26th March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily GK Update & Top News for Exams

National News

Supreme Court Establishes National Task Force for Student Mental Health Concerns

The Supreme Court has set up a National Task Force (NTF) to address student mental health concerns in higher educational institutions, following rising student suicides, including two cases at IIT Delhi (2023). Chaired by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, the NTF will analyze academic stress, caste-based discrimination, and institutional issues, assess existing legal frameworks, and recommend measures to prevent suicides. Key ministries, including higher education, social justice, legal affairs, and women & child development, will be part of the task force.

India Becomes the World’s Top Milk Producer: Growth, Challenges & Future Goals

International News

Indonesia to Join New Development Bank: A Strategic Move Towards Economic Growth

Indonesia has announced its decision to join the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral financial institution established by BRICS nations to finance sustainable development and infrastructure projects. President Prabowo Subianto stated that NDB membership will support economic transformation by providing funding for infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology. The move strengthens financial collaborations and aligns Indonesia with global investment opportunities, following the path of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, which have also joined NDB.

Economy News

Lok Sabha Passes Finance Bill 2025: Key Highlights and Implications

The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2025 on March 25, 2025, with 35 amendments, including the abolition of the 6% digital tax on online ads, marking the completion of the Budget approval process before moving to the Rajya Sabha. The Union Budget 2025-26, with a total expenditure of ₹50.65 lakh crore (7.4% increase), includes ₹11.22 lakh crore for capital expenditure and ₹42.70 lakh crore in gross tax revenue. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized tax rationalization, relief measures, and increased tax mobilization on foreign assets, aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047. Centrally Sponsored Schemes will receive ₹5.41 lakh crore, while Central Sector Schemes are allocated ₹16.29 lakh crore.

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

S&P Global has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 down to 6.5% (from 6.7%), citing assumptions of a normal monsoon and stable crude oil prices. Despite global trade uncertainties, India’s services exports to the US remain strong. Growth will be supported by easing food inflation, tax benefits from the FY26 Budget, and lower borrowing costs, with the RBI expected to cut interest rates by 75-100 bps to bring inflation closer to its 4% target.

Business News

Reliance Acquires Nauyaan Tradings, Expands Shipyard Operations

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), led by Mukesh Ambani, has acquired a 100% stake in Nauyaan Tradings Private Limited (NTPL) for ₹1 lakh through its subsidiary Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited (RSBVL). Additionally, NTPL is set to acquire a 74% stake in Nauyaan Shipyard Private Limited (NSPL) for ₹382.73 crore, with completion expected by March 21, 2025. This move aligns with RIL’s expansion strategy in the shipyard, naval, defense, and energy sectors. NSPL’s enterprise value is ₹643.78 crore, including ₹126.57 crore in debt.

Agreements News

India and Singapore Sign Letter of Intent on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC)

India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) collaboration during Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) on March 25, 2025, aiming to enhance maritime digitalization and decarbonization by reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, India and the Netherlands discussed leveraging Dutch expertise for cargo movement in low-draft rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak, promoting sustainable and efficient maritime solutions.

Appointments News

Ex-Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba Appointed Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog

Former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has been appointed as a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog, effective immediately. A 1982-batch IAS officer (Jharkhand cadre), Gauba served as India’s top bureaucrat (2019–2024) and held key positions like Union Home Secretary and Chief Secretary of Jharkhand. Known for his role in policy-making and governance, his expertise will strengthen NITI Aayog’s strategic initiatives.

Ashok Singh Thakur Elected as New Chairman of INTACH

Ashok Singh Thakur has been elected as the new chairman of INTACH for a three-year term, following elections during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 22, 2025, in New Delhi. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), established in 1984 and registered under the Societies Registration Act (1860), operates across India to promote heritage conservation.

Sanjay Singh Elected UWW-Asia Bureau Member

Sanjay Singh, president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has been elected as a Bureau Member of United World Wrestling (UWW)-Asia during the UWW-Asia General Assembly in Amman, Jordan (March 24, 2025). Securing 22 out of 38 votes, his election strengthens India’s presence in international wrestling governance and promotes the sport’s development across Asia.

