Current Affairs One - Liner : 13th & 14th March 2025

National:

The PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme was launched on March 11, 2025, in New Delhi by the Ministry of Education. It mentors young authors under 30 on themes like Indian Diaspora and Modern India (1950-2025). The contest ends on April 10, 2025, with mentorship running from June to November 2025.

Current Affairs One - Liner : 13th & 14th March 2025

On March 12, 2025, PM Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Reduit, Mauritius. The institute aims to enhance governance through training and research, symbolizing India's commitment to the Global South.
On March 11, 2025, UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Sify Infinit Spaces' AI-ready Data Centre Campus in Noida. Named Sify Noida 02, it features three scalable towers with a capacity over 130 MW and a 220 KV substation. It is North India's largest AI-ready data center, boosting digital infrastructure.
On March 11, 2025, Rentokil Initial Hygiene achieved carbon neutrality for 2024 in India, covering Scope 1, 2, and part of Scope 3 emissions. Key measures included battery recycling, energy-efficient LED installations, and adopting electric and CNG vehicles.

Banking:

On March 12, 2025, the EU announced counter tariffs on 26 billion euros (USD 28 billion) of U.S. goods, starting April 1, 2025. This retaliates against Trump’s 25% steel and aluminum tariffs, affecting 5% of EU exports. Phase 1 reimposes tariffs on USD 8 billion in U.S. items like bourbon; Phase 2 hits USD 19.6 billion in industrial and agricultural goods.
On March 10, 2025, Canara HSBC Life Insurance partnered with GIC Housing Finance to offer credit life insurance solutions for home loan borrowers. The Group Asset Secure product protects borrowers and their families against loan liabilities in unforeseen circumstances.
On March 11, 2025, Kuhoo Finance secured an NBFC license from the Reserve Bank of India, enabling it to directly offer education loans. The platform provides loans up to ₹2 crore for domestic and international studies, using AI-driven credit models to assess students' employability.

Economy:

On March 12, 2025, Moody's upgraded India's GDP growth projection to exceed 6.5% in FY26, up from 6.3% in FY25. This optimism stems from factors like increased government capital expenditure, tax relief for middle-income groups, and monetary easing.
On March 12, 2025, MP Finance Minister Jagdish Deora presented a ₹4.21 trillion budget for FY 2025-26, a 15% increase from the previous year. Key allocations include ₹47,296 crore for Scheduled Tribes, ₹32,633 crore for Scheduled Castes, and ₹18,669 crore for the Mukhya Mantri Laadli Behna Yojana.
On March 12, 2025, Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy presented a ₹13,600 crore tax-free budget for FY26. Key focuses include welfare, education, and infrastructure. Highlights are ₹2,110 crore for welfare schemes like LPG subsidies and ₹1,000 monthly aid for college students.
Deputy CM Chowna Mein presented Arunachal Pradesh's FY 2025-26 Budget on March 10, 2025, with an outlay of ₹39,842 crore. The budget emphasizes four pillars: people, infrastructure, economy, and innovation, declaring FY 2025-26 as the "Year of Human Capital". Key allocations include ₹3,000 crore for education and ₹2,000 crore for rural connectivity.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Manipur Budget 2025-26 on March 10, 2025, with an outlay of ₹35,103.90 crore, focusing on infrastructure, social welfare, and relief measures. It includes ₹9,520 crore for social sector initiatives and ₹100 crore for relief operations.
India's retail inflation dropped to a seven-month low of 3.61% in February 2025, as per the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was primarily due to a significant decline in food inflation, which fell to 3.75%. The data was released on March 12, 2025, by MoSPI, reflecting alignment with the RBI's 4% target.
India's unincorporated non-agricultural sector grew by 12.84% in 2023-24, with enterprises increasing from 6.5 crore to 7.34 crore, as per NSO data released on March 12, 2025. Over 12 crore workers were employed, a rise of more than 1 crore from the previous year.

