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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Union Finance Minister and MoS of Finance Launched New Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs
In March 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), along with Union Minister of State (MoS) Pankaj Chaudhary, MoF, launched the New Credit Assessment Model based on the scoring of digital footprints of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in post budget interaction held at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- In Union Budget for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), MoF announced that Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will build their in-house capability to examine MSMEs for credit, to remove their dependence on external assessment.
Key Features:
i.This new credit assessment model will use the digitally fetched and verifiable data available in the ecosystem.
- Also, it will devise automated journeys for MSME Loan appraisal using objective decisioning for all loan applications and model-based limit assessment for both Existing to Bank (ETB) as well as New to Bank (NTB) MSME borrowers.
ii.The digital footprints of MSMEs will include: name and Permanent Account Number (PAN) authentication using National Securities Depositories Limited (NSDL), mobile and email verification using One Time Password (OTP), Application Programming Interface (API) fetch of Goods and Services Tax (GST) data through service providers, analysis of bank statements using account aggregator, API-enabled commercial and consumer bureau fetch, among others.
Key Benefits:
i.The new model will enable the MSMEs to submit their application from anywhere through online mode, reduced paperwork and branch visit, quick in-principle sanction of loan through digital mode, smooth processing of credit proposals, end-to-end Straight Through Process (STP), reduced Turnaround Time (TAT), among others.
ii.The model is expected to be major improvement over the conventional assessment of credit eligibility based only on asset or turnover criteria.
- MSMEs will be covered in this new model without a formal accounting system.
About Ministry of Finance (MoF):
Union Minister- Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS)- Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency- Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
IWAI Signed MoU with J&K to Enhance River Cruise Tourism
In March 2025, Noida (Uttar Pradesh (UP)) based Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), to enhance river cruise tourism on three National Waterways in J&K.
- The three national waterways (NW) in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir include River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49), and River Ravi (NW-84) out of the 111 recognized national waterways in India
- The agreement was signed in the presence of the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW and Minister of State (MoS) Shantanu Thakur, MoPSW, during the Chintan Shivir (brainstorming session) in Srinagar, J&K.
Key Initiatives Under the MoU Framework
i.The MoU aims to enhance tourism, create job opportunities, drive economic growth, and introduce a new form of leisure and budget tourism along the rivers in J&K.
ii.To promote river cruise tourism, several cruise routes were announced for development, stretching from Kashmir to Kerala and Assam to Gujarat, during the Second Meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in January 2025.
iii.In two months, IWAI took a step towards developing river cruise tourism in J&K, with an estimated budget of Rs.100 crore.
iv.Under the MoU, IWAI will develop waterside infrastructure, including ten floating jetties, as well as landside facilities, such as waiting halls and other amenities for cruise passengers.
v.Of the ten floating jetties,
- Two floating jetties will be installed at ‘Akhnoor’ and ‘Reasi’ (near Jammu) on the designated section of River Chenab (NW-26).
- Seven floating jetties will be set up at ‘Pantha Chowk’, ‘Zero Bridge’, ‘Amira Kadal’, ‘Shah-e-Hamdan’, ‘Safa Kadal/Chattabal Shrine’, ‘Sumbal Bridge’, and ‘Gund Prang’ (in Srinagar and Bandipora) on River Jhelum (NW-49).
- One floating jetty will be installed at Sohar on River Ravi (NW-84).
vi.The J&K will provide land for landside facilities, handle approvals, and appoint cruise operators, while IWAI will offer technical support as needed.
About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
Chairman – Vijay Kumar
Formed – 1986
Headquarters – Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Coursera Report: India Leads in GenAI Adoption; Women Lag at 29.6%
In March 2025, the United States of America(USA) based Coursera Inc., a leading online learning platform, published its report titled “Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills” , offering a strategic roadmap to bridge the gender disparity in Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) (GenAI) enrollments. India has emerged as a global leader in GenAI adoption, recording 1.3 million enrollments in 2024.
- However, the Coursera data reveals that Indian women constitute 40% of all learners but make up only 29.6% of total GenAI enrollments, ranking 2nd globally in female GenAI participation.
