National News
CDS Gen Anil Chauhan Inaugurates Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur, Asia’s largest tech and entrepreneurial festival, under the theme “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows). He emphasized the modernization of the Indian Armed Forces through Cybersecurity, AI, Quantum Computing, and Cognitive Warfare, urging young innovators to contribute to national security. The event featured ‘Rakshakriti’ – a Defence Expo, showcasing AI-driven warfare, autonomous drones, and indigenous defence technologies, reinforcing Atmanirbhar Bharat and enhancing Defence-Academia-Industry collaboration.
Government to Launch ‘Sahkar’ Taxi Service Under Cooperative Model
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced the launch of ‘Sahkar’, a cooperative-based taxi service modeled on Ola and Uber but designed to empower drivers as stakeholders. Unlike corporate-owned ride-hailing platforms, ‘Sahkar’ ensures fair earnings and profit-sharing under the cooperative framework. Introduced during discussions on the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the initiative supports the ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ mission and aims to reform the cooperative sector while addressing concerns over unfair pricing by private services.
Economy News
India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) Rises to 1.1% of GDP in Q3 FY25
India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to $11.5 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q3 FY25, driven by a higher merchandise trade deficit of $79.2 billion, while CAD moderated from Q2 FY25. The Balance of Payments (BoP) saw a depletion of $37.7 billion, contrasting with a surplus a year ago. Forex reserves surged by $311 billion since Dec 2018, marking the largest increase under any RBI Governor. Key contributors include rising net services receipts ($51.2 billion) and private transfer remittances ($35.1 billion), though Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) recorded outflows of $11.4 billion. The full-year CAD for FY25 is expected at 0.8% of GDP.
India’s Core Sector Growth Slows to 2.9% in February
India’s core sector growth slowed to 2.9% in February 2025, the weakest in five months, compared to 7.1% in February 2024. The decline was due to a high base effect and weaker output in five of the eight industries. Cement (10.5%) and fertilizers (10.2%) were the only sectors with annual growth, while coal (1.7%), crude oil (-5.2%), and natural gas (-6%) performed poorly. The slowdown may impact Industrial Production Index (IIP) growth, which stood at 5% in January 2025.
Awards News
Punjab & Sind Bank Wins Top Improvers Award in EASE 6.0 Reforms Index
Punjab & Sind Bank has been honored with the Top Improvers award in the EASE 6.0 Reforms Index for its exceptional progress in digital transformation, financial inclusion, and customer service excellence. Under the leadership of Swarup Kumar Saha (MD & CEO), the bank has enhanced banking services, operational efficiency, and modernization, reflecting its commitment to excellence in the public banking sector.
Masaki Kashiwara Wins the 2025 Abel Prize for Mathematics
Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara has been awarded the 2025 Abel Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory. Honored by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Kashiwara, 78, is recognized for his pioneering work on D-modules and crystal bases, which have significantly influenced modern mathematics. The Abel Prize, established in 2002 and named after Niels Henrik Abel, is one of the most prestigious mathematics awards, often regarded as the Nobel Prize of Mathematics.
Appointments News
Sunil Kakkar Appointed as Whole-Time Director at Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has appointed Sunil Kakkar as Director (Corporate Planning) for a three-year term (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028). With 35+ years of experience, he has held key leadership roles, including Senior Executive Officer – Corporate Planning and Head of Supply Chain & Gurgaon Production Operations. Kakkar has significantly contributed to supply chain development, strategic localisation, and joint ventures with global firms for AMT technology, plastic fuel tanks, and high-tensile sheet metal, reinforcing MSIL’s industry leadership.
Rajneet Kohli Appointed as Executive Director of Foods at HUL
Rajneet Kohli, former CEO of Britannia Industries, has been appointed as Executive Director – Foods and Refreshment at Hindustan Unilever (HUL), effective April 7, 2025. With 30 years of experience in consumer and retail, he succeeds Shiva Krishnamurthy, reinforcing HUL’s focus on expanding its foods and beverages segment as part of its leadership transformation.
L&T Finance Ltd. Names Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador
L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a leading NBFC in India, has appointed cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador to enhance its brand presence. Known for its leadership in Rural Business Finance, Farm Equipment Finance, and Two-wheeler Finance, LTF serves over 2 lakh villages, with 2,028 rural branches and 185 urban branches, providing accessible financial solutions through a strong retail franchise and 12,500 distribution touch points.
