NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Crosses Milestone of 10 Lakh Installations: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative, has achieved a significant milestone by completing 10.09 lakh installations across the country as of 10th March 2025.This ambitious scheme, launched by PM Modi on 13th February 2024, aims to provide free electricity through rooftop solar systems to 1 crore residential households and reduce dependence on conventional power sources while enabling citizens to become energy producers. The scheme enables every household to contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing carbon emissions equivalent to planting 100 trees.The scheme, implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has received 47.3 lakh applications. 6.13 lakh beneficiaries have successfully received subsidies, amounting to ₹ 4,770 crore. With a fully automated application, vendor selection and subsidy redeem process through pmsuryaghar.gov.in subsidies get credited to applicants’ bank accounts within 15 days.
2. Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy and Adamas University Sign MoU to Advance Homoeopathy Research: The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), New Delhi and Adamas University, Kolkata, have signed an MoU to foster academic and research collaboration in the field of Homoeopathy.This MoU marks a significant milestone in interdisciplinary research, paving the way for scientific advancements in homoeopathy through knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives. It reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to furthering innovation and evidence-based research in alternative medicine.
3. Salman Khan joins this small-cap FMCG company as brand ambassador: GRM Overseas or “GRM”, a prominent FMCG player in India, is poised to transform the Wheat Flour market with its new campaign for 10X Classic Chakki Fresh Atta, featuring the company’s recently appointed brand ambassador, Bollywood actor Salman Khan.GRM aims to help consumers shift from unpackaged to branded packaged Atta, ensuring better hygiene and quality. The company provides pure, unadulterated wheat flour with consistent quality and nutrition for families across India.MD of GRM Overseas – Atul Garg
4. Atul Kumar Goel assumes charge as Chief Executive of IBA: Atul Kumar Goel has appointed as the Chief Executive (CE) of The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).Goel was MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank (PNB) from February 2022 to December 2024. He was Chairman of IBA for two terms – 2021-22 and 2022-23.His predecessor at IBA, Sunil Mehta, too was MD & CEO of PNB (from May 2017 to September 2019) and Chairman of the Association (2018-19). Mehta was IBA CE from January 2020 till September 2024.The new IBA Chief Executive is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He has three decades of banking experience in four Banks — Allahabad Bank (now Indian Bank), Union Bank of India (as Executive Director), UCO Bank (MD & CEO) and PNB (MD & CEO).
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India signs MoU for development of state-of-the-art multi-modal logistics park in Varanasi: A significant MoU was signed between National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to develop a state-of-the-art Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.The MMLP will be located on a 150-acre site and will be strategically connected to National Highway 7 (NH7) via a 650-meter access road. It is positioned just 1.5 kilometres from the crucial NH7-NH2 junction, enhancing connectivity within the region.In addition to road access, the park will seamlessly integrate with the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor through a 5.1 km railway line from Jeonathpur Station. The location is also well connected to National Waterway-1, and is only 30 kilometres from Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, ensuring robust transportation links for both domestic and international trade.The project is expected to create significant investment opportunities and generate employment, providing a major boost to India’s logistics sector.
2. Takashi Nakajima named new president & CEO of Honda Cars India: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has appointed Takashi Nakajima as the new president & CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL).He will take charge from April 1, 2025, consequent to the management changes announced annually by the parent company.Nakajima joined Honda in 1994 and has been associated with Honda Motor Co. Ltd. for more than 30 years. He has gained experience having worked in various positions of responsibility in several international markets like Japan, China, Spain, Czech Republic and Russia in the areas of Business Planning, Product Planning, Marketing and Sales Promotion.
