NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Thovalai’s traditional ‘Manikka Malai’ secures GI tag :The famous Kumbakonam vetrilai (Kumbakonam betel leaf) and Thovalai maanikka maalai have been given the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.The Kumbakonam betel leaf is found in the Cauvery Delta region specifically in regions like Thiruvaiyaru, Papanasam, Thiruvidaimarudhur, Kumbakonam, and Valaigaman blocks of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur.Almost after three years of submitting an application for the GI tag, the six-generation old craftsmanship has secured the tag accorded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Kumbakonam betel leaves’ history can be traced back to centuries. According to details in the GI journal, besides paddy, the crops generally grown on wetlands are sugarcane and betel vine. The Thovalai maanikka maalai is a special type of garland that is made only in Thovalai.
2. President Droupadi Murmu Attends RBI’s 90th Anniversary Closing Ceremony: President Droupadi Murmu attended the closing ceremony of RBI’s 90th-anniversary celebrations in Mumbai, marking the culmination of a year-long event that highlighted RBI’s crucial role in India’s economic growth.Since its establishment in 1935, RBI has been the backbone of India’s financial sector, managing monetary policy, currency issuance, and banking supervision, while also driving financial inclusion and digital transformation.The anniversary celebrations included initiatives like financial literacy programs and national competitions, reinforcing RBI’s commitment to regulatory improvements, digital adoption, and a strong, stable banking system for India’s future growth.
3. Poonam Gupta appointed as RBI’s deputy governor: Former World Bank economist, Poonam Gupta has been appointed as the Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).She will hold the position for a period of three years. At RBI, she will be replacing Michael Patra as deputy governor.Gupta currently serves as the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).She is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and acts as the Convener for the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission.Gupta joined NCAER in 2021, bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in senior roles at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C.Moreover, Gupta has held teaching positions at the Delhi School of Economics, University of Maryland (USA), and as a visiting faculty member at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Delhi.
4. Govt appoints S Ramann as new PFRDA chairperson: The government has appointed Deputy CAG S Ramann asRamann would replace incumbent Deepak Mohanty whose term comes to an end in May 2025.The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sivasubramanian Ramann, Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General, to the post of chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The ACC has approved his appointment for a tenure of five years or till he attains age of 65 years.Ramann, presently serving as Deputy CAG, belongs to 1991 batch of Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS).
5. 2 April – World Autism Awareness Day: World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2nd every year to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals with autism.Theme 2025 – Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) created World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in 2007. The United Nations (UN) commemorated this important day on April 2 after it was founded.
6. 2 April 2025 – National Walking Day: National Walking Day is observed on the first Wednesday of April every year to encourage people to prioritize their health by incorporating walking into their daily routine. This year was observed on 2 April.Theme 2025- Save yourself from diabetes, heart diseases and cancersEstablished by the American Heart Association (AHA), the day highlights the benefits of walking for heart health, mental well-being, and overall fitness.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India produced 1,681 locomotives in FY25, surpassing U.S., Europe: India has emerged as a global leader in railway locomotive manufacturing, achieving a record production of 1,681 locomotives in the financial year 2024-25.This milestone surpasses the total locomotive production of regions such as the United States, Europe, South America, Africa, and Australia, reaffirming India’s growing dominance in the global railway sector.This marks an increase of 209 locomotives, or 19%, compared to the 1,472 locomotives produced in the previous financial year 2023-24.The continuous rise in locomotive production is a direct result of strategic decisions taken to strengthen the “Make in India” initiative. Between 2004 and 2014, India produced a total of 4,695 locomotives, with a national annual average of 470. In contrast, from 2014 to 2024, locomotive manufacturing witnessed a significant surge, with 9,168 locomotives produced, raising the annual average to approximately 917.
2. Shirley Botchwey becomes 1st African woman to assume office as Commonwealth Secretary-General: Shirley Botchwey has become the first African woman to assume the office of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations.She replaced Patricia Scotland of Dominica, who incidentally was the first woman to hold the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations.She previously served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2017 to January 2024 and was also a member of Ghana’s National Security Council.The Secretary-General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve a maximum of two terms of four years each. The Commonwealth Secretary-General is responsible for promoting and protecting the Commonwealth’s values, representing the Commonwealth publicly and the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of 56 independent countries that were once the colonies of Great Britain.
3. N Chandrasekaran joins IMF advisory council on entrepreneurship & growth: N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons, has been appointed as a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.This council aims to provide insights into macroeconomic and financial policies to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. 9K33 Osa-AK Missile System: The Indian Army’s Air Defence Corps showcased its operational readiness during a live missile-firing exercise at Gopalpur Seawards Firing Ranges on 30 March 2025. The exercise involved the 9K33 Osa-AK missile system, which achieved direct hits on all targets. This event brought into light the technical skills of the soldiers and the capabilities of the missile system.The Osa-AK is a Soviet-designed, low-altitude surface-to-air missile system. Developed in the 1960s, it was fielded by the Soviet Union in 1972. The system is known for its mobility and can operate in various terrains. It features an all-in-one vehicle setup that combines a transporter-erector-launcher with radar capabilities. This allows it to detect and engage aerial threats independently.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. OpenAI’s Open-Weight Language Model: The model is expected to feature reasoning capabilities. It aims to provide developers with publicly accessible trained parameters. This move comes in response to competition from other companies in the AI sector.In machine learning, weights are numbers that help a model make predictions. The model adjusts these numbers during training to improve accuracy. In Large Language Models (LLMs), weights store the knowledge the model learns from training data. Models with more weights can understand language better.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. FM Sitharaman launched NITI-NCAER portal on state finances: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched the ‘NITI NCAER States Economic Forum’ portal in New Delhi.The portal has been developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research.The portal is a comprehensive repository of data on social, economic, and fiscal parameters, research reports, papers, and expert commentary on state finances for a period of about 30 years. It will facilitate an understanding of macro, fiscal, demographic, and socio-economic trends and will address the ongoing need for consolidated sectoral data in one place.The portal will also provide a forum for policymakers, researchers, and others in alluding to the data for informed debates and discussions.
2. Federal Bank in collaboration with NPCI and Visa Launches Fed StarBiz –Credit Card Linked to ODCC Accounts: Federal Bank has launched its latest credit card product, Fed StarBiz, specifically for business customers.Designed in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Visa, this new credit card is designed to meet the distinct financial requirements of India’s dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).The launch is Federal Bank’s strategic entry into the business and commercial credit card space.
3. LIC Partners with ManipalCigna to Transform the Health Insurance Market: LIC, India’s largest insurer, is set to acquire up to a 50% stake in ManipalCigna Health Insurance for ₹3,500–4,000 crore, marking its entry into the booming health insurance market.Manipal Education (51%) and Cigna Corporation (49%) will reduce their shares in the joint venture to make room for LIC’s inclusion.With 1.4 million agents and a massive customer base, LIC could transform ManipalCigna, disrupting the ₹3 trillion general insurance sector where health coverage holds a 37% share.Managing health loss ratios poses a hurdle for LIC, while competitors like Star Health and Niva Bupa face tougher rivalry, pending composite licensing approval.