Dear Readers, get to know the daily current affairs today covering all the National & International Events provided here in this article. Current Affairs is an important topic in various competitive exams like IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk and other competitive exams. To score better in this section, be updated with the daily happenings. Check the Daily Current Affairs March 2025 updates here. Revision is very important in remembering current affairs. Candidates after learning the Daily current affairs March 14th 2025, can test their knowledge by attempting Current Affairs Quiz provided with answers. Daily current affairs March 14th 2025 covers current affairs from International & National news, Important Days, State News, Banking & Economy, Business News, Appointments & Resignation, Awards & Honour, Books & Authors, Sports News, etc.,

Daily Current Affairs PDF of March 14th 2025

Get More: Static GK Pdfs

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues framework for Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) for account aggregators

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Account Aggregator (AA) framework in September 2016 to facilitate secure financial data exchange.
• The AA ecosystem enables the seamless sharing of financial information among regulated entities under different regulatory bodies.
• RBI aims to enhance operational efficiency and streamline data exchange within the AA framework.
• The AA ecosystem involves multiple regulated entities under different financial regulators, creating operational complexities.
• Frequent coordination is required to address dispute resolution, standardised agreements, and common services among stakeholders.

Structure of the AA Framework

• NBFC-Account Aggregators (NBFC-AAs): Intermediaries between Financial Information Providers (FIPs) and Financial Information Users (FI-Us).
• Regulatory Authorities Involved:
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  • Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
  • Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
  • Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
  • Union Revenue Department (for the GST Network)
• The SRO-AA will function within the existing regulatory framework and oversee industry-wide compliance.
• Technical specifications will continue to be framed and published by Reserve Bank Information Technology (ReBIT).

Recent Developments in the AA Sector

• In August 2023, RBI recognised Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) as an SRO for the fintech sector (SRO-FT).
• In February 2024, PhonePe, India’s largest mobile payments firm, exited the AA business and surrendered its NBFC-AA licence, citing a shift in business strategy.

About Account Aggregators:

• Account Aggregators (AA) use technology to assist you in simple and secure exchange of your data between financial institutions like banks, insurance agencies or mutual fund companies.
• This information cannot be shared without your consent.
• With AA, you can use your financial data to access a vast array of financial services for your personal or business needs.

About Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs):

• An SRO, is generally a non-governmental entity created by members ofa particular industry or sector to help govern the companies in that industry.
• An SRO sets and enforces rules and standardsrelating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members) with the aim of protecting the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism.

Recent News:

• In March 2025, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) introduced nationwide financial literacy initiatives to enhance financial awareness and inclusion.

About RBI:

• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Sanjay Malhotra

Student loan fintech startup Kuhoo Finance secures Reserve Bank of India’s approval for non-banking financial company licence (NBFC) licence

• Kuhoo Finance has received approval for a non-banking financial company licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), student loans-focussed lending platform, allowing it to lend from its books along with partner NBFCs and banks.
• The licence is set to significantly expand Kuhoo's lending capacity, enabling the firm to offer education loans of up to ₹2 crore across various academic disciplines.
• With the new regulatory status, Kuhoo Finance aims to expand its product portfolio to cater to executive education and upskilling programmes.
• The company also plans to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and financial entities to improve student accessibility across India.
• To support its expansion plans, Kuhoo is preparing to raise fresh capital.
• WestBridge had invested ₹20 crore in 2022 into the startup.
• Before securing the NBFC licence, Kuhoo was primarily acting as a loan facilitator, partnering with banks and NBFCs to originate, underwrite, and process education loans.
• Over the past two and a half years, the company has processed over 100,000 student applications and facilitated loans worth more than ₹300 crore for 15,000 borrowers.
• During this period, Kuhoo focused on developing its proprietary technology stack, leveraging AI and data science to assess students’ employability and future earning potential.
• The loan eligibility criteria take into account a student's academic track record, chosen course, and the quality of the institution to assess employability and future earnings, ensuring more inclusive and need-based financing.
• The company is now looking to integrate its lending solutions with educational institutions to reduce pre-admission dropout rates due to financial constraints.
• While loans for students going abroad had improved, financing options for those pursuing higher education in India remained limited, with most private lenders favoring parental financial background over student potential.

