25th March 2026

1. L&T Finance Becomes Signatory to United Nations Global Compact
2. Goldman Sachs Lowers India’s GDP Growth Rate Forecast to 5.9% for CY26
3. Razorpay Partners with Sarvam AI to Launch Voice-Led Multilingual Digital Commerce in India
4. Karnataka Grameena Bank Receives National Award for SHG-Bank Linkage 2024-25
5. CA P.V. Narayana Rao Appointed Co-opted Member of ICAI’s SRSB for 2026-27
6. Svatantra Microfin Completes Amalgamation with CIFCPL & Svatantra Holding
7. French Former PM Lionel Jospin, Architect of 35-hour Week, Passed Away
8. S&P Raises FY27 GDP Forecast to 7.1% Amid Global Risks
9. Akasha300 3D Printer Explained: How It Will Transform ISRO’s Space Missions
10. Kiran Mani Named APAC Chief to Drive India Growth
11. Supreme Court Rules on SC Status: Conversion Ends Eligibility Under 1950 Order
12. India Sports Industry Hits $2 Billion in 2025
13. Puneet Gupt – New DNPA Chairperson and His Vision for Digital Media
14. $1.63 Billion IPL Deal! Kal Somani Buys Rajasthan Royals – What It Means?
15. RCB Sold for $1.78 Billion: Aditya Birla-Times Consortium Seals Historic IPL Deal
16. March 25: International Day of Solidarity with UN Staff Explained
17. India Forms 7 Empowered Committees on West Asia Crisis: Full Details
18. Gujarat Becomes Second State To Passing The UCC Bill After Uttarakhand
19. International Day of the Unborn Child: Meaning, History & Importance (March 25)
20. Rekha Gupta Unveils Delhi’s Green Budget 2026 to Tackle Rising Pollution
21. India Growth Forecast Cut to 5.9% in 2026: Goldman Sachs Warns of Inflation & Rate Hike Risks
22. GHADC Amendment 2026 Explained: Only ST Can Contest Garo Hills Council Elections?
23. Jharkhand Leader Kalpana Soren Gets International Honour
24. India Open 2026 Final: Anahat Singh Defeats Hana Moataz 3-1
25. WMO Warns Earth’s Climate Is “Flashing Red” in 2026
26. IVRI Produces Sahiwal Calves Using Advanced OPU-IVF-ET Technology
27. Musi River Rejuvenation Project Explained: Key Plans and Impact
28. What is Terafab Project? Elon Musk Largest AI Chip Manufacturing facility in the World
29. Gujarat Digitises 20 Citizen Services Under Sugam Digital Initiative
30. How Karnataka Grameena Bank Won National Award for SHG Linkage
31. CAPF Bill 2026 Plans to Strengthen IPS Control in Paramilitary Forces

National News

Supreme Court Rules Religion Criteria for Scheduled Caste Status

• What: Supreme Court ruled that only individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist faiths can claim Scheduled Caste status, clarifying legal position under Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and impacting eligibility for related protections.
• Tell me more:
  • Supreme Court upheld Andhra Pradesh High Court order and stated Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 defines eligibility criteria for Scheduled Caste status.
  • Clause 3 of Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 restricts Scheduled Caste status to Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist religions and removes status after conversion to other religions.
  • Supreme Court stated conversion to Christianity removes Scheduled Caste status, prevents recognition as Scheduled Caste members, and denies protection under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Centre Forms Seven Committees to Address West Asia Conflict Impact

• What: Government of India formed seven empowered committees to manage economic and sectoral impacts of West Asia conflict, aiming to ensure coordinated response and strengthen resilience of domestic economy.
• Tell me more:
  • Committees assess risks to energy, trade, and logistics, find alternative imports, ensure stable supply, monitor prices of essential goods, track global developments, and submit timely recommendations to manage disruptions effectively.

CAPF Bill 2026 Plans to Strengthen IPS Control in Paramilitary Forces

• What: Government introduced Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 in Rajya Sabha and passed its introduction despite Opposition objections through voice vote.
• Tell me more:
  • The Bill creates one common legal system for all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), replacing separate service rules that earlier governed different forces.
  • Opposition says bill may centralise control, change service rules, ignore force differences, and bypass Supreme Court decisions on postings, which may affect officers’ rights and raise concerns about fairness and governance.

State News

Gujarat Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill Becoming Second State to Implement UCC

• What: Gujarat Assembly passed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Gujarat second state after Uttarakhand to implement common personal laws, aiming to ensure legal uniformity and equality across communities in India.
• Tell me more:
  • UCC provides common laws for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.

