.
• The project is a part of the Act East Policy, which seeks to expand the region’s air, rail, and road
networks while improving connection with Southeast Asia.
i.This highway, which follows the Line of Actual Control (LAC), can improve the connectivity in Arunachal
Pradesh (AR), strengthen security, and stimulate economic growth in the isolated border regions.
ii.The Arunachal Frontier Highway is an essential component of India’s initiatives to enhance connectivity
along the border between China and India.
• The highway is around 1400-km-long and in some places, it will run as close as 20 km to the
LAC.
iii.The project will improve access to important locations including Tawang, Mechuka, and Kibithu by
connecting and passing through 12 districts along the Indo-China border. It will also connect to the Trans-
Arunachal Highway, establishing a strong road system throughout the state.
iv.The project is anticipated to improve India’s defence capabilities by ensuring quick access to border
areas for the Indian Armed Forces.

NITI Aayog and India SME Forum Launch ‘A Million Women Arise’ Initiative for Women
Entrepreneurs
On March 6, 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based India Small, and Medium Enterprise (SME) Forum jointly launched the ‘A
Million Women Arise initiative’ to empower women entrepreneurs across India. The initiative aims to
address challenges faced by women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Women-owned enterprises constitute 35% of India’s 6 crore registered Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• The initiative seeks to enhance formalization, mentorship, capacity-building, and electronic (e)-
commerce integration for women in business.
i.NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), a public-private partnership (PPP) aims to
provide access to finance, markets, compliance support, skilling, and networking for women
entrepreneurs.
ii.India SME Forum formalized a partnership with IndiGo Airlines through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU), offering MSMEs improved travel solutions for enhanced business growth.

BWSSB Becomes India’s First Water Board to Receive BIS Certification

In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage
Board (BWSSB) achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first water board in India to receive

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certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) for its piped drinking water supply management system.
• This certification highlights BWSSB’s adherence to international water quality standards and
commitment to safe and sustainable drinking water.
i.The certification was awarded after a rigorous six-month evaluation by BIS.
ii.This certification is valid for three years, from March 6, 2025, to March 5, 2028. During this period,
BWSSB will undergo regular surveillance audits by BIS officials, with the next evaluations scheduled for
December 2025 and September 2026, followed by a renewal audit in November 2027.
iii.BWSSB met stringent criteria for efficient, safe, and sustainable water management practices, covering
all aspects of water supply, including intake, treatment, distribution, and quality assurance.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
Director General (DG) – Pramod Kumar Tiwari
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1986

DoP Releases Rs.5 Commemorative Postage Stamp on Mata Karma

In March 2025, the Department of Posts(DoP) under the Ministry of Communications(MoC) , issued a
commemorative postage stamp of denomination Rs.5 to honor Mata Karma, a revered saint, social
reformer, and devoted follower of Lord Krishna, on her 1009th birth anniversary.
• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister(CM) Vishnu Deo Sai has released a postage stamp of Mata Karma
during the event held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
i.The stamp artistically depicts Mata Karma serving khichdi to Lord Krishna, with the sacred Jagannath
Temple in the backdrop. This representation pays tribute to the tradition started by Mata Karma, which
remains a significant part of the temple’s customs.
ii.The commemorative stamp, along with philatelic items like the First Day Cover (FDC) and Information
Brochure, is available at Philately Bureaus nationwide and online at www.epostoffice.gov.in.

India’s AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat

India is undergoing a significant transformation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), driven by various initiatives like:
IndiaAI Mission and the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoE) for AI are bolstering India’s AI ecosystem.
• All these initiatives are in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, where India aims to
become a global hub of AI, leveraging cutting-edge technology for economic growth, governance, and
societal progress.
• In 2024, the Government of India(GoI) approved the IndiaAI Mission with an outlay of Rs 10,300
crore over five years to strengthen AI capabilities in India.
• The Mission is being implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY) through ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India
Corporation (DIC).
AI Revolution:
i.Development of high-end common computing facility: Under IndiaAI Mission, the GoI aims to develop a
high-end common computing facility equipped with 18,693 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
• This capacity is approximately 9 times that of the open-source AI model DeepSeek and
about 2/3rd (66.66%) of what ChatGPT operates on.
ii.Scaling AI Compute Infrastructure: So far, 10,000 GPUs have already been made available under the
mission. This will enable the creation of indigenous AI solutions customised to Indian languages and contexts.
ii.Opening Access to High-Performance Computing: The launch of an open GPU marketplace in India, has
made high-performance computing accessible to startups, researchers, and students.
iii.Robust GPU Supply Chain: 10 companies have been selected by the GoI, to supply the GPUs, ensuring a
robust and diversified supply chain.

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iv.Indigenous GPU Capabilities: India aims to develop its own GPU in the next 3 to 5 years, in order to reduce
its dependence on imported technology.
v.Affordable Compute Access: The GoI is planning to launch a new common compute facility, which will
enable the researchers and startups to access GPU power at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 100 per hour,
against the global rate of USD 2.5 to USD 3 per hour.
vi.Bolstering Semiconductor Manufacturing: In order to promote semiconductor manufacturing in India, 5
semiconductor plants are under construction.
Key Advancements in AI :
i.IndiaAI Dataset Platform for Open Data Access: The GoI has launched this platform to facilitate easy access
to high-quality, non-personal datasets.
• This platform will store the largest collection of anonymised data, to empower Indian startups and
researchers to develop advanced AI applications (app).
ii.Promoting AI Model Accuracy with diverse range of data: By facilitating access to large-scale, non-
personal datasets, will help in reducing biases and enhance the reliability of AI apps across various sectors:
agriculture, weather forecasting, and traffic management.
iii.Centres of Excellence (CoE) in AI: So far, the GoI has established 3 AI CoE. The CoE in healthcare will be led
by New Delhi(Delhi) based Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi and AIIMS Delhi, while the CoE in
agriculture will be led by IIT Ropar,Punjab. The sustainable cities CoE will be led by IIT Kanpur, Uttar
Pradesh(UP).
• GoI announced a new CoE for AI in education (which will be 4th CoE in AI), in the Union Budget for
Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) with an outlay of Rs 500 crore.
iv.Skilling for AI-driven Industries: The GoI is planning to set up 5 National CoE for Skilling in India. These
CoE will train youth with AI industry-relevant expertise.
India’s AI Models & Language Technologies:
i.Developing India’s Foundational LLMs: IndiaAI mission has launched an initiative to develop local
foundational AI models, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs), through
a call for proposals.
ii.BHASHINI: BHASHa INterface for India(BHASHINI) is an AI-led language translation platform, designed to
provide smooth access to the internet and digital services in Indian languages, which includes voice-based
access, and support content creation in Indian languages.
iii.BharatGen: It is the world’s 1st government-funded multimodal LLM initiative, launched in 2024 in New
Delhi. The initiative aims to improve public service delivery and citizen engagement through foundational
models in language, speech and computer vision.
iv.Sarvam-1 AI Model: It is a large language model for optimization of Indian languages. It consists of 2
billion parameters and supports 10 major Indian languages.
• The key applications of this model: language translation, text summarization, and content
generation.
v.Chitralekha: It is an open-source video trans-creation platform developed by AI4Bharat. It allows users to
generate and edit audio transcripts in various Indic languages.
vi.Hanooman’s Everest 1.0: It is a multi-lingual AI system developed by Hyderabad(Telangana) based
Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare Private Limited (SML), which currently supports 35 Indian languages, with plans
to expand to 90.
AI Integration with DPI:
i.Integration: India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has combined public funding with private sector-led
innovation.
ii.Use of DPI in Mahakumbh 2025: AI-powered DPI solutions played a pivotal role in managing
Mahakumbh 2025.
• AI-powered tools helped in monitoring real-time railway passenger movement to optimize crowd
dispersal in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

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• Kumbh Sah’AI’yak Chatbot enabled voice-based lost-and-found services, real-time translation, and
multi-lingual assistance.

AI Talent and Workforce Development:

i.AI Talent Pipeline & AI Education: AI Education is being expanded across undergraduate, post-graduate,
and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs, under the IndiaAI Future Skills initiative.
• GoI is providing fellowships to Ph.D. scholars researching AI in the top 50 National Institutional
Ranking Framework (NIRF)-ranked institutes.
• IndiaAI Data Lab is already established at National Institute of Electronics & Information
Technology (NIELIT) Delhi.
ii.India Ranks 1st Globally in AI Skill Penetration: As per the Stanford AI Index 2024, India topped in AI skill
penetration globally, with a score of 2.8. It is followed by the United States of America (USA) (2.2) and Germany
(1.9).
• Also, India topped in AI Skill Penetration for Women with a score of 1.7, ahead of USA (1.2) and
Israel (0.9).
iii.AI Innovation: India represents 16% of the world’s AI talent, demonstrating its influence in AI innovation
and adoption.
iv.AI Talent Hubs: Wheelbox’s India Skills Report 2024 projects India’s AI industry will reach USD 28.8
billion by 2025, at 45% Compounded Annual Growth (CAGR).
• The AI-skilled workforce witnessed 14-times increase from 2016 to 2023, thus, India emerged as
one of the top 5 fastest-growing AI talent hubs, alongside Singapore, Finland, Ireland and Canada.
• Also, the demand of AI professionals in India is expected to reach 1 million by 2026.
AI Adoption and Industry Progress:
i.Businesses Preferring AI Investments: According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 80% of Indian
companies consider AI a core strategic priority, which is more than the global average of 75%.
• In Addition to that, 69% aim to increase their tech investments in 2025, with 1/3rd or 33.33%
allocating more than USD 25 million to AI initiatives.
ii.GenAI Startup Funding: According to National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)’s
November 2024 report, Indian GenAI startup funding increased more than 6 times Quarter-on-Quarter (Q-o-
Q) to USD 51 million in 2nd Quarter (Q2: July to September) of FY25, supported by Business-to-Business (B2B)
and agentic AI startups.
iii.AI transforming workplaces: As per the Randstad AI and Equity report 2024, 7 in 10 employees in India
used AI at work in 2024 (increase from 5 in 10 in 2023).
iv.AI Empowering SMBs: According to Salesforce, Inc., an American cloud-based software company, 78% of
Small & Medium Businesses (SMBs) using AI registered revenue growth, while 93% informed that AI has
played a pivotal role in increasing their revenues.
v.Rapid Expansion of India’s AI Economy: According to the BCG-NASSCOM report 2024, India’s AI economy is
expected to grow at a CAGR of 25-35%.
vi.AI Startup Support Ecosystem: India ranks at 3rd position globally as it hosts more than 520 tech
incubators and accelerators, of which 42% were established in the last 5 years.

DGCA Grants License to Amravati Airport in Maharashtra for Flight Operations

In March 2025, the Amravati Airport in Belora, Maharashtra, was granted an aerodrome license by
the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA), officially
designating it as a licensed Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) airport. This license signifies that the
airport is now ready to commence flight operations.
• Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Alliance Air Aviation Limited will operate flights on
the Mumbai-Amravati-Mumbai route with an ATR-72 aircraft three times a week. Operations are
expected to begin by the end of March 2025.

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i.Once operational, it will be the third commercial airport under the Maharashtra Airport Development
Company Limited (MADC), after Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (Nagpur) and Shirdi Airport
(Shirdi).
ii.The airport was developed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in 1992 but remained non-
operational for public use.
iii.MADC upgraded the airport with an extended runway and other facilities to meet DGCA licensing
requirements.

India’s Total Exports Increased by 6.24%, to USD 750.53 billion during April-February of
FY25: MoC&I
According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I)’s latest data, India’s combined merchandise
and services exports, registered 6.24% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth from April to February of Financial
Year 2024-25 (FY25), reaching USD 750.53 billion against USD 706.43 billion during the same period of
previous FY.
• While, India’s combined merchandise and services imports were estimated at USD 839.89
billion during April-February of FY25 compared to USD 782.90 billion for the same period of
FY24, showing a growth of 7.28%.
Key Findings:
i.India’s total exports, including both merchandise and services is estimated at USD 71.95 billion for
February 2025 , registering growth of 3.16% compared to 69.74 billion in February 2024.
ii.Also, the cumulative value of India’s merchandise and services imports has registered a negative growth
of (-11.34%), from 76.15 billion (in February 2024) to USD 67.52 billion (in February 2025).
iii.As per the data, India’s trade deficit has decreased to 3-year low of USD 14 billion in February 2025
compared to USD 19.51 billion during the same period a year ago.
Merchandise Trade:
i.As per the data, India’s overall merchandise exports sector decreased by 10.8% for the 4th consecutive
month of FY25, to USD 36.91 billion(in February 2025) from USD 41.41 billion registered in the same
month of FY24.This decrease is mainly due to volatility in petroleum prices and ongoing global
uncertainties.
• Also, total merchandise imports decreased significantly by 16.3% to USD 50.96 billion (in
February 2025) which is the lowest since April 2023, compared to USD 60.92 billion registered
in last fiscal year.
ii.The combined value of merchandise exports saw a marginal growth of 0.06%, from USD 395.38 billion
during April-February of FY24 to USD 395.63 billion during April-February of FY25.
• Similarly, the total merchandise imports during April-February of FY25, were estimated at USD
656.68 billion as against USD 621.19 billion during the same period of previous year.
iii.Merchandise trade deficit was estimated at USD 261.06 billion during April-February of FY25 as
compared to USD 225.81 billion during same period of FY24.
iv.The key drivers of merchandise exports growth in February 2025 were: electronic goods, rice, mica, coal
and other ores, among others.
Services Trade:
i.As per the data, India’s total services export was estimated at USD 35.03 billion(in February
2025) compared to USD 28.33 billion registered in February 2024.
• Similarly, total services import was estimated at USD 16.55 billion in February 2025, up from
USD 15.23 billion registered in February 2024.
ii.The total value of service exports was estimated at USD 354.90 billion during April-February of FY25 as
against USD 311.05 billion during April-February of FY24.

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• Also, the total value of imports during April-February of FY25, were estimated at USD
183.21billion as against USD 161.71 billion during the same period of previous year.
iii.The services sector registered a trade surplus of USD 171.69 billion during April-February of FY25 as
compared to USD 149.34 billion during same period of FY24.
Note: Top-five export destinations, in terms of change in value, exhibiting positive growth in April-
February 2024-25 are the United States(US) (9.1 per cent), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (5.19 per
cent), the United Kingdom (UK) (12.47 per cent), Japan (21.67 per cent), and the Netherlands (3.68 per
cent).
About Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI):
Union Minister- Piyush Goyal (Constituency- Mumbai North, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

NAI’s 135th Foundation Day: Exhibition on Indian Architecture, Book Launch & ‘Gyan Bharatam
Mission
On 11 March 2025, the National Archives of India (NAI) based in New Delhi, Delhi celebrated its 135th
Foundation Day by organizing an exhibition titled “Indian Heritage through Architecture.” The event was
inaugurated by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Culture(MoC) and Ministry of
Tourism(MoT).
i.As part of the celebrations, NAI launched a book titled ‘Thumb Printed: Champaran, Indigo Peasants
Speak to Gandhi Volume III,’ documenting 423 testimonies from the Champaran Satyagraha, including
accounts from women and minors.
ii.The exhibition showcased India’s architectural heritage, featuring structures from the Indus Valley
Civilization, medieval temples, Mughal monuments, and colonial-era buildings, highlighting the nation’s
cultural, spiritual, and historical evolution
iii.NAI is undertaking the world’s largest digitization initiative, preserving more than six lakh pages
each month and digitizing lakhs of records every day.
• The success of this digitization effort has led to the launch of the ‘Gyan Bharatam
Mission’, which aims to make India’s historical knowledge more accessible.
Note: The NAI, under the MoC, was founded on 11 March 1891 in Kolkata (Calcutta)West Bengal (WB) as
the Imperial Record Department. After the capital moved to Delhi in 1911, a new building, designed by Sir
Edwin Lutyens, was completed in 1926, and records were fully relocated by 1937.

Indian Railways Joins Mission Amrit Sarovar to Address Water Scarcity

In March 2025, the Indian Railways (IR) announced the collaboration with the Mission Amrit Sarovar to
address the critical issue of water scarcity across India. With this collaboration, the IR will assist in
desilting, excavating, or constructing new Amrit Sarovars (ponds) near railway lines.
• A significant number of ponds are to be rejuvenated or constructed by 15 August 2025.
• For implementations, the IR needs to coordinate with the district authorities to identify suitable
sites for creating new waterbodies near railway worksites, and with the Ministry of Rural
Development (MoRD) for effective execution.
i.Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on 24 April 2022, aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water
bodies in each district of India, with a total target of 50,000 ponds nationwide.
• As of October 2024, over 68,000 ponds have been completed, enhancing surface and
groundwater availability across various regions.
ii.Phase II of the Mission focuses on ensuring water availability, promoting community participation
(Jan Bhagidaari), and strengthening climate resilience and ecological balance.
iv.Every Amrit Sarovar will have a pondage area of at least 1 acre (0.4 hectares) with a water holding
capacity of about 10,000 cubic meters and will be surrounded by trees like Neem, Banyan, etc

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Kerala Establishes India’s First Senior Citizens Commission

On March 19 2025, Kerala became the first state in India to pass a dedicated legislation the ‘Kerala State
Senior Citizens Commission Bill, 2025’, after approval by the Kerala Legislative Assembly, for establishing
a Senior Citizens Commission to ensure the protection of rights,
welfare, and rehabilitation of the senior citizens in the state.
• The commission will be responsible for collaborating with
different state departments to safeguard and promote the
well-being of the elderly population.
About Senior Citizens Commission
i.Purpose :The newly formed commission will work to address problems
faced by senior citizens, such as neglect, abuse, and loneliness, by giving advice and suggesting policies to
improve their well-being.
• Additionally, the commission aims to utilize the skills and experiences of senior citizens for the
benefit of society, promoting their active participation in the state’s development.
ii.Composition:The commission will have a Chairperson and at least four senior citizen members,
including at least one woman and one person from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, all appointed
by the government through an official notice.
• The commission will be based in Thiruvananthapuram(Kerala). It will receive administrative
support from a government officer holding the rank of Additional Secretary or higher, who will
serve as its secretary. The registrar will be a Joint Secretary-level officer from the Law
Department, while financial matters will be managed by a Deputy Secretary-level officer from
the Finance Department.
Note: According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s India’s Ageing Report, 2023, those aged 60
years and above are projected to make up 22.8 % of the total population in Kerala by 2036.
About Kerala:
Chief Minister (CM)– Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park (NP) – Silent Valley NP

Union MoS Jitendra Singh, Announces North India’s First Nuclear Power Plant in Gorakhpur,
Haryana
In March 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS), Independent Charge(I/C), Jitendra Singh, Ministry for
Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) announced that North
India’s first nuclear power plant is being established in Gorakhpur,
Haryana. This initiative aligns with India’s strategy to expand nuclear
energy production while cutting down carbon emissions.
• The Union Minister also reaffirmed commitment to the
Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) in Maharashtra, which
is set to become the largest nuclear power plant in India.
• The project has experienced delays due to shifts in agreements with French stakeholders and
procedural issues related to environmental clearance, which expired in December 2022.
About Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP):
i.The JNPP will consist of six reactors, each having a capacity of 1,730 megawatts (MW). This will result
in a total power generation of 10,380 MW.
• The plant is expected to play a significant role in India’s energy goals by contributing around
10% to India’s target of achieving 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy by the year 2047.

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ii.Nuclear Liability Framework: India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) framework ensures
that operators bear primary responsibility in case of any incident. A dedicated insurance pool worth Rs
1,500 crore has been created to handle liability concerns.
Points to Note:
i.India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, with nuclear power playing a key role in this transition.
Projects like Jaitapur and Gorakhpur will significantly contribute to the country’s clean energy goals.
ii.The target for battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity under Viability Gap Funding (VGF) has
been tripled to 13,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) from 4,000 MWh.
iii.India is planning to invest Rs 15 lakh crore in green energy initiatives.
iv.The Republic of the Philippines is considering India as a major buyer for nickel, which is a key
component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

GoI Forms IMICF for Fintech Sector Development

In March 2025, the Government of India (GoI) has set up an Inter-Ministerial-Industry Committee on
Fintech (IMICF) to address challenges in the fintech sector and develop strategies for its long-term
expansion.
• The committee will submit a detailed report within three months of its first meeting, outlining
key recommendations.
i.The committee will be chaired by Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services
(DFS) and will include representatives from key government and regulatory bodies.
ii.The panel also includes Lalit Keshre, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Groww; Jitendra Gupta, Founder of
Jupiter; Varun Dua, CEO of Acko General Insurance; Ajay Kaushal, Co-founder of BillDesk; Vishnu Pillai
from KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler); and Ashish Garg from McKinsey & Company.
iii.The committee will examine challenges faced by fintech companies, review existing policies and
regulations, and analyze global best practices in fintech governance.
• Based on these insights, the committee will develop a long-term vision strategy and propose
recommendations to enhance the fintech ecosystem in India.

MeitY conducts IWBDC to Develops Indigenous Web Browser

In March 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has conducted the Indian
Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), a competition aimed to develop an indigenous web
browser under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MeitY announced the winners of this challenge at an event
organized by the MeitY in New Delhi, New Delhi. The Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (C-DAC), Bangalore, Karnataka managed the initiative.
i.A total of 434 teams participated in the competition, which had three stages: Idea submission,
Prototype development, Final product creation.
iv.The top winners were:
• Zoho Corporation – First Prize (Rs 1 crore)
• Team PING – Second Prize (Rs 75 lakh)
• Team Ajna – Third Prize (Rs 50 lakh)
• Jio Vishwakarma – special mention
ii.The new browser offers enhanced security with a built-in trust store, digital signing for authentication,
and parental controls for child safety. It supports multiple Indian languages and works across Windows,
iPhone Operating System (iOS), and Android platforms.

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GoI Approves Rs 11,440 Crore Revival Package for RINL

In March 2025, the Government of India(GoI) has approved an infusion of Rs 11,440 crore as equity and
preferential capital in Visakhapatnam(Andhra Pradesh, AP) based Rashtriya Ispat Nigam
Limited (RINL) to sustain its operations and ensure its continuity.
• This decision aligns with the objectives of the National Steel Policy, 2017, aimed at enhancing
the efficiency and competitiveness of the steel sector.
• This financial infusion is expected to help RINL streamline its production processes, optimize
resource utilization, and enhance its market position.
i.Key Details of the Revival Package:
• Rs 10,300 crore will be infused as fresh equity.
• Rs 1,140 crore of working capital loans will be converted into preferred share capital.
ii.RINL, a Navratna company under the Ministry of Steel(MoS), operates the Visakhapatnam Steel
Plant(VSP), India’s first shore-based integrated steel plant.
iii.The plant specializes in producing long steel products, catering to sectors like construction,
infrastructure, manufacturing, and automobiles.

MoMSME Announces New Criteria for MSME from April 2025

In March 2025, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
(MoMSME) updated the classification criteria for businesses under the MSME category. These changes
will take effect from April 1, 2025. The revision updates the criteria set in 2020.
• The notification, issued under the MSME Development Act, 2006, derives its authority from
sub-section 1 of Section 7 read with sub-section 9 of section 7, which defines MSME
classification based on investment and turnover, and Section 8(2) read with 8(3), which allows
amendments after consulting the Advisory Committee.
Note: The updated classification was announced by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of
Finance(MoF) during her Budget speech for 2025-26.
Revised MSME Classification:
The classification of MSMEs is based on investment in plant, machinery, or equipment and annual
turnover (TO). The revised limits are as follows:
1.Micro Enterprises: Investment limit increased from Rs 1 crore
to Rs 2.5 crore.
• Turnover limit raised from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
2.Small Enterprises: Investment limit increased from Rs 10
crore to Rs 25 crore.
• Turnover limit doubled from Rs 50 crore to Rs 100
crore.
3.Medium Enterprises: Investment limit raised from Rs 50 crore
to Rs 125 crore.
• Turnover limit increased from Rs 250 crore to Rs 500 crore.
Key points:
i.The updated classification offers several advantages:
• Easier access to loans with lower interest rates.
• Priority in government contracts reserved for MSMEs.
• Tax benefits and duty exemptions to improve profitability.
• Support for technology upgrades and innovation through various schemes
ii.The revised classification aims to support economic growth, accommodate inflation, and help businesses
expand.

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iii.India currently boasts over 1 crore registered MSMEs, employing 7.5 crore people and contributing
36% to the country’s manufacturing output. The share of MSME in all India exports stood at 45.56%.
About Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME):
Union Minister– Jitan Ram Manjhi ( Constituency- Gaya, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS)– Shobha Karandlaje (Constituency- Bangalore North, Karnataka)

DPIIT Mandates BIS Certification for Hinges Effective from July 1, 2025
In March 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry
of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) issued the Hinges (Quality Control) Order, 2025, mandating that all
hinges must bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark to ensure quality and curb the import of
substandard goods.
• It aims to promote domestic manufacturing of hinges while safeguarding consumers from low-
quality imports.
• The new guidelines will come into effect from July 1, 2025, giving manufacturers time to
comply with the new standards.
Key Provisions of the Hinges (Quality Control) Order, 2025:
i.Mandatory BIS Mark: Under the new order, no hinge can be produced, sold, traded, imported, or stocked
in India unless it carries the BIS mark. This applies to all hinges intended for domestic sale and use.
ii.Exemptions: The order does not apply to:
• Hinges manufactured in India for export purposes.
• Up to 200 imported hinges per year for research and development by manufacturers, provided
these are not sold commercially.
iii.Penalties for Violation: The order specifies that any violation of its provisions will result in penalties
under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
• First Offense: Up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of at least Rs. 2 lakh.
• Subsequent Offenses: Minimum fine of Rs. 5 lakh, extending up to 10 times the value of goods.
Previous QCO by DPIIT:
The DPIIT has previously implemented similar Quality Control Orders (QCO) for other products such as
smart meters, welding rods and electrodes, cookware and utensils, fire extinguishers, electric ceiling fans,
and domestic gas stoves.
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
i.The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, established under the BIS
Act, 1986. It operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD).
ii.It develops and publishes Indian Standards, certifies products and systems, and tests laboratories
Director General (DG) – Pramod Kumar Tiwari
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1986

Make in India’s Leap in Electronics Manufacturing & Exports

Make in India, a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI) launched in 2014, has been a cornerstone
in transforming India into a global manufacturing hub. Its key objectives were to enhance industrial
capabilities, foster innovation and to develop world-class infrastructure.
• As a result, India’s electronics exports are expanding swiftly, with the country’s electronics
production projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2026.

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Key Progress made by Smartphones in India:

i.India has made significant strides in mobile and electronics manufacturing and become the
world’s 2nd largest mobile manufacturing country as the number of mobile manufacturing units in India
increased from 2 (in 2014) to over 300 manufacturing units (at present).
ii.Only 26% of mobile phones sold in India were locally made in 2014-15, increasing to 99.2% by
December 2024.
iii.The manufacturing value of mobile phones has increased from Rs 18,900 crore in Financial Year 2013-
14 (FY14) to Rs 4.22 lakh crore in the Financial Year(FY24).
iv.The export of India’s mobile phones has increased by 77-times, from Rs 1,566 crore in FY15 to Rs
1.29 lakh crore in FY24.
v.Over 325 to 330 million mobile phones a year being manufactured in India and on average there about 1
billion mobile phones in use in India.
Key Initiatives/Schemes:
Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP):
i.It has been notified to promote domestic value addition in mobile phones and their sub-assemblies or
parts manufacturing in 2017. It aims to promote large-scale production and create a robust local manufac
turing ecosystem for mobile devices.
ii.The manufacturing of mobile phones has been gradually transitioning from Semi Knocked Down(SKD) to
Completely Knock Down (CKD) level, thus increasing the domestic value addition.
Note: SKD means a product partially assembled before shipping, while CKD refers to a product, which is
shipped as individual components for final assembly at the destination.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI):
i.The scheme was officially notified on April 1, 2020, aimed to accelerate domestic manufacturing and
attract investment in mobile phones value chain including electronic components and semiconductor
packaging.
ii.The scheme covers various sectors such as: mobile manufacturing and specified electronic components;
manufacturing of medical devices; pharmaceuticals drugs; telecom & networking products; droned and
drone components; food products, among others
iii.The scheme offers an incentive of 3% to 6% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods
manufactured in India and covered under target segments like: mobile phones and specified electronic
components, to eligible companies, for a period of 5 years.
iv.The budgetary allocation for Electronics surged from Rs 5,747 crore Revised Estimate (RE) for 2024-
25 to Rs 8,885 crore in 2025-26.
v.As of February 2025, PLI for large scale electronics manufacturing has led to: combined investment of Rs
10,905 crore; combined production of Rs 7,15,823 crore; and Combined exports of Rs 3, 90,387 crore.
Semicon India Program:
i.The Semicon India Program was officially launched in 2021 with a total budget outlay of Rs
76,000 crore. It is designed to promote the local semiconductor industry through incentives and strategic
partnerships.
ii.The scheme provides support to various sectors of the semiconductor industry, extending beyond just
fabrication facilities (fabs) to include packaging, display wires, Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and
Testing (OSATs), and other important components.
iii.The GoI has introduced 4 schemes under this programme, and which are:
• Modified Scheme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India: It extends a financial
support of 50% of the total project cost on pari-passu basis (on equal footing) for establishing
Silicon Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) based semiconductor fabs in India.

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• Modified Scheme for setting up of Display Fabs in India: It extends a financial support
of 50% of the total project cost on pari-passu basis for establishing display fabs in India.
• Modified Scheme for setting up of compound semiconductors/ silicon
photonics/sensors fab, among others: It extends a financial support of 50% of the capital
expenditure on pari-passu basis.
• Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: The scheme offers ‘Product Design Linked Incentive’
of maximum 50% of the eligible expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs 13 crore per application;
and also offers ‘deployment linked incentive’ in the range of 6% to 4% of total sales turnover
over 5 years subject to a ceiling of Rs 30 crore per application.
Key Projects:
i.In 2023, the GoI had approved the 1st major project with the United States of America (USA)-based chip
maker company, Micron Technology Inc. for approximately Rs 22,000 crore.
ii.In February 2024, the proposal of Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons,
Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) for setting up a semiconductor fab facility in Dholera, Gujarat
(India) with estimated cost of Rs 91,526 crore was approved by the GoI.
• The proposed fab facility will be established in a technology partnership with Powerchip
Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC), Taiwan.
• In March 2025, Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM), TEPL and Tata Semiconductor
Manufacturing Private Limited (TSMPL) have signed a Fiscal Support Agreement (FSA) for
India’s 1st commercial semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat.
iii.Also, GoI had approved another proposal of Jagiroad (Assam)-based Tata Semiconductor Assembly and
Test Pvt. Limited (TSAT), India’s 1st indigenous and greenfield semiconductor assembly test facility for
setting up of OSAT facility in Morigaon, Assam, with an investment of Rs 27,120 crore in February 2024.
iv.In 2024, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited’s proposal for
setting up an OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat with an investment of Rs 7,584 crore was approved.
• The facility will be established as a Joint Venture (JV) partnership with (United States of
America, USA)-based Renesas Electronics America Inc., and Thailand-based STARS
Microelectronic.
v.In September 2024, Gurugram (Haryana)-based Kaynes Technology India Limited (KTIL) proposal for
setting up of OSAT facility at Sanand, Gujarat for Wire bond Interconnect, Substrate Based Packages with
an investment of Rs 3,307 crore was approved.
• The technology will be facilitated by ISO Technology Sdn. Bhd. And Aptos Technology Inc.
• The cumulative investment value of these above 5 landmark projects in the semiconductor
sector is near to Rs 1.52 lakh crores.
Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS):
i.In April 2024, GoI formally launched this scheme which helps to alleviate the challenges of local
manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductor in order to bolster the electronics
manufacturing ecosystem in India.
ii.The scheme will offer financial incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for the identified list of
electronic goods that include downstream value chain of electronic products: electronic components,
semiconductor/display fabrication units, ATMP units, specialized sub-assemblies, among others.
iii.The scheme is being implemented through a nodal agency which will act as Project Management Agency
(PMA) and is mainly responsible for facilitating secretarial, managerial and implementation support and
carrying out other responsibilities as assigned by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY).

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5 Years of National Technical Textile Mission: Weaving the Fabric of Innovation

The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of
Textiles (MoT) launched in 2020, to boost technical textiles in India, has completed 5 years of successful
implementation. The key focus areas of the mission are: research,
market growth, exports, and skill development.
• It aims to promote innovation, startups, and use in
agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare.
• The Mission Directorate was formed with a Mission
Director, Ashoka Malhotra, for the implementation, co-
ordination and monitoring activities under the NTTM.
About NTTM:
i.In February 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi had approved the NTTM with an outlay of Rs 1,480 crores for a period from 2020-21 to
2025-26.
ii.The mission aims to position India a global leader in the Technical Textiles sector. A total of 168 research
projects worth Rs 509 crore have been approved under NTTM.
iii.The mission is being implemented through a 3-tier institutional mechanism which includes: the Mission
Steering Group, the Empowered Programme Committee (EPC), and the Committee on Technical Textiles
on Research, Development & Innovation.
iv.Total 12 product categories have been classified under NTTM such as: agrotech, buildtech, geotech,
mobiltech, sportstech, protech, clothtech, meditech, hometech, indutech, packtech and Oekotech.
4 Key Components of NTTM:
i.Component-I (Research, Innovation, and Development): This component supports Research &
Development (R&D) in technical textiles. It invites proposals to develop new materials and processes.
ii.Component-II (Promotion and Market Development): This component aims to encourage the
adoption of technical textiles in India through market promotion and international collaborations.
iii.Component-III (Export Promotion): It focuses on accelerating exports of technical textiles with a
dedicated export council outlay.
iv.Component-IV (Education Training, and Skill development): It promotes technical textiles
education, skill training, and internships in premier institutes and industries.
Financial Allocation:
i.Since its inception in 2020, the Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 517 crore for NTTM.
ii.Till date, Rs 393.39 crore has been used for various activities: research, innovation, market
development, export promotion and skill development in technical textiles.
iii.Key allocation to 4 components of NTTM: Research, Innovation, and Development (Rs 1,000
crore),Promotion and Market Development (Rs 50 crore), Export Promotion(Rs 10 crore), and Education
Training, and Skill development (Rs 400 crore).
Key Progress under NTTM:
i.Research Areas Supported: The mission has supported key research areas such as: carbon fiber, aramid
fiber, nylon fiber, geotextiles, agro-textiles, medical textiles, among others.
ii.Quality Control Orders (QCQs): Under this mission, 68 QCQs have been issued cross various
segments i.e. geo-tech (20), protective textiles (12), agro-textiles (20), medical textiles (6), ropes &
cordages(9), and indutech textiles (1).
iii.Export Promotion: The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) (now
MATEXIL) assigned for the promoting technical textiles exports.
iv.BIS Standards: More than 600 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards have been developed for
technical textiles (including over 200), since the launch of NTTM.

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v.Academic Support: GoI has approved 38 proposals worth Rs 191 crore for lab upgrades and faculty
training in technical textiles.
Key Initiatives Launched under NTTM:
i.Grant for Internship Support Technical Textiles (GIST 2.0): This initiative was launched under NTTM,
which aims to fix the gap between industry and academia by facilitating hands-on learning opportunities in
technical textiles.
• It promotes local innovation, supports the Make in India initiative and helps empower young
talent to drive growth in the textile sector.
ii.Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)
Scheme: The program was launched in August 2023, provides financial support to help translate
prototypes into technologies and products for commercialization.
• Under this program, so far, 8 startups were granted Rs 50 lakh each for innovations in medical,
industrial and protective textiles.
• Also, 3 educational institutes which includes Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP)-based Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT-Indore), and National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna, based
in Bihar, received Rs 6.5 crore to introduce specialized courses in geotextiles, geosynthetics,
and sports textiles.
iii.Skill Development Programs: NTTM aims to equip 50,000 individuals, including undergraduate
students, unskilled workers, and professionals, in technical textiles.
• The initiative offers targeted skill development through 12 industry-focused courses developed
by organizations like: SITRA (South India Textiles Research Association), NITRA (Northern India
Textile Research Association), and SASMIRA(Synthetic & Art Silk Mills Research Association) in
various segments such as: medical, protective, mobile,
among others.
iv.Technotex 2024: It was organised as part of Bharat Tex 2024,
demonstrated the strength of India’s technical textiles sector. It
provided a platform to explore global investment opportunities.
• The key highlight of the event was the Innovation Zone
under NTTM, which was spanned 693 square meters
(sq. m).
• It featured 71 cutting-edge projects, with 48 presented
as prototypes and 23 through informative posters.
Significance of India’s Textile Industry:
i.India is the world’s 6th largest exporter of textiles, with a 3.9% share in global textile exports.
ii.The textile industry contributes approximately 2% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and
accounts for 10% of Industrial Production.
iii.The textile sector is expected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030 further strengthening India’s
position in the international market. Also, this growth is estimated to generate 3.5 crore jobs.
About Ministry of Textiles (MoT):
Union Minister- Giriraj Singh (Constituency- Begusarai, Bihar)
Union Minister of State (MoS)- Pabitra Margherita (Rajya Sabha member- Assam)

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STATE NEWS
Rajasthan Launched SSBY, providing Rs 1.3 lakh accident insurance cover to School Students
In February 2025, Madan Dilawar, Education and Panchayati Raj Minister of Rajasthan launched the
‘Shiksha Sanjeevani Bima Yojana (SSBY)’ during a special event held at Residency Girls Higher Secondary
School in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
• It is a 1st of-its-kind scheme which aims to provide personal accident insurance coverage of Rs
1 lakh to Rs 1.30 lakh to students in the government schools. Initially, the scheme will cover
schools in the Udaipur Division of Rajasthan.
i.The scheme will also provide insurance coverage in case of accidental death of student’s parent.
ii.Wonder Cement, Zurich Kotak General Insurance and State Bank of India(SBI are partners of the Shiksha
Sanjeevani Bima Yojana scheme.
iii.The state government plans to expand the scheme eventually which is estimated to benefit 1
crore school children across the state.

Andhra Pradesh Government Presents Rs 3.22 Lakh Crore Budget for 2025-26
In February 2025, Payyavula Keshav, the Minister for Finance for the Andhra Pradesh (AP) state
government, presented the Annual budget of AP for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY 26) with a total
outlay of Rs 3,22,359 crore. The budget allocations include a Revenue Expenditure of Rs 2,51,162 crore
and a Capital Expenditure of Rs 40,635 crore.
• The budget outlay of FY26 is about 9.48% higher than the previous year. The budget size for
FY25 was Rs. 2,94,427 crore.
• The budget proposes to spend Rs 47,456 crore for the Backward Classes’ (BC) welfare, while
school education gets an allocation of Rs 31,805 crore for 2025-26.
Financial Indicators:
i.The estimated revenue deficit is around Rs. 33,185 crore, which constitutes 1.82% of the Gross State
Domestic Product (GSDP) and the fiscal deficit is around Rs 79,926 crore, accounting for 4.38% of the
GSDP.
ii.The revised estimate for revenue expenditure for FY25 is Rs.2,24,342 crore, and for capital expenditure
is Rs.24,072 crore.
iii.The revenue deficit for FY25 is around Rs.48,311 crore, whereas the Fiscal Deficit(FD) is around
Rs.73,362 crore. The revenue deficit is 3.01% and fiscal deficit is 4.57% of GSDP.

Key Allocations:
I.The government incorporated 2 major electoral promises under Super Six:
i.Talliki Vandanam Scheme: Rs 9,407 crore was allocated for this welfare scheme which will provide
financial assistance of Rs 15,000 per annum to selected students (from Class I to XII) who belong to
financially unstable families in AP.
ii.AP Annadata Sukhibhava: Rs 6,300 crore was allocated for a welfare scheme providing a financial
assistance of Rs 20,000 per year to all farmers.

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• Of this, Rs 14,000 will be provided by the state government, and the remaining Rs 6,000 will be
provided under the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) Pradhan Mantri KIsan SAmman Nidhi (PM-
KISAN).
• Rs.6000 per annum per family will be payable in 3 equal installments, every 4 months.
II.Health:
i.The Budget proposes to allocate Rs 19,264 crore for the Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department
for FY26, accounting for 5.98% of the total budget.
ii.It includes Rs 16,558.97 crore for revenue and Rs 2,705.96 crore for capital expenditure.
• A Rs 25 lakh health insurance scheme for all residents was also announced, which is set to
launch in the next financial year.
III.Agriculture:
i.A separate budget of Rs 48,341.14 crore was presented by AP Agriculture Minister
Kinjarapu Atchannaidu for agriculture, with the highest allocation of Rs 12,903.41 crore for the
maintenance of irrigation projects.
• Rs 29,655 crore was allocated for Sustainable Agriculture & Drought Free State.
• Rs 12,773.25 crore was allocated for a 9-hour free power supply to agricultural consumers
• Rs 12,401.58 crore for implementing various farmers’ welfare and development programs.
ii.As per the GSDP’s First Advance Estimates (FAE), the Gross Value Added (GVA) for agriculture at current
prices was estimated as Rs 57,187 crore with a growth rate of 22.86%.
IV.Water Resource Management:
A total of Rs 11,314 crore has been allocated for water resource management.
• Polavaram Irrigation Project was allocated Rs 6,705 crore, and Amaravati Project was
allocated Rs 6,000 crore to restart the capital city project.
• The financial relief for the fishermen’s families during the fishing ban period has increased to Rs
20,000 from Rs 10,000.
V.Major Infrastruct ure and Development Projects:
i.Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme: A corpus of Rs 2,000 crore dedicated to Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) projects.
ii.Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): Allocated Rs 2,800 crore for clean drinking water initiatives and Rs 13,487
crore for Agriculture & Allied sectors.
iii.Rs 10 crore was allocated for the development of Telugu Language.
iv.Rs 31,805 crore was allocated for school education with Rs
2506 crore for higher education.
v.The AP state government would also provide free electricity to
over 44,000 government schools.
vi.The AP government also increased the allocation for minorities’
welfare to Rs 5,434 crore from Rs 4,376 crore and the allocation
for women and child welfare also increased to Rs 4,332 crore
from Rs 4,285 crore.
vii.Other allocations include:
• Rs 1,228 crore for the Skill Development (SD) Department;
• Rs 18,847 crore for the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (PR & RD) Department;
• Rs 13,862 crore for the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD)
Department;
• Rs13,487 crore for Agriculture & Allied sectors.
viii.Rs 27,518 crore has been allocated for the NTR Bharosa Pension (NBP) scheme, which is already under
implementation

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ix.Rs 1,000 crore was allocated for relaunching the ‘Adarana’ scheme which had supported artisans,
craftsmen, and other traditional occupations. This scheme would provide improved modern toolkits and
gadgets to ensure sustainable income by improving productivity,
VI.Economic Growth:
i.The economy of AP is recovering and targeting a growth rate of
15% + annually, as part of the Swarna Andhra@2047, a 10
guiding principles aimed at making AP a wealthy, healthy,
sustainable, and happy state.
ii.According to the FAE for 2024-25, the GSDP grew by 12.94%.
Sector-wise growth rates include:
• Agriculture & Allied Activities: 15.86%
• Industries: 6.71%
• Services: 11.70%
About Andhra Pradesh(AP):
Chief Minister (CM)- Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor– Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer
Airports– Visakhapatnam International Airport, and Vijayawada
International Airport
Bird Sanctuaries– Atapaka/Kolleru Bird Sanctuary, and Pulicat Bird Sanctuary

Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Launches Mizoram Chapter of WEP for Women’s Empowerment

In February 2025, the Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram, PU Lalduhoma launched the Mizoram Chapter of
the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) during a state workshop aimed at promoting women-led
development through entrepreneurship. The event, held at Mizoram University in Aizawl (Mizoram), was
organized under New Delhi(Delhi) based the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI
Aayog) State Support Mission (SSM).
• The initiative aims to enhance women’s participation in entrepreneurship, boost Mizoram’s
economic growth, and support the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
• With this, Mizoram became the first state in the Northeast to set up a WEP chapter.
Key Highlights:
i.The event was graced by the presence of Lalduhoma, CMof Mizoram, Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member, NITI
Aayog, Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary, Planning and Programme Implementation Department,
Government of Mizoram, Khilli Ram Meena, Chief Secretary of Mizoram, Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of
Labour, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (LESDE), Government of Mizoram, Anna
Roy, Principal Economic Adviser (PEA) of NITI Aayog and Mission Director of WEP, and Rini Ralte, Founder
of Label Lelen.
ii) Speaking at the event, CM Lalduhoma said, the state government launched the Bana Kaih Scheme to
support young entrepreneurs. In the pilot phase, 517 Progress Partners were selected, including 140
women (27%).
iii. Lalduhoma also launched several WEP initiatives: WEP State Chapter Mizoram, the Yashasvani
Program (in collaboration with the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)), the
Swavalambini Program (in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
(MSDE)), the WEP Award to Reward (ATR) Programme (with The New Shop), the beta version of WEP
Application (App), and awards for women entrepreneurs (by Make My Trip).

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About Mizoram:
Capital – Aizawl
Chief Minister (CM) – PU Lalduhoma
Governor – General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Rted.)
Stadiums – Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Zotlang Sports Stadium, Lammual Stadium

Assam Designated Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve as 8th National Park & Renamed as ‘Sikhna
Jwhwlao National Park’
In February 2025, the Assam government officially designated the Chirang-Ripu Elephant
Reserve located in the Kokrajhar and Chirang districts of Assam as
the 8th National Park(NP) in the state.
• The new NP of Assam is named after the Bodo
legend Sikhna Jwhwlao, also popularly known as Jaolia
Dewan, who fought against the British in the Anglo-Bhutan
war in 1865. This naming honors his bravery and
contribution to the history and culture of the Bodo
community.
• The decision was first announced by Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma during his
Independence Day speech in 2024, and was carried out by the Assam Cabinet on 16 February
2025.
About Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park:
i.Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park spans 316 square kilometers (sq km) and is located along the India-Bhutan
border.
ii.It is situated between the two existing NP, Raimona NP to the west and Manas NP to the east.
iii.The Runikhata Range in Chirang, the Jharbari Forest Range in Kokrajhar, and the Haltugaon Forest
Division are all part of the park.
iv.The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including many different kinds of birds and reptiles,
endangered golden langur, Asian elephants, one-horned rhinoceroses, and royal Bengal tigers.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM) – Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor – Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Capital – Dispur
Ramsar site – Deepor Beel
National Park(NP) -Kaziranga NP, Manas National Park, Dibru – Saikhowa NP, Nameri NP, Orang NP and
Tiger Reserve (ONPTR), Dehing Patkai NP, Raimona NP.

Jharkhand FM Radhakrishna Kishore Presents Rs 1.45 Lakh Crore Budget for FY 26

On 3 March 2025, Finance Minister (FM) of Jharkhand, Radhakrishna Kishore Jllhas introduced the
state budget for the financial year 2025-26 (FY 26), amounting to Rs.1,45,400 crore. It is called the
“Abua Budget,” symbolizing the state’s commitment to the welfare of all its people. It represents an
increase from the previous year’s budget of Rs 1.28 lakh crore.
• The budget focuses on helping the poor, farmers, tribals, and women in the state, and aims for
inclusive development.
Financial Indicators:
i.The state’s economy is projected to grow at a rate of 7.5% during this period.
ii.The fiscal deficit for FY 26 is estimated at Rs 11,253 crore.

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iii For the upcoming fiscal year, the state expects to generate Rs 35,200 crore in revenue from its own tax
sources.
iv.Jharkhand Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices was about Rs.4.6 trillion in FY24 and
the State Government will try to make it Rs.10 trillion by FY30.
Key Allocations:
i.To strengthen the agricultural sector and support farmers, the Government of Jharkhand has set
aside Rs 4,587 crore.
• A total of Rs 140 crore has been set aside for modern farming equipment, while Rs 203 crore
will be used for water conservation initiatives, including pond construction and deep boring
projects.
• To boost horticulture, Rs 304 crore has been allocated, ensuring better opportunities for
farmers.
• Rs 350 crore has been earmarked for crop insurance to protect farmers from losses, and Rs 259
crore will be invested in improving storage facilities for agricultural produce, reducing wastage
and enhancing market access.
• Additionally, Rs 79,000 crore has been proposed for the Animal Husbandry Department to help
farmers expand and improve their production.
ii.The Jharkhand government has prioritized infrastructure and rural development in its budget,
allocating Rs 9,841 crore for various rural development projects.
• To enhance water resource management, Rs 2,257 crore has been set aside, ensuring better
access to irrigation and water conservation measures.
• Additionally, Rs 1,200 crore has been allocated for the construction of 1,200 kilometre (km) of
roads and 10 major bridges, aiming to improve connectivity and transportation across the state.
• Additionally, glass bridges will be constructed at prominent sites such as Dasam and Hundru
Falls.
iii.The budget has allocated Rs 62,844 crore to the social sector to support various development
initiatives.
• Within this, Rs 13,363 crore has been set aside for the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan
Samman Yojna(JMMSY), a financial aid scheme aimed at supporting women and improving their
economic stability.
• Rs 5,005.9 crore has been allocated for Free Electricity.
iv.The budget includes provisions for strengthening education and healthcare infrastructure in
Jharkhand.
• New medical colleges will be established in Ranchi, Khunti, Giridih, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad,
Deoghar, and Jamtara to enhance healthcare services and expand medical education.
• Additionally, universities will be set up in Jamshedpur, Gumla, and Sahibganj to improve
access to higher education.
• Further, Business and Mass Communication schools will be developed in Jamshedpur, Palamu,
Ranchi, Dhanbad, and Deoghar, providing specialized learning opportunities in these fields.
v.The budget includes initiatives to promote technology and innovation in Jharkhand, with plans to
establish J-Hub and a State Technology Park to encourage research and technological advancements.
vi.Additionally, provisions have been made for the development of Tapovan Mandir in Ranchi, Jharkhand
and the formation of an advisory panel for Scheduled Castes (SCs), designed following the Tribes Advisory
Council (TAC) framework.

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About Jharkhand:
Chief Minister (CM)– Hemant Soren
Governor– Santosh Kumar Gangwar
Capital– Ranchi
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary

Bihar FM Samrat Choudhary Presents Rs 3.17 lakh crore State Budget for FY26
On 3 March 2025, Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM), and Finance Minister (FM)
of Bihar presented a Rs 3.17 lakh crore (Rs 3,16,895.02 crore) state Budget for the Financial Year 2025-
26(FY26). The budget expenditure estimated for 2025-26 is Rs 38,169 crore more than the budget
estimate (Rs 2,78,725.72 crore) for FY25..
• The Education sector receives the highest allocation of Rs.60,954 crores, followed by the
Health Department (Rs.20,335 crores), the Rural Development Department (Rs.16,193 crores)
and , Energy Department(Rs.13,483 crores).
• Bihar’s budget has grown 15 times, from Rs 22,568 crore (Total Expenditure from State
Budget) in 2005-06 to nearly Rs 3.17 lakh crore.
Note: The budget primarily focused on women’s empowerment, farmer support, infrastructure
development, and prioritising student welfare.
Fiscal Indicators:
i.The Revenue Expenditure(RE) for 2025-26 is estimated at Rs 2,52,000 crore, which is Rs 26,323 crore
more than Rs 2,25,676.99 crore for the FY25 budget estimate.
ii.The Capital expenditure (CapEx) for FY26 is estimated at Rs 64,894.76 crore. The Revenue and Capital
Expenditures in the total expenditure (Rs 3,16,895 crore) are 79.52% and 20.48% respectively.
iii.For 2025-26, the estimated Fiscal Deficit(FD) is Rs 32,718 crore, which is 2.98% of the Gross State
Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 10,97,264 crore.
• The FD to the GSDP has been maintained within the statutory limits of 3% as per the FRBM Act
(Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act).
iv.Bihar has a Revenue Surplus of Rs 8,831 crore during 2025-26 which is 0.80% of the GSDP.
• Revenue Surplus will be used for investment in physical infrastructure, generating productive
capital assets like roads, buildings, power, schools, health centers, irrigation schemes, etc
v.The Total Revenue Receipt has been estimated at Rs 2,60,831 crore in FY26 which is Rs 34,033 crore
more than Rs 2,26,798 crore for FY25.
Sector-Wise Allocations:
Education Sector:
i.For 2025-26, the expenditure for the education department is estimated at Rs 60,964.87
crore, reflecting the state’s focus on improving literacy and higher education opportunities.
ii.The Bihar Government has also decided to increase the scholarship amount from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000
per month for students from Class I to Class X and will also ensure the opening of at least one degree
college in all 534 blocks in Bihar.
Health Sector:
i.Rs 20,035.8 crore has been set aside for healthcare improvements, including infrastructure
development and better medical facilities.
ii.A dedicated cancer hospital has been proposed for the Begusarai district.
iii.Over 100 public healthcare centers have been established in rural Bihar over the past 15 years.
Road Sector:
i.Rs 17,908 crore has been estimated for the Road Sector, which involves the works of Road Construction
and Rural departments.

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ii.The total amount includes Rs 3,000 crore for the Output and Performance-based Road Asset
Maintenance Contract (OPRMC) maintenance of the road.
Rural Development:
i.Rs 15,586 crore was allotted for rural development, focusing on roads, electricity, water supply, and
housing.
ii.Rs 5,972 crore was allocated for Saat Nischay-II, a state government initiative aimed at making Bihar
Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in 7 sectors viz health, infrastructure, employment, and woman empowerment
through rural infrastructure, skill development, and employment schemes.
Welfare Sector:
i.Rs 13,368 crore has been estimated for the Social Welfare Sector, which includes the welfare of
Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST), Minority, Other Backward Castes (OBC) and Most Backward
Classes (MBC).
ii.Rs 19,648.86 crore has been allocated for the SC Special Component Plan (SCP) and Rs 1,735 crore has
been allocated for the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) (now known as Development Action Plan for Scheduled
Tribes, DAPST).
iii.Rs 3,303 crore was set aside for student scholarships, with 90% of beneficiaries from OBC, Economically
Backward Classes (EBC), and SC communities.
Law and Order:
Rs 17,831 crore has been allocated to the home department, responsible for maintaining law and order in
the state.
Digital and Property Reforms:
The government aims to introduce a paperless property registration system, enhancing efficiency and
transparency.
Women’s Empowerment Initiatives:
The budget includes several provisions to support women:
i.‘Mahila Haat’ (Women’s Marketplace) in Patna to encourage women entrepreneurs.
ii.‘Pink Toilets’ in all districts to improve sanitation facilities for women.
iii.‘Pink Buses’ in major cities to enhance women’s mobility.
iv.‘Kanya Vivah Mandaps’ in every panchayat to provide a venue for the marriage of girls from poor
families.
v.Women driver training centers to be opened in major cities.
vi.33% reservation for women in the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC).
Infrastructure Development & Agriculture:
i.Greenfield Airports will be developed in Sultanganj (Bhagalpur district) and Raxaul (East Champaran
district).
ii.The Purnea Airport is expected to become operational within 3 months.
iii.Rs 13,180 crore was earmarked for subsidies in various schemes run under agriculture, energy, and
other sectors.
iv.The state government plans to open Migration Counselling Cum Registration Centers (MCRCs) in cities
like Hyderabad (Telangana), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Coimbatore, and Chennai
(Tamil Nadu), etc. for assisting migrant labourers from Bihar outside the state.
v.The state government, in association with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of
India Limited (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF), will fix the minimum
support price of pulses for the benefit of farmers.

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About Bihar:
Chief Minister (CM)- Nitish Kumar
Governor– Arif Mohammed Khan
Airports– Darbhanga Airport, and Jogbani Airport
Birds Sanctuaries– Kanwar Jheel Birds Sanctuary, Nagi-Nakti Bird Sanctuary

Chhattisgarh FM Om Prakash Choudhary Presents Rs 1.65 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26
On 3 March 2025, Finance Minister (FM) of Chhattisgarh, Om Prakash (OP) Choudhary presented the
state budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY 26) in the state assembly with an allocation of Rs 1,65,000
crore which is Rs.17, 554 crore more than the FY25 Budget.
• The budget follows the theme ‘GATI’, focusing on Good Governance, Accelerating Infrastructure,
Technology, and Industrial Growth.
• The budget is focused on robust growth and welfare for marginalized groups, including women,
children, and farmers, without introducing new taxes.
• FY26 budget marks the silver jubilee of the state and coincides with the 100th birth anniversary
of former Prime Minister(PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee, honoring his vision for Chhattisgarh.
Financial Indicators:
i.The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY26 is projected at Rs 6,35,918 crore, reflecting a 12%
increase from the FY25 estimate of Rs 5,67,880 crore.
ii.The Fiscal Deficit(FD) as a percentage of GSDP has increased slightly from 2.90% in FY25 to 2.97% in
FY26.
iii.Gross Fiscal Deficit(GFD) is projected at Rs 22,900 crore, Net fiscal deficit stands at Rs 18,900 crore,
within the 3% limit set by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003.
iv.Capital expenditure(CapEx) has risen 18% year-on-year (YoY), reaching Rs 26,341 crore from Rs
22,300 crore, making up 16% of the total budget.
v.Total revenue surplus for FY 26 is estimated at Rs 2,804 crore.
Key Allocations:
i.A total of Rs 2,000 crore has been set aside for road construction under the Public Works Department
(PWD). Additionally, Rs 845 crore has been allocated for village roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• To enhance connectivity in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) habitations, Rs 500
crore has been earmarked under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan(PM-
JANMAN) Sadak Nirman Yojana.
ii.A budget of Rs 10,000 crore has been allocated for the Krishak Unnati Yojana to provide support to
farmers.
iii.For rural housing development, Rs 8,500 crore has been set aside under the Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana -Gramin(PMAY-G).
iv.The Mahtari Vandan Yojana, which offers financial assistance to married women, has received an
allocation of Rs 5,500 crore.
v.To strengthen food security, Rs 4,500 crore has been earmarked under the Mukhyamantri Khadyann
Sahayata Yojana(MKSY).
vi.Additionally, Rs 3,500 crore has been allocated to cover electricity costs for agricultural pumps of up to
5 horsepower (HP).
Key Initiatives:
i.The Road Plan 2030 is being formulated to enhance connectivity across the state.

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• The Mukhyamantri Mobile Tower Scheme will improve network access in remote areas,
while the Mukhyamantri Parivahan Yojana will provide transport services in underserved
regions.
• Provision has been made to promote Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital transactions in all
gram panchayats.
ii.The Chhattisgarh Growth and Stability Fund has been created to ensure financial stability post-2039
when a large number of employees will retire. A pension fund has been introduced for government
employees,
iii.A new land registration system will be introduced, reducing costs for relinquishment and division of
assets to Rs 500.
iv.Sickle cell screening centers will be established in all development blocks to enhance healthcare
services.
v.500 new Co-operative Societies and a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will be set up in
Chhattisgarh.
vi.A new National Institute of Urban Management will be built in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh along with
Medi City and Education City.
vii.Special Operation Group (SOG) will be formed to tackle high-risk criminals and State Industrial Security
Force (SISF) similar to Central Industrial Security Force(CISF), to enhance security for industries and key
installations.
Points to Note:
i.The budget introduces no new taxes, with a Rs 1 per liter reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol
from April 1, 2025. Additionally, the stamp duty cess on property transactions will be removed
ii.The electronic (e)-way bill limit for small traders will be increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh to ease
compliance.
About Chhattisgarh:
Chief Minister (CM)– Vishnu Deo Sai
Governor– Ramen Deka
Capital– Raipur
National Park (NP)– Indravati NP, Kanger Valley NP

Mizoram CM Pu Lalduhoma Presented Rs 15,198.76 Crore State Budget for FY26

In March 2025, the Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram Pu Lalduhoma presented Rs 15,198.76 crore budget
for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) in the state legislative assembly in Aizawl, Mizoram. He also
announced Rs 350 crore has been allocated for the implementation of state’s
flagship, ‘Bana Kaih Scheme(Hand Holding)’ for FY26, marking a significant increase of 75% in fund
allocation for the scheme compared to Rs 200 crore allocated in the current fiscal year.
• Mizoram’s CM who also holds the finance ministry, presented Rs 3,512.33 crore in
supplementary demands for grants for FY25 (2024-25).
• He also announced that no new tax will be imposed but emphasized strengthening tax
administration and increasing revenue from the online lottery.
Financial Indicators:
i.Of the total amount estimated under revenue receipt and capital receipt for FY26, Rs 2,616.33 crore is
expected from the state’s own tax revenues and non-tax revenues and Rs 10,331.28 crore from the centre
government in the forms of share of taxes, revenue deficit grant, Centrally Sponsored Scheme(CSS) and
other grants.
ii.The budget estimated revenue expenditure at Rs 12,540.20 crore for FY26, which accounts 82.51% of
the total budget expenditure and 4.88% higher than the current fiscal estimate of Rs 11,957 crore.

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iii.Rs 2,658.56 crore has been allocated for Capital Expenditure (capex), accounts 17.49% of the total
estimated expenditure and also marks an increase of 8.29% compared to Rs 2,455 crore allocated for
FY25.
iv.The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated to reach Rs 36,088.82 crore for FY26 against Rs
34,003.27 crore estimated for FY25.
• The state government adopted a new realistic approach for calculating GSDP. So, with revised
calculation, the GSDP for FY25 Revised Estimate (RE) is now estimated at Rs 34,003.27 crore,
marking a decrease of Rs 14,034.25 crore from the previous estimate of Rs 48,037.52 crore
Budget Estimate (BE).
v.The state government informed that debt-to-GSDP ratio is estimated at 29.22% for FY25 (BE), with
accumulated outstanding amounting to Rs 14,034.76 crore.
• He further informed that Revised Estimates (RE) for FY25 show that outstanding debts at Rs
13,030.82 crore, which is Rs 1,003.94 crore lower than BE for FY25.
• The Fiscal Deficit(FD) is estimated at Rs 1,651.68 crore for FY26, which accounts 4.57% of
GSDP.
Key Allocations:
i.The state government has proposed to introduce a universal health scheme from April, 2025, to provide
health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh annually to eligible beneficiaries.
• Also, the government has allocated Rs 50 crore for the implementation of the proposed scheme
and other health-related infrastructure.
ii.The government has allocated Rs 500 crore and Rs 100 crore, for power purchase and road maintenance,
respectively.
• It has increased the budget allocation for road fund board from Rs 40 crore to Rs 55 crore.
iii.Rs 74 crore has been allocated for rural local body and Rs 40 crore for urban local body for FY26 as
recommended by the Finance Commission (FC).
iv.The state government proposed to allocate a total Rs 4,747.24 crore for the social services sector,
which accounts 31.23% of the total estimated expenditure for FY26.
Note: Social services sector comprises several components including education, sports, health and family
welfare, water supply and sanitation, among others.
About Bana Kaih Scheme:
i.The scheme was officially launched in September 2024, which aimed to provide financial assistance and
support entrepreneurs and farmers (‘progress partners’) targeted programmes designed to economic
growth and self-sufficiency.
ii.Handholding to progress partners is one of the key components of the scheme, under which the state
government provides financial assistance and offers loans up to Rs 50 lakh to beneficiaries through
partner banks.
iii.The state government introduced support prices for 4 key crops: ginger, turmeric, Mizo chilli and
broomsticks.
• It also plans to purchase these 4 agricultural crops from the farmers in the next financial year.
Important Terms:
i.Capital Expenditure (Capex): means creating the assets and infrastructures for the public, improving
productivity, employment generation and investment.
ii.Revenue Expenditure: It includes mainly salaries and wages, pension expenses, interest payments and
power purchases, among others.

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About Mizoram:
Chief Minister (CM)- Pu Lalduhoma
Governor- General (Retd.) Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh
Capital- Aizawl
National Parks (NPs)- Murlen NP, Phawngpui NP

Assam Cabinet Renames Jagiroad Electronic City as ‘Ratan Tata Electronic City’
On March 4, 2025, the Assam Cabinet officially renamed the Northeast India’s first Electronic City in
Jagiroad, Morigaon district, as “Ratan Tata Electronic City”, to honor the contributions of Mumbai
(Maharashtra) based Tata Group and its late Chairman, Ratan Naval Tata.
• This move recognizes Ratan Tata’s philanthropic efforts and the Tata Group’s role in Assam’s
socio-economic growth.
• The renaming coincides with Tata Group’s plans to establish a semiconductor plant in Assam,
which will generate over 30,000 jobs.
i.Indian Industrialist and Philanthropist, Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, 2024, known for his
philanthropic efforts, supporting various causes, including education, healthcare, and rural development.
ii.He served as the Chairman of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) India’s
largest private-sector philanthropic trusts.
iii.In 2000, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd-highest civilian honor, for his distinguished
service in trade and industry and in 2008, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd-highest civilian
honor, for his exceptional services.

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio Presented Rs 24,849 Crore Budget for FY26

In March 2025, the Chief Minister (CM) of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio who also holds the finance
portfolio, presented Rs 24,849 crore state budget for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) in the Nagaland
Legislative Assembly in Kohima, Nagaland.
• The budget for FY26 reflects the state government’s unwavering commitment to fostering
development, enhancing civic amenities, and generating employment opportunities for citizens
of the state.
• The budget estimated the total receipts for FY26 at Rs 24,849.01 crore and total expenditure
at Rs 24,699.01 crore.
Financial Estimates:
i.While presenting the budget, CM highlighted that total development outlay including Centrally Sponsored
Scheme (CSS) stands at Rs 5,819.24 crore for FY26, of which Rs 1,200 crore is contributed from state’s
own resources, marks an increase of Rs 190 crore compared to the last year, registering a growth of
18.81%.
ii.Rs 8,216.25 crore has been estimated for central assistance, including grants and loans, while internal
debt, comprising Ways and Means Advances (WMA) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was estimated
at Rs 6,065.41 crore and the recovery of loans and advance by the state government expected at Rs 1.52
crore for FY26.
iii.Of the total expenditure, non-development expenditure was estimated to reach Rs 12,949.72 crore,
and Rs 5,930.05 crore has been allocated for debt servicing, including the repayment of WMA.
• While, development expenditure, including CSS, has been anticipated at Rs 5,819.24 crore.
iv.The budget has pegged the state’s Fiscal Deficit(FD) at Rs 843.21 crore, a slight improvement
compared to FY25 estimate of Rs 905.78 crore.

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Key Allocations:
i.Skill Development: Rs 5 crore has been allocated for the ‘Nagaland Skill Mission’ which aims to train
5,000 youth in FY26 in self-employment and private-sector employment, with entrepreneurships linked to
the Chief Ministers Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI).
ii.Infrastructure development: The budget has allocated Rs 55 crore to the roads and bridges
department of the state for implementing a special road development program, and Rs 30 crore for
maintenance of existing roads.
• Additionally, Rs 3 crore has been allocated to the mechanical department for procurement of
heavy machineries, and construction of boundary wall for the mechanical workshop-cum-
training centre at Shokhuvi, Chumoukedima.
• Rs 7.88 crore has been earmarked for construction of sub-station and garages at various
districts, upgradation of workshop at Lerie, booking office at Tamlu and setting up of Aviation,
Inland Waterways and Railways Cell.
iii.Science and Technology(S&T): Total Rs 2.71 crore has been allocated to the state’s S&T department
for its infrastructure development and for Nagaland Science Mission.
• Also, the state government has allocated Rs 3.86 crore to the department of Information
Technology and Communication for construction of buildings and establishment of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and Research Centre.
iv.Renewable Energy(RE): The budget has allocated Rs 10 crore for Nagaland Solar Power Mission, which
offers subsidies of up to Rs 50,000 per consumer to promote solar energy adoption.
• This state’s solar power mission is in alignment with the Prime Minister Surya
Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana(PMSGMBY), which aims to enhance energy security while reducing long-
term power costs for consumers.
v.Agriculture and Allied sector: The government has allocated total Rs 49.03 crore to the agriculture
and allied sector for FY26, of which Rs 11.55 crore has been earmarked to the state’s agriculture
department for construction of agri-link roads, office buildings and agri park at Kisama heritage village.
• Also, Rs 6 crore has been allocated to the horticulture department for construction of office
buildings in newly created districts, short-link roads, strawberry model farming project at
Zubza.
vi.Health and Welfare: The budget has allocated Rs 15 crore for next year’s premium of Chief Minister’s
Life Insurance Scheme (CMLIS), which was launched on October 1, 2024 with nearly 4 lakh enrollments.
vii.Education: The state government has earmarked Rs 10.63 crore for infrastructure, Information
Technology (IT) equipment, and accreditation activities.
• While, Rs 14.05 crore has been allocated for the construction of District Education Officer (DEO)
and SDEO buildings and Rs 5crore for school maintenance.
New Initiative/ Announcement:
i.Key allocations to other sectors: social welfare (Rs 5.30 crore), tourism (Rs 14 crore), sports and youth
development (Rs 13.55 crore), transport (Rs 7.88 crore), among others.
• The state government announced the Nagaland Tourism, Hospitality and Transport Scheme.
Under this scheme, concessional loans will be provided to entrepreneurs to set up 500
homestays and 200 tourist transport vehicles.
ii.The state government has proposed to set up banking facilities in 20 unbanked development blocks,
including approach roads and buildings.
iii.Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based e-way bill tracking will be introduced, reducing delays and
revenue leakages. Integrated with Goods and Services Tax(GST) and transport databases and Rs 2 crore
has been allocated for this initiative.

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iv.During the budget, CM announced the launch of ‘CM’s Fellowship Programme’ to promote future leaders
and policy innovators, with estimated budget outlay of Rs 2.5 crore.
v.Living Morung Initiative introduced with Rs.5 crore allocation.The aim of this initiative to preserve Naga
cultural heritage by reviving Morung-style cultural hubs for intergenerational learning and skill training.
vi.To fast track the developmental needs of villages in the interstate border areas, a new initiative
introduced with an allocation of Rs 15 crore.
vii.The state government also announced the Drone Training and Logistics Program where an amount of
Rs. 2.50 crore has been earmarked.
• Also, a total Rs 190 crore has been allocated for various developmental activities in FY26.
About Nagaland:
Chief Minister (CM)- Neiphiu Rio
Governor- La Ganesan
Capital- Kohima
National Parks (NPs)- Ntangki NP

J&K CM Omar Abdullah Presented Rs 1.12 lakh Crore Budget for FY26 with Zero-deficit
In March 2025, the Chief Minister (CM) of Union Territory (UT) Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Omar
Abdullah who also holds finance portfolio, presented Rs 1.12 lakh crore (Rs 1,12,310 crore) state budget,
excluding provisions for Ways and Means Advances (WMA) and overdrafts for Financial Year 2025-
26 (FY26), with main focus on zero-deficit budget, at J&K Assembly in Jammu, J&K.
• This marked the 1st budget by an elected government in J&K in 7 years.
• The last budget was presented in 2018 under the Peoples Democratic Party -Bharatiya Janata
Party (PDP-BJP) led coalition government in the erstwhile state of J&K, which was accorded the
status of UT after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
• While presenting the budget, he highlighted that the economy of J&K has been expanding from
Rs 1,64,103 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 2,45, 022 crore in 2023-24, due to improved environment
in the UT.
Key Financial Indicators:
i.The budget has estimated the tax-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio at 7.5% and fiscal deficit at 3% of
J&K’s GDP for FY26.
• This fiscal deficit projection is significantly lower than the 5.5% in the Revised Estimate (RE) for
FY25.
ii.The budget has projected UT’s GDP at Rs 2,884,22 crore for FY26, showing a growth of 9.5% compared
to the previous year.
iii.The total receipts are estimated at Rs 1,40,309.99 crore, including provisions for an overdraft worth Rs
28,000 crore for FY26.
• The revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 97,982 crore and capital receipts at Rs 14,328 crore.
• Rs 31,905 crore will be generated from UT’s own revenues including both tax and non-tax.
• In addition to that, the budget estimated Rs 41,000 crore from Central Assistance and Rs
13,522 crore as Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) and Prime Minister’s Development Package
(PMDP) for J&K.
iv.The budget has estimated total gross expenditure at Rs 1,40,309.99 crore for FY26.
• Also, revenue expenditure and capital expenditure are expected to be at Rs 79,703 crore and Rs
32,607 crore, respectively.
v.The primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors are expected to contribute 20%, 18.30%, and 61.70% to
Gross State Value Added (GSVA), respectively, in FY25.

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Allocation to Key Sectors:

i.Agriculture and Allied Sector: Rs 2,221.58 crore has been allocated for agriculture and allied sectors,
marking an increase of Rs 332.72 crore over the RE for FY25.
• Rs 815 crores for agriculture sector, with objective of generating 2.88 lakh jobs, promoting
two-crop pattern, and focus on expanding horticulture in UT.
ii.Healthcare sector: The budget has allocated Rs 1,750.50 crore for the healthcare sector.The budget
proposed for setting up two new All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) institutions and 10 fully-
equipped nursing colleges in the UT.
• Also, the government announced that Rs 5 lakh health insurance per family will be provided to
all citizens of UT under Services e-Health Assistance and Teleconsultation (SEHAT) initiative,
alongside plans to integrate telemedicine services across the UT.
• In order to enhance medical infrastructure, 3 new Cath Labs will be established, Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines will be installed in all government hospitals, and dialysis
services will be expanded to all district hospitals.
iii.Toursim: The budget has introduced a provision of Rs 390.20 crore for tourism development.
• Basholi will be developed as an adventure destination and a new water park will be set up in
Sidhra, Jammu (J&K).
iv.Industries sector: Rs 602.85 crore has been allocated for the industries sector for FY26, marking an
increase of Rs 291.44 crore over the revised allocation for FY25.
• Also, the government has proposed Rs 50 crore for FY26 to support financial aid, mentorship,
and incubation for emerging entrepreneurs.
v.Education sector: The combined allocation for school and higher education sectors are at Rs 1,388.97
crore, showing an increase of Rs 242.75 crore in RE for FY25.
• Total 396 schools in J&K have been approved for upgradation to enhance educational
infrastructure under Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.
v.Allocations to other sectors: rural(Rs 3,773.93 crore), sports (Rs 152.69 crore), labour, employment
and skill development (Rs 379.14 crore), power (Rs 2,021.37 crore), among others.
vi.The budget has also proposed a reform in the stamp duty structure for ‘gift transactions’ among blood
relatives, to promote ease of transactions and reduce legal disputes over property transfers.
vii.The budget has introduced provisions for grants worth Rs 5,000 crore aimed at strengthening regional
development.
Key Announcements:
i.The government has announced that from April 1 2025, all women in the UT will be granted free-
ridership on government-owned public transport, including e-buses.
• The government has further proposed to support 40,000 women across J&K under the
‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme in launching their micro-startups, ensuring a sustainable annual income
of Rs 1 lakh.
ii.The government has also announced to provide a free ration of 10 kilogram (kg) per person to all
beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) starting from April 1, 2025.
• Also, the government has increased the Marriage assistance for women beneficiaries covered
under AAY from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000.
iii.During the budget, J&K’s CM proposed to provide monthly 200 units of free electricity to all
Antyodaya families in J&K.
• This initiative is integrated with Prime Minister Surya
Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), which will enable the installation of grid-connected solar
systems, generating the required power and eliminating the need for paying electricity bills.

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• The government also announced that with a total investment of Rs 750 crore over a period of 5
years, will help in reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and promote
sustainable energy.
iv.J&K CM announced the Green Mission 2025 to promote clean & green villages. He also announced the
formation of Centres of Excellence(CoE) for water sports at Dal Lake (Srinagar) and Basohli (Jammu) and a
gymnastics academy at Gindun Rajbagh and Khel Gaon, Nagrota.
• He also proposed four state-of-the-art cricket academies with an allocation of Rs 8 crore, youth
hostels in J&K divisions with an outlay of Rs 10 crore, apart from the development of 247
playfields, stadiums, and sports courts.
About Jammu & Kashmir (J&K):
Chief Minister (CM)- Omar Abdullah
Lieutenant Governor (LG)– Manoj Sinha
Capital- Jammu (in winter) and Srinagar (in summer)
National Parks (NPs)- Dachigam NP, Salim Ali NP

Karnataka CM Siddarmaiah Presented Rs 4.09 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26

In March 2025, the Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka Siddaramaiah presented his 16th budget worth Rs
4.09 lakh crore(Rs 4,09,549 crore) for Financial Year 2025-26(FY26) at the Karnataka Legislative
Assembly in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The budget outlay for FY26 marked an increase of 12% i.e. Rs 3.65
lakh crore in Revised Estimates (RE) for FY25.
• The budget for FY26 will focus on implementing programmes across 6 key developmental
fields: welfare programmes budget, agriculture and rural development budget, development-
oriented budget, prioritizing urban development, investment and job creation and governance
reforms.
• The budget has allocated Rs 51,034 crore for the state government’s 5 guarantee schemes, a
decrease from Rs 56,000 crore allocated for the scheme in FY25.
Key Financial Indicators:
The state government has managed these guarantees while maintaining the fiscal deficit to 3% of Gross
State Domestic Product (GSDP) and debt-to-GSDP ratio of 25% over the last two budgets.
i.Total total receipts are estimated at Rs 4,08,647 crore for FY26 (marking an increase of 13.9%
compared to Revised Estimate (RE) for FY25), of which revenue receipts are estimated at Rs
2,92,477 crore, including state’s tax revenue (Rs 2,08,100 crore), non-tax revenue (Rs 16,500 crore) and
central government funds (Rs 67,877 crore).
• Additionally, the budget has made provision for gross borrowings of Rs 1,16,000 crore as per
the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act and non-debt capital receipts of Rs 170 crore.
ii.Total expenditure is estimated at Rs 4,09,549 crore for FY26, including revenue expenditure (Rs
3,11,739 crore), capital expenditure(CapEx) (Rs 71,336 crore), and loan repayment (Rs 26,474 crore).
iii.Revenue deficit is estimated to be Rs 19,262 crore, which accounts 0.63% of GSDP, for FY26 while,
Fiscal Deficit(FD) is estimated to be Rs 90,428 crore (which accounts 2.95% of GSDP).
• The budget has estimated total liabilities at Rs 7, 64,655 crore (which is 24.91% of GSDP) at the
end of FY26.
iv.Karnataka remains to be a major contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
representing 8.4% of India’s GDP. The state’s GDP is projected to grow at 7.4% in FY25.
Key Allocations:
i.Agriculture: The budget has allocated Rs 51,339 crore for the agriculture sector for FY26, compared to
Rs 44,000 allocated in last fiscal year.

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ii.Education: Rs 45,286 crore has been allocated for the education sector for FY26, which accounts 10% of
the total budget outlay.
• Out of the total budget allocated for education, the government has allocated Rs 419 crore for
subsidy and financial assistance (down from Rs 481 crore in FY25).
• During the budget, CM announced that the Government of Karnataka in partnership with Manila
(the Philippines)-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) will develop 500 new Karnataka Public
Schools (KPSes) at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore.
• Also, the state government in collaboration with Ek-Step foundation will launch Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-based ‘Kalika Deepa’ programme, will help students in 2,000 schools to
enable students to learn Kannada and English languages and acquire early mathematical
competencies.
iii.Healthcare sector: The total budget allocation for the health sector for FY26 remains the same as last
year i.e. Rs 17,473 crore, which accounts 4% of the total budget.
• The government has announced that a Kalyana Karnataka Comprehensive Health Scheme
(KKCHS) will be launched with a total budget allocation of Rs 873 crore, to enhance healthcare
services in the region.
• The government has also decided to extend the Gruha Arogya scheme to diagnose and
treat 6 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) currently being implement in Kolar district of the
state at a cost of Rs 100 crore and also, Rs 50 crore has been allocated for a programme to
control communicable diseases such as: dengue, chikungunya, and Kyasanur Forest Disease
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD).
• Rs 320 crore has been allocated for the mission to reduce preventable maternal mortality to
zero.
Key Announcements and Proposals:
i.The state government has proposed to amend the Karnataka Tax on Profession, Trades, Callings and
Employments (Amendment) Act, 2023. to increase the Professional Tax payable by salary and wages
earners from Rs 200 to Rs 300 for February 2025 to align with the maximum limit permissible of Rs 2,500
annually.
ii.The state government announced ‘Target-Olympic Medal’ scheme with a total budget outlay of Rs 6
crore.
• Under this scheme, 60 sports persons will be selected and provide financial assistance in the
form of incentives to prepare for the 2028 Olympics.
iii.The state government has introduced a new industrial policy 2025-30, which aims to
achieve 12% industrial growth and generate 20 lakh jobs by 2030.
iv.The government proposed to launch a new scheme named, ‘Chief Minister’s Infrastructure
Development Program (CMIDP)’ with a budget outlay of Rs 8,000 crore. The scheme will focus mainly on
minor irrigation, roads and urban infrastructure in all legislative assembly constituencies of the state.
v.The government has earmarked Rs 1,800 crore for 21 projects under the Brand Bengaluru.
vi.Rs 62,033 crore has been allocated for children-centric programmes and Rs 94,084 crore for women-
centric programmes.
About Karnataka:
Chief Minister (CM)- Siddaramaiah
Governor– Thawar Chand Gehlot
Capital- Bengaluru
National Parks (NPs)- Bandipur NP, Nagarhole NP

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Punjab Govt Launches ‘Project Hifazat’ to Ensure Women, and Child Safety
In March 2025, the Government of Punjab launched Project Hifazat to protect women from violence on
the eve of International Women’s Day – March 8. The Project was launched by Dr Baljit Kaur, Minister of
Social Security, Women, and Child Development of Punjab in Chandigarh, Punjab.
• The initiative aims to enhance the response system and establish a secure setting for reporting
instances of domestic abuse and harassment, with the 181 helplines easily accessible.
i.This project seeks to eliminate the fear of women that prevents from reporting domestic violence,
workplace harassment, or any other form of abuse
ii.The Women Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098) will operate 24/7 under “Mission Shakti” and
“Mission Vatsalya,” guaranteeing access to both emergency and non-emergency services.
• Emergency cases will be directly transferred to the Emergency Response Support System
(ERSS-112) for immediate action.
iii.This program encourages collaboration between the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab
Police, Women and Child Development, and the Department of Social Security.
• This partnership will guarantee quick rescue efforts, legal support, medical aid, and
psychological and social care for the victims.

Assam FM Ajanta Neog Presented Rs 2.63 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26
In March 2025, Ajanta Neog, Finance Minister (FM) of Assam presented the budget worth Rs
2.63 lakh crore for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) in the Assam Legislative Assembly in Dispur, Assam,
with Fiscal Deficit(FD) of Rs 620.27 crore.
• The budget expenditure of the state saw an increase of 250% while Capital Expenditure(CapEx)
has increased to Rs 24,964 crore in FY25.
• The budget for FY26 has proposed exemption of professional tax for monthly income up to Rs
15,000 for all working people in the state under the Assam Profession, Trades, Callings, and
Employments Taxation Act, 1947.
Financial Indicators:
i.Total receipts are estimated at Rs 2,62,913.92 crore for Budget Estimates (BE) for FY26, including state
consolidated fund (Rs 1,55,428.75 crore), public account (Rs 1,05,485.17 crore) and from contingency
fund (Rs 2,000 crore).
ii.The Revenue collection in the state increased by 64.2%, from Rs 20,033 crore (in FY21) to Rs 33,886
crore (till February 2025).
iii.Total expenditure from the state’s Consolidate Fund is estimated at Rs 1,43,890.62crore in FY25,
including revenue account (Rs 1,10,091.86 crore), capital account (Rs 33,798.76 crore).
• This projection of total expenditure for FY25 was later revised to Rs 1, 68,683 crore.
iv.The state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices is estimated to reach Rs 6.43 lakh crore in
FY25, which is more than 150% increase over the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 2.54
lakh crore for FY17.
• Also, the contribution of Assam’s GSDP (at current prices) has witnessed an increase of 1.65% in
FY17 to 1.81% in FY23 Quarterly Estimate (QE).
• Similarly,the state’s contribution to India’s GDP at constant (2011-12) prices, has increased
from 1.64% to 1.87% during the same period.
Key Allocations for Women Welfare Schemes:
i.Orunodoi Scheme: Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated for state’s flagship ‘Orunodoi’ scheme, which
provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,250 to economically weaker families.

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ii.Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA): The state government has allocated Rs
3,038 crore for this scheme, which aims to promote women entrepreneurs in the state. The scheme will
commence from April 1, 2025 in Behali (Assam).
• This scheme will cover at least 30 lakh Self-Help Group (SHG) members and 20 lakh SHGs from
rural and urban areas of the state, respectively.
• In addition to that, an entrepreneurship fund of Rs 10,000 will be granted as seed capital and Rs
25,000 as bank loan.
iii.Mukhiya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA) scheme: Rs 391crore has been allocated for the scheme,
which aimed to promote girl’s higher education and fight against child marriage.
• Under this scheme, monthly financial support is provided to students of various classes: Class XI
students (Rs 1,000); 1st year undergraduates (Rs 1,250) and Bachelor of Education(B.Ed)
students (Rs 2500).
Key Allocations for New Initiative:
i.Tea Workers in the state: The state government has allocated Rs 342 crore to provide one-time
financial support of Rs 5,000 for tea workers.
• While presenting the budget, the FM announced to extend the tax holiday for green tea leaves
under the Assam Taxation (on Specified Lands) Act, 1990 for another two years, to reduce the
challenges faced by the tea industry.
ii.Farmers: The budget has allocated additional financial support to farmers over and above the Minimum
Support Price (MSP) for certain crops such as: paddy (Rs 2,550 per quintal); maize (Rs 2,475 per quintal);
and mustard (Rs 6,450 per quintal).
• The state government announced that Rs 10 lakh each will be provided to nearly 500 better
performing Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under
Mukhya Mantri Utkarsh Yojana(MMUY).
• It has announced Credit Guarantee Fund(CGF) Scheme with initial corpus of collateral-free loans
up to Rs 15 crore.
iii.Higher Education: Under the new state scheme ‘Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerna’, monthly financial
assistance of Rs 2,500 will be provided to students who graduate from government universities and
colleges in 2025, for a period of 1 year.
• Researcher scholars in government universities will be given Rs 25,000 each and Rs 50,000 each
to specially challenged research scholars.
iv.Subsidy on Food: Rs 370 crore has been allocated for the ‘Anna Sewa Se Jan Sewa’. The scheme will
commence from October, 2025.
• Under this scheme, there will be a subsidy of Rs 25 per kilogram (kg) on masoor dal, Rs 20 per
kg on sugar. In addition to that, 1 kg masoor dal will be given to families with over 5 members.
Other Key Allocations:
i.Human-Animal Conflict: Rs 20 crore has been allocated to Bon Mitra Abhiyan. Under this initiative,
Gaja Mitra will be set up in 5 most human-animal conflict zones: Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, and
Sonitpur.
• Also, the government has proposed to increase e-gratia for loss of human life due to human
wildlife conflict from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and compensation for crop damage due to wildlife
from Rs 7,500 to Rs 8,000 per bigha.
ii.Power Subsidy: The state government announced a rebate of Rs 1 per unit of consumption of electricity
for maximum 120 monthly units for domestic and Jeevan Dhara customers. This new rate will come into
effect from May 1, 2025.

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Announcement:
• The Assam government will launch its own satellite, ‘ASSAMSAT’, in collaboration with Indian
National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and Indian Space Research
Organisation(ISRO), and students from colleges and universities. The satellite will support areas
such as agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, border security, and policing.
• The government will reduce the electricity rate by Rs 1 per unit for Jeevan Dhara and domestic
category consumers having consumption up to Rs 120 units in a month.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM)- Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor- Lakshman Prasas Acharya
Capital- Dispur
National Parks (NPs)- Kaziranga NP, Manas NP

Maharashtra FM Ajit Pawar Presented Rs 7.2 lakh crore State Budget for FY26
On 10 March 2025, Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) and Finance Minister (FM)
of Maharashtra presented a Rs 7.20 lakh crore State Budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) with
key provisions for industries, infrastructure, agriculture and allied sectors, employment and social welfare.
• The total Expenditure for 2025-26 is Rs 7.20 lakh crore with a projected increase in Revenue
Receipts to Rs 5,60,964 crore from Rs 5,36,463 crore (Revised Estimate,RE for 2024-25).
• Maharashtra is the 2nd state after Uttar Pradesh (Rs 8.08 trillion) to propose such a large
budget.
Fiscal Management:
i.Maharashtra’s Fiscal Deficit(FD) stands at Rs 1,36,234 crore, remaining below the limit of 3% of the Gross
State Domestic Product (GSDP), in line with the Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary
Management(Amendment) Act, 2006.
ii.Maharashtra’s Revenue Receipts for 2024-25 are projected at Rs 4,99,463 crore, up from Rs 4,86,116
crore in 2023-24, as per the Budget Estimates (BE) and Revised Estimates (RE), respectively.
• Additionally, the Revenue Deficit has consistently remained below 1% of GSDP. Also, the
estimated debt is 18.7% of GSDP
iii.The Capital Expenditure(CapEx) for FY26 has seen a marginal increase of Rs 385.89 crore over the
budget estimate of Rs 92,779 crore for FY25.
iv.The FD has been contained at 2.9%, projected to decline to 2.7% next year.
v.The Revenue Expenditure is projected at Rs 6,06,855 crore. As a result, the estimated Revenue Deficit
amounts to Rs 45,891 crore.
Note: According to the pre-budget Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2024-25, the state’s economy is
projected to grow at 7.3% in 2024-25, outpacing the national growth rate of 6.5%
Agriculture, Water & Irrigation Sector Allocations:
i.Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for the Agriculture Sector. Rs 500 crore has been allocated for
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in agriculture, a pilot project covering 1 lakh+ hectares with 50,000
farmers.
ii.The 2nd phase of the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Project will be implemented in 7,201 villages at
an outlay of Rs 351.42 crore.
iii.45 lakh agricultural pumps will receive free electricity under the Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mufat Vij
Yojana or “Maharashtra CM Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme for Farmers”.
iv.A Rs 19,300 crore irrigation project will be implemented in the Tapi River Valley.
• Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated for expanding the Irrigation network.
v.Rs 8,200 crore has been allocated for Urban Wastewater Recycling for Agriculture and Industry.

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vi.Rs 3,939 crore has been proposed for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Social Welfare:
i.The Maharashtra government has made a provision of Rs 36,000 crore for the Mukhyamantri –
Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (CM’s Beloved Sister scheme). It may increase to Rs 64,000 crore if the
monthly grant rises to Rs 2,100).
ii.Maharashtra has set a target of 24 lakh “women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs)” (Lakhpati Didis) and has
proposed to set up a UMED mall in every district.
Housing Sector and Others:
i.The government has approved the construction of 20 lakh houses in 2026 under the Pradhan Mantri
Awas Yojana – Rural (PMAY – R) Phase-2.
ii.It also proposed the allocation of Rs 8,100 for the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana –
Urban (PMAY-U).
iii.Rs10,000 crore has been allocated for the Urban Development
iv.Rs 1,00,000 crore rupees has been proposed for the development of the tourism sector over the next
10 years.
Infrastructure:
i.Rs 64,000 crore has been allocated for the infrastructure projects of Mumbai (Maharashtra).
ii.Some initiatives are:
• Maharashtra plans to set up the 3rd airport near the upcoming Vadhvan port.
• A night landing facility will be introduced at the Shirdi International Airport (SAG) in
Ahmednagar.
Points to Note:
i.Currently, Mumbai has 2 major airports: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and
the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
ii.Vadhvan Port is a Greenfield all-weather port in the Palghar district that holds 26% state government
ownership which is being developed at Rs76,220 crore.
Cultural Initiatives:
The state has proposed to build:
i.A grand memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Agra (Uttar Pradesh (UP)) in coordination with the
UP government and a memorial for Maratha warriors will be built in Panipat, Haryana.
ii.A grand memorial of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) and a memorial for
former Prime Minister (PM) Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Mumbai.
iii.Rs 220 crore will be allocated for the Bal Thackeray memorial in Mumbai.
Key Points:
i.Industrial Policy 2025 aims to attract Rs 20 lakh crore in investments and generate 50 lakh jobs.
ii.7 new business centers will be established across the state to boost economic growth.
iii.Motor Vehicle Tax has been increased by 1%, generating Rs 150 crore revenue.
iv.Currently, a motor vehicle tax of 7% to 9% is levied on privately owned, non-transport four-wheeler
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles, depending on their type and
price.
v.Stamp Duty under Section 4 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act has been raised to Rs 500 from Rs100 for
supplementary documents.
vi.New high-tech command control center based on artificial intelligence will be established at the office of
the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai.
• Maharashtra Cyber Crime Security Corporation will be set up for cyber security.

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About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM)- Devendra Fadnavis
Governor– Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan
Airport– Sindhudurg Airport
Seaports– Jawaharlal Nehru Port, and Mumbai Port

Deputy CM of AR Chowna Mein Presents Rs 39,842 Crore Budget for FY 26

In March 2025, Deputy Chief Minister(Dy CM) and Minister -In-Charge of Finance, Planning and Investment of
Arunachal Pradesh (AR) Chowna Mein presented the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 (FY 26) in the
assembly, with a total expenditure of Rs 39,842.23 crore. This budget represents an 11.16% increase from the
previous year estimate of Rs 35,840.79 crore. FY26 has been declared as the ‘Year of Human Capital.’
• The budget focuses on four key pillars: People (health, education, skills, women & youth welfare),
Infrastructure (connectivity, urban development, power, transport), Economy (agriculture, tourism,
industries, startups), and Innovation (governance, citizen services, quality of life).
Financial Indicators:
i.Revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 34,544.07 crore with the state’s share of central taxes rising 16.61% to
Rs.24,992.35 crore, while capital receipts stand at Rs 5,298.16 crore.
• The state government projects its own tax and non-tax revenue at Rs.4,607.72 crore.
ii.Revenue expenditure has increased to Rs 29,963.33 crore from Rs 25,931.87 crore in FY25. Capital
expenditure (CapEx) has also risen to Rs 9,878.90 crore from Rs 9,533.34 crore in the previous year.
iii.The Fiscal Deficit(FD) is projected at Rs 966.65 crore, accounting for 2.02% of the Gross State Domestic
Product (GSDP), aligns with the fiscal responsibility targets outlined in the AR Fiscal Responsibility and Budget
Management (FRBM)Act, 2006.
Key Allocations:
i.To strengthen the education sector, the state government will invest Rs 3,000 crore this year by integrating
funds from both central and state schemes. Rs.1,112 crore has been allocated for agriculture and allied sector.
ii.Rs 435 crore has been set aside for Mission Antyodaya, aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable sections of
society. A comprehensive training program is also planned to enhance skill development and capacity building.
iii.For industries and mining, Rs 46 crore has been earmarked. Plans are in place to upgrade the “Kaushya”
brand of Arunachal Silk by diversifying products, introducing new designs, and increasing production
capacity.The textile and handicraft sector will receive Rs 41 crore for further growth.
iv.Under the Chief Minister (CM)’s Rural Connectivity Scheme, Rs 2,000 crore will be invested over four
years to develop roads and bridges in villages not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY), aiming for complete village connectivity by 2029.
v.A total of Rs 106 crore has been allocated for skill development initiatives. Rs 369 crore has been set aside
to strengthen the healthcare. Rs. 120 crore allocated for the Youth and Sports sector.
vi.Rs 108 crore has been allocated to tourism, including Rs 50 crore for improving the riverfront at
Parashuram Kund. The state government allocated Rs. 392 crore for women and child development and Rs.
106 crore towards the skill development.
vii.The Chief Minister’s Social Security Scheme, which supports nearly 70,000 elderly individuals, widows, and
persons with disabilities (Divyangs), has been allocated Rs 100 crore.
• Additionally, the MLALAD (Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development) fund per
constituency has been raised from Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore, ensuring more resources for local
development.
New Initiative:
i.Under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm, the state plans to expand oil palm cultivation to
35,723 hectares by FY 26, up from the current 8,681 hectares. This is supported by India’s first integrated crude
palm oil mills in Roing and Ruksin in AR.

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ii.A new initiative, the ‘Arunachal Millet and Buckwheat Mission,’ will be launched with Krishi Vigyan
Kendras to revive traditional farming. The mission will provide farmers with technical, financial, and marketing
support, with an initial allocation of Rs 2 crore.
iii.The Chief Minister’s Comprehensive State Power Development Programme, with a total allocation of Rs.
2,000 crore, will be implemented over the next three years. This initiative will focus on the expansion and
modernization of the power sector, in alignment with central funds for enhanced synergy and progress.
About Arunachal Pradesh (AR):
Chief Minister (CM)– Pema Khandu
Governor– Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
Capital– Itanagar
National Parks (NP)– Namdapha NP , Mouling NP

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Manipur Budget 2025-26 with Rs 35,103.90 Crore Outlay
In March 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) presented the Manipur
budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) in the Lok Sabha. The total expenditure is set at Rs 35,103.90
crore, marking a 7.5% increase from the Revised Estimate (RE) of Rs 32,656.81 crore for FY25.
• The budget focuses on five key areas: enhancing connectivity, developing infrastructure,
strengthening law and order, promoting social sector growth, and supporting the relief and
rehabilitation of displaced persons.
Note: Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025 following the resignation of Chief
Minister (CM) of Manipur, N. Biren Singh. As per the proclamation issued under Article 356 of the Constitution,
the state legislature’s powers are now exercised by the Parliament.
Fiscal Indicators:
i.The estimated total receipts for FY26 stand at Rs 35,368.19 crore, up from Rs 32,471.90 crore in FY 25.
Revenue receipts are projected at Rs 27,231 crore, while capital receipts stand at Rs 8,137 crore.
ii.The state’s own tax revenue is estimated at Rs 2,634 crore, with non-tax revenue expected at Rs 400 crore.
iii.Revised Estimates for FY 25
In Budget Estimates (BE) FY25, revenue and capital receipts were projected at Rs 27,716 crore and Rs 7,099
crore, respectively.
• However, in the RE FY25, these figures have been adjusted to Rs 24,374 crore (revenue receipts) and
Rs 8,098 crore (capital receipts).
iv.The Fiscal Deficit(FD) for FY 25, RE is projected at 4% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), while FY26,
it is estimated at 3.42% of GSDP.
v.The capital outlay has been increased by 19% to Rs 7,773 crore in FY26. The total outstanding debt as a
percentage of GSDP is expected to reach 37% in FY26.
Key Budgetary Allocations:
i.The social sector has been given a major push with Rs 9,520 crore set aside for various welfare programs.
Over Rs 2,000 crore has been provided under the Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI) to support infrastructure development.
ii.For relief and rehabilitation, Rs 15 crore has been allocated for temporary shelters, Rs 35 crore for housing
of displaced persons, Rs 100 crore for relief operations, and Rs 7 crore for compensation.
iii.Additionally, Rs 2,866 crore has been set aside as incentives for police personnel working in sensitive
areas.
iv.A Rs 500 crore contingency fund has been set up for emergencies in conflict-affected Manipur.
v.A total of Rs 400 crore was allocated for the operation of relief camps in Manipur, while 7,000 houses were
sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) to provide shelter for displaced individuals.

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About Manipur:
Governor– Ajay Kumar Bhalla
Capital– Imphal
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Bunning Wildlife Sanctuary, Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary

MP FM Jagdish Devda Presented Rs 4.21 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26

In March 2025, the Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) and Minister in Charge of Finance, Madhya Pradesh
(MP) Jagdish Devda presented state’s annual budget worth Rs 4.21 lakh crore (Rs 4,21,032 crore) for
Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) at MP Legislative Assembly in Bhopal, MP. This is for the 1st time the budget for
MP has breached the mark of Rs 4 lakh crore.
• The budget outlay for FY26 marked an increase of about 15% i.e. Rs 3.65 lakh crore for FY25.
• The budget is focused on GYAN (Garib, Yuva, Annadata, and Nari) which aims to double the size of
the state budget in the next 5 years.
Financial Indicators:
i.Total revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 2,90,879 crore for FY26, of which state’s tax revenue (Rs
1,09,157 crore), and state’s share in central government funds (Rs 1,11,662 crore).
ii.State’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated to be at Rs 16, 94,477 crore for FY26.
• While, Fiscal Deficit(FD) is estimated to be Rs 78,902 crore, which accounts 4.66% of state’s GSDP
for FY26, marking an increase of 4.15% from ongoing FY25.
iii.The state government has prepared a vision document ‘Viksit Madhya Pradesh 2047’, which aims to
increase the state’s GDP to Rs 250 lakh crore by 2047 and to increase per capita annual income from Rs 1.42
lakh crore to Rs 22.35 lakh crore.
Key Budgetary Allocations:
i.Allocations to key sectors: Agriculture & allied sector (Rs 58,257 crore); healthcare sector (Rs 23,535 crore);
energy (Rs 19,000 crore); urban development (Rs 18,715 crore); rural development (Rs 19,050 crore);
education (Rs 44, 826 crore); infrastructure(Rs 70,515 crore) and women & child development (Rs 26,797
crore).
• Of the total amount allocated for urban development of the state, Rs 2,005 crore has been
earmarked for the preparations of Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which will be held in 2028.
ii.The budget has allocated Rs 47,295 crore for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) welfare for FY26, compared to Rs
40,804 crore allocated for FY25.
• Similarly, the budget allocation for Scheduled Caste (SC) welfare has increased from Rs 27, 900 crore
(FY25) to Rs 32,633 crore (FY26).
iii.Rs 18,669 crore has been allocated for the state’s flagship ‘Ladli Behna Scheme’. Since its inception in
2023, 1.27 crore women have received the monthly allowance of Rs 1,250.The budget has proposed to provide
insurance and pension cover to these women beneficiaries.
• It has also proposed to link this scheme with central government’s schemes: Atal Pension
Yojana (APY); Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY); and PM
Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
iv.The budget has allocated a total Rs 1,610 crore to tourism, culture and religious trusts and endowment for
FY26, marking an increase of Rs 133 crore compared to FY25.
• Of this total allocation, Rs 10 crore and Rs 30 crore have been allocated for Krishna Patheya and Ram
Path Gaman projects.
• The state government has proposed Rs 2,005 crore for infrastructural building for the Ujjain
Simhastha-2028.
• Also, it has proposed to construct Omkareshwar Mahalok (Khandwa), a temple corridor which
houses the 2nd Jyotirlinga in the state.
v.Rs 5,668 crore has been earmarked for forest and environment sector, which is Rs 459 crore more compared
to budget allocation for FY25.

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• The state government has proposed to launch the ‘Aviral Nirmal Narmada Scheme’ for tree
plantation and climate management in forest areas in 10 kilometer (km) of river Narmada.
• It has also proposed fencing of a 3,000 km forest area to prevent human-animal conflicts in National
Parks (NPs) and buffer areas.
vi.Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the establishment of Vedanta Peeth.
Allocations to Schemes:
i.Dy FM of the state has proposed ‘CM Majra-Tola Roads Scheme’ with estimated budget outlay of Rs
100 crore. The scheme aims to ensure better road connectivity with main roads to all settlements in villages.
• Also, Rs 100 crore has been allocated for rebuilding the damaged small bridges and culverts across
the state.
ii.The state government has proposed Rs 17,136 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) National Rural Drinking
Water Mission.
iii.The budget has proposed ‘CM Samridh Parivar Scheme’ for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. This scheme
will provide a complete package of welfare schemes to BPL families for which they are eligible.
iv.In the budget, Rs 5,220 crore allocated under the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana(CMKKY) and Rs 2,001
crore provisioned for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY).
v.Rs 850 crore set aside for the Chief Minister Krishak Unnati Yojana(CMKUY) and Rs 505 crore for Gau
Samvardhan and Animal Conservation.
vi. Rs 700 crore allocated for the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan (Sambal) Yojana.
– Rs 1,277 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat).
Key Announcements:
i.While presenting the budget, Dy CM of the state announced that 39 new industrial areas will be developed at
14,500 acres of land across MP.
ii.Under Khelo India Scheme, Khelo India Small Centres will be set up and also, at least one fully-equipped
stadium will be developed in each assembly segment of the state.
• These stadiums will serve as helipads for Prime Minister (PM) Shree Air Ambulance Service.
iii.The budget has proposed to provide Rs 5 per litre to milk producers under the ‘CM Dairy Development
Scheme’.
About Madhya Pradesh (MP):
Chief Minister (CM)- Mohan Yadav
Governor- Mangubhai C. Patel
Capital- Bhopal
National Parks (NPs)- Kanha NP, Bandhavgarh NP

Puducherry CM N Rangasamy Presents Rs13,600 Crore Budget for FY26

On 12 March 2025, Natesan Krishnasamy Rangasamy (N. Rangasamy), the Chief Minister (CM) of the Union
Territory (UT) of Puducherry, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented a Rs 13,600 crore tax-
free Budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26).
• Of the total budget, Rs 11,624.72 crore was allocated for Revenue Expenditure (RevEx), and Rs
1,975.28 crore was allocated for Capital Expenditure (CapEx).
• The CapEx is 9.80% of the total expenditure, representing a significant increase from 1.66% in
2021-22, nearly a ten-fold growth.
• FY 2026 Budget is his fifth successive budget in the fifteenth legislative assembly

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Budget Overview:
i.Puducherry’s Revenue Receipts are estimated at Rs 7,641.40 crore.
ii.Central assistance, including the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), is estimated at Rs 3,432.18 crore, the
Central Road Fund (CRF) allocation is Rs 25 crore, and the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) allocation is Rs
400 crore.
iii.The Government of India (GoI) has approved a Net Borrowing Ceiling (NBC), including a Negotiated Loan, of
Rs 2,101.42 crore to manage the Fiscal deficit (FD).
iv.The Puducherry Budget has allocated Rs 2,760 crore for Special Budgeting for FY26:
• Rs 1,458 crore for Gender Budgeting.
• Rs 613 crore for Youth Budgeting.
• Rs 689 crore for Green Budgeting.
Major Expenditure Areas:
i.Salaries: Rs 2,650 crore (19.49%); Pension: Rs 1,566 crore (11.51%); Re-payment of Loan and payment of
Interest: Rs 1,867 crore (13.73%); Power Purchase: Rs 2,546 crore (18.72%).
ii.Rs 2,110 crore (15.51%) have been allocated towards major welfare schemes such as the Free Rice Scheme,
Incentives/Subsidies for Farmers, Old Age Pension (OAP), etc.
iii.Grant-in-aid to the Society-run Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) is estimated at Rs 523 crore (3.85%)
iv.Rs 1,148 crore (8.44%) has been allocated for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and cooperative
institutions.
Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare:
Rs 216.87 crore for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare in FY26. Key highlights include:
i.Registered agricultural labourers under the Agriculture Labour Welfare Society will receive Rs 2,000 per
annum as Rain Relief from FY26.
ii.Under the Crop Diversification Scheme, high-yielding seeds of superior varieties will be provided at:
• 75% subsidy for general farmers.
• 90% subsidy for the farmers of Scheduled Castes (SC).
Welfare Initiatives:
i.The monthly financial assistance for Women-Headed Families (WHF) living Below the Poverty Line (BPL) has
been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500.
ii.Enhancement of Rs 500 to all categories of OAPs covered by the Department of Women and Child
Development (DWCD).
iii.Financial Assistance to the students studying in Government and Government Aided Schools who have lost
either the mother or father:
• Rs 2,000 to the students studying from I to V.
• Rs 3,000 to the students studying from VI to X.
• Rs 4,000 to the students studying from XI to XII.
iv.The government has proposed a special financial assistance of Rs 1,000 every month for a period of three
years to students who have studied from classes 6 to 12 in government schools and are pursuing higher
education Rs 9.34 crore has been allocated for the scheme
SC/ST Welfare Initiatives: Rs 526.81 crore have been allocated under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP).
Key initiatives include:
i.Rs 500 per month has been enhanced to SC/ Scheduled Tribes (ST) beneficiaries under the SCSP fund towards
the Scheme of ‘Old Age Pension to the Widows / Destitutes / Adolescent Girls’/ Old Age People’ run by the
DWCD.
ii.Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to unmarried or widowed SC/ST women, who are unemployed and attained 30
years or above.
iii.Rs 5,000 monthly financial assistance to the SC/ST orphaned children until 18 years old for their education
and other essential needs.

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iv.Monthly stipend of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per month for Short-term Skill Development Classes like
Typewriting/Shorthand and Computer Classes, respectively to the SC/ST students.
Major Announcements:
i.2 Kilograms (Kg) of wheat per month to be distributed to all ration card holders (in addition to existing free
rice). Rs 300 crore has been allocated for the free rice scheme.
ii.The skills of 30,000 youth of Puducherry are to be upgraded through the CM’s Skill Development Programme
(CMSDP).
iii.The annual Member of Legislative Assembly – Local Area Development (MLA – LAD) Scheme has been
enhanced to Rs 3 crore from Rs 2 crore.
iv.A “Multiproduct Tourism Zone” is to be established on 100 acres of Land available at the beachfront of
Manapet Village, to develop theme parks, resorts, etc., under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
v.Under the Mid-day Meals Scheme, the Government has proposed to extend the provision of Egg to school
children “on all school working days”.
• Presently, Egg is provided only 3 days a week.
iv.The government will provide a subsidy for purchasing electric vehicles (e-vehicles) and also provide a 50%
concession on Road Tax while registering such vehicles.
v.Rs 20 crore has been allocated towards the land acquisition (first stage) for the expansion of the runway of
Puducherry Airport.
vi.The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has allotted a plot for Rs 25 crore at Dwarka in New Delhi (Delhi)
for the construction of a New Puducherry Guest House.
vii.Rs 10 crore has been allocated to construct a new bus stand at the East Coast Road (ECR) in Oulgaret
Municipality.
• It will be named after former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018), marking the
Centenary year of his birth.
About the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry:
Chief Minister (CM)- N. Rangaswamy
Lieutenant (Lt) Governor– K. Kailashnathan
Stadium– Indira Gandhi Sports Complex (outdoor)

UP CM Yogi Adityanath Unveils Sify Infinit Spaces’ Data Centre in Noida

On March 11, 2025, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh (UP), inaugurated the Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-ready Sify Noida 02 data centre campus in Noida (UP). The facility is operated by Sify
Infinit Spaces Limited, a leading data centre provider based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).
• The facility is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing data processing and storage
capabilities, catering to the needs of businesses and industries across India.
• It marks a significant milestone in the development of India’s digital infrastructure, enhancing the
country’s AI capabilities and supporting the growth of its digital economy.
i.The campus is North India’s largest data centre facility, with a total capacity of 130+ Megawatt (MW).
ii.It features three scalable towers, both horizontally and vertically, supported by a dedicated
220 Kilovolt (KV) on-premise substation.
iii.Sify Noida 02 interconnected with Noida 01 through 4 diverse fibre paths, providing direct connectivity to
hyperscalers, Over-the-Top (OTT) players, and cloud connect nodes.
iv.It is equipped with 10 levels of access control, ensuring multiple layers of security from the entry gate to the
cage.

TN FM Thangam Thennarasu Presented a Budget for FY26 with a Total Expenditure of Rs

4,39,293 Cr
In March 2025, Thangam Thennarasu, Finance Minister (FM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) presented the Budget
for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) with a total disbursement outlay of Rs 4,39,293 crore, and

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a total receipt of Rs 3,32,330 crore, excluding public debt. The total expenditure (Rs 4,39,293 crore) is an
increase of 99.5% over the Revised Estimate (RE) of FY25.
• Among major sectoral allocations, Rs 55,261 crore was allocated to education, followed by
Urban Development (Rs 34,396 crore) and Rural Development (Rs 29,465 crore).
Note: In the 2025-26 budget logo, the TN government replaced the Devanagari-scripted rupee
symbol ( ‘₹’) with the Tamil letter ‘Roo’ (‘ரூ’), representing ‘Roobai’, the Tamil term for the
rupee.
Fiscal Indicators:
i.The Government has projected its total Revenue Receipts at Rs 3,31,569 crore.
• Of this, the State’s Revenues (State Owned Tax Revenue(SOTR) of Rs 2,20,895 crore and
Non-Tax Revenue of Rs 28,818 crore) account for 75.3%.
• The remaining 24.7% comes from the Share in Central Taxes (Rs 58,022 crore), and Grants-
in-Aid (GIA) from the Union Government (Rs 23,834 crore).
ii.For FY26, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated to be Rs 35,67,818 crores. The GSDP is
estimated to grow 14.5% in 2025-26, marginally up from the 14.49% growth rate registered in the RE
of FY25.
iii.The Fiscal Deficit (FD) is estimated at Rs 1,06,963 crores, the highest since 2021-22, and is estimated to
reduce to 3% of GSDP next year (Budget Estimate (BE) FY26) from 3.26% this year (RE FY25).
iv.The total Revenue Expenditure (RevEx) is estimated at Rs 3,73,204 crore and it was estimated to be Rs
3,31,568 crore.
v.The Revenue Deficit is estimated to be Rs 46,467 crore this year (RE FY25) and Rs 41,635 crore in the
next year as per the Budget Estimate (BE) of FY26, which is 1.17% of GSDP.
v.The Capital Expenditure (CapEx) in FY26 is projected at Rs 57,231 crore, which is an increase of 22.4%
over FY25 (RE).
Key Allocations:
Education:
i.2,000 schools will receive upgraded computer labs at Rs160 crore, and Smart classrooms will be
established in 2,676 Government schools at an estimated cost of Rs 65 crore.
ii.1,721 Post Graduate Teachers (PGT) and 841 graduate teachers will be appointed through direct
recruitment.
iii.14 high schools in remote hilly regions will be upgraded to Higher Secondary Schools (HSS).
• New Government Arts and Science Colleges will be established in 10 districts including
Chennai, Dindigul, and Thoothukudi.
iv.A state-of-the-art Chennai Science Centre will be established in collaboration with the Science Centre
Singapore (SCS) at Rs 100 crore.
Agriculture:
i.TN’s 5th Agriculture Budget 2025-26 was presented by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister MRK
Panneerselvam.
ii.In the 5 years, the total budget for agriculture and allied sectors increased (nearly Rs.10,000 crore) to Rs
45,661 crore in FY26 from Rs 34,221 crore in FY22.
iii.A first-ever special incentive of Rs 349 per tonne of sugarcane above the Centre’s Fair and
Remunerative Price (FRP), bringing the total cane price to Rs 3,500 per tonne.
• The government has allocated Rs 297 crore for this scheme, benefitting around 1.30 lakh
sugarcane farmers.
iv.Other key initiatives include:
• Rs 102 crore special package for enhancing paddy and foodgrain production in 29 non-delta
districts.
• Establishment of 1,000 Chief Minister’s (CM) Farmers Service Centres (FSCs).
Women’s Welfare Initiatives:
i.A monthly scholarship of Rs.1,000 to girls pursuing higher education under the Puthumai Penn Scheme
and the Tamizh Puthalvan Scheme will be extended to them as well.
ii.Property registration fee will be reduced for women by 1% for registering all immovable assets,
including houses, plots, and agricultural lands, valued up to Rs.10 lakh.

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iii.Rs.225 Crore has been allocated for the Women Entrepreneurs Development Scheme for Skill
Development and Training (SDT) and entrepreneurial guidance.
• It also includes access to bank loans of up to Rs.10 lakh and a 20% subsidy for 1 lakh
women.
iv.Other initiatives include:
• Rs.37,000 Crore Bank Loan for 10,000 new Self Help Groups (SHGs)
ii.Rs.75 Crore wort new project in Chennai and 4 other cities of TN to ensure women’s safety.
Allocations for SC/ST Communities:
i.Rs 75 crore has been allocated for the ‘CM’s Adi Dravidar and Tribal Socio-Economic Development
Scheme’ (CM-ARISE) to enhance the status of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) as
entrepreneurs.
ii.Rs 65 crore has been allocated to expand international educational opportunities for SC/ST students
under the ‘Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Assistance Scheme’.
iii.Rs 733 crore has been provided towards a post-matric scholarship for SC/ST students.
Others:
i.Rs 3,915 crore has been allocated to the department of industries, investment promotion, and commerce.
ii.Rs 500 crore investment for Semiconductor Mission 2030.
iii.Rs.120 Crore has been allocated under the CM’s Thayumanavar Thittam, for assisting children who have
lost both of their parents by providing Rs 2,000 per month to 50,000 poorest of the poor families.
ivUnder the CM’s Naan Mudalvan Scheme, a Rs 50,000 incentive will be provided to the youth who pass
the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Examinations Civil Services Mains and appear for the
Personality Test in New Delhi (Delhi).
• This scheme will be implemented with a financial allocation of Rs 10 crore.
v.The government has allocated Rs.25 crore to set up the Industrial Research and Innovation
Fund, which will enable the partnership of industry and academia.
Major Announcements:
i.A sum of Rs.133 lakh has been allocated for the translation of Thirukkural into 45 world languages.
This translation project will be completed within the next 3 years.
• When it is translated, Thirukkural will achieve the distinction of being translated into all
official languages of 193 member nations recognized by the United Nations (UN).
ii.The CM’s Breakfast Scheme (Rs 600 crore allocated) will be expanded in the next academic year to
urban-aided schools.
iii.Rs 120 crore has been allocated for the upgradation of the Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer
Hospital and Research Institute (AAMCHRI) in Karapettai, Kanchipuram district.
iv.Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (ELCOT) will set up an Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming,
Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Chennai named ‘Viyan AVGC-XR
Hub’ at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore.
v.Restoration of Earned Leave (EL) Surrender system, allowing government employees and teachers to
encash their EL by surrendering up to 15 days of leave, from 1 April 2026.
vi.A new airport will be developed in the Rameshwaram area of Ramanathapuram district.
vii.Rs 22 crore has been estimated for the establishment of a ‘Noyyal Museum’ in Erode and Rs 21 crore
has been estimated for the establishment of the ‘Naavaai Museum’ in Ramanathapuram.
viii.Announced the construction of a 3 kilometer(km) flyover in Velachery costing Rs.310 crore to address
road congestion.
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM)- Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
Governor– Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Zoological Park– Kurumbapatti Zoological Park

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HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Presents Rs 58,514 Crore Budget for FY 26

In March 2025, Chief Minister (CM) Himachal Pradesh (HP) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the
finance portfolio, presented a tax-free budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY 26) of Rs 58,514 crore,
marking an increase of Rs 70 crore from the previous fiscal year’s Rs 58,444 crore.
• The budget aims to strengthen the economy, support farmers and workers, improve tourism,
and modernize infrastructure while addressing financial challenges.
Financial Indicators:
i.For FY 26, total revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 42,342.97 crore, while capital receipts will be Rs
14,602.37 crore, including Rs 13,374.74 crore from public debt and Rs 1,200.00 crore from the provident
fund (PF). This brings total receipts to Rs 56,945.34 crore.
ii.On the expenditure side, revenue expenditure is Rs 48,733.04 crore, while capital expenditure (CapEx)
is Rs 3,941.13 crore. Rs 34.40 crore will be spent on loans, and Rs 5,805.74 crore on public debt
repayments, making total expenditure Rs 58,514.31 crore.
iii.The Revenue Deficit(RD) is projected at Rs 6,390.07 crore, and the Fiscal Deficit (FD)at Rs 10,337.97
crore which is 4.04% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
iv.The state’s debt has increased to Rs 1,04,729 crore, with Rs 29,046 crore borrowed by the current
government. The state expects to generate over Rs 3,000 crore in additional revenue.
Points to Note:
i. The government aims to retrieve Rs 9,000 crore from the Centre under the National Pension
Scheme (NPS). The Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG)has declined to Rs.3,257 crore in FY26 from Rs.62,58
crore last yea Since the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) the state has suffered a revenue
loss of Rs 9,478 crore, despite receiving GST compensation.
ii Of every rupee spent, 25 paise is used for salaries, while 20 paise goes towards pensions. Interest
payments take up 12 paise, and 10 paise is allocated for debt repayment. Additionally, 9 paise is given as
grants to autonomous bodies, leaving only 24 paise for development projects.
Key Initiatives:
i.The government aims to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods by bringing one lakh more farmers into natural
farming in FY26, adding to the 1.58 lakh farmers already practicing it. To support turmeric growers, a
minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 90 per kg has been set for raw turmeric (kachi haldi).
• Turmeric cultivation will be promoted under the Mukhyamantri Fasal Suraksha Yojana(MFSY).
Additionally, a Spice Park will be established in Hamirpur, HP.
ii.The government announced a price increase for milk to support dairy farmers:
Cow milk price will rise from Rs 45 to Rs 51 per litre. Buffalo milk price will increase from Rs 55 to Rs
61 per litre.
iii.The daily wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,
2005 (MGNREGA) have been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 320 per day.
iv.Several schemes for women, children, disabled individuals, and agriculturists have been announced,
and separate directorates for schools and colleges will be established.
• Financial assistance of Rs 1,500 will be provided to Women who turn 21 between January 1,
2025, and March 31, 2026, as well as those employed in others’ homes from June 1, 2025, along
with their eligible daughters, under the ‘Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana’.
v.The government plans to promote religious tourism and develop lesser-known destinations, including
transforming tea estates into eco-tourism sites. In addition, 500 electric (e) buses will be purchased, and
the Shimla Ropeway Project in Shimla, HP will be launched in FY26.
vi.Special Task Force(STF) will be formed to tackle the growing issue of drug abuse in the state. 25,000
government jobs to be created, mainly in the health and the education sector.
vii.The state government announced a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance for government employees and
confirmed the clearance of pending arrears for pensioners aged 70 and above.
About Himachal Pradesh (HP):
Chief Minister (CM)– Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Governor– Shiv Pratap Shukla
Capital– Shimla (Summer Capital), Dharamsala (Winter Capital)
National Park (NP)- Great Himalayan NP, Khirganga NP

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Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Presents Rs 2,05,017.29 Cr Budget for FY26

On 17 March 2025, Nayab Singh Saini, the Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana, who also holds the finance
portfolio, presented his maiden Budget of Rs. 2,05,017.29 crore for the Financial Year 2025-26
(FY26). This tax-free budget reflects a 13.7% increase over the Revised Estimates (RE) of Rs. 1,80,313.57
crore for 2024-25.
• Over the past decade, Haryana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown at an average rate of
10.8%, and per capita income has increased at an average rate of 9.1%.
Note: In 2014-2015, Haryana’s GDP was Rs 4,37,145 crore, whereas the estimated GDP of Haryana for
2024-25 is Rs 12,13,951 crore. Similarly, in 2014-15, Haryana’s per capita income was Rs 1,47,382, while
the estimated per capita income for 2024-25 is Rs 3,53,182.
Fiscal Parameters:
i.From 2014-15 to 2024-25, the Annual Compound Growth in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is
6.2%
ii.Fiscal Deficit (FD) has been projected at 2.68% in RE 2024-25 against the permissible limit of 3.0%. In
the Budget Estimates (BE) 2025-26, it has been estimated at 2.67%. In 2014-15, the FD in Haryana’s
budget was 2.88% of the then GSDP.
iii.Primary Deficit (PD) (fiscal deficit minus interest payments) is projected at 0.72% of the GSDP in BE
2025-26.
iv.In BE 2025-26, the Revenue Deficit (RD) has been projected at 1.53%, against the 2024-25 RE of 1.47%
of the GSDP.
v.The Effective Revenue Deficit (ERD) (excludes grants given for the creation of capital assets from RD) is
estimated at 1.02% of GSDP in BE 2025-26.
vi.The total budget of Rs 2,05,017.29 crore consists of Revenue Expenditure (RevEx) of Rs 1,48,416.59
crore (72.39%) and Capital Expenditure (CapEx) of Rs 56,600.70 crore (27.61%).
vii.The Haryana Government’s Revenue Receipts are expected to increase by 13.49% in BE 2025-26 to Rs
1,27,816.84 crore from Rs 1,12,624.40 crore in RE 2024-25.
• The tax revenue of the Haryana Government is estimated to increase by 12.45 % in Budget
2025-26 over the Revised Budget 2024-25.
Key Initiatives:
i.The budget includes the creation of a new authority called “SANKALP” (Substance Abuse & Narcotics
Knowledge, Awareness & Liberation Program Authority) to eliminate both the demand and supply of
drugs in Haryana with an initial allocation of Rs 10 crore.
ii.The creation of a new department the ‘Department of the Future,’ aimed at making Haryana ‘future
capable.’
iii.Haryana Artificial Mission (AI) Mission will be established to train over 50,000 youth and professionals
from Haryana in cutting-edge technologies.
• The World Bank (WB) has given an initial assurance of Rs 474 crore in support of this initiative.
1 hub each will be established in Gurugram and Panchkula.
iv.The Haryana government will encourage private investors to contribute Rs 2,000 crore to Fund of
Funds (FoF) to establish Haryana as a major hub of innovation and entrepreneurship for Haryana’s
startups.
v.An initial allocation of Rs 5 crore for Mission Haryana-2047, elevating the GSDP of Haryana to USD 1
trillion and generating 50 lakh new jobs in the state.
Agriculture & Allied Sectors:
i.A target has been set to expand natural farming to 1 lakh acres in 2025-26 from 25,000 acres (2024-25).
The minimum land requirement for natural farming subsidy has been reduced from 2 acres to 1 acre.
ii.Subsidy for purchasing indigenous cows increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.
iii.Under the “Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana,” the subsidy for farmers giving up paddy cultivation
increased from Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per acre.
iv.For the first time in the history of Haryana, under the
“Mukhyamantri Doodh Utpadak Protsahan Yojana”, an incentive of Rs 70 crore will be given to the
cooperative milk producers along with the milk payment.

