Current Affairs One - Liner : 29th March 2025

National:

The 19th Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) was held from March 24 to 28, 2025, in Singapore, celebrating SG60. The theme, "Actions Meet Ambition," focused on decarbonization and digitalization in maritime innovation. Over 20,000 attendees from nearly 80 countries participated. India's delegation, led by Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the India Pavilion to enhance maritime ties.

Current Affairs One - Liner : 29th March 2025

On March 28, 2025, the government approved two key projects in Bihar. The Patna-Arrah-Sasaram Corridor is a ₹3,712 crore highway project improving regional connectivity. The ₹6,282 crore Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project will divert Kosi River water to irrigate flood-prone areas. Both projects aim to boost infrastructure and agricultural productivity in the state.
On March 28, 2025, Lok Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, replacing the outdated 1925 Act. The new law aligns India's maritime framework with global conventions, simplifying regulations for ease of business. It defines the rights and responsibilities of carriers, promoting transparency in maritime trade.
On March 28, 2025, the Union Cabinet announced a ₹22,919 crore scheme to boost electronics component manufacturing. It aims to attract ₹59,350 crore in investments, generate production worth ₹4,56,500 crore, and create 91,600 direct jobs. The scheme focuses on strengthening sub-assemblies and supply chain ecosystems.
On March 28, 2025, CDS General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur, themed "Panta Rhei" (Everything Flows). The event showcased a Defence Expo, discussions on AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. General Chauhan highlighted innovation's role in tackling future security challenges.
The 7th Act East Business Show was held in Shillong, Meghalaya, from March 25 to 27, 2025. Organized by the Meghalaya government and the Indian Chamber of Commerce, the event aimed to strengthen trade and investment ties between BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) and ASEAN nations.

Banking:

On March 27, 2025, the government announced plans to raise ₹8 lakh crore via dated securities in H1 FY 2025–26. This represents 54% of the total ₹14.82 lakh crore gross borrowing for the fiscal year. The borrowing includes ₹10,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds through 26 weekly auctions across various tenures.
On March 28, 2025, the Central Bank of India partnered with PSB Alliance Pvt Ltd to offer digital supply chain finance. This collaboration utilizes PSB Alliance's digital platform for end-to-end, paperless financing solutions for supply chain participants. The initiative aims to streamline financing processes and enhance efficiency in supply chain management.
On March 19, 2025, Zuno General Insurance became India's first insurer to include Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD) as a standard feature in motor insurance. It uses mobile telematics to assess driving behavior, rewarding safe drivers with lower premiums. Customers can track their driving scores and get feedback via the Zuno app. This initiative promotes safer roads and personalized insurance.
On March 28, 2025, the government announced plans to establish the Second National Gene Bank (NGB) under the theme "Investing in Innovations" from the Union Budget 2025–26. This facility will conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm, doubling India's gene banking capacity. Managed by ICAR-NBPGR, it aims to safeguard agricultural biodiversity, ensure food security, and support climate-resilient farming.

MoUs:

On March 27, 2025, Luminous Power Technologies signed an MoU with SBI in New Delhi to promote solar financing. Loans of up to ₹10 crore are offered for MSMEs, corporates, and industries, with benefits like reduced processing fees and competitive rates. This initiative encourages the adoption of sustainable solar energy solutions. Loan terms extend up to 10 years.
On March 26, 2025, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Application and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N) in New Delhi. This initiative leverages geo-spatial technology to enhance audits, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data Analytics.

Science & Technology:

On March 15, 2025, SpaceX launched HEX20's Nila satellite aboard its Transporter-13 mission. Developed by the Kerala-based startup HEX20, Nila is a significant achievement for India's private space sector. It enables critical control of space components like solar arrays using advanced actuator technology.
On March 25, 2025, BU researchers and ZSI discovered Lobothorax Bharat, a marine parasitic isopod. Found along Odisha's coast, it parasitizes fish tongues, feeding on blood and mucus. This species is less than 3 cm long and adds to the biodiversity of the Lobothorax genus.

Reports:

On March 27, 2025, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the "Green Status Assessment for Lions" report. It classified lions as "Largely Depleted", highlighting the ecological impacts of human activities. Conservation efforts have prevented their extinction in areas like India and West Africa.

Summits & Conferences:

Sourcex India 2025 was held from March 26 to 28, 2025, at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi. Organized by FIEO with support from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, it aimed to position India as a global sourcing hub. Santosh Kumar Sarangi (DGFT) chaired the event, which featured participation from 150+ global buyers across 45 countries.
India's first Nano Electronics Roadshow was inaugurated on March 27, 2025, at IISc Bengaluru by S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. The event featured 100+ IPs, 50 technologies, and 35 startups, advancing India's semiconductor self-reliance. It aimed to foster collaboration among industry, academia, and policymakers.
The International Ramayana Conclave was held on March 26, 2025, at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo. Organized by the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, it emphasized Sri Lanka's significance in the Ramayana. The aim was to foster cultural and spiritual connections between India and Sri Lanka.

Appointments:

On March 26, 2025, Sunil Kakkar was appointed as Whole-Time Director of Maruti Suzuki, effective April 1, 2025, for three years. He is the first Indian in-house employee nominated by Suzuki Motor Corporation for this role.
On March 27, 2025, L&T Finance Ltd. announced Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador. Bumrah will feature in Above The Line (ATL) and Below The Line (BTL) marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.
On March 26, 2025, Rajneet Kohli was named Executive Director of Foods at HUL, effective April 7, 2025. He succeeds Shiva Krishnamurthy, who is pursuing external roles. Kohli, with 28 years of experience, previously served as CEO at Britannia Industries.
On March 28, 2025, former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh was appointed to the Centre for Australia-India Relations Advisory Board. Announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, this appointment recognizes Waugh's contributions to strengthening ties between the two nations.
On March 28, 2025, CS Setty, SBI Chairman, was elected as the new Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Three deputy chairpersons—A Manimekhalai, Swarup Kumar Saha, and Madhav Nair—were also appointed. This leadership aims to address challenges in the banking sector. The tenure lasts until the next AGM.

Awards & Honours:

On March 27, 2025, Masaki Kashiwara won the 2025 Abel Prize for his contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory. His work on D-modules and crystal bases has reshaped mathematical research. Kashiwara, a professor at Kyoto University, influenced fields like differential equations. The Abel Prize includes a monetary award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner.
On March 24, 2025, Rana Dasgupta won Yale’s 2025 Windham-Campbell Prize for Non-fiction for his book "Capital: A Portrait of Twenty-First-Century Delhi". The book explores themes of global capitalism, industrialization, and class dynamics. The prize includes a $175,000 award to support his literary work.

Questions:

Q.1 On March 27, 2025, Luminous Power Technologies signed an MoU with which bank to promote solar financing?
a) Axis Bank
b) State Bank of India
c) HDFC Bank
d) ICICI Bank

Answer: b) Luminous Power Technologies signed an MoU with SBI in New Delhi to promote solar financing, offering loans of up to ₹10 crore for MSMEs and industries.

Q.2 Who won the 2025 Abel Prize for contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory?
a) Masaki Kashiwara
b) Terence Tao
c) Manjul Bhargava
d) Akshay Venkatesh

Answer: a) Masaki Kashiwara won the 2025 Abel Prize for his work on D-modules and crystal bases in algebraic analysis.