Current Affairs 30 & 31 March 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

5 Years of National Technical Textile Mission: Weaving the Fabric of InnovationThe National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) launched in 2020, to boost technical textiles in India, has completed 5 years of successful implementation. The key focus areas of the mission are: research, market growth, exports, and skill development.

• It aims to promote innovation, startups, and use in agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare.
• The Mission Directorate was formed with a Mission Director, Ashoka Malhotra, for the implementation, co-ordination and monitoring activities under the NTTM.

Key Points:
i.In February 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had approved the NTTM with an outlay of Rs 1,480 crores for a period from 2020-21 to 2025-26.
ii.The mission aims to position India a global leader in the Technical Textiles sector. A total of 168 research projects worth Rs 509 crore have been approved under NTTM.
iii.Since its inception in 2020, the Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 517 crore for NTTM.

• Till date, Rs 393.39 crore has been used for various activities.

>> Read Full News

MoD Signed Two Contracts worth Rs 62,700 Crore with HAL for Supply of 156 LCH, Prachand to the Armed ForceIn March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), ‘Maharatna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), for supply of 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Prachand, as well as training an associated equipment, for a total cost of Rs 62,700 crore, excluding taxes.

• The contracts were signed in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoD and these contracts aimed to improve the combat capability of Armed Forces at high altitudes.

i.As per MoD, the 1st contract is for supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 2nd is for supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army (IA).

• The supply of these LCHs will start from the 3rd year (2027-28) and will be spread over the next 5 years.

ii.The 156 LCHs will be manufactured at HAL helicopter factories based in Bengaluru and Tumkur in Karnataka, with 30 LCHs to be built annually.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
HAL is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Dr. D.K. Sunil
Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established in- 1940
>> Read Full News

14th Edition of India-Russia Naval Exercise ‘INDRA’ Commences Off ChennaiIn March 2025, the 14th edition of the bilateral naval exercise ‘INDRA’ between India and Russia commenced off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). This six-day exercise, running until April 2, 2025, underscores the enduring maritime partnership and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Background: 
i.Launched in 2003, Exercise ‘INDRA’ represents the enduring strategic partnership between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Russian Navy.
ii.Over the years, it has evolved into a symbol of maritime cooperation, showcasing both countries’ commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy.
Note: India hosted the 13th edition of Exercise INDRA in the Bay of Bengal in November 2023.
Phases and Activities:
The exercise is being conducted in two phases:
i.Harbour phase is being organised from March 28 to 30, 2025 at Chennai. It includes opening ceremony, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), reciprocal ship visits and sports fixtures, and pre-sail briefings for participating personnel.
ii.Sea phase will be conducted from March 31 to April 2, 2025 in the Bay of Bengal. It will feature advanced drills, including tactical maneuvers, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, underway replenishment, helicopter cross-deck landings, and the exchange of sea-riders.
Participating Vessels and Aircraft:
i.Russian Federation Naval Ships: Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov.
ii.Indian Naval Ships (INS): Rana and Kuthar, alongside the Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I.
About Russia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Mikhail Mishustin
Capital – Moscow
Currency – Russian Ruble (RUB)

MoF Retains Small Savings Scheme Interest Rates for Q1FY26On March 28, 2025, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced that Small Savings Scheme (SSS) interest rates will remain unchanged, for 1st Quarter of Financial Year 2025-26 (Q1FY26) i.e. from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, maintaining the same rates as Q4FY25 (January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025).

• With this, the interest rates on small savings schemes, have remained steady for the fifth consecutive quarter.
• The interest rates are reviewed and updated based on factors such as prevailing market conditions, inflation, and government bond yields. The revised rates take effect from the start of each quarter (i.e., April-June, July-September, October-December, and January-March).

