Current Affairs 15,16 & 17 March 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoE Launches PM-YUVA 3.0 to Nurture Young Authors and Promote Indian HeritageIn March 2025, the Department of Higher Education (DHE) under the Ministry of Education (MoE) has introduced the 3rd edition of the Prime Minister’s Young, Upcoming, and Versatile Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors .

• PM-YUVA 3.0 builds on the participation of young authors in 22 Indian languages and English in its previous editions.
• The third edition aims to provide a platform for new perspectives on Indian culture, history, and modern achievements.

i.This initiative is designed to encourage young writers under 30 years old, promoting reading, writing, and a strong literary culture in India. The scheme supports the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes a knowledge-driven society.
ii.The program starts with a national level competition on MyGov Portal, running from March 11, 2025 to April 10, 2025.
iii.New Delhi, (Delhi) based National Book Trust (NBT), under the MoE, will manage the scheme and guide the selected authors. Their work will be published and translated into different Indian languages to promote literary exchange.
About Ministry of Education (MoE):
Union Minister– Dharmendra Pradhan (Constituency- Sambalpur, Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)– Jayant Chaudhary( Rajya Sabha – Uttar Pradesh, UP); Sukanta Majumdar (Constituency- Balurghat, West Bengal, WB)
>> Read Full News

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announced USD 1 billion Fund for the Creator Economy Ahead of WAVES 2025In March 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) announced a USD 1 billion fund to give boost to the creator economy, during high-level session on World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Chanakyapuri in New Delhi (Delhi).

• He also announced that the Government of India(GoI) has allocated Rs 391 crore for India’s 1st Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) which will be set up in Goregaon Film City, Mumbai (Maharashtra).

i.This fund will be dedicated to ensuring that the energetic creators, who are using the latest technologies, will be able to access capital, hone their skills, upgrade their production levels, and reach the global markets.
ii.The fund will be supported through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and its modalities will be released later.
iii.During the event, the MIB and Government of Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which aimed at bolstering collaboration in media, entertainment, and digital outreach.
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Loganathan Murugan(Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh, MP)
>> Read Full News

Union MoS Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma Launches R&D Initiatives under SRTMIOn March 12, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Heavy Industries (MoHI) launched three Research and Development (R&D) schemes and the ‘SteelCollab’ web portal under the Steel Research Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) to boost steel sector innovation.

• The launch took place during the event “Catalyzing R&D in the Indian Steel Sector” organized by the Ministry of Steel in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The 3 schemes launched are Challenge Method, Open Innovation Method, and Start-up Accelerator scheme.

Participants:
i.Major Steel Companies: New Delhi (Delhi) based companies, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL); Mumbai (Maharashtra) based companies Jindal South West (JSW) Steel Limited, Tata Steel Limited, Hyderabad (Telangana) based National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, AP) based Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), and Kolkata (West Bengal,WB) based Metallurgical & Engineering Consultants (MECON) (India) Limited.
ii.Research organizations: Bhubaneswar (Odisha) based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), the Sweden based Swedish Energy Agency and Philippines based Asian Development Bank (ADB).
About SRTMI:
SRTMI is a collaborative platform established by the Ministry of Steel and the domestic steel industry to promote R&D in steel technology, decarbonization, and digitalization.
Key Initiatives Launched:
i.Challenge Method Scheme: To identify and resolve critical industry-wide challenges of national interest, such as improving plant efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
ii.Open Innovation Method Scheme: Supports open research proposals from academia and researchers in partnership with the steel industry to foster innovative solutions.
iii.Start-up Accelerator Scheme: Provides funding and mentorship to early-stage startups working on cutting-edge steel technologies.
iv.SteelCollab Portal: A digital platform to connect industry leaders, academia, researchers, and startups for collaborative projects on decarbonization, digitalization, and advanced steel development.
v.The initiatives aim to drive innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in India’s steel industry, aligning with the national goal of achieving 300 million tonnes (MT) of steel production capacity by 2030.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Launched India’s 1st Exploration Licence Auction for Critical Minerals in GoaIn March 2025, Union Minister Gangapuram (G) Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Mines (MoM) and Ministry of Coal (MoC), launched India’s 1st ever auction of Exploration Licences (ELs) for 13 exploration blocks for critical minerals, in the presence of Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister (CM) of Goa during an event held in Dona Paula in Panaji, Goa.

