- On March 25, 2025, India announced its first indigenous MRI machine, developed by SAMEER under MeitY. The 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner will be installed at AIIMS Delhi by October 2025 for clinical trials. This innovation reduces import dependency, lowers costs, and promotes affordable healthcare under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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- The Government of India launched the Baalpan ki Kavita initiative under the Ministry of Education, aligning with the NEP 2020. It aims to promote early childhood education by compiling nursery rhymes in Indian languages and English to connect children with cultural heritage.
- India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on March 25, 2025, to establish a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). The partnership focuses on maritime decarbonization and digitalization, leveraging India's expertise in green fuel production and IT solutions. It aims to enhance sustainability and efficiency in global shipping operations.
- The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with the ILO, launched the Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise on March 19, 2025. It consolidates data from schemes like MGNREGA and EPFO, using encrypted Aadhaar to identify beneficiaries. Social protection coverage doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024.
- On March 26, 2025, Centrico Insurance Repository Limited (CIRL) partnered with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to improve Insurance Repository (IR) services for policyholders. This collaboration enables secure, paperless management of insurance policies, streamlines claims, and enhances grievance resolution.
- The Bank of India declared Rolta India’s ₹616.30 crore NPA as fraud on March 26, 2025, fully provisioning the amount and notifying the RBI. Rolta India had filed for bankruptcy in January 2023, with debts of over ₹14,000 crore to various creditors.
- On March 25, 2025, S&P Global Ratings cut India's GDP growth projection for FY 2025-26 from 6.7% to 6.5%. This adjustment reflects global trade challenges and rising US tariffs. However, strong domestic demand, lower borrowing costs, and reduced food inflation are expected to support economic resilience.
- The Finance Minister of Tripura, Pranajit Singha Roy, presented the ₹32,423.44 crore State Budget for FY 2025-26 on March 21, 2025. The budget prioritizes infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and employment generation.
- On March 22, 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) announced the discovery of over 110 megalithic structures near Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad, Kerala. Spread across 45 hectares, these include cist burials, stone circles, dolmens, and urns from the Iron Age.
- Pranati Nayak, representing India, won a bronze medal in the Vault Final at the FIG World Cup 2025 on March 22, 2025, in Antalya, Turkey. She scored 13.417 points, finishing behind American gymnasts Jayla Hang and Claire Pease. Her achievement marks another milestone in her gymnastics career.
- On March 24, 2025, SEBI decided to constitute a High-Level Committee chaired by Tuhin Kanta Pandey. The committee includes experts from public and private sectors, academia, and regulatory bodies. Its aim is to enhance SEBI's conflict of interest framework, ensuring transparency and ethical governance.
- The International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed annually on March 24. This day honors victims of serious human rights violations and promotes the right to truth, justice, and reparations.
- The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed on March 25 annually. The 2025 theme is "Acknowledge the past. Repair the present. Build a future of dignity and justice."
- March 26 is observed as Purple Day, dedicated to raising global awareness about epilepsy. Established in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, it aims to reduce stigma, educate communities, and support those living with epilepsy. Purple, the international color for epilepsy awareness, symbolizes solidarity.
- Dilma Vana Rousseff has been re-elected as the President of the New Development Bank (NDB), announced on March 19, 2025. Her second term will run from July 7, 2025, to July 6, 2030. This re-election highlights her leadership in advancing sustainable development and infrastructure financing across BRICS nations.
- Ashok Singh Thakur has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for a three-year term. The announcement was made during INTACH's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 22, 2025, in New Delhi.
- Sanjay Kumar Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), was elected as a Bureau Member of United World Wrestling-Asia (UWW-Asia) on March 24, 2025. This took place during the UWW-Asia General Assembly in Amman, Jordan, where he secured 22 out of 38 votes.
- Rajiv Gauba, a former Cabinet Secretary, has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog, announced on March 25, 2025. An IAS officer from the 1982 Jharkhand cadre, he brings extensive administrative experience to this role.
- Tamil actor-director Manoj Bharathiraja passed away on March 25, 2025, at the age of 48, due to cardiac arrest. He was known for films like Taj Mahal (1999) and Samuthiram (2001) and directed Margazhi Thingal (2023). Manoj was the son of filmmaker Bharathiraja and is survived by his wife, Nandana, and two daughters.
Questions:
Q.1 S&P Global Ratings revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 to what percentage?a) 7.0%
b) 6.7%
c) 6.5%
d) 6.3%
Answer: c) The downgrade from 6.7% to 6.5% was due to global trade challenges and rising US tariffs, despite strong domestic demand.
Q.2 Who has been re-elected as the President of the New Development Bank (NDB)?
a) Dilma Rousseff
b) Xi Jinping
c) Jacob Zuma
d) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
a) Dilma Rousseff
b) Xi Jinping
c) Jacob Zuma
d) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Answer: a) Dilma Vana Rousseff has been re-elected as the President of the New Development Bank (NDB), announced on March 19, 2025. Her second term will run from July 7, 2025, to July 6, 2030.