Delhi Presents First Green Budget with Focus on Environment Protection

• What: Delhi government presented its first Green Budget allocating ₹22,236 crore, focusing on pollution control, green cover, clean transport, and sustainable development, aiming to improve environmental conditions in the city.
• Tell me more:
  • Budget allocates 21.4% funds for environment, plans 12,000 electric buses by 2029, and allocates ₹200 crore for Electric Vehicle Policy and charging infrastructure to reduce pollution and improve clean transport.

GHADC Passes Amendment Requiring Scheduled Tribe Certificate for Membership

• What: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) passed amendment making Scheduled Tribe certificate mandatory for membership, addressing eligibility issues and resolving tensions over representation in Meghalaya’s tribal governance structure.
• Tell me more:
  • This amendment means only Scheduled Tribe people can contest GHADC elections, ensuring tribal control of the council and reducing disputes with non-tribal residents over representation and eligibility.

Telangana Plans Musi Riverfront Development Amid Protests Over Displacement

• What: Telangana government launched Musi River Development Project to clean river, ensure year-round water flow, and build public spaces, but causes protests due to eviction of residents and concerns over displacement and lack of consultation.
• Tell me more:
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided in-principle funding approval for first phase.
  • The Musi River starts from two small streams called Musa and Esi in Ananthagiri hills, joins together, flows through Hyderabad for 55 km, and finally meets the Krishna River in Nalgonda.

Gujarat Digitises 20 Citizen Services Under Sugam Digital Initiative

• What: Gujarat government moved 20 important services online under Sugam Digital Gujarat Initiative so that people can apply and get certificates digitally instead of visiting offices.
• Tell me more:
  • Sugam Digital Gujarat Initiative is a system that makes government services faceless, cashless, and paperless using online platforms, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and digital payments.
  • This initiative saves time, reduces office visits, improves service speed and accuracy, and makes government services easier, faster, and more transparent for people across the state.

International News

Elon Musk Announces Terafab Semiconductor Project for AI and Computing

• What: Elon Musk announced Terafab semiconductor facility with Tesla Inc. and SpaceX to produce chips for artificial intelligence and computing, aiming to reduce dependence on external suppliers and support future technology systems.
• Tell me more:
  • This project helps companies make their own chips, ensures steady supply, supports artificial intelligence growth, improves technology development on Earth and in space, and reduces dependence on other chip manufacturers.

Banking and Economy

L&T Finance joins United Nations Global Compact

• What: L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), aligning its business strategy with global sustainability principles and strengthening responsible practices in India’s Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) sector.
• Tell me more:
  • LTF adopted Double Materiality approach to meet global sustainability expectations.
  • LTF is a signatory to Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) for measuring financed emissions.
  • The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative that guides companies to follow principles on human rights, labour, environment, anti-corruption, and support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Razorpay partners sarvam ai to launch voice-based commerce in india

• Razorpay partnered with Sarvam AI to let users shop and pay using voice in Indian languages, while Gnani.ai enabled businesses to collect payments during calls using AI.

Svatantra Microfin Completes Merger to Become Second Largest NBFC MFI in India

• Svatantra Microfin Pvt Ltd completed merger with Chaitanya India Fin Credit Pvt Ltd (CIFCPL) and Svatantra Holding Pvt Ltd after approvals, becoming second-largest Non-Banking Financial Company – Microfinance Institution (NBFC-MFI) in India and expanding financial services.

Reports and Indices

WMO Reports Record Energy Imbalance Signalling Accelerating Global Warming

• What: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported Earth’s energy imbalance at highest level in 65 years, indicating accelerating global warming and rising risks to climate systems, ecosystems, and global development goals.
• Tell me more:
  • Earth is trapping excess heat due to greenhouse gases, with oceans absorbing most heat, temperatures and sea levels rising, gases at record highs, ecosystems affected, and extreme heat impacting 1.2 billion people globally.
  • Oceans absorb about 91% of excess heat in climate system. Land absorbs 5%, ice absorbs 3%, and atmosphere absorbs 1% heat.

GDP Forecasts

Goldman sachs cuts india growth forecast

• What: Goldman Sachs reduced India’s growth forecast for calendar year 2026 to 5.9%, highlighting energy supply risks and signalling potential impact on India’s economy, current account deficit, and inflation outlook.
• Tell me more:
  • Goldman Sachs reduced growth forecast from 7% to 6.5% on March 13 and further to 5.9%.
  • Goldman Sachs highlighted energy shortage risks, higher import dependence, and weaker currencies, projected 2% current account deficit, set inflation at 4.6%, and stated Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will review growth and rates.