Interest Rates on Small Savings Schemes for Q1FY26:

About Small Savings Schemes (SSS):
i.Small Savings Schemes (SSS), administered by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), , are government-backed financial instruments aimed at promoting household savings and offering secure investment options.

ii.These schemes are managed through post offices and designated banks, offering fixed returns with sovereign guarantees. Interest rates are reviewed quarterly by MoF.

• The Shyamala Gopinath Committee formulated the method for determining SSS interest rates in January 2023.
• These rates should be 25 to 100 basis points (bps) higher than government bond yields.

NITI FTH, CII & AICTE Launch Dx-EDGE for MSME Digital TransformationIn March 2025, the NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH) of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), in collaboration with the New Delhi (Delhi)-based Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) and the New Delhi-based All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the Ministry of Education (MoE), launched the Digital Excellence for Growth and Enterprise (Dx-EDGE) initiative.

• The initiative aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with digital tools, knowledge, and ecosystems to enhance efficiency, revenue, and global competitiveness.

About Dx-EDGE initiative:
The Dx-EDGE initiative is led by CII, with support from the NITI FTH and AICTE.

• It helps MSMEs tackle technology, workforce, and certification challenges by linking academia with industry, providing hands-on training, and enabling global market access through digital certifications.

Key Features:
i.Centers of Digital Excellence: CII will establish nationwide centers to guide MSMEs in adopting tailored digital solutions.
ii.Skill Development: Aims to create a large pool of technical expertise by connecting academic institutions with industry needs.
iii.Public-Private-Academia Partnership (PPAP): Promotes co-development of innovative solutions through collaboration between MSMEs, tech firms, and institutions.
NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH):
On March 5, 2025, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) launched the NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH), a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming India into a technology-driven economy.

• It serves as a frontier tech action tank, promoting advanced technological innovations to drive India’s economic and social development.

About Confederation of Indian Industry (CII): 
Director General (DG) – Chandrajit Banerjee
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Founded – 1895

NITI Aayog Launches 2nd Edition of Trade Watch Quarterly for Q2 of FY25 In March 2025, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog released the second edition of the “Trade Watch Quarterly” (TWQ) publication for the Second Quarter of the Financial Year 2024-25(Q2 FY25 : July to September) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• This edition presents a detailed analysis of India’s trade position and offers key insights into the textile sector, a key contributor to economic growth.

India’s Trade Performance in Q2 FY25:
i.India’s total trade grew by 5.67% to USD 839 billion, during April–September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with exports rising 5.23% to reach USD 395 billion and imports increasing 6.07% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y), reached USD 445 billion.
ii.The merchandise trade deficit with Free Trade Agreement(FTA) partners climbed to USD 26 billion.
iii.The United States of America(USA), the United Arab Emirates(UAE), and the Netherlands remain India’s top export destinations, collectively making up 33% of total exports.
iv.China , the United Arab Emirates(UAE), and Russia continue to be the top sources of India’s imports. Imports from the UAE saw a significant surge, largely due to increased shipments of specific goods.
>> Read Full News

IA Conduct ‘Prachand Prahar‘ Exercise in High-Altitude Himalayan Terrain
In March 2025, the Indian Army(IA), in partnership with the Indian Air Force(IAF) and other branches of the Indian Armed Forces, carried out a high-intensity, integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, ‘Ex Prachand Prahaar’, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh(AR). The exercise, conducted from March 25 to 27, 2025 under the Eastern Command, to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

• The exercise showcased the Indian Armed Forces’ capability to execute multi-spectrum operations in challenging mountainous terrain along the Northern Borders.

i.The exercise commenced with the deployment of advanced surveillance tools from all three branches of the armed forces, including aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF), maritime aircraft from the Indian Navy (IN), helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), space resources from the Indian Army (IA), and Special Forces.
ii.The targets were quickly eliminated using coordinated firepower from fighter jets, rocket systems, artillery, armed helicopters, swarm drones, loitering munitions, and kamikaze drones.

