🇮🇳 National News
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) launched the SheTrades India Hub to empower women entrepreneurs and strengthen India’s export sector. This initiative is part of the global SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, led by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and funded by the UK Government.
With this launch, FIEO became the host institution for the 20th SheTrades Hub globally, marking a significant milestone in international women’s entrepreneurship support.
Programme Structure:
- FIEO – Federation of Indian Export Organisations (Host Institution)
- SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme – Global initiative
- International Trade Centre (ITC) – Programme leader
- UK Government – Primary funding source
Why it matters: Export ecosystem support targeted at women entrepreneurs is a recurring theme in economy and inclusion questions, linking trade promotion with gender equality.
Assam announced its first-ever satellite, ‘ASSAMSAT’, to enhance governance and development using space technology. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog during the 2025-26 state budget presentation in the Assembly.
ASSAMSAT will provide data to improve management of socio-economic initiatives across multiple sectors:
- Agriculture – Crop monitoring and planning
- Disaster Management – Early warning and response
- Infrastructure – Development planning
- Border Security – Surveillance and monitoring
- Law Enforcement – Security operations
Key Details:
- Satellite Name – ASSAMSAT
- Announced by – Finance Minister Ajanta Neog
- Announcement Context – 2025-26 State Budget
- Objective – Enhance governance using space technology
Why it matters: Governance applications of satellites often appear in science-tech and polity-administration overlaps, representing the intersection of technology and public administration.
👔 Appointments
Nissan Motor Co. announced that CEO Makoto Uchida will step down on April 1, 2025. Ivan Espinosa, who currently serves as Chief Planning Officer at Nissan, will take over as the new CEO.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Joined Nissan | 2003 |
| Current Role | Chief Planning Officer |
| New Position | CEO, Nissan Motor Co. |
| Effective Date | April 1, 2025 |
Leadership Transition:
- Outgoing CEO – Makoto Uchida
- Incoming CEO – Ivan Espinosa
- Transition Date – April 1, 2025
- Espinosa’s Tenure – 22 years at Nissan (joined 2003)
Why it matters: Corporate leadership changes are frequently tested in business GK, particularly for major global automotive companies.
MK Jain, former RBI Deputy Governor, will join Reliance Industries as an advisor. This move aligns with Reliance’s approach of strengthening leadership by onboarding experienced banking professionals.
MK Jain previously chaired an RBI-appointed advisory committee that evaluated applications for universal banks and small finance banks, bringing deep regulatory expertise to his new role.
Career Highlights:
- Former Position – RBI Deputy Governor
- Committee Leadership – Chaired RBI panel on bank licence applications
- New Role – Advisor, Reliance Industries
- Expertise Areas – Banking regulation, financial policy
Why it matters: Senior regulator-to-industry transitions are commonly tested in economy and governance-related current affairs, highlighting the intersection of regulatory experience and corporate strategy.
🛡️ Defence & Security
India and Bangladesh commenced the 6th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and the 4th edition of ‘Bangosagar’ bilateral naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal from March 10 to March 12, 2025. These regular exercises strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.
- Strengthen maritime security – Enhanced surveillance and patrolling
- Boost bilateral cooperation – Improved naval coordination
- Curb illegal activities – Combat smuggling, trafficking, and piracy
- Enhance interoperability – Joint operational procedures
Exercise Details:
| Exercise | Edition | Duration | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORPAT | 6th | Mar 10-12, 2025 | Bay of Bengal |
| Bangosagar | 4th | Mar 10-12, 2025 | Bay of Bengal |
Why it matters: Bilateral maritime exercises are frequently tested in defence current affairs, demonstrating India’s regional security engagement and naval diplomacy.
🏆 Awards & Honours
Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced that Indian PM Narendra Modi will receive Mauritius’ highest civilian award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. This honour recognizes PM Modi’s role in strengthening India-Mauritius diplomatic relations.