Steve Waugh Appointed to Centre for Australia-India Relations Advisory Board
Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has been appointed to the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) Advisory Board, as announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. His appointment underscores his contributions to Australia-India ties in sports, culture, and philanthropy. CAIR plays a crucial role in strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations, acting as a bridge between government, industry, academia, and communities. The Advisory Board guides CAIR’s strategic priorities to enhance bilateral cooperation.
SBI Chief CS Setty Appointed as Chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA)
Challa Sreenivasalu Setty, SBI Chairman, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the upcoming fiscal year, succeeding MV Rao (Central Bank of India CEO). The IBA also appointed A Manimekhalai (Union Bank of India), Swarup Kumar Saha (Punjab & Sind Bank), and Madhav Nair (Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait India) as Deputy Chairmen, while B Ramesh Babu (Karur Vysya Bank CEO) was named Honorary Secretary. Setty will lead IBA in advocating for banking sector policies and industry challenges.
Agreements News
DARPG and Bhashini Collaborate for a Multimodal, Multilingual Grievance Redressal System
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), in collaboration with Digital India Bhashini, is launching an AI-powered, multimodal, multilingual grievance redressal system for CPGRAMS by July 2025. This initiative enables citizens to file grievances in 22 regional languages using voice and text input, enhancing accessibility, inclusivity, and efficiency. Powered by AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP), the system ensures faster processing, automated categorization, and seamless citizen engagement, aligning with Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals for AI-driven governance.
Defense News
‘Prachand Prahaar’ – The Tri-Service Integrated Multi-Domain Warfare Exercise
The Indian Army conducted ‘Prachand Prahaar’, a Tri-Service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, in Arunachal Pradesh from March 25-27, 2025, under the Eastern Command. The exercise focused on jointness, technological superiority, and operational preparedness, integrating Surveillance, Command & Control, and Precision Firepower across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It emphasized multi-domain operations, including land, air, sea, space, and cyber warfare, enhancing inter-service synergy and rapid response capabilities in high-altitude warfare.
India and Russia Conduct 14th Edition of Maritime Bilateral Exercise – INDRA 2025
India and Russia will conduct the 14th edition of Exercise INDRA 2025 from March 28 to April 2, 2025, off the Chennai coast and in the Bay of Bengal. This bilateral naval exercise, established in 2003, aims to enhance naval interoperability and maritime cooperation. It will be held in two phases: the Harbour Phase (March 28-30) in Chennai, featuring Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and ship visits, and the Sea Phase (March 31-April 2) in the Bay of Bengal, involving tactical maneuvers, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, and helicopter cross-deck landings.
Ranks & Reports News
Hurun Global Rich List 2025: Shanghai overtakes Mumbai as Asia’s Billionaire Capital
The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 ranks India third globally with 284 billionaires, whose cumulative wealth rose 10% to ₹98 lakh crore. Shanghai (92 billionaires) has overtaken Mumbai (90 billionaires) as Asia’s billionaire hub. While 175 Indian billionaires saw wealth growth, 109 faced a decline or no change. India also has seven billionaires under 40, including two aged 34, mainly from Bengaluru and Mumbai. (Click here to read article)
India’s Social Security Coverage Doubles: ILO Report 2024-26
India’s social protection coverage has doubled to 48.8% in 2024 from 24.4% in 2021, as per the ILO World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26. Nearly 920 million people (65% of the population) now benefit from government welfare schemes, contributing to a 5% rise in global social security coverage. Key initiatives like Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY, which has issued 39.94 crore Ayushman Cards and provides ₹5 lakh health coverage per family, have significantly enhanced financial security, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Summits & Conferences News
International Ramayana Conclave in Colombo Highlights Sri Lanka’s Significance in the Epic
The International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute organized a Ramayana Conclave in Colombo, with scholars and religious leaders from India and Sri Lanka discussing the global impact of Lord Rama’s personality and the historical significance of Ramayana-related sites in Sri Lanka. The event highlighted the epic’s cultural and spiritual influence, particularly in relation to Ravana’s kingdom.
Important Days
International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Date, History, Theme And Significance
The UN General Assembly declared 30 March as the International Day of Zero Waste on 14 December 2022 to address unsustainable production and consumption. This year, the focus is on reducing waste in the fashion and textile industry, promoting circular solutions under the theme “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles.”
31st March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily ...
Weekly One Liners 24th to 30th March, 20...
28th March 2025 Current Affairs | Daily ...
