19th March 2025

1. City Union Bank Becomes Exclusive Banking Partner of Sunrisers Hyderabad
2. Andhra Pradesh Government Signs MoU with Gates Foundation for AI and Development Initiatives
3. RBI and Bank of Mauritius Sign MoU to Promote Trade in Local Currencies
4. Delhi Police Launches ‘Shishtachar’ Squad to Combat Eve-Teasing
5. Bajaj Auto Reappoints Rajiv Bajaj, Invests ₹1,500 Crore in Credit Arm
6. Kabaddi World Cup 2025 Begins in England
7. WAVEX 2025: A Game-Changer for Media & Entertainment Startups
8. India’s First PPP Green Waste Processing Plant in Indore
9. Jasprit Bumrah Joins Skechers as Brand Ambassador, Strengthening Its Presence in Cricket
10. UIDAI Partners with Sarvam AI to Enhance Aadhaar Services with AI-Powered Solutions
11. Ayushmann Khurrana Named ‘Fit India Icon’ by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
12. VARUNA 2025: Strengthening India-France Naval Cooperation
13. World Sparrow Day 2025: Date, Significance and History
14. India-New Zealand Bilateral Relations: Key Outcomes of PM Christopher Luxon’s Visit
15. ADB Launches “Frontier Seed” to Boost Private Sector Growth and Ocean Impact in the Pacific
16. Lakshmi Venu Appointed as Vice Chairman of TAFE
17. Chhattisgarh Set to Introduce a More Stringent Anti-Conversion Law
18. Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Mobile App for PMIS
19. NAI’s 135th Foundation Day: Exhibition on Indian Architecture, Book Launch & ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’
20. Piramal Capital & Housing Finance partners with Punjab & Sind Bank to Enhance Rural and Semi-Urban Lending
21. OECD Revises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.4% for FY 2024-25
22. Hockey India 7th Annual Awards: Harmanpreet Singh & Savita Punia Won Hockey India Player of the Year Award
23. Pravaig Dynamics Unveils World’s 1st E-TATV ‘VEER’ & Wins iDEX Award
24. World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025: India Tops Medal Tally with 134 Medals
25. India Concludes Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 with 33 Medals
26. Mumbai Indians Clinch ‘WPL Title 2025’ for the 2nd Time by Defeating Delhi Capitals
27. CSK Launches its Book “Leo – The Untold Story”
28. Global Recycling Day 2025 – March 18

National News

1. Union Agriculture Minister Meets Bill Gates for Collaboration

• What:
  • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, in New Delhi to discuss collaboration in agriculture and rural development.
• Why:
  • The meeting aimed to leverage technology for improving agricultural practices and enhancing food security.
• Tell me more:
  • Discussions focused on using AI and machine learning in agriculture, with senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development also present.
  • Bill Gates emphasized India’s significant role in global health and agricultural innovation during his third visit to India in three years.

Source: CNBC

2. Union Ministry Launches WAVEX 2025 for Media-Tech Startups

• What:
  • The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting launched WAVEX 2025 to fund and provide exposure to startups in the media and entertainment sector.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to position India as a global leader in media-tech innovation and support startups with funding, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities.
• Tell me more:
  • WAVEX 2025 will take place at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, from May 1 to May 4, 2025, as part of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
  • Startups will pitch ideas to venture capitalists and celebrity angel investors in sessions covered extensively on national television.
  • Focus areas include gaming, animation, extended reality (XR), metaverse, generative AI, and next-generation content platforms.
  • Selected startups will benefit from mentorship programs, investor networking, and collaboration with major media and technology firms.

Source: PIB

3. UIDAI Partners with Sarvam AI to Enhance Aadhaar Services

• What:
  • UIDAI has partnered with Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI to improve Aadhaar services using a voice-based interaction platform powered by Generative AI.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to enhance the user experience, ensure real-time fraud detection, and make Aadhaar services more accessible and secure.
• Tell me more:
  • The AI system will provide real-time feedback on overcharging during enrolment and updates, along with fraud alerts for suspicious authentication activities.
  • Initially, the platform will support 10 languages, including Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, and Malayalam, with more languages to be added later.
  • Sarvam AI’s custom GenAI stack will be hosted on UIDAI’s infrastructure to ensure data security and compliance with data sovereignty protocols.
  • The partnership is valid for one year, with an option for extension by another year.

Source: ET

4. New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon Visits India

• What:
  • India and New Zealand resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) after a gap of ten years, aiming to finalize it within 60 days.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade by 10 times over the next ten years and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
• Tell me more:
  • The FTA will be a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement covering goods, services, and investments.
  • Key challenges in the negotiations include duty concessions on agricultural products like apples, kiwis, dairy, and wine.
  • Bilateral trade stood at $873.4 million in 2023-24, down from $1.02 billion in 2022-23.
  • Indian exports to New Zealand include textiles, medicines, machinery, electronics, and basmati rice, while imports include agricultural goods, minerals, and meat products.
  • New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also played a friendly cricket match with children in Delhi during his India visit from March 16 to 20.
  • Luxon was accompanied by former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor during the game.
  • India and New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Sports to promote collaboration in coaching, player exchanges, and sports science.
  • Both countries plan to host “Sporting Unity” events in 2026 to celebrate 100 years of sporting relations.
  • A key defence pact was signed, and New Zealand’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative was welcomed by PM Modi.