- The report highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to GenAI opportunities, fostering a more inclusive workforce in the rapidly advancing AI sector.
i.Gender Disparity: Globally, women account for 32% of total GenAI enrollments, yet in India, their participation is significantly lower at 29.6%, despite making up a larger share (40%) of Coursera’s total learners.
ii.Rapid Growth Among Women: GenAI enrollments from India have surged fourfold, with women showing an impressive 296% growth, surpassing the 191% growth seen among men.
>> Read Full News
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launched AI Compute Portal, Dataset Platform AIKosha and Other Key Initiatives
In March 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) launched several key initiatives under IndiaAI mission during the celebration of 1 year anniversary of IndiaAI mission held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The newly launched initiatives are the AI Compute Portal, AIKosha: IndiaAI Datasets Platform, the AI Competency Framework for Public Sector Officials, iGOT-AI Mission Karmayogi, the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program with Station F, the IndiaAI Application Development Initiative and IndiaAI FutureSkills all aimed at strengthening AI-driven research, innovation, and skill development.
- These initiatives marks a significant step in democratizing AI access, enabling research-driven innovation, and bolstering India’s global AI leadership.
i.The IndiaAI Compute portal will offer AI compute, network storage, platform and cloud services at discounted rate i.e. at the rate of Rs 67 per hour, to startups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), academia, researchers, students, startups, and government agencies.
ii.AIKosha, a secured platform that facilitates a repository of datasets, models and use cases to promote AI innovation. It is designed with objective of providing seamless access to datasets, tools and AI models.
About Ministry of Electronic and IT (MeitY):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada(Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News
NITI Aayog and India SME Forum Launch ‘A Million Women Arise’ Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs
On March 6, 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and Mumbai(Maharashtra) based India Small, and Medium Enterprise (SME) Forum jointly launched the ‘A Million Women Arise initiative’ to empower women entrepreneurs across India. The initiative aims to address challenges faced by women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Women-owned enterprises constitute 35% of India’s 6 crore registered Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- The initiative seeks to enhance formalization, mentorship, capacity-building, and electronic (e)-commerce integration for women in business.
i.NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), a public-private partnership (PPP) aims to provide access to finance, markets, compliance support, skilling, and networking for women entrepreneurs.
ii.India SME Forum formalized a partnership with IndiGo Airlines through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), offering MSMEs improved travel solutions for enhanced business growth.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Mobile World Congress 2025 held in Barcelona, Spain
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, a major global event, is being held from March 3 to 6, 2025, at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain, bringing together over 101,000 attendees, more than 2,700 exhibitors, and representatives from over 200 countries to showcase advancements in technology. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of Communication (MoC) represented India at the event.
- The theme of the event was “Converge. Connect. Create.” The key areas of discussion include 5G Inside (Fifth Generation Inside), AI+ (Artificial Intelligence Plus), Connect X, Enterprise Re-invented, Game Changers, and Digital DNA.
Note: MWC 2026, will be held from March 2 to 5, 2026, at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain.
i.Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia officially inaugurated the Bharat Pavilion at the MWC 2025 in Spain. He announced that the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC), Asia’s largest digital technology forum is set to take place in New Delhi(Delhi) from 8th – 11th October 2025.
ii.Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., headquartered in California, United States of America (USA), received two GLOMO Awards .
- Several Chinese companies, including Huawei, China Mobile, ZTE, and Xiaomi, won awards in different categories at MWC 2025.
BANKING & FINANCE
SBI Life Insurance Introduces 2 New Child Insurance Plans: ‘Smart Future Star’ & ‘Smart Platina Young Achiever’
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based SBI Life Insurance Company Limited (SBI Life), a joint venture(JV) between the State Bank of India(SBI) and French insurer BNP Paribas Cardif, introduced two new child focused insurance products: ‘SBI Life – Smart Future Star’ and ‘SBI Life – Smart Platina Young Achiever’.
- These plans are designed to help parents address the rising costs of education, evolving career aspirations, and increasing lifestyle expenses by providing financial security for their children’s futures.
- Both products reflect SBI Life’s commitment to providing innovative financial solutions that align with the evolving needs of customers, ensuring financial preparedness and independence for children to fulfill their aspirations.
