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 30th & 31st 2025, can test their knowledge by attempting Current Affairs Quiz provided with answers. Daily current affairs March 30th & 31st 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 30th & 31st 2025

Get More: Static GK Pdfs

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND ECONOMY

Punjab & Sind Bank Recognized as Top Improver in EASE 6.0 Reforms Index

• Punjab & Sind Bank has been honored with the Top Improvers award in the EASE 6.0 Reforms Index, highlighting its significant progress in banking services, digital transformation, and customer-centric initiatives.
• This recognition is part of the Enhanced Access & Service Excellence (EASE) initiative, which assesses public sector banks (PSBs) based on key performance metrics.

Key Highlights of the Recognition

EASE 6.0 Reforms Index

• Evaluates public sector banks (PSBs) on key parameters such as:
  • Digital transformation.
  • Financial inclusion.
  • Customer service excellence.

Punjab & Sind Bank’s Achievement

• Awarded Top Improvers for notable enhancements in banking operations.
• Recognized for its efforts in modernization, efficiency, and customer-centric reforms.

Leadership Role

• Swarup Kumar Saha, Managing Director & CEO, played a pivotal role in driving these reforms.
• Brings 30+ years of banking experience to the bank’s transformation efforts.

Recognition in Indian Banking

• The award underscores Punjab & Sind Bank’s commitment to becoming a modern, customer-focused, and digitally advanced public sector bank.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Cabinet Approves 2% Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) Hike for Central Government Employees and Pensioners

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for central government employees and pensioners, effective from January 1, 2025.
• With this revision, DA/DR rises from 53% to 55% of Basic Pay/Pension, benefiting over 1.15 crore people.

Key Points of the DA/DR Hike

Increase in DA/DR

• Revised DA/DR: Increased from 53% to 55%.
• Effective from: January 1, 2025.

Beneficiaries

• 66 lakh central government employees.
• 55 lakh pensioners.

Financial Impact

• Estimated additional burden on the exchequer: ₹6,614.04 crore per annum.

Background

• DA is revised twice a year (January and July) based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).
• The last hike was in July 2024, when DA increased from 50% to 53%.
• The increase follows the 7th Central Pay Commission’s recommendations.

Purpose of DA/DR

• DA is aimed at offsetting inflation, ensuring that government employees' real income remains stable.
• The anticipation of the 8th Pay Commission has heightened interest in DA hikes and future salary revisions.

Government Launches ‘Sahkar’ Taxi Service Under Cooperative Model

• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has announced the launch of ‘Sahkar’, a new app-based taxi service modeled on Ola and Uber, but operating under a cooperative framework.
• The initiative, unveiled during the discussion on the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to empower drivers as stakeholders rather than mere service providers.

Key Highlights of ‘Sahkar’ Taxi Service

Driver-Centric and Cooperative-Based Model

• Driver-Owned Model: Unlike private ride-hailing companies, profits will be shared among drivers.
• Transparent Pricing: Ensures fair and non-discriminatory fares, addressing concerns of dynamic pricing by private platforms.
• Government-Backed Initiative: Supported by the Ministry of Cooperation, reinforcing cooperative-based economic models.
• Pilot Launch: Expected to be tested in select cities before a nationwide rollout.

Why Was ‘Sahkar’ Announced?

• Scrutiny of Ola and Uber: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently investigated Ola and Uber over allegations of discriminatory pricing, including fare variations based on whether a customer uses an iPhone or an Android device.
• Strengthening the Cooperative Movement: The initiative aligns with the ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) mission, promoting driver welfare and economic empowerment.

National Cooperative University – Strengthening Cooperative Education

• Alongside ‘Sahkar’, the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023 also includes provisions for setting up a National Cooperative University.

Objectives of the University

• Provide education, diplomas, and certifications in cooperative management.
• Train professionals in cooperative governance and financial management.
• Develop future cooperative leaders, benefiting farmers, small entrepreneurs, and cooperative businesses.

What’s Next for ‘Sahkar’?

• Pilot implementation in key metropolitan cities before full-scale expansion.
• Incentives for drivers to join the cooperative model.
• Technology-driven platforms ensure smooth app functionality and user experience.