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• At present, the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited (HDDCF) procures
an average of 4.75 lakh liters of milk per day. In 2025-26, a target has been set to increase it by
15% to an average of 5.45 lakh liters per day.
Education:
i.A new Model Sanskriti School will be established every 10 kilometers (km), ensuring better access to
quality education.
• Additionally, 1 Government Model Sanskriti School in each district will be designated as a
Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Sports and another as a CoE in Skills.
ii.“Haryana Math Olympiad” will be organized annually for students of classes X to XII.
• An honorarium of Rs. 1,00,000, Rs. 51,000, and Rs. 25,000 will be awarded to the students
securing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions, respectively.
iii.‘Kalpana Chawla Scholarship Scheme‘ will be launched to award scholarships of up to Rs 1 lakh
per annum to female students pursuing Under-Graduate (UG) and Post-Graduate (PG) degrees in science
and engineering.
iv.Under the new scheme “Mukhyamantri Yuva Kaushal Samman Yojana“, 2,000 final-year graduate,
and PG students will be provided internship opportunities in reputed industries and companies and an
honorarium of Rs 10,000 per month.
v.Under the Mukhyamantri Kaushal Padak Samman Vijeta:
• Medal winners from Haryana at the World Skills Olympics will be awarded a cash prize of up to
Rs 10 lakh
• Participants who perform well at the national level will be assisted with up to Rs 5 lakh.
Health:
The Healthcare budget has been increased by 8.17% to Rs 10,159.54 crore for 2025-26 from Rs.
9,391.87 crore, as compared to the RE of 2024-25. Key Initiatives include:
i.9 ultra-modern maternal and child health centers are to be established in district hospitals across
Panchkula, Panipat, Faridabad, and other regions.
Social & Women Welfare:
i.A “Divyangjan Kosh” will be established with a budget provision of Rs 50 crore.
• From 1 April 2025, financial assistance will be provided for all 21 types of disabilities
recognized under the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act).’
ii.Under the Pradhan Mantri Scheduled Caste Abhyudaya Yojana, the subsidy benefit given to
beneficiaries of the Scheduled Castes (SC) with an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh (under the bank tie-up
scheme) will be increased to 50% from 10%.
iii.“Lado Laxmi Yojana”, a scheme to provide women in Haryana with the financial assistance of Rs 2,100
per month is being finalized, with Rs 5,000 crore allocated for this scheme.
About Haryana:
Chief Minister (CM)- Nayab Singh Saini
Governor– Bandaru Dattatraya
Wildlife Sanctuary– Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary
Zoological Park– Surinder Singh Memorial Mini Zoo

Telangana FM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Presents Rs 3.04 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26
On 19 March 2025, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) and Finance Minister (FM) of Telangana, Mallu Bhatti
Vikramarka, presented the state’s budget for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) with a total outlay of Rs
3,04,965 crore, marking a 5% increase from the previous year’s budget of Rs 2,91,000 crore for FY25.
• This budget focuses on infrastructure, industrial growth, welfare, and urban development,
aiming to boost Telangana’s economy and improve public services.
Financial Indicators:
i.A total of Rs 2,26,982 crore has been allocated for revenue expenditure, while Rs 36,504 crore has
been set aside for capital expenditure (CapEx).

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ii.The Telangana economy continues to grow steadily, recording a 10.1% increase in the state’s Gross
State Domestic Product (GSDP) and a 9.6% rise in per capita income compared to the previous financial
year. The state’s per capita income is 1.8% higher than the national average.
iii.On the revenue receipts front, the State estimated the revenue to be at Rs.2.29 lakh crore of which the
State taxes and duties would contribute Rs.1.45 lakh crore, State’s share in central taxes Rs.29,899 crore,
and other non-tax receipts at Rs.4,292 crore including the Grants in Aid and Contributions of Rs.22,782
crore.
iv.Telangana may need to borrow additional funds; however, borrowing capacity is restricted by the
state’s Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) regulations 2005 and central government-
imposed borrowing limits.
• It projects a surplus of Rs.2,738 crore and a Fiscal Deficit(FD) of Rs.54,009 crore, mainly on
account of borrowings, while the primary deficit is pegged at Rs.34,640 crore.
Key Allocations:
i.Agriculture Sector : A total of Rs 24,439 crore has been allocated to the Agriculture Department for
various schemes, including Rythu Bharosa and Indiramma Abhaya Hastham.
ii.Irrigation Sector: The Telangana government has allocated Rs 23,373 crore for irrigation projects in
the 2025-26 budget. Additionally, the Outer Ring Road (ORR) Phase II Water Supply Scheme will be
implemented with an outlay of Rs 5,942 crore to enhance water distribution across key areas.
iii.Industrial Development: Introduction of the ‘Mega Master Plan 2050’ to decentralize growth,
including greenfield industrial clusters in Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts in Telangana.
iv.Healthcare: Establishment of 95 new free dialysis centres, adding to the existing 102 facilities across
the state. A total of Rs 12,393 crore allocated to the health, medical, and family welfare department,
marking an 8.06% increase from the previous year’s budget estimate.
v.Education Sector: A total of Rs 23,108 crore has been proposed for the education sector, with a focus
on infrastructure development and the construction of Young India Integrated School and Young India Skill
University (YISU).
vi.Energy Sector : An allocation of Rs 21,221 crore has been made for the Energy Department.
Additionally, the Yadadri Thermal Power Plant in Nalgonda district of Telangana is set to be completed by
May 2025.
vii.Future City and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub : A Future City spanning 765 square kilometres (sq
km) is being developed, with the Future City Development Authority responsible for regulating and
overseeing its growth. As part of this initiative, an AI City is planned on 200 acres, aiming to attract AI
startups and technology companies.
• Additionally, Google, subsidiary of Alphabet Inc based in the United States of America (USA) will
establish an AI-powered accelerated centre within the AI City, further boosting innovation and
investment in emerging technologies.
viii.Urban Infrastructure: A total of Rs 17,677 crore has been proposed for the Municipal
Administration Department, with a focus on major infrastructure projects. Under the High-Impact City
Infrastructure and Traffic Improvement (HICITI) initiative, 31 flyovers and 17 underpasses will be
constructed at a cost of Rs 7,032 crore to enhance urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion.
ix.Other Allocations : A total of Rs 900 crore has been allocated for the Youth Services Department, while
Rs 31,605 crore has been proposed for the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department.
Key Welfare Initiatives:
i.A total of Rs 40,232 crore has been allocated for Scheduled Castes (SCs) Welfare, while Rs 17,169 crore
has been earmarked for Scheduled Tribes (STs) Development.

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• The Backward Classes (BCs) Welfare Department will receive Rs 11,405 crore, and Rs 3,591
crore has been set aside for Minority Welfare. Additionally, Rs 2,862 crore has been allocated for
Women and Child Welfare.
ii.The state government has allocated Rs 56,084 crore for implementing its 6 guarantees. Key allocations
include Rs 4,305 crore for the Mahalakshmi scheme, Rs 2,080 crore for Gruha Jyothi, Rs 1,800 crore for
Sanna Rice Bonus, Rs 1,143 crore for Rajiv Arogya Sri, Rs 723 crore for the gas cylinder subsidy, and Rs
600 crore for Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa.
ii.Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) Training Programme: Launched to provide job
opportunities in the BFSI sector for degree and engineering students. Currently implemented in 38
colleges, targeting 10,000 students across 18 engineering and 20 degree colleges.
Announcement:
i.The Telangana government announced the development of India’s first Net-Zero Future City, setting a
new standard in sustainable and smart urbanisation.
• Additionally, it will house specialised zones such as an AI City, Pharma Hub, Sports City, and
Clean Energy Innovation Zone, making it a global hub for technology, industry, and sustainable
development.
ii.The Telangana government has announced the distribution of two high-quality sarees annually to 64.7
lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) members across the state.
About Telangana:
Chief Minister (CM)– Revanth Reddy
Governor– Jishnu Dev Varma
Capital– Hyderabad
National Parks (NP)– Mrugavani NP, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali NP

Zanskar Winter Sports and Tourism Festival 2024-25 Held in Ladakh

In March 2025, the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh,
successfully organized the Zanskar Winter Sports and Tourism Festival 2024-25 at Atting
Village, Zanskar (Ladakh).
• The festival brought together sports, culture, and tourism, offering visitors an opportunity to
experience the unique winter heritage of Ladakh amidst the landscapes of Zanskar Valley.
i.The event was honored by the presence of Vikram Singh Malik, Administrative Secretary of Tourism,
Culture, Youth Services & Sports, UT of Ladakh, as the chief guest (CG), and Punchok Tashi, Executive
Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC-Kargil), as the guest of honor.
ii.The festival featured a variety of thrilling sports and cultural performances, including: Yoga on snow,
Snow skiing competitions (short-distance, long-distance, and cross-country), Traditional archery, Yak and
horse riding, Folk dance and music performances by students.
iii.The program showcased engaging cultural performances by several Ama Thoqspa groups, celebrating
the vibrant cultural heritage of Zanskar.

FM of Tripura, Pranajit Singha Roy Presents State Budget of Rs 32,423.44 Crore for FY 26
In March 2025, Finance Minister (FM) of Tripura, Pranajit Singha Roy presented the state’s budget for the
financial year 2025-26 (FY 26), proposing a total expenditure of Rs 32,423.44 crore. The overall budget
size has increased by Rs 4,618.77 crore compared to the previous year.
• The state budget emphasizes inclusive development, women empowerment, and infrastructure
expansion. No new taxes have been introduced.
• Tripura government also announced a 3% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for state employees,
effective April 2025, raising their DA to 33%.

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Financial Indicators:
i.The Budget Estimates(BE) for FY25 stood at Rs 27,804.67 crore, which was later revised to Rs
30,296.50 crore in FY25 Revised Estimates. The budget deficit is Rs 429.56 crore.
ii.The state’s revenue receipts, comprising tax revenue, non-tax income, and central grants, are projected
to rise from Rs 20,538.02 crore in FY 24 to Rs 26,416.15 crore in FY 26.
iii.A major highlight of this budget is the significant boost in capital expenditure, (CapEx) which is set
at Rs 7,903 crore, compared to Rs 7,000 crore in FY 25, an increase of 19.14%.
iv.Debt burden has risen to Rs 21,878.26 crore, while borrowing under the Fiscal Responsibility and
Budget Management (FRBM)Act 2005 is capped at Rs 1,225 crore.
Key Allocations:
The budget introduces 13 new welfare schemes aimed at supporting job seekers, mentally challenged
individuals. This year, the highest fund of Rs 6,450 crore has been allocated to the finance department,
whereas the health department got the lowest allocation of Rs 599 crore among the top 15 departments.
i.Agriculture & Allied Sector: Rs 1,885.42 crore, reflecting a 9.49% increase over the previous year.
ii..Education: Rs 6,166.19 crore, marking an 11.94% rise to enhance learning infrastructure and
opportunities.
iii.Health: Rs 1,948.69 crore, showing a 12.89% growth to strengthen medical services and healthcare
facilities
iv.Minority Welfare: Rs 20 crore allocated for improving socio-economic infrastructure in areas with a
high minority population.
Infrastructure Projects:
The budget includes major infrastructure projects:
i.New police stations in West Agartala, East Agartala, Belonia, Baikhora, Bagbassa, and Madhupur in
Tripura, New motor stands in Mohanpur, Kalyanpur, Bishalgarh, and Jatanbari
ii.Establishment of new fire stations in Ranirbazar, Hrishyamukh, Karbook, and Killa, Construction
of indoor sports halls in Kailashahar and Udaipur.
iii.For the convenience of people visiting Agartala, (Tripura) a ‘Bharat Mata Canteen cum Night
Shelter’ will be established with an initial budget of Rs 2 crore. The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC)
will oversee its operation.
iv.A new scheme has also been proposed for mentally challenged individuals, offering them a monthly
pension of Rs 5,000 to ensure financial stability.
v.Meanwhile, developmental initiatives for Scheduled Tribes (ST) will be implemented under the World
Bank-funded Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project (TRESP) to improve their
socio-economic conditions.
vi.A computer-based examination center will be set up at Hapania International Fair Ground, West
Tripura, at a cost of Rs 15 crore
About Tripura
Chief Minister (CM)– Manik Saha
Governor– Indra Sena Reddy Nallu
Capital– Agartala
Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) – Trishna WLS, Gomati WLS

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Presents Rs 1 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26

In March 2025, Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister (CM) and also holds the charge of Finance Minister(FM) of
Delhi, presented the Rs 1 lakh crore budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY 26), marking a 43.8%
increase in the total budget outlay. The budget focuses on ten key areas, including infrastructure,
women’s empowerment, Yamuna rejuvenation, water supply, and urban connectivity.

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Financial Indicators:
i.The Fiscal Deficit(FD) for FY 26 is estimated at Rs 13,702 crore, marking an 899.67% rise from the
previous year’s revised estimate of Rs 1,523 crore.
ii.The capital expenditure (CapEx) in this year’s budget has been doubled to Rs 28,000 crore, risen to
28% from 20% last year.
iii.Revenue sources include: Rs 68,700 crore from tax collection, Rs 4,128 crore from Centrally Sponsored
Schemes (CSS) (a 28.03% increase), Rs 7,968 crore from central assistance, which has increased by
582.1%.
• It also projected an increase of nearly 17% in tax revenue, from Rs 58,750 crore in the FY25
budget estimates to Rs 68,700 crore in FY26.
Key Allocations:
I.Yamuna Cleaning and Water Management:
i.To ensure wastewater is treated at the source before reaching the Yamuna, Rs 500 crore has been
allocated for the construction of 40 decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs).
ii.To strengthen the sewage infrastructure, Rs 250 crore has been earmarked for replacing old sewer lines.
iii.To improve water quality and public health, Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for clean drinking water
and sanitation projects.
II.Infrastructure and Urban Development:
i.To enhance flood control measures and prevent waterlogging during monsoons, Rs 150 crore has been
allocated for the remodeling of drains.
ii.To create a safer and cleaner urban environment, Rs 100 crore has been set aside for shifting all
overhead power cables underground.
III.Healthcare and Social Welfare: The Delhi government has allocated Rs 6,874 crore to the health
sector, focusing on establishing new health and wellness centers and expanding the Ayushman Arogya
Mandir initiative.
• Additionally, Rs 210 crore has been reserved for providing nutrient kits and a Rs 21,000
allowance to expecting mothers.
• Rs 2,144 crore has been allocated for the PM Jan Arogya Yojana to strengthen healthcare
services.
IV.Public Transport and Connectivity: Rs 12,952 crore allocated to the transport sector, including Rs
1,000 crore for improving connectivity between Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region).
• Pink tickets in free bus rides for women will be replaced with smart cards to curb misuse and
corruption.
• Rs 300 crore allocated to tackle pollution control.
V.Women’s Welfare and Safety Education and Skill Development:
Rs 5,100 crore has been earmarked for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, which will provide Rs 2,500 per
month to each eligible woman as financial assistance.
VI.Education: Rs 100 crore allotted for CM SHRI Schools, inspired by PM SHRI (Schools for Rising India)
Schools and aligned with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and also announced to provide free laptops
to 1,200 students passing class X.
• A new education hub will be set up in Narela with an initial investment of Rs 100 crore.
• The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stipend Scheme will be launched with a Rs 5 crore budget, providing a
Rs 1,000 monthly stipend to Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing technical and vocational
education.
Key Initiatives:
i.Delhi will host its first-ever ‘Global Investment Summit’, to be held every two years, to attract global
investors.

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ii.A new industrial policy and warehouse policy will be introduced. A Traders’ Welfare Board will be
established.
iii.Rs 50 crore allocated for skill development programs, including bee-keeping initiatives to support
small-scale industries.
iv.An Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) will be established to monitor real-time
environmental parameters like air and water quality, noise levels, and waste management.
v.Rs 30 crore allocated to organize Delhi’s first International Film Festival.
vi.Rs 10 crore allocated to launch the Chief Minister’s Young Visionaries Innovation Programme,
encouraging young minds to contribute ideas for policy and governance.
vii.Rs 100 crore earmarked for establishing 100 Atal Canteens, providing subsidized meals at Rs 5 per
plate.
viii.Rs 6,897 crore has been allocated to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to support efforts to
clean and maintain the capital.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister (CM)– Rekha Gupta
Governor – Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Capital- New Delhi

Punjab FM Harpal Singh Cheema Presents Rs 2.36 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26
On 26 March 2025, Harpal Singh Cheema, Finance Minister (FM) of Punjab, presented a Rs 2,36,080
crore Budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) with a special focus on the “Yudh Nashe De
Virudh” (War Against Drugs) anti-drug campaign and Healthcare sector improvements. A unique initiative
in the budget is to carry out the first-ever “Drug Census” in Punjab next year.
• The Drug Census will cover every household in Punjab and assess drug prevalence, de-addiction
center usage, etc, with an allocation of Rs 150 crore. It aims to develop a scientific strategy to
eradicate drug problems within 1-2 years.
Fiscal Indicators:
i.Punjab’s economy is showing strong growth, with a 9% increase, and the Gross State Domestic Product
(GSDP) of Punjab at current prices has reached Rs 8,09,538 crore in the Revised Estimates (RE) of 2024-
2025.
• The projected GSDP growth of 10% for FY 2025-26 is expected to reach Rs 8,91,301 crore.
ii.The total Revenue Receipts have been projected to be Rs 111740.32 crore in FY 2025-26, of which the
State’s Own Tax Revenue accounts for Rs 63,250 crore.
• The Own Tax Revenue of Punjab has grown by 14% as of February 2025.
iii.The Effective Revenue Deficit (ERD) and Fiscal Deficit (FD) are expected to be 2.51% (Rs 22351.82
crore) and 3.84% (Rs 34201.11 crore).
iv.The Capital Expenditure (CapEx) is allocated at Rs 10301.65 crore, a significant increase from Rs
8346.62 crore in RE of 2024-2025.
v.The Revenue Expenditure (RevEX) is allocated at Rs 135697.60 crore, an increase from Rs 132405.13
crore in RE of 2024-2025.
Unique Initiatives:
i.The Government of Punjab launched the “Yudh Nashe De Virudh” (War Against Drugs) Campaign on 1
March 2025 to completely eradicate drugs from Punjab by involving all sections of society.
ii.To control cross-border drug smuggling, for the first time in Punjab’s history, the government will
establish a second line of defense at the border by deploying 5,000 home guards alongside the Border
Security Force (BSF).

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• The Government will also implement advanced and effective anti-drone systems, with a Rs 110
crore budget.
iii.Additionally, to enhance law enforcement, Punjab Police will expand its Emergency Response Vehicle
(ERV) fleet sixfold, reducing response time to 8 minutes.
iv.A new state-of-the-art headquarters for the Dial 112 response team will also be built in Sahibzada Ajit
Singh (SAS)Nagar (Former Name Mohali), with Rs 178 crore allocated for these initiatives in FY 2025-26.
Health:
i.A budgetary allocation of Rs 5,598 crore has been provided in FY 2025-26 for the health sector, an
increase of 10% over the previous year.
ii.For the first time in Punjab’s history, the government has decided to extend the state health insurance
scheme in the coming year to make it a Universal scheme.
• It covers 65 lakh families of Punjab with no discrimination between rural/urban or rich/poor
for health insurance.
iii.The insurance coverage for all the families of Punjab will be extended to Rs 10 lakh per annum,
including those who enrolled in the Central government scheme.
• They will get an additional top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh from the State government.
iv.Families covered under the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana will receive a ‘Sehat Card’ next
year to avail of a cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh in government and private hospitals across Punjab.
v.The FARISHTEY Scheme is being allocated Rs 10 crore to provide immediate treatment for accident
victims and incentivize good Samaritans.
Sports:
i.The Punjab government is launching a mega Sports initiative, Khed-da Punjab, Badalda Punjab, to engage
youth and promote sports excellence.
• Under this initiative, the government will upgrade and modernize 13 Centers of Excellence
(CoEs) for national and international athletes.
ii.The sports department has a record budget allocation of Rs 979 crore, the highest in Punjab’s history,
surpassing the combined sports spending of previous governments from 2012 to 2022.
Other Initiatives:
i.The Punjab government has launched the “Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab” initiative to uplift all 12,581
villages in the state over the next 2 years, with a Rs 3,500 crore budget for the coming year.
ii.The Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme will be introduced in every district to address key local
developmental needs based on public feedback. A total of Rs 585 crore (Rs 5 crore per constituency) has
been allocated for this initiative in the budget.
• Administered by District Commissioners (DCs), the scheme will focus on infrastructure
improvements, including roads, bridges, streetlights, healthcare, education, water, and
sanitation.
iii.To ensure bright towns and villages, the “Mukh Mantri Street Light Yojana” will install 2.5 lakh
streetlights using an innovative model, with Rs 115 crore allocated for the initiative.
iv.Rs 7,614 crore budget is proposed for providing 300 units of free power per month to domestic
consumers in FY 2025-26.
v.To support the farmers, an allocation of Rs 9,992 crore has been made in the FY26 Budget for providing
power subsidies to the agriculture sector.
vi.The Punjab Government, under its ‘Badalda Punjab’ initiative, has announced a loan waiver scheme for
4,650 beneficiaries who defaulted on loans taken through the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development
and Finance Corporation (PSCFC) until March 31, 2020.
vii.For FY 26, a Rs 9,340 crore allocation has been proposed to support marginalized communities.

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• To uplift Scheduled Castes (SC), Backward Classes (BC), and minorities, Rs 13,987 crore has
been allocated under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP), comprising 34% of the State’s total
development budget.
viii.Additionally, Rs 450 crore has been allocated to continue the free bus travel scheme for women, which
has facilitated over 12 crore trips this year.
ix.Rs 17,975 crore has been allocated for the Education sector (12% of total expenditure).
• Punjab received the “Best State” award, and Hoshiarpur won the “Best District” award under the
Green Schools Programme (GSP) at the Green Schools Awards 2025.
About Punjab:
Chief Minister (CM)- Bhagwant Singh Mann
Governor– Gulab Chand Kataria
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Bir Dosanjh Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Bhadson Wildlife Sanctuary
Zoological Park– Bir Talab

Sikkim CM PS Tamang Presents Rs 16,196 Crore Budget for FY26

In March 2025, Chief Minister (CM) of Sikkim, also the Minister-in-Charge of the Finance
Department, Prem Singh Tamang, presented the Annual General Budget for the Financial Year 2025-
26(FY26), amounting to Rs 16,196 crore, focusing on eradicating poverty and achieving total literacy.
• A key feature of the budget is the allocation of Rs. 2,896 crore under Centrally Sponsored
Schemes (CSS), aimed at maximizing central funding for crucial developmental projects in
Sikkim.
Key Highlights:
i.For FY26, the state government has planned Rs 11,028 crore for Revenue Expenditure(RE) and Rs
5,168 crore for capital investment.
ii.The state will generate revenue from multiple sources. The Centre’s devolution of taxes is estimated
at Rs 5,519 crore, while grants and aids will add Rs 2,600 crore.
iii.The state aims to collect Rs 2,076 crore from its own tax revenue, while non-tax revenue, including
earnings from government services, is expected to be Rs 1,007 crore.
iv.To meet financial requirements, the government will also raise Rs 2,651 crore through borrowings.
Key Allocations:
I.Education and Sports Sector:
i.The government has allocated Rs 17,303 crore for education, sports, and arts to enhance learning,
promote sports, and support cultural programs.
ii.Key initiatives include Yoga and Mental Health programs, the CM Merit Scholarship Scheme, and
educational tours.
• Sports infrastructure will also be improved with investments in Tarundeep Rai Archery
Academy, Reshithang Khel Gaon, Jas Lal Boxing Academy, and a cricket academy in Pakyong,
Sikkim.
II.Health Sector:
i.A total of Rs 7,195 crore (6% of Budget) has been set aside for healthcare, ensuring better medical
facilities and services. The funds will be used for purchasing new hospital equipment, upgrading specialty
wards, and enhancing medical infrastructure.
ii.Schemes such as Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Suvidha Yojana(MMSSY) and the CM’s Medical Assistance
Scheme will continue. A Positive Pressure Kidney Transplant Intensive care Unit (ICU) will be installed at
STNM Hospital, Sikkim and a new Primary Health Sub-Center (PHSC) at Melli will be built with Rs 10 crore.

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III.Water Supply and Sanitation:

i.A total of Rs 10,741 crore has allocated to improve water supply and sanitation facilities across the state.
This includes dedicated projects such as the water supply to Mangalbaria block from Sapley Source at
Upper Resikhola, Sribadam in Soreng district of Sikkim.
IV.Agriculture Sector:
i.The agriculture and rural development sectors have been given Rs 14,649 crore (8%) to enhance rural
connectivity, sanitation, and agricultural sustainability.
ii.Key initiatives include the Shravan Kumar Award (recognizing the best son and daughter in each Gram
Panchayat Unit), Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Yojana, and Sikkim Aama Sahayog Yojana
V.Power and Energy:
A total of Rs 5,409 crore has been allocated to develop the power sector by strengthening electricity
supply, grid infrastructure, and renewable energy (RE) projects.
VI.Transport sector:
The transport sector, covering roads and bridges, has been allocated Rs 6,703 crore to improve
connectivity and road infrastructure
VII.Disaster Management:
9% of the budget has been dedicated to disaster management and infrastructure rehabilitation. Funds will
be used for flash flood mitigation efforts. The provisions have been made for the rehabilitation of Glacial
Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) victims in Naga, Mangan district of Sikkim.
VIII.Social Welfare:
To support vulnerable communities, 5% of the budget is allocated for social welfare, focusing on women
and child development. Key initiatives include Aama schemes, Social Security Pensions, and a working
women’s hostel at Tadong for safe accommodation.
IX.Tourism:
Tourism receives 3% of the budget to boost infrastructure and attract visitors. Key projects include
Singshore Bridge Glass Skywalk, Bhaledhunga ropeway, Dodak Eco-Tourism Complex, and Cho-dzo Lake
Tourist Festival at Ravangla, Sikkim.
Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS):
A major initiative in this budget is the Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS), a policy think
tank designed to accelerate the state’s development. It will be headed by the CM of Sikkim, will work with
NITI (National Institute for Transforming India) Aayog to drive policy reforms, strengthen governance, and
optimize resource utilization.
About Sikkim:
Chief Minister (CM)– Prem Singh Tamang
Governor– Om Prakash Mathur
Capital– Gangtok
Ramsar site– Khachoedpalri Wetland

7th Act East Business show held in Meghalaya

In March 2025, the 7th Act East Business Show was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister(CM)
Conrad Sangma in Shillong, Meghalaya.The three-day event was attended by ambassadors and
representatives of different countries. The event, held from March 25th–27th,2025, organized by Kolkata
(West Bengal)-based Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in partnership with the Government of
Meghalaya.

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• The aim of the 7th Act East Business show is to position Meghalaya as a prime trade and
investment hub while strengthening economic ties between India’s Northeast and
the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian
Nations) regions under India’s Act East Policy.
Note: The Act East Business Show began in 2014. Subsequent editions were held annually until 2018,
with a gap before the 2021 edition.
i.Aligned with Meghalaya’s vision to achieve a USD 10 billion economy, the event highlighted policy
reforms, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship, and grassroots economic networks as growth
catalysts.
ii.The state aims to leverage its strategic location and the Act East Policy framework to attract cross-
border investments and enhance regional connectivity.
iii.Act East Policy: Launched in 2014 at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in Myanmar, the Act East Policy
succeeded the Look East Policy (1992) to strengthen trade and investment ties with the Southeast Asian
Nation.

GOVT SHCEMES
CENTRAL SCHEMES
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana: Ensuring Financial Security for
India’s Unorganised Workforce
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, a landmark initiative led by Government of
India (GoI) which aimed to provide financial security to millions of unorganized workers in India. It is a
part of the GoI’s wider social security initiatives and aligns with the vision of universal pension coverage
for workers in the unorganised sector.
• The scheme is specially designed for workers in the unorganised sectors who contribute 50% of
the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• The scheme is monitored by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) in partnership
with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Common Services Centres e-Governance
Services India Limited (CSC SPV) for smooth implementation.
About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana:
i.PM-SYM was originally introduced in the Interim Budget 2019.
ii.It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, aimed to provide social security to unorganized
workers.
iii.The scheme ensures a minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month after the age of 60 for workers who
are employed in the unorganised sector and have a monthly income of up to Rs 15,000.
iv.The GoI has designated LIC as Fund Manager of the scheme, which
is mainly responsible for paying out pensions.
v.As on December 31 2024, more
than 30.51 croreunorganised workers were registered on e-
shram portal.
vi.As on March 3, 2025, top 5 states with maximum number of PM-
SYM card issued: Haryana (8,26,208); Uttar Pradesh (UP) (6,94,169);
Maharashtra (6,21,500); Gujarat (3,91,043); and Chhattisgarh
(2,33,172).

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Key Features of PM-SYM:

i.Government and Workers Contribution: As per the scheme, the GoI will match the contribution of
workers on a 1:1 basis.
• However, the contribution amount(Rs 55 to Rs 200), differs based on the age at the time of
enrolment for instance: if the age of worker at entry is 18 years, then, he/she is required to
make monthly contribution of Rs 55 and GoI will also contribute exactly the same amount.
ii.Family Pension: The scheme has a provision of family pension, where, the beneficiary passes away after
the age of 60, only the spouse is entitled to receive 50% of the pension amount as a family pension.
• In case, both subscriber as well as his/her spouse passes away, the entire corpus will be
credited back to the fund.
iii.Easy enrolment: Eligible workers can register for the scheme at Common Services Centres (CSCs) or
through the ‘Maandhan’ portal.
Eligibility Criteria:
i.Age Requirement: Minimum age required for workers to enroll in the scheme should be 18 years and
not be more than 40 years.
ii.Unorganised sector employment: Workers engaged in professions such as: street vendors, rag pickers,
rickshaw pullers, construction workers, daily wage labourers, agricultural workers, artisans, among
others, are covered in the scheme.
iii.Exclusion Criteria: The scheme excludes the workers/ employees who are covered under the
Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), or National Pension
Scheme (NPS).
• Also, the beneficiary should not be an income taxpayer and should not be receiving benefits
from any other government pension scheme.
iv.Documents Required: The beneficiaries are required to submit their Aadhaar Card details, saving
bank account or Jan Dhan account details with Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) and mobile number.
Exit and Withdrawal Criteria:
i.Exit Before 10 years: If a beneficiary exits the scheme before the completion of 10 years, the entire
contributed amount is refunded with savings bank interest rate.
ii.Exit after 10 years but before 60 years: In this case, beneficiary receives his or her share of
contribution along with accumulated interest, as earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate,
whichever is higher.
iii.Death before 60 years or permanent disability caused by an accident: In such case, it is voluntary
for the spouse of beneficiary either to continue the scheme or;
• Withdraw the contributed amount with interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings
bank interest rate, whichever is higher.
Note: If a subscriber has not paid the contribution continuously, he/she will be allowed to regularize his
contribution by paying entire outstanding dues, along with penalty charges.
Implementation and Current Status:
The GoI has initiated various steps to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach the unorganised sector
workers:
i.Conducting periodic review meetings with states or Union Territories (UTs).
ii.Introduced new features such as: voluntary exit, revival module, claim status and account statement.
iii.The GoI has extended the revival of dormant accounts from 1 year to 3 years.
• It has also launched Donate-a-Pension Module which aims to encourage the employer to pay
the premium of their staff under PM-SYM pension scheme, which will help in increasing the
enrolment.

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iv.Various public departments/organisations like: Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of

Finance (MoF); Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and National Institute of
Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) are working closely with each other, to increase the outreach of the
pension scheme.
Recent Related News:
In January 2025, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, MoL&E chaired the two-day National level
conference with labour ministers and secretaries of State/Union Territories (UTs) held in New Delhi, Delhi.
• During the meeting, he launched two significant initiatives namely, State and
UT Microsites and the Occupational Shortage Index (OSI) under the e-shram initiative

MoE Launches PM-YUVA 3.0 to Nurture Young Authors and Promote Indian Heritage
In March 2025, the Department of Higher Education (DHE) under the Ministry of Education (MoE) has
introduced the 3rd edition of the Prime Minister’s Young, Upcoming, and Versatile Authors (PM-YUVA
3.0) Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors.
• PM-YUVA 3.0 builds on the participation of young authors in 22 Indian languages and English in
its previous editions.
• The third edition aims to provide a platform for new perspectives on Indian culture, history, and
modern achievements.
Background:
i.PM-YUVA scheme was launched in 2021 as part of India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav), aims to
foster a culture of reading, writing, and book creation in India, with a special focus on encouraging young
authors.
ii.This initiative is designed to encourage young writers under 30 years old, promoting reading, writing,
and a strong literary culture in India. The scheme supports the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020,
which promotes a knowledge-driven society.
iii.In February 2025, the MoE launched 41 new books under the PM YUVA 2.0 scheme which was launched
in 2022.
About the PM-YUVA 3.0 Scheme:
I.Focus: The main areas of focus include the Indian diaspora and its contributions in various fields,
• The Indian Knowledge System, highlighting ancient wisdom and its relevance today,
• The achievements of key figures in fields like science, education, economy, and social
development.
II.Selection Process: The program starts with a national level competition on MyGov Portal, running
from March 11, 2025 to April 10, 2025.
• Out of all participants, 50 authors will be chosen based on three themes:
1.Indian diaspora and its role in nation-building – 10 authors
2.Indian Knowledge System – 20 authors
3.Makers of modern India (1950-2025) – 20 authors
• Candidates who were selected for PM-YUVA Scheme 1.0 or PM-YUVA Scheme 2.0 are not
eligible to apply for PM-YUVA 3.0
• The results will be announced between May 2025 to June 2025 and the selected authors will
undergo mentorship from June 30 to December 30, 2025.
iii.New Delhi, (Delhi) based National Book Trust (NBT), under the MoE, will manage the scheme and guide
the selected authors. Their work will be published and translated into different Indian languages to
promote literary exchange.
iv.The program also includes: Interactions with experienced writers, Participation in literary events,
Opportunities to contribute to contemporary discussions.
v.As part of the mentorship program, a National Camp will be organized for PM-YUVA 3.0 authors during
the New Delhi World Book Fair which will be held from 10 to 18 January 2026.

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About Ministry of Education (MoE):

Union Minister– Dharmendra Pradhan (Constituency- Sambalpur, Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)– Jayant Chaudhary Constituency- Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, UP); Sukanta Majumdar
(Constituency- Balurghat, West Bengal, WB)

Vigyan Dhara Scheme: Boosting India’s Scientific Research and Innovation

The Government of India (GoI) launched the unified Vigyan Dhara scheme on 16 January 2025 to
strengthen India’s scientific research, innovation, and technological development. It merges three existing
umbrella schemes of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and
Technology(MoS&T):
• Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building
• Research and Development (R&D)
• Innovation, Technology Development, and Deployment
Key Objectives:
The scheme aims to:
i.Build advanced R&D infrastructure and skilled human resources.
ii.Promote basic, translational, and collaborative research.
iii.Drive innovation across schools, industries, and startups.
iv.Ensure gender parity in S&T fields.
v.Position India as a global scientific leader through international partnerships.
Budget and Implementation:
• Total Outlay: Rs. 10,579.84 crore for the 15th Finance Commission(FC) period (2021-22 to
2025-26).
• Annual Allocation: 4.31 times Increased from Rs. 330.75 crore (2024-25) to Rs. 1,425 crore
(2025-26).
• Implementation: Nationwide as a Central Sector Scheme under DST, MoS&T.
Key Components
• Capacity Building: Upgrade R&D labs in academic institutions. Support faculty development,
student research, and international collaborations.
• Research and Development: Focus on sustainable energy, water, nanotechnology, quantum
science, and biotechnology. Access to international mega facilities like particle accelerators.
• Innovation and Technology: Fund startups and technology commercialization. Promote
grassroots innovation via programs like INSPIRE-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National
Aspiration and Knowledge) for students (Class VI-X).
Impact and Beneficiaries
• Boosted scientific publications (India ranks 3rd globally with 2.44 lakh papers in 2022).
Enhanced academia-industry collaboration and Intellectual Property(IP) creation (patents,
industrial designs).
• 57,869 Beneficiaries (as of March 2025), including 10–15-year-old students under INSPIRE-
MANAK.
• State-Level Impact: Telangana utilized Rs. 3.3 crore for 4,002 beneficiaries (as of 10 March
2025).
Strategic Alignment
i.Linked to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for global-standard research.
ii.Supports 5-year DST goals to improve India’s Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count and R&D
base.

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About Ministry of Science & Technology:

Minister of State (MoS) Independent Charge (I/C) – Dr. Jitendra Singh
Departments: Department of Science &Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and
Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR).

Government Discontinues MLTGD Under Gold Monetisation Scheme

The Government of India has decided to discontinue the Medium Term and Long Term Government
Deposit (MLTGD) components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) effective March 26, 2025. This
decision follows a review of the scheme’s performance and evolving market dynamics.
• Any gold deposits tendered at the designated Collection and Purity Testing Centre (CPTC) or
GMS Mobilisation, Collection & Testing Agent (GMCTA) or the designated bank branches under
the said components of GMS shall not be accepted with effect from March 26, 2025. However,
the existing deposits under MLTGD shall continue till redemption.
• The renewal of MLTGD has been discontinued with effect from March 26, 2025.
Note: Earlier in 2025 the central government has discontinued the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme
Gold Monetisation Scheme:
Objective: GMS was announced on 15th September, 2015 with the objective to reduce country’s reliance
on the import of gold in the long run and mobilise gold held by households and institutions in the country
to facilitate its use for productive purposes.
• This scheme replaced the then existing Gold Deposit Scheme, 1999.
Eligible Banks: All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks).
Eligible Depositors: Resident Indians, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Trusts (Mutual Funds (MF),
Exchanges Traded Fund (ETF’s)), Companies, Government entities, and others.
Minimum deposit: The minimum deposit at any one time shall be 10 grams of raw gold (bars, coins,
jewellery excluding stones and other metals). There is no maximum limit for deposit under the scheme.
Components Under GMS
Short Term Bank Deposit (STBD): Banks set interest rates and permit premature withdrawals.
• Tenure: 1–3 years.
Medium and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD): The rate of interest on such deposit will be
decided by Central Government and notified by Reserve Bank of India from time to time.
• Medium Term (MTGD): 5–7 years (interest currently: 2.25% per aannum(p.a))
• Long Term (LTGD): 12–15 years (interest currently: 2.50% p.a.).
• Lock-in Period: MTGD withdrawals allowed after 3 years; LTGD after 5 years.
About CPTC & GMCTA:
i.Collection and Purity Testing Centre (CPTC): Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified centers for gold
deposit/redemption.
ii.GMS Mobilisation, Collection & Testing Agent (GMCTA): BIS certified jewelers/refiners authorized to
handle deposits.

MoF Retains Small Savings Scheme Interest Rates for Q1FY26

On March 28, 2025, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF)
announced that Small Savings Scheme (SSS) interest rates will remain unchanged, for 1st Quarter of
Financial Year 2025-26 (Q1FY26) i.e. from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, maintaining the same rates
as Q4FY25 (January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025).
• With this, the interest rates on small savings schemes, have remained steady for the fifth
consecutive quarter.

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• The interest rates are reviewed and updated based on factors such as prevailing market
conditions, inflation, and government bond yields. The revised rates take effect from the start of
each quarter (i.e., April-June, July-September, October-December, and January-March).
Interest Rates on Small Savings Schemes for Q1FY26:

Instruments Rate of Interest from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025

Post Office Savings Deposit(POSD) 4.0%

1-Year Post Office Time Deposits

6.9%
(POTD)

2-Year Post Office Time Deposits

7.0%
(POTD)

3-Year Post Office Time Deposits

7.1%
(POTD)

5-Year Post Office Time Deposits

7.5%
(POTD)

5-Year Post Office Recurring Deposits

6.7%
(PORD)

Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) 7.5% (will mature in 115 months)

Public Provident Fund (PPF) 7.1%

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 8.2%

National Savings Certificate (NSC) 7.7%

Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme

8.2%
(SCSS)

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme

7.4%
(PO-MIS)

Mahila Samman Savings Certificate

7.5%
(MSSC)
About Small Savings Schemes (SSS):
i.Small Savings Schemes (SSS), administered by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), , are government-backed
financial instruments aimed at promoting household savings and offering secure investment options.
ii.These schemes are managed through post offices and designated banks, offering fixed returns with
sovereign guarantees. Interest rates are reviewed quarterly by MoF.
• The Shyamala Gopinath Committee formulated the method for determining SSS interest rates
in January 2023.
• These rates should be 25 to 100 basis points (bps) higher than government bond yields.

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STATE GOVT SCHEMES

Union Minister JP Nadda Announces 2 New Schemes for Girl Child Welfare in Tripura
On March 9, 2025, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare
(MoH&FW), announced two new welfare schemes for female children in Tripura. The announcement
took place during the two-year celebration of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Tripura Government 2.0
at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala (Tripura).
• The two welfare schemes are the Mukhyamantri Balika Samridhi Yojana and
the Mukhyamantri Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana.
• The schemes aim to provide financial support and encourage academic success for girls in
Tripura.
Mukhyamantri Balika Samridhi Yojana:
i.It aims to provide financial security and support for higher education or other essential needs.
ii.Under this scheme, the Tripura government will deposit a one-time bond of Rs 50,000 in the name of
every girl child born in a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
iii.When the girl turns 18 years, she will receive the bond, which is expected to grow to Rs 8-10 lakh by
then.
Mukhyamantri Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana:
i.The scooters will be awarded to promote self-reliance and ease of mobility, helping girls pursue higher
education and career opportunities.
ii.Previously, the government awarded scooters to the top 100 girls in the Higher Secondary examinations.
iii.The scheme has now been expanded to include 140 meritorious girl students from all educational
boards in Tripura.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
WMO Launches iClimate Action Project to Boost Global Climate Intelligence
In March 2025, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in collaboration with the Global Climate
Observing System (GCOS), the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), and the European Commission,
launched the iClimateAction project in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The initiative is backed by the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025, which aims to
address critical gaps in Earth observation and enhance global climate resilience.
• It coincides with WMO’s 75th anniversary on March 23, 2025, highlighting the organization’s
commitment to science-driven innovation and global collaboration.
i.The iClimateAction project, funded with 3 million Euros from the European Commission, aims to enhance
coordination and synergy among GCOS, GEO, and WMO, improving international alignment in the creation,
management, and use of climate data.
ii.It tackles fragmentation in climate data collection and access by standardizing Essential Climate
Variables (ECVs) and enhancing compatibility across observation networks, making climate data more
accessible and useful for scientists, policymakers, and communities worldwide.
iii.It supports key initiatives like Early Warnings for All, the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch, and GEO
projects such as the Global Heat Resilience Service and the Global Ecosystems Atlas, transforming climate
data into life-saving strategies.
iv.193 member states and territories of WMO will benefit from enhanced climate intelligence, paving the
way for smarter, science-driven climate action.

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6 Indian Sites Included in Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites 2025
In March 2025, six Indian sites were added to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization’s (UNESCO) Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. This inclusion is a prerequisite for
potential nomination to the World Heritage List. With these additions, India now has 62 sites on the
Tentative List.
• The 6 Indian sites are: Kanger Valley National
Park (Chhattisgarh); Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs (Telangana); Ashokan Edict Sites along
the Mauryan Routes (Multiple States); Chausath Yogini Temples (Multiple States); Gupta
Temples in North India (Multiple States) and Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya
Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP).
About the Tentative List:
i.The Tentative List is an inventory of properties that a country considers for nomination to the UNESCO
World Heritage List. Inclusion in this list is a mandatory step before a site can be officially nominated.
ii.The Tentative list consists of sites that can be either cultural or natural areas or objects for having
outstanding universal value.
iii.This process ensures that heritage sites in the Tentative List meet the necessary criteria, allowing for
proper evaluation and preparation before being considered for nomination to the UNESCO World
Heritage List.
About Six Newly Added Sites of India:

Site Name Location

Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP) Chhattisgarh

Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs Telangana

Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes Multiple States

Chausath Yogini Temples Multiple States

Gupta Temples in North India Multiple States

Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Click here to view the newly added Sites:
1.Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP):
i.KVNP located in Jagdalpur, Bastar District, Chhattisgarh was established in 1982 under the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972, one of India’s densest national parks, representing the moist Peninsular Valley Sal
Forests.
ii.It covers 200 square kilometer (sq. km) and was named after the Kanger River, which flows from
Northwest to Southeast through its terrain.
iii.The Valley starting from Tirathgarh waterfalls to the Kolab river (Orissa state boundary) is nearly 33.5
km in length and the average width is about 6 km.
iv.Flora: The park hosts 963 floral species from 120 families and 574 genera, including 456 angiosperm
species (310 genera, 89 families) and 39 pteridophyte species (21 genera, 15 families). The rare
Gigantochloa albociliata bamboo is also found here.
v.Fauna: Home to 49 mammal species, 201 bird species, 16 amphibian species, 37 reptile species
(including 6 endemics to India), and 141 butterfly species.
2.Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs:
i.The Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs site, located near the Krishna River, Karnataka, dates back 3500–
4000 years and represents one of South Asia’s most significant megalithic astronomical observatories.
ii.Spanning 80 acres, the site features menhirs, burial stone circles, and inscribed rocks, with celestial
alignments marking solstices and star patterns, indicating advanced astronomical knowledge.

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iii. A hillock within the site contains a cuboid rock with cup marks depicting the Ursa Major
constellation, aligning with the winter solstice sunrise.
iv.Cultural significance endures as local worship menhirs as deities like Thimmappa and Yellamma,
integrating ancient traditions with contemporary beliefs.
v.Sites like Stonehenge and Korean dolmens highlight its unique celestial representations, solidifying its
global heritage value.
3.Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes:
i.Ashokan Edict Sites, spanning across multiple states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya
Pradesh (MP), Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Gujarat, hold historical significance as
inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka’s moral and administrative messages.
ii.These inscriptions, dating back to 268–232 Before Common Era (BCE), are classified into Major Rock
Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts, and Cave Inscriptions, reflecting the Mauryan Empire’s vast
communication network.
iii.Situated along major trade routes like Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha, these edicts facilitated mass
communication, spreading Buddhism and Ashoka’s dhamma policies.
iv.The inscriptions, written in Brahmi script, provide crucial insights
into Mauryan governance, religious influence, and ancient
Indian craftsmanship, with pillars featuring artistic animal
capitals.
4.Chausath Yogini Temples:
i.The Chausath Yogini Temples, spanning across 4 states: MP (8
sites), UP (3), Tamil Nadu (TN) (1), and Odisha (2), are 9th–
12th-century Common Era (CE) hypaethral shrines dedicated to
64 Yoginis, embodying Tantric Shakti worship.
ii.Built under dynasties like Chandela, Gurjara-Pratihara, and
Bhaumakara, they feature unique circular and rectangular
layouts (Eg. Khajuraho’s rectangular form) with open courtyards
and intricately carved stone sculptures.
iii.Key examples include Mitaoli (11th-century earthquake-
resistant design), Hirapur (smallest, Odisha), and Ranipur-Jharial
(dancing Yoginis).
iv.These temples, protected by the ASI, showcase architectural
innovation and esoteric traditions, nominated for UNESCO under criteria (iii)(iv) for their cultural and
historical significance.
5.Gupta Temples in North India:
i.India has proposed a serial nomination of 20 Gupta-era temples across MP, UP, Rajasthan, and Bihar for
UNESCO World Heritage status.
ii.Outstanding Universal Value (OUV): Temples like the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh, Odisha (early
shikhara) and Bhitargaon, UP (brick terracotta spire) exhibit proto-Nagara elements and innovative
craftsmanship.
• These temples reflect the socio-religious evolution during the Gupta “Golden Age,” showcasing
early Nagara-Dravida syncretism and religious pluralism.
iii.Contrasted with Ajanta’s Buddhist caves (2nd–1st BCE), Gupta temples emphasize structural innovation
over rock-cut artistry.
iv.Unique as early prototypes of Hindu temple architecture; differ in religious and structural expression, it
was managed by the ASI under the Ancient Monuments Act (1958).
6.Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas:
i.The ‘Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas’ is a serial property located in India’s Bundelkhand region,
comprising 6 components: Garhkundar Fort, Raja Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Datia Palace, Jhansi Fort, and
Dhubela Palace.
ii.These forts and palaces exemplify the cultural traditions, architectural styles, and political history of the
Bundela Rajputs, who were prominent in Indian history from the 16-19 centuries.
iii.In October 2024, the nomination dossier for Orchha’s historic group of monuments was officially
accepted by UNESCO for consideration in the 2027–2028 cycle.

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• This marks a significant milestone for MP, as Orchha is set to become India’s first state-
protected site to attain World Heritage status, following previous recognitions like Bhimbetka
(2003), Khajuraho (1986), and Sanchi (1989).
Points to Note:
i.As of March 2025, India has 43 properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, categorized as
Cultural Sites (35), Natural Sites (7) and Mixed Site (1) (Khangchendzonga National Park).
ii.The most recent addition to India’s World Heritage Sites was the Moidams – the mound-burial system of
the Ahom Dynasty in Assam, which was inscribed during the World Heritage Committee meeting hosted by
India in 2024.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO):
Director-General (DG)– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established-1945
Member Nations– 194

India-Cambodia Held 3rd FOC to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation in Health and Digital Tech
On March 10, 2025, India and Cambodia held the 3rd Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Siem Reap,
Cambodia, to review and strengthen their bilateral relations across various sectors with a focus on
exploring new cooperation opportunities in health and digital technologies.
• The meeting allowed both countries to review a wide range of
bilateral relations, including political cooperation, trade, defence,
development assistance, heritage conservation, and consular
matters, while also discussing regional and multilateral issues of
mutual interest.
Key Delegations:
• The Indian delegation was led by Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI).
• The Cambodian delegation was headed by Dr. UN Kheang, Secretary of State, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia.
Strategic Partnership:
• Cambodia is a pivotal partner in India’s Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-
Pacific region. Cambodia is an important ally of India within the Global South.
• Both sides agreed to convene the next FOC at a mutually convenient date, reaffirming their
commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
Site Visits:
As part of the visit, both leaders visited:
• The Asian Traditional Textile Museum (Cambodia), which was established in April 2014 with
Indian support under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) initiative.
• The Ta Prohm Temple (Cambodia), a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site where India is actively involved in conservation and
restoration efforts.
About Cambodia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Hun Manet
Capital – Phnom Penh
Currency – Cambodian Riel (KHR)

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India Chairs 68th Session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs For the 1st Time
India has been elected to chair the 68th session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs
(CND). Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran, India’s Permanent
Representative to the UN in Vienna, assumes the Chairmanship at the United
Nations Office in Vienna,Austria from March 10 to 14, 2025.
• This marks the first time India holds this position, underscoring
its commitment to global leadership in addressing international
drug policy issues.
Participants:
• The session has drawn around 2,000 delegates from over 150 countries,
• Notable participants: Vice President of Bolivia, Foreign Ministers from Ecuador, Colombia,
Turkmenistan, and senior officials from the Philippines, Italy, Uruguay, and Malta.
• India was represented by a 10-member inter-ministerial delegation comprising officials from
the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF); Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB);
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE); Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN);
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS).
Exhibition & Side Events
The event features a comprehensive program of side events and exhibitions, such as the
i.European Union’s (EU) side event on “Shaping the future: preparedness for a changing drug landscape.”
ii.India’s Opium and Alkaloid Factories are featured in a special exhibition, highlighting India’s
commitment to the responsible use of medicinal opiates.
iii.Additionally, India is hosting 2 side events:
• First on March 11, 2025 focusing on the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan‘ campaign against
substance abuse;
• Second on March 12, 2025 in collaboration with the UNODC, discussing innovative digital
technologies in drug law enforcement.
iv.The CND’s agenda encompasses both normative and operational segments, addressing treaty-based
responsibilities and overseeing the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Armenia’s Andranik Hovhannisyan Elected First Vice-Chairman at UN CND
Mr. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Ambassador and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to
the Vienna International Organization, was elected First Vice-Chairman at the 68th session of the UN
Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
• He will also chair the Committee of the Whole, leading key negotiations on global drug policies.
The session focuses on preventing drug abuse, tackling its consequences, and strengthening law
enforcement security.
About the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND):
The CND was established by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through Resolution 9(I), which
serves as the principal policymaking body overseeing international drug control.
Headquarters- Vienna, Austria
Established-1946
Member States– 53

Indonesia Joins BRICS-Backed NDB as Its 11th Member

In March 2025, Indonesia officially became the 11th member of the Shanghai (China) based New
Development Bank (NDB), formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank. This strategic move aims to
enhance Indonesia’s access to funding for infrastructure projects and national development programs.

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• The decision was approved following a meeting between Dilma Vana Rousseff, President of
NDB, and Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo, President of Indonesia, at the State Palace in
Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The other 10 members of NDB are Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Russia,
South Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Uruguay.
Note: In January 2025, Indonesia officially joined BRICS as the 10th member.
About New Development Bank (NDB):
i.The NDB, established in 2015 by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
ii.It finances sustainable development and infrastructure projects in Emerging Market Economies and
Developing Countries (EMDCs)
iii.The NDB has an initial authorized capital of USD 100 billion, divided into one million shares valued at
USD 100,000 each.
iv.The first president of NDB was K.V. Kamath from India, who served from 2015 to 2020.
President – Dilma Vana Rousseff (Brazil)
Headquarters – Shanghai (China)
About Indonesia:
President– Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo
Capital – Jakarta
Currency – Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

IUCN released 1st Green Status Assessment for Lion in Africa and India
In March 2025, Gland (Switzerland)-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released
its 1st Green Status Assessment for the Lion (Scientific name: Panthera leo). The report has termed the
lion as ‘largely depleted’, while the species remains ‘Vulnerable’ on the International Union for
Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red list.
• This latest assessment by IUCN revealed that human impacts are preventing the lion from being
fully ecologically functional across large areas and is extinct from North Africa and South-west
Asia.
About Green Status Assessment:
i.The IUCN 1st introduced ‘green status’ in a paper in the journal titled ‘Conservation Biology’ in July
2021. It was developed to tell a ‘species’ full conservation story.
ii.The new assessment tool is divided into 9 different recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly
depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate.
iii.At present, there are over 100 IUCN Green Status of Species assessments on the IUCN Red List.
About Lion:
i.Lion is the 2nd largest cat in the world, just behind the Asian Tiger (Scientific name: Panthera Tigris).
ii.Previously, Lion was classified into two subspecies: African Lion (Panthera leo leo) and Asiatic Lion
(Panthera leo persica).
iii.Later, The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Cat Specialist Group(CSG) recognised two
subspecies of lion: Panthera leo leo found in Central and West Africa and India.
• While, Panthera leo melanochaita found in Southern and Eastern Africa.
iv.In the entire Asia region, lions can be found only in India in a single isolated sub-population in the
14,000 square kilometer (sq. km) Gir National Park (NP) and Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) and the
surrounding landscape in Gujarat.
v.As per 2023 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for the Lions, a population of around 23,000 adult and
sub-adult lions in Africa and nearly 670 adult and sub-adult lions in India (Gujarat Forest Department
2020).

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About International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

Director-General (DG)- Dr. Grethel Aguilar
Headquarters- Gland, Switzerland
Established– 1948

VISITS
VISIT TO INDIA
Overview of EC President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India from 27-28 February 2025
European Commission(EC) President Ursula von der Leyen made a two-day visit along with the
European Union (EU) College of Commissioners to India from 27th February to 28th February 2025.
• This was the first visit of the College of Commissioners outside the European continent and
also the first visit in the history of India-EU bilateral ties.
• The visit involved discussions upon the topics including trade and investment, upcoming
technologies, innovation, talent, digital and green industrial transition, space, defense and
people-to-people contacts.
• They also focused upon the cooperation in preventing global challenges, including climate
change, expansion of Artificial Intelligence(AI), development finance, and terrorism.
Highlights of the visit :
EC President von der Leyen met with Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi in New Delhi(Delhi) to discuss
enhancing the EU-India strategic partnership, focusing on trade, technology, climate change, and security
cooperation.
2nd meeting of India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC):
The 2nd meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) took place on 28th February
2025 in New Delhi.
• It was co-chaired by Union Minister Subrahmanyam
Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) ; Union
Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and
Industry(MoC&I); and Ashwini Vaishnaw Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Henna Virkkunen,Executive Vice-President for Tech
Sovereignty, Security and Democracy ; Maros
Šefčovič,Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security,
Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
and Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation co-chaired from
the EU side.
Note:The India-EU TTC was established in April 2022 as a platform to address problems in the areas of
trade, trusted technology and security. The first meeting of the India-EU TTC was held in Brussels, Belgium
in 2023.
Key Outcomes of the meeting:
Strategic technologies, digital governance and digital connectivity:
India and EU have committed –
• To work towards making respective Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) compatible to
ensure protecting human rights and personal data, privacy and intellectual property rights.
• To mutually accept the need of e-signatures to enhance cross-border digital transactions while
supporting the economic growth.

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• To conduct joint research and development in the field of chip design to increase the resilience
of semiconductor supply chains.
• To deepen the cooperation between the European AI Office and India AI Mission, including large
language models (LLMs).
• Agreement between the EU 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association and the
Indian Bharat 6G Alliance for safe telecommunications and resilient supply chains.
Green and clean energy technologies
EU and India will launch –
• Joint research cooperation under the Horizon Europe program which will be launched in
2025, focusing on key areas such as marine plastic litter and waste-to-renewable hydrogen and
will have a joint investment of around 60 million euros.
• An “Ideathon” will be launched on marine plastic pollution, to jointly develop practical
solutions to address this issue.
• Both the partners will work on harmonising standards for the charging infrastructure for
electric vehicles, for mutual access to these growing markets.
Trade, investment and resilient value chains
The EU and India committed to collaborate on contingency planning for food security and on
sustainability of food systems, establishing early warning systems to prevent disruptions in the supply of
active pharmaceutical ingredients, and promoting technologies such as solar energy, offshore wind and
green hydrogen.
The EU and India also-
• Discussed best practices monitoring Foreign Direct Investments(FDI), for enhancing both
sides’ economic security.
• Committed towards establishing a multilateral trading system, while recognizing the need to
bring changes to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Held in-depth discussions on trade and decarbonisation, especially on the implementation of the
EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
• The two leaders also agreed to take concrete steps for the realisation of the India-Middle East-
Europe Economic Corridor(IMEEC), enhance security and defence partnership and promote
clean and green energy with a focus on green hydrogen.
India-EU Science & Technology(S&T) Cooperation meeting:
An India-EU S&T Cooperation meeting held at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser(PSA), Vigyan
Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.
• During the meeting, India and the EU strengthened their cooperation in Science &
Technology(S&T) which was originally signed in 2001 and renewed in 2015 and 2020, and is
extended for 2025-2030.
• The high-level meeting also highlighted significant achievements in wastewater treatment,
vaccine innovations, and deep-sea exploration, that have been the key areas of cooperation
between the two regions.
Key Points:
On 28th February 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hosted a high-level European Union delegation
led by Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, along with space sector experts in New Delhi.
• The discussions were held upon current and future cooperation between India and Europe in
the field of space exploration.

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About European Commission(EC):

President – Ursula von der Leyen
Headquarters – Brussels, Belgium
Founded – 1958

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s 3-day Visit to Gujarat from March 1 to 3, 2025

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi paid a 3-day visit to Gujarat from March 1 to March 03, 2025
focusing on wildlife conservation.
• During his visit, he inaugurated Vantara, a 3,000-acre animal
rescue and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat and
chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife
(NBWL) at Gir National Park, Gujarat.
• He also visited Somnath Temple, Gujarat offered prayers
and chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust.
Highlights of the Visit:
PM Modi inaugurates wildlife rehabilitation & rescue center – ‘Vantara’
i.During the visit, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Vantara’ that houses over 1.5 lakh rescued and
endangered animals.
• It is the world’s largest animal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre.
ii.The center was established by Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Reliance Industries Limited(RIL) and the
Reliance Foundation.
iii.The centre is equipped with an Advanced Multi-Specialty Wildlife Hospital, featuring Magnetic
Resonance Imaging(MRI), Computed Tomography(CT) scans, Intensive Care Units(ICUs), and a specialised
Neonatal ICU.
iv.It has the world’s largest hospital for elephants features hydrotherapy pools and jacuzzis designed to
treat elephants suffering from arthritis and foot ailments.
v.The centre’s conservation programmes are focused on the Asiatic lion, one-horned rhinoceros and snow
leopard.
PM Narendra Modi chairs 7th meeting of NBWL:
During the visit, PM Modi chaired the 7th meeting of NBWL at
the Gir National Park in Junagadh, Gujarat focusing on
strengthening conservation measures for wildlife.
• The NBWL reviewed government initiatives like
Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Project Snow
Leopard.
Significant Announcements by PM Narendra Modi:
i.PM Narendra Modi announced the 16th Asiatic Lion
Population Estimation to be conducted in May 2025.
ii.He laid the foundation for the National Referral Centre for
Wildlife in Junagadh, aiming to manage wildlife health and
diseases.
iii.Expansion of Cheetah introduction to Gandhisagar Sanctuary
(Madhya Pradesh) and Banni Grasslands (Gujarat) was
confirmed.
iv.A new Project for Gharials was launched, focusing on their conservation and the National Great
Indian Bustard Conservation Action Plan was unveiled.

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v.He announced a setting up of Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management at
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History(SACON), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN) focusing on
technological advancements for conflict mitigation, including advanced tracking gadgets and surveillance
systems.
vi.On the occasion of World Wildlife Day (WWD) March 3, 2025, PM Narendra Modi reviewed ‘Project
Lion’, a Rs. 2,927 crore initiative aimed at the conservation of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir region.
• The project includes habitat management, development of veterinary facilities, and the
establishment of alternative habitats like the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat.
vii.He released the report of the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation conducted in the country, which
estimated a total of 6,327 dolphins.
viii.Project Gharial, the Great Indian Bustard Conservation Plan, and the Tiger Conservation outside
Reserves initiative have all been launched to protect and conserve endangered species.
• These efforts aim to safeguard critical habitats, promote sustainable ecosystems, and ensure the
survival of these iconic species in the wild.
ix. He suggested engagement of the Wildlife Institute of India(WII) with the Bhaskaracharya National
Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to address the challenge of human-wildlife
conflict.
Note: In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
has been allocated Rs.3,412.82 crores, a 9% increase from the previous year, for wildlife conservation and
environmental protection activities.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
It is constituted by the Government of India(GoI) under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
(WLPA).
• It is a 47-member committee, headed by the PM and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and
Climate Change as vice chairperson.
Chairperson – PM Narendra Modi
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 2003

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, and Gujarat on
March 7 -8, 2025
The Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
Daman and Diu (DNHDD), and Gujarat from March 7-8, 2025.
• During his visit, the PM inaugurated and laid the foundation
stones for multiple development projects for the UT worth
over Rs 2580 crore.
• He then visited Gujarat, to inaugurate and participate in
various programmes focusing on healthcare, women
empowerment, and rural development.
PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and
Diu:
i.Inauguration of NAMO Hospital: On March 7, 2025, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Narendra Modi
(NAMO) Hospital (Phase I) in Silvassa, DNHDD.
• The 450-bed facility, built with an investment of over Rs.460 crore, aims to enhance healthcare
services, especially for the region’s tribal communities.
• It will provide state-of-the-art medical care to the people in the region, particularly benefiting
the tribal communities.

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ii.Multiple Development Projects: He also launched several development projects in Silvassa, with a total
investment of over Rs. 2,580 crore.
• These projects include improvements to village roads, educational institutions, Health and
Wellness Centers (HWCs), administrative buildings, Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), and water
supply and sewage infrastructure.
• These initiatives aim to improve connectivity, foster industrial growth, promote tourism, create
employment opportunities, and improve public welfare in the region.
iii.Rozgar Mela: PM Narendra Modi also distributed appointment letters under the ‘Rozgar Mela’ which
provides benefits to beneficiaries under various schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana –
Urban (PMAY-U), Gir Adarsh Aajeevika Yojana(GAAY), and the Sylvan Didi Scheme.
• The Gir Adarsh Aajeevika Yojana aims to enhance the economic empowerment of women
from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs),
minorities, and Divyangjan in the region.
• GAAY, launched in December 2020 by the Administrator of the Union Territory, aims to boost
the economic empowerment of women through small dairy farms in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and
Daman & Diu.
• The Sylvan Didi Scheme is an initiative designed to uplift women street vendors by providing
them with aesthetically designed carts, with co-funding from the Pradhan Mantri Street
Vendors’ AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme.
• PMAY-U is a credit-linked subsidy scheme to facilitate access to affordable housing for the low
and moderate-income residents of the country.
PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat:
i.Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign: On March 7, 2025, PM Narendra Modi launched the Surat
Food Security Saturation Campaign Programme in Surat, Gujarat.
• This campaign aimed to distribute benefits under the National Food Security Act to over 2.3
lakh individuals, ensuring greater food security for the local population.
ii.Lakhpati Didi Program: On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, 2025, PM
Narendra Modi participated in the Lakhpati Didi programme at Vansi Borsi village in Navsari district,
Gujarat and interacted with the Lakhpati Didis. He also felicitated 5 Lakhpati Didis with Lakhpati Didi
Certificates.
• He launched 2 key initiatives: Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting
Livelihoods (G-SAFAL) and Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for
Transforming Rural Income (G-MAITRI).
• G-MAITRI Scheme will offer financial assistance and continuous support to startups focused on
creating a favorable environment for rural livelihoods.
• G-SAFAL Scheme will provide financial aid and entrepreneurial training to Self-Help Groups
(SHG) of women from Antyodaya families across 2 aspirational districts and 13 aspirational
blocks in Gujarat.
Note: Lakhpati Didi is an initiative aimed at empowering women of SHG to achieve an annual household
income exceeding Rs.1,00,000, fostering financial independence and improved livelihoods.

Overview of New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon’s Official visit to India from March 16 to 20,
2025
Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand (NZ), was on five-days official visit to India from
March 16 to 20, 2025, following an invitation from PM of India Narendra Modi. The visit aims to enhance
India-New Zealand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defence,
education, technology, agriculture, space, and sports.

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• It was his first visit to India. He is accompanied by Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and
Hospitality, Hon. Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities, and Sport and Recreation, and
Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Agriculture, and Forestry, and a high-level
delegation of officials, and representatives of businesses.
• PM Narendra Modi and PM Christopher Luxon jointly inaugurated the 10th Raisina Dialogue in
New Delhi, Delhi with PM Luxon as the Chief Guest (CG).
Highlights of the visit:
New Zealand became 50th member of CDRI
i.During NZ PM Christopher Luxon visit to India, New Zealand joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient
Infrastructure (CDRI), became its 50th member.
• As of February 2025, the coalition comprises 43
member countries, alongside seven strategic
partner organizations, all working together to enhance global
resilience and sustainability.
ii.The CDRI was launched by Indian PM Narendra Modi during the 2019
United Nations(UN) Climate Action Summit, held in New York, the United
States of America(USA) in September 2019.
iii.The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), headquartered in New Delhi, is dedicated to
empowering nations by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, advancing research, and driving
investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Key Agreements:
During his visit NZ PM Christopher Luxon engaged in summit-level discussions with PM Narendra Modi.
The two leaders addressed a range of bilateral, regional, and national issues, and issued a joint statement.
During the meeting India and New Zealand signed several MoUs.
i.A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Horticulture was signed between India’s Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), India and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries to
enhance research and knowledge exchange.
ii.A Letter of Intent (LoI) on Forestry Cooperation was signed between India’s Ministry of Environment,
Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), India and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries to foster
policy discussions and technical collaboration in the sector.
iii.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation was signed between the Ministries
of Defence (MoD) of India and Ministry of Defence of New Zealand to strengthen military ties and establish
regular defence dialogues.
iv.A refreshed Education Cooperation Arrangement was signed between the Ministry of Education
(MoE) of India and the Ministry of Education of New Zealand to
facilitate information exchange and strengthen educational ties.
v.A MoC on Sports was signed between the Ministry of Youth
Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S) of India and Sport New Zealand to
enhance sports engagement and collaboration.
• Both countries also welcomed the “Sporting Unity”
events planned for 2026, celebrating 100 years of
sporting relations between India and New Zealand.
vi.Air India and Air New Zealand signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to boost air connectivity between India and New Zealand.
• The MoU includes the establishment of a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between
India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, conferring travellers more choice and convenient
access between the two countries.

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vii.India and NZ have strengthened their economic ties with the signing of the Authorized Economic
Operator – Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO-MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs (CBIC) of India and the New Zealand Customs Service.
• The AEO-MRA aims to enhance trade facilitation and improve supply chain security by enabling
both nations to recognize each other’s AEOs—businesses that meet compliance and security
standards.
Key Outcomes:
i.India and New Zealand have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and aim to finalize
it within the next two months. This agreement is expected to enhance trade and economic cooperation,
particularly in agriculture, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors.
• Both the countries have initiated negotiations on an arrangement to facilitate the mobility of
professionals and skilled workers. This initiative aims to streamline movement between the
two countries
ii.PM of New Zealand showed interest in becoming part of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• This initiative is a voluntary, non-treaty-based framework aimed at enhancing cooperation to
ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
• It was launched by India in 2019 at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok (Thailand).
Others:
i.Highlighting growing naval cooperation, New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon, accompanied by Rear
Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy of the Royal New Zealand Navy (CN-RNZN), visited Indian Naval Ship
(INS) Surat at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The PM’s visit coincided with the ongoing port call of the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS
Te Kaha, which is docked in Mumbai from March 19 to 24, 2025.
ii.PM Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib
in New Delhi and offered prayers at the Sikh shrine.
About New Zealand (NZ):
Prime Minister (PM)– Christopher Luxon
Capital– Wellington
Currency– New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

FOREIGN VISITS
Overview of EAM Dr.Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to UK & Ireland from March 4-9, 2025
External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar embarked on a 6-Day visit to the
United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from March 4 to 9, 2025 to reinforce India’s bilateral engagements with
the UK and Ireland.
• During his visit, the EAM engaged in discussions with UK Foreign
Secretary David Lammy underscoring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the
two nations.
• This partnership spans key sectors including Defence & Security, Trade & Economy, Health,
Education, and People-to-People (P2P) ties.
EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar Visit to UK:
EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar Visit to the UK from March 4 to 9, 2025, at the invitation of the UK Foreign
Secretary David Lammy.
• During the visit, he inaugurated the 2 new Indian consulates in Belfast (Northern Ireland),UK
and Manchester (England), UK to boost regional economic ties and investments.

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Key Outcomes of the visit:

i.EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited the UK to reinforce the Great British Pound (GBP) 41 billion (around USD 53
billion) bilateral trade relationship.
ii.High-Level Diplomatic Engagements:During the visit, he met with UK Foreign
Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House, England, UK.
• Both countries expressed interest in expanding cooperation in sectors such as education,
cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), and semiconductors.
• Discussions focused on advancing the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,
emphasizing mutual economic growth, technological innovation, and collaboration on global
challenges, including climate change.
• The leaders also discussed progress in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, strategic
coordination, and geopolitical issues.
iii.Economic Investments: The UK has welcomed over GBP 100 million (around USD 130 million) in new
Indian investments, expected to generate jobs and enhance
economic growth.
• This aligns with the ‘UK-India Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership’, focusing on shared priorities
like climate change and technological innovation.
iv.Tottenham Hotspur Jersey: During his visit, EAM Dr.
Jaishankar was presented with a Tottenham Hotspur No. 1
Jersey bearing his name by UK Foreign
Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House, UK as a symbolic
gesture of strengthening bilateral ties.
EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar Visit to Ireland:
EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to Ireland
from March 6 to 7, 2025, at the invitation of Ireland’s Deputy
Prime Minister (PM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade,
and Defence, His Excellency (HE) Simon Harris.
• In Ireland, the EAM’s engagements focused on enhancing the friendly bilateral relations rooted
in shared democratic values and cultural ties.
Key Outcomes of the visit:
The visit involved meetings with Irish counterpart Simon Harris and other key officials and also with
members of the Indian community in Ireland, highlighting the vibrant diaspora’s role in strengthening
bilateral ties.
i.Joint Economic Commission (JEC): EAM of India, S.Jaishankar and Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris
agreed to form a JEC aimed at boosting trade, investment, and technological collaborations between India
and Ireland.
ii.Diplomatic Exchange of Officials: Both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
facilitate the annual exchange of diplomats, enhancing bilateral diplomatic relations.
iii.Meetings with Irish Leadership: EAM Jaishankar met with President of Ireland, Michael D.
Higgins, discussing the strengthening of cultural ties and exchanging views on global developments.
iv.Cultural Engagements: The visit included paying floral tributes to Rabindranath Tagore’s statue at St.
Stephen’s Green in Dublin, Ireland and engaging with the Indian community, acknowledging their
contributions to Irish society.

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About Ireland:
President – Michael D. Higgins
Capital – Dublin
Currency – Euro (EUR)

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Mauritius from March 11-12, 2025

Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to the Republic of Mauritius from
March 11 to 12, 2025 to strengthen the long-standing relationship between India and the island nation, at the
invitation of PM of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
• PM Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian
diaspora in Mauritius, with women honoring him through Geet
Gawai, a traditional Bihari Bhojpuri musical performance.
• During his visit, PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meetings with
Mauritius PM Ramgoolam and other leaders, focusing on enhancing
bilateral cooperation across various sectors and several
Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged.
Note: Geet Gawai was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization(UNESCO) as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
Highlights of the visit:
57th National Day celebrations of the Republic of Mauritius:
i.On March 12 2025, PM Narendra Modi attended Mauritius’ 57th National Day celebrations at Champ de
Mars Racecourse in Port Louis(Mauritius), as the Chief Guest for the second time, following his first visit in
2015.
ii.The Indian Navy(IN) contingent participated in Mauritius’ National Day parade.
iii.The contingent was part of the crew of Indian Naval Ship(INS) Imphal, which arrived in Mauritius for the
celebrations. The ship participated in various cultural and training exchanges, including a joint Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance exercise with Mauritian Coast Guard ships.
iv.During the event, PM Modi presented the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to President Dharambeer
Gokhool and First Lady Meena Gokhool.
• The OCI card, a significant gesture of diplomatic goodwill, grants foreign nationals of Indian origin
visa-free travel to India.
PM Modi Honored with Mauritius’ Highest Civilian Award:
During the visit, PM Narendra Modi was conferred with Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand
Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) at the ceremony, held in Port Louis,
Mauritius.
• With this PM Narendra Modi became the first Indian to be honored with this recognition.
• This marks the 21st international award conferred on him by a foreign nation.
India & Mauritius Sign Key Agreements to Boost Cooperation:
PM Modi held delegation-level talks with Mauritius PM Ramgoolam. Both countries signed multiple agreements
to enhance cooperation. A total of eight MoUs were exchanged.
i.India’s Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius have signed an agreement to establish a
framework that facilitates cross-border transactions using local currencies, the Indian Rupee (INR) and the
Mauritian Rupee (MUR).
ii.The Government of Mauritius signed a credit facility agreement with India’s State Bank of India (SBI),
allowing it to access financial support as a borrower.
iii.The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) of India and the SME division of
Mauritius’ Ministry of Industry, SME, and Cooperatives signed a MoU to enhance cooperation in the MSME
sector.

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iv.The Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service(New Delhi, Delhi) operating under the Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) of India and Mauritius’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade
signed a MoU to strengthen diplomatic training and cooperation.
v.The Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius and India’s National Centre for Good
Governance (NCGC) based in New Delhi signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in administrative reforms and
governance.
vi.The IN and the Government of Mauritius entered into a technical agreement for sharing White Shipping
Information to improve maritime security and surveillance.
vii.The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under India’s Ministry of Earth
Sciences(MoES) and Mauritius’ PM’s Office (PMO), through its Department of Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones
Administration and Exploration (CSMZAE), signed an MoU for collaboration in ocean-related studies and
research.
viii.The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) of India under the Department of Revenue(DoR), Ministry of
Finance(MoF) and the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) of Mauritius signed an MoU to strengthen
cooperation in combating financial crimes and ensuring regulatory enforcement.
Both countries agreed to further strengthen cooperation through:
i.Delivery of 100 electric (e) buses and expansion of community projects
Infrastructure development, including a new Parliament building and Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary
ii.Replacing 100 kilometre (km) of water pipelines using an INR-denominated credit line
iii.Developing a new Parliament building and the Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary with Indian grant
assistance.
Key Outcomes of the visit:
i.During the visit, PM Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam jointly inaugurated the Atal
Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation and Civil Services College building in
Mauritius.
• They also inaugurated the Mauritius Area Health Centre at Cap Malheureux and 20 High Impact
Community Development Projects (HICDPs), built at a cost of around Rs. 7 crores.
ii.PM Modi introduced a new vision for the Global South, called “MAHASAGAR” (Mutual and Holistic
Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
• This policy framework aims to enhance regional security and development, particularly in response
to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean (IO).
iii.PM Modi and Mauritius PM Ramgoolam addressed a gathering of the Indian community at the Trianon
Convention Centre, Mauritius joined by Indian professionals, students, and socio-cultural organizations.
v.PM Modi and Mauritius PM Ramgoolam planted a Bael (Wood Apple) sapling at Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Mauritius under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
vi.During his visit to Mauritius, PM Modi presented symbolic gifts to President of Mauritius, Dharambeer
Gokhool and First Lady Brinda Gokhool, including Makhana, a nutritious superfood from Bihar.
• He presented a brass and copper pot containing sacred water from the Mahakumbh Mela
organized in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP) to Mauritius President Gokhool.
• He gifted a Banarasi saree in a Sadeli box, First Lady Brinda Gokhool showcasing India’s rich textile
heritage.
vii.PM Narendra Modi visited the sacred Ganga Talao in Mauritius, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site in the
Indian Ocean region (IOR).
About Mauritius:
President– Dharambeer Gokhool
Prime Minister (PM)– Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Capital– Port Louis
Currency– Mauritian rupee (MUR)

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BANKING & FINANCE NEWS

BANKING NEWS
RBI IN NEWS
RBI Revises PSL Norms to Boost Credit Access, Effective from April 1, 2025
On March 24,2025 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised guidelines on Priority Sector Lending (PSL)
to boost credit access. These guidelines were issued under – ‘Master Directions – Reserve Bank of India
(Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification) Directions, 2025’. These Directions shall come into
effect on April 01, 2025.
The Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, issued a number of instructions/ guidelines to banks
relating to PSL. The following are the major changes:
• Enhancement of several loan limits, including housing loans for enhanced PSL coverage,
• Broadening of the purposes based on which loans may be classified under ‘Renewable Energy’,
• Revision of overall PSL target for Urban Co-operative Bank (UCBs) to 60 per cent of Adjusted
Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBSE),
whichever is higher.
• Expansion of the list of eligible borrowers under the category of ‘Weaker Sections’, along with
removal of the existing cap on loans by UCBs to individual women beneficiaries.
Purpose of PSL:
The purpose of the PSL framework is for ensuring adequate flow of credit from the banking system to the
sectors of the economy which are crucial for their contribution to socio-economic development, with focus
on specific segments whose credit needs remain underserved despite being credit worthy.
Applicable to:
The provisions of these Directions shall, unless otherwise provided, apply to every
i.Commercial Bank [including Regional Rural Bank (RRB),
ii.Small Finance Bank (SFB),
iii.Local Area Bank (LAB)] and
iv.Primary UCB other than Salary Earners’ Bank.
1.Priority sector lending targets for UCBs:
60 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, from FY2024-25 onwards:
• UCBs are required to achieve an overall PSL target of 75 per cent of ANBC or CEOBSE, whichever
is higher, by FY2025-26, with interim targets of 60 per cent (FY2023-24) and 65 per
cent (FY2024-25).

Targets as a percentage of ANBC

Categories
or CEOBSE, whichever is higher

Total Priority Sector 60%

Micro Enterprises 7.5%

Advances to Weaker Sections 12%

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2.Enhancement of several loan limits

A.Agriculture
The lending to agriculture sector will include Farm Credit (Agriculture and Allied Activities), lending for
Agriculture Infrastructure and Ancillary Activities.
Farm Credit – Individual farmers:
i.Loans against pledge/hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period
not exceeding 12 months subject to a limit up to Rs.90 lakh against Negotiable Warehouse Receipt
(NWRs)/Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (eNWRs) and up to Rs.60 lakh against warehouse
receipts other than NWRs/eNWRs.
Farm Credit – Corporate farmers:
Corporate farmers including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)/(FPC) Companies of Individual
Farmers, Partnership firms and Co-operatives of farmers engaged in Agriculture and Allied Activities
i.Loans for the following activities, subject to an aggregate limit of Rs.4 crore per borrowing entity, will be
eligible:
• Crop loans to farmers which will include traditional/non-traditional plantations and
horticulture and loans for allied activities.
• Medium and long-term loans for agriculture and allied activities.
• Loans for pre and post-harvest activities viz., spraying, harvesting, grading and transporting of
their own farm produce
ii.Loans up to Rs4 crore against pledge/hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse
receipts) for a period not exceeding 12 months against NWRs/eNWRs and up to Rs2.5 crore against
warehouse receipts other than NWRs/eNWRs.
iii.Loans up to Rs10 crore per borrowing entity to FPOs/FPCs undertaking farming with assured
marketing of their produce at a pre-determined price.
Eligibility criteria for categorization as lending to Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs):
i.Farmers with landholding of up to 1 hectare (Marginal Farmers)
ii.Farmers with a landholding of more than 1 hectare and up to 2 hectares (Small Farmers)
iii.Loans up to Rs.2.5 lakh to individuals solely engaged in allied activities without any accompanying land
holding criteria.
Note: UCBs are not permitted to lend to co-operatives of farmers (others can).
B.Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
Other Finance to MSMEs:
Loans to registered NBFCs (other than Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)) for on-lending to micro and small
enterprises up to Rs.20 lakh per borrower. (not applicable to RRBs, SFBs and UCBs)
C.Export Credit

Foreign banks with Foreign banks with

Domestic banks/WoS of Foreign
20 branches and less than 20
banks/SFBs/UCBs
above branches

Incremental export credit over

Incremental export
corresponding date of the preceding year, Export credit up to
credit over
up to 2 per cent of ANBC or CEOBSE 32 per cent of ANBC
corresponding date
whichever is higher, subject to a or CEOBSE
of the preceding
sanctioned limit of up to Rs.50 crores per whichever is higher.
year, up to 2 percent
borrower.

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of ANBC or CEOBSE
whichever is higher.
*WoS – Wholly Owned Subsidiary
D.Education
Loans to individuals for educational purposes, including vocational courses, not exceeding Rs.25
lakhs will be considered as eligible for priority sector classification.
E.Housing
Loans to individuals for purchase/construction of a dwelling unit per family subject to the following limits:
(Amount in Rs lakh)

Maximum Cost
Loan
Category of Dwelling
Limit#
Unit#

Centres with population of 50 lakh and

50 63
above

Centres with population of 10 lakh and

45 57
above but below 50 lakh

Centres with population below 10 lakh 35 44

#to be eligible, the loan to satisfy both the criteria

Loans for repairs to damaged dwelling units shall be eligible for priority sector classification subject to the
following limits:
(Amount in Rs lakh)

Maximum Cost
Category Loan Limit# of Dwelling
Unit#

Centres with population of 50 lakh and

15 63
above

Centres with population of 10 lakh and

12 57
above but below 50 lakh

Centres with population below 10 lakh 10 44

#to be eligible, the loan to satisfy both the criteria

F.Social Infrastructure
i.Loans up to a limit of Rs.8 crores per borrower for setting up schools, drinking water facilities and
sanitation facilities including construction/refurbishment of household toilets and water improvements at
household level, etc.

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ii.Loans up to a limit of Rs.12 crores per borrower for building health care facilities in Tier II to Tier VI
centres.
3.Renewable Energy
i.Bank loans up to a limit of Rs.35 crores to borrowers for renewable energy-based power generators and
for renewable energy based public utilities, viz., street lighting systems, remote village electrification etc.,
will be eligible for priority sector classification.
ii.For individual households, the loan limit will be Rs.10 lakhs per borrower.
4.Weaker Section:
The following modification or addition is done for the Priority sector loans given under the Weaker
Sections category:
Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual credit limits do
(ii)
not exceed Rs2 lakh

(vi) Self Help Groups/Joint Liability Groups

Individual women beneficiaries up to Rs2 lakh per borrower (the limit

(viii)
of ‘Rs2 lakh per borrower’ is not applicable to UCBs)

(xii) Transgenders
Important Definitions:
Negotiable Warehouse Receipts:
Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (NWRs), and their electronic counterparts (eNWRs), are financial
instruments that allow farmers to store their produce in regulated warehouses and obtain loans against
the stored goods, facilitating trade and finance in the agricultural sector.
Targets/Sub-targets for Priority sector:

Targets/ Sub-targets

Domestic
Commercial
Categories Banks (excl. Foreign
RRBs & SFBs) Banks with Regional Rural Small Finance
& Foreign less than 20 Banks Banks
Banks with 20 branches
branches and
above

40 per cent of 75 per cent of

ANBC above or ANBC or
40 per cent of 75 per cent of
CEOBSE, CEOBSE,
ANBC or ANBC or
Total Priority whichever is whichever is
CEOBSE, CEOBSE,
Sector higher;out of higher.However,
whichever is whichever is
which up lending to
higher. higher.
to 32% can be Medium
in the form Enterprises,

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 Daily Content PDF

of Export Social
Credit and not Infrastructure
less and Renewable
than 8% can Energy shall be
be to any other reckoned for
priority sector. priority sector
achievement up
to 15 per
cent of ANBC
only.

18 per cent of
ANBC or 18 per cent 18 per cent of
CEOBSE, ANBC or ANBC or
whichever is CEOBSE, CEOBSE,
higher. Within whichever is whichever is
this target, 14 higher. Within higher. Within
percent is this target, 14 this target, 14
Not
Agriculture prescribed for percent is percent is
applicable
Non-Corporate prescribed for prescribed for
Farmers NCFs, out of NCFs, out of
(NCFs), out of which a target which a target
which a target of 10 percent is of 10 percent
of 10 percent prescribed for is prescribed
is prescribed SMFs. for SMFs.
for SMFs.

7.5 per cent of 7.5 per cent of 7.5 per cent of

ANBC or ANBC or ANBC or
Micro Not
CEOBSE, CEOBSE, CEOBSE,
Enterprises applicable
whichever is whichever is whichever is
higher higher higher

12 percent of 15 per cent of 12 percent of

Advances to ANBC or ANBC or ANBC or
Not
Weaker CEOBSE, CEOBSE, CEOBSE,
applicable
Sections whichever is whichever is whichever is
higher higher higher
• SMF – Small and Marginal Farmers

RBI Imposed Monetary Penalty on Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited and Two
Others
In February 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalty of Rs 33.30 lakh on Mumbai
(Maharashtra)-based Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited, for violating certain provisions
and earning more income from business not allowed under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

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• As on March 31, 2023, RBI conducted statutory inspection of the bank with reference to its
financial position.
• This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of
Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
i.It has also imposed monetary penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on two other co-operative Banks: Nashik
(Maharashtra)-based Business Co-operative Bank Limited and Nashik-based Lasalgaon Merchant Co-
operative Bank Limited.
ii.Both these banks were found violating certain provisions and non-adherence with certain directions
issued by the RBI on “Income Recognition, Asset Classification, Provisioning and Other Related Matters-
Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs)”.

RBI Reports 3.1% Increase in All-India HPI for Q3 FY25

In February 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its quarterly House Price Index (HPI) for the
December quarter of 2024-25, showing a 3.1% increase in the All-India HPI for third quarter of the
Financial Year 2024-25(Q3 FY25) compared to the 4.3% in Q2 FY25 and a 3.8% growth in the same
quarter of the previous year. On a sequential quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, the All-India HPI rose by
0.4% in Q3 FY25.
i.The annual HPI growth showed significant variation across cities, with Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)
experiencing the highest growth at 8.1%, while Kanpur (Maharashtra) saw the smallest increase at just
0.1%.
ii.This data is based on transaction-level information received from registration authorities in 10 major
cities across India: Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), New
Delhi(Delhi), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh, UP), Kochi (Kerala), Kolkata (WB), Lucknow (UP),
and Mumbai (Maharashtra).

RBI Imposes Rs 76.6 lakh Penalty on 4 NBFCs for Non-Compliance

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed Rs 76.6 lakh penalty
on four Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) for non-compliance with certain sections of its orders
regarding the ‘Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending platform’.
• The penalties are based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and do not impact the validity
of any transactions or agreements between these entities and their customers.
• i.These penalties were imposed due to non-compliance with certain provisions of the ‘NBFC –
P2P Lending Platform (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2017′.
i.A penalty of Rs 40 lakh has been imposed on Gurugram (Haryana) based Fairassets Technologies
India Private Limited and Rs 10 lakh each has been imposed on Mumbai based Bridge Fintech Solutions
Private Limited and Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Rang De P2P Financial Services Private Limited.
ii.The RBI also imposed a penalty of Rs 16.6 lakh on Mumbai based Visionary Financepeer Private
Limited.

RBI & NCFE Launch Nationwide Financial Literacy Campaign

In March 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Navi Mumbai based National
Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched nationwide campaigns to
enhance financial literacy in India.
• It aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage finances effectively,
safeguard against fraud, and ensure financial inclusion across India.

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Key Initiatives to Promote Financial Literacy:

i.Financial Literacy Centres (FLCs):Lead Banks have established FLCs to conduct special camps for various
target groups.
• Banks regularly organize camps through FLCs to promote financial awareness.
ii.Public Awareness Campaigns: The “RBI Kehta Hai” campaign
uses multimedia and multilingual platforms to educate the public
on safe banking practices.
• Mass media campaigns disseminate essential financial
awareness messages to all age groups.
iii.Financial Awareness Messages (FAME): The RBI has created the
FAME booklet, providing standardized content to enhance financial
awareness on key banking topics, tailored to various target groups,
including senior citizens.
iv.National Strategy for Financial Education (NSFE): The NSFE is
formulated and implemented by the NCFE in collaboration with
financial sector regulators.
• NCFE, in collaboration with the Centre for Financial
Literacy (CFL), conducts Financial
Education (FE) programmes for audiences below 18 years and above 60 years.
• NCFE has conducted 54 financial literacy programmes in the North Eastern States over the last three
years, with positive feedback from participants.
v.Pan-India Financial Literacy Survey : In 2017, the RBI surveyed in 2017 across 29 states and 5 Union
Territories (UTs) (excluding Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands) in India using the Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development/ International Network on Financial Education( OECD/INFE) Toolkit.
• The survey measured financial literacy across financial knowledge, attitude, and behavior.
About National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE):
NCFE is a section 8 (Not for Profit) Company established by the RBI, the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Alok Chandra Jena
Headquarters – Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Established – 2013

RBI Introduced Framework for Recognising SROs for AA Ecosystem

In March 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a new framework for the recognition of a Self-
Regulatory Organisations (SROs) for the Account Aggregator (AA) ecosystem. The framework has outlined the
key characteristics, responsibilities, eligibility criteria, and governance aspects of SRO-AA.
• RBI has clarified that SRO-AA will operate within the existing regulatory framework for the AA
ecosystem, while, technical specifications will continue to be framed and published by Mumbai
(Maharashtra)-based Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited (ReBIT).
• The interested and eligible parties are required to apply through PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory
Application, VAlidation and AutHorisation) portal before June 15, 2025.
Note: An SRO is a non-governmental body that frames and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct
of entities in the industry (members).
Framework for SRO-AA:
i.As per the new framework, it is mandatory for SRO-AA to be set up as a not-for-profit company registered
under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
ii.The eligible entity is required to maintain at least net worth of Rs 2 crore within 1 year after recognition as
an SRO-AA by the RBI, or before starting of operations as an SRO-AA, whichever is earlier.

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iii.The eligible entity should not hold 10% or more of its paid-up capital either singly or acting in concert.
iv.The entity should have capability and resources for a robust Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and
the ability to provide technological solutions within a reasonable timeframe.
v.SRO-AA has been mandated to have at least 25 unique entities each from Financial Information Providers
(FIPs) and Financial Information Users (FI-Us) as its full-time members.
About AA System:
i.It was originally introduced in 2016, which provides secure exchange of financial data between FIPs and FI-
Us.
ii.FIPs and FI-Us come under the purview of various financial sector regulators such as: the RBI, the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and
the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA) and the Department of
Revenue(DoR) under the Ministry of Finance(MoF) for Goods and Services Tax (GST) Network.
Recent Related News:
In February 2025, RBI imposed restrictions on Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based New India Co-operative Bank
Limited from issuing new loans and suspended deposit withdrawals amid supervisory concerns about its
financial position.
• These restrictions were issued by RBI under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to
protect the interest of depositors.

BRISKPE Receives RBI In-Principle Authorisation for Cross-Border Payments

On March 12, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Brisk Payment Exchange (BRISKPE), a global investment
firm Prosus-backed payment aggregator, has obtained in-principle authorisation from the Mumbai
(Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-
Border (PA-CB) transactions.
• This authorization allows BRISKPE to handle both export and import transactions under
the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
i.As one of the first platforms exclusively focusing on cross-border payments, BRISKPE aligns with the
RBI’s updated regulatory framework introduced in October 2023.
ii.Further, the startup will now operate export and import collection accounts with category-I banks of the
country to enable businesses to make secure payments. Category-I banks are RBI licensed institutions who
can deal in buying and selling of foreign exchange
iii.Currently, BRISKPE processes approximately 10,000 transactions monthly for its export services. With
the inclusion of import services, the company anticipates this number to reach 100,000 transactions by the
end of the next Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 .
iv.This development aims to enhance the efficiency, security, and transparency of international payment
systems for businesses engaged in global trade.

RBI Imposes Penalties on JM Financial Products and Experian India for Regulatory Non-
Compliance
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on JM Financial Products
Limited (JMFL) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Experian Credit Information Company of India Private
Limited (ECICI) also based in Mumbai for not following regulatory guidelines.
i.JM Financial Products Limited has been fined Rs 3.1 lakh for violating specific provisions related to non-
banking financial companies (NBFCs), particularly those concerning systemically important non-deposit-
taking and deposit-taking companies.
• The RBI imposed a penalty after finding that Company failed to disclose a key related-party
transaction in its annual report, following an inspection of its financial position as of March 31,
2023, and a review of its response to a show-cause notice.
ii.Similarly, ECICI has been fined Rs 2 lakh for not adhering to certain provisions of the Credit Information
Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (CICRA) and the Credit Information Companies (CIC) Rules, 2006. The
central bank clarified that the penalties were imposed due to regulatory shortcomings and do not affect
the validity of any transactions or agreements these companies have with their customers.

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Note: The RBI has announced that it will soon release Rs 100 and Rs 200 banknotes featuring the
signature of the new Governor, Sanjay Malhotra

RBI Data: ECBs Net Inflows Surged Over 2 times to USD 18.4 billion in 10MFY25
According to article titled ‘State of Economy’ published by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its March
bulletin, net inflows from External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) have surged over 2 times, to USD 18.4
billion in 10 Months (from April, 2024 to January, 2025) of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), against FY24,
amid declining costs of overseas fund raise.
• It further showed that ECB registrations and disbursements reached to USD 47.3 billion and
USD 42.3 billion, respectively, in 10MFY25, on a cumulative basis. These figures were
significantly higher compared to those registered in the corresponding period of last year.
Key Findings:
i.Net Outflows: As per the RBI’s data, ECB outflows due to principal repayments reached at USD 23.9
billion in 10MFY25.
ii.Net Inflows in FY24: The data showed that net inflows under ECBs were USD 9.5 billion in FY24,
significantly higher than the levels registered in FY23.
iii.Decline in SOFR: RBI’s data underscored about the persistent decrease in the Secured Overnight
Financing Rate (SOFR) since August 2024, which has contributed to a reduction in the overall costs of
ECBs.
• The overall cost of ECBs decreased by 129 basis points (bps), compared with the corresponding
period of the last year.
• Additionally, the global benchmark interest rates, such as SOFR have decreased up to 85 bps
since March 2024, thus reducing the overall cost of ECBs by 25 bps in 10MFY25.
Note: SOFR is a benchmark interest rate for dollar-denominated
derivatives and loans that replaced London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR).
iv.Decrease in weighted average margin for interest rates: The
data revealed that the weighted average margin for interest rates
over the reference rate dropped from 1.33% (in January 2024) to
0.98% (in January 2025).
v.Distribution of ECBs registrations: Of the total ECBs registered in
10MFY25, USD 6.7 billion was for modernization, new projects and
infrastructure development compared to USD 10.5 billion in
10MFY24.
• While, registrations for import/local sourcing of capital
goods has decreased from USD 10.3 billion (10MFY24) to
USD 3.7 billion (10MFY25).
• Those for refinancing old ECBs and rupee loans reached USD 9.3 billion in 10MFY25, increase
from USD 5.3 billion in 10MFY24.
Recent Related News:
The RBI has introduced new credit reporting rules. It has mandated that all lenders must update credit
bureau records every 15 days instead of the previous monthly cycle. This direction came into effect
from January 01, 2025.
• This new change aims to enhance credit score accuracy and ensure timely reflection of financial
activities of borrowers.

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RBI imposes monetary penalty on IDBI Bank & Citibank N.A

In March 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on Mumbai(Maharashtra) based IDBI
Bank Limited, formerly known as Industrial Development Bank of India Limited (IDBI) and New York, the
United States of America(USA) based Citibank N. A for violating rules under the Foreign Exchange
Management Act (FEMA), 1999.
• This action is taken due to regulatory compliance deficiencies and does not question the validity
of any transaction or agreement between the bank and its customers.
i.The RBI fined IDBI Bank a penalty of Rs 36,30,000 for failing to conduct due diligence while processing
inward remittances from a Foreign Currency Account(FCA) opened by a constituent, leading to a violation
of Section 10(4) of FEMA, 1999.
ii.The RBI fined Citibank N.A. a penalty of Rs 36,28,000 for the bank failing to comply with RBI’s
guidelines on reporting transactions under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which permits
Indian residents to remit funds abroad. The penalty was imposed under Section 11(3) of FEMA, 1999

RBI: RRBs Get 5 More Years to Amortise Additional Pension Liabilities

On 20 March 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a directive regarding the Amortisation of
Additional Pension Liability in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). As per the directive, RRBs are now
permitted to amortise the additional pension liability over 5 years starting from March 31, 2025, with
a minimum of 20% expensed annually. It applies to all the RRBs with effect from financial year 2024-25.
• RRBs must now implement the pension scheme respectively from November 1, 1993, which will
increase their pension liabilities.
• Tier 1 Capital of RRBs will remain unaffected by unamortised pension expenses.
Note: RRBs were previously allowed to amortise their pension liability on account of the RRB (Employee)
Pension Scheme 2018 for 5 years, beginning with the financial year ending March 31, 2019.

RBI Imposes Penalties on HDFC Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, and KLM Axiva Finvest
In March 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on Mumbai (Maharashtra)-
based HDFC Bank Limited, New Delhi (Delhi) based Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) and Hyderabad
(Telangana) based KLM Axiva Finvest Limited for failing to comply with RBI regulatory guidelines.
i.HDFC Bank was fined Rs.75 lakh for non-compliance with RBI’s Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
The penalty followed a statutory inspection of the bank’s financial position as of March 31, 2023, which
revealed several lapses in adhering to RBI directives.
ii.PSB was fined Rs.68.20 lakh for not reporting of borrowers with non-fund exposures of Rs.5 crore or
more to the RBI’s Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) and permitting Basic Savings
Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA) holders to open extra savings account.
iii.KLM Axiva Finvest was fined Rs.10 lakh for not complying with dividend declaration requirements.

RBI Allows Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) in Repo Operations

On 26th March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted Standalone
Primary Dealers (SPDs) to participate in all repo operations across tenures, removing previous
restrictions that limited their role primarily to overnight liquidity management., excluding the Marginal
Standing Facility (MSF), and selectively in long-term Variable Rate Repo (VRR) operations.
• The RBI’s decision allows SPDs easier access to funds, aims to manage liquidity and address the
ongoing shortage as the financial year ends on 31st March 2025.
i.The banking system has faced a persistent liquidity deficit despite RBI’s recent liquidity injections using
tools like daily VRR auctions, long-term VRRs, USD/INR Buy/Sell swap auctions, and Open Market

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Operations (OMOs).
ii.RBI addresses the prevailing liquidity deficit of Rs.1.58 lakh crore (as of March), enhancing the ability of
SPDs to efficiently manage short- and long-term liquidity needs.

SEBI
SEBI & OBPP Association Launches Bond Central Portal to Boost Retail Investor Participation in
Corporate Bonds.
On February 28, 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) launched ‘Bond Central’ portal, a centralized database
portal for corporate bonds to Boost Retail Investor Participation in
Corporate Bonds. The portal has been developed by Online Bond
Platform Providers Association (OBPP Association), in collaboration
with Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) such as the National
Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National
Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), and Central Depository
Services Limited (CDSL)
• This platform is designed to enhance transparency and
accessibility in India’s corporate bond market, particularly
for retail investors.
i.Bond Central provides comprehensive bond listings, offering a
unified view of corporate bonds from various issuers and exchanges.
ii.It enables investors to compare corporate bond prices with Government Securities (G-Secs) and other
fixed-income indices.
iii.The platform also offers investor-centric information, including risk assessments, bond documents, and
disclosures for effective decision-making.
iv.It also promotes enhanced transparency by standardizing corporate bond data, reducing information
asymmetry, and building investor trust.
Note: Following the 327% increase in monthly transactions of corporate bonds and Structured Debt
Instruments (SDIs) over the past year, Bond Central aims to support SEBI’s vision of increasing retail
participation in India’s corporate bond market.

SEBI Introduced Framework for Specialized Investment Funds Effective From April 1, 2025
In February 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced new framework for
Specialized Investment Fund (SIF), the new category of investment product, which aimed to fix gaps
between Mutual Funds (MFs) and Portfolio Management Services (PMS) in terms of portfolio flexibility.
• This framework was introduced by SEBI through a circular issued in exercise of powers given
under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, read with Chapter VI-C of the SEBI (Mutual
Funds) Regulations 1996, to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the
development of, and to regulate the securities market.
• The new framework will come into force with effect from April 1, 2025.
• SEBI has further directed the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to issue necessary
guidelines and standards for SIF by March 31, 2025.
Key Features:
i.Eligibility Criteria: In order to launch SIFs, Asset Management Companies (AMCs) are required to have
minimum 3 years of operation and an average Asset Under Management (AUM) of Rs 10,000 crore over
the last 3 years.

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ii.Appointment of CIO for SIF: AMCs have been mandated by SEBI to appoint a Chief Investment
Officer (CIO) with a fund management experience of 10 years and has managed an average AUM of not
less than Rs 5,000 crore.
• Apart from CIO, an additional Fund Manager for the SIF will be appointed with minimum
experience of 3 years related to fund management and has managed an average AUM of not less
than Rs 500 crore.
iii.Investment Strategies: The new framework allows various equity, debt, and hybrid long-
short investment strategies. Investors are required to maintain a minimum investment of Rs
10 lakh across all strategies under an SIF and will not include investments made by investors in regular
MF schemes of the same AMC.
• SEBI has clarified that it is mandatory for SIFs to have distinct branding separate from their
parent MF, though they may use the name of AMC for initial recognition.
iv.Investing in Derivatives: As per the new framework, investment strategies under SIF are allowed for
maximum exposure of 25% of net assets in permissible exchange-traded derivative instruments.
v.Subscription and Redemption: The subscription and redemption frequency of investment strategy will
be based on type of investments, including daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, annually, fixed
maturity time period or other suitable intervals.
vi.Single-tier benchmark structure: As per the new framework, the investment strategies of SIF will
follow a single-tier benchmark structure.
• Also, the AMCs will select any of wide market indices available, as a benchmark index depending
on the investment’s objective and its portfolio.
vii.Offering SIPs and STPs by AMCs: The new framework has allowed AMCs to offer systematic
investment options like: Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) and
Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) for investment strategies launched under SIF, subject to the condition they
comply with the minimum investment limit.
viii.Entities offering products under SIF: As per SEBI, distributors or entities that are currently engaged
in the distribution of MF products will also be eligible to offer products under SIF, but, they are required to
having passed the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) Series-III: Common Derivatives
Certification Exam.
Recent Related News:
In January 2025, SEBI eased settlements norms for brokerage accounts that remain inactive for more
than 30 calendar days. It came into force with immediate effect.
• This change aims to reduce procedural inefficiencies for brokers, making the process smoother
by eliminating the daily settlement requirement.
• Earlier, brokers were obligated to identify inactive clients and return their funds within 3
working days.

SEBI Allowed All NBFCs, HFCs to Invest in Security Receipts Issued by ARCs
In March 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed all Non-Banking Finance
Companies (NBFCs), including Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to invest in Security Receipts (SRs)
issued by Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
• All NBFCs including HFCs regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are hereby specified as
qualified buyers to permit to invest in SRs under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of
Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) (54 of
2002) subject to certain conditions.
Note: Previously, only non-deposit takings NBFCs with assets size of Rs 50 crore and above were
permitted to make investments in SRs.

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Key Points:
i.This key change introduced by the SEBI aimed at promoting investments in the bad loans space. It has
also broadened the scope of participants who can buy SRs from ARCs, thereby boosting liquidity in the
distressed asset market.
ii.As per SEBI, NBFCs have been mandated to ensure that the defaulting promoters or their related parties
do not directly or indirectly get access to secured assets through SRs.
• Also, they are required to comply with such other conditions specified by RBI from time to time.
About Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC):
i.ARC is a Financial Institution (FI) that buys Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) from banks and FIs and help
them to recover from the NPAs.
ii.The Net Owned Funds (NOFs) of ARCs should be Rs 100 crore or above and they are require to
maintain a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 15% of its risk-weighted assets.
SEBI Extended Deadline for Reporting Differential Rights Issued by AIFs
In March 2025, the SEBI issued a circular in exercise of powers given under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act,
1992, read with regulations 20 (22) and 36 of AIF Regulations, to protect the interests of investors in
securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
• As per the circular, SEBI has extended the deadline for reporting differential rights issued by
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to March 31, 2025 (previously, the deadline was
February 28, 2025), following industry representations seeking more time for compliance.
• As per SEBI, the circular came into force with immediate effect.
Key Points:
i.This key change originated from the amendments to the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds)
Regulations, 2012, notified on November 18, 2024, which aimed at ensuring that the investors receive
rights and proceeds distribution in proportion (pro-rata) to their commitments within a scheme, while
retaining pari-passu treatment.
ii.In December 2024, SEBI issued a circular and introduced a framework for differential rights that AIFs
may offer without affecting other investors.
• As per these rules, AIFs that filed their Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) with SEBI on or
after March 1, 2020, and issued differential rights outside the standard guidelines were required
to submit reports by February 28, 2025.
Note: AIF is any fund established in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle which collects
funds from sophisticated investors. It includes investments in private equity, hedge funds, real estate,
among others.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
It was constituted as a non-statutory body on April 12, 1988 through a resolution of the Government of
India (GoI). It was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through SEBI Act, 1992.
Chairman- Tuhin Kanta Pandey
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra

SEBI tightened Rules for SME IPOs with Profitability Mandate

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified a
stringent regulatory framework for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). It
has introduced a profitability requirement and capped the 20% limit of the total size on Offer-For-Sale
(OFS) component.
• Also, selling share holders are not allowed to offload more than 50% of their existing holdings.
• These changes aim to ensure that only SMEs with a good track record have access to raise funds
from the public while protecting investor interests.

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Key Changes:
i.Minimum operating profit: As per the new framework, SMEs who are planning to launch an IPO, are
required to show a minimum operating profit (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and
Amortization or EBITDA) of Rs 1 crore in at least two of the previous 3 Financial Years(FY).
ii.Introduced phased lock-in-period: The shareholding of promoters over the Minimum Promoter
Contribution (MPC) will be subject to a phased lock-in-period. 50% of the excess holding will be released
after 1 year, while the remaining 50% will be released after two years.
iii.Increase the minimum application size: The new framework has increased doubled the minimum
application size i.e. 2 lots.
iv.Publish of DRHP for public comments: The new framework has mandated the SME issuers to publish
their Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for public comments for 21 days. These documents will be
made available on SME exchanges, issuer web portals, and merchant banker platforms, among others.
v.Limit on use of IPO Proceeds: SEBI has imposed certain restrictions on how IPO proceeds can be used
like: the amount allocated for General Corporate Purposes (GCP) is now capped at 15% of the total issue
size or Rs 10 crore whichever is lower.
• Also, IPO proceeds will not be used by SMEs to repay loans taken from promoters, promoter
groups, or related parties.
vi.Fund-raising without migrating main board: If the post-issue paid-up capital after further issue
exceeds Rs 25 crore, then in such case, SME-listed companies will be allowed to raise additional funds
without migrating or switching to the main board.
• But, they are required to comply with provisions of Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015, as applicable to companies listed on the main board of
the stock exchange.
vii.Extension of RPT Rules: As per the new rules, it is mandatory for SME-listed companies to comply
with Related Party Transactions (RPT) rules that are applicable to companies listed on the main board.
• The new rules have been notified by SEBI through amendments in Issue of Capital and
Disclosure Requirement (ICDR) Rules.
Recent Related News:
In February 2025, SEBI introduced new industry standards under which listed entities are required to
provide minimum information to the audit committee and shareholders when seeking approval for the
(RPT).
• The new disclosure rule will come into effect from April 01, 2025.
• These new industry standards were issued by SEBI through a circular in exercise of powers
given under Section 11 (1) and 11A of SEBI Act, 1992 read with regulation 101 of LODR
Regulations.

SEBI Cuts Rights Issue Timeline to 23 Days for Faster Fundraising

In March 2025, The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra
has reduced the timeline for completing rights issues from 126 days to just 23 days. This is a major
improvement compared to the current average timeline of 317 days. The new rule will be effective
from April 7, 2025.
i.Rights issues must remain open for 7 to 30 days. The verification of application bids and the finalization
of allotments will now be handled by stock exchanges (SE), depositories, and registrars.
• Additionally, exchanges and depositories must develop an automated validation
system within six months to streamline the process.
ii.To simplify the process, SEBI has streamlined the Letter of Offer (LoF), requiring only key details such
as the purpose of the issue, price, record date, and entitlement ratio.

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• A monitoring agency must now oversee the usage of funds raised from all types of rights
issues. Previously, issuers raising less than Rs 50 crore through rights issues were not required
to appoint a monitoring agency.
iii.With the new system, companies can raise funds faster than the preferential allotment route, which
takes 40 working days, making rights issues more efficient and investor-friendly.

SEBI Partners with DigiLocker to Reduce Unclaimed Assets in the Indian Securities Market
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) announced that it has partnered with DigiLocker to address the issue of unclaimed assets in
the securities markets.
• For this, SEBI issued a circular titled ‘Harnessing DigiLocker as a Digital Public
Infrastructure for Reducing Unclaimed Assets in the Indian Securities Market’ in exercise
of powers given under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, to protect the interests of investors
in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
Key Features of the Initiative:
i.Access to Securities Holdings: This initiative will enable the investors to store and access information
on their demat and mutual fund (MF) holdings, Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) through DigiLocker,
a key Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
ii.Nomination Facility for Smooth Access: As per SEBI’s circular, users are now allowed to appoint data
access nominees within the DigiLocker application.
• For instance, in the case of death of a user, these nominees will be granted read-only access to
the DigiLocker account, which will ensure that important financial information is smoothly
accessible to legal heirs.
iii.Automated Notification to Nominees: The circular mentioned that DigiLocker system will be notified
about the user’s death by Know Your Customer (KYC) Registration Agencies (KRAs), following which the
system will automatically notify about it to the data access nominees.
iv.Role of KRAs: KRAs have been mandated by SEBI to serve as the primary source for verifying and
initiating notifications to data access nominees, ensuring seamless transition process.
Key Points:
i.As per SEBI, all Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and recognised depositories are required to
register with DigiLocker as ‘Issuer’ which enable the user to access their holding statement, as of the date
immediately preceding the date of accessing; transaction statements for the last 30 days of MF units and
demat accounts.
ii.It is mandatory for KRAs to electronically share the details of all instances of demise of investors stored
in their system with DigiLocker.
• The technical details of data to be shared and its modalities will be shared as per mutually
agreed National e-Governance Division (NeGD), SEBI and KRA at regular intervals of time.
iii.As per the circular, the nominee of digilocker can initiate the process of transmission of deceased
user’s financial assets by herself/himself, if he/ she is also the nominee of the account.
iv.Investors holding securities in physical mode can also avail the benefit outlined in SEB’s circular.
About DigiLocker:
i.It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched under the
Digital India programme 2015.
ii.It is a digital document which enables the citizens of India by facilitating access to authentic digital
documents such as Aadhaar, driving licence, birth and death certificates, bank account statements, among
others in their digital document wallet.

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iii.The storage space provided was 100 megabyte (MB) initially and was later increased to 1gigabytes
(GB). The individual file size for upload cannot exceed 10 MB.

Paytm Money Limited Receives SEBI’s Approval as Research Analyst

On March 18 2025, Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Paytm Money Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
One 97 Communications Limited(OCL), received a Certificate of Registration (CoR) as a Research
Analyst (RA) from the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under
the ‘SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014’.
• This registration enables Paytm Money to provide SEBI-compliant research services, including
investment insights, research reports, and data-driven analysis.
• These services aim to enhance user experience and provide expert-backed insights to both retail
and institutional investors.
Key Features:
i.Research Services: Paytm Money can now offer expert-backed research and advisory services to retail
and institutional investors.
ii.Investment Products: The platform continues to support Mutual Funds(MF), stocks, Initial Public
Offerings (IPOs), Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and National Pension System (NPS), contributing to
financial inclusion.
iii.New Features: Paytm Money has also integrated features like Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) Trading Blocks for seamless payment deductions and leveraged tools for efficient decision-
making in investments.

SEBI cuts minimum investment in social stock exchange instruments to Rs 1,000

On March 19 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revised
the minimum investment threshold for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) Instruments on the Social Stock
Exchange (SSE) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000.
• This decision, effective immediately, aims to encourage retail investors to support Non-Profit
Organizations (NPOs) working in sectors like education and healthcare.
Key Highlights of the Reform:
i.Investment Reduction: SEBI lowered the minimum investment for ZCZP instruments from Rs 10,000 to
Rs 1,000, making it affordable for smaller investors.
ii.Objective: Encourage retail investors to participate in funding social projects. Increase capital flow to
NPOs working in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and rural development.
iii.Regulatory Framework: The decision aligns with Section 11 and Section 11A of the SEBI Act, 1992,
and Regulation 299 of the SEBI ICDR (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations.
iv.Previous Adjustments: In November 2023, SEBI reduced the minimum issue size for ZCZP from Rs 1
crore to Rs 50 lakh and the application size from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10,000, showing a consistent effort to
promote the SSE.
v.Implementation: The change amends SEBI’s circular from September 19, 2022, updated on December
28, 2023, and is based on recommendations from the public and Social Stock Exchange Advisory
Committee (Chaired by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam).
About Social Stock Exchange (SSE):
i.Introduced in the Union Budget 2019-20, the SSE is a dedicated segment under existing stock exchanges
to connect social enterprises and donors/investors.
ii.Purpose: Channel funds to NPOs and for-profit social enterprises (FPSEs). Ensure transparency through
impact assessment reports and financial disclosures.

