Current Affairs 12 March 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 12 March 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoA&FW Releases 2nd Advance Estimates of Production of Major Agricultural Crops (Kharif & Rabi) for 2024-25On March 10, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) released the ‘Second Advance Estimates for the production of major agricultural crops (Kharif and Rabi) for 2024-25’, highlighting record outputs in key crops like rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean.

• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, MoA&FW, approved the data, confirming that under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, the Government of India(GoI) aims to develop the agricultural sector.

i.Foodgrains Production for Kharif is estimated at 1,663.91 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT), while Rabi production (excluding summer crops) is projected at 1,645.27 LMT.
ii.Rice: Kharif rice production is anticipated to reach a record 1,206.79 LMT, an increase of 74.20 LMT compared to the 1,132.59 LMT produced in 2023-24 and Rabi rice (excluding summer) is estimated at 157.58 LMT.
iii.Wheat production is projected at a record 1,154.30 LMT, showing an increase of 21.38 LMT compared to 2023-24 (1,132.92 LMT).
About the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW):
Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ram Nath Thakur (Rajya Sabha Bihar); Bhagirath Choudhary (Constituency- Ajmer, Rajasthan)
>> Read Full News

Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 held in Hyderabad, Telangana; Launched NFDP appIn March 2025, the Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAH&D) hosted the Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 held in Hyderabad, Telangana.

• The event aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, technological advancements and sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
• The event witnessed the launch of two key initiatives: Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 and National Fisheries Development Platform (NFDP) mobile application (app).

i.Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, MoFAH&D & the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) inaugurated the conclave; along with Union Minister of State (MoS) Prof. S.P. Singh Bhagel, MoFAH&D and MoPR; and Professor Ramesh Chand, Member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
ii.Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0: Launched to support emerging enterprises/startups in manufacturing and related fields in the fisheries sector.

• 10 winning startups will receive Rs 1 crore in funding.

iii.NFDP mobile app is designed to simplify access to various Government of India (GoI)-led schemes, specifically benefitting startups and stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D):
Union Minister- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS) –  Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP); George Kurian (Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh, MP)
>> Read Full News

India & Armenia Sign MoU for Cooperation in Medical Product RegulationOn March 10, 2025, India and the Republic of Armenia signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the visit of Ararat Mirzoyan, the Foreign Minister (FM) of Armenia, to India from March 9 to 11, 2025. The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation in medical product regulation and diplomatic training.

• Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The two ministers held productive discussions, reviewing the growing India- Armenia cooperation in politics, trade, economy, connectivity, education, culture, and people-to-people ties.

Key MoUs Signed:
i.MoU on Medical Product Regulation: Signed between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in New Delhi and Armenia’s Center of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise (CDMTE).

• It focuses on cooperation in regulating medical products to ensure their quality and safety.

ii.MoU on Diplomatic Training:
Signed between the New Delhi-based Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service under MoE and the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

• It aims to strengthen collaboration in diplomatic training and exchange programs.

Key Highlights:
i.Armenia’s Participation in Global Initiatives: Armenia is a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and participated in the Voice of the Global South Summit.
ii.Educational Exchange: Over 1,000 Indian students are studying in Armenia, reflecting strong educational ties.
iii.Cultural and Regional Cooperation: Both nations emphasized strengthening ties in regional and global matters of shared interest.
About the Republic of Armenia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Nikol Vovayi Pashinyan
Capital – Yerevan
Currency – Armenian Dram (AMD)

Union Minister Amit Shah Releases 24 Reprinted Sastu Sahitya Books, Rs 150 Coin in Ahmedabad
In March 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) , Ministry of Cooperation released 24 reprinted books by Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust during the Akhand Anandotsav event in Ahmedabad.

• Union Minister Amit Shah also unveiled a Rs 150 commemorative coin in honor of the 150th birth anniversary of Acharya Bhagwant Shri Buddhi Sagar Surishwar Maharaj.