AI-Powered Multilingual Grievance Redressal System Launched for Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System

• In a significant step toward citizen-centric governance, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has collaborated with Digital India Bhashini to introduce an AI-powered, multimodal, multilingual grievance redressal system for the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
• This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of making governance more accessible, inclusive, and responsive, enabling citizens to lodge grievances in 22 regional languages using voice and text input.
• The system is set to be operational by July 2025.

Key Features of the System

• Multilingual Support: Citizens can file complaints in 22 regional languages, eliminating language barriers.
• Multimodal Input: Enables submission via voice commands and text for user convenience.
• AI-Powered Interface: Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for voice-to-text conversion and automated grievance categorization.
• Enhanced Accessibility: A user-friendly interface improves ease of navigation on the CPGRAMS portal.
• Seamless Citizen Engagement: Strengthens government responsiveness by ensuring timely grievance resolution.
• Boosts Digital Governance: Supports Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives through AI-driven governance improvements.

Implementation Timeline

• Agreement Signed: March 28, 2025
• Planned Launch: July 2025
• Rollout Strategy: Gradual implementation across CPGRAMS, with continuous enhancements based on user feedback.

India’s Social Security Expansion: Key Findings from International Labour Organization’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26

• India has made significant progress in expanding social security coverage, as highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26.
• The report states that India’s social protection coverage has doubled from 24.4% (2021) to 48.8% (2024), largely due to government welfare initiatives.

Key Highlights of the ILO World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26

• A periodic global assessment of social security systems.
• Focuses on universal social protection, climate action, and just transitions.
• A 5% increase in global social protection coverage is attributed to India’s efforts.
• The Asia-Pacific companion report provides regional insights into social security challenges and solutions.

India’s Key Social Protection Initiatives

1. Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

• 39.94 crore Ayushman Cards issued as of March 26, 2025.
• Provides ₹5 lakh free health coverage per family at 24,810 empanelled hospitals

2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• Provides free food grains to vulnerable populations.
• 80.67 crore people benefit from this scheme as of December 2024.

3. eShram Portal

• Launched on August 26, 2021, to register unorganised workers for social security benefits.
• 30.68 crore workers registered as of March 3, 2025.
• 53.68% of registered workers are women.

4. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Launched on May 9, 2015, for pension benefits to unorganised sector workers.
• 7.25 crore beneficiaries enrolled as of December 31, 2024.
• Total accumulated corpus: ₹43,369.98 crore.

5. Poverty Reduction through Social Security Measures

• 24.8 crore people have escaped multi-dimensional poverty in the last decade.

India’s Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise

• Launched on March 19, 2025, to consolidate welfare scheme data for accurate social security assessment.
• Phase 01 covers 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
• 200 crore+ welfare records processed using encrypted Aadhaar as a unique identifier across 34 central schemes, including:
  • MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
  • EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation)
  • ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation)
  • PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman)

India’s Collaboration with ILO

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment is working with the ILO to ensure recognition of housing and food security schemes in future ILO reports.
• During the 353rd ILO Governing Body meeting (Geneva), the ILO acknowledged that India’s efforts should be part of global social protection indicators under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

India’s Core Sector Growth Slows to 2.9% in February 2025

• India’s core sector growth dropped to 2.9% in February 2025, marking its weakest expansion in five months.
• This is a significant decline from 7.1% growth in February 2024, largely due to high base effects and weaker output in five of the eight core industries.
• The slowdown is expected to impact the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which had recorded 5% growth in January 2025.

Key Highlights

Core Sector Growth Data

• Growth declined to 2.9% (February 2025) from 5.1% (January 2025).
• Weaker performance attributed to a high base effect (leap year impact) and lower output in five industries.

Sector-Wise Performance

Sectors with Growth

• Cement: 10.5% growth (highest among core industries).
• Fertilizers: 10.2% growth (strong performance due to agricultural demand).
• Steel: 5.6% growth, improving from 4.7% in January 2025.
• Electricity: 2.8% growth, slightly higher than 2.4% in January 2025.

Sectors with Decline

• Coal: 1.7% growth (slowest in four months).
• Crude Oil: -5.2% decline (continued production challenges).
• Natural Gas: -6% decline (supply chain constraints).
• Refinery Output: 0.8% growth, slowest in six months.

