16th-17th March 2025

1. DBT & GoaS Sign MoU Under BioE3 Policy to Strengthen Centre-State Partnership
2. DoP Signs MoU with FSID, IISc Bengaluru for Documentation of Digital Address DPI Tech Architecture
3. MoD Signs Rs 2,906 Crore Radar Contract with BEL for IAF
4. IN inducts 9th ACTCM Barge LSAM 23 to strengthen maritime logistics
5. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: ISM Dhanbad Ranked as India’s Top University for Engineering-Mineral and Mining
6. Tejas Fighter Jet Successfully Test Fires Air-to-Air Astra Missile in Odisha
7. Former India Cricketer Syed Abid Ali Passed Away
8. World Kidney Day 2025 – March 13
9. World Rotaract Day 2025 – March 13
10. UP CM Yogi Adityanath Unveils ‘Sify Infinit Spaces’ Data Centre in Noida
11. BWSSB Becomes India’s First Water Board to Receive BIS Certification
12. India Grants Ex-Post Facto Approval to MoU on Financial and Economic Cooperation with Qatar
13. Iran, Russia & China Conduct Joint Naval Drills ‘Maritime Security Belt 2025’ in Gulf of Oman
14. IRDAI Grants First Private Reinsurance License to Valuatrics Reinsurance
15. BRISKPE Receives RBI In-Principle Authorisation for Cross-Border Payments
16. RBI Imposes Penalties on JM Financial Products and Experian India for Regulatory Non-Compliance
17. NABARD Signed MoU with J&K Grameen Bank to Finance JLGs
18. India to Become World’s 3rd Largest Economy by 2028: Morgan Stanley
19. Amazon, Google & Meta Support Global Nuclear Energy Expansion by 2050
20. Bangladesh All-Rounder Mahmudullah Retires From International Cricket
21. International Day of Mathematics 2025 – March 14
22. International Day of Action for Rivers 2025 – March 14
23. World Consumers Rights Day 2025 – March 15
24. International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025 – March 15
25. AP Signs MoU with Microsoft to Enhance AI Skills Among Youth
26. SBI to set up AI, Fintech project finance unit
27. World Air Quality Report, 2024
28. FLIPKART- BACKED SUPER. MONEY JOINS TOP FIVE UPI APPS CLUB

National News

1. India Introduces Digital Address Code Initiative

• What:
  • The Department of Posts launched the “Digital Address Code” initiative to establish a standardized, geo-coded addressing system in India, partnering with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to create a digital public infrastructure that simplifies addressing solutions for public and private services, enhancing socio-economic development and digital governance.
• Tell me more:
  • The collaboration involves designing a technology architecture for a digital address system that is interoperable and georeferenced.
  • This system will integrate with government, business, and citizen services to improve service delivery, emergency response, financial inclusion, and urban planning.
  • The initiative is expected to support India’s growing digital economy and governance needs.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Microsoft India Development Centre (IDC) Opens in Noida

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation for the Microsoft India Development Centre (IDC) in Noida, marking a significant expansion of Microsoft’s R&D in India.
• Why:
  • The IDC aims to enhance Uttar Pradesh’s tech ecosystem, particularly in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a “New Uttar Pradesh for a New India.”
• Tell me more:
  • The new IDC campus will span 15 acres with a built-up area of 1.1 million square feet, attracting top talent and accelerating digital transformation.
  • The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Sify Data Center in Gautam Buddha Nagar, reinforcing the region’s position as a data infrastructure hub.
  • Additionally, the Sharda Care-Health City was inaugurated, positioning Gautam Buddha Nagar as a leading destination for health tourism.

Source: ET

2. BWSSB Becomes First Water Board in India to Receive BIS Certification

• What:
  • The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) became the first water board in India to receive certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for its piped drinking water supply management system.
• Why:
  • The certification recognizes BWSSB’s commitment to providing high-quality drinking water, reinforcing its role as a model for water utilities across the country.
• Tell me more:
  • The BIS certification was awarded after a six-month evaluation, commending BWSSB for implementing international standards in its water supply system.
  • The certification covers all aspects of water supply operations, including intake, treatment, distribution, maintenance, and quality assurance.
  • This achievement aligns with the Brand Bengaluru initiative, highlighting the city’s commitment to urban sustainability.