MoUs:

On March 12, 2025, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Government of Assam signed an MoU under the BioE3 Policy in Guwahati. This partnership aims to create a biotechnology ecosystem by leveraging Assam's biodiversity and agricultural strengths. Key initiatives include a State BioE3 Cell and an Assam BioE3 Action Plan.
On March 10, 2025, the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and South Africa's National School of Government (NSG) signed an MoU in Hyderabad to boost public sector governance. The collaboration focuses on training, joint research, and advisory services.
On March 11, 2025, Sakthi Aircraft Industry Pvt Ltd (SAIPL) and the Aero Club of India (ACI) signed an MoU to manufacture 200 Diamond DA40 NG trainer aircraft in India. This marks the first private manufacturing of trainer aircraft in the country under the Make in India initiative. This MoU was signed in New Delhi.

Science & Technology:

On March 11, 2025, NASA launched the SPHEREx mission to study the universe's origins by mapping the sky in infrared light and analyzing 450 million galaxies. The PUNCH mission, consisting of four satellites, will explore the Sun's corona and solar wind in 3D. Both missions aim to advance our understanding of cosmic origins and space weather.

Defence:

On March 12, 2025, the Tejas fighter jet successfully test-fired the Astra air-to-air missile off Odisha’s Chandipur coast. The indigenous missile, with a 100+ km range, hit its target flawlessly, boosting Tejas MK1A’s combat prowess. Conducted by DRDO and HAL, this enhances India’s defense self-reliance.
On March 12, 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure 18 Ashwini Low-Level Transportable Radars (LLTRs) for the Indian Air Force. These DRDO-developed radars enhance surveillance and target detection capabilities.

Summits & Conferences:

The 4th 'No Money for Terror' (NMFT) Conference was held in Munich, Germany, from March 12 to 13, 2025, under the theme "Combating Terror Financing in the Digital Age". Organized by the German Government, it was chaired by Shri Nityanand Rai from India. Key highlights include global cooperation on digital financial threats, stronger laws like UAPA and PMLA, and India's proposal for a permanent NMFT Secretariat.

Military Exercises:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a combat training exercise at Umiam Lake, Meghalaya, on March 8, 2025. The operations included para jumps, helocasting, and Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft drops, using aircraft like An-32, C-130, and Mi-17 helicopters. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability with the Army and Navy Special Forces.

Index & Ranking:

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 ranked ISM Dhanbad as India's top university for Engineering-Mineral and Mining, securing the 20th global position. Released on March 11, 2025, by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the rankings evaluate 55 subjects worldwide. The United States led the rankings, with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) holding the 1st position globally.

Important Days:

The International Day of Action for Rivers is observed on March 14 to advocate for river protection and sustainable water management. Established in 1998, it raises awareness about pollution, water rights, and free-flowing rivers. The 2025 theme, "Our Rivers, Our Future",.
World Rotaract Day 2025, held on March 13, celebrated 57 years of Rotaract, founded in 1968. The theme "The Magic of Rotary" inspired 203,000+ Rotaractors during World Rotaract Week (March 10-16).

Awards & Honours:

On March 5, 2025, Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton won the 2024 ACM A.M. Turing Award for their groundbreaking work in reinforcement learning. Their contributions have revolutionized modern AI applications, including robotics and gaming. They are also co-authors of the seminal textbook Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction.
On March 11, 2025, Muthoot Microfin received two Gold Awards at the SKOCH Awards 2025 for excellence in digital financial inclusion and insurance. The Mahila Mitra initiative won for its digital inclusion app, while the Griha Raksha Insurance Scheme was recognized for covering 2.66 million beneficiaries.

Obituaries:

Former Indian cricketer Syed Abid Ali passed away on March 12, 2025, at the age of 83 in California. He played 29 Test matches for India, scoring 1,018 runs and taking 47 wickets between 1967 and 1974.

Questions:

Q.1 What is the revised GDP growth projection for India in FY26 according to Moody’s?
a) 5.8%
b) 6.3%
c) 6.7%
d) 6.5%

Answer: d) Moody’s upgraded India's GDP growth projection for FY26 to exceed 6.5%, citing factors like increased government capital expenditure, tax relief, and monetary easing.

Q.2 Which Indian company signed an MoU to manufacture 200 Diamond DA40 NG trainer aircraft in India?
a) HAL
b) Tata Advanced Systems
c) Sakthi Aircraft Industry Pvt Ltd
d) Adani Defence & Aerospace

Answer: c) Sakthi Aircraft Industry Pvt Ltd (SAIPL) partnered with the Aero Club of India (ACI) to manufacture these aircraft under the Make in India initiative.