Key Features of ‘SBI Life – Smart Future Star’:
i.Product Type: Individual, Non-Linked, Participating, Life Insurance Savings Product.
ii.Benefits: Offers long-term corpus growth through bonuses and provides an in-built Waiver of Premium benefit in case of the proposer’s death or Accidental Total Permanent Disability (ATPD).
iii.Flexibility: Provides multiple maturity payout options to cater to changing financial needs.
Key Features of ‘SBI Life – Smart Platina Young Achiever’:
i.Product Type: Individual, Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Life Insurance Savings Product.
ii.Benefits: Ensures guaranteed maturity benefits to support children’s education, career, or marriage aspirations, along with an in-built Waiver of Premium benefit under specified conditions.
iii.Approach: Offers a risk-free savings plan for parents seeking guaranteed returns.
About SBI Life Insurance Company Limited (SBI Life) :
SBI Life, established in October 2000, is a life insurance company registered with the Hyderabad (Telangana) based Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) since March 2001.
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Amit Jhingran
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
SIDBI signs MoU with FBL to Strengthen MSME Financing
In March 2025, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Aluva (Kerala) based Federal Bank Limited (FBL) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial support to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- The MoU was signed by Prakash Kumar, Deputy Managing Director (DMD), SIDBI and Harsh Dugar, Executive Director (ED), FBL in the presence of senior SIDBI and FBL officials.
i.This partnership aims to strengthen the MSME ecosystem by providing a variety of financial services such as project financing, machinery and equipment financing, working capital support (including letter of credit and bank guarantee), and loans against property.
ii.Both institutions will explore joint financing options to extend credit facilities to MSMEs under this agreement.
HDFC Bank Launches ‘Project HAKK’ to Support IAF Veterans and Families
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based HDFC Bank Limited has introduced ‘Project HAKK (Hawai Anubhavi Kalyan Kendra-Serving those who have served)’ to provide comprehensive support and services to Indian Air Force (IAF) pensioners, veterans, and their families.
- The initiative aims to enhance financial independence and access to essential services for the defence community.
About Project HAKK:
i.HDFC Bank signed an Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the IAF, represented by the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff(ACAS) – Accounts & Air Veterans, and New Delhi(Delhi) based CSC Academy (promoted by Common Service Centre(CSC) E-Governance Limited).
- The MoU was signed by Satyen Modi, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Alternate Banking Channels & Partnerships, HDFC Bank, Air Vice Marshal Updesh Sharma VSM – Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Accounts & Air Veterans) and Pravin Chandekar, Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of CSC Academy.
ii.The bank will establish 25 centers across the IAF units in cities like Bengaluru(Karnataka), Gurgaon(Haryana), Pune(Maharashtra), Secunderabad (Telangana), Guwahati(Assam), Jodhpur(Rajasthan) and Chandigarh(Punjab).
iii.The project will provide access to over 500 Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Business-to-Customer (B2C) services, including Aadhaar services, National Pension System (NPS), Permanent Account Number(PAN) Card, passport services, and bill collection.
iii.In collaboration with CSC Academy, HDFC Bank will offer skill development programs under its Parivartan programme, focused on financial products and services, empowering veterans and their families to achieve financial independence.
About HDFC Bank Limited:
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Sashidhar Jagdishan
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded – 1994
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Infineon Technologies and CDIL Signs MoU to Strengthen India’s Power Semiconductor Manufacturing
On 6th March 2025, Munich (Germany) based Infineon Technologies AG, a global leader in power systems and Internet of Things (IoT) semiconductors, signed its first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Delhi (Delhi) based Continental Device India Limited (CDIL), India’s first semiconductor manufacturer.
- The agreement aims to bolster domestic production of power semiconductors critical for sectors like renewable energy, automotive, and industrial applications.