About Kuhoo Finance:

• Kuhoo Finance was founded by Prashant A Bhonsle in June 2021 in Mumbai, after recognising a critical gap in education financing for Indian students studying domestically.

India's GDP growth to exceed 6.5% in FY26: Moody's

• Moody’s has projected India's GDP growth to exceed 6.5% in FY26, up from 6.3% in FY25.
• This growth will be driven by higher government capital expenditure, tax cuts, and interest rate reductions, which will boost consumption.
• The rating agency maintains a stable outlook for the banking sector.
• However, asset quality is expected to deteriorate moderately due to stress in unsecured retail loans, microfinance loans, and small business loans.
• Despite this, bank profitability will remain adequate as declines in net interest margins (NIMs) are expected to be marginal amid modest rate cuts.
• India’s economic growth had temporarily slowed in mid-2024 but is now reaccelerating and is expected to be among the fastest-growing large economies globally.

TransUnion CIBIL and FACE partner to launch Consumer Education initiative

• TransUnion CIBIL and the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) are partnering to promote financial literacy and credit awareness in India.
• The initiative, named CIBIL Jaagran, aims to improve credit education and facilitate easy access to credit for consumers via FinTech solutions.
• Under the agreement:
• TransUnion CIBIL will provide knowledge and expertise and develop co-branded and customized educational content.
• FACE, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recognised Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) in the FinTech sector, will work with its 165+ FinTech members to promote financial literacy and credit awareness among consumers.
• TransUnion CIBIL's information repository, data capabilities, and analytical insights position it well to offer relevant content about financial literacy.
• The content will include: Emails, Articles, Videos, Webinars, Podcasts
• This material will be disseminated by FACE, which will leverage its own and its members’ digital engagement channels to maximize reach and impact.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Water Sustainability Conference 2025: Key Highlights & Outcomes

• The Water Sustainability Conference 2025 was organized by the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) under the National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
• The event took place on March 12, 2025, at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi, focusing on Industrial Water Use Efficiency.

Inauguration & Leadership Address

• Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil inaugurated the conference.
• Stressed the 4R approach (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Recharge) and introduced Respect as the 5th principle for sustainable water management.
• Presented successful models like PEPL Kadodara (Surat) & Vapi Paper Industry for industrial water efficiency.

Government’s Vision & Strategy

• Highlighted initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission & Jal Shakti Abhiyan to transform water management.
• Encouraged industry-government partnerships for sustainable water use.
• Advocated the circular economy model, focusing on water treatment, reuse, and recycling.

Technical & Ministerial Sessions

• Ministerial Session: Discussed government strategies for water efficiency, chaired by Shri Praveen Gupta (CEA Member).
• Technical Session I: Focused on industrial water efficiency benchmarking, with case studies from NTPC, SAIL, and CPCB, chaired by S.K. Sarkar.
• Technical Session II: Addressed achieving Water Neutrality & Net Zero Future, chaired by Sunil Kumar Ambast (Chairman, CGWB).

India’s Participation in the 4th ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Conference in Munich,Germany

• The 4th ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Conference, held in Munich,Germany focused on global efforts to combat terror financing.
• India, an active participant since 2018, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in fighting terrorism.
• The country emphasized evolving threats from digital financial networks and cross-border transactions and urged global unity against terror financing.

Key Highlights of India’s Participation

Concerns Raised by India

• Rise of Digital Transactions: Terrorists exploit digital finance and cross-border fund flows to transfer assets.
• Complex Financial Methods: Evolving financial tactics make tracking terror funding challenging.
• Need for International Cooperation: Stronger global collaboration is necessary to track and disrupt terror financing networks.

