25th March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

Kerala Became First State To Establishes Senior Citizens Commission

Kerala has become India’s first state to establish a Senior Citizens Commission by passing the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill, 2025. This statutory body aims to safeguard the rights and welfare of the elderly, ensure their protection and rehabilitation, and act as an advisory body for state policies. The initiative highlights Kerala’s commitment to elderly empowerment, inclusivity, and dignity in society.

Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum

The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum in New Delhi will be housed in the North and South Blocks as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. Aimed at showcasing India’s rich civilizational and cultural heritage, the project involves a technical cooperation agreement with France Museums Development (signed on December 19, 2024). The feasibility study will determine the timeline and budget, transforming these historic buildings into world-class museum spaces.

Government Launches BAANKNET and e-BKray to Enhance PSU Bank E-Auctions for Asset Sales

The BAANKNET portal, launched on January 3, 2025, enhances bank e-auctions for efficient NPA disposal and secure property transactions. It builds on the e-BKray platform (2019) to improve transparency and sale value maximization. Key features include a modern e-auction system, automated KYC & secure payments, bank-verified property titles, intelligent auction mechanisms, and a user-friendly interface for seamless transactions.

State News

Uttarakhand Government Plans Ganga and Sharda River Corridors to Boost Religious Tourism

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the Ganga & Sharda River Corridors to boost religious tourism while preserving cultural and spiritual heritage. The project aims to enhance pilgrim infrastructure in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, attracting more devotees. At the 62nd All India Shastraotsav (Haridwar), Dhami highlighted the scientific and spiritual wisdom of Indian scriptures.

Banking News

RBI Announces 8.34% Rate for GOI Floating Rate Bond 2033

The RBI has set the interest rate for the GOI Floating Rate Bond 2033 (GOI FRB 2033) at 8.34% per annum for March 22, 2024 – September 21, 2024. This floating rate bond is linked to the Weighted Average Yield (WAY) of the last three auctions of 182-Day Treasury Bills, plus a fixed spread of 1.22%. The interest rate is revised semi-annually, ensuring periodic adjustments. Issued by the Government of India, with RBI as the issuing authority.

Equitas Small Finance Bank Strengthens Ties with Chennai Super Kings & Gujarat Titans

Equitas Small Finance Bank has renewed its partnership with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) as their Official Banking Partner—marking six years with CSK and three years with GT. Under its ‘Bank Behind Champions’ campaign, Equitas promotes financial empowerment while enhancing brand visibility—its logo will appear on CSK’s lead helmet and GT’s back helmet. This partnership reflects Equitas’ commitment to excellence, resilience, and community engagement.

Business News

Unclaimed Deposits in India: Over ₹45,000 Crore Transferred to RBI’s DEA Fund

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have transferred ₹45,000+ crore in unclaimed deposits to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund from 2019-20 to 2024-25 (till December 31, 2024). Managed by the RBI under the DEA Fund Scheme, 2014, unclaimed deposits include savings/current accounts inactive for 10 years and term deposits unclaimed for 10 years post-maturity. The transfer process involves identifying dormant accounts, classifying them as unclaimed, and transferring funds to the RBI-managed DEA Fund.

Tata Motors Welcomes Vicky Kaushal as Brand Ambassador

Tata Motors has named Vicky Kaushal as the brand ambassador for its Passenger and Electric Vehicle segment. Launching the “Take the Curvv” campaign, the partnership will promote the Tata Curvv SUV during IPL 2025 through TV, digital, and handheld platforms. This aligns with Tata Motors’ innovation, excellence, and ‘Make in India’ initiative, reinforcing its brand identity and commitment to breaking barriers.

Economy News

India’s GDP Doubles in a Decade: A Remarkable Economic Milestone

India has achieved a historic economic milestone by doubling its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $2.1 trillion in 2015 to $4.3 trillion in 2025, marking a 105% increase. This extraordinary growth rate is the fastest among major global economies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that India’s inflation-adjusted GDP growth over the decade stands at 77%, making it one of the world’s most rapidly expanding economies. With this achievement, India is set to surpass Japan in 2025 and may overtake Germany by 2027, further strengthening its global economic standing.