Other Industrial Indicators

• Manufacturing PMI dropped to 56.3 (February 2025) from 57.7 (January 2025), indicating a slowdown in industrial activity.

India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) Expands to $11.5 Billion in Q3 FY25

• India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to $11.5 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q3 FY25 (Oct-Dec 2024) due to an increase in the merchandise trade deficit, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• However, the deficit moderated from $16.7 billion (1.8% of GDP) in Q2 FY25.
• Despite this, foreign exchange reserves have risen by $311 billion since December 2018, marking the largest increase under any RBI Governor.
• Meanwhile, Balance of Payments (BoP) recorded a depletion of $37.7 billion, compared to an accretion of $6 billion in Q3 FY24.
• The full-year CAD for FY25 is projected to be around 0.8% of GDP.

Key Highlights of CAD in Q3 FY25

1. Current Account Deficit (CAD) Trends

• CAD increased to $11.5 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q3 FY25, compared to $10.4 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q3 FY24.
• Moderation from Q2 FY25, where CAD stood at $16.7 billion (1.8% of GDP).
• FY25 full-year CAD estimated at 0.8% of GDP, with a slight rise to 1.0% expected in FY26.

2. Merchandise Trade Deficit

• Trade deficit rose to $79.2 billion in Q3 FY25, up from $71.6 billion in Q3 FY24.
• Expected to narrow in Q4 FY25 due to a seasonal increase in exports.

3. Foreign Exchange Reserves

• Forex reserves increased by $311 billion since December 2018.
• Largest forex accumulation under any RBI Governor.

4. Balance of Payments (BoP)

• BoP deficit of $37.7 billion in Q3 FY25, contrasting with a $6 billion surplus in Q3 FY24.
• April-December FY25 CAD stood at $37 billion (1.3% of GDP), up from $30.6 billion (1.1% of GDP) in FY24.

5. Key Components of the Current Account

• Net services receipts rose to $51.2 billion, from $45 billion in Q3 FY24.
• Private transfer receipts (remittances) increased to $35.1 billion, up from $30.6 billion a year ago.
• Primary income outgo (investment income payments) rose to $16.7 billion, from $13.1 billion in Q3 FY24.
• NRI deposits net inflow stood at $3.1 billion, down from $3.9 billion in Q3 FY24.
• Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) recorded net outflows of $11.4 billion, compared to $12 billion inflows in Q3 FY24.
• External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) saw net inflows of $4.3 billion, recovering from $2.7 billion outflows a year earlier.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) Appoints Sunil Kakkar as Whole-Time Director

• Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has appointed Sunil Kakkar as an Additional Director and Whole-Time Director, designated as Director (Corporate Planning), for a three-year term from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028.

Key Highlights of the Appointment

New Appointment

• Sunil Kakkar will serve as Director (Corporate Planning) for a three-year term.
• His tenure will be from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028.

Extensive Experience

• Over 35 years of experience at Maruti Suzuki.
• Held key leadership roles in corporate planning, supply chain management, and localisation.

Current Role

• Senior Executive Officer, heading Corporate Planning.
• Member of the Executive Committee.

Previous Leadership Roles

• Head of Supply Chain Vertical.
• Plant Head – Gurgaon Production Operations.
• Led strategic localisation initiatives to enhance indigenous production.

Steve Waugh Appointed to Centre for Australia-India Relations Advisory Board

• Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has been appointed to the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) Advisory Board, as announced by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
• This move recognizes Waugh’s long-standing contributions to strengthening Australia-India ties in sports, culture, and philanthropy.

Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR)

• Role: Enhances economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Australia and India.
• Functions: Acts as a bridge between government, industry, academia, and community organizations.
• Advisory Board’s Role: Sets strategic priorities and ensures alignment with evolving bilateral relations.

Impact on Australia-India Relations

1. Strengthening Key Sectors

• Education: Rising number of Indian students in Australian universities.
• Tourism: Increasing Indian tourist arrivals in Australia.
• Sports: Expanding bilateral cricketing ties and collaboration in hockey and other sports.
• Trade & Economy: Stronger investments in technology, healthcare, and agriculture.