• For the initial phase, licenses will be issued for auction of exploration blocks for minerals like: Rare Earth Elements (REE), Zinc (Zn), Diamond, Copper (Cu), Platinum Group Minerals (PGE), among others, through a transparent online bidding process.
• The event also featured a roadshow on the 5th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks and the launch of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon 2025, a Mineral Exploration Hackathon focused on ‘Mineral Targeting Using AI’.

Significance:
i.The exploration access will be granted exclusively to private entities which will enable them to explore a maximum 1,000 square meter (sq. m) per licence.
ii.This initiative will accelerate exploration, increase private sector participation, and strengthen India’s mineral security and self-reliance in critical minerals.
Background:
i.ELs were introduced through enactment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)(MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023, to allow private participation in reconnaissance and prospecting for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals, including Lithium (Li), Cu, Cobalt (Co), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), among others listed in the new 7th Schedule of the Act.
ii.In October 2024, the Government of India (GoI) issued an order in exercise of its power given under Section 20A of the MMDR Act, 2023, to conduct the EL auction process
About Ministry of Mines (MoM):
Union Minister- G. Kishan Reddy (Constituency- Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State (MoS)- Satish Chandra Dubey (Rajya Sabha- Bihar)

BWSSB Becomes India’s First Water Board to Receive BIS Certification
In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first water board in India to receive certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) for its piped drinking water supply management system.

• This certification highlights BWSSB’s adherence to international water quality standards and commitment to safe and sustainable drinking water.

i.The certification was awarded after a rigorous six-month evaluation by BIS.
ii.This certification is valid for three years, from March 6, 2025, to March 5, 2028. During this period, BWSSB will undergo regular surveillance audits by BIS officials, with the next evaluations scheduled for December 2025 and September 2026, followed by a renewal audit in November 2027.
iii.BWSSB met stringent criteria for efficient, safe, and sustainable water management practices, covering all aspects of water supply, including intake, treatment, distribution, and quality assurance.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
Director General (DG) – Pramod Kumar Tiwari
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1986 

India Grants Ex-Post Facto Approval to MoU on Financial and Economic Cooperation with Qatar
In March 2025,  The Government of India (GoI) granted ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on financial and economic cooperation between India and Qatar. This MoU was initially established by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), India and the Ministry of Finance of the state of Qatar on February 18, 2025, during the visit of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to India
i.The Mou was signed by Shri Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary (JS), Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), MoF, India, and Mr. Mohammed Hassan Jabir Al-Jabir, Ambassador to the State of Qatar on 5th March 2025, in New Delhi, Delhi.
ii.The MoU seeks to enhance cooperation in economic policies, financing tools, public-private partnerships, and investment. This collaboration will strengthen the bilateral relationship with Qatar, fostering mutual growth. Additionally, it aims to explore new and emerging sectors for investment opportunities in both countries.
iii.This MoU is a key step toward shared goals between both countries. The Finance Ministries will collaborate by hosting expert workshops, seminars, and conferences, exchanging technical and documentary information, and facilitating dialogue between their business communities.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Iran, Russia & China Conduct Joint Naval Drills ‘Maritime Security Belt 2025’ in Gulf of Oman
In March 2025, Iran, Russia, and China commenced the 7th Maritime Security Belt joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the 5th consecutive year of such exercises, aimed at enhancing maritime security and military cooperation among the participating nations.

• The exercises occur amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly due to Iran’s expanding nuclear program and threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting commercial ships.

i.China, Russia, and Iran have conducted joint naval exercises in this region annually since 2018, aiming to strengthen military coordination in response to Western presence.

• Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates(UAE) and Sri Lanka attend the 2025 Exercise as observers.

ii.The drills include maritime target strikes, damage control operations, and joint search and rescue missions. Crews are also practicing daytime and nighttime firing using large-caliber machine guns and small arms against simulated enemy drones and unmanned boats.

6 Indian Sites Included in Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites 2025In March 2025, six Indian sites were added to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. This inclusion is a prerequisite for potential nomination to the World Heritage List. With these additions, India now has 62 sites on the Tentative List.

• The 6 Indian sites are: Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh); Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs (Telangana); Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (Multiple States); Chausath Yogini Temples (Multiple States); Gupta Temples in North India (Multiple States) and Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

About the Tentative List:
i.The Tentative List is an inventory of properties that a country considers for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inclusion in this list is a mandatory step before a site can be officially nominated.
ii.The Tentative list consists of sites that can be either cultural or natural areas or objects for having outstanding universal value.
iii.This process ensures that heritage sites in the Tentative List meet the necessary criteria, allowing for proper evaluation and preparation before being considered for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO):
Director-General (DG)– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established-1945
Member Nations– 194
>> Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

IRDAI Grants First Private Reinsurance License to Valueattics ReinsuranceOn March 12, 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based  Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved the ‘R2’ license for Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Value Attics Reinsurance Limited, marking the entry of the first private-sector reinsurer in India.

• This approval was given during the 129th meeting of the IRDAI board on March 12, 2025, chaired by Debasish Panda.
• The licence, “R2” category for reinsurers, signifies the company’s authorization to conduct reinsurance business exclusively.

Key Details:
i.Promoters: Valueattics Reinsurance is promoted by Oben Ventures LLP, led by Kamesh Goyal, and Mauritius based FAL Corporation, associated with Prem Watsa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canada based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

• Initial Capital: The company will commence operations with a paid-up capital of Rs. 210 crore.

ii.Existing Player: Prior to this approval, the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based public-sector insurance company General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) was the sole domestic reinsurer, operating since 1972.

• Post the 2001 insurance sector liberalization, GIC Re was designated as the national reinsurer.

iii.Additionally in the meeting, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based entities, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), New India Assurance Company, and General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) were identified as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, highlighting their critical role in the sector.

• D-SII is an innovative platform that leverages advanced technology to optimize risk management and enhance operational efficiency within the reinsurance sector.

Note: Currently, 13 foreign reinsurance branches, including global entities like Munich Re, Swiss Re, and Lloyd’s of London, operate in India.
About Reinsurance:
Reinsurance is “insurance for insurance companies,” to ensure that no insurance company has too much exposure to a large event or disaster.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
IRDAI was constituted in 1999 and was incorporated as a statutory body in April, 2000.
Chairperson – Debasish Panda
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana

BRISKPE Receives RBI In-Principle Authorisation for Cross-Border Payments
On March 12, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Brisk Payment Exchange (BRISKPE), a global investment firm Prosus-backed payment aggregator, has obtained in-principle authorisation from the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border (PA-CB) transactions.

• This authorization allows BRISKPE to handle both export and import transactions under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. 

i.As one of the first platforms exclusively focusing on cross-border payments, BRISKPE aligns with the RBI’s updated regulatory framework introduced in October 2023.
ii.Further, the startup will now operate export and import collection accounts with category-I banks of the country to enable businesses to make secure payments. Category-I banks are RBI licensed institutions who can deal in buying and selling of foreign exchange
iii.Currently, BRISKPE processes approximately 10,000 transactions monthly for its export services. With the inclusion of import services, the company anticipates this number to reach 100,000 transactions by the end of the next Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 .
iv.This development aims to enhance the efficiency, security, and transparency of international payment systems for businesses engaged in global trade.

RBI Imposes Penalties on JM Financial Products and Experian India for Regulatory Non-Compliance
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on JM Financial Products Limited (JMFL) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Experian Credit Information Company of India Private Limited (ECICI) also based in Mumbai for not following regulatory guidelines.
i.JM Financial Products Limited has been fined Rs 3.1 lakh for violating specific provisions related to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), particularly those concerning systemically important non-deposit-taking and deposit-taking companies.