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About Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) Instruments:

i.Definition: These are donation-based financial instruments where investors fund NPOs without
expecting interest or principal repayment.
ii.Features:
• Issued only by SSE-listed NPOs.
• Funds are utilized for pre-defined social welfare projects.
iii.Minimum maturity period: 5 years (as per SEBI norms).

SEBI to Constitute High-Level Committee to Review Conflict of Interest in Top Ranks

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based market regulator, Securities Exchange Board of
India (SEBI)has approved the setting up of a High-Level Committee (HLC) to review provisions related to
governance and revamp its rules on conflict of interest and disclosure obligations for board members and
senior officials.
• This decision was taken during SEBI’s 1st meeting under its new chairperson
of Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
Key Points:
i.The HLC is tasked to conduct comprehensive review of regulations governing property, investments, and
liabilities of board members.
• This move aims to ensure high standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct of
members and officials of the board.
ii.The committee will comprise eminent persons with expertise and experience in areas such as:
constitutional, statutory, regulatory bodies, public sector, private sector, among others.
• SEBI will announce the names of the committee members in due course.
Other Outcomes of the Board Meeting:
SEBI Approved to Double FPI Investment Threshold for Granular Disclosures to Rs 50,000 crore
SEBI has approved a proposal to double Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) investment threshold for
granular beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures from existing Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore.
• With this, now FPI holding over Rs 50,000 crore of equity Assets Under Management (AUM) in
the Indian markets will be required to make additional disclosures as laid out in the circular
date August 24, 2023.
• At present, it is mandatory for certain FPIs with equity AUM of over Rs 25,000 crore to give
granular details of all their investors or stakeholders on a look-through basis.
SEBI Eases Investment Rules for Category-2 AIFs, Allows Investments in Lower-rated Listed Debt
The Board of SEBI has eased investment restrictions for Category-II Alternative Funds (AIFs) including
private equity and debt funds, enabling them to invest in listed debt securities rated ‘A’ or below. Now,
such investments will be considered equivalent to investments in unlisted securities for regulatory
compliance.
• At present, Category-II AIFs are required to invest minimum 50% of their funds in unlisted
securities, poses higher risks but at the same yield higher returns.
• However, latest amendments to SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR)
2015 regulations have significantly reduced the availability of unlisted debt securities, limiting
investment options for these funds.
SEBI Introduced Key Changes Regarding Appointment, Cooling-off Period for MII Key Officials
SEBI has introduced key changes regarding the appointment of Public Interest Directors (PIDs) and
cooling-off period for key management personnel (KMP) and directors for Market Infrastructure
Institutions (MIIs).

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• It has clarified that earlier process of appointment of PIDs, which requires the approval of SEBI
but not shareholder will continue.
Key Changes:
i.However, SEBI will no longer prescribe a cooling-off period for KMPs instead of that, the governing board
of MII has been entrusted with responsibility to do the same.
ii.Also, it will be mandatory for now to get approval from the board of MII for the appointment of other key
officials such as: compliance officer (CO), chief risk officer (CRO), and chief technology officer (CTO),
instead of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC).
iii.If the governing board of MII did not reappoint a PID after his 1st term expires, the reasons for that
must be recorded and communicated to SEBI.
Other Key Decisions:
i.SEBI has now allowed Investment Advisors (IAs) and Research Analysts (RAs) to charge advance fees for
maximum period of 1 year. This move aims to offer more flexibility in fee structuring.
• Previously, IAs and RAs were allowed to charge fees for up to two quarters and one quarter
respectively.
iv.SEBI has proposed key measures on risk monitoring and open interest formulation in Futures &
Options (F&O) amid volatility. It has suggested changes in the calculation of Open Interest (OI), the extent
of outstanding positions in F&O; and Market Wide Position Limit (MWPL), which is the maximum number
of positions allowed in stock derivatives.
• Some of the key reforms suggested are: limiting the number of weekly expires to one per
exchange, increasing the contract size, upfront collection of premium and removal of calendar
spread benefits on expiry day.
Recent Related News:
In February 2025, SEBI launched a new digital platform, Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval
Assistant (MITRA). The new platform is designed to help investors in tracking and reclaiming inactive or
unclaimed Mutual Fund (MF) folios.
• The platform will assist with the investments that may have been forgotten, lost or left
unclaimed due to outdated Know Your Customer (KYC) details or the demise of original
investor.

SEBI Issued New Guidelines for Intraday Index Derivative Monitoring Effective from April 1,
2025
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based market regulator, Securities Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) issued new guidelines for monitoring of intraday position limits for exchanges and clearing
corporations (CCs).
• As per the new norms, stock exchanges will monitor position limits for index derivatives on an
intraday basis, with effect from April 1, 2025.
• Also, SEBI has clarified that no penalties will be imposed for breaching existing position limits
during the trading day until further notice.
• These guidelines were issued by SEBI through a circular in exercise of powers given
under Section 11 (1) read with Section 11 (2) (a) of the SEBI Act, 1992 read with Regulation
51 of Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations (SECC) Regulations, 2018, to safeguard the
interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the
securities market.

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Key Points:
i.SEBI has retained directive issued in its previous circular on December 30, which allowed the stock
exchanges to monitor these positions by considering minimum 4 snapshots of market positions during
the trading day. The snapshots will be randomly taken during pre-defined time windows.
ii.Sebi proposed new position limits for index derivatives to better reflect actual market risks.
• For index options, the end-of-day limits are set at Rs 500 crore (net) and Rs 1,500 crore (gross),
while intra-day limits are Rs 1,000 crore (net) and Rs 2,500 crore (gross).
• For index futures, the end-of-day limit has been increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,500 crore,
with an intra-day limit of Rs 2,500 crore.
iii. Stock exchanges like Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) have been
instructed by SEBI, to jointly prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) informing the market
participants regarding modalities of monitoring existing notional position limits intraday.
• Also, these exchanges are required to inform clients/trading members about the breaches for
their risk monitoring.
SEBI Extended Time for Regulated Entities to Adopt Cyber Security Framework to 3 Months
In March 2025, SEBI has extended the deadline for Regulated Entities (REs) which comes under its
purview such as Alternative Investment Funds (AIF), depositories, Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs), among
others, to adopt Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) until June 30, 2025, a 3-month
extension from the original date.
• This announcement was made by SEBI through a circular issued in exercise of powers given
under Section 11 (1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, to protect the interests of investors in securities and
to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
• All provisions of this circular came into force with immediate effect.
Note: In August 2024, SEBI introduced CSCRF, aimed to strengthen the financial sector’s defense against
cyber threats.
Key Points:
i.This new timeline has not been extended for some entities such as: Market Infrastructure
Institutions (MIIs), Know Your Customer (KYC) registration agencies (KRAs), and Qualified Registrars
(QRs). These entities will comply with original deadline of March 30, 2025.
ii.As per SEBI’s circular, stock exchanges and depositories have been directed to intimate their members
and ensure widespread awareness of the revised compliance deadline.
Recent Related News:
In February 2025, SEBI introduced new framework for Specialized Investment Fund (SIF), the new
category of investment product, which aimed to fix gaps between Mutual Funds (MFs) and Portfolio
Management Services (PMS) in terms of portfolio flexibility.
• The new framework will come into force with effect from April 1, 2025.
• SEBI has further directed the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to issue necessary
guidelines and standards for SIF by March 31, 2025.

SEBI Grants In-Principle Approval to ASK Group for Mutual Fund Business
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group (ASK
Group) backed by Blackstone Inc. (United States of America, USA) secured in-principle approval from
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its Mutual Fund
(MF) business.
• This marks a strategic expansion of ASK’s existing investment solutions, including listed equity
portfolio management, alternate investments, and wealth management.

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i.The company plans to offer a wide range of mutual fund products aligned with its research-driven
investment approach.
ii.The new venture will cater to various investor segments, including retail, High Net-worth Individuals
(HNI), Ultra High Net-worth Individuals (UHNI), and institutional investors.
Note: According to Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) January 2025 report, the Assets Under
Management (AUM) of Indian mutual funds have witnessed substantial growth, surging from Rs.24 lakh
crore in March 2019 to Rs.67 lakh crore in January 2025.

LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS

APCRDA & HUDCO Sign Rs 11,000 Crore Loan Agreement for Amaravati Development
In March 2025, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh, AP) based Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development
Authority (APCRDA) and New Delhi (Delhi) based Housing and Urban Development Corporation
Limited (HUDCO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) signed a Rs 11,000 crore
loan agreement for the construction of Amaravati, the greenfield capital city of AP.
• The Rs 11,000 crore loan is part of the Rs 26,000 crore required for Phase-1 of Amaravati’s
construction.
• The loan aims to bridge the funding gap for Amaravati’s development, accelerating the
construction of AP’s new capital city.
Key People: The agreement was signed by Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister (CM) of AP, in
the presence of P Narayana, the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD)
of AP, Sanjay Kulshrestha, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of HUDCO, and other officials.
Funding for Amaravati Development:
i.The total estimated cost for Amaravati’s development is Rs 50,000 crore.
ii.The World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed Rs 15,000 crore for the project.
• Additionally, HUDCO has sanctioned Rs 4,400 crore for Township and Infrastructure
Development Corporation( TIDCO) housing projects in AP.
About Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO):
HUDCO is a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs (MoHUA) of the Government of India (GoI) involved in housing finance and infrastructure project
financing.
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Sanjay Kulshrestha
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1970
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor – Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital – Amaravati
Stadium – Indira Priyadarshini Stadium (Cricket), Y S Raja Reddy Stadium (Cricket)

ADB & Shriram Finance Sign USD 150 million Loan Agreement for MSME & EV Financing in
India
In March 2025, Manila (Philippines) based Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)
based Shriram Finance Limited (SFL), (formerly Shriram Transport Finance Company, STFC) one of India’s
largest Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) have signed a USD 150 million loan agreement to
enhance financial access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India.
• The funding will support business loans and financing for electric vehicles (EVs) and low-
emission commercial vehicles, with a special focus on women-owned MSMEs and businesses in
economically backward states.
• This loan will play a crucial role in closing this gap by strengthening Shriram Finance’s capacity
to offer customized financial solutions to MSMEs especially in rural and semi-urban regions.

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Loan Disbursement:
i.The USD 150 million loan is part of USD 306 million financing package led by ADB, which includes USD
150 million co-financing from the Tokyo (Japan) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
ii.Additionally, Rs.500 million (USD 5.80 million) from Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Export-Import Bank
of India (EXIM Bank).
Expected Impact:
i.The loan amount Support MSMEs, which contribute 30% of India’s GDP and employ 123 million people
ii.Boost EV adoption to align with India’s EV30@30 initiative, targeting 30% electric vehicle sales by 2030.
iii.Reduce air pollution by financing Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) compliant low-emission vehicles.
About Shriram Finance Limited (SFL):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Y.S. Chakravarti
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
Founded – 1979
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masato Kanda
Headquarters – Manila, Philippines.
Established – 1966

IRFC Signs Rs.5,000 Crore Loan Agreement with NTPC Renewable Energy
In March 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), a public sector
undertaking under the Ministry of Railways(MoR), signed a Rupee Term Loan (RTL) agreement worth Rs.
5,000 crore with New Delhi based NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a subsidiary of NTPC
Green Energy Limited(NTPC GEL).
• The loan aims to finance NTPC REL’s ongoing and new capacity expansion projects in the
renewable energy sector. Additionally, it will be utilized for refinancing existing debt, as
approved by NTPC REL’s board.
i.NTPC REL has secured an unsecured loan, backed by a negative lien with limited exceptions. The funds
will drive the company’s Renewable Energy(RE) growth in solar, wind, energy storage, and green
hydrogen sectors.
ii.Indian Railways(IR), one of the largest electricity consumers, aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions
by 2030.
iii.This agreement supports India’s goal of reaching 450 Gigawatt(GW) of RE capacity by 2030,
emphasizing the crucial role of public sector entities like IRFC in this transition.

JICA Signs 6 ODA Loan Agreements worth Rs.11,181 crore with GoI
In March 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) of Japan has signed 6 Official
Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreements with the Government of India (GoI), totaling Japanese
Yen (JPY) 191,736 million (around Rs.11,181 crores).
• The 6 loan agreements include funding for a seawater desalination plant, biodiversity
conservation, forest management, aquaculture development, and the expansion of the Delhi
Metro network.
• The agreements underscore Japan’s commitment to supporting India’s sustainable development
through infrastructure growth, environmental protection, and livelihood improvement.

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Loan Distribution:
i.A substantial sum of Rs.4,649 crores will be allocated to the Delhi Metro Phase 4 project, led by the
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation(DMRC), to enhance urban mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and decrease
air pollution in the National Capital Region.
ii.An additional investment of Rs.3,065 crores has been earmarked for building seawater desalination
plant(II) in Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) led by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage
Board (CMWSSB), aimed at securing a reliable and safe water supply through the development of new
desalination and water transmission infrastructure.
iii.TN will receive Rs.2,106 crores under the TN Investment Promotion Program (Phase 3) to boost its
investment climate through improved policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and industry-ready
skill enhancement.
iv.Assam’s fisheries sector will receive Rs.209 crores for
Assam State Aquaculture Promotion and Livelihood
Improvement Project to enhance aquaculture production,
strengthen supply chains, and improve livelihoods in line with
India’s Act East Policy.
v.Punjab has been allocated Rs.669 crores for the Punjab
Biodiversity and Natural Resources Conservation Project aimed
at enhancing climate resilience through afforestation, wetland
management, and biodiversity preservation.
vi.Rs.483 crores will be allocated to improve India’s forest
governance and biodiversity conservation through capacity-
building programs led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Note: With the latest agreements, JICA’s total ODA commitments
for the Financial Year 2024-25(FY25) have risen to Rs.15,655 crores, including the Mumbai Metro Line 3
project in Maharashtra.
About Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA):
President– Dr. TANAKA Akihiko
Headquarters– Tokyo, Japan
Established – 1974.

AGREEMENTS & MoUs SIGNED

Japan and India Renewed Bilateral Swap Arrangement of USD 75 Billion
On February 28, 2025, Japan and India renewed their 2nd Amendment and Restatement Agreement of the
Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA), maintaining the agreement of up to USD 75 billion. The agreement
was signed by the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Tokyo(Japan) based
Bank of Japan (BoJ), acting as the agent for Japan’s Ministry of Finance.
• The arrangement aims to deepen the financial cooperation between Japan and India,
complementing other global and regional financial safety nets.
i.The BSA is a two-way financial arrangement where both countries can swap their local currencies in
exchange for United States (US) dollars.
ii.This ensures liquidity support during times of market stress and plays a critical role in strengthening the
financial systems of both nations.
iii.The renewed agreement, effective from February 28, 2025, enhances regional and global financial
stability, as a long-term strategy to foster economic ties and maintain financial resilience in times of crisis.

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CUB Partnered with CSK to Launch Co-Branded Credit Card

In March 2025, the Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu, TN) based City Union Bank (CUB) announced a strategic
partnership with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), to introduce a new co-branded credit card for cricket fans.
• The initiative provides CSK fans with a one-of-a-kind financial solution that combines banking
privileges with exclusive bonuses tied to their favourite Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.
i.CUB – CSK Co-Branded Credit Card will get multiple benefits. Fans can experience the thrill of having
CSK’s famous yellow color and lion logo on their credit card, demonstrating their support for the team.
ii.Cardholders will receive exciting rewards for every purchase, including additional points for CSK goods,
match tickets, and experiences.
iii.The program offers exclusive access to events, fan meets, and much more. CSK fans will also receive
exclusive discounts and incentives on official team items, allowing them to show off their team pride.
iv.CUB is not just targeting its existing customers but also new-to-bank customers with a fully digital
onboarding process.

Paytm Partners with RBL Bank to Strengthen Digital Payment

In March 2025, Paytm(Pay Through Mobile), a wholly owned subsidiary of Noida (Uttar Pradesh) based
One97 Communication, has partnered with Mumbai (Maharashtra) based RBL Bank Limited to provide
its sound box and card machines to RBL Banks’s merchants, making transactions easier and more
efficient.
• The agreement enables seamless transactions across various payment modes, including Unified
Payment Interface (UPI), RuPay credit card on UPI, UPI Lite, debit cards, credit cards, and
Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) options from major banks.
i.Paytm’s Soundbox range, including Near-Field Communication (NFC) Card Sound Box and Quick
Response (QR) Sound Box, provides merchants with instant audio alerts in 11 languages, enabling secure
transactions and supporting ‘Tap and Pay’ payments at small shops.
• It also allows merchants to accept global card payments from international tourists, reducing
cash dependency.
ii.Its Card Machines ‘Electronic Data Capture (EDC) devices enhance digital payment acceptance by
providing businesses with a secure and flexible solution, supporting diverse customer preferences, and
offering low or zero-cost EMI options through partnerships with over 17 partner banks.

IOB & IGBC Signed MoU to Promote Green Finance for IGBC-Certified Projects
In March 2025, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based Public sector Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad (Telangana) based Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) -Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to provide accessible and affordable financing
solutions for developers and home buyers.
• Koustuv Majumder, General Manager (GM) and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of IOB, exchanged
documents with K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director (ED) of CII-IGBC, in the presence of Mahesh
Anand, Co-Chairman of IGBC Chennai chapter and Dutta Roy and Dhanaraj T., EDs of IOB.
Key Points:
i.IOB would provide developers working on IGBC-rated green building construction with preferential
financing alternatives as part of the partnership.
• It would also offer customized financial assistance to home buyers purchasing residential units
in the IGBC-certified projects.
ii.This partnership would help bring about a positive change by promoting the broad use of sustainable
construction methods, which are crucial in the fight against environmental degradation and rising energy
consumption.

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iii.The MoU focuses on exploring new financing models for IGBC Green Affordable Housing, IGBC NEST,
and NESTPLUS projects, tailored to meet the needs of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Lower
Income Groups.
iv.Under the agreement, IGBC and IOB will keep assessing new trends and technologies in the green
building sector to ensure their partnership stays ahead in sustainable construction.
About Indian Overseas Bank (IOB):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Ajay Kumar Srivastava
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN)
Established – 1937

NABARD Signed MoU with J&K Grameen Bank to Finance JLGs

In March 2025, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
Regional Office based in Jammu, J&K, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jammu -
based J&K Grameen Bank for the promotion and financing of 2,000 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).
• Des Raj, Deputy General Manager(GM), NABARD and Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, J&K Grameen
Bank signed the MoU on behalf of NABARD and J&K Grameen Bank, respectively.
• The MoU aims to meet the credit needs of Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) of society by
constituting and credit-linking JLGs.
i.As per the MoU, J&K Grameen Bank will constitute and finance 2,000 JLGs across the Union Territories
(UTs) of J&K and Ladakh.
ii.Also, NABARD will facilitate a promotional grant support of Rs 4,000 to each JLG through J&K Grameen
Bank, bolstering financial empowerment in the region.

YES Bank Partnered with WTC Mumbai to Support MSME

In February 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based YES Bank, India’s sixth-largest private sector bank, in
collaboration with the World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai, the Indian chapter of the World Trade Centers
Association (WTCA), hosted the Export Conclave 2025 at YES Bank House on 21 February 2025.
i.A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between YES Bank and WTC Mumbai was signed
during the conference.
• This partnership aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by
improving access to loans, trade facilitation services, and global market information, which is an
important step towards building India’s export environment.
ii.At the event, YES Bank introduced two flagship products under its YES Business suite: YES
Exports and YES PowherUp, which are designed to help MSMEs and women entrepreneurs expand their
businesses globally.

SIDBI signs MoU with FBL to Strengthen MSME Financing

In March 2025, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
and Aluva (Kerala) based Federal Bank Limited (FBL) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
provide financial support to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
• The MoU was signed by Prakash Kumar, Deputy Managing Director (DMD), SIDBI and Harsh
Dugar, Executive Director (ED), FBL in the presence of senior SIDBI and FBL officials.
i.This partnership aims to strengthen the MSME ecosystem by providing a variety of financial services such
as project financing, machinery and equipment financing, working capital support (including letter of
credit and bank guarantee), and loans against property.
ii.Both institutions will explore joint financing options to extend credit facilities to MSMEs under this
agreement.

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BoI Signs MoU with IA to Enhance ‘Rakshak Salary Package’ Benefits

On March 04, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Bank of India (BOI) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army (IA) to extend the BOI ‘Rakshak Salary Package’ to Army
Personnel, Veterans, and Agniveers recruited under the Agnipath Scheme in New Delhi (Delhi).
• BoI’s Rakshak Salary Scheme is specifically designed salary account for defence and
paramilitary personnel, aiming to provide enhanced financial benefits and services to the armed
forces community.
• The signing-in ceremony was chaired by Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri, Director General (DG)
(Military Police, MP & Provost Services, PS),IA and was attended by Major
General VK Purohit, Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Provisioning Services,
PS); Subrat Kumar, Executive Director (ED), BoI.
i.The Key Benefits of the Rakshak Salary Package includes enhanced free comprehensive Personal Accident
Insurance (PAI) coverage up to Rs.100 lakh and air accident coverage up to Rs.200 lakh.
ii.Provides attractive deals and concessions on BOI debit and credit cards and a range of other benefits
tailored for defence personnel, paramilitary, and state police forces.
Note: Agnipath Scheme, launched by the Government of India (GoI) in June 2022, is a recruitment initiative
for soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers across the IA, Indian Navy (IN), and Indian Air Force
(IAF).

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Partners with GIC Housing Finance to Offer Credit Life Insurance
Solutions
In March 2025, Gurgaon (Haryana)- based Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited partnered with
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based GIC Housing Finance Limited (GICHF), subsidiary of General Insurance
Corporation (GIC) of India to provide credit life insurance solutions to home loan borrowers.
Note: Canara HSBC Life Insurance was a joint venture (JV) comprising Canara Bank Limited (51%), HSBC
Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Limited (26%), and Punjab National Bank, PNB (23%).
i.As part of this partnership, Canara HSBC Life Insurance will introduce its ‘Group Asset Secure’ plan, a
specialized credit life insurance product, through GIC Housing Finance’s extensive customer network.
ii.The collaboration combines GIC Housing Finance’s lending expertise with Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s
customer-focused insurance solutions.
iii.This collaboration aims to ensure financial security for borrowers and their families by protecting them
against loan liabilities in case of unforeseen circumstances.

REC Signed MoU Worth Rs 18,360 Cr with Kerala’s EMC for Pumped Storage Projects
REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited), a Maharatna Central Public Sector
Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Power (MoP), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Energy Management Centre (EMC), Government
of Kerala for collaboration and financing of Pumped Storage
Projects (PSP) in Kerala.
• Under this MoU, REC will finance Rs18,360 crore in the
PSP segment in Kerala over the next 5 years.
• The MoU was signed during the Global Green Hydrogen &
Renewable Energy Summit 2025 held in Kochi, Kerala from
12 to 13 March 2025.
• The summit was organized by the Government of Kerala
with support from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB)
and EMC.
Signatories: The MoU was exchanged by Saurabh Rastogi, Executive Director (ED), REC, and Dinesh
Kumar, Joint Director (JD), EMC, in the presence of key officials.

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Note:
i.REC Limited based in New Delhi, Delhi was incorporated in 1969 and is registered with the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) as a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), Public Financial Institution (PFI) and
Infrastructure Financing Company (IFC).
ii.EMC based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala was established in February 1996. EMC is an autonomous
organization under the Department of Power, Government of Kerala.
• Kerala Government became the 1st State Government in India to establish an EMC at the State
level.

Piramal Capital & Housing Finance partners with Punjab & Sind Bank to Enhance Rural and
Semi-Urban Lending
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited (PCHFL)
(Piramal Finance) has entered into a strategic co-lending partnership with Punjab & Sind Bank, a public
sector bank headquartered in New Delhi (Delhi), to enhance credit availability for middle- and low-income
borrowers, focusing primarily on underserved areas like rural and semi-urban regions across India.
• The partnership aims to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and people
seeking home loans.
i.The agreement aims to offer tailored credit solutions with attractive interest rates, especially targeting
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to improve access to formal loans.
ii.Punjab & Sind Bank, with its 1,575 branches, brings extensive financial expertise, while Piramal Finance,
with over 514 branches covering 13,000 pin codes, serves 4.5 million customers across 26 states.
• Together, the partnership blends robust underwriting practices with advanced credit evaluation
tools to provide efficient credit solutions.

RBI & Bank of Mauritius Sign MoU to Promote INR and MUR for Bilateral Transactions
In March 2025, India’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the central bank of Mauritius, Bank of
Mauritius (BOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for promoting
the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) in cross-border transactions.
• The MoU was signed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra and BOM Governor Rama Krishna
Sithanen in Port Louis, Mauritius in the presence of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi
and PM of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
i.This agreement aims to enhance bilateral trade by encouraging the use of INR and MUR for payments in
all current account transactions and permissible capital account transactions.
ii.It will enable exporters and importers to invoice and settle payments in their respective domestic
currencies, thus developing a market for INR-MUR exchange.

Paytm Partners with SBI Mutual Fund to Launch JanNivesh Rs,250 SIP
Paytm, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based One 97 Communications Limited,
has partnered with Mumbai (Maharashtra) SBI Mutual Fund, a subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI) to
launch the JanNivesh Rs.250 Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) initiative.
• The scheme was launched by Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI)
Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch on February 17, 2025.
i.This scheme allows individuals to start investing with as little as Rs.250, offering daily, weekly, or
monthly SIP options to suit diverse financial needs.
ii.The scheme starts at just Rs250, making it accessible for first-time investors and small savers.
Investors can set up SIP with the Paytm application (app), SBI You Only Need One (YONO), and other
digital platforms.
iii.This initiative aims to democratize investing and contribute to long-term financial security for millions
of Indians, especially those in rural, semi-urban, and urban areas.

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DPIIT Signs MoU with YES BANK and Kyndryl Solutions to Support Startups Ecosystem in India
On March 20, 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), Government of India (GoI) has signed two Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) with Mumbai (Maharashtra) based YES BANK Limited and Bengaluru (Karnataka)
based Kyndryl Solutions Private Limited to boost India’s startup ecosystem.
MoU with YES BANK:
i.The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, and Rohit Aneja, Zonal Business
Head at YES Bank.
ii.The DPIIT – YES BANK partnership aims to promote innovation and offer vital support to
product startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs throughout India.
iii.The initiative focuses on supporting early-stage startups through YES Bank’s HeadStartup program,
which provides customized banking and financial solutions, such as working capital, credit access, and
cash flow management.
iv.Startups will also benefit from YES BANK’s vast network, strategic partnerships, and industry expertise,
which will help them secure funding and grow their market presence.
MoU with Kyndryl Solutions:
i.The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, and a representative from
Kyndryl, with senior officials from both organizations present.
ii.The DPIIT-Kyndryl Solutions partnership, with its expertise in digital transformation and Generative
Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), aims to empower startups in the manufacturing and Information
Technology (IT) sectors.
iii.It offers mentorship, infrastructure, and market access, helping startups integrate their solutions into
industries like automotive, pharmaceuticals, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), oil & gas,
and government services.
iv.Under this, Kyndryl will establish programs to support digital product startups, AI innovators, and
entrepreneurs.
v.Startups will receive mentorship on product development, market readiness, cybersecurity resilience,
and enterprise deployment.
About the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT):
Secretary – Amardeep Singh Bhatia
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1995

NSDC & PayPal Formalised MoU to Provide Skill Development Opportunities to Youth in
Fintech Sector
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and PayPal, California, the United States of America
(USA)-based financial technology (fintech) company formalised a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) as part of PayPal’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to launch a comprehensive skill
development initiative targeting India’s Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
• The MoU focuses on economic empowerment through skill enhancement, soft skills, and
Personality Development Training (PDT).
i.NSDC will implement the project in multiple districts including Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Patna (Bihar),
Hyderabad (Telangana), Surat (Gujarat), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Mumbai
(Maharashtra), and Ranchi (Jharkhand).
Signatories: The MoU was exchanged between Dr. Rishikesh Patankar, Vice President, NSDC, and Srini
Venkatesan, Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO), PayPal.

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Note: New Delhi (Delhi)-based NSDC was established on 31 July 2008. It operates as a unique Public
Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

CIRL Partners with LIC to Enhance IR Services for Policyholders

In March 2025, , Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Centrico Insurance Repository Limited (CIRL), subsidiary
of Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL) has entered an agreement with Mumbai-based Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to provide Insurance Repository (IR) services.
• This collaboration, part of LIC’s Request for Proposal (RFP) process, aims to digitize policy
management, enabling policyholders to store insurance policies electronically and access
seamless updates.
Note:The IR system, introduced by Indian regulators, eliminates paperwork by allowing policyholders to
hold and modify policies digitally.
i.CIRL, which now partners with 43 insurance companies (including 23 life insurers), will leverage LIC’s
inclusion to expand value-added services for policyholders nationwide.
ii.Notably, LIC holds 4.4% stake in CDSL and 8.3% in CIRL, while CDSL maintains 51% direct ownership
and 3.25% via its subsidiary CDSL Ventures Limited.

SIDBI Signed Mou with CMAI & SICS to Strengthen Textile MSME Sector
In March 2025, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh(UP) based the Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI) has entered into two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Clothing Manufacturers’ Association of India (CMAI) and the Surat(Gujarat)
based Sachin Industrial Co-operative Society Limited (SICS).
• This initiative is designed to enhance the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) segment
within the textile and garment industry by providing both financial and technical assistance.
i.Under these agreements, MSME entrepreneurs will be eligible for collateral-free loans of up to Rs 5
crore(Set to increase to Rs.10 crore as per the budget2025-26), ensuring smoother access to capital. This is
supported by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) Scheme.
ii.CGTMSE will provide funding support of up to 90-95% under this scheme. For loans up to Rs 5 crore
without collateral, only 25% of the amount must be shown as an investment.
iii. The interest rates for these loans will vary between 8.75% and 9.75%, depending on the credit rating of
the unit. The funding process for new units is expected to be completed within 30 to 45 days.

BoI & NIACL Announces Partnership to Enhance General Insurance Products

In March 25, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Bank of India (BoI), one of India’s leading Public Sector
Banks (PSUs) has entered into a strategic partnership with Mumbai based New India Assurance Company
Limited (NIACL), India’s largest nationalized general insurance company to provide general insurance
products to BoI customers.
• The collaboration aims to offer BoI’s customers a comprehensive suite of general insurance
products, including health, motor, personal accident, home, and commercial insurance.
• It aligns with BoI’s vision to provide end-to-end financial solutions under one roof, enhancing
convenience for its vast customer base.
BoI Signs MoU with IAF for Rakshak Salary Package:
BoI also signed its first-ever Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Air Force (IAF) to extend
tailored banking benefits through the ‘BoI Rakshak Salary Package’ to IAF personnel, veterans, and
Agniveers recruited under the Agnipath scheme.
i.The MoU exchange ceremony held at the IAF Headquarters in New Delhi(Delhi), with Air Vice Marshal
Updesh Sharma, Assistant Chief of Air Staff(ACAS), Accounts & Air Veterans(Accts & AV) of the IAF,

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presiding over the event.

ii.The package includes enhanced financial perks such as:
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) coverage of Rs. 100 lakh,
• Air Accident Coverage of Rs. 200 lakh,
• Special benefits on debit and credit cards.
About Bank of India (BoI):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Rajneesh Karnatak
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 1906
About New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL):
NIACL is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) – Girija Subramanian
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 1919

Bandhan Bank Signs MoU with IAF for Shaurya Salary Account
In March 2025, Kolkata, West Bengal(WB) based Private lender Bandhan Bank has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Air Force (IAF) to introduce the Bandhan Bank
Shaurya Salary Account, a zero-balance corporate salary account tailored for IAF personnel, veterans,
and families.
• The account offers benefits like personalized
insurance coverage, competitive interest rates, and
access to over 1,700 branches across India.
i.The MoU was signed by Air Vice Marshal Updesh Sharma
VSM, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) (Accounts & Air Vet
erans), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India
(GoI); Debraj Saha, Head – Government Business Group,
Bandhan Bank in presence of other senior officials.
ii.This partnership further strengthens Bandhan Bank’s
existing role as a SPARSH (System for Pension Administration
Raksha) Service Centre for defence personnel.
• In collaboration with the Controller General of
Defence Accounts (CGDA), MoD, the bank operates
557 designated branches for processing pensions
and supporting defence pensioners and families.
Note: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Bandhan Bank as an Agency Bank authorized to handle
tax collections (Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC)) and disburse Central Civil Pension and Railway Pensions of Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

Luminous Signed MoU with SBI to Expand Solar Financing in India

In March 2025, Gurugram (Haryana)-based Luminous Power Technologies Private Limited, India’s
leading solar energy solutions company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai
(Maharashtra)-based India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), State Bank of India (SBI) to expand its
access to solar financing across the country.
• As part of this strategic partnership, Luminous has been on-boarded by SBI as its recommended
partner in its dedicated portal for solar loans.

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i.This partnership covers various other financing sub-categories like: solar solution finance and supply
chain finance, ensuring accessible and customized financial solutions for a wide range of energy
requirements.
ii.As per MoU, eligible customers can avail maximum loan of Rs 10 crore, thereby eliminating financial
hurdles to solar adoption.
iii.The loans disbursed will be repaid for a maximum period of 10 years, and interest rate will be charged
based on the customer credit profile.

OTHER BANK NEWS

Federal Bank Launched ‘Annuity Deposit’ for Resident Customers
Aluva (Kerala) based Federal Bank Limited, one of India’s leading private sector banks, has launched a
new term deposit product “Annuity Deposit”, specifically designed for resident customers offering stable
income for a period of 5 to 20 years
• Customers have the flexibility to select their preferred payout frequency: monthly, quarterly,
half-yearly, or annually, with each payout consisting of both principal and interest earned.
• The product was launched by Shalini Warrier, Executive Director (ED), Federal Bank.
i.To open an annuity deposit, the minimum investment required is Rs. 15 lakh, while the maximum
investment limit is Rs. 2 crore.
ii.The product is designed for customers seeking a reliable, pension-like income over an extended period,
with the flexibility to prematurely close their accounts in case of emergencies.
iii.Interest rates and tenures for Annuity Deposits are:

Tenure Resident General Public Resident Senior Citizen

5 Years 7.10% 7.60%

Above 5 -10 Years 6.60% 7.10%

Above 10-20 Years 6.25% 6.40%

Yes Bank Tops S&P Global CSA 2024, CDP, & Featured in Sustainability Yearbook 2025
In February 2025, the United States of America (USA) based S&P Global released the S&P
Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) 2024 and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP),
where Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Yes Bank Limited was recognized as India’s highest-rated bank in
sustainability for the third consecutive year.
• Yes Bank achieved a CSA score of 72 out of 100 and is the only Indian lender featured in
the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025.
• The bank also retained its A(Leadership Band) rating from CDP, highlighting its strong climate
risk management and disclosure practices.
Indicators:
The CSA evaluates up to 1,000 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators, covering areas
such as climate strategy, financial inclusion, human capital development, and corporate governance.
Highlights:
i.The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025 recognizes the top 15% of global banking leaders based on
their ESG performance(Score 73).

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• Out of 7,690 global firms assessed, only 780 companies were included in the Sustainability
Yearbook 2025, with 51 of them hailing from India.
ii.The CDP assessment, which evaluated over 22,000 organisations, placed Yes Bank at the leadership level
in 11 out of 17 key ESG parameters.
iii.In terms of governance, Yes Bank’s sustainability initiatives are overseen by a CSR and ESG Committee
at the Board Level.
iv.Additional ESG initiatives of Yes Bank include a commitment to reach net-zero emissions for Scope 1
and Scope 2 by 2030, along with the disclosure of financed emissions from electricity generation loans, in
line with global decarbonization standards.
ESG Distinctions:
• FTSE4Good Index Series: Included for the second consecutive year (2024)
• ISS ESG ‘Prime’ Status: YES Bank remains the only Indian Bank with this rating, reflecting
superior sustainability performance.
About Yes Bank Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Prashant Kumar
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 2004

HDFC Bank Executes 1st gold trade through IIBX

In February 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based HDFC Bank Limited becomes the first domestic bank to
trade 5 kilograms (kg) of gold at the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) in Gujarat International
Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gujarat.
• HDFC Bank is currently in the process of becoming a Special Category Client(SCC) on IIBX and is
now offering gold and silver forwards from Gift City.
i.The transaction was carried out by HDFC Bank’s GIFT City International Banking Unit (IBU) in
partnership with Mumbai based Hindustan Platinum Private Limited, a global leader in refining and
manufacturing high-purity precious metal products and industrial services.
ii.IIBX has extended an invitation to other nominated banks to join as SCCs and begin importing bullion
through the exchange.

SBI Life Insurance Introduces 2 New Child Insurance Plans: ‘Smart Future Star’ & ‘Smart Platina
Young Achiever’
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based SBI Life Insurance Company Limited (SBI Life), a joint
venture(JV) between the State Bank of India(SBI) and French insurer BNP Paribas Cardif,
introduced two new child focused insurance products: ‘SBI Life – Smart Future Star’ and ‘SBI Life –
Smart Platina Young Achiever’.
• These plans are designed to help parents address the rising costs of education, evolving career
aspirations, and increasing lifestyle expenses by providing financial security for their children’s
futures.
• Both products reflect SBI Life’s commitment to providing innovative financial solutions that
align with the evolving needs of customers, ensuring financial preparedness and independence
for children to fulfill their aspirations.
Key Features of ‘SBI Life – Smart Future Star’:
i.Product Type: Individual, Non-Linked, Participating, Life Insurance Savings Product.
ii.Benefits: Offers long-term corpus growth through bonuses and provides an in-built Waiver of Premium
benefit in case of the proposer’s death or Accidental Total Permanent Disability (ATPD).
iii.Flexibility: Provides multiple maturity payout options to cater to changing financial needs.

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Key Features of ‘SBI Life – Smart Platina Young Achiever’:

i.Product Type: Individual, Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Life Insurance Savings Product.
ii.Benefits: Ensures guaranteed maturity benefits to support children’s education, career, or marriage
aspirations, along with an in-built Waiver of Premium benefit under specified conditions.
iii.Approach: Offers a risk-free savings plan for parents seeking guaranteed returns.
About SBI Life Insurance Company Limited (SBI Life) :
SBI Life, established in October 2000, is a life insurance company registered with the Hyderabad
(Telangana) based Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) since March 2001.
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Amit Jhingran
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra

HDFC Bank Launches ‘Project HAKK’ to Support IAF Veterans and Families
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based HDFC Bank Limited has introduced ‘Project HAKK (Hawai
Anubhavi Kalyan Kendra-Serving those who have served)’ to provide comprehensive support and services
to Indian Air Force (IAF) pensioners, veterans, and their families.
• The initiative aims to enhance financial independence and access to essential services for the
defence community.
About Project HAKK:
i.HDFC Bank signed an Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the IAF, represented by the Office of
the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff(ACAS) – Accounts & Air Veterans, and New Delhi(Delhi) based CSC
Academy (promoted by Common Service Centre(CSC) E-Governance Limited).
• The MoU was signed by Satyen Modi, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Alternate
Banking Channels & Partnerships, HDFC Bank, Air Vice Marshal Updesh Sharma VSM –
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Accounts & Air Veterans) and Pravin Chandekar, Chief Executive
Officer(CEO) of CSC Academy.
ii.The bank will establish 25 centers across the IAF units in cities like Bengaluru(Karnataka),
Gurgaon(Haryana), Pune(Maharashtra), Secunderabad (Telangana), Guwahati(Assam),
Jodhpur(Rajasthan) and Chandigarh(Punjab).
iii.The project will provide access to over 500 Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Business-to-Customer
(B2C) services, including Aadhaar services, National Pension System (NPS), Permanent Account
Number(PAN) Card, passport services, and bill collection.
iii.In collaboration with CSC Academy, HDFC Bank will offer skill development programs under
its Parivartan programme, focused on financial products and services, empowering veterans and their
families to achieve financial independence.
About HDFC Bank Limited:
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Sashidhar Jagdishan
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded – 1994

Niva Bupa Launches ‘Rise’ to Empower India’s Missing Middle

On March 07, 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (formerly
Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited) has introduced ‘Rise’, a health insurance plan to address
the healthcare needs of India’s “Missing Middle”.
• The plan makes health insurance affordable, flexible, and customized to meet the needs of
underserved communities, offering individuals and families access to healthcare and financial
security.

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• It aligns with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India’s (IRDAI) vision
of “Insurance for All by 2047.
Key Features:
i.Affordable premiums: Rs. 6,416 to Rs. 8,669 (inclusive of 18% Goods and Service Tax, GST) for a Rs. 10
lakh sum insured.
ii.Flexi-Pay Benefit: Customers can start their policy by paying 20% of the total premium (e.g., Rs. 2,000
for a Rs. 10,000 premium) and pay the balance anytime during the policy tenure.
• Monthly subscriptions as low as 5% of the balance premium (e.g., Rs. 400) keep the policy
active.
iii.Smart Cash Benefit: Customers treated at a government hospital can claim a Rs. 5,000 cash payout for
post-treatment expenses.
iv.Return Benefit: 50% of the total premium paid is returned as
an additional sum insured, with a 10% annual bonus on the
accumulated amount.
v.Comprehensive Coverage: It covers hospitalization expenses,
pre-and post-hospitalization costs, and daycare procedures.
Missing Middle:
According to the NITI Aayog report (October 2021), Missing
Middle refers to 40 crore Indians who earn too much to qualify for
government health schemes but too little to afford private health insurance.
About Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Director (CEO) – Krishnan Ramachandran
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 2008

BoB Introduced “Bob Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account”
In March 2025, the first amongst public sector banks, Vadodara(Gujarat) based Bank of Baroda (BoB)
introduced ‘bob Global Women Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO)
Savings Account’, designed exclusively for women Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to fulfill their global
aspirations and unique banking needs.
i.The initiative aims to support their global aspirations with features such as an auto sweep facility for
higher interest earnings, concessional rates on home and auto loans, and reduced processing charges.
• This account includes a customised debit card with enhanced transaction limits, complimentary
domestic and international lounge access, free safe deposit locker, and free personal and air
accident insurance coverage.
ii.The Bank of Baroda serves its global customer base of over about 165 million through around 60,000
touch points spread across 17 countries on five continents.
iii.Additionally, BoB has redesigned its flagship NRI offerings, the bob Premium NRE and NRO Savings
Account, to improve its features and advantages and provide customers with a more pleasant banking
experience.

HDFC Bank, Indian Army, and CSC Academy Renew MoU to Expand Project NAMAN
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based HDFC Bank Limited, the Indian Army’s Directorate of Indian Army
Veterans (DIAV), and Common Service Centres (CSC) Academy (under CSC e-Governance Services India
Limited) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand Project NAMAN. This
initiative aims to support Army veterans, their families, and next of kin by providing essential services at
their doorstep.

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Project NAMAN:
Project NAMAN is a collaborative initiative designed to offer pension-related services, Government-to-
Citizen (G2C) services, and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) services to veterans and their families. The
project is implemented through CSCs, operated by veterans or their families, ensuring easy access to these
services within defence establishments.
• Phase 1(September 2023): The project established CSCs at 14 DIAV locations.
• Phase 2(March 2025): The project will now expand to 26 DIAV locations across Rajasthan,
West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu &
Kashmir, Meghalaya, Bihar, Odisha, and New Delhi.
Key Features
• Skill Development: Veterans and their families will receive training in financial products and
services to promote financial independence.
• Economic Inclusiveness: Supported under HDFC Bank’s Parivartan programme, the project
aims to build economic inclusiveness for defence service veterans.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Satyen Modi, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Alternate Banking
Channels & Partnerships, HDFC Bank, Mr. Pravin Chandekar, CEO, CSC Academy & Brigadier, Directorate of
Indian Army Veterans and also senior officials from HDFC Bank, CSC Academy, and the Indian Army.
About HDFC Bank Limited:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Sashidhar Jagdishan
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded – 1994
Indian Army (IA):
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Established – 1895
Motto – Seva Parmo Dharma (Service Before Self)

ADB Launches Frontier Seed (Pacific) Program to Boost Local Industries and Economic Growth
On March 17, 2025, Philippines based Asian Development Bank (ADB) introduced the Frontier Seed
(Pacific) program, to strengthen local capital markets, foster entrepreneurship, and support businesses
that drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth in frontier Pacific markets.
• The initiative aims to provide funding and technical assistance to businesses with
transformative potential.
• ADB aims to de-risk investments, encourage private-sector participation, and help local
industries become globally competitive.
Initial Investments:
i.Under the ADB Frontier Seed (Pacific) program, ADB has signed two USD 200,000 (approximately Rs.1.73
crore) cost-recoverable technical assistance agreements to support key industries in Fiji. The program’s
first two recipients are:
ii.SeaPAC Pte Ltd: A leading saltwater prawn producer in Fiji was granted USD 200,000 to expand
saltwater prawn production, enhancing food security and reducing reliance on seafood imports.
iii.Kahuto Pacific: An innovative aerial mapping company in Fiji, received USD 200,000 to develop coastal
mapping technologies for climate adaptation and disaster resilience.
Key Features:
i.The Frontier Seed (Pacific) program, supported by various partners, focuses on agriculture, Renewable
Energy (RE), fisheries, and technology to drive sustainable development and economic resilience in the
Pacific region.

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ii.Funding: ADB has allocated USD 2 million, with an additional USD 2 million from the Philippines based
Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation (ORCA) Trust Fund.
iii.Supporting Partners: Finland based Nordic Development Fund (NDF) and the United Kingdom’s (UK)
Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
About the Asian Development Bank (ADB):
The motto of the ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and
the Pacific region.
President and Chief Executing Officer(CEO)- Masato Kanda
Headquarters– Manila, Philippines
Established– 1966

BoB Launches Baroda mDigiNext Mobile App to Enhance Corporate Cash Management
In March 2025, Vadodara (Gujarat) based Bank of Baroda (BoB), one of India’s leading Public Sector Bank
(PSB), launched the’ Baroda mDigiNext’ mobile application (App), a dedicated cash management
services app for its corporate customers using Baroda Cash
Management Services (BCMS).
• The app aims to transform how businesses manage their
working capital and cash flows, bringing in greater
efficiencies and facilitating faster execution and ease of
operations.
• This makes BoB one of the few banks in India to introduce
an app exclusively designed to cater to corporate cash
management needs.
About Baroda mDigiNext mobile app:
i.The app simplifies cash management for corporates by providing 24/7 access to advanced financial
tools, helping them make quick and informed decisions to improve efficiency, convenience, and control
over cash flow.
ii.Key Features:
• Creation and authorization of one-to-one transactions.
• Authorizing and rejecting bulk uploads.
• End-to-end transaction and workflow tracking.
• Real-time inquiries on transaction status.
• Access to account summaries and mini-statements.
• Consolidated dashboard for all group entities.
• Enhanced security with One Time Password (OTP) verification and 3-Factor Authentication
(3FA).
iii.The app is currently available on Android platforms and will soon be launched on iPhone Operating
System (iOS).
Note: According to the Ministry of Finance(MoF), India reported digital fraud losses of Rs.4,245 crore
across 2.4 million incidents during the first 10 months (April–January) of the Financial Year 2024-
25(FY25).
About Bank of Baroda (BoB):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Debadatta Chand
Headquarters – Vadodara (Gujarat)
Founded – 1908

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PSBs’ Dividends Increases 33% to Rs 27,830 crore in FY24: GoI data

According to Government of India (GoI)’s latest data, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have witness an increase
of 32.7% in dividend payout to Rs 27, 830 crore in the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) compared to Rs
20, 964 crore recorded in FY23. This increase reflects a significant improvement in financial health of
these PSBs, compared to record losses of Rs 85,390 crore registered in FY18.
• Of the total dividend received, approximately 65% (Rs 18,013 crore) was paid to GoI towards
their stake in FY24.
• The data further revealed that GoI had received Rs 13,804 crore as dividend from PSBs
including Mumbai(Maharashtra) based State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest PSB, in FY23.
Key Findings:
i.Combined Net Profit of PSBs: The data highlighted that combined net profit of 12 Indian PSBs was at Rs
1.41 lakh crore in FY24 against net profit of Rs 1.05 lakh crore in FY23, and earned Rs 1.29 lakh crore in
nine months (April-December) of FY25.
ii.Largest contributor to Net profit: As per the data, SBI emerged as the largest contributor to the overall
net profit registered by PSBs during FY24 i.e. over 40% (Rs 61,077 crore), which marks an increase of 22%
compared to previous FY (Rs 50,232 crore).
iii.Highest net profit growth in terms of percentage: Among all Indian PSBs, New Delhi (Delhi)-based
Punjab National Bank (PNB) had the highest net profit growth of 228% at Rs 8,245 crore in FY24.
• It is followed by Mumbai based Union Bank of India (UBI) with 62% increase to Rs 13,649 crore
and Mumbai based Central Bank of India (CBI) with a increase of 61% to Rs 2,549 crore.
iv.PSBs registered over 50% increase in net profit: Mumbai based Bank of India (BOI) with
a 57% increase to Rs 6,318 crore in FY24; followed by Bank of Maharashtra (BOM) registered an increase
of 56% to Rs 4,055 crore and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Indian Bank recorded an increase of 53%
to Rs 8,063 crore.
Recent Related News:
The RBI released the Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2023-24 under Section 36 (2) of
the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The banks witnessed a Return on Assets (RoA) of 1.4% and Return on Equity (RoE) of 14.6% in
FY24.
• As per the report, net profit of scheduled commercial banks increased by 32.8% to Rs
3,49,603 crore during the last fiscal year.

HDFC Bank Launches ‘Embassy Fixed Deposit Scheme’

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based HDFC Bank Limited introduced the ‘Embassy Fixed
Deposit (FD) Scheme’, also termed the Diplomat FD Scheme, tailored for diplomatic staff and embassy
personnel in India.
• This USD-denominated FD caters to embassy employees, non-diplomatic staff, and diplomats,
enabling them to invest in foreign currency.
i.Key Features: The scheme permits deposits in tenures of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year.
• Unlike regular FDs, it excludes automatic renewal; upon maturity, funds are credited to the
investor’s foreign currency account.
• To reinvest, customers must submit a fresh application.
ii.Deposit Tenure and Amount: The minimum deposit is USD 5,000, with subsequent investments in
multiples of USD 1,000. The bank has not specified a maximum limit for deposits.
iii.Interest Rates: Interest rates are tenure-based and revised monthly on the 1st of every month.
iv.Premature Withdrawal Conditions:While premature withdrawals are permitted, a penalty fee applies.
Investors cannot alter the FD’s tenure post-investment.

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FINANCE NEWS
India Extends USD 1 Million for Food Fortification Project in Lao PDR
On February 28, 2025, the Government of India (GoI) extended a grant of approximately USD 1 million to
the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) under the India-United Nations (UN)
Development Partnership Fund.
• The grant will support the project titled ‘Strengthening Large-scale Food Fortification: The
Case of Investing in Rice Fortification.’
Key Points:
i.The project is implemented by the Rome(Italy) based World Food Programme (WFP), aims to strengthen
food systems, address long-term nutrition-specific strategies, promote food fortification programs, and
increase nutritional diversity and overcome micro-nutrient deficiencies in Lao PDR.
• It aims to solve ongoing malnutrition challenges by fortifying an essential food, rice, which is
widely consumed across Lao PDR.
ii.The project’s support is a reflection of India’s longstanding and multifaceted collaboration with the Lao
PDR.
iii.The Fund values the principles of South-South cooperation and prioritizes national ownership,
sustainability, and the development of local competence.
iv.The GoI has invested USD 150 million to this Fund, which has supported 85 projects across 65
countries.
v.India-UN Development Partnership Fund was established by the GoI in 2017. It supports projects in
developing countries that aim to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BoB Launches Merchant Loyalty/Cashback Programme to Boost CBDC

On 27 February 2025, Vadodara (Gujarat) based Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched a pilot for a “Merchant
Loyalty/Cashback Programme” using programmable Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for their
customers using “bob Merchant App”.
• The project was established under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), allows small
and medium-sized merchants to design and administer independent loyalty programmes.
i.Merchants banking with BoB and registered on its app can set up cashback offers without further
infrastructure costs.
ii.Pharmacies, grocery stores, and local retailers can customize campaigns by adjusting the duration,
cashback percentage and expiry date.
iii.Customers who use the digital rupee app to make purchases will receive cashback in the form of
programmable CBDC. This offer is currently available only to BoB account members. The cashback can be
redeemed at the same merchant outlet until expiry.
iv.The initiative aims to enhance CBDC usage by making digital payments more appealing to retailers and
customers. It is also supposed to help small businesses stay competitive by increasing customer retention
and repeat business.

CredResolve Secures USD 1.1 Million Funding to Expand AI-Based Debt Recovery Solutions
In March 2025, Gurugram (Haryana)-based CredResolution India Private Limited (CredResolve), an
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven debt collections platform, has secured USD 1.1 million in seed funding
from Bengaluru(Karnataka) Unleash Capital Partners, a Japanese venture capital (VC) firm, along
with CDM Capital based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The investment will help the company enhance its technology and improve debt recovery
processes while ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.

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i.With this funding, CredResolve plans to expand its partnerships with over 25 financial institutions
(FIs), including banks, fintech companies, Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Asset
Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
ii.The company will also invest in upgrading its AI-powered debt resolution platform to optimize
collections while maintaining compliance with financial regulations.
iii.CredResolve was founded in August 2023, currently serves over 20 lenders and has an annual
recurring revenue (ARR) of USD 1 million. In February 2024, CredResolve raised USD 100K in an angel
funding round.
• Its automated workflows improve efficiency, enhance borrower communication, and align with
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations.

India’s Top Life Insurers in 2025: HDFC, Max Life, and LIC Lead in terms of Claim Settlements
In March 2025, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) released annual
data on Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) in its latest ‘Handbook on Indian Insurance Statistics 2023-
24’. This report provides comprehensive information on how different insurers handle claims, which helps
the policymakers to make informed decisions.
• As per the report, the overall CSR for individual death claims within 30 days, including both
private insurers and Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
stood at 96.82% for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24).
• Notably, CSR for individual death claims within 30 days by India’s private insurers stood
at around 99% for FY24.
Top Performers:
i.Top Life Insurers in terms of number of policies: As per the report, New Delhi(Delhi) based Axis Max
Life Insurance Limited with 99.79% CSR in terms of number of policies (19,569), emerged as the biggest
insurer in India, closely followed by Mumbai based HDFC Life Insurance Company
Limited with 99.97% CSR, settling about 19,333 policies within a time period of 30 days.
ii.Top Life Insurers in terms of numbers of policies settled: LIC, India’s largest public-sector
insurer, topped in terms of most number of policies settled within 30 days i.e. it has
settled 7,99,612 policies in less than 30 days, with CSR of 96.42%.
• It is followed by Mumbai based SBI Life Insurance Company Limited which has settled 37,344
policies within the span of 30 days.
iii.Number of insurers with 100% CSR: Mumbai based Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited,
Mumbai based Ageas Federal Life Insurance Company Limited , Mumbai based Future Generali India Life
Insurance Company Limited (FGILI) and Gurugram(Haryana) based Aviva Life Insurance Company India
Limited achieved 100% CSR, which means they processed all individual death claims within 30 days.
iv.Top Insurers in terms of CSR by benefit amount: HDFC Life Insurance topped, with 99.98% of total
benefit amount paid out for claim settlement within 30 days, followed by Axis Max Life
Insurance with 99.97% of total benefit amount paid out for claim settlement within 30 days.
Other Key Points:
i.The report revealed that private insurers lead with highest CSR (99%) in terms of number of policies
settled i.e. 1,51,770 policies, within the time period of 30 days.
• Whereas, the combined CSR of LIC and private insurers in India stood at 96.82% with 9,
51,382 policies settled by them within 30 days.
ii.In FY24, Rs 11004.72 crore was paid as total benefit by private insurers, of which Rs 10738.9 was paid
within the time period of 30 days, with CSR by benefit amount stood at 97.58%.

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• While, the cumulative benefit amount paid (including both private insurers and LIC)in FY24 was
Rs 28,867.59 crore, of which Rs 27,750.33 crore was paid within the time period of 30 days,
with CSR by benefit amount stood at 96.13%.
Note: The data for 2023-24 does not include Sahara India Life Insurance Company Ltd (SILIC), as its life
insurance business was transferred to SBI Life Insurance on June 2, 2023, following an IRDAI directive.
Important Terms:
i.Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR): It is an important metric that shows the trustworthiness of an insurer. It
is expressed in terms of percentage of total claims settled by the company in the shortest possible window
of 30 days.
ii.CSR in terms of number of policies: This means number of life insurance policies sold by individual
insurers during the year.
iii.CSR in terms of benefit amount: This term refers to the company/insurer which is paying out a higher
proportion of the total claims it has collected during the year.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
IRDAI was constituted in 1999 and was later, incorporated as a statutory body in April 2000.
Chairperson– Debasish Panda
Headquarters-Hyderabad, Telangana

Poonawalla Fincorp Launches AI-Powered Underwriting Solution with IIT Bombay

In March 2025, Pune (Maharashtra)-based Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL), a Non-Banking Financial
Company (NBFC) under the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered
Underwriting Solution in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay),
Mumbai.
• This innovation targets faster and more accurate credit evaluation processes in retail lending.
i.Key Features:The solution merges AI with human oversight to automate loan application assessments.
• It analyzes multiple data points to streamline decision-making, ensuring efficiency, accuracy,
and scalability while prioritizing risk management.
• By reducing manual intervention, it accelerates credit approvals and strengthens PFL’s risk
management framework.
ii.Technological Framework:The system leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine
Learning (ML) algorithms to interpret complex data patterns.
iii.Impact :PFL anticipates a 40% increase in productivity for credit managers in retail lending, a sector
critical to financial inclusion.

Kuhoo Finance Secures NBFC License from RBI to Expand Education Loan Offerings
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Kuhoo Finance Private Limited, a student loan-focused fintech
platform backed by WestBridge Capital India Advisors Private Limited, received a Non-Banking Financial
Company (NBFC) license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• This approval enables the startup to directly disburse loans Up to Rs. 2 Crores from its own books,
enhancing its capacity to support students pursuing higher education.
• Kuhoo’s RBI approval positions it alongside other fintechs like Fi, Groww, Jupiter, and CRED that
have entered lending through NBFC routes.

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RBI Guidelines for NBFC License Eligibility:

To secure an NBFC license, entities must meet the following RBI criteria:
i.Minimum Net Owned Funds(NOF): Rs. 10 Crores (for non-deposit-
taking NBFCs).
ii.Company Structure: Registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
About Kuhoo Finance Private Limited:
India’s First Artificial intelligence(AI)-Driven Education Loan Expert
Founder & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Prashant A Bhonsle
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Established – 2021

IRDAI Grants First Private Reinsurance License to Valueattics Reinsurance

On March 12, 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India (IRDAI) approved the ‘R2’ license for Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Value Attics Reinsurance
Limited, marking the entry of the first private-sector reinsurer in India.
• This approval was given during the 129th meeting of the IRDAI board on March 12, 2025,
chaired by Debasish Panda.
• The licence, “R2” category for reinsurers, signifies the company’s authorization to conduct
reinsurance business exclusively.
Key Details:
i.Promoters: Valueattics Reinsurance is promoted by Oben Ventures LLP, led by Kamesh Goyal, and
Mauritius based FAL Corporation, associated with Prem Watsa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canada
based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.
• Initial Capital: The company will commence operations with a paid-up capital of Rs. 210 crore.
ii.Existing Player: Prior to this approval, the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based public-sector insurance
company General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) was the sole domestic reinsurer, operating since
1972.
• Post the 2001 insurance sector liberalization, GIC Re was designated as the national reinsurer.
iii.Additionally in the meeting, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based entities, Life Insurance Corporation of India
(LIC), New India Assurance Company, and General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) were identified as
Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, highlighting their
critical role in the sector.
• D-SII is an innovative platform that leverages advanced technology to optimize risk
management and enhance operational efficiency within the reinsurance sector.
Note: Currently, 13 foreign reinsurance branches, including global entities like Munich Re, Swiss Re, and
Lloyd’s of London, operate in India.
About Reinsurance:
Reinsurance is “insurance for insurance companies,” to ensure that no insurance company has too much
exposure to a large event or disaster.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
IRDAI was constituted in 1999 and was incorporated as a statutory body in April, 2000.
Chairperson – Debasish Panda
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana

IRDAI Appoints 5 New members to Enhance Insurance Advisory Panel

In March 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
(IRDAI) appointed 5 New members of experts from various sectors to improve regulatory decisions and
strengthen the insurance sector’s overall framework in the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC).
New Appointments to the IAC:
• Shri. M. R. Kumar, former Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Mumbai
(Maharashtra)

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• Shri. Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), Mumbai
(Maharashtra)
• Ms. Vishakha Mulye, Chief Executive Officer of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, Mumbai
(Maharashtra)
• Shri. Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited,
Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• Ms. Alice Geevarghese Vaidyan, former Chairman and Managing Director of General Insurance
Corporation Re (GIC Re), Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Notably, Mr. Dinesh Kumar Khara is also leading a high-level committee formed by IRDAI to review
proposed amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938.
Role and Structure of the IAC:
i.The IAC is instrumental in advising IRDAI on regulatory matters concerning the insurance industry. It
comprises members from various sectors, including commerce, industry, and consumer groups.
ii.The committee can have a maximum of 25 members, excluding IRDAI’s chairperson and other ex-officio
members.
Regulatory Reforms of IAC:
IAC will submit its report within three months for review by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), as
part of ongoing reforms that may include composite licenses for insurers and a possible increase in the
foreign direct investment (FDI) limit to 100%.
Note:
The IAC was established in the year 2000 by the IRDAI under the provisions of the Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority Act, 1999.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
Chairman – Debasish Panda
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Established – 1999

BluPine Energy secures Rs 1,787 cr funding from NaBFID

In March 2025, Gurugram(Haryana) based BluPine Energy Private Limited, a Renewable Energy(RE)
services company backed by global infrastructure investor Actis, has secured Rs 1,787 crore in funding
from Mumbai(Maharashtra) based National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and
Development (NaBFID).
• The funding will assist BluPine Energy in reducing debt servicing costs, enhancing cash flow,
repowering solar assets, and providing greater financial flexibility.
i.The transaction follows a structured arrangement encompassing a Restricted Group of 14 Special
Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) located across Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka, featuring projects with both
central and state off-takers.
ii.The funds will be used to repower existing solar assets, boosting their efficiency and improving
operational performance.
iii.Backed by an USD800 million investment from Actis’ Energy Fund 5, BluPine Energy plans to develop a
renewable energy portfolio exceeding 4 Gigawatt(GW) in India.
Note: NaBFID is a specialized bank established by an Act of Parliament in 2021 to support long-term
infrastructure financing in India, has structured this transaction to support India’s transition to renewable
energy.

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IREDA Secured JPY 26 billion ECB Facility from SBI Tokyo

In March 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
Limited (IREDA), ‘Navratna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the control of Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has signed Japanese Yen (JPY) 26 billion (Rs 1,476 crore) facility
agreement for raising External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) from India’s largest Public Sector Bank
(PSB), State Bank of India (SBI)’s Tokyo branch in Japan.
• This facility agreement also includes a green shoe option of JPY 10 billion.
Key Points:
i.This unsecured loan facility is signed for a period of 5 years and will be repaid in a single payment at
maturity.
• It is expected to improve IREDA’s presence in international financial markets.
ii.As per IREDA, the landed cost (following hedging) is projected to be less than 7%. Thus, making it more
cost-effective compared to similar-tenure loans in the domestic market.
Note: Overallotment, also known as greenshoe option is an option exercised by the underwriter to buy
back a certain number of company’s shares at a fixed price to shore up the share price.
About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency(IREDA):
IREDA is a Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI), which is engaged in promoting, developing and
extending financial support to set up sustainable projects.
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)– Pradip Kumar Das
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 1987

Zuno General Insurance become India’s first insurer to Integrates ‘PHYD’ as Standard Feature
in Motor Insurance
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Zuno General Insurance Limited (formerly Edelweiss
General Insurance) has launched ‘Zuno SmartDrive’, making Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD) a standard
feature in its motor insurance policies.
• This makes Zuno the first insurer in India to integrate mobile telematics into car insurance
policies at no additional cost, shifting from traditional fixed pricing to behavior-based
premiums.
Key Features of PHYD:
i.The PHYD system uses mobile telematics to evaluate driving patterns, including speed, braking habits,
and distraction levels. Previously offered as an add-on, PHYD is now automatically included in all new
and renewed policies. Policyholders can monitor their driving scores via the Zuno app, which provides
real-time feedback and tips to improve driving behavior.
ii.Benefits for Policyholders:
• Personalized Premiums: Safe drivers can lower insurance costs through dynamic premium
calculations based on actual driving performance.
• Rewards System: Policyholders earn weekly and monthly rewards and compete on a
leaderboard within the app.
• Cost Control: Drivers gain direct influence over their premiums by improving driving habits,
marking a shift from uniform pricing models.
iii. Significance: Zuno’s move introduces a data-driven approach to motor insurance in India, aligning
with global trends of using technology for risk assessment.

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ECONOMY & BUSINESS NEWS

India’s Grew at 6.2% in Q3FY25; Economy to Expand 6.5% in FY25: NSO’s 2nd Advanced
Estimates
On February 28 2025, the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) released the Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of Annual Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25); Quarterly Estimates of GDP for Q3 (October-December 2024) of
FY25 along with its expenditure components.
• Apart from them, it has also released data for First Revised Estimates (FRE) for FY23-24 as well
as Second Revised Estimates or Final Estimates (FE) for FY22-23, revised upwards due to a
change in computation methodology.
• As per the NSO data, India’s Real GDP grew at 6.2% in Q3FY25, which is higher than 5.6%
(revised estimate) in Q2(July-September) of FY25. However, this growth rate is significantly
lower than 9.5% registered in Q3FY24.
• It has also estimated that India’s GDP will grow at 6.5% for full FY25, which is slightly higher
than 6.4% estimated in First Advanced Estimates (FAE) released in January 2025.
• But, this projection is 270 basis points (bps) lower than 9.2% (revised estimate) in FY24.
Note: NSO released these estimates both at Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices, in accordance with the
release calendar of National Accounts.
Growth Estimates for Q3FY25:
i.Real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices(2011-12) is estimated at Rs.47.17 lakh crore in Q3FY25
compared to Rs.44.44 lakh crore in Q3FY24,4, showing a growth rate of 6.2%.
ii.Nominal GDP saw the growth rate of 9.9% in Q3FY25,it is estimated at Rs.84.74 lakh crore in Q3FY25
as against Rs.77.10 lakh crore in Q3FY24.
iii.Real Gross Value Added (GVA) rose 6.2% in Q3FY25 compared to 5.8% in Q3FY24,reaching
Rs.43.13 lakh crore in Q3FY25, against Rs.40.60 lakh crore in Q3FY24.
iv.Nominal GVA grew 10.2% in Q3FY25,reaching Rs.77.06 lakh crore (in Q3FY25) compared to Rs.69.90
lakh crore (in Q3FY24).
V.Sectoral Growth Performance in Q3FY25:– This growth of Nominal GVA is mainly driven by growth of
sectors like: agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing (22%); public administration, defence and other
services (14%); manufacturing (13%) construction (8%), among others.
• Agriculture Livestock, Forestry & Fishing Sector registered 5-quarter high growth of 5.6% in
Q3FY25, compared to 4.1% registered in Q2FY25.
• Manufacturing sector registered a growth rate of 3.5% as against 2.1% (in Q2FY25). However,
this growth rate is far below 14% growth registered in Q3FY24.
Points to be noted
• Primary Sector: It comprises Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry & Fishing and Mining &
Quarrying.
• Secondary Sector: Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water supply & Other Utility Services
and Construction.
• Tertiary Sector: Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication and Services related to
Broadcasting, Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services and Public Administration, Defence
& Other Services.

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Growth Estimates for full FY25:

i.Real GDP or GDP at Constant (2011-12) prices is estimated at 6.5% during 2024-25 as compared to
9.2% in 2023-24.It is estimated at Rs.187.95 lakh crore in FY25 compared to Rs.176.51 lakh crore in FRE
of GDP for FY24.
ii.Nominal GDP saw the growth rate of 9.9% in FY25, lower than 12% registered in FY24.It is expected to
reach at Rs.331.03 lakh crore in FY25 as against Rs.301.23 lakh crore in FY24.
iii.Real Gross Value Added (GVA) registered a growth of 6.4% in FY25 over the growth rate of 8.6% in
FY24. It is estimated at Rs.171.80 lakh crore in FY25, against Rs.161.51 lakh crore in FRE for FY24.
iv.Nominal GVA showed a growth of 9.5% in FY25. It is estimated to achieve Rs.300.15 lakh crore during
FY25) compared to Rs.274.13 lakh (in FY24).
GDP for FY 2024-25 and its Expenditure Components (at 2011- 12 Prices)
• Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE),a measure of household spending, is projected
to grow from 5.6% in FY24 to 7.6% in FY25.
• Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) is expected to decline from 8.1% in FY24
to 3.8% in FY25,
• Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF),represents investment demand is estimated to slow down
from 8.8% in FY24 to 6.1% in FY25.
Other Key Projections:
India’s economic growth in FY25 is primarily driven by a strong agricultural sector, which is projected to
grow at 4.6%. However, other key sectors show a slowdown compared to the previous year FY24.
• Manufacturing is expected to grow at 4.3%, significantly lower than 12.3% in FY24.
• Construction growth is estimated at 8.6%, down from 10.4% in FY24.
Revised GDP Estimates
i.The National Statistical Office (NSO) has revised India’s Real GDP growth for FY24 from 8.2% to
9.2%, marking the highest growth in 12 years, except for 9.7% in FY22. This increase is primarily driven
by Manufacturing (12.3%),Construction (10.4%),and Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services
(10.3%).
ii.Real GDP for FY23 has been revised upward to 7.6% from the previous estimate of 7%.
iii.Additionally, the growth rate of Real GDP for Q2FY25 has been increased to 5.6%, reflecting a positive
economic momentum.

CRISIL Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.5% in FY26

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based CRISIL Limited (formerly Credit Rating Information
Services of India Limited), a leading global rating agency, released its outlook for the Financial Year 2025-
26 (FY26). It projects India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.5% for FY26.
• This forecast indicates a deceleration from the 9.2% growth achieved in FY25.
• This growth forecast is supported by expectations of a normal monsoon, softer commodity
prices, and a recovery in private consumption.
Key Growth Drivers:
i.Monsoon and Commodity Prices: CRISIL’s forecast is based on the assumption of a normal monsoon
and stable commodity prices, which are expected to support agricultural output and overall economic
stability.
ii.Private Consumption: Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) is expected to grow at 7.6% in
FY25, which is anticipated to drive overall economic growth.
• This recovery is expected to be fueled by healthy agricultural production and cooling food
inflation.

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• The recent tax benefits introduced in the Union Budget 2025-26 and increased allocations for
key schemes are also expected to boost consumption.
iii.Investment Growth: Investment growth will depend on sustained growth in private corporate
investment.
• The government’s capital expenditure (capex) plans are expected to normalize to meet fiscal
deficit targets, limiting overall fiscal stimulus.
Points to Note:
i.Emerging risks from potential United States of America (USA) tariff hikes and global trade uncertainty
could negatively impact domestic growth
ii.Increased imports from China due to trade re-direction might also impact India’s net exports in FY26.
About CRISIL Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Amish Mehta
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established– 1987

S&P Global Lowers India’s GDP Growth to 6.5% for FY26

On March 25, 2025, New York, the United States of America (USA) based S&P Global Ratings (formerly
Standard & Poor’s) released its Economic Outlook for Asia-Pacific(APAC) 2025. It lowered India’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the fiscal year 202-26 (FY26) to 6.5% from the previous
projection of 6.7%.
• This revision comes amid global economic pressures and assumes normal monsoon conditions
and softer prices for commodities, particularly crude oil.
i.The lowered growth forecast is mainly due to external factors, such as rising United States (US) tariffs and
the global pushback on globalization, which are expected to affect economies in the APAC region, including
India.
ii.Despite the external challenges, S&P Global Ratings expects India’s domestic demand to remain robust,
supported by factors such as cooling food inflation and tax incentives announced in India’s Union Budget
2025-26.

Fitch Ratings kept India’s GDP Unchanged at 6.5% in FY26; Increased GDP forecast for FY27 to
6.3%
In March 2025, New York (the United States of America, USA)-based credit rating agency, Fitch
Ratings released its March edition of the Global Economic Outlook (GEO). The report has kept India’s
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) projection unchanged to 6.5% for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26).
• While, it has raised India’s GDP forecast for FY27 to 6.3%, from 6.2% in its December 2024
edition of GEO, amid the United States of America(USA) instigated global trade war.
Key Findings:
i.Growth Rate for FY25: The report showed that India’s GDP growth has recovered in 4th Quarter (Q4:
January-March) of FY25 to 6.2% compared to 5.4% in Q3FY25.
• This growth rate was mainly driven by increased private and public spending including capital
spending; and strong agricultural growth.
• It has further projected that overall India’s GDP for full FY25 will be 6.3%.
• Fitch has lowered the global growth rate, from 2.9% (in 2024) to 2.3% for the year 2025.
ii.Decrease in Inflation:As per the report, consumer price inflation decreased from 4.3% (in January
2025) to 3.6% (in February 2025) due to decline in food price inflation.
• The report has further projected that food price dynamics will drive a gradual decline in India’s
headline inflation to 4.0% by December 2025.

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• However, it has estimated a slight increase in inflation to 4.3% by December 2026.

iii.Projects Policy Rate Cuts: The credit rating agency has projected two additional cuts in the policy rate
for this calendar year (CY) i.e. from current 6.25% to 5.75% (by December 2025).
iv.Neutral Net Exports Growth: The report highlighted that net exports have contributed significantly in
India’s GDP growth for this year due to strong export growth and decreasing imports. It has further
estimated the net exports contribution to India’s GDP will mainly be neutral in FY26 and FY27.
About Fitch Ratings:
President- Ian Linnell
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established- 1914

NSO: Retail Inflation declines at 7-month Low of 3.6% in February 2025; IIP Grows by 5% in
January 2025
In March 2025, National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for rural, urban and combined for
the month of February 2025. As per the official data, Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India
Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of February, 2025 over February, 2024 is 3.61% down from
4.26% in the preceding month.
• This decline is driven by a sharp decrease of 222 basis points in food inflation, from 5.97% (in
January 2025) compared to 3.75% (February 2025), marking the lowest level since May 2023
(3.19%).
• The data further revealed that Industrial Index Production (IIP) witnessed the growth
of 5.0% in January 2025, compared to 3.2% observed in December 2024.
• Food Inflation: Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)
for the month of February, 2025 over February, 2024 is 3.75% (Provisional).
Key Findings related to Inflation:
i.Rural Inflation: Rural sector of the country saw significant decrease in both headline inflation and food
inflation in February 2025.
• The headline inflation decreased from 4.59% (in January 2025) to 3.79% (Provisional).
• While, the rural CFPI-based food inflation declined from 6.31% (in January 2025) to 4.06% (in
February 2025).
ii.Urban Inflation: Just like rural inflation, the headline inflation of urban sector has significantly
decreased from 3.87% (in January 2025) to 3.32% (Provisional) in February 2025.
• Similarly, food inflation dropped from 5.53% to 3.20% for the same period of time as for
headline inflation.
iii.Combined inflation rate for both rural and urban sector for other key domains: fuel & light (-
1.33%); education (3.83%); health (4.12%); transport and communication (2.87%).
iv.Items with highest & lowest inflation rate (February 2025): Coconut oil (54.48%) & Ginger (-
35.81%) respectively.
v.Top 5 States/UTs with highest inflation rate: Kerala topped among all Indian states or Union
Territories (UT) with high Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) inflation rate of 7.31% for the month of February 2025,
followed by UT Chandigarh (4.89%), Karnataka (4.49%), Bihar (4.47%) and UT Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
(4.28%).
About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementaion (MoSPI):
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC)-Rao Inderjit Singh (Constituency- Gurugram,
Haryana)

Rupee112 Launches India’s First Fully Automated WhatsApp Loan Disbursal

In February 2025, Gurugram (Haryana) based fintech startup Rupee112 launched India’s first fully
automated loan disbursal service through WhatsApp, enabling salaried professionals to access unsecured
loans immediately.

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• The service reduces approval times and eliminates paperwork to quicken the lending process by
using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
i.The platform allows borrowers to secure loans ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,00,000 by messaging
Rupee112’s official WhatsApp number.
• Once the request is submitted, the system verifies the user’s information in real time and
transfers the funds directly to their bank accounts within minutes.
ii.The launch of this service highlights the growing role of AI in digital lending, particularly in simplifying
verification and eliminating manual interaction.

ICRA Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.5% for FY26

In March 2025, India’s Credit Rating Agency, ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit
Rating Agency of India Limited) released its latest FY2026 GDP Outlook report. The report has projected
that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at 6.5% in Financial Year 2025-26(FY26) compared
to 6.3% expected in FY25.
• This growth projection is driven by expectations of a pickup in both rural and urban demand, as
well as increased investment activity.
• The rating agency has also projected that the Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic price is expected
to grow by 6.3% for FY26, supported by a recovery in consumption and investment activity.
Key Findings:
i.India’s GDP and GVA growth increased to 6.2% each in Quarter (Q3: October-December) of FY25 from
5.6% and 5.8%, respectively, in Q2FY25.
ii.As per the report, India’s GDP is projected to grow at an average rate of 6.7% from 2025 to 2031, with
manufacturing GVA expected to expand at 9%.
iii.The report has projected that overall agriculture GVA growth will be at 3.5%-4.0% in FY26 compared
to increase of 4.6% in FY25 Second Advance Estimate (SAE).
iv.The report cited that the growth in Capital Expenditure (capex) deployment by Government of India
(GoI) and state governments will play a pivotal role in supporting India’s GDP growth for FY26.
• The report highlighted that 17% increase in the GoI’s effective capex in FY26 budget estimate
and increase in the allocation towards the 50-year interest-free capex loan to state governments
is likely to augur well for construction activity and GDP growth.
v.The report has cautioned that external demand will remain subdued in FY26 due to the risks of potential
trade wars, redirection of trade flows, disruption of supply chains, among others.
• These factors are most likely to affect India’s merchandise exports in FY26.
About ICRA Limited:
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Ramnath Krishnan
Headquarters- Gurugram, Haryana
Established- 1991

India’s GDP Growth Estimated at 7.6% in Q4 FY25: SBI Research

According to the State Bank of India (SBI) Research report released in February 2025, India’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the fourth quarter of the Financial Year 2024-25 (Q4 FY25) is
estimated at 7.6%.
• The real GDP growth rate of 9.2% for FY24 is the highest in the past 12 years, excluding FY22,
which recorded 9.7% growth, the highest since India’s independence.
i.India registered a 6.2% GDP growth in Q3 FY25, bouncing back from 5.6% growth in Q2 FY25.
ii.Strong performance in agriculture and industry contributed to a 6.2% increase in Gross Value Added

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(GVA) in Q3 FY25, rising from 5.8% in Q2 FY25. iii.The industrial sector also grew by 4.5% in Q3 FY25, up
from 3.8% in Q2 FY25.
• Both electricity, gas, water supply, and other utility services, and mining and quarrying grew by
5.1% and 1.4%, respectively.
iv.With better policy making and proofing leakage of benefits through DBT, the per capita GDP at current
prices is estimated at Rs 2.35 lakh in FY25, with decadal Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) growth of
9.1% .

India Emerged as Top Source Country for FDI into Dubai with USD 3 billion Investment
According to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism data, India has emerged as the top source country for
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with investment worth USD 3.018
billion in 2024, which shows a 5-times increase from USD 589 million in 2023.
• India accounted 21.5% of total FDI inflow in 2024, followed by the United States of America (USA)
(13.7%); France (11%); the United Kingdom (UK) (10%) and Switzerland (6.9%).
Dubai Topped in Key FDI Sectors in 2024:
i.According to Dubai FDI Monitor, Dubai attracted a record-breaking United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 52.3
billion (USD 14.24 billion) in 2024, which marks an increase of 33.2% from AED 39.26 billion (USD 10.69
billion) in 2023.
• This is also the highest annual FDI investment recorded since 2020.
ii.In 2024, Dubai attracted 1,117 Greenfield FDI projects, which is highest in its history. It had announced
1,826 FDI projects in 2024, marking an increase of 11% from 1,650 projects in 2023.
iii.Top 5 countries in total announced FDI projects: The UK (17%), followed by India (15%); The USA
(14%); France (4.5%), and Italy (4%).
• As per Dubai’s Economy and Tourism official data, These 5 countries cumulatively accounted for
approximately 55% of all FDI projects in Dubai.
iii. According to the Financial Times Ltd.’s ‘fDi Markets’ data Dubai has been ranked the world’s No.1
destination for Greenfield Foreign Direct investment (FDI) projects for the fourth successive year.
India-Specific:
i.According to Dubai’s Economy and Tourism official data, total FDI investment by India in Dubai reached
at nearly USD 2.013 billion, with 275 announced FDI projects (up from 249 in 2023).
ii.The Greenfield FDI projects from India in 2024 remained same as in 2023 i.e. at 73.5% of total investments.
• In contrast to it, reinvestment FDI projects increased from 1.2% (2023) to 3.3% (in 2024).
About United Arab Emirates (UAE):
Capital- Abu Dhabi
President- Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Currency- Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

Moody’s Upgrades India’s GDP Growth to Exceed 6.5% for FY26

On March 12, 2025, New York, the United States of America(the USA) based Moody’s Rating released it report
titled ‘Banking System Outlook – India’, revised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for the Financial
Year 2025-26 (FY26), projecting it to exceed 6.5%, up from 6.3% in FY25.
• The upgrade is driven by higher government capital expenditure(CapEx), tax cuts for middle-class
income groups to boost consumption, and monetary easing through interest rate reductions.
• India’s real GDP growth had slowed to 5.6% in the July-September 2024 quarter(Q2 of FY25) before
rebounding to 6.2% in the following quarter.
Key Points:
i.Inflation: Moody’s expects India’s average inflation rate to decline to 4.5% in FY26 from 4.8% in
FY25, reflecting the positive effects of monetary easing.
ii.Sector Contributions: The boost in economic growth is attributed to increased government capital

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expenditure, tax cuts, and easing of interest rates, all of which are expected to strengthen consumption.
iii.Banking Sector: Moody’s projects a stable outlook for India’s banking sector in FY26, although it expects a
moderate deterioration in asset quality, in unsecured retail loans, Micro Finance Loans (MFLs), and Small
Business Loans (SBLs).
• Banks’ profitability will remain adequate, with only marginal declines in net interest margins due to
modest rate cuts.
iv.Loan Growth: System-wide loan growth is anticipated to slow to 11-13% in FY26, compared to the average
of 17% from March 2022 to March 2024, as banks aim to keep loan growth in line with deposit expansion.
Note: Moody’s also indicated that after a temporary slowdown in mid-2024, India’s economy will reaccelerate,
maintaining its strong growth trajectory heading into FY26.

Rentokil Initial Hygiene Achieves Carbon Neutrality for 2024 in India

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Rentokil Initial Hygiene Private Limited, (part of United
Kingdom (UK) Based Rentokil Initial Plc.,) a global leader in hygiene services, has announced that it has
achieved carbon neutrality for the year 2024 through recycling, clean energy, eco-conscious logistics, and
digital efficiency, marking a key step toward its goal of net zero emissions by 2040.
• The achievement encompasses Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from
energy use), with significant progress made in Scope 3 (indirect emissions across the value chain).
Sustainability Achievements in 2024:
i.Battery Recycling: Recycled over 58% of used batteries, cutting down 2.69 tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent
(CO₂e) emissions.
ii.Advanced Waste Management: Transitioned to Low-Temperature Thermal Destruction (LTTD) technology,
converting waste into eco-friendly materials like bricks and pots, avoiding 21.14 tons of CO₂e from sanitary
waste.
ii.Energy Efficiency: Installed 310 Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights across company facilities, reducing energy
use by 13,020 kilowatt-hour (kWh) and cutting 9 tons of CO₂e.
iii.Digital Transformation: Moved to paperless processes, saving 792 kilograms (kg) of paper and reducing 9
tons of CO₂e emissions.

MSME Sector Achieves Growth with Notable Reduction in Non-Performing Assets

On 11th March 2025, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced that over the past 5 years, the Micro, Small,
and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has seen a steady rise in total advances. At the same time, the
sector has experienced a consistent decline in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and the Gross NPA ratio.
• According to provisional data for Financial Year (FY) 2025, up to December 31, 2024, both Gross
NPAs and the Gross NPA ratio have decreased.
Growth in MSME Advances:
i.Advances Outstanding: As of March 31, 2020, the total advances outstanding to the MSME sector stood
at Rs.16.98 lakh crore. By March 31, 2024, this amount increased to Rs.28.04 lakh crore, showing a
steady increase in financial support for the sector.
ii.Gross NPAs: The Gross NPAs of the MSME sector decreased from Rs.1.87 lakh crore (11% of total
advances) in Financial Year (FY) 2020 to Rs.1.25 lakh crore (4% of total advances) by FY2024. This
represents a significant reduction in the sector’s NPA ratio.

Key Government and RBI Measures:

To address NPAs and strengthen the sector, the Government of India (GoI) and RBI implemented the
following measures:
i.Framework for Revival and Rehabilitation (2015): Introduced via Gazette Notification S.O. 1432(E) on
29th May 2015, this framework provided a structured mechanism to resolve stressed MSME accounts.
ii.Prudential Framework for Stressed Assets (2019): Mandated early recognition and time-bound
resolution of NPAs by lenders.
iii.Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP): Operationalized under the Insolvency and

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Bankruptcy Code (IBC) for quicker, cost-effective MSME debt resolution.

iv.COVID-19 Relief Measures: Included loan moratoriums, revised working capital norms, and resolution
frameworks (1.0 & 2.0) to ease pandemic-induced stress.
v.Union Budget 2024-25: Announced a new mechanism to ensure uninterrupted credit flow to stressed
MSMEs.

India to Become World’s 3rd Largest Economy by 2028: Morgan Stanley

In March 2025, New York (the United States of America, USA)-based brokerage firm, Morgan Stanley has
projected that India will become the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2028, supported by macro-
stability influenced policy and better infrastructure. India will overtake Germany (which is currently
world’s 3rd largest economy) as its economy is most likely to expand to USD 5.7 trillion in 2028.
• It has further projected that the Indian economy will expand from USD 3.5 trillion (in 2023) to
USD 4.7 trillion (in 2026), which will make it the world’s 4th largest economy behind the
United States of America (USA), China and Germany.
Key Projections:
i.Morgan Stanley highlighted that over the period of time Indian economy has improved its global position
i.e. India was world’s 12th largest economy in 1990, dropped to 13th spot in 2000 and then increasing to
9th (in 2020) and 5th (in 2023).
ii.As per Morgan Stanley, India’s share of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase
from 3.5% to 4.5% in 2029.
iii.It has further projected 3 different situations for India’s growth: Bear, Base and Bull.
• Bear Scenario: In this case, the Indian economy is expected to increase from USD 3.65 trillion
(in 2025) to USD 6.6 trillion (in 2035), with its per capita GDP increasing from USD 2,514 to
USD 4,247 for the same period of time.
• Base Scenario: In this case, the Indian economy is expected to increase to USD 8.8 trillion, and
its per capita GDP will be USD 5,683.
• Bull Scenario: In this case, the Indian economy is expected to USD 10.3 trillion, and its per
capita GDP will be USD 6,706.
iv.It has estimated that India’s GDP will be 6.3% for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) and 6.5% (FY26).
v.Headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) has eased from its near-term peak close to 4%, attributed by
moderating food prices while core inflation continues to be stable.
• The headline inflation depends on food prices (account 46% of the CPI basket), is projected to
soften in upcoming months.
• It has estimated that inflation will be 4.3% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) in FY27 compared to 4.9% in
FY25.
vi.It has projected that India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) will remain 1% of GDP in FY27, reflecting
continued resilience in the external balance sheet.
About Morgan Stanley:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Ted Pick
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established- 1935

OECD Revises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.4% for FY 2024-25

On March 17, 2025, Paris (France) based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) adjusted India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast
for Financial Year 2024-25(FY25), to 6.4%, slightly up
from 6.3% in FY24.
• This marks a modest uptick, but is still lower by 0.50% from
the previous estimate made in December 2024.
• Despite the moderation, India remains the fastest-growing
major economy in the coming years.
Highlights:
i.Economic Outlook: The 6.6% growth projected for FY26 remains strong despite a slight downward
revision.

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ii.Global Economic Projections: The OECD also revised its global GDP growth forecast
for 2025 from 3.3% to 3.1%, largely driven by trade barriers and geopolitical uncertainties.
• The Euro area growth is forecast at 1.0% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026, amidst heightened
uncertainty.
iii.Sector Contributions: The economic slowdown is attributed to weaker-than-expected growth in
industrial sectors, despite positive momentum in services and agriculture.
• Industrial growth is projected to remain subdued, while the services sector continues to drive
growth.
iv.Inflation & Monetary Policy: The OECD forecasts a gentle decline in interest rates in India, aiming to
maintain inflation expectations at manageable levels.
• For FY27, OECD projected inflation to fall to 4.1 percent.
v.Geopolitical Risks: The OECD noted that trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions are contributing
to higher costs for both production and consumption.
About Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
The Convention on the OECD was signed on 14 December 1960, and the OECD officially superseded the
OEEC in September 1961.
Secretary-General (SG)-Mathias Cormann
Headquarters- Paris, France

CBDT Notifies Ten year ZCB of PFC

In March 2025, The Ministry of Finance (MoF), through the New Delhi(Delhi) based Central Board of Direct
Taxes (CBDT) notified the “Ten Year Zero Coupon Bond of Power Finance Corporation Limited
(PFC)” as a Zero Coupon Bond (ZCB) under clause (48) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
• The bond is designed to provide a long-term investment option with a fixed maturity value,
offering investors a discounted purchase price and a guaranteed return upon maturity.
i.Key Details of the Bond:
• Name: Ten Year Zero Coupon Bond of PFC.
• Life Period: 10 years and 1 month (121 months)
• Issue Date: To be issued on or before March 31, 2027.
• Maturity Amount: Rs. 1,00,000 per bond with a discount of Rs. 49,546 per bond.
• Number of Bonds: 10 lakh bonds will be issued.
ii.These bonds carry interest rate risk if sold before maturity. Their value decreases when interest rates
rise and increases when rates fall.
iii.If the holding period is over 12 months, the gains are subject to a Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax of
12.5%, which is lower compared to many other investment options.
Note: A ZCB, or discount bond, is a debt instrument that doesn’t pay regular interest. Instead, it is sold for
less than its face value, and the difference between the purchase price and face value is the investor’s
return at maturity.

Amazon, Google & Meta Support Global Nuclear Energy Expansion by 2050
In March 2025, Amazon, Alphabet’s Google, and Meta Platforms signed a pledge to support the global
initiative to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
• The pledge, led by London, the United Kingdom(UK) based World Nuclear
Association (WNA) on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference in
Houston, the USA.
• The companies are investing in small nuclear reactors, a developing technology expected to
reduce costs and construction timelines for new reactors.
i.The pledge seeks to expand nuclear energy worldwide to meet rising energy needs and reduce carbon
emissions.
ii.This pledge, first adopted at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in December 2023,
aims to address the growing energy demands of the tech sector and combat climate change.
iii.Over 20 countries, including the United States of America (USA), and financial institutions like Bank of
America, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, and Morgan Stanley have backed the initiative.

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UK’s Prudential plc & HCL Group Announces JV for Health Insurance in India
In March 2025, the London, United Kingdom (UK) based Prudential plc, a global financial services group,
has announced the establishment of a standalone health insurance company in India in partnership with
New Delhi (Delhi) based Vama Sundari Investments Private Limited (Vama Delhi), a firm owned by the
HCL Group promoter.
• Subject to regulatory approvals, Prudential Group Holdings, a subsidiary of Prudential plc, will
hold a 70% stake in the joint venture (JV), while Vama Sundari Investments will own the
remaining 30%.
• It aligns with India’s vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’
i.The health insurance JV will be led by Amar Joshi, CEO of Prudential India.
ii.The health insurance industry saw a 10.44% Year-on-Year(YoY) increase in gross direct premium
income, reaching Rs 1 lakh crore in the first 10 months of Financial Year 2025(FY25), with standalone
health insurers accounting for about one-third of the total. India currently has seven standalone health
insurance companies.
iii.Prudential plc already operates in India through its JV with ICICI Bank, known as ICICI Prudential Life
Insurance Company Limited, which is the third-largest private life insurer by premium in India after SBI
Life Insurance Company Limited and HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited.
Note: As of February 2025, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit for the Indian insurance sector
increased from 74% to 100%.

IN-SPACe Appoints SVCL as Fund Manager for Rs. 1000 Crore VC in Space sector
In March 2025, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center
(IN-SPACe) under the Department of Space (DOS) of Government of India (GoI) has appointed Mumbai
(Maharashtra) based SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as the fund manager for a Rs. 1,000 crore venture capital (VC)
fund aimed at promoting India’s space sector.
• The fund primarily focuses on early-stage investments, with plans to support businesses in
satellite technology, propulsion systems, and ground station infrastructure.
i.The fund will be deployed over a period of five years, with Rs. 150 crore allocated in Financial Year
2025-26 (FY26), followed by Rs. 250 crore in each of the next three financial years, and Rs. 100 crore in
FY30.
ii.Companies at various stages of growth can access funding, with Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 30 crore available for
growth-stage startups and Rs. 30 crore to Rs. 60 crore for late-stage startups.
iii.The Rs. 1,000 crore fund aims to accelerate the growth of the Indian space economy, which is expected
to rise from Rs. 8.4 billion in 2022 to Rs. 44 billion by 2033, while also increasing India’s share in the
global space economy to 8-10% by 2040.

JSW Steel becomes world’s most valuable steelmaker with USD 30.3 bn market cap
In March 2025, Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel Limited has become the world’s most valuable steel
company by market capitalization, reaching USD 30.3 billion. This milestone places JSW Steel ahead of
industry giants like the United States of America(USA) based Nucor Corporation( USD 29.4 billion) and
Luxembourg based ArcelorMittal S.A(USD 27.1 billion).
• This milestone reflects its strategic growth, operational efficiency, and alignment with India’s
National Steel Policy, 2017.
i.Other prominent steel producers, including Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp, and China’s Baoshan Iron & Steel
Company Limited, maintain market capitalisations between USD 21 billion and USD 27 billion.
ii.JSW Steel holds a stronger valuation compared to its Indian peers. Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Tata

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Steel Limited, India’s second most valuable steel company, has a market capitalization of around USD 23
billion, while New Delhi(Delhi) based Jindal Steel and Power Limited is valued at USD 10.81 billion, and the
state-owned SAIL stands at USD 5.5 billion.
iii. India’s steel production rose by 3.5% to 37.38 million tonnes(MT) in the 3rd Quarter of the Financial
Year 2024-25(Q3 FY25), while steel consumption grew by 6.8% to 38.46 MT.
Note:Founded in 1982, JSW Steel is the flagship company of the JSW Group. Headquartered in Mumbai, it
operates an integrated steel plant in Toranagallu, Karnataka, and has expanded its footprint both across
India and globally.

MobiKwik Launches MSBPL as Wholly Owned Unit for Stock Broking

In March 2025, Gurugram(Haryana) based One MobiKwik Systems Limited(MobiKwik), a prominent
fintech company expanded its financial services portfolio by incorporating a wholly owned
subsidiary, MobiKwik Securities Broking Private Limited (MSBPL), following approval from the
Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MoCA).
• MobiKwik has set an initial paid-up share capital of Rs.1 lakh for MSBPL and plans to invest an
additional Rs.2 crore in phases. With 100% ownership, MobiKwik will have complete
operational control.
i.It will function as a securities broking firm, with the subsidiary focusing on trading in shares, stocks,
securities, debt instruments, commodities, currencies, and derivatives.
ii.This strategic move aims to venture into the stock broking and derivatives trading business, positioning
MobiKwik alongside established players in the sector.

MoU’s & AGREEMENTS

TRIFED Signs MoUs with NIFT & HPMC to Enhance Tribal Entrepreneurship
In February 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India
Limited (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has signed Memoranda of Understanding
(MoUs) with New Delhi based National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and Shimla (Himachal
Pradesh, HP) based Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation
(HPMC) to promote tribal businesses.
• The MoUs were signed during the flagship event ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, held in New Delhi, Delhi from
16 to 24 February 2025.
• The MoU between TRIFED and NIFT was signed and exchanged between TRIFED General
Manager (GM) Sandeep Pahalwan and NIFT Director Head Office Gaurav Mishra.
• The MoU between TRIFED and HPMC was signed and exchanged between TRIFED GM Mamta
Sharma and HPMC GM Sunny Sharma.
i.The collaboration aims to enhance tribal marketing strategies by the transition from a business-to-
consumer (B2C) to a business-to-business (B2B) approach.
ii.The strategic partnerships support tribal artisans and businesses by developing handloom, handicraft,
and forest products, as well as enhancing horticultural and forest product processing.

India & Armenia Sign MoU for Cooperation in Medical Product Regulation
On March 10, 2025, India and the Republic of Armenia signed two Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) during the visit of Ararat Mirzoyan, the Foreign Minister (FM) of Armenia, to India
from March 9 to 11, 2025. The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation in medical product
regulation and diplomatic training.

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• Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The two ministers held productive discussions, reviewing the growing India- Armenia
cooperation in politics, trade, economy, connectivity, education, culture, and people-to-people
ties.
Key MoUs Signed:
i.MoU on Medical Product Regulation: Signed between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation (CDSCO) in New Delhi and Armenia’s Center of Drug and Medical Technology
Expertise (CDMTE).
• It focuses on cooperation in regulating medical products to ensure their quality and safety.
ii.MoU on Diplomatic Training:
Signed between the New Delhi-based Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service under MoE and
the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
• It aims to strengthen collaboration in diplomatic training and exchange programs.
Key Highlights:
i.Armenia’s Participation in Global Initiatives: Armenia is a member of the International Solar Alliance
(ISA) and participated in the Voice of the Global S outh Summit.
ii.Educational Exchange: Over 1,000 Indian students are studying in
Armenia, reflecting strong educational ties.
iii.Cultural and Regional Cooperation: Both nations emphasized
strengthening ties in regional and global matters of shared interest.
About the Republic of Armenia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Nikol Vovayi Pashinyan
Capital – Yerevan
Currency – Armenian Dram (AMD)

India and Nepal Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in WASH Sector

On 3 March 2025, the Government of India(GoI) and the Government of Nepal signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector,
including waste management.
• The agreement aims to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation for their
populations by enhancing cooperation between the two countries and strengthening
intergovernmental cooperation in the WASH sector.
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi, Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Chandrakant
Raghunath Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), and Pradeep Yadav, Minister of Water Supply,
Government of Nepal, and attended by senior officials from both countries.
Key Areas of MoU:
The comprehensive MoU offers a collaboration framework including several key areas:
i.Capacity Building: Both countries will participate in capacity-building initiatives, providing Training
programs for Nepali personnel in water resource management and related fields.
ii.Technology and Knowledge Transfer: India and Nepal exchange technological expertise and best
practices in the WASH sector.
iii.Groundwater Management: The two countries will collaborate on projects for rainwater harvesting,
artificial recharge, and quality enhancement as well as the monitoring, evaluation, and management of
groundwater resources.
iv.This MoU between India and Nepal reflects a shared commitment to public health, sustainability, and
regional cooperation.

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About Nepal:
Prime Minister (PM) – Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
President – Ram Chandra Paudel
Capital – Kathmandu
Currency – Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

IIFT & APEC-Antwerp Signed MoU to Bolster Trade and Logistics Education
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), autonomous body under
the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) and Antwerp (Belgium)-based APEC-Antwerp/Flanders
Port Training Center, a leading training institute affiliated with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International,
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic collaboration and knowledge
exchange in the fields of global trade, logistics, and supply chain management.
• The MoU aims to bolster trade education and training ties between India and Belgium by
facilitating faculty and student exchanges for improved cross-culture business learning.
Key Dignitaries: The MoU was signed in the presence of eminent dignitaries from India and Belgium:
i.Union Minister of State (MoS) Jitin Prasada, MoC&I; Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, MoC&I;
Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice-Chancellor (VC), IIFT; and
other senior faculty members and distinguished members from IIFT
were present at the event.
ii.The Belgian delegation included:
His Excellency Matthias Diependaele, Minister –President of the
Flemish Government and Flemish Ministry of Economy, Innovation,
and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitalisation, and Facility
Management; Jacques Vandermeiren, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, among others graced the
event.
Background:
This strategic collaboration between IIFT and the Port of Antwerp started in 2019 with 206 students from
the institute visiting the port for firsthand learning.
Key Points:
i.The MoU includes joint research on port management, international logistics, and trade facilitation, along
with specialized training programs, workshops, and industry interactions.
ii.Also, this strategic partnership will enhance knowledge transfer in critical areas such as: e-governance,
digital trade, and emerging business technologies.
iii.After the signing of MoU, a roundtable discussion was held between the Minister-President of Belgium
and IIFT alumni who had previously visited APEC, sharing their experiences and key takeaways from the
initiative.
About Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT):
Chancellor -Sunil Barthwal
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1963
About APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center:
Headquarters- Antwerp, Belgium
Established- 1977

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AP Signs MoU with Microsoft to Enhance AI Skills Among Youth

In March 2025, the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Gurugram (Haryana) based Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited, the
Indian subsidiary of United States of America (USA) based Microsoft Corporation, to bolster skill
development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies among the state’s youth.
• The MoU aims to equip 2 lakh students and youth in AP with foundational and advanced skills
in AI, cloud computing, and digital productivity.
• This initiative seeks to address the growing demand for a tech-skilled workforce in Information
Technology (IT) and other industries.
Signatories: Representatives of Microsoft and AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) signed
the MoU in the presence of Nara Lokesh, Minister of IT, Electronics & Communication,and Human
Resource Development (HRD), AP.
Implementation and Support:
i.Infrastructure Provision: APSSDC will establish the necessary physical infrastructure for AI training
across various regions.
ii.Curriculum Development: Microsoft will assist in developing and certifying AI curricula for educational
institutions, ensuring alignment with industry requirements.
Training Initiatives:
i.Faculty and Student Training:Provide training to 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students from
50 rural engineering colleges in AI and cloud computing.
ii.Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): Provide AI training focused on digital productivity to 30,000
students across 30 ITIs.
iii.Youth Skill Development: Offer AI skills training to 40,000
youths under the ‘Passport to Earning 2.0’ initiative.
Collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Employment
(MoL&E) to train an additional 20,000 individuals.
iv.Government Capacity Building: Deliver 100 hours of AI
training to 50,000 individuals to enhance public service
delivery and build capacity among government officials.
• Provide AI upskilling and reskilling to 20,000 staff
members through self-learning modules, workshops,
and webinars promoting cross-departmental
collaboration.
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister (CM)– Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor- Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital- Amaravati
National Park– Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park, Papikonda National Park

India and Thailand Sign Three MoUs to Enhance Gem & Jewellery Exports
A high-level Indian delegation of 18 members from the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Gem and Jewellery
Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Jaipur (Rajasthan) based Jewellers Association Jaipur (JAJ), and Jaipur
(Rajasthan) based Sitapura Gems and Jewellery Industry Association (SGJIA) visited Thailand from 22 to
24 February 2025.
• During the visit, the delegation signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) at the 71st
Bangkok Gem and Jewellery Fair (BGJF) held in Bangkok, Thailand on 22 February 2025.
• These MoUs aim to boost collaboration, research, innovation, and market expansion between
the jewellery industries of India and Thailand.
The MoUs were signed as follows:
i.The first MoU was signed between GJEPC’s Jaipur (Rajasthan) based Indian Institute of Gems and
Jewellery Research and Laboratories Centre (IIGJ-RLC) and Bangkok (Thailand) based Gem and Jewellery
Institute of Thailand (GIT Thailand).

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• This partnership focuses on gemstone standardization, joint research, and increased knowledge
exchange to improve industry transparency and quality.
ii.The second MoU was signed between JAJ and Chanthaburi (Thailand) based Chanthaburi Gem and
Jewellery Traders Association (CGTA).
• This collaboration aimed at strengthening the coloured gemstone trade, will create new trade
opportunities and global market participation.
iii.The third MoU was signed between SGJIA and Bangkok (Thailand) based Thai Silver Exporter
Association (TSEA).
• This agreement intends to promote innovation, improve design excellence, and broaden the
market reach of silver jewellery.
About Thailand:
Prime Minister (PM) – Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Capital – Bangkok
Currency – Thai Baht (THB)

India’s EPHL & Belgium’s JCD Form JV in India for Light Tank Program
In March 2025, Seraing (Belgium) based John Cockerill Defence (JCD), the world’s top-turret manufacturer
for battle tanks, and Pune (Maharashtra) based Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics Private Limited (EPHL)
announced a Joint Venture (JV) in India.
• This collaboration marks a significant step in strengthening India-Belgium defence ties and
advancing India’s indigenous military capabilities.
Key Points:
i.The JV primarily focuses on the Indian Army’s (IA’s) Light Tank program, particularly Zorawar, a light
tank jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro
(L&T), which is currently undergoing advanced trials.
ii.The JV operates in a 60:40 ratio, with JCD holding the majority share, ensuring the transfer of advanced
turret technology to India. This partnership aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)
initiative in the defence sector.
iii. Similarly, Brussels(Belgium) based Thales Belgium has partnered with India’s state-owned Armoured
Vehicle Nigam Ltd (AVNL), Avadi(Chennai) to integrate a 70mm rocket system onto military vehicles for
the Indian armed forces. A key milestone in 2025 will be a joint demonstration, including live firing
exercises, according to Belgian embassy officials.

ISM, TEPL, & TSMPL Sign Fiscal Support Agreement for Semiconductor Fab
On 5 March 2025, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL), and
Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited (TSMPL) have signed a Fiscal Support Agreement
(FSA) to establish India’s first commercial semiconductor fabrication unit in Dholera, Gujarat.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat,
and marks a significant step in India’s drive towards technological self-reliance.
Key Points:
i.TEPL’s semiconductor fab in Dholera (SIR) has a total investment of over Rs 91,000 crore with a
capacity of 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM).

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ii.The Government of India (GoI), through ISM, has pledged 50% fiscal support on a pari-passu basis for
qualified project expenses, demonstrating a consistent national commitment to developing a world-class
semiconductor ecosystem within India.
iii.The project is estimated to generate over 20,000 direct and indirect skilled jobs. TEPL will provide
worldwide knowledge to India’s semiconductor business through a collaboration with Taiwan-
based Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC).
iv.The facility will serve the expanding needs of international markets in the fields of Artificial Intelligence
(AI), communications, computing, and automobiles.
v.This initiative demonstrates India’s commitment to building a strong semiconductor ecosystem and
reducing reliance on foreign chip manufacture.
About India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):
i.The ISM was launched in 2021 with a total financial outlay of Rs 76,000 crore by the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
ii.The programme aims to provide financial assistance to companies investing in semiconductors, display
manufacturing, and the design ecosystem.
iii.ISM has been serving as the nodal agency for efficient, coherent and smooth implementation of the
schemes approved under the Semicon India Programme.
iv.The following four schemes have been introduced under ISM:
• Scheme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India.
• Scheme for setting up of Display Fabs in India.
• Scheme for setting up of Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/ Sensors Fab and
Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP)/Outsourced Semiconductor
Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities in India.
• Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.

IWAI Signed MoU with J&K to Enhance River Cruise Tourism

In March 2025, Noida (Uttar Pradesh (UP)) based Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), to enhance river cruise tourism on three National
Waterways in J&K.
• The three national waterways (NW) in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir include
River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49), and River Ravi (NW-84) out of the 111
recognized national waterways in India
• The agreement was signed in the presence of the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW
and Minister of State (MoS) Shantanu Thakur, MoPSW, during the Chintan
Shivir (brainstorming session) in Srinagar, J&K.
Key Initiatives Under the MoU Framework
i.The MoU aims to enhance tourism, create job opportunities, drive economic growth, and introduce a new
form of leisure and budget tourism along the rivers in J&K.
ii.To promote river cruise tourism, several cruise routes were announced for development, stretching
from Kashmir to Kerala and Assam to Gujarat, during the Second Meeting of the Inland Waterways
Development Council (IWDC) in January 2025.
iii.In two months, IWAI took a step towards developing river cruise tourism in J&K, with an estimated
budget of Rs.100 crore.
iv.Under the MoU, IWAI will develop waterside infrastructure, including ten floating jetties, as well as
landside facilities, such as waiting halls and other amenities for cruise passengers.
v.Of the ten floating jetties,

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• Two floating jetties will be installed at ‘Akhnoor’ and ‘Reasi’ (near Jammu) on the designated
section of River Chenab (NW-26).
• Seven floating jetties will be set up at ‘Pantha Chowk’, ‘Zero Bridge’, ‘Amira Kadal’, ‘Shah-e-
Hamdan’, ‘Safa Kadal/Chattabal Shrine’, ‘Sumbal Bridge’, and ‘Gund Prang’ (in Srinagar and
Bandipora) on River Jhelum (NW-49).
• One floating jetty will be installed at Sohar on River Ravi (NW-84).
vi.The J&K will provide land for landside facilities, handle approvals, and appoint cruise operators, while
IWAI will offer technical support as needed.
About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
Chairman – Vijay Kumar
Formed – 1986
Headquarters – Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP)

Infineon Technologies and CDIL Signs MoU to Strengthen India’s Power Semiconductor
Manufacturing
On 6th March 2025, Munich (Germany) based Infineon Technologies AG, a global leader in power
systems and Internet of Things (IoT) semiconductors, signed its first Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with New Delhi (Delhi) based Continental Device India Limited (CDIL), India’s first
semiconductor manufacturer.
• The agreement aims to bolster domestic production of power semiconductors critical for sectors
like renewable energy, automotive, and industrial applications.
• This collaboration aligns with India’s ‘Semiconductor Mission’, which prioritizes reducing
import dependency and achieving self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Key Points:
i.Under the MoU, Infineon Technologies AG will supply bare
semiconductor wafers to CDIL, which will process, assemble, and
package them into discrete and module semiconductor products.
ii.These chips will power applications such as solar technology,
Electric Vehicles (EVs), Power Inverters (PIs), and Energy-Efficient
Appliances (EEAs).
iii.The Indian government aims to roll out the first ‘Made in
India’ semiconductor chip by late 2025. Currently, 5
semiconductor manufacturing units are under construction across
India.
iv.The key focus areas include: Automotive and Mobility– Power
semiconductors for EVs, charging infrastructure, and automotive
electronics; Renewable Energy (RE)– Chips for solar inverters,
wind turbines, and grid management systems; Industrial and
Consumer Applications– Energy-efficient solutions for appliances, industrial automation, and IoT
devices.
v.The partnership also lays the groundwork for future innovation in Silicon Carbide (SiC) and advanced
semiconductor technologies.
Note: Additionally, Kyoto (Japan) based Horiba, a leading provider of analytical and measurement
solutions with a revenue of USD 2.5 billion, which plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor supply
chain, has announced plans to set up a manufacturing unit in India.
About Continental Device India Limited (CDIL):
i.CDIL, established in 1964 specializes in producing discrete semiconductors and SiC devices, catering to

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critical sectors such as defence, space, automotive, and Renewable Energy (RE).
ii.It supplies high-reliability components to Bengaluru (Karnataka) based organizations like the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Bharat Electronics
Limited (BEL).
Note: The new assembly line in Mohali, Punjab increased CDIL’s total capacity to 600 million units
annually, enhancing its ability to meet domestic and international demand.
About Germany:
President- FrankWalter Steinmeier
Prime Minister (PM) (Chancellor)- Olaf Scholz
Capital- Berlin
Currency- German Euro (EUR)

India’s MoD Signs USD 248 Million Contract with Russia’s RoE for Procurement of Engines for
T-72 Tanks for IA
On 7 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Government of India(GoI) signed a contract with
Moscow (Russia) based Rosoboronexport (RoE), Russian Federation, worth USD 248 million for
procurement of 1000 Horsepower(HP) Engines for T-72 Tanks. These engines will be delivered in fully
formed, completely knocked down, and semi-knocked down conditions.
• The agreement includes Transfer of Technology (ToT) from RoE to Avadi (Chennai, Tamil Nadu,
TN) based Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (Heavy Vehicle Factory) for integration and
eventual licensed manufacturing of engines.
• This initiative supports the Make in India initiative in the defence sector.
Key Points:
i.The T-72 tank, first introduced in India in the 1970s, remains a key component of the Indian Army’s (IA)
armored fleet, with around 2,500 tanks in operation.
ii.These tanks are currently equipped with a 780 HP engine.
iii.The IA’s battlefield mobility and offensive capacity would be enhanced by equipping its existing fleet of
T-72 tanks with 1000 HP engines.
Note: In addition to its fleet of 2,400 T-72 tanks, the IA has inducted 1,300 T-90S ‘Bhishma’ tanks, out of
the 1,657 being manufactured under license from Russia by the Heavy Vehicles Factory.
About Indian Army (IA):
Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1895

India’s OTAI & Malaysia’s MPOC Collaborate to Promote Palm Oil Benefits in India
On March 7, 2025, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) based Oil Technologists’ Association of India (OTAI) and Kuala
Lumpur (Malaysia) based Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) signed a collaboration agreement to
enhance awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of Malaysian palm oil in the Indian market.
• The partnership aims to foster sustainable trade growth between Malaysia and India by
addressing misconceptions and promoting palm oil’s role in health, nutrition, and industrial
applications.
• The collaboration will focus on consumer education, industry engagement, and scientific
research to highlight palm oil’s benefits.
Key Initiatives:
i.Organizing industry seminars, conferences, and academic lectures to educate Indian consumers, food
manufacturers, and stakeholders.

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ii.Supporting research collaborations with Indian educational institutions to validate palm oil’s
nutritional and functional properties.
iii.Promoting science-backed information to dispel misinformation and enhance consumer
understanding.
Health Benefits of Palm Oil
• Trans-fat-free and rich in Vitamin E antioxidants, including tocopherols and tocotrienols, which
support cardiovascular health.
• Contains a balanced profile of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, essential for overall health.
• Natural compounds like beta-carotene further enhance its nutritional value.
About Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Belvinder Sron
Headquarters – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Established – 2000
About Oil Technologists’ Association of India (OTAI) :
President – Dr.Rajeev Churi
Headquarters – Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Established – 1943

DPIIT and Mercedes-Benz India Partner to Advance Manufacturing, Safety, and Sustainability
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and
Industry (MoC&I) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mercedes-Benz India
Private Limited based in Pune, Maharashtra to strengthen India’s manufacturing sector, road safety, and
environmental sustainability.
i.The agreement was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, and Santosh
Iyer, Managing Director (MD) of Mercedes-Benz India, in the presence of senior officials from both
organizations.
ii.This partnership will support startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs by helping them develop
advanced technologies and contribute to society.
iii.As part of this initiative, structured programs will be introduced to provide startups with essential
infrastructure, mentorship, funding, and market opportunities. The collaboration also aims to
foster international partnerships and facilitate knowledge-sharing.

CIL Signs MoU with IIT Hyderabad to Establish CLEANZ in Telangana

In March 2025, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based Coal India Limited (CIL) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology of Hyderabad (IIT-Hyderabad), Telangana for
establishing a Centre of Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ) in Hyderabad.
• The MoU was exchanged between P M Prasad, Chairman and Managing Director(CMD) of CIL
and Acharya B S Murthy, director of IIT-H in the presence of Union Minister G Kishan Reddy,
Ministry of Coal (MoC) and Ministry of Mines (MoM).
i.The initiative aims to develop clean coal technologies and diversify coal consumption. Both entities will
work together to establish cutting-edge technological readiness levels (TRLs) for the long-term use of
Indian coal.
ii.The management of CIL has approved a five-year grant of Rs 98 crores to IIT Hyderabad for a five-year
period for the establishment of this Center of Excellence. After the initial five-year investment from CIL, it
is expected to achieve financial sustainability in the long term.
iii.This collaboration is part of the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER), an

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independent Research and Development (R&D) unit of the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute
(CMPDI), which serves as CIL’s mine development and consultancy arm.

NHLML, IWAI Sign MoU to Develop State-of-Art MMLP in Varanasi, UP

On 11 March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under
the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Inland Waterways
Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi for developing a state-of-art Multi-Modal Logistics
Park (MMLP) in Varanasi, UP.
• The agreement aims to strengthen the logistics industry
and drive economic growth by establishing a strategically
positioned, interconnected logistics hub.
Key Features:
i.The 150-acre site is strategically connected to National Highway 7
(NH7) by a 650-meter (m) access road and is just 1.5 kilometer (km)
from the NH7-NH2 junction.
ii.The park will integrate with the Eastern Dedicated Freight
Corridor (EDFC) via a 5.1 km railway line from Jeonathpur Station
(UP), connect to National Waterway-1, and is located 30 km from Lal
Bahadur Shastri Airport (Varanasi).
Cruise Tourism on River Yamuna:
i.IWAI, the nodal agency of MoPSW for National Waterways (NW),
signed MoU with multiple agencies of Delhi government including
Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) department, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Jal Board
(DJB), the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) at Asita Park, Delhi.
• The MoU aims to promote eco-friendly tourism, improve urban water transport, and boost local
economy.
ii.Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari, MoRTH, and Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW, attended the
ceremony.
iii.Key Features: The project develops and boost cruise tourism on 4 km stretch on River Yamuna National
Waterway-110 (NW-110) between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur in Delhi.
• The project will introduce electric-solar hybrid boats (20–30 passenger capacity) with bio-toilets
and safety gear and
• Construction of two HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) jetties for ferry operation.
Points to Note:
i.Harit Nauka Guidelines focuses on sustainable water transport with electric boats already operational in
Varanasi and Ayodhya in UP.
ii.NW-110 Development is a 1,089-km stretch from Delhi to Prayagraj declared as a NW in 2014.

ASCI & NSG Sign MoU to Boost Public Sector Governance and Capacity Building
In March 2025, the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) based in Hyderabad (Telangana) and
the National School of Government (NSG), based in South Africa signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration in capacity building, research, consultancy, and
knowledge sharing, aimed at improving governance and public sector performance.
• It will allow both institutions to use their expertise in training, research, advisory services, and
professional development to help public servants gain the skills needed for national development.
i.It aligns with NSG’s mission to build a highly skilled and ethical public sector in South Africa.
ii.The collaboration will involve field trips, seminars, workshops, and information-sharing to encourage

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learning and professional growth among public servants.

iii.It also strengthens the long-standing bilateral relations between South Africa and India.

SAIPL and ACI Partner to Manufacture 200 Diamond DA40 NG Trainer Aircraft
On 11 March 2025, Sakthi Aircraft Industry Private Limited (SAIPL) based Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN) and
the Aero Club of India (ACI) based in New Delhi, Delhi have signed an agreement to manufacture and
supply 200 Diamond DA40 NG (Next Generation) trainer aircraft in India.
• Of these, 150 aircraft will be assembled at SAIPL’s upcoming facility, which is expected to be
established in Haryana.
Note: SAIPL is a joint venture (JV) between Sakthi Group, Tamil Nadu, and Diamond Aircraft headquartered at
Austria.
i.Under the partnership, ACI will coordinate demand, manage aircraft distribution, and ensure smooth
transfers to Flight Training Organizations (FTOs).
ii.The initiative is set to boost India’s aviation sector by enhancing pilot training infrastructure and creating
numerous employment opportunities.
iii The Diamond DA40 NG is a single-engine, four-seater aircraft, designed for pilot training. Deliveries are
scheduled to begin by May 2025, with a production target of 100 aircraft per year.
• This order, one of the largest single procurements for trainer aircraft, is expected to train 1,000
pilots annually, reaching 10,000 pilots over a decade.