Source: TH TOI

State News

1. Delhi Police Launches ‘Shishtachar’ Squad for Women’s Safety

• What:
  • Delhi Police launched the ‘Shishtachar’ squad with 30 teams to prevent eve-teasing and ensure women’s safety in public spaces.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to reduce harassment incidents and create safer public spaces for women.
• Tell me more:
  • Each squad includes male and female officers, patrolling high-risk areas with technical support from the Anti-Auto Theft Squad.
  • Squads will patrol hotspots daily, conduct surprise checks in public transport, and collaborate with RWAs and MWAs for vigilance.
  • Deployment rosters are approved weekly by DCPs, and performance is monitored through reports and monthly evaluations.
  • Officers receive specialized training from the Delhi Police Academy to enhance operational effectiveness.

Source: ET

2. Indore Launches India’s First Green Waste Processing Plant

• What:
  • Indore is launching India’s first PPP-model based green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban to convert green waste into valuable resources.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to manage green waste efficiently, promote environmental sustainability, and generate revenue for the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).
• Tell me more:
  • The plant is built on 55,000 sq ft land in Bicholi Hapsi and will recycle wood and branches into wooden pellets as an eco-friendly coal alternative.
  • Indore generates 30 tons of green waste daily, rising to 60–70 tons during autumn, which will be collected from major institutions with a fee structure.
  • Astronomical Industries Private Limited partnered with IMC to dry green waste over three to four months, reducing moisture by 90%, and converting it into sawdust.
  • Sawdust will be used for eco-friendly fuel, packing materials, composite furniture, biodegradable plates, and soil-enriching fertilizers.

Source: PIB

3. Chhattisgarh to Introduce Strict Law Against Illegal Conversions

• What:
  • Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma announced plans to introduce a stringent law to address illegal conversions in the state.
• Why:
  • The law aims to combat allegations of faith healing practices being used to lure vulnerable individuals into conversion.
• Tell me more:
  • The current Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, already penalizes forced conversions, but a new, stricter law is being considered.

Source: IE

International News

1. ADB Launches Frontier Seed (Pacific) Program

• What:
  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Frontier Seed (Pacific) program and announced funding for two companies.
• Why:
  • The program aims to develop local capital markets and support businesses for inclusive and sustainable growth in frontier markets.
• Tell me more:
  • ADB signed a $200,000 agreement with SeaPAC Pte Ltd to commercialize Fiji’s prawn industry and promote food security.
  • Another $200,000 agreement was signed with Kahuto Pacific to enhance coastal data availability through aerial mapping.
  • The program is supported by ADB, the Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation (ORCA) Trust Fund, the Nordic Development Fund, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.
  • ADB and ORCA Trust Fund each committed $2 million to the program.

Source: ADB

Banking and Economy

1. City Union Bank Partners with Sunrisers Hyderabad for Banking Services

• What:
  • City Union Bank (CUB) has partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as their exclusive banking partner.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to blend banking services with the excitement of cricket.
• Tell me more:
  • Cardholders will get rewards, discounts on SRH merchandise, and exclusive fan experiences.
  • CUB customers will enjoy offers on SRH jerseys, caps, and memorabilia.
  • The bank will improve digital banking with seamless mobile banking, contactless payments, and instant access to SRH promotions.

Source: IE

2. Piramal Finance and Punjab & Sind Bank Announce Co-Lending Partnership

• What:
  • Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Ltd (Piramal Finance) and Punjab & Sind Bank have entered into a co-lending partnership to enhance credit availability for middle- and low-income borrowers.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to improve financial inclusion by providing affordable credit solutions, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Tell me more:
  • Punjab & Sind Bank operates through 1,575 branches, while Piramal Finance has 514 branches across 13,000 pin codes in 26 states.
  • The partnership will leverage advanced credit assessment tools and offer competitive interest rates to support MSMEs, home loan seekers, and borrowers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  • Piramal Finance serves over 4.5 million customers and focuses on the under-served ‘Bharat’ market with products like home loans, loans against property, used car loans, and small business loans.
  • This is Piramal Finance’s fourth collaboration with a major financial institution.

Source: BS

GDP Forecasts

1. OECD Projects India’s GDP Growth for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26

• What:
  • OECD projected India’s GDP growth at 6.4% for FY 2024-25 and 6.6% for FY 2025-26, showing an increase from 6.3% in FY 2023-24.
• Why:
  • The projections aim to provide insights into India’s economic outlook and guide policy decisions to maintain inflation expectations.
• Tell me more:
  • The updated estimates are lower by 0.50% for FY 2024-25 and 0.20% for FY 2025-26 compared to OECD’s December projections.
  • Policy interest rates are expected to decline gradually to help anchor inflation expectations.