Note: Trust was founded in 1907 under the inspiration of Bhikshu Akhandanand, who emphasized the importance of knowledge and literature. Since 2023, Union Minister Amit Shah has been serving as the president of the trust.
i.Union Minister Shah has written the preface for all 24 reprinted books, some of which have gone through multiple editions.
ii.Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for the High-Performance Sports Center for para-athletes has been laid here at a cost of approximately ₹350 crore
iii.He also Chairs the Golden Centenary Closing Ceremony of ADC Bank(Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank). On this occasion, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Cyber Safety and Security Pilot Project, initiated by ADC Bank under the motto ‘Be Aware, Be Secure.’
iv.He also virtually laid the foundation stone for the Super Mall of Jetalpur Seva Sahakari Mandali.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of EAM Dr.Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to UK & Ireland from March 4-9, 2025External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar embarked on a 6-Day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from March 4 to 9, 2025 to reinforce India’s bilateral engagements with the UK and Ireland.

• During his visit, the EAM engaged in discussions with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy underscoring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
• This partnership spans key sectors including Defence & Security, Trade & Economy, Health, Education, and People-to-People (P2P) ties.

Highlights of the visit:
i.EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited UK to reinforce the Great British Pound (GBP) 41 billion (around USD 53 billion) bilateral trade relationship.

• During the visit, he inaugurated the 2 new Indian consulates in Belfast (Northern Ireland),UK and Manchester (England), UK to boost regional economic ties and investments.
• During his visit, EAM Dr. Jaishankar was presented with a Tottenham Hotspur No. 1 Jersey bearing his name by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House, UK as a symbolic gesture of strengthening bilateral ties.

ii.During the visit to Ireland, EAM’s engagements focused on enhancing the friendly bilateral relations rooted in shared democratic values and cultural ties.

• EAM of India, S.Jaishankar and Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris agreed to form a JEC aimed at boosting trade, investment, and technological collaborations between India and Ireland.
• Both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the annual exchange of diplomats, enhancing bilateral diplomatic relations.

About Ireland:
President – Michael D. Higgins
Capital – Dublin
Currency – Euro (EUR)
>> Read Full News

India-Cambodia Held 3rd FOC to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation in Health and Digital TechOn March 10, 2025, India and Cambodia held the 3rd Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to review and strengthen their bilateral relations across various sectors with a focus on exploring new cooperation opportunities in health and digital technologies.

• The meeting allowed both countries to review a wide range of bilateral relations, including political cooperation, trade, defence, development assistance, heritage conservation, and consular matters, while also discussing regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

Key Delegations:

• The Indian delegation was led by Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI).
• The Cambodian delegation was headed by Dr. UN Kheang, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia.

Strategic Partnership:

• Cambodia is a pivotal partner in India’s Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Cambodia is an important ally of India within the Global South.
• Both sides agreed to convene the next FOC at a mutually convenient date, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

Site Visits: 
As part of the visit, both leaders visited:

• The Asian Traditional Textile Museum (Cambodia), which was established in April 2014 with Indian support under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) initiative.
• The Ta Prohm Temple (Cambodia), a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site where India is actively involved in conservation and restoration efforts.

About Cambodia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Hun Manet
Capital – Phnom Penh
Currency – Cambodian Riel (KHR)

SIPRI Report 2024: Ukraine Tops as World’s Largest Arms Importer; India Ranks 2ndAccording to the report titled ‘Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2024′ released by Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine emerged as the top world’s leading importer of major arms between 2020 and 2024, with its imports skyrocketing nearly 100-fold compared to the 2015–19 period.

• India ranked the world’s 2nd-largest arms importer during 2020–2024, with a 9.3% decline in imports compared to 2015–2019, driven by increased domestic production and diversified sourcing. Qatar and Saudi Arabia ranked 3rd and 4th respectively.
• The United States of America (USA), France, and Russia were the top 3 global arms exporters during this period.

India’s Main Arms Suppliers:
i.Russia remains India’s top arms supplier, accounting for 36% of its total arms imports. However, this figure has significantly reduced from 55% in 2015–19 to 36% in 2020–24 due to India’s increasing domestic defence production and sourcing from other countries.
ii.France emerged as the 2nd-largest supplier to India, accounting for 33% of total imports, mainly through the supply of Rafale jets and other military equipment. Israel followed, providing 13% of India’s total imports.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
Director– Dan Smith
Headquarters– Solna, Sweden
Established– 1966
>> Read Full News

India-Kyrgyzstan Military Exercise ‘Khanjar-XII’ Commences in KyrgyzstanIn March 2025, the 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise ‘Khanjar-XII’ commenced in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.