2. Transition in CAIR Leadership

• Adam Gilchrist, the outgoing board member, was acknowledged for his contributions.
• Gilchrist promoted sports diplomacy, cultural ties, and youth collaborations.
• Steve Waugh is expected to build upon this legacy.

Rajneet Kohli Appointed as Executive Director of the Foods & Refreshment at Hindustan Unilever (HUL)

• Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has appointed Rajneet Kohli, former CEO of Britannia Industries, as Executive Director of the Foods and Refreshment Division, effective April 7, 2025.
• He will replace Shiva Krishnamurthy, who is moving on to pursue an external opportunity.

Key Highlights of the Appointment

• New Role: Rajneet Kohli to take over as Executive Director – Foods and Refreshment at HUL.
• Previous Position: Served as CEO & Executive Director of Britannia Industries until March 14, 2025.
• Industry Experience: Nearly 30 years in consumer and retail sectors, with key roles at Asian Paints, Coca-Cola, Jubilant FoodWorks, and Britannia.
• Replacement: Succeeds Shiva Krishnamurthy, who is leaving for an external role.
• HUL’s Foods Business:
  • Includes brands like Kissan, Bru, Knorr, Brooke Bond, Horlicks, Lipton, and Hellmann’s.
  • Generated ₹15,292 crore in revenue for FY24, contributing 25% of HUL’s total turnover.
• Kohli’s Impact at Britannia:
  • Strengthened Britannia’s leadership in the food and bakery segment.
  • Led product innovation and digital transformation.

Recent Leadership Changes at HUL

HUL has been undergoing leadership transformation, reinforcing its strategic focus on growth and innovation.

• Rohit Jawa became MD & CEO in June 2023.
• Harman Dhillon was appointed Executive Director – Beauty & Well-being in 2023.
• Arun Neelakantan appointed Executive Director – Customer Development in June 2024.

Jasprit Bumrah Appointed as Brand Ambassador for L&T Finance Ltd.

• L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India, has announced Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador.
• This strategic partnership aims to enhance LTF’s brand presence and strengthen its customer outreach across India.

L&T Finance Ltd.: Expanding Market Presence

L&T Finance provides a wide range of financial products and services to both urban and rural customers, particularly in:

• Rural Business Finance
• Farm Equipment Finance
• Two-wheeler Finance

Key Presence and Reach

• Operations in 2 lakh villages across India.
• 2,028 rural branches and 185 urban branches.
• 12,500+ distribution touchpoints.
• A strong retail franchise, enabling accessible financial solutions for individuals and families.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Role in LTF’s Brand Campaigns

• Bumrah will be the face of LTF’s Above The Line (ATL) and Below The Line (BTL) marketing campaigns, focusing on:

L&T Finance’s Commitment to Financial Inclusion & Digital Transformation

• LTF is committed to financial inclusion and sustainable growth, with a focus on digital transformation through its strategic initiative, Lakshya 2026.

Key Goals of Lakshya 2026:

• Shifting from product-centric to customer-centric approach.
• Building a strong retail portfolio with quality assets.
• Expanding Fintech@Scale for digital innovation in financial services.
• Integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into operations.

Awards and Recognitions for L&T Finance

• AAA Credit Rating from four leading agencies (highest rating for NBFCs).
• Recognition for its CSR initiative “Digital Sakhi”, empowering women through digital financial inclusion.
• Certified as a Great Place To Work®.

Challa Sreenivasalu Setty Appointed as Chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA)

• The Indian Banks Association (IBA) has elected Challa Sreenivasalu Setty, the Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), as its new Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year.
• His tenure will last until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• The decision was made during the IBA managing committee meeting on March 28, 2025.

Key Highlights

• New IBA Chairman: Challa Sreenivasalu Setty, Chairman of SBI, succeeds MV Rao, Chief Executive of Central Bank of India.
• Deputy Chairmen Appointed:
  • A Manimekhalai – CEO, Union Bank of India
  • Swarup Kumar Saha – CEO, Punjab & Sind Bank
  • Madhav Nair – CEO, Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait India
• Honorary Secretary: B Ramesh Babu, CEO, Karur Vysya Bank

Role and Expectations

As IBA Chairman, Setty will lead efforts to:

• Advocate for banking sector reforms.
• Ensure policy support for banks.
• Address industry challenges and strengthen financial stability.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara Awarded 2025 Abel Prize for Pioneering Work in Algebraic Analysis

• Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara has been awarded the 2025 Abel Prize for his exceptional contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory.
• The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters recognized the 78-year-old mathematician for his groundbreaking development of D-modules and crystal bases, which have significantly impacted modern mathematics.