Source: IE

3. Andhra Pradesh Partners with Microsoft for AI Skills

• What:
  • The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to develop AI and advanced technology skills among the state’s youth.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to equip youths with skills needed for IT-based industries and emerging global opportunities in AI and advanced technology.
• Tell me more:
  • Microsoft will train over two lakh youths in AI and related skills within a year.
  • Training will be provided to 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students from rural colleges in AI and cloud computing.
  • Additionally, 30,000 students from Industrial Training Institutes will receive AI training in digital productivity.
  • The program also includes AI skills training for 40,000 youths and 20,000 more with the Union Labour Ministry’s cooperation.

Source: IE

International News

1. Iran, Russia, China Conduct Joint Naval Drills

• What:
  • Iran, Russia, and China began joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, marking their fifth year of conducting military exercises together.
• Why:
  • The drills aim to strengthen cooperation among the naval forces of the participating countries and enhance their maritime security capabilities.
• Tell me more:
  • The exercises, known as the Marine Security Belt 2025, involve striking maritime targets, damage control, and joint search and rescue operations.
  • The drills include daytime and nighttime firing at targets simulating unmanned boats and aerial vehicles.
  • Naval groups from several countries, including Azerbaijan and Pakistan, are observing the exercises.

Source: ALJ

Banking and Economy

1. BRISKPE Gets RBI Approval for Cross-Border Payments

• What:
  • BRISKPE received in-principle authorization from the RBI to operate as a payment aggregator for cross-border transactions, enabling it to handle both exports and imports.
• Why:
  • The authorization aligns with the RBI’s updated regulatory framework to enhance the security and transparency of cross-border transactions, providing seamless payment solutions for businesses.
• Tell me more:
  • BRISKPE is one of the first platforms to focus exclusively on cross-border payments, processing 10,000 transactions monthly for export services.
  • The company expects to increase transactions to 1 lakh by the end of the next financial year with the inclusion of import services.
  • The RBI’s framework ensures only compliant entities operate in this space.

Source: ET

2. RBI Imposes Penalties on JM Financial and Experian

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India imposed penalties on JM Financial Products and Experian Credit Information Company of India for regulatory compliance deficiencies.
• Why:
  • The penalties were imposed due to non-compliance with specific regulatory provisions, aiming to ensure adherence to financial regulations.
• Tell me more:
  • JM Financial Products was fined ₹3.1 lakh for non-compliance related to systemically important non-deposit taking companies.
  • Experian Credit Information Company was fined ₹2 lakh for non-compliance with the Credit Information Companies Act and Rules.
  • The penalties do not affect the validity of transactions or agreements with customers.

Source: ET

3. NABARD and J&K Grameen Bank Sign MoU

• What:
  • NABARD and J&K Grameen Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and finance 2000 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in J&K and Ladakh.
• Why:
  • The MoU aims to enhance credit flow to economically weaker sections, including tenant farmers and landless farmers, by forming and credit-linking JLGs.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative focuses on financial inclusion by supporting groups like tenant farmers, oral lessees, and sharecroppers.
  • NABARD will provide a promotional grant of ₹4,000 per JLG to J&K Grameen Bank.
  • J&K Grameen Bank has previously successfully financed over 2500 JLGs under earlier MoUs.

Source: DE

4. Morgan Stanley: India Set to Become Third-Largest Economy by 2028

• What:
  • A report by Morgan Stanley indicates that India will become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, surpassing Germany.
• Why:
  • This growth is attributed to years of leadership and economic reforms initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India.’
• Tell me more:
  • The report highlights that India’s transformation is not just numerical but reflects the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people.
  • The country is expected to see significant growth in sectors such as manufacturing and technology, supported by a young workforce.
  • Indian equity markets are becoming attractive for investors, driven by population growth, macro stability, and improving infrastructure.

Source: ET

5. Amazon and Google Pledge to Boost Nuclear Energy

• What:
  • Major companies like Amazon and Google have signed a pledge to support tripling the world’s nuclear energy capacity by 2050, alongside other firms like Occidental and Dow.
• Why:
  • The pledge aims to increase nuclear energy capacity as a clean power source, particularly for power-intensive industries like data centers.
• Tell me more:
  • The pledge was made during the CERAWeek conference in Houston and is expected to gain more support from industries such as maritime, aviation, and oil and gas.
  • Nuclear energy currently generates about 9% of the world’s electricity from 439 reactors.
  • As of early 2025, there were about 411 operating reactors with a combined capacity of 371 gigawatts.

Source: BS

6. SBI Sets Up Unit for New Age Industries Financing

• What:
  • State Bank of India is establishing a specialized unit to manage project financing solutions for new age industries like AI, e-commerce, and fintech.
• Why:
  • The unit aims to diversify SBI’s project finance operations and capitalize on growing opportunities in new age industries and renewable energy.
• Tell me more:
  • The unit, called the “center of excellence for project financing,” will be completed within a year and will hire specialized professionals.
  • SBI funded 48 large projects through its project finance unit in the 2024 fiscal year.
  • The new unit will also share insights with other financial institutions.