S&P Global Ratings Raises India Growth Forecast Amid Energy Risks

• What: S&P Global Ratings raised India’s growth forecast to 7.1% for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), driven by consumption, investment, and exports, while highlighting risks from global conflicts and energy price volatility.
• Tell me more:
  • S&P Global Ratings raised Financial Year 2027-28 (FY28) growth forecast to 7.2%.
  • India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow 7.6% in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26).

Science and Technology

Akasha300 3D Printer Delivered to LPSC to Boost Advanced Manufacturing

• What: India delivered Akasha300 high-temperature multi-material extrusion 3D printer to Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), strengthening capabilities in advanced additive manufacturing for space and industrial applications.
• Tell me more:
  • This machine helps scientists quickly make strong and complex parts needed for rockets and advanced machines, using special materials that normal machines cannot handle, saving time and improving accuracy.

ICAR IVRI Produces Sahiwal Calves Using Advanced Reproductive Technology

• What: Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI) produced Sahiwal calves using advanced Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
• Tell me more:
  • Assisted Reproductive Technologies are scientific methods that help animals reproduce using lab techniques, where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body and then transferred to produce improved offspring.
  • This technology helps India quickly produce high-quality cattle and buffalo, improves milk production, strengthens indigenous breeds, supports farmers’ income, and promotes scientific growth in the livestock sector.
  • ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute HQ – Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

Awards

Karnataka Grameena Bank Receives National Award for SHG Linkage Performance

• What: Union Ministry of Rural Development awarded Karnataka Grameena Bank the National Award for Outstanding Performance in Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage 2024-25, recognising its role in rural economic empowerment and financial inclusion in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Award was presented in Hyderabad during the National Conference on Financial Literacy and Capacity Building and during the 25th Central Level Coordination Committee meeting.
  • Karnataka Grameena Bank followed ‘One State – One Rural Bank’ policy through merger of two regional rural banks.
  • Bank aligned activities with Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Kalpana Soren Receives Women Empowerment Trailblazers Award at BRICS Summit

• What: Kalpana Soren received Women Empowerment Trailblazers Award at BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) Annual Women Summit 2026. Event was held at Hyatt Regency in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Kalpana Soren is Gandey MLA and wife of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and she was recognised for promoting women empowerment, supporting Self-Help Groups, and encouraging women’s economic participation and leadership.

Important Days

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing UN Staff Members – March 25

International Day of the Unborn Child – March 25

Sports

India Sports Economy Crosses $2 Billion Driven by Cricket Dominance

• What: India’s sports economy crossed $2.13 billion with 13.4% growth, driven mainly by cricket dominance, highlighting expanding commercial value of sports sector and increasing role of sponsorships, advertising, and endorsements.
• Tell me more:
  • Sports economy doubled in four years with approximately 19% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).
  • Paris Olympics and Paralympics boosted fan interest in 2024 but effect reduced in 2025.

Somani Consortium Acquires Rajasthan Royals in Costliest IPL Deal

• What: Kal Somani-led consortium acquired Rajasthan Royals franchise for $1.63 billion, making it the costliest Indian Premier League (IPL) deal and highlighting rising commercial value of sports franchises in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Kal Somani is a United States-based entrepreneur who founded IntraEdge and Truyo and serves as co-owner of Motor City Golf Club and investor in sports ventures.
  • Consortium including Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone fund acquired Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for $1.78 billion.

Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh Win Indian Open Squash Titles in Mumbai

• Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh won Women’s and Men’s Singles titles at Indian Open Squash in Mumbai.

Appointments

P V Narayana Rao Appointed to SRSB of ICAI for 2026 27

• What: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) appointed Chartered Accountant P V Narayana Rao as Co-opted Member of Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB) for 2026-27.
• Tell me more:
  • SRSB develops global sustainability reporting standards, aligns corporates with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensures transparency, conducts Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) audits, supports Social Stock Exchange, and provides research, training, and coordination.

OpenAI Appoints Kiran Mani as Managing Director for Asia Pacific Region

• What: OpenAI appointed Kiran Mani as Managing Director for Asia-Pacific region, strengthening its international expansion and leadership presence across key markets including India, which is its second-largest market.
• Tell me more:
  • OpenAI appointed Pragya Mishra as head of strategy and global affairs in India.
  • Kiran Mani, currently Chief Executive Officer of JioStar digital division, will be based in Singapore and will report to Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon.

Puneet Gupt Appointed as Chairperson of DNPA

• Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) appointed Puneet Gupt as Chairperson. DNPA is a body that represents digital news companies in India and works on policy, collaboration, and protecting interests of publishers in the digital news ecosystem.

Miscellaneous

Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin Passes Away at 88

• Former Prime Minister of France Lionel Jospin passed away at age 88. He introduced 35-hour work week in France.

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