• The RBI imposed a penalty after finding that Company failed to disclose a key related-party transaction in its annual report, following an inspection of its financial position as of March 31, 2023, and a review of its response to a show-cause notice.

ii.Similarly, ECICI has been fined Rs 2 lakh for not adhering to certain provisions of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (CICRA) and the Credit Information Companies (CIC) Rules, 2006. The central bank clarified that the penalties were imposed due to regulatory shortcomings and do not affect the validity of any transactions or agreements these companies have with their customers.
Note: The RBI has announced that it will soon release Rs 100 and Rs 200 banknotes featuring the signature of the new Governor, Sanjay Malhotra

NABARD Signed MoU with J&K Grameen Bank to Finance JLGs
In March 2025, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Regional Office based in Jammu, J&K, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jammu -based J&K Grameen Bank for the promotion and financing of 2,000 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).

• Des Raj, Deputy General Manager(GM), NABARD and  Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, J&K Grameen Bank signed the MoU on behalf of NABARD and J&K Grameen Bank, respectively.
• The MoU aims to meet the credit needs of Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) of society by constituting and credit-linking JLGs.

i.As per the MoU, J&K Grameen Bank will constitute and finance 2,000 JLGs across the Union Territories (UTs) of J&K and Ladakh.
ii.Also, NABARD will facilitate a promotional grant support of Rs 4,000 to each JLG through J&K Grameen Bank, bolstering financial empowerment in the region.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

NSO: Retail Inflation declines at 7-month Low of 3.6% in February 2025; IIP Grows by 5% in January 2025In March 2025, National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for rural, urban and combined for the month of February 2025. As per the official data, Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of February, 2025 over February, 2024 is 3.61%  down from 4.26% in the preceding month.

• This decline is driven by a sharp decrease of 222 basis points in food inflation, from 5.97% (in January 2025) compared to 3.75% (February 2025), marking the lowest level since May 2023 (3.19%).
• The data further revealed that Industrial Index Production (IIP) witnessed the growth of 5.0% in January 2025, compared to 3.2% observed in December 2024.

Key Findings related to Inflation:
i.Rural Inflation: The headline inflation decreased from 4.59% (in January 2025) to 3.79% (Provisional).
ii.Urban Inflation: Just like rural inflation, the headline inflation of urban sector has significantly decreased from 3.87% (in January 2025) to 3.32% (Provisional) in February 2025.
>> Read Full News

MSME Sector Achieves Growth with Notable Reduction in Non-Performing AssetsOn 11th March 2025, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced that over the past 5 years, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has seen a steady rise in total advances. At the same time, the sector has experienced a consistent decline in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and the Gross NPA ratio.

• According to provisional data for Financial Year (FY) 2025, up to December 31, 2024, both Gross NPAs and the Gross NPA ratio have decreased.

Growth in MSME Advances:
i.Advances Outstanding: As of March 31, 2020, the total advances outstanding to the MSME sector stood at Rs.16.98 lakh crore. By March 31, 2024, this amount increased to Rs.28.04 lakh crore, showing a steady increase in financial support for the sector.
ii.Gross NPAs: The Gross NPAs of the MSME sector decreased from Rs.1.87 lakh crore (11% of total advances) in Financial Year (FY) 2020 to Rs.1.25 lakh crore (4% of total advances) by FY2024. This represents a significant reduction in the sector’s NPA ratio.
Key Government and RBI Measures:
To address NPAs and strengthen the sector, the Government of India (GoI) and RBI implemented the following measures:
i.Framework for Revival and Rehabilitation (2015): Introduced via Gazette Notification S.O. 1432(E) on 29th May 2015, this framework provided a structured mechanism to resolve stressed MSME accounts.
ii.Prudential Framework for Stressed Assets (2019): Mandated early recognition and time-bound resolution of NPAs by lenders.
iii.Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP): Operationalized under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) for quicker, cost-effective MSME debt resolution.
iv.COVID-19 Relief Measures: Included loan moratoriums, revised working capital norms, and resolution frameworks (1.0 & 2.0) to ease pandemic-induced stress.
v.Union Budget 2024-25: Announced a new mechanism to ensure uninterrupted credit flow to stressed MSMEs.