Awards News

Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar Honored with Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar has been selected for the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2025 by the Music Academy, Chennai. The award will be conferred during the 99th annual conference from December 15, 2025 – January 1, 2026, coinciding with the 250th birth anniversary of Muthuswami Dikshitar. The Sangita Kalanidhi Award, one of the highest honors in Carnatic music, recognizes outstanding contributions to the field. R.K. Shriramkumar, from the Rudrapatnam family, is celebrated for his deep-rooted musical legacy and violin expertise.

Appointments News

Bharati Airtel’s Gopal Vittal Elected as GSMA Chairman

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman & MD of Bharti Airtel, has been elected as the Chairman of the GSMA Board, becoming the second Indian after Sunil Mittal to hold this position. His tenure runs until 2026. Vittal previously served as Deputy Chair and was on the GSMA Board (2019-20). He was also the acting chair since February 2025 before his formal election. GSMA, representing 1,100+ telecom companies, plays a key role in advancing mobile technology and shaping industry policies worldwide.

Parminder Chopra Assumes Additional Charge as Chairman & MD of REC Ltd

Parminder Chopra has been appointed as CMD of REC Limited for three months, alongside her role as CMD of Power Finance Corporation (PFC). The first woman CMD of PFC (since August 2023), she has led PFC to record-high profits, lowest NPA levels, and secured a ₹1.12 trillion Liquidity Infusion Scheme (LIS) under Atmanirbhar Bharat. She also spearheaded PFC’s transition into India’s largest renewable energy financier.

Ajay Seth Appointed as India’s New Finance Secretary

Ajay Seth was appointed as Finance Secretary on March 24, 2025, bringing over three decades of experience in economic policy and financial reforms. A 1987 batch IAS officer (Karnataka cadre), he has served as Economic Affairs Secretary since 2021. His key contributions include infrastructure financing, tax reforms, and economic strategy development. With India targeting 6.5% GDP growth for FY25, his focus will be on fiscal discipline, private investment, deregulation, and Vision 2047 to sustain long-term economic growth.

Books & Authors News

Stumped: Syed Kirmani’s Autobiography Revisits Kapil Dev’s Iconic 175 and the 1983 World Cup Triumph

Stumped, co-authored by Syed Kirmani, Debashish Sengupta, and Dakshesh Pathak, is an autobiography offering insights into Kirmani’s career and India’s 1983 World Cup victory. The book highlights Kapil Dev’s iconic 175 not out against Zimbabwe, a game-changing innings that rescued India from 17/5 to 266/8. This historic knock played a crucial role in India’s triumph, shaping the future of Indian cricket.

Ranks & Reports News

Global Glacier Loss Accelerates: Hindu Kush Himalayas Hit Hardest

A UN report on World Day for Glaciers warns of rapid glacier loss, especially in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, where melting accelerated by 65% (2011-2020 vs. 2001-2010). If global temperatures rise 1.5°C-2°C, HKH glaciers could lose 30-50% of their volume by 2100, threatening water resources, ecosystems, and communities. Global Glacier Loss around Mountain glaciers may lose 26-41% mass by 2100 if warming reaches 1.5°C-4°C.

Important Days News

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed on March 25 to honor millions of enslaved Africans and raise awareness about slavery’s lasting impact. The Transatlantic Slave Trade (15th–19th century) forcibly displaced millions from West Africa to the Americas, fueling European colonial economies through sugar, cotton, and tobacco plantations. This system propagated racist ideologies, including white supremacy, which continue to affect societies today.

Miscellaneous News

Delhi Budget 2025-26: Rekha Gupta Unveils Rs 1 Lakh Crore Budget with Focus on Infrastructure, Welfare & Economic Growth

Delhi Chief Minister and Finance Minister Rekha Gupta presented the Delhi Budget 2025-26, with a record allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore. The budget emphasizes infrastructure development, social welfare, healthcare, education, and economic growth. It marks a 31.5% increase from the previous year’s budget and aims to bring transparency, efficiency, and rapid development to the capital.

ASI’s Discoveries: Megaliths in Kerala & Buddhist Finds in Odisha

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has made significant discoveries at two different locations in India, shedding light on ancient burial practices and Buddhist heritage. In a recent exploration near Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad, Kerala, ASI stumbled upon over 110 megalithic burial sites, marking an important find for understanding the region’s early Iron Age society. Simultaneously, excavations in Ratnagiri, Odisha, have unveiled a treasure trove of Buddhist antiquities, offering crucial insights into the spread of Vajrayana Buddhism and its connections with Southeast Asia.