India’s Efforts to Combat Terror Financing

1. Legal and Institutional Measures

• Strengthened Anti-Terror Laws:
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
• Terror Funding and Fake Currency (TFFC) Cell under National Investigation Agency (NIA).
• UAPA and NIA Act Amendments (2019) enabling asset seizure, attachment, and forfeiture.

2. Enforcement and Intelligence Mechanisms

• National Investigation Agency (NIA) introduced three new verticals:
  • Cyber Terrorism.
  • Explosive & Prohibited Arms.
  • Human Trafficking.
• Fake Indian Currency Note Coordination Centre (FCORD) established to combat counterfeit currency circulation.

3. Financial Sector Regulations

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monitors financial ecosystem regulations.
• Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) issues guidelines to detect and report suspicious transactions.
• Permanent Working Group on Terror Financing Identification, involving:
  • Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
  • Social Media Platforms.
  • Instant Messaging & Crowdfunding Platforms.

4. Addressing Virtual Digital Assets (Cryptocurrency) Risks

• Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers (VDA SPs) brought under PMLA, 2002.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CFT) compliance made mandatory for cryptocurrency firms.
• Enhanced monitoring through risk assessment and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

5. Technology-Driven Countermeasures

• National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) developed to support real-time intelligence sharing.
• Enhanced inter-agency coordination to track suspicious financial transactions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

India Becomes Leading Source of FDI into Dubai, Surpassing United States., France & United Kingdom in 2024

• India has emerged as the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) contributor to Dubai in 2024, surpassing the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
• Dubai has also retained its position as the world’s top destination for Greenfield FDI projects for the fourth consecutive year, according to Financial Times Ltd.’s ‘fDi Markets’ data.

Key Highlights

India’s FDI Dominance

• India’s FDI share – 21.5% of total FDI into Dubai.
• Comparison with other countries:
  • S. – 13.7%
  • France – 11%
  • K. – 10%
  • Switzerland – 6.9%

Dubai’s FDI Growth in 2024

• Total FDI attracted – AED 52.3 billion ($14.24 billion), marking a 33.2% increase from 2023.
• Greenfield FDI projects – 1,117, the highest in Dubai’s history.
• Total FDI projects announced – 1,826, an 11% increase from 2023.
• FDI-generated jobs – 58,680 (31% increase from 44,745 in 2023).

Dubai’s Global & Regional Rankings

• 1 globally in Greenfield FDI projects.
• 4 globally for Greenfield FDI capital, improving from 5th position in 2023.
• Top in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) for Greenfield FDI projects, capital, and job creation.
• 1 globally in attracting Headquarter (HQ) FDI projects for the third consecutive year, with 50 HQ projects in 2024.

Key Investment Sectors in Dubai

• Business services
• Software and IT services
• Real estate
• Transportation and warehousing
• Financial services
• Industrial equipment
• Consumer products
• Communications
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Advanced Information Technologies (AIT)
• Dubai’s share in global FDI for AIT increased from 7.3% in 2023 to 8% in 2024.

India’s Retail Inflation Falls to 7-Month Low in February 2025

• India’s retail inflation eased to 3.61% in February 2025, marking a seven-month low, as food inflation fell below 4% for the first time in nearly two years.
• This decline raises expectations of another rate cut in the upcoming April 2025 meeting of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Key Highlights of February 2025 CPI Data

• Retail Inflation: 3.61%, lowest in 7 months.
• Food Inflation: 3.75%, lowest in 21 months.
• Vegetable Inflation: -1.1% (deflation) +11.4% in January 2025.
• Pulses Inflation: Deflation after +2.6% in January.
• Fruits & Edible Oils: Prices increased.
• Core Inflation: Highest in 7 months, driven by gold prices.
• Personal Care Inflation: 13.6% (vs. 10.6% in January).