• The exercise took place in an electronically contested environment to replicate real-world combat scenarios.

iii.Prachand Prahar follows Exercise Poorvi Prahar, which was held in November 2024 in AR, focused on the integrated application of aviation assets.

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI Issued New Guidelines for Intraday Index Derivative Monitoring Effective from April 1, 2025In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based market regulator, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued new guidelines for monitoring of intraday position limits for exchanges and clearing corporations (CCs).

• As per the new norms, stock exchanges will monitor position limits for index derivatives on an intraday basis, with effect from April 1, 2025.

i.SEBI has also clarified that no penalties will be imposed for breaching existing position limits during the trading day until further notice.
ii.Sebi proposed new position limits for index derivatives to better reflect actual market risks.

• For index options, the end-of-day limits are set at Rs 500 crore (net) and Rs 1,500 crore (gross), while intra-day limits are Rs 1,000 crore (net) and Rs 2,500 crore (gross).
• For index futures, the end-of-day limit has been increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,500 crore, with an intra-day limit of Rs 2,500 crore.

iii.SEBI has extended the deadline for Regulated Entities (REs) to adopt Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) until June 30, 2025, a 3-month extension from the original date.
>> Read Full News

RBI Allows Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) in Repo Operations
On 26th March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) to participate in all repo operations across tenures, removing previous restrictions that limited their role primarily to overnight liquidity management., excluding the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), and selectively in long-term Variable Rate Repo (VRR) operations.

• The RBI’s decision allows SPDs easier access to funds, aims to manage liquidity and address the ongoing shortage as the financial year ends on 31st March 2025.

i.The banking system has faced a persistent liquidity deficit despite RBI’s recent liquidity injections using tools like daily VRR auctions, long-term VRRs, USD/INR Buy/Sell swap auctions, and Open Market Operations (OMOs).
ii.RBI addresses the prevailing liquidity deficit of Rs.1.58 lakh crore (as of March), enhancing the ability of SPDs to efficiently manage short- and long-term liquidity needs.

SEBI Grants In-Principle Approval to ASK Group for Mutual Fund Business
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group (ASK Group) backed by Blackstone Inc. (United States of America, USA) secured in-principle approval from Mumbai(Maharashtra) based the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its Mutual Fund (MF) business.

• This marks a strategic expansion of ASK’s existing investment solutions, including listed equity portfolio management, alternate investments, and wealth management.

i.The company plans to offer a wide range of mutual fund products aligned with its research-driven investment approach.
ii.The new venture will cater to various investor segments, including retail, High Net-worth Individuals (HNI), Ultra High Net-worth Individuals (UHNI), and institutional investors.
Note: According to Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) January 2025 report, the Assets Under Management (AUM) of Indian mutual funds have witnessed substantial growth, surging from Rs.24 lakh crore in March 2019 to Rs.67 lakh crore in January 2025.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

MobiKwik Launches MSBPL as Wholly Owned Unit for Stock Broking
In March 2025, Gurugram(Haryana) based One MobiKwik Systems Limited(MobiKwik), a prominent fintech company expanded its financial services portfolio by incorporating a wholly owned subsidiary, MobiKwik Securities Broking Private Limited (MSBPL), following approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MoCA).

• MobiKwik has set an initial paid-up share capital of Rs.1 lakh for MSBPL and plans to invest an additional Rs.2 crore in phases. With 100% ownership, MobiKwik will have complete operational control.

i.It will function as a securities broking firm, with the subsidiary focusing on trading in shares, stocks, securities, debt instruments, commodities, currencies, and derivatives.
ii.This strategic move aims to venture into the stock broking and derivatives trading business, positioning MobiKwik alongside established players in the sector.​

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty Elected as Chairman of IBAIn March 2025, the managing committee of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has elected Challa Sreenivasulu(C.S) Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), as Chairman of the IBA for the next fiscal 2025-26.
He will serve in this role until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IBA.

• He was elected during the 77th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IBA held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• He succeeded Matam Venkata Rao, Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Bank of India (CBoI), who was appointed as Chairman of IBA in 2024.