India to Become World’s 3rd Largest Economy by 2028: Morgan StanleyIn March 2025, New York (the United States of America, USA)-based brokerage firm, Morgan Stanley has projected that India will become the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2028, supported by macro-stability influenced policy and better infrastructure. India will overtake Germany (which is currently world’s 3rd largest economy) as its economy is most likely to expand to USD 5.7 trillion in 2028.

• It has further projected that Indian economy will expand from USD 3.5 trillion (in 2023) to USD 4.7 trillion (in 2026), which will make it world’s 4th largest economy behind the United States of America (USA), China and Germany.

i.It has estimated that India’s GDP will be 6.3% for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) and 6.5% (FY26).
ii.It has estimated that inflation will be 4.3% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) in FY27 compared to 4.9% in FY25.
iii.It has projected that India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) will remain 1% of GDP in FY27, reflecting continued resilience in the external balance sheet.
About Morgan Stanley:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Ted Pick
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established- 1935
>> Read Full News

Amazon, Google & Meta Support Global Nuclear Energy Expansion by 2050
In March 2025, Amazon, Alphabet’s Google, and Meta Platforms signed a pledge to support the global initiative to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

• The pledge, led by London, the United Kingdom(UK) based World Nuclear Association (WNA) on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference in Houston, the USA.
• The companies are investing in small nuclear reactors, a developing technology expected to reduce costs and construction timelines for new reactors.

i.The pledge seeks to expand nuclear energy worldwide to meet rising energy needs and reduce carbon emissions.
ii.This pledge, first adopted at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in December 2023, aims to address the growing energy demands of the tech sector and combat climate change.
iii.Over 20 countries, including the United States of America (USA), and financial institutions like Bank of America, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, and Morgan Stanley have backed the initiative.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Patanjali & DS Group Acquire Magma Insurance; Temasek to Invest in Haldiram SnacksIn March 2025, Baba Ramdev-owned Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) based in Haridwar, Uttrakhand along with Dharampal Satyapal Group Limited (DS Group), based in Noida , Uttar Pradesh (UP) has secured a majority stake in Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra, in a deal valuing the company at Rs 4,500 crore.

• The agreement involves the transfer of equity shares from existing shareholders, including Sanoti Properties LLP, Celica Developers, and Jaguar Advisory Services. With this transaction, Patanjali and DS Group will hold a 98% stake.
• This acquisition marks Patanjali’s expansion into the insurance sector, moving beyond its traditional focus on ayurvedic products and consumer goods into financial services.

Key Points:
i.Magma General Insurance is a subsidiary of Adar Poonawalla-owned Sanoti Properties LLP (Limited Liability Partnership). Sanoti Properties is a joint venture (JV) between Adar Poonawalla and Rising Sun Holdings Private Limited.
ii.The DS Group, established in 1929, is a prominent Indian conglomerate with a diversified presence across multiple sectors.
Temasek to Acquire 10% Stake in Haldiram Snacks:
Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, an investment firm, based in Singapore has signed an agreement to acquire a 10% stake in Noida based Haldiram Snacks Food Private Limited(Haldiram’s) (HSFPL) for over Rs.8,000 crore (around USD 1 billion).

• This deal became the largest deal in India’s packaged consumer goods sector.
• This strategic partnership between Temasek and Haldiram’s is expected to bolster HSFPL’s growth and expansion, leveraging Temasek’s extensive investment expertise and network.

Background:
i.In 2024, three investment groups had submitted binding offers for a 10-15% stake in Haldiram’s, including a Blackstone-led consortium (with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC Singapore), the Temasek-Bain Capital combine (which later dissolved), and Alpha Wave Global.
ii.Bain Capital later withdrew as it was unwilling to meet Haldiram’s valuation of USD 10-11 billion, instead offering USD 8.8-9.4 billion.
Note: As per Euromonitor International Limited, Haldiram holds a dominant position in India’s savory snacks market, nearly 13% of the USD6.2 billion industry.
About Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL):
Chairperson– Acharya Balkrishna
Headquarter– Haridwar, Uttrakhand
Founded– 2006

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO successfully completes SpaDeX De-Docking, a key milestone for upcoming missions like Chandrayaan-4.
In March 2025, the Bengaluru (Karnataka)- based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reached an important milestone in space technology by successfully de-docking its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites.

