National News
India’s First PPP Green Waste Processing Plant in Indore
Indore is set to establish India’s first green waste processing plant under the PPP model at Bicholi Hapsi under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. Spanning 55,000 sq. ft., the plant, developed with Astronomical Industries Pvt. Ltd., will convert wood, branches, leaves, and flowers into valuable resources. It will generate revenue for IMC and produce wooden pellets as a coal alternative, promoting sustainability, innovation, and a circular economy while reducing pollution.
State News
Delhi Police Launches ‘Shishtachar’ Squad to Combat Eve-Teasing
The Delhi Police has launched ‘Shishtachar’ squads in all districts to enhance women’s safety by curbing eve-teasing through patrolling, surprise checks, and public outreach. Each district will have at least two squads, supervised by the ACP of the CAW cell, comprising 1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 4 female officers, 5 male officers, and 1 surveillance expert. Equipped with four-wheelers and two-wheelers, squads will conduct daily patrols, targeted operations, and plain-clothed monitoring at high-risk areas, including public transport, in coordination with DTC staff to boost incident reporting.
Telangana Government Unveils ₹3.04 Lakh Crore Budget for 2025-26: Focus on Welfare and Development
Telangana Budget 2025-26: The ₹3.04 lakh crore budget, the state’s largest yet, focuses on welfare, economic growth, and infrastructure. Presented by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, it includes ₹2.26 lakh crore revenue expenditure and ₹36,504 crore capital expenditure, with a ₹54,009 crore fiscal deficit. Key sectors prioritized include agriculture, education, and welfare schemes for BCs, SCs, and STs, while the state plans to raise ₹70,000 crore through borrowings. The budget emphasizes inclusive development and fiscal sustainability. (Click here to read article)
Banking News
City Union Bank Becomes Exclusive Banking Partner of Sunrisers Hyderabad
City Union Bank (CUB) Partners with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): CUB has become the exclusive banking partner of SRH, offering customized financial solutions for fans, players, and staff. The partnership includes SRH-themed savings accounts, specialized loans, and co-branded credit cards with exclusive rewards. This collaboration strengthens CUB’s presence in sports finance, enhancing digital banking for cricket enthusiasts.
Economy News
Government Establishes Fintech Panel to Address Regulatory Challenges
The Indian government has established the Inter-Ministerial-Industry Committee on Fintech (IMICF), chaired by the DFS Secretary, to address regulatory challenges and devise a long-term fintech strategy. It will assess fintech’s impact on BFSI, identify growth obstacles, and study global regulatory best practices. The committee includes officials from MeitY, DPIIT, DEA, NITI Aayog, along with RBI and SEBI representatives, ensuring a comprehensive governance approach.
Agreements News
Andhra Pradesh Government Signs MoU with Gates Foundation for AI and Development Initiatives
Andhra Pradesh-Gates Foundation MoU on AI & Digital Governance: CM Chandrababu Naidu will sign an MoU with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in New Delhi, focusing on AI integration in healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and employment. Key initiatives include AI-powered healthcare, EdTech tools, precision farming, AI-driven public services, and skill development. The partnership aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and innovation, aligning with Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in AI-driven governance and economic growth.
UIDAI Partners with Sarvam AI to Enhance Aadhaar Services with AI-Powered Solutions
UIDAI has partnered with Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based GenAI company, to enhance Aadhaar services through AI-powered voice interactions, real-time fraud detection, and multilingual support. Effective March 18, 2025, the custom-built GenAI stack will operate within UIDAI’s secure infrastructure, ensuring data privacy. This one-year agreement, extendable by another year, aims to improve accessibility, security, and user experience. The AI system will provide real-time user feedback and help detect overcharging during enrollment and updates, reinforcing UIDAI’s commitment to innovation.
RBI and Bank of Mauritius Sign MoU to Promote Trade in Local Currencies
RBI and BOM MoU: To boost bilateral trade, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank of Mauritius (BOM) signed an MoU on March 12, 2025, in Port Louis to facilitate cross-border transactions in Indian Rupee (INR) and Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Signed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra and BOM Governor Rama Krishna Sithanen, in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the agreement aims to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and strengthen financial cooperation between India and Mauritius.
Appointments News
Bajaj Auto Reappoints Rajiv Bajaj, Invests ₹1,500 Crore in Credit Arm
Bajaj Auto has reappointed Rajiv Bajaj as MD & CEO for a five-year term from April 1, 2025, pending shareholder approval. Leading since 2005, he has driven global expansion in two- and three-wheelers. Additionally, the company has infused ₹1,500 crore into Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd (BACL) to support FY 2025-26 asset growth, enhancing regulatory compliance, capital adequacy, and financial stability.
Ayushmann Khurrana Named ‘Fit India Icon’ by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Ayushmann Khurrana has been named ‘Fit India Icon’ by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, joining PM Modi’s Fit India Movement. Launched on August 29, 2019, the movement promotes a healthy lifestyle, encourages daily physical activity, and makes fitness accessible to all through campaigns, challenges, and events.