Other Appointments:
i.The managing committee has also elected 3 Deputy Chairmen from leading banks:

• A. Manimekhalai, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Union Bank of India (UBI), Mumbai .
• Swarup Kumar Saha, MD and CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB), New Delhi (Delhi).
• Madhav Nair, Country Head & CEO of Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

ii.In addition, B Ramesh Babu, MD of Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) in Karur, Tamil Nadu (TN), has been elected as the Honorary Secretary of the IBA.
Note: In March 2025, Atul Kumar Goel, former MD of Punjab National Bank (PNB), was appointed as the Chief Executive (CE) of IBA, succeeding Sunil Mehta.
About C.S Setty:
i.Challa Sreenivasulu Setty started his career in SBI in 1988 as a Probationary Officer (PO).
ii.He joined the Board of SBI as MD in January 2020 and headed Retail & Digital Banking (RDB) vertical from 2020 till 2022.
iii.Before taking over charge as MD, C.S.Setty was heading the Stressed Assets Resolution Group (SARG) of the SBI, as Deputy Managing Director (DMD).
iv.He took over charge as Chairman of SBI in August 2024.
About the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA):
IBA is an industry body that represents both Public sector banks (PSBs) and Private sector banks (PVBs). It is not a Statutory Body and is the premier service organisation and an association of Indian banks and financial institutions.
Chairman– Challa Sreenivasulu(C.S) Setty
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded– 1946

SRMB Steel appoints Rohit Sharma as Brand AmbassadorIn March 2025, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based SRMB Srijan Steel Private Limited (SRMB Steel), a leading manufacturer and supplier of Thermo-Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars in India, announced the appointment of Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma as its brand ambassador.

• This collaboration aims to enhance SRMB Steel’s brand presence by leveraging Sharma’s widespread popularity and leadership qualities.
• Rohit Sharma joins former Indian World Cup-winning captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kapil Dev as part of SRMB Steel’s celebrity endorser lineup.

i.Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India secured victories in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, Asia Cup 2023, and ICC Men’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup 2024, while finishing as runners-up in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
ii.Apart from SRMB Steel, Rohit Sharma is the brand ambassador for several leading companies, including Adidas (Sportswear), CEAT Tyres (Tyre manufacturer), Dream11 (Fantasy sports platform), Max Life Insurance, Oppo (Smartphone), and Hublot (Swiss watches), among others.
LTF Appoints Cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Larsen & Toubro Finance Limited (L & T Finance(LTF)) (formerly L & T Finance Holdings Limited(LTFH)), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), appointed Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador. This collaboration aims to strengthen LTF’s brand presence and engage its diverse customer base across India.

• Bumrah will feature in Above The Line (ATL) and Below The Line (BTL) campaigns promoting LTF’s rural and urban financial products, including Rural Business Finance, Farm Equipment Finance, and Two-wheeler Finance.
• The partnership with Bumrah was facilitated by RISE Worldwide, which partners with athletes and brands to enhance brand value and market reach.
• Apart from L & T Finance Limited , Jasprit Bumrah is the brand ambassador for several leading companies, JK Super Cement, and Skechers Cricket footwear.

Ambuj Chandna Appointed as MD & Head of Consumer Banking Group at DBS Bank India
In March 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based DBS Bank India, a prominent player in the Indian banking sector, has announced the appointment of Ambuj Chandna as its new Managing Director (MD) & Head of Consumer Banking Group.He replaces Prashant Joshi, who joined DBS Bank India in August 2020.