What is the Abel Prize?

The Abel Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards in mathematics, often considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in the field.

Key Facts:

• Established: 2002 by the Norwegian Parliament.
• Named after: Niels Henrik Abel, known for his work on quintic equations and elliptic functions.
• Administered by: Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
• Monetary Award: 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (≈ $720,000).
• Alternative to the Nobel Prize, which does not include mathematics.

Historical Context of the Abel Prize

• Originated from a proposal in 1899 by Norwegian mathematician Sophus Lie to honor Abel’s legacy.
• Officially established in 2002, marking the 200th birth anniversary of Niels Henrik Abel.
• Recognizes mathematicians whose contributions have significantly advanced the field.

Masaki Kashiwara’s Contributions to Mathematics

1. Development of D-Modules

• Introduced a new framework for studying linear differential equations.
• Deepened the understanding of algebraic and geometric structures.
• Applied across multiple mathematical disciplines, including theoretical physics.

2. Introduction of Crystal Bases

• Simplified complex representation theory calculations.
• Enhanced the study of quantum groups and algebraic structures.

3. Collaborative Works and Publications

• Worked with prominent mathematicians like Pierre Schapira.
• Co-authored influential books such as “Sheaves on Manifolds”, shaping modern mathematical analysis.

Notable Past Abel Prize Recipients

• Michel Talagrand (2024): Probability and Functional Analysis.
• Luis Caffarelli (2023): Partial Differential Equations.
• Dennis Sullivan (2022): Topology and Dynamical Systems.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

India and Russia to Hold 14th Edition of INDRA Naval Exercise Off Chennai and Bay of Bengal from March 28 to April 2, 2025

• India and Russia will conduct the 14th edition of their bilateral naval exercise, INDRA 2025, from March 28 to April 2, 2025, off the coast of Chennai and in the Bay of Bengal.
• Since its inception in 2003, Exercise INDRA has played a key role i n strengthening naval interoperability and operational coordination between the Indian Navy and Russian Navy.

Key Highlights of INDRA 2025

1. Overview of the Exercise

• 14th edition of the INDRA naval exercise.
• Dates: March 28 – April 2, 2025.
• Location: Off Chennai and in the Bay of Bengal.

2. Phases of the Exercise

Phase	Dates	Key Activities
Harbour Phase	March 28-30, 2025	Opening Ceremony, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), Reciprocal Ship Visits, Sports Events, Pre-Sail Briefings.
Sea Phase	March 31-April 2, 2025	Tactical Manoeuvres, Live Weapon Firings, Anti-Air Operations, Underway Replenishment, Helicopter Cross-Deck Landings, Exchange of Sea Riders.

3. Participating Naval Assets

Indian Navy	Russian Navy
INS Rana (Destroyer)	RFS Pechanga (Support Ship)
INS Kuthar (Frigate)	RFS Rezkiy (Frigate)
P-8I (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)	RFS Aldar Tsydenzhapov (Corvette)

Chief Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan Inaugurates Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival, at IIT Kanpur.
• The event serves as a platform for technological innovation, connecting scholars, industry experts, and defence personnel to discuss advancements in cutting-edge technology.
• During a Fireside Chat, Gen Chauhan highlighted the need to modernize the Indian Armed Forces by integrating Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, and Cognitive Warfare.
• He urged young innovators to contribute to national security and technological self-reliance.

Key Highlights

1. Inauguration and Theme

• CDS Gen Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur.
• Theme: “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows) – representing the continuous evolution of technology and innovation.

2. Focus on Future Warfare Technologies

• Discussed the modernization of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Emphasized advancements in Cybersecurity, AI, Quantum Computing, and Cognitive Warfare.
• Encouraged young minds to drive India’s technological progress.

3. Key Attendees

• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Central Air Command.
• Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.