Food Inflation Declines: Key Drivers

• Vegetable prices fell by 1.1% YoY, reversing an 11.4% rise in January.
• Pulses recorded deflation, ending their upward trajectory.
• Food inflation eased to 3.75%, the lowest in 21 months.

Core Inflation Surges Despite Food Price Drop

• Gold Prices: Sharp increase impacted miscellaneous goods inflation.
• Personal Care Inflation: 13.6% in February vs. 10.6% in January.
• Miscellaneous Goods Inflation: Rose to 4.8% in February from 4.4% in January.

Impact on RBI’s Monetary Policy

• RBI’s inflation target: Below 4%, strengthening chances of a repo rate cut.
• Previous Rate Cut: February 2025 - 25 bps cut (6.5% to 6.25%).
• Expected Rate Cut in April 2025: Another 25 bps cut likely.
• Future Outlook:
  • June/August 2025: Possible additional rate cut based on Q4 FY2025 GDP growth.
  • FY26 Inflation Forecast: 4.2%.

Finance Ministry Approves ₹10,000 Crore Zero Coupon Bond Issuance by PFC

• The Finance Ministry has authorized Power Finance Corporation (PFC) to issue Zero Coupon Bonds (ZCBs) worth up to ₹10,000 crore.
• These bonds will be issued at a discount and redeemed at full face value upon maturity.

What is a Zero Coupon Bond (ZCB)?

• A Zero Coupon Bond (ZCB) is a financial instrument that does not pay periodic interest (coupon) during its tenure. Instead, it is issued at a discount and redeemed at face value upon maturity.
• The difference between the issue price and face value represents the investor's return.

Key Features of PFC’s Zero Coupon Bonds

• Issuance & Maturity: To be issued on or before March 31, 2027, with a maturity period of 121 months (10 years and 1 month).
• Discounted Price: Issued at ₹50,454 per unit, with a face value of ₹1 lakh at maturity.
• Total Bonds: Up to 10 lakh bonds will be issued.
• Fixed Returns: Investors receive ₹1 lakh per bond upon maturity.

Who Should Invest in Zero Coupon Bonds?

ZCBs are ideal for long-term investors seeking a lump sum payout rather than periodic interest payments. Suitable for:

• Future Financial Goals: Ideal for children’s education, marriage, or retirement planning.
• Conservative Investors: Those preferring low-risk investments over equities or variable-rate bonds.
• Portfolio Diversification: Helps balance high-growth portfolios with stable, fixed-income returns.

Advantages of Investing in Zero Coupon Bonds

• Guaranteed Returns: Fixed return over a definite period.
• Lower Risk than Equities: Provides stable and predictable returns.
• Portfolio Diversification: Adds a low-risk, fixed-income element to an investment portfolio.
• Tax Benefits on Long-Term Holding: Gains held for over 12 months attract 12.5% Long-Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG), lower than other investments.

Risks Associated with Zero Coupon Bonds

• Interest Rate Risk: If interest rates rise, the value of existing ZCBs falls in the secondary market.
• Duration Risk: Long maturity periods make ZCBs highly sensitive to interest rate changes.
• Liquidity Risk: Selling before maturity may result in losses due to market price fluctuations.

Tax Implications of Zero Coupon Bonds

• Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If sold before 12 months, gains are taxed as per the investor’s tax slab.
• Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Gains on bonds held beyond 12 months are taxed at 12.5%, lower than STCG rates.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Delhi International Airport Wins ASQ Airport Experience Award 2024 for Best Airport Over 40 Million Passengers in Asia-Pacific

• GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited has announced that its subsidiary, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), has been honored with the prestigious Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Airport Experience Award 2024 for the Best Airport Over 40 Million Passengers in the Asia-Pacific region.
• This marks the seventh consecutive year that Delhi Airport has received this prestigious recognition, reinforcing its commitment to customer service excellence.

