Current Affairs One - Liner : 20th March 2025

National:

On March 17, 2025, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan inaugurated the Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras, Chennai. The centre focuses on thermal management technologies for spacecraft and launch vehicles to support India's space missions. It aims to promote self-reliance in space technology and contribute to deep-space exploration and reusable spacecraft development.

Current Affairs One - Liner : 20th March 2025

The IndiaAI Hackathon 2025, launched on March 18, 2025, by IndiaAI and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), focuses on revolutionizing mineral targeting using AI. It aims to identify potential sites for critical minerals like rare earth elements, copper, and nickel.
On March 18, 2025, Indore launched India’s first PPP-based green waste processing plant in Bicholi Hapsi under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). It converts 30-70 tonnes of green waste daily into eco-friendly products like wood pellets, fertilizers, and biodegradable plates to promote sustainability and generate municipal revenue.
On March 18, 2025, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi inaugurated the S N Bose Building at the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), located at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, New Delhi. Named after eminent physicist Dr. Satyendra Nath Bose, the building serves as a hub for advanced research and training in nuclear science and technology.
On March 19, 2025, the Cabinet approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with a budget of ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period. It includes support for Heifer Rearing Centres, interest subvention for HGM IVF heifers, and a focus on indigenous bovine breeds. The mission aims to enhance milk production and livestock productivity significantly.
The 'Shishtachar' squads initiative, announced on March 8, 2025, aims to enhance women's safety in public spaces across Delhi. Thirty district-wise squads, supervised by ACPs, will focus on preventing harassment and monitoring high-risk areas.

Banking:

On March 17, 2025, Bajaj Finserv signed Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs) to acquire Allianz SE's 26% stake in their insurance joint ventures—Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company (BAGIC) and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC)—for ₹24,180 crore. This acquisition will increase Bajaj Group's ownership in both companies to 100% from the current 74%, marking the end of their 24-year partnership.
The sixth round of RBI's Remittances Survey (2023-24), published on March 19, 2025, shows a shift in migration trends. For the first time, remittances from advanced economies like the US (27.7%) exceeded those from Gulf countries (UAE at 19.2%). This reflects a preference for high-skilled migration to developed nations due to better opportunities.
India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has proposed a 12% provisional safeguard duty on certain steel imports for a period of 200 days. This recommendation, issued on March 18, 2025, aims to protect the domestic steel industry from a surge in imports, particularly from countries like China, South Korea, and Japan.
Paytm has partnered with SBI Mutual Fund to launch the JanNivesh ₹250 SIP, enabling individuals to start investing in mutual funds with as little as ₹250. This initiative, announced on March 18, 2025, aims to promote financial inclusion and simplify access to wealth-building opportunities.
On March 18, 2025, Paytm Money Limited received SEBI approval to act as a Research Analyst under the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014. This allows it to provide investment research, insights, and reports to enhance wealth management services.
On March 19, 2025, Fitch Ratings released its Global Economic Outlook, maintaining India's GDP forecast at 6.5% for FY26. The FY27 projection was revised upward to 6.3%, reflecting expectations of robust capital expenditure and private sector lending.

Economy:

India's goods trade deficit dropped to a 42-month low of $14.05 billion in February 2025, as announced on March 17, 2025. This reduction was driven by a decline in imports of gold, silver, and crude oil, with gold imports falling 61%, silver 74%, and crude oil 30%. Total imports decreased by 16.34%, improving the current account balance.
India’s total exports during April-February FY25 increased by 6.24% to USD 750.53 billion, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on March 19, 2025. Merchandise exports reached USD 395.63 billion, while services exports rose to USD 354.90 billion. Imports grew by 7.28% to USD 839.89 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 89.36 billion. Key contributors were electronics, rice, and minerals.

MoUs:

On March 12, 2025, RBI and the Bank of Mauritius signed an MoU in Port Louis to promote the use of Indian Rupee (INR) and Mauritian Rupee (MUR) for bilateral transactions. This agreement covers current account and permissible capital account transactions, allowing settlement in domestic currencies. It aims to reduce transaction costs, optimize settlement time, and foster an INR-MUR currency market.
On March 20, 2025, in New Delhi, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and YES BANK entered into an MoU to enhance India’s startup landscape. The objective is to empower startups with financial resources, guidance, and market opportunities by combining DPIIT’s Startup India initiative with YES BANK’s HeadStartup program, driving innovation and expansion.
On March 20, 2025, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Kyndryl Solutions Pvt Ltd signed an MoU, in New Delhi, to boost innovation in India’s manufacturing and IT startup ecosystem. This collaboration focuses on leveraging Generative AI and digital transformation to empower startups with mentorship, infrastructure, and enterprise-grade solutions.
India and the Maldives have agreed to conduct bilateral trade using their respective local currencies—Indian Rupees (INR) and Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)—alongside the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) mechanism. This decision, announced on March 17, 2025, follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai in November 2024 between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).