• The exercise is scheduled from March 10 to 23, 2025.
• The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of the Indian Army (IA) and the Kyrgyzstan Army.

Background:
i.Initiated in 2011, Exercise Khanjar has become an annual event, with venues alternating between India and Kyrgyzstan.
ii.The 11th edition of the exercise took place at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh (HP), India, from January 22 to February 3, 2024.
About Exercise Khanjar-XII 2025:
i.Participating Forces:  The IA contingent is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Kyrgyzstan Army contingent includes soldiers from the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade.
ii.Focus: The exercise aims to improve joint operational capabilities in urban warfare, counter-terrorism tactics, and precision sniping under a United Nations (UN) mandate.

• It also emphasizes sharing best practices and experiences in Counter Terrorism (CT) and Special Forces Operations across urban and high-altitude mountainous terrains.

iii.It highlights the commitment of both nations to addressing international terrorism and extremism while fostering peace, stability, and security in the region.
iv.Activities: The exercise will focus on advanced Special Forces skills, including Sniping, Complex building intervention, and Mountain craft.

• Additionally, the event will feature cultural exchanges, such as the celebration of the Kyrgyzstan festival Nowruz, to strengthen bilateral ties.

About Kyrgyzstan:
President – Sadyr Nurgojo uulu Japarov
Capital – Bishkek
Currency – Kyrgystani Som (KGS)

India & Bangladesh begin 6th ‘CORPAT’ & 4th ‘BONGOSAGAR’ Exercise in Bay of BengalOn March 10, 2025, the 6th edition of the joint patrol ‘Coordinated Patrol’ (CORPAT) and the 4th bilateral exercise ‘BONGOSAGAR’ were begin for the 6th time, under the supervision of Commander Flotilla West, and was scheduled to conclude on March 12, 2025. These operations are taking place in the designated areas along the Bangladesh and Indian maritime borders in the Bay of Bengal.

• The Bangladesh Navy (BN) is represented by the warship Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Abu Ubaidah and a maritime patrol aircraft, while the Indian Navy (IN) has deployed the warship Indian Naval Ship (INS) Ranvir and a helicopter for the patrol and exercise.

Key Points:
i.Joint Patrol: The joint patrol was initiated in 2018, to eliminate various criminal activities, including illegal fishing, smuggling, human trafficking, piracy, and drug trafficking in the designated maritime areas of both countries.
ii.Bilateral Exercise: The exercises facilitate the exchange of information related to maritime crimes, effective data management, identification of vessels involved in illegal activities, and prevention of various crimes.
iii.Additionally, they play a significant role in enhancing regional maritime security, addressing security risks, and promoting the development of the maritime economy.
iv.Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.
v.These exercises included communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical maneuvers, and culminated with a steam past.
Points to Note: 
In the previous editions, such as the 4th edition of BONGOSAGAR-23 and the 5th edition of CORPAT was held from November 7 to 9, 2023, in the Northern Bay of Bengal.

• CORPAT-23 also featured the inaugural Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills between the two navies, which involved Search and Rescue scenarios at sea.

About Bangladesh:
President- Mohammed Shahabuddin
Capital– Dhaka
Currency- Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)

FAO Releases Reports on Global Grain Production & Food Situation 2025 : Predicts Wheat Production at 796 MtIn March 2025, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released two key reports: the ‘Cereal Supply and Demand Brief’ and the ‘Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report’.
i.The report on global grain production predicts that wheat production may reach 796 million tonnes (Mt) in 2025, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by expanded wheat planting in the European Union, particularly France and Germany.

• FAO expects world grain reserves to shrink by 1.9%, bringing the total to 869.3 Mt in 2025. While Russia and Ukraine may see an increase in stocks, other regions might experience a decline.
• Rice production globally is expected to set a new record of 543 Mt in 2024/25, driven by positive crop prospects in India and favourable growing conditions in Cambodia and Myanmar.

ii.The report on crop prospects provides insights into how different regions are affected by weather patterns and other agricultural challenges.

• FAO reported that 45 countries need food assistance, including 33 in Africa, 9 in Asia, 2 in South America and the Caribbean, and 1 in Europe.
• Conflict and instability remain major factors behind food shortages, with Gaza (Palestine) and Sudan facing the worst food crisis.