4. Rakshakriti: Defence Expo

• A special Defence Expo showcasing next-generation military technologies.
• Featured AI-driven warfare systems, autonomous drones, and indigenous defence innovations.
• Reinforced India’s commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and reducing foreign defence dependency.

5. Strengthening Defence-Academia-Industry Synergy

• Facilitated collaboration between armed forces, academia, and the defence industry.
• Focused on bridging academic research with real-world defence applications.
• IIT Kanpur recognized as a key contributor to breakthrough defence technologies.

Indian Army Conducts Tri-Service Multi-Domain Warfare Exercise ‘Prachand Prahaar’ in Arunachal Pradesh

• The Indian Army conducted the Tri-Service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise ‘Prachand Prahaar’ from March 25 to 27, 2025, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The exercise aimed to validate an integrated approach to surveillance, command and control, and precision firepower, enhancing coordination between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Overview of Exercise ‘Prachand Prahaar’

• Conducted under the Eastern Command.
• Focused on joint operations, technological superiority, and multi-domain warfare preparedness.
• Designed to test India’s ability to counter potential threats effectively.

Key Objectives

1. Integrated Surveillance & Command Control
   • Real-time intelligence sharing among the three services.
   • Coordinated decision-making using advanced surveillance platforms.
2. Precision Firepower & Target Neutralization
   • Identifying threats through cutting-edge reconnaissance methods.
   • Coordinated strikes using land, air, and sea-based assets.
3. Multi-Domain Operations
   • Utilization of advanced technology across land, air, sea, space, and cyber warfare domains.
4. Enhanced Jointness & Readiness
   • Strengthened inter-service synergy for rapid response in high-altitude warfare.

Key Features of ‘Prachand Prahaar’

1. Advanced Surveillance & Reconnaissance

The exercise featured cutting-edge surveillance technology, including:
✔ Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
✔ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) & loitering munitions.
✔ Space-based assets for enhanced situational awareness.
✔ Armed helicopters for real-time monitoring and rapid response.

2. Coordinated Firepower Deployment

Once targets were identified, precision strikes were carried out using:
✔ Fighter aircraft for air-to-ground attacks.
✔ Long-range rocket systems for deep-strike capabilities.
✔ 155 mm artillery systems for high-altitude firepower.
✔ Swarm drones & kamikaze drones for precision targeting.
✔ Armed helicopters for close air support.

3. Simulated Modern Battlefield Conditions

• Conducted in an electronically contested environment, testing communication and data-sharing resilience.
• Simulated scenarios where military networks faced cyber threats and disruptions.

Comparison with Previous Exercises

🔹 Exercise Poorvi Prahar (Nov 2024): Focused primarily on aviation assets and integrated air power.
🔹 Exercise Prachand Prahaar (March 2025): Emphasized multi-domain integration, involving land, air, sea, space, and cyber warfare.

India Launches ‘Operation Brahma’ for Myanmar Earthquake Relief

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, assuring India’s humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
• India launched ‘Operation Brahma’, an emergency relief mission providing disaster relief, search & rescue operations, and medical aid.

India’s Swift Response – ‘Operation Brahma’

Prime Minister Modi’s Statement

• Expressed condolences for lives lost.
• Pledged India’s full support to Myanmar as a close neighbor.
• Ensured rapid deployment of relief material and rescue teams.

Initial Relief Operations

• A C-130 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft from Hindon Airbase landed in Yangon with critical supplies.
• Two additional IAF aircraft followed with relief materials.
• India announced the setup of a field hospital for medical support.

Ministry of External Affairs’ Statement on India’s Role

India’s First Responder Role

• Randhir Jaiswal, MEA Spokesperson, reaffirmed India’s role as a first responder.
• Cited India’s assistance during Cyclone Yagi (2024) as an example of continued humanitarian efforts.

Safety of Indian Nationals in Myanmar

• No Indian casualties reported so far.
• Indian diaspora in Myanmar: ~2 million, with 50,000-60,000 Indian nationals currently residing.
• Indian government in touch with community organizations for safety assurance.