Significance of the ASQ Awards

The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, presented by Airports Council International (ACI), are widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating airport service quality worldwide.

Key Features of ASQ Awards

• Global Benchmarking – The only worldwide program that measures passenger experience.
• Passenger-Centric Evaluation – Based on real-time feedback from travelers.
• Broad Participation – Over 400 airports globally participate in the program.

Delhi Airport’s Continued Excellence

• Seventh Consecutive Win (2018-2024) – Consistently recognized in the 40+ Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category.
• Operational Excellence – Delhi Airport has maintained high service standards, ensuring a seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers.
• Expanding Capacity – Recently reached the milestone of handling 100 million passengers annually, cementing its status as a leading global aviation hub.

Jayshree Vencatesan Becomes First Indian to Receive Ramsar Award for Wetland Wise Use

• Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Chennai-based Care Earth Trust, has become the first Indian to be honored with the Ramsar Award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’.
• This prestigious global recognition celebrates her contributions to sustainable wetland management.
• The Ramsar Secretariat in Geneva announced the award on the eve of International Women’s Day 2024.

The Prestigious Ramsar Award

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for wetland conservation.
• Jayshree Vencatesan won under the ‘Wise Use of Wetlands’
• She is the first Indian to receive this global honor.
• One of 12 women changemakers acknowledged for pioneering work in wetland conservation.

Jayshree Vencatesan: A Champion for Wetland Conservation

• Dedicated decades to conserving India’s wetlands, focusing on Pallikaranai Marsh, Chennai.
• Started her conservation journey with just $350, challenging the notion that wetlands are mere “wastelands.”

Tamil Nadu’s Rich Wetland Heritage

• Tamil Nadu has 18 Ramsar sites, making it a significant state for wetland biodiversity.
• Jayshree’s work highlights the importance of protecting wetlands in rapidly urbanizing areas like Chennai.

Other Women Changemakers Recognized

Alongside Jayshree, other notable recipients of the Ramsar Award include:

• Celeste Saulo – Secretary General, World Meteorological Organization.
• Jennifer George – CEO, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat.
• Tatiana Minayeva – Consultant, Care for Ecosystems.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Arun Mammen elected as new chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association

• Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd, has been elected Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).
• Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, has been named Vice Chairman of ATMA.
• Mammen takes over ATMA's leadership ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2025.

About Arun Mammen:

• Education: Graduate of Madras Christian College, MBA from Ashland University, USA.
• Industry Experience:
  • Trained at B F Goodrich Tire & Co. and Uniroyal Goodrich Tire & Co. in the United States.
  • Joined MRF Ltd as Managing Director in 2004.
  • Appointed Vice Chairman and Managing Director in 2017.
• Plans to expand membership and make ATMA more inclusive.
• Aims to position India as a global tyre supplier by advocating for:
  • Policy measures to enhance industry competitiveness.
  • Technological advancements to align with global standards.
• Focus on environmentally friendly tyre production by:
  • Using regenerative and recycled raw materials.
  • Adopting green energy solutions.
  • Reducing water consumption in manufacturing.

INROAD Project: Expanding Rubber Plantations

• ATMA’s INROAD Project aims to develop 200,000 hectares of new rubber plantations.
• The plantation target is expected to be met within the next two years.
• The next phase will focus on quality improvements and stakeholder training.