3. Former central banker Mark Carney to become Canada’s next PM: Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada’s next Prime Minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him as its leader.He will replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January.59 year old Mark Carney previously served as Governor of the Bank of Canada before making history in 2013 as the first non-citizen to lead the Bank of England.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR): China has recently deployed a sophisticated radar system in Yunnan province, close to the Myanmar border. This Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) enhances China’s surveillance capabilities. It can monitor vast areas, including the Indian Ocean and parts of Indian territory. The radar’s range exceeds 5,000 kilometres, allowing it to track India’s missile tests in real-time. This development poses serious implications for India’s national security and missile programme. The LPAR is designed for early warning and surveillance. Unlike traditional radars, it uses electronically controlled antennas. This technology enables rapid scanning of large areas and precise tracking of multiple targets. The LPAR can detect and track ballistic missile launches, providing crucial data on trajectories and speeds.
SPORTS
1. World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 begins at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: The World Para Athletics Grand Prix (WPA GP) 2025 will kick off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.The three-day event will feature a total of 250 para-athletes with 145 Indians and 105 international competitors from 20 countries.They will compete in 90 athletics competitions, making it one of the largest para-athletics events ever hosted by India. The Indian contingent will be led by Paris 2024 Paralympics gold medallists Praveen Kumar, Navdeep Singh and Dharambir.
2. CWG Federation rebranded as Commonwealth Sport: The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has changed its name to Commonwealth Sports under the ‘More in Common’ brand campaign.The announcement was made on the occasion of Commonwealth Day, an annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March.The Commonwealth Day also marks the launch of the Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Place, starting the relay with 500 days to go to the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026.CEO of Commonwealth Sport – Katie Sadleir
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Assam to launch its satellite, talks on with ISRO for ASSAMSAT project : The Assam state government has announced plans to launch its own satellite, ASSAMSAT soon, aiming to strengthen data access for key socio-economic initiatives and enhance border surveillance.The ASSAMSAT satellite can help providing dedicated services for agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure development, and security border management and police operations.The satellite will be set up in collaboration with IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) which promotes private investment and innovation in the space sector and Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
2. SBI Life Insurance expands product line with two new Child Insurance Plans: SBI Life Insurance has introduced two new child insurance plans, “SBI Life – Smart Future Star” and “SBI Life – Smart Platina Young Achiever,” aimed at helping parents secure their children’s financial future.These plans address rising concerns like increasing education costs, evolving career goals, and lifestyle expenses, offering a comprehensive financial safety net for children.Key features include flexible payout options, premium waivers in case of a parent’s death or disability, and opportunities for long-term savings or guaranteed benefits, depending on the plan.The launch reflects SBI Life’s commitment to empowering parents with innovative solutions that blend protection and financial growth, ensuring children can pursue their aspirations confidently.
3. RBIH Launches DesignShaala™ to Drive Financial Innovation Through Human-Centered Design: Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) has launched DesignShaala™, an initiative aimed at promoting financial innovation through Human-Centered Design (HCD).The program was launched by Nandan Nilekani, Chairman and Co-Founder of Infosys, during the ‘Building for Billions’ event in Bengaluru.DesignShaala™ is designed to ensure financial solutions are built around real user needs, behaviors, and experiences, making finance more intuitive, inclusive, and impactful.The initiative aims to empower financial innovators to develop solutions that go beyond functionality and deliver truly transformative user experiences.
4. Avanse Financial Unveils ‘SWALAKSH’—A Special Education Loan for Women: Avanse Financial Services Ltd. (Avanse) has launched ‘SWALAKSH’, a specialised education loan tailored for female students aspiring to study abroad.This initiative aims to empower more women by providing financial support and exclusive benefits, reinforcing Avanse’s commitment to fostering higher education for women.With ‘SWALAKSH,’ Avanse Financial Services reaffirms its dedication to providing financial access and opportunities to women, fostering an inclusive and educated future for India.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Unified Pension Scheme Funding: The government anticipates an initial outlay of ₹6,250 crore for the first year of the UPS. Additionally, ₹800 crore will cover arrears in the same year. The upfront funding of ₹7,000 crore addresses the government’s anticipated liabilities for the first year of the scheme. The government has requested Parliament’s approval for a net additional expenditure of ₹51,462.86 crore for the current financial year. This includes allocations for pensions and fertilizer subsidies. The total gross expenditure sought exceeds ₹6.78 lakh crore, with savings and receipts expected to offset much of this cost.
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