• His appointment comes shortly after Rajat Verma took over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DBS Bank India on March 1, 2025, replacing Surojit Shome.

i.Ambuj Chandna previously served as President and Head of Consumer Bank (Products) at Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) Limited.
ii.During his 16-year tenure at KMB, Chandna held several key leadership roles, including President – Consumer Assets, Head – Consumer Assets, and Senior Executive Vice President (EVP) & Head – Retail Liabilities, Investments, and Payments Products.
iii.Before joining KMB, he was associated with ING Vysya Bank (now merged with KMB), where he held key roles such as Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) – Retail Liabilities, Group Head – Branch Banking, and Group Head – Marketing, Liabilities, and Direct Channels.
iv.His prior experience includes senior leadership roles at Fullerton Financial Holdings (FFH) Private Limited in the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Citibank N.A. India, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), and GE TFS Limited (now known as GE Vernova T&D India Limited)

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Authum Investment to Acquire SIDBI’s ARC Arm for Rs.260 Crore
In March 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Authum Investment & Infrastructure Ltd, has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to acquire a 79.28% stake in India SME Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (ISARC), an Asset Reconstruction Company(ARC) sponsored by the Lucknow, UttarPradesh (UP) based Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for Rs.260 crore.

• Authum Investment will acquire 56.52% of ISARC through a fresh issuance of 13 crore shares, involving an infusion of Rs 170 crore. Additionally, it will purchase another 22.75% stake from existing shareholders.

i.The completion of this transaction, ISARC will become a subsidiary of Authum Investment. The RBI has also granted approval for Authum Investment to nominate two directors to ISARC’s board.
ii.The deal takes place amid a turbulent phase for the Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) sector, with multiple firms exiting the market.

• Notable departures include Blackstone-backed International Asset Reconstruction Company. and Aditya Birla Asset Reconstruction Co. Additionally, Arcion Revitalization (supported by Apollo Global and ICICI Bank) and Lonestar India have also shut down operations.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IA Successfully Test India’s 1st Kamikaze FPV Drones with Kamikaze Anti-Tank MunitionsIn March 2025, the Indian Army’s (IA) Fleur-De-Lis Brigade (2nd Independent Armoured Brigade), in partnership with Chandigarh (Punjab) based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), a unit under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully tested a First Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based kamikaze-role anti-tank munition in Pathankot, Punjab. It is a first-of-its-kind project, designed for precision strikes against armored vehicles.

• The drone was assembled at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which fabricated over 100 drones within the formation as of March 2025.
• The drone has been developed by Major Cephas Chetan of IA and the TBRL team, led by Dr Raghvendra.

Key Features: 
i.Dual-safety mechanisms to prevent accidental detonation during transport, handling, and flight.
ii.Live feedback relay system providing real-time payload status updates to the operator via FPV goggles.
iii.Pilot-activated trigger via radio controller, ensuring controlled deployment.
Cost and Procurement:

• Each FPV drone costs Rs. 1.4 lakh.
• The IA inducted an initial batch of 5 drones and plans to procure 95 more, totaling 100 units.

Testing and Validation:
i.This initiative, launched in August 2024, the drones underwent rigorous trials in Pathankot under TBRL supervision, including Explosive testing, Aerial vehicle assessments, and trigger system evaluations.
ii.The trials confirmed the drone’s accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness in neutralizing targets, validating it as a cost-effective force multiplier.
About Indian Army (IA):
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1895

ISRO Successfully Tests Semi-Cryogenic Engine and Electric Propulsion ThrusterIn March 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a milestone by conducting a successful Engine Power Head Test Article (PHTA) for its Liquid Oxygen (LOX)/Kerosene 200T thrust semi-cryogenic engine at the Semi Cryo Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET) at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu, TN).

• This successful test paves the way for enhancing Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), increasing its payload capacity.
• Conducted by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), the test lasted 2.5 seconds and validated critical subsystems like the pre-burner, turbo pumps, start system, and control components.