• This achievement makes India the fourth country, after China, Russia, and the United States of America (USA), to demonstrate space docking technology.
• These technologies are critical for future missions such as Bharatiya Antariksha Station, human spaceflight (Gaganyaan), and lunar sample return missions (Chandrayaan-4).

i.The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30, 2024, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
ii.The satellites, SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target), were designed and developed by the Bengaluru-based U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with support from multiple ISRO centers.
iii.Weighing 220 kilograms (kg) each, the satellites were sent into orbit to test space docking capabilities. They successfully docked on January 16, 2025, showcasing India’s growing expertise in orbital maneuvers.
iv.The de-docking process involved a series of carefully planned operations: the extension of SDX-02, release of Capture Lever 3, final disengagement of the Capture Lever, and the issuance of decapture commands to both satellites, resulting in a flawless separation.

SPORTS

Bangladesh All-Rounder Mahmudullah Retires From International CricketOn March 12, 2025, Veteran Bangladeshi cricketer, Mahmudullah Riyad, an all-rounder for the Bangladesh National Cricket team, announced his retirement from International Cricket, ending an 18-year career. He previously retired from Test cricket in 2021 and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in 2024.

• He represented Bangladesh in 50 Tests, 239 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 141 T20Is, totaling 430 international matches.
• As captain, he led Bangladesh in 6 Test matches, securing one win, 4 losses, and 1 draw. In T20Is, he captained in 43 matches, with 16 wins and 29 losses.
• Throughout his career, he scored a total of 11,047 runs across all formats, including 9 centuries. 

i.Mahmudullah Riyad made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on 20th July 2007. In ODIs, he scored 5,689 runs at an average of 36.46, ranking as Bangladesh’s 4th-highest run-scorer.
ii.His Test career saw him accumulate 2,914 runs at an average of 33.49, while in T20Is, he scored 2,444 runs at an average of 23.50.
iii.As a bowler, he took a total of 166 wickets across formats, including 43 in Tests, 82 in ODIs, and 41 in T20I including a 5-wicket haul (5/51) against the West Indies in 2009.
iv.He is the only Bangladeshi cricketer to score 3 centuries in the ODI World Cup, with 2 centuries in 2015 and one in 2023.
v.He was part of a historic 224-run partnership with Shakib Al Hasan against New Zealand in the 2017 International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, a record for the highest 5th-wicket partnership in the tournament’s history.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Mathematics 2025 – March 14International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is observed annually on 14th March across the globe to highlight the significance of mathematics in various fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change, energy, and sustainable development. This date was chosen as it aligns with Pi Day, representing the mathematical constant π (pi) approximately equal to 3.14.

• 14th March 2025 marks the observance of the 6th IDM.
• The theme of IDM 2025, “Mathematics, Art, and Creativity” celebrates the intersection of mathematical discovery and artistic expression, showcasing how mathematics inspires and enhances creative endeavors.

Background:
The 40th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held in November 2019, officially proclaimed March 14 as the IDM.

• The first-ever IDM was observed on March 14, 2020

About International Mathematical Union (IMU):
President – Hiraku Nakajima (Japan)
Headquarters – Berlin, Germany
Established– 1920
>> Read Full News

International Day of Action for Rivers 2025  – March 14The International Day of Action for Rivers is annually observed on 14 March worldwide to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and the need to protect them. This Day highlights the significance of rivers in sustaining life and ecosystems, recognises the tireless efforts of communities that protect and restore rivers, and promotes the sustainable management of water resources.