About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
Director General (DG)– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Established– 1945
>> Read Full News

India Chairs 68th Session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs For the 1st TimeIndia has been elected to chair the 68th session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, assumes the Chairmanship at the United Nations Office in Vienna,Austria from March 10 to 14, 2025.

• This marks the first time India holds this position, underscoring its commitment to global leadership in addressing international drug policy issues.

Participants:

• The session has drawn around 2,000 delegates from over 150 countries,
• Notable participants: Vice President of Bolivia, Foreign Ministers from Ecuador, Colombia, Turkmenistan, and senior officials from the Philippines, Italy, Uruguay, and Malta.
• India was represented by a 10-member inter-ministerial delegation comprising officials from the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF); Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB); Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE); Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN); Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Exhibition & Side Events
The event features a comprehensive program of side events and exhibitions, such as the
i.European Union’s (EU) side event on “Shaping the future: preparedness for a changing drug landscape.”
ii.India’s Opium and Alkaloid Factories are featured in a special exhibition, highlighting India’s commitment to the responsible use of medicinal opiates.
iii.Additionally, India is hosting 2 side events:

• First on March 11, 2025 focusing on the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan‘ campaign against substance abuse;
• Second on March 12, 2025 in collaboration with the UNODC, discussing innovative digital technologies in drug law enforcement.

iv.The CND’s agenda encompasses both normative and operational segments, addressing treaty-based responsibilities and overseeing the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Armenia’s Andranik Hovhannisyan Elected First Vice-Chairman at UN CND
Mr. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Ambassador and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the Vienna International Organization, was elected First Vice-Chairman at the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

• He will also chair the Committee of the Whole, leading key negotiations on global drug policies. The session focuses on preventing drug abuse, tackling its consequences, and strengthening law enforcement security.

About the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND):
The CND was established by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through Resolution 9(I), which serves as the principal policymaking body overseeing international drug control.
Headquarters- Vienna, Austria
Established-1946
Member States– 53

BANKING & FINANCE

India’s Top Life Insurers in 2025: HDFC, Max Life, and LIC Lead in terms of Claim SettlementsThe Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) released annual data on Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) in its latest ‘Handbook on Indian Insurance Statistics 2023-24’. This report provides comprehensive information on how different insurers handle claims, which helps the policymakers to make informed decisions.

• As per the report, the overall CSR for individual death claims within 30 days, including both private insurers and Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) stood at 96.82% for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24).
• Notably, CSR for individual death claims within 30 days by India’s private insurers stood at around 99% for FY24.

i.As per the report, New Delhi(Delhi) based Axis Max Life Insurance Limited  with 99.79% CSR in terms of number of policies (19,569), emerged as the biggest insurer in India, closely followed by Mumbai based HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited with 99.97% CSR, settling about 19,333 policies within a time period of 30 days.
ii.LIC, India’s largest public-sector insurer, topped in terms of most number of policies settled within 30 days i.e. it has settled 7,99,612 policies in less than 30 days, with CSR of 96.42%.

• It is followed by SBI Life Insurance which has settled 37,344 policies within the span of 30 days.

About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
IRDAI was constituted in 1999 and was later, incorporated as a statutory body in April 2000.
Chairperson– Debasish Panda
Headquarters-Hyderabad, Telangana
>> Read Full News

SEBI tightened Rules for SME IPOs with Profitability MandateIn March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified a stringent regulatory framework for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). It has introduced a profitability requirement and capped the 20% limit of the total size on Offer-For-Sale (OFS) component.

• Also, selling share holders are not allowed to offload more than 50% of their existing holdings.
• These changes aim to ensure that only SMEs with a good track record have access to raise funds from the public while protecting investor interests.

i.As per the new framework, SMEs who are planning to launch an IPO, are required to show a minimum operating profit (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization or EBITDA) of Rs 1 crore in at least two of the previous 3 Financial Years(FY).
ii.The shareholding of promoters over the Minimum Promoter Contribution (MPC) will be subject to a phased lock-in-period. 50% of the excess holding will be released after 1 year, while the remaining 50% will be released after two years.
>> Read Full News

HDFC Bank, Indian Army, and CSC Academy Renew MoU to Expand Project NAMANMumbai (Maharashtra)-based HDFC Bank Limited, the Indian Army’s Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV), and Common Service Centres (CSC) Academy (under CSC e-Governance Services India Limited) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand Project NAMAN. This initiative aims to support Army veterans, their families, and next of kin by providing essential services at their doorstep.
Project NAMAN:
Project NAMAN is a collaborative initiative designed to offer pension-related services, Government-to-Citizen (G2C) services, and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) services to veterans and their families. The project is implemented through CSCs, operated by veterans or their families, ensuring easy access to these services within defence establishments.