Jio & Airtel Partners with SpaceX’s Starlink to Enhance Internet Services in India
In March 2025, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), subsidiary of Reliance
Industries Limited (RIL), and New Delhi (Delhi) based Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) entered into a partnership
with Elon Musk’s United States of America (USA) based Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) to
introduce Starlink’s satellite internet services across India.
• This collaboration aims to enhance the existing network and extend coverage to remote regions and
bolster internet connectivity, in remote and rural regions across India.
Note: Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX
,provides global broadband coverage through a network of LEO satellites. As of September 2024, Starlink serves
over 4 million subscribers worldwide.
Key Features of Jio:
i.Partnership Objective: The alliance seeks to combine Jio’s extensive mobile network with Starlink’s Low
Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology to provide high-speed internet services nationwide.
ii.Distribution Strategy: Jio will distribute Starlink’s satellite communication equipment through its vast
network of retail outlets and online platforms, facilitating widespread access to satellite-based internet
services.
iii.Regulatory Approval: Starlink’s India launch depends on approvals from the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications (MoC), and the Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Indian National
Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).
Key Features of Airtel:
i.Starlink Equipment: Airtel will offer Starlink user terminals through its extensive retail network, enabling
customers to access satellite-based internet services.
ii.Service Provision: Airtel aims to deliver Starlink’s high-speed internet services to business clients,
educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and underserved communities in rural and remote areas.
iii.Network Enhancement: The collaboration seeks to integrate Starlink’s satellite technology with Airtel’s
terrestrial infrastructure to improve overall network reliability and reach.
iv.Regulatory Approvals: SpaceX is currently awaiting necessary clearances from the DoT, MoC and the
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to commence operations in India.

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• In 2023 Bharti Airtel, received approval from the IN-SPACe to launch commercial satellite
broadband services in India, becoming the first organisation to secure such authorisation from the
Indian government.
About Jio Platforms Limited (JPL):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Kiran Thomas
Headquarters- Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 2019
About Bharti Airtel Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & CEO– Gopal Vittal
Headquarters- New Delhi (Delhi)
Established- 1995

DBT & GoAS Sign MoU Under BioE3 Policy to Strengthen Centre-State PartnershipOn March 12,
2025, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T),
Government of India (GoI), and the Government of Assam (GoAS) formalized a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre-State partnership under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy,
Environment, and Employment) Policy in New Delhi (Delhi).
• It is the 1st Centre-State partnership under the BioE3 framework, aims to bolster high-
performance bio-manufacturing and cultivate a sustainable biotechnology ecosystem in Assam.
Key Highlights:
i.BioE3 Policy was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on
August 24, 2024. To envisage India as a global leader in bio-based innovations.
ii.It emphasizes sustainable bio-manufacturing across various sectors, including bio-based chemicals, Active
Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Biopolymers, enzymes, climate-resilient agriculture, functional foods, smart
proteins, carbon capture and utilization, precision bio-therapeutics (cell and gene therapy, messenger
Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) therapeutics and monoclonal antibody), and advanced marine and space research.
iii.The policy also focuses on developing Bio-Enablers such as bio-foundries, bio-manufacturing hubs, and Bio-
Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms.
iv.The MoU establishes a strategic collaboration where DBT will provide guidance and facilitate partnerships,
while the Assam Government will lead initiatives by setting up a State BioE3 Cell and formulating the Assam
BioE3 Action Plan.
v.This collaboration leverages Assam’s rich biodiversity and agricultural strengths to develop a robust bio-
manufacturing sector.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM)– Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor- Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Capital- Dispur
Biosphere Reserve- Manas Biosphere Reserve, Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve

DoP Signs MoU with FSID, IISc Bengaluru for Documentation of Digital Address DPI Tech
Architecture
On March 11, 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications (MoC), signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru (Karnataka) based the Foundation for Science
Innovation and Development (FSID), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru at Dak Bhawan in New Delhi
(Delhi).
• The MoU seeks to design the technology architecture for the Digital Address Digital Public
Infrastructure (DPI) to create a secure, scalable, and interoperable addressing system.

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• It marks a significant step towards a seamless, technology-driven addressing system, reinforcing

India’s leadership in digital innovation and public infrastructure development.
i.The MoU was signed at the launch of the “Digital Address Code” initiative by the DoP, aimed at creating a
standardized, geo-coded addressing system in India.
• This initiative seeks to establish “Address as a Service” (AaaS), streamlining addressing solutions
for the efficient delivery of both public and private services.
ii.The Digital Address DPI will revolutionize address data creation, sharing, and consumption in India. It will
integrate with government, business, and citizen services to enhance service delivery, emergency
response, financial inclusion, and urban planning.
• The system will benefit both urban and rural communities by improving location intelligence.

India Grants Ex-Post Facto Approval to MoU on Financial and Economic Cooperation with Qatar
In March 2025, The Government of India (GoI) granted ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on financial and economic cooperation between India and Qatar. This MoU
was initially established by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), India and the Ministry of Finance of the state
of Qatar on February 18, 2025, during the visit of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to
India
i.The Mou was signed by Shri Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary (JS), Department of Economic Affairs
(DEA), MoF, India, and Mr. Mohammed Hassan Jabir Al-Jabir, Ambassador to the State of Qatar on 5th
March 2025, in New Delhi, Delhi.
ii.The MoU seeks to enhance cooperation in economic policies, financing tools, public-private partnerships,
and investment. This collaboration will strengthen the bilateral relationship with Qatar, fostering mutual
growth. Additionally, it aims to explore new and emerging sectors for investment opportunities in both
countries.
iii.This MoU is a key step toward shared goals between both countries. The Finance Ministries will
collaborate by hosting expert workshops, seminars, and conferences, exchanging technical and
documentary information, and facilitating dialogue between their business communities.

LS Secretariat and MeitY Signed MoU to Launch ‘Sansad Bhashini’ for AI-powered Multilingual
Parliamentary Ops
In March 2025, the Lok Sabha (LS)Secretariat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-
powered solution named ‘Sansad Bhashini’ which will provide comprehensive In-House AI solutions for
multi-lingual support and streamlined processes in parliamentary operations.
• Both entities have agreed to integrate and collaboratively develop AI products/tools using the
Parliamentary corpus data.
• As per the MoU, LS will provide parliamentary data and resources, which will be used for
learning the AI tools/products while; Bhashini (BHASHa INterface for India) will provide
translation capabilities and technical expertise.
Key Dignitaries: Gaurav Goyal, Joint Secretary of LS Secretariat signed the MoU on behalf of LS (Lower
House of the Parliament) in the presence of Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker and Union Minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw, MeitY.
Key Initiatives under Sansad Bhashini:
i.AI-based translation: This will ensure smooth translation of legacy debate documents, agenda files, and
other parliamentary content into regional languages.
ii.AI-powered Chatbot for Parliament Website: It is a state-of-the-art interactive chatbot that will guide
members and officials in retrieving important procedural rules and documents.

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iii.Speech-to-Text Conversion & Live Interpretation: This system will translate spoken debates into text
with real transcription. It will be available in Indian languages, thus ensuring that debates are easily
recorded, accessed and referenced.
iv.Speech-to-Speech Conversion with real-time transcription: This initiative will allow real-time
speech conversion and translation, ensuring that discussions and debates are instantly available in various
languages.
• It will also provide automatic summarization of lengthy discussions, to facilitate instant
decision-making and enhanced record-keeping.
MeitY & DFI Launched NIDAR under SwaYaan Initiative
In March 2025, the MeitY in partnership with New Delhi (Delhi)-based Drone Federation
India (DFI) launched the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and
Research (NIDAR) under the ‘SwaYaan–Capacity Building for Human Resource Development in
Unmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS)’ initiative, during an event held at Electronics Niketan in New Delhi,
Delhi.
• S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY has formally inaugurated this challenge, and has also launched
the website and registration portal (https://nidar.org.in/), released the NIDAR Poster and Rule
Book.
• He further underscored that this challenge will contribute to India’s vision of becoming a global
drone hub by 2030.
About NIDAR:
i.This program aims to encourage and engage India’s students and research communities to develop
collaborative independent drones to address real-world challenges across two important
domains: disaster management (scout & deliver drones) and precision agriculture (scan & spray
drones).
ii.Apart from offering a cash prize of Rs 40 lakhs, the challenge will also provide opportunities for startup
incubation, cloud credits, software support, and internships with leading drone companies in India.
About SwaYaan Initiative:
i.In July 2022, MeitY approved the SwaYaan initiative, which mainly focuses on capacity building for
human resource development in UAS, which includes drones and related technologies.
ii.The key target of this initiative is to train 42,560 participants, combining both formal and non-formal
educational programs to create a skilled workforce in drone technology.
iii.It is being implemented through India’s 30 premier institutions: Bengaluru(Karnataka)-based Indian
Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), National Institute of
Technologies (NITs), Pune (Maharashtra)-based Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C–
DAC), New Delhi (Delhi)-based National Institute of Electronics & Information
Technology (NIELIT), among others.
iv.The initiative has outlined 5 key work themes: Drone Electronics, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC)
Algorithms Simulation, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and Allied UAS Technologies.
• So far, under this initiative, more than 14,000 beneficiaries have been trained in drone
technology.
About Drone Federation India (DFI):
It is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led body that promotes building a safer and scalable
unmanned aviation industry in India.
President- Smit Shah
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Founded- 2017

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DoT & WhatsApp Collaborate to Enhance Digital Safety in India

In March 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications
(MoC), and Mobile Messaging Application (app) WhatsApp, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc.,
collaborated to expand Meta’s safety campaign ‘Scam
Se Bacho,’ (Stay Safe from Scams) to bolster digital safety in
India.
• This collaboration aims to educate citizens on
identifying and reporting fraudulent communications,
thereby combating digital scams and misuse of telecom
resources.
Note: The awareness campaign ‘Scams se Bacho’ was launched in
2024 in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY), Indian Cybercrime Coordination
Centre (I4C) and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
Key Initiatives:
i.The DoT launched the ‘Sanchar Saathi portal’ and mobile app,
allowing users to report suspected fraud calls and messages, track
mobile connections, and block or trace lost or stolen devices.
ii.Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP): To facilitate the exchange of real-time intelligence between DoT and
550 stakeholders, including banks and law enforcement agencies, to address misuse of telecom resources.
iii.Conduct Workshops: DoT will conduct workshops for its officials, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs),
and Sanchar Mitras to educate citizens.
iv.Regional Accessibility: WhatsApp will translate all safety materials into regional languages, including
Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati, to ensure widespread
accessibility.

UIDAI Partners with Sarvam AI to Enhance Aadhaar Services

In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) partnered with
Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Sarvam Artificial Intelligence (Sarvam AI), an indigenous full-stack
Generative AI (GenAI) company, to enhance the Aadhaar system’s user-friendliness, security, and
accessibility for citizens.
• The collaboration aims to provide AI-driven voice interactions, fraud detection, and multilingual
support.
i.Sarvam AI will deploy its AI solution to facilitate voice-based interactions with Aadhaar number holders,
providing near real-time feedback on enrollment and update processes, including identifying any
overcharging by service providers.
ii.The agreement includes fraud detection, where real-time alerts will be sent to Aadhaar number holders
if any suspicious activity is detected during authentication.
iii.The AI solution will support 10 languages, including Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati,
Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, and Malayalam, with plans for additional language options in the future.

NIPL Partners with Singapore’s Hitpay to Enable UPI Payments

On March 19, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the
international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has partnered with Singapore-
based HitPay, a full-stack payments infrastructure firm, to facilitate Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) payments in Singapore.

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• Indian travelers can now pay using UPI Quick Response (QR) codes at tourist spots, restaurants,
and shops, with over 12,000 merchants in Singapore accepting UPI.
• This marks NIPL’s second partnership in Singapore,
following the launch of UPI-PayNow in 2023 for cross-
border transactions.
i.In January 2025, NIPL partnered with Middle East-based payment
solution provider Magnati to expand QR-based UPI merchant
payments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ii.UPI is now operational in Singapore, Maldives, Qatar, Sri Lanka,
Mauritius, Bhutan, Nepal, UAE, and Canada.
Note: HitPay is a comprehensive payments infrastructure platform
designed for growing businesses across the Asia Pacific (APAC)
region. It provides a unified solution for e-commerce, point-of-sale
(POS), and business-to-business (B2B) payments.

AP Inks MoU with Gates Foundation to Boost Tech Support

On March 19, 2025, the government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation (Gates Foundation), headquartered in the United States of America (USA), signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi (Delhi) to collaborate on public welfare initiatives.
• It aims to integrate cost-effective and scalable solutions in key sectors such as healthcare,
medtech, education, and agriculture.
• The MoU was signed in a meeting of Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM) of AP
with Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation.
i.The partnership focuses on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies to achieve
transformative outcomes.
ii.In healthcare, the collaboration will utilize AI for predictive health analytics and automated
diagnostics, and in agriculture, it will provide AI-driven advisory tools and satellite systems for precision
farming and resource management.
• Additionally, the initiative will support foundational learning improvements in education.
iii.The Gates Foundation will support implementation partners, co-identified with the Government of AP,
to execute targeted interventions within state-driven programs.
iv.This collaboration aims to create scalable models that can be replicated in other regions of India and
globally.

Gujarat & Nayara Energy Sign MoUs to Restore Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Nayara Energy (formerly Essar Oil Limited) signed two
Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Forest and Environment Department of the
Government of Gujarat and the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) under the Department of School
Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
Key People: The signing of the MoU was attended by Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat;
Manoj Kumar Das, Additional Chief Secretary(CS) of Gujarat; Mukesh Kumar, Principal Secretary of the
Education Department, Gujarat; Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment, Gujarat;
along with other officials.
MoU on Conservation of Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
i.Under the MoU with the Gujarat Forest and Environment Department, Nayara Energy will offer financial
support for the conservation and restoration of the Khijdia Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar Site, in Jamnagar
district, Gujarat.

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ii.It aims to improve the wetlands’ environment, boost local biodiversity, and involve local communities in
managing the sanctuary.
• It also focuses on promoting eco-tourism, restoring the wetland, and developing conservation
infrastructure.
iii.The project will span three years with a total cost of Rs 12 crore.
MoU on Promotion of Literacy:
i.The MoU signed between Nayara Energy and VSK will enhance reading activities in 1,300 government
schools and Anganwadis in Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka in Gujarat.
• As part of this three-year initiative, it aims to distribute approximately 3,75,000 books, laying a
strong foundation for reading and learning.
About Khijdia Bird Sanctuary
i.The sanctuary is a Ramsar site (Wetland of International Importance).
ii.Home to 321 bird species, 185 plant species, 23 butterfly species, and 29 species listed in
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
iii.It is surrounded by 5 eco-sensitive villages in Gujarat- Khijadia, Dhuvav, Jambuda, Sachana, and
Vibhapar.
About Nayara Energy:
Nayara Energy, an Indian petroleum company, refines and markets petroleum products. It operates India’s
second-largest single-site refinery, located in Vadinar, Gujarat.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Alessandro des Dorides
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 1989

BPCL Signs Quadripartite MoU with BluJ Aerospace, ANERT & CIAL to Launch World’s 1st
Hydrogen-Powered VTOL Aviation Ecosystem
In March 2025, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
signed a quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telangana based BluJ Aerospace
Private Limited, Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), and Cochin
International Airport Limited (CIAL) to establish the world’s 1st hydrogen-fueled Vertical Take-off and
Landing (VTOL) aviation ecosystem.
• This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to achieving Net
Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2070 and aims to revolutionise urban
and regional air mobility.
Key Objective of the MoU:
Introduce green hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft to improve speed,
efficiency, and noise reduction while significantly reducing carbon or
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Role of BPCL:
i.BPCL will establish Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure (HRI) for VTOL aircraft developed by BluJ
Aerospace through its upcoming Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram of
Kerala to support sustainable aviation.
• The HRS in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram will drive research and pilot projects under Kerala’s
Hydrogen Valley Program, fostering commercial hydrogen applications and sustainable
transportation solutions.
ii.BPCL will also engage in Research and Development (R&D) initiatives to design and develop an
Indigenous Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) with high power density for
efficient vertical lift-off, advancing India’s hydrogen technology capabilities.

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iii. Bharat Petroleum aims to achieve Net Zero status by 2040 with a phased investment of ₹1 lakh crore.
As part of its plan, BPCL will set up electric vehicle charging stations at approximately 7,000 fuel stations
over the next five years.
Note:
i.BPCL is the 2nd largest Indian Oil Marketing Company (OMC), and a Fortune Global 500 Company.
ii.Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)-based ANERT is an autonomous organisation established in 1986 under
the Societies Act by the Government of Kerala, functioning under the Department of Power.
• ANERT is the State Nodal Agency (SNA) for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE),
Government of India (GoI).
iii.Kerala-based CIAL owns and operates the Cochin International Airport (COK) started operating on 25
May 1999.
• It is the first airport in India built under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), and the world’s
first fully solar-powered airport.
About the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)- Krishnakumar Gopalan
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
BPCL was incorporated on 3 November 1952, under the Indian Companies Act, 1913, under the name
‘Burmah-Shell Refineries Limited’. In 1976, the Burmah Shell Group of Companies was taken over by the
GoI to form Bharat Refineries Limited, which was later renamed BPCL in 1977.

UK & Odisha Government Collaborate on Net-Zero Vision for Bhubaneswar

In March 2025, The Government of United Kingdom (UK) in partnership with the Energy Department
of Odisha and GRIDCO Limited (formerly known as Grid Corporation of Odisha) organized a workshop
on ‘Net-Zero Vision for Bhubaneswar’ in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) based in New Delhi, Delhi participated as
the knowledge partner.
• The event focused on creating a roadmap for the city’s transition to a sustainable and low-
carbon future.
Note: This was the second Net-Zero transition workshop organized by the UK Government.
i.The workshop brought together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and experts to
explore strategies for achieving Net-Zero emissions in Bhubaneswar.
ii.During the event, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dr. Vibha Dhawan,
Director General (DG) of TERI, and Dr. Debi Dutta Tripathy, Additional Secretary to the Government of
Odisha, to accelerate Odisha’s clean energy transition.
iii.In alignment with India’s Net-Zero commitment, Odisha has set specific milestones for its energy
transition, targeting 2036 (Odisha’s 100th statehood year) and 2047 (100 years of India’s independence).

AFMS & NIMHANS Signed MoU to Enhance Mental Health Support for Armed Forces
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), an inter-
services organisation under the Ministry of Defence(MoD) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) based National
Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), operates under the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare(MoHFW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve mental health care
for military personnel and their families.
• The MoU was signed by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General(DG) of AFMS, and
Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS.

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Objectives:
• Focus on research, faculty exchanges, and academic activities in mental health
• Develop programs to tackle Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression
among defence personnel.
• Provide specialized training for medical staff to address mental health issues.

AIBI and MBAN Sign MoU to Strengthen Investment Banking

In March 2025, Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI), the apex body of investment bankers in
India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nepal based Merchant Bankers Association of
Nepal (MBAN).
i.The MoU aims to promote collaboration and mutual support to enhance capacity building, professional
development, regulatory knowledge, and best practices among investment banking professionals in India
and Nepal.
ii.The MoU will remain in effect for 3 years, with the option for mutual extension.
iii.The MoU also includes joint events, research collaboration, policy representation, exchange programs,
and digital collaboration.
About Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI):
AIBI (formerly Association of Merchant Bankers in India (AMBI)) was recognized by the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to establish professional standards, ensure efficient services, and set
standard practices in investment banking.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Dr. Milind V. Dalvi
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 1993

GRSE Signs MoU with PWD Nagaland for Modular Steel Bridges
In March 2025, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), a Defence Public Sector
Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Public Works Department (PWD) (Roads & Bridges) of the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland, in
Kohima (Nagaland), for supplying 8 sets of Double Lane Modular Steel Bridges in Nagaland.
• This marks the first-ever MoU between GRSE and a Northeastern State, aligning with the
Government of India’s (GoI) “Make In India” (MII) initiative for regional development.
• GRSE has previously supplied modular bridges to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the
National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), various state
governments, and Friendly countries Like Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Till date, GRSE has supplied over 5,800 Modular Bridges.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed by Subrato Ghosh, Director (Personnel), GRSE, and Swarai Meru, Chief Engineer, PWD
Nagaland in the presence of Natarajan Partheepan, General Manager (Bailey Bridges), GRSE.
Note: Kolkata (West Bengal)-based GRSE is a Mini Ratna Category I company that dates back to 1884. The
Company was taken over by the GoI in 1960.

Liquid Robotics & Sagar Defence Engineering Sign MoU to Manufacture ASVs
In March 2025, the United States of America (USA) based Liquid Robotics, a Boeing company, signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Sagar Defence Engineering
Private Limited, an Indian unmanned systems startup, to co-develop and co-produce Autonomous
Surface Vessels (ASVs).

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• This marks the first project by the USA company in partnership with an Indian startup,
highlighting a milestone in US-India defence industrial cooperation.
i.The collaboration aims to enhance undersea domain awareness through manufacturing, system
interoperability, ocean testing, and establishing Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities for
the Wave Glider ASV platform.
ii.It supports the US-India Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) initiative to expand industry
partnerships and strengthen production capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region.
Note: In January 2025, India and the USA announced the first-of-its-kind partnership to co-produce Multi-
Static Active (MSA) Sonobuoys. Ultra Maritime (UM) from the USA has teamed up with Bharat Dynamics
Limited (BDL) from India to manufacture these systems in India for the Indian Navy (IN).

Bellatrix Aerospace & Astroscale Japan Partner for Space Debris Removal and In-Orbit Mobility
In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Bellatrix Aerospace Private Limited has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aerospace Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc.
based in Tokyo, Japan to enhance efforts in active debris removal, satellite servicing, and in-orbit
mobility.
• This collaboration aims to promote a cleaner and safer space environment. The agreement seeks
to explore opportunities for the growth of the Indian space industry and its further expansion
within domestic markets.
i.Astroscale Japan, is at the forefront of developing advanced in-orbit servicing and space debris
mitigation solutions. The company provides a variety of scalable services, including: Life extension of
satellites, Space situational awareness, End-of-life disposal, Active debris removal
ii.Since March 2021, Astroscale has demonstrated proximity and docking operations through its End-of-
Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration (ELSA-d) and Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-
Japan (ADRAS-J) missions, with its spacecraft chosen for major space projects by global agencies and
organizations.
iii.Bellatrix Aerospace completed three space missions in 2024, achieving space qualification for its Green
Propulsion and Electric Propulsion-based Hall-Effect Thruster technologies, along with their subsystems.

Japanese Consortium Signed MoU to Establish Green Ammonia Production Facility in Odisha
In March 2025, a consortium of 6 leading Japanese companies including, IHI Corporation (formerly
known as Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.); Hokkaido Electric Power Co.,
Inc. (HEPCO); Mitsubishi Gas Company, Inc. (MGC), shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Limited,
Inc. (MOL); Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (MHBK), and Tokyo Century Corporation has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to explore investment opportunities in a green ammonia production project
currently under development in India.
• As per the MoU, a new green ammonia production facility will be established in Odisha,
by 2030 in partnership with Gurugram(Haryana) based ACME Cleantech Solutions Private
Limited(part of ACME Group), a leading Renewable Energy (RE) company.
• The facility is expected to produce nearly 4 lakh tons of green ammonia annually.
Note: Ammonia(NH3), a raw material for fertilizers and chemicals, is a next-generation clean energy
source that does not emit Carbon dioxide(CO2) during combustion. It has the potential to provide
decarbonization solutions in various fields.

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Key Points:
i.The green ammonia produced in the proposed facility will be transported to Japan, where local power
generation companies will use it as a clean energy source.
ii.The consortium will contribute their technical and financial expertise, and will evaluate the feasibility of
setting up a Special Purpose Company (SPC) for ammonia production and investment.
Role of key entities involved in the Project:
i.IHI Corporation is dedicated to pioneering Japan’s 1st dedicated green ammonia value chain. It aims to
build and expand this value chain both at domestic and international levels, ensuring a stable supply of
green ammonia and help in achieving carbon neutral society.
ii.HEPCO is making advancements in its carbon neutrality efforts by exploring ammonia use at the Tomato-
Atsuma Thermal Power Station Unit 4 and developing ammonia reception, storage and supply
facilities in Hokkaido (Japan).
iii.MOL has signed an MoU with IHI Corporation to develop a green ammonia supply chain and is working
toward Japan’s 1st import of green ammonia, using ocean-going vessels to transport ammonia from IHI’
production base in India to Japan’s primary terminals.
iv.MHBK has pledged to provide financial support of 2 trillion Japanese Yen (JPY) for hydrogen,
ammonia and related technologies by 2030. It aimed to boost supply chain development and facilitate the
implementation of sustainable energy solutions.
• Tokyo Century Corporation, mainly focused on solar energy, is now exploring participation in
the ammonia business as part of its commitment to carbon neutrality.
About Japan:
Prime Minister (PM)- Shigeru Ishiba
Capital- Tokyo
Currency- Japanese Yen (JPY)

MoRD & UNICEF YuWaah Sign SoI to Empower Rural Women and Youth
On March 26, 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) of Government of India (GoI) and
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India) have signed a three-
year Statement of Intent (SOI) to enhance livelihood opportunities for rural women and youth in
India through skill development, entrepreneurship, and job linkages.
• The partnership aims to boost female labor force participation and empower 10 crore Self-Help
Group (SHG) members, particularly focusing on youth.
• It aligns with the ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ Programme from the Union Budget 2025-
26, aimed at reducing underemployment in agriculture through skill development, investment,
technology, and strengthening the rural economy.
Key People:
The SOI was signed by T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary of MoRD, and Sharada Thapalia, Deputy
Representative (Operations), UNICEF India. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary of MoRD, Dr. Monika, Deputy
Secretary of MoRD along with team members of MoRD and UNICEF YuWaah were also present during the
event.
Key Initiatives:
i.Digital Infrastructure Development:
• Establishment of Computer Didi Centers and Didi ki Dukan (women-owned retail outlets)
in 5 states: Andhra Pradesh (AP), Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Odisha, and Rajasthan.
• Targets 5 blocks initially, with plans to scale up to 35 lakh women across 7,000 blocks post-
success.

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ii.Skill and Employment Platforms:

• Launch of Youth Hub, an aggregator platform connecting youth to jobs, skilling programs, and
volunteering opportunities.
• Creation of Lakhpati Didis (women entrepreneurs earning Rs 1 lakh annually) to align with the
government’s economic empowerment vision.
About Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD):
Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani (Constituency- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, AP) and
Kamlesh Paswan (Constituency- Bansgaon, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

IIM Mumbai & CAG India Signed MoU to strengthening economic governance and accountability
In March 2025, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM-Mumbai) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra and
the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
improve the efficiency and transparency of public sector logistics, supply chain, and inventory
management.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of K. Sanjay Murthy, CAG of India and Manoj
Tiwari, Director, IIM-Mumbai, along with their respective teams in New Delhi, Delhi.
• This MoU signifies an initiative led by CAG India which aimed to foster collaborations with
institutes of national importance like: IIM-Mumbai, to enhance the capacity building of Indian
Audit and Accounts Department (IAAD) officials on a large scale as well as to strengthen
auditing capabilities and improve resource management across various government
departments and public sector enterprises (PSEs).
Key Points:
i.This strategic partnership seeks to enhance auditors’ sector-specific expertise, improve risk and
performance analysis, and foster transparency, accountability, and data-driven excellence in public
financial management.
ii.Also, a customized training course for 45 CAG officials is scheduled to commence in the 3rd week of next
month i.e. in April, 2025.
• The course is designed to train CAG officials with important skills required to effectively audit
and manage logistics and supply chain operations within the public sector.

CAG Signed Mou with BISAG-N for Geo-Spatial Audit Enhancement

In March 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has entered
into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gandhinagar (Gujarat) the Bhaskaracharya National
Institute of Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) under the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY) to modernize audit processes using advanced technologies.
• The MoU was signed by Deputy CAG S Ramann and BISAG-N Director General(DG) TP Singh in
the presence of CAG Sanjay Murthy.
i.The agreement aims to enhance audit capabilities by leveraging advanced technologies, particularly geo-
spatial tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics.
ii.The collaboration with a technically self-reliant organization like BISANG-N will not only strengthen
audit capabilities but also highlight the technological expertise of public institutions. This product has been
developed as part of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative.
iii.According to the agreement, both organizations have agreed to develop a customized platform for audit
analysis by leveraging geo-spatial data and other relevant data from the Prime Minister(PM)-GatiShakti
pipeline.

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COMMITTEES & MEETINGS

Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chaired 237th Meeting of CBT of EPF;
Recommended 8.25% Interest Rate on EPF for FY25
In February 2025, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E)
chaired the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in
New Delhi, Delhi.
• During the meeting, CBT recommended to retain an annual rate of interest of 8.25% to be
credited on EPF subscribers for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), as provided in last fiscal year.
• After the actuarial valuation of the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme, CBT
approved key changes in the scheme to provide greater financial security and support to the
family members of EPF.
Note: In February 2024, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had increased the interest rate
on EPF from 8.15% (in FY23) to 8.25% for FY24.
Key People: Union Minister of State (MoS) Shobha Karadlaje, MoL&E and Vice-Chairperson of CBT;
Sumita Dawra, Secretary, MoL&E; Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC),
were also present at the event.
Key Changes in EDLI Scheme:
i.Minimum Life Insurance for death within 1 year of service: CBT introduced a minimum life insurance
of Rs 50,000 for EPF members who die within the 1st year of service.
ii.Coverage for non-contributory period: As per CBT, now, if a member dies within 6 months of their last
contribution received, the EDLI benefit will be admissible,
subject to the condition the name of member is not stuck off
from the pay roll.
iii.Consideration of service continuity rules: Earlier, a gap of
even one or two days between employment in two
establishments led to the refusal of minimum EDLI benefits from
Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, as the condition of continuous service of
1 year is breached.
• As per the new changes, a gap of maximum 2
months between 2 spells of employment will now be considered as continuous services.
Other Key Decisions:
i.Pension on Higher Wages (PoHW): CBT informed that so far, EPFO has processed 72% the applications
related to Supreme Court’s(SC) ruling on PoHW.
ii.Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS): From January 2025, EPFO has successfully
implemented the CPPS across all its Regional Offices (ROs).
• Under this system, pension payments for all ROs are disbursed through a Centralized Pension
Disbursement Account (CPDA) maintained at the New Delhi(Delhi) Branch of State Bank of
India(SBI).
• As on January 2025, EPFO has disbursed Rs 1,710 crore as pension to 69.35 lakh pensioners
through CPPS.
iii.Reduced penalties for delay in PF payments: EPFO has set the penalty for late PF remittances at 1%
per month which was officially notified in June 2024, to reduce litigation.
iv.Annual Budget approval: The CBT has also approved the Revised Estimates (RE) for FY25 and Budget
Estimates (BE) for FY26 for EPFO and the schemes monitored by it.

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About Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E):

Union Minister- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency- Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- Shobha Karandlaje (Constituency- Bangalore North, Karnataka)
About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):
Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC)- Ramesh Krishnamurthi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1952

16th CoP to the Convention on Biological Diversity Resumed in Rome, Italy

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16.2) to the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) resumed from February 25 to 27, 2025 at the headquarters of Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Italy.
• Earlier, the COP 16 held in Cali, Columbia in October 2024, which was paused due to lack of
quorum required for biodiversity finance related agreements. Later, it was resumed virtually in
December 2024 but again it was ended abruptly.
• Susana Muhamad, the COP16 President from Colombia, stressed the need for urgent action and
highlighted that ambitious plans require adequate funding to succeed.
Note: Armenia will host the 17th COP (COP17) to the CBD in 2026.
Background:
i.CBD is an international treaty, established in 1992, for the conservation of biodiversity , the sustainable
use of components of biodiversity, and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.
• At present, CBD has 196 member countries including India.
ii.Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was established during COP15 held in
Montreal, Canada in 2022, managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
• Currently, it is operational and received initial funding from Austria, Canada, Denmark, France,
Germany, among others, which amounted to nearly USD 382 million.
Key Highlights of COP16.2 CBD:
Biodiversity Funding Agreement:
During the conference, member countries adopted a landmark biodiversity funding agreement, aimed at
establishing a long-term financial mechanism to protect biodiversity and ensure the success of the KMGBF.
• The agreement focuses on two primary objectives such as: bridging the biodiversity finance
gap from all sources (public, private and international) and implementing article 21 of
the CBD, to establish permanent financial mechanisms under the authority of the COP, ensuring
sustained long-term funding for biodiversity protection.
Key Points:
i.Resource Mobilisation: The governments pledged to mobilise USD 200 billion annually by 2030 from
all sources to support biodiversity initiatives across the world, including the mobilization of minimum USD
20 billion annually in Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 2025 and USD 30 billion annually by 2030,
in line with target 19 of the KMGBF.
• So far, the GEF has allocated over USD 3 billion in support of biodiversity goals, generating an
additional USD 22 billion, including USD 1.9 billion from the private sector.
ii.Financial Mechanism: During the conference, members countries agreed on adopting the financial
mechanism of the convention which focuses on the GEF and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
(GBFF).
• Also, the COP adopted the 4-year framework of biodiversity programme priorities of the CBD
and its protocols to inform about next GEF replenishment (2026-2030).

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iii.Monitoring framework for the KMGBF: The COP agreed to provide a set of indicators for monitoring
the progress towards the goal and targets of the KMGBF in the 7th and 8th national reports.
• One of the key additions to the monitoring framework is an indicator for target 22 i.e. on land
use change and land tenure in the conventional territories of Indigenous Peoples and local
communities.
Cali Fund Launched to Boost Biodiversity Finance:
The key outcome of the resumed CBD COP16 was the launch of a new international fund, ‘Cali
Fund’, aimed to help protect biodiversity as well as boost the biodiversity funds.
• It is designed for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence
Information (DSI) on genetic resources.
• Initially, the fund was adopted on November 2, 2024 at COP16 CBD held in Cali.
About Cali Fund:
i.The fund will receive financial support from companies who use genetic data from nature in their
businesses.
ii.Also, the financial contributions to the Cali fund will be used for the implementation of the CBD,
including supporting the implementation of the KMGBF.
iii.Minimum 50% of the Cali fund will be allocated to the indigenous people and local communities
recognizing their pivotal role in protecting nature.
iv.The fund will be administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) in collaboration with the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP).
• Also, the Secretariat of the CBD will host the Cali Fund Secretariat.
v.The disbursements of fund will be used to boost the implementation of KMGBF, the universal plan to stop
and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 adopted under CBD.
Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative:
The FAO urged for bold action to transform the Agrifood Systems (AFS) in support of global biodiversity
targets during the COP16.2 of CBD which saw the participation of representatives from more than 150
countries.
• The event built on momentum from COP16 held in October 2024, where, FAO, the Government
of Columbia and the CBD secretariat launched the ‘Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative’.
• While addressing the conference, Qu Dongyu, Director-General (DG) of FAO emphasized on
adopting integrated approach across government sectors, to ensure 4 betters: better
production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life-leaving no one behind.
About Agri-NBSAPs:
i.The initiative helps the governments integrate AFS into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans (NBSAPs) and implementation efforts.
• The initiative will be implemented for a period of 5 years i.e. from 2025 to 2030, covering the
7th and 8th phases of national reporting and the timeline for implementation of KMGBF.
ii.Under this initiative, 15 countries will be selected based on criteria such as their alignment with the
FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) and their request for support in implementing the KMGBF.
iii.The initiative will provide targeted support to the governments in their efforts in identifying and
implementing actions in AFS that will enable them to achieve biodiversity goals specified in their NBSAPs.
• This targeted support includes: institutional capacity, policy coherence, stakeholder
participation, knowledge generation and access to finance.

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About Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):

It is of the specialized agencies of United Nations (UN), to make international efforts to combat hunger and
to achieve food security for all.
Director-General (DG)- Qu Dongyu
Headquarters- Rome, Italy
Established- 1945

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired 4th NSAC meeting in New Delhi; Launches
Sagarmala 2.0 & S2I2
In March 2025, the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meeting was held under the
Chairmanship of the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
(MoPSW) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi,Delhi to review the progress of key projects under Sagarmala, the
flagship programme of the MoPSW.
• During the meeting, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the plan
of Sagarmala 2.0, aiming to bridge infrastructure gaps and position India as a global maritime
leader.This initiative follows the successful implementation of the original Sagarmala
Programme.
• He launched the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S212), a forward-looking program
aimed at accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship in the maritime sector.
• This vision aligns with the broader goal of a developed and self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar
Bharat) by 2047.
Key People:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH); Suman Bery, Vice
Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India(NITI) Aayog; Dr.Pramod Sawant, Chief
Minister(CM) of Goa, as well as ministerial representation from Gujrat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar islands were attended the meeting.
Highlights of 4th NSAC meeting:
About Sagarmala 1.0:
i.In 2015, the Sagarmala Programme was approved by the Government of India(GoI).
• Five Key Pillars: Port-led industrialization, Port Modernization, Port Connectivity, Coastal
Shipping and Inland Waterways and Coastal Community Development.
ii.Port Modernisation: The programme includes 234 port modernisation projects worth Rs.2.91 lakh
crore, with 103 projects already completed, adding 230 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) to port
capacity.
iii.Connectivity Enhancement: A total of 279 connectivity projects valued at Rs.2.06 lakh crore are
underway, with 92 projects completed, enhancing 1,500 kilometer (km) of port links.
iv.Industrialisation and Community Development: The initiative encompasses 14 port-led
industrialisation projects worth Rs.55,000 crore, with nine completed.
• Over 310 projects worth Rs.26,000 crore under Coastal Community Development and Inland
Waterways have benefited more than 30,000 fishermen and improved coastal infrastructure.
v.The MoPSW is executing 839 projects worth Rs.5.79 lakh crore under the Sagarmala Programme, with
272 projects already completed at an investment of Rs.1.41 lakh crore.
• Additionally, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has
allocated Rs.10,000 crore for 119 projects across coastal states and Union Territories under
the Sagarmala scheme.

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About Sagarmala 2.0:

i.With a budgetary support of Rs.40,000 crore, Sagarmala 2.0 seeks to catalyse investments worth Rs.12
lakh crore over the next decade.
ii.The focus areas include shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling, aiming to expand port handling
capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually by 2047.
iii.The initiative is designed to realize the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV 2047), with the goal of
making India one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations adding 4 Million Gross Tonnage (GRT) of
shipbuilding capacity and increasing port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons(MT) per year.
About Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2):
i.Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) was designed to foster innovation and
entrepreneurship in the maritime sector.
• It aims to empower startups focusing on areas such as green shipping, smart ports, maritime
logistics, shipbuilding technology, and sustainable coastal development.
ii.The initiative offers funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to nurture cutting-edge solutions,
driving economic growth and technological advancements within the sector.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister- Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Dibrugarh, Assam) Minister of State (MoS)–
Shantanu Thakur (Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal, WB)

14th Meeting of ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism held in New Delhi
The 14th meeting of Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-
Plus) Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) was held from March 19 to
March 20, 2025, in New Delhi, Delhi. India and Malaysia, co-chaired this latest edition of ADMM-Plus EWG
on CT for cycle 2024-27.
• During the conference, both India and Malaysia announced work plans for the activities planned
for the cycle 2024-27and also, announced the conduct of Table-Top Exercise for EWG on CT in
Malaysia in 2026 and Field Training Exercise in India in 2027.
Note: Myanmar and Russia, co-chaired the 13th meeting of ADMM-Plus EWG on CT for cycle 2021-2024.
Key Participants:
i.The meeting saw the participation of delegations from ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN nations i.e. Lao People’s
Democratic Republic (PDR); Malaysia; Indonesia; Myanmar; Singapore; Thailand; Malaysia; the
Philippines; and Vietnam and member states of ADMM-Plus Nations (China, the United States of America
(USA), Russia, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea (South Korea)).
ii.Also, Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary of International Cooperation (IC), Ministry of Defence (MoD),
senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian Army (IA)’s CT division participated
in the event.
Key Points:
i.The main focus of the discussions which were held during the two-day conference, was on framing a
robust and comprehensive strategy to tackle the evolving threat of terrorism and extremism.
ii.The meeting was aimed at sharing the on-ground experience of the Defence Forces of ASEAN nations and
its dialogue partners.
iii.While addressing the inaugural session, Rajesh Kumar, Secretary, MoD highlighted India’s efforts
towards countering terrorism in the region like: adoption of Delhi Declaration during India’s chairmanship
of CT committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2022.

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About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):

Secretary-General- Dr. Kao Kim Hourn (Cambodia)
Headquarters- Jakarta, Indonesia
Established- 1967
Member states- 10

India and Bolivia Strengthen Bilateral Ties with Quick Impact Projects Agreement
In March 2025, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI) held a bilateral meeting with Celinda Sosa Lunda, Foreign
Minister of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to enhance bilateral relations between India and Bolivia by
signing an agreement on Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
India-Bolivia Bilateral Ties:
i.The collaboration on Quick Impact Projects reflects a shared commitment to fostering economic growth
and social inclusion.
ii.By focusing on immediate community needs, these projects aim to enhance the quality of life for Bolivian
citizens and strengthen the foundation for a robust bilateral relationship between India and Bolivia.
iii.This development follows the meeting between EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Andre Aranha Correa do
Lago, President of United Nations (UN) Climate Change COP30 (30th Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC) Amazonia and former Ambassador
of Brazil to India.
• During the meeting, India assured its full support to Brazil’s leadership for ensuring a successful
and result-driven COP30 summit.
About Bolivia:
President – Luis Arce Catacora
Capital: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (administrative)
Currency – Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)

SUMMITS, EVENTS & CONFERENCE

8th edition of Invest Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit 2025 Held in Bhopal
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th edition of the premier biennial event, Invest
Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 which was held on 24 and 25 February 2025, at
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) in Bhopal, MP. The summit was organized by the
Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion (DIPIP), Government of MP.
• During the GIS- 2025, MP secured investment commitments through Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 30.77 lakh crore, and the proposals were expected to
generate 21.36 lakh employment opportunities.
Note: Invest MP – GIS was started in 2007 in Indore, MP. The 7th Invest MP – GIS was held on January 11th
and 12th, 2023 at the Brilliant Convention Centre (BCC) in Indore.

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Diplomatic & Global Participation:

i.The event witnessed the participation of 13 Ambassadors (including Nepal, Morocco, Zimbabwe, etc.), 6
High Commissioners from Rwanda, Seychelles, Jamaica, Lesotho, and Uganda.
ii.Entrepreneurs from 60 countries were invited to explore investment opportunities.
iii.The diplomatic delegation at GIS-2025 was led by the Consul Generals from Germany, Japan,
Switzerland, and Malaysia.
iv.Presence of over 300 leading Indian industrialists, including Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya
Birla Group (ABG), Gautam Adani, Chairperson of Adani Group, Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing
Director (CMD) of Godrej Industries Limited (GIL), etc.
v.9 countries, including Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, and Canada, participated as
partner countries at the GIS 2025.
Key Events of GIS 2025:
The GIS 2025 event featured summits and thematic sessions to
foster growth, attract investments, and highlight the state’s
unique potential. They are:
• Information Technology (IT) and Technology Summit
• Energy & Renewable Energy(RE) Summit
• Pravasi MP Summit
• Tourism Summit
• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and
Startup Summit
• Mining Summit
ii.Various Exhibitions & Expos were organised including the MP
Mobility Expo, the Central India Fabric & Fashion Expo, the
Madhya Pradesh Legacy Pavilion, the “One District-One Product”
(ODOP) Village, etc.
iii.The event also hosted a series of structured B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2G (Business-to-
Government) meetings, designed to promote collaboration, facilitate investments, and strengthen
partnerships.
v.Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) addressed the closing ceremony of GIS-
2025.
• The event also witnessed the presence of Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister (CM) of MP.
Collaborations and Agreements across Sectors at GIS 2025:
• Infrastructure: Rs 1.3 lakh crore MoU between the National Highways Authority of India
(NHAI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to enhance connectivity.
• New and Renewable Energy (NRE): Rs 5.72 lakh crore.
• Mining & Mineral Resources: Rs 3.22 lakh crore.
• Urban Development & Housing (UDH): Rs 1.97 lakh crore.
• Power, Science & Technology, Public Health and Family Welfare, Higher Education: Rs
2.35 lakh crore combined.
• Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion: Rs 8.6 lakh crore.
Key MoUs at GIS 2025:
1.New Delhi (Delhi) based NTPC Limited (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation), India’s largest
integrated energy company and its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) have signed multiple MoUs
with the MP government during the GIS 2025.
• The MoUs worth Rs 2 lakh crores covers various renewable projects based on Solar, Wind,
Pump Hydro, and other carbon-neutral energy sources in MP.

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2.Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Hindalco Industries Limited (HIL), the metals flagship company of Aditya
Birla Group (ABG) has signed an MoU with the MP government to invest Rs15,000 crore over the next 2
years.
• A significant portion will be allocated to a new aluminum smelting capacity, and the group
also plans to open a large mine called Banda.
3.New Delhi based EaseMyTrip, one of the leading travel organisations in India announced a Rs 200
crore investment in the electric bus (e-bus) manufacturing sector.
i.The investment aims to revolutionize sustainable transport in MP, aligning with India’s USD 3 billion
Electric Vehicle (EV) industry, which is expanding at an 18% Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).
• EaseMyTrip through its subsidiaries, YoloBus and Easy Green Mobility, has secured a tender to
introduce e-buses buses in Sagar and other cities in MP.
4.SAGE Group, a leading business conglomerate in the United Kingdom(UK), has announced an
investment of Rs 1,450 crore in MP, focusing on renewable energy, hospitality, and industrial growth.
• Of the Rs 1,450 crore, Rs 500 crore will be invested to develop RE projects, and Rs 300 crore will
be allocated for a new hotel project.
5.During the Urban Development Session at the GIS, an MoU was signed with a Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-
based aviation company Fly Bharathi Aviation and Aeronautics Private Limited (FBAA) for the
development of Ujjain’s airport, involving an investment of Rs 750 crore.
6.Five companies signed MoUs for urban air services.
• Air India Express (AIE):For international flights from Indore to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Bangkok in Thailand, and domestic destinations Patna (Bihar), Kochi (Kerala),
and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).
• Frankfinn: Establishment of 5 aviation academies, generating 6,000-7,000 jobs.
• Pradhaan Air Express Private Limited: Rs 150 crore investment for intrastate air services in
Ujjain.
• Inn Avia Aviation Consultant GmbH: Rs 500 crore investment for Maintenance, Repair, and
Operations (MRO) facility in Bhopal.
• Urban Development & Housing Department collaborated with the Administrative Staff
College of India (ASCI) for training programs.
Investment Roadmap at GIS 2025:
i.The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) major Dabur
India Limited (DIL) headquartered in Ghaziabad, Uttar
Pradesh(UP) pledged Rs 550 crore over the next 2 years,
expanding its existing Rs 1,000 crore investment in MP. DIL
plans to enhance its Ayurveda and herbal product lines.
ii.Mumbai based Reliance Industries
Limited (RIL) announced Rs 60,000 crore to set up biofuel
projects, marking its entry into MP’s RE sector.
iii.NTPC Limited committed Rs 1.2 trillion for 2
Gigawatt(GW) of renewable power capacity and an
additional Rs 80,000 crore for 2 greenfield Nuclear Power
Plants (NPPs).
iv.Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Adani Group pledged Rs 1.1
trillion for projects in pumped storage, cement, mining,
smart meters, and thermal energy, with plans for an additional Rs 10 trillion in a greenfield smart city,
airport, and coal-gasification project, generating 120,000 jobs by 2030.

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v.Mumbai based Avaada Group committed Rs 50,000 crore for solar, wind, and battery storage projects
over 3-5 years.
vi.Ahmedabad based Torrent Power Limited (TPL) will invest Rs 26,500 crore in renewable energy and
pump storage projects in MP.
• TPL signed an MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of
MP, to set up a 2.2 GW pump storage capacity and another 2 GW renewable capacity comprising
solar and wind.
vii.New Delhi based Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), and New Delhi based Rural Electrification
Corporation Limited(REC), offered lending support of Rs 26,800 crore and Rs 21,000 crore,
respectively.
viii.Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) based OPG Power Generation Private Limited (OPGPL) pledged Rs 13,400
crore for battery storage, green hydrogen, and hybrid power projects.
ix.New Delhi based Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) committed to invest Rs 2,500 crores phase-
wise in renewable energy projects in MP.
x.The Indo-European Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (IECSME), the GIIC, and
the IGCC signed MoUs with the MPIDC to promote sustainable and long-term investment in MP.
Madhya Pradesh’s Transformation and Potential:
i.MP is India’s fifth-largest state by population and among the top states for agriculture and minerals
iii.The state now has:
• Over 5 lakh kilometers (km) of road network
• 100% electrified rail network with 80 stations being modernised
• Power surplus status with 31,000 Megawatt (MW) generation capacity (30% clean energy)
iv.MP is recognised as India’s organic cotton capital, contributing 25% of India’s supply. MP government
has designated 2025 as the ‘Year of Industries’ to boost industrial growth.
About Madhya Pradesh:
Chief Minister (CM)- Mohan Yadav
Governor– Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary, and Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserves– Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, and Kanha Tiger Reserve

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit in
Guwahati
In February 2025, Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day Advantage
Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit at Khanpara locality
Guwahati, Assam held from February 25 to 26.
Key People: The summit was attended by notable figures,
including:Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA); Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of
Communications (MoC); Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra
Margherita, MEA; Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya; Chief
Minister (CM) of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma; CM of Tripura
Manik Saha
• Additionally, ambassadors from 61 nations and business leaders from countries like Bhutan,
Thailand, Republic of Singapore, South Korea (SK), Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan participated
in the event.

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Highlights:
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Major Railway and IT Projects at Advantage Assam
2.0
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR) and Ministry of Electronics & Information
Technology (MoE&IT), announced several new projects aimed at boosting the railway and Information
Technology (IT) sectors in the region during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit.
Key Announcements:
i.Advancements in Semiconductor and IT Sector: A new semiconductor plant will be set up in Assam,
strengthening its role in electronics manufacturing and Guwahati Railway Station in Assam will be
transformed into an IT hub.
ii.A Greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) will be developed in Bongora, Kamrup (Assam)
with an investment of Rs120 crore under the Electronics Manufacturing Scheme.
iii.The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) located in New Delhi
(Delhi) has been upgraded to a Deemed-to-be University, and a new campus will be established
in Jagiroad, Morigaon district of Assam.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Unveils Assam’s Vision for Digital Leadership
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced major initiatives to improve digital connectivity in
Northeast India during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit.
i.Union Minister Scindia announced launch of 5G Laboratory (Lab) at Gauhati University in Guwahati to
promote research and skill development in advanced telecom technologies, supporting cost-effective
testing and future 6G advancements
ii.The MoC is investing Rs 1,800 crore through Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) based in New Delhi
to expand 4th Generation (4G) and 5th Generation (5G) connectivity across Northeast (NE) India, including
remote villages in Assam.
iii.Under the Samridhi Gram Yojana, each block in Assam will have a 5G Use Application Service to
support telemedicine and online education.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Announces Rs 4,800 Crore Plan to Revolutionize Assam’s
Inland Waterways
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), announced an
investment of over Rs 4,800 crore to boost Assam’s inland waterways sector during the Advantage Assam
2.0 Summit.
i.Union Minister announced Rs 1,500 crore investment under the Harit Nauka scheme to transition to
eco-friendly vessels by 2030. Rs 375 crore has been allocated for the second phase of the Pandu ship
repair facility in assam.
ii.The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) operating under MoPSW is executing Rs 1,010 crore
worth of projects on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. Under the Sagarmala scheme, Rs 646 crore has
been allocated to strengthen riverine infrastructure on the Brahmaputra.
RIL, Vedanta, and Adani Group Commit Over Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore Investment in Assam
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Vedanta Limited also based in Mumbai,
and the Adani Group based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat have pledged to invest over Rs 1.5 lakh crore in
Assam across various sectors, as announced by their respective leaders at the Advantage Assam Summit
2.0.
• RIL will invest over Rs 50,000 crore in Assam over the next five years, focusing on data centers,
green energy, food parks, retail infrastructure, and hospitality. Vedanta plans to invest
Rs 50,000 crore in oil and gas exploration and production. The Adani Group also committed
Rs 50,000 crore for projects in airports, aerocities, city gas distribution, transmission, cement,
and roads.

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TERI Boosts Sustainable Growth in Assam with MoUs and Marketing Agreement at Advantage
Assam 2.0
New Delhi- based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) as the official knowledge partner of the
Summit, has signed two MoUs and a Marketing Agreement at the Advantage Assam 2.0 – Investment and
Infrastructure Summit 2025.
i.MoU with Namrup (Assam)-based Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited
(BVFCL): This partnership will introduce TERI’s patented products, such as Mycorrhiza, biologicals, and
biogenic nanotechnology products, into Assam’s farming sector.
ii.MoU with New Delhi-based Hindustan Rasayan Private Limited (HRPL): This agreement focuses on
establishing manufacturing, storage, and distribution infrastructure for TERI’s advanced technology
products in Assam.
iii.Marketing Agreement with BVFCL: This deal will enable the sale and marketing
of Mukta Myco Plus+, TERI’s Mycorrhiza-based product, which promotes organic farming and enhances
soil fertility.
Other Points:
i.Star Cement Limited based in Meghalaya plans to invest Rs 3,200 crore to set up a modern cement clinker
and grinding plant in the region.
ii.The Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit ended, securing total investment
commitments of Rs 4,91,500 crore for Assam.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM)- Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor– Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Capital– Dispur
National Parks (NP)- Kaziranga NP, Manas NP

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates WSDS 2025 in New Delhi

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change(MoEFCC)
inaugurated the 24th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025, held from
March 5 to 7, 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi. The theme for WSDS 2025 is “Partnerships for Accelerating
Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions.”
• The WSDS is an annual event hosted by Bengaluru(Karnataka) based The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI) since 2001.
• WSDS 2025 featured plenary sessions, and exhibitions, aimed at strengthening dialogue and
action on sustainable development and climate solutions.
Key Attendees: The event was attended by Prime Minister (PM) of Republic of Guyana Brigadier Mark
Phillips, and Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva. It also featured Nitin
Desai, Chairman of TERI, and Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General (DG) of TERI, along with subject
experts and other dignitaries.
Highlights of WSDS 2025:
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Addresses Inaugural Session:
i.Addressing the inaugural session of the WSDS 2025, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav outlined India’s
long-term vision, aiming to become a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and achieve net-zero
emissions by 2070.

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• He reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustainability under PM of India Narendra Modi’s

leadership, highlighting key initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for
Environment).
ii.He also highlighted that India achieved a 7.93% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, 36%
reduction in emission intensity between 2005 and 2020, progressing towards the 45% target by 2030.
iii.He concluded by emphasizing that climate action must be integrated with the broader Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) to tackle poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
iv.During the event, a special edition of TerraGreen was released, featuring pioneering research, insightful
case studies, and expert perspectives on environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Development Leadership Award (SDLA) 2025:
During WSDS 2025, the TERI presented the SDLA 2025 to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of Guyana,
and Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil.
About Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo:
i.Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was honored for his groundbreaking contributions to climate action. Guyana’s Prime
Minister(PM), Mark Phillips, accepted the award on his behalf.
ii.In 2009, he introduced Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), making the country a
leader in forest conservation and climate finance.
iii.Under his guidance, Guyana implemented one of the first national-level payment systems for
ecosystem services, setting a model for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
(REDD+).
About Marina Silva:
i.Marina Silva recognized for their exceptional contributions to the promotion of sustainability and climate
action.
ii.Under his guidance, Brazil reduced deforestation in the Amazon by 46% in 2024, compared to 2022,
reaching its lowest level in the last 9 years, and the establishment, in 2023, of the Tropical Forest Forever
Facility (TFFF) Mechanism as a means to increase financial flows to nature protection and payment for
ecosystem services.
About The Sustainable Development Leadership Award (SDLA):
The SDLA, established in 2005, recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on climate
action and sustainable development.
• It honors leaders who take bold initiatives to drive meaningful change rather than waiting for it
to occur.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change,(MoEFCC):
Union Minister– Bhupendra Yadav (Constituency -Alwar, Rajasthan)
Minister of State (MoS)– Kirtivardhan Singh (Constituency- Gonda , Uttar Pradesh UP)

10th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue Held in New Delhi from March 17-19, 2025
The 10th edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, took
place from March 17 to 19, 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi . The event was jointly inaugurated by Prime
Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi and PM of New Zealand (NZ) Christopher Luxon who attended
the event as the Chief Guest (CG).
• The conference is organized by New Delhi based Observer Research Foundation(ORF) in
collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA).
• The Dialogue also hosts the Raisina Ideas Pod in partnership with Firstpost, India’s premier
international news platform owned by Network18 Group, featuring specially curated ministerial
sessions and conversations of issues of global importance.

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• The Dialogue saw participation from around 3,500 attendees representing nearly 125
countries, with millions worldwide watching the event
online.
Theme:
• The theme of the 2025 edition of the Raisina Dialogue is
“Kālachakra – People, Peace, and Planet”.
• Over three days, global leaders will discuss six key
themes: political shifts, sustainability challenges, digital
governance, trade policies, development strategies, and
peace-building.
About Raisina Dialogue:
i.The Raisina Dialogue has been held annually in New Delhi since 2016.
ii.It follows a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral format, bringing together heads of state, cabinet ministers,
and local government officials, alongside thought leaders from the private sector, media, and academia.
iii.The 9th edition Raisina Dialogue was held with the theme ‘Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate,
Create’ in New Delhi from February 21 to 23, 2024.
Highlights of Raisina Dialogue 2025:
Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Holds Key Bilateral Meetings:
During the Raisina Dialogue 2025 Union Minister S. Jaishankar, MEA held several high-level meetings with
global leaders.
Key Discussions:
i.Union Minister Jaishankar had a meeting with Foreign Minister of Latvia , Baiba Braze, to discuss
Ukraine-related issues and India’s relations with the European Union (EU). In a meeting with Antigua &
Barbuda’s Foreign Minister, Chet Greene, they explored collaboration in health, education, sports, and
capacity building.
ii.He also held discussions with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General (DG) of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), focusing on nuclear safety and non-proliferation. With Maldives Foreign Minister
Abdulla Khaleel, he reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation.
iii.Union Minister held a meeting with Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, to enhance
cooperation in digital technology, connectivity, food security, and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for
Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
• He also discussed strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties with Peruvian Foreign Minister,
Elmer Schialer Salcedo, and witnessed an agreement exchange between the National Archives
of India(NAI) and the General Archives of Peru.
iv.During his discussion with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, he acknowledged Ukraine’s
perspective on peace negotiations and highlighted the opening of Ukraine’s new Consulate General in
Mumbai, Maharashtra.
v.Union Minister S. Jaishankar discussed Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), United
Nations (UN) collaboration, and the Ukraine conflict with Liechtenstein’s Foreign Minister. In talks
with Cuba’s Deputy PM, he focused on healthcare and traditional medicine.
vi.Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba held talks at the Raisina Dialogue 2025, focusing on trade,
hydropower, and climate action.Union Minister S. Jaishankar met Deuba to discuss India-Nepal ties and
regional cooperation.
vii.On the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue Union Minister Jaishankar met Georgian Foreign Minister
Maka Botchorishvili. Their discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment,
tourism, and education.

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Bisleri & ORF Launch Book on Water Credits:

During the Dialogue, Bisleri International Private Limited based in Mumbai(Maharashtra) in partnership
with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), based in New Delhi introduced a book titled ‘Trading Blue
Gold: A Blueprint for Water Credit Valuation in India’ in New Delhi..
• The book is coauthored by Nilanjan Ghosh and Soumya Bhowmick.
• The book seeks to expand the concept of water credit valuation beyond the beverage industry.
About Observer Research Foundation(ORF):
President – Samir Saran
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1990

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announced USD 1 billion Fund for the Creator Economy
Ahead of WAVES 2025
In March 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB)
announced a USD 1 billion fund to give boost to the creator economy, during high-level session on World
Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Chanakyapuri in
New Delhi (Delhi).
• He also announced that the Government of India(GoI) has allocated Rs 391 crore for India’s
1st Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) which will be set up in Goregaon Film City,
Mumbai (Maharashtra).
• The WAVES 2025 is scheduled to be held in Mumbai, Maharashtra from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Key People:
• Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA); Devendra Fadnavis, Chief
Minister (CM) of Maharashtra; Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Loganathan Murugan, MIB,
among others were present at the event.
• The event also witnessed the participation of Ambassadors and High Commissioners of 100
countries.
About USD 1 billion fund:
i.This fund will be dedicated to ensuring that the energetic creators, who are using the latest technologies,
will be able to access capital, hone their skills, upgrade their production levels, and reach the global
markets.
ii.The fund will be supported through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and its modalities will be
released later.
iii.This move aims to empower digital content creators by providing them access to capital, skill
development, and international market integration.
Key Points:
i.During the event, the MIB and Government of Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU), which aimed at bolstering collaboration in media, entertainment, and digital
outreach.
ii.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishanaw and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of MIB jointly host the Global Media
Dialogue and Thought Leaders Track will host plenary sessions and panel discussions by industry leaders.
v.Union Minister announced that so far, ‘Create in India Challenge (CIC)’, a precursor to the WAVES, had
received more than 25 lakh submissions and over 80,000 creators selected for the next level of the
challenge.
• Among these 80,000 participants, only 1,000 will feature in the finals of various challenges that
will be held during the WAVES summit.
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Loganathan Murugan(Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh, MP)

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12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in the Asia & the Pacific Held in Jaipur,
Rajasthan
The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in the Asia & the Pacific was held from March 3 to
March 5, 2025 at Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The theme of the 2025 forum is
‘Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) and Carbon
Neutrality in Asia-Pacific’.
• The 3-day conference was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA),
the Government of India(GoI) in collaboration with United Nations Centre for Regional
Development (UNCRD), and Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES).
Key Participants:
i.Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, MoHUA inaugurated the 2025 forum. 800 delegates from 33 states
and Union Territories (UTs), 15-line ministries, private sector, and technical institutions represented India
at the forum.
ii.24 member countries from Asia-Pacific region participated at the forum in person. Also, ministers from
Japan, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Maldives attended the event.
About Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum :
i.The forum was originally launched in 2009, aimed at promoting 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles,
sustainable waste management, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles across the region. It
provides a unique platform for policy dialogue and capacity building.
ii.The latest edition of the forum was supported by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); Ministry of Environment of Japan; and various other international and
regional organisations.
iv.The last edition of the forum (11th) was hosted by Cambodia in 2023.
• Previously, India hosted the 8th edition of the forum in 2018 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP).
Highlights of the Forum 2025:
i.While addressing the inaugural session of the forum, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the
launch of Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration,
knowledge sharing, and private sector partnerships.
ii.Union Minister Manohar Lal along with Bhajanlal Sharma, Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan jointly
inaugurated the 3R India Pavilion.
• The pavilion featured the International 3R Trade and Technology Exhibition, which
demonstrated more than 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and start-ups working on waste
management and circular economy solutions.
iii.A key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and
Sustain (CITIIS 2.0), a flagship initiative of MoHUA which aimed to promote integrated waste management
and climate action, was signed, which marked a major milestone in urban sustainability initiatives.
• Rs 1,800 crores worth of agreements were signed to implement in 18 cities across 14
states of the country.
• The initiative will receive financial assistance in the form of loans of equal amounts by the AFD
(French Development Agency) and KfW German Development Bank amounting to Rs 1,496
crore and a grant of Rs 264 crore from the European Union (EU).
Key Points:
i.India declared its candidacy to host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026, during the forum.
• The WCEF 2025 forum will be held in May 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil.
ii.Other key initiatives launched were: the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Waste to Wealth PMS(Portfolio
Management Service) portal; International Finance Corporation(IFC) Document Reference Guide: Business

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Models and Economic Assistance for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) projects; and India’s Circular Sutra, a
compendium of 126 best practices compiled by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
• In addition to that, a study on best practices in solid waste management in million-plus cities,
prepared by New Delhi (Delhi)-based non-profit research institution, Council on Energy,
Environment and Water (CEEW) was released.
• A key MoU was signed between Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) and MoHUA to promote scientific research and innovation in circular economy
solutions.
Adoption of Jaipur Declaration:
On March 5 2025, the forum concluded successfully, with the adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration (2025-
2034)’ by the member countries.
• It is a non-political, non-binding commitment that will guide the next 10 years of efforts towards
resource efficiency and sustainable urban growth.
i.As part of Jaipur declaration, a collaborative knowledge platform as global alliance C-3 has been agreed
upon by the member countries of the forum.
ii.The declaration highlighted various waste streams and circular economy goals for each of them. It
further underlined about the resource
iii.A guidance document has been developed that will suggest indicative strategies to countries as per
national policies, circumstances and capabilities.
Key Progress Made by India in Circular Economy and 3R Policies:
i.Under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban(SBM-U), India has achieved 108.62% success in household toilet
construction, where the mission target was 58,99,637 and the constructed number stands at 63,74,355 as
of February 27, 2025.
• Also, 80.29% of solid waste in India is being processed successfully.
ii.At present, Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-Dhan) scheme has covered 67.8% of
the total number of districts in India, with 1,008 biogas plants being fully operational as of February 27,
2025.
iii.As of December 2024, for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), the quantity of e-waste collected and recycled
stood at 5,82,769 Metric Tonne (MT) and 5,18,240 MT respectively.
About Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA):
Union Minister- Manohar Lal Khattar (Constituency- Karnal, Haryana)
Minister of State (MoS)- Tokhan Sahu (Constituency- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh)

AISEF Organised International Spice Conference 2025 in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Ernakulam (Kerala)-based All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) organised International Spice
Conference (ISC) 2025 which was held from February 24 to February 27, 2025 at Leela Bhartiya City in
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The conference aimed at leading conversations on building a resilient and responsible future for
the spice sector.
• Theme of ISC 2025: ‘Building Trust Beyond Borders: Transparency, Sustainability, Conference’.
About International Spice Conference (ISC) 2025:
i.The ISC 2025 was inaugurated by Krishna M. Ella, Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech International
Limited(BBIL).
ii.Olympic Gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, who is also the founder of Abhinav Bindra Targeting
Performance, was the Guest of Honour during the inaugural session of the conference.
iii.During ISC 2025, Jean Mane, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mane Group of Companies was honoured
with Lifetime Achievement Award, for his exceptional contributions to the global spice industry.

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AISEF Signed MoU with ASTA to Enhance Collaboration in Spice Sector:

The AISEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Spice Trade Association
(ASTA) during ISC 2025, to improve collaboration in the international spice trade.
• Emmanuel Nambusseril, Chairman of AISEF and Peter Sayia, President of ASTA, signed the MoU
which aims to enhance food safety, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
Key Points:
i.This strategic collaboration between Indian and American spice trade bodies will focus on key areas such
as: information sharing, technical collaboration and industry promotion.
ii.As per MoU, ASTA and AISEF will share information on government regulations, market requirements,
food safety and trade policies, meetings will be held at regular intervals of time.
• Also, AISEF will get access to market updates of ASTA, and ASTA will get production-related
developments from AISEF.
iii.On technical front, the collaboration will focus on improving microbiological safety, chemical
containment control, traceability and ethical sourcing.
• Joint research advocacy efforts and education programs will help in enhancing compliance with
global standards.
New MRL Framework for Spices in the Offing:
In February 2025, Paresh Shah, Chairman of sub-committee, Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues, Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) informed that a revised Maximum Residue Level (MRL)
for spices and culinary herbs is in the offing, which is expected to help enhance market access for Indian
exporters.
• He further mentioned that FSSAI has studied a new draft framework on the MRL, with the
number of approved MRLs increasing from 11 to 98, after the finalization of the draft.
Points to Note:
i.Exports of Indian spices reached to USD 4.46 billion during Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) and has
registered a growth of 7.91% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) in April-January of FY25
ii.As per Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) official data, value of spices exports stood at USD
3501.11 million during April-January FY25 compared to USD 3244.47 million recorded during the same
time period of FY24.
About All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF):
Chairman- Emmanuel Nambusseril
Headquarters- Ernakulam, Kerala
Established- 1987

CEA and TPDDL organised the 5th Edition of Lineman Diwas in New Delhi
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Central Electricity Authority (CEA), a statutory body under the
Ministry of Power (MoP), in collaboration with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) organized
the 5th Edition of ‘Lineman Diwas’, in New Delhi, Delhi. Lineman Diwas is annually observed on March
4th across India.
• The day is being observed to recognize the crucial services of linemen and ground maintenance
staff, the backbone of India’s electricity sector.
• The theme for the 5th edition of Lineman Diwas celebration was ‘Seva, Suraksha,
Swabhiman’, which signifies the Dedication, Service and Sacrifice of the frontline heroes of the
power sector.
i.Lineman Diwas was first organized by CEA in collaboration with TPDDL in March 2021 to honor the
selfless service of these frontline heroes by dedicating a day to recognize and value their efforts.

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ii.This cooperative endeavor enabled lineman to learn from their colleagues, extend their viewpoints, and
strengthen efficient safety procedures, ultimately creating a more secure workplace for everyone.

PM Narendra Modi Participates in the NXT Conclave

In March 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi participated in the NXT Conclave in New Delhi,
Delhi. During the event, he launched the NewsX World channel. He highlighted that the network includes
channels in Hindi, English, and various regional languages.
i.PM Modi highlighted India’s advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital
infrastructure, emphasizing the role of technology in governance and economic development.
ii.He discussed India’s leadership in AI, that India was the co-host of the AI Summit in France, which will
play a crucial role in shaping the future, and its plans to host the next edition.
iii.Additionally, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to global economic development through initiatives like
the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
iv.He also highlighted India’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and emerging
opportunities in various sectors. The conclave also served as a platform for discussions on India’s role in
shaping the future of global business and governance.

Mobile World Congress 2025 held in Barcelona, Spain

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, a major global event, was held from March 3 to 6, 2025, at Fira
Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain, bringing together over 101,000 attendees, more than 2,700 exhibitors, and
representatives from over 200 countries to showcase advancements in technology. Union
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of Communication (MoC) represented India at the event.
• The theme of the event was “Converge. Connect. Create.” The key areas of discussion include
5G Inside (Fifth Generation Inside), AI+ (Artificial Intelligence Plus), Connect X, Enterprise Re-
invented, Game Changers, and Digital Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).
Note: MWC 2026, will be held from March 2 to 5, 2026, at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain.
India’s Telecom Innovations at MWC 2025:
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia officially inaugurated the Bharat Pavilion at the MWC 2025 in Spain.
He announced that the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC), Asia’s largest digital technology
forum is set to take place in New Delhi(Delhi) from 8th – 11th October 2025.
• This pavilion, set up by the Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC)
based in New Delhi, Delhi with support from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
operating under MoC, featured 38 Indian telecom manufacturers.
i.He addressed key sessions, including ‘Global Tech Governance: Rising to the Challenge’ and ‘Balancing
Innovation & Regulation: Global Perspectives on Telecom Policy.
ii.Additionally, he launched VVDN Technologies Private Limited’s AI-powered Wi-Fi 7 (Wireless
Fidelity) Technology, which has been developed and manufactured at VVDN’s headquarter in Gurugram,
Haryana.
30th Global Mobile(GLOMO) Awards :
i.Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., headquartered in California, the United States of America (USA),
received two GLOMO Awards .
• The company won the “Smartphone of the Year” award for its Pixel 9 Pro (Electronic Device).
• Additionally, Google Gemini received the “Breakthrough Device Innovation” award, a
category that spans both software and hardware, emphasizing the essential blend required for
AI advancements.
ii.Several Chinese companies, including Huawei, China Mobile, ZTE, and Xiaomi, won awards in different
categories at MWC 2025.

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• China Mobile Qinghai and Huawei received the “Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging
Markets” award for their RuralStar Plus solution, a joint innovation aimed at improving
connectivity in remote areas.
• Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited (ZTE) Received the Groupe
Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) Foundry Innovation Award for its Minimalist Private 5G
for Entertainment.
• Xiaomi 15 Ultra won in the “Best in Show” category.
Other Points:
i.At MWC 2025, Shenzhen, China based Tecno mobile company, gained attention at its TECNO AI
Ecosystem Product Launch event.
• The company introduced its practical AI strategy by unveiling the CAMON 40 smartphone series,
TECNO AI Glasses Pro, and the MEGABOOK S14 laptop.
ii.Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), an American company, is collaborating with Cisco, Nokia, and Jio
Platforms to develop the Open Telecom AI Platform.
iii.Wipro Limited,an Indian technology services company, has introduced TelcoAI360 to improve telecom
operations using artificial intelligence.
iv.Tencent Cloud based in China launched its Super Application (app) as a Service (TCSAS), at MWC 2025,
designed to help businesses create integrated digital ecosystems using super-app strategies.

Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Inaugurated Gujarat SemiConnect Conference 2025 & 19th
IESA Vision Summit in Gandhinagar
Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat inaugurated the Gujarat SemiConnect Conference
2025, a 3-day event with the theme “Gujarat Silicon Gujarat: Powering India’s Semiconductor Revolution”,
held from March 5-7, 2025 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre (MMCEC)
in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The Conference featured 3 primary and parallel events: Building Local to Global Value Chain,
the 19th India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) Vision Summit , and the 2nd
Indian Semiconductor and Packaging Ecosystem Conference (ISPEC 2).
• The Conference aims to attract global investments, integrate local industries into global value
chains, and skill & ecosystem development.
Note: Gujarat implemented a dedicated Semiconductor Policy (The Gujarat Semiconductor Policy (2022-
27) in 2022 and is developing Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) as India’s 1st greenfield smart
city with plug-and-play facilities for the semiconductor industry.
Organisers:
The event was co-organised by the Gujarat State Electronics Mission
(GSEM), Milpitas, California (the United States of America, USA)-based
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI),
Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based IESA, and Indian Design, Semiconductor,
Packaging and System (IDSPS), a nationwide program developed to
provide a sustainable path for manufacturing and growth of Indian
semiconductor industry.
Highlights:
i.The Conference witnessed the participation of over 1,500 delegates from various countries and India, 75+
Top Global Industry Leaders from across the globe, and 25+ Top Government officials, and policymakers.
ii.It featured Industry Report launches, Technovation Award by the IESA, , and Poster Session Awards
ceremonies, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for investments in semiconductor and
fabrication (fab) sectors, and 7-panel discussions.

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iii.The Semiconductor Supply Chain Compendium was also launched, and an e-foundation stone was
laid for infrastructure projects in Dholera.
iv.The IESA released the “Semiconductor Manufacturing Supply Chain” report and launched the “Vision to
Reality” Make in India Product Initiative.
Key Events:
i.The Building Local to Global Value Chain event included 6 Countries(Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, the
Netherlands and the United States of America(USA))-Specific Roundtables.
ii.The IESA Vision Summit: Powering India’s Semiconductor Revolution is a premier event focused on
the semiconductor and electronics industry.
• The Summit also featured an exhibition, titled ‘Sand to Silicon to Systems‘ showcases the
comprehensive journey of the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) ecosystem.
iii.The ISPEC 2 was co-located with the IESA Vision Summit and was organised with a focus on global-level
Research and Development (R&D) and workforce development in partnership with the global industry.
MoUs Signed :
The Gujarat Government signed over 30 MoUs amounting to over Rs. 1.04 lakh crore at the Gujarat
Semiconnect Conference 2025 to bolster semiconductor and electronics manufacturing in Gujarat. Few
key MoU signed are:
i.The USA electronics manufacturing company Jabil signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to set
up a silicon photonics manufacturing factory with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
ii.An MoU was signed with Sanand(Gujarat)-based Micron Technology on Environment, Health & Safety
(EHS) initiatives, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and skilled
manpower development.
iii.Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons and India
Semiconductor Mission (ISM), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY), signed a Financial Support Agreement (FSA) to establish a semiconductor fabrication unit at
Dholera(Gujarat), with an investment of Rs. 91,526 crores, backed by Central government funding.
iv.TEPL and IIT Gandhinagar entered an MoU to enhance semiconductor training and skill development.
v.A tri-partite Agreement was signed between TEPL, Himax Technologies, Inc., a Taiwan-based industry
leader in semiconductor products, etc., and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC),
a leading Taiwanese Foundry and Technology Transfer Partner of Tata Electronics.
• This MoU aims to focus on manufacturing display chips for Himax using PSMC’s advanced
technology.
vi.An MoU was signed with Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology (TSMT) with an investment of over Rs.
500 crore to establish an Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) unit in Gujarat, promising around
1,000 job opportunities.
vii.A Rs 10,000 crore worth MoU was signed, expressing the intent to establish a compound
semiconductor fabrication and optoelectronics facility in Gujarat with the technical support
of NextGen Hitachi and Solidlight.
viii.The IESA and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) signed a strategic MoU to strengthen
global collaboration in the semiconductor and electronics sectors.
ix.Uttar Pradesh-based Cans India Private Limited signed a significant partnership agreement with the
USA based Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Limited (AOS) for multi-year, multi-million-dollar
semiconductor chip products.
• AOS also signed an agreement with Karnataka-based Kaynes Technology India Limited for
multi-year, multi-million-dollar semiconductor chip products.

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Growth Potential and Market Projections of India’s Semiconductor Industry:

i.India’s semiconductor industry is projected to reach USD 40 billion by 2030, driven by a strong supply
chain ecosystem.
ii.The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) estimates the global semiconductor supply
chain market will hit USD 420 billion by 2030.
iii.With the current framework, India’s semiconductor sector is expected to grow to USD 10 billion by
2030.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister (CM)- Bhupendra Patel
Governor– Acharya Dev Vrat
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pania Wildlife Sanctuary
Zoological Park– Sardar Patel Zoological Park

ITB Berlin 2025 held from March 4 to March 6, 2025 in Berlin, Germany
Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB Berlin 2025), one of world’s largest travel fairs was held
from March 4 to 6, 2025 at Berlin Expo Center City at Messedamm in Berlin, Germany. The motto of this
year’s convention is ‘The Power of Transition Lives Here’.
• The convention attracted 24,000 visitors, participating in 4 stages with a total of 17 themed
tracks in 2024.
Key Highlights of ITB Berlin 2025:
MoT Participated at ITB Berlin 2025:
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India (GoI) participated at ITB Berlin 2025.The ministry
was leading a delegation of nearly 40 stakeholders from the Indian travel industry to showcase the
vibrant cultural diversity of India and the wide range of tourism products and immersive experiences.
• The governments of various Indian states: Andhra Pradesh
(AP), Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Goa, Madhya
Pradesh (MP), Kerala, among others, participated at the
convention to demonstrate their new destinations and
products for the international market.
i.During the event, Ajit Gupte, the Ambassador of India in the Federal
Republic of Germany inaugurated the India Pavilion, in the presence
of Kandula Durgesh, Minister of Tourism, AP and Dharmendra Bhav
Singh Lodhi, Minister of Tourism, MP.
• The theme of the pavilion was centered on sustainable
tourism.
• The co-exhibitors at the pavilion included travel agents,
state tourism departments from AP and Union Territory
(UT) Chandigarh, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and other tourism
service providers.
ii.Gratis e tourist visa for foreigners who are travelling to India under the Chalo India initiative was
announced, this visa will remain valid till March 31, 2025.
iii.Also, a revamped Incredible India digital portal, a tourist-centric one stop digital solution designed to
improve the travel experience for visitors to India, (http://www.incredibelindia.gov.in/ ) was launched
along with the Incredible India Content Hub, a comprehensive digital repository for the use of diverse
range of stakeholders and travellers.

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25th PATWA World Tourism and Aviation Leaders Summit:

In March 2025, the 25th edition of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), World Tourism
and Aviation Leaders Summit was held at ITB Berlin 2025. This year’s summit was hosted by PATWA in
partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Goa (India).
• The summit brought together tourism ministers of 10 countries, ambassadors,diplomats,
industry leaders, and international media representatives to discuss the future of travel and
recognize excellence in tourism and aviation.
• During the summit, discussions were held on sustainable tourism growth, aviation
advancements, and international travel recovery, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) and policies framed by UN Tourism (formerly United Nations World Tourism
Organisation, UNWTO).
2025 PATWA International Travel Awards:
The PATWA, an affiliate member of United Nations (UN) Tourism, announced the winners of
prestigious ‘25th PATWA International Travel Awards’ during the ITB Berlin 2025.
• These awards are given to governments, organisations, brands, ministers, and individuals who
have performed well in the promotion of tourism.
About 2025 PATWA International Awards:
i.This year total 44 awards were presented across various categories such as: best tourism destination;
excellence in hospitality; aviation industry leaders; individual achievements; excellence in governance.
ii.Indian state, Goa made a significant mark at ITB Berlin 2025, as it has won two awards at PATWA
International Awards. This has elevated the status of Goa as India’s premier tourism destination.
• Goa was conferred with the ‘Destination of the Year-India’ award under the Destinations
category.
• In Addition to that, Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister of Goa, was bestowed with the ‘Tourism
Minister of the Year-India’ award, in recognition of his leadership and in promoting the state’s
tourism sector.
iii.Harry Theoharis, former tourism minister of Greece, was honoured with the ‘Person of the
Year’ award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the international tourism industry.
About Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA):
It is a non-profit, non-government, professional, international media organisation established in 1999. It
follows the fundamental principles of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO), UN and UN Tourism.
Secretary-General- Yatan Ahluwalia
Headquarters – Gurgaon, Haryana
Established – 1999
About Ministry of Tourism (MoT):
Union Minister- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Constituency- Jodhpur, Rajasthan)
Minister of State (MoS) – Suresh Gopi (Constituency- Thrissur, Kerala)

Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 held in Hyderabad, Telangana; Launched NFDP app
In March 2025, the Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and
Dairying (MoFAH&D) hosted the Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• The conclave featured technical sessions and discussions on the evolving fisheries ecosystem in
India.
• The event aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, technological advancements and sustainability
in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

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• The event witnessed the launch of two key initiatives: Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 and
National Fisheries Development Platform (NFDP) mobile application (app).
Key People: Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, MoFAH&D & the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj (MoPR) inaugurated the conclave; along with Union Minister of State (MoS) Prof. S.P. Singh
Bhagel, MoFAH&D and MoPR; and Professor Ramesh Chand, Member of National Institution for
Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
About Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0:
i.It was launched as part of the ‘Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0’, to support emerging enterprises/startups
in manufacturing and related fields in the fisheries sector.
ii.Under this program, 10 winning startups will receive Rs 1 crore in funding.
iii.Each winning startup will receive structured incubation support from Kochi (Kerala)-based Indian
Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT); Hyderabad
(Telangana)-based National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) or related affiliated institutions under
DoF.
About NFDP Mobile App:
i.This mobile application is developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-
MKSSY).
Note: In February 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the PM-MKSSY, a Central Sector sub-scheme under
the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of four years.
ii.It is designed to simplify access to various Government of India (GoI)-led schemes, specifically
benefitting startups and stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
• It offers a user-friendly interface for navigating multiple modules and avail the benefits of the
schemes.
iii.The app provides a platform which enables the fishers, fish farmers, vendors, and processors to create
their digital work-identities, providing their smooth integration into formal financial and welfare systems.
iv.The app provides Rs 100 for self-registration and Rs 76 for registrations through Village Level
Entrepreneurs (VLEs) of Common Service Centres (CSCs).
Points to Note:
• India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, supporting
the livelihoods of over 3 crore people and generating employment across multiple segments of
the value chain.
• Since 2015, the government has allocated Rs.38,572 crore to the sector through initiatives such
as the Blue Revolution Scheme, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund
(FIDF), and the PMMSY.
• In the Union budget 2025-26, the government has allocated a record-high budget of Rs.2,703.67
crore for the fisheries sector .
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D):
Union Minister- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS) – Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP); George Kurian
(Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh, MP)

GoI & UN-Women Co-hosted Ministerial Roundtable on Women’s Empowerment at 69th CSW
In March 2025, the Government of India (GoI) in partnership with United Nations (UN)-Women, hosted a
Ministerial Roundtable which was organised on the sidelines of the 69th session of the Commission on the
Status of Women (CSW) held at UN headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA). The
session was co-chaired by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, Ministry of Women and Child
Development (MoWCD) and Sima Bahous Executive Director(ED) of UN Women.

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• The roundtable underscored the critical importance of digital and financial inclusion to
women’s empowerment and leadership.
• The event emphasized that investments in women’s education, health, and economic
autonomy will help in fixing gender gaps, which will further accelerate drive development,
overcome poverty, and nurture leadership across sectors.
i.The event provided an international platform for sharing of experiences on emerging issues and
strategies to implement the 12 important areas of concern in the Beijing Platform for Action, through two
ministerial roundtables on interconnected themes of: ‘Digital Public Infrastructure to accelerate
women-led development ’ and ‘Financing inclusion: Criticality of Core resources’.
ii.The roundtable saw participation from Ministers and high-level representatives across the world,
including members of Group-20 (G20) countries such as: Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia and
other countries like Panama and Qatar.
• During the event, ministers shared their respective countries’ experiences and perspective
on promoting women’s rights.

Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth Hosts 28th Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara in

New Delhi
In March 2025, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga &
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy), hosted its 28th Convocation
& Shishyopanayaniya Samskara ceremony in New Delhi, Delhi. The event aimed at enhancing the quality
of education and globalizing Ayurveda.
• The event was graced by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent
Charge) Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH.
• The event featured the recognition of distinguished Ayurvedic practitioners, the accreditation of
leading institutions, and the unveiling of several initiatives aimed at advancing Ayurveda
education and practice both in India and worldwide.
Highlights:
i.Accreditation: During the event, RAV accredited one international institution and six national
institutions for maintaining high standards in Ayurveda education and practice.
ii.Award: The Fellow of RAV (FRAV) Award was conferred upon 13 distinguished Vaidyas and scholars,
for their contributions in research, clinical practice, education, and propagation of Ayurveda across India
and beyond.
The RAV also presented the LifeTime Achievement Award to 4 distinguished individuals for their
exemplary contributions to Ayurveda:
1. Professor Banwari Lal Gaur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
2. Professor Kulwant Singh (Jammu and Kashmir J&K)
3. Vaidya Mohan Narayan Tambe (Satara, Maharashtra)
4. Dr. Bidhubhusan Nanda (Dhenkanal, Odisha)
iii.Recognitions: Over 100 Certificate Course of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (CRAV) Gurus (teachers)
and 120 Shishyas (students) from across India were felicitated for their dedication to the Guru-Shishya
tradition.
iv.Initiatives: During the event, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, launched
the Diplomate of National Board Ayurveda (DNB) program, marking a significant milestone in advancing
Ayurvedic education.
• He also announced the introduction of a 7.5-year Gurukul Schooling Program to reinforce the
Guru-Shishya Parampara (teacher-student relationship) and offer a more immersive learning
experience.

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About Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV):

RAV is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of AYUSH. It was established in 1988 with the
objective of promoting knowledge and practice of Ayurveda. It started its functioning in 1991.
• It also functions as a nodal agency to the Central Sector Scheme for Continuing Medical
Education (CME).
Director – Dr. Vandana Siroha
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi

19th SMW: Pioneering Maritime Innovation and Collaboration

In March 2025, the 19th edition of the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2025 was held from March 24 to
28, 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. Organized by the
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), this annual event celebrated Singapore’s maritime
contributions as part of the SG60 festivities, commemorating 60 years of nation-building.
• The theme for SMW 2025 is ‘Actions Meet Ambition’, emphasizes decarbonization,
digitalization, maritime services, and talent development.
• The event witnessed over 20,000 attendees from nearly 80 countries, including government
officials, port authorities, industry leaders, and maritime professionals.
• The expanded EXPO@SMW featured 200+ exhibitors and nine country pavilions, underscoring
Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub.
Key Highlights:
i.SMW 2025 was launched by Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport
of Singapore, and Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister of Singapore.
ii.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports,
Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) of Government of India (GoI)
led India’s delegation at SMW 2025, inaugurated the ‘India Pavilion’
and IRClass Pavilion to highlight India’s emergence as a global
maritime hub driven by sustainability and digital innovation.
• He met with Lee Hsien Loong and other senior officials to
discuss maritime connectivity, supply chains, and
collaborative efforts towards a sustainable maritime
future.
• He visited the Singapore Cruise Centre to study its
infrastructure and facilities, which have contributed to
Singapore’s success in cruise tourism.
Note: India plans to develop similar terminals in Goa, Mumbai
(Maharashtra), and Chennai (TN) to boost cruise tourism.
Highlights of Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2025 :
Launch of Singapore’s First Maritime Digital Twin:
During SMW 2025, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) in collaboration with the
MPA introduced Singapore’s inaugural Maritime Digital Twin.
• The digital twin will serve as a “sandbox” where companies and researchers can collaborate
with MPA to develop and test new operating concepts and digital solutions before deploying
them.
• This advanced simulation model integrates real-time data from vessels, port operations, and
environmental sensors, utilizing artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to optimize port
operations, improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and Enhance safety management.

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India-Singapore Collaboration on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor:

During SMW 2025, India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate on a Green and
Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
• This partnership aims to advance maritime digitalization and decarbonization by identifying key
stakeholders, accelerating the adoption of low-emission technologies, and promoting digital
solutions in the sector.
• The LoI was signed by R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary of MoPSW of GoI, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief
Executive (CE)of Singapore’s MPA.
India-Netherlands Maritime Collaboration:
India and the Netherlands discussed leveraging Dutch expertise to facilitate cargo movement in low-
draft rivers such as the Brahmaputra and Barak (India). This collaboration aims to enhance inland water
transport efficiency and sustainability.
About Singapore:
President – Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Capital – Singapore
Currency – Singapore Dollar (SGD)

INDEX
RANKING
Forbes’ The Highest-Paid Actors of 2024: American Actor Dwayne Johnson Tops, 3 Actress
Make the Top 20 List
In February 2025, Forbes released its annual list of ‘The highest-paid actors of 2024’, showcasing the
immense earnings of Hollywood’s top stars across various platforms.
• American Actor Dwayne Douglas Johnson has secured the top position globally with a
staggering estimated income of USD 88 million.
• Canadian-American Actor Ryan Rodney Reynolds claimed the 2nd spot, with earnings of USD
85 million, followed by American Actor Kevin Darnell Hart, who ranked third, with USD 81
million.
• American Actress Nicole Mary Kidman was the highest-paid actress 2024, ranking 8th overall
with USD 31 million.
Highlights:
i.American actor and professional wrestler Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” has
secured the top position globally for the 5th time with astounding earnings of USD 88
million (approximately 73.58 crore), primarily from his roles in blockbuster films such as Red One and
voicing Maui in Moana 2.
• His career-defining deals, a USD 50 million contract for Red One, and his executive producer role
in Moana 2, which grossed over USD 1 billion, top the list for 2024 .
• He first topped the list in 2016 with earnings of USD 64.5 billion, and subsequently ranked first
again in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
ii.Canadian-American actor and film producer Ryan Rodney Reynolds ranks 2nd, with an impressive USD
85 million (approximately 70.98 crore), for his contributions as the lead producer, co-writer, and star of
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’.
iii.American comedian and actor Kevin Darnell Hart secured 3rd place, earning USD 81
million (approximately 67.73 crore), for his expansive entertainment ventures with numerous films,
Television (TV) series, stand-up comedy, and Pod-casting.

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• In 2024, he starred in Borderlands, Lift, Die Hart 2: Die Harter, Fight Night, and Gold Minds,
besides appearing in countless standup comedy programs.
iv.American comedian and actor Jerome Allen Seinfeld secured the 4th position with USD 60 million
(approximately 50.1 crore), through his ongoing syndication deals for his hit sitcom, Seinfeld.
v.Australian actor and singer Hugh Michael Jackman ranked 5th spot with USD 50 million
(approximately 41.75 crore), through his acting career and Broadway appearances.
vi.American Actress Nicole Mary Kidman, the highest-paid actress of
2024, ranked in the 8th spot with USD 31 million (approximately
25.88 crore), largely from TV miniseries and films for various
streaming serv ices.
vii.American actress and film producer Mariska Magdolna
Hargitay ranked 12th overall with USD 29 million (approximately
24.21 crore), largely from her long-running role in “Law & Order:
Special Victims Unit .”
viii.American actress and singer, Scarlett Ingrid
Johansson ranked 15th overall and earned USD 22 million (approximately 18.37 crore), boosted by her
acting projects and endorsements.
Lists of Top 5 Highest-Paid Actors of 2024:

Earnings (in
Rank Actor Country
million USD)

United States of America

1 Dwayne Douglas Johnson USD 88
(USA)

2 Ryan Rodney Reynolds USD 85 Canada

3 Kevin Darnell Hart USD 81 USA

4 Jerome (Jerry) Allen Seinfeld USD 60 USA

5 Hugh Michael Jackman USD 50 Australia

Points to Note:
i.According to the Forbes Billionaire List 2024, Hollywood’s wealthiest actors are leading their industries
with diverse income sources, including film earnings, endorsements, and business ventures.
ii.The top five actors have accumulated combined earnings of over USD 350 million, underscoring the
power of major Hollywood franchises and brand endorsements.
About Forbes:
Chief Content Officer (CCO)- Randall Lane
Headquarters- United States of America (USA)
Established– 1917

IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024: Chad Tops, India Ranks 5th Globally
In March 2025, Switzerland based air quality technology company IQAir released its 7th edition of “World Air
Quality Report 2024”, a comprehensive global survey of air quality, Chad tops the list in the most polluted
countries with an average concentration of 91.8 µg/m³(micrograms per cubic meter). India ranks 5th after
Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Congo.

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• In 2024, India registered an average Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 concentration of (50.6 µg/m³), a
(7% decline) from (54.4 µg/m³) in 2023. Despite this marginal improvement in the national
average, 6 of the world’s ten most polluted cities are located in
India.
World Air Quality Report:
i.IQAir leverages data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across
138 countries and 8,954 newly added locations with around 1,000 new
monitors, to underscore the severity of global air pollution.
ii.IQAir assesses air quality based on the concentration of lung-damaging
airborne particles known as PM2.5.
iii.The report provides a stark reminder of the continuing challenge of
airborne PM and its impact on public health and the environment.
Key Findings of the Report:
i.According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, only 7 out of 138 countries analyzed, met the World Health
Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, while more than 90% of the nations recorded unsafe
levels.
• The 7 countries that met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³are Australia (4.5 µg/m³),
New Zealand (4.4 µg/m³), Estonia (4.6 µg/m³), Iceland (4.0 µg/m³), Barbados (3.1 µg/m³), Grenada
(3.2 µg/m³) and The Bahamas (2.3 µg/m³).
ii.Central and South Asia continue to dominate the global air pollution map. India emerged as a hotspot with
several cities ranking among the world’s most polluted.
iii.Only 12 countries, regions, and territories recorded PM2.5 levels below the WHO annual guideline of (5.0
µg/m³), with (17% of cities) most of which were in the Latin America and Caribbean or Oceania region
meeting the standard in 2024 , a notable increase from (9% in 2023).
• Oceania is the world’s cleanest region, with 57% of regional cities meeting the WHO PM2.5 annual
guideline value of 5 µg/m3.
Top 5 most polluted countries in 2024:

Rank Country Average PM2.5 (µg/m³)

1 Chad 91.8

2 Bangladesh 78.0

3 Pakistan 73.7

4 Congo 58.2

5 India 50.6
i.Chad tops the list in the most polluted countries with an average concentration of 91.8 µg/m³, nearly 18 times
the safe limit followed by Bangladesh at 78 µg/m³ that surpasses the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline by more
than 15 times.
ii.Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³) records a PM2.5 level that is nearly 15 times higher than the WHO recommended
limit.
iii.The Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2 µg/m³) exceeds the WHO PM2.5 guideline by over 11 times.
iv.India (50.6 µg/m³) shows PM2.5 concentrations that are more than 10 times higher than the WHO standard.
Overall, 35% of the Indian cities reported annual PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO limit.

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Top 5 Most Polluted Cities in 2024:

Rank City Country Average PM2.5 (µg/m³)

1 Byrnihat India 128.2

2 New Delhi India 108.3

3 Karaganda Kazakhstan 104.8

4 Mullanpur India 102.3

5 Lahore Pakistan 102.1

i.Byrnihat situated on the border of Assam and Meghalaya in India leads the ranking in the most polluted
cities with a staggering annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³, far exceeding the WHO guideline.
ii.New Delhi (India) follows closely with 108.3 µg/m³, marking it as one of the most polluted national capitals
for the 6th consecutive year.
iii.Karaganda (Kazakhstan) comes in third with a PM2.5 level of 104.8 µg/m³ followed by Mullanpur (India)
ranks fourth, recording 102.3 µg/m³ and Lahore (Pakistan) ranks 5th with 102.1 µg/m³.
iv.These cities face severe air quality challenges, with their PM2.5 levels far exceeding the WHO recommended
limit of 5 µg/m³.
Note:
• The WHO estimates that air pollution kills around 7 million people each year.
• According to the Lancet Planetary Health study, about 1.5 million deaths in India every year from
2009 to 2019 were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.
• Air pollution is the second leading global risk factor for death, and the second leading risk factor for
deaths among children under five, following malnutrition, due to its significance
• Air pollution remains a significant health burden in India, reducing life expectancy by an estimated
5.2 years.

Brand Finance IT Services 25, 2025: USA’s Accenture Tops, India’s TCS & Infosys in Top
3, Hexaware Enters Top 25
In March 2025, Brand Finance released its annual IT Services 25 2025 rankings, highlighting the most
valuable Information Technology (IT) services brands worldwide based on their financial performance,
market position, and brand perception.
• American multinational Accenture PLC (Public Limited Company) has secured the top
position globally, with a brand value of USD 41.50 billion.
• Indian IT firms Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Limited and Infosys
Limited ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively, reflecting India’s strong presence in the industry.
• For the first time, India’s Hexaware Technologies Limited has entered the Brand Finance IT
Services rankings 2025 at Rank 24th, showcasing its growing influence and market presence.
Brand Finance 2025 Methodology:
i.The ranking is based on brand value, market strength, and financial performance and the report
evaluates brand perception, investment, and business performance in the IT services sector.
ii.The collective brand value of the top 25 IT Services brands stands at USD163 billion in 2025. The top five
brands have a combined brand value of over USD 99.32 billion, emphasizing the importance of IT services
in the global economy.

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Key Insights of the Report:

i.Accenture plc maintains its No.1 ranking from 2024, showcasing
continued dominance in the IT services sector with brand value
of USD 41.50 billion (up 2% ), leading the world’s most valuable IT
services brand for the 7th consecutive year.
ii.TCS Limited with a brand value of USD 21.27 billion (up
11%) retained its position as the world’s 2nd most valuable IT
services brand for the 4th consecutive year.
iii.Infosys Limited achieved a brand value of USD 16.34 billion (up
15%), recognised among the world’s top three most valuable IT
Services brands for the 4th consecutive year and also achieved the
fastest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in brand value
(18%) over the last 5 years among IT Services brands.
iv.The United States of America (USA) with 41.7 percent tops the
Brand value by country, Followed by India with 36.1 percent.
Top 5 IT Services Brands in 2025:

Brand Value
Rank Brand Name Country Rating
(USD Billion)

1 Accenture plc USA 41.50 AAA

2 TCS Limited India 21.27 AAA-

3 Infosys Limited India 16.34 AAA-

International Business
4 Machines (IBM) USA 10.20 AAA
Consulting

NTT DATA Group

5 Japan 10.01 AA
Corporation
Other Indian IT Brands in Global Rankings 2025:

Rank Brand Name Brand Value (USD Billion)

8 Wipro Limited 8.45

9 HCL Technologies Limited 7.90

12 Tech Mahindra Limited 5.60

15 LTIMindtree Limited 3.20

24 Hexaware Technologies Limited 2.75

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i.Hexaware Technologies Limited, headquartered in Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) enters into the Top 25
Most Valuable IT Brands globally with its brand value rising from USD 724 million in 2024 to USD 824
million in 2025, reflecting a remarkable 14% year-on-year (YOY) growth.
ii.It has climbed five ranks to secure the 24th position this year, while its Brand Strength Index (BSI)
improved from 73.4 to 76.4, and its brand rating was upgraded to AA+.
iii.This remarkable growth is attributed to stable financial performance and a strengthened BSI, even
amidst challenging geopolitical conditions and decision-making disruptions.
About Brand Finance:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – David Haigh
Headquarters – London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established – 1996

Glass-Ceiling Index: Top 10 Best Countries for Working Women in 2025

London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based The Economist Group, a media company released its annual
edition of ‘Glass-Ceiling Index (GCI)’ on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) which is
celebrated annually on March 8 worldwide. As per the index, Sweden secured 1st position globally, and
has replaced Iceland which topped the index for the last two consecutive years.
• Now, Iceland witnessed dropped in its ranking by one place i.e. from 1st spot (in 2024) to
2nd spot (in 2025).
• Among top 10 best countries for working women in 2025, 5 are Nordic countries: Sweden,
Iceland, Finland (3rd), Norway (4th) and Denmark (9th).
About Glass-Ceiling Index:
i.The index evaluated the working conditions for women across the 29 countries that are members of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
ii.The countries are ranked based on 10-point criteria like: labour force participation (LFP) rate, Higher
education, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exams taken by women, gender wage gap,
women in managerial positions, women on company boards, women in government, net child-care costs,
paid leave for mothers and paid leave for fathers.
iii.The index revealed that the average paid maternity leave across the 29 countries was 31.6 weeks, with
Hungary offering 78.9 weeks of paid leave for new mothers.
Top 5 best countries for working women in 2025:

Rank Name of the Country Region

1 Sweden Europe

2 Iceland Europe

3 Finland Europe

4 Norway Europe

5 Portugal Europe
Key Findings:
i.As per the index, the year 2024 was significant for elections from the political front. It revealed that
member countries of OECD saw an average increase in women’s parliamentary representation to 34%.

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• Also, countries like: Japan and UK saw significant increase, with representation increasing to
16% (up from 10%) and 41% (up from 35%), respectively.
• While, the United States of America (USA) saw a marginal decrease, with representation
decreasing to 28.7%.
ii.The report showed that average wage across 29 countries were still 11.4% lower for women compared
to men.
iii.The index further revealed that women representation on corporate boards increased
to 33%. Additionally, women’s LFP increased from 65.8% to 66.6%.
• However, women’s LFP is still lower compared to men at 81%.
Other Key Highlights:
i.New Zealand emerged as the improved country on the index, moving up by 8 places to 6th spot.
• Also, South Korea has improved its ranking, from 29th (in 2024) to 28th spot, marking its first
improvement in 11 years.
ii.The index showed that woman in Nordic countries like: Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland hold
minimum 45% of parliamentary seats.
iii.Other top 10 countries: France (7th), Spain (8th), Denmark (9th) and Australia (10th).
iv.Bottom 3 countries on the index are: Japan (27th), South Korea (28th) and Turkey (29th). The report
cited these 3 countries are influenced by deep-rooted societal norms and wage gap, which are the main
factors for under-representation of women in leadership roles.
• At present, these bottom 3 countries show low numbers of women in management (under
17%), in parliamentary roles (less than 20%), and corporate boards (less than 21%).
About Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
Secretary-General- Mathias Cormann
Headquarters- Paris, France
Established- 1961

The Wealth Report 2025: India Ranked 4th Globally with 85,698 HNWIs; behind US, China
and Japan
In March 2025, London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based global property consultant firm Knight
Frank released the 19th edition of ‘The Wealth Report 2025’. As per the
report, India ranked at 4th position globally with estimated 85,698 High
Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in 2024, marking an increase
of 6% compared to 80,686 HNWIs in 2024.
• With this, India is home to 3.7% of the wealthy individuals
globally.
• The United States of
America (USA) with 905,413 HNWIs, again emerged as the
world’s primary wealth creator in 2024, with approximately
40% of global HNWIs residing in the country. It is followed by China (471,634 HNWIs), and
Japan (122,119 HNWIs).
Key Findings of the Report:
i.The report revealed that the number of HNWIs (defined as individuals with minimum USD 1 million in
investable assets) has increased by 4.4% globally to 2,341,378 (in 2024) from 2,243,300 (in 2023).
ii.Top 3 regions which saw the highest percentage increase in its population of HNWIs: the USA (5.2%);
Asia (5%) and Africa (4.7%).

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• Meanwhile, the HNWI population of the Australasia region has increased by 3.9%, strengthened
by its strategic connections to both the Asian and North American markets, followed by the
Middle-East (2.7%), Latin America (1.5%), and Europe (1.4%).
iii.Other top countries with HNWIs: Canada (64,988); the United Kingdom (UK) (55,667); France
(51,254); and Australia (42,789).
iii.USA has topped in terms of highest number of billionaires globally, with combined wealth amounting
to USD 5.7 trillion, followed by Mainland China with USD 1.34 trillion.
iv.The population of Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), those with assets exceeding USD100
million, surpassed 100,000 for the first time.
In 2024, over 82% of new billionaires were male, down from 90% four years ago. Of the billionaires under
30, nearly 47% were female last year, potentially pointing the way to a more balanced future.
Top 5 Countries with highest number of HNWIs in 2024:

Percentage
Rank Name of the Country Number of HNWIs
increase

The United States of America

1 905,413 38.7%
(USA)

2 Chinese Mainland 471,634 20.1%

3 Japan 122,119 5.2%

4 India 85,698 3.7%

5 Germany 69,798 3.0%

Other Key Findings:
i.The report has conducted a separate Next Generation Survey which is a 1st-of-its-kind global survey of
individuals in the age group of 18 to 35 years and income of more than USD 125,000.
• As per the report, 29.8% of next-generation HNWIs showed preference for high-end Real
Estate, followed by luxury cars (27.8%) and private jets (15.1%).
ii.The Prime International Residential Index (PIRI), part of Knight Frank’s report, monitors luxury
residential property trends. The index registered a 3.6% increase in prime property values globally in
2024.
India Specific:
i.The report has projected that the population of India’s HNWIs will increase by 9.4% i.e. to 93,753
HNWIs by 2028.
ii.India ranked at 3rd position globally with 191 Indian billionaires in 2024, of which 26 joined the list of
billionaires last year (up from just 7 in 2019).
• The report highlighted that the country’s billionaire population witnessed 12% Year-on-Year (Y-
o-Y) growth in 2024 compared to previous year.
• Also, the cumulative wealth of these Indian billionaires is estimated at USD 950 billion, ranked
third globally, behind the USA (USD5.7 trillion) and Mainland China (USD1.34 trillion).
iii.As Knight Frank’s PIRI, Delhi has significantly improved its rankings, from 37th (in 2023) to 18th (in
2024). This growth is mainly attributed by a 6.7% Y-o-Y growth in luxury residential prices.
• Similarly, Bengaluru (Karnataka) has witnessed improvement in its ranking from 59th spot to
40th spot.

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•While, the ranking of Mumbai (Maharashtra) dropped from 21st position to 8th position in the
index.
About Knight Frank:
Senior Partner & Group Chair– William Beardmore Gray
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), India- Shishir Baijal
Headquarters- London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Established- 1896

SIPRI Report 2024: Ukraine Tops as World’s Largest Arms Importer; India Ranks 2nd
According to the report titled ‘Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2024′ released by Swedish think
tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine emerged as the top world’s
leading importer of major arms between 2020 and 2024, with its imports skyrocketing nearly 100-fold
compared to the 2015–19 period.
• India ranked the world’s 2nd-largest arms importer during 2020–2024, with a 9.3% decline
in imports compared to 2015–2019, driven by increased domestic production and diversified
sourcing. Qatar and Saudi Arabia ranked 3rd and 4th respectively.
• The United States of America (USA), France, and Russia were the top 3 global arms
exporters during this period.
India’s Main Arms Suppliers:
i.Russia remains India’s top arms supplier, accounting for 36% of its total arms imports. However, this
figure has significantly reduced from 55% in 2015–19 to 36% in 2020–24 due to India’s increasing
domestic defence production and sourcing from other countries.
ii.France emerged as the 2nd-largest supplier to India, accounting for 33% of total imports, mainly
through the supply of Rafale jets and other military equipment. Israel followed, providing 13% of India’s
total imports.
Top 5 Importers & Their Main Suppliers (2020–24):

Main Suppliers (Share of Importer’s Total Imports %)

Importer (Global
Rank
Share %)
1st 2nd 3rd

1 Ukraine (8.8%) USA (45) Germany (12) Poland (11)

Russia
2 India (8.3%) France (33) Israel (13)
(36)

United Kingdom (UK)

3 Qatar (6.8%) USA (48) Italy (20)
(15)

4 Saudi Arabia (6.8%) USA (74) Spain (10) France (6.2)

Netherlands
5 Pakistan (4.6%) China (81) Turkey (3.8)
(5.5)

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Key Points:
i.Ukraine became the largest arms importer globally due to heavy defence support from various countries
amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Ukraine accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports, majorly supplied by the USA (45%),
Germany (12%), and Poland (11%).
ii.European arms imports rose by 155%, mainly due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. European North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) states increased their arms imports by 105%, with 64% of the supply
coming from the USA.
iii.In Asia and Oceania, arms imports dropped by 21%, with China’s imports falling by 64%, while Japan’s
imports surged by 93%.
iv.The Middle East witnessed a 20% reduction in arms imports, with Saudi Arabia experiencing a 41%
decline.
v.The USA accounted for 52% of the region’s imports. Meanwhile, Africa’s arms imports fell by 44%,
mainly due to decreased imports by Algeria (73%) and Morocco (26%).
Top 5 Exporters & Their Main Recipients (2020–24):

Main Recipients (Share of Exporter’s Total Export %)

Exporter (Global
Rank
Share %)
1st 2nd 3rd

1 USA (43) Saudi Arabia (12) Ukraine (9.3) Japan (8.8)

2 France (9.6) India (28) Qatar (9.7) Greece (8.3)

Kazakhstan
3 Russia (7.8) India (38) China (17)
(11)

Thailand
4 China (5.9%) Pakistan (63) Serbia (6.8)
(4.6%)

5 Germany (5.6%) Ukraine (19) Egypt (19) Israel (11)

Key Points:
i.Global arms exports were dominated by the USA, accounting for 43% of the total share, reflecting a
21% increase from 2015-19.
• Russia’s arms exports declined by 64%, reducing its share to 7.8%, placing it 3rd after France
(9.6%).
• France advanced to become the world’s 2nd-largest arms supplier with a 11% increase in
exports.
ii.The overall volume of international arms transfers in 2020–24 decreased by 0.6% compared to 2015–
19.
Note:
• In 2023–24, India’s total defence production hit a record Rs.1.27 trillion. The 17.25% growth in
total production that year was a seven-year high.
• The Union Budget for the Financial Year 2025-26(FY26) allocates Rs 6,81,210.27 crore to the
Ministry of Defence (MoD), a 9.53% increase from the previous year. This amount represents
13.45% of the total Union Budget, the highest among all ministries.

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•Of the Rs.1.49 trillion capital acquisition budget, Rs.1.115 trillion (75%) is set aside for domestic
purchases.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
Director– Dan Smith
Headquarters– Solna, Sweden
Established– 1966

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 : ISM Dhanbad Ranked as India’s Top University
For Engineering-Mineral and Mining
On March 11, 2025, United Kingdom (UK) based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the 15th edition of the QS
World University Rankings by Subject. Among Indian institutions, the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT(Indian
School of Mines, ISM) Dhanbad, (Jharkhand) achieved the highest global ranking, for the first time securing
the 20th position worldwide in the Engineering – Mineral and Mining subject area.
• The United States of America (USA) based universities dominated in 32 academic disciplines,
with Harvard University(USA) leading in 15 subjects and Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
MIT(USA) in 11.
• The UK secured the top position in 18 subjects, with the University of Cambridge(UK) excelling in
four.
Assessment:
i.The 2025 edition includes rankings for 55 individual subjects across 5 broad categories: Arts & Humanities
(A&H), Engineering & Technology (E&T), Life Sciences & Medicine (LSM), Natural Sciences (NS), and Social
Sciences & Management (SSM).
ii.This edition featured 171 new institutions featuring over 1,500 universities with Several subjects, including
Medicine, Computer Science and Information (CSI) systems, and Materials Science.
Highlights:
i.The 2025 rankings saw 79 Indian institutions featured with a total of 533 entries, marking a 25.7% increase
from 69 institutions and 424 entries in the previous year, 2024.
ii.9 Indian universities ranked in the top 50 globally in the QS subject rankings 2025, despite some declines.
Top 3 Ranked Universities in 5 Broad Subjects:

Rank University Name Country

Arts & Humanities

1 Harvard University United States of America (USA)

2 University of Oxford United Kingdom (UK)

3 University of Cambridge UK

Engineering & Technology

1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA

2 University of Oxford UK

3 Stanford University USA

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Life Sciences & Medicine

1 Harvard University USA

2 University of Oxford UK

3 Johns Hopkins University USA

Natural Sciences

1 Harvard University USA

2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA

3 University of Oxford UK

Social Sciences & Management

1 Harvard University USA

2 University of Oxford UK

3 Stanford University USA

Click here for Full Lists of Subjects:
Top 9 Indian Institutions of India:

Global
Institution Name Location Subject Area
Rank

IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM), Engineering – Mineral

20 Dhanbad, Jharkhand
Dhanbad and Mining

Engineering – Mineral
28 IIT Bombay (IITB) Mumbai, Maharashtra
and Mining

Kharagpur, West Engineering – Mineral

45 IIT Kharagpur (IITK)
Bengal (WB) and Mining

Engineering and
26 IIT Delhi (IITD) New Delhi, Delhi
Technology

Engineering and
50 IIT Bombay (IITB) Mumbai, Maharashtra
Technology

Indian Institute of Management Business and

27 Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Ahmedabad (IIMA) Management Studies

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Business and
40 IIM Bangalore (IIIB) Bengaluru, Karnataka
Management Studies

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

31 IIT Madras (IITM) Engineering – Petroleum
(TN)

Jawaharlal Nehru University

29 New Delhi Development Studies
(JNU)
Key Highlights of the Rankings:
i.ISM University Dhanbad, topped India’s rankings in Engineering – Mineral and Mining, with a remarkable
improvement from its previous position of 41st globally.
• The university scored 74.7/100, making it India’s highest performer in the QS World University
Rankings by Subject 2025.
ii.IIT-Delhi and IIT Bombay are the only Indian institutes in the global top 50 for Engineering & Technology,
securing 26th and 28th positions respectively.
iii.Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Deemed University), secured the 26th rank globally
for Dentistry, representing India’s strong presence in healthcare education.
iv.IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore retained their positions in Business and Management Studies but
declined from previous rankings 2024, with IIM Ahmedabad dropping from 22nd to 27th and IIM Bangalore
from 32nd to 40th.
v.IIT Madras (Petroleum Engineering) and JNU (Development Studies) remained in the top 50 but experienced
slight declines.
vi.Notably, India’s strength in Computer Science & Information Systems has risen, now ranking 4th globally
with 42 institutions listed, up from 28 last year 2024.
v.The University of Delhi (DU) and JNU also performed admirably, securing ranks in the Arts &
Humanities category. DU was ranked 160th and JNU at 177th globally.
Improvement in Entries:
i.79 Indian universities made a total of 533 entries in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025,
showing a substantial growth from last year’s 424 entries.
ii.Among these, 65% (51 entries) saw improvements, with several institutions climbing in ranks, while 122
new entries were recorded. India ranked 5th globally in new entries, following China, the USA, the UK, and
Korea.
iii.Engineering & Technology continues to dominate the rankings with 24 Indian universities represented,
followed by Social Sciences (20 universities), Natural Sciences (19), Arts & Humanities (10), and Life
Sciences & Medicine (6).
Global Countries Rankings:
i.Canada: 2 institutions secured top-3 positions globally, with the University of British Columbia featuring in 52
subject rankings, the highest in 2025.
ii.Switzerland: ETH Zurich led in 3 subjects, contributing to Switzerland’s 4 top-ranked disciplines.
iii.Netherlands: The University of Amsterdam topped Communication & Media Studies, while Wageningen
University & Research led in Agriculture & Forestry.
iv.Italy: Sapienza University of Rome retained the number-1 position in Classics and Ancient History.
v.Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong ranked within the top 200 in 55 subjects, marking the highest
number of ranked subjects.
vi.China: Sun Yat-sen University and Xiamen University each added 13 subjects to their rankings, with Peking
University improving in 43 of its 50 ranked subjects.

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About Quacquarelli Symonds (QS):

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Jessica Turner
Headquarters– London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Established– 1990

Indian Fintech firm, Lendbox Outranked Giants Aditya Birla and Titan to become Asia-Pacific’s
fastest-growing company
In March 2025, the United Kingdom (UK) based Financial Times (FT) and Germany based Statista jointly
released their 7th annual ranking of 500 high-growth Asia-Pacific companies. New Delhi (Delhi)-
based Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Lendbox has topped the latest
rankings and has registered Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 536.64%, with its revenues
increasing to USD 51.13 million in 2023. This year total 81 Indian firms featured on the list.
• As per the report, Malaysia-based Borong and The Philippines-based Etaily secured 2nd and
3rd spots, respectively.
Methodology:
i.The rankings were calculated based on revenue growth between 2020 and 2023 of listed companies and
private businesses that applied and shared data.
ii.In order to be featured in the latest edition of the rankings, the company was required to show the
minimum CAGR of 8.1%, nearly half of CAGR (15.1%) that was required in last year’s list.
iii.To qualify for the rankings, a company had to meet specific criteria like: to generate minimum revenue
of USD 100,000 in 2020 and minimum USD 1 million in 2023.
• The company should operate independently i.e. not a subsidiary or branch of another company.
• It must be based in one of 13 Asia-Pacific territories such as: Australia, Hong Kong, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, among others.
• Also, the revenue growth of the company between 2020 and 2023 had to be primarily organic
rather than driven by acquisitions or external factors.
Key Highlights:
i.Countries highest representation of companies: Singapore with 108 companies, has topped among
all cities as well as countries featured on the list. It is followed by Japan and South Korea, each contributing
91 companies.
• While, cities like: Seoul (South Korea) and Tokyo (Japan) had 75 and 71 companies, respectively
on the list.
ii.Top sectors dominated the list: Companies from Information Technology (IT) and Software sector,
accounted 27% of the total entries on the list, has dominated the rankings, followed by financial services
(10%) and advertising and marketing (5%).
iii.Indian Companies in top 10: Among top 10 companies on the list, 5 were from India such as: Lendbox;
BluSmart ; BigHaat (7th); Zypp Electric (8th); and Kuku FM (10th).
• Some of the notable Indian companies on the list: Gurugram (Haryana)-
based BluSmart (6th), Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based e-commerce company, Meesho (72nd),
Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Titan Company Limited (301st), Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based
Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL)(374th), and Havells India Limited (396th).