About ATMA:

• Founded in:
• Represents: India’s ₹90,000 crore (US$11 billion) automotive tyre industry.
• Members: Apollo Tyres, Bridgestone India, Ceat Tyres, Goodyear India, JK Tyre, MRF Ltd
• These six companies collectively account for over 90% of India’s tyre production.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA’s newest space telescope blasts off to map the entire sky and millions of galaxies

• NASA’s latest space telescope, Spherex, was launched into orbit on Tuesday aboard a SpaceX rocket from California.
• The telescope will map the entire sky in unprecedented detail, capturing a sweeping view of hundreds of millions of galaxies and their cosmic glow since the universe's beginning.
• The $488 million mission aims to study galaxy formation and evolution over billions of years, as well as the rapid expansion of the universe in its early moments.
• Within the Milky Way, Spherex will also search for water and life-related ingredients in the icy clouds between stars where new solar systems
• Weighing 1,110 pounds (500 kg), roughly the size of a grand piano, Spherex will use infrared imaging to map the entire sky in six months.
• Over two years, it will complete four full-sky surveys from its 400-mile (650 km) orbit over Earth's poles.
• Although Spherex lacks the detailed resolution of NASA’s Hubble and Webb telescopes, its wide field of view will enable it to capture large-scale cosmic structures and contribute to understanding the universe’s history and composition.

About NASA:

• Established: 1958
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA

China builds giant anti-hypersonic radar that can track every small and big Indian missile from 5,000 km away

• China has reportedly deployed a new Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province, near the Myanmar border.
• The radar is believed to have a range of over 5,000 km, enabling surveillance deep into Indian territory.
• It can also track missile tests, including those from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in India.
• Unlike traditional radars, LPARs use electronically controlled antennas instead of mechanical rotation.
• Enables instant scanning of vast areas and tracking multiple targets, including ballistic missiles.

Key Highlights:

• Plays a critical role in early warning systems and air defence networks.
• The structure is six stories high with an octagonal array of antennas.
• Besides China, only the US and Russia possess similar LPAR technology.
• It is being compared to the US PAVE PAWS radar, which has a range of 5,600 km.
• China has invested in phased-array radar technology since the 1970s.
• Similar LPARs in Shandong monitor missile threats from North Korea, South Korea, and Japan.
• The Yunnan-based radar monitors missile tests from India's Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
• It enhances China's real-time intelligence on India's missile capabilities and launch patterns.
• Extends Chinese surveillance over the Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait, crucial for India's naval and trade routes.
• Expands China’s coverage of India, adding to existing radars in Korla and Xinjiang, which monitor northern India.
• This new radar system marks a significant upgrade in China's surveillance capabilities and poses strategic security challenges for India.

Tejas Fighter Jet Successfully Test Fires Air-To-Air Astra Missile Off Odisha Coast

• India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully conducted the test launch of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from the LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft on March 12, 2025, off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.
• The test-firing achieved a direct hit on a flying target, with all subsystems performing accurately, meeting all mission parameters and objectives.
• The Astra missile, developed by DRDO, has a range of over 100 km and features advanced guidance and navigation systems for precision targeting.
• The missile is already inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• This successful test marks a crucial step towards the induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant.
• The achievement was made possible by the efforts of ADA, DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), CEMILAC, DG-AQA, IAF, and the Test Range team.

About DRDO:

• Founded: 1958
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Defence, Government of India
• Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamat

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

Ministry of Defence-Bharat Electronics Limited Sign Contract For Procuring Low-Level Transportable Radar For Rs 2,906 Crore

• As part of the Central Government’s efforts to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has signed a capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad for procuring Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) – Ashwini at a cost of ₹2,906 crore.
• The radar is indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (DRDO).
• The contract was signed in New Delhi by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• LLTR (Ashwini) is an active electronically scanned phased array radar based on solid-state technology.
• It can track aerial targets from high-speed fighter aircraft to slow-moving objects like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.
• Its acquisition will significantly enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• These mobile radars, equipped with Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities, can be deployed across various terrains and automatically detect and track aerial targets.
• With this latest contract, BEL's total order inflow for the current financial year has reached ₹17,030 crore.
• The programme is a major step towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, reducing dependency on foreign origin equipment manufacturers and promoting the defence industrial ecosystem in India.
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is an Indian public sector company headquartered in Bangalore, manufacturing advanced electronic products for ground and aerospace applications.
• It is one of sixteen PSUs under the Ministry of Defence.