Source: ET

7. Super.money Becomes Fifth-Largest UPI Player

• What:
  • Super.money, backed by Flipkart, has become the fifth-largest third-party player on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), processing 139.10 million transactions in February.
• Why:
  • The rapid growth is attributed to its strategy of offering cashbacks on UPI transactions, which attracted a significant number of users.
• Tell me more:
  • Super.money overtook Cred, which processed 126.48 million transactions in the same month.
  • PhonePe remains the largest player, processing 7.65 billion transactions and holding a 47.54% share of the UPI market.

Source: BS

Reports and Indices

1. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

• What:
  • The Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad (now an IIT), achieved the highest rank for an Indian institution in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, ranking 20th globally in Engineering (Mineral and Mining).
• Why:
  • The rankings highlight the performance and improvement of Indian institutions in global higher education, showcasing their strengths in various subjects.
• Tell me more:
  • Seventy-nine Indian institutions featured in the rankings this year, with nine in the top 50 across subjects.
  • IIT Delhi was ranked 26th in Engineering and Technology, while IIM Ahmedabad ranked 27th in Business and Management Studies.
  • Some institutions like IIT Madras and JNU saw a drop in their rankings compared to last year.

Source: IE

Defence News

1. India Procures Indigenous LLTR Radar

• What:
  • The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of the Low-level Transportable Radar, LLTR (Ashwini), at a cost of ₹2,906 crore.
• Why:
  • The procurement aims to strengthen India’s indigenous defence capabilities, enhance operational preparedness, and reduce dependency on foreign equipment manufacturers.
• Tell me more:
  • The LLTR (Ashwini) radar is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO’s Electronics & Radar Development Establishment.
  • It uses state-of-the-art solid state technology and can track various aerial targets, from fighter aircraft to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Source: ET

2. Indian Navy Inducts Ninth ACTCM Barge

• What:
  • The Indian Navy inducted the ninth ammunition cum torpedo cum missile (ACTCM) barge, LSAM 23, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
• Why:
  • The induction aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy by facilitating the transportation of ammunition and articles to naval platforms.
• Tell me more:
  • The barge was built by Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd, an MSME shipyard, under a contract awarded in 2021.
  • The company has already delivered eight such barges and is committed to delivering two more.
  • The barges were designed in collaboration with an Indian ship designing firm and tested for seaworthiness at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.

Source: TW

Important Dates

1. World Kidney Day – March 13

• Theme: Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health

Source: WKD

2. World Rotaract Day – March 13

3. International Day of Mathematics – March 14

• Theme: Mathematics, Art, and Creativity

Source: IDM

4. International Day to Combat Islamophobia – March 15

Source: UN

Sports

1. Mahmudullah Retires from International Cricket

• What:
  • Mahmudullah, a veteran Bangladeshi cricketer, has announced his retirement from international cricket after a career spanning over 17 years.
• Tell me more:
  • Mahmudullah represented Bangladesh in 239 ODIs, 50 Tests, and 141 T20Is, leaving a legacy as one of the country’s most dependable cricketers.
  • He is notable for being the only Bangladeshi player to have scored three centuries in ODI World Cups.

Source: TOI

Memorandum of Understanding

1. DBT and Assam Sign BioE3 MoU

• What:
  • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Government of Assam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the BioE3 Policy to foster a sustainable biotechnology ecosystem in Assam.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to accelerate high-performance biomanufacturing and drive economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability through the BioE3 framework.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU is the first of its kind under the BioE3 Policy, which was approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024.
  • It focuses on areas like bio-based chemicals, climate-resilient agriculture, and precision biotherapeutics.
  • Assam will establish a State BioE3 Cell and develop an action plan to harness its biodiversity and agricultural strengths.

Source: ET

2. India and Qatar Sign Financial MoU

• What:
  • India and Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on financial and economic cooperation to enhance bilateral collaboration in economic policies and investments.
• Why:
  • The MoU aims to promote mutual collaboration, explore new investment sectors, and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement focuses on areas like economic policies, financing tools, public-private partnerships, and investments.
  • It involves organizing workshops, seminars, and exchanging technical information to foster dialogue between business communities.
  • The MoU was signed during the visit of the Amir of Qatar to India, marking a significant step in expanding bilateral cooperation.

Source: PIB

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