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Top 10 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025:

Name of the Revenue in

Rank Country Category
Company 2023(USD)

Fintech, Financial
1 Lendbox India 51.13 million
Services & Insurance

2 Borong Malaysia E-commerce 51.33 million

The
3 Etaily E-commerce 29.03 million
Philippines

Leisure and
4 Library Company South Korea 18.35 million
Entertainment

Fintech, Financial
5 Habitfactory South Korea 9.94 million
Services & Insurance

Logistics &
6 BluSmart India 39.32 million
Transportation

Agriculture, Forestry &

7 BigHaat India 128 million
Fishing

Logistics &
8 Zypp Electric India 36.64 million
Transportation

Leisure &
9 Kuku FM India 12.61 million
Entertainment

Information &
10 MyVenue Australia Technology(IT) & 9.18 million
Software
About Statista:
It is a global data and business intelligence platform with an extensive compilation of statistics, reports and
insights on over 80,000 topics from 22,500 sources in 170 industries.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Marc Berg
Headquarters- Hamburg, Germany
Established- 2007
About Financial Times (FT) Group:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Jon Slade
Headquarters- London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Founded- 1888

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India Ranks 2nd Globally in Funding for Women-Led Startups: Tracxn Report
According to a report by Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Indian tech startup research and analytics firm
Tracxn Technologies Limited, India ranks second globally, after the United States of America (USA) in
terms of total funding raised by companies with women founders.
• The global tech sector has over 69,000 women-founded tech companies, which have collectively
raised USD 309 billion in funding. However, in 2024, only 11.7% of total funding went to
women-led startups due to economic challenges.
• India has over 7,000 active women-led startups, accounting for 7.5% of all startups in the
country with a total capital mobilization of USD 26.4 billion.
Note: In 2024, India ranked 3rd globally in terms of funding raised by startups co-led by women, after the
USA and the United Kingdom(UK).
Key Highlights:
i.Globally, women-led tech companies secured USD 29.6 billion in funding in 2024, reflecting an 11%
decline from USD 33.1 billion in 2023 and a 21% drop from USD 37.5 billion in 2022.
ii.In 2024, the Enterprise Applications, Life Sciences, and FinTech sectors attracted the highest
investments among women-led startups. Enterprise. Applications received USD 16.1 billion, though this
marked a decline of 8% from USD 17.5 billion in 2023 and a 5% decrease from USD 16.9 billion in 2022.
iii.Globally, 14 new women-led unicorns (startups valued over USD 1 billion) emerged in 2024, marking
a 134% increase from 6 unicorns in 2023.
iv.The highest number of acquisitions was recorded in 2021 (45 buyouts). However, this dropped to 36 in
2022, 25 in 2023, and 16 in 2024.
v.The top cities with the highest funding for women-led startups in 2024 were:San Francisco(the USA) –
USD 9.4 billion, New York City(the USA) – USD 1.9 billion, London(the UK) – USD 1.8 billion.
India Scenario:
i.In India, the Retail, Edtech, and Enterprise Applications sectors received the highest investments
among women-led startups. Retail secured USD 7.8 billion, followed by Edtech with USD 5.4 billion and
Enterprise Applications with USD 5 billion.
ii.In 2024, five women-led startups launched their Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and went public:
MobiKwik, Usha Financial Services Limited, Tunwal E Vehicle India Private Limited, Interiors and More Ltd
and LawSikho.
iii.India has seen fluctuations in the number of unicorn startups (companies valued at over USD 1 billion)
led by women. The strongest year was 2021, with eight new unicorns. However, no new women-led
unicorns emerged in 2023, or 2024.
iv.Among Indian cities, Bengaluru leads in both the number of women-led startups and the amount of
funding raised. Mumbai(Maharashtra) and Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) follow in second and third
place, respectively.
v.Meanwhile, the number of acquisitions declined over recent years. In 2022, there were 36 acquisitions of
women-led startups, which dropped to 25 in 2023 and further to 16 in 2024.
Note: To boost women-led businesses, the Government of India (GoI) has introduced various initiatives.
One such program is the Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) scheme,
which provides financial aid through Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs).
About Tracxn Technologies Limited:
Chairperson and Managing Director (MD)- Neha Singh
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established– 2013

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Hurun Global Rich List 2025: Elon Musk topped; Mukesh Ambani emerges as India’s Richest
Person
In March 2025, China based Hurun Research Institute released the “2025 Hurun Global Rich List“, Mukesh
Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) of Reliance Industries Limited(RIL), emerged as the India’s
Richest Person with a total net worth of USD 100 billion and ranked as the World’s 17th richest Person
(10th in 2024).
• Mukesh Ambani is followed by Chairman of the Adani Group, Gautam Adani with a total net
worth of USD 97 billion and Chairperson of HCL Technologies Limited Roshni
Nadar Malhotra with a total net worth of USD 40 billion. She also became the 5th richest
woman in the world. She is also the first Indian woman to enter the global top 10 wealthiest
women.
• Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla and SpaceX reclaim the title of the world’s
richest person for the fourth time with total net worth of USD 420 billion, followed by founder
of Amazon, Jeff Bezos (USD 266 billion, CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook) Mark Zuckerberg at
(USD 242 billion), co-founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison (USD 203 billion).
About Hurun Global Rich List 2025:
i.This is the 14th edition of Hurun Global Rich List. The rankings are based on wealth calculations as of
January 15, 2025.
ii.The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 featured 3,442 billionaires from 71 countries, an increase from 3,278
last year. The number of billionaires grew by 5%, while their total combined wealth rose by 13%.
Highlights of Global Rich List 2025:
i.The exclusive ‘Ten Zero Club,’ representing those with over USD 10 billion, is now
approaching 300 members, and the ‘Eleven Zero Club,’ comprising individuals with over USD100 billion,
has expanded from zero in 2017 to 17.
ii.Others in the top 10 global list are Google co-founder Larry Page with a net worth of USD 164 billion,
French billionaire Bernard Arnault with USD 157 billion, Microsoft’s former CEO Steve Ballmer with USD
156 billion, Sergey Brin with USD 148 billion, and Bill Gates with USD 143 billion.
iii.This year’s Hurun billionaires list includes 4 singers, 6 sports figures, and 1 influencer. The singers are
Jay-Z (the United States of America, USA), Rihanna (Barbados), Taylor Swift (USA), and Paul McCartney
(the United Kingdom, UK). The sportsmen are Michael Jordan (USA), Tiger Woods (USA), Floyd
Mayweather (USA), LeBron James (USA), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), and Lionel Messi (Argentina). The
influencer is Kim Kardashian (USA).
Top five billionaires in the list:

Total Net
Rank Name Company Worth(USD
Billion)

Tesla, Inc, the

United States
1 Elon Musk 420
of
America(USA)

Amazon, the
2 Jeff Bezos 266
USA

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Mark Mark
3 242
Zuckerberg Zuckerberg

Oracle
Larry
4 Corporation, 203
Ellison
the USA

Berkshire
Warren
5 Hathaway 167
Buffett
Inc., the USA
Note: The top 10 billionaires collectively gained USD 512 billion in wealth over the past year. This
accounts for 30% of all new wealth generated and represents 12% of the total wealth held by the
billionaires on the list.
Top 5 Women billionaires in the list:

Total Net Worth

Rank Name Company
(USD Billion)

1 Alice Walton Walmart, the USA 102

2 Francoise Bettencourt L’Oréal, France 67

3 Julia Koch & family Koch Industries, the USA 60

4 Jacqueline Mars Mars Inc, the USA 53

5 Roshni Nadar & family HCL Technologies Limited, India 40

i.A total of 561 women are featured on the Hurun Global Rich List, with 224 being self-made.
ii.The top 10 wealthiest women in the world have a combined net worth of USD 479 billion, representing
20% of the total wealth held by women.
Top 5 countries in the list:

Number of
Rank Country
Billionaires

1 The United States of America(USA) 870

2 China 823

3 India 284

4 The United Kingdom(UK) 150

5 Germany 141
i.A total of 387 new billionaires joined the list this year.
ii.For the first time since 2016, the USA has topped the list with the most billionaires (870).
iii.China follows in second place with 823 billionaires and India with 284 billionaires.

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New York Becomes the World’s Billionaire Capital:

i.New York has reclaimed its position as the global billionaire capital, while London ranks second.
ii.Meanwhile, Shanghai has become the Asian billionaire capital for the first time , surpassed Mumbai as
Asia’s billionaire capital. Shanghai is now home to 92 billionaires, while Mumbai has 90.
Top five billionaires in India:

Total Net Worth

Rank Name Company
(USD Billion)

Reliance Industries
1 Mukesh Ambani & family Limited(RIL), 100
Mumbai(Maharashtra)

Adani Group,
2 Gautam Adani & family 97
Ahmedabad(Gujarat)

HCL Technologies Limited,

3 Roshni Nadar & family 40
Noida, Uttar Pradesh(UP)

Sun Pharmaceutical
4 Dilip Shanghvi & family Industries Limited, 29
Mumbai

Wipro Limited, Bengaluru,

5 Azim Premji & family 25
Karnataka
i.India is home to 284 billionaires, up by 13 from last year.
ii.Mukesh Ambani has once again become Asia’s richest person, with a net worth of USD 100 bn.

GFCI 37: GIFT City Leads in Reputational Advantage & Improves FinTech ranking
In March 2025, the China Development Institute (CDI) in Shenzhen (China) and Z/Yen Partners in
London (the United Kingdom, UK) released the 37th edition of the Global Financial Centres Index
(GFCI 37).
• According to the index, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (Gift City) in Gujarat, has
achieved the top rank in the ‘reputational advantage’ category and improved its position from
45th to 40th in the fintech ranking.
About Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 37):
i.This semi-annual report evaluates the competitiveness of 119 financial centres worldwide, serving as a
critical reference for policy and investment decision-makers.
ii.The GFCI assesses financial centres based on 140 instrumental factors sourced from reputable
organizations such as the World Bank (WB), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD), and the United Nations (UN).
iii.These quantitative metrics are combined with insights from 31,314 assessments provided by 4,946
respondents through an online questionnaire.

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Highlights of GFCI 37:

1.Top Global Financial Centres:
In GFCI 37, New York City (United States of America, USA) continues to hold the top position with a
rating of 769, followed by London (United Kingdom, UK) in second place with 762 points. Hong
Kong (China) secures the third spot with a rating of 760.
2.Asia-Pacific Progress:
i.The Asia-Pacific region showcases robust performance, with six centres ranking in the global top 20.
ii.Hong Kong(China) continues to hold the top position in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Sinagpore
and Shanghai(China).
ii.Notably, Hangzhou (China), New Delhi (India), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Ho Chi Minh
City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines), and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) of India have
ascended six or more positions, reflecting the region’s growing financial prominence.
3.GIFT City’s Remarkable Progress:
i.GIFT City, India’s pioneering smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), has
demonstrated significant advancements in GFCI 37:
• Reputational Advantage: Achieved the top rank, underscoring its enhanced global
perception.
• Overall Ranking: Improved from 52nd to 46th place, marking its steady rise as an
international financial centre.
ii.Additionally, GIFT City has maintained its position among the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-
Pacific region.
Top 5 Financial Centres in GFCI 37:

GFCI 37
Centre
Rank Rating

New York (USA) 1 769

London (UK) 2 762

Hong Kong (China) 3 760

Singapore (Singapore) 4 750

San Francisco (USA) 5 749

GIFT City-Gujarat (India) 46 706

Mumbai(India) 52 700

New Delhi(India) 60 692

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REPORTS
MoSPI’s TUS 2024: Women Spent 71 mins a day on ‘work related activities’ in 2024
In February 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released
the 2nd edition all-India Time Use Survey (TUS) conducted during January-December, 2024 by the
National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI.
• As per TUS 2024, the amount of time spent by women in ‘employment-related activities’ was 71
minutes per day in 2024, which is 10 minutes more compared to TUS 2019.
• While, the amount of time spent by men in ‘employment-related activities’ has increased from
263 minutes per day (in TUS, 2019) to 287 minutes per day (in TUS, 2024).
About Time Use Survey (TUS):
i.The 1st ever all-India TUS was conducted by the NSO, MoSPI from January, 2019 to December, 2019.
ii.It is a national-level survey which examines how people allocate their time to various daily activities. The
main objective of this survey is to measure the participation of men and women for both paid and unpaid
activities.
iii.It provides information on the time spent in various activities such as: unpaid caregiving activities,
volunteer work, and unpaid domestic service-producing activities of the household members, among
others.
iv.Other than India, countries which also conduct the national TUS are: Australia, Japan, the Republic of
Korea, New Zealand, the United States of America (USA) and China.
Key Features of TUS 2024:
i.The latest edition of TUS had asked respondents about their activities performed in the designated time
slots of 30 minutes and the same was recorded against the corresponding slot.
• The information on time use was collected through Computer Assisted Personal
Interviews (CAPI) for persons aged 6 years and above with a reference period of a day.
ii.The survey has covered 1,39,487 households including 83, 247 in rural and 56,240 in urban areas of
the country.
• It has covered 4, 54,192 persons aged 6 years and above including 2,85,389 and 1,68,803 from
rural and urban areas of the country, respectively.
iii.The survey used 3 key indicators:
• Participation rate, defined as the percentage of persons performing that activity during the
day;
• Average time spent in day per participant, calculated considering only those persons who
participated in the activity; and
• Average time spent in a day per person, calculated by considering all the persons irrespective
of whether they participated in the activity or not.
Key Findings of TUS 2024:
i.Percentage share of employment participation: It showed that 75% of the males and 25% of the
females in the age group of 15-59 years, participated in the employment and related activities in a day i.e.
24 hours (hrs) in 2024, as against 70.9% for males and 21.8% for females during 2019.
ii.Unpaid domestic services for household members: The amount spent by female participants aged
15-59 years in unpaid domestic service has declined from 315 minutes (in 2019) to 305 minutes during
2024 in those activities; this signifies the shift from unpaid to paid activities.
• Also, the amount of time spent by a men on ‘unpaid domestic services for household members’
in a day has decreased marginally by 1 minute, to 24 minutes in 2024 compared to 2019.
iii.Caregiving activities: 41% of the females and 21.4% of the males in the age group of 15-59 years,
participated in caregiving activities.

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• Also, female participants aged 15-59 years spent about 140 minutes in caregiving activities
compared to 74 minutes spent by male participants of the same age-group.
iv.Cultural, Leisure and Education Activities: The data revealed that 11% of the people aged 6 years and
above spent their days’ time in culture, leisure, mass media, and sports practices during 2024, compared to
9.9% of the days’ spent during 2019.
v.Self-care Activities: As per TUS 2024, persons aged 6 years and above spent 708 minutes in a day on
self-care and maintenance activities.
• Females and Males of this age group spent 706 minutes and 710 minutes, respectively in such
activities.
Other Key findings on Average time spent per day per person in activities:
i.The data showed that the amount of time spent by a women on ‘unpaid domestic services for household
members’ in a day decreased by 7 minutes, from 243 minutes (in 2019) to 236 minutes (in 2024).
ii.The survey noted that both men and women spent more time in a day on ‘unpaid caregiving activities for
household members’ in 2024.
• It further revealed that women have 27% more time i.e. 47 minutes compared to 2019 and
similarly, the amount of time spent by men in such activities has increased 18% (13 minutes) in
2024.
iii.As per the survey, women spent 141 minutes on ‘culture, leisure, mass-media and sports practices’ in
2024 compared to 141 minutes spent on such activities in 2019.
• While, the amount of time spent by men for such activities increased by 23 minutes, to 169
minutes in 2024.
iv.The survey highlighted that the amount of time spent by both men and women on ‘socializing and
communication, community participation and religious practice’ decreased to 124 minutes and 126
minutes, respectively, compared to 2019.
• In contrast, the amount of time spent by both men and women on ‘culture, leisure, mass-media
and sports practices” increased to 169 minutes and 148 minutes, respectively, compared to
2019.
About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementaion (MoSPI):
Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC)-Rao Inderjit Singh (Constituency- Gurugram, Haryana)

CSE and DTE Release 12th Edition of State of India’s Environment Report 2025
In February 2025, The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) based in New Delhi, Delhi and Down To
Earth (DTE) Magazine released the 12th edition of Annual State of India’s Environment Report 2025. The
report was launched at the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2025 held at the Anil Agarwal Environment Training
Institute in Nimli, Rajasthan.
• The report provides an in-depth analysis of key environmental developments and
challenges faced by India.
• The report was officially released by Sunita Narain, Director General (DG) of CSE, alongside
prominent figures such as India’s G20 (Group of 20) Sherpa Amitabh Kant, former Planning
Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and management expert Raj
Liberhan.
Key Focus:
i.It examines the impact of climate change on rivers, air pollution, and rising temperatures, highlighting
the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
ii.The report also addresses concerns related to waste management, particularly plastic pollution, and
sheds light on the growing crisis of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

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• A special focus has been placed on the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, reflecting
on its long-term effects.
iii.The report also explores India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 Gigawatt (GW) of Renewable Energy
(RE), along with the rising challenges of migration and displacement due to climate change.
Key Findings:
i.The report highlights that human activities have introduced
140,000 new chemicals into the environment. Every year, 220
billion tonnes of chemicals are released, including 65 kilogram
(kg) of cancer-causing substances per second.
ii.Globally, 160 million chemicals are known, with 60,000 still
poorly understood or regulated. India uses 255,000 tonnes of
pesticides annually, raising concerns about their effects on
human health and ecosystems.
iii.India experienced 255 days of extreme weather in the first
nine months of 2024, surpassing 235 events in 2023 and 241 in
2022. This led to severe damage to agriculture, affecting 3.2
million hectares of farmland, which is 74% more than in 2022.
iv.The year 2024 was the hottest ever recorded, with global
temperatures 1.60 degrees Celsius (°C) higher than pre-industrial levels.

NITI Aayog Report: Women’s Credit Monitoring Surges 42%, Hits 27 Million in 2024
On March 3, 2025, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of the National Institution for
Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, in partnership with TransUnion CIBIL Limited (formerly Credit
Information Bureau (India) Limited) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based MicroSave Consulting (MSC),
unveiled a new report titled “From Borrowers to Builders: Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth
Story.”
• The report, launched by B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, highlights a significant
increase in financial awareness among women, with 27 million actively monitoring their credit
as of December 2024, marking a 42% growth compared to the previous year.
Highlights:
i.In December 2024, the share of women in the total self-monitoring base rose to 19.43% compared to
17.89% in 2023.
• Women in non-metro regions are more actively self-monitoring their credit than those in metro
areas, with a 48% growth in non-metro regions and a 30% increase in metro areas.
• Additionally, younger Gen Z women are leading the way in credit monitoring, with their number
increasing by 56% year-over-year (YoY).
ii.As per the report, the number of accounts( 37 lakh) opened for business purpose has grown 4.6 times
since 2019(8 lakh).
• Business loan disbursements to women also surged to Rs.1.9 lakh crore in 2024, up from Rs.0.7
lakh crore in 2019, but these loans constitute only 3% of overall loans availed by women in
2024.
iii.Since 2019, women’s share in business loan origination has risen by 14%, and their share in gold loans
has grown by 6%. By December 2024, women represented 35% of business borrowers.
iv.Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Telangana together accounted
for 49% of all self-monitoring women, with the southern region leading at 10.2 million in 2024.
v.Northern and central states, such as Rajasthan, UP, and Madhya Pradesh (MP), experienced the highest
Compounded Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) in active women borrowers over the last five years.

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About TransUnion CIBIL Limited:

Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Bhavesh Jain
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 2000

PM Modi Released India’s 1st ever Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report: 6,327 dolphins, Highest
in UP
In March 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi released India’s 1st ever riverine dolphin
estimation report during his visit to Gir National Park (NP) in Gujarat,
where he chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for
Wildlife (NBWL). The report was released on the eve of World Wildlife
Day (WWD) observed annually on March 3 worldwide.
• As per the report, India has 6,327 riverine dolphins across 28
rivers in 8 states. 6,324 dolphins found across the Ganga and
Brahamputra river basins and remaining 3 Indus river dolphins in
the Beas river basin in Punjab.
• Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh(MP), Punjab, and Lakshadweep are identified as the key
dolphin hotspot states.
About the Report:
i.The survey was conducted between 2021 and 2023 by Dehradun, Uttarakhand based Wildlife Institute
of India (WII) in partnership with state forest departments of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Assam,
Jharkhand, Rajasthan; and Non-Profit Organisations(NPOs) including Aaranyak, World Wildlife Fund
(WWF), Turtle Survival Alliance and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
ii.This inaugural survey was conducted under Project Dolphin, which was initiated by PM Narendra Modi
on August 15, 2020.
iii.It has surveyed a total of 28 rivers across 8 Indian states by boat which included 3,150 man-days and
30 river stretches were surveyed by road.
iv.It has covered a total of 8,500 kilometers (kms) which included 8,406 km long-stretches of Ganga and
Brahmaputra river basins, inclusive of its tributaries and 101 km
long stretch of Beas river.
v.A total of 7,109 km long stretch was surveyed in Ganga, which
included the main stem of Ganga as well as its tributaries
including Chambal, Yamuna, Rapti, Sharda, Kosi, Gandak, among
others which has covered states like: UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, WB,
MP, and Rajasthan.
Key Findings:
i.UP with 2,397 dolphins, has topped among the 8 states with
highest number of dolphins in the country, followed by Bihar
(2,220); WB (815) and Assam (635).
ii.Number of dolphins found in other states: Jharkhand (162),
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (MP)(95) and Punjab (3).
iii.Among 6,324 Gangetic dolphins, 3,275 were found on the
Ganges river main stem, 2,414 were found in its tributaries, while, 584 were in the main stem of
Brahamputra river.

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Note: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has designated the Chambal
River Conservation Zone as a Dolphin Conservation Zone to implement targeted protection efforts.
Other Key Highlights of 7th meeting of NBWL:
i.PM emphasized the significance of awareness on dolphin conservation by involvement of local population
and villagers in the areas.
• The meeting also reviewed various wildlife initiatives led by the Government of India (GoI),
including, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and the establishment of the International Big Cats
Alliance.
iii.PM also announced the expansion of Cheetah introduction to others areas including the Gandhisagar
Sanctuary in MP and Banni Grasslands in Gujarat.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
It is a statutory body established under sub-section (1) of section 5A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It
advises the government on wildlife conservation and comprises of 47 members.
Chairperson- PM Narendra Modi
Vice-Chairperson- Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC)

15th IPR 2025: India’s Philanthropy Spending to Grow by 10-12% in Next 5 Years
In February 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Dasra, a venture philanthropy firm, and the United States
of America (USA) based Bain & Company, Inc. released the 15th edition of the India Philanthropy Report
(IPR) 2025.
• The report highlighted that private funding in India’s social sector is projected to grow
by 10% to 12% annually over the next five years, primarily driven by family philanthropy from
Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs), High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), and affluent
individuals.
Note: UHNIs have a net worth of Rs 1,000 crore or more, HNIs have a net worth between Rs 200 crore and
Rs 1,000 crore, and the “Affluent” category includes those with a net worth from Rs 7 crore to Rs 200
crore.
About India Philanthropy Report (IPR):
i.The IPR is an annual publication that provides insights into the philanthropic landscape in India.
• The 1st edition of IPR was released in 2011.
ii.i.The report details how UHNIs, high-net-worth individuals HNIs, and affluent families are playing a
significant role in supporting social causes.
ii.The report also emphasizes the influence of family-run businesses on Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) and underscores the need for a stronger philanthropy infrastructure to support sustainable
development, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Key Highlights of IPR 2025:
i.Social Funding in FY24:
• The total size of India’s social sector funding – covering areas such as education, healthcare, and
gender equality – is approximately Rs 25 lakh crore (USD 300 billion) in the Financial Year
2023-24(FY24), accounting for 8.3% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Public spending made up 95% of the total funding, amounting to Rs 23 lakh crore, which
includes schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
(MGNREGS) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). This is expected to rise to
around Rs 45 lakh crore (USD 550 billion; 9.6% of GDP) by FY2029.
• Private spending increased by 7% from FY23 to FY24, reaching approximately Rs 1.31 lakh
crore (USD 16 billion).

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ii.Family Philanthropy and CSR Contribution in FY 2024:

• Families contribute around 40% of total philanthropy, which includes both personal giving and
CSR initiatives from family-owned or family-run businesses.
• Family-owned businesses contribute 65% to 70% of private-sector CSR spending each year,
totaling around Rs 18,000 crore (USD 2.2 billion).
• The top four family-run businesses: Tata, Ambani, Adani, and Birla, each contributed Rs 800 to
Rs 1,000 crore to CSR in FY24. Other notable business families included in this category are the
Munjals of Hero MotoCorp, the Piramal family of Piramal Enterprises, and the Kanwar family of
Apollo Tyres, each contributing an average of Rs 20-25 crore.
• With more strategic services and structured support for family philanthropy, an
additional Rs 50,000 to 55,000 crore (USD 6 to USD 7 billion) in family philanthropy could be
unlocked over the next five years.
iii.Contributions by UHNIs, HNIs, and Affluents in FY 2024:
On average, the UHNIs, HNIs, and Affluent private individuals gave Rs 5 crore, Rs 0.4 to 5 crore, and less
than Rs 0.4 crore to philanthropy in FY24, respectively.
About Bain & Company, Inc. :
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Christophe De Vusser
Headquarters – Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1973

India Must Grow 7.8% Annually to Achieve High-Income Status by 2047: World Bank
In February 2025, the World Bank(WB) released its latest report titled ‘India Country Economic
Memorandum, titled ‘Becoming a High-Income Economy in a Generation’, which is a comprehensive
analysis of economic developments, prospects, and policy agenda of the country.
• As per the report, India will need to grow by 7.8% on average over the next 22 years to achieve
India’s ambitious target of reaching High-Income Nation (HIN) status by 2047.
• The report highlighted though this target is achievable due to India’s strong growth averaging
6.3% between 2000 and 2024, but it still require to introduce reforms and their
implementation to be as ambitious the target itself.
Points to Note:
i.The World Bank classifies countries based on their Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
• Low Income: Countries with a GNI per capita of USD1,045 or less.
• Lower-Middle Income: Countries with a GNI per capita between USD 1,046 and USD 4,095.
• Upper-Middle Income: Countries with a GNI per capita between USD 4,096 and USD 12,535.
• High Income: Countries with a GNI per capita of USD 12,536 or more.
ii.According to the WB, India is a Low-Middle-Income(LMI) country with GNI per capita is between USD
1,136 and USD 4,465 in 2023.
Key Points:
i.The report has outlined 3 growth scenarios for India over the next 22 years, which will enable it to
achieve HIN status in a generation, requires:
• Achieving faster and inclusive growth across states;
• Increasing total investment from present 33.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 40% (both
in real terms) by 2035;
• Increasing overall Labour Force Participation (LFP) from 56.4% to more than 65%; and
promoting overall productivity growth.

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ii.As per the report, India has the potential to take benefit of its demographic dividend by making
investments in human capital, creating enabling conditions for more and better jobs and increasing female
LFP rates from 35.6% to 50% by 2047.
iii.The report underscored that for the last 3 fiscal years, India has increased its average growth
rate to 7.2% and in order to maintain this as well as to achieve an average growth rate of 7.8% (in real
terms) over the next 20 years.
• It has recommended 4 key policy areas: increasing investment; creating more and better job
opportunities; promoting structural transformation, trade participation and technology
adoption; and enabling states to grow faster and together.
Key Recommendations:
i.The report has recommended to increase both private and public investment from 33.5% to 40% of
GDP by 2035. This can be achieved by bolstering financial regulations, easing credit access for Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and simplifying Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies.
ii.It has further emphasized on expanding LFP currently at 56.4%, by promoting growth in labour-
intensive sectors such as agro-processing, hospitality, and transportation, while ensuring skilled
workforce and better access to finance.
• It has also recommended that women’s LFP should increase to 55% by 2050.
iii.It has also underscored that structural transformation is crucial, with 45% of workforce in
agriculture sector. Thus, it recommended the allocation of land, labour, and capital to more productive
sectors like: manufacturing and services, can help enhance firm and labour productivity, along with
enabling states to grow faster and together.
iv.The report argued for a differential policy approach, with less developed countries focuses more on
fundamental growth sectors like: health, education, and infrastructure, while, developed states promoting
next-generation reforms, including business environment improvements and deeper Global Value
Chains (GVCs).
About World Bank(WB):
President– Ajay Banga
Headquarters– Washington, DC, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1944

Coursera Report: India Leads in GenAI Adoption; Women Lag at 29.6%

In March 2025, the United States of America(USA) based Coursera Inc., a leading online learning platform,
published its report titled “Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills” , offering a strategic roadmap to
bridge the gender disparity in Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) (GenAI) enrollments. India has
emerged as a global leader in GenAI adoption, recording 1.3 million enrollments in 2024.
• However, the Coursera data reveals that Indian women constitute 40% of all learners but make
up only 29.6% of total GenAI enrollments, ranking 2nd globally in female GenAI participation.
• The report highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to
GenAI opportunities, fostering a more inclusive workforce in the rapidly advancing AI sector.
Highlights of the Report:
i.Gender Disparity: Globally, women account for 32% of total GenAI enrollments, yet in India, their
participation is significantly lower at 29.6%, despite making up a larger share (40%) of Coursera’s total
learners.
ii.Rapid Growth Among Women: GenAI enrollments from India have surged fourfold, with women
showing an impressive 296% growth, surpassing the 191% growth seen among men.

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Barriers Limiting Women’s Participation:

i.Confidence Gaps: Women are six times more likely to opt for beginner-level GenAI courses rather than
intermediate ones, reflecting a lack of confidence in advancing their skills.
ii.Time Constraints: Despite 90% of Indian women recognizing the importance of GenAI for career
growth, only 35% feel adequately prepared to utilize it.
iii.Flexibility in learning is key, as 95% of junior, 96% of mid-management, and 100% of senior women
would be more inclined to invest in AI education with employer-backed upskilling programs.
iv.Perceived Lack of Relevance: Women are more engaged when GenAI is linked to real-world
applications such as healthcare, education, and creative industries.
v.Few Female Role Models in AI: The report emphasizes that AI courses with female instructors
experience a 7% higher female enrollment rate.
Global Insights:
i.Smaller Gaps: The gap is lowest in emerging markets across Europe and Latin America. Uzbekistan has
achieved the most equitable uptake of GenAI training: where, women learners represent 49.7% of overall
GenAI enrollments.
• Ecuador (47.7%), Czech Republic (44.9%), and Colombia (41.8%) also exceed 40% female
enrollment rates in GenAI courses.
ii.Largest Gaps: The gender gap is most in markets across the Middle East and Asia (MEA).
• Pakistan has the highest GenAI enrollment gap on Coursera, with women representing only
15.9% of the country’s GenAI learners.
• Other countries include Egypt (22.2%), Israel (23.4%), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
(23.8%).

MoA&FW Releases 2nd Advance Estimates of Production of Major Agricultural Crops (Kharif &
Rabi) for 2024-25
On March 10, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) released the ‘Second
Advance Estimates for the production of major agricultural crops (Kharif and Rabi) for 2024-25’,
highlighting record outputs in key crops like rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean.
• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, MoA&FW, approved the data, confirming that under
the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, the Government of India(GoI) aims to
develop the agricultural sector.
Methodology for Estimates:
i.The estimates were prepared using: Crop area data validated with inputs from Remote Sensing, Weekly
Crop Weather Watch Group (WCWWG), and state reports.
ii.Stakeholder consultations with industry and government representatives and Crop Cutting Experiments
(CCEs) for yield assessment, supported by historical trends.
Key Highlights of the Estimates:
i.Foodgrains Production for Kharif is estimated at 1,663.91 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT),
while Rabi production (excluding summer crops) is projected at 1,645.27 LMT.
ii.Rice: Kharif rice production is anticipated to reach a record 1,206.79 LMT, an increase of 74.20 LMT
compared to the 1,132.59 LMT produced in 2023-24 and Rabi rice (excluding summer) is estimated
at 157.58 LMT.
iii.Wheat production is projected at a record 1,154.30 LMT, showing an increase of 21.38 LMT compared
to 2023-24 (1,132.92 LMT).
iv.Maize: Kharif maize production is projected at a record 248.11 LMT, with Rabi maize (excluding
summer) estimated at 124.38 LMT.
v.Shree Anna (Millets): Kharif production is estimated at 137.52 LMT, and Rabi production at 30.81 LMT.

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vi.Pulses: Tur production is estimated at 35.11 LMT, gram (chana) at 115.35 LMT, and lentil at 18.17 LMT.
vii.Oilseeds: Kharif oilseeds production is projected at 276.38 LMT, with Rabi oilseeds (excluding
summer) at 140.31 LMT.
• Kharif groundnut is projected to reach 104.26 LMT, an increase of 17.66 LMT from the previous
year’s 2023-24 (86.60 LMT).
• Soybean production is also anticipated to hit a record 151.32 LMT, up by 20.70 LMT from the
prior year’s 2023-24 (130.62 LMT).
• Rapeseed and mustard production is estimated at 128.73 LMT.
viii.Sugarcane production is estimated at 4,350.79 LMT. Cotton production is projected at 294.25 lakh
bales, each weighing 170 kilogram (kg) while Jute production is estimated at 83.08 lakh bales, each
weighing 180 kg.
About the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW):
Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ram Nath Thakur (Rajya Sabha Bihar); Bhagirath Choudhary (Constituency-
Ajmer, Rajasthan)

FAO Releases Reports on Global Grain Production & Food Situation 2025 : Predicts Wheat
Production at 796 Mt
In March 2025, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released two key
reports: the ‘Cereal Supply and Demand Brief’ and the ‘Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report’.
• The report on global grain production predicts that wheat production may reach 796 million
tonnes (Mt) in 2025, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by
expanded wheat planting in the European Union, particularly France and Germany.
• The report on crop prospects provides insights into how different regions are affected by
weather patterns and other agricultural challenges.
Key Highlights of the Global Grain Production Report:
i.FAO expects world grain reserves to shrink by 1.9%, bringing the total to 869.3 Mt in 2025. While
Russia and Ukraine may see an increase in stocks, other regions might experience a decline.
ii.FAO has revised its forecast for global grain production in 2024 to 2,842 Mt, slightly higher than in
2023.
iii.The total consumption of cereals is also expected to increase, reaching 2,867 Mt in 2024/25, mainly
due to record rice consumption. However, wheat consumption is expected to remain stable,
iv.Rice production globally is expected to set a new record of 543 Mt in 2024/25, driven by positive crop
prospects in India and favourable growing conditions in Cambodia and Myanmar.
v.The stock-to-use ratio, which measures how much grain is available compared to consumption, is
forecasted to drop to 29.9%. Despite this reduction, FAO considers it a stable level.
vi.At the same time, global grain trade is expected to slow down, with FAO revising its trade estimate to
484.2 Mt, marking a 5.6% decline from the previous year.
Key Highlights of the Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report:
This report is published three times a year (four times before 2023) and provides a forward-looking
analysis of the food situation by geographic region, focusing on the cereal production outlook, market
situation and food security conditions, with a particular attention on Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries
(LIFDCs).
i.FAO reported that 45 countries need food assistance, including 33 in Africa, 9 in Asia, 2 in South
America and the Caribbean, and 1 in Europe.
• Conflict and instability remain major factors behind food shortages, with Gaza (Palestine) and
Sudan facing the worst food crisis.

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ii.The report notes lower grain output in North Africa due to poor rainfall, while southern Africa may
recover with better weather. Far East Asia’s wheat production may rise, but the Near East could see
declines.
iii.Argentina’s maize faces stent disease, though Brazil’s yields may stabilize output. Mexico’s dry
conditions affect seedlings, but better weather in Central America and the Caribbean may boost harvests.
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
Director General (DG)– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Established– 1945

NHB Released Report on Trends and Progress of Housing in India 2024

In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based National Housing Bank (NHB), apex financial institution for housing,
released the Report on Trends and Progress of Housing in India, 2024 in accordance to provisions of Section 42
of NHB Act, 1987.
• The report provides comprehensive overview about the current housing scenario in India, including
house price trends, flagship government programmes in the housing sector, role of Primary Lending
Institutions (PLIs) in providing housing credit, performance of Housing Finance
Companies (HFCs) and outlook for the sector.
Key Findings:
i.Increase in individual housing loan: As on September 30 2024, individual housing loans stood at Rs
33.53 lakh crore, reflecting growth of 14% during the same period of last year.
ii.Distribution of housing loans among different income groups: Middle-Income Group (MIG) accounted
44% of the total housing loans, as on September 30, 2024.
• It is followed by Economically Weaker Section & Lower Income Group (EWS & LIG) and Higher
Income Group (HIG), accounted 39% and 17% of outstanding individual housing loans,
respectively.
• Regional Distribution in Finance: Southern (35%), Western (30%), Northern (28%), Eastern
(5.4%) , North Eastern States (0.68%).
• Banks account for 81% whereas Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) account for 19% of housing
loans.
iii.Disbursement of Housing Loans: During the 1st Half of (H1: April-September) of Financial Year 2024-25
(FY25), individual housing loan disbursements were Rs 4.10 lakh crore while disbursements during FY24
(ended on March 31, 2024) were Rs 9.07 lakh crore.
iv.Growth in Housing Price Index: As per the report, the housing price index i.e. NHB-RESIDEX, which
monitors the price movements of residential properties, showed a Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth of 6.8% as
against 4.9% during last year.
v.Housing loans (as % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)): It has increased from 6.60% (2011-12)to 11.29%
(2023-24).
• Green buildings: Only 5% of buildings are classified as green
Other Key Points:
i.The report has covered key initiatives of Government of India (GoI) such as: Pradhan Awas Yojana-Grameen
(PMAY-G), PMAY-U, Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), Affordable Rental Housing Complexes
(ARHC) scheme, among others.

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ii.The report outlined regional disparities in credit flow and vulnerability to climate-related risks, as some of
the key challenges which need to be addressed by the sector.
• It also highlighted technological advancements in construction, digitization of land records, among
others as some of the key factors which will provide growth opportunities for the sector.
About National Housing Bank (NHB):
It is a statutory body, established under the NHB Act, 1987 on July 9, 1988.
Managing Director (MD)- Sanjay Shukla
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
UNCTAD Report: India, China Saw Strong Trade Growth in Q4 2024 Amid Risks
In March 2025, Geneva (Switzerland)-based United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) released its latest Global Trade Update: March 2025 report. As per the report,
developing countries, specifically China and India saw better than average trade expansion in the 4th
Quarter (Q4) of 2024. In contrast to it, many developed countries experienced contractions during the
same period.
• However, the report cautioned about potential economic slowdown globally in the upcoming
quarters.
• The report highlighted that trends like increasing deficits in countries like: the United States of
America (USA), European Union (EU), India, among others, amid changing energy tariffs,
restrictions or investment shifts could possibly increase the economic uncertainty.
Global Scenario:
i.The report showed that global trade saw significant expansion to USD 33 trillion in 2024, an increase
of 3.7% (USD 1.2 trillion) from 2023, driven by developing economies and strong services trade, except
for regions like: Europe and Central Asia.
ii.The report further showed that global growth expansion in 2024 was mainly led by services sectors,
which saw the Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth of 9% and contributed USD 700 billion, which is nearly 60%
of the total growth.
• While, trade in goods has increased at the rate of 2%, contributing USD 500 billion.
• However, the report cited that growth in both sectors slowed in the 2nd half of 2024 i.e. services
and goods sector saw the growth of just 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively in the Q4 of 2024.
iii.The report revealed that developing economies outpaced developed countries, with imports and
exports increasing to 4% for the year and 2% in Q4 of 2024, attributed mainly by East and South Asia
region.
• Also, South-South trade saw the Y-O-Y growth of 5% and 4% in the previous quarter of 2024.
• Meanwhile, developed countries like: Russia, South Africa and Brazil, saw sluggish growth in the
trade sector for the year and declined by 2% in Q4 of 2024.
India-Specific:
i.The report showed that India registered an 8% quarterly imports growth in goods trade in Q4 2024
compared to last quarter and Y-O-Y imports growth of 6%.
ii.As per the report, India’s quarterly exports growth in goods stood at 7% and annual exports growth
was 2% in Q4 2024.
iii.The report revealed that Indian services imports saw a quarterly growth of 7% and an annual growth
of 10% in Q4 2024.
• While, India registered the quarterly services exports
growth in services at 3% and annual exports growth in
services was at 10%.
Key Challenges:
i.As per the report, agricultural exports from developing countries
face high import duties averaging almost 20% under the Most
Favored Nation (MFN) system.
• Also, textiles and apparel face some of the highest tariff
rates i.e. import duties average nearly to 6%.
ii.The report has outlined that increasing geo-economic tensions, protectionist policies and trade disputes
indicate likely disruptions ahead.

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About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):

Secretary-General- Rebeca Grynspan(Costa Rica)
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Established- 1964

WMO Report: Atmospheric CO2 levels Reached at 420 ppm in 2023, highest in 8 lakh Years
In March 2025, Geneva (Switzerland)-based World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released its report
titled ‘State of the Global Climate Report 2024’, It states that atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels
reached at 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, which is the
highest in the last 8 lakh years. As per WMO, 420 ppm of CO2 is
equivalent to 3,276 Gigatonnes (Gt) or 3.276 trillion of CO2 in the
atmosphere.
• Also, the CO2 levels in 2023 were 2.3 ppm higher than
in 2022 and 151% of the pre-industrial level (1750).
• The report mentioned that long-term global warming is
currently projected to be between 1.34 degree Celsius
(°C) and 1.41°C compared to the 1850-1900 baseline.
About State of the Global Climate Report 2024:
i.The report draws on scientific input from the National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services, the WMO Regional
Climate Centres, the United Nations(UN) partners, and numerous
experts.
ii.It features sidebars on tracking global temperature trends in line with the Paris Agreement and
analyzing temperature anomalies in 2023 and 2024.
iii.Three methods for establishing an up-to-date estimate of current global warming as of 2024, compared
with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6) method, which
uses averages over the previous 10 years and is representative of warming to 2019.
Key Findings:
i.Global Average Temperature: The report showed that the year 2024 was probably the 1st Calendar
Year (CY) to be over 1.5 °C above the pre-industrial era, with global average temperature of
1.55 °C ±0.13 °C above the 1850-1990 average, which is the warmest year in 175-year observational
record.
• The record breaking global temperatures witnessed in 2023 and again in 2024 were mainly due
to increasing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions and 2023-24 El Nino events.
• The report highlighted that the last 10 years (from 2015 to 2024) were the warmest on record,
with each of the last 8 years setting new records for ocean heat content.
Note: El Nino is a periodic warming of the ocean surface particularly in the central and eastern tropical
Pacific Ocean, which happens every 2 to 7 years for 9 to 12 months.
ii.Ocean Heat Content: The report showed that nearly 90% of the additional heat trapped by GHGs is
absorbed by the oceans, which further warming the ocean water and impacting marine life, weather
patterns and seal-levels.
• According to the report, the ocean heat content in 2024 reached its highest level in the 65-year
observational record.
iii.Increase in Seal-level: It showed that the global average sea level was the highest in 2024, since
satellite records started in 1993.
• The increase in the rate of sea level has doubled from 2.1 millimeters (mm) (from 1993-2002)
to 4.7 mm (2015-2024).

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• Similarly, the rate of ocean warming has doubled over the last 20 years (2005-2024) compared
to the period of 1960-2005.
iv.Ocean Acidification: The report observed the steady decrease of global average ocean
surface pH, known as Ocean Acidification specially in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, Eastern
Equatorial Pacific Ocean, and some regions in the Atlantic Ocean.
v.Glacier Mass Balance: As per the report, the period 2022-2024 shows the most negative 3-year glacier
mass balance on record. Also, 7 of the worst 10 negative mass balance years since 1950 have occurred
since 2016.
• The report further highlighted the regions which have experienced most negative mass balances
were: Norway, Sweden, Svalbard and the tropical Andes.
vi.Impact of Extreme Events: The report revealed that extreme events such as: tropical cyclones, floods,
droughts and other disasters in 2024 led to highest number of new displacements recorded in the last 16
years (2008).
About World Meteorological Organisation(WMO):
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) for meteorology (weather and climate), operational
hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
• It was established in 1950 and became the UN’s specialized agency in 1951.
Secretary General– Celeste Saulo
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Members– 193 members (187 member states and 6 territories)

RBI’s Survey: US, UK and Singapore Overtake GCC Nations as India’s Top Remittance Hubs in FY24
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published a paper
titled ‘Changing Dynamics of India’s Remittances: Insights from the Sixth Round of India’s
Remittances Survey’ in its monthly bulletin. As per the results from the 6th round of India’s remittance
survey, there has been gradual shift in India’s inward remittance patterns as advanced economies (AEs)
have replaced the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations as the dominant source of remittances to India.
• As per RBI’s survey, AEs such as: the United States of America (USA); Singapore; Canada and
Australia together accounted over 50% of India’s
remittances in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24). This
reflects a shift in migration patterns towards a skilled
Indian diaspora.
About RBI’s Survey:
i.The survey has captured responses from 30 Authorised Dealer
(AD) banks, covering 99% of the total value of inward remittances,
2 major Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) and 2 cross-border
fintech companies.
ii.The paper was authored by officials from the Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR), RBI.
Key Findings:
i.Total Remittances Received in FY24: The survey revealed that India’s inward remittances have
increased more than twice, from USD 55.6 billion (in 2010-11) to USD 118.7 billion (in 2023-
24), increasing at an annual average rate of 14.3% post-COVID 10.
ii.Top source countries for India’s remittances in FY24: USA emerged as the largest source of
remittances, accounting 27.7% of total inward remittances to India in FY24, increase from 23.4% in FY21.
• It is followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which has retained its position as
the 2nd largest source of India’s remittances. The share of UAE has increased marginally from
18% (FY21) to 19.2% (FY24).

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iii.Increase in the share of AEs: The survey showed that the share of the United Kingdom (UK) has
increased from 6.8% (in FY21) to 10.8% (in FY24), which may be due to the ‘Migration and Mobility
Partnership’ between India and UK in 2021.
• While the share of other AEs: Singapore (6.6%), Canada
(3.8%), and Australia (2.3%).
iii.Share of GCC nations: The combined share of GCC countries
such as: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain
stood at 38% in FY24, compared to 47% recorded in FY17.
iv.State-wise distribution of remittances: Among all Indian
states, Maharashtra received the largest share of remittances,
accounting 20.5% in FY24; followed by Kerala (19.7%), Tamil
Nadu (TN) (10.4%), Telangana (8.1%); and Karnataka (7.7%).
v.Increase in India’s share to international migrants: India’s
share of international migrants has tripled from 6.6 million (in
1990) to 18.5 million (in 2024), with this, its share in
international migrants has increased from 4.3% to more than 6% during the same period.
• The report showed that together GCC nations account for around 50% of the total Indian
migrants in the world.
• Also, UAE is the largest hub for Indian migrant workers, engaged mainly in blue-collar jobs in
various sectors dominated by construction, followed by healthcare, hospitality, and tourism.
Other Key Points:
i.The survey highlighted that remittance in terms of value of transactions, amounting to over Rs 5 lakh had
the highest share of nearly 29% in FY24.
ii.As per the RBI’s survey, on an average, 73.5% of total remittances received by the MTOs were through
digital mode during FY24.
Recent Related News:
In January 2025, RBI released Payment System Report, December 2024, which has analysed the trends
in payment transactions carried out using different payment systems in the last 5 Calendar Years (CY) up
to CY-2024.
• As per the report, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) emerged as the significant contributor to
growth of digital payments in India. The contribution of UPI to digital payments volume
increased from 34% in CY-2019 to 83% in CY-2024
Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Launched Bio-Sarthi & Bioeconomy Report; India’s Bioeconomy
touched USD 165 billion in 2024
On March 21 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge,IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of
Science & Technology (MoS&T) launched ‘India Bioeconomy Report 2025(IBER 2025)’ during the
celebrations of 13th anniversary of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) held at
the National Media Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
• While addressing the event, Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh quoted that India’s bioeconomy saw a
significant 16-times increase in 10 years of the last one decade, from USD 10 billion (in 2014)
to USD 165 billion (in 2024).
• He also launched BioSaarthi, a pioneering international mentorship initiative aimed to nurture
biotech startups, for a period of 6 months. It will provide structured mentor-mentee
engagements, offering personalized assistance to emerging entrepreneurs in the biotech sector.
Key Dignitaries: Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoS&T and
Chairman, BIRAC; Ekta Vishnoi, Joint Secretary ,DBT, MoS&T; Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General,
Press Information Bureau (PIB), among others were present at the event.

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Key Progress in Bio-tech Sector:

i.The Union Minister underscored about the recently the union cabinet approved Biotechnology for
Economy, Employment, and Environment (BIO-E3)Policy, which aims to promote research, innovation,
and entrepreneurship in the sector.
• Under this policy, various initiatives like: Bio-AI hubs,
Bio foundries, and bio-enabler hubs will be established
to integrate advanced technologies with bio-
manufacturing.
• Also, Assam has become the 1st state in the country to
adopt the BioE3 framework.
ii.He further highlighted groundbreaking achievements in bio-tech
sector like: the development of India’s 1st indigenous antibiotic
named ‘Nafithromycin’ which is used in the treatment of
respiratory diseases and a successful gene therapy trial for
hemophilia.
Highlights of IBER Report 2025:
i.The report is an annual publication prepared by the DBT in
partnership with BIRAC.
ii.It monitors the growth and performance of India’s bioeconomy, covering its size, structure, and key
trends and providing comprehensive information for policy and investment decisions.
iii.As per the report, the bioeconomy sector is contributing 4.25% to the overall India’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
• Also, the sector has registered a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the last
4 years, reflecting India’s potential as a global biotech hub.
iv.The report highlights that the BioIndustrial segment accounts for nearly half of the total bioeconomy,
contributing 47.2%, while biopharma follows with a contribution of 35.2%.
v.In terms of state contributions to the bioeconomy, Maharashtra leads with USD 35.45 billion, followed
by Karnataka at USD 32.4 billion and Telangana at USD 19.9 billion.
vi.India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) has more than doubled in the past
decade, rising from Rs.60,196 crore in 2013-14 to Rs.1,27,381 crore in 2024.
About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC):
It is a non-profit Public Sector Enterprise (PSE), formed by the Department of Biotechnology(DBT) under
the Ministry of Science and Technology(MoS&T), in 2012.
Chairman- Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
About Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T):
Union Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge,IC) – Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur,
Jammu & Kashmir, J&K)

Annual Report on the Status of Tigers, Prey, and Other Mammals – 2024: NSTR Records 76
Tigers
According to the Annual Report on the Status of Tigers, Prey, and Other Mammals – 2024, the tiger
population in the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh (AP) has
significantly increased, reaching 76 individuals, excluding 11 cubs. The report has been unveiled
by Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) and Minister for Environment and Forests of AP.
• He also introduced the official logo of Nagaravanams, a project initiated by the Forest
Department of AP to create urban green spaces resembling natural forests.

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Points to Note:
i.Tiger monitoring is conducted as part of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE), which occurs every four
years.
ii.Additionally, NSTR management performs annual surveys using the Monitoring System for Tigers –
Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES) application (app) and camera trapping, following
guidelines set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) based in New Delhi, Delhi and the
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) based in Uttarakhand.

Key Findings:
i.Tiger population evaluation is based on abundance (total tigers in a region) and density (tigers per area,
considering distribution).
ii.One of the report’s priorities is prey density estimation, as an adequate prey population is vital for
sustaining tigers.
iii.The report underscores AP’s crucial role in maintaining the largest continuous tiger habitat in the
Eastern Ghats.
iv.Under the Nagaravanams initiative, 50 urban green spaces have been created, with 11 more
sanctioned for 2024-25 and 12 proposals under review.
About Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR):
NSTR is strategically located, connecting to the Seshachalam hill range in the south and the Amrabad Tiger
Reserve in the northwest to northeast (Telangana). The reserve serves as a highly productive habitat for
tigers.
• The NSTR spans approximately 5,443 square kilometers (sq. km), comprising a core area of
2,910 sq. km, which includes the Rajiv Gandhi and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuaries,
and a buffer area of 2,535 sq. km.
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister (CM)– Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor– Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital– Amaravati
National Park (NP)- Sri Venkateswara NP, Papikonda NP

MoSPI Report: India’s Energy Intensity Improves to 0.2180 MJ/INR GDP in FY24
In March 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Energy
Statistics India 2025 report, detailing India’s energy consumption, production, and efficiency trends for the
Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24).
• India’s energy intensity improved to 0.2180 Mega Joules (MJ) in FY24, down from 0.2192 MJ in
FY23. The industrial sector contributed by reducing its energy use from 361.5 MJ to 284.2 MJ.
• Despite recent advancements, India continues to rely significantly on imports for its energy
needs, with crude oil accounting for 89%, natural gas at 46.6%, and coal at 25.86%. Over the
past decade, per capita energy consumption has increased by 25%.
Note: Energy Intensity is amount of energy required to generate one unit of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP), whether measured in Indian Rupees (INR).
Key Highlights:
1.Renewable Energy(RE) Growth:
i.RE (excluding hydropower) in electricity generation rose to 12.1% (FY24) from 6% (FY15).
ii.RE potential reached 21,09,655 Megawatt (MW) by March 31, 2024:
• Wind (55.17%): 11,63,856 MW,
• Solar (35.5%): 7,48,990 MW,

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• Large Hydro (6.32%): 1,33,410 MW.

iii.Electricity from RE surged from 2,05,608 Giga Watt Hour (GWh) (FY15) to 3,70,320 GWh (FY24),
a 6.76% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).
2.RE Potential:
India’s RE potential is 21,09,655 MW. Rajasthan leads with 20% (4,28,322 MW) in solar and wind,
followed by Maharashtra (12%), Gujarat (10%), and Karnataka (10%) in solar, wind, biomass, and
hydropower generation.
• Collectively, these four states account for 52% of India’s total RE potential
3.Fossil Fuel Dependency and Imports:
i.In FY24, coal made up 79% of India’s domestic energy supply, with 69% used by the power sector.
ii.India’s import dependency remained high: 89% for crude oil, 46.6% for natural gas, and 25.86% for coal.
4.India’s Energy Reserves and Production:
i.Coal
• Reserves stood at 389.42 billion tonnes (March 2024) with major shares in Odisha (25.47%),
Jharkhand (23.58%), Chhattisgarh (21.23%).
• Production grew by 11.71% to 997.83 million tonnes (FY24), with Non-Coking
Coal accounting for 93.3%.
ii.Crude oil reserves were 671.40 million tons, primarily in Western Offshore (32%), Assam (21.66%),
and Rajasthan (19.59%).
• Crude oil production up by 0.61% to 29.36 million tons.
iii.Natural gas reserves were 1,094.19 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM), with Western Offshore (31.28%) and
Eastern Offshore (24.07%) leading, while the production up by 6.03% to 35.68 BCM.
iv.The lignite reserves totaled 47.30 billion tonnes, with Tamil Nadu (TN) holding the largest share,
accounting for 79% of the total reserves.
5.Electricity Generation and Consumption:
i.Electricity availability rose by 7.25% to 16,46,998 Giga Watt Hour (GWh) (FY24), while the Transmission
and Distribution (T&D) losses is 17.08% (FY24).
ii.Sector-wise energy consumption in India was as follows: 42% by the industrial sector, 24% by the
domestic sector, 17% by agriculture, and 8% by the commercial sector.
6.Total Energy Supply and Demand:
In FY24, the Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) increased by 7.8% to 9,03,158 KToe (Kilo Tonnes of Oil
Equivalent). The breakdown was as follows: 60.21% from coal, 29.83% from crude oil, and 6.99% from
natural gas.
7.Per Capita Consumption Trends:
Per capita energy consumption rose by 25.4%, from 14,682 MJ in FY15 to 18,410 MJ in FY24.
Additionally, per capita electricity usage increased by 48%, from 748 Kilo Watt Hour (KWh) in FY15 to
1,106 KWh in FY24.
8.Sector-Specific Energy Demand:
i.Agriculture/Forestry sector consumption rose to 22,564 Kilo Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (KToE)
(FY24) from 15,347 KToE (FY15), a 4.38% CAGR.
ii.Total Final Consumption (TFC) surged 38% since FY15, reaching 6,13,605 KToE (FY24).

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Note: In March 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) noted India’s energy efficiency grew at 1.9%
annually (2000–2023), outpacing the global average of 1.4%, saving 399 million tonnes of Carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions over the past decade.

UN FAO Report at CGRFA-20: Global Crop Diversity Under Threat as Nine Crops Dominate
Production
In March 2025, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) based in Rome, Italy
published the Third Report on the State of the World’s (SoW3) Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture (PGRFA), raising concerns about the declining diversity of plant genetic resources.
• The report was released on the 20th meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture (CGRFA-20) in Rome.
Note: PGRFA form the foundation of sustainable agrifood systems. These resources include the genetic
diversity found in improved crop varieties, traditional farmer varieties, wild food plants, crop wild
relatives, and breeding materials.
About SoW3PGFRA:
i.This report builds on the First and Second reports launched in 1996 and 2010 respectively and provides
a comprehensive assessment of global conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA.
ii.The 2025 report, based on data from 128 countries and several research institutions, provides a
detailed assessment of efforts to conserve and utilize PGRFA effectively. It also evaluates the human and
institutional capacities required to support these initiatives.
Key Insights:
i.The report highlights key advancements, current gaps, and future challenges in managing PGRFA.
ii.The report states that despite the cultivation of around 6,000 plant species, the report revealed
that 60% of global crop production depends on just nine crops, sugarcane, maize, rice, wheat,
potatoes, soybeans, oil palm fruit, sugar beet, and cassava.
iii.The report highlights that traditional Farmer Varieties and Land Races (FV/LR) are under increasing
threat. On average, 6% of FV/LR diversity worldwide is at risk, with some regions facing even greater
losses.
• Southern Africa recorded the highest percentage of threatened diversity, followed by the
Caribbean and Western Asia, while regions like Southern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand (NZ)
had relatively lower levels of risk.
iv.Between 2011 and 2022, around 35 million hectares (Mha) in 51 countries, accounting for 44% of
high-diversity crop areas, were cultivated with FV/LR. However, in-situ (on-farm) conservation remains a
challenge, with 42% of surveyed plant taxa (classification of plant species) reported as threatened at either
the species or varietal level.
v.The report emphasized that while progress has been made in ex situ (off-site) conservation over the past
decade, significant challenges remain.
• The report pointed out that many countries lack proper assessments of how disasters affect
agricultural biodiversity. Additionally, farmers receiving post-disaster seed distributions may
struggle with unsuitable germplasm that is not well-adapted to their local environments.
Conservation Measures in India:
In India, conservation measures are essential to prevent large-scale genetic erosion. The report highlighted
that over 50% of documented FV/LR across five agroecological zones are considered at risk.
i.One positive initiative noted was the Creation of Seed Hubs for Increasing Indigenous Production of
Pulses project, launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) .

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ii.This initiative has significantly improved the availability of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of pulse crops
for smallholder farmers, contributing to a rise in pulse production from 14.76 million tonnes (Mt) in 2007–
08 to 24.42 (Mt) in 2020–21.
About United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) :
Director General (DG)– Qu Dongyu (China)
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Established– 1945

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Tuhin Kanta Pandey Appointed as 11th Chairman of SEBI
On 27 February 2025, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Finance Secretary and Secretary of Department of
Revenue(DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF), was appointed as the 11th Chairman of the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved
his appointment for an initial term of three years from the date he
assumes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
• He will replace Madhabi Puri Buch, SEBI’s first woman
chairperson, whose term ends on 1 March 2025.
About Tuhin Kanta Pandey:
i.Tuhin Kanta Pandey, a 1987-batch Indian Administration Service (IAS) officer from the Odisha cadre.
• He has worked in both state and central governments, handling key responsibilities across
various departments.
ii.He was the longest-serving secretary in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management
(DIPAM), MoF. He also held charge of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), MoF, as well as the
Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions(MoPP&P).
iii.He also worked at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Regional Office
for a while.
vi.Additionally, he served as a Joint Secretary in the Planning Commission (now National Institution for
Transforming India(NITI) Aayog), Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, and Deputy Secretary in the
Ministry of Commerce (MoC).
v.On 9 January 2025, he took over as the Secretary of DoR, succeeding Sanjay Malhotra, who moved to the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as its governor.
vi.He drafted the Union Budget 2025-26, which included Rs 1 lakh crore in tax reliefs for the middle class.
• He was involved in drafting the new Income Tax Bill, which aimed at replacing the Income Tax
Act of 1961, which was 64 years old.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
The SEBI was established as a non-statutory body on April 12, 1988. It became a statutory body on
January 30, 1992, when the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 came into force.
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

PB Fintech Limited Appoints Santosh Agarwal as CEO of Paisabazaar

In February 2025, PB Fintech Limited announced the appointment of Santosh Agarwal as Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of Paisabazaar, effective March 1, 2025. She succeeds Naveen Kukreja, co-
founder of Paisabazaar, who is stepping down after 11 years as CEO. However, he will continue as a Non-
Executive Director (NED) on Paisabazaar’s board.

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• Santosh Agarwal has been with PB Fintech since 2011 and has had various leadership
responsibilities, most recently she has been serving as Chief Business Officer(CBO) of Life
Insurance at Policybazaar.
i.Vivek Audichya’s tenure as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Paisabazaar ended on 28 February 2025
following his resignation. He will take over as CFO of Policybazaar from 1 April 2025, replacing Ashutosh
Mishra, who will step down on 31 March 2025.
ii.Neeraj Tripathi has been appointed as the CFO and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) of Paisabazaar,
effective 1 March 2025, succeeding Vivek Audichya.

Padma Shri Awardee Koneru Humpy, India’s Youngest-ever Woman Grand Master Appointed
Brand Master of SOG Grandmaster Series
In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) appointed Padma Shri
awardee Koneru Humpy, India’s youngest-ever woman Chess Grandmaster (GM) as Brand Ambassador
of SOGF Grandmaster series.
• This collaboration marks a major milestone in the evolution of skill-based gaming, bridging the
gap between conventional mind sports and the emerging digital competitive ecosystem.
About SOGF Grandmaster Series:
i.In November 2024, SOGF launched the 1st edition of the SOGF Grandmaster
series. It hosted the 3 skill-based mind sports which require strategic,
cognitive, and decision-making aptitudes to excel: Indian Chess
Masters (ICM), Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB) and Indian Rummy
Grandmasters (IRG).
ii.It is designed by the SOGF which aimed to set up a regulated and credible
platform for competitive skill-based gaming, featuring formats such as chess, blind chess, and other
strategic mind sports.
ii.Following the remarkable success of the South Zone, the upcoming West Zone finals is scheduled to take
place from 3rd March to 4th March, 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Earlier, Ace Indian cricketer, Ajinkya Rahane was appointed as the brand ambassador for the
West Zone finals of the SOGF Grandmaster Series.
About Koneru Humpy:
i.Koneru Humpy became the youngest female Grandmaster at the age of 15 in 2002.
ii.In December2024, Koneru Humpy won her 2nd Women’s World Rapid chess championship title with
8.5 points after defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar in the finals.
• Earlier, she won the World Rapid title in 2019 held in Georgia.
• With this, Koneru Humpy became the only player after China’s Ju Wenjun to win the title more
than once.
iii.She was honoured with Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sports honours, in 2003.
• Also, she was bestowed with Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian award in 2007, in the field
of ‘Sports’.
iv.In 2019, she was honoured with the ‘BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year’ title, in recognition of her
contributions in chess both at national and international level.
About Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF):
President- Shankar Aggarwal
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2023

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Dr. Mayank Sharma Officially Took Charge as CGDA

On March 1 2025, Dr. Mayank Sharma officially took charge as the Controller General of Defence
Accounts (CGDA), who is responsible for monitoring the Defence Accounts Departments (DAD) under the
Ministry of Defence(MoD), which manages the financial aspects of the Indian Armed Forces and other
defense related organisations.
• Dr. Sharma is a 1989-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer, who has an
extensive experience of more than 30 years in government service.
• Earlier, he served in various capacities within the Government of India (GoI), including the DAD,
under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
i.Dr. Sharma held major positions in the cabinet secretariat and represented India as the Alternate
Permanent Representative at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Commission on
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UN-CCPCJ), and the United Nations Commission on International
Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
ii.He has also represented India at Laxenburg (Vienna)-based International Anti-Corruption Academy
(IACA) and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
• During his tenure as the head of the Consular Division at the Indian Embassy in Vienna, he was
responsible for all consular affairs and handled high-level Indian delegations at UNODC.

Christian Stocker Sworn in as the new Chancellor of Austria

In March 2025, Austria has ended five months of political deadlock with the swearing-in of Christian
Stocker as the new chancellor, leading a three-party coalition government. He replaced Alexander
Schallenberg, who stepped down following political changes.
• The ceremony took place at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, marking the conclusion of the country’s
longest government formation process since World War II.
The Coalition and Its Formation:
i.The new government comprises the Austrian People’s Party (OVP),
the centre-left Social Democrats (SPO), and the liberal Neos party.
ii.This coalition was formed after the far-right Freedom Party (FPO),
which won the most votes in the September 29 parliamentary elections,
failed to secure a governing agreement.
iii.The coalition’s “common programme” includes stricter asylum rules and measures to address rising
unemployment, a recession, and a strained budget.
Key Appointments:
• Christian Stocker (OVP): The 64-year-old chancellor, previously a deputy mayor in Wiener
Neustadt, brings regional experience but lacks national government exposure.
• Andreas Babler (SPO): Appointed as vice chancellor.
About Christian Stocker:
i.Christian Stocker is a seasoned lawyer and politician.
ii.He was the chairman and deputy mayor of Wiener Neustadt(Austria) from 2000 to 2019. In 2019, he
entered national politics as a member of the National Council, representing Lower Austria South.
iii.He is part of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and served as Secretary-General from September 2022
to January 2025.
iv.After Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigned in January 2025, he became the acting Chair of the ÖVP.
Austria:
Capital- Vienna
Currency– Euro(EUR)

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Pro-Russian Politician Badra Gunba Won in Abkhazia’s Presidential Election

In March 2025, Pro-Russian politician Badra Gunba was declared the winner of the runoff presidential
election in Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia under de-facto Russian control since the 2008 war
between Moscow and Tbilisi.
• Badra Gunba secured 54.73% of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Adgur Ardzinba, who
received 41.54%.
i.Abkhazia has faced political instability since November 2024, when mass protests forced the resignation
of pro-Kremlin leader Aslan Bzhania over a controversial Russian investment bill.
• Critics feared the legislation would lead to unchecked development in the region, sparking
widespread dissent. He was the third Abkhazian leader to resign due to protests since 2014.
ii.Gunba served as interim leader and vice president, and Ardzinba, a former minister of economy,
supported relations with Russia while supporting the protesters.

GoI appointed Ajay Bhadoo as CEO of GeM

In March 2025, the Government of India(GoI) has appointed Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary in the
Department of Commerce(DoC) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I) as the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) with effect from March 3, 2025.
• He will take on this role while continuing his current responsibilities in the DoC.
• He will replace L Satya Srinivas(additional charge), incumbent CEO of GeM.
About Ajay Bhadoo:
i.Ajay Bhadoo, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1999
batch from the Gujarat cadre, brings over two decades of experience in
policy formulation and implementation.
• His expertise spans diverse sectors, including urban
infrastructure development.
ii.He served as Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission
of India.
iii.His distinguished career also includes tenures as Joint Secretary to former President Ram Nath Kovind,
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Gujarat Maritime Board, and Commissioner of Rajkot and Vadodara
Municipal Corporations.
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
i.GeM, India’s largest e-marketplace for government procurement, is set to undergo a significant
transformation as it transitions to a next-generation digital platform powered by Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS).
ii.The platform has already achieved remarkable success, recording a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of
Rs.4.58 lakh crore, reflecting a 28.65% year-on-year growth.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-Ajay Bhadoo
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 2016

RBI Appoints Dr Ajit Ratnakar Joshi as its Executive Director

In March 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Dr. Ajit Ratnakar
Joshi as its new Executive Director (ED) effective from 3rd March 2025, where he will oversee the
Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM) and the Financial Stability Department.
• Previously, he held the position of Principal Adviser in the DSIM.

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About Dr. Ajit Ratnakar Joshi:

i.With more than thirty years of experience, Joshi has worked a lot in the
fields of statistics, information technology, and cyber risk management.
ii.He has served as a faculty member at the Institute for Development and
Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) in Hyderabad.
iii.He holds a certification as an associate from the Indian Institute of
Banking and Finance (CAIIB).

Shubman Gill Becomes Brand Ambassador of MRF

In March 2025, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based MRF(Madras Rubber Factory) Limited, India’s largest
tyre manufacturer, announced the appointment of Shubman Gill, the Indian cricketer and vice-captain of
Team India for the 2025 International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, as its new brand
ambassador.
• This new deal marks the end of Shubman Gill’s long-standing association with CEAT Limited, a
tyre manufacturing company based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
i.Shubman Gill, who was recently ranked as the No. 1 One Day International (ODI) batter in the ICC Men’s
Player Rankings 2025.
ii.This partnership will span all of his future cricket tournaments. This comes alongside their ongoing
relationship with India’s star batsman, Virat Kohli.
iii.With this, Shubman Gill joins an exclusive group of cricket legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat
Kohli, and Brian Lara, who have all graced the iconic MRF bat.

Federal Bank Limited Appointed Padma Shree Awardee Vidya Balan as Its First-Ever Brand
Ambassador
On March 6, 2025, Aluva (Kerala) based Federal Bank Limited (FBL), one of India’s leading private sector
banks, appointed Indian Actress and Padma Shree Awardee Vidya Balan as its First-Ever Brand
Ambassador. The announcement took place at a special ceremony in Mumbai (Maharashtra) where
Vidya Balan was honored with a commemorative memento by KVS Manian, Managing Director (MD) &
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federal Bank Limited.
• The collaboration aims to enhance Federal Bank’s market presence by resonating with a diverse
customer base across various demographics.
i.Vidya Balan is an acclaimed actress known for her impactful performances in Indian cinema who has
received several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress, for her roles in films such as
‘Paa’ (2009), ‘The Dirty Picture’ (2011), and ‘Kahaani’ (2012).
ii.Padma Shri (2014): Received India’s 4th-highest civilian award in the field of Arts, for her contribution
to Indian Cinema.

GoI Appointed Vikas Kaushal as CMD of HPCL for 5 years

In March 2025, the Government of India (GoI) appointed Vikas Kaushal, a private-sector consultant, as
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation Limited (HPCL) for five years.
• He succeeds Rajneesh Narang, Director (finance), who has had the additional charge of CMD
since September 1, 2024.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas (MoPNG) proposal for the appointment of Vikas Kaushal as CMD HPCL with
relaxation of the eligibility criteria.

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About Vikas Kaushal:

i.Vikas Kaushal has been the MD and Country Head for Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Kearney India for five
years.
ii.He has also been an advisor and consultant to the leadership of several
domestic firms, including HPCL, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL),
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Gas Authority of India
Limited (GAIL) and several others.
iii.Prior to this, he was twice elected to Kearney’s Global Board of Directors,
serving for two full terms. He also chaired the finance, audit, and
governance committees.
About Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL):
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 1974

RBI Approves One-Year Extension for Sumant Kathpalia CEO of IndusInd Bank
In March 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted only a one-year extension to Sumant Kathpalia,
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mumbai(Maharashtra) based IndusInd Bank,
effective from March 24, 2025, to March 23, 2026.
• The approval follows IndusInd Bank’s earlier letter on September 27, 2024, addressing the
proposal to extend his tenure. The reappointment requires shareholder approval.
• In September 2022, the bank’s board had approved his reappointment for three years, effective
March 24, 2023, but RBI sanctioned only a two-year term. In September 2024, the board again
sought a three-year extension, from March 24, 2025, to March 23, 2028, but RBI has now
approved only a one-year extension.
i.Sumant Kathpalia, who has 37 years of experience in the banking sector and has been with IndusInd Bank
for 17 years.
ii.Additionally, he has working experience with international banks such as Algemene Bank Nederland
and Amsterdam-Rotterdam (ABN AMRO) Bank, Bank of America, and Citibank.

Dr Himanshu Pathak Assumes Charge as DG of ICRISAT

In March 2025, Renowned agricultural scientist Dr Himanshu Pathak assumed charge as the Director
General (DG) of Hyderabad (Telangana) based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics (ICRISAT). The only international agricultural research center in India. He succeeds Stanford
Blade, who served as the interim DG of ICRISAT.
i.He served as the Union Secretary of the New Delhi(Delhi) based Department of Agriculture Research and
Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW).
ii.He also served as the DG of New Delhi (Delhi) based Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
iii.He held various positions including, the Director of Pune (Maharashtra) based ICAR-National Institute
of Abiotic Stress Management and Cuttack (Odisha) based Director of the ICAR-National Rice Research
Institute.
iv.He has also been a visiting scientist at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom (UK), and the
German-based Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK).

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Honda Motor Company Limited Appoints Takashi Nakajima as New President & CEO of HCIL
On 10 March 2025, Tokyo (Japan) based Honda Motor Company Limited appointed Takashi Nakajima as
the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Honda Cars India
Limited (HCIL) effective from 1 April 2025.
• He will succeed Takuya Tsumura, who moves to Honda’s head
office in Japan after completing his tenure in India.
i.Takashi Nakajima joined Honda in 1994 and has been there for more than
30 years. He has held various positions in business planning, product
planning, marketing, and sales promotion in countries like Japan, China,
Spain, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
ii.Since 2021, he has been the President at Honda Motor Russia. He was also in charge of corporate
communication, marketing, and product planning for Honda’s car business in Japan.

BCCI Appoints Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar for ACC Leadership Roles
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, has appointed its
vice-president Rajeev Shukla as India’s representative on the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Asian
Cricket Council (ACC). Former BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar will serve as an Executive Board Member of
the ACC.
i.Rajeev Shukla will represent BCCI as an Executive Board Member, while
Ashish Shelar will take on the role of Ex-Officio Board Member.
ii.With BCCI secretary Jay Shah taking over as the Chair of the International
Cricket Council (ICC), his position on the ACC Board became vacant, as he
previously served as the ACC President.
iii.Mohsin Naqvi (Pakistani Politician) is set to lead the ACC in the next term.
Note: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was established in 1928, and serves as the principal
governing body for cricket in India.

Atul Kumar Goel Appointed as CE of IBA

On March 11, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) appointed Atul Kumar Goel,
the former Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB), as its
Chief Executive (CE).
• He succeeds Sunil Mehta, who served as the CE of IBA from January 2020 to September 2024.
• He was appointed by a three-member search committee, consisting of Challa Sreenivasulu (CS) Setty,
Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), Matam Venkata (MV) Rao, CEO of the Central Bank of India
(CBI), and N Kamakodi, CEO of City Union Bank (CUB).
About Atul Kumar Goel:
i.In 1992, he started his career as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in Allahabad Bank (Now Indian Bank).
ii.In 2016, he was appointed as an Executive Director (ED) of the Union Bank of India (UBI), and in 2018, he
was appointed as the MD of the UCO Bank(formerly United Commercial Bank).
iii.He was also the Chairman of IBA for two terms, 2021-22 and 2022-23.
iv.In 2022, he was appointed as the MD and CEO of PNB and led the bank until December 2024.
v.He is a member of the Governing Council & Chairman of Executive Committee of Indian Institute of Banking &
Finance (IIBF) and member of Governing Board of Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
About Indian Banks’ Association (IBA):
i.The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) is the apex body representing the banking industry in India. It serves as
a unified voice for banks, addressing their concerns and fostering collaboration among members.
ii.It comprises Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Private Sector Banks (PVBs), Foreign Banks, and Regional Rural

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Banks (RRBs). Also includes Co-operative Banks (CBs) and Financial Institutions (FIs).
Chief Executive (CE) – Atul Kumar Goel
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Established – 1946

Mark Joseph Carney Sworn in as 24th PM of Canada

In March 2025, Mark Joseph Carney, a former central banker and Canadian politician, was appointed as
the 24th Prime Minister (PM) of Canada. He secured the ‘Liberal Party’ leadership with 85.9% of the vote,
succeeding Incumbent PM Justin Pierre James Trudeau, after his 9 years tenure as PM.
• The swearing-in ceremony was held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa,
Canada. He is the first Canadian PM to reach this position without
having been elected to a political position.
• Prior to his appointment, he served as the Governor of both
the Bank of Canada (Canada) and the Bank of England (the
United Kingdom, UK).
Cabinet Appointments:
His cabinet comprises 24 members, reduced from 37 under Trudeau’s administration. Key appointments
include:
• François-Philippe Champagne as Finance Minister, Mélanie Joly as Foreign
Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, transitioned from Finance to International Trade
and Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy PM, now serving as Transport Minister.
About Mark Joseph Carney:
i.Mark Joseph Carne is an economist with a distinguished career in central banking and crisis
management.
• He played a significant role in South Africa’s post-apartheid reentry into international bond
markets and was involved in addressing the 1998 Russian financial crisis.
ii.He served as the 8th Governor of the Bank of Canada (2008-2013) and 120th Governor of Bank of
England (2013-2020) managing the global financial crisis and Brexit’s economic fallout.
iii.He served as the Chair of the Financial Stability Board(FSB) from 2011 to 2018. He also had a
distinguished 13-year career at Goldman Sachs where he held various senior positions across multiple
international offices.
iv.Between 2020 and 2025, he held the position of United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Climate Action &
Finance and co-chaired the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ).
Awards and Honors:
i.Officer of the Order of Canada (2014): Awarded for his leadership in financial policy development both
nationally and globally.
ii.Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012): Presented in recognition of his significant
contributions to public service in Canada.
iii.Euromoney’s Central Bank Governor of the Year (2012): Bestowed for his exceptional leadership during
his tenure at the Bank of Canada.
About Canada:
Head of State- King Charles III (represented by Governor General)
Prime Minister (PM)– Mark Carney
Capital– Ottawa
Currency– Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Stuart Richard Young Sworn In As 8th PM of Trinidad and Tobago

On 17 March, 2025, Stuart Richard Young, a Trinidadian Attorney and Politician, was sworn-in as
the 8th Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at a swearing-in ceremony held at
the President’s House in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He succeeds Dr. Keith Rowley, who resigned
on March 16, 2025, ending a 9 year tenure as PM.
• Prior to his appointment, he served as Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, and Minister in
the Office of the PM.

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About Stuart Richard Young:

i.Stuart Richard Young began his political career in 2014 as a temporary Opposition Senator in the 4th
Session of the 10th Republican Parliament.
ii.In 2015, he was elected as the People’s National
Movement (PNM) candidate for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West and
appointed Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal
Affairs.
iii.He served as the Minister in the Office of the PM from 2016-2018 and
served as Minister of Communications from 2018-2019. He held the post
of Minister of National Security from 2018-2021.
iv.He has been described as the “Minister of Everything,” having held numerous key portfolios and also
served on various influential committees.
v.In 2022, he was elected as Chairman of the PNM. In June 2024, he was appointed as Senior
Counsel, recognizing his legal expertise and contributions.
vi.His leadership within the PNM culminated in his nomination as Prime Minister Designate by the PNM
Parliamentary caucus in January 2025.
vii.He is a member of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn in the United Kingdom(UK), and is a founding
member of Synergy Television(TV) and WI Sports TV stations.
About the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago:
President- Christine Carla Kangaloo
Prime Minister (PM)– Stuart Richard Young
Capital- Port of Spain
Currency- Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)

Skechers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

On March 17, 2025, United States of America (USA) based Skechers, a footwear brand appointed Indian
cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador, reinforcing its commitment to combining comfort,
innovation, and performance in sports footwear.
• With this appointment, Jasprit Bumrah joins fellow Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan and Yastika
Bhatia, who have been representing Skechers for over a year.
i.Mumbai Indians, the Indian Premier League (IPL) team will now wear Skechers cricket footwear and be
featured in the brand’s marketing campaigns. Additionally, Skechers continues as the official kit sponsor
for Mumbai Indians, further boosting its presence in cricket.
ii.Skechers’ elite athletes roster includes Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, global football stars like
Harry Kane and Mohammed Kudus, basketball icons such as Joel Embiid, and Major League Baseball (MLB)
players like Clayton Kershaw.
Note: Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for the 2024 International
Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

Former Cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth Appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for VISION

2020 India
On March 19, 2025, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former captain of the Indian national cricket team, has
been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for ‘VISION 2020 India’, a national initiative focused on
eliminating avoidable blindness and visual impairment across India.
• The announcement was made during an event hosted
by Sankara Nethralaya, a prominent eye care institution in
Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), which is an integral member of
VISION 2020 India.
Note: VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India is a national initiative
established with the aim of eliminating avoidable blindness and visual
impairment across India.

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Initiatives Under the Campaign:

i.The initiative aims to tackle the significant public health issue of blindness in India, with approximately 5
million blind individuals and 80% of these cases being avoidable.
ii.Free Eye Care Services: Provision of free eye check-ups, surgeries, and vision correction services to
underserved communities.
iii.Awareness Campaigns: Active participation in initiatives aimed at combating avoidable blindness and
promoting eye health awareness.
Indian Cricketer Rishabh Pant Appointed as Brand Ambassador for Goibibo
On March 18, 2025, Gurugram (Haryana) based online travel platform Goibibo, owned by MakeMyTrip
Limited, announced the appointment of Indian cricketer Rishabh Rajendra Pant as its new brand
ambassador.
• Rishabh Pant will feature in the company’s latest campaign along with Indian Cricket
Legend Sunil Manohar Gavaskar.
• This partnership reflects Goibibo’s efforts to engage audiences with fresh, innovative campaigns
while promoting the joy and adventure of travel.

Kirsty Coventry Elected as 10th President of the IOC

Olympic Champion Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward, a 41-year-old from Zimbabwe, has been elected as
the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquartered in Lausanne,
Switzerland for an eight-year tenure. She secured the position through a secret ballot among seven
candidates during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. She will succeeds Thomas Bach.
• She will be the first woman and the first African to serve as the
President of the IOC.
• As IOC President, Coventry will oversee major global sporting
events, including the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano
Cortina, Italy.
About Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward:
i.Born on September 16, 1983, Kirsty Coventry is a Zimbabwean athlete, political figure, and sports
administrator known for her achievements in swimming.
ii.She won multiple medals, including gold, silver, and bronze, making her one of the most decorated
female swimmers in Olympic history.
Achievements :
Olympics
• In 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens(Greece), she won three medals, including a gold in the
women’s 200meter(m) backstroke, a silver in the 100m backstroke, and a bronze in the 200m
medley.
• In 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing(China), She won the gold medal in the 200m backstroke,
defending her title from Athens 2004. She also won silver medals in the 200m individual
medley, the 400m freestyle relay, and the 400m medley relay.
World Championships
• 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Canada Coventry won gold in both the 100 m and 200
m backstroke and silver in the 200 m and the 400 m medley.
• 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia Coventry won silver medals in the 200 m
backstroke and 200 m medley.

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Records:
In 2008, Coventry broke her first world record in the 200 m backstroke at the Missouri (United States)
Grand Prix. She bettered the mark set by Krisztina Egerszegi (Hungary) in August 1991, the second oldest
swimming world record. Her new record was 2:06:39.
Career:
i.Her fifth and final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Rio Olympics, after which she retired from
competitive swimming. At the time of her retirement, she was tied with Hungary’s Krisztina Egerszegi for
winning the most individual Olympic medals in women’s swimming.
ii.In 2018, was elected as the Chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, representing Olympic
athletes worldwide.
iii.In 2023, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame for her contributions to the
sport.
About International Olympic Committee (IOC):
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
Established– 1894

Tunisian President Kais Saied appointed Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as New PM

On March 21 2025, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister(PM) Kamel Madouri and
appointed Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as the new head of the government. This marks the fourth prime
ministerial change since Kais Saied assumed the presidency in July 2021.
• Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri becomes Tunisia’s second woman PM after
Najla Bouden (October 2021–August 2023).
• Prior to this, she served as the Minister of Public Works and
Housing.
About Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri:
i.Sarra Zenzri’s political career spans over 30 years in public administration, starting in 1989 as an
engineer in the Ministry of Equipment, Housing, and Infrastructure, Bridges and Roads Department.
ii.Her political carrer began in 2018 when she was appointed as the Minister of Public Works and Housing
in Tunisia.
iii.She served as the Minister of Equipment and Housing (2021–2024) and managed critical infrastructure
projects.
iv.Sarra Zaafrani also served as Interim Minister of Transport from March 12 to August 25, 2024
Economic Challenges of Tunisia:
• Debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio: Approximately 80% (2024).
• Growth rate: 0.4% (2024).
• Unemployment: 16% (2024).
About Tunisia:
President – Kais Saied
Continent – Africa
Capital – Tunis
Currency – Tunisian Dinar (TND)

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sworn in as Namibia’s 1st Female President

On 21 March 2025, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (72), a veteran politician was sworn in as Namibia’s first
female and fifth president in a ceremony held at the Namibian State House in Windhoek, Namibia. The
ceremony coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary.

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• She succeeds outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, who had been serving as Interim
President following the death of former President Hage Geingob (2015-2024) in 2024.
• Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who previously served as country’s 1st vice president between
2024-2025 and won the presidential elections in November 2024, securing 58% of the vote.
Note: In the 2024 elections, she became the first woman to be elected president of a Southern African
country. She was the only woman among the 15 presidential candidates in the 2024 election.
About Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah:
i.Nandi-Ndaitwah was born on 29 October 1952 in Onamutai, Oshana Region.
She is among the few women leaders on the African continent.
ii.She has been a Member of the Parliament (MP) of Namibia since 1990, and
she is a member of the SWAPO Party Political Bureau, Central Committee, and
Secretary for Foreign Relations of the Party.
iii.She served as Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare from 2000–
2005.
iv.She became the Minister of Information and Broadcasting between 2005-2008, after which she was
transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
v.In 2012, she was assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in 2015, she was appointed Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations, carrying dual responsibilities.
vi.Nandi-Ndaitwah is only the second African woman to be directly elected as president, after Liberia’s
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
vii.The African continent’s only other female president at the moment is Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan,
who took up the role after her predecessor died in office in 2021.
About Namibia:
Capital– Windhoek
President– Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Currency– Namibian Dollar (NAD)

Bollywood Actor Ayushmann Khurrana Becomes ‘Fit India’ icon

In March 2025, Bollywood Actor Ayushmann Khurrana was named the official ‘Fit India Icon’ by Union
Minister Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) during the
inaugural ceremony of the first-of-its-kind Fit India Carnival event, a 3-day event emphasized the
importance of fitness, held in New Delhi, Delhi.
• With this, Ayushmann has joined Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement,
launched in 2019 to inspire people to focus on their fitness and wellbeing.
ii.The Fit India Movement highlights various physical activities to spread fitness awareness and promotes
fitness as a core aspect of daily life in India.
ii.The event also witnessed a launch of the book, “Benefits of Cycling”, curated by the experts from the
Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) team.
iii.In 2019, Ayushmann Khurrana was awarded the National Award for Best Actor of the Year for the
movie Andhadhun. He shared the award with Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal for the movie URI: The
Surgical Strike.

GoI Appoints Rahul Bhave as MD & CEO of IFCI for three years
In March 2025, the Government of India (GoI) appointed Rahul Bhave as the Managing Director (MD) and
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Delhi (Delhi) based IFCI Limited (formerly Industrial Finance
Corporation of India), under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for a term of three years.

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• He succeeds Manoj Mittal, who served as MD & CEO from June 2021 to July 2024 and is
currently the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI).
• The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed
by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India.
About Rahul Bhave:
i.With over 25 years of experience in commercial banking, Rahul Bhave is a
senior banker who has held various roles and served throughout India.
ii.Prior to this role, he served as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of IFCI
Limited from November 2023.
iii.From August 2020 to November 2023, he was the Executive Director (ED) at
the National Housing Bank (NHB).
iv.He serves on the boards of IFCI Ltd., Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd., IFCI Venture Capital Funds
Ltd., and IFCI Infrastructure Development Ltd.
iv.He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IFCI Social Foundation.
About IFCI Limited:
i.IFC is a Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC-ND-SI) in the
public sector.
ii.Established as India’s first development financial institution, IFCI supports industrial and
infrastructure development. It also provides Government and Corporate Advisory services.
iii.It is the Project Management Agency (PMA) for various Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes
under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative by the GoI.
iv.It serves as the nodal agency for implementing the “Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for
Scheduled Castes (SC)” under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), aiming to promote
entrepreneurship among the Scheduled Castes.
v.In November 2024, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) approved the consolidation of the IFCI Group, merging
IFCI Ltd. with StockHolding Corporation of India Ltd. and other group companies.
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Rahul Bhave
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 1948

MoL&J appoints Justice Harish Tandon as CJ of Orissa High Court

In March 2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) has notified the appointment of Justice
Harish Tandon as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Orissa High Court (HC). The appointment was made
under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India by Smt. Droupadi
Murmu, President of India.
• The position of CJ of the Orissa HC remained vacant after
the retirement
of Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh on January 19,
2025.
• Justice Arindam Sinha has been serving as the Acting
CJ during the interim period.
i.Justice Tandon has been serving as a judge in the Calcutta High
Court since his appointment on April 13, 2010.
ii.He is currently ranked 7th in the All-India Seniority List of HC
judges and is a senior puisne judge in the Calcutta HC.

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Dilma Vana Rousseff Re-elected as President of NDB

On March 23, 2025, Dilma Vana Rousseff, the former President of Brazil, was re-elected as
the President of the New Development Bank (NDB) (formerly known as BRICS Development Bank) for a
term extending until 2030, following unanimous approval by the NDB board.
• This decision came after Russia proposed the extension during the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan
(Russia).
• Her tenure is set to conclude in July 2025. With her reappointment
for another term, She will focus on enhancing financial independence
for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries,
promoting sustainable development projects, and advancing efforts
towards de-dollarization.
About Dilma Vana Rousseff:
i.Dilma Vana Rousseff is a Brazilian economist and politician. She began her political career in the 1970s as
an active member of left-wing and Marxist urban guerrilla groups opposing Brazil’s military dictatorship.
ii.In 2001, She joined the Workers’ Party (PT), and in 2003, she was appointed Minister of Mines and
Energy under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
• She then became the Chief of Staff, making her the first woman to hold this position in Brazil.
iii.She served as the 36th President of Brazil from 2011 until she was impeached and removed from
office on August 31, 2016. She was the only woman to hold the Brazilian presidency.
iv.She became the Chair of the NDB in March 2023, taking over from Marcos Troyjo.
About New Development Bank:
The New Development Bank (NDB), previously known as the BRICS Development Bank, is a global
development bank formed by the BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Headquarters – Shanghai, China
Established – 2012

Ashok Singh Thakur elected as Chairman of INTACH

In March 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural
Heritage (INTACH) elected Ashok Singh Thakur as its new Chairman for a three-year term during its
Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at its headquarters in New Delhi.
• The elections, conducted for the posts of Chairman and Governing Council members, followed
due procedure, with results declared post-AGM.
i.Ashok Singh Thakur’s appointment aligns with INTACH’s mission to address challenges in heritage
conservation through policy advocacy, research, and community engagement.
ii.Established in 1984, INTACH is India’s foremost heritage conservation organization, registered under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• The organization operates nationwide, collaborating with government bodies and civil society
to protect historical monuments, artifacts, and ecosystems.
iii.The INTACH Charter was adopted in 2004 which serves as a foundation document guiding heritage
conservation in India.

Parminder Chopra Assumed Additional Charge as CMD of REC Limited

In March 2025, Parminder Chopra has assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director
(CMD) of REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited), a ‘Maharatna’ Central Public
Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the administrative control of Ministry of Power (MoP), for period of 3
months or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

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• She succeeds Vivek Kumar Dewangan, who completed his tenure on March 20, 2025.
• She is currently serving as CMD of state-owned Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC).
i.Since 2020, she has been serving as Director (Finance) at PFC. Later, she was bestowed with the
additional charge of CMD of PFC in June 2023 thus, became the 1st woman to lead India’s largest Non-
Banking Finance Company (NBFC).
• Also, she played a pivotal role in securing Rs 1.12 trillion Liquidity Infusion Scheme (LIS) for the
power distribution sector under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program.
ii.In 2023 she was awarded the ‘Icon of the Year’ award by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
iii.Chopra has an extensive experience of over 35 years during which worked at leading power and
financial sector companies in India like: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Ltd. (NHPC
Limited) and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID).

WFI President Sanjay Kumar Singh Elected as a Bureau Member of UWW-Asia

In March 2025, Sanjay Kumar Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was elected as
a bureau member of United World Wrestling (UWW)-Asia through elections held during UWW general
assembly in Amman, Jordan.
• WFI President secured 22 votes out of the total 38 votes casted in the elections. which
“demonstrates strong support from the Asian wrestling community.”
i.UWW had imposed ban on WFI in August 2023 due to its failure to conduct elections within a stipulated
time following the accusations of sexual harassment against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh.
ii.In December 2023, Sanjay Kumar Singh was elected President of WFI. Later, the Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports (MYAS) suspended WFI and an ad-hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was
formed to administer the federation.
• In March 2025, MYAS lifted the ban on WFI and restored its recognition as National Sports
Federation (NSF).

Indian-origin Jay Bhattacharya Appointed as 18th Director of NIH

In March 2025, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian-origin professor at Stanford School of Medicine, was
confirmed as the 18th Director of Maryland(the United States of America, USA) based National Institutes
of Health (NIH) by the United States(US) Senate.
• The appointment followed a 53-47 roll-call vote during the first session of the 119th Congress.
He succeeded Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, whose tenure concluded on 17 January 2025.
i.Dr. Bhattacharya serves as a professor of health policy at Stanford University and holds multiple
affiliations, including research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and senior
fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), Freeman Spogli Institute, and the
Hoover Institution.
ii.He directs Stanford’s Centre for Demography and the Economics of Health and Ageing(CDEHA), focusing
on critical areas such as government health programs, biomedical innovation, and economic policies.
iii.Notably, Dr. Bhattacharya co-authored the ‘Great Barrington Declaration’ in October 2020, advocating
for targeted protections as an alternative to widespread lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sanjay Kumar Mishra appointed full-time EAC-PM member

In March 2025, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, former Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was
appointed as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
• This appointment fills the vacancy created after the demise of former chairman Bibek
Debroy in November 2024.

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i.A 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from Uttar Pradesh(UP), Sanjay Kumar Mishra started
his career as an assistant director in the Income Tax department in Gorakhpur, UP.
ii.He served as ED Director from 19 November 2018 to 18 November 2023, with multiple extensions.
iii.During his tenure, he intensified the scrutiny of several former ministers and influential leaders, with
the probe agency registering approximately 4,000 cases and carrying out over 3,000 searches.
iii.The EAC-PM, an independent advisory body, addresses critical economic issues and advises the Prime
Minister(PM).
• The council is chaired by Suman Berry, with Sanjeev Sanyal and Dr. Shamika Ravi as full-time
members. Part-time members include Rakesh Mohan, Dr. Sajjid Chinoy, Dr. Neelkanth Mishra,
Nilesh Shah, Prof. TT Ram Mohan, and Dr. Poonam Gupta.

Rajiv Guaba appointed as 5th full-time member of NITI Aayog

In March 2025, the Government of India(GoI) appointed Rajiv Gauba, the former Cabinet Secretary(CS) of
India, as the 5th full-time member of the New Delhi(Delhi) based National Institution for Transforming
India (NITI Aayog) with immediate effect.
• . His inclusion in NITI Aayog is expected to strengthen the institution’s strategic planning and
policy formulation efforts, contributing to India’s long-term development goals.
i.Rajiv Gauba, a 1982-batch Indian Administrative Service(IAS) officer, has played a crucial role in shaping
key government policies and reforms.
ii.He served as Cabinet Secretary for a record five years (2019–2024), making him the longest-serving in
the role, surpassing Pradeep Kumar Sinha’s tenure.
iii.He played a key role in major governance reforms, including the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation
Act, 2019, during his tenure as Union Home Secretary.

SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty Elected as Chairman of IBA

In March 2025, the managing committee of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has elected Challa
Sreenivasulu(C.S) Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), as Chairman of the IBA for the next
fiscal 2025-26.
He will serve in this role until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IBA.
• He was elected during the 77th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IBA held in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
• He succeeded Matam Venkata Rao, Managing Director (MD) &
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Bank of India (CBoI), who
was appointed as Chairman of IBA in 2024.
Other Appointments:
i.The managing committee has also elected 3 Deputy Chairmen from leading
banks:
• A. Manimekhalai, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Union Bank of
India (UBI), Mumbai .
• Swarup Kumar Saha, MD and CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB), New Delhi (Delhi).
• Madhav Nair, Country Head & CEO of Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) headquartered in the
Kingdom of Bahrain.
ii.In addition, B Ramesh Babu, MD of Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) in Karur, Tamil Nadu (TN), has been elected
as the Honorary Secretary of the IBA.
Note: In March 2025, Atul Kumar Goel, former MD of Punjab National Bank (PNB), was appointed as the
Chief Executive (CE) of IBA, succeeding Sunil Mehta.

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About C.S Setty:

i.Challa Sreenivasulu Setty started his career in SBI in 1988 as a Probationary Officer (PO).
ii.He joined the Board of SBI as MD in January 2020 and headed Retail & Digital Banking (RDB) vertical
from 2020 till 2022.
iii.Before taking over charge as MD, C.S.Setty was heading the Stressed Assets Resolution Group (SARG) of
the SBI, as Deputy Managing Director (DMD).
iv.He took over charge as Chairman of SBI in August 2024.
About the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA):
IBA is an industry body that represents both Public sector banks (PSBs) and Private sector banks (PVBs). It
is not a Statutory Body and is the premier service organisation and an association of Indian banks and
financial institutions.
Chairman– Challa Sreenivasulu(C.S) Setty
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded– 1946

SRMB Steel appoints Rohit Sharma as Brand Ambassador

In March 2025, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based SRMB Srijan Steel Private Limited (SRMB Steel),
a leading manufacturer and supplier of Thermo-Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars in India, announced the
appointment of Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma as its brand ambassador.
• This collaboration aims to enhance SRMB Steel’s brand presence by
leveraging Sharma’s widespread popularity and leadership qualities.
• Rohit Sharma joins former Indian World Cup-winning
captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kapil Dev as part of SRMB
Steel’s celebrity endorser lineup.
i.Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India secured victories in the International
Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, Asia Cup 2023, and ICC Men’s Twenty20 (T20)
World Cup 2024, while finishing as runners-up in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
ii.Apart from SRMB Steel, Rohit Sharma is the brand ambassador for several leading companies, including
Adidas (Sportswear), CEAT Tyres (Tyre manufacturer), Dream11 (Fantasy sports platform), Max Life
Insurance, Oppo (Smartphone), and Hublot (Swiss watches), among others.
LTF Appoints Cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Larsen & Toubro Finance Limited (L & T
Finance(LTF)) (formerly L & T Finance Holdings Limited(LTFH)), a leading Non-Banking Financial
Company (NBFC), appointed Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador. This
collaboration aims to strengthen LTF’s brand presence and engage its diverse customer base across India.
• Bumrah will feature in Above The Line (ATL) and Below The Line (BTL) campaigns promoting
LTF’s rural and urban financial products, including Rural Business Finance, Farm Equipment
Finance, and Two-wheeler Finance.
• The partnership with Bumrah was facilitated by RISE Worldwide, which partners with athletes
and brands to enhance brand value and market reach.
• Apart from L & T Finance Limited , Jasprit Bumrah is the brand ambassador for several leading
companies, JK Super Cement, and Skechers Cricket footwear.

Ambuj Chandna Appointed as MD & Head of Consumer Banking Group at DBS Bank India
In March 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based DBS Bank India, a prominent player in the Indian banking
sector, has announced the appointment of Ambuj Chandna as its new Managing Director (MD) & Head of
Consumer Banking Group.He replaces Prashant Joshi, who joined DBS Bank India in August 2020.

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• His appointment comes shortly after Rajat Verma took over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
of DBS Bank India on March 1, 2025, replacing Surojit Shome.
i.Ambuj Chandna previously served as President and Head of Consumer Bank (Products) at Mumbai
(Maharashtra)-based Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) Limited.
ii.During his 16-year tenure at KMB, Chandna held several key leadership roles, including President –
Consumer Assets, Head – Consumer Assets, and Senior Executive Vice President (EVP) & Head – Retail
Liabilities, Investments, and Payments Products.
iii.Before joining KMB, he was associated with ING Vysya Bank (now merged with KMB), where he held
key roles such as Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) – Retail Liabilities, Group Head – Branch Banking, and
Group Head – Marketing, Liabilities, and Direct Channels.
iv.His prior experience includes senior leadership roles at Fullerton Financial Holdings (FFH) Private
Limited in the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Citibank N.A. India, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered Bank
(SCB), and GE TFS Limited (now known as GE Vernova T&D India Limited)

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Conferred National IP Awards 2024
On March 26, 2025, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) conferred
the National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards 2024 at the award function held at Bharat Mandapam,
New Delhi (Delhi).
• The awards were conferred annually to recognize and reward individuals, institutions,
organizations, and enterprises for their outstanding contributions to IP creation and
commercialization.
• It underscores India’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening its IP ecosystem,
aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Winners of National IP Awards 2024:
The National IP Awards 2024, presented across 13 categories, recognised outstanding contributions from
individuals, academic institutions, startups, and corporations, further strengthening India’s position as a
global innovation leader.

Category of National IP
S.No. Name of Awardee Location
Awards

Sidramappa Shivashankar Dharane

Top Indian Individual (Male)
1
– Patents
Dr. Swagatika Panda (Female)

Top Indian Individual –

2 Dr. Anusha P. (Female)
Designs

Top Indian Academic Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Uttar

3
Institution – Patents Kanpur Pradesh (UP)

Top R & Chennai, Tamil

4 Anna University
D Institution/Organization for Nadu (TN)

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Patents Filing, Grant &

Commercialization

5 Top Public /Private Company for Patents Filing, Grant & Commercialization in India

Mumbai
a. Manufacturing Sector Tata Steel Limited
(Maharashtra)

Mumbai
b. Services Sector Jio Platforms Limited
(Maharashtra)

Top Indian MSME for Patent

West Bengal Chemical Industries West Bengal
6 Filing, Grant &
Limited (Kolkata)
Commercialization

Top Start-up for IP Filing,

Bengaluru
7 Grant/Registration and Numeros Motors Private Limited
(Karnataka)
Commercialization

Top Indian
Mumbai
8 Company/Organisation – IIT Bombay
(Maharashtra)
Designs

Top Indian Company

Bengaluru
9 /Organization for creating Biocon Biologics Limited
(Karnataka)
Brand in India and Abroad

Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) –

Best Incubator for Nurturing Bhubaneswar
10 Nalanda Institute of Technology
the IP (Odisha)
Foundation
Special Citations:

S.No. Category Name of Awardee

For Technology and Innovation West Bengal State Council of Science &
1
Support Center (TISC) Technology, Kolkata(West Bengal ,WB)

West Bengal State Council of Science &

2 For Patent Information Centre (PIC)
Technology, Kolkata

For Institution’s Innovation Council Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune

3
(IICs) (Maharashtra)

4 For Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) DCM Presidency School, Ludhiana (Punjab)
Jury Certificate Award:
Conferred for a Rural Centric Invention to Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited in Mumbai &
Coromandel International Limited in Secunderabad (Telangana).

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Letters of Appreciation:
Presented to Amity International School (New Delhi, Delhi), Ghaziabad (UP) for ATL and Greater Noida
(UP) based NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA) for Top Public/Private Company for
Patents Filing, Grant & Commercialization in India.
Linkage with WIPO Awards:
The National IP Awards align with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Awards:

S.NO. Category Name of Awardee

Jio Platforms Limited

1 WIPO IP Enterprises Trophy
Tata Steel Limited

2 WIPO Medal for Inventors Sidramappa Shivashankar Dharane

Biocon Biologics Limited

3 WIPO Users Trophy
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Achievements and Reforms of India’s IP Landscape:
i.In Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, India improved its rank from 81 (2015) to 39 (2024).
ii.India now ranks sixth globally for trademark filings, with approximately 100,000 patent grants last
year, reflecting a surge in IP activity.
iii.80% fee reduction for women entrepreneurs, startups, and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) to enhance IP participation.

AWBI Confers “Prani Mitra” & “Jeev Daya” Awards 2025 for Animal Welfare and Protection
On 27 February 2025, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) conferred the Prani Mitra and Jeev
Daya Award Ceremony, held in New Delhi, Delhi. AWBI was established under the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960 to ensure that animals are not subjected to undue pain or suffering.
• This event aims to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their extraordinary
contributions to animal welfare and protection.
Key People:
The event was graced by Union Ministers of State, S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, Ministry of
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), and Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Animal Husbandry
Department (AHD), Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Chairman, AWBI along with
senior officials of the ministry and representatives from state governments were also attended the
occasion.
About Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Awards:
i.The awards will be presented under two major categories: Prani Mitra Award and Jeev Daya Award.
• The Prani Mitra Award was introduced in 1966 and the Jeev Daya Award in 2001.
ii.The Prani Mitra Award will be presented under five sub-categories, namely Advocacy (Individual),
Innovative Idea (Individual), Lifetime Animal Service (Individual), along with two awards each for Animal
Welfare Organizations and for Corporate, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Government Bodies, or
Cooperatives.
iii.The Jeev Daya Award will be presented in three sub-categories: Individual, Animal Welfare
Organization, and for either Schools, Institutions, Teachers, or Children.

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List of Awardees:
Prani Mitra Award:

Category Awardee Location

Raipur,
Advocacy – Individual Akhil Jain
Chhattisgarh

Innovative Idea – Individual Ramesh Bhai Veljibhai Ruparelia Gondal, Gujarat

Lifetime Animal Service – Jodhpur,

Harnarayan Soni
Individual Rajasthan

Sri Sri 1008 Sriram

Animal Welfare Organisation Morena, Madhya
Ratandasji Vaishanav Go Sewa
(AWO) Pradesh
Samiti

Corporate / PSUs / Government Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant

Jamnagar, Gujarat
bodies / Cooperatives Welfare Trust
Jeev Daya Award:

Category Awardee Location

Mumbai,
Individual Nisha Subramanian Kunju
Maharashtra

Bhagwan Mahavir Pashu

Animal Welfare Organisation (AWO) Kutch, Gujarat
Raksha Kendra

Schools/ Institutions/ Teachers/ Children

Master Chaitanya M Saxena Jaipur, Rajasthan
(below the age of 18 years)

Mumbai,
Master Aadi Shah
Maharashtra
Release of Four Key Handbooks for Strengthening Animal Welfare Laws and Policies
i.During the ceremony, four important books for effective implementation of rules and guidelines for
animal welfare in India were released. These include,
1. Handbook for Veterinary Officers on Animal Welfare Laws
2. Law Enforcement Handbook on Animal Welfare Laws
3. Animal Law Handbook for Urban Local Bodies
4. Revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) module for Street Dogs Population management, rabies
eradication and reducing man-dog conflict.
ii.These books will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers and field authorities seeking to
ensure quick and effective responses for animal welfare.

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97th Academy Awards – Oscars 2025: ‘Anora‘ Won 5 awards, ‘The Brutalist’ won 3 awards
The 97th Edition of the Academy Awards – Oscars 2025 was held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby
Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA). The Academy Awards
annually hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
• The 97th Academy Awards recognized outstanding achievements in 23 categories, honoring
films released in 2024. Comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony, marking his first time in
this role.
• The comedy-drama film ‘Anora’ led the awards, winning 5 Oscars. French musical crime
comedy film Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations, winning 2 awards, and the Drama film ‘The
Brutalist’ received 3 awards.
Nominations of 97th Academy Awards:
i.The nominations of the 97th Academy Awards were announced by American Actress Rachel Sennott and
American actor Bowen Yang on January 23, 2025 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills (USA).
ii.These awards highlight the exceptional talents of both emerging and established artists in the film
industry.
iii.The only Indian film to make it to the Oscars shortlist was ‘Anuja’, which was nominated for ‘Best Live
Action Short Film’ but lost to ‘I’m Not Robot’.
• The film received support from prominent figures like Priyanka Chopra and 2-time Oscar
winner Guneet Monga.
iv.‘Laapataa Ladies’, India’s official entry in the Best International Feature category at the 97th Academy
Awards, The Hindi film, directed by Kiran Rao, is not part of the shortlisted films.
Highlights:
i.Anora emerged as the biggest winner, securing 5 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Sean
Baker), Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Film Editing, and Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
ii.The Brutalist won 3 awards, including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography (Dávid Jancsó),
and Best Original Score (Daniel Blumberg).
iv.Emilia Pérez, a French musical crime comedy, earned 2 awards, including Best Supporting Actress (Zoe
Saldaña) and Best Original Song (“El Mal”)
iv.Dune: Part Two won 2 awards, including Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
97th Academy Awards – Oscars 2025 Winners:

S.No Winner Category Film Name

Best Actor in Leading

1 Adrien Nicholas Brody The Brutalist
Role

Best Actor in Supporting

2 Kieran Kyle Culkin A Real Pain
Role

Best Actress in Leading

3 Mikaela Madison Rosberg Anora
Role

Best Actress in
4 Zoë Yadira Saldana-Perego Emilia Pérez
Supporting Role

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Best Animated Feature

5 Gints Zilbalodis Flow
Film

Shirin Sohani and Hossein In the Shadow of

6 Best Animated Short Film
Molayemi the Cypress

7 Dávid Jancsó Best Cinematography ‘The Brutalist’

8 Paul Tazewell Best Costume Design Wicked

9 Sean Baker Best Director Anora

Basel Adra, Rachel Szor,

Best Documentary
10 Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval ‘No Other Land’
Feature Film
Abraham

Molly O’ Brien and Lisa Best Documentary Short ‘The Only Girl In
11
Remington Film The Orchestra’

12 Myron Kerstein Best Film Editing ‘Anora’

Best International
13 Walter Salles (Brazil) ‘I’m Still Here’
Feature Film

Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Best Makeup and

14 ‘The Substance’
Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli Hairstyling

15 Daniel Blumberg Best Original Score ‘The Brutalist’

“El Mal” Jacques Audiard, Camille

16 Best Original Song ‘Emilia Pérez’
& Clément Ducol

17 Anora Best Picture –

18 Frances Hannon Best Production Design ‘Wicked’

Victoria Warmerdam and Best Live Action Short

19 ‘I’m Not A Robot’
Wim Goossens Film

Gareth John, Richard King, Ron

20 Best Sound ‘Dune: Part Two’
Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill

Paul Lambert, Stephen James,

21 Best Visual Effects ‘Dune: Part Two’
Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer

Best Writing (Adapted

22 Peter Straughan ‘Conclave’
Screenplay)

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Best Writing (Original

23 Sean Baker ‘Anora’
Screenplay)
Notable Honorees:
i.At the 97th Academy Awards several individuals received their first Oscar for their outstanding
contributions to cinema:
ii.American costume designer, Paul Tazewell became the first Black person to win the Oscar for ‘Best
Costume Design’ for his work on “Wicked.”
iii.Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis secured Latvia’s first-ever Oscar by winning ‘Best Animated
Feature’ for “Flow.”
iv.Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles earned Brazil’s ‘inaugural Academy Award’ with “I’m Still Here,”
winning ‘Best International Feature Film’.
v.American Actor Adrien Brody Won ‘Best Actor in Leading Role’ for”The Brutalist,” marking his second
Oscar win, following his first for ‘The Pianist’ in 2003.
Points to Note:
i.Walt Disney holds the record for the most Oscars ever won, with a total of 26 awards throughout his
lifetime.
ii.Edith Head, an American costume designer, is the most awarded woman in Oscar history, having won
8 Academy Awards in the ‘Best Costume Design’ category.
About Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Bill Kramer (William Samuel Kramer II)
Headquarters- Beverly Hills, California, USA
Established-1927

Chinese Architect Liu Jiakun wins ‘Pritzker Architecture Prize’ 2025

On March 4, 2025, Chinese architect Liu Jiakun was named as the ‘2025 Pritzker Architecture
Prize Laureate’, the highest accolade in the field of Architecture. He will be honoured at a celebration in
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May 2025.
• Liu Jiakun, becomes the 54th laureate and the 2nd Chinese architect to receive this
distinction, following Wang Shu in 2012.
• The Pritzker Prize was awarded for his reverence for culture, history, and nature,highlighting
his ability to imagine and construct new worlds, free from any aesthetic or stylistic constraint.
About the Pritzker Architecture Prize:
i.The Pritzker Architecture Prize was established in 1979 by entrepreneur Jay A. Pritzker and his wife,
Cindy through their Hyatt Foundation, Chicago, the United States of America (USA).
ii.It is an international award presented annually to honor a living architect whose work demonstrates
consistent excellence in the field of architecture.
iii.It is often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel” and “the profession’s highest honor.” The prize includes
a USD 100,000 grant and a bronze medallion.
iv.In 2024, Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Note: Indian Architect Balkrishna Vithaldas (BV) Doshi was the first Indian to win the Pritzker Prize in
2018 for his outstanding lifelong contribution to architecture.
About Liu Jiakun:
i.In 1999, Liu Jiakun founded ‘Jiakun Architects’ in Chengdu(China) and over 4 decades, he has
completed over 30 projects across China, encompassing academic, cultural, civic, commercial, and urban-
planning initiatives.

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ii.His designs emphasize a human-centered approach, contextual sensitivity, and material innovation,
integrating traditional Chinese elements, local materials, and the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake-inspired
Rebirth Brick Project for sustainability.
iii.Notable Projects: Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum (2002), Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Sculpture
Department (2002), West Village (2015), Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick (2016) and Tianbao Cave
District Renovation (2020)

Dr. Uma Sharma Honored at the 5th BRICS CCI WE Annual Women’s Summit & Felicitations
In March 2025, Dr. Uma Sharma, Chairperson of Kailash Group of Hospitals, received a National
Award at the ‘5th Annual Summit of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Women’s
Entrepreneurship & Empowerment(WEE) and Felicitations 2025’ in New Delhi, Delhi. The theme of the
Summit was ‘Women Changemakers: Transforming the World, Shaping the Future’.
• The event, held ahead of International Women’s Day(March 8), aimed at promoting women’s
entrepreneurship and economic empowerment across BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India,
China, and South Africa).
• The event was graced by former Union Minister Smriti Irani, Ministry of Women and Child
Development(MoWCD), Rekha Gupta Chief Minister (CM) of Delhi, former Union Minister of
State (MoS) Meenakshi Lekhi, former Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) and Ministry of
Culture(MoC), Ruby Sinha, President of BRICS CCI, and Dr. BBL Madhukar, Co-Chairman and
Director General (DG) of BRICS CCI.
i.Uma Sharma is a renowned Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and serves as a Director on the Board of
Kailash Group. With nearly four decades of expertise, she has played a vital role in improving access to
healthcare services and empowering women through self-reliance.
ii.The award recognizes her significant contributions at both national and international levels, particularly
in healthcare and women’s empowerment.
iii.During the event, a new initiative was launched to support women traders and entrepreneurs, helping
them expand businesses, build networks, and promote collaboration.

Nithin Kamath of Zerodha Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024

In March 2025, Nithin Kamath, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bengaluru (Karnataka)
based Zerodha, was named the Ernst and Young (EY) Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2024.
• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) felicitated awards to EOY 2024 winners at an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.Nithin Kamath is a self-made entrepreneur, who turned Zerodha into a billion-dollar company. He was
recognized for his innovative low-margin, high-volume brokerage model that reshaped the industry.
ii.He will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year(WEOY) Awards in Monte Carlo,
Monaco in June 2025.
iii.Other Awards: K.V. Kamath, Chairman of Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), received the Lifetime
Achievement Award for his contributions to India’s financial sector and S. Somanath, former Chairman of
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was honored with the Special Jury Award for his instrumental
role in advancing India’s space missions.

PM Narendra Modi Conferred ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’

On 6 March 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi conferred the prestigious ‘Honorary Order of
Freedom of Barbados’,one of the highest national honors awarded by the Government of Barbados.

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Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) received the
prestigious award on behalf of PM Modi.
• The award was presented by Barbados President Dame Sandra Mason in recognition of PM
Modi’s strategic leadership and critical assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados is given to non-citizens who have made
outstanding contributions to Barbados or humanity in areas such as leadership, international
relations, culture, or social development.
Key People:
The ceremony, held at the Government House in Bridgetown, Barbados, was attended by Barbadian PM
Mia Amor Mottley, Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds, and other dignitaries.
Key Points:
i.On 20 November 2024, Barbadian PM Mia Amor Mottley announced an award recognizing PM Modi’s
significant role in strengthening global cooperation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The announcement was made during a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the
2nd India-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Leaders’ Summit in Georgetown, Guyana.
ii.PM Mottley acknowledged PM Modi’s leadership in providing international support during the
unprecedented crisis, highlighting his contributions to global pandemic response efforts.
iii.Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1966, India and Barbados have developed strong bilateral relations
marked by ongoing engagement and development projects. This award symbolizes the enduring friendship
between the two nations.

YouGov India Value Rankings 2025: Amazon, Flipkart, and Amul Rank as India’s Top Brands
In March 2025, London, the United Kingdom(UK) based YouGov, an international online research data and
analytics technology group released the ‘India Value Rankings 2025’. Amazon based in
Washington, United States of America (USA), Flipkart Private Limited based in Bengaluru, Karnataka
and Anand Milk Union Limited(Amul) based in Anand, Gujarat are the top three most valued brands in
India.
• Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation), India’s largest milk cooperative, is the
only Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brand to secure a position in the top three.
About YouGov India Value Rankings:
i.The YouGov India Value Rankings 2025 provide insights into the most valued brands based on consumer
preferences. The rankings cover six key sectors, including airlines, consumer electronics, automobiles,
general insurance, travel booking platforms, and electronic (e)-commerce.
ii.The report includes:
• Top 10 brands ranked by national representation, gender, age, and city tier.
• Brands with the most improved value perception.
• Best and worst brands across different industries.
• Consumer lifestyle insights shaping value perception.
iii.It is based on insights from 1.3 lakh urban Indian consumers and evaluates brands across various
sectors.
List of Top 5 Brands in YouGov India Value Rankings 2025 :

Rank Name of Brand Score

1 Amazon 56.5

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2 Flipkart 53.0

3 Amul 52.8

4 Tanishq 48.4

5 MakeMyTrip 45.4
Key Points:
i.Amazon leads with a score of 56.5, followed by Flipkart at 53.0, and Amul at 52.8. Amul holds the No.1
position in Tier-2 cities and remains among the top three in Tier-1 and Tier-3 cities. The brand also ranks
third among men and second among women.
ii.MakeMyTrip Limited and Amazon both saw a 4.7-point rise as compared to previous year.
iii.EaseMyTrip recorded the highest growth with a 5.8-point increase.
iv.Shopclues and Snapdeal struggle with poor consumer perception regarding value for money in the e-
commerce category.
Best and Worst Brands by Sector:
i.Airlines: Air India Limited and IndiGo Airways Limited rank
highest, while China Southern Airlines and Scoot Pte Limited
score the lowest.
ii.Consumer Electronics: Samsung Electronics Company Limited
leads, while Alienware and Electrolux rank at the bottom.
iii.Automobiles: Tata Motors Limited and Maruti Suzuki India
Limited have the best ratings, while Datsun and Triumph
Motorcycles Limited rank the lowest.
iv.General Insurance: SBI (State Bank of India) General
Insurance Company Limited and Tata AIG General Insurance
Company Private Limited top the list, while Coco by DHFL (Dewan
Housing Finance Corporation Limited) and Universal Sompo
General Insurance Company Limited have the weakest perception.
v.Travel Booking Platforms: MakeMyTrip Limited is rated the best, while GuestHouser and Travelguru
receive the lowest scores.
Key Consumer Trends:
i.The report highlights important factors influencing consumer choices in India. Brand reputation plays a
major role, with 57% of urban shoppers preferring well-known brands.
ii.Insurance awareness is also high, as 64% of consumers consider comprehensive coverage essential for
financial security.
iii.Additionally, affordability remains a priority, with 57% of buyers focusing on the lowest prices while
shopping.
Consumer Preferences by Gender
Men prefer brands like Tata Motors and Air India, highlighting their interest in automobiles and national
airlines, while women favor Swiggy and Malabar Gold & Diamonds, showing a preference for convenience
services and jewellery.
About Anand Milk Union Limited(AMUL):
Managing Director(MD) – Jayen Mehta
Headquarters – Anand (Gujarat)
Founded – 1946

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Professor Suman Chakraborty Wins UNESCO’s TWAS Award for Developing Low-Cost Medical
Diagnostic Solutions
In March 2025, Suman Chakraborty, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology,
Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), West Bengal(WB) has been awarded the 2026 The World Academy of Sciences
(TWAS) Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences(CS) by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
About Suman Chakraborty:
i.Suman Chakraborty is currently a Jagadish Chandra Bose National Fellow and a visiting lecturer at
Stanford University, California, United States of America (USA).
ii.His research focuses on affordable, simple-to-execute and innovative diagnostic solutions for medical
challenges, including anaemia, cancer, COVID-19, and tuberculosis.
iii.His notable innovations include,
• Oroscreen – A torch-like imaging device for the early detection of oral cancer.
• Covirap – A rapid COVID-19 detection test kit. The latter has been granted a United States(U.S.)
patent for its rapid nucleic acid testing technology using Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) samples.
• PrepapQR – A home test for women to accurately test vaginal potential of hydrogen(Ph) with
the help of a strip.
• HemoQR – A simplified anaemia screening technology.
About The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Award:
i.The TWAS Awards have been presented annually since their inception in 1985. From 2020, TWAS Award
presented biennially, recognizes scientists from developing countries for their outstanding contributions
to scientific knowledge and sustainable development.
ii.The award winner will receives a cash prize of USD 10,000, along with a commemorative plaque during
TWAS General Conference.