- This collaboration aligns with India’s ‘Semiconductor Mission’, which prioritizes reducing import dependency and achieving self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Key Points:
i.Under the MoU, Infineon Technologies AG will supply bare semiconductor wafers to CDIL, which will process, assemble, and package them into discrete and module semiconductor products.
ii.These chips will power applications such as solar technology, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Power Inverters (PIs), and Energy-Efficient Appliances (EEAs).
iii.The Indian government aims to roll out the first ‘Made in India’ semiconductor chip by late 2025. Currently, 5 semiconductor manufacturing units are under construction across India.
iv.The key focus areas include: Automotive and Mobility– Power semiconductors for EVs, charging infrastructure, and automotive electronics; Renewable Energy (RE)– Chips for solar inverters, wind turbines, and grid management systems; Industrial and Consumer Applications– Energy-efficient solutions for appliances, industrial automation, and IoT devices.
v.The partnership also lays the groundwork for future innovation in Silicon Carbide (SiC) and advanced semiconductor technologies.
Note: Additionally, Kyoto (Japan) based Horiba, a leading provider of analytical and measurement solutions with a revenue of USD 2.5 billion, which plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor supply chain, has announced plans to set up a manufacturing unit in India.
About Continental Device India Limited (CDIL):
i.CDIL, established in 1964 specializes in producing discrete semiconductors and SiC devices, catering to critical sectors such as defence, space, automotive, and Renewable Energy (RE).
ii.It supplies high-reliability components to Bengaluru (Karnataka) based organizations like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
Note: The new assembly line in Mohali, Punjab increased CDIL’s total capacity to 600 million units annually, enhancing its ability to meet domestic and international demand.
About Germany:
President- FrankWalter Steinmeier
Prime Minister (PM) (Chancellor)- Olaf Scholz
Capital- Berlin
Currency- German Euro (EUR)
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
PM Narendra Modi Conferred ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’
On 6 March 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi conferred the prestigious ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’,one of the highest national honors awarded by the Government of Barbados. Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) received the prestigious award on behalf of PM Modi.
- The award was presented by Barbados President Dame Sandra Mason in recognition of PM Modi’s strategic leadership and critical assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados is given to non-citizens who have made outstanding contributions to Barbados or humanity in areas such as leadership, international relations, culture, or social development.
Key People:
The ceremony, held at the Government House in Bridgetown, Barbados, was attended by Barbadian PM Mia Amor Mottley, Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds, and other dignitaries.
Key Points:
i.On 20 November 2024, Barbadian PM Mia Amor Mottley announced an award recognizing PM Modi’s significant role in strengthening global cooperation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The announcement was made during a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Leaders’ Summit in Georgetown, Guyana.
ii.PM Mottley acknowledged PM Modi’s leadership in providing international support during the unprecedented crisis, highlighting his contributions to global pandemic response efforts.
iii.Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1966, India and Barbados have developed strong bilateral relations marked by ongoing engagement and development projects. This award symbolizes the enduring friendship between the two nations.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Federal Bank Limited Appointed Padma Shree Awardee Vidya Balan as Its First-Ever Brand Ambassador
On March 6, 2025, Aluva (Kerala) based Federal Bank Limited (FBL), one of India’s leading private sector banks, appointed Indian Actress and Padma Shree Awardee Vidya Balan as its First-Ever Brand Ambassador. The announcement took place at a special ceremony in Mumbai (Maharashtra) where Vidya Balan was honored with a commemorative memento by KVS Manian, Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federal Bank Limited.
- The collaboration aims to enhance Federal Bank’s market presence by resonating with a diverse customer base across various demographics.
i.Vidya Balan is an acclaimed actress known for her impactful performances in Indian cinema who has received several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress, for her roles in films such as ‘Paa’ (2009), ‘The Dirty Picture’ (2011), and ‘Kahaani’ (2012).
ii.Padma Shri (2014): Received India’s 4th-highest civilian award in the field of Arts, for her contribution to Indian Cinema.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DRDO Unveils BM-04 SRBM to Enhance India’s Defense Capabilities
In March 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled a full-scale model of its new Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), the BM-04, at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defence exhibition in Hyderabad (Telangana). The missile is designed to strengthen India’s defence capabilities with advanced technologies.
About BM-04 SRBM:
i.The BM-04 missile is a canister-launched SRBM with a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system.
ii.It has a range of 400-1,500 kilometers (km) and a conventional warhead weighing 500 kilograms (kg).
iii.The missile uses satellite-assisted (Global Positioning System (GPS) and Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)) inertial navigation for accurate targeting, boasting a Circular Error Probability (CEP) of less than 30 meters (m).
iv.It has a length of 10.2 m and a diameter of 1.2 m, and the missile weighs 11,500 kg.
v.It is specifically designed to neutralize enemy anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. This places India among an exclusive group of nations—Russia, the United States, and China—that have developed hypersonic missile technology.