Jasprit Bumrah Joins Skechers as Brand Ambassador, Strengthening Its Presence in Cricket
Jasprit Bumrah has signed with Skechers, joining its elite cricket lineup alongside Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia. He will compete in Skechers Cricket footwear and feature in brand campaigns. Skechers, also the official kit sponsor of Mumbai Indians, continues expanding its presence in cricket.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth Named Goodwill Ambassador of VISION 2020 India to Combat Avoidable Blindness
Krishnamachari Srikkanth has been appointed Goodwill Ambassador of VISION 2020 India, an initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness. Announced at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, the program focuses on awareness, medical aid, and accessible eye care. India faces a severe blindness crisis, with 4.8 million blind individuals and 70 million visually impaired, though 80% of cases are preventable with timely intervention.
Defense News
VARUNA 2025: Strengthening India-France Naval Cooperation
The 23rd edition of the bilateral naval exercise VARUNA 2025 between India and France will take place from March 19–22, 2025, showcasing strong maritime cooperation and operational synergy. Established in 2001, this annual exercise enhances naval interoperability across multiple domains. Key assets include aircraft carriers INS Vikrant (India) and Charles de Gaulle (France), MiG-29K and Rafale-M fighter jets, along with destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine. The exercise will focus on air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat, reinforcing the commitment to a free, open, and secure maritime environment.
Summits & Conferences News
WAVEX 2025: A Game-Changer for Media & Entertainment Startups
The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with IAMAI, is launching WAVEX 2025 to support startups in the media and entertainment (M&E) sector. Hosted at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, from May 1-4, 2025, as part of WAVES, the event offers funding, national exposure, and networking. Startups can pitch to venture capitalists and celebrity investors, with a focus on gaming, animation, XR, metaverse, GenAI, and next-gen content platforms, fostering mentorship, investment, and collaboration in India’s media-tech ecosystem.
Ranks & Reports News
India’s Free Speech Ranking in Global Index
India’s Free Speech Ranking: A global survey by The Future of Free Speech ranked India 24th out of 33 countries in its Free Speech Index (score: 62.6). Despite declining protections since 2021, Indians perceive improvement in free speech. While a majority support free expression, only 63% back criticism of government policies (below the global average). Notably, 37% believe the government should restrict criticism—the highest among surveyed nations. India’s case is an exception in global trends, showing high public support but low protections for free speech.
Sports News
Norris Triumphs in a Chaotic Australian GP Opener
2025 Australian Grand Prix: Lando Norris secured a thrilling victory for McLaren in a dramatic season opener on March 16, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. The race featured changing weather conditions, multiple crashes, and a late-race downpour. Despite briefly losing the lead to Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Norris reclaimed it to win. George Russell (Mercedes), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), and Alexander Albon (Williams) rounded out the Top 5, making it an exciting start to the Formula 1 season.
Indian Long-Distance Runner Archana Jadhav Banned for Four Years Over Doping Violation
Indian Runner Archana Jadhav Banned for Doping: World Athletics’ AIU has imposed a four-year ban on Archana Jadhav after she tested positive for Oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, at the Pune Half-Marathon (Dec 2024). The ban is effective from January 7, 2025, following her failure to contest the doping charges despite multiple reminders.
Kabaddi World Cup 2025 Begins in England
The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 kicks off in England, marking the first time it is hosted outside Asia. The Indian men’s team starts its campaign against Italy in Wolverhampton. The seven-day tournament features 10 men’s teams (India in Group B with Italy, Scotland, Wales, and China) and 6 women’s teams (India in Group D with Wales and Poland). India, the defending champion, won both titles in the 2019 edition in Malaysia. Hosting in England aims to expand Kabaddi’s global reach, with key rivals like Pakistan, Iran, and England. The opening match starts at 5:30 PM IST.
Science & Technology News
Sunita Williams’ Return: What Happens After NASA Astronauts’ Landing on Earth?
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025 (March 19 in India) after spending over nine months in space due to delays in the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission. Originally planned for 10 days, their stay extended due to thruster malfunctions, helium leaks, and safety concerns, leading NASA to bring them back using SpaceX Crew Dragon (Freedom) instead of Starliner. During their extended stay, they conducted experiments, spacewalks, and ISS operations. Their capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, after which they underwent medical evaluations, rehabilitation, debriefings, and media interactions. (Click here to read article)
Important Days
Ordnance Factory Day 2025: History, Significance, and India’s Defence Strength
Ordnance Factory Day, observed on March 18, marks the establishment of India’s first Ordnance Factory in Cossipore, Kolkata, in 1802. Originating under British rule, India’s Ordnance Factories date back to 1775, when the Board of Ordnance was set up in Fort William, Kolkata. The first gunpowder factory was established in Ishapore (1787), with production starting in 1791. In 2021, the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was restructured into seven DPSUs to boost defence manufacturing and efficiency. The first Ordnance Factories Day was celebrated on March 15, 1802.
World Sparrow Day 2025: Date, Significance and History
World Sparrow Day (March 20) raises awareness about the declining house sparrow population and promotes conservation efforts. Initiated in 2010 by Nature Forever Society (India), it has gained global recognition with participation from 50+ countries. Once a common sight in villages and cities, sparrows have vanished due to habitat loss, pollution, and human activities, prompting urgent conservation measures.
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