Committees:

The first G20 Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) meeting was held virtually from March 18 to March 20, 2025, chaired by Ambassador Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter and hosted by South Africa. It included representatives from G20 members, the EU, AU, WTO, UNCTAD, and OECD. The aim was to promote inclusive trade, address global challenges, advance green industrialization, and reform WTO governance.
The 14th ADMM-Plus Counter-Terrorism Meeting was held in New Delhi, India, from March 19-20, 2025, co-chaired by India and Malaysia. It brought together delegations from 10 ASEAN nations, 8 dialogue partners, and others to strengthen regional cooperation. The meeting focused on countering emerging terrorism threats, including the misuse of technologies.
On March 18, 2025, a high-level committee was formed to address regulatory challenges in India's fintech sector. Chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, it includes representatives from DFS, DEA, NITI Aayog, MeitY, DPIIT, regulators like RBI and SEBI, and fintech leaders from Billdesk, Acko, Groww, and Jupiter. The committee aims to identify policy gaps, suggest regulatory changes, and create a framework to foster fintech innovation while ensuring financial stability.

Summits & Conferences:

The NDTL Annual Conference 2025 was held on March 19, 2025, in New Delhi. The theme was "Anti-Doping Science: Innovations and Challenges," focusing on advancements in doping detection and prevention. The aim was to promote clean sports and strengthen anti-doping measures globally. It was chaired by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and organized by the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL).

Important Days:

March 20 is the International Day of Happiness, established by the UN in 2012 to highlight the importance of happiness and well-being. The 2025 theme, "Caring and Sharing," emphasizes kindness, generosity, and gratitude in building stronger communities.
March 20 is celebrated as World Oral Health Day to raise awareness about oral hygiene and its impact on overall health. Organized by the FDI World Dental Federation, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Appointments:

Indranil Bhattacharyya has been appointed as the Executive Director of RBI, effective March 19, 2025. He will oversee the Department of Economic and Policy Research. Previously, he served as an Adviser in the Monetary Policy Department.

Awards & Honours:

Indian literary theorist Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak will receive the 2025 Holberg Prize for her groundbreaking work in postcolonial studies, feminist theory, and literary criticism. Announced on March 13, 2025, the award, worth $540,000 (NOK 6 million), will be presented by Crown Prince Haakon of Norway on June 5, 2025, in Bergen, Norway.
At the 28th Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara held by the Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV) on March 17, 2025, in New Delhi, Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to four distinguished Ayurvedic experts in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the field. The honorees included Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur from Jaipur, Rajasthan; Prof. Kulwant Singh from Jammu and Kashmir; Vaidya Mohan Narayan Tambe from Satara, Maharashtra; and Dr. Bidhubhusan Nanda from Dhenkanal, Odisha.

Books:

The book 'March of Glory', released on March 18, 2025, celebrates India's 1975 Hockey World Cup victory. Authored by K. Arumugam and Errol D’Cruz, it features anecdotes, rare photographs, and detailed insights. The launch was attended by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey and team members like Ashok Kumar, who scored the winning goal.
On March 15, 2025, Justice P.N. Prakash, former judge of the Madras High Court, launched the book ‘Memories and Milestones’ in Chennai. Authored by historian V. Sriram and Lashman, the book commemorates 60 years of Blue Cross of India, highlighting its pioneering efforts in animal welfare.

Questions:

Q.1 Which book, launched on March 18, 2025, celebrates India's 1975 Hockey World Cup victory?
a) March of Glory
b) Victory of Glory
c) Golden Era of Hockey
d) The Hockey Chronicle

Answer: a) 'March of Glory,' released on March 18, 2025, celebrates India's 1975 Hockey World Cup victory and includes anecdotes, rare photographs, and detailed insights about the historic event.

Q.2 What was the theme of the NDTL Annual Conference 2025 held on March 19, 2025?
a) Clean Sports for a Better Future
b) Anti-Doping Science: Innovations and Challenges
c) Global Sports Integrity
d) The Future of Anti-Doping Laws

Answer: b) The NDTL Annual Conference 2025, held on March 19, 2025, focused on "Anti-Doping Science: Innovations and Challenges," emphasizing advancements in doping detection and prevention.