Brand Finance Insurance 100 – 2025: LIC Ranks 3rd Among World’s Strongest Insurance
Brands
According to the Brand Finance Insurance 100 – 2025 report, the Life Insurance Corporation of India
(LIC), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, has been ranked third among the world’s strongest
insurance brands, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88 out of 100. In terms of overall brand
value, LIC holds the 12th position globally among the most valuable insurance brands.
• Poland-based PZU, has secured the top position among the world’s strongest insurance brands
with a BSI score of 94.4 with AAA+ brand rating. It is followed by China Life Insurance (AAA+
brand rating) which holds the second position with a BSI score of 93.5.
• The report highlights that the top 100 insurance brands have witnessed a 9% increase in
brand value in 2025, driven by factors such as better underwriting performance, higher
investment income, rising interest rates (IR), and improved profitability.
Note: Brand Finance releases the Insurance 100 report annually, ranking the world’s most valuable and
strongest insurance brands based on their market performance and brand strength.
Most valuable insurance brands:
i.Ping An Insurance has retained its position as the most valuable insurance brand for the ninth
consecutive year, maintaining a brand value of USD 33.6 billion.
ii.Allianz has seen a 9% increase in its brand value, reaching USD 26.7 billion.
iii.Nissay/Nippon Life Insurance has experienced the fastest growth, with its brand value rising by 94%
to USD 9.2 billion.

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Top Five Strongest Insurance Brands

Rank Brand BSI score Country

1 PZU 94.4 Poland

2 China Life Insurance 93.5 China

Life Insurance Corporation of

3 88.0 India
India (LIC)

4 NRMA Insurance 87.2 Australia

5 UnipolSai Assicurazioni (S.p.A) 86.8 Italy

i.Other companies include PICC from China, which ranks 6th with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of
86.3, followed by Ping An in 7th place with 86.1.
ii.Poste Italiane from Italy holds the 8th position with 82.9, while Norway’s Gjensidige is 9th with 81.3.
Cathay Life Insurance from Taiwan rounds out the top 10 with a score of 81.1.
Top five most valuable insurance brands of 2025

Brand Value
Rank Brand Country
(USD billions)

1 Ping An China 33.6

2 Allianz Germany 26.7

3 AXA France 19.8

4 China Life China 18.3

5 Generali Group Italy 17.0

LIC Progress:
i.LIC recorded a 17% year-on-year (yoy) increase in its standalone net profit (NP) for the quarter third
(Q3) of financial year 2024-25 (FY 25) , reaching Rs 11,056.47 crore, up from Rs 9,444.42 crore in the
previous year (PY). This growth was driven by a reduction in management expenses, particularly in
employee-related costs.
ii.On a consolidated basis, LIC’s net profit rose by 16% to Rs 11,009 crore, compared to Rs 9,469 crore a
year earlier. Employee compensation and welfare expenses dropped 30%, decreasing from Rs 18,194
crore to Rs 14,416 crore. As a result, the expense ratio improved by 231 basis points (bps), falling from
15.28% to 12.97%.
Key Points:
i.The market capitalization of leading insurance brands has increased, driven by a rising demand for
insurance across various sectors.
ii.State Bank of India (SBI) Life Insurance (Indian insurer) ranks 76th on the list of the most valuable
insurance brands in the Brand Finance Insurance 100 report.

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Related News: According to the Union Budget 2025-26 (FY 26), Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,
Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced a significant policy change, increasing the foreign direct
investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector to 100%, up from 74%.
• However, this increased FDI limit applies only to companies that reinvest the entire premium
collected within India. Additionally, the government will review and simplify the existing
regulations related to foreign investments in the insurance sector.
About Brand Finance:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- David Haigh
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established– 1996

Andrew Barto & Richard Sutton Won 2024 ACM A.M. Turing Award
In March 2025, Dr. Andrew Barto from the United States of America(USA) and Richard S.Sutton from Canada,
two pioneers of Reinforcement Learning (RL), named as recipients of the 2024 ACM A.M. Turing Award,
which is often considered as the ‘Nobel Prize of Computing’ by New York, the USA-based Association for
Computing Machinery (ACM).
• The two have been bestowed with this award in
recognition of their exceptional work on RL, a machine
learning technique which enables Artificial Intelligence
(AI) systems to optimize decision-making through trial and
error.
• The recipients of the award will share the prize
money USD 1 million, which is sponsored by Google Inc.
• Both Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, co-authored the
book titled ‘Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction’ in
1998.
About Dr. Andrew Barto:
i.He is Professor Emeritus, Department of Information and Computer
Sciences, University of Massachusetts (UMass), Amherst, the USA.
ii.In 1977, Dr. Barto joined the Manning College of Information and
Computer Sciences (CICS) at the UMass as postdoctoral research associate, and later, he held various key
positions including, associate professor, professor and department chair.
iii.At present, he is working as an associate member of the Neuroscience and Behavior Program at UMass
Amherst.
iv.Awards/ Accolades: He was honoured with 2004 IEEE Neural Network Society Pioneer Award;
• He received International Joint Conference on AI (IJCAI-17) Award for his research excellence in
both the theory and application of RL.
• In 2019, he was conferred with the UMass Neurosciences Lifetime Achievement Award.
About Richard Sutton:
i.He is a Professor in Computing Science at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
ii.He is also working as a Research Scientist at Dallas, Texas (the USA)-based Keen Technologies Private
Limited and Chief Scientific Advisor of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii).
iii.He was a distinguished Research Scientist at DeepMind Technologies Limited, a British-American AI
Research Laboratory which acts as a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., from 2017 to 2023.
iv.He received various awards/accolades like: the IJCAI Research Excellence Award from Canada-based AI
Association (2021); an Outstanding Achievement in Research Award from the UMass at Amherst.
• He is a fellow of the Royal Society of London; a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI;
and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

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About ACM A.M. Turing Award:

i.The award was named after Alan M. Turing, a British mathematician who is considered the father of modern
computer science.
ii.The award recognizes significant contributions to the computing field since its establishment in 1966.
iii.It honours computer scientists and engineers for creating systems and theoretical foundations important for
the advancement of Information Technology (IT).
iv.Israeli mathematician and computer scientist Avi Wigderson won the 2023 ACM A.M. Turing Award.

Dr. Jayashree Vencatesan Becomes 1st Indian to Receive ‘Ramsar Award’ for Wetland
Conservation
In March 2025, Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan, the Co-founder of Chennai (Tamil Nadu,TN) based Care Earth Trust,
has became the first Indian to receive the ‘Ramsar Women Change Makers in the World Wetlands Award
2025’ in the ‘Wise Use of Wetland’ category for Wetland Conservation. The award recognises her efforts in
protecting India’s wetlands, particularly the famous Pallikaranai Marsh in Chennai.
• On the eve of International Women’s Day (IWD on 8th March 2025), the Ramsar Secretariat based in
Gland, Switzerland announced her name as one of 12 women recognized in the 2nd edition of
‘Women changemakers in the world of wetlands’.
About Jayshree Vencatesan:
i.Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan is renowned for her decades-long commitment to
preserving India’s wetlands, especially the Pallikaranai Marsh in Chennai, starting
with just USD 350 to protect these vital ecosystems.
ii.Her documentation of Pallikaranai Marsh highlighted its crucial role in flood
mitigation and as a habitat for 337 species.
iii.A social scientist with expertise in conservation and ecological restoration, she
has received prestigious fellowships, published 30 scientific papers, and
authored a book.
iv.She is the 1st Indian grantee of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) – Center for Tropical
Studies (CTS) short-term research fellowship based in Panama, Central America.
v.Her organisation Care Earth Trust was awarded the Indira Gandhi ‘Paryavaran Puraskar’ in 2009 by the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEFCC) for its work on conserving the Pallikaranai
Marsh and the Nanmangalam Forest.
About the Women changemakers in the world of wetlands:
i.The Award, launched in 2024 to honour women across the world for conserving and protecting wetlands.
ii.Categories include ‘Wise Use of Wetlands’, ‘Wetland Innovation’, and ‘Ramsar Wetland
Conservation’ Awards recognizing efforts in sustainable management, innovative techniques, and youth-
driven conservation initiatives.
iii.Other Women Changemakers in 2025: Professor Celeste Saulo of Argentina, Julie Mulonga of Kenya,
Jennifer George of New Zealand, Libuše Vlasáková of Czechia, Rachel D’Silva of Jamaica, Laura González of
Panama, Franziska Trautmann of the United States of America, Oladosu Adenike of Nigeria, Tatiana Minayeva of
Poland, Rosa Jalja of Bolivia and Teresa Vincente Gimenez of Spain.

ASQ Award 2024: CSMIA Bags Best Airport in Asia-Pacific for 8th consecutive year
On March 11, 2025, the Airports Council International (ACI) in partnership with Madrid(Spain) based travel
technology company Amadeus, presented Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport (CSMIA) with the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for Best Airport over 40
Million Passengers in the Asia-Pacific region, marking its eighth consecutive win.

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About Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award:

i.ASQ awards, launched in 2006, are based on real-time passenger feedback collected through live surveys,
evaluating over 30 key performance indicators across the entire airport journey. It recognizes airports that
excel in service innovation, smart technology, and passenger-centric design.
• In 2024, nearly 700,000 surveys filled and 181 ASQ Awards were presented to 95 airports across the
world.
ii.The awards cover various categories, including Best Airports by Size and Region, Easiest Airport Journey,
Most Dedicated Staff, Cleanest Airport, Top Airports for Arrivals and Most Enjoyable Airport.
iii.The winners of the ASQ 2024 will be honoured at the ACI World Airport Experience Summit in
Guangzhou(China) from September 8-11, 2025.
ASQ Awards 2024 in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions:
i.In the 2024 ASQ Awards, 35 out of 95 airports worldwide were honored, with 68 awards being claimed by
airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions.
iii.The top performers were Indonesia, which won 10 airport awards, China with 8, and India with 7.
iv.A total of 28 airports in the Asia-Pacific region were honored, including Beijing Daxing International
Airport (China), Qingdao International Airport (China), Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (China), and
Seoul Incheon International Airport (South Korea), among others.
v.Six airports in the Middle East were honored, including Salalah Airport (Oman), Muscat International Airport
(Oman), and Zayed International Airport (the United Arab Emirates, UAE), Bahrain International Airport
(Bahrain)
Winning Airports from India (Asia-Pacific) at the 2024 ASQ Awards:

Awards(Size) Airports Location

Best Airport under 2 Million Kannur International Airport

Kannur (Kerala)
Passengers in Asia-Pacific (CNN)

Best Airport of 2 to 5 Million Chandigarh International

Chandigarh (Punjab)
Passengers in Asia-Pacific Airport (IXC)

Best Airport of 15 to 25 Million Rajiv Gandhi International

Hyderabad (Telangana)
Passengers in Asia-Pacific Airport (HYD)

Best Airport over 40 Million Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Passengers in Asia-Pacific International Airport(BOM)

Best Airport over 40 Million Indira Gandhi International

New Delhi (Delhi)
Passengers in Asia-Pacific Airport(DEL)

Kempegowda International
Best Airport at Arrivals Globally Bengaluru (Karnataka)
Airport Limited(BLR)

Mangaluru International
Best Airport at Arrivals Globally Mangaluru (Karnataka)
Airport(IXE)
About Airports Council International (ACI):
Director General (DG) – Justin Erbacci
Headquarters – Montreal, Canada
Founded – 1991

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Muthoot Microfin Bags Two Golds at the SKOCH Awards 2025

In March 2025, Kochi (Kerala) based Muthoot Microfin Limited, a leading Microfinance Institution (MFI) in
India, secured two Gold Awards at the SKOCH Awards 2025 in New Delhi(Delhi). The company was
recognized for its excellence in digital financial inclusion and insurance solutions.
• The awards were presented to Sadaf Sayeed, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Muthoot Microfin,
by Sameer Kochhar, Chairman of SKOCH Group, and Gursharan Dhanjal, Vice-Chairman of SKOCH
Group.
i.Corporate Excellence: “Best Customer Application on Digital Financial Inclusion”, awarded for
its Muthoot Mahila Mitra Application (App).
• The app has achieved 1.73 million downloads with a 4.2-star rating, enabling seamless and secure
digital financial services for women in rural India.
ii.Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance(BFSI) Award: Honored for its Griha Raksha Insurance Scheme,
which has provided insurance coverage to 2.66 million beneficiaries, ensuring financial security and social
empowerment.
Note: Established in 2003, the SKOCH Award is an independent civilian honor in India that recognizes
individuals, projects, and institutions contributing to the country’s progress. It is the highest civilian award in
India given by an independent organization.

RBI Wins UK’s Digital Transformation Award 2025 for Tech Initiatives
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based India’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been
selected as the recipient of Digital Transformation Award 2025 by London (the United Kingdom, UK)-
based Central Banking Publications.
• The RBI received this award in recognition of its technology driven initiatives,
specifically ‘Sarthi’ and ‘PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and
AutHorisation)’ systems, which were developed by the in-house developer team.
• The award committee highlighted how these initiatives have helped in reducing the use of
paper-based submissions, thereby, transforming internal and external processes of the RBI.
About Sarthi:
i.The word ‘Sarthi’ is derived from hindi, means ‘Charioteer’. The system was formally launched in 2023.
ii.It was designed to digitize all internal workflows of RBI and allows employees to store and share
documents securely, thus enhancing record management and increasing the options for data analysis
through reports and dashboards.
About PRAVAAH Portal:
i.In 2024, the RBI launched ‘PRAVAAH’, means a ‘smooth flow’ in Hindi. It is a centralised, secure web-
based platform that will allow individuals or entities to apply online for regulatory approvals, licenses and
authorisations from the RBI.
ii.All the documents submitted and processed through this platform are then stored into the Sarthi
database, where they are handled digitally across RBI’s offices, with centralised cyber security systems and
digital tracking.
iii.Since its launch, the platform has allowed over 70 different regulatory applications to be digitized,
supporting the work of 9 departments.
iv.By the end of 2024, more than 2,000 applications had been filed through the system, showing an
increase of 80% in monthly applications which is partly attributed to the increased ease of use provided by
the portal.
About Central Banking Awards 2025:
i.The 12th annual industry awards recognising excellence in the central banking community. This year’s
awards feature 16 central bank categories and 15 partner and services provider categories.
ii.The official ceremony of these awards are scheduled to be held in June 2025 at One Whitehall Place,
London (UK).

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About Central Banking Publications:

Chairman- Robert Pringle
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom (UK)
Founded- 1990

Hockey India 7th Annual Awards: Harmanpreet Singh & Savita Punia Won Hockey India Player
of the Year Award
In March 2025, Indian Men’s hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh was honoured with the Hockey
India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024 in the men’s category, at the Hockey India
7th Annual Awards held at Le Meridien, Connaught Palace in New Delhi, Delhi. This marked
his 2nd Hockey India Player of the Year award (2021).
• While, former hockey women’s team goalkeeper, Savita Punia was honoured with the Hockey
India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024 in the women’s category. This marked
her 3rd Hockey India Player of the Year award (2022 and 2023). The recipients of Balbir Singh
Sr. Award received a monetary prize of Rs 25 lakh.
• The awards ceremony celebrated the standout achievement of 2024 India’s bronze medal
victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The members of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team were
presented with scarves and a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakh each. Alternate players were honored
with Rs.5 lakh each, while the support staff received Rs.7.5 lakh each.
Hockey India Annual Awards 2024:
i.The Hockey India Annual Awards was introduced in 2014 to recognise the hockey players for promoting
field hockey as a sport on the national and international platform.
• The 7th edition of the Hockey India Annual Awards(2024) was organised to commemorate 100
years of Indian hockey and to celebrate India’s historic World Cup triumph in 1975 in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.
ii.The event was attended by former Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
(MYAS); DilipTirkey, President of Hockey India (HI) and Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of HI, among
others.
About Harmanpreet Singh:
i.Harmanpreet Singh, one of the top drag-flickers in modern hockey led the Indian hockey team to its 2nd
consecutive bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris, France.
• He was also part of the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo
Olympic Games held in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
ii.In January 2025, he was honoured with India’s most prestigious sports award, Major
Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024.
iii.He was named International Hockey Federation (FIH)Men ’s Player of the Year Award for 2024 in
November 2024.
iv.He also won the Player of the Tournament award at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy held in People’s
Republic of China.
About Savita Punia:
i.In February 2025, Savita Punia, who is also known as the ‘Great Wall of Indian Hockey’ became
the 2nd Indian women hockey player after Vandana Katariya to play 300 matches for the country.
ii.She played a pivotal role in the Indian women’s hockey team that narrowly missed out a bronze medal at
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
iii.She led the Indian hockey team to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) held in
Birmingham, the United Kingdom (UK) and won the FIH Nations Cup title in 2022.
iv.She has been honoured with various national sports awards like: Arjuna Award (2018); FIH Goalkeeper
of the Year Award (2020-21; 2021-22; and 2022-23).

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Winners of Hockey India Annual Awards 2024:

Name of the Award Winner Cash Prize

Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement 1975 Men’s World Cup-

Rs 50 lakh
Award winning team

Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for

Harmanpreet Singh Rs 25 lakh
the Player of the Year (Men)

Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for

Savita Punia Rs 25 lakh
the Player of the Year (Women)

Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for

Araijeet Singh Hundal Rs 10 lakh
Upcoming Men’s U-21 Player of the Year

Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for

Upcoming Women’s U-21 Player of the Deepika Rs 10 lakh
Year

Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the

Savita Punia Rs 5 lakh
Year

Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for

Amit Rohidas Rs 5 lakh
Defender of the Year

Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for

Abhishek Nain Rs 5 lakh
Forward of the Year

Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for

Hardik Singh Rs 5 lakh
Midfielder of the Year

Hockey India President Award for

Ripudaman Sharma Rs 2.5 lakh
Umpire/Umpires Manager of the Year

Hockey India President Award for

Anil Kumar P K Rs 2.5 lakh
Technical Official of the Year
Key Highlights:
i.This year Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon winning team of 1975
Men’s World Cup, along with monetary prize of Rs 50 lakh.
• The Indian Men’s Hockey team under the captaincy of Ajit Pal Singh defeated Pakistan’s team in
the finals of Hockey World Cup held in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
ii.8 Indian states: Haryana, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Punjab, among others, were
honoured for their crucial role in promoting hockey and their exceptional performances at
the 14th Hockey India National Championships 2024. Each state received a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh in
recognition of their achievements.
• Meanwhile, the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu(TN) was awarded Best Member Unit of the Year
2024 for its monumental efforts in revolutionising grassroots hockey through the TN School
Hockey League, India’s first-ever statewide school hockey league.
iii.Beighton Cup Tournament received the Hockey India President Award for Oustanding Achievement in
2024, with cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
iv.Prasar Bharati, the official broadcaster of the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25, was conferred with
the Hockey India Jaman Lal Sharma Award for invaluable contribution 2024, in recognition of its role in
expanding the league’s reach across the country as well as international-level.

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Milestone Awards 2024:

i.These awards were constituted to recognise exceptional achievements in international hockey.
ii.For year 2024, Boby Singh Dhami, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, and Sakshi Rana were received Rs
1 lakh each for scoring a goal in their debut match.
iii.Jarmanpreet Singh and Shamsher Singh awarded with Rs 1 lakh each for completing 100 international
caps and; Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sumit received Rs 1.5 lakh each for completing 200 international caps.
• Amit Rohidas and Sushila Chanu, received Rs 2 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh for completing 200 and
250 international caps, respectively.
About Hockey India (HI):
President- Dr. Dilip Tirkey
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2009

Pravaig Dynamics Unveils World’s 1st E-TATV ‘VEER’ & Wins iDEX Award
In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Pravaig Dynamics Private Limited, an Electric Vehicle (EV)
startup unveiled VEER Electric Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (E-TATV), the world’s first operational
EV designed for tactical defence use, including forward patrolling, reconnaissance, and Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
• Atima Corporation Private Limited in New Delhi (Delhi), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pravaig
Dynamics received the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) Award for deepening
India’s sovereignty through cutting-edge defence technologies.
About VEER E-TATV:
i.The vehicle is military-grade, featuring class-leading stealth, high power, and full field-repairability.
ii.It has undergone military trials in difficult terrains and altitudes, proving its operational readiness.
iii.The vehicle ensures complete data ownership for India, with no foreign control, reinforcing strategic
autonomy.
iv.Specifications:
• Top speed: 160 kilometers per hour (km/h)
• Range: More than 500 km
• Payload: 690 kilograms (kg)
• Torque: 620 Newton-meters (Nm)
About iDEX Award:
i.In 2021, the Government of India (GoI) launched iDEX Scheme with budgetary support of Rs. 498.78
crore for 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
ii.The award was conferred by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), under the Department of
Defence Production (DoDP), the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) of India.
iii.The iDEX scheme aims to foster innovation and technology development in the defence sector, ensuring
India builds, owns, and operates its advanced defence systems.
• The award is regarded as the first step towards induction into Indian Defence Services.

Indian Literary Theorist Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak to Receive the 2025 Holberg Prize
In March 2025, Indian literary theorist and postcolonial scholar Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak was named
the recipient of the 2025 Holberg Prize. The award recognizes her groundbreaking work in postcolonial
studies, feminist theory, and literary criticism.
• The prize, valued at USD 540,000 (Rs.4.6 crore), will be presented on June 5, 2025, at
the University of Bergen, Norway, by Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.
About Holberg Prize:
i.The Holberg Prize is an international award presented annually by the Norwegian government to
scholars who have made exceptional contributions in the fields of arts, humanities, social sciences, law, and
theology.
ii.It was established in 2003 in honor of the Danish-Norwegian writer Ludvig Holberg, it is often regarded
as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in these disciplines.

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About Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak:

i.Gayatri Spivak, from West Bengal(WB) started her career as a University Professor in the Humanities at
Columbia University, the United States of America, USA in 2007.
ii.She is renowned for her translation of Jacques Derrida’s French book “De La Grammatologie” and her
influential essay “Can the Subaltern Speak?”.
iv.In 2012, she was awarded the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, Japan’s highest private award for
lifetime achievement in arts and sciences.
v.In 2013, she received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in the field of Literature
and Education.
vi.She has authored nine books, including “In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics” (1987) and “A
Critique of Postcolonial Reason” (1999), which have been translated into over 20 languages.
About Norway:
Prime Minister(PM) – Jonas Gahr Støre
Capital – Oslo
Currency – Norwegian Krone(NOK)

President Droupadi Murmu Presents the 19th Ramnath Goenka Awards for Excellence in
Journalism 2025
On March 19, 2025, the 19th edition of the ‘Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards’ was held in,
New Delhi (Delhi). The event honored 27 journalists across 20 categories, including investigative
journalism, sports, politics and government, books, feature writing and regional languages.
• The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced the event as the Chief Guest and presented
the awards to the winners.
About the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards:
i.The award was established by the Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Indian Express Group in 2005 to
honor its founder Ramnath Goenka on his birth centenary.
ii.The award recognizes the courage and excellence of Print, Digital, and Broadcast journalists who
uphold journalistic integrity despite political and economic challenges.
iii.The recipients were honored with a citation, a trophy, and a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.
iv.This year 2025, Mridulika Jha of Aaj Tak received the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in
Journalism 2025 for her impactful coverage of the “Dunki route”, the illegal immigration pathway used by
Haryana’s youth to enter the United States of America (USA).
Winners Lists of 19th Ramnath Goenka Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2025:
Print/Digital Category Winners:

S. Publication/
Award Category Full Name Format
No. Channel

Print/
1 Hindi Mridulika Jha Aaj Tak
Digital

Madhyamam
Print/
2 Regional Languages Jisha Elizabeth (Malayalam
Digital
Language)

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Environment, Science
Print/
3 and Technology Sibu Kumar Tripathi India Today
Digital
Reporting

Uncovering Invisible
4 Satyasundar Barik The Hindu Print
India

Business & Economic The Economic

5 Twesh Mishra Print
Journalism Times

Reporting on Politics
6 Maitri Porecha The Hindu Print
and Government

Shahab Ali,
7 Sports Journalism Hindustan Print
Amarnath Kashyap

Investigative Nihal AP Koshie, Mahender The Indian

8 Print
Journalism Singh Manral, Mihir Vasavda Express

The Indian
9 Feature Writing Shubhajit Roy Print
Express

Foreign
Print/
10 Correspondent Nilsch Christopher Rest of World
Digital
Covering India

Prakash Kardaley
Jeet Mashru,
11 Memorial Award for Hindustan Times Print
Somita Pal
Civic Journalism

The New Indian

12 Photo Journalism P. Ravikumar Print
Express

Dr. A.V. Venkateshpathy

For his book “ Swadeshi
Penguin Random
13 Books (Non-fiction) Steam: V.O. Chidambaram Print
House
Pillai and the Battle against
the British Maritime Empire”
Broadcast/Digital Category Winners:

S.
Award Category Full Name Publication/ Channel Format
No.

Broadcast/
1 Hindi Siddharth Mohan The Lallantop
Digital

ABP Majha
2 Regional Language Mandar Gonjari Broadcast
(Marathi Language)

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Environment,
Joel Michael, Rohini Broadcast/
3 Science and Down To Earth
Krishnamurthy Digital
Technology

Uncovering India Vishnukant Tiwari,

4 The Quint Broadcast
Invisible Athar Rather

Reporting on
India Today Television
5 Politics and Ashutosh Mishra Broadcast
(TV)
Government

British Broadcasting
Tejas Vaidya, Broadcast/
6 Sports Journalism Corporation (BBC)
Enakshi Rajvanshi Digital
Hindi

Investigative New Delhi Television

7 Anurag Dwary Broadcast
Reporting Limited (NDTV)

Sanmar Group Chairman Vijay Sankar Conferred with Denmark’s Knight’s Cross for Consular
Services
In March 2025, Chairman of Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Sanmar Group, Vijay Sankar who is also the
Honorary Consul General of Denmark for Southern India, has been conferred with ‘Knight’s Cross of the
Order of Dannebrog’ by his Majesty the King of Denmark, Frederik André Henrik Christian. He received
this award in recognition of his distinguished consular services.
• Ambassador of Denmark to India, Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, presented the award to
Sankar during a function held in Chennai, TN.
• While presenting the award, Danish Ambassador Kristensen highlighted the significant
contributions of Sankar in strengthening Indo-Danish relations during his term.
About Vijay Sankar:
i.In March 2018, Vijay Sankar was appointed the Honorary Consul General of Denmark in Chennai, with
concurrence of Government of India (GoI). He has jurisdictions over the States/Union Territories (UTs):
TN; Andhra Pradesh (AP); Telangana; UT Puducherry, among others.
ii.Previously, he had served as the Honorary Consul of Spain in Chennai for period of 10 years.
iii.He has been working as the Director of Sanmar Group, India leading manufacturing company, since
2021. Prior to this, he was on the board of directors of the company from July 1999 to July 2004.
iv.He had also worked as the President of Indian Chemical Council from 2018 to 2020.
About Denmark:
Capital- Copenhagen
Prime Minister (PM)- Mette Frederiksen
Currency- Danish Krone (DKK)

Veteran Indian Actor and Padma Awardee Chiranjeevi Honoured with Lifetime Achievement
Award at UK Parliament
In March 2025, Veteran Indian Actor and Padma awardee, Konidela (K) Chiranjeevi conferred with the
Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Public Service through Cultural Leadership from Bridge

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India during a ceremony held at the United Kingdom (UK)’s Parliament known as House of the Commons,
in London, the UK.
• The event was organised by British-Indian Member of Parliament (MP), Navendu Mishra.
About K. Chiranjeevi:
i.K.Chiranjeevi has an extensive experience of over 40 years in Indian cinema and had worked in Telugu,
Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films.
• Some of his notable works include: ‘Rudra Veena’, ‘Indra’, ‘Tagore’, ‘Swayam Krushi’, among
others.
ii.He was honoured with Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd highest civilian award in the category of ‘Arts’
in 2006 .
• In May 2024, he was bestowed with Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd highest civilian award, in
the field of Arts for his contributions in Indian cinema.
iii.He started his political career in 2008, with the launch of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) and later, merged
PRP with Indian National Congress (INC) in February 2011.
• He has served as MP to Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) from 2012 to 2018.
iv.He has also served as Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism with independent charge (IC) from
2012 to 2014.
About the United Kingdom (UK):
Prime Minister (PM) – Keir Starmer
Capital- London
Currency- Pound Sterling (GBP)

Austrian Hydrologist Günter Blöschl Won 2025 Stockholm Water Prize

In March 2025, renowned Austrian hydrologist, Günter Blöschl has been named as the recipient
of Stockholm Water Prize for year 2025 by the Prize Committee. He won this award in recognition of his
world-renowned work on flood risk reduction, water resource management, flood scaling, and regional
process hydrology.
• He will officially receive this prize by His Majesty (HM) King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, during
World Water Week (WWW) observed annually in the month of August at Stockholm City Hall in
Sweden.
About Günter Blöschl:
i.He is a professor at the Vienna University of Technology (UT) in Vienna, Austria.
ii.At present, he is serving as the head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources
Management as well as the Director of the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems at Vienna TU,
that he founded over 15 years ago.
• He is also working as a part-time professor at the University of Bologna, Italy.
iii.He has received various awards for his notable water-related work like: ERC Advanced Grant from the
European Research Council and Robert E. Horton Medal from American Geophysical Union.
iv.He is a full member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, a member of the United States of America
(USA)-based National Academy of Engineering (NAE).
About Stockholm Water Prize:
i.The award is considered as the ‘Nobel Prize of Water’, established in 1991 by the Stockholm Water
Foundation.
ii.The award is presented annually by Stockholm (Sweden)-based Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) in
cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (RSAS), to an individual, organisation, or
institution for exceptional water-related achievements.

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• The award is also supported by: London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based International Water
Association (IWA); (United States of America, USA)-based Water Environment Federation
(WEF); and The City of Stockholm in Sweden.
ii.The recipient will be awarded a USD 150,000 cash prize along with an Orrefors crystal sculpture.
iii.Japanese professor Taikan Oki won the Stockholm Water Prize for year 2024.

Winners of Sahitya Translation Prize 2024: Total 22 Indian Languages have been
Selected
In March 2025, the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi under the Chairmanship of its
President, Madhav Kaushik approved the selection of 22 books in 22 languages for
the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024, during the meeting held at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi,
Delhi.
• The books were selected based on the recommendations made by the selection committees of 3
members each in the concerned languages as per the rules and procedure framed for the
purpose.
• This year, no translation prize has been declared in the Urdu language and translation prize in
Nepali and Sanskrit will be declared at later stage.
About Sahitya Translation Prize 2024:
i.The prize relates, to translations 1st published during the 5 years before to the year immediately
preceding the year of Prize for Translation i.e. between January, 2018 and December 31, 2022.
ii.The recipient of the prize will receive an amount of Rs 50,000 and a copper plaque.
Winners of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024:
Name of the Original Book and
Language Title of the Translation Translator Genre, Language and Author
Early History of Kamarupa, Novel,
Assamese Prachin Kamrupar Itihas Anjan Sarma English, Kanak Lal Barua
Soudagarer Chele Nouka Beye Jay
Bengali Sadagarer Putra Nouka Beye Jay Basudeb Das (Novel), Assamese, Homen Borgohain
Uttara Kanchan, Novel, Assamese, Anuradha
Bodo Kanchan Bwiswmuthiary Sharma Pujaree
Dogri Tamas Archana Kesar Tamas, Novel, Hindi, Bhishma Sahani
Hazaaron Khwashishein Aisi (The Hazaaron Khwashishein Aisi (Poetry
Wonderful World of Urdu Collection), Urdu, Collection of Various
English Ghazals) Anisur Rahman Poets
Kumar Jiu, Poetry, Hindi, Kunwarn
Gujarati Kumarjiv Ramanik Agrawat Narain
Sayed Haider Raza (Biography),
Hindi Sayed Haider Raza Madan Soni English, Yashodhara Dalmia
Siddhaling Malavikagnimitram, Drama, Sanskrit,
Kannada Vidisha Prahasana Pattanashetti Kalidas
Ghulam Nabi Oru Manithan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam
Kashmiri Akh Insan Akh Gareh Akh Duniya Aatash (Novel), Tamil, Jayakanthan
Bhartiya Tathvagineanachi Outline of Indian Philosophy,
Konkani Ruprekha Milind Mhamal Philosophy, English, M. Hiriyanna

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Aaranyank, Novel, Bengali,

Maithili Aaranyak Keshkar Thakur Bhibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyaya
Malayalam Yaanam K.V. Kumaran Yaana (Novel), Kannada, S.L. Bhairappa
Soibamcha Madhubala, Poetry, Hindi, Harivansh
Manipuri Yurangbi Indrakumar Rai Bachchan
Sudarshan The Difficulty of Being Good (Literary
Marathi The Difficulty of Being Good Athavale Criticism), English, Gurcharan Das
Ruskin Bond Kokishialira Ekaka Lone fox Dancing, Autobiography,
Odia Nrutya Mo Atmajeebani Suvash Satpathy English, Ruskin Bond
Tumhare Liye, Novel, Hindi, Himanshu
Punjabi Tere Laee Chandan Negi Joshi
Bhilo Nu Bharath (Folk Epic), Gujarati,
Rajasthani Bhilan Rau Bharath Sohandan Charan Bhagwan Das Patel
Kala Ghoda, Novel, Hindi, Nilotpal
Santali Hende Sandom Nazir Hembram Mrinal
(Late) Shobha
Sindhi Dollar Nuhaan Lalchandani Dollar Bahu, Novel, Hindi, Sudha Murty
Ente Anungal (Autobiography),
Tamil Enatu Aankal P. Vimala Malayalam, Nalini Jameela
Turlapati Dadi Budha, Novel, Odia, Gopinath
Telugu Eethachettu Devudu Rajeswari Mohanty
Urdu No Award
About Sahitya Akademi:
It is also known as India’s National Academy of Letters, formally inaugurated by the Government of India
(GoI) in March 1954. It is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the
country and undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
President- Dr. Madhav Kaushik
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi

Córdoba, Fortaleza & Greater Manchester Honored at 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities
Summit in France
On 21st March 2025, the three cities Córdoba (Argentina), Fortaleza (Brazil), and Greater
Manchester (the United Kingdom, UK) were honoured at the 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities
Summit held in Paris, France for their significant efforts in preventing Non-Communicable Diseases
(NCDs) and injuries.

• The awards recognised measurable improvements made by the three cities in tackling NCDs
such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and injuries which cause over 80% of global deaths,
as per the the World Health Organization (WHO).
About The Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit 2025:
i.The Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit is an annual event that brings together global leaders to
discuss and promote effective strategies for preventing NCDs and injuries in urban settings.
ii.The 2025 summit was held in Paris from March 18 to 21, 2025. The summit was co-hosted
by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the WHO, Vital Strategies, and the City of Paris.
iii.The summit hosted mayors and officials from 61 cities, including leaders from Bogotá (Colombia),

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Colombo (Sri Lanka), Guadalajara (Mexico), Kampala (Uganda), Montevideo (Uruguay), Quito (Ecuador),
and Santiago (Chile).
iv.The Partnership for Healthy Cities, launched in 2017, is a global network of 74 cities aimed at reducing
NCDs and injuries. The network impacts over 300 million people globally and provides policy training
through its Policy Accelerator initiative.
Achievements of the Cities:
i.Córdoba, Argentina: Implemented a healthy school food policy, eliminating sugary drinks and ultra-
processed foods in all schools by 2026. So far, 26 schools and 15,000 students (out of 138,000) have
benefited from this initiative.
ii.Fortaleza, Brazil: Established the city’s first legal framework for air quality surveillance in 2023. The
decree ensures continuous monitoring of air pollutants and installed low-cost sensors to guide evidence-
based policymaking.
iii.Greater Manchester, UK: Expanded outdoor smoke-free areas, including a 6.5-acre smoke-free park,
and launched a toolkit and communication guide to assist National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. This
initiative is being scaled through a broader smoke-free strategy.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Patrica E. Harris
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 2006

Eminent Hindi Writer Vinod Kumar Shukla selected for 59th Jnanpith Award
In March 2025, Renowned Hindi poet and novelist Vinod Kumar Shukla has been selected for the 59th
Jnanpith Award(2024) for his remarkable contribution to Hindi literature. The announcement was made
by a distinguished selection committee, chaired by Pratibha Rai, a previous Jnanpith awardee.
• With this award, he becomes the first writer from Chhattisgarh and the 12th Hindi author to
receive this honor.
About Jnanpith Award:
i.The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, is India’s highest literary honor, presented annually by
the Bharatiya Jnanpith to recognize outstanding contributions to literature.
• The award is presented to authors who have made outstanding contributions to literature in
any of the 22 officially recognized languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of
India.
ii.The recipient is awarded Rs 11 lakh, a bronze statue of Goddess Vagdevi, and a citation.
iii.The first-ever award was presented in 1965 to Malayalam writer G. Sankara Kurup.
• The 58th Jnanpith Award was conferred upon Sampooran Singh Kalra (known as Gulzar)and
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
About Vinod Kumar Shukla:
i.Vinod Kumar Shukla’s literary career took off with the publication of his first poetry collection, Lagbhag
Jai Hind , in 1971.
• His major novels include ‘Naukar Ki Kameez’. ‘Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rahti Thi’ and ‘Khilega To
Dekhenge’,
ii.Over the years, his works have earned widespread recognition and have been translated into several
languages, including English, German, and Italian.
iii.He was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 for his book ‘Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee
Rahati Thi’.

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About Bharatiya Jnanpith:

Bharatiya Jnanpith is a literary and research organization committed to promoting Indian literature and
scholarship.
Chairman– Pratibha Ray
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Founded – 1944

TN Wins National Award for Efficient Water Resource Management

In March 2025, the Tamil Nadu (TN) government’s Water Resources Department (WRD) was awarded
the “Excellence in Integrated Water Resources Management, 2024” by the Central Board of Irrigation
and Power (CBIP), a body under the Union government.
• This recognition acknowledges WRD for its exemplary efforts in managing water resources
through the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation
Project (TNIAMP), funded by the World Bank.
i.Launched in 2017, TNIAMP is a significant project designed to enhance the productivity and climate
resilience of irrigated agriculture across 47 river sub-basin areas in TN..
ii.Key Achievements:
• Infrastructure Development: The project has successfully rehabilitated 2,626 tanks, 355 check
dams, and 5,026 kilometers(km) of supply channels.
• Artificial Recharge Wells: A total of 94 artificial recharge wells have been constructed to
replenish groundwater levels, addressing the issue of water scarcity in the region.
• Farmland Development: The project has developed 117,290 hectares of farmland, enabling
farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices and increase crop yields.
iii.TNIAMP adopts a multidisciplinary strategy by collaborating with seven departments and three state
universities, making it a model for sustainable water management.

Violinist R K Shriramkumar Receives 2025 Sangita Kalanidhi Award of The Music Academy
In March 2025, eminent Carnatic violinist R K Shriramkumar has been conferred with the Sangita
Kalanidhi award for 2025 by Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based The Music Academy, Madras to
recognizes his exceptional contributions to Carnatic music.
• His selection aligns with the 250th birth anniversary of Muthuswami Dikshitar in 2025.
• In addition to the Sangita Kalanidhi award, The Music Academy has announced other honors for
2025. The awards will be presented at The Music Academy’s events, including the 99th Annual
Conference and Concerts, and the 19th Annual Dance Festival scheduled from December 15,
2025, to January 1, 2026.
About Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award:
The Music Academy has been presenting the Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award in collaboration with Chennai
based Indian English-language daily newspaper The Hindu since 2005.
• The Sangita Kalanidhi award includes a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh, in addition to a gold medal and
a birudu patra (citation).
About R K Shriramkumar:
i.R K Shriramkumar belongs to the renowned Rudrapatnam lineage and received training under his
grandfather R K Venkatarama Sastry and Sangita Kalanidhi D K Jayaraman.
ii.He has accompanied stalwarts such as Semmangudi R Srinivasa Iyer, T Brinda, M S Subbulakshmi, and D
K Pattammal.
iii.He is well-known for his scholarship on the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini authored by Subbarama
Dikshitar, which documents compositions of Muthuswami Dikshitar.

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Other Awards:
Sangita Kala Acharya Awards 2025:
i.The Sangita Kala Acharya award was presented to a distinguished Carnatic singer and former A-Top
graded artist at All India Radio (AIR) Shyamala Venkateswaran for her contributions as a teacher and
performer.
ii.A leading Tavil artist R Govindarajan, Thanjavur was also
honoured with the Sangita Kala Acharya award. He has been
active in the field for over 60 years, known for his
performances in Nadaswaram-Tavil ensembles.
TTK Award:
The TTK Award((in memory of TT Krishnamachari), which
honours contributions to music and research, was awarded to:
i.Madambi Subramania Namboothiri, a Kathakali music
expert and former faculty at Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala.
ii.JT Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jaysri Jeyaraaj Krishnan,
noted Veena artists, for their efforts in preserving and
promoting traditional Carnatic veena music.
Musicologist Awards & Nritya Kalanidhi Award:
i.The Musicologist Award was given to Professor C.A. Sridhara, University College of Fine Arts for
Women, for his scholarly work on Carnatic music.
ii.The Nritya Kalanidhi Award was conferred to Urmila Satyanarayana, recognizing her significant
contribution to the field of dance.
The Music Academy (Madras) Awards 2025:

Award Category Name of the awardee

Sangita Kalanidhi award R K Shriramkumar

Sangita Kala Acharya award Shyamala Venkateswaran

Madambi Subramania Namboothiri

TTK Award
JT Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jaysri Jeyaraaj Krishnan

The Musicologist Award Professor C.A. Sridhara

Nritya Kalanidhi Award Urmila Satyanarayana

About The Music Academy:
The Music Academy is one of India’s most respected institutions for Carnatic music and classical dance.
President – N. Murali
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN)
Established – 1928

Rana Dasgupta won Yale’s 2025 Windham Campbell Prize for Non-fiction
In March 2025, Rana Dagupta, renowned British author of Indian origin has been named the winner
of 2025 Windham Campbell Prize in the ‘non-fiction category’ by (United States of America, USA)-
based Yale University.

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• He received this award in recognition of his insightful critique of global hypercapitalism,

industrialization, politics, and class, as demonstrated in his book ‘Capital: A Portrait of
Twenty-First Century Delhi’, which was shortlisted for both the Orwell Prize and the Royal
Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize.
Other Winners:
i.This year total 8 authors (including Rana Dasgupta) have been selected as winners of 2025 Windham
Campbell Prizes in recognition of their literary work.
ii.Each recipient will receive a citation, award and monetary prize of USD 175,000 to support their
literary work.
iii.Name of other recipients in different categories are: Fiction Category: Sigrid Nunez (United States of
America,USA) and Anne Enright (Ireland)
• Non-Fiction category: Patricia J Williams (USA);
• Drama category: Roy Williams (United Kindgom, UK) and Matilda Feyisayo Ibini (United
Kingdom, UK).
• Poetry: Anthony V Capildeo (Scotland/Trinidad and Tobago) and Tongo Eisen-Martin (USA) in
‘poetry’.
About Windham Campbell Prizes:
i.The awards were established in 2013 by writer Donald Windham in memory of Sandy Campbell.
ii.The awards are administered by the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, part of Yale University
Library.
iii.These awards are presented annually to authors working in ‘English’ language from anywhere in the
world across 4 main categories: fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry.
iv.The recipients will receive these awards in person this fall during Yale’ annual international literary
festival.

ACQUISITION & MERGERS

ARCIL Acquires Ujjivan SFB’s Stressed Loan Portfolio for Rs. 34 Crore
On March 3, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Limited (ARCIL),
backed by United States of America (USA) based Avenue Capital Group and the Mumbai (Maharashtra)
based State Bank of India (SBI), acquired Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Ujjivan Small Finance Bank’s (SFB)
non-performing microfinance loan portfolio worth Rs.365.5 crore for Rs.34.26 crore.
• This transaction resulted in a recovery rate of approximately 9.39%, marking a 90% loss for the
lender.
i.The deal was initiated by ARCIL’s anchor bid, which led to a ‘Swiss Challenge’ auction for the loan
portfolio.
ii.Ujjivan SFB had invited counterbids, offering a 5% markup over the anchor bid. However, no higher
bids were received, and ARCIL’s offer was finalized.
iii.This sale is part of Ujjivan SFB’s ongoing efforts to clean up its balance sheet and improve asset quality
by reducing Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).

Mintoak Acquires Digiledge in India’s First E-Rupee Deal Worth USD 3.5 Million
On March 3, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Mintoak Innovations Private Limited, an Indian startup
backed by PayPal and Mumbai (Maharashtra) based HDFC (formerly Housing Development Finance
Corporation Bank) Bank Limited, acquired Bengaluru (Karnataka) based ‘Digiledge’ for, marking
the first acquisition in the nascent Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) sector worth USD 3.5 million.

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i.The integration of Digiledge’s services enable Mintoak’s partner banks, including HDFC Bank Limited,
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Axis Bank Limited, and Mumbai (Maharashtra) based State Bank of India
(SBI), to offer enhanced CBDC-related payment solutions to their clients.
ii.In December 2022, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiated a pilot program
for the e-rupee, a digital alternative to physical currency. The program’s scope was expanded in April
2024 to include payment firms, allowing entities like Mintoak to participate actively.
iii.Mintoak aims to simplify digital payment processes for merchant acquirers, by supporting the growth of
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in accessing digital financial services.
Note: In Januray 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based CRED and Gurugram (Haryana)
based MobiKwik became the first non-banking entities to offer India’s CBDC, the e-Rupee (eRs).

CCI approvals on March 4th 2025

On March 4, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following proposals:
i.Singapore based TPG Scion Singapore Private Limited acquired a stake in Pune (Maharashtra)
based Schott Poonawalla Private Limited (SPPL) by a secondary purchase from Pune (Maharashtra) based
Serum Institute of India (SII) Private Limited.
ii.Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Adani Infra (India) Limited (AIIL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises
Limited, acquired a 30.07% equity stake in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based PSP Projects Limited (PSP
Projects) for Rs. 685.36 crore.
iii.Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Ambuja Cements Limited (ACL), acquired up to 72.8% stake in New Delhi
(Delhi) based Orient Cement Limited (OCL).
iv.Shell Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of the global energy company Shell Plc, based in the
Netherlands and Shell Overseas Investments B.V. acquired 100% of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Raj
Petro Specialities Private Limited.
v.France based Roquette Frères S.A acquired the Pharma Solutions and specific product lines from the
Nourish segment of the United States of America (USA) based International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF)
vi.Florida(the USA) based Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP acquired a 12.44% stake in Mumbai
(Maharashtra) based Advanta Enterprises Limited.
vii.Mumbai (Maharashtra) based JSW (Jindal South West) Energy Limited (JSWEL)acquired
a 100% shareholding in Hyderabad (Telangana) based KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited for
nearly Rs. 16,000 crore.
CCI Approves Singapore’s TPG Stake Acquisition in SPPL from SII:
i.CCI granted approval for TPG Scion Singapore Private Limited to acquire a stake in SPPL by a secondary
purchase from SII Private Limited.
ii.TPG Scion Singapore Private Limited, a newly incorporated Special Purpose Investment Vehicle (SPV) in
Singapore, has no operations in India yet. It is part of the TPG Group (formerly known as Texas Pacific
Group), a global investment firm founded in 1992.
iii.SPPL is a 50:50 Joint Venture(JV) between SII and Schott Pharma AG & Co. KGaA which is part of
German speciality glass firm Schott AG.
• SPPL specializes in manufacturing sterile and non-sterile glass containers such as ampoules,
vials, cartridges, and syringes used for pharmaceutical packaging.
CCI Approves AIIL Acquisition of 30.07% Equity Stake in PSP Projects :
i.The CCI approved AIIL to acquire a 30.07% equity stake in PSP Projects Limited (PSP Projects), from one
of its promoters Prahaladbhai S. Patel, the company’s lead promoter, for Rs. 685.36
crore (approximately USD 81.2 million).
ii.Regulatory Approval: CCI approved this acquisition, ensuring that both AIIL and the existing promoters
will hold equal shareholding post-transaction.

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iii.Open Offer: Following the share purchase, AIIL initiated an open offer to acquire an
additional 26% stake from public shareholders, valued at approximately Rs.662 crore.
Note: PSP Projects Limited is a prominent Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company in
India, with a diverse order book of Rs. 6,546 crore as of September 30, 2024 with nearly Rs. 1,631 crore
stemming from the Adani Group.
CCI Approves ACL Acquisition of 72.8% Stake in OCL:
i.The CCI granted Ambuja Cements Limited’s (ACL), unconditional approval to acquire up to 72.8% stake
in Orient Cement Limited (OCL).
ii.ACL will acquire 46.80% of the issued share capital of OCL, which includes: 37.90% from the current
promoter & promoter group and 8.90% from certain public shareholders.
iii.Open Offer: Following the primary acquisition, ACL will make an open offer to acquire up to 26% of the
expanded share capital at a price of Rs.395.40 per share.
iv.The total value of the transaction is approximately Rs. 8,100 crore (about USD 1 billion). The offer
price of Rs. 395.40 per share represents a premium over OCL’s current market price.
Note:
i.ACL is a leading Indian cement manufacturer, part of the Adani Group, with 22 integrated cement plants,
10 bulk cement terminals, and 21 grinding units across India.
ii.OCL is a prominent cement producer with manufacturing facilities in Telangana, Karnataka, and
Maharashtra, and distribution across 10 Indian states.
CCI Approves Shell’s Acquisition of Raj Petro Specialities :
i.The CCI approved Shell Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of the global energy company Shell Plc, and
Shell Overseas Investments B.V. to acquire 100% Raj Petro Specialities Private Limited.
ii.The acquisition aims to leverage Shell’s global capabilities to enhance operational efficiency and
strengthen its customer offerings in India’s growing industrial and automotive sectors.
CCI Approves Roquette’s Acquisition of Pharma Solutions and Nourish Segments from IFF
i.The CCI approved Roquette Frères S.A.’s acquisition of the Pharma Solutions and specific product lines
from the Nourish segment of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF).
ii.The acquisition involves Roquette purchasing equity interest in IFF entities holding the target
businesses.
iii.Roquette operates in India through subsidiaries in Mumbai (Maharashtra) based companies namely
Crest Cellulose Private Limited, Roquette India Private Limited, while IFF’s target business is present
through New Delhi (Delhi) based Danisco Nutrition and Biosciences India Private Limited.
CCI Approves Acquisition of 12.44% Stake in Advanta Enterprises by Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP:
i.The CCI approved Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP’s acquisition of a 12.44% stake in Advanta Enterprises
Limited.
ii.Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP focuses on investing in sectors like Financial Technology (FinTech), Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and life sciences, while Advanta specializes in seed technology, promoting climate-smart
and high-nutrition crops.
CCI Approves Acquisition of 100% Shareholding in KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited by
JSWEL
i.The CCI approved JSW Energy Limited’s(JSWEL) acquisition of 100% shareholding in KSK Mahanadi
Power Company Limited for nearly Rs. 16,000 crore.
• JSW Thermal Energy One Limited (JSW Thermal) is a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of
JSWEL, incorporated in October 2024 for the purposes of facilitating the Proposed Transaction.
ii.This approval follows the Resolution Plan (RP) submitted by JSW Energy, which was approved by the
National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Hyderabad.

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ii.The acquisition strengthens JSW Energy’s power generation portfolio, adding a 3,600-megawatt (MW)
thermal power plant located in Janjgir-Champa District, Chhattisgarh.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
It is a statutory body constituted under Competition Act, 2002.
Chairperson- Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2003

JFSL buys out SBI’s stake in JPBL for Rs 104.5 Crore

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), the fintech arm of
Reliance Group, announced the acquisition of remaining 17.8% stake in Jio Payments Bank Limited (JPBL)
from the State Bank of India (SBI) for Rs 104.5 crore.
• The acquisition is subject to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval and is expected to be
completed within 45 days post receipt of RBI approval.
i.After the acquisition, JPBL will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. JPBL was established
as a Joint Venture (JV) between JFSL and SBI.
ii.JFSL will acquire about 79 million equity shares of Jio Payments Bank for Rs 13.22 each from SBI.

CCI approvals on March 11 2025

On March 11, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following proposals:
• New Delhi (Delhi) based ONGC NTPC Green Private Limited (ONGPL) acquired 100% equity share
capital of Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited.
• The Netherlands based Asset Management Group (AMG) Green Power BV’s acquired a stake in
Hyderabad (Telangana) based Greenko Energy Holdings (GEH) from Japan based ORIX
Corporation, a Japanese diversified financial services
group.
CCI Approves ONGC-NTPC Green’s 100% Acquisition of Ayana
Renewable Power
i.The CCI has approved ONGC NTPC Green Private Limited (ONGPL)
to acquire 100% equity share capital of Ayana Renewable Power
Private Limited for Rs. 19,500 crores (USD 2.3 billion).
ii.ONGPL is a 50:50 joint venture between New Delhi (Delhi) based
ONGC Green (OGL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil and Natural
Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and New Delhi (Delhi) based NTPC
Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of National Thermal
Power Corporation (NTPC).
iii. Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited, a leading Renewable
Energy (RE) platform holds 4.1 GigaWatt (GW) of assets in solar,
wind, and hybrid projects. With 3 GW under development, the
company has firm power purchase agreements for its assets.
iv.OGL and NGEL’s parent companies, ONGC and NTPC, aim to contribute to India’s renewable transition,
targeting 60 GW of RE capacity by 2032.
Note: This is the second biggest deal in the RE space. In 2021, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) acquired SB
Energy India from SoftBank Group Corp. (SBG) and Bharti Group in an all-cash deal worth USD 3.5 billion.
CCI Approves AMG Green Power BV’s acquisition of a stake in GEH
i.The CCI has approved AMG Green Power BV’s acquisition of a stake in Greenko Energy
Holdings (GEH) from ORIX Corporation, a Japanese diversified financial services group.

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ii.Additionally, the CCI has approved ORIX’s subscription to convertible notes issued by AM Green
(Luxembourg) S.À.R.L., a Société à Responsabilité Limitée.
iii.This transaction is part of ORIX’s strategy to divest its stake in GEH and reinvest in AMG Lux, aiming to focus
on next-generation energy sectors, including green molecules, as part of global decarbonization efforts.
iv.ORIX Corporation offers corporate financial services, maintenance leasing, real estate, private equity
investments, life insurance, banking and credit, asset management, and environmental and energy services,
including power generation.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
It is a statutory body constituted under Competition Act, 2002.
Chairperson- Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2003

Patanjali & DS Group Acquire Magma Insurance; Temasek to Invest in Haldiram Snacks
In March 2025, Baba Ramdev-owned Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) based in Haridwar, Uttrakhand
along with Dharampal Satyapal Group Limited (DS Group), based in Noida , Uttar Pradesh (UP) has
secured a majority stake in Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited headquartered at Mumbai,
Maharashtra, in a deal valuing the company at Rs 4,500 crore.
• The agreement involves the transfer of equity shares from existing shareholders, including
Sanoti Properties LLP, Celica Developers, and Jaguar Advisory Services. With this transaction,
Patanjali and DS Group will hold a 98% stake.
• This acquisition marks Patanjali’s expansion into the insurance sector, moving beyond its
traditional focus on ayurvedic products and consumer goods into financial services.
Key Points:
i.Magma General Insurance is a subsidiary of Adar Poonawalla-owned Sanoti Properties LLP (Limited
Liability Partnership). Sanoti Properties is a joint venture (JV) between Adar Poonawalla and Rising Sun
Holdings Private Limited.
ii.The DS Group, established in 1929, is a prominent Indian conglomerate with a diversified presence
across multiple sectors.
Temasek to Acquire 10% Stake in Haldiram Snacks:
Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, an investment firm, based in Singapore has signed an agreement
to acquire a 10% stake in Noida based Haldiram Snacks Food Private Limited(Haldiram’s) (HSFPL) for
over Rs.8,000 crore (around USD 1 billion).
• This deal became the largest deal in India’s packaged consumer goods sector.
• This strategic partnership between Temasek and Haldiram’s is expected to bolster HSFPL’s
growth and expansion, leveraging Temasek’s extensive investment expertise and network.
Background:
i.In 2024, three investment groups had submitted binding offers for a 10-15% stake in Haldiram’s,
including a Blackstone-led consortium (with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC Singapore), the
Temasek-Bain Capital combine (which later dissolved), and Alpha Wave Global.
ii.Bain Capital later withdrew as it was unwilling to meet Haldiram’s valuation of USD 10-11 billion,
instead offering USD 8.8-9.4 billion.
Note: As per Euromonitor International Limited, Haldiram holds a dominant position in India’s savory
snacks market, nearly 13% of the USD6.2 billion industry.
About Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL):
Chairperson– Acharya Balkrishna
Headquarter– Haridwar, Uttrakhand
Founded– 2006

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CCI Approvals on March 17, 2025

On March 17 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following proposals:
i.Acquisition of London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based global mining company, Anglo American
plc’s steel-making coal portfolio in Australia by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd. and Peabody SMC Pty Ltd.
ii.Acquisition of 100% shareholding each of O2 Power Midco Holdings Pte. Ltd. and O2 Energy SG Pte. Ltd
by JSW Neo Energy Limited which is100% owned subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited (JEL) which belongs to
the JSW Group.
iii.Acquisition of a shareholding Aurangabad (Maharashtra)-based
Dhoot Transmission Private Limited (DTPL) by BC Asia
Investments XV Limited and BC Asia Investments XVI Limited.
iv.Acquisition of Jaipur (Rajasthan)-based Uprising Science Private
Limited, by Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Hindustan Unilever
Limited (HUL), a leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
company.
v.Tata Sons proposal to acquire additional 10% stake in Direct-to-
Home (DTH) provider Tata Play from Baytree Investments
(Mauritius) Pte Limited.
CCI Approved Acquisition of Anglo American’s Australia Coal
Assets by Peabody
The CCI has approved the acquisition of London (the United
Kingdom, UK)-based global mining company, Anglo American
plc’s (Anglo) steel-making coal portfolio in Australia (Target
Business) by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd. (Peabody MNC) and Peabody
SMC Pty Ltd. (Peabody SMC).
• Both these acquirers are special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) formed for this acquisition and owned
by the United States of America(USA) based Peabody Energy Corporation (Peabody).
Key Points:
i.The deal includes the transfer of key assets and businesses from Anglo American’s Australian operations,
strengthening Peabody’s position in the high-demand metallurgical coal market.
ii.This strategic acquisition marks a significant expansion for Peabody Group, an international producer
and supplier of metallurgical and thermal coal.
CCI Approved 100% Acquisition of O2 Power Entities by JSW Neo Energy Limited
The CCI has approved acquisition of 100% shareholding each of O2 Power Midco Holdings
Pte. Ltd. (O2 Midco) and O2 Energy SG Pte. Ltd (O2 Energy) by JSW Neo Energy Limited (JSW
Neo), 100% owned subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited (JEL) which belongs to the JSW Group.
• The deal, which grants JSW Neo full ownership of the O2 Power entities, is set to bolster the
company’s Renewable Energy (RE) portfolio, particularly in wind and solar power generation.
• The move aligns with JSW Energy’s ambitious goal of achieving 20GW of generation capacity by
2030.
Key Points:
i.In December 2024, JSW Neo Energy announced that it will acquire 4,696 MegaWatt (MW) Renewable
Energy (RE) platform from O2 Power Pooling Pte Limited, which includes the acquisition of O2Midco and
O2 Energy, worth Rs 12,468 crore.
ii.Of the total RE capacity of 4,696 Mega Watt(MW), 2,259 MW will be operational by June 2025; 1,463 MW
is currently under construction and an additional 974 MW will start by June 2027.
CCI Approved Acquisition of Shareholding in DTPL by Bain Capital’s Subsidiaries
The CCI has approved the acquisition of a shareholding of Aurangabad (Maharashtra)-based Dhoot
Transmission Private Limited (DTPL) (Target company) which is engaged in the manufacturing and sale
of auto-components in the electrical and electronics category (E & E category) such as, wiring harness,
automotive switches, electronic sensors, among others by BC Asia Investments XV Limited and BC Asia
Investments XVI Limited(which are collectively referred as Acquirers).
• Both these acquirer companies are indirectly owned and controlled funds managed by Boston
(Massachusetts, USA)-based Bain Capital Partners LLC, a leading private equity firm.

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CCI Approved Acquisition of Uprising Science Private Limited by Hindustan Unilever Limited
The CCI has approved the acquisition of Jaipur (Rajasthan)-based Uprising Science Private
Limited, which is primarily engaged in the manufacturing and sale of beauty and personal care products,
among other under its parent company name ‘Minimalist’ by Mumbai based Hindustan Unilever
Limited (HUL), a leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company which owns over 50 brands,
including Lakme, Lux, Knorr, among others.
• As per the proposed transaction, HUL (Acquirer) will buy 90.5% stakes of Uprising Science
Private Limited (Target) and will acquire the remaining 9.5% stakes of the target company in
about 2 years from the completion date.
Key points:
i.In January 2025, HUL signed and executed a share purchase and subscription agreement for the
acquisition of 90.5% shareholding of target company, including secondary buyout for a cash consideration
of Rs 2,670 crore at a pre-money valuation of Rs 2,955 crore.
ii.Also, the acquirer company will make a primary investment of Rs 45 crore with an eventual acquisition
of the remaining 9.5% of Uprising’s shareholding.
CCI Approved Tata Son’s Proposal for Acquisition of Additional 10% Stake in Tata Play
from Temasek
The CCI has approved Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based investment holding company of the Tata Group, Tata
Sons Private Limited’s (Tata Sons) proposal to acquire additional 10% stake in Mumbai -based Direct-to-
Home (DTH) provider Tata Play Limited (Tata Play) from Singapore-based wealth fund Temasek Holdings
Private Limited which is owned by Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Limited.
• Tata Sons (Acquirer) is registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) and classified as a ‘Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Core Investment
Company’.
• This move has increased Tata Sons’ stake in the entertainment content distribution platform
to 70%. Tata Sons acquired the shares for around USD 100 million, giving Tata Play a valuation
of USD1 billion, while Walt Disney retains the remaining 30% ownership.
Recent Related News:
In January 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has
approved the acquisition of 100% shareholding of Gurugram
(Haryana)-based Del Monte Foods Private
Limited (DMFPL), primarily engaged in manufacture and sale of
packaged foods by Gurugram (Haryana)-based Agro Tech Foods
Limited (ATFL), a publicly listed company engaged in the business
of manufacturing, marketing and selling of broad range of food
products and edible oils, worth Rs 1,300 crore.

Bajaj Finserv to Acquire Allianz SE’s 26% Stake in Insurance

JVs for Rs 24,180 Cr
In March 2025, Pune (Maharashtra)-based Bajaj Finserv Limited
(BFS), India’s most diversified Non-Banking Finance Company
(NBFC) will acquire Munich (Germany)-based Allianz SE’s 26%
stake in their Indian non-life and life insurance Joint Ventures (JVs)
for Rs 24,180 crore.
• The agreed consideration for acquiring a 26% stake in Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company
Limited (BAGIC) and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited(BALIC) is Rs 13,780 crore
and Rs 10,400 crore, respectively.
i.Post-acquisition, BFS will hold 75.01% in both ventures and the promoter entities will hold 24.99% and
this acquisition will increase Bajaj Group’s ownership in the JVs to 100%.
ii.The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, under the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), BFS will
directly acquire approximately 1.01% of each company, Bajaj Holdings & Investment will acquire

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approximately 19.95%, and Jamnalal Sons (promoter entities) will acquire approximately 5.04%.
iii.Once the acquisition is completed, Allianz will no longer be a promoter of these JVs. The JV agreements
between Allianz SE and BFS will be terminated, ending a 24-year partnership between Bajaj and Allianz.

IIHL Completes Acquisition of RCAP for Rs.9,650 Crore

In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL) has
successfully acquired the debt-ridden of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reliance Capital
Limited (RCAP). The acquisition was completed by transferring the bid amount of Rs.9,650 crore to
lenders under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The business value is estimated to be
approximately Rs.20,000 crore, based on conservative assessments.
• IIHL has secured the necessary regulatory approvals from the RBI, the Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and relevant stock exchanges.
i.Through this acquisition, IIHL aims to expand its presence in India’s Banking, Financial Services, and
Insurance (BFSI) sector, focusing on long-term value creation.
ii.The acquisition process followed IIHL’s successful bid in April 2023, under the Corporate Insolvency
Resolution Process (CIRP) initiated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) due to financial irregularities within
the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.

Bain Capital to Acquire 18% Stake in Manappuram Finance for Rs 4,385 Crore
In March 2025, Boston, Massachusetts(the United States of America (USA)-based global private investment
firm, Bain Capital,LP announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire joint control in
Thrissur (Kerala)-based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Manapurram Finance Limited(MFL),
which is also India’s 2nd largest gold loan company.
• As per the deal, Bain Capital (Acquirer) will acquire 18% stake on a fully diluted basis through
preferential allotment of equity worth Rs 4,385 crore and warrants at Rs 236 per share.
i.The acquirer will buy the above stake through its affiliates BC Asia Investments XXV Limited and BC Asia
Investments XIV Limited (Bain Capital) in partnership with existing promoters, who will remain fully
invested.
ii.The transaction will make it mandatory to open offer for the purchase of an additional 26% stake in the
company on an expanded capital basis (excluding warrants), at the price of Rs 236 per share.
• Following the completion of acquisition, existing promoters will hold 28.9% while, Bain Capital
will hold up to 41.7% stake in the company.

CCI Approvals on March 25, 2025

On March 25 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following proposals:
i.Acquisition of Athaang Devanahalli Tollway Private Limited (ADTPL), Athanng Jammu Udhampur
Highway Private Limited (AJUHPL) and Quazigund Expressway Private Limited (QEPL) by Cube Highways
Trust (Cube Trust) and Cube Highways and Infrastructure V Pte. Ltd. (Cube V).
ii.Proposed combination which involves inter-alia, Maple Infrastructure Trust (MIT); CDPQ
Infrastructures Asia III Inc. (CPDQ Asia); Maple Highways Pte Ltd; 360 ONE Private Equity Fund; and
certain road assets of Ashoka Buildcon Group.
iii.Acquisition of 100% equity shareholding in 11 road SPVs from Ashoka Group by Epic Concesiones 2
Private Limited (ECP2PL).
CCI Approved Cube’s Acquisition of ADTPL, AJUHPL and QEPL
CCI has approved proposal of Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP)-based Cube Highways Trust (Cube Trust) and
Singapore-based Cube Highways and Infrastructure V Pte. Ltd. (Cube V) to acquire Pujanahalli(Karnataka)
based Athaang Devanahalli Tollway Private Limited (ADTPL), New Delhi(Delhi) based Athanng Jammu

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Udhampur Highway Private Limited (AJUHPL) and Nizamabad(Telangana) based Quazigund Expressway
Private Limited (QEPL).
• ADTPL, AJUHPL and QEPL are targets in this arrangement, which have been incorporated in
India as a Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and works primarily in the business of operating
(through governmental concessions) roads and highways in India.
i.As per the proposed arrangement, Cube V (Acquirer), which is a registered as a Foreign Portfolio
Investor (FPI) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and acquires, operates and managed
road assets in India, will acquire 100% stake of ADTPL.
ii.While, Cube Trust (Acquirer), is an infrastructure investment trust (InvIt) registered with SEBI under the
SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, will acquire 100% stake of
both AJUHPL and QEPL.
CCI Approved Proposed Combination Involving inter-alia, MIT; CPDQ Asia; Maple
Highways Pte Ltd; 360 ONE Private Equity Fund & Certain Road Assets of Ashoka Buildcon Group
CCI has approved a proposed combination which involves inter-alia, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Maple
Infrastructure Trust (MIT), a private trust settled under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; CDPQ Infrastructures
Asia III Inc. (CPDQ Asia), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebec City (Canada)-based global investment
group Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec (CDPQ) ; Singapore based Maple Highways Pte Ltd; 360
ONE Private Equity Fund, registered with the SEBI as ‘Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF)’ and
certain road assets of Ashoka Buildcon Group.
i.As per the proposed combination arrangement, the acquisition will be done by MIT, registered as
InvIT under SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
ii.MIT acts through Maple Infra Invit Investment Manager Private
Limited (Maple IM) of Ashoka Dhankuni Kharagpur Tollway
Limited (ADKTL); Ashoka Sambalpur Baragarh Tollway
Limited (ASBTL); and Ashoka Highways (Durg)
Limited (AHDL) (Proposed SPV Acquisitions) and certain inter-
connected transactions.
• All these above mentioned SPVs are engaged by New
Delhi based National Highway Authority of India
(NHAI) to provide infrastructure concession services.
CCI Approved Epic Concesiones’ for 100% Acquisition of 11
Road Projects from Ashoka Group
CCI has approved Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Epic Concesiones
2 Private Limited’s (ECP2PL) proposal for acquisition
of 100% equity shareholding in 11 road SPVs (Target SPVs)
owned by both Nashik (Maharashtra)-based Ashoka Concessions Limited (ACL) and Ashoka Buildcon
Limited (ABL) (Proposed Equity Transaction).
• These 11 road SPVs have been incorporated in India and are engaged in the business of
operating (through governmental concessions) roads and highways in India.
i.As per the proposed arrangement, EC2PL which is a private limited company engaged in owning and
operating infrastructure projects and owned by Infrastructure Yield Plus II (IYP II) & Infrastructure Yield
Plus IIA (IYP IIA ) collectively known as IYP.
ii.Both IYP II and IYP IIA are schemes of the Infrastructure Yield Trust, established under the Indian Trusts
Act, 1882 and registered with SEBI as ‘Category-I AIF’ under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds)
Regulations, 2012.

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Recent Related News:

In January 2025, CCI approved the proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding of Cyprus-based
investment holding company of Advent International Group, AI Lenarco Midco Ltd. by Singapore-
based Majesty II Pte. Ltd., a newly incorporated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and an investment holding
company of the PAG group.

Authum Investment to Acquire SIDBI’s ARC Arm for Rs.260 Crore

In March 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Authum
Investment & Infrastructure Ltd, has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to acquire
a 79.28% stake in India SME Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (ISARC), an Asset Reconstruction
Company(ARC) sponsored by the Lucknow, UttarPradesh (UP) based Small Industries Development Bank
of India (SIDBI) for Rs.260 crore.
• Authum Investment will acquire 56.52% of ISARC through a fresh issuance of 13 crore shares,
involving an infusion of Rs 170 crore. Additionally, it will purchase another 22.75% stake from
existing shareholders.
i.The completion of this transaction, ISARC will become a subsidiary of Authum Investment. The RBI has
also granted approval for Authum Investment to nominate two directors to ISARC’s board.
ii.The deal takes place amid a turbulent phase for the Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) sector, with
multiple firms exiting the market.
• Notable departures include Blackstone-backed International Asset Reconstruction Company.
and Aditya Birla Asset Reconstruction Co. Additionally, Arcion Revitalization (supported by
Apollo Global and ICICI Bank) and Lonestar India have also shut down operations.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China Launched Two Satellites Featuring Highest Spatial Resolution
In February 2025, China successfully launched two new satellites named ‘Siwei Gaojing-1
03’ and ‘Siwei Gaojing-1 04’ through Long March-2C carrier rocket into sun-synchronous orbit about
500 kilometers (km) above the land. The rocket was lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in
Northwest China, China.
• The two satellites consist of high-resolution optical imagers and will be used to collect data for
the management of natural resources, city construction planning, and other commercial
operations.
• The launch of these satellites marks the 561th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket
series.
Key Points:
i.Both these newly launched satellites are operated by Beijing (China)-based China Siwei Surveying and
Mapping Technology Co., Limited (China Siwei), which works under China Aerospace Science and
Technology Corporation (CASC).
ii.The satellites are part of the ‘China Siwei New Generation Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite System’.
• It is also known as SuperView constellation, currently, comprises of 9 satellites into the orbit,
including: 4 Neo-1 optical satellites; 4 Neo-2 SAR satellites and 1 Neo-3 ultra-large width
satellite.
• At present, all these SuperView satellites have been placed into near-polar orbits with height of
around 500 kms.

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iii.These satellites were developed by Shanghai (China)-based Shanghai Academy of Space Technology
(SAST), a major subsidiary of space operations of CASC.
About Long March 2-C:
i.It is a 2-stage launch vehicle powered with storable propellants. It is a part of Long March 2 rocket series.
ii.It was developed by CASC’s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) based in Fengtai
district, Beijing (China).
iii.It is 43 meter (m) long and 3.35 m wide launch vehicle, having a lift-off mass of 242.5 metric tons (MT).
Recent Related News:
In January 2025, China successfully launched ‘Shijian-25’ satellite into Geo-stationary Transfer Orbit
(GTO) aboard Long March 3B rocket, which was lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in
Southwest China.
• It was developed by SAST, to conduct tests related to developing technologies for in-orbit
refueling and extending the operational lifespan of satellites.
About China:
President- Xi Jinping
Capital- Beijing
Currency- Renminbi(CNY)

Indian-origin Tushar Mehta joins Blue Origin crew on 10th space tourism mission
In February 2025, Indian-origin Tushar Mehta was among the six crew members to be included in
the 10th space tourism mission of billionaire Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin Enterprises,
L.P, Washington(USA).
• Tushar Mehta is a partner and the co-head of research at a quantitative hedge fund in New
York, United States of America (USA).
• He has become the second Indian-origin person after Gopi Thotakura to take a Blue Origin flight
of NS-25 Mission.
i.The suborbital New Shepard(NS) vehicle of Blue Origin was launched from the West Texas facility
on 25th February 2025.
ii.The flight was titled NS-30 by Blue Origin, as it was the New Shephard’s 30th overall flight.
• Its six crew members, including Lane Bess, Jesús Calleja, Elaine Chia Hyde, Dr. Richard Scott,
Tushar Shah, and an undisclosed sixth crew member.
• The NS-30 mission was Lane Bess’ second flight with Blue Origin.
iii.This mission was also called Perfect 10 as it was the 10th flight of the vehicle’s crewed mission.

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Lander Landed on the Moon

On 2 March 2025, Texas (United States of America, USA) based Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its
uncrewed Blue Ghost lander on the lunar surface in an upright, stable posture on the company’s first
attempt.
• Blue Ghost Mission 1, also known as Ghost Riders in the Sky, is the first commercial firm to
accomplish a successful soft-landing on the Moon and sets the standard for future exploration
across cislunar space as part of Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Background:
Blue Ghost Mission 1 was launched on January 15,2025. It spent around 45 days travelling to the Moon,
conducting system health checks and initiating scientific operations
About Blue Ghost lander:
i.The Blue Ghost lander, standing about 2 meters(m) tall, touched down on the Moon’s near side

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near Mons Latreille, an ancient volcanic feature within Mare Crisium, a vast lunar basin.
ii.Blue Ghost carries 10 payloads for NASA’s CLPS program under a USD 101.5 million contract.
• Among them are instruments to measure subsurface heat flow, the structure and composition of
the moon’s interior, and the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetic field.
• Other payloads will study how the lunar regolith interacts with the materials, test a radiation-
tolerant computer and an electrodynamic dust shield.
iii.The lander transmitted its first photograph approximately 40 minutes after landing. The image
displayed craters, the lunar surface, and a portion of the lander.
iv.The mission will run in lunar daylight for 14 Earth days. It includes technology demos and ten scientific
devices. These consist of a telescope, a soil vacuum, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) test.

v.The manned Artemis program is part of the same initiative. Blue Ghost is also scheduled to capture
images of a total solar eclipse on 14 March 2025, when the Earth passes between the moon and the sun.
Points to Note:
i.Firefly became the second private company to achieve a soft Moon landing, following Houston-based
Intuitive Machines, whose Odysseus lander made an uneven but successful touchdown in 2024.
ii.As of February 2025, Only Russia, the United States of America(USA), China, India, and Japan have
successfully made lunar landings.
About Firefly Aerospace:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Jason Kim
Headquarters – Texas, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 2017

NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Return to Earth After 9 Months in
On March 19, 2025, Indian-American astronaut Sunita Lyn Williams and an American astronaut Barry
Butch E. Wilmore from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully returned to
the Earth after spending an extended period (9months) aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• As part of NASA’s Crew-9 rotation mission, the 4-person crew, along with American
Astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, concluded their journey
with a safe splashdown off the coast of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, the United States of
America (USA).
• Their return was facilitated by the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, following the arrival of Crew-
10, which was launched on March 14, 2025, to relieve Crew-9.
Mission Background:
i.ISS was initially launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, as part of its
first crewed test flight with Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The mission was intended to last
just eight days.
ii.However, technical issues with the Starliner, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, led to an
extended stay of 286 days aboard the ISS.
Note: ISS, located 254 miles (409 kilometers, km) above Earth, has hosted astronauts from around the
world for nearly 25 years now.
About SpaceX Crew Dragon:
i.The SpaceX Crew Dragon is a spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from Earth orbit,
including missions to the ISS.
ii.It is capable of carrying up to 7 passengers and is the first private spacecraft to take humans to the space
station.
iii.The Crew Dragon capsule, named “Freedom,” autonomously undocked from the ISS on March 18, 2025.

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Post-Landing Procedures:
i.Following their return, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore underwent standard medical evaluations to
assess the effects of prolonged microgravity exposure.
ii.They will participate in a 45-day rehabilitation program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston,
Texas, the USA to aid their adjustment back to Earth’s gravity.
About Sunita Lyn Williams:
i.Sunita Williams, a distinguished NASA astronaut and a retired USA Navy Captain was selected by NASA
in 1998.
ii.She has completed 3 space missions; Expeditions 14/15, 32/33, and 71/72 accumulating a total of 608
days in space. During Expedition 14, she set a then-record for female spacewalks, totaling 29 hours and 17
minutes.
iii.Expedition 14/15 (2006–2007): Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (SSD) on December 9,
2006, she served as Flight Engineer on the ISS.
• She conducted 4 spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes and returned to Earth on June
22, 2007, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
iv.Expedition 32/33 (2012): Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14, 2012,
along with Russian cosmonauts Yuri Malenchenko and Akihiko Hoshide, arrived at the ISS on July 17, 2012.
• During this mission, she served as Flight Engineer and later as ISS Commande.She spent a total
of 127 days in space, conducting various research and maintenance tasks.
v.Expedition 71/72 (2024–2025): Originally planned as an 8-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner
starting June 5, 2024, technical issues extended her stay on the ISS, culminating in a 286-day mission,
returning March 19, 2025.
vi.She sets the record for the most total time spent by a woman performing ExtraVehicular Activities
(EVAs) totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk time, the most by any female astronaut and fourth
on NASA’s all-time list.
• She has accumulated a total of 608 days and 20 minutes in space across 3 missions, the 2nd
most for any USA astronaut after Peggy Whitson’s 675 days.
Awards and Honors of Sunita Williams:
i.Defence Superior Service Medal (2) and Legion of Merit (1) awarded twice for her exceptional
meritorious service in positions of responsibility.
ii.Navy Commendation Medal (2) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal: Recognizes her
significant contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps.
iii.NASA Spaceflight Medal: Given for her contributions to human spaceflight missions.
iv.Medal “For Merit in Space Exploration”: Conferred by the Government of Russia in 2011 for her
contributions to space exploration.
v.Padma Bhushan: India’s 3rd-highest civilian award, presented to her in 2008 in the field of others, for
her distinguished service in space exploration.
vi.Golden Order for Merits: Presented by the Government of Slovenia in 2013 for her contributions to
science and technology.
About Barry Butch Wilmore:
i.Barry E. Wilmore, a retired USA Navy Captain, joined NASA in 2000 and has completed 3 spaceflights,
accumulating 464 days in space.
ii.He served as Flight Engineer during Expedition 41 and Commander of Expedition 42, logging 167 days
aboard the ISS. His spacewalks total 31 hours and 60 minutes.
He was also a pilot for Space Shuttle Atlantis mission (STS-129), traveling 4.5 million miles in 171 orbits.
iii.He received numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and
NASA Space Flight Medals.

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iv.His extensive military career includes more than 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings.
Points to Note:
i.Astronaut Frank Rubio (the USA) holds the record for NASA’s longest space mission, spending more than
a year (371 days) on the ISS.
ii.The Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, holds the world record for the longest single spaceflight in
history, spending 437 days, 17 hours, and 38 minutes aboard the Mir space station.
iii.Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko surpassed his compatriot Gennady Padalka’s record for most
cumulative time in space, spending more than 878 days and 12 hours in space.

NASA & Nokia Launch the First Mobile Network on Moon

In February 2025, Washington, D.C., (United States of America, USA) based National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) and Espoo (Finland) based Nokia are set to use the first mobile network on
the Moon as part of the Intuitive Machines’ (IM)-2 mission.
• The project is part of NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the lunar surface
by 2027.
i.As part of the IM-2 mission, the Athena lander will launch to deploy Nokia’s Lunar Surface
Communication System (LSCS), which will use Earth-based cellular technology to establish connectivity on
the Moon.
ii.The network is based on 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, ensuring reliable and high-speed
connectivity for future lunar missions.
iii.This mobile network will support communication between astronauts, lunar vehicles, and mission
control. It aims to enhance real-time data transmission, video calls, and remote operations on the Moon.

DRDO Unveils BM-04 SRBM to Enhance India’s Defense Capabilities

In March 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled a full-scale model
of its new Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), the BM-04, at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defence exhibition
in Hyderabad (Telangana). The missile is designed to strengthen India’s defence capabilities with
advanced technologies.
About BM-04 SRBM:
i.The BM-04 missile is a canister-launched SRBM with a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system.
ii.It has a range of 400-1,500 kilometers (km) and a conventional warhead weighing 500 kilograms (kg).
iii.The missile uses satellite-assisted (Global Positioning System (GPS) and Indian Regional Navigation
Satellite System (IRNSS)) inertial navigation for accurate targeting, boasting a Circular Error Probability
(CEP) of less than 30 meters (m).
iv.It has a length of 10.2 m and a diameter of 1.2 m, and the missile weighs 11,500 kg.
v.It is specifically designed to neutralize enemy anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. This places

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India among an exclusive group of nations—Russia, the United States, and China—that have developed
hypersonic missile technology.
Design and Launch System:
i.The BM-04 missile’s design incorporates a boost-glide vehicle concept with a two-stage propulsion
system. which enables hypersonic flight at speeds of Mach 5 and beyond.
ii.The re-entry vehicle (RV) is mounted atop the first-stage booster.
• The RV has a conical shape with four fixed wings at mid-body and delta control tailfins. The
missile is launched from a six-axle Tatra land-based Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL).
Comparison with Agni-I:
i.The BM-04 resembles DRDO’s Agni-I SRBM, which has a range of 1,200 km and a 2,000 kg payload.
ii.However, the BM-04 has a two-stage propulsion system and a smaller conventional payload.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
DRDO is India’s leading agency under the Department of Defence (DoD), Research and Development
(R&D), operating under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI).
Chairman – Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 1958

Europe’s Ariane 6 Successfully Launches French Spy Satellite

In March 2025, Arianespace SA has successfully launched the CSO(Optical Space Component )-3
reconnaissance satellite for the French Armed Forces aboard the Europe’s next-generation heavy-lift
rocket Ariane 6 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, France. This mission marks
Europe’s first successful commercial launch, marking an important milestone in European space
exploration.
• The Ariane 6 upper stage safely re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled way, fixing issues
seen during its test flight in July 2024.
• Ariane 6 is built by Paris(France) based ArianeGroup, co-owned by Airbus and Safran. Its high-
definition optical instrument was built by Franco-Italian Thales Alenia Space (TAS), controlled
by Thales and Leonardo.
Mission Details:
i.Ariane 6 flew in its Ariane 62 configuration, equipped with a core stage, two P120C boosters, and a
Vulcain 2.1 engine.
ii.The CSO-3 satellite, weighing 3,600 kilogram(kg), was placed into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at 800
kilometer(km) altitude (500 miles).
Ariane 6’s Key Features:
i.Modular Design: Available in Ariane 62 & 64 configurations, allowing flexibility for different mission
needs.
ii.Cost-Efficient: Designed to provide a competitive alternative to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in the global launch
market.
About Optical Space Component (CSO)
i.CSO stands for “Composante Spatiale Optique”, which translates to “Optical Space Component” in
English. It is the third and final satellite in France’s Optical Space Component (CSO) constellation,
providing high-resolution military surveillance.
• CSO-1 launched in 2018 and CSO-2 launched in 2020.
ii.It is France’s military reconnaissance satellite program, designed to provide high-resolution optical
imagery for defense and intelligence purposes.

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iii.Agencies Involved: French Defence Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) and French space
agency CNES(National Centre for Space Studies).

Foxconn Launches Its First Large Language Model, FoxBrain

On March 10, 2025, Taiwan-based Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer,
launched “FoxBrain,” Taiwan’s first large language model (LLM) designed to optimize manufacturing
processes and supply chain management.
• It is specifically tailored for Traditional Chinese and Taiwanese language styles, integrating
advanced reasoning capabilities.
• It marks a significant step in Foxconn’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its core
operations.
i.FoxBrain was developed using 120 of Nvidia’s H100 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and is built on the
architecture of Meta’s Llama 3.1.
ii.It encompasses a wide range of capabilities, including data analysis, decision support, document
collaboration, mathematics, reasoning and problem-solving, and code generation.
iii.Nvidia Corporation (United States of America, USA) supported the development of FoxBrain by
providing its Taiwan-based supercomputer, “Taipei-1,” and offering technical consulting throughout the
model’s training process.
• Taipei-1, the largest supercomputer in Taiwan, is owned and operated by Nvidia in Kaohsiung
City in southern Taiwan.
Note: Foxconn assembles iPhones for Apple and also manufactures Nvidia’s artificial intelligence servers.

NASA Launches SPHEREx and PUNCH Missions to Explore Universe’s Origins and Solar Wind
On March 11, 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched two missions Spectro-
Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) and
Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg
Space Force Base, California, the United States America (USA).
• The missions aim to study cosmic evolution and solar phenomena.
SPHEREx: Mapping Cosmic History and Life’s Ingredients:
SPHEREx is a space telescope managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California to
survey the entire sky in 102 wavelengths of infrared light, invisible to the human eye.
Key objectives include:
i.Create a three dimensional(3D) map of 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars to study cosmic inflation
and the universe’s rapid expansion post-Big Bang.
ii.Scan the entire sky four times in 102 infrared wavelengths to identify water, carbon dioxide (CO2), and
organic molecules in interstellar clouds.
iii.Collaborate with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to link broad sky surveys with detailed
observations.
Technical Details:
• Orbit: 404 miles (650 kilometres, km) above the Earth in a Sun-Synchronous Orbit(SSO), avoiding
sunlight interference.
• Duration: one-month calibration phase then Over two years for capturing 600 daily images
PUNCH: Tracking Solar Wind and Space Weather:
PUNCH, led by Texas(the USA) based Southwest Research Institute(SwRI), comprises four suitcase-sized
satellites to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) and solar wind.
• One satellite carries a coronagraph, the Narrow Field Imager developed by the U.S Naval Research
Laboratory, that images the Sun’s corona continuously. The other three carry SwRI-developed Wide

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Field Imagers, designed to view the very faint outermost portion of the solar corona and the solar
wind itself.
• Each spacecraft includes a camera, developed by the United Kingdom(UK) based RAL Space, to
collect three raw images, through three different polarizing filters, every 4 minutes. In addition, each
spacecraft will produce a clear unpolarized image every 8 minutes, for calibration purposes.
Key goals include:
i.Observing the transition of the corona into solar wind, which influences space weather affecting Earth’s
satellites and power grids.
ii.Tracking Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) to improve space weather forecasts.
iii.Operating during solar maximum (2025–2026), a period of heightened solar activity.
Technical Details:
• Instruments: Equipped with polarizing filters to create 3D maps of solar wind and corona.
• Orbit: Sun-synchronous, ensuring continuous solar observation.
• Collaboration: Complements NASA’s Parker Solar Probe by providing contextual data for close-up
solar studies.
• Duration: Two years after the 90-day commissioning period to synchronize its satellites as a single
instrument.
Mission Timelines and Outcomes:
SPHEREx: Begins its prime mission in April 2025, focusing on galaxy distribution and life-supporting
molecules.
PUNCH: Operational by July 2025, analyzing solar wind dynamics until 2027.
Expected Contributions:
SPHEREx: Insights into cosmic inflation and interstellar chemistry.
PUNCH: Enhanced space weather forecasting models.
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA):
Administrator – Janet Petro (Incumbent)
Founded – 1958
Headquarters – Washington, D.C., the United States of America (USA)

World’s First ‘Supersolid‘ Created from Light

An international team of scientists led by researchers at the Institute of Nanotechnology of the National
Research Council (CNR Nanotec) in Lecce, Italy has transformed light into a “Supersolid” for the 1st
time globally. A supersolid is a rare and counterintuitive phase of matter that uniquely combines the
rigidity of a crystal with the frictionless flow of a superfluid.
• The emergence of a supersolid phase of matter in a photonic crystal polariton condensate is
published in the ‘Nature’ journal (published on 5 March 2025).
• Unlike traditional atomic Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs), this research provides the first
experimental evidence of a supersolid phase in a driven-dissipative, non-equilibrium system.
• Researchers created the supersolid state by condensing polaritons in a bound-in-the-continuum
state within a photonic crystal waveguide.
• While supersolidity was predicted in the 1960s, its first experimental confirmation in 2017 was
in traditional ultracold atom systems, specifically using dipolar quantum gases.
Note: The research involved institutions like CNR National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), Italy, Princeton
University, the United States of America (USA), etc. with funding from several programs including the
National Quantum Science and Technology Institute (NQSTI), Italy, and the European Union (EU).

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ISRO successfully completes SpaDeX De-Docking, a key milestone for upcoming missions like
Chandrayaan - 4
In March 2025, the Bengaluru (Karnataka)- based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reached an
important milestone in space technology by successfully de-docking its Space Docking Experiment
(SpaDeX) satellites.
• This achievement makes India the fourth country, after China, Russia, and the United States of
America (USA), to demonstrate space docking technology.
• These technologies are critical for future missions such as Bharatiya Antariksha
Station, human spaceflight (Gaganyaan), and lunar sample return missions (Chandrayaan-4).
i.The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30, 2024, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV)-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
ii.The satellites, SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target), were designed and developed by the Bengaluru-
based U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with support from multiple ISRO centers.
iii.Weighing 220 kilograms (kg) each, the satellites were sent into orbit to test space docking capabilities.
They successfully docked on January 16, 2025, showcasing India’s growing expertise in orbital maneuvers.
iv.The de-docking process involved a series of carefully planned operations: the extension of SDX-02,
release of Capture Lever 3, final disengagement of the Capture Lever, and the issuance of decapture
commands to both satellites, resulting in a flawless separation.

ISRO Conducted Flight Acceptance Hot Test of Cryogenic Engine for LVM3-M6 Mission
In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully
conducted the flight acceptance hot testing of the indigenous cryogenic engine(CE20) identified for the 6th
operational mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle (LVM3-M6) at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in
Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu (TN).
• It is mandatory that cryogenic engines for every mission will undergo hot testing as part of
its acceptance for the flight.
Key Points:
i.In the latest test, the engine was fired for an maximum duration of 100 seconds for the 1st time under
non-vacuum conditions using Nozzle Protection System.
• This test method has significantly reduced the setup time and effort needed for flight
acceptance testing, thus faster delivery of cryogenic stages.
• Previously, these hot tests for the indigenous cryogenics were performed at the High-
Altitude Test (HAT) facility at IPRC, where vacuum conditions are simulated with complex
conditions, limiting the maximum time duration for hot test to 25 seconds.
ii.As per ISRO, the CE20 engine has achieved all test objectives/targets and will now be integrated into
Cryogenic Upper Stage of LVM3-M6 launch vehicle, which will be launched in the second half of 2025.
About LVM3:
i.It is previously known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk-III), a 3-stage mid-
lift launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 straps-ons and core stages comprising of L110
liquid stage.
ii.The height and diameter of the vehicle is 43.5 meter (m) and 4.0 m respectively, with lift-off mass of 640
tonnes.
iii.The vehicle has the capacity to launch heavier communication satellites that weigh up to 4,000 kilogram
(kg) in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
GoI Approved Chandrayaan-5 Mission: ISRO Chairman
In March 2025, V. Narayanan, chairman of ISRO announced that the Government of India (GoI) has
approved the ‘Chandrayaan-5/ Lunar Polar Exploration Mission(LuPEX)’ mission at an event held in
Chennai, TN. For this mission, GoI has collaborated with Japan.
• The mission will be launched as part of building capability towards achieving the target of
an Indian landing on Moon by 2040.
• He further announced that India will have its own space station, ‘Bharatiya Antriksh Station’
by 2035.

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About Chandrayaan-5:
i.The mission will feature a 350 kilogram (kg) rover, which marks a significant increase from the 25 kg
‘Pragyan’ rover used in the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
ii.It is being designed to show the higher capacity lander, which is a crucial element for future landing
missions, including human landings on the surface of the moon.
Background:
i.The Chandrayaan programme has played a pivotal role in India’s lunar exploration. Chandrayaan-1,
India’s 1st lunar mission was launched in 2008, mapped the lunar surface chemically, mineralogically and
photo-geologically.
ii.In 2019, ISRO launched Chandrayaan-2, which was 98% successful but faced setbacks during its final
stages.
iii.Chandrayaan-3 launched in 2023 which had successfully demonstrated India’s ability to achieve a soft
landing on the moon’s south pole.
iv.In 2024, the GoI approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission which will be launched in 2027. It aims to show
the capability of landing on the Moon and the safe return to earth, including technologies for sample
selection.
About Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO):
Chairman- V. Narayanan
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established– 1969

ISRO and SCL Develop 32-bit Microprocessors for Space Applications

In March 2025, the Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and
Chandigarh (Punjab) based Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) handed over the first production of two 32-
bit microprocessors,’VIKRAM3201’ and ‘KALPANA3201’, for space applications.
• These microprocessors were designed and developed by the Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) based
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of the ISRO in partnership with the SCL.
• It was handed over to Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary of the Department of Space (DOS) and Chairman
of ISRO, by S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in
New Delhi (Delhi).
About VIKRAM3201:
i.Development: VIKRAM3201 is India’s first fully “Make-in-India” 32-bit microprocessor, designed for
the extreme environmental conditions of launch vehicles.
• It was fabricated at SCL’s 180 nanometers (nm), Complementary Metal-Oxide-
Semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor facility.
• This processor is an advanced version of the VIKRAM1601, a 16-bit microprocessor that has been
used in ISRO’s launch vehicle avionics since 2009.
ii.Technical Features: Both the VIKRAM3201 and the VIKRAM1601 feature a custom Instruction Set
Architecture (ISA) with floating-point computation capability and support for the Ada programming
language.
• ISRO has also developed software tools such as compilers, assemblers, and an Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) in-house.
iii.This is the first of its kind in India and has enabled ‘Atmanirbharata’ in the area of high reliability
microprocessors and onboard computers for navigation, guidance & control of launch vehicles.
iv.The initial batch of VIKRAM3201 processors was successfully validated in space during the Mission
Management Computer of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-
4) in the PSLV-C60 mission.
KALPANA3201: SPARC V8 RISC Microprocessor:
i.Kalpana 3201 is a 32-bit microprocessor based on the SPARC V8 (Scalable Processor Architecture,
version 8) Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) microprocessor and is based on the IEEE 1754
Instruction Set Architecture.
ii.Designed for compatibility with open-source software toolsets, it has been tested with flight
software and is compatible with ISRO’s in-house developed simulators and IDE.

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Points to Note:
i.Along with the microprocessors, ISRO and SCL have developed additional devices to miniaturize launch
vehicle avionics, including 2 versions of Reconfigurable Data Acquisition Systems (RDAS), Relay Driver
Integrated Circuits, and Multi-Channel Low Drop-Out Regulator ICs.
ii.An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between SCL and VSSC for developing
miniaturized unsteady pressure sensors for aerodynamic research in wind tunnels.

GE Aerospace Delivers First F404-IN20 Engine to HAL for Tejas LCA-Mk1A Fighter Jet
On March 26, 2025, the United States of America (USA) based General Electric Company (GE Aerospace), a
leading engine manufacturer, announced the delivery of the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Bengaluru
(Karnataka)-based aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for the Tejas Light Combat
Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A fighter jet program.
• The engine will undergo final checks at GE’s Lynn plant (the USA) and is expected to arrive in
India by April 2025. HAL aims to receive 12 engines by the end of 2025.
• The partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL is a significant move in building a strong
homegrown defence industry, helping India become an important player in global defence
manufacturing.
About F404-IN20 engine:
i.The F404-IN20 engine is a tailored version of the F404 family, providing the highest thrust within the
series.
• These engines are customized for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with specific modifications such as
single-crystal turbine blades and a high-flow fan.
ii.The engine is designed with advanced features like high-flow fans, special turbine blades, and Full
Authority Digital Engine Control(FADEC) to meet the IAF’s power requirements.
iii.This engine provides a maximum thrust of 19,000 pound-force, lbf (85 kilo Newton, kN) with an
afterburner, making it the highest thrust variant in the F404 series.
GE Aerospace & HAL Collaboration:
i.In 2023, GE Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAL to explore joint
production of the F414 engines in India.
• With the procurement deal worth Rs 5,375 crore (approx. USD 650 million), India aims to
enhance its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign defence
imports.
ii.Initially, the delivery was set to begin in March 2023, but disruptions in the global supply chain led to a
two-year delay.
iii.The Tejas Mk1A programme is vital for strengthening India’s fighter jet fleet, with the IAF needing 35-
40 fighter jets annually to meet operational demands. HAL is set to complete the delivery of the current
order for 87 Tejas Mk1A jets by 2028.
General Electric Company (GE Aerospace):
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Henry Lawrence “Larry” Culp, Jr.
Headquarters – Evendale, Ohio, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1917

SpaceX Launched HEX20’s ‘Nila‘ Satellite into Space

In March 2025, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) based HEX20 India, a small satellite manufacturing startup,
achieved a significant milestone by launching its maiden satellite, ‘Nila,’ aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13
mission, a service offered by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, to provide dedicated rideshare opportunities
for small satellites.

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• The ‘Nila’ mission is designed to test and validate HEX20’s indigenously developed subsystems.
• The satellite is named after Kerala’s Nila River, highlighting its cultural importance.
About the Mission ‘Nila’:
i.The mission was supported by the Bopal (Ahmedabad) based Indian National Space Promotion and
Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO), which helped with testing and approved setting up a tracking station at Marian Engineering College
(Kerala).
ii.‘Nila’ was developed in just four months and launched with the support of Berlin (Germany) based
satellite deployer Exolaunch GmbH.
iii.The payload, weighing under 5 kilograms (kg), will include an in-orbit demonstration payload from the
German company Dcubed GmbH.
iv.HEX20 India established a ground station for satellite command and control at Marian College of
Engineering in Menamkulam, Thiruvananthapuram.
• It trains faculty members and students to operate this facility, which will receive data from ‘Nila’
and future missions.
Initiatives of HEX20:
i.HEX20 has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with academic institutions in Kerala,
including Government Engineering College Barton Hill, Marian College of Engineering, Mar Baselios
College of Engineering, and Trinity Engineering College.
ii.HEX20 is preparing to launch a 50 kg satellite using the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO)
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) by the end of 2026.
About HEX20 India:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Lloyd Jacob Lopez
Headquarters – Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Founded – 2020

ISRO Successfully Tests Semi-Cryogenic Engine and Electric Propulsion Thruster

In March 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a milestone by conducting a
successful Engine Power Head Test Article (PHTA) for its Liquid Oxygen (LOX)/Kerosene 200T thrust
semi-cryogenic engine at the Semi Cryo Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET) at ISRO Propulsion
Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu, TN).
• This successful test paves the way for enhancing Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), increasing its
payload capacity.
• Conducted by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), the test lasted 2.5 seconds and
validated critical subsystems like the pre-burner, turbo pumps, start system, and control
components.
Highlights:
i.Engine Details: The SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine uses non-toxic LOX/Kerosene propellants and will
replace the current L110 core stage of the LVM3.
ii.Payload Boost: Enhances LVM3’s Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) payload capacity
from 4 tonnes to 5 tonnes.
iii.Infrastructure: Supported by Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) based Semicryogenic Integrated Engine
Test Facility (SIET), played a crucial role in testing this advanced propulsion system.
ISRO Successfully Completes 1000-Hour Life Test of SPT for EPS
In March 2025, ISRO completed a 1,000-hour life test on the 300 millinewton (mN) Stationary Plasma
Thruster (SPT) for its Electric Propulsion System (EPS), designed to replace traditional chemical
propulsion in future satellites.

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• It achieved Specific Impulse (efficiency) 6 times higher than conventional systems, using Xenon
propellant.
Features:
i.The EPS is designed to reduce satellite mass, increasing transponder capacity for communication
satellites.
ii.The thruster, operating at 5.4 Kilowatt (kW) power, was tested in a vacuum chamber simulating space
conditions.
iii.The EPS will be tested on Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-01) of ISRO for orbit raising to
Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – V Narayanan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1969

DEFENCE
EXERCISE
IAF Conducted Exercise ‘Desert Hunt 2025’ in Rajasthan
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the integrated Tri-Service Special Forces exercise named Exercise
‘Desert Hunt 2025’ at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan from 24 to 28 February 2025.
• The exercise brought together elite Special Forces units from the Indian Army (IA), the Indian
Navy (IN), and the IAF to practice interoperability, coordination, and combat efficiency in
simulated real-world scenarios.
About Exercise Desert Hunt 2025:
i.During the exercise, Para (Special Forces) of IA, Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of IN,
and Garud (Special Forces) of IAF, participated together in a simulated
combat environment
ii.This high-intensity exercise was aimed to improve interoperability,
coordination, and synergy among the three Special Forces units to
respond quickly and effectively to emergent security challenges.
iii.The exercise comprised airborne insertion, precise strikes, hostage
rescue, counter-terrorism operations, combat free falls, and urban
warfare scenarios that assessed the combat readiness of the forces under realistic situations.
iv.Senior military officials supervised the exercise that validated joint doctrines. It also provided a platform
to encourage the commitment of IAF for strengthening national security through seamless inter-service
cooperation.
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister (CM) – Bhajan Lal Sharma
Governor – Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde
Capital – Jaipur
Bird Sanctuary – Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Sea Dragon 2025 Naval Exercise Commenced off the Guam Coast
The Sea Dragon 2025 naval exercise, a key multilateral maritime warfare drill, commenced off the Guam
coast in the western Pacific Ocean and will be held from March 4 to March 19, 2025. This high-intensity
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise is hosted by the United States(US) Navy’s 7th Fleet and involves

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the Indian Navy (IN), Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and
the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).
• The exercise aims to develop ASW techniques, resulting in increased defence preparation and
coordination among participating nations.
Background:
i.The exercise began in 2019 as a joint exercise between the US Navy and RAAF. Since 2019, the exercise
has been held annually.
ii.In 2020, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), the ROKN (South Korea), and the JMSDF participated in
the exercise.
iii.Four Quad members, India, Australia, Japan, and the United States of America(USA) as well as the Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the ROKN took part in the exercises in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
iv.The 2024 exercise became a Quad plus South Korean exercise when the RCAF was not invited.
About Exercise Sea Dragon 2025:
i.During the exercise, each participating country deploys its Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance
Aircraft (MPRA) to detect and track submarines, thereby improving collective maritime security
capabilities.
• The IN by deploying its advanced P-8I MPRA, manufactured by Boeing(USA).
ii.The exercise includes simulated ASW drills, tactical discussions, and practical submarine detection
training.
iii.Pilots and aircrew from each participating nation work together, exchanging strategies and
coordinating efforts to improve their skills in tracking and neutralizing submarines.
Aim of the Exercise:
• Improve tactical coordination among the participating navies.
• Strengthen ASW capabilities.
• Enhance maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Simulate the hunting of a US Navy submarine.
• Foster military cooperation among allied forces.
Dragon Belt award:
During the exercise, participating countries will receive grades based on their performance in several
events. The country which earned maximum points will be awarded the Dragon Belt award.
• The JMSDF has won the Dragon Belt award in 2024.

India-Kyrgyzstan Military Exercise ‘Khanjar-XII’ Commences in Kyrgyzstan

In March 2025, the 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise ‘Khanjar-XII’ commenced
in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.
• The exercise is scheduled from March 10 to 23, 2025.
• The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the Special
Forces of the Indian Army (IA) and the Kyrgyzstan Army.
Background:
i.Initiated in 2011, Exercise Khanjar has become an annual event, with venues alternating
between India and Kyrgyzstan.
ii.The 11th edition of the exercise took place at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal
Pradesh (HP), India, from January 22 to February 3, 2024.
About Exercise Khanjar-XII 2025:
i.Participating Forces: The IA contingent is represented by troops from the Parachute
Regiment (Special Forces), while the Kyrgyzstan Army contingent includes soldiers from the Kyrgyz
Scorpion Brigade.

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ii.Focus: The exercise aims to improve joint operational capabilities in urban warfare, counter-terrorism
tactics, and precision sniping under a United Nations (UN) mandate.
• It also emphasizes sharing best practices and experiences in Counter Terrorism (CT) and Special
Forces Operations across urban and high-altitude mountainous terrains.
iii.It highlights the commitment of both nations to addressing international terrorism and extremism while
fostering peace, stability, and security in the region.
iv.Activities: The exercise will focus on advanced Special Forces skills, including Sniping, Complex
building intervention, and Mountain craft.
• Additionally, the event will feature cultural exchanges, such as the celebration of the Kyrgyzstan
festival Nowruz, to strengthen bilateral ties.
About Kyrgyzstan:
President – Sadyr Nurgojo uulu Japarov
Capital – Bishkek
Currency – Kyrgystani Som (KGS)

Iran, Russia & China Conduct Joint Naval Drills ‘Maritime Security Belt 2025’ in Gulf of Oman
In March 2025, Iran, Russia, and China commenced the 7th Maritime Security Belt joint naval drills in
the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the 5th consecutive year of such exercises,
aimed at enhancing maritime security and military cooperation among the participating nations.
• The exercises occur amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly due to Iran’s expanding
nuclear program and threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting commercial ships.
i.China, Russia, and Iran have conducted joint naval exercises in this region annually since 2018, aiming to
strengthen military coordination in response to Western presence.
• Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab
Emirates(UAE) and Sri Lanka attend the 2025 Exercise as observers.
ii.The drills include maritime target strikes, damage control operations, and joint search and rescue
missions. Crews are also practicing daytime and nighttime firing using large-caliber machine
guns and small arms against simulated enemy drones and unmanned boats.

India & Bangladesh begin 6th ‘CORPAT’ & 4th ‘BONGOSAGAR’ Exercise in Bay of Bengal
On March 10, 2025, the 6th edition of the joint patrol ‘Coordinated Patrol’ (CORPAT) and the 4th bilateral
exercise ‘BONGOSAGAR’ were begin for the 6th time, under the supervision of Commander Flotilla West,
and was scheduled to conclude on March 12, 2025. These operations are taking place in the designated
areas along the Bangladesh and Indian maritime borders in the Bay of Bengal.
• The Bangladesh Navy (BN) is represented by the warship
Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Abu Ubaidah and a maritime
patrol aircraft, while the Indian Navy (IN) has deployed the
warship Indian Naval Ship (INS) Ranvir and a helicopter for the
patrol and exercise.
Key Points:
i.Joint Patrol: The joint patrol was initiated in 2018, to eliminate various
criminal activities, including illegal fishing, smuggling, human trafficking, piracy, and drug trafficking in the
designated maritime areas of both countries.
ii.Bilateral Exercise: The exercises facilitate the exchange of information related to maritime crimes,
effective data management, identification of vessels involved in illegal activities, and prevention of various
crimes.
iii.Additionally, they play a significant role in enhancing regional maritime security, addressing security
risks, and promoting the development of the maritime economy.

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iv.Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime
Boundary Line (IMBL) and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.
v.These exercises included communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical maneuvers, and culminated
with a steam past.
Points to Note:
In the previous editions, such as the 4th edition of BONGOSAGAR-23 and the 5th edition of CORPAT was
held from November 7 to 9, 2023, in the Northern Bay of Bengal.
• CORPAT-23 also featured the inaugural Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief (HADR) drills between the two navies, which involved Search and Rescue scenarios at
sea.
About Bangladesh:
President- Mohammed Shahabuddin
Capital– Dhaka
Currency- Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)

23rd Edition of India-France Bilateral Naval Exercise ‘Varuna’ Commences

The 23rd edition of the bilateral naval exercise ‘VARUNA’ between Indian Navy(IN) and France Navy
commenced on March 19, 2025, in the Arabian Sea, India and will conclude on March 22, 2025. The
exercise is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase (March 19-20) and the Sea Phase (March
21-22).
• VARUNA 2025 will feature a dynamic range of maritime
operations across sub-surface, surface, and air domains.
• The exercise enhances interoperability between the two
navies, promotes best practices in maritime security
operations, and reinforces stability in the Indo-Pacific
region.
Background:
i.The naval exercise VARUNA, initiated in 1993 and formally
named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001, has become a crucial element of Indo-
French maritime cooperation.
ii.The exercise is held annually, rotating between the coasts of
India and France, with occasional sessions taking place in
international waters.
iii.The 22nd edition of Varuna Exercise held in the Mediterranean
Sea from September 2 to 4, 2024.
About VARUNA 2025:
Participating Units:
i.India: Aircraft carrier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, MiG-29K fighter aircraft (a naval variant of the
MiG-29 fighter jet), destroyers, frigates, and a Scorpene-class (Kalvari) submarine.
ii.France: Nuclear powered Aircraft carrier ‘Charles de Gaulle’, Rafale-M fighter aircraft, destroyers, and
frigates.
Structure of the Exercise:
i.Harbour Phase (March 19-20): Focused on strengthening professional and cultural ties between the 2
navies through interactions, cross-training sessions, joint planning activities, and social exchanges such as
sporting events and cultural programs.
ii.Sea Phase (March 21-22): Emphasized practical maritime drills to improve coordination and
operational synergy, including:

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• Advanced air defence drills and mock air-to-air combat between Rafale-M and MiG-29K fighter
jets.
• Anti-submarine warfare exercises to enhance underwater domain awareness.
• Surface warfare operations demonstrating synchronized maneuvers and engagements.
• Maritime patrol aircraft operations to boost situational awareness.
• Replenishment-at-sea exercises to strengthen logistical cooperation.
iii.VARUNA 2025 underscores the shared commitment of India and France to maintaining a free, open,
and secure maritime environment.
About France:
President– Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron
Prime Minister (PM)– François René Jean Lucien Bayrou
Capital- Paris
Currency– Euro (EUR)

14th Edition of India-Russia Naval Exercise ‘INDRA’

Commences Off Chennai
In March 2025, the 14th edition of the bilateral naval
exercise ‘INDRA’ between India and Russia commenced off the
coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). This six-day exercise, running
until April 2, 2025, underscores the enduring maritime partnership
and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Background:
i.Launched in 2003, Exercise ‘INDRA’ represents the enduring
strategic partnership between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Russian
Navy.
ii.Over the years, it has evolved into a symbol of maritime
cooperation, showcasing both countries’ commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational
synergy.
Note: India hosted the 13th edition of Exercise INDRA in the Bay of Bengal in November 2023.
Phases and Activities:
The exercise is being conducted in two phases:
i.Harbour phase is being organised from March 28 to 30, 2025 at Chennai. It includes opening ceremony,
Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), reciprocal ship visits and sports fixtures, and pre-sail briefings
for participating personnel.
ii.Sea phase will be conducted from March 31 to April 2, 2025 in the Bay of Bengal. It will feature
advanced drills, including tactical maneuvers, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, underway
replenishment, helicopter cross-deck landings, and the exchange of sea-riders.
Participating Vessels and Aircraft:
i.Russian Federation Naval Ships: Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov.
ii.Indian Naval Ships (INS): Rana and Kuthar, alongside the Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I.
About Russia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Mikhail Mishustin
Capital – Moscow
Currency – Russian Ruble (RUB)

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IA Conduct ‘Prachand Prahar‘ Exercise in High-Altitude Himalayan Terrain

In March 2025, the Indian Army(IA), in partnership with the Indian Air Force(IAF) and other branches of
the Indian Armed Forces, carried out a high-intensity, integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, ‘Ex
Prachand Prahaar’, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh(AR). The exercise, conducted from
March 25 to 27, 2025 under the Eastern Command, to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the
Indian Armed Forces.
• The exercise showcased the Indian Armed Forces’ capability to execute multi-spectrum
operations in challenging mountainous terrain along the Northern Borders.
i.The exercise commenced with the deployment of advanced surveillance tools from all three branches of
the armed forces, including aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF), maritime aircraft from the Indian Navy
(IN), helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), space resources from the Indian Army (IA), and
Special Forces.
ii.The targets were quickly eliminated using coordinated firepower from fighter jets, rocket systems,
artillery, armed helicopters, swarm drones, loitering munitions, and kamikaze drones.
• The exercise took place in an electronically contested environment to replicate real-world
combat scenarios.
iii.Prachand Prahar follows Exercise Poorvi Prahar, which was held in November 2024 in AR, focused on
the integrated application of aviation assets.

MoU Signed
GRSE signed MoU with Indian Army for Modular Steel Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh
Kolkata (West Bengal) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army (IA) for the construction of a 130-foot-long
Single Lane Modular (SLM) Steel Bridge (70R) in Arunachal Pradesh (AR).
• The agreement was signed by Natarajan Partheepan, General Manager (GM) (Bailey Bridges),
representing GRSE with the IA.
GRSE’s achievements:
i.In 2022, GRSE became the sole Indian company to be awarded the Green Channel Certification for
Portable Steel Bridges (Bailey Type) by the Indian Army.
ii.Previously, GRSE provided 44 Modular Bridges to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for installation
across India, as well as to various state governments and friendly countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
iii.In 2024, GRSE and the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
made an agreement for delivering Class 70R Double-Lane Bridges.
iv.As of February 2025, GRSE has supplied more than 5,800 Modular Bridges.This aligns with the
Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives

Solar Defence and Aerospace Signs a Contract Worth Rs 239 Crore with MoD
In March 2025, Nagpur (Maharashtra) based Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL) announced that its
wholly owned subsidiary, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, has signed a contract worth Rs 239
crore with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI), for the supply of multi-mode hand
grenade.
• The project involves the supply of multi-mode hand grenades for the MoD, to be completed
within 1 year.
i.The agreement will boost India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and aligns with the government’s
vision of self-reliance in defence.

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ii.SIIL is the flagship company of the Solar Group. Bulk explosives, packaged explosives, and initiating
systems are produced by SIIL and its subsidiaries and are used in the mining, infrastructure, and building
sectors.

MoD Signs Rs 2,906 Crore Radar Contract with BEL for IAF
On 12 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Rs 2,906 crore capital acquisition contract with
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP) (a leading defence electronics
manufacturing facility) for the procurement of Low-level Transportable Radar (LLTR), known as “Ashwini” for
the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The contract was signed in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoD in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.The Radar is designed and developed by the Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory under the MoD.
ii.The Radar is an active electronically scanned phased array technology with a solid-state design and is capable
of tracking aerial targets from high-speed fighter jets to slow-moving targets such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAVs), and helicopters.
Note: BEL, established in 1954, is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the MoD
headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

DAC Approves Rs 54,000 Crore Defence Acquisitions; CCS Clears Rs 7,000 Crore ATAGS Artillery
Deal
On 20 March 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), operating under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
and led by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD has approved eight capital acquisition proposals worth
over Rs 54,000 crore. These procurements aim to enhance the operational strength of the Indian Army
(IA), the Indian Navy (IN), and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Under the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’ initiative, the DAC has introduced new guidelines to
streamline the Capital Acquisition Process.
Key Approvals:
i.Indian Army(IA): The DAC has sanctioned the procurement of a 1350 HorsePower (HP) engine to
replace the 1000 HP engine used in T-90 tanks. This upgrade will improve mobility, especially in high-
altitude terrains, by enhancing the power-to-weight ratio.
ii.Indian Navy(IN): Approval has been granted for the procurement of Varunastra torpedoes, advanced
ship-launched anti-submarine weapons. These weapons are developed by the Naval Science &
Technological Laboratory (NSTL) based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). These torpedoes will
strengthen the IN’s capability to counter underwater threats.
iii.Indian Air Force(IAF): The DAC has approved the acquisition of Airborne Early Warning &
Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems, which will act as force multipliers, significantly improving aerial
surveillance and combat effectiveness.
Note: MoD has also allocated Rs 100 crore for a new Sainik School in Karbi Anglong district, Assam. The
school will be developed in Langvoku, with a total funding of Rs 335.87 crore for the 2024-25 financial
year (FY25).
CCS Approves Rs 7,000 Crore Deal for First Fully Indigenous 155 mm ATAGS Artillery Guns
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi, has
approved a Rs 7,000 crore contract for the procurement of 155 millimeter (mm) Advanced Towed
Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).
• IA plans to acquire 307 units along with 327 gun-towing vehicles, gradually replacing older 105
mm and 130 mm artillery systems.

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About Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS):

The ATAGS is India’s first fully indigenous 155 mm artillery gun, with over 65% of components sourced
domestically.
i.It will be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquartered in
New Delhi, Delhi in collaboration with Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), based in Pune, Maharashtra and Tata
Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) based in Hyderabad, Telangana.
ii.The gun is equipped with a 52-caliber long barrel, providing an extended strike range of up to 45
kilometre (km).
iii.It features automated deployment and target engagement, reducing crew fatigue. Tested in diverse
terrains, including high-altitude Sikkim, it has proven effective in extreme conditions.
Recent Related News:
In February 2025, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), inaugurated the 15th
edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, at Yelahanka Air Force Station in
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The five-day event took place from February 10 to 14, 2025, with the theme “The Runway to a
Billion Opportunities.”
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister– Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,UP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Sanjay Seth (Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)

MoD signs contracts for procurement of HMV 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles for IA
In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts with Tata Advanced Systems
Limited (TASL) for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles for the
Indian Army(IA). The agreement was formalized in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
at South Block, New Delhi(Delhi).
• The contract for the procurement of HMV 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles forms part of a larger set of
defence acquisitions signed by the MoD.
• As of March 2025, the total value of contracts signed for capital procurement in the current
Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) has reached Rs 1.40 lakh crore.
i.Purpose of the Contract:The procurement of these advanced 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles aims to
enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
• These vehicles are designed to provide high mobility and robust performance, especially in
difficult terrain.
ii.Significance This procurement is crucial for the IA as it will bolster mobility and logistical support on
various frontlines. The addition of these vehicles will ensure better operational flexibility and enhance the
army’s ability to conduct rapid deployments.
Note: The MoD has signed contracts worth Rs 6,900 crore for the procurement of 155 millimetre(mm)/52
Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems, ATAGS(with Bharat Forge Limited, BFL) and High Mobility
Vehicle 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles.

MoD Signs Rs 2,500 Crore Contracts for Anti-Tank Missiles and Light Vehicles
In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two major contracts worth Rs 2,500 crore under
the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured, IDDM) category to bolster the
operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The agreements, finalized in the presence of Rajesh
Kumar Singh,Secretary of MoD.
• The MoD signed contract with Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Armoured Vehicles Nigam
Limited (AVNL) for the Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked Version and with Pune

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(Maharashtra)-based Force Motors Limited & Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Mahindra and

Mahindra Limited for the supply of light vehicles.
• Both projects align with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aiming to
Strengthen domestic defence manufacturing.
Key Contracts and Financial Details:
1.Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked Version:
• Cost: Rs 1,801.34 crore.
• Developer: Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory
(DRDL), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Range: 500 meters to 4 kilometers (KM), Speed: 230 metres per second
• Purpose: To modernize the anti-tank capabilities of the Mechanised Infantry. The system
features fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles and advanced sighting technology, ensuring precision
strikes against enemy armor.
2.Light Vehicles Procurement:
• Cost: Rs 698.66 crore
• Quantity: 5,000 units.
• Manufacturers: Pune (Maharashtra)-based Force Motors Limited and Mumbai (Maharashtra)-
based Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.
• Payload Capacity: 800 kilogram(kg).
• Design: Equipped with enhanced engine power for mobility across diverse terrains and
operational conditions.
About NAMIS:
• The NAMIS (Tracked) is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile system designed to
provide the Indian Army(IA) with a decisive edge in mechanized warfare.
• Its fire-and-forget capability reduces dependency on manual guidance, enhancing battlefield
survivability and lethality.
• The platform is based on a tank-track system and carries an anti-tank NAG missile.
About Light Vehicles:
• The new light vehicles are engineered with contemporary automotive technology to support
troop movement, logistics, and rapid deployment.
• Their ability to operate in challenging terrains (e.g., deserts, mountains) ensures uninterrupted
mobility for the Armed Forces during critical missions.
About Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) – Sanjay Dwivedi
Headquarters – Avadi, Tamil Nadu(TN)
Established – 2021

MoD Signed Two Contracts worth Rs 62,700 Crore with HAL for Supply of 156 LCH, Prachand to
the Armed Force
In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), ‘Navratna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under MoD,
for supply of 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Prachand, as well as training an associated
equipment, for a total cost of Rs 62,700 crore, excluding taxes.
• The contracts were signed in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoD and these
contracts aimed to improve the combat capability of Armed Forces at high altitudes.