Source: BS

Defence News

1. India and France Begin Varuna Naval Exercise in Arabian Sea

• What:
  • India and France started the Varuna naval exercise in the Arabian Sea from March 19 to 22, featuring aircraft carriers, warships, submarines, fighters, and helicopters in intensive combat drills.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to enhance naval interoperability and operational synergy between India and France while safeguarding a free, open, and secure maritime environment.
• Tell me more:
  • India deployed its indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and a Kalvari-class submarine, while France fielded its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle with its carrier strike group.
  • The exercise includes advanced air defense drills, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare operations, and mock air-to-air combat between French Rafale-Marine fighters and Indian MiG-29K jets.
  • Maritime patrol aircraft will enhance situational awareness, and replenishment-at-sea exercises will fortify logistical cooperation.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. Pravaig’s VEER Wins iDEX Award for Defense Innovation

• What:
  • Bengaluru-based EV startup Pravaig’s all-terrain stealth vehicle, VEER, won the prestigious iDEX award from the Ministry of Defence after successful military trials.
• Why:
  • The award aims to deepen India’s sovereignty by supporting innovative defense technologies and reinforcing strategic autonomy.
• Tell me more:
  • VEER is the world’s first operational electric vehicle designed for tactical defense use, with applications in patrolling, reconnaissance, and ISR operations.
  • The iDEX-Innovations for Defence Excellence scheme was launched in May 2021 to foster innovation and technology development in the defense sector.
  • VEER is built in India and ensures complete data ownership without foreign control.
  • It has undergone field tests in difficult terrains and altitudes and is fully field-repairable.

Source: BS

Important Dates

1. World Sparrow Day – March 20

• Theme: Preserving The Chirps Of Our Tiny Feathered Friends

Source: PIB

2. Global Recycling Day – March 18

Sports

1. Kabaddi World Cup 2025 Begins in England

• What:
  • The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 starts in England today, with India’s men’s team playing against Italy at Wolverhampton.
• Why:
  • The event aims to promote kabaddi globally and marks the first time the tournament is hosted outside Asia.
• Tell me more:
  • The competition spans seven days with over 60 matches held in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
  • The men’s tournament features 10 teams divided into two groups, with India in Group B alongside Italy, Scotland, Wales, and China.
  • The women’s competition involves six teams divided into two groups, with India in Group D along with Wales and Poland.

Source: NOA

2. India Wins 33 Medals at Special Olympics Winter Games

• What:
  • Indian athletes won 33 medals, including 8 Gold, 18 Silver, and 7 Bronze, at the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Turin, Italy.
• Tell me more:
  • This was the 12th edition of the Special Olympics Winter Games, held after an eight-year gap.
  • It was the first time Italy hosted the Special Olympics World Games.
  • On the final day, India secured nine medals to conclude its campaign.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the athletes in Parliament and congratulated them for their dedication and achievements.

Source: PIB NOA

Appointments

1. Bajaj Auto Reappoints Rajiv Bajaj as MD and CEO

• What:
  • Bajaj Auto reappointed Rajivnayan Rahulkumar Bajaj as Managing Director and CEO for a five-year term starting April 1, 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • The board approved a ₹1,500 crore fund infusion into Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd (BACL) for AUM growth in FY 2025-26.
  • BACL, established in December 2021, reported an AUM of ₹7,048 crore as of December 31, 2024.
  • The board also reappointed Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra as a non-executive independent director for another five-year term starting May 20, 2025.

Source: BS

2. Jasprit Bumrah Joins Skechers as Brand Ambassador

• What:
  • Jasprit Bumrah signed with Skechers as a brand ambassador and will compete in Skechers Cricket footwear while featuring in its marketing campaigns.
• Tell me more:
  • Skechers is the official kit sponsor of Mumbai Indians and has already partnered with cricketers Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia.

Source: ET

3. Ayushmann Khurrana Named Fit India Icon

• Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana was named the official Fit India Icon by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
• The Fit India Movement was launched on August 29, 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Source: ANI

4. Lakshmi Venu Appointed Vice Chairman of TAFE

• What:
  • Lakshmi Venu has been appointed as Vice Chairman of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE).
• Tell me more:
  • Lakshmi Venu has been serving as a Director at TAFE and is also the Managing Director of Sundaram-Clayton Ltd.
  • TAFE’s Chairman Mallika Srinivasan praised her future-focused leadership style and collaborative approach.

Source: HBL

Miscellaneous

1. Book on Chennai Super Kings ‘Leo—The Untold Story’ Launched

• What:
  • A new book on Chennai Super Kings, ‘Leo—The Untold Story’, written by P.S. Raman, was launched at an event attended by M.S. Dhoni and other prominent personalities.
• Why:
  • The book aims to share the untold story of Chennai Super Kings and highlight its journey and impact on cricket.
• Tell me more:
  • CSK head coach Stephen Fleming, assistant coach Michael Hussey, and CEO K.S. Viswanathan were present.
  • P.S. Raman is a senior advocate and former vice president of TNCA (Tamil Nadu Cricket Association).

Source: TS

Start Quiz of 19th March 2025 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 19th March 2025 on Desktop