Recent News:

• In March 2025, India signed a $248 million contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport to acquire 1,000 horsepower (HP) engines for its T-72 battle tanks, aiming to improve their mobility and offensive strength on the battlefield.

About Ministry of Defence:

• Cabinet Minister: Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State (MoS): Ajay Bhatt

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Khelo India Winter Games 2025: Indian Army Emerges as Overall Champion

• The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (KIWG 2025), the fifth edition of India’s premier winter sports event, was successfully conducted in two phases.
• The event, held under the Khelo India initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aimed at promoting winter sports in India.
• Participation: 400+ athletes from 19 teams.
• Venues: Leh, Ladakh & Jammu & Kashmir.
• Overall Champion: Indian Army (most gold medals).

Phases and Venues of KIWG 2025

The event took place in two phases across different regions:

Phase 1: Leh, Ladakh (January 23-27, 2025)

• Events: Ice Hockey and Ice Skating.
• Venues:
  • Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Sports Complex.
  • Guphuk Pond.

Phase 2: Jammu & Kashmir (March 9-12, 2025)

• Events:
  • Alpine Skiing
  • Nordic Skiing
  • Ski Mountaineering
  • Snowboarding
• Venues:
  • Kangdoori Phase 1.
  • Golf Course Club, Gulmarg.

Participation and Competition Format

• Over 400 athletes competed from 19 teams (states, UTs, institutions).
• Team championship format – gold medals determined the overall winner.

Notable Performances & Highlights

1. Nayana Sri Talluri’s Hat-Trick Gold in Speed Skating

• A 15-year-old from Telangana made history with three gold medals.
• Won women’s 500m short track event, marking KIWG 2025’s first gold medal.

2. Aanchal Thakur’s Double Gold in Alpine Skiing

• Won gold in slalom and giant slalom events in Gulmarg.

Medal Tally of Khelo India Winter Games 2025

The Indian Army topped the standings:

Rank	State/UT/Team	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Indian Army	7	5	6	18
2	Himachal Pradesh	6	5	7	18
3	Ladakh	4	2	1	7
4	Maharashtra	3	5	5	13
5	Tamil Nadu	3	2	0	5
6	ITBP	2	5	3	10
7	Karnataka	2	3	1	6
8	Telangana	2	1	2	5
9	Jammu & Kashmir	2	1	1	4
10	Uttarakhand	1	2	3	6
11	CRPF	0	1	0	1
12	Haryana	0	0	2	2
13	Delhi	0	0	1	1
13	Madhya Pradesh	0	0	1	1

Indian Army’s Continued Dominance

• Defending Champions: Won KIWG 2024 (10 gold medals).
• Second Consecutive Title Victory.

Past Winners of Khelo India Winter Games

Year	Host	Winner
2020	Jammu & Kashmir	Jammu & Kashmir
2021	Jammu & Kashmir	Jammu & Kashmir
2023	Jammu & Kashmir	Jammu & Kashmir
2024	Gulmarg, J&K	Indian Army
2025	Leh & Gulmarg	Indian Army

ICC Player of the Month Awards – February 2025: Shubman Gill & Alana King Win Top Honors

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month Awards for February 2025.

• Men’s Player of the Month: Shubman Gill (India)
• Women’s Player of the Month: Alana King (Australia)

Their exceptional performances in international cricket earned them this prestigious recognition.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month: Shubman Gill

Gill’s Performance in February 2025

Shubman Gill played a crucial role in India’s series sweep against England and their triumph in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

ODI Series vs England

• Scored 87 & 60 in the first two ODIs.
• Registered a match-winning century (112) in Ahmedabad.

ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025

• Scored an unbeaten 101 vs Bangladesh in Dubai.
• His performance guided India to a successful chase of 229, leading to their tournament victory.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award

• Won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for the third time.
• Outperformed Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) & Steve Smith (Australia) in the race for the award.
• Climbed back to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batter Rankings, scoring 406 runs at an average of over 100 in February.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month: Alana King

King’s Performance in February 2025

Australian spinner Alana King played a pivotal role in Australia’s Ashes victory, delivering outstanding performances in the Melbourne Test.

Ashes Test Match (Melbourne)

• Took 4 wickets for 45 runs in the first innings, dismantling England’s middle order.
• Registered a career-best 5/53 in the second innings, ensuring an innings victory for Australia.
• Her performance earned her a place on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Honours Board.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award

• Became the third consecutive Australian cricketer to win this award.
• Defeated Annabel Sutherland (Australia) & Thipatcha Putthawong (Thailand) for the title.

RECENT NEWS

• In March 2025, India once again made history by winning the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time. In an exciting final against New Zealand, India displayed skill, resilience, and teamwork to claim victory.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Action of Rivers 2025: March 14

• International Day Of Action For Rivers is celebrated on 14th March 2025.

International Day of Action of Rivers History 

• The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life was adopted by the participants of the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams in March 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil, according to internationalrivers.org. River experts from 20 countries decided that March 14 will be the 'Day of Action for Rivers'.
• The participants aimed to unite against the destruction of rivers, other water bodies, and the ecologically fragile watershed areas.

 World Sleep Day 2025: March 14

• World Sleep Day 2025 is observed on the 14th March 2025.

 World Sleep Day 2025 Theme

• The World Sleep Day theme 2025 is "Make Sleep Health a Priority".

World Sleep Day History

• World Sleep Day was founded by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Day Society in 2008.
• It is celebrated annually on the Friday before the northern hemisphere vernal equinox.
• World Sleep Day is observed annually on the Friday before the March Equinox.
• The first World Sleep Day was held on 14 March 2008.
• Events involving discussions, presentations of educational materials, and exhibitions take place around the world and online.

Daily CA One- Liner: March 14

• The Water Sustainability Conference 2025 was organized by the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) under the National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
• The 4th ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Conference, held in Munich, focused on global efforts to combat terror financing
• India has emerged as the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) contributor to Dubai in 2024, surpassing the United States, France, and the United Kingdom
• India’s retail inflation eased to 3.61% in February 2025, marking a seven-month low, as food inflation fell below 4% for the first time in nearly two years.
• The Finance Ministry has authorized Power Finance Corporation (PFC) to issue Zero Coupon Bonds (ZCBs) worth up to ₹10,000 crore
• GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited has announced that its subsidiary, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), has been honored with the prestigious Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Airport Experience Award 2024 for the Best Airport Over 40 Million Passengers in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Chennai-based Care Earth Trust, has become the first Indian to be honored with the Ramsar Award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’.
• The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (KIWG 2025), the fifth edition of India’s premier winter sports event, was successfully conducted in two phases.
• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month Awards for February 2025.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Account Aggregator (AA) framework in September 2016 to facilitate secure financial data exchange.
• Kuhoo Finance has received approval for a non-banking financial company licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), student loans-focussed lending platform, allowing it to lend from its books along with partner NBFCs and banks.
• Moody’s has projected India's GDP growth to exceed 6.5% in FY26, up from 6.3% in FY25.
• Trans Union CIBIL and the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) are partnering to promote financial literacy and credit awareness in India.
• Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd, has been elected Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).
• NASA’s latest space telescope, Spherex, was launched into orbit on Tuesday aboard a SpaceX rocket from California.
• China has reportedly deployed a new Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province, near the Myanmar border.
• India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully conducted the test launch of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from the LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft on March 12, 2025, off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.
• As part of the Central Government’s efforts to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has signed a capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad for procuring Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) – Ashwini at a cost of ₹2,906 crore.
• International Day Of Action For Rivers is celebrated on 14th March 2025.
• World Sleep Day 2025 is observed on the 14th March 2025.