Highlights:
i.Engine Details: The SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine uses non-toxic LOX/Kerosene propellants and will replace the current L110 core stage of the LVM3.
ii.Payload Boost: Enhances LVM3’s Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) payload capacity from 4 tonnes to 5 tonnes.
iii.Infrastructure: Supported by Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) based Semicryogenic Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET), played a crucial role in testing this advanced propulsion system.
ISRO Successfully Completes 1000-Hour Life Test of SPT for EPS
In March 2025, ISRO completed a 1,000-hour life test on the 300 millinewton (mN) Stationary Plasma Thruster (SPT) for its Electric Propulsion System (EPS), designed to replace traditional chemical propulsion in future satellites.

• It achieved Specific Impulse (efficiency) 6 times higher than conventional systems, using Xenon propellant.

Features:
i.The EPS is designed to reduce satellite mass, increasing transponder capacity for communication satellites.
ii.The thruster, operating at 5.4 Kilowatt (kW) power, was tested in a vacuum chamber simulating space conditions.
iii.The EPS will be tested on Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-01) of ISRO for orbit raising to Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): 
Chairman – V Narayanan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1969

BEML unveils indigenous 12×12 High Mobility Vehicle for Defence
In March 2025, Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) BEML Limited (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited) , launched its indigenously designed and manufactured High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) 12×12 at its Palakkad (Kerala) complex. Developed for the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a unit of New Delhi(Delhi) based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• The vehicle was formally launched by Shantanu Roy, Chairman & Managing Director(CMD), BEML Ltd, in the presence of G Ramamohana Rao, Director, VRDE.

i.This state-of-the-art vehicle aims to enhance the operational mobility of India’s defence forces, aligning with India’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
ii.This vehicle is equipped with a  Bharat Stage III(BS III)-compliant engine and a 7-speed Allison Automatic Transmission, supporting a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 65 tons. Developed through BEML’s Futuristic Product Innovation and Incubation Centre (FPIIC), the vehicle strengthens India’s defense self-reliance.
iii.Designed to operate effectively in extreme terrains and challenging climatic conditions, making it a vital asset for defence operations.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Piano Day 2025 – March 29World Piano Day is observed annually across the globe on the 88th day of the year (typically March 28 or 29) to symbolize the 88 keys of a standard piano.

• The day celebrates the piano, an acoustic, keyboard, stringed percussion instrument, bringing together musicians, enthusiasts, and industry professionals worldwide.

Key Dates:
World Piano Day 2025 was observed on March 29, 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of its establishment in 2015.

• World Piano Day 2024 was observed on March 28, 2024.
• World Piano Day 2026 will be observed on March 29, 2026.

Background:
i.In 2015, World Piano Day was established by Nils Frahm, German pianist and composer.
ii.The first World Piano day was observed on 29th March 2015.
Significance:
i.Promote music education and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to appreciate piano playing.
ii.Celebrate the beauty, versatility, and cultural significance of the piano.
iii.Support the piano ecosystem, including pianists, promoters, organizers, distributors, and technicians.
iv.Encourage global participation, including concerts, online events, podcasts, and special music performances.
Invention and Evolution of the Piano:
i.The piano was invented in the 18th century (1700s) by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731), an Italian instrument maker.
ii.Originally called “Gravicembalo col piano e forte”, meaning “soft and loud harpsichord”, the instrument evolved into the modern piano, revolutionizing the music industry.

International Day of Zero Waste 2025 – 30 March  The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Zero Waste also known as Zero Waste Day is annually observed across the globe on 30 March to underscore the significance of bolstering global waste management and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to combat the waste pollution crisis.

• 30 March 2025 marks the observance of the 3rd International Day of Zero Waste.
• In 2025, for the first time, the International Day of Zero Waste was observed under the theme, “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”.

The observance of the Day is facilitated jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the leading global authority in the UN system, and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
Background:
i.On 14 December 2022, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/77/161 entitled “Promoting zero waste initiatives to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, proclaiming 30 March of every year as the International Day of Zero Waste.
ii.The first-ever International Day of Zero Waste was observed on 30 March 2023.
About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director– Inger Andersen
Headquarters– Nairobi, Kenya
Founded– 1972
Member States– 193
>> Read Full News

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