• Phase 1(September 2023): The project established CSCs at 14 DIAV locations.
• Phase 2(March 2025): The project will now expand to 26 DIAV locations across  Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Bihar, Odisha, and New Delhi.

Key Features

• Skill Development: Veterans and their families will receive training in financial products and services to promote financial independence.
• Economic Inclusiveness: Supported under HDFC Bank’s Parivartan programme, the project aims to build economic inclusiveness for defence service veterans.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Satyen Modi, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Alternate Banking Channels & Partnerships, HDFC Bank, Mr. Pravin Chandekar, CEO, CSC Academy & Brigadier, Directorate of Indian Army Veterans and also senior officials from HDFC Bank, CSC Academy, and the Indian Army.
About HDFC Bank Limited:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Sashidhar Jagdishan
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded – 1994
Indian Army (IA):
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Established – 1895
Motto – Seva Parmo Dharma (Service Before Self)

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

BCCI Appoints Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar for ACC Leadership Roles
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, has appointed its vice-president Rajeev Shukla as India’s representative on the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).  Former BCCI treasurer  Ashish Shelar will serve as an Executive Board Member of the ACC.
i.Rajeev Shukla will represent BCCI as an Executive Board Member, while Ashish Shelar will take on the role of Ex-Officio Board Member.
ii.With BCCI secretary Jay Shah taking over as the Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), his position on the ACC Board became vacant, as he previously served as the ACC President.
iii.Mohsin Naqvi (Pakistani Politician) is set to lead the ACC in the next term.
Note: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was established in 1928, and serves as the principal governing body for cricket in India.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Foxconn Launches Its First Large Language Model, FoxBrain
On March 10, 2025, Taiwan-based Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, launched “FoxBrain,” Taiwan’s first large language model (LLM) designed to optimize manufacturing processes and supply chain management.

• It is specifically tailored for Traditional Chinese and Taiwanese language styles, integrating advanced reasoning capabilities.
• It marks a significant step in Foxconn’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its core operations.

i.FoxBrain was developed using 120 of Nvidia’s H100 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and is built on the architecture of Meta’s Llama 3.1.
ii.It encompasses a wide range of capabilities, including data analysis, decision support, document collaboration, mathematics, reasoning and problem-solving, and code generation.
iii.Nvidia Corporation (United States of America, USA) supported the development of FoxBrain by providing its Taiwan-based supercomputer, “Taipei-1,” and offering technical consulting throughout the model’s training process.

• Taipei-1, the largest supercomputer in Taiwan, is owned and operated by Nvidia in Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan.

Note: Foxconn assembles iPhones for Apple and also manufactures Nvidia’s artificial intelligence servers.

SPORTS

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets, Claims 3rd Champions Trophy titleOn March 9, 2025, India won the 9th Edition of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand with 4 wickets in the final held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This victory marks India’s 3rd win in the history of the tournament, having previously won in 2002 and 2013.

• India successfully chased the target of 252 runs, scoring 254/6 in 49 overs. Rohit Sharma, the captain top-scored with 76 runs, and Shreyas Iyer added 48 runs to the total.
• New Zealand posted a total of 251/7 in their 50 overs. Daryl Mitchell contributed 63 runs, while Michael Bracewell remained not out on 53 runs.