Deployment of Indian Military and Naval Forces

Field Hospital Deployment

• A fully equipped field hospital dispatched from Agra.
• Previously deployed during Operation Dost (Turkey, 2023).
• Led by Col. Jagneet Gill (Shatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders).
• 118 personnel included, with:
  • Operation theater
  • X-ray & dental facilities
  • Women medical officers for additional support

Naval Assistance

• Four naval ships prepared for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR).
• 50 tonnes of relief material being transported via sea.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

Hurun Global Rich List 2025: India Ranks Third with 284 Billionaires

• The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 has been released, showcasing significant shifts in global billionaire rankings.
• Shanghai has overtaken Mumbai as Asia’s billionaire capital, and India remains third globally with 284 billionaires.

India’s Position in the Hurun Global Rich List 2025

• Global Rank: India ranks third after the United States (870 billionaires) and China (823 billionaires).
• Total Wealth: Indian billionaires’ cumulative wealth stands at ₹98 lakh crore, a 10% increase from last year.
• Wealth Growth:
  • 175 Indian billionaires saw an increase in wealth.
  • 109 billionaires experienced a decline or no change in wealth.
• Billionaire Cities:
  • Shanghai has overtaken Mumbai as Asia’s billionaire hub (Shanghai: 92, Mumbai: 90).
  • Bengaluru and Mumbai are home to seven billionaires under 40.
  • Two Indian billionaires are just 34 years old.

India’s Richest Individuals (2025)

• Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) reclaims the title of Richest Person in Asia, despite a ₹1 lakh crore decline in his wealth.
• Gautam Adani (Adani Group) becomes the biggest wealth gainer, with a ₹1 lakh crore increase (13%), taking his net worth to ₹8.4 lakh crore, just behind Ambani’s ₹8.6 lakh crore.

Top 10 Billionaires in the World (2025)

The list continues to be dominated by Silicon Valley billionaires, with 9 out of 10 spots held by American business magnates.

Rank	Name	Company	Net Worth (USD)
1	Elon Musk	Tesla	$420 billion
2	Jeff Bezos	Amazon	$266 billion
3	Mark Zuckerberg	Meta	$242 billion
4	Larry Ellison	Oracle	$203 billion
5	Warren Buffett	Berkshire Hathaway	$167 billion
6	Larry Page	Alphabet (Google)	$164 billion
7	Bernard Arnault	LVMH	$157 billion
8	Steve Ballmer	Microsoft	$156 billion
9	Sergey Brin	Alphabet (Google)	$148 billion
10	Bill Gates	Microsoft	$143 billion

Daily CA One- Liner: March 30^th & 31^st

• Punjab & Sind Bank has been honored with the Top Improvers award in the EASE 6.0 Reforms Index, highlighting its significant progress in banking services, digital transformation, and customer-centric initiatives.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for central government employees and pensioners, effective from January 1, 2025.
• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has announced the launch of ‘Sahkar’, a new app-based taxi service modeled on Ola and Uber, but operating under a cooperative framework.
• In a significant step toward citizen-centric governance, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has collaborated with Digital India Bhashini to introduce an AI-powered, multimodal, multilingual grievance redressal system for the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
• India has made significant progress in expanding social security coverage, as highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26
• India’s core sector growth dropped to 2.9% in February 2025, marking its weakest expansion in five months
• India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to $11.5 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q3 FY25 (Oct-Dec 2024) due to an increase in the merchandise trade deficit, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has appointed Sunil Kakkar as an Additional Director and Whole-Time Director, designated as Director (Corporate Planning), for a three-year term from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028.
• Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has been appointed to the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) Advisory Board, as announced by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong
• Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has appointed Rajneet Kohli, former CEO of Britannia Industries, as Executive Director of the Foods and Refreshment Division, effective April 7, 2025.
• L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India, has announced Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador
• The Indian Banks Association (IBA) has elected Challa Sreenivasalu Setty, the Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), as its new Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara has been awarded the 2025 Abel Prize for his exceptional contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory.
• India and Russia will conduct the 14th edition of their bilateral naval exercise, INDRA 2025, from March 28 to April 2, 2025, off the coast of Chennai and in the Bay of Bengal.
• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival, at IIT Kanpur.
• The Indian Army conducted the Tri-Service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise ‘Prachand Prahaar’ from March 25 to 27, 2025, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, assuring India’s humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar
• The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 has been released, showcasing significant shifts in global billionaire rankings