NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India and Nepal Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Cooperation in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Sector: The Government of India and the Government of Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, including waste management.The agreement aims to promote collaboration between the two nations and strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in the WASH sector, ensuring better access to clean drinking water and sanitation for their populations.
2. The comprehensive MoU outlines a collaborative framework encompassing several key areas: – Capacity Building: Training programs for Nepali personnel in water resource management and related fields.Technology & Knowledge Transfer: Sharing of technological expertise and best practices between India and Nepal in WASH sector.Groundwater Management: Joint efforts in monitoring, assessment, and management of groundwater resources, including quality improvement, artificial recharge, and rainwater harvesting.PM Modi inaugurates Vantara in Jamnagar, feeds lion cubs, giraffes: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Vantara, a unique wildlife conservation, rescue and rehabilitation initiative in Jamnagar, Gujarat.The initiative provides a safe haven for animals while promoting ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare.It is established by Reliance Industries with Reliance Foundation
3. India’s river dolphin population stands at 6,327, survey finds: India’s first-ever riverine dolphin estimation report has recorded 6,327 dolphins across 28 rivers in eight states. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the report during his visit to Gir National Park in Gujarat, where he chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife.The dolphin population survey, conducted under Project Dolphin, spanned 8,500 kilometers across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems over two years.The survey, conducted from 2021 to 2023, was a joint effort by the Wildlife Institute of India, state forest departments of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, and non-profit organizations including Aaranyak, World Wildlife Fund, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Wildlife Trust of India.
4. Uttarakhand Cabinet approves implementation of Unified Pension Scheme: The Uttarakhand Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has approved the implementation of the Central Government’s Unified Pension Scheme for officers and employees in the state.The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been introduced as an option under the National Pension System (NPS) by the Central Government for the Central Government employees covered under NPS so that they may receive an assured payout after their retirement. The Unified Pension Scheme will be operational from April 1, 2025.
5. Ambuja Cements gets CCI nod for 72.8% stake acquisition in Orient Cement: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of up to 72.8 per cent shareholding in Orient Cement Ltd by Ambuja Cements Ltd, marking a significant consolidation move in the Indian cement sector.With this acquisition, Ambuja aims to strengthen its market presence by adding Orient Cement’s three manufacturing facilities in Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra to its portfolio. These facilities serve 10 States, ensuring a stronger regional footprint
6. MRF appoints Shubman Gill as brand ambassador: India batter Shubman Gill has signed a deal with renowned tyre brand MRF as his new bat sponsor.Gill was signed by his previous sponsor Ceat during his Under-19 days and the association has finally ended during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.With his deal, Gill now follows the footsteps of his idols Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to have signed deal with MRF.
7. RBI appoints Ajit Ratnakar Joshi as Executive Director: The Reserve Bank has appointed Ajit Ratnakar Joshi as Executive Director (ED) who will look after Department of Statistics and Information Management and Financial Stability Department.Prior to being promoted as ED, Mr. Joshi was serving as principal adviser in Department of Statistics and Information Management.
He has over thirty years of experience in statistics, information technology, and cyber risk management. He has served as a member of the faculty at the Institute of Development and Research in Banking Technology, Hyderabad.
8. Ajay Bhadoo appointed as CEO of Government e Marketplace: The Government of India has appointed Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Ajay Bhadoo, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Government e Marketplace (GeM). He will assume this role in addition to his existing responsibilities in the Department of Commerce.An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1999 batch from the Gujarat cadre, Bhadoo brings over two decades of experience in policy formulation and implementation across diverse sectors, including urban infrastructure development.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 5 March – International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness: International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed on March 5 every year.This day aims to raise global awareness about the importance of disarmament and the prevention of the spread of weapons, particularly weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) like nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
2. China’s Crackdown on Neijuan: Recently, Chinese Premier Li Qiang addressed the National People’s Congress, denoting the government’s commitment to combating ‘Neijuan’. This term, meaning involutionary competition, describes a cycle of diminishing returns caused by excessive competition. As China’s economy slows, the government seeks to create a sustainable business environment while addressing international criticism. Neijuan refers to intense competition that leads to reduced returns. It forces companies and individuals to exert more effort without proportional benefits. In the business context, firms engage in price wars and overproduction to maintain market share, harming profitability. For workers, it translates to longer hours and constant upskilling without a better quality of life.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. JCD ties up with EPH to manufacture tank turrets: Belgium’s John Cockerill Defence (JCD), a leading global manufacturer of tank turrets, has teamed up with Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (EPH), a company based in Pune, India, to form a joint venture (JV).The initial focus of this partnership is the Indian Army’s Light Tank project, particularly the Zorawar tank, which is being developed by DRDO and L&T. This tank is currently in advanced testing stages, and the new JV will supply turrets for it.This collaboration is part of a larger effort to strengthen defense ties between India and Belgium, with both countries planning to sign a defense cooperation agreement by the end of 2025.In this JV, JCD will hold 60% and EPH will hold 40%. JCD will provide the technology, while EPH will handle the manufacturing. According to JCD’s CEO, Thierry Renaudin, the project aims to create a world-class turret, and at least 50% of the components must be made in India.