Design and Launch System:
i.The BM-04 missile’s design incorporates a boost-glide vehicle concept with a two-stage propulsion system. which enables hypersonic flight at speeds of Mach 5 and beyond.
ii.The re-entry vehicle (RV) is mounted atop the first-stage booster.
- The RV has a conical shape with four fixed wings at mid-body and delta control tailfins. The missile is launched from a six-axle Tatra land-based Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL).
Comparison with Agni-I:
i.The BM-04 resembles DRDO’s Agni-I SRBM, which has a range of 1,200 km and a 2,000 kg payload.
ii.However, the BM-04 has a two-stage propulsion system and a smaller conventional payload.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
DRDO is India’s leading agency under the Department of Defence (DoD), Research and Development (R&D), operating under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI).
Chairman – Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 1958
Europe’s Ariane 6 Successfully Launches French Spy Satellite
In March 2025, Arianespace SA has successfully launched the CSO(Optical Space Component )-3 reconnaissance satellite for the French Armed Forces aboard the Europe’s next-generation heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, France. This mission marks Europe’s first successful commercial launch, marking an important milestone in European space exploration.
- The Ariane 6 upper stage safely re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled way, fixing issues seen during its test flight in July 2024.
- Ariane 6 is built by Paris(France) based ArianeGroup, co-owned by Airbus and Safran. Its high-definition optical instrument was built by Franco-Italian Thales Alenia Space (TAS), controlled by Thales and Leonardo.
Mission Details:
i.Ariane 6 flew in its Ariane 62 configuration, equipped with a core stage, two P120C boosters, and a Vulcain 2.1 engine.
ii.The CSO-3 satellite, weighing 3,600 kilogram(kg), was placed into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at 800 kilometer(km) altitude (500 miles).
Ariane 6’s Key Features:
i.Modular Design: Available in Ariane 62 & 64 configurations, allowing flexibility for different mission needs.
ii.Cost-Efficient: Designed to provide a competitive alternative to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in the global launch market.
About Optical Space Component (CSO)
i.CSO stands for “Composante Spatiale Optique”, which translates to “Optical Space Component” in English. It is the third and final satellite in France’s Optical Space Component (CSO) constellation, providing high-resolution military surveillance.
- CSO-1 launched in 2018 and CSO-2 launched in 2020.
ii.It is France’s military reconnaissance satellite program, designed to provide high-resolution optical imagery for defense and intelligence purposes.
iii.Agencies Involved: French Defence Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) and French space agency CNES(National Centre for Space Studies).
SPORTS
FIFA Banned Russia, Congo from 2026 World Cup
In March 2025, Zurich(Switzerland)-based international governing body of football International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has banned Russia and Congo from 2026 FIFA World Cup which is set to be hosted jointly by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico.
- The 23rd edition of FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches being played across 16 cities in the 3 countries from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Key Points:
i.Russian Football Union (RFU) has been banned from FIFA and Union of European Football Associations(UEFA) competitions, ever since Russia invaded Ukraine since 2022.
ii.While, Congo has been excluded from the tournament due to unlawful 3rd-party interference in management of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT).
iii.Earlier, it had banned Pakistan from participating in the tournament along with them. Later, FIFA lifted the suspension on Pakistan’s apex football body following the necessary changes were made to ensure smooth governance of the sport in the country.
- With this, Pakistan will now able to participate in 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifiers.
iv.Due to exclusion of these countries, FIFA has redistributed the available spots in the expanded 48-team format i.e. number of teams from Europe has increased from 13 to 16; Africa has secured 10 additional slots while, Asia region secured 9 qualification spots.
Note: Since 1950, FIFA has banned 17 countries including Germany, Japan, South Africa, Mexico and Chile, for violating its regulations.