Books & Authors News

P.S. Raman’s Book ‘Leo: The Untold Story of Chennai Super Kings’ Launched with MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a surprise appearance at the launch of Leo: The Untold Story of Chennai Super Kings by P.S. Raman, thrilling fans. The event, attended by cricket and entertainment personalities, saw acknowledgments from Gitanjali Selvaraghavan to CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, Anirudh Ravichander, Ashwin Ravichandran, and others. The book quickly became Amazon’s No.1 Bestselling Cricket Book, gaining widespread appreciation from CSK fans.

Defense News

Indian Navy Launches Frigate ‘Tavasya’ Under Project 1135.6

The Indian Navy has launched ‘Tavasya’, its second Project 1135.6 follow-on frigate, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), enhancing self-reliance in warship construction under Atmanirbhar Bharat. Measuring 124.8m in length with a speed of 28 knots and displacement over 3,800 tonnes, it is designed for multi-role combat in air, surface, and sub-surface warfare. Equipped with stealth technology, BrahMos missiles, torpedo launchers, and advanced sensors, it is part of the Indo-Russian defense collaboration, following the launch of ‘Triput’ on July 23, 2024.

Schemes News

Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

As of February 28, 2025, 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) to provide affordable, high-quality generic medicines. Union Minister Anupriya Patel shared this in Rajya Sabha, highlighting the scheme’s role in accessible healthcare. Uttar Pradesh leads with 2,658 JAKs, followed by Kerala (1,528), Karnataka (1,425), and Tamil Nadu (1,363).

Sports News

Ajinkya Rahane Creates IPL History: First Indian to Captain Three Different Teams

Ajinkya Rahane made history in IPL 2025 as the first Indian player to captain three different teams, leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. His IPL captaincy journey includes Rising Pune Supergiant (2017), Rajasthan Royals (2018-19), and now KKR (2025), marking his 26th game as an IPL captain and placing him among an elite list of multi-team IPL captains.

Sunil Kumar Wins Bronze at Asian Wrestling Championships 2025

Indian wrestler Sunil Kumar won a bronze medal in the 87kg Greco-Roman category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 in Amman, Jordan. After a 10-1 quarterfinal victory over Tajikistan’s Sukhrob Abdulkhaev, he lost 1-3 in the semifinals to Iran’s Yasin Yazdi. Sunil then bounced back to defeat China’s Jiaxin Huang in the bronze medal match. A former silver medallist (2019), he continues striving to regain top form.

Science & Technology News

Bellatrix Aerospace Partners with Astroscale Japan for Space Debris Removal

Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based space mobility company, signed an MoU with Astroscale Japan to advance active debris removal, satellite servicing, and sustainable in-orbit mobility. This partnership strengthens space sustainability by leveraging Bellatrix’s propulsion technologies and Astroscale’s expertise in debris mitigation, demonstrated through ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions in collaboration with JAXA, ESA, U.S. Space Force, UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb.

Important Days News

International Unborn Child Day: Significance, History, and Legal Rights of the Unborn Child

International Unborn Child Day is observed annually on March 25, emphasizing the rights and protection of unborn children. Established by Pope John Paul II, it promotes a pro-life message and coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation. The date, nine months before Christmas, symbolizes hope and new beginnings. The legal status of fetal rights remains a complex global debate, with varying legal perspectives on the rights of the unborn child.

Obituaries News

Manoj Bharathiraja Passes Away: A Tribute to the Tamil Actor-Director

Tamil actor and director Manoj Bharathiraja, son of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, passed away at 48 due to a heart attack at his Chennai residence on March 25, 2025. He had recently undergone bypass surgery before the fatal cardiac arrest. Survived by his wife Ashwathi (Nandana) and daughters Arshitha and Mathivathani, his demise has deeply saddened the Tamil film industry. Eminent figures, including Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Ilaiyaraja, and Sarathkumar, paid heartfelt tributes.