SPORTS
1. Table Tennis legend A. Sharath Kamal announces retirement: Indian table tennis legend A. Sharath Kamal announced that he will retire later this month, ending a career spanning more than 22 years at the top of the sport.Sharath will bid farewell in front of friends and family in Chennai, where the WTT Star Contender event, his final tournament, will take place from March 25 to 30.His impact on the sport extends beyond his achievements, which include seven Commonwealth Games gold medals, two historic Asian Games bronze medals, and five Olympic appearances.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. NASA’s Energy-Saving Measures for Voyager Spacecraft: The future of the Voyager missions relies on effective power management and the continued functionality of their remaining instruments. As they venture further into interstellar space, the data they provide will be critical for understanding cosmic phenomena and the nature of the universe. NASA’s Voyager spacecraft continue to provide invaluable data from interstellar space. As of March 2025, NASA has initiated energy-saving measures to prolong their missions. As of early 2025, Voyager 1 is over 15 billion miles from Earth, while Voyager 2 is about 13 billion miles away. Both spacecraft are still in contact with Earth via the NASA
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Paytm introduces UPI Trading Blocks with auto payment from bank accounts: Paytm has launched a new feature in Paytm UPI called UPI Trading Blocks (also known as Single Block Multiple Debits). This feature allows automatic payments directly from bank accounts for stock trading.With this update, investors can block money in their bank accounts instead of transferring large amounts to broker apps in advance. This makes trading safer and more convenient.Built on NPCI’s UPI system, the feature ensures that users’ money stays in their bank accounts and continues earning interest until a trade happens. Once a trade is completed, the exact amount needed is deducted automatically. This reduces the need for manual transfers and makes stock trading more transparent.Currently supported for UPI handles of Axis Bank (@ptaxis) and Yes Bank (@ptyes), this feature will soon extend to other UPI handles, including those of State Bank of India (@ptsbi) and HDFC Bank (@pthdfc). It allows investors to keep funds in their bank accounts while providing a seamless and convenient way to manage and pay for trades.
2. Jio Financial buys out SBI’s stake in payments bank JV: State Bank of India (SBI) has decided to divest its entire 17.8 per cent stake in Jio Payments Bank Limited, a joint venture between the state-owned bank and Jio Financial Services (JFS).JFS will acquire the SBI’s stake for ₹5 crore, after which Jio Payments Bank will become its wholly-owned subsidiary. Currently, JFS holds 82.17 per cent stake in Jio Payments Bank.Jio Payment Bank is a joint venture of Jio Financial Service Limited and SBI, and it started its operation in April 2018.Jio Financial Services Limited holds 82.17% of the paid-up equity share capital of Jio Payments Bank Limited, while SBI holds 17.8 % of the shares.Chairman and MD of Jio Financial Services – Hitesh Kumar SethiaChairman and MD of Jio Payment Bank – Vinod Easwaran
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Chinese Architect Liu Jiakun Receives the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize: Chinese architect and educator Liu Jiakun has won the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most important award in architecture. This prize honors him for combining traditional Chinese styles with modern design and for his efforts to create fair and inclusive spaces.Jiakun, who was born and still works in Chengdu, China, is the second Chinese architect to receive this award after Wang Shu in 2012.
Previous winners include Riken Yamamoto (2024), David Chipperfield (2023), and Francis Kéré (2022).Liu, 68, becomes the 54th laureate of the prize, considered akin to a Nobel in the field of architecture.The award ceremony will take place this spring at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel.
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