About Congo:
President -Felix Tshisekedi
Capital – Kinshasa
Currency – Congolese Franc(CDF)
Veteran Bangladeshi Cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim Announced Retirement from ODIs
In March 2025, Mushfiqur Rahim, veteran wicket-keeper batsman from Bangladesh announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket with immediate effect.
i.He made his debut in ODI cricket almost 20 years ago. He is the only 2nd highest run-scorer from Bangladesh (after Tamim Iqbal with 8357 runs) who scored 7795 runs in 274 ODIs, at an average of 36.42 with 9 centuries and 49 half-centuries.
ii.Apart from ODI, he has played 94 test matches and 102 Twenty20(T20s) matches.
iii.He is also one of the 3 Bangladeshi batters who have scored 100 in the ODI World Cup.
OBITUARY
Australian Tennis Icon & Dual Grand Slam Champion, Fred Sydney Stolle Passed Away
On 06 March 2025, Australian Tennis Icon and Dual Grand Champion Frederick Sydney Stolle, nicknamed “Fiery Fred” or “Fiery” passed away at the age of 86. He was born on 8 October 1938 at Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia.
- He reached world No. 1 in 1966 after defeating Australian former tennis player, John Newcombe in the final of the United States Open Championship (US Open).
i.He won the Grand Slam Single titles in the French Open in 1965 and the US Open in 1966.
ii.In doubles, he dominated by winning 10 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles including 4 French Open titles, 3 Wimbledon titles, two United States (US) Open titles, and one Australian Open title.
iii.He also secured 7 mixed doubles majors, including 3 French Open titles in 1961, 1962, and 1969 with Lesley Turner Bowrey and Margaret Court.
iv.He also contributed to Australia’s success in the Davis Cup by helping the team win 3 consecutive titles from 1964 to 1966.
v.As a coach, he guided Vitas Gerulaitis to the 1977 Australian Open title, and served as a broadcaster for over 50 years with Australia’s Nine Network and U.S. broadcasters Entertainment and Sports Programming Network(ESPN) and Fox Sports.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
AP CM N.Chandrababu Naidu Unveils Daggubati Venkateswara Rao’s Book ‘Prapancha Charitra’
In March 2025, the book titled ‘Prapancha Charitra’ (World History) authored by former minister and Member of Parliament(MP) Daggubati Venkateswara Rao was released in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). The book launch event was attended by Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM) of AP.
- The book was penned in Telugu and published by Parragon Publishing India Private Limited.
- The event was attended by former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and D Purandeshwari, State president, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
i.The book highlights the linguistic arts, architecture, sculpture, land reforms, social justice, the feudal system, kingdoms, and public administration in AP.
Note: Daggubati Venkateswara Rao has written 5 books including ‘Some Truths in History’, ‘History of Telugu People – Separation Movements’, ‘World Philosophy and Leadership’, and ‘Governance Systems of World Nations’.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 – March 7
Jan Aushadhi Diwas (Generic Medicine Day) is annually observed on 7th March across India to raise awareness about the importance of Generic Medicines and to highlight the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
- 7th March 2025 marks the observance of 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
- The day is annually organised by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals(DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (MoC&F).
Background
i.On 7th March 2019, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi declared the 7th March of every year as Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
ii.Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week is observed from March 1st to 7th . Last day of the Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week is observed as Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
About Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoCF):
Union Minister – Jagat Prakash Nadda (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Anupriya Patel (Constituency – Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News
STATE NEWS
Assam Cabinet Renames Jagiroad Electronic City as ‘Ratan Tata Electronic City’
On March 4, 2025, the Assam Cabinet officially renamed the Northeast India’s first Electronic City in Jagiroad, Morigaon district, as “Ratan Tata Electronic City”, to honor the contributions of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Tata Group and its late Chairman, Ratan Naval Tata.
- This move recognizes Ratan Tata’s philanthropic efforts and the Tata Group’s role in Assam’s socio-economic growth.
- The renaming coincides with Tata Group’s plans to establish a semiconductor plant in Assam, which will generate over 30,000 jobs.
i.Indian Industrialist and Philanthropist, Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, 2024, known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various causes, including education, healthcare, and rural development.
ii.He served as the Chairman of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) India’s largest private-sector philanthropic trusts.
iii.In 2000, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd-highest civilian honor, for his distinguished service in trade and industry and in 2008, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd-highest civilian honor, for his exceptional services.
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