10th March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

Madhav National Park Declared as India’s 58th Tiger Reserve

Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been officially declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve on March 9, 2025, by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. This designation strengthens Madhya Pradesh’s status as the ‘Tiger State’, now home to nine tiger reserves. Located in Shivpuri district, within the Gwalior-Chambal region, Madhav Tiger Reserve features dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and water bodies, creating an ideal habitat for tigers and diverse wildlife. This milestone enhances India’s wildlife conservation efforts and biodiversity protection.

International News

Mark Carney Appointed as Canada’s New Liberal Party Leader and Prime Minister

Business News

Saina Nehwal Joins Naarica as Strategic Investor & Brand Ambassador

Saina Nehwal, badminton legend and former World No.1, has partnered with Naarica, an innovative menstrual hygiene brand, as a strategic investor and brand ambassador. Her goal is to promote sustainable and high-quality menstrual care solutions, ensuring better access for women across India. With nearly 50% of menstruating women lacking proper sanitary products, Naarica focuses on eco-friendly, reusable, and scientifically designed solutions. This collaboration aims to raise awareness, expand market reach, and empower women through improved menstrual hygiene.

Razorpay Expands into Singapore to Revolutionize Digital Payments

Razorpay, a leading fintech company, has expanded its payment solutions to Singapore, following its success in India and Malaysia. This move aligns with Singapore’s digital-first economy and its growing real-time payments ecosystem. Razorpay aims to simplify cross-border transactions, reduce payment costs, and introduce AI-driven financial tools to empower businesses in the region.

Banking News

Bank of Baroda Launches ‘bob Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account’ for Women NRIs

On March 7, 2025, Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched the ‘bob Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account’, becoming the first public sector bank to introduce an NRI account exclusively for women. This initiative offers premium banking privileges, including a customized debit card with zero issuance charges, free airport lounge access, concessional loan rates on home and auto loans, and 100% concession on locker rent. Additionally, BoB has revamped its ‘bob Premium NRE & NRO Savings Account’ to enhance the customer experience with upgraded features.

SBI Launches Collateral-Free Digital SME Loan for Women Entrepreneurs

On International Women’s Day 2025, the State Bank of India (SBI) launched ‘SBI Asmita’, a collateral-free digital SME loan exclusively for women entrepreneurs, offering a hassle-free digital lending process with automated data verification from GSTIN, bank statements, and CICs. The loan is sanctioned based on business assessment, with top-performing borrowers receiving entrepreneurial and management training. Additionally, SBI introduced the ‘Nari Shakti’ platinum debit card, designed for women, offering exclusive benefits across multiple categories.

RBI’s 29th Standing Advisory Committee Meeting on MSME Credit Flow

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held the 29th Meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) in Ahmedabad, chaired by Deputy Governor Swaminathan J, to enhance credit flow to MSMEs. The discussion focused on institutional credit support, financial challenges, and digital solutions for MSMEs. Key topics included alternative credit assessment models, digital lending frameworks, and fair lending practices to improve transparency and accessibility. RBI reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening MSME credit access, recognizing their vital role in India’s economic growth.

Appointment News

Justice Joymalya Bagchi’s Appointment to the Supreme Court

The Government of India has appointed Justice Joymalya Bagchi, a Calcutta High Court judge, to the Supreme Court of India. Announced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, the appointment was made by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Bagchi is expected to become CJI in 2031, succeeding Justice KV Viswanathan, reflecting his merit, integrity, and competence.

Vikas Kaushal Appointed as HPCL CMD

Vikas Kaushal has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for a five-year tenure, replacing Rajneesh Narang, who served as interim CMD since September 1, 2024. With over three decades of experience in energy, oil & gas, and power sectors, Kaushal has led strategic transformations and digital initiatives in major Indian energy firms.

Defense News

Rajnath Singh Becomes First Raksha Mantri to Visit IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh became the first Defence Minister of India to visit the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), IAF, in Bengaluru on March 9, 2025. His visit highlighted the importance of aerospace medicine in defence and aviation. He was briefed on IAM’s role in pilot training, aeromedical research, and medical evaluation of Air Force personnel. He also inaugurated a research project and emphasized the need for space medicine expertise as India advances in air and space domains. IAM remains a key center for aeromedical research, ensuring the well-being of fighter pilots and astronauts.

India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII

The 12th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII will be held in Kyrgyzstan from March 10 to March 23, 2025. Established in 2011, the KHANJAR exercise has become a key annual military training event, strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations. The exercise enhances strategic partnership, reinforcing commitments to regional peace, stability, and security. Hosted alternately in India and Kyrgyzstan, it allows Special Forces to train in diverse terrains and combat scenarios, improving joint operational capabilities.

Agreements News

HDFC Bank, Indian Army, and CSC Academy Expand Project NAMAN

HDFC Bank, in partnership with the Indian Army and CSC Academy, has renewed its MoU to expand Project NAMAN, supporting Army veterans, their families, and next of kin. As part of this initiative, Common Service Centres (CSCs) will be set up across 26 Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) locations to offer pension services, Government-to-Citizen (G2C) services, and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) services at defense establishments. This effort aligns with HDFC Bank’s Parivartan programme, promoting economic inclusiveness for veterans and their families.

Ranks & Reports News

Amul Ranked as the 3rd Most Valued Brand in India – YouGov India Value Rankings 2025

Amul, India’s leading dairy cooperative, secured the 3rd position in the YouGov India Value Rankings 2025, making it the only FMCG brand in the top three, alongside Amazon (1st) and Flipkart (2nd). This achievement underscores Amul’s strong consumer trust, value-for-money appeal, and its cooperative model, which ensures fair pricing for farmers while delivering high-quality, affordable dairy products to Indian households.

Summits & Conferences News

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Inaugurates GRIDCON 2025

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal inaugurated GRIDCON 2025, an International Conference cum Exhibition on March 9, 2025, at IICC, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, alongside MoS Shri Shripad Yesso Naik. Organized by POWERGRID from March 9-11, 2025, under the Ministry of Power and in collaboration with CIGRE India, the event aims to enhance India’s power grid and drive renewable energy innovations.

Sports News

Sunil Chhetri’s Return to the Indian National Team at 40

Sunil Chhetri, India’s all-time leading goal scorer, has made a remarkable comeback to the national team at age 40, reversing his 2024 retirement. After bidding farewell in June 2024 following a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait, he has been recalled by head coach Manolo Marquez to boost India’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign.

Harry Brook Withdraws from IPL 2025, Faces Possible Two-Year Ban

Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, England batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the tournament for the second consecutive year, despite being signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) for ₹6.25 crores in the previous auction. As per BCCI’s new rules, his decision could lead to a two-year ban from future IPL editions.

Important Days

International Day of Women Judges 2025: History, Significance, and Women Judges in India

The International Day of Women Judges, observed on March 10, celebrates the contributions of female judges in ensuring justice, equality, and representation in the judiciary. Declared by the UNGA through Resolution 75/274 on April 28, 2021, the day highlights their role in upholding democracy, human rights, and inspiring future women in law.

Obituaries News

Former Minister and Senior BJD Leader Ananta Das Passes Away at 85

Ananta Das, senior BJD leader and former Minister of Higher Education and Industries, passed away at 85 in Bhubaneswar due to age-related ailments. Born on August 28, 1940, in Kuruthia village, Balasore district, he had a strong academic background with a post-graduation in Arts and a law degree.