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Key Points:
i.As per MoD, the 1st contract is for supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 2nd is for supply
of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army (IA).
• The supply of these LCHs will start from the 3rd year (2027-28) and will be spread over
the next 5 years.
ii.The 156 LCHs will be manufactured at HAL helicopter factories based in Bengaluru and Tumkur in
Karnataka, with 30 LCHs to be built annually.
iii.The key components of LCH were designed and manufactured in India, and now, Government of India
(GoI) planned to increase the overall indigenous content of LCH from existing 45% to over 65% during
the execution of this order.
• This will involve over 250 local companies, mostly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) and is expected to generate more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.
iv.Apart from these two contracts, MoD has also signed a contract with (United States of America, USA)-
based Metrea Management for ‘wet leasing’ of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) for providing mid-air
refueling training to pilots of IAF and Indian Navy (IN).
• As per the contract, Metrea will provide FRA for KC-135 aircraft within 6 months which will be
the 1st FRA to wet leased by IAF.
v.With the signing of these 3 contracts, the total number of contracts signed by MoD during the financial
year 2024-25 (FY25) has now reached 193, with overall contract value exceeding Rs 2,09,050 core. This
is the highest ever figure, and nearly twice the last such number.
• Of these total contracts, domestic industry secured 177 contracts (92%), with a total value of
almost Rs 1.7 lakh crore (81%).
About Light Combat Helicopter (LCH):
i.It is indigenously designed and developed by HAL in collaboration with French engine-maker Safran.
• Various key aviation technologies such as: glass cockpit and composite airframe structure have
been indigenized.
ii.Prachanda is the only attack helicopter in the world that can fly and take off at an altitude of 5,
000 metres (16,400 ft.) with considerable weapons and fuel load which makes it suitable to operate in
the high-altitude areas of the Siachen glacier and Eastern Ladakh.
iii.In 2022, 15 such limited LCHs, of which 10 were inducted in IAF and remaining 5 in IA, at a cost of Rs
4,264 crore.
Key Features:
i.It is a 5.8 tonne twin-engine LCH equipped with two French-origin Shakti engines manufactured by HAL.
• It has countermeasure dispensing system that protects it from detection of enemy radars.
ii.It is equipped with 20 millimeter (mm)turret guns, 70mm rocket systems and air-to-air missiles.
iii.It is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and
all-weather combat capability.
iv.It has also stealth features, armoured-protection systems, night attack capability and crash-
worthy landing gear for better survivability.
v.It can perform various functions such as: Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air
Defence (DEAD), and Counter-Insurgency (CI) operations, high-altitude bunker-busting operations in the
jungles, and urban environments as well as for supporting ground forces.
• Also, LCH can be used against slow-moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPAs) of
adversaries.

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About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):

Charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Dr. D.K. Sunil
Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established in- 1940
Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister- Rajnath Singh(Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Sanjay Seth(Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)

TEST
DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Life Support System for LCA Tejas
On March 4 2025, The Defence Bio-Engineering & ElectroMedical Laboratory (DEBEL), a
Bengaluru(Karnataka)-based laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO), Ministry of Defence (MoD) conducted the high-altitude trials of the On-Board Oxygen
Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the Light Combat
Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Design & Manufacturing
Design & Testing: DEBEL, specialized in aerospace life-support
systems, designed and developed the OBOGS-ILSS and conducted its
high-altitude trials on the Tejas Prototype Vehicle-3.
Trials: Tests included extreme conditions like altitudes up to 50,000
feet and high-G maneuvers, validated by the Centre for Military
Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC).
Manufacturing: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was responsible for production of the system under DRDO’s
guidance, ensuring adherence to technical specifications.
Indigenous Content: The ILSS boasts 90% indigenous components, reflecting L&T’s manufacturing
capabilities and India’s self-reliance goals
System Overview
The OBOGS-ILSS replaces traditional liquid oxygen systems with real-time oxygen generation using
molecular sieve technology. It integrates advanced components like the Anti-Gravity Valve (Anti-G
Valve) and Emergency Oxygen System (EOS), critical for pilot safety during combat missions.
Collaborative Effort
• R&D Partners: DEBEL, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL), and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Certification & Quality: Involvement of CEMILAC, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality
Assurance (DGAQA), and National Flight Test Center (NFTC).
Strategic Significance
• Reduced Import Dependency: Eliminates reliance on liquid oxygen imports.
• Operational Flexibility: Enhances Tejas’ combat readiness with lighter, safer systems.
• Future Adaptability: Can be modified for MiG-29K and other aircraft.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Founded – 1958
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Chairman – Dr Sameer Venkatapathy Kamat

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Lockheed Martin Concludes Flight Tests of F-35B with Advanced LRASM

United States of America (USA) based defence and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin
Corporation has completed an initial flight test integrating the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)
onto the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet.
• The test was conducted in partnership with USA-based F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force
(ITF), marking a significant step in enhancing the fighter jet’s capabilities.
i.The upgrade will allow the F-35 to carry both the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the
LRASM, providing advanced strike capabilities.
ii.The initial test flights demonstrated the F-35B carrying two LRASMs externally on the innermost hard
points, along with two inert AIM-9X missiles (Air Intercept Missile)on the wingtips as part of the
integration process.
iii.These trials are known as ‘captive carriage’ tests, evaluating the weapon’s effect on the airframe and its
structural integrity in various flight conditions.

Tejas Fighter Jet Successfully Test Fires Air-to-Air Astra Missile in Odisha
On 12th March 2025, India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas AF MK1 successfully
test-fired the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.
• The test was conducted by the Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Aeronautical Development
Agency (ADA), demonstrating the missile’s ability to achieve a direct hit on a flying target, validating
its precision and operational readiness.
Key Details of the Test:
i.Missile Specifications: The Astra missile, designed by the Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO), is capable of engaging aerial targets at
distances exceeding 100 kilometers (km) and features advanced guidance
systems for high accuracy.
ii.Aircraft Used: The test utilized the LCA Tejas AF MK1 prototype, a 4.5-
generation multirole fighter jet developed indigenously.
• Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
was the manufacturer of the Tejas aircraft.
iii.Outcome: All subsystems performed optimally, meeting mission objectives. The missile’s success paves the
way for its integration into the upgraded Tejas AF MK1A variant.
iv.Certification Agencies: The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and Directorate
General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DG-AQA).
v.About ASTRA:The 3.8-metre-long ‘state-of-the-art’ Astra missile has a launch weight of about 154 kg. It uses
solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg high-explosive warhead, activated by a proximity fuse.
• Astra has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) and integrated with frontline fighter
aircraft Sukhoi 30 MKI
vi.The success of the test-firing is attributed to the joint efforts of scientists, engineers, and technicians from
ADA, DRDO, and HAL, along with valuable support from the CEMILAC and DG-AQA.
Significance for India’s Defence:
i.Indigenization: The test marks progress in India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, reducing reliance on
imported defence systems.
ii.Operational Readiness: With the Astra missile already inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), this trial
reinforces its combat readiness for air superiority missions.
iii.Technological Leap: The BVRAAM capability enhances the IAF’s ability to neutralize enemy aircraft at long
ranges, strengthening air defence mechanisms.

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DRDO & IN Successfully Conducted Flight-test of Indigenously Developed VL–SRSAM

In March 2025, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy (IN) successfully
conducted the flight-test of indigenously-developed Vertically-Launched Short Range Surface-to-Air
Missile (VL–SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
• It was launched from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed aerial target at a very
close range and low altitude, showing its Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability.
About Flight Test:
i.During the flight-test, the missile exhibited a high turn rate to accurately destroy target, showing its
agility, reliability, and accuracy.
ii.The test was conducted with all weapon system elements which include: missile with indigenous Radio
Frequency(RF) seeker, Multi-Function Radar(MFR) and Weapon Control System(WCS) deployed in
combat configuration, have performed as per expectations.
iii.The system’s performance was validated by the flight data captured various range instruments
developed at ITR Chandipur.
About VL-SRSAM:
i.It is a next-generation SAM, indigenously designed and developed by the contribution of various DRDO’s
facilities such as: Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Defence Research and Development
Laboratory (DRDL); Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Pune
(Maharashtra)-based Research & Development Establishment (Engineers).
ii.It is manufactured by Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Central Public
Enterprise (CPSE) under the control of Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• It is developed specifically for IN as a quick point defence against supersonic sea-skimming
targets like: aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
iii.The missile has capability to strike targets within the range of 50 kilometer (km) up to a elevation of
15 km.
iv.It weighs 170 kilogram (kg) and has length and diameter of 3931 millimeter (mm) and 178 mm,
respectively.
v.The missile features a smokeless propulsion system and is equipped with state-of-the art Electronic
Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO):
It is the Research and Development (R&D) wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI).
Chairman- Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established-1958
About Indian Navy (IN):
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Dinesh Kumar (DK) Tripathi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Founded- 1950

OTHER DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Navy’s 1st Training Squadron Completes Thailand Visit
In March 2025, the Indian Navy’s (IN) First Training Squadron (1TS), consisting of Indian Naval Ship (INS)
Sujata, INS Shardul, and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Veera, successfully concluded its visit to Phuket
Deep Sea Port in Thailand. The visit concluded on a high note with coordinated tactical maneuvers and an
exchange of sea riders during a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Huahin, a
patrol gunboat of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

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• The visit strengthened the robust bilateral relations between IN and RTN, in line with India’s
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
• It boosted maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding, further
contributing to the regional security and stability of both nations.
i.The visit, which started on March 1, 2025, was part of the 1TS’s ongoing training deployment to South
East Asia and concluded on March 4, 2025.
ii.Captain Anshul Kishore, Senior Officer of 1TS, along with the Commanding Officers of the ships, met
Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander of the 3rd Naval Area Command of the RTN, to discuss
regional security, joint training exercises, and goodwill activities.
Note: The 1TS is a unit of the IN responsible for training naval personnel. It includes ships such as INS
Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, which are deployed for operational training and international
engagements.

IN inducts 9th ACTCM Barge LSAM 23 to strengthen maritime logistics

On 12 March 2025, the induction ceremony of the 9th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM)
Barge, Landing Ship Ammunition (LSAM) 23 (Yard 133), was held at the Naval Dockyard
in Mumbai (Maharashtra). The Chief Guest for the event was Commodore Manish Vig, General Manager
(Quality Assurance), Naval Dockyard (Mumbai).
Contract and Construction:
• In 2021, the IN signed a contract with Thane (Maharashtra)-based M/s Suryadipta Projects
Private Limited, a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) shipyard for the construction and
delivery of 11 ACTCM Barges.
• Out of these, 8 barges have already been delivered. The shipyard has also secured an additional
contract to build 4 Sullage Barges for the Indian Navy, showcasing the Navy’s commitment to
supporting MSMEs.
Design and Testing:
• These barges were indigenously designed by the shipyard in collaboration with an Indian Ship
Designing firm.
• The design underwent model testing at the Naval Science and Technological
Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam(Andhra Pradesh, AP), to ensure seaworthiness.
• The construction adheres to the rules and regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Significance:
• The induction of LSAM 23 aligns with the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives,
promoting self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
• These barges will enhance the IN’s operational capabilities by facilitating the transportation,
embarkation, and disembarkation of ammunition and other articles to naval platforms, both
at jetties and outer harbors.
About Indian Navy (IN):
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 1950

IAF Conducts Combat Training at Umiam Lake in Meghalaya

In March 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a combat operations training exercise at Umiam
Lake, located in Shillong, Meghalaya, to strengthen interoperability with the Indian Army Special Forces and
the Indian Navy.
i.The training exercise involved operations such as Combat Rubber Raiding Craft deployments, parachute
jumps, and helocasting, where personnel leap into water from aircraft like the An-32 (Antonov-32), C-130

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(Lockheed C-130 Hercules) and Mi-17 (military transport) helicopter.

ii.The exercise was witnessed by National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets based in Shillong, providing them with
direct exposure to specialized tri-service operations.
iii.The joint-service training reflects the IAF’s focus on improving combat readiness, tri-services coordination,
and rapid-response capabilities in diverse terrains.

GSL Launches 2nd Frigate ‘Tavasya‘ of Project 1135.6 for Indian Navy
On March 22, 2025, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a leading defence shipyard based in Goa, India,
launched ‘Tavasya’, the second frigate of Project 1135.6 (Yard 1259). This frigate was built 56%
indigenously in India, marking a significant leap from the 25% indigenization seen in its foreign-built
counterparts.
• The frigate is designed for multi-role operations, including air, surface, and subsurface combat,
strengthening the Indian Navy’s (IN) presence and dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• It aligns with India’s goal of achieving Rs. 50,000 crores in defence exports by 2029.
Features of Tavasya:
i.Tavasya, derived from the mace of Bhima in the Mahabharata, symbolizes the strength of the Indian
Navy.
ii.The frigate measures 124.8 meters (m) in length, 15.2 m in width, and has a draught of 4.5 m.
iii.It has a displacement of approximately 3,600 tons and a top speed of 28 knots.
iv.It is equipped with stealth capabilities, BrahMos missile systems, torpedo launchers, and advanced
sonar and sensor systems.
Background:
i.In October 2016, India and Russia signed a contract under an India-Russia Inter-Governmental
Agreement (IGA) for four Krivak-class stealth frigates.
ii.Two of these ships were built in Russia and imported at a cost of USD 1 billion, while the remaining two
ships are being constructed at India by GSL under a technology transfer agreement worth USD 500
million with ROSOBORONEXPORT (Russia) for materials and design assistance.
iii.Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tushil, the first Russian-built ship, was commissioned on 9th December 2024,
and INS Tamal, the second Russian-built ship, is undergoing trials with commissioning expected by June
2025.
iv.The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI) signed a contract with GSL on 25th January
2019 for the construction of two Project 1135.6 frigates.
• The first indigenous frigate, Triput, was launched on 23rd July 2024. And Tavasya is second.
About Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL):
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the administrative
control of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI).
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) – Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay
Headquarters – Vasco da Gama (Goa)
Founded – 1957

Paras Defence Secures Rs.142 crore Contract from CHESS to Develop Anti-Drone Laser System
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited has
secured a contract worth Rs.142.31 crores from the Hyderabad (Telangana) based Centre for High
Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS), a division of the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

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• The company will develop a Laser Source Module and integrate it with a Beam Control System
(BCS) on a mobile platform for Anti-Drone and Anti-Missile applications, advancing high-power
laser technology for modern warfare.
• The project is scheduled for completion in 24 months.
i.This makes Paras Defence the first Indian company to develop such an advanced system, boosting local
innovation in defence technology.
ii.The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for high-power laser defence systems is estimated at Rs.25000
crore.

IN Launches 10th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge ‘LSAM 24 (Yard 134)’ in
Maharashtra
On March 26, 2025, the Indian Navy (IN) successfully launched its ‘10th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum
Missile (ACTCM) Barge’, Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM 24) (Yard 134) was launched
at M/s Suryadipta Projects Private Limited based in Thane, Maharashtra.
• The launch Ceremony was attended by Commodore Rahul Jagat, SPS, Submarine Overseeing
Team (SOT), Mumbai (Maharashtra) as the Chief Guest.
Background:
i.In 2021, the contract for the construction of eleven (11) ACTCM was signed with Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises (MSME) Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, on March 5, 2021.
ii.So far, nine barges have been delivered and are currently in active service with the IN.
Keypoints:
i.These Barges have been indigenously designed and built by the Shipyard in collaboration with an Indian
Ship Design firm and Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) respectively.
ii.Model testing was conducted at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL),
Visakhapatnam(Andhra Pradesh, AP) to ensure seaworthiness.
iii.These barges proudly represent the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives of the
Government of India (GoI) contributing to India’s defence self-reliance.
Induction of fourth 25T Bollard Pull Tug Yuvan (YARD 338):
The Indian Navy (IN) also launched its fourth 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug Yuvan at Naval Dockyard,
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, AP). The launch Ceremony was attended by Commodore Rajeev John,
General Manager (Refit) as Chief Guest.
• These tugs are part of a contract signed in 2021, with M/s Titagarh Rail Systems
Limited (TRSL), Kolkata(West Bengal, WB), for the construction of six (06) 25T BP tugs.
i.These Tugs have been indigenously designed and built by the Shipyard in collaboration with an Indian
Ship Design firm and IRS respectively.
ii.The tugs will also provide a float fire-fighting support to ships alongside or at anchorage and possess the
capability to conduct limited Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
iii.The shipyard has successfully delivered three of these tugs, which the IN is utilizing to assist naval
ships and submarines during berthing, un-berthing, and maneuvering in confined waters.

IA Successfully Test India’s 1st Kamikaze FPV Drones with Kamikaze Anti-Tank Munitions
In March 2025, the Indian Army’s (IA) Fleur-De-Lis Brigade (2nd Independent Armoured Brigade), in
partnership with Chandigarh (Punjab) based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), a unit
under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully tested a First Person
View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based kamikaze-role anti-tank munition in
Pathankot, Punjab. It is a first-of-its-kind project, designed for precision strikes against armored vehicles.

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• The drone was assembled at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which fabricated over 100
drones within the formation as of March 2025.
• The drone has been developed by Major Cephas Chetan of IA and the TBRL team, led by
Dr Raghvendra.
Key Features:
i.Dual-safety mechanisms to prevent accidental detonation during transport, handling, and flight.
ii.Live feedback relay system providing real-time payload status updates to the operator via FPV goggles.
iii.Pilot-activated trigger via radio controller, ensuring controlled deployment.
Cost and Procurement:
• Each FPV drone costs Rs. 1.4 lakh.
• The IA inducted an initial batch of 5 drones and plans to procure 95 more, totaling 100 units.
Testing and Validation:
i.This initiative, launched in August 2024, the drones underwent rigorous trials in Pathankot under TBRL
supervision, including Explosive testing, Aerial vehicle assessments, and trigger system evaluations.
ii.The trials confirmed the drone’s accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness in neutralizing targets, validating
it as a cost-effective force multiplier.
About Indian Army (IA):
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1895

BEML unveils indigenous 12×12 High Mobility Vehicle for Defence

In March 2025, Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) BEML Limited (formerly
Bharat Earth Movers Limited) , launched its indigenously designed and manufactured High Mobility
Vehicle (HMV) 12×12 at its Palakkad (Kerala) complex. Developed for the Vehicles Research and
Development Establishment (VRDE), a unit of New Delhi(Delhi) based Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO).
• The vehicle was formally launched by Shantanu Roy, Chairman & Managing Director(CMD),
BEML Ltd, in the presence of G Ramamohana Rao, Director, VRDE.
i.This state-of-the-art vehicle aims to enhance the operational mobility of India’s defence forces, aligning
with India’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
ii.This vehicle is equipped with a Bharat Stage III(BS III)-compliant engine and a 7-speed Allison
Automatic Transmission, supporting a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 65 tons. Developed through
BEML’s Futuristic Product Innovation and Incubation Centre (FPIIC), the vehicle strengthens India’s
defense self-reliance.
iii.Designed to operate effectively in extreme terrains and challenging climatic conditions, making it a vital
asset for defence operations.

SPORTS
Aleksandra Goryachkina Wins Monaco GP 2025: Tops FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Standings
Russian Grandmaster(GM) Aleksandra Goryachkina clinched victory at the Fédération Internationale des
Échecs (International Chess Federation, FIDE) Monaco Grand Prix (GP) 2025, held from February 18–28
2025 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
• The event ended in a thrilling three-way tie, but Aleksandra Goryachkina won the title with her
tactical brilliance and better Sonneborn-Berger tiebreak score.

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About Monaco Grand Prix (GP):

The third leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (GP) 2024–2025 featured a 10-
player round-robin format, with players competing over nine intense rounds.
Three competitors Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE), Humpy Koneru (India),
and Batkhuyag Munguntuul (Mongolia) finished tied with 5.5 points each.
• Aleksandra Goryachkina’s superior Sonneborn-Berger tie break
score (23.50) against Munguntuul secured her the gold, while
Koneru took silver and Munguntuul bronze.
• Aleksandra Goryachkina won the gold with a Sonneborn-Berger score of 23.50, while Koneru
took silver and Munguntuul bronze.
• Prize Money: The 41,500 Euro prize pool was split equally among the top three, with each
earning 13,833 Euro.
• Sonneborn-Berger Score: A tiebreak system that rewards wins against higher-ranked
opponents.
Monaco GP 2025: Top 3 Players & Prize Money

Rank Player Country Points Prize Money (Euro)

1 (Gold) Aleksandra Goryachkina FIDE 5.5 13833

2 (Silver) Humpy Koneru India 5.5 13833

3 (Bronze) Batkhuyag Munguntuul Mongolia 5.5 13833

Note: Russian players compete under the FIDE flag due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian flags in FIDE
events following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Overall FIDE GP 2024–25 Standings (Top 4):

Rank Player Country Total GP Points

1 Aleksandra Goryachkina FIDE 236.67

2 Bibisara Assaubayeva Kazakhstan 197.5

3 Tan Zhongyi China 170

4 Koneru Humpy India 161.67

Keynote: Only the top two players in the final standings qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates
Tournament, the gateway to the World Chess Championship 2026.
About 2024–2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix(GP):
The 2024–2025 edition of the FIDE Women’s GP is a series of six chess tournaments exclusively for women
which determined two players to play in the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.
• The winner of the Candidates Tournament would play the reigning world champion in the
Women’s World Chess Championship 2026.
• Upcoming GP: Cyprus, India, and Austria.

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IOC Grants Provisional Recognition to World Boxing

In February 2025, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) granted provisional
recognition to World Boxing (WB) as the International Federation (IF) governing global boxing within the
Olympic Movement.
• This decision marks a significant step toward boxing’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028
Olympics.
i.World Boxing was founded in April 2023 and currently has 78 member
associations across 5 continents and has established 4 continental federations.
• Over half of the boxers and medalists at the 2024 Paris Olympics are
affiliated with WB.
ii.On May 7, 2024, World Boxing is scheduled to have its first official
meeting with the IOC to begin planning for boxing’s Olympic future.
Note: Boxing has been part of the Olympic Games since 1904, but in 2019, the IOC suspended recognition
of the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to various problems. After the IOC de-recognized the IBA
in June 2023, boxing was not included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

2024-25 Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha defeated Kerala to Clinch 3rd Title

On March 2 2025, The Vidarbha cricket team won the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy by
defeating Kerala cricket team based on a first-innings lead in the final at the Vidarbha Cricket
Association(VCA) Stadium in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• The Vidarbha cricket team was led by Akshay Wadkar and the Kerala cricket team was led by
Sachin Baby.
• This victory marks Vidarbha’s 3rd Ranji Trophy title, having previously won in the 2017-18
and 2018-19 seasons.
• The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy saw a record number of 32 teams participating, making it one of the
most competitive editions of India’s premier domestic cricket tournament. The teams were
divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 8 teams.
Prize Money:
The champions Vidarbha received Rs.5 crore, while the runners-up, Kerala awarded Rs.3 crore.
Key Points:
i.Vidarbha’s impressive form was evident throughout the season. They topped their group in the league
stage, winning six out of seven matches and accumulating 40 points.
ii.In the knockout rounds, they crushed Tamil Nadu by 198 runs in the quarterfinal and defeated the
defending champions, Mumbai, by 80 runs in the semifinal. Vidarbha’s dominance continued as they won
nine out of the 10 matches they played in the Ranji Trophy this season.
iii.Alongside their Ranji win, Vidarbha also finished as the runner-up in the 50-overs Vijay Hazare
Trophy, demonstrating their strength across both formats.
Awards:
• Man of the Match: Danish Malewar(Vidarbha)
• Player of the Tournament: Harsh Dubey of (Vidarbha:476 runs and 69 wickets)
About the Ranji Trophy:
i.The Ranji Trophy is the premier first-class cricket tournament in India. It is named after the famous
cricketer Ranjitsinhji, who was one of the first Indian cricketers to play for England in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries.
ii.The tournament, which began in 1934, is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
iii.It is played in a round-robin league format, followed by knockout rounds leading to the final.

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iv. Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) is the most successful team in the Ranji Trophy history, having
won the title a record 42 times.

Indian Grandmaster Pa Iniyan Wins 38th ‘Cannes International Open Chess Tournament’
On March 3, 2025, Indian Grandmaster(GM) Panneerselvam (Pa) Iniyan won the 38th ‘Cannes
International Open Chess Tournament 2025’ title, by defeating compatriot V Pranesh in the ninth and final
round held in Cannes, France.
• Pa Iniyan secured first place with an impressive score of 7.5
points, while India’s Aradhya Garg, an International Master
secured 2nd place with 7 points.
• World Junior Chess Champion Kazybek Noderbek from
Kazakhstan, also scored 7 points and was placed 3rd after a
tiebreak.
About Cannes International Open 2025:
i. The Cannes International Open Chess Tournament 2025 featuring a total of 147 players from 25
countries.
• The event was structured as a 9-round Swiss system competition.
ii.The tournament witnessed participation from 6 Grandmasters and 21 International Masters.
iii.The tournament was held from March 1 to March 2, 2025, featuring a challenging format where top-
tier players from around the world competed for the title.
Prize Money:
The tournament featured a prize fund of 10,000 Euro (USD 10,900), with the top 3 players earning 1,800
Euros (USD 1,950), 1,200 Euro (USD 1,300), and 700 Euro (USD 760), respectively.
Highlights:
i.Pa Iniyan, displayed remarkable consistency, throughout the tournament, delivered stellar performances,
by securing six wins and three draws.
ii.His victory earned him 12 rating points, increasing his Elo rating to 2579, bringing him closer to the
highly sought-after 2600 Elo barrier.
Note: Elo rating system is a method used to calculate the relative skill levels of players in two-player
games, most notably in chess.
Winners of Cannes International Open Chess Tournament:

Rank Name Earned Points Medal

1 Pa Iniyan 7.5 Gold

2 Aradhya Garg 7 Silver

3 Kazybek Noderbek 7 Bronze

Indian Table Tennis Champion Achanta Sharath Kamal Announces Retirement

On March 4, 2025, Indian Table Tennis (TT) Champion and Padma Shri
Awardee, Achanta Sharath Kamal announced his retirement from Professional TT at the age of 42,
marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned over 2 decades. His final competition will be the
World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender in Chennai, (Tamil Nadu, TN) starting on March 25, 2025.
• Sharath Kamal holds the record for winning the ‘Senior National Champion’ title 10 times.

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• He won 13 Commonwealth Games medals, including 7 golds, 3 silver and 3 bronze , along with
2 bronze medals at the Asian Games 2018.
• He is the first Indian to win an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour title at
the Egypt Open in 2010 and has represented India in 4 Olympic Games.
Career Highlights:
i.National Championships: He secured the Senior National Champion
title 10 times, with his final victory at the 2022 National Table Tennis
Championships (NTTC).
ii.International Accolades: On the international stage, he clinched the gold
medal in men’s singles at the 2004 Commonwealth Table Tennis
Championships (CTTC) in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia.
• He also achieved gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia defeating
Australia’s William Henzell in the final.
• In the 2018 Commonwealth Games, he added 3 medals to his tally: a gold in the men’s team
event, a silver in men’s doubles, and a bronze in men’s singles.
iii.2020 ITTF: He secured his 2nd Pro Tour title 2020 by winning the men’s singles title at the Oman Open,
where he triumphed over Portugal’s Marcos Freitas in the final.
iv.Olympic Participation: He represented India in Five Olympic Games Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), Rio
(2016), Tokyo (2020), and Paris (2024), with his most recent appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics as
India’s flag-bearer.
Awards and Honors:
i.Arjuna Award (2004): Received the award for his outstanding contribution to sports.
ii.Padma Shri (2019): Received India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his exceptional achievements in
TT..
iii.Khel Ratna Award (2022): Received this award, ‘now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’, India’s
highest sporting honor, further cementing his legacy in Indian sports for TT.

Australian Cricketer & Former Captain Steve Smith Announces Retirement from ODI Cricket
On March 5, 2025, Steven Peter Devereux Smith, the stand-in captain of Australia, announced his
retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket following the team’s semi-final loss to India in the
‘International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025’ in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• His retirement marks the end of a 15-year career in the 50-over
format that included 170 ODI matches, 5,800 runs at an average of
43.28, 12 centuries, and 35 half-centuries and taking 28 wickets.
• However he will continue to play Test and Twenty20 International
(T20I) cricket.
Note: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hosted by Pakistan across three venues in
Pakistan and one in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai).
Career Highlights and Achievements:
i.Steve Smith made his ODI debut in 2010 against the West Indies as a spin-bowling all-rounder, and over
time, he evolved into one of Australia’s most prolific ODI batsmen, ranking 12th among Australia’s all-time
run-scorers in the format.
ii.He served as Australia’s full-time ODI captain from 2015 to 2018 and led the team in 64 matches,
securing 32 wins and a 50% win rate.
iii.He played pivotal roles in Australia’s 2015 and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup victories and was the first
player to record 5 consecutive 50-plus scores in a World Cup.

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• 2015 World Cup: Scored 402 runs, including a century (105) in the semi-final against India and
an unbeaten 56 in the final against New Zealand.
• 2023 World Cup: Played a key role in Australia’s record-extending 6th title, contributing
crucial knocks in the knockout stages.
Awards and Honors:
i.ICC Cricket World Cup Player of the Tournament (2015) : Named for his contributions to Australia’s
World Cup victory, including scoring 402 runs, with a memorable century in the semi-final..
ii.Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year (2015): A recognition of his overall
excellence across all formats during 2015. And also ICC Test Player of the Year (2015)
iii.Recipient of the Allan Border Medal (2015, 2018, 2021): Given to Australia’s best player in all
formats across the year.
vi.Australian Men’s ODI Player of the Year (2015, 2021)- Awarded for his outstanding performances in
ODIs.

PCI launches logo of World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025

In March 2025, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) revealed the logo for the World Para Athletics
Grand Prix 2025, which will take place from March 11 to 13, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New
Delhi (Delhi).
i.The official logo of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix New Delhi 2025 is a
vibrant symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage and sporting excellence.
• The logo includes Indian instruments like the sitar, drum, and flute,
symbolizing India’s culture while also showcasing para-athletic events
like wheelchair racing, javelin throw, and running.
ii.The event will showcase more than 90 competitions over three days, with elite
para-athletes from 20 countries participating.
iii.Top countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
and many others will have athletes participating in the event.
Note: The 12th Para Athletics World Championships 2025 will take place from September 26 to
October 5, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi (Delhi).

FIFA Banned Russia, Congo from 2026 World Cup

In March 2025, Zurich(Switzerland)-based international governing body of football International
Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has banned Russia and Congo from 2026 FIFA World
Cup which is set to be hosted jointly by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico.
• The 23rd edition of FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches being played across 16 cities in
the 3 countries from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Key Points:
i.Russian Football Union (RFU) has been banned from FIFA and Union of European Football
Associations(UEFA) competitions, ever since Russia invaded Ukraine since 2022.
ii.While, Congo has been excluded from the tournament due to unlawful 3rd-party interference in
management of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT).
iii.Earlier, it had banned Pakistan from participating in the tournament along with them. Later, FIFA lifted
the suspension on Pakistan’s apex football body following the necessary changes were made to ensure
smooth governance of the sport in the country.
• With this, Pakistan will now able to participate in 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Asian Cup qualifiers.

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iv.Due to exclusion of these countries, FIFA has redistributed the available spots in the expanded 48-team
format i.e. number of teams from Europe has increased from 13 to 16; Africa has secured 10 additional
slots while, Asia region secured 9 qualification spots.
Note: Since 1950, FIFA has banned 17 countries including Germany, Japan, South Africa, Mexico and Chile,
for violating its regulations.
About Congo:
President -Felix Tshisekedi
Capital – Kinshasa
Currency – Congolese Franc(CDF)

Veteran Bangladeshi Cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim Announced Retirement from ODIs

In March 2025, Mushfiqur Rahim, veteran wicket-keeper batsman from Bangladesh announced his
retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket with immediate effect.
i.He made his debut in ODI cricket almost 20 years ago. He is the only 2nd highest run-scorer from
Bangladesh (after Tamim Iqbal with 8357 runs) who scored 7795 runs in 274 ODIs, at an average of 36.42
with 9 centuries and 49 half-centuries.
ii.Apart from ODI, he has played 94 test matches and 102 Twenty20(T20s) matches.
iii.He is also one of the 3 Bangladeshi batters who have scored 100 in the ODI World Cup.

Indian GM Pranav Venkatesh Won ‘FIDE World Junior U20 Championship 2025’
On March 7, 2025, Indian Chess Grandmaster (GM) Pranav Venkatesh from Bengaluru (Karnataka) won
the ‘International Chess Federation(FIDE) World Junior U20 (Under-20) Championship 2025’ title,
held from February 26 to March 7, 2025, in Petrovac, Montenegro.
• With an impressive 9 points from 11 rounds, he remained undefeated
in the open category, clinching the title after defeating FIDE Master
(FM) Matic Lavrencic of Slovenia.
• While, Woman International Master(WIM) Anna Shukhman(FIDE)
won the Girl’s title with a score of 9/11 after defeating Ayan
Allahverdiyeva of Azerbaijan.
• The tournament featured 157 players, including 12 Grandmasters (GMs) in the Open category,
and 98 players in the Girls category.
About CM Pranav Venkatesh :
i.With this victory, Pranav climbs to the 10th spot on the list of the highest-ranked juniors in the world,
boasting a rating of 2628.3.
ii.He ends India’s 17-year wait for the World Junior title, following GM Abhijeet Gupta’s victory in 2008.
iii.He became the fourth Indian to win the World Junior Championship,
following Viswanathan Anand (1987), Pentala Harikrishna (2004), and Abhijeet Gupta (2008).
Achievements:
i.In 2022, he won the Limpedea Open in Baia Mare, Romania, becoming India’s 75th Grandmaster (GM)
and the country’s youngest GM at the age of 15.
ii.In 2024, he won the Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge, defeating strong Grandmasters such as
Aravindh Chithambaram, Amin Tabatabaei, and Vasyl Ivanchuk.
iii.In 2024, he won double golds in the Under-18 category at the World Youth Rapid and Blitz Chess
Championship, held in Terme Catez, Slovenia.

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Winners of FIDE World Junior U20 Championship 2025:

Open Category:

Rank Name Country Earned Points

1 GM Pranav Venkatesh India 9

2 FM Matic Lavrencic Slovenia 8.5

3 GM Elham Amar Norway 8.5

Girls Category:

Rank Name Country Earned Points

1 WIM Anna Shukhman FIDE 9

2 IM Ayan Allahverdiyeva Azerbaijan 8

3 IM Lu Miaoyi China 8
Prize Money:
The total prize fund for the 2025 FIDE World Junior U20 Championship was 10,000 Euros.
• The top three prizes in the Open section were 3,000 Euros, 2,000 Euros and 1,000 Euros, along
with a medal and trophy for each.
• In the Girls’ section, the top prizes were 2,000 Euros, 1,250 Euros, and 750 Euros , also with a
medal and trophy for each winner.
Points to Note:
i.Indian Chess GM Aravindh Chithambaram Veerappan won the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters,
breaking into the world’s top 15 with a new ranking of 14th.
ii.In February 2025, Indian Chess GM Arjun Erigaisi became the first Indian to win Freestyle Friday,
defeating GM Shant Sargsyan of Armenia.
iii.Gukesh Dommaraju (India) holds the top spot on the list of the highest-ranked juniors in the world,
while Divya Deshmukh (India) ranks 1st on the list of the highest-ranked under-20 girls in the world.
About International Chess Federation (FIDE – Fédération Internationale des Échecs):
President – Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
Founded – 1924

Indian GM Aravindh Chithambaram Wins Prague Chess Masters 2025 title

Indian Chess Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram won the Masters Section of the Prague
International Chess Festival in Prague, the Czech Republic. He secured the title with a score of 6 points,
concluding the tournament with a draw against Gurel Ediz of Turkey in the ninth and final round.
• After this win his rating rose by 5.0 Elo points, pushing him
to World No. 14 in the live rankings.
Key Highlights:
i.Aravindh Chithambaram’s victory was confirmed when World No.
8 Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa finished tied second with 5 points after

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losing to Dutchman Anish Giri.

ii.In other final-round matches, Czech Republic’s David Navara drew against American Grandmaster Sam
Shankland. Another Czech player, Nguyen Thai Dai Van, came close to winning against Germany’s Vincent
Keymer.
iii.Meanwhile, in the Challengers’ section, India’s Divya Deshmukh ended on a strong note with a victory
over Greece’s Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis. Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev and Denmark’s Jonas Buhk
Bjerre shared the top position in this category with seven points each.
About Aravindh Chithambaram:
i.His journey in chess took off at the age of 12 when he won the Indian Under-19 Chess Championship.
ii.In 2014, Aravindh became an International Master(IM), and by 2015, he achieved the GM title.
• In 2018, he created history by becoming India’s national champion in all three formats:Classical,
Rapid, and Blitz, a record no other Indian has achieved.
iii.With a live rating of 2745.1, Aravindh is now India’s fourth-highest-ranked player, following
Dommaraju (D) Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa.
About Czech Republic:
President– Petr Pavel
Capital– Prague
Currency– Czech Koruna (CZK)

India Clinches ‘2025 Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship Title’ for the 5th time, by
Defeating Iran
On March 8, 2025, the Indian women’s Kabaddi team won the ‘6th Edition of Asian Women’s Kabaddi
Championship title’ by defeating Iran women’s Kabaddi team 32-25 in the final held in Tehran, Iran. The
victory marked India’s 5th win in the history of the tournament, having
previously won in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2017 except in 2016 where South
Korea claimed the title.
• The Indian Team was Led by captain Sonali Shingate as the
defending champion.
About Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship 2025:
i.The Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship 2025 was held from March 6 to 8, 2025, in Tehran, with 7
teams competing.
• It was the 3rd time that Iran was hosting the Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship having
hosted it in 2007 and 2017.
ii.The teams were divided into two groups: Group A included India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia,
while Group B consisted of Iran, Nepal, and Iraq.
iii.Each team played in a round-robin format, and the top 2 teams from each group advanced to the
semifinals.
Highlights:
i.In the group stage, India secured commanding victories, defeating Bangladesh (64-23), Thailand (76-21),
and Nepal (47-14).
ii.In the semifinal, they triumphed over Nepal 56-18 to set up a final showdown with Iran.
Note: India is to host the second edition of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup at the state-of-the-art Indoor
facilities at the Rajgir Sports Academy in Rajgir, Bihar.

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List of winners of the Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championships:

Medal Country Score

Gold India 213

Silver Iran 111

Bronze Bangladesh 117

Bronze Nepal 82
About Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF):
The Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF) is the official governing body for both men’s and women’s Kabaddi in
Asia. It is affiliated with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and organizes the sport’s competitions at the
continental level.
President– Janardhan Singh Gehlot (India)
Headquarters- Tehran, Iran
Member- 19 countries
Established- 1978

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets, Claims 3rd Champions
Trophy title
On March 9, 2025, India won the 9th Edition of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy
title by defeating New Zealand with 4 wickets in the final held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This victory marks India’s 3rd win in the history of the tournament,
having previously won in 2002 and 2013.
• India successfully chased the target of 252 runs, scoring 254/6 in
49 overs. Rohit Sharma, the captain top-scored with 76 runs, and
Shreyas Iyer added 48 runs to the total.
• New Zealand posted a total of 251/7 in their 50 overs. Daryl
Mitchell contributed 63 runs, while Michael Bracewell remained
not out on 53 runs.
Note: Since 2023 India won 23 matches out of 24 played across the last 3 Men’s ICC events .
Highlights:
i.Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) emerged as a standout performer in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy,
earning both the ‘Golden Bat’ and ‘Player of the Tournament’ honors for his exceptional all-round
contributions.
ii.Ravindra Jadeja (India) earned the ‘Fielder of the Match’ award for his exceptional fielding in the 2025
ICC Champions Trophy.
iii.Virat Kohli became the fastest player to reach 14,000 One-Day International (ODI) runs in just 287
innings. He achieved this in the Champions Trophy 2025 match against Pakistan.
• This remarkable feat also placed him alongside cricket legends like
India’s Sachin Tendulkar (18,246 runs) and Sri Lankas’s Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) as
the only players to surpass the 14,000-run mark in ODIs.
iv.Rohit Sharma, who led India to two ICC titles, became the 2nd-fastest player to reach 11,000 ODI runs,
in his 261st innings during the Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, behind Virat Kohli.

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• He was named ‘Player of the Match’ in the finals against New Zealand for his excellent
contribution with the bat.
v.Mohammed Shami (India) became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets in 104 match
by surpassing Former Indian Cricketer Ajit Agarkar’s record of 133 matches., He Achieved this feat in the
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against Bangladesh.
vi.Afghanistan’s batsmen Ibrahim Zadran scored 177 against England was the highest individual score in
the history of the Champions Trophy.
About ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
i.The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was held from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Pakistan served as the
primary host, with matches also played in Dubai, UAE.
ii.The tournament featured the top 8 Men’s National Teams, including Afghanistan (debut appearance),
Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
iii.Shikhar Dhawan, India’s highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history with 701 runs across two
editions, has been appointed as one of the four Event Ambassadors for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy,
alongside former Pakistani cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed, an Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson, and New
Zealand cricketer, Tim Southee.
iv.Sponsors: JioStar, the official broadcaster of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, secured 11
sponsors, including Dream11, Pernod Ricard India, Beam Suntory, Kohler, Birla Opus, Vodafone Idea, ICICI
Direct, McEnroe, Eicher Motors, Indiran IVF, and LIC Housing Finance.
Note: Sobha Realty, an international luxury real estate brand has partnered with the ICC as a global
sponsor for men’s events, starting with the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, aiming to enhance fan
engagement through unique experiences.
Prize Money
i.The Indian cricket team, known as the Men in Blue, secured the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title, earning
a prize of USD 2.24 million (approximately Rs.17.5 crore).
ii.New Zealand, as the runners-up, received USD 1.12 million (approximately Rs.8.75 crore) while the
semi-finalists, losers Australia and South Africa, received USD 560,000 each (approximately Rs.4.88 crore).
iii.Each of the eight teams participated in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 received a base participation
prize of USD 125,000.
Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament:
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand), Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan), Virat Kohli (India), Shreyas Iyer (India), KL
Rahul (wicket keeper) (India), Glenn Phillips (New Zealand), Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), Mitchell
Santner (captain) (New Zealand), Mohammad Shami (India), Matt Henry (New Zealand), Varun
Chakravarthy (India), Axar Patel (India).
About ICC Champions Trophy:
The ICC Champions Trophy is a quadrennial 50-over ODI cricket tournament organised by the
International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament, first played as the ICC KnockOut Trophy in
Bangladesh in 1998, was rebranded as the Champions Trophy ahead of the 2002 edition hosted by Sri
Lanka.
About International Cricket Council (ICC):
Chairman– Jay Shah
Headquarters – Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Established– 1909

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Bangladesh All-Rounder Mahmudullah Retires From International Cricket

On March 12, 2025, Veteran Bangladeshi cricketer, Mahmudullah Riyad, an all-rounder for the
Bangladesh National Cricket team, announced his retirement from International Cricket, ending an 18-year
career. He previously retired from Test cricket in 2021 and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in 2024.
• He represented Bangladesh in 50 Tests, 239 One Day Internationals
(ODIs), and 141 T20Is, totaling 430 international matches.
• As captain, he led Bangladesh in 6 Test matches, securing one win, 4
losses, and 1 draw. In T20Is, he captained in 43 matches, with 16
wins and 29 losses.
• Throughout his career, he scored a total of 11,047 runs across all
formats, including 9 centuries.
i.Mahmudullah Riyad made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on 20th July 2007. In
ODIs, he scored 5,689 runs at an average of 36.46, ranking as Bangladesh’s 4th-highest run-scorer.
ii.His Test career saw him accumulate 2,914 runs at an average of 33.49, while in T20Is, he scored 2,444
runs at an average of 23.50.
iii.As a bowler, he took a total of 166 wickets across formats, including 43 in Tests, 82 in ODIs, and 41 in
T20I including a 5-wicket haul (5/51) against the West Indies in 2009.
iv.He is the only Bangladeshi cricketer to score 3 centuries in the ODI World Cup, with 2 centuries in 2015
and one in 2023.
v.He was part of a historic 224-run partnership with Shakib Al Hasan against New Zealand in the 2017
International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, a record for the highest 5th-wicket partnership in
the tournament’s history.

KIWG 2025: Fifth Edition Takes Place in Ladakh and J&K, IA Tops Medal Tally
The fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) started on January 23, 2025, in Leh, Ladakh.
This event, funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), is part of Government of India’s
(GoI) Khelo India initiative, which promotes sports across the country.
• In the 2025 edition of KIWG, more than 400 athletes from states, Union Territories (UTs),
and institutions, participated as 19 teams in six winter sports.
Highlights:
J&K CM Omar Abdullah Unveils Mascot for KIWG 2025
Chief Minister (CM) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Omar Abdullah unveiled
the mascot for the KIWG 2025, featuring a snow leopard as a symbol of
the region’s rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. It has been
named Sheen-E-She (Shan). Along with this, he also launched a
multimedia campaign and released a special souvenir to mark the
occasion.
KIWG 2025 Held in Two Phases Across Ladakh and J&K
The tournament was conducted in two parts:
i.The first phase of the KIWG 2025 took place at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Sports Complex and
Guphuk Pond in Leh, Ladakh from January 23 to 27, 2025.
ii.The second phase of the KIWG 2025 took place from March 9 to 12 at Kangdoori Phase 1 and the Golf
Course Club in Gulmarg, J&K. It was originally planned for February 22 to 25, 2025 but was postponed
due to less snowfall.
iii.During the first phase, athletes showcased their skills in ice hockey and ice skating. The second phase
included competitions in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, and snowboarding.
Official Website for KIWG 2025 Unveiled in Jammu
CM Omar Abdullah launched the official website for KIWG 2025 at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, with the
platform accessible at winter.kheloindia.gov.in.
• The platform is designed to provide real-time updates and comprehensive event details,
along with key features to keep users informed about the latest developments in the games.
KIWG 2025 Medal Tally: IA Retains Title, HP Finishes Second
i.The Indian Army (IA) won KIWG 2025 title, finishing at the top with 18 medals, including seven gold,
five silver, and six bronze.

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Note: The IA also won the 4th edition of Khelo India Winter Games 2024, successfully defending its title in
2025.
ii.Himachal Pradesh (HP) put up a strong fight but had to settle for the runner-up position with a total of
18 medals, consisting of six gold, five silver, and seven bronze.
iii.The UT of Ladakh secured third place, winning seven medals (four gold, two silver, and one bronze).
iv.Maharashtra claimed the fourth spot with 13 medals, including three gold, five silver, and five bronze,
followed by Tamil Nadu (TN), which secured fifth place with five medals (three gold and two silver).
Medal tally table for the top five positions in KIWG 2025:

Rank State/ UT/ Institution Gold Silver Bronze Total

1 Indian Army 7 5 6 18

2 Himachal Pradesh 6 5 7 18

3 Ladakh (UT) 4 2 1 7

4 Maharashtra 3 5 5 13

5 Tamil Nadu 3 2 0 5
Click here to view complete medal tally
Points to Note:
i.15-year-old Nayana Sri Talluri from Telangana made history in speed skating by winning the first gold
medal of the event in the women’s 500m short track category and securing a remarkable hat-trick of gold
medals.
ii.Aanchal Thakur, an alpine skier from HP, won gold in both the slalom and giant slalom events held in
Gulmarg.
About Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS):
Union Minister– Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency- Porbander, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)– Raksha Nikhil Khadse ( Constituency- Raver, Maharashtra)

Lando Norris wins F1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix 2025

On 16 March 2025, British Formula one (F1) driver Lando Norris of McLaren claimed victory at the
2025 season opener Australian Grand Prix, held at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia.
• Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen. George Russell of Mercedes secured second and third
place respectively
Race Highlights:
i.Norris started from pole position and led the race despite intense pressure
from teammate Oscar Piastri and Verstappen.
ii.Norris’s victory earned him 25 points, placing him at the top of the 2025
Formula 1 (F1) Drivers’ Championship standings. The race highlighted the
challenges of wet-weather racing and strategic tire management.
iii.British driver Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) finished 10th in a disappointing debut for the team.
Key Performances:

Rank Name Country

1 Lando Norris (McLaren) United Kingdom

2 Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) Dutch-Belgian

3 George Russell (Mercedes) United Kingdom

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India Masters clinch Inaugural IML 2025 Title, beat West Indies Masters by 6 wickets
In March 2025, India Masters Cricket Team clinched the inaugural International Masters League (IML)
2025 by defeating West Indies Masters Cricket Team by 6 wickets in the final at the Shaheed Veer
Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. This victory marked India Masters’ first
title in the tournament, successfully chasing down a target of 149 runs with 17 balls to spare.
• The tournament was held from February 22 to March 16,
2025, with matches played in Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), Raipur
(Chhattisgarh), and Vadodara (Gujarat).
• India Masters was led by Captain Sachin Ramesh
Tendulkar and the West Indies Masters was led by Captain Brian
Charles Lara.
Prize Money:
The Winners, India Masters, were awarded Rs.1,00,00,000 (1 crore rupees)
and the Runners-up, West Indies Masters, received Rs.50,00,000 (50 lakh rupees).
About International Masters League (IML) 2025:
i.The International Masters League (IML) is a Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) cricket tournament
featuring former international cricketers.
ii.The inaugural season took place in 2025, with 6 teams participating: Australia Masters, England
Masters, India Masters, South Africa Masters, Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters.
iii.IML 2025 featured a tournament structure comprising a round-robin group stage, followed by knockout
semifinals and a final.
iv.India Masters Players: Sachin Tendulkar(captain), Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu (wicketkeeper),
Pawan Negi, Yuvraj Singh,Stuart Terence Roger Binny, Yusuf Khan Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Gurkeerat Singh
Mann, Vinay Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem and Dhawal Sunil Kulkarni.
v.West Indies Masters Players:, Brian Charles Lara(captain), Dwayne Smith, William Perkins, Lendl Mark
Platter Simmons, Chadwick Antonio Kirkpatrick Walton, Denesh Ramdin(wicketkeeper), Ashley Renaldo
Nurse, Tino la Bertram Bes, Jerome Everton Taylor, Sulieman Jamaal Benn and Ravindranath Rampaul.
Highlights of India Masters:
i.Indian former international cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar provided a nostalgic moment with a quick-
fire 25 runs off 18 balls, including two fours and one six, before being dismissed.
ii.Former Indian international cricketer Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu anchored the chase with an
impressive 74 runs off 50 balls, featuring 9 boundaries and 3 sixes.
• He was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning performance, scoring 74
runs.
iii.Former Indian international cricketer Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten on 13 runs off 11 balls, playing
a crucial role in the chase’s stability.
iv.Former Indian international cricketer Stuart Terence Roger Binny contributed an unbeaten 15 runs
off 8 balls, including a 6, to ease the chase.
IML 2025 Award Winners List:

Player Award Cash Prize

Bank of Baroda Masterstroke of the Match Rs.50,000

Ambati Thirupathi
Most Sixes in the Match Rs.50,000
Rayudu
Player of the Match Rs.50,000

Gamechanger of the Match –

Shahbaz Nadeem
Most Economical Bowler –

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Season Award Winners List:

Player Award Cash Prize

Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara Most Fours in the Season Rs.5,00,000

Shane Robert Watson Most Sixes in the Season Rs.5,00,000

World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025: India Tops Medal Tally with 134 Medals
India concluded the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New
Delhi (Delhi), securing the top spot on the medal table with 134 medals, including 45 Gold, 40 Silver, and
49 Bronze.
• The Neutral Para Athletes contingent finished 2nd with 26 medals,
comprising 13 gold, 9 silver, and 4 bronze.
• Uzbekistan claimed 3rd place with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze
medals.
About the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix:
i.The 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix made history as
India hosted its first-ever international para-ath letics event.
ii.The competition, held from 11 to 13 March 2025, featured 150 Indian athletes competing across 90
events, with participation of 283 athletes representing 20 countries.
iii.Top nations, including Germany, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, and
Uzbekistan.
Note: The World Para Athletics Grand Prix will be an annual event in India until 2028, as confirmed by the
World Para Athletics Federation.
Top 3 Medal Tally:

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total Medals

1 India 45 40 49 134

2 Neutral Para Athletes 13 9 4 26

3 Uzbekistan 4 4 4 12
Highlights:
i.Indian Para Javelin Thrower Rinku Hooda clinched a gold medal in the javelin throw F46 category with a
throw of 60.26 meters (m).
• This victory followed his recent success at the 22nd
National Para Athletics Championships 2024 and a
silver at the Asian Para Games 2022.
• He outperformed Sri Lanka’s
Gamini Ketawala (56.88m) and Uzbekistan’s
Elyorbek Elmatov (43.01m).
ii.Indian Para Athlete Sagar Thayat clinched the gold medal in
the Men’s Shot Put F11–F20 category with a throw of 11.47 m,
followed by Janka Singh (silver) with a 9.91m throw,
and Balaji Rajendran Harsana (bronze) with a 9.89m throw.
iii.Indian para athlete Preeti Pal earned a silver medal in the
women’s 100m (T35, T36, T38, T44) with a time of 14.85
seconds (s).
• She also added a bronze in the 200m (T35–T38)
event, contributing to India’s leading medal tally of
134.

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iv.Suchitra Parida, a para-athlete from Odisha, clinched the gold medal in the Women’s F-55 Javelin
Throw with a throw of 15.93 m.
• She outperformed Kazakhstan’s Viktoriya Vorobey (14.64m) and India’s Pooja (13.81m),
securing the top position on the podium.

India’s Dominance in Field Events:

i.In the Women’s Discus throw F56–F57 Para Athletes Fatima, Suman Bala, and Asha Jalandar secured
gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
ii.Bhavani Munniyandi (India) added another bronze in the Women’s Long Jump T38, T44, T61,
as Vanessa Low (Australia) claimed the gold.
iii.India’s sprinters Vinay won silver in the men’s 200m T35,
while Abhishek Babasaheb Jadhav secured bronze respectively with 29.58 seconds and 31.55 seconds
iv.In the Men’s 5000m T11–T12, Para Athletes Sharath Shankarappa won gold, Saurabh Sharma
secured silver, and Ankur Dhama won bronze respectively.
About World Para Athletics Federation:
The World Para Athletics Federation is the global governing body for the sport of para-athletics
established in 1989 as part of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Paul Fitzgerald
Headquarters– Bonn, Germany

India Concludes Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 With 33 Medals
India concluded the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin, Italy, with an impressive total
of 33 medals: 8 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze.
• India recorded 10 medals each in Snowshoeing and Alpine
Skiing, 6 in Snowboarding, 4 in Short-track speed Skating, 2 in
Cross-Country Skiing, and 1 in Floor ball.
• On the final day (March 15, 2025) Indian athletes clinched 12
medals across four events.
About Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025:
i.The 12th edition of the Special Olympics World Winter Games was held from 8 to 15 March 2025, in
Turin, Italy, marking the first time Italy hosted the event.
ii.The event saw participation over 1,500 athletes from 100 countries competing in 8 sports, including
Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, DanceSport, Figure Skating, Floorball, Short Track Speed Skating,
Snowboarding and Snowshoeing.
India’s Medal Tally:

Category Medals

Gold 8

Silver 18

Bronze 7
Indian Medallists across 8 Sports:

Sport Medals

Snowshoeing 10

Alpine Skiing 10

Snowboarding 6

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Short Track Speed Skating 4

Cross Country Skiing 2

Floorball 1
Highlights:
i.Snowshoeing: Vasu Tiwari, Shalini Chauhan, and Tanya each earned a silver in the 25 meter (m)
Snowshoeing event, while Jahangir added a bronze in the same category.
ii.Alpine Skiing: Radha Devi and Nirmala Devi both clinched silver medals in the Intermediate Slalom,
F01 and F04 categories, respectively, and Abhishek Kumar secured a silver in the Novice Slalom (M02
category).
iii.Cross Country Skiing: Akriti demonstrated outstanding endurance in Cross Country Skiing, earning
a bronze in the 100m Classical Technique (F02 category).
iv.Floorball: The Women’s Traditional Floorball Team showcased exceptional teamwork, culminating in
a bronze medal.
Points to Note:
i.In recognition of the athletes’ outstanding performances, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports (MYAS) announced an increase in cash prizes.
ii.Gold medallists received a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakhs, while silver and bronze medallists were
awarded Rs. 14 lakhs and Rs. 8 lakhs, respectively.

Mumbai Indians Clinch ‘WPL Title 2025’ for the 2nd Time by Defeating Delhi Capitals
In March 2025, Mumbai Indians Women cricket team (MI-W) clinched their Women’s Premier
League (WPL) title 2025 by defeating Delhi Capitals Women cricket team(DC-W) by 8 runs in the final
held at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai (Maharashtra). This victory marks Mumbai Indians (MI) to become
the first team in WPL history to clinch the title twice, following their debut win in 2023.
• Mumbai Indians (MI) were captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, while
Delhi Capitals (DC) were led by Captain Meghann Moira Lanning.
• The 3rd edition of the tournament was held from 14
February to 15 March 2025 with matches played in Vadodara
(Gujarat), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh,UP) and
Mumbai (Maharashtra).
Prize Money:
The winners ‘MI-W’ received a cash prize of Rs 6 crore, while the runner-up ‘DC-W’ received Rs 3 crore.
About Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025:
i.The WPL is a women’s franchise Twenty20 (T20) cricket league organised by the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI).
ii.WPL 2025, branded as TATA WPL 2025 featured 5 teams: Gujarat Giants -Women cricket team(GG-W),
Royal Challengers Bengaluru -Women cricket team(RCB-W), Mumbai Indians -Women cricket team(MI-
W), Delhi Capitals -Women cricket team(DC-W) and UP Warriorz -Women cricket team(UPW-W).
iii.The tournament followed a double round-robin league stage, with playoffs determining the champion.
Note: The first edition of the WPL was held in 2023 and was won by Mumbai Indians by defeating Delhi
Capitals in the finals.
Highlights:
i.Captain and India International Cricketer, Harmanpreet Kaur anchored MI-W’s innings with a match-
defining 66 runs off 44 balls, rescuing the team after early collapses.
ii.Amelia Charlotte Kerr delivered a clutch bowling spell of 2/25, dismissing key batters Jemimah
Rodrigues and Jess Jonassen.
iii.Natalie Ruth Sciver-Brunt contributed a vital 30 runs and partnered with Harmanpreet Kaur to steady
MI’s innings and Hayley Matthews (2/21) and Shabnim Ismail (2/28) restricted DC’s chase in the death
overs.
• During the final, MI-W batter Natalie Ruth Sciver-Brunt became the first player to score 1000
runs in WPL history.

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iv.Key Performances: Harmanpreet Kaur scored 66 in the final, finishing the season with 320 runs,
Amelia Kerr took 16 wickets, the tournament’s 2nd-highest, and scored over 200 runs and Nat Sciver-
Brunt topped the runs chart with 493 runs at an average of 70.42.
WPL 2025 Award Winners:

Award Player Team Cash Reward

Mumbai Indians-
Natalie Ruth Sciver-
Orange Cap Women cricket team
Brunt
(MI-W)

Purple Cap Amelia Charlotte Kerr MI-W

Rs. 5 lakh
Player of the
Harmanpreet Kaur MI-W
Match

Delhi Capitals -Women

Emerging Player Shafali Verma
cricket team(DC-W)
Season Winners List:

Award Winner Team Cash Reward

UP Warriorz-
Highest Strike-Rate of
Chinelle Akhalia Henry Women cricket
the Season
team(UPW-W)

Gujarat Giants -
Ashleigh Katherine
Most Sixes of the Season Women cricket
Gardner
team(GG-W)

Annabel Jane Rs. 5 lakh

Catch of the Season DC-W
Sutherland

Most Dot Balls Bowled Shabnim Ismail MI-W

Emerging Player of the

Amanjot Kaur MI-W
Season

Fair Play Award – GG-W

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri Claims First F1 Chinese Grand Prix Win

Australia’s Oscar Jack Piastri, a Formula One (F1) driver for McLaren, claimed his first Chinese Grand
Prix (GP) 2025 victory at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, by leading the race from
pole position to the finish.
British racing driver Lando Norris (McLaren) claimed second place, making it a strong one-two result for
McLaren. It also marks 50th such achievement for the team in F1 history.
Key Points:
i.British racing driver George Russell (Mercedes) finished third, earning
Mercedes their 300th podium in F1.
ii.Dutch and Belgian racing driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) managed to
finish fourth in the race.

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Rank Name Country Brand

1 Oscar Jack Piastri Australia McLaren

2 Lando Norris United Kingdom McLaren

3 George Russell United Kingdom Mercedes

iii.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc(Monaco), Lewis Hamilton (British), and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly(French)
were disqualified after their cars were found below the minimum weight limit. Additionally, Hamilton,
who won the Sprint Race on March 22, 2025 was penalized due to the skid block thickness on his car being
below the permitted limit.

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Released Anthem,Mascot and Logo for Khelo India
Para Games 2025
In March 2025, U nion Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs &
Sports (MYAS) released the Mascot, Logo and anthem for 2nd Khelo India Para Games (KIPG
2025) during an event held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex in New Delhi, Delhi.
Key Points:
i.Mascot: During the event, Union Minister of State (MoS) Raksha Nikhil
Khadse, MYAS unveiled the mascot for KIPG 2025 named ‘Ujjwala’, inspired
from Delhi’s house sparrow, demonstrates perseverance and resilience in light
of the bird which was on the verge of extinction.
ii.Logo:The logo for KIPG 2025 was jointly launched by Devendra Jhajaria,
President of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Sminu Jindal, founder of
Svayam.
• The logo features an athlete in orange, green and blue, reflecting dynamism, movement, and
inclusivity with a forward motion signifying progress.
• The words ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Para Games 2025’ are written in the blue or white color on the logo
signifies strength, complemented by orange highlight.
• The bottom of the logo features some of Delhi’s iconic landmarks like: new parliament building,
Bharat Mandapam, Delhi Metro and river Yamuna.
• A bilingual tagline ‘Champions Beyond Limits’/’Hauslon ki Udaan’ reflects the resilience of the
para-athletes.
iii.Anthem: The anthem for the Para Games “khelega khelega mera India, jeetega jeetega mera India” (my
India will play, my India will win) has been composed with a view to inspire fans and athletes alike.
About KIPG 2025:
i.The 2nd edition of KIPG is scheduled to be held across 3 venues i.e. Jawahar Lal Stadium, Indira Gandhi
Arena(formerly known as the Indraprashtha Stadium), and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, in New Delhi,
Delhi from March 20 to 27, 2025.
• This year’s KIPG which is part of the Khelo India Mission will be organised by the Sports
Authority of India (SAI).
ii.This latest edition of KIPG will feature competitions across 6 para-sports fields: para-archery, para-
badminton, para-athletics, para powerlifting, para shooting, and para table tennis.
• Over 1,300 para-athletes are expected to compete in this latest edition of KIPG.
Note: The 1st edition of KIPG was held in December 2023, in 7 sports disciplines across 3 venues in New
Delhi, Delhi.

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About Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Affairs (MYAS):

Union Minister- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency- Porbandar, Gujarat)
Union Minister of State (MoS)- Raksha Nikhil Khadse (Constituency- Raver, Maharashtra)

Kabaddi World Cup 2025: India Clinches both Men’s and Women’s title in UK
In March 2025, India emerged victorious in both the Men’s and Women’s Kabaddi World Cup (KWC)
2025, held in Wolverhampton, theUnited Kingdom (UK).
• The Indian Men’s team clinched the title in a closely contested final,
defeating England 44-41, while the Indian Women’s team delivered a
dominant performance, securing a 57-34 victory over the same
opponent.
• Captain Ritu Negi led the Indian women’s squad. Captain Pawan
Sehrawat led the Men’s team.
About Kabaddi World Cup (KWC) 2025:
i.The 2nd edition of Kabaddi World Cup(KWC), featured over 60 matches, was held from March 17 to 23,
2025.
ii.For the first time, this tournament was hosted outside Asia, with matches played across Birmingham,
Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton in the UK’s West Midlands region.
iii.The 2025 event was supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Commonwealth
Games Major Events Legacy Fund.
• It was sponsored by Paddy Power, an Irish gambling company and received an additional GBP
500,000 from the WMCA along with backing from the University of Wolverhampton (England).
iv.The 1st edition of KWC organized by the World Kabaddi Federation (WKF)in Malaysia in 2019, where
India had also secured both the men’s and women’s titles by defeating Iraq and Chinese Taipei,
respectively.
Key Points:
i.The Men’s competition featured 10 teams, divided into Group A and Group B. India, placed in Group B,
competed against Italy, Scotland, Wales, and Hong Kong, while Group A included England, Hungary,
Poland, Germany, and the United States of America (USA).
ii.Meanwhile, the Women’s event had six teams, split into Group D and Group E. India was placed in
Group D with Wales and Poland, whereas Group E featured England, Hong Kong, and Hungary.
Note: World Kabaddi celebrates World Kabaddi Day annually on March 24, marking the anniversary of its
founding date in 2018
About International Kabaddi Federation (IKF):
The IKF, formerly World Kabaddi Federation (WKF), is an officially recognized governing body for kabaddi,
representing 56 national federations worldwide and overseeing five continental governing bodies.
President- Vinod Kumar Tiwari (India)
Headquarters- Jaipur,Rajasthan
Established– 2004

Indian Gymnast Pranati Nayak Wins Bronze in Vault Final at FIG World Cup 2025 in Turkey
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak, a 29-year-old Olympian, secured a bronze medal in the vault final at the
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) World Cup (WC) in Antalya, Turkey.
• She delivered a strong performance, scoring 13.417 points, securing third place behind
American Jayla Hang (13.667 points) and Claire Pease (13.567 points) from the United States of
America (USA) in the Senior WAG category was held in Antalya, Turkey from March 20 to 23,
2025.

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i.The Antalya meet marks the third leg of the FIG Apparatus World Cup 2025 series, which consists of six
tournaments. The first two were hosted in Cottbus, Germany, and Baku, Azerbaijan.
ii.This marks Pranati Nayak’s second medal at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup,
following her bronze in the vault event at Cairo in 2024.
iii.She becomes the third Indian gymnast to secure an international medal in the vault event, following
the achievements of Dipa Karmakar and Aruna Reddy.
iv.Apart from her World Cup medals, Pranati Nayak has an impressive track record, having represented
India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She also clinched bronze medals at the Asian Championships in 2019
(Ulaanbaatar) and 2022 (Doha).

CWG medalist B Sumeeth Reddy Announces Retirement from Badminton

In March 2025, India’s doubles badminton specialist B. Sumeeth Reddy, a 2022 Commonwealth Games
(CWG) mixed team silver medalist, announced his retirement from professional badminton to focus on
coaching. At the time of his retirement, he held the world badminton ranking of 25.
i.He represented India at the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games, won the 2015 Mexico City Grand Prix and the
2016 Canada Open titles, and was a runner-up at the 2015 US Open and Dutch Open.
ii.He secured gold medals in men’s doubles with Manu Attri at the 2016 South Asian Games in Meghalaya
(India) and the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu (Nepal).
iii.In 2017, he won a silver medal at the Syed Modi International in India, partnering with Ashwini
Ponnappa.
iv.He won a silver medal in the mixed team event at the 2022 CWG held in Birmingham, England.
v.Reddy, who established the Sikki Sumeeth Badminton Academy in Hyderabad in 2021, is also a member
of India’s coaching panel and has been entrusted with mentoring the women’s doubles players.

AFA Partners with HSBC for 2025 Season in India and Singapore
In March 2025, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and London (the United Kingdom, UK)
based HSBC Holdings plc., announced a one-year partnership to promote football-related activities in
both India and Singapore.
• This groundbreaking partnership between HSBC and the Argentina National Team represents a
historic fusion of banking and sports.
i.The partnership covers the 2025 competitive season leading up to the final World Cup qualification
matches for the 2026 FIFA(Fédération Internationale de Football Association or International Federation
of Association Football) World Cup, which will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
ii.Under this collaboration, the Argentina national football team, including football legend Lionel Messi,
will visit India for an international exhibition match in Kochi(Kerala) in October 2025.
iii.This partnership highlights HSBC’s dedication to celebrating excellence in sports and providing
unforgettable experiences for football fans.

Khelo India Para Games 2025: Haryana Topped the Medal Tally with 34 Golds.
Haryana topped the medal tally with 104 medals (34 Gold, 39 Silver, 31 Bronze) in the 2nd edition of
the Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) 2025, a multi-sport para event under the
Government of India’s (GoI) Khelo India initiative held in New Delhi, Delhi
from 20 to 27 March 2025.
• Tamil Nadu (TN) claimed the 2nd position with 74 medals (28 Gold,
19 Silver, 27 Bronze), and Uttar Pradesh (UP) claimed
the 3rd position with 64 medals (23 Gold, 21 Silver, 20 Bronze) in
the overall standings

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• This is the 2nd time Haryana has finished on top of the team standings, claiming the winners’
trophy.
Points to Note:
i.In December 2023, Haryana topped the medal tally with 105 medals, securing 1st place in the KIPG 2023,
held in New Delhi. UP and TN finished 2nd and 3rd on the KIPG 2023 medals tally, respectively.
ii.KPIG 2025 was held at 3 venues in New Delhi – Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi
(IG) Indoor Stadium, and Karni Singh Shooting Range (KSSR).
iii.Ujjwala is the Official Mascot of the 2nd KIPG 2025. The design of Ujjwala is inspired by the house
sparrow of Delhi symbolising the pride and fighting spirit of the city.
• Like the house sparrow of Delhi, ‘Ujjwala’ embodies the pride, spirit, and perseverance of para-
athletes.
Medal Tally:
Top 5 States in the Medal Tally

Rank State Gold Silver Bronze Total

1 Haryana 34 39 31 104

Tamil Nadu
2 28 19 27 74
(TN)

Uttar Pradesh
3 23 21 20 64
(UP)

4 Rajasthan 22 18 24 64

5 Maharashtra 18 13 12 43
Click to view the complete medal tally
Key Points:
i.Jaspreet Kaur became the 1st athlete in KIPG 2025 to break a national record.
• She claimed the gold medal in the 45-kilogram (kg) category, lifting 101 kg, surpassing her
previous best of 100kg.
ii.Seema Rani from Punjab set a new national record by lifting 97 kg in the women’s elite 61 kg category.
She won her 2nd consecutive gold medal.
iii.Jhandu Kumar from Bihar lifted 206 kg in the men’s elite 72 kg category, upgrading from a silver medal
in 2023 to gold in 2025.
iv.Mona Agarwal (Rajasthan), a Paris 2024 Paralympics bronze medallist, won gold in the Mixed 50m
Prone SH1 event with a score of 243.3.
• She also secured 2 silver medals in women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 and mixed 10m air rifle
prone SH2 categories.
About the Khelo India Para Games:
i.The KIPG aims to elevate the standard of para-sports in India, providing para-athletes with a national
platform to compete at the highest level.
ii.The KIPG 2025 event featured 6 sports disciplines: Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para
Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting, and Para Shooting.
• It witnessed the participation of around 1,230 para-athletes representing 36 States and Union
Territories (UTs)across India.

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iii.The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
(MYAS). Organised under the ‘Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports’ launched in
October 2017.
iv.List of Khelo Games, Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Khelo India
University Games (KIUG) and Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG).
Note: Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 is scheduled to be held in 5 districts of Bihar, namely Patna,
Nalanda (Rajgir), Bhagalpur, Gaya, and Begusarai, from 4 to 15 May 2025.
About the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS):
Union Minister– Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency: Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- Raksha Khadse (Constituency: Raver, Maharashtra)

OBITUARY
Russian Chess Grandmaster Boris Spassky Passed Away
On 27 February 2025, Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky passed away at the age of 88 in Moscow,
Russia. He was born on 30 January 1937 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia.
• He became the 10th World Chess Champion in 1969 and held the title from 1969-1972.
i.Boris Spassky competed with American Bobby Fischer in 1972, which was a Cold War conflict between
East (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR) and West (United States of America, USA).
• He was referred to as the “match of the century” against American Bobby Fischer in 1972.
ii.He represented France in three chess Olympiads in 1984, 1986, and 1988, and played in the Jardin du
Luxembourg in Paris, France during the 1990s.

Renowned Marathi Travel Writer Dr Meena Prabhu Passed Away

Veteran Marathi writer and renowned travelogue author Dr. Meena Prabhu passed away on March 1,
2025. Born on 27th August 1939, in Pune (Maharashtra), she was well known in Maharashtra for her
travel writings, novels, and poetry.
• She traveled extensively and captured her experiences in many travelogues, with her first
book, Maza London, gaining immense popularity, running into seven editions, and being
available in Braille for visually impaired readers.
Awards and Honors:
i.In 2023, she received the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her
significant contribution to literature.
ii.In 2017, she launched Prabhu Gyanmandir, a modern Kindle library project in Pune to promote
knowledge and literature. She led the Women’s Literature Conference in Goa.
iii. She was honored with multiple awards, including the DB (Dattatraya Balwant) Mokashi Award in 2010,
Mrunmayee Award in memory of GN (Gopal Nilkanth) Dandekar in 2011, N.C (Narayanrao Chintaman)
Kelkar Award in 2012, and the Maharashtra State Literature Award.

Indian Domestic Cricketer Padmakar Shivalkar Passed Away

In March 2025, Indian cricketer Padmakar Shivalkar passed away at the age of 84 in Mumbai,
Maharashtra. He was born on 14 September, 1940 in Mumbai.
• He was known as ‘Paddy’ and renowned for his achievements in the Ranji Trophy as the best
left-arm spinner of India and as Bombay’s prominent player.
i.He played a total of 124 First-Class matches and claimed 589 wickets at an average of 19.60 with 361 of
those dismissals coming in Ranji Trophy.

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ii.He had 43 five-wicket hauls and had taken 10 wickets in a match on 13 occasions and had a best bowling
figures of 8-16 against Tamil Nadu(TN) in the 1972-73 Ranji Trophy season.
iii.He still holds the record for being the highest wicket-taker for Mumbai in domestic cricket.
iv.In 2017, he was honoured with the prestigious Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Australian Tennis Icon & Dual Grand Slam Champion, Fred Sydney Stolle Passed Away
On 06 March 2025, Australian Tennis Icon and Dual Grand Champion Frederick Sydney Stolle,
nicknamed “Fiery Fred” or “Fiery” passed away at the age of 86. He was born on 8 October 1938 at
Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia.
• He reached world No. 1 in 1966 after defeating Australian former tennis player, John
Newcombe in the final of the United States Open Championship (US Open).
i.He won the Grand Slam Single titles in the French Open in 1965 and the US Open in 1966.
ii.In doubles, he dominated by winning 10 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles including 4 French Open titles,
3 Wimbledon titles, two United States (US) Open titles, and one Australian Open title.
iii.He also secured 7 mixed doubles majors, including 3 French Open titles in 1961, 1962, and 1969 with
Lesley Turner Bowrey and Margaret Court.
iv.He also contributed to Australia’s success in the Davis Cup by helping the team win 3 consecutive titles
from 1964 to 1966.
v.As a coach, he guided Vitas Gerulaitis to the 1977 Australian Open title, and served as a broadcaster for
over 50 years with Australia’s Nine Network and U.S. broadcasters Entertainment and Sports
Programming Network(ESPN) and Fox Sports.

Renowned Classical Singer Garimella Balakrishna Prasad Passed Away

In March 2025, Renowned classical singer and former Asthana Vidwan of the Tirumala Tirupati
Devasthanam (TTD) Garimella Balakrishna Prasad passed away in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh (AP). He
was born on 9 November 1948 in Rajahmundry, AP.
• He was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2020 for his outstanding
contributions to Indian classical music.
i.Garimella Balakrishna Prasad served as the court scholar of the famous hill shrine Tirumala
Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati, AP.
ii.He was a pioneer in composing and performing Annamacharya Sankeerthanalu in a variety of Indian
musical genres, including classical, semi-classical, light, and folk music.
iii.He composed tunes for nearly 1400 songs written by various poets. Almost 1,000 of these were
Annamacharya Sankeertanas.
iv.He achieved a remarkable feat by singing 300 keertanas non-stop and composing over 600
Annamayya keertanas, establishing him as a legendary artist.
v.With over 6,000 concerts under his name, he was also the lead singer at the historic “Laksha
Galarchana” event, organized by Silicon Andhra at Secunderabad Parade Ground, Hyderabad, Telangana,
which entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

Former India Cricketer Syed Abid Ali Passed Away

On 12 March 2025, Syed Abid Ali, a former Indian cricketer, passed away at the age of 83 in California, the
United States of America (USA). He was born on 9 September 1941, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,AP (now
Telangana).
• Syed Abid Ali represented India in 29 Test Matches from 1967 to 1974 and 5 One-Day Internationals
(ODIs) between 1974 and 1975.

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i.He scored 1,018 runs with the highest score of 81 and took 47 wickets in his Test career and, he scored 93
runs with a top score of 70 and took 7 wickets in his ODIs.
ii.In First-Class cricket, he played for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy. In 212 matches, he scored 8,732 runs with
13 centuries and 31 fifties. He also claimed 397 wickets with 14 five-wicket hauls.
iii.He played a crucial role in India’s historic 1971 Test series wins against England and the West Indies.
iv.He was part of the Ajit Wadekar-led Indian team that played its first-ever ODI in 1974 against England at
Headingley in England, the United Kingdom (UK).

Renowned Odia Poet & Padma Bhushan Awardee Ramakanta Rath Passed Away
In March 2025, Ramakanta Rath, renowned Odia poet and Padma Bhushan awardee passed away at the
age of 90 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. He was born on 13 December 1934 in Cuttack, Bihar and Orissa
Province, British India (now Odisha).
• He has won numerous awards including the ‘Padma Bhushan’ award.
About Ramakanta Rath:
i.Ramakanta Rath was a distinguished modernist poet and former civil servant.
ii.In 1957, he joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), held several significant positions, and retired
as chief secretary(CS) of Odisha in 1992.
iii.He was renowned for his modernist and philosophical approach to Odia poetry, exploring themes such
as mysticism, existentialism, and the human condition.
• His notable poetry collections include: Kete Dinara (1962), Aneka Kothari (1967),
Sandigdha Mrigaya (1971), Saptama Ritu (1977), Sachitra Andhara (1982), Sri Radha (1984)
and Sri Palataka (1997).
iv.His magnum opus, “Sri Radha“ (1984), delves into the spiritual and emotional complexities of Radha’s
devotion to Krishna and earned him the Saraswati Samman in 1992.
v.He also served as Vice-President (VP) of the Sahitya Akademi from 1993 to 1998 and as its President
from 1998 to 2003, advocating for regional languages and Indian literature on national and international
platforms.
Awards and Honors:
i.He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977 for “Saptama Ritu,” the Sarala Award in 1984, the
Bishuva Samman in 1990, and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2009 for his significant contributions to
Odia literature.
ii.In 2006, he was honored with the ‘Padma Bhushan’, India’s 3rd-highest civilian award, in the field of
Literature and Education for his exceptional contributions to Literature.

Member of Erstwhile Royal Family of Mewar & Chairman of HRH Group of Hotels Arvind Singh
Mewar Passed Away
In March 2025, Arvind Singh Mewar, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Mewar and a
descendant of the Rajput king Maharana Pratap, died at the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan at 81. He
was born on 13 December 1944, in Udaipur. He was the Chairman of the Historic Resort Hotels
(HRH) group of hotels in Udaipur and the Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana of Mewar
Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur.
• He remained an active cricketer through the 1960s and 1970s and made his debut in the
Ranji Trophy tournament (Rajasthan) in December 1961.
• He was the 2nd son of the late Bhagwat Singh Mewar and was the 76th Custodian of the
House of Mewar. He was Popularly known as Shriji.
• Under his leadership, ‘The Cricket Institute, Udaipur’ was established. It is a unique body
and the only institute of its kind in Rajasthan, promoting the sport and sportsmen.
• To promote professional polo in the UK, he instituted ‘The Udaipur Cup’ at the Cambridge
and Newmarket Polo Club in England (UK). He formed the Mewar Polo team in Udaipur.
• In the 1991 President’s Cup, his Mewar Polo team made history by defeating the 61st
Cavalry players, connecting his legacy in Indian polo.

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Awards:
i.‘Lifetime Achievement Award (2021) from Hotelier India.
ii.VIII Annual Gala WT Institution Award (2012) for his ‘Contribution to Universal Culture’ at the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States of America (USA).
iii.‘Agastya Award’ by the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) for 2001.

Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan Passed Away

In March 2025, Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan, Father of Union Minister, Dharmendra
Pradhan, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) passed away at the age of 84 in
New Delhi (Delhi)
• He was born on 16 July 1941 in Nalam, Dhenkanal district, Orissa Province, British India
(present day Odisha, India)
About Debendra Pradhan:
i.Dr. Debendra Pradhan was a prominent Indian politician and a founding member of the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha.
ii.He started his career as a medical officer from Talcher, Odisha. He Joined the BJP in 1980 and served as
the Odisha BJP state president and also served as a national executive member of the BJP.
iii.He served as a Member of Parliament (MoP) for 2 consecutive terms from 1998 to 2004, representing
the Deogarh constituency in Odisha.
iv.During his tenure, he held the position of Minister of State(MoS) for Surface Transport from 1998 to
1999, and subsequently, MoS for Agriculture from 1999 to 2001.
v.He also served as the National Vice President of the BJP between 2001 and 2002.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarathi’s Autobiography titled ‘Diyaslai’ Explored at
IGCNA
In February 2025, Nobel laureate and social reformer Kailash Satyarthi launched his autobiography
‘Diyasalaai’ during the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• The book was published by Rajkamal Prakashan and launched by former President of
India Ram Nath Kovind, who attended the event as Chief Guest.
i.Satyarathi mentioned that he wrote a poem at the age of 15 which inspired him to become
a matchstick which is the literal meaning of ‘Diyaslai’, as he desired to kindle a spark of change and create
awareness against child labour.
ii.The book comprises 24 chapters which narrates his journey, from being born into the family with
humble background in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh (MP) to his lifelong struggle for liberation of children
from exploitation, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

AP CM N.Chandrababu Naidu Unveils Daggubati Venkateswara Rao’s Book ‘Prapancha Charitra’

In March 2025, the book titled ‘Prapancha Charitra’ (World History) authored by former minister and
Member of Parliament(MP) Daggubati Venkateswara Rao was released in Visakhapatnam, Andhra
Pradesh (AP). The book launch event was attended by Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM) of AP.
• The book was penned in Telugu and published by Parragon Publishing India Private Limited.
• The event was attended by former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and D Purandeshwari, State president, Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP).
i.The book highlights the linguistic arts, architecture, sculpture, land reforms, social justice, the feudal
system, kingdoms, and public administration in AP.

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Note: Daggubati Venkateswara Rao has written 5 books including ‘Some Truths in History’, ‘History of
Telugu People – Separation Movements’, ‘World Philosophy and Leadership’, and ‘Governance Systems of
World Nations’.

CSK Launches its Book “Leo — The Untold Story”

A new book titled “Leo — The Untold Story”, written by senior advocate and former Tamil Nadu Cricket
Association (TNCA) vice-president P.S. Raman was officially unveiled in Chennai(Tamil Nadu) by the
former Indian Test Cricketer Chingleput Doraikannu “C.D.” Gopinath at a star-studded event, with
former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh (M.S.) Dhoni graced the occasion.
• Musician Anirudh Ravichander was presented with the first copy of the book during the
launch event.
• The book offers a deep and unique insight into the life, career, and lasting impact of M.S. Dhoni,
highlighting his journey on and off the field, his contribution to Indian cricket, and his leadership
of the CSK franchise.

Justice P.N. Prakash Launches Book ‘Memories and Milestones’ to Celebrate 60 Years of Blue
Cross of India
On March 15, 2025, Justice P.N. Prakash, former judge of the Madras High Court (HC), and former Special
Public Prosecutor of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Government of India (GoI) released the
book ‘Memories and Milestones’ in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). The book, authored by
historian V. Sriram and Lashman, documents the 60-year journey of the Blue Cross of India.
• Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, animal rights activist and environmentalist, A. L. Somayaji,
former Advocate General of TN government, and Dr. Chinny Krishna, co-founder of Blue Cross
of India, and recipient of the Praani Mitra Award, India’s highest honor for animal welfare,
awarded by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), were present during the event.
i.Blue Cross, registered in 1964 and headquartered in Chennai (TN), is India’s leading and most active
animal welfare organization.
ii.It pioneered the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, the first global initiative for humane
sterilization of street dogs.

Book Titled ‘March of Glory’ Released to Commemorate Golden Jubilee of India’s 1975 Hockey
World Cup Triumph
In March 2025, the book titled ‘March to Glory: The Story of India’s 1975 World Cup triumph’ was
released to celebrate Golden Jubilee of India’s maiden victory in Hockey World Cup against Pakistan in
1975 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The book was published by Hockey Citizen Group.
• The book has been co-authored by hockey historian, K. Arumugam, who is also the co-founder
of Non-Government Organisation (NGO), One Thousand Hockey Legs (OTHL); and eminent
journalist Errol D’Cruz.
i.The book provides key details about matches with statistics and over 250 rare photographs, both on and
off the field from the event.
ii.The book tells the story of Ajit Pal Singh and his battling teammates as they fought tooth-and-nail to
finish atop the podium in Malaysia.

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IMPORTANT DAYS
Rare Disease Day 2025 – February 28
Rare Disease Day is observed annually across the globe on the last day of February, either 28 or 29 in
leap years (the rarest day of the year), to raise awareness for the people impacted by rare diseases and
unite individuals from over 100 nations. This day also aims to build a community and promote the need for
healthcare equity, better access to treatments, and enhanced medical research for those living with rare
conditions.
• Rare Disease Day 2025, observed on 28 February 2025, marks the observance of 18th Rare
Disease Day.
• The 2025 theme of Rare Disease Day, “More than you can imagine; an anthology of rare
experiences,” highlights the challenges, resilience, and experiences of people living with rare
diseases.
Note: There is no officially declared theme for Rare Disease Day 2025, but “More than you can imagine; an
anthology of rare experiences” is widely mentioned on news sites.
Background:
i. Rare Disease Day was introduced in 2008 by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS)-
Rare Diseases Europe and its Council of National Alliances (CNA).
• The first-ever Rare Disease Day was observed in 2008, with events held in 18 countries.
ii.Since then, Rare Disease Day has grown to include events in over 100 countries.
iii.The goal of this day is to raise awareness about rare diseases, which impact 1 in 20 people worldwide,
while promoting unity and advocating for improved representation, support, and care for patients,
families, and caregivers.
Why February 29?
February 29 was chosen as the date for Rare Disease Day because it is a rare day that only happens once
every 4 years, symbolizing the rarity of the diseases it aims to highlight.
What is a Rare Disease?
i.A rare disease refers to a condition that affects a small proportion of the population. While definitions
vary, a disease is often classified as “rare” if it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 individuals.
ii.These diseases can have a profound impact on those affected and their families, often with limited
available treatments or support.
Points to Note:
i.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the classification of a rare disease is based on its
epidemiology, with the frequency of such diseases being less than 6.5-10 per 10,000 individuals.
• Over 6,000 different rare diseases have been identified, with more than 300 million people
worldwide living with one.
• Additionally, 72% of rare diseases are genetic, and almost one in 5 cancers is classified as rare.
Furthermore, 70% of these rare genetic diseases begin during childhood.
ii.In India, the Non-Profit Organization (NPO), Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) has been
established to advocate for individuals with rare diseases.
iii.Considering India’s large population, ORDI defines a disease as rare if it affects one in every 5,000
people or fewer. ORDI has identified 263 rare diseases in India. The top 5 of these are:
1. Acanthocytosis Chorea – A neurological disorder affecting movement in various body parts.
2. Achalasia Cardia – A rare condition causing difficulty in swallowing, affecting the esophagus.
3. Acromesomelic Dysplasia – A skeletal disorder, also known as short-limb dwarfism, leading to
short stature.

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4. Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP) – A condition affecting the

nervous system, causing inflammation and damage to nerve cells.
5. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) – A blood cancer that primarily affects white blood
cells.
About EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe:
EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe is a non-governmental, Non-Profit Alliance (NPA) consisting of over
1,000 rare disease patient organizations from 74 countries and individuals engaged in Europe’s rare
disease community.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) -Virginie Bros-Facer
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1997

National Science Day 2025 – February 28

National Science Day (NSD) is observed annually on February 28 across India to honor the
groundbreaking discovery of the ‘Raman Effect‘ by Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (CV Raman), a
pioneering Indian physicist, in 1928. This day serves to highlight the importance of science in everyday life
and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of scientists in shaping the progress of India.
• 28th February 2025 marks the observance of the 39th NSD.
• The theme of NSD 2025, “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science
and Innovation for Viksit Bharat,” highlights the role of young minds in advancing India’s
scientific and technological growth, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims for
a developed and self-reliant India.
Background:
i.In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) recommended to the
Government of India (GoI) that February 28 be designated as NSD.
• The first-ever NSD was observed on February 28, 1987.
ii.Since 1987, NSD has been celebrated on February 28 to honor the discovery of the Raman Effect.
About Sir CV Raman:
i.Sir CV Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu (TN).
ii.In 1907, he joined the Indian Finance Service (IFS), a position that allowed him to continue his scientific
research during his spare time.
iii.In 1917, he was appointed as the first Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta,
informally known as Calcutta University (CU) in Kolkata (West Bengal, WB).
• In 1919, he also served as the Honorary Secretary of the Indian Association for the Cultivation
of Science (IACS) in Kolkata.
iv.In 1928, he discovered the ‘Raman Effect’, observing that when
light passes through a transparent material, a portion of the light
changes its wavelength, providing insights into molecular structures.
v.He also served as a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
in Bengaluru (Karnataka) from 1933 to 1948.
vi.In 1948, he established the ‘Raman Research Institute’ (RRI) in
Bengaluru, where he continued his research and served as its Director
until his passing on November 21, 1970.
Awards and Honors:
i.In 1930, he received the ‘Nobel Prize’ in Physics for his groundbreaking discovery of the “Raman Effect”
and became the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in a scientific field.

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ii.In 1954, he was honored with the ‘Bharat Ratna’ (Science & Engineering), India’s highest civilian award,
alongside Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
iii.In 1957, he received the ‘Lenin Peace Prize’ for his dedication to scientific progress and peace.
iv.He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1924 and was knighted in 1929.
Legacy:
• Institutions Named After Him: RRI in Bengaluru and the C.V. Raman Road in Bengaluru.
• Commemorations: Postal stamps featuring him were issued in 1971 and 2009.
India’s Key Advancements in S&T:
i.Global Ranking: In 2024, India achieved significant progress in S&T, ranked 39th in the Global
Innovation Index (GII) 2024, and secured the 6th position in global Intellectual Property (IP) filings, as
reported by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
ii.ANRF: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the ANRF Act 2023 aims to boost
India’s Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem. Key programs under the ANRF include:
• PM Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG), supporting young researchers.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Mission, focused on sustainable mobility innovation.
• Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR), promoting collaboration in
scientific research.
• Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG), which provides financial support to researchers from
Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
iii.NQM: India has invested Rs.6003.65 crore over 8 years in the National Quantum Mission (NQM),
aiming to lead in quantum technologies.
• A total of 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 States and 2 Union Territories (UTs)
are involved.
iv.National Supercomputing Mission (NSM): India’s supercomputing infrastructure expanded to 32
PetaFlops in 2024, with a future target of 77 PetaFlops.
• New systems were commissioned at the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in New
Delhi (Delhi), the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune (Maharashtra), and the
S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) in Kolkata (West Bengal, WB).
v.AI & Cyber-Physical Systems: The BharatGen initiative under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary
Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) launched India’s first multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) for
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI).
vi.Geospatial Science & Climate Research: India is increasing the adoption of geospatial technologies,
with Spatial Thinking Programs (STP) reaching 116 schools across 7 states.
• 4 new Centres of Excellence (CoE) have been launched for climate resilience, focusing on flood
and drought risk mapping.
viii.INSPIRE: The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) program continues to
foster young scientific talent, with 34,343 INSPIRE Scholars, 3,363 INSPIRE Fellows, and 316 INSPIRE
Faculty Fellows receiving support for higher education and research.
• The INSPIRE-MANAK scheme will expand to engage Class 11 and 12 students from 2025,
strengthening India’s scientific workforce and global research leadership.
ix.Gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM): Initiatives like Women in
Science and Engineering-Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (WISE-
KIRAN), supports women scientists and engineers.
• Additionally, the Vigyan Jyoti Program encourages young girls to enter STEM fields, fostering a
more inclusive scientific community.

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2025 Events:
i.On the occasion of NSD, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of New Delhi
(Delhi), the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) of New Delhi, and the Kalam Institute of Youth Excellence
(KIYE) of Hyderabad (Telangana) hosted an event at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad..
• The two-day celebration includes an Aerospace Exhibition with 200 stalls, attracting 20,000
students.
• It aims to inspire innovation, showcase India’s defence advancements, and encourage STEM
careers.
About National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC):
i.NCSTC, established in 1982 is an initiative by the GoI, operating under the Department of Science and
Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T).
ii.Its primary mission is to popularize Science and Technology (S&T), fostering a scientific temper among
the populace. NCSTC acts as a nodal agency to support and coordinate the celebration of NSD.

Zero Discrimination Day 2025 – March 1

The United Nations (UN’s) ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ is observed annually on March 1st across the globe
to promote equality, inclusion, peace, and diversity. The day serves to raise awareness about the damaging
effects of discrimination and emphasizes the right of every individual to live a fulfilling and dignified life.
• March 01, 2025, marks the observance of the 11th Zero Discrimination Day.
• The theme for Zero Discrimination Day 2025 is “We Stand Together,” highlighting a particular
aspect of discrimination.
Background:
i.In 2013, on the occasion of World Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Day(December 1) ,
UNAIDS launched the Zero Discrimination Campaign, aiming for a global transformation toward equality
and inclusion.
ii.This campaign was introduced under the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize
laureate and ‘UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination’, with the hashtag #zerodiscrimination.
• The first-ever Zero Discrimination Day was observed on March 1, 2014.
iii. The inaugural event was led by Michel Sidibé, then-Executive Director (ED) of UNAIDS, in Beijing,
China, setting the stage for an annual observance focused on promoting dignity and equality for all.
iv.The primary aim is to eliminate discrimination based on factors such as income, sex, age, health status,
occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender identity, race, class, ethnicity, and religion.
Note: UNAIDS, a Joint UN Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS, organizes this
day each year, bringing together communities worldwide to demand equality for everyone.
Symbol:
The ‘butterfly’ serves as the symbol for Zero Discrimination Day, representing transformation and change.
• This emblem underscores the campaign’s goal of fostering a world where everyone can live a life
of dignity, free from discrimination.
Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026:
i.Adoption: On March 25, 2021, the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) unanimously adopted
the new Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026, titled “End Inequalities, End AIDS.”
• The PCB adopted the strategy during a special session chaired by the Minister of Health of
Namibia, held on March 24-25, 2021.
ii.Comprehensive Approach: This strategy outlines a roadmap for tackling the underlying factors that
fuel HIV/AIDS and aims to ensure universal access to healthcare and rights for all individuals, with an
urgent call to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

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iii.Bold Targets: It sets ambitious targets and policies to be achieved by 2025, energizing global
commitment to end AIDS.
UNAIDS 2025 Targets:
i.The UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026 sets ambitious targets to significantly reduce new HIV
infections and AIDS-related deaths by 2025.
• The goal is to significantly reduce new HIV infections, with a target to decrease the number of
new cases from 1.7 million in 2019 to fewer than 370,000 by 2025.
ii.This represents a reduction of approximately 78% in new HIV infections over the 6 years. The aim is to
reduce AIDS-related deaths from 690,000 in 2019 to fewer than 250,000 by 2025.
iii.This goal aims for a decrease of about 64% in AIDS-related deaths by 2025 by eliminating new HIV
infections among children, reducing the number from 150,000 in 2019 to fewer than 22,000 by 2025.
iv.This target seeks to reduce new HIV infections in children by approximately 85% within the specified
time frame.
v.From 2010 to 2021, New HIV infections decreased by nearly 22%, and HIV-related deaths fell by almost
40%.
Challenges:
i.Gender Equality: Gender-based discrimination remains widespread: Women have less than two-thirds
of the legal rights of men, and the global gender pay gap is 20%.
• One in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence.
• Women hold only 10% of Head of State positions globally.
ii.Discrimination in Employment: Workplace discrimination remains a significant issue, with 88,531
cases of discrimination recorded in the United States (US) Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) Report for 2024, a 9% increase from 2023.
About UNAIDS:
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS was founded by the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) and continues to be the only joint program co-sponsored by the UN system.
Executive Director (ED)– Winnie Byanyima
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Founded– 1996

World Civil Defence Day 2025- March 1

World Civil Defence Day (WCDD), also known as World Civil Protection Day, is observed annually
on March 1 across the globe to raise awareness about civil defence and highlight its crucial role in
protecting communities and individuals during emergencies and disasters. This day also honors the efforts
and sacrifices of civil defence personnel who have worked tirelessly to safeguard lives.
• 1st March 2025 marks the observance of the 36th WCDD.
• The theme for WCDD 2025, “Civil Defence, Guarantee of Security for the
Population”, emphasizes the essential role that civil defence organizations play in safeguarding
public security.
Background:
i.WCDD was officially established by the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) during the 9th
General Assembly on December 18, 1990, at the International Conference Center in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The first-ever WCDD was observed on March 1, 1990, under the guidance of the United
Nations (UN).
ii.In 2012, the ICDO further solidified the observance by officially inaugurating Civil Defence Day (CDD).
Why March 1?
i.The date commemorates the adoption of the ICDO Constitution on March 1, 1972.

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ii.The ICDO Constitution was adopted earlier on October 17, 1966 and the organization officially became
an intergovernmental body on March 1, 1972.
History of ICDO:
i.In 1931 Surgeon-General Georges Saint-Paul established the “Association des Lieux de Genève” in Paris,
France, aiming to create neutralized zones or open towns where civilians could seek refuge during
wartime and to protect historical monuments and cultural assets. In 1958, the organization was renamed
as the ICDO.
ii.In 1972, ICDO was granted the status of an intergovernmental organization, formalizing its role in
international civil defence efforts.
Functions of ICDO:
i.Development of Protective Structures: ICDO contributes to the development by states of structures
ensuring the protection and assistance of populations.
ii.Safeguarding Property and Environment: It also safeguards property and the environment in the face
of natural and man-made disasters.
Note: As of October 2024, ICDO comprises 61 member states, 16 observer states, and 4 affiliated members,
reflecting its extensive international reach and commitment to global civil defence.
About International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO):
Secretary-General (SG) – Njoupouo YAP Mariatou
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Founded- 1931

World Seagrass Day 2025 – March 1

The United Nations (UN)’s World Seagrass Day is annually observed on 1 March across the globe to raise
awareness of the importance of seagrasses as a fundamental element of marine biodiversity, the challenges
they face, and their role in sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• 1 March 2025 marks the observance of the 3rd World Seagrass Day.
Background:
i.On 23 May 2022, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted A/RES/76/265 declaring 1 March as World
Seagrass Day.
• The resolution highlights the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels and to promote and
facilitate actions for seagrass conservation to contribute to their health and development,
keeping in mind that improving ecosystem services and functions is essential for achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ii.This initiative started with a resolution from Sri Lanka, stressing the need to protect seagrass for future
generations.
ii.The UNGA invited the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to facilitate the observance of the Day.
iii.The first ever World Seagrass Day was observed on 1 March 2023.
Key Organisations:
The World Seagrass Day is co-organized by the UNGA, UNEP, the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN-OCEANS, the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) the Ramsar
Secretariat (RS), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and the Commonwealth Secretariat (CS).
What are Seagrasses?
i.Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that live in shallow coastal waters on all continents except
Antarctica.

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ii.Covering only 0.1% of the ocean floor, they form vast underwater meadows that provide food and
shelter to thousands of marine species and support some of the world’s largest fisheries such as the Alaska
(walleye) pollock and the Atlantic cod.
iii.They improve water quality by filtering, cycling, and storing nutrients and pollutants, as well as
stabilizing sediments, which helps to strengthen surrounding vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs.
Key Facts:
i.Seagrass meadows exist in 159 nations across six continents, covering about 3,00,000 square kilometers
(km2).
ii.At least 22 of the 72 seagrass species in the world are in decline, and since the late 19th century, about
30% of the world’s seagrass area has disappeared.
iii.Seagrasses are a component of the marine environment and store up to 18% of the global oceanic
carbon.
Seagrass in Crisis:
i.According to the UN data, Seagrasses have been disappearing globally since the 1930s, with the most
recent census predicting that 7% of this important marine habitat is lost worldwide per year.
ii.According to IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, 21% of seagrass species are considered Near
Threatened, Vulnerable, or Endangered.
iii.Only over 25% of all meadows are located within marine protected areas, and this essential part of
marine biodiversity is in danger despite its significant contribution to sustainable development, climate
change mitigation, and adaptation.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director (ED) – Inger Andersen
Headquarters – Nairobi, Kenya
Established – 1972
Members – 193 Member States

Civil Accounts Day 2025 – March 1

Civil Accounts Day is celebrated every year on 1st March in India to commemorate the Foundation Day of
the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), which operates under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of
Finance (MoF).
• 1st March 2025 marks the 49th Civil Accounts Day.
Background:
i.The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) is one of India’s Civil Services, established in 1976 as a result of
the Government of India’s (GoI) significant reform in public financial administration.
ii.On March 1, 1976, the President of India issued two Ordinances to begin the process of separating the
auditing and accounting functions of the Union Government accounts from the Indian Audits and Accounts
Service.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) (Duties, Powers, and Conditions of Service)
Amendment Act, 1976, amended the conditions of service for the CAG.
• The Departmentalisation of Union Accounts (Transfer of Personnel) Ordinance, 1976, was
enacted to separate the Union Government accounts from audit functions, thereby laying the
foundation for the creation of departmentalised accounts.
• Since then, ICAS, guided by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), has played a pivotal role in
financial governance.
iii.The Act came into effect on March 1, 1976, and ever since, March 1 has been commemorated as “Civil
Accounts Day” or the “Foundation Day of ICAS.”

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Public Financial Management System (PFMS):

ICAS also leveraged advanced technologies to support data-driven decision-making within the Public
Financial Management System (PFMS).
i.PFMS, previously known as the Central Plan Schemes Monitoring System (CPSMS), is a web-based online
software application developed and implemented by the Office of CGA, Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.
ii.It serves as the primary Information Technology (IT) platform for government financial administration,
covering functions such as payment, receipt, accounting, cash management, and financial reporting.
iii.It enables Payments and Exchequer Control, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), monitoring of fund flow
mechanisms, accounting of receipts (both tax and non-tax), compilation of accounts, preparation of fiscal
reports, and dissemination of information.
iv.PFMS, which now manages the entire Union Government of India’s budget for accounting and 65% of its
budget for payments, stands as a testament to the leadership demonstrated by ICAS in this area.
Note: PFMS was initially launched in 2009 as a Central Sector Scheme by the Planning Commission. In
2013, its scope was expanded to include direct payments to beneficiaries under both Plan and Non-Plan
schemes.
2025 Events:
i.Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs
(MoCA) lead the celebrations for the 49th Civil Accounts Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi (Delhi) on 1st
March 2025.
• The event was graced by officers and staff of the Indian Civil Accounts Organisation, Secretaries,
Financial Advisers of GoI, and dignitaries from various sectors.
ii.During the inaugural session, a compendium on PFMS, titled “Digitalisation of Public Financial
Management in India: The Transformative Decade (2014-24),” unveiled.
iii.In the second session, Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission(FC) of India,
delivered the keynote address on “India in the Global Economy: The Next Decade.”
About Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS):
Controller General of Accounts (CGA)– S. S. Dubey
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1976

World Wildlife Day 2025 – March 3

The United Nations (UN’s) World Wildlife Day (WWD) is observed annually on 3rd March across the
globe to honor and raise awareness about the diverse array of the world’s wild fauna (animals) and flora
(plants). This day emphasizes the importance of conserving wildlife and the critical role that conservation
plays in preserving our ecosystems.
• WWD also draws attention to the ongoing threats posed by wildlife crime and human activities
that contribute to the decline of species, urging accelerated efforts to protect and sustain
biodiversity.
• The theme for World Wildlife Day 2025, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People
and Planet,” focuses on the importance of improving and making current financial efforts more
effective and sustainable.
• World Wildlife Day 2025 will provide a platform to explore and share innovative financial
solutions for wildlife conservation.
Background:
i.March 3rd was chosen to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

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ii.On December 20, 2013, during its 68th session, the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3rd as WWD through resolution UN 68/205.
iii.Prior to this, during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) held in Bangkok
(Thailand) from March 3 to 14, 2013, a proposal from the Kingdom of Thailand led to the adoption of
Resolution Conference 16.1.
iv.This resolution designated March 3rd as WWD and was subsequently endorsed by the UNGA.
• The first-ever WWD was observed on 3 March 2014.
Note: The CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with other relevant UN organizations, facilitates the
implementation of WWD.
2025 Events:
WWD Day Events in India:
On WWD Day, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi went on a lion safari at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in
Junagadh district, Gujarat during his state visit.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife
(NBWL) in Junagadh, Gujarat. Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) Bhupender Yadav, along with other board members, also attended the meeting.
• Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife in
Junagadh and announced the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation set for May 2025.
• He announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict
Management at SACON (Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History), Coimbatore,
Tamil Nadu and launched a book on river dolphins.
• The central government has approved Rs.2,900 crore for Project Lion, aimed at conserving
Asiatic lions, which inhabit 30,000 sq. km across 53 talukas in 9 Gujarat districts.
• Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed with Indian Railways to
prevent lion accidents on railway tracks in the Greater Gir region.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
NBWL is a statutory body that advises the government on wildlife conservation and consists of 47
members.
• The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio chairperson, while the Union Minister of
Environment, Forests, and Climate Change acts as the vice-chairperson.
Other Global Events
i.On the occasion of WWD, the CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with partners such as the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), Wildlabs Community for Conservation Technology (WILDLABS),
Jackson Wild, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) organized the high-level UN
celebration event at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The Activities of event includes:
• World Wildlife Day Film Showcase: – Jackson Wild has organised this event which features
films highlighting science, wildlife, and nature conservation with the theme “Wildlife
Conservation Finance”.
• World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest – IFAW organized this contest to inspire
youth artists aged 4-18 to create traditional artworks that highlight the significance of wildlife
conservation.
Key Points:
i.Wildlife, encompassing species from highland steppes to coral reefs, plays a crucial role in sustaining
ecosystems and supporting biodiversity, vital for human livelihoods and achieving Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
ii.Forests alone are home to 60,000 tree species, 80% of amphibian species, and 75% of bird species,
providing essential resources like food, medicine, and income to over 1.6 billion people.

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iii.Additionally, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) aims to mobilize at

least USD 200 billion annually for biodiversity and eliminate or reform harmful subsidies by 2030.
About Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
Secretary-General (SG)– Ivonne Higuero
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established- 1973
Parties- 185 Parties including 184 countries and the European Union (EU).

World Hearing Day 2025 – March 3

World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed annually on 3rd March across the globe to raise awareness about
hearing loss and to promote ear and hearing care. The day also serves as a call to action to address hearing
loss and its associated challenges.
• 3rd March 2025 marks the observance of the 19th WHD.
• The theme of WHD 2025 is “Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and
hearing care a reality for all!”.
Points to Note:
i.Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) determines the theme for WHD and develops a range of
evidence-based advocacy materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, banners, infographics, and
presentations, to support the campaign.
ii.The day has been sponsored by the Office for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the WHO.
Background:
i.The “Beijing Declaration” adopted during the First International Conference on Prevention and
Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss held in Beijing (China) in 2007.
• The declaration led to the establishment of “International Ear Care Day” to promote global
actions on hearing care.
ii.The first-ever International Ear Care Day was observed on 3rd March 2007. The date was chosen
because the numbers 3 and 3 resemble the shape of ears.
iii.In 2016, the day was renamed as”World Hearing Day” to better reflect its broader mission of raising
awareness about hearing loss and promoting ear and hearing care worldwide.
Significance:
i.Global Prevalence: Approximately 466 million individuals worldwide, including both children and
adults, live with disabling hearing loss. This number is projected to exceed 700 million by 2050, affecting
one in every ten people.
ii.Unmet Needs: Over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unaddressed globally, leaving a vast
majority without essential hearing health services.
iii.Economic Impact: Unaddressed hearing loss imposes an annual economic burden of nearly USD 1
trillion, encompassing productivity losses and social exclusion.
Key Statistics on Hearing Loss:
According to the WHO, hearing loss that is ‘disabling’ is defined as hearing loss higher than 35 decibels
(dB) in the better-hearing ear.
i.Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, nearly 20% of the global population, experience some form
of hearing loss.
ii.Of the 1.5 billion affected, 430 million individuals (including 34 million children) have disabling hearing
loss.
iii.By 2050, it is estimated that over 700 million people will have disabling hearing loss, indicating a
significant rise in prevalence.

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iv.Unaddressed hearing loss imposes an annual global economic burden of approximately USD 980 billion,
accounting for productivity losses and social exclusion.
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director-General (DG)-Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Established- 1948

National Security Day 2025 – March 4

National Security Day (NSD), also known as Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas, is observed annually on 4
March across India to honor and show gratitude to the Indian Security Forces including the Police,
Military, Para-Military, Guards, Commandos, and other forces who are involved in maintaining the peace
and security of the people of India.
• March 4 also commemorates the formation of the Safety Council in 1966.
History of NSC:
i.The National Security Council (NSC) was established by former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
on November 19, 1998.
ii.The NSC is a federal institutional and consultative body, with the PM serving as its Chairman and the
National Security Advisor (NSA) as its Secretary.
• Brajesh Mishra was the first NSA, serving from 1998 to 2004.
iii.The NSC is a three-tiered organization within the executive office of the PM, addressing a broad range of
issues, including politics, economics, energy, and security.
• Strategic Policy Group (SPG): This group forms the core of the decision-making apparatus,
chaired by the NSA.
• National Security Advisory Board (NSAB): Established by Brajesh Mishra, the NSAB consists
of eminent national security experts, including former officials, academics, and distinguished
members of civil society.
• Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC): The JIC analyzes intelligence data from various agencies,
including the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, to provide comprehensive
assessments of domestic and foreign intelligence.
iv.Before the formation of the NSC, national security functions were overseen by the Principal Secretary
(PS) to the PM, who coordinated various aspects of national security policy and strategy.
Note: The first National Security Day (NSD) was observed in 1972.
Key Functions of NSC:
i.Comprehensive Security Oversight: The NSC oversees internal and external security, defence
strategies, counter-terrorism efforts, cyber security, and the protection of critical information
infrastructure.
ii.Cyber Security Initiatives: The NSC has been instrumental in formulating the National Cyber Security
Strategy, aiming to protect the nation’s cyberspace and critical infrastructure from various threats.
iii.Maritime Security Cooperation: In collaboration with international partners, the NSC has expanded
maritime security measures, enhancing regional stability and addressing concerns about strategic
maritime routes.
iv.Technological Advancements: Facilitated discussions to bolster technological cooperation in defence,
including advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space technology, to strengthen national security
capabilities.

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About the National Security Council (NSC):

National Security Advisor (NSA)– Ajit Doval
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 1998

World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation 2025 – March 4

The World Day Against Sexual Exploitation is observed globally on March 4th each year to raise
awareness about sexual exploitation and offer support to victims of sexual abuse.
• Since 2009, March 4th has been recognized as the World Day to Fight Against Sexual
Exploitation.
Significance:
i.The World Day to Fight Against Sexual Exploitation was created in response to the growing incidents of
sexual exploitation, such as human trafficking, child pornography, prostitution, and various other forms of
violence.
ii.Human rights organizations and activists played a key role in establishing this day to raise awareness
and urge governments and communities to take action.
Sexual Exploitation:
i.The United Nations (UN) defines sexual exploitation as any abuse or attempted abuse of a position of
vulnerability, power imbalance, or trust for sexual purposes.
ii.It includes transactional sex, regardless of the legal status of sex work in a particular country.
Acts of Sexual Exploitation:
i.Sexual assault, Child sexual exploitation (CSE), and abuse.
ii.Insisting on sex in any context or requiring it as a condition for receiving help.
iii.Coercing someone into participating in prostitution or pornography.
iv.Inappropriate or unwelcome sexual touching.
v.Forcing sex or someone to have sex with anyone.
vi.Neglecting to practice safe sex.
Key Points:
i.The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that nearly 5 million women are victims of forced
sexual exploitation each year.
• Children make up over 20% of all victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with a notable
number of boys and young men also falling victim to sexual exploitation.
• Members of the LGBT community are particularly vulnerable due to societal stigma and the
limited availability of specialized services.
ii.According to the 2024 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the first global and
regional estimates of sexual violence against children.
• More than 370 million girls and women – about 1 in 8 – have been raped or sexually assaulted
before turning 18. Including non-contact forms of sexual violence, like online or verbal abuse,
increases the number to 650 million globally – or 1 in 5.
• An estimated 240 to 310 million boys and men – about 1 in 11 – have been raped or sexually
assaulted during childhood. When including non-contact abuse, the number rises to 410 to 530
million.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director(ED) – Catherine Mary Russell
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America(USA)
Established -1946

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National Safety Day 2025 – March 4

National Safety Day (NSD) is observed annually on 4 March across India to emphasize the importance of
safety measures in preventing workplace accidents. The day also promotes a culture of safety in
workplaces, encouraging strict adherence to safety guidelines.
• 4 March also marks the commencement of the ‘National Safety Week Campaign’, which is
annually observed across India from 4-10 March.
• 4 March 2025 marks the observance of the 54th National Safety Day/National Safety Week
Campaign.
Theme 2025:
i.The theme for NSD 2025 is “Safety & Well-being Crucial for Viksit Bharat,” aligns with the vision
of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ underscoring the role of safety in India’s developmental goals.
ii.This theme highlights the significance of maintaining a safe and healthy environment as a cornerstone of
national progress and development.
Background:
i.The origins of NSD trace back to 1966, when the National Safety Council (NSC) of India was established
under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E).
ii.In 1972, the NSC designated 4th March as National Safety Day, initiating a nationwide campaign to raise
awareness about safety standards and practices.
• The first-ever National Safety Day was observed in 1972.
iii.Since its inception, National Safety Day has played a pivotal role in promoting the Safety, Health, and
Environment (SHE) movement in India
Note: The Diamond Jubilee Year of NSD commences from 4th March 2025.
Note: In 2000, the NSC was registered legally as a public trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act (BPTA)
of 1950, further solidifying its commitment to promoting safety and health in India. It is also registered
under the Societies Registration Act (SRA) of 1860.
National Safety Week Campaign:
i.In 1986 building on the momentum of NSD, the NSC expanded the observance to a week-long campaign,
known as National Safety Week (NSW), to promote safety awareness in all sectors.
ii.The initiative aims to enhance the understanding and implementation of safety protocols across
workplaces, ensuring a deeper commitment to safety.
iii.The campaign focuses on raising safety awareness among employees across all sectors, fostering safer
work environments and promoting safety practices.
iv.The National Safety Week Campaign has become an integral part of industries, trade unions,
government bodies, regulatory agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs), and institutions.
v.It was actively supported by Central and State Governments and the media, evolved into a national
movement for safety.
About National Safety Council (NSC):
Director-General (DG)– Dr. Lalit R Gabhane
Headquarters– Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established– 1966

World Obesity Day 2025 – March 4

World Obesity Day (WOD) is annually observed across the globe on 4th March to create awareness about
the risks of obesity and to promote practical solutions to end the growing global obesity crisis. The WOD
was organised by the World Obesity Federation (WOF).
• 4th March 2025 marks the observance of the 11th WOD.
• The theme of WOD 2025 is “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives.”

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Background
i.In 2015, WOD was established on 11 October as an annual campaign to encourage and support practical
activities that help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, thereby reducing global obesity.
• Initially, WOD was observed on 11 October till 2019. Since 2020, the World Obesity Day date has
been changed to 4 March.
ii.The first ever WOD was observed on 11 October 2015.
What is Obesity?
i.Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk.
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.
ii.Overweight and obesity can develop over time when you consume more calories than you use.
iii.The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed
and calories expended.
PM Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide anti-obesity campaign, urging Indians to reduce oil
consumption by 10%
In March 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched a nationwide anti-obesity campaign, urging
Indians to reduce oil consumption by 10%, highlighting its role in rising obesity rates.
• On the 119th episode of Mann Ki Baat, he referenced a research that found that obesity affects
one in every eight persons worldwide, with cases among children quadrupling in recent years.
i.Annually, India consumes 260 lakh tonnes of edible oil, of which 160 lakh tonnes are imported. The
country’s per capita consumption is 17 kilograms per person per year, though it varies across regions.
ii.PM Modi encouraged citizens to adopt healthier eating habits by consciously reducing oil consumption.
He suggested that individuals aim to cut their oil usage by 10% each month, emphasizing that small dietary
changes can contribute to a healthier and disease-free future.
iii.This call to action emphasizes the necessity of addressing obesity at both the individual and community
levels, stressing the need for a fitter and healthier India.
About World Obesity Federation (WOF):
President – Dr Simón Barquera
Headquarters – London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established – 1967

World Engineering Day 2025 – March 4

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s World Engineering
Day (WED) for Sustainable Development is observed annually on 4th March across the globe to highlight
the critical role of engineering in modern life.
• The day focuses on its importance in combating climate change and promoting sustainable
development, particularly in Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• 4th March 2025 marks the 6th observance of the WED.
Theme:
The UNESCO’s theme for World Engineering Day 2025 is “Unleashing the power of engineers to
advance the Sustainable Development Goals’’.
• The theme highlights engineers’ crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
Background:
i.In November 2019, UNESCO declared March 4th as World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development
based on the proposal of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), during UNESCO’s
40th General Conference (40 C/64).
ii.The first-ever WED was observed on 4th March 2020.

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Significance:
UNESCO highlights the significance of encouraging youth to pursue studies in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
2025 Event:
In 2025, UNESCO, in collaboration with the WFEO, organized the World Engineering Day (WED)
celebrations with the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Engineering” at the UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris (France), as part of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable
Development (IDSSD).
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director General (DG)-Audrey Azoulay
Founded-1945
Headquarters– Paris, France
About World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO):
President –Mustafa Balarabe Shehu
Founded-1968
Headquarters– Paris, France

International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 2025 – March 5

The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is
observed annually on March 5th worldwide to raise public awareness and understanding of disarmament
issues, especially among young people.
• The day also helps the global public understand how disarmament efforts promote peace,
prevent conflicts, and reduce suffering caused by weapons.
• March 5, 2025, marks the 3rd observance of the International Day for Disarmament and Non-
Proliferation Awareness.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the A/RES/77/51 resolution on December 7,
2022, and declared March 5 of every year as the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Awareness.
ii.The 1st International Day of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness was observed on March 5,
2023.
ii.The day coincides with the date of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
entered into force on March 5, 1970.
• It helps prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology while promoting the peaceful
use of nuclear energy.
UN’s Multilateral Goals:
i.Multilateral disarmament and arms limitation have been central objectives of the UN in its efforts to
preserve international peace and security.
ii.Weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, continue to be a significant concern because
of their devastating power and the risks they pose to humanity.
iii.New and emerging weapon technologies, like autonomous weapons, present a growing challenge to
global security.
Agenda for Disarmament:
i.In 2018, UN Secretary-General António Guterres unveiled “Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for
Disarmament,” a crucial roadmap aimed at building a safer world.
ii.The agenda outlines strategic measures aimed at advancing sustainable peace and security across the
globe.