• 14 March 2025 marks the observance of the 28th International Day of Action for Rivers.
• The 2025 theme of the International Day of Action for Rivers is, “Our Rivers, Our Future“, which emphasises the crucial role rivers play in supporting planetary health and maintaining all life on Earth.

Note: The Day was previously known as International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life.
Background:
i.The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water, and Life was adopted by the participants of the 1st International Meeting of People Affected by Dams(IMPAD) in 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil.

• The idea for the 1st IMPAD originated during an annual meeting of Brazil’s Movement of People Affected by Large Dams (MAB).

ii.Representatives from 20 countries decided that the International Day of Action would take place on 14 March, coinciding with Brazil’s Day of Action Against Large Dams.
iii.The 1st International Day of Action for Rivers was observed on 14 March 1998.
About International Rivers:
International Rivers was then called the International Rivers Network.
Co-Executive Directors– Josh Klemm, Isabella Winkler
Headquarters– Oakland, California, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1985
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World Consumers Rights Day 2025 – March 15World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is observed annually across the globe on March 15 to raise global awareness about consumer rights, protection, and empowerment. Consumers are the economy’s backbone; safeguarding their rights ensures ethical practices and empowers informed choices.

• The theme for WCRD 2025 is “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles” .

Background:
i.World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) was inspired by a special message sent by John F. Kennedy, the former President of the United States of America (USA), to the USA Congress on March 15, 1962.

• He became the first world leader to formally recognize the importance of consumer rights on a global stage.

ii.The first-ever WCRD was observed on March 15, 1983,
About Consumers International(CI):
Director General (DG)– Helena Leurent
Headquarters– London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Established– 1960
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International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025 – March 15The United Nations (UN) annually observes International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15 to raise awareness and combat hate crimes, discrimination, and intolerance against Muslims.

• March 15, 2025, marks the 3rd International day to Combat Islamophobia.

Background:
i.On March 15, 2022, UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/76/254, proclaiming March 15 of every year as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
ii.The resolution was introduced by Pakistan’s UN envoy Munir Akram on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the agenda item “Culture of Peace”.
iii.The inaugural observance of the day took place on March 15, 2023.
About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
The OIC(formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference) is the world’s second-largest inter-governmental organization, following the United Nations(UN), with 57 member states spanning four continents.
Secretary General (SG) – Hissein Brahim Taha
Headquarters – Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA)
Founded – 1969
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STATE NEWS

AP Signs MoU with Microsoft to Enhance AI Skills Among YouthIn March 2025, the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gurugram (Haryana) based Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited, the Indian subsidiary of United States of America (USA) based Microsoft Corporation, to bolster skill development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies among the state’s youth.

• The MoU aims to equip 2 lakh students and youth in AP with foundational and advanced skills in AI, cloud computing, and digital productivity.
• This initiative seeks to address the growing demand for a tech-skilled workforce in Information Technology (IT) and other industries.

Signatories: Representatives of Microsoft and AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) signed the MoU in the presence of Nara Lokesh, Minister of IT, Electronics & Communication,and Human Resource Development (HRD), AP.
Implementation and Support:
i.Infrastructure Provision: APSSDC will establish the necessary physical infrastructure for AI training across various regions.
ii.Curriculum Development: Microsoft will assist in developing and certifying AI curricula for educational institutions, ensuring alignment with industry requirements.
Training Initiatives:
i.Faculty and Student Training:Provide training to 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students from 50 rural engineering colleges in AI and cloud computing.
ii.Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): Provide AI training focused on digital productivity to 30,000 students across 30 ITIs.
iii.Youth Skill Development: Offer AI skills training to 40,000 youths under the ‘Passport to Earning 2.0’ initiative. Collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) to train an additional 20,000 individuals.
iv.Government Capacity Building: Deliver 100 hours of AI training to 50,000 individuals to enhance public service delivery and build capacity among government officials.

• Provide AI upskilling and reskilling to 20,000 staff members through self-learning modules, workshops, and webinars promoting cross-departmental collaboration.

About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister (CM)– Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor- Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital- Amaravati
National Park– Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park, Papikonda National Park

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