PM Narendra Modi will be the first Indian to receive this prestigious award, marking a significant milestone in India-Mauritius bilateral relations.
Award Details:
- Award Name – Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
- Awarding Country – Mauritius
- Category – Highest civilian honour
- Recipient – PM Narendra Modi (First Indian)
- Announced by – PM Navin Ramgoolam
Why it matters: International honours are frequently used in Prelims-style match-the-following questions, testing knowledge of diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation.
🤝 MoUs & Agreements
The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Adamas University, Kolkata signed an MoU to expand academic and research collaboration in homoeopathy. The focus areas include scientific research, interdisciplinary work, and knowledge-sharing in alternative medicine.
The Ministry of Ayush highlighted this initiative as supporting the integration of homoeopathy into mainstream healthcare, strengthening India’s alternative medicine research ecosystem.
MoU Highlights:
- Partners – CCRH and Adamas University, Kolkata
- Focus Areas – Scientific research, interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge-sharing
- Ministry – Ministry of Ayush
- Objective – Advance homoeopathy research and academic collaboration
Why it matters: MoUs under Ayush and research councils often appear in scheme/health-related current affairs, reflecting government support for traditional and alternative medicine systems.
A MoU was signed between National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to establish a Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal.
- Stronger transportation infrastructure – Integrated logistics network
- Improved logistics efficiency – Reduced transit time and costs
- Multi-modal connectivity – Road, rail, and waterways integration
MoU Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Partners | NHLML and IWAI |
| Project | Multi-Modal Logistics Park |
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Ministers Present | Nitin Gadkari, Sarbananda Sonowal |
Why it matters: Multi-modal logistics is a core theme in infrastructure and economic competitiveness, aligning with India’s vision for integrated transportation networks.
🏏 Sports & Business
Australia and England will play a one-off day-night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to commemorate 150 years since the first-ever Test match. Cricket Australia confirmed the dates as March 11 to March 15, 2027, and the match will be played with a pink ball.
This match marks 150 years of Test cricket, celebrating the longest format of the game with a special day-night encounter between the two historic rivals.
Match Details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Australia vs England |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) |
| Format | Day-night Test (Pink Ball) |
| Dates | March 11-15, 2027 |
| Occasion | 150th anniversary of Test cricket |
Why it matters: Milestone matches and formats (day-night/pink ball) are common sports current affairs picks, particularly for historic anniversaries.
Star Health Insurance launched the SheTARA campaign in Tamil Nadu to promote preventive healthcare among women and encourage women to take up insurance agency roles. The initiative includes comprehensive health screenings and educational programs.
The campaign includes 40+ health camps offering subsidized screenings for:
- Thyroid – Hormonal health assessment
- Haemoglobin – Anaemia detection
- Blood Sugar – Diabetes screening
- Blood Pressure – Hypertension check
- Bone Mineral Density – Osteoporosis risk
Campaign Highlights:
- 40+ health camps – Subsidized preventive health screenings
- Webinar on work-life balance – Led by renowned gynecologist on women’s health in the AI era
- Flagship event – At Anna Nagar, Chennai, recognizing female employees’ contributions
- Dual focus – Healthcare awareness and women’s workforce participation
Why it matters: Health and women workforce participation themes are frequently tested in social issues and business GK, reflecting corporate social responsibility initiatives.
🕊️ Obituaries
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, veteran composer, classical singer, and court scholar of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Tirupati. He was known for his significant contributions to popularizing Annamacharya kirtans.
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad dedicated his life to preserving and popularizing the devotional compositions of Annamacharya, bringing these sacred kirtans to wider audiences through performances and recordings.
Key Associations:
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – Court scholar and official singer
- Annamacharya kirtans – Renowned for rendering devotional compositions
- Classical music – Contributions to Carnatic tradition
- Tirupati – Place of residence and passing
Why it matters: Obituaries are frequently converted into direct “who/where/age/known for” questions in competitive examinations, particularly for cultural and artistic figures.
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