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Key pillars of the agenda are:

• Disarmament that saves humanity,
• Disarmament that saves lives
• Disarmament for future generations
• Strengthening partnerships for disarmament
iii.It is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, targeting 6 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) through 9 concrete actions.
2025 Events:
i.To celebrate this day, the Vienna Conversation Series event was planned in cooperation with the Kyrgyz
Republic, with a focus on youth engagement and empowerment.
ii.The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Vienna office organized a series of activities
to commemorate the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness from March 5
to 6, 2025.
iii.During the event, the UNODA, with the generous support of the Government of Japan announced the
launch of the second Call for Applications for the Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear
Weapons (YLF).
• Following the successful completion of Phase I, UNODA is seeking to select the next 100 young
leaders from around the world to participate in an innovative online learning programme.
UN Disarmament Week:
The UN’s Disarmament Week is observed from October 24 to 30 every year to promote awareness of
disarmament initiatives used throughout the world to establish international peace and security. It is
organized by the UNODA.
Note: According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI), the Global military spending
surged to a record USD2.4 trillion in 2023, the ninth consecutive year of growth.
About United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA):
UNODA promotes nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation while also working to strengthen
disarmament regimes related to other weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological
weapons.
Under-Secretary-General (USG) and High Representative (HR) – Izumi Nakamitsu (Japan)
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 1998

Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 – March 7

Jan Aushadhi Diwas (Generic Medicine Day) is annually observed on 7th March across India to raise
awareness about the importance of Generic Medicines and to highlight the benefits of Pradhan Mantri
Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
• 7th March 2025 marks the observance of 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
• The day is annually organised by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India
(PMBI), under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals(DoP), Ministry of Chemicals &
Fertilizers (MoC&F).

What is Generic Medicine?

i.A generic medicine contains the same active ingredient as a brand-name drug but is available after the
brand-name drug’s patent expires, maintaining the same chemical composition as the originally patented
drug.
ii.They are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved generic name rather than a brand name.
Background

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i.On 7th March 2019, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi declared the 7th March of every year as Jan
Aushadhi Diwas.
ii.Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week is observed from March 1st to 7th . Last day of the Jan Aushadhi Diwas
Week is observed as Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week 2025 :
• 1st March – Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW) and MoC&F flagged off the event with a Rath Yatra to promote PMBJP.
• 2nd March – Jan Arogya Mela was held, featuring heritage walks and over 500 health camps
for senior citizens.
• 3rd March – Focused on children’s participation and distributing nutraceutical products.
• 4th March – The distribution of sanitary pads emphasized women’s engagement and
demonstrated the affordability of Jan Aushadhi products.
• 5th March – Pharmacist awareness seminars were conducted in 30 cities to educate healthcare
professionals.
• 6th March – The “Jan Aushadhi Mitra” campaign was launched nationwide to encourage
community participation. This campaign aims to strengthen community engagement and spread
awareness about the benefits of PMBJP across India.
• 7th March – The event ended with the Jan Aushadhi Diwas Celebration.
About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):
i.The PMBJP was launched in November 2008 by the DoP, MoC&F, in collaboration with Central Pharma
Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs).
ii.The initiative aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the public through dedicated
outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).
iv.The program has improved healthcare affordability and created a viable path for self-employment,
providing steady and consistent income, with more than 15,000 Janaushadhi Kendras now operational in
all districts.
v.As a significant step towards ensuring women’s health security in India, Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-
biodegradable Sanitary Napkins were launched in August 2019, at an affordable price of just Rs 1 per
pad.
vi.The Jan Aushadhi SUGAM mobile application(app) was launched in August 2019 and offers various
user-friendly features. It allows users to locate nearby Kendras via Google Maps, search for Jan Aushadhi
generic medicines, and compare the prices of generic and branded drugs in terms of Maximum Retail Price
(MRP) and overall savings.
Features of PMBJP:
• Affordable Prices: Jan Aushadhi medicines cost 50%-80% less than branded medicines in the
market.
• Quality Assurance: Medicines are sourced only from World Health Organization – Good
Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified manufacturers to ensure quality.
• Testing for Quality: Every batch of medicine is tested in National Accreditation Board for
Testing and Calibration Laboratories(NABL) -accredited labs for high-quality standards.
• Monthly Incentive: A monthly incentive of up to Rs. 20,000 is given, based on 20% of monthly
purchases and stocking requirements.

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• One-Time Incentive for Special Locations: A one-time incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh is given to
PMBJP Kendras in specific regions (like North-East, Himalayan areas, Islands, and backward
areas) or those opened by women, ex-servicemen, Divyang, or cheduled Castes (SCs) and
Scheduled Tribes (STs) individuals.
About Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F):
Union Minister – Jagat Prakash Nadda (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Anupriya Patel (Constituency – Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

International Women’s Day 2025 – March 8

The United Nations (UN’s) International Women’s Day (IWD) is annually observed across the globe on 8
March to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. IWD aims to
recognise women for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic,
cultural, economic, or political.
• 8 March 2025 marks 50 years of the UN’s official commemoration of IWD.
Theme:
i.The 2025 theme of the IWD is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”.
ii.The theme is fully aligned with the UN 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69)
“Accelerating Gender Equality: Empowering Women and Girls Beyond Beijing+30”.
• The CSW69 will be held under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia at the UN Headquarters in
New York, the United States of America (USA) from March 10 to 21, 2025.
iii.The campaign theme of IWD 2025 is ‘Accelerate Action‘, emphasising the significance of taking rapid
and resolute steps to achieve gender equality.
Background:
i.The UN started celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975, which was declared “International
Women’s Year”.
ii.In December 1977, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution proclaiming March 8th of
every year as the UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
History:
i.The IWD celebrated on March 8th is associated with the women’s movements during the Russian
Revolution (1917).
• By 1917 a vast number of women were working in factories, both in munitions and replacing
recruited men.
ii.In 1917, women in Russia chose to protest and strike under the slogan “Bread and Peace” on the last
Sunday in February in the Julian Calendar (which fell on March 8 in the Gregorian or Gregorian calendar).
iii.Russia used the Julian calendar before 1917 and on 14
February 1918, Russia officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, following the Russian Revolution
(February Revolution).
iv.Russia’s 23 February 1917 aligned with 8 March in other European countries using the Gregorian
calendar.
• Pope Gregory XIII instituted the Gregorian calendar in 1582 to correct errors in the Julian
calendar.
Key Significance of 2025:
i.2025 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) (1995), the
most comprehensive and visionary agenda ever for gender equality and the human rights of all women and
girls.
• The declaration was also the first global policy document on women that included a specific
focus on girls’ rights.

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ii.BPfA was signed by 189 governments at the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, held
between 4-15 September 1995.
2025 Event:
The official UN Commemoration event of the IWD was held on 7 March 2025 at the UN General Assembly
(UNGA) Hall in New York, the USA.
Reports Launched:
The UN has launched 2 reports for the occasion of IWD 2025:
1.The Report of the UN Women Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, highlights findings from
the UN Secretary-General’s report on the 30-year review covering 159 countries, assessing progress and
challenges in gender equality.
• The report reveals that nearly a quarter (25%) of governments worldwide reported a decline in
women’s rights in 2024.
• This includes increased discrimination, weakened legal protections, and reduced funding for
women-focused initiatives.
Challenges Faced by Women and Girls:
i.Only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman.
ii.A woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member.
iii.Digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) reinforce harmful stereotypes, while the digital gender
gap limits opportunities.
iv.The past decade has seen a 50% rise in the number of women and girls affected by conflict.
v.Women’s rights defenders face daily harassment, personal attacks, and threats to their lives.
Key Points:
i.The report shows the progress that must be acknowledged:
• Since 1995, parity in girls’ education has been achieved and maternal mortality has been
reduced by one-third
• Women’s representation in parliaments has doubled and countries have enacted 1,531 legal
reforms (between 1995 and 2024) to remove discriminatory laws across 189 countries.
2.A joint report GIRL GOALS: What has changed for girls? Adolescent Girls’ Rights over 30 years, launched
by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Kingdom (UK)-based Plan International and
the UN Women reviews how adolescent girls’ lives have changed in the last 30 years since the BPfA was
endorsed in 1995.
Key Points:
i.As per the report, the number of girls out of school worldwide declined to 122 million in 2023, a 39%
decrease from 200 million in 2000.
• As of 2023, 122 million girls are out of school globally, compared to 128 million boys.
ii.Globally, the adolescent birth rate (births per 1,000 adolescent girls aged 15–19) has nearly halved over
the past 30 years from 73 to 38.
• Still, nearly 12 million adolescent girls aged 15–19 are expected to give birth in 2025.
IWD 2025 in India:
1.On March 3, 2025, ahead of the IWD 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi invited women to
share their life journeys on the NaMo Application(app) Open Forum.
2.The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), a functional organisation under the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), observed IWD on 8th March 2025
and released the “Cyber Security Handbook for Mahila Suraksha,” a comprehensive guide aimed at
empowering women across India with essential cyber hygiene practices.

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3.On IWD 2025, the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice (MoL&J), formally released a
significant publication titled, The Life and Contributions of the Women Members of the Constituent
Assembly.
i.This book pays tribute to 15 remarkable women including lawyers, social reformers, and freedom
fighters, who played a crucial role in drafting the Indian Constitution but remain largely unrecognised.
ii.The 15 pioneering women are:
• Ammu Swaminathan – Advocated gender equality in constitutional provisions.
• Annie Mascarene – Contributed to federalism and state integration.
• Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul – the only Muslim woman in the Assembly, stood for secularism and
inclusive national identity.
• Dakshayani Velayudhan – the first Dalit woman in the Assembly, opposed untouchability and
championed Dalit rights.
• Durgabai Deshmukh – Shaped social welfare policies and women’s education.
• Hansa Jivraj Mehta – Played a key role in drafting fundamental rights.
• Rajkumari Amrit Kaur – Architect of India’s public healthcare system.
• Sarojini Naidu – Advocated civil liberties and democratic values and called the “Nightingale of
India”.
• Sucheta Kripalani – Championed labor rights and governance reforms and later became India’s
1at female Chief Minister (CM).
• Vijayalakshmi Pandit – Promoted global cooperation and diplomacy.
• Constituent Assembly Debates
Bank Products Launched in India for IWD 2025:
1.On the eve of IWD 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)- based State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a
collateral-free digital MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) loan product ‘SBI Asmita’ for women
entrepreneurs, offering additional interest benefits to help them expand their business.
• SBI also launched a ‘Nari Shakti’ platinum debit card, the 1st SBI debit card made from 100%
recycled plastic to cater to the needs of women across various segments.
2.Gujarat-based Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched “BoB Global Women Non-Resident Externa (NRE) &
Non-Resident (Ordinary) Accounts (NRO) Savings Account,” designed exclusively for women Non-
Resident Indian (NRIs). The account features:
• Auto sweep facility for higher interest earnings
• Concessional interest rates on home and auto loans
• Reduced loan processing charges
• 100% concession on locker rent
• Customised debit card with free domestic and international airport lounge access
• Free Personal and Air Accident Insurance (AAI) coverage
3.Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based PhonePe Group, India’s leading financial technology (fintech) company
launched its ‘Insuring HEROES‘ campaign ahead of IWD 2025.
• This initiative aims to enhance women’s financial security and economic well-being and
increase insurance awareness and accessibility for women.
Other Initiatives and Honours:
1.Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Star Health & Allied Insurance Company Limited (Star Health Insurance)
launched ‘SheTARA,’ a large-scale women’s health initiative, offering free and accessible healthcare to
women across Tamil Nadu (TN) through 40+ health camps, including a flagship event in Chennai’s Anna
Nagar branch to mark IWD 2025.
• The SheTARA Women’s Health camp provides essential medical screenings and raises
awareness about preventive healthcare.

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2.On IWD 2025, Indian Railways(IR) introduced Chilli Spray Cans for women personnel of the Railway
Protection Force (RPF) to enhance security for female passengers, particularly those traveling alone or
with children.
3.The Kochi (Kerala)-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute (ICAR -CMFRI) was honoured 2 women entrepreneurs, Akhilamol M A (from Kerala),
and Sangeetha Sunil (from Kerala) for their achievements in the fisheries sector as part of its IWD 2025
celebrations.
Tracxn Report: Women-Led Tech Startups in India Drops 25% in 2024; India Ranked 2nd in
Women-Led Startup Funding with USD 26 Billion
According to the Women-led Startups in India Report 2025 by Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Tracxn
Technologies Limited, the technology (tech) startups co-led by women secured only USD 1 billion in
funding in 2024, reflecting a 25% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) decline.
• Indian tech startup ecosystem ranks 2nd after the United States of America (USA) in terms of
all-time funding raised by companies with women founders, with a total capital mobilisation
of USD 26.4 billion to date, with 2021 being the highest-funded year at USD 6.3 billion.
Key Statistics:
i.Over 7,000 active women-led startups operate in India, comprising 7.5% of all active startups in the
country.
ii.In 2024, India ranked 3rd globally in funding raised by startups co-led women, behind the USA and the
United Kingdom (UK), contributing 3.96% of the total global funding.
iii.Women-led startups in India have attracted investments across various sectors, with the retail sector
leading the way:
• Retail: USD 7.8 billion (highest) in all-time funding
• Educational Technology (Ed-Tech): USD 5.4 billion
• Enterprise Applications: USD 5 billion
iv.For the regional distribution of women-led startups, Bengaluru leads in the number of women-led
startups and total funding raised followed by Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Delhi National Capital Region
(NCR) as the next top startup hubs.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General (SG)- António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA).
Established– 1945

International Day of Women Judges 2025 – March 10

The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Women Judges (IDWJ) is observed annually on 10
March across the globe to highlight the vital role of women in the judiciary and to advocate for gender
equality within judicial systems.
• The day emphasizes the significance of women’s representation and contributions to the
judiciary worldwide.
• 10 March 2025 marks the observance of the 4th IDWJ.
Background:
i. On April 28, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/75/2
74, introduced by the State of Qatar, designating March 10th as IDWJ, to be observed annually.
ii.The resolution acknowledged the efforts of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its
Global Judicial Integrity Network (GJIN) in promoting the inclusion of women’s representation within
judicial systems.
iii.The first-ever IDWJ was observed on March 10, 2022.

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Global Judicial Integrity Network(GJIN):

i.The GJIN, launched by the UNODC in April 2018 in Vienna, Austria, is a unique global initiative that
brings together judges and judicial experts from around the world.
ii.Its mission is to support judiciaries worldwide in promoting judicial integrity and combating corruption
within the justice sector, in alignment with Article 11 of the UN Convention against Corruption.
Women in Justice, Women for Justice” campaign:
i.The “Women in Justice, Women for Justice” campaign was launched by Austria’s Minister of
Justice, Alma Zadić, and the Executive Director (ED) of UNODC, Ghada Fathi Waly.
ii.This initiative was introduced during the first-ever IDWJ in 2022, with the goal of promoting gender
balance and responsiveness throughout the justice system, marked by a high-level event in Vienna.
2025 Events:
i.On the occasion of IDWJ, the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) will be hosting
its 17th Biennial Conference from April 9-12, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa.
• The conference 2025 is themed “Resilience: Women in Leadership to End Gender-Based
Violence & Femicide,” aiming to empower women judges and legal professionals to lead efforts
against gender-based violence and femicide.
Points to Note:
i.Anna Chandy (1905–1996) was the first woman judge in India and one of the first female judges in the
British Empire (BE).
ii.M. Fathima Beevi (1927–2023) was the first woman to serve as a judge in the Supreme Court of India
(SCI).
iii.India is recognized as the world’s largest democracy with an extensive judicial system. As of August 1,
2024, women constitute 14% of sitting judges across India’s High Courts (HC), an increase from 13% in
June 2023 and 11% in March 2022.
About United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC):
Executive Director (ED)– Ghada Fathi Waly
Headquarters- Vienna, Austria
Established– 1997

CISF Raising Day 2025 – March 10

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Raising Day is observed annually on 10th March across India
to commemorate the establishment of the CISF in 1969 and to honour the commitment and sacrifices of its
personnel in protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring public safety throughout the country.
• 10th March 2025 marks the observance of the 56th CISF Raising Day.
History of CISF:
i.The CISF is a central armed police force in India, founded under the Central Industrial Security Force Act
of 1968 (Act No. 50 of 1968).
ii.The CISF Bill was passed by Parliament on 13th August 1968, and received the President’s approval on
2nd December 1968.
iii.It came into effect on 10th March 1969 and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Note: In 2019, the Government of India (GoI) decided to celebrate CISF Raising Day across various parts of
India rather than just in Delhi.

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Roles and Responsibilities of CISF:

i.CISF is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in India.
ii.It was initially established to provide security to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and critical
infrastructure.
iii.Over the years, it has grown significantly and now provides security to a diverse range of
establishments, including airports, seaports, nuclear power plants, government buildings, space
installations, and metro systems.
iv.The CISF, through its elite and specialized Special Security Group (SSG) commandos, provides security
to Very Important Persons (VIPs).
Note: The CISF is led by an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer holding the rank of Director-General (DG),
who is assisted by an IPS officer with the rank of Additional Director-General (ADG).
Broadening of Charter:
i.The charter of CISF has broadened to make Presence Across Nation (PAN) India, with a strategic focus on
areas affected by terrorism and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in states of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K),
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and the North Eastern Region (NER).
ii.The expansion of the CISF’s charter of duties and responsibilities in 2009 extended its protective
coverage to private-sector establishments.
Significance:
As the Armed Force of the Union, the CISF has established its unique identity through its distinctive
characteristics.
• Safeguarding India’s critical infrastructure
• Generating revenue for GoI, without being a fiscal burden
• Maintaining the highest percentage of women in the workforce
• Providing fire services
• Managing the largest public interface
• Performing diverse, multifaceted roles across various sectors
2025 Events:
i.On March 7, 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Ministry of
Cooperation (MoC) attended the 56th Raising Day Parade of CISF at the Regional Training Center in
Thakkolam, Tamil Nadu (TN), as the chief guest.
• Union Minister of State (MoS) Loganathan Murugan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(MIB), Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying (MoFAH&D); Rajvinder Singh Bhatti, DG of CISF, were also present during the event.
ii.He launched CISF’s annual magazine, Sentinel, and honored 10 personnel with the President’s Police
Medal, 2 with the Jeevan Raksha Medal, and 10 with the Gallantry Medal.
iii.He laid the foundation stone for six infrastructure and development projects worth Rs. 88 crore, aimed
at enhancing the health, duty performance, and facilities for CISF personnel.
iv.He flagged off the 1st Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon 2025 to raise awareness about national security
in coastal areas, emphasizing the threats posed by smuggling, including drugs, weapons, and explosives.
• Theme: ‘Secure Shores, Prosperous India’
• The event started from Lakhpat in Gujarat on the western coast and Bakkhali in West Bengal on
the eastern coast. It will travel through all coastal villages in the country and end at the
Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari (TN) on March 31, 2025.
v.Announcements:
• The CISF Regional Training Centre in Thakkolam, Tamil Nadu, will be named after the great
Chola dynasty warrior Rajaditya Chola, a decision that brings great pride.

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• Previously, CAPF recruitment exams were only available in Hindi and English, with no provision
for regional languages. Now, candidates can take the CAPF recruitment exams in Tamil and
other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• Jewar International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Navi Mumbai International
Airport in Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) will soon be brought under the security coverage of the
CISF.
About the Central Industrial Security Force:
Director General (DG) – Rajvinder Singh Bhatti
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 1969

World Kidney Day 2025 – March 13

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global campaign observed annually across the globe on the 2nd Thursday of
March to highlight the critical role of kidneys in overall health and to advocate for equal access to healthcare
and medication worldwide. The day aims to raise awareness about kidney disease, its impact, and the
associated health challenges.
• WKD 2025 is observed on 13 March 2025.
• WKD 2024 was observed on 14 March 2024; WKD 2026 will be observed on 12 March 2026.
Theme 2025:
The 2025 WKD campaign theme is, “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney
Health,” emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention in preventing and managing kidney
disease.
Background:
i.The concept of WKD was introduced by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International
Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).
• The inaugural WKD was launched on March 9, 2006 (Thursday), and fully inaugurated on March 8,
2007 (Thursday).
ii.On July 1, 2020, the IFKF was restructured and relaunched as the International Federation of Kidney
Foundations-World Kidney Alliance (IFKF-WKA), continuing its mission alongside ISN to promote kidney health
globally.
About Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD):
i.Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), also known as chronic kidney failure, is a serious medical condition
characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function over months or years.
ii.The kidneys, each containing millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons, play a crucial role in filtering
waste and excess fluids from the blood.
iii.When these nephrons become damaged, their ability to filter blood effectively diminishes, leading to various
health complications.
iv.The major risk factors for kidney disease are: Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, Obesity and
Family history of kidney disease.
Key Facts:
i.Global Prevalence: CKD affects over 850 million people globally, with 3.1 million deaths recorded in
2019. Approximately 1 in 10 individuals worldwide are affected by CKD and imposes a significant health
burden, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).
ii.Leading Cause of Death: Currently ranked as the 8th leading cause of death, CKD is projected to become
the 5th leading cause of years of life lost by 2040 if left unaddressed.
iii.South Asians: Individuals from South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka,
face a higher risk of developing CKD, exacerbated by elevated rates of diabetes and hypertension.

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v.Prevalence in India: In India, the prevalence of CKD is approximately 800 cases per 1 million people, with an
incidence of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) ranging from 150 to 200 cases per 1 million people.
• Diabetic nephropathy stands as the most common cause of CKD in India, underscoring the critical
need for effective diabetes management.
About International Society of Nephrology (ISN):
President – Marcello Tonelli (Canada)
Headquarters- Brussels, Belgium
Established– 1960

World Rotaract Day 2025 – March 13

World Rotaract Day is celebrated annually on 13th March to honor the contributions of Rotaractors, young
adults aged 18 and above who are part of Rotary International (RI), a global organization dedicated to
community service and leadership development. The day also highlights the impactful work of Rotaract
clubs worldwide.
• 13th March 2025 marks the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the first Rotaract club in
1968.
World Rotaract Week:
i.World Rotaract Week is celebrated annually during the week on which World Rotaract Day is observed (13th
March) by the Rotaractors and Rotarians
ii.World Rotaract Week 2025 is observed from March 10 to 16, 2025.
• World Rotaract Week 2024 was observed from March 11 to 17, 2024.
• World Rotaract Week 2026 will be observed from March 9 to 15, 2026.
What is Rotaract?
i.Rotaract, derived from the words “Rotary” and “Action”, is a Rotary International-sponsored organization for
young adults.
ii.It focuses on developing leadership, professional skills, and community service through a global network of
clubs. Rotaract empowers young individuals to address local and global challenges.
First Rotaract Club:
i.The first Rotaract club was established on 13th March 1968 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte,
United States of America (USA).
ii.It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Charlotte-North, North Carolina, in collaboration with local
university students.
About Rotary International (RI):
i.On February 23, 1905, Paul Percy Harris, a Chicago attorney, established the Rotary Club of Chicago, which
eventually evolved into Rotary International (RI), a global humanitarian organization.
• It comprises three parts: Rotary Clubs, Rotary International (RI), and the Rotary Foundation.
ii.The organization’s official mottoes are “Service Above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best.”
iii.The 2024-25 Presidential theme of Rotary is “The Magic of Rotary”
President – Stephanie Urchick
Headquarters – Illinois, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1905

International Day of Mathematics 2025 – March 14

International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is observed annually on 14th March across the globe to highlight
the significance of mathematics in various fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change,
energy, and sustainable development. This date was chosen as it aligns with Pi Day, representing the
mathematical constant π (pi) approximately equal to 3.14.
• 14th March 2025 marks the observance of the 6th IDM.

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• The theme of IDM 2025, “Mathematics, Art, and Creativity” celebrates the intersection of
mathematical discovery and artistic expression, showcasing how mathematics inspires and
enhances creative endeavors.
Background:
The 40th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), held in November 2019, officially proclaimed March 14 as the IDM through 40C/
Resolution 30.
• The first-ever IDM was observed on March 14, 2020,
Why March 14?
i.Pi Day Celebrations: March 14 (3/14) is celebrated worldwide as Pi Day, honoring the mathematical
constant π (pi). The date was chosen because the first three digits of pi are 3.14, aligning with the month
and day.
• The Greek letter π was first used to denote this ratio by Welsh mathematician William Jones in
1706.
• Pi is often represented by the lower-case Greek letter ‘n’. Several countries observe March 14
as Pi Day.
ii.Albert Einstein’s Birthday: Pi Day also coincides with the birth anniversary of Albert Einstein, born on
March 14, 1879 for his contributions to physics, particularly the theory of relativity.
Significance of the IDM:
i.Global Initiative: IDM is an initiative led by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), supported by
numerous international and regional organizations worldwide.
ii.Educational Impact: The day emphasizes the crucial role of mathematics and mathematics education in
advancing science and technology and aims to enhance the quality of life, empower women and girls, and
contribute to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN) 2030
Agenda.
iii.Digital Presence: IDM is promoted through its official website, hosted by IMAGINARY, a non-profit
organization dedicated to communicating modern mathematics.
Major Goals of IDM:
i.Enhance Public Awareness: Promote understanding of mathematics in education among the general
public, policymakers, and educational institutions.
ii.Promote Gender Equality: Empower women and girls in mathematics, aligning with SDG5 .
iii.Address Global Challenges: Highlight mathematics’ role in combating disasters, epidemics, emerging
diseases, and invasive species, supporting SDG11.
iv.Foster International Collaboration: Strengthen global networks and partnerships to enhance public
engagement with mathematics.
2025 Events:
i.On the occasion of IDM 2025, the UNESCO in collaboration with the IMU and the IMAGINARY hosted a
webinar focused on the theme ‘Mathematics, Art, and Creativity’.
• The webinar explores how mathematical concepts inspire creativity in art and education,
fostering innovation across disciplines.
Note: Professor Anita Rampal of Delhi University (DU), New Delhi (Delhi) serves as the National IDM
Ambassador for India.
About International Mathematical Union (IMU):
President – Hiraku Nakajima (Japan)
Headquarters – Berlin, Germany
Established– 1920

International Day of Action for Rivers 2025 – March 14

The International Day of Action for Rivers is annually observed on 14 March worldwide to raise
awareness about the importance of rivers and the need to protect them. This Day highlights the
significance of rivers in sustaining life and ecosystems, recognises the tireless efforts of communities that
protect and restore rivers, and promotes the sustainable management of water resources.
• 14 March 2025 marks the observance of the 28th International Day of Action for Rivers.

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• The 2025 theme of the International Day of Action for Rivers is, “Our Rivers, Our Future“,
which emphasises the crucial role rivers play in supporting planetary health and maintaining all
life on Earth.
Note: The Day was previously known as International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water
and Life.
Background:
i.The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water, and Life was adopted by the
participants of the 1st International Meeting of People Affected by Dams(IMPAD) in 1997 in Curitiba,
Brazil.
• The idea for the 1st IMPAD originated during an annual meeting of Brazil’s Movement of People
Affected by Large Dams (MAB).
ii.Representatives from 20 countries decided that the International Day of Action would take place on 14
March, coinciding with Brazil’s Day of Action Against Large Dams.
iii.The 1st International Day of Action for Rivers was observed on 14 March 1998.
Note: The 20 countries include Taiwan, Brazil, Chile, Lesotho, Argentina, Thailand, Russia, France,
Switzerland, and the United States of America (USA).
Importance of Rivers:
Rivers play a vital role in:
• Providing fresh water for drinking, agriculture, and industry
• Supporting biodiversity by nurturing diverse ecosystems
• Regulating the climate and maintaining environmental balance
• Sustaining cultural traditions and livelihoods.
Threats to Rivers:
i.Pollution from industrial waste, agriculture runoff, and domestic sewage.
ii.Fragmentation due to excessive damming and infrastructure projects.
iii.Climate Change impacting water flow patterns and river ecosystems.
iv.Irresponsible Development causes habitat destruction and resource depletion
v.Deforestation and urbanisation contribute to erosion and sedimentation.
Actions to Preserve Rivers:
Communities worldwide are encouraged to:
i.Oppose water privatization initiatives and advocate for the restoration and protection of watersheds.
ii.Advocate for the removal of destructive water development projects
iii.Promote equitable and sustainable riverine development
iv.Protect and restore endangered freshwater ecosystems
Key Facts:
i.Rivers are under extreme threat, with less than 10% of the world’s river basins protected.
ii.About 115 million people still collect drinking water directly from rivers, lakes, and other surface water
sources.
iii.Over millions of years, rain, rivers, and streams have washed over rocks containing the compound
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and carried it into the sea.
• Throughout the world, rivers carry an estimated 4 billion tons of dissolved salts to the ocean
annually.
iv.Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans,
rivers, and lakes.
v.Every year 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers,
and seas.
vi.Since 1970, freshwater species populations have declined by 83%, twice the rate of decline seen in
terrestrial and marine environments.
About International Rivers:
International Rivers was then called the International Rivers Network.
Co-Executive Directors– Josh Klemm, Isabella Winkler
Headquarters– California, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1985

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World Consumers Rights Day 2025 – March 15

World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is observed annually across the globe on March 15 to raise global
awareness about consumer rights, protection, and empowerment. Consumers are the economy’s
backbone; safeguarding their rights ensures ethical practices and empowers informed choices.
• The theme for WCRD 2025 is “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles” emphasizes the
necessity of making sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices accessible, affordable, and
equitable for all consumers.
Background:
i.WCRD was inspired by a special message sent by John F. Kennedy, the former President of the United
States of America (USA), to the USA Congress on March 15, 1962.
• He became the first world leader to formally recognize the importance of consumer rights on a
global stage.
ii.The first-ever WCRD was observed on March 15, 1983, in alignment with John F. Kennedy’s call for the
protection and acknowledgment of consumer rights.
Note: WCRD enjoys global recognition and support from international organizations such as the United
Nations (UN) and other global entities, promoting consumer rights worldwide.
Basic Consumer Rights by John F. Kennedy:
In 1962, former USA President John F. Kennedy articulated four fundamental consumer rights, which are:
• The Right to Safety: Protection against hazardous products that could harm health or life.
• The Right to Be Informed: The right to access accurate information about products and
services.
• The Right to Choose: The ability to choose from a variety of products and services at
competitive prices.
• The Right to Be Heard: Consumers’ interests should be taken into account in the formulation of
government policy.
Evolution and Adoption of UNGCP:
i.Initial Adoption (1985): After global consultations, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
adopted the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) in April 1985.
ii.Subsequent Updates: The guidelines were later updated in 1999 and 2015 to further support consumer
protection worldwide.
Key Resolutions and Initiatives:
i.At the 6th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) held from February 26–March 1, 2024 in
Nairobi, Kenya, a resolution promoting sustainable lifestyles was adopted.
• This resolution, championed by India and inspired by its Mission LiFE (Lifestyles for
Environment) initiative, emphasizes the role of individual behavior change in achieving
sustainable development.
ii.UNEA-7 is set for December 2025 to assess progress and reinforce commitments. Conference of the
Parties (COP30) will convene in Brazil in November 2025, focusing on sustainable living.
iii.Consumers International, at COP29, advocated for integrating sustainable living into Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs), urging governments to address consumption-related commitments in
climate strategies.
• These initiatives aim to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, addressing
current shortcomings.
2025 Events:
On the occasion of WCRD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) hosted a
webinar, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection.
• The session reflected on the guidelines’ impact in shaping global consumer policies and
discussed emerging challenges in consumer protection.
Points to Note:
i.A study involving 30,000 consumers across 31 countries found that 94% support a shift to more
sustainable lifestyles.
ii.Over 80% of consumers feel they need stronger support from governments, businesses, and
international organizations to make sustainable lifestyles more available, accessible, and affordable.

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About Consumers International(CI):

CI was formerly known as the International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU).
Director General (DG)– Helena Leurent
Headquarters– London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Established– 1960

International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025 – March 15

The United Nations (UN) annually observes International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15 to
raise awareness and combat hate crimes, discrimination, and intolerance against Muslims.
• March 15, 2025, marks the 3rd International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Background:
i.In 2020, during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Imran Khan, the
former Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, first suggested the need for an International Day to Combat
Islamophobia.
ii.On March 15, 2022, the UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/76/254, proclaiming March 15 of every year
as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
iii.The resolution was introduced by Pakistan’s UN envoy Munir Akram on behalf of the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the agenda item “Culture of Peace”.
iv.The inaugural observance of the day took place on March 15, 2023.
Why March 15?
The date coincides with the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shootings on March 15, 2019, in New
Zealand.
• A gunman attacked the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood IslamicCentre/Linwood Masjid Mosque in
Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 individuals and injuring 40 others during Friday prayers.
What is Islamophobia?
i.Islamophobia refers to fear, prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed towards Islam or Muslims.
ii.It includes provocation, hostility, abuse, incitement, and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims,
both online and offline.
iii.Driven by institutional, ideological, political, and religious hostility, it targets symbols and markers of
being a Muslim.
Key Fact:
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the United States of America (USA), 2024
recorded the highest number of complaints related to anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents, with a total of
8,658, marking a 7.4% rise from the previous year.
• This surge in incidents occurred following the Israeli war on Gaza.
About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
i.The OIC(formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference) is the world’s second-largest inter-
governmental organization, following the United Nations(UN), with 57 member states spanning four
continents.
ii.The OIC serves as the collective voice of the Muslim world, working to protect and promote their
interests in economic, social, and political matters.
Secretary General (SG) – Hissein Brahim Taha
Headquarters – Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA)
Founded – 1969

World Sleep Day 2025 – March 14

World Sleep Day (WSD) is an international campaign annually observed across the globe on the Friday
before Spring Vernal Equinox to raise awareness about the importance of sleep health, the impact of
good sleep on overall well-being, and promote the management and prevention of sleep disorders and
treatment options.
• WSD 2025, the 18th annual Sleep Day was observed on 14 March 2025.
• WSD 2024 was observed on 15 March 2024; WSD 2026 will be observed on 13 March 2026.
• The theme and slogan for the WSD 2025 is, “Make Sleep Health a Priority“.

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Note: WSD is annually organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society (WSS),
aiming to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society.
Background:
i.WSD is an awareness event of the WSS, an international organization with a fundamental mission to
advance sleep health worldwide.
ii.WSS was founded in 2016 by the merging of its two founding organizations, the World Association of
Sleep Medicine (WASM) and the World Sleep Federation (WSF).
• WSD was started by a group of dedicated healthcare providers and members of the medical
community working and studying sleep medicine and research.
iii.The 1st WSD was held on 14 March 2008 under the slogan “Sleep Well, Live Fully Awake.”
Significance:
i.Every year, the date of observance of the WSD varies but is always on a Friday and typically falls in mid-
March.
ii.The specific date is chosen to correspond with the equinox, symbolising the importance of regular and
balanced sleep patterns related to the balanced day and night during the equinox.
Points to Note:
i.The March Equinox marks the beginning of the Spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and
Autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.
ii.The March Equinox is called the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Autumnal/Fall
Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
iii.The September Equinox is called the Autumnal/Fall Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the
Vernal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
iv.In 2025, the Spring Vernal Equinox (March Equinox) is set to happen on 20 March 2025, when day and
night will be nearly equal in length, marking the shift from Winter to Spring.
Significance of Sleep:
i.Sleep is essential for effective cognitive functioning such as attention, language, reasoning, decision-
making, learning, and memory.
ii.Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood, and health. Experts recommend 7 to 9 hours of
sleep per night on a regular schedule for adults.
iii.For adults, approximately 32.8% of adults do not get enough sleep, leading to sleep deprivation. It has
been linked with poor health, including:
• Weight gain and obesity
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure (BP)
• Heart disease, stroke, depression, etc.
Key Facts:
i.Men sleep for an average of 5 hours 46 minutes, while women sleep for an average of 6 hours, 11
minutes.
ii.30 minutes of optimal amount of exercise leads to 14 minutes of extra sleep per night.
iii.Resmed Inc., an American medical equipment manufacturer based in San Diego, California, the United
States of America (USA), conducted its 5th annual Global Sleep Survey, covering 30,026 people across 13
markets to explore global sleep habits and attitudes.
iv.According to Resmed Inc.,’s 2025 Global Sleep Survey, the top 5 contributing factors to a poor night’s
sleep are Stress, Anxiety, Financial pressures, and Mental health conditions.
• Stress, as a factor negatively affecting sleep, was reported to be highest in India (69%),
South Korea (67%), and Thailand (65%).
About World Sleep Society (WSS):
President– Raffaele Ferri (Italy)
Headquarters– Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America (USA)
Established– 2016

National Vaccination Day 2025 – March 16

National Vaccination Day (also known as National Immunisation Day, NID) is annually observed
across India on 16 March to raise awareness about the importance of timely vaccinations, highlight the

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significance of vaccines in public health, and focus on immunization as a critical measure to prevent life-
threatening diseases.
• National Vaccination Day commemorates the 1st dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
administered in India in 1995.
Significance:
i.The Day acknowledges and appreciates the hard work of frontline healthcare workers to ensure the
vaccination of every child.
ii.It also highlights the vital role of full vaccination in protecting children from Vaccine-Preventable
Diseases (VPDs).
Background:
i.In 1988, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a resolution
for the worldwide eradication of Polio (poliomyelitis), marking the
launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI),
spearheaded by national governments, the World Health
Organisation (WHO), etc.
ii.On 16 March 1995, the 1st dose of the OPV was administered
in India as part of the WHO’s GPEI. Since then, India has been
celebrating National Vaccination Day annually.
Note: Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus and it
mainly affects children under 5 years of age.
Key Points:
i.In 1994, the Government of Delhi under Dr. Harsh Vardhan’s
leadership, pioneered the Pulse Polio Programme, the first-
ever large-scale supplementary immunization campaign with OPV.
ii.The campaign, branded with the tagline “Do Boond Zindagi Ki,”
(Two drops of life) was launched on 2 October 1994 (Mahatma
Gandhi’s birthday).
• The campaign used the OPV strategy, reaching over 1 million children and ensuring every
child under 5 was vaccinated
iii.This strategy was later adopted and implemented by the Government of India (GoI) as Pulse Polio
Campaigns, the polio eradication campaign.
National Immunization Day (NID):
i.In 1995, the GoI launched National Immunization Day (NID), commonly known as the Pulse Polio
Immunization (PPI) program.
• The PPI program was introduced as part of the National Polio Eradication Program (NPEP).
ii.It was conducted twice annually until 2017. The 1st NID was conducted on 9 December
1995 and 20 January 1996 with 1 dose of OPV in each of two rounds.
iii.The NID program is also known as “Polio Ravivar” (Polio Sunday), marking the Sundays on which the
immunisation program is conducted.
iv.As recommended by the India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) for Polio, since 2018, NID has been
conducted once in the early part of each year.
v.Additionally, multiple rounds of Sub-National Immunizations Day (SNIDs) have been conducted over the
years in high-risk states/areas.
• Since 2017, India has conducted 2 rounds of SNID during the June-November months of the
year in the high-risk states/areas of the country.
Points to Note:
i.On 24 February 2012, the WHO removed India from the list of countries with active endemic wild
poliovirus transmission.
ii.On 27 March 2014, the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR), including India, was certified polio-
free by the Regional Polio Certification Commission (RCC).
Key Immunisation and Vaccine in India:
i.In 1978, India launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to provide vaccines to
children against various diseases.

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• EPI was renamed the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985, extending the
coverage beyond urban centers to rural areas.
ii.UIP is one of the world’s largest public health programs, targeting over 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9
crore pregnant women annually, providing free vaccines for 12 VPDs.
• Polio was one of the first diseases targeted under UIP.
iii.Mission Indradhanush (MI), launched in December 2014, is a strategic initiative by the GoI
aimed at increasing the full immunisation coverage for children across India, to reach 90%
coverage.
iv.In 2015, India introduced the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in line with the Global Polio Endgame
Strategy to eradicate polio.
• IPV provides additional protection against polio, especially against type 2 poliovirus, and it
has been expanded nationwide by 2016.
v.Gujarat has achieved 95.95% vaccination coverage under the UIP as part of the Sustainable
Development Goal(SDG)-3 Index, surpassing the national average of 93.23%.
Note:
• A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides immunity against specific diseases.
• Vaccination is the process of administering a vaccine to stimulate the immune system.
• Immunisation is the process by which an individual becomes protected from disease
through vaccination.
• The first vaccine was developed by English physician Edward Jenner in 1796 against
smallpox.
• India’s first vaccination campaign against smallpox began in 1893. Later, in 1978, the BCG
vaccine was introduced to combat tuberculosis (TB).

Ordnance Factories Day 2025 – March 18

Ordnance Factory Day is observed annually on 18 March across India by the Ordnance Factory
Board (OFB) to commemorate the establishment of the 1st Ordnance Factory in India at Cossipore near
Kolkata, West Bengal (WB) in 1801.
• This Day honors the significant contributions of the Indian Ordnance Factories (IOFs) in
strengthening India’s defence capabilities.
About Indian Ordnance Factories:
i.The Indian Ordnance Factories (IOFs) is a conglomerate of 41 Factories, 9 Training Institutes, 3 Regional
Marketing Centres and 4 Regional Controllers of Safety under the Department of Defence Production
(DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• The 41 IOFs in India are divided into 5 operational divisions based on the type of main
products or technologies used: Ammunition and Explosives; Weapons, Vehicles, and
Equipment; Materials and Components; Armoured Vehicles and Ordnance Equipment.
ii.It is the oldest and largest industrial entity within the DDP responsible for producing arms, ammunition,
and equipment for the Indian Armed Forces.
iii.IOF is often referred to as the “4th Arm of Defence,” alongside the Indian Army (IA), Indian Navy (IN),
and Indian Air Force (IAF), that plays a critical role in national defence.
iv.These factories are involved in the production, testing, logistics, research, development, and marketing
of a wide range of products related to land, sea, and air systems.
Historical Development of IOFs:
i.The origins of IOFs are deeply intertwined with British colonial interests in India. In 1775, the British
established the Board of Ordnance at Fort William in Kolkata, marking the official inception of military
ordnance operations in India.
ii.The first gunpowder factory was set up in Ishapore in 1787, with production commencing in 1791. This
site later became the Rifle Factory Ishapore in 1904.
iii.In 1801, the British established the Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata (now known as the Gun
& Shell Factory, Cossipore), with production starting in 1802. This factory is the oldest ordnance facility in
India still operational.
iv.In 1906, the administration of the Indian Ordnance Factories was placed under a separate charge as the
‘Inspector General of Ordnance Factories’.

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Key Steps in the Corporatisation Process:

i.In June 2021, the Government of India (GoI) initiated the corporatisation of the OFB, aiming to enhance
efficiency and accountability within the defence manufacturing sector.
ii.7 DPSUs: The 41 Ordnance Factories were restructured into 7 new Defence Public Sector Undertakings
(DPSUs), each specializing in specific defence product categories. These entities are
1. Pune (Maharashtra) based Munitions India Limited (MIL),
2. Avadi (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, TN) based Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI),
3. Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL),
4. Kanpur (UP) based Troop Comforts Limited (TCL),
5. Nagpur (Maharashtra) based Yantra India Limited (YIL),
6. Dehradun (Uttarakhand) based India Optel Limited (IOL) and
7. Kanpur (UP) based Gliders India Limited (GIL).
iii.Operational Transition: Effective from October 1, 2021, the management, operations, and
maintenance responsibilities of the 41 production units were transferred to these 7 DPSUs.
iv.Formation of the Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination & Services): Concurrently, the Directorate
was established on October 1, 2021, to oversee the coordination and service aspects of the ordnance
factories, succeeding the OFB headquarters (Kolkata, WB).
About Ordnance Factory Board (OFB):
Director-General (DG) Ordnance- Sanjeev Gupta
Headquarters– Kolkata, West Bengal
Established– 1979

Global Recycling Day 2025 – March 18

Global Recycling Day is observed annually on 18th March across the globe to highlight the significance of
recycling and motivate individuals to take steps in reducing waste and safeguarding the environment.
• 18th March 2025 marks the observance of the 8th Global Recycling Day.
Background:
i.Global Recycling Day was established by the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) with the aim of
promoting the importance of recycling worldwide. BIR was founded on 18th March 1948.
• Ranjit Baxi, Founder of Global Recycling Foundation introduced the concept of Global Recycling
Day during his inaugural speech as President at the BIR’s 2015 Dubai Convention in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE).
ii.The 1st ever Global Recycling Day was observed on 18th March 2018, which marked the 70th
anniversary of BIR.
iii.The day is supported by Vienna(Austria) based United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO) and London(the United Kingdom, UK) based Global Recycling Foundation.
What is Recycling?
i.Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be discarded as
waste and transforming them into new products.
ii.The “3Rs” framework – Refuse or Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle encourages minimizing waste generation,
reusing items, and recycling materials to promote sustainability.
iii.Recycling also reduces the need for extracting raw materials such as mining, quarrying, and logging,
which are associated with substantial environmental degradation.
iv.Recycling decreases Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, playing a crucial role in combating climate
change.
Significance:
i.Recycling plays a vital role in the circular economy by conserving natural resources and reducing
Carbondioxide (CO2) emissions.
ii.The “Seventh Resource” (recyclables) currently saves over 700 million tonnes (t) of CO2 annually, with
projections reaching 1 billion tonnes by 2030.

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iii.In Europe, over 83% of paper and paper packaging is recycled, prolonging the benefits of renewable
fibers.
iv.Recycling also minimizes landfill waste and the need for resource extraction, processing, and refining,
reducing pollution, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change.
v.According to a study by BIR, recycled materials supply 40% of the world’s raw material needs,
highlighting their importance in global manufacturing and resource conservation.
India’s Waste Challenge and Government Initiatives:
i.India currently generates 62 million tonnes of waste annually, including both recyclable and non-
recyclable materials, with a steady growth rate of 4% each year, as reported by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
ii.The primary categories of waste in India are solid waste, plastic waste, and electronic waste. India ranks
as one of the world’s largest producers of electronic (e)-waste, generating approximately 2 million tonnes
annually.
iii.To address the growing waste challenge, the Government of India (GoI) has launched several large-scale
initiatives, such as the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ (SBM), ‘National Water Mission’ (NWM), and the ‘Waste to
Wealth Mission’ (WWM), all aimed at improving waste management and reducing pollution.
Points to Note:
i.In 2019, approximately 22 million tonnes of plastic pollution entered the soil, rivers, and oceans, and
plastic leakage is projected to double by 2060.
ii.To combat waste generation, European regulations mandate that European Union (EU) countries reduce
total packaging waste per capita by 5% compared to 2018 levels by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by
2040.
iii.According to the World Bank’s (WB) “What a Waste 2.0” report, the world generates 2.01 billion
tonnes of solid urban waste annually, with at least 33% of this waste being improperly managed or not
treated in the most effective way.
iv.Approximately 9% of the world’s plastic waste has been recycled, with Asia continuing to be one of the
largest contributors to global plastic waste.
v.Taiwan boasts one of the world’s most efficient recycling systems, with more than 55% of its waste
being recycled.
About Bureau of International Recycling (BIR):
President– Susie Burrage
Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
Established– 1948

International Day of Happiness 2025 – March 20

The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Happiness is observed annually on 20 March across the
globe to highlight the importance of well-being and happiness in people’s lives. The day advocates for
inclusive, equitable, and balanced economic growth, while also promoting sustainable development and
poverty eradication.
• The theme of International Day of Happiness 2025 is “Caring and Sharing” highlighting that
true, lasting happiness comes from caring for one another, fostering meaningful connections,
and being part of something greater than ourselves.
Background:
i.In 2012, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/66/281, officially designating
March 20th as the International Day of Happiness each year.
• This resolution was supported by all 193 UN member states.
ii.The resolution was proposed by Bhutan, that prioritized national happiness over national income since
the early 1970s.
• Bhutan adopted the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of Gross National
Product (GNP) to measure the well-being of its people.
iii.The first-ever International Day of Happiness was observed on 20 March 2013.

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World Happiness Report (WHR) 2025:

According to the World Happiness Report (WHR) 2025, Finland remains the happiest country in the world
for the 8th consecutive time followed by its Nordic neighbor countries Denmark, Iceland and Sweden.
• India has improved its ranking to 118th (up from 126th in 2024) in the World Happiness
Report 2025. Also India ranked high on scores of social support and scored the lowest on the
freedom factor.
• Among the least happy countries, Afghanistan ranks (147) at the very bottom, while Sierra
Leone and Lebanon also register extremely low life evaluations.
About WHR:
i.WHR 2025 is the 13th edition of annual study, evaluating happiness levels across 147 countries and was
released every year in commemoration of the International Day of Happiness on March 20th.
ii.The report is a collaborative effort involving the United States of America (USA) based institutions such
as Gallup Inc, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).
• Starting from 2024, the report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University
of Oxford, the United Kingdom (UK) in partnership with Gallup Inc and UN-SDSN under the
editorial oversight of the WHR Editorial Board.
iii.The 2025 report ranks countries based on people’s self-assessed life satisfaction over the past three
years (2022–2024), utilizing data from the Gallup World Poll.
iv.Since its inaugural publication in 2012, the WHR has offered valuable insights into the factors shaping
global wellbeing.
Highlights of WHR 2025:
i.Western countries dominated the top 20, especially European nations, Costa Rica and Mexico entered
the top 10 for the first time, ranking at 6th and 10th respectively.
• The United States of America(USA) dropped to it’s lowest ever position at 24, due to growing
unhappiness and loneliness. The United Kingdom(UK) also ranked at 23.
ii.Taiwan is the happiest place in Asia. It took the 27th spot, moving up from 31st last year. Taiwan was
followed by Singapore and Vietnam.
iii.Even though India ranked 118th overall, in terms of the ‘Country rankings for six measures of
benevolence’, it was listed much higher at 57 for how people donated; at 10 for how people volunteered;
74 for helping a stranger, and in case of wallet returned by a neighbour (115), stranger (86) and police
(93).
iv.In India’s neighbourhood, Nepal with 92nd rank (93 in 2024) and Pakistan, with 109th rank (108 in
2024) remained much ahead of India, Sri Lanka, with 133rd rank (128 in 2024) and Bangladesh 134th
position (129 in 2024) lagged behind.
Methodology:
i.WHR 2025 assesses national happiness based on 6 primary dimensions, Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and
perceptions of corruption.
ii.For the first time, the report also provides separate happiness rankings by age group, revealing
important variations relative to the overall national rankings

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Top 5 Happiest and Unhappiest Countries in WHR 2025:

Rank Country

Top 5 Happiest Countries

1 Finland

2 Denmark

3 Iceland

4 Sweden

5 The Netherlands

Top 5 Happiest Countries in Asia

1 Taiwan

2 Singapore

3 Vietnam

4 Thailand

5 Japan

Top 5 Unhappiest Countries

147 Afghanistan

146 Sierra Leone

145 Lebanon

144 Malawi

143 Zimbabwe
About Gallup Inc:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Jon Clifton
Headquarters– Washington, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1935

UN French Language Day 2025 – March 20

The United Nations (UN) French Language Day is annually observed across the globe on 20 March to
celebrate multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal recognition of the six official languages of the
UN.

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• The day is also acknowledged by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) as

the International Day of La Francophonie or International Francophonie Day.
Note: “Francophonie” refers to the community of men and women who share French as a common
language.
2025 Theme:
‘I educate myself, therefore I act’.
• The theme underscores the significance of ensuring equitable access to quality education for
everyone, especially in a world shaped by rapid technological progress.
Why March 20?
i.The date commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for Cultural and Technical
Cooperation (Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, (ACCT)) on March 20, 1970, in Niamey, Niger.
• ACCT was the first institution of multilateral Francophonie.
• Canada was a founding member of ACCT.
ii.The ACCT became the Intergovernmental Agency of La Francophonie in 1998 and was later renamed the
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in 2005.
Background of UN Language Days:
i.Announced by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) on February 21, 2010, in conjunction with
International Mother Language Day, the initiative celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity.
ii.The UN observes six language days each year, each dedicated to one of its six official languages: Arabic,
Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
iii.The dates for the six UN Language Days were chosen by the DPI for their symbolic or historical
significance related to each language:
• Arabic Language Day: December 8.
• Chinese Language Day: April 20.
• English Language Day: April 23.
• Russian Language Day: June 6.
• Spanish Language Day: April 23.
• French Language Day: March 20.

French Language: Origins and Global Influence

Origins:
i.Traces back to Latin, introduced to Gaul (modern-day France
and Belgium) by the Romans around 50 Before Common
Era (BCE). Evolved into Vulgar Latin, forming early French
dialects.
Standardization
The first French dictionary, Dictionnaire de l’Académie Française, was published
by Académie Française in 1694.
Global Spread:
French colonial expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries spread the language worldwide, creating
regional dialects and creoles.
Romance Language:
French is One of the 5 main Romance languages derived from Latin, alongside Italian, Portuguese,
Romanian, and Spanish.
French in the UN:
Recognized as one of the 6 official languages of the UN under UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 2

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(I) on February 1, 1946.

• Alongside BCE, French is a working language of the UN.
Key Facts:
i.French is the official language of 29 countries and ranks as the second most learned language globally,
following English.
ii.French ranks among the top five most studied languages in the world.
iii.Since 1896, French has been one of the official languages of the Olympic Games, alongside English.
About International Organization of La Francophonie:
Secretary General – Louise Mushikiwabo
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1970

World Oral Health Day 2025 – March 20

World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is observed annually on March 20 across the globe to raise awareness
about the significance of oral health and to support efforts aimed at reducing the burden of oral diseases
on individuals, health systems, and economies. The day also empowers individuals with knowledge and
tools to prevent and control oral diseases affecting 3.5 billion people worldwide
• This global observance is led by the FDI World Dental Federation
(Fédération Dentaire Internationale – FDI), which brings together the world of dentistry to
achieve optimal oral health for everyone.
Theme 2025:
i.The WOHD campaign theme for 2024–2026 is “A Happy Mouth is…A Happy Mind”, emphasizes the
relationship between oral health and overall well-being, highlighting how prioritizing oral health can lead
to better mental health.
ii.Toothie, FDI’s mascot, joins the 3-year campaign, focusing on a transformative journey where
prioritizing oral health leads to better health overall.
Background:
i.WOHD was first declared in 2007 and was originally celebrated on September 12, the birth date of FDI
founder Dr. Charles Godon.
ii.In 2013, the date of observance was changed to March 20 to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental
Congress taking place in September.

Why March 20?

i.The new date March 20 was chosen to reflect that:
• Seniors must have a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy.
• Children should possess 20 baby teeth.
• Healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities.
ii.Expressed on a numerical basis, this can be translated as 3/20, hence represented as March 20.
Global Challenges:
i.Oral diseases impact physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. The South-East Asia (SEA)
region reports approximately 900 million cases, reflecting its large population.
• The region has the highest global burden of oral cancer, with 11.2% of cases among males.
ii.High consumption of smokeless tobacco and areca nut contributes to this burden; eliminating these
could prevent half of oral cancer cases.
iii.Through the South-East Asia Regional Action Plan for Oral Health 2023–2030, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) aims for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

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iv.In November 2024, the inaugural Global Oral Health Meeting in Bangkok Thailand facilitated knowledge
exchange, resulting in National Oral Health Roadmaps (NOHR).
• WHO is developing a regional roadmap to address oral cancer linked to smokeless tobacco and
areca nut use to achieve universal oral health by 2030.
v.A capacity-building project was launched in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia to improve access to WHO-
listed dental materials, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.
National Programme:
i.India’s National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) was launched in 2014–2015 to integrate comprehensive
oral healthcare into existing healthcare facilities.
ii.Initially implemented in 9 states, the programme has now expanded to 32 States/Union Territories
(UTs) across India.
Key Facts:
i.Dental Caries: An estimated 2.3 billion individuals suffer from tooth decay in permanent teeth, making it
the most common health condition globally.
ii.Children’s Oral Health: Over 530 million children experience tooth decay in their primary teeth.
iii.Gum Disease: Severe periodontal (gum) disease affects nearly 1 billion people globally.
iv.Tooth Loss: Complete tooth loss impacts around 350 million individuals worldwide.
v.Oral Cancer: Annually, there are approximately 380,000 new cases of oral cancer globally.
About FDI World Dental Federation (FDI):
The FDI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and one of the oldest professional organizations in the
world.
Executive Director (ED)– Enzo Bondioni
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established– 1900

World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People 2025 – March 20
World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People is annually observed across the globe on 20
March to raise awareness about the art of theatre for children and young people and highlight its
importance and impact in communities.
• The day emphasizes the important role of theatre and performing arts in enhancing the lives of
young people by offering opportunities for self-expression, learning, and cultural exposure.
Background:
i.‘World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People’ was established by the International Association of
Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ) (French: Association Internationale du Théâtre de
l’Enfance et la Jeunesse) in 2001.
ii.The first-ever World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People was observed on 20th March 2001.
iii.The day gained recognition through the “Take a Child to the Theatre” campaign, launched in 2012,
which encourages adults to introduce children to the world of theatre.
Note: ASSITEJ International is a worldwide platform that helps promote Theatre for Young Audiences
(TYA).
Significance:
i.The Day serves as a platform for professionals, educators, and artists to advocate for children’s rights to
access quality theatre and performing arts.
ii.It recognises children’s rights to participate in and experience the arts, aiming to ensure equal access to
transformative theatre experiences.

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World Performance Week:

World Performance Week is an initiative of ASSITEJ International, developed in collaboration with other
international organisations involved in live performance arts. It celebrates a series of global art-focused
days between March 20 and March 27:
• March 20 – ASSITEJ World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People
• March 21 – Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) World Puppetry Day
• March 22 – World Mime Organisation’s World Mime Day and
• March 27 – International Theatre Institute’s (ITI) World Theatre Day
Note:
• The first plays were performed in the Theatre of Dionysus, built in the shadow of the Acropolis
in Athens at the beginning of the fifth century.
• The first movie theater to be built in India was Chaplin Cinema, also known as Elphinstone
Picture Palace.
About International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ):
The ASSITEJ International Secretariat is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, while the registered office is in
Bologna, Italy.
President – Sue Giles (ASSITEJ Australia / Theatre Network Australia)
Founded – 1965

World Sparrow Day 2025 – March 20

World Sparrow Day (WSD) is celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness about the declining
population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and the urgent need for their conservation. The event
is now observed in over 50 countries.
• The day emphasizes the importance of these small birds in maintaining ecological balance and
highlights the challenges they face in urban and rural environments.
2025 Theme:
The theme for WSD 2025 is “A Tribute to Nature’s Tiny Messengers”.
• It focuses on the critical role sparrows play in ecosystems and encouraging global conservation
efforts.
Background:
i.WSD was Initiated by the Nature Forever Society (NFS) of India, founded by Indian conservationist
Mohammed Dilawar; Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France); and other national and international entities.
ii.The first WSD was celebrated on March 20, 2010.
Note: On August 14, 2012, the house sparrow was declared the State Bird of Delhi, India, and on April 17,
2013, Bihar (India) also named it their state bird.
Significance:
Sparrows are vital for ecological balance. They help to control insect populations by feeding on pests,
contribute to pollination, and aid in seed dispersal, which enhances biodiversity. Their presence is crucial
for the health of both rural and urban ecosystems.
About House Sparrow:
i.House sparrows are found across the globe, particularly in Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa and
inhabits region like New Zealand, Australia, North America, and India.
ii.Not found in regions such as China, Indochina, Japan, parts of Siberia, and Australia to the east, or in
tropical Africa and northern South America to the west.
iii.The house sparrow was introduced to Brooklyn, New York, the United States of America (USA), in 1851.
iv.It mainly feeds on seeds and kitchen scraps, but young chicks rely on insects such as aphids and
caterpillars.

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v.It helps maintain the food web and ecological balance, playing a key role in ecosystem functioning.
Note: In India, sparrows are more than just birds; they represent a symbol of shared history and culture.
Known by names like “Goraiya” in Hindi, “Kuruvi” in Tamil, and “Chirya” in Urdu, sparrows have been an
integral part of daily life for generations.
IUCN Red List:
i.In 2002, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the house sparrow (Passer
domesticus) as “Endangered” due to its declining population.
ii.In 2018, the IUCN reassessed the species and listed it as “Least Concern,” reflecting a recovery in its
population.
Reasons for Population Decline:
Modern architecture, air and chemical pollution, agricultural pesticides, increased predators, and the loss
of green spaces, coupled with a growing disconnection from nature, have significantly impacted the
survival of house sparrows.
Conservation Efforts:
i.The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India is actively involved in raising awareness about the
declining house sparrow population and encourages breeding by distributing custom-made nest boxes in
various states.
ii.The “Save the Sparrow” campaign, led by Indian environmental conservationist Jagat Kinkhabwala,
highlights the importance of balancing development with environmental protection.
iii.The Koodugal Trust in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) has engaged school children in building wooden
sparrow nests. Between 2020 and 2024, the trust constructed over 10,000 nests, contributing to a rise in
sparrow numbers.
iv.In Mysuru, Karnataka, the “Early Bird” campaign teaches children about birds.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – 21 March 2025

The United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is annually
observed across the globe on 21 March to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people of African
descent and all those affected by racism and racial discrimination and exclusion.
• The Day aims to reaffirm the commitment to equality and eliminate all forms of racism, fostering
a global culture of tolerance, equality, and anti-discrimination.
Theme:
The 2025 theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is, “60th
anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Racial of
Discrimination (ICERD)”.
• 2025 commemorates the 60th anniversary of ICERD, the first of the 9 UN core international
human rights treaties, laying the foundation for global efforts to combat racism and
discrimination.
Background:
i.On 26 October 1966, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/2142 (XXI) titled
“Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination” proclaiming 21 March of every year as International
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
• The proclamation also signifies the struggle to end the policy of apartheid in South Africa.
ii.The first-ever International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was observed on 21 March
1967.

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Why 21 March?
The day of 21 March commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre (1960) in South Africa, where the South
African Police (SAP) in the township of Sharpeville opened fire on a peaceful protest against apartheid
“pass laws,” killing 69 people.
• Sharpeville is located in the then Transvaal Province of the Union of South Africa (now part of
Gauteng, South Africa)
UN Initiatives:
i.In 1979, the UNGA adopted a program of activities as part of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and
Racial Discrimination.
ii.The UNGA also declared that a Week of Solidarity Against Racism would be observed annually, beginning
March 21.
UN Campaigns for 2025 Observance:
i.For the 2025 observance, the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR), also known as UN Human Rights,
launched the campaign “ICERD60: Towards a world without
racism” to strengthen the implementation of ICERD.
• UN Human Rights is the leading UN entity in the field of
human rights, with a unique mandate to promote and
protect all human rights for all people.
ii.In 2023 UN Human Rights also launched a two-year
campaign, “Learn, Speak Up, Act”, to raise awareness and gain
support for global action on racism, discrimination, xenophobia,
and other intolerances.
iii.These campaigns educate people about the main frameworks
and key tools, including ICERD, the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action (DDPA), the International Decade for People
of African Descent 2015-2024, etc.
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA):
i.DDPA is one of the UN’s blueprints to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related
intolerance globally.
ii.It was adopted in 2001 at the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa.
iii.In 2021, the UNGA marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the DDPA under the theme of
“Reparations, Racial Justice and Equality for People of African Descent.” in a meeting held in New York, the
United States of America (USA).
About the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
High Commissioner– Volker Türk
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established– 1993

World Poetry Day 2025 – 21 March

The United Nations (UN’s) World Poetry Day is annually observed across the globe on 21 March to
promote linguistic diversity and support endangered languages through poetry, a form of art that connects
different cultures, languages, and generations.
• 21 March 2025 marks the observance of the 26th World Poetry Day.
Theme:
i.The 2025 theme for World Poetry Day is: “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion”.

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ii.The 2025 theme underscores poetry’s unique power to connect people across different communities,
cultures, and countries, fostering mutual respect and unity.
Background:
i.In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during its 30th
General Conference in Paris (France) first proclaimed 21 March (the first day of spring in the northern
hemisphere) of every year as World Poetry Day.
ii.The first-ever World Poetry Day was observed on 21 March 2000.
iii.World Poetry Day aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4: Quality Education,
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Significance:
i.World Poetry Day is meant to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals and to promote
the teaching of poetry.
ii.The Day also encourages the reading, writing, and publishing of poetry, and recognises poetry’s role in
preserving cultural heritage and fostering artistic expression.
iii.The Day promotes the restoration of dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance,
music, painting, etc.
• It also honours poets and supports small publishers.
Poetry:
i.The word “poetry” originates from the Ancient Greek word “poiesis,” meaning “making” or “creation“.
ii.Poetry is a literary form that uses rhythm, imagery, and carefully chosen words.
• It is a powerful way to capture human experiences, emotions, convey ideas, tell stories, and
perspectives in a condensed and artistic manner.
iii.It often features elements such as meter, rhyme, and figurative language (like metaphors and similes) to
create a musical or expressive effect.
• Poetry can take many forms, including sonnets, haikus, free verse, and ballads, among others.
iv.The universal nature of this artistic expression is shown by the number of elements linked to poetry on
UNESCO’s Lists of the 2003 Convention.
v.Few oldest known forms of poetry:
• The Epic of Gilgamesh (approximately 2100 Before the Common Era (BCE)), a mythic poem
centers on a Sumerian king named Gilgamesh.
• The Rigveda (approximately 1500 BCE), the earliest sacred book of India contains 1028 hymns
composed in an archaic form of Sanskrit and dispersed across 10 books.
2025 Events:
i.On March 21 2025, Granada City of Literature in Spain leads the Cities of Literature World Poetry Day
activity.
ii.The 26th Edition of World Poetry Day was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
Note: The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among
cities that place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans. There are
currently 350 cities in the network in total.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General(DG)– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Founded – 1945

International Nowruz Day 2025 – March 21

The United Nations (UN’s) International Nowruz Day is celebrated annually on March 21 to promote
cultural exchange, peace, solidarity, and good neighbourliness.

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• The day aims to foster cultural diversity and friendship among people and communities
worldwide.
What is Nowruz?
i.Nowruz, also known as Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, or Nauryz, meaning “new day” in Persian (Farsi).
It is the Persian New Year observed by over 300 million people globally including communities in Iran,
Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur, and Parsi groups.
ii.Nowruz is a 13-day festival that originated from the ancient religion Zoroastrianism, practiced in Persia
(modern-day Iran) that celebrates the arrival of spring on the day of the spring equinox, usually between
March 19th and 21st.
Significance:
i.Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, with its roots in the Balkans, Black Sea basin, Caucasus,
Central Asia, and the Middle East.
ii.The festival symbolises life in harmony with nature, respect for natural cycles, and the connection
between labour and the cycle of renewal.
Background:
i.International Nowruz Day was proclaimed during the 64th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)
under the agenda item of “culture of peace”.
ii.On February 23, 2010, the UNGA adopted Resolution A/RES/64/253, officially designating March 21 as
International Nowruz Day.
iii.The inaugural celebration was held on 21 March 2010.
UNESCO’s Recognition:
i.Nowruz was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s
(UNESCO) “Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2009.
ii.In 2016, several countries including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan,
Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, extended their recognition to the UNESCO List.
Global Observance:
In 2025, the Nowruz festival was celebrated on March 20, but the UN has designated March 21 as the
International Day of Nowruz to highlight its global observance and cultural importance.
Celebration in India:
The Parsi community in India celebrates Nowruz twice, following different calendar traditions.
• First Celebration (March 20, 2025): Observed according to the Solar Hijri calendar.
• Second Celebration (August 15, 2025): Observed by the Parsi community following the
Shahenshahi calendar, which does not account for leap years.

World Down Syndrome Day 2025 – 21 March

The United Nations (UN’s) World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day observed
annually across the globe on 21 March to raise public awareness of Down syndrome and advocate for the
rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
• WDSD aims to help people understand and support those with Down syndrome better.
21 March 2025 marks the observance of the 14th WDSD.
• The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2025 is ‘Improve Our Support Systems’.
Ribbon:
The Yellow and Blue Awareness Ribbon represents Down Syndrome.
Background:
i.The global awareness campaign was first observed in 2006 when the Down Syndrome Association
Singapore on behalf of Down Syndrome International (DSi), launched and hosted the WDSD website (from
2006-2010).

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ii.On 19 December 2011, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/66/149,
proclaiming 21 March of every year as World Down Syndrome Day.
iii.The first-ever WDSD was observed on 21 March 2012.
Note: The WDSD website and associated activities are coordinated by DSi in collaboration with the United
States of America(USA) based National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the United Kingdom(UK)
based Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA).
Why 21 March?
The 21st day of the 3rd month (March) was chosen to represent the uniqueness of
the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
Lots Of Socks campaign:
The ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign is a global initiative designed to raise awareness and celebrate WDSD.
• It encourages people to wear colorful and mismatched socks.
What is Down Syndrome?
i.Down syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a condition caused by the presence of an extra partial or whole copy
of chromosome 21.
ii.It is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that affects people worldwide.
• The condition influences learning styles, physical characteristics, and overall health to varying
degrees.
iii.Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes (a total of 46). People with Down syndrome have an extra
chromosome added onto the 21st pair (a total of 47).
iv.People who have Down syndrome usually have an intellectual disability. This is different for each
person.
Key Facts:
i.The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide.
ii.Annually, around 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this genetic condition.
iii.Around 1 in every 800 babies will be born with Down syndrome.
2025 Events:
i.The 14th World Down Syndrome Day Conference (WDSDC) was hosted on 21 March 2025 at the UN
headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA).
ii.Multiple events also took place at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to commemorate WDSD
from 20-22 March 2025.
• Among the multiple events, a panel discussion was organised by the UN Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on behalf of the UN Committee on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

International Day of Forests 2025 – March 21

The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Forests (IDF) is observed annually across the globe
on March 21 to celebrate all kinds of forests, emphasize the significance of trees and forests, and
encourage efforts to safeguard them.
• The theme for IDF 2025 is “Forest and Foods,” highlighting the essential role forests play in
food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
• The theme for each IDF is selected by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
Background:
i.On December 21, 2012, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/67/200,
proclaiming March 21 as the International Day of Forests.
ii.The first IDF was celebrated on March 21, 2013.

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iii.IDF is organized annually by the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), in collaboration with other partners.
Significance of Forests:
i.Forests are vital for the planet’s survival, providing oxygen, food, medicine, and livelihoods to millions.
ii.Support food security, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation by storing carbon.
iii.Enhance soil fertility, protect water resources, and provide economic benefits through income and job
opportunities for local communities.
About Transforming Forest Finance Report:
A report titled “Transforming Forest Finance,” released ahead of the International Day of Forests(on
March 21), by the Forest Declaration Assessment, supported by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and the Climate and Land Use Alliance, highlights the inadequate financial support
for forest conservation.
Key findings include:
i.An estimated USD 460 billion annually is required to stop deforestation, but current funding falls short.
Developing countries are facing a massive debt burden, which totals USD 11 trillion.
• For every USD 1 spent on forest protection, USD 6 is invested in industries like industrial
agriculture and logging, which contribute to deforestation.
ii.In 2023, private financial institutions directed USD 6.1 trillion into sectors connected to deforestation,
while governments contributed USD 500 billion through subsidies that had negative environmental
impacts.
iii.The REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is a climate change
mitigation solution developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC).
• The REDD+ programme has been criticized for offering insufficient compensation. Current
payment rates vary between USD 5 and USD 10 per tonne of Carbon(C), while the actual cost of
reducing emissions is believed to range from USD 30 to USD 50 per tonne.
Note: REDD+ is also known as the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (WFR) adopted at 19th session of the
Conference of the Parties(COP 19) in Warsaw(Poland) in 2013.
iv.The report outlines six key actions to address the forest finance crisis: Reform Public and Multilateral
Finance; Overhaul Sovereign Debt Systems; Redirect Harmful Subsidies; Increase Direct Funding to Local
and Indigenous Communities; Strengthen Financial Regulations; and Advocate for Innovative Financing
Models.
India’s Initiatives for Forest Conservation:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India (GoI), has
launched several schemes linking forests to food security, nutrition, and livelihoods:
1.National Agroforestry Policy (2014):
• Promotes agroforestry to integrate trees with crops, enhancing productivity and income for
farmers.
• Nodal Agency: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Agroforestry Research
Institute (CAFRI) in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) provides technical support and training.
Note: Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use system that combines trees and crops to boost productivity,
improve soil, and provide extra income for farmers.
2.Green India Mission (GIM):
• GIM also known as National Mission for a Green India, is a key part of India’s National Action
Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Aims to increase forest cover by 5 million hectares (mha) and improve the quality of
another 5 mha of forest and non-forest land.

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• The Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (ESIP), backed by the World Bank (WB), is
operational in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh (MP) of India.
• As of July 2024, Rs. 909.82 crores have been allocated to 17 states and 1 Union Territory (UT)
of India for plantation and eco-restoration over 155,130 ha.
3.Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme:
• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme to prevent and control forest fires.
• The Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), manages a satellite-based Forest Fire
Monitoring and Alert System, sending fire alerts via Short Message Service (SMS) and electronic
mail (e-mail).
4.Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) (2018):
• Launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing
Development Federation of India) in 2018
• Aims to improve tribal livelihoods by enhancing the value of forest produce.
• Tribal communities form Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) with 300 members to process and
market Minor Forest Produce (MFPs).
• Each VDVK receives Rs.15 lakh, with tribal members contributing Rs.1,000 each.
Key Points:
i..According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India’s forest and tree cover increased
by 25.17%, with 21.76% being forest cover of 7.15 lakh square kilometer (sq. km) and 3.41% tree cover
(1,289 sq. km).
ii.The top three states with the largest forest and tree cover are: Madhya Pradesh (MP)– 85,724 sq km,
Arunachal Pradesh (AR)– 67,083 sq km, Maharashtra – 65,383 sq km
iii.The top three states with the largest forest cover are: MP– 77,073 sq km, AR – 65,882 sq km,
Chhattisgarh – 55,812 sq km.

UN’s firstever World Glacier Day – March 21 2025

The first World Glacier Day was celebrated on March 21,2025, and it will be observed annually on the
same date to raise awareness about glacier protection. It was established by the United Nations (UN) to
highlight the immediate need to protect glaciers and address climate change. This day highlights the
critical role glaciers play in sustaining ecosystems, freshwater supplies, and global climate stability.
• According to reports “State of the Global Climate 2024”, published by the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) with the support of the World Glacier Monitoring Service
(WGMS), the years 2022 to 2024 saw the biggest loss of glacier ice ever recorded over a three-
year period. During this time, all 19 glacier regions around the world lost ice.
Background
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), through its resolution A/RES/77/158 in 2022,
has declared March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers.
• The UNGA proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, aimed at raising
global awareness about the alarming retreat of glaciers due to climate change. The observance is
supported by UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Government of
Tajikistan.
World Glacier Day & International Year of Glaciers 2025
• Objective: Raise awareness, promote research, and drive policy changes to limit global warming
to 1.5°C (Paris Agreement).
• UNESCO’s Role: At its 2023 Paris summit, UNESCO urged nations to cut emissions by 45% by
2030 and fund glacier monitoring systems.

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Threats to Glaciers
Glaciers store 69% of Earth’s freshwater, feeding major rivers like the Ganges and Indus, which support
over 1.9 billion people.
• Rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of glacial melt.
• Record Retreat: UNESCO’s 2023 report states glaciers in World Heritage sites, like Kilimanjaro
and Yellowstone, could vanish by 2050 if emissions remain unchecked.
Joint Celebration of World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day 2025
As part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, a joint celebration of the first World Day
for Glaciers and World Water Day was organized to address the urgent challenges posed by accelerating
glacier melt and its impact on water security, communities, and ecosystems. This high-level event took
place on March 21, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
• Launch of the 2025 World Water Development Report: “Mountains and Glaciers: Water
Towers”.
• During this event, the 2025 United Nations World Water Development Report, titled “Mountains
and Glaciers: Water Towers,” was officially launched.
• This report emphasizes the critical role of mountain waters, including alpine glaciers, in
sustaining water supplies and maintaining ecosystem stability.
“State of the Global Climate 2024” -WMO
The “State of the Global Climate 2024” report was prepared and released by the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO).
• It is WMO’s flagship annual report, providing authoritative information on global climate trends
and their impacts.
• The 2024 edition highlighted the largest glacier mass loss ever recorded over a three-year
period (2022–2024), with all 19 glacier regions worldwide experiencing ice loss.
2024 hydrological year
The 2024 hydrological year marked the third year in a row in which all 19 glacier regions experienced a
net mass loss.
• Glacier mass loss was 450 billion tons in the 2024 hydrological year – the fourth most negative
year on record.
• While the mass loss was relatively moderate in regions like the Canadian Arctic or the
Greenland periphery, the glaciers in Scandinavia, Svalbard, and North Asia experienced their
largest annual mass loss on record.
Glacier of the Year 2025: South Cascade Glacier
On the first World Day for Glaciers, the WGMS presented the first “Glacier of the Year”. In 2025, the South
Cascade Glacier, located in the Cascade Range, Washington, United States of America (USA) was named
Glacier of the Year.
• It has been monitored continuously since 1952, making it one of the longest-studied glaciers in
the Western Hemisphere.
• The glacier provides valuable data on mass balance and helps scientists understand the effects
of climate change.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
Secretary-General – Prof. Celeste Saulo
Headquarters -Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1950
UNSpecialized Agency Since – 1951

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World Puppetry Day 2025 – 21 March

World Puppetry Day (WPD) is annually observed on 21 March worldwide to promote and honour the
ancient art of puppetry as an educational tool and global art form and recognise puppeteers from across
the globe.
• The theme of the WPD 2025 is, “Robots, AI, and the Dream of the Puppet?“
The annual observance of the WPD is led by the oldest international theatre organisation in the
world, UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionnette), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
affiliated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Background:
i.World Puppetry Day was launched in 2003 by the UNIMA, for uniting puppetry artists globally.
ii.The first-ever World Puppetry Day was observed on 21 March 2003.
Note: WPD is now observed worldwide through UNIMA’s National Centres and members.
What is Puppetry?
i.Puppetry is an ancient art form of storytelling where figures, called puppets, are manipulated to enact a
narrative.
ii.A person who animates or manipulates a puppet is called a puppeteer. Different types of puppetries
include String Puppets (Marionettes), Shadow Puppets, Glove Puppets, Rod Puppets, etc.
Key Points:
i.The root of “Puppet” is derived from the Latin word ‘Pupa’ meaning a doll.
ii.India is said to be the home of puppets, and the earliest reference to the art of puppetry is found in
the Tamil classic ‘Silappadikaaram’ written by Ilango Adigal around the 1st or 2nd century B.C.
Puppet Techniques Proclaimed by UNESCO:
i.Several puppet techniques have been inscribed on UNESCO’s:
• Representative Lists of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
• Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
• Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
1.Representative Lists of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: Sri Lanka’s
Rūkada Nātya, traditional string puppet drama in Sri Lanka (2018); Indonesia’s The Wayang Puppet
Theatre (2003); Japan’s Ningyo Johruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre (2003).
2.Representative Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Spain’s Festivity of ‘la Mare de
Déu de la Salut’ of Algemesí (2011); Indonesia’s Indonesian Batik (2009); and Japan’s Nôgaku theatre
(2008).
3.Programs, projects, and activities aimed at safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage: China’s
Strategy for training coming generations of Fujian puppetry practitioners (2012).

About the UNion Internationale de la MArionnette (UNIMA):

President– Karen Smith
Headquarters– Charleville-Mézières, France
Established– 20 May 1929

Earth Hour 2025 – March 22

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) organizes Earth Hour, which is observed globally every year on
the last Saturday of March. It encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to switch off non-
essential electric lights for one hour, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.
• It aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly climate change, and inspire
collective action for a sustainable future.

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Note: In years when Holy Saturday (Easter Eve) falls on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour is observed
a week earlier.
Key Dates:
Earth Hour 2025 was observed on 22nd March 2025 and marks observance of 19th year of Earth Hour.
• Earth Hour 2024 was observed on 23rd March 2024.
• Earth Hour 2026 will be observed on the 28th of March 2026.
Background:
i.Earth Hour was first launched by the WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund) and its partners
in Australia in 2007 as a “lights off” initiative.
ii.The inaugural Earth Hour event took place on 31 March 2007 in Sydney, Australia, with over 2.2
million people and 2,000 businesses turning off their lights for one hour.
iii.It is the largest global grassroots movement for the planet, where people from 190 countries and
territories unite to turn off all non-essential lights for one hour, showcasing the power of collective action.
Note: In India, Earth Hour has been observed since 28th March 2009.
When Earth Hour Observed?
i.Earth Hour is strategically scheduled during the last or second-to-last weekend of March to coincide with
the Spring and Autumn equinoxes.
ii.This timing ensures near-coincidental sunset times in both the northern and southern hemispheres,
creating a unified global “lights out” event.
Logo of Earth Hour:
The standard Earth Hour ’60’ logo represents the 60 minutes (an hour long) of Earth Hour, where we
focus on our impact on our planet and take positive steps to address environmental issues.
• Pocoyo, a children’s animated character has been Global Kids’ Ambassadors for Earth Hour since
2010.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF):
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Carter Roberts
Headquarters – Gland, Switzerland
Founded – 1961

World Water Day 2025 – March 22

The United Nations (UN’s) World Water Day is observed annually across the globe on 22 March to
highlight the importance of freshwater and address the global water crisis.
• The theme for World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’, emphasizes the critical role of
glaciers in freshwater supply and the urgent need for conservation amid climate change.
Note:In 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are the leading UN agencies responsible for the celebration.
Background:
i.Proposed during the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
ii.Officially adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) via Resolution A/RES/47/193 in December 1992.
• The day was first observed on 22 March 1993.
iii.The day was annually organized by UN-Water and led by one or more of its Members and Partners with
relevant mandates.
Significance:
i.Raises awareness about 2.2 billion people lacking access to safely managed drinking water.
ii.Supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.

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UN World Water Development Report 2025:

i.The 2025 World Water Development Report (WWDR), titled ‘Water Towers: Mountains and
Glaciers’, is published by the UNESCO under UN-Water.
ii.It underscores the need for urgent climate action to protect glaciers, vital for achieving SDG 6.
Key Findings:
i.It warns that as the climate continues to warm, many glaciers will “inevitably” vanish in the coming
decades. Projections indicate that a temperature rise of 1.5-4 °C (Degree Celsius) could lead to glaciers
losing 26-41% of their 2015 mass by 2100.
ii.The report highlights a wide range of impacts, including reduced water for drinking and agriculture,
stress on local ecosystems and increased risk of “devastating” glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
iii.Glaciers in Asia-Pacific (Third Pole) are retreating faster than the global average, threatening water
security for 2 billion people downstream.
iv.The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region in Central and South Asia holds the largest ice reserves outside
the polar areas, glaciers are retreating at an alarming pace.
• Between 2011 and 2020, the rate of glacier loss was 65% faster than in the previous decade
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), 2023).
v.By 2050, river flows are expected to decline by 40%, posing a threat to food and energy security.
2025 Events in India:
On World Water Day 2025, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), in collaboration with the Ministry of
Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Government of Haryana, launched Jal Shakti
Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA:CTR) – 2025 in Panchkula, Haryana.
• Union Minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil, MoJS and Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister (CM of
Haryana) launched various water conservation works in Haryana.
i.The initiative targets 148 districts across India, promoting collaboration between government agencies,
communities, and stakeholders to ensure sustainable water resource management and make the vision of
“Every Drop Counts” a reality.
ii.The campaign, titled ‘People’s Action for Water Conservation – Towards Intensified Community
Connect,’ focuses on the urgent need for water security, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge
to address climate change and growing water challenges.
iii.During the event ‘Jal-Jangal-Jan: Ek Prakritik Bandhan Abhiyan’ (Water-Forest-People: The Intrinsic
Bond campaign) launched to strengthen the ecological connection between rivers, springs, and forests.
iv.e-launched of the ‘Mukhyamantri Jal Sanchay Yojana’ and the Water Resources Atlas for Haryana to
support scientific water resource management.

Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day 2025 – March 23

Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day is observed annually across India on 23rd March to commemorate the
martyrdom of three iconic revolutionaries : Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev
Thapar, who were executed by the British government in 1931 for their pivotal role in India’s freedom
struggle.
• The day serves as a tribute to their courage, patriotism, and sacrifice, symbolizing the spirit of
resistance against injustice.
Note: The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS),
organizes nationwide events on Shaheed Diwas to educate youth about their legacy.
Background:
i.Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, all members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican
Association (HSRA), were dedicated to India’s fight for freedom.
ii.They were arrested for their role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, which involved the assassination of

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British police officer John Saunders in 1928.

iii. On 23rd March 1931, the British government executed them by hanging at Lahore Central Jail (now
located in Pakistan).
iv.Their martyrdom became a significant turning point in India’s freedom movement, inspiring countless
others to join the fight for independence.
Other Noted Martyrs’ Days Observed in India:
i.30th January – Death Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1948):This day marks the tragic assassination
of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, who was killed by Nathuram Godse in 1948.
ii.19th May – Language Martyrs’ Day or Bhasha Shahid Divas: This day commemorates the Bengali
Language Movement, which took place between 1912 and 1956.
iii. 17th November – Death Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai (1928): Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent leader
in the Indian freedom struggle, succumbed to injuries inflicted by the police while protesting against the
Simon Commission.
iv.19th November – Birth Anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi, is
remembered for her bravery and leadership during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

World Meteorological Day 2025 – March 23

The United Nations (UN’s) World Meteorological Day (WMD) is annually observed on 23
March worldwide to raise awareness about the significance of understanding weather and climate
patterns in tackling global challenges like climate change and extreme weather.
• Every 23 March, the WMD commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 23 March 1950.
Theme:
i.The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025 is “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together“.
ii.The themes chosen for WMD reflect topical weather, climate, or water-related issues.
Significance of WMD:
i.WMD highlights meteorology’s crucial role in predicting weather patterns, monitoring climate change,
and preparing for natural disasters.
ii.It showcases the essential contribution of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS)
to the safety and well-being of society.
Background:
i.The WMO during its 12th session of the Executive Committee (EC-XII) held from 27 June to 15
July 1960, adopted Resolution 6 (EC-XII) – Annual World Meteorological Day, proclaiming 23 March of
every year as World Meteorological Day.
ii.The first-ever WMD was observed on 23 March 1961.
WMO Report:
i.According to the WMO’s Global State of the Global Climate 2024 Report, 2024 was the hottest year in the
175-year observational record, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe.
• The report was published ahead of World Meteorological Day (March 23), World Water Day
(WWD) (March 22), and World Day for Glaciers (March 21).
About Early Warning Systems (EWS):
i.Rising sea levels, storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires are increasingly impacting communities,
emphasizing the need for effective Early Warning Systems (EWS).
ii.EWS helps anticipate and prepare for disasters before they occur. They are crucial in saving lives,
protecting livelihoods, and strengthening community resilience.
About Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative:

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i.In 2022, the UN Secretary-General (UNSG), António Guterres, unveiled the “EW4All” initiative to ensure
that every person on Earth is safeguarded by Early Warning Systems (EWS) by 2027.
• In November 2022, the UNSG launched the Early Warnings for All: Executive Action Plan
2023–2027 at the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt to implement the initiative.
iii.The EW4All initiative is co-led by the WMO and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
(UNDRR), with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other partners.
Progress in Early Warnings for All:
i.As of 2024, 108 countries report some capacity for Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), more
than double the 52 countries in 2015.
iii.The global comprehensiveness score for MHEWS has improved by 39% (from 0.35 to 0.49) since 2015.
2025 Events:
On 24 March 2025, the official ceremony of WMD was held at WMO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Various hybrid events were organized by NMHSs on the theme “Closing the early warning gap together”.
Events in India:
i.The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), celebrated the
WMD 2025 on March 22, 2025, at Mahika Hall, Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• The event featured a half-day national symposium inaugurated by Dr. M. Ravichandran,
Secretary, MoES.
ii.5 books namely Rastriya Panchang 2025, Monograph on Precipitation Chemistry, Annual Rainfall
Summary 2024, Pre-Monsoon Thunderstorm Report 2024, and Report on Cyclonic Disturbances over
North Indian Ocean during 2024 were released.
iii.The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), IMD, Chennai, Tamil Nadu celebrated the WMD-2025 on
24th March 2025.
About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
WMO originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873 at
the first International Meteorological Congress in Vienna, Austria.
• On March 23, 1950, the IMO became the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) .
In 1951, WMO became the specialized agency of the UN .
• 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of WMO.
Secretary-General– Celeste Saulo
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established– 1950
Members– As of 2023, WMO has 193 Members, including 187 Member States and 6 Territories

World Tuberculosis Day 2025 – March 24

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is annually observed across the globe on 24th March to raise global
awareness about TB and mobilize efforts to eliminate the disease.
• The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2025 is ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit,
Invest, Deliver’, emphasizes urgency, accountability, and collective action.
Note: The United Nations (UN’s) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to end TB by 2030.
Background:
i.On 24 March 1882, German Doctor and Microbiologist Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of
the ‘tubercle bacillus’ (later named Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. tb) at the University of Berlin’s
Institute of Hygiene, in Berlin, Germany.

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• In 1905, Dr. Robert Koch was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his TB
research.
ii.In 1982, on the centenary of Koch’s discovery, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung
Disease (IUATLD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed designating 24 March as World TB
Day under the campaign “Defeat TB: Now and Forever”.
iii.The first World TB Day was officially observed on March 24, 1983.
TB Surveillance Report 2025
On World TB Day 2025, Solna (Sweden) based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
(ECDC) and Copenhagen (Denmark) based World Health Organization (WHO) Europe released
the “Tuberculosis Surveillance and Monitoring in Europe 2025” report.
• The report highlights a 10% increase in paediatric TB cases among children under 15 years in
the WHO European Region (covering 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia)
in 2023 compared to 2022.
i.4.3% of new and relapsed TB cases in the WHO European Region and the European Union/European
Economic Area (EU/EEA) were children under 15 years.
ii.Over 650 additional TB cases were reported in children between 2022 and 2023, marking the third
consecutive year of increase.
iii.1 in 5 children with TB in the EU/EEA did not have confirmed treatment completion, raising concerns
about drug-resistant TB (DR-TB).
Global Impact and Current Efforts
i.TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming over 1.3 million lives
annually (WHO, 2023).
ii.The WHO End TB Strategy aims to reduce TB deaths by 95% and incidence by 90% by 2035.
iii.India, which accounts for 27% of global TB cases, launched the National Tuberculosis Elimination
Programme (NTEP) in 2020 to achieve TB-free status by 2025.
India Completes 10,000 TB Genome Sequences, Aims for Early Elimination
On World TB Day 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and
Technology (MoS&T) announced the completion of 10,000 genome sequences of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis isolates, marking progress toward India’s goal to eliminate TB by 2025—five years ahead of
the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 2030 target.
Genomic Surveillance Initiative
i.Part of the Dare2eraD TB program (Data Driven Research to Eradicate TB), launched on 24 March 2022.
ii.Led by the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance (InTGS) Consortium involving:
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
iii.Aims to sequence 32,000+ TB isolates to detect drug resistance and improve treatments
Telangana Wins National Award for Excellence in TB Testing Under ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan‘
Telangana received the Best National Performance Award in NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification
Test) testing during the 100-day ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign. The award was presented by Union
Minister J.P. Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) on World TB Day 2025 in New Delhi
(Delhi).
• The award was conferred in recognition of achieving over 100% screening of vulnerable
populations in 9 TB-affected districts in Telangana, identifying over 4,600 new TB cases.

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International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for
the Dignity of Victims 2025 – March 24
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human
Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, observed annually across the globe on March 24, is
dedicated to honoring the victims of serious human rights violations and advocating for justice.
• The day also commemorates the legacy of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, a prominent
human rights activist from El Salvador, who was assassinated on March 24, 1980, for speaking
against oppression and violence.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/65/196 on December 21, 2010,
officially designating March 24 as this international day.
ii.The first observance took place in 2011.
Significance:
This international day serves multiple purposes:
i.To honor the victims of grave human rights abuses and raise awareness of their struggles.
ii.To recognize the contributions of individuals like Archbishop Oscar Romero, who dedicated their lives to
advocating for justice.
iii.To promote the right to truth, ensuring that societies acknowledge past violations and take steps to
prevent future atrocities.
About Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero:
Oscar Romero was a Salvadoran Roman Catholic Archbishop known for his vocal opposition to human
rights violations by government forces, right-wing paramilitary groups, and leftist guerrillas during El
Salvador’s civil conflict.
• His assassination occurred on March 24, 1980, while he was conducting mass at the Carmelite
chapel of the Hospital de la Divina Providencia.
His contributions:
i.In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared him “Servant of God.”
ii.He was beatified on May 23, 2015, after being declared a martyr in February 2015.
iii.In March 2018, he was canonized by Pope Francis, making him Saint Oscar Romero.

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
2025 – March 25
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed globally on 25 March each year to honor the millions who
suffered under the transatlantic slave trade, regarded as one of the most severe human rights violations in
history.
• The theme for 2025 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade is “Acknowledge the past. Repair the present. Build a future of
dignity and justice.”
Background:
i.On December 17, 2007, UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/122 and
proclaimed the 25 March of every year as International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and
the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
ii.The first International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
was observed on 25 March 2008.

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Transatlantic Slave Trade:

i.The Transatlantic Slave Trade was a brutal and inhumane system that forcibly transported over 15
million of African people to the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the world over 400 years between the
16th and 19th centuries.
ii.The enslaved people were then transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, where they were
sold into forced labor.
iii.Many died during the brutal journey across the ocean, while those who survived faced a lifetime of
enslavement, abuse, and separation from their families and cultures.
Similar Observance:
In 1997, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established 23
August as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This day
commemorates the 1791 uprising in Saint Domingue (now the Republic of Haiti).
UN Initiatives and Memorials:
1.Outreach Programme:
• Established via UNGA Resolution A/RES/61/19 on 28 November 2006.
• Mandates to educate about slavery’s history and honor victims through global awareness
campaigns.
• Aims to inspire youth and civil society members to take a stand against racism.
2.The Ark of Return-UN Slavery Memorial:
• The UN’s Slavery Memorial, officially called The Ark of Return, is a permanent memorial
dedicated to honoring the victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
• Located at the UN Headquarters in New York City, United States of America (USA).
• Designed by Haitian-American architect Rodney Leon and unveiled in 2015.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2025 – March 25
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff
Members is observed worldwide every year on March 25 to honor those who face detention, abduction,
or violence while serving in global peace and humanitarian missions.
• This day serves to mobilize action, demand justice, and reinforce our commitment to protecting
UN staff and peacekeepers, along with our colleagues in the non-governmental sector and the
press.
Origin of the Day:
i.The day commemorates the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, a journalist working for
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in 1985 by a
gunman from the Palestinian Abu Nidal group in Lebanon.
ii.His body was finally discovered in 2009 in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley by a joint team from the UN
Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and British police.
Protecting UN Staff:
i.Since the establishment of the UN in 1945, hundreds of UN personnel have tragically lost their lives in the
line of duty.
ii.In response to growing concerns over staff security, the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution
S/RES/868 in September 1993, marking the first Security Resolution on the issue.
iii.Negotiations were held in the 6th (Legal) Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) regarding an
international legal convention aimed at protecting UN personnel.
iv.Subsequently, the Convention on the Safety of UN and Associated Personnel was adopted on December
9, 1994, and came into force in 1999.

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Note:In 2024, a total of 101 UN staff members were arrested or detained worldwide, with at least 52 still
in detention, including 23 held by the de facto authorities in Yemen.
About 1994 Convention:
i.Initially, the Convention focused on UN operations designed to maintain or restore international peace
and security, as well as those considered to present an exceptional risk to the safety of personnel.
ii.However, non-peacekeeping operations were only included under the Convention in cases where
exceptional risk declarations were made.
2005 Optional Protocol:
i.In 2005, the UN introduced the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of UN and Associated
Personnel, addressing the Convention’s previous shortcomings.
ii.This Protocol extends legal protection to all other UN operations, including emergency humanitarian
assistance, peacebuilding, and the provision of humanitarian, political, and development support.
About United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA):
Commissioner-General – Philippe Lazzarini
Headquarters – Amman(Jordan) and Gaza(Palestine)
Established – 1949

World Theatre Day 2025 – March 27

World Theatre Day is observed annually across the globe on 27th March to honor theatre’s cultural
significance and its role in fostering global unity.
• The day underscores theatre’s power to bridge cultural divides, inspire dialogue, and promote
peace.
• March 27, 2025, marks the 63rd World Theatre Day.
Note: The day has been celebrated each year by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) Centres and the
international theatre community.
Background:
i.World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute ITI, the World
Organization for the Performing Arts, which was founded in 1948 by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) and the International Council for Theatre.
ii.The 1st World Theatre Day was observed on 27 March 1962, coinciding with the date of the opening of
the “Theatre of Nations” season in Paris, France.
Goals of World Theatre Day:
i.To promote theatre in all its forms across the world.
ii.To make people aware of the value of theatre in all its forms.
iii.To help theatre communities showcase their work widely so that governments and leaders recognize
the value of dance and support it.
iv.To enjoy theatre in all its forms for its own sake.
v.To share the joy for theatre with others. reframe
World Theatre Day Message:
i.Each year, a distinguished figure in the theatre community is selected by ITI to compose the World
Theatre Day Message, reflecting on the theme of “Theatre and a Culture of Peace.”
• The 2025 World Theatre Day message is authored by Theodoros Terzopoulos (Greece), a
renowned theatre director, educator, and Chairman of the International Committee of Theatre
Olympics in Lausanne (Switzerland).
ii.This message is translated into over 50 languages, fostering a global dialogue on the unifying power of
theatre.

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Note: The 1st World Theatre Day Message in 1962 was written by Jean Cocteau, French writer,
playwright, and director.
2025 Events:
The 2025 World Theatre Day events will occur from 27–30 March 2025 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), co-
organized by ITI and the Brazilian Centre of ITI.
• Performances from Brazil, South Korea, China, Thailand, Chile, and others will showcase diverse
theatrical traditions.
ITI World Congress:
i.The ITI World Congresses provide a platform for ITI members and performing arts professionals to meet,
exchange ideas, and encourage collaboration.
• These congresses have been held annually, biannually, and more recently, every three years.
ii.The 37th ITI World Congress 2024 was held in Antwerp (the Flemish part of Belgium) and Den
Bosch (the Netherlands), under the theme ‘Embrace and Connect’.
Note:
• The origins of Indian theatre can be located in the Rigveda, which features hymns presented as
dialogues and scenes.
• • The Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), the oldest association of theatre artists in
India, was formed in 1943 during British rule.
• Ebrahim Alkazi, known as the “Father of Indian Theatre”.
About International Theatre Institute (ITI):
Director General (DG) – Tobias Biancone
Headquarters – Shanghai, China
Formed – 1948

World Piano Day 2025 – March 29

World Piano Day is observed annually across the globe on the 88th day of the year (typically March 28
or 29) to symbolize the 88 keys of a standard piano.
• The day celebrates the piano, an acoustic, keyboard, stringed percussion instrument, bringing
together musicians, enthusiasts, and industry professionals worldwide.
Key Dates:
World Piano Day 2025 was observed on March 29, 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of its
establishment in 2015.
• World Piano Day 2024 was observed on March 28, 2024.
• World Piano Day 2026 will be observed on March 29, 2026.
Background:
i.In 2015, World Piano Day was established by Nils Frahm, German pianist and composer.
ii.The first World Piano day was observed on 29th March 2015.
Significance:
i.Promote music education and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to appreciate piano playing.
ii.Celebrate the beauty, versatility, and cultural significance of the piano.
iii.Support the piano ecosystem, including pianists, promoters, organizers, distributors, and technicians.
iv.Encourage global participation, including concerts, online events, podcasts, and special music
performances.
Invention and Evolution of the Piano:
i.The piano was invented in the 18th century (1700s) by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731), an Italian
instrument maker.

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ii.Originally called “Gravicembalo col piano e forte”, meaning “soft and loud harpsichord”, the instrument
evolved into the modern piano, revolutionizing the music industry.

International Day of Zero Waste 2025 – 30 March

The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Zero Waste also known as Zero Waste Day is annually
observed across the globe on 30 March to underscore the significance of bolstering global waste
management and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to combat the
waste pollution crisis.
• 30 March 2025 marks the observance of the 3rd International Day of Zero Waste.
• In 2025, for the first time, the International Day of Zero Waste was observed under the theme,
“Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”.
The observance of the Day is facilitated jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the
leading global authority in the UN system, and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
Note: The 2025 theme focuses on the need to take action to reduce waste in the fashion and textile sector
and advance sustainability and circular solutions.
Significance:
i.The Day aims to raise awareness about the critical role of waste management and responsible
consumption and production in achieving sustainable development.
ii.Promoting zero-waste initiatives helps achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), specifically:
• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
• SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
iii.These efforts address waste management, including food loss, natural resource extraction, and
electronic waste.
Background:
i.On 14 December 2022, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/77/161 entitled
“Promoting zero waste initiatives to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”,
proclaiming 30 March of every year as the International Day of Zero Waste.
• The resolution was proposed by Türkiye, with support from 105 other countries.
ii.The first-ever International Day of Zero Waste was observed on 30 March 2023.
What is Zero Waste?
i.The term “Zero Waste” was first used in the chemical industry in 1973 in connection with the recovery
of usable components from chemical compounds.
ii.Zero Waste is a philosophy and a design principle that aims to minimise the amount of waste generated
by promoting the sustainable management of resources throughout their life cycle.
• The goal of Zero Waste is to eliminate waste entirely by ensuring that products are designed,
produced, consumed, and disposed of in ways that maximise resource recovery and reduce
environmental impact.
Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project:
i.Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project is a significant environmental initiative launched in 2017 by the Ministry of
Environment and Urbanization, Government of Türkiye under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan.
• Emine Erdoğan is the First Lady of the Türkiye and the wife of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,
President of Türkiye.
• The project basically aims to prevent waste and to use resources more efficiently.
ii.Through its zero-waste project, the government provides support for the establishment of zero-waste
management systems across all 81 provinces.

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iii.In 2021, Türkiye’s zero waste project has won the UN Development Program (UNDP) Turkey’s 1st
“Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) Action Award” for successfully meeting the goal
“Responsible Consumption and Production”.
iv.In 2022, Emine Erdoğan, and the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres signed a goodwill
document to extend Türkiye’s zero-waste project globally.
2025 Events:
i.On 27 March 2025, a high-level event for the 3rd annual International Day of Zero Waste was observed at
the UN Headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA).
• The event was organised in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of
Türkiye to the UN, with the support of the Zero Waste Foundation.
ii.On 27 March 2025, an event was organised at the UNEP and the UN-Habitat headquarters in Nairobi,
Kenya.
• This event showcased 3 zero-waste practices from Thailand, India and Norway selected by the
UNSG’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste from 220 global submissions.
iii.Closing The Loop Program, from Bengaluru (Karnataka) was the Zero-waste practice of
India showcased in Nairobi.
• It was launched by the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF), an industry-led platform.
This pioneering initiative redirects post-consumer textiles from landfills to markets via textile
recovery facilities.
Impact of Fashion and Textile Waste:
i.Humanity generates betwee n 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) annually –
from textiles and packaging to electronics, plastics and food.
ii.2.7 billion people lacking access to solid waste collection, leading to open dumping and severe
environmental risks.
iii.Only 61 to 62% of MSW being managed in controlled facilities. MSW generation is predicted to grow to
3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.
• Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of
dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis – climate change, nature, land and
biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
iv.The fashion and textile industry alone produce 92 million tonnes of textile waste yearly, equating to a
garbage truck of clothes being incinerated or landfilled every second.
v.Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production doubled, while the duration of garment use decreased by
36%.
• The use of fossil fuel-based synthetic fibres contributes to microplastic pollution, harming
ecosystems and human health.
vi.The fashion and textile sector contribute 2–8% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and 9% of
microplastic pollution reaching oceans annually.
• Doubling the number of times a garment is worn would reduce GHG emissions by 44%.
vii.The fashion and textile sector also consume 215 trillion liters (l) of water—enough to fill 86 million
Olympic-sized swimming pools.
viii.About 15,000 chemicals are used in textile manufacturing process, with many accumulating in the
environment for decades.
About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director– Inger Andersen
Headquarters– Nairobi, Kenya
Founded– 1972
Member States– 193

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APPS & WEB PORTAL

MeitY Launches Aadhaar Good Governance Portal to Enhance Ease of Living
In February 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the ‘Aadhaar
Good Governance portal’ to streamline the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests.
• This initiative highlights the government’s dedication to improving the quality of life for citizens
by increasing access to services, and strengthening the overall citizen-centric approach to
service delivery.
Key People:
The Aadhaar Good Governance portal was launched by S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY and in the presence of
Bhuvnesh Kumar, Chief executive Officer (CEO) Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Inder Pal
Singh Sethi, Director General (DG) of National Informatics Centre (NIC), Manish Bhardwaj, Deputy Director
General (DDG) UIDAI, Amod Kumar, DDG UIDAI and other senior officials from MeitY, UIDAI and NIC.
About Aadhaar Good Governance portal:
i.The portal comes into effect, after Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare,
Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025, issued under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of
Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 was notified in January 2025.
• This amendment was made to improve transparency and inclusivity in decision-making.
ii.The portal will serve as a resource-rich guide, providing a complete Standard operating procedure (SOP)
for authentication seekers on how to apply and onboard for Aadhaar authentication.
iii.Face Authentication may also be implemented into private entities’ customer-facing applications (apps),
allowing for authentication at anytime and anywhere.
iv.MeitY proposed rules that would allow entities other than Government Ministries and Departments to
authenticate Aadhaar, making it more user-friendly.
v.This collaborative strategy aims to promote transparency and inclusivity in the Aadhaar authentication
process, hence improving governance and service delivery to all citizens.
Role of Aadhaar:
i.Aadhaar is considered as the most trusted Digital Identity (ID) in the world. Over the last decade, more
than a billion Indians trusted Aadhaar by using it to authenticate themselves over 100 billion times.
iii.It will also be useful for service providers to track staff attendance, customer onboarding, Electronic
Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification, exam registrations, and so on.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launched AI Compute Portal, Dataset Platform AIKosha and
Other Key Initiatives
In March 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
(MeitY) launched several key initiatives under IndiaAI mission during the celebration of 1 year
anniversary of IndiaAI mission held in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The newly launched initiatives are the AI Compute Portal, IKosha: IndiaAI Datasets Platform, the
AI Competency Framework for Public Sector Officials, iGOT-AI Mission Karmayogi, the IndiaAI
Startups Global Acceleration Program with Station F, the IndiaAI Application Development
Initiative and IndiaAI FutureSkills all aimed at strengthening AI-driven research, innovation, and
skill development.
• These initiatives marks a significant step in democratizing AI access, enabling research-driven
innovation, and bolstering India’s global AI leadership.

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About IndiaAI Compute Portal:

i.The portal will offer AI compute, network storage, platform and cloud services at discounted rate i.e. at
the rate of Rs 67 per hour, to startups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), academia,
researchers, students, startups, and government agencies.
ii.For the initial phase, the portal will provide easy access to 10,000 Graphic Processing Units
(GPUs), and then gradually add 8,693 more GPUs on the platform.
• It will cover mid-range GPUs to high-end GPUs such as: NVIDIA H100, H200, A100, L40S, and L4,
among others, ensuring cost-effective AI development capabilities and innovation.
iii.As per MeitY, eligible AI users will get up to 40% subsidy on AI compute services on cloud.
About AIKosha: IndiaAI Datasets Platform:
i.It is a secured platform that facilitates a repository of datasets, models and use cases to promote AI
innovation. It is designed with the objective of providing seamless access to datasets, tools and AI models.
• The platform hosts more than 300 datasets and more than 80 models, promoting the
development of diverse and unbiased AI solutions.
ii.The platform has AI sandbox capabilities through an integrated development environment along with
tools and tutorials.
iii.It also incorporates some unique features like: content discoverability, AI readiness scoring of datasets,
permission based access and security mechanisms .
About IndiaAI Innovation Challenge: Felicitation of AI Innovators:
i.IndiaAI has launched the ‘IndiaAI Innovation Challenge’ under its IndiaAI Application Development
Initiative (IADI) pillar, which focuses on developing, enhancing, and
promoting the adoption of impactful AI solutions with potential for
large-scale socio-economic transformation.
ii.More than 900 AI solutions were submitted and 30 AI
solutions have been shortlisted for the next stage across 3 stages of
maturity: Idea, Prototype, and Existing Solutions.
Other Key Initiative launched:
i.Release of AI Competency Framework for Public Sector
Officials: This framework aims to equip public sector officials with
skills related to AI competency mapping, and upskilling initiatives.
ii.iGOT-AI: It is an advanced AI-powered personalized content
recommendation system, aimed at enhancing the learning experience
for government officials on the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
iii.IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program: IndiaAI mission in collaboration with Paris (France)-
based STATION F and HEC Paris, a business school based in Paris, will launch an acceleration program for
AI startups in India.
• It will be a 4-month immersive program i.e. 1 month online and 3 month onsite at STATION F,
world’s largest startup campus.
• It will provide 10 selected AI startups with access to mentorship, networking, and
international market expansion opportunities in Europe.
iii.IndiaAI FutureSkills Fellowship: This initiative aims to reduce barriers to entry into AI programs and
will increase AI courses in under-graduate, masters-level, and Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D.) programs.
• In Addition to that, IndiaAI Data labs are being set up in tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India to
impart foundational level courses.
• IndiaAI has curated two courses for the roles of Data Annotator and Data Curator, which
primarily focuses on sectors like: healthcare, education, manufacturing, and agriculture to be

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imparted in IndiaAI Data labs across National Institute of Electronics and Information
Technology (NIELIT) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) centres.
About IndiaAI Mission:
i.On March 7 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi
approved IndiaAI mission with budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore (USD 1.25 billion) for over the next
5 years.
ii.It is being implemented by IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India
Corporation (DIC) of MeitY.
iii.It is based on 7 key pillars: IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI innovation centre, IndiaAI Datasets
platform, IndiaAI application development initiative, IndiaAI future skills, IndiaAI startup financing, Safe
and Trusted AI.
About Ministry of Electronic and IT (MeitY):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada(Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Mobile App for PMIS

On March 17, 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and the Ministry
of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) launched a dedicated mobile application (App) for the Prime Minister’s
Internship Scheme (PMIS) in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The app is designed to simplify access to internship opportunities for young people in India and
increase industry involvement.
• Furthermore, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also inaugurated the first facilitation center
for PMIS in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB). This center has been established through a collaboration
between the MoCA and New Delhi(Delhi) based Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Key Features of the PMIS App:
• Intuitive User Interface: For smooth navigation and a clear layout.
• Easy Registration: Candidates can register using Aadhaar face authentication.
• Effortless Navigation: Opportunities can be filtered by location and other parameters.
• Personalized Dashboard: Tailored updates for each user.
• Real-Time Alerts: Notifications about new internship opportunities.
About Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) :
The PMIS was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 to provide 1 crore youth with internship
opportunities in the top 500 companies in India over five years, helping them develop skills, gain
professional experience, and advance their careers.
• The scheme aims to bridge the gap between industry requirements and youth skills.
Progress of the Pilot Project of the PMIS Scheme:
• Round-I: Launched from October to December 2024, over 1.27 lakh opportunities were posted
by 280 companies across 25 sectors in 745 districts. More than 82,000 offers were extended to
candidates.
• Round-II: Began in January 2025, with 327 companies posting over 1.18 lakh opportunities.
The application window remains open until the end of March 2025.
Eligibility and Benefits:
i.Target Group: Youth aged 21 to 24 who are not enrolled in full-time academic education or
employment.
ii.Financial Assistance: Each intern will receive Rs. 5,000 per month and a one-time payment of Rs.
6,000.
iii.Corporate Contribution: Companies are expected to cover training costs and 10% of internship
expenses through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

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ENVIRONMENT
Two New Species of Jumping Spiders Discovered in Western Ghats
In March 2025, Researchers from the University of Kerala discovered two new species of jumping spiders,
‘Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov’ and ‘Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov’ from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
in Kerala. This marks the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India.
• The findings, published in the February 2025 issue of Zootaxa, a
peer-reviewed journal, also highlighted the Western Ghats’
abundant biodiversity.
About New Species of Jumping Spiders :
i.The two new species were discovered during field expeditions to
Kulathupuzha in Kollam, Kerala in December 2022 and April 2023.
ii.These are distinguished by their remarkable physical features, which include a noticeable yellow
triangular-shaped mark on the prosoma (the front portion of the body) of females, as well as
characteristics of the copulatory organs in both men and females
iii.Males of E. palustris have a pale brown band along the length of their bodies, but males of E. falciformis
have a brown carapace with a yellow-brown stripe.
• The females are similarly colored, but they also have white orbital setae surrounding their eyes.
iv.The size of the species varies slightly, E. falciformis measures 4.39 millimeters (mm). E. palustris
measures 4.57 mm in males and 3.69 mm in females.
v.These spiders have been described as well-adapted to their surroundings, living in the dense forest of the
Western Ghats. The genus was previously considered endemic to Sri Lanka.

ZSI Scientists Discover Soil Nematode ‘Crassolabium dhritiae’ in Odisha

In March 2025, Scientists from Kolkata (West Bengal) based Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered
the species of soil-dwelling nematode ‘Crassolabium dhritiae’ in the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic
zone in Keonjhar, Odisha.
• The findings, published online in Acta ZoologicaBulgarica,
highlights the rich biodiversity of this understudied region and
underscores the crucial role of nematodes in soil ecosystems.
i.The newly discovered species, “Crassolabium dhritiae,” is named in
honour of Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the ZSI in appreciation of her
outstanding contributions to taxonomy and zoological research.
ii.Crassolabiumdhritiae has a medium-sized, slender body, rounded lip
area, large odontostyle, long pharynx, particular traits in its female reproductive system, and a unique tail
shape.
iii.The Crassolabium genus is known to exhibit both omnivorous and predatory behaviors, while research
on their feeding patterns is still being studied.
iv.With this discovery, the total number of Crassolabium species worldwide reaches 39, including 9 species
recorded in India.

New Eel Species Discovered of Thoothukudi Coast Named After Tamil Language
In March 2025, researchers at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP)-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research-
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) have discovered a new species of Congrid eel,
found off the Thoothukudi coast in Tamil Nadu (TN).

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• It belongs to the genus ‘Ariosoma’ and was named

Tamilicum after the world’s oldest language, ‘Tamil’.
i.The newly discovered eel species has some unique features like: dorsal surface of head with single
whitish band across anterior eye margin; long, vomerine teeth patch, reaching half the length of maxillary,
and have 120-129 total vertebrae, among others.
ii.This is the 14th eel species found from the Indian water by the NBFGR team.
iii. The identity of the species was validated by international experts in the field of eel taxonomy, and the
finding was published in the international peer-reviewed journal, Zootaxa.

Uniyala keralensis: A Newly Plant Species Identified in Kerala’s Agasthyamala Biosphere ReserveIn
March 2025, Researchers have found a new plant species ‘Uniyala keralensis’ (family Asteraceae), in the
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is a dense shrub with light
purple flowers and has been confirmed as a distinct species of the genus Uniyala, separating it
from Vernonia.
• The species has been named after the State of Kerala. The finding of
this plant was published in the journal Phytotaxa.
Discovery:
i.The researchers Ettickal Sukumaran Santhosh Kumar, and Sainudeen Shareef
from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
(JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram first collected a specimen 27 years ago in
1998.
ii.Comparative studies confirmed that the specimen collected in 1998 differed enough from other Uniyala
species to be designated as a new species.
iii.The genus Uniyala is named after plant taxonomist B.P. Uniyal, comprising 11 species distributed across
Southern India and Sri Lanka.
About Uniyala keralensis:
i.The new species grows as a small to large shrub, reaching 1 to 3 meters(m) in height, bearing attractive
light purple florets.
ii.It differs from related species (U. comorinensis and U. salviifolia) by having larger leaves, longer petioles,
and fewer lateral veins. It flowers and fruits from August to April.
iii.The new species is found in open areas of the western mountain slopes of the ABR at elevations of 700
to 1,400 (m).
iv.The current population consists of nearly 5,000 individuals across 4 subpopulations in a 250 square km
area.
Note: Uniyala keralensis is assessed as a Data Deficient (DD) under the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Criteria (2024).

New Freshwater Algae Species ‘Sheathia Rosemalayensis’ Discovered in Western Ghats

In March 2025, researchers from Kothamangalam(Kerala) based Mar Athanasius College have discovered a
new species of freshwater algae, “Sheathia rosemalayensis”, in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The
research on Sheathia rosemalayensis was published in Phycologia, an international journal dedicated to
the study of algae.
• Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis.
• The study was conducted by Dr. Jayalakshmi P.S., assistant professor at Mar Athanasius College,
Kothamangalam (Kerala), and Fr. Dr. Jose John, former principal of Sacred Heart College,
Thevara (Kerala).
i.The species Sheathia rosemalayensis was discovered in Rosemala, located in the Kollam district of
Kerala. It is named after the region, as the Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri.

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ii.This finding is crucial, as Sheathia species are extremely rare in India. Prior to this, only one
other Sheathia species had been reported from the Himalayan region.
iii.Other species in the Sheathia genus like assamica, S. indonepalensis, S. dispersa have broader
distribution including Assam, Nepal, Indonesia, Taiwan, & Hawaiian Archipelago.

BU Researchers & ZSI Discovered New Marine Parasitic Isopod Species ‘Lobothorax Bharat’
In March 2025, Researchers of department of zoology, Berhampur University (BU) based in Odisha, in
collaboration with Ganjam (Odisha)-based Estuarine Biology Regional Centre (EBRC) of Zoological Survey
of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of marine parasitic isopod. The species has been
named ‘Lobothorax Bharat’ in honor of India, the homeland of the scientists behind the discovery
• This tiny parasite, less than 3 centimeters(cm) long, was found along the coast at Gopalpur and
Bahabalpur in Ganjam and Balasore districts, respectively of Odisha.
• The discovery of new species was published in Zootaxa, a premier international taxonomy
journal.
Background:
i.The study, began in 2023, was part of a 3-year research project titled
‘Molecular Characterization, Genetic Analysis and Study of the Life Cycle of
Parasitic Isopod Found along the Northern Part of the East Coast of India and
Chilika Lagoon’.
ii.It was funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ARNF) of
the Government of India (GoI), with a total cost of over Rs 37 lakh.
About Lobothorax Bharat:
i.This newly discovered species belongs to the family Cymothoidae.
ii.It is known as the 4th known species in the Lobothorax genus, a group of parasitic isopods found in the
buccal activity of marine fish. It affixes itself to the tongue of its host species.
• These parasites feed on the blood and mucus of their hosts, which often led to anaemia in
affected fish populations.
iii.Lobothorax Bharat is different from its closest relative i.e. Lobothorax typus Bleeker (1857).
New Wild Ginger Species Discovered in Odisha’ Similipal BR
The Researchers from Baripada (Odisha)-based Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University (MSCB
University) have found a new species of wild ginger from Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) located in
Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
• It was discovered by Dr. Sudam Charan Sahu, Assistant Professor of Botany, and
Sifan Priyadarshini, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) researcher scholar of Botany, have been
exploring the diversity of ‘Zingiberaceae’ family in Odisha for the last 3 years.
• The discovery of this species was published in the international journal ‘Phytotaxa’.
Key Points:
i.The newly identified species has been named ‘Zingiber Jagannathii Sahu & Priyadarshini’ in the
honour of ‘Lord Jagannath’.
ii.It was discovered in August 2024 near Kulipala SBR at a height of 758 meters (m). Its unique
morphological features make it different within the Zingiberaceae family.
About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI):
Director- Dr. Dhriti Banerjee
Headquarters- Kolkata, West Bengal (WB)
Established- 1916

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