Note: Since 2023 India won 23 matches out of 24 played across the last 3 Men’s ICC events .
Highlights:
i.Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) emerged as a standout performer in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, earning both the ‘Golden Bat’ and ‘Player of the Tournament’ honors for his exceptional all-round contributions.
ii.Ravindra Jadeja (India) earned the ‘Fielder of the Match’ award for his exceptional fielding in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
iii.The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was held from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Pakistan served as the primary host, with matches also played in Dubai, UAE.
iv.The tournament featured the top 8 Men’s National Teams, including Afghanistan (debut appearance), Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
v.Shikhar Dhawan, India’s highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history with 701 runs across two editions, has been appointed as one of the four Event Ambassadors for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, alongside former Pakistani cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed, an Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson, and New Zealand cricketer, Tim Southee. 
>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Assam FM Ajanta Neog Presented Rs 2.63 Lakh Crore Budget for FY26In March 2025, Ajanta Neog, Finance Minister (FM) of Assam presented the budget worth Rs 2.63 lakh crore for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) in the Assam Legislative Assembly in Dispur, Assam, with Fiscal Deficit(FD) of Rs 620.27 crore.

• The budget expenditure of the state saw an increase of 250% while Capital Expenditure(CapEx) has increased to Rs 24,964 crore in FY25.
• The budget for FY26 has proposed exemption of professional tax for monthly income up to Rs 15,000 for all working people in the state under the Assam Profession, Trades, Callings, and Employments Taxation Act, 1947.

i.The state government has allocated Rs 342 crore to provide one-time financial support of Rs 5,000 for tea workers.
ii.Under the new state scheme ‘Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerna’, monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 will be provided to students who graduate from government universities and colleges in 2025, for a period of 1 year.
iii.Mukhiya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA) scheme: Rs 391crore has been allocated for the scheme, which aimed to promote girl’s higher education and fight against child marriage.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM)- Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor- Lakshman Prasas Acharya
Capital- Dispur
National Parks (NPs)- Kaziranga NP, Manas NP
>> Read Full News

Maharashtra FM Ajit Pawar Presented Rs 7.2 lakh crore State Budget for FY26On 10 March 2025, Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) and Finance Minister (FM) of Maharashtra presented a Rs 7.20 lakh crore State Budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) with key provisions for industries, infrastructure, agriculture and allied sectors, employment and social welfare.

• The total Expenditure for 2025-26 is Rs 7.20 lakh crore with a projected increase in Revenue Receipts to Rs 5,60,964 crore from Rs 5,36,463 crore (Revised Estimate,RE for 2024-25).
• Maharashtra is the 2nd state after Uttar Pradesh (Rs 8.08 trillion) to propose such a large budget.

i.Maharashtra’s Fiscal Deficit(FD) stands at Rs 1,36,234 crore, remaining below the limit of 3% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), in line with the Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Management(Amendment) Act, 2006.
ii.Maharashtra’s Revenue Receipts for 2024-25 are projected at Rs 4,99,463 crore, up from Rs 4,86,116 crore in 2023-24, as per the Budget Estimates (BE) and Revised Estimates (RE), respectively.
iii.Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for the Agriculture Sector. Rs 500 crore has been allocated for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in agriculture, a pilot project covering 1 lakh+ hectares with 50,000 farmers.
iv.The government has approved the construction of 20 lakh houses in 2026 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Rural (PMAY – R) Phase-2.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM)- Devendra Fadnavis
Governor– Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan
Airport– Sindhudurg Airport
Seaports– Jawaharlal Nehru Port, and Mumbai Port
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Union Minister JP Nadda Announces 2 New Schemes for Girl Child Welfare in Tripura
On March 9, 2025, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), announced two new welfare schemes for female children in Tripura. The announcement took place during the two-year celebration of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Tripura Government 2.0 at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala (Tripura).

• The two welfare schemes are the Mukhyamantri Balika Samridhi Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana.
• The schemes aim to provide financial support and encourage academic success for girls in Tripura.

Mukhyamantri Balika Samridhi Yojana:
i.It aims to provide financial security and support for higher education or other essential needs.
ii.Under this scheme, the Tripura government will deposit a one-time bond of Rs 50,000 in the name of every girl child born in a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
iii.When the girl turns 18 years, she will receive the bond, which is expected to grow to Rs 8-10 lakh by then.
Mukhyamantri Kanya Atmanirbhar Yojana:
i.The scooters will be awarded to promote self-reliance and ease of mobility, helping girls pursue higher education and career opportunities.
ii.Previously, the government awarded scooters to the top 100 girls in the Higher Secondary examinations.
iii.The scheme has now been expanded to include 140 meritorious girl students from all educational boards in Tripura.

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