🏦 Banking & Finance
Kuhoo Finance, a student-loan-focused fintech, received an NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This licence enables Kuhoo to lend directly from its own books, in addition to partnering with NBFCs and banks.
- Education loans up to ₹2 crore – Across academic disciplines
- ₹20 crore investment – Received from WestBridge in 2022
- Capital expansion – Preparing to raise more funds
Future Plans:
- Executive education – Expanding into professional development programs
- Upskilling programs – Supporting continuous learning initiatives
- Partnership strengthening – With financial institutions and educational entities
- Direct lending capability – From own balance sheet post-NBFC licence
What is an NBFC Licence? An NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) licence from RBI allows a company to provide banking services like loans and credit facilities without being a traditional bank.
Why it matters: Signals growing formalization and scale-up in education lending via regulated fintech players, expanding access to higher education financing.
Moody’s projects India’s GDP growth to be above 6.5% in FY26, compared with an estimated 6.3% in FY25. The rating agency maintains a stable outlook for India’s banking sector while flagging potential asset quality concerns.
- Higher government capex – Increased infrastructure spending
- Tax cuts – Boosting disposable income
- Lower interest rates – Supporting consumer spending
Banking Sector Assessment:
| Aspect | Outlook/Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Outlook | Stable |
| Asset Quality Risk | Stress in unsecured retail, microfinance, small business loans |
| Bank Profitability | Expected to remain stable |
| NIM Impact | Marginal decline with modest rate cuts |
What is NIM? Net Interest Margin (NIM) is the difference between interest income generated by banks and the interest paid to depositors, relative to interest-earning assets.
Why it matters: Affects expectations on monetary policy, credit cycles, and banking risk themes in economy questions for competitive exams.
TransUnion CIBIL partnered with FACE (Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment) to launch CIBIL Jaagran, an initiative to promote financial literacy and credit awareness across India.
- FACE – RBI-recognised Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) in fintech
- 165+ fintech members – Extensive outreach network
- Content formats – Emails, articles, videos, webinars, podcasts
- Distribution – Via FACE members’ digital platforms
Programme Objectives:
- Improve credit understanding – Educate consumers on credit management
- Expand access – Leverage fintech solutions for wider reach
- Co-branded content – TransUnion CIBIL providing expertise
- Digital outreach – Using multiple content formats for engagement
Why it matters: Credit awareness is key to responsible borrowing and wider formal credit inclusion, supporting financial stability and consumer protection.
🇮🇳 National News
The Water Sustainability Conference 2025 was hosted by the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) under the National Water Mission (NWM) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with TERI. Held on March 12, 2025 at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi, the conference focused on industrial water use efficiency.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil inaugurated the conference and emphasized the 4R approach:
- Reduce – Minimize water wastage
- Reuse – Utilize treated water
- Recycle – Process wastewater for reuse
- Recharge – Replenish groundwater sources
- Respect – Added as fifth principle for water conservation
Conference Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | March 12, 2025 |
| Venue | NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi |
| Organizers | BWUE (NWM) + TERI |
| Theme | Industrial Water Use Efficiency |
| Inaugurated by | Union Minister C. R. Patil |
Why it matters: Highlights policy and stakeholder push for efficiency-led water sustainability in industry, critical for India’s water security.
The 4th No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference took place in Munich, Germany, focusing on global steps to curb terror financing. India, a participant since 2018, reiterated its commitment to stronger international cooperation in combating terror financing.
The Indian delegation flagged emerging risks from:
- Digital financial networks – Cryptocurrencies and online payment systems
- Cross-border transactions – Difficulty in tracking international money flows
- Need for global collaboration – Coordinated action against terror financing
Conference Details:
- Edition – 4th NMFT Conference
- Location – Munich, Germany
- India’s Participation – Since 2018
- Focus – Curbing terror financing globally
Why it matters: Counter-terror financing is a recurring theme in internal security and international cooperation, with growing relevance due to digital payment systems.
💼 Business & Economy
India emerged as the top FDI source for Dubai in 2024, ahead of the US, France, and the UK. Dubai remained the leading global destination for Greenfield FDI projects for the fourth straight year, based on Financial Times Ltd.’s ‘fDi Markets’ data.
| Rank | Country | FDI Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 21.5% |
| 2 | United States | 13.7% |
| 3 | France | 11% |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 10% |
| 5 | Switzerland | 6.9% |
Key Highlights:
- India’s share – 21.5% of Dubai’s FDI in 2024
- Dubai’s achievement – #1 for greenfield FDI for 4th consecutive year
- Data source – Financial Times Ltd.’s fDi Markets
Why it matters: Reflects India’s growing overseas investment footprint in a major global business hub, signaling economic confidence and outbound investment capacity.
Retail inflation fell to 3.61% in February 2025, the lowest in 7 months. Food inflation dropped to 3.75%, the lowest in 21 months and below 4% for the first time in nearly two years. This increased expectations of a rate cut in the April 2025 RBI meeting.
| Component | Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | 3.61% | Lowest in 7 months |
| Food Inflation | 3.75% | Lowest in 21 months |
| Vegetables | -1.1% | Deflation (vs +11.4% in Jan) |
| Pulses | Negative | Deflation (from +2.6% in Jan) |
| Personal Care | 13.6% | Up from 10.6% in Jan |
| Core Inflation | High | 7-month high (gold prices) |
Key Observations:
- Vegetable deflation – Sharp turnaround from +11.4% in January to -1.1%
- Pulses deflation – Moved to negative from +2.6% in January
- Core inflation rise – Driven largely by rising gold prices
- Personal care surge – Jumped from 10.6% to 13.6%
Why it matters: Inflation composition drives monetary policy expectations and impacts exam questions on CPI components and RBI policy stance.
The Finance Ministry approved Power Finance Corporation (PFC) to issue Zero Coupon Bonds (ZCBs) worth ₹10,000 crore. These bonds are issued at a discount and redeemed at face value on maturity, without paying periodic interest.
How ZCBs Work:
- Issued at discount – Sold below face value (e.g., ₹900 for ₹1,000 bond)
- No periodic interest – Unlike regular bonds, no coupon payments during tenure
- Redeemed at face value – Full value paid at maturity (e.g., ₹1,000)
- Returns – Difference between purchase price and redemption value
Bond Details:
- Issuer – Power Finance Corporation (PFC)
- Total Amount – ₹10,000 crore
- Bond Type – Zero Coupon Bonds (ZCBs)
- Approval – Finance Ministry
Why it matters: Exam-relevant for understanding debt instruments and financing methods used by public-sector financial entities for infrastructure funding.
🏆 Awards & Science
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) won the ASQ Airport Experience Award 2024 in the category of Best Airport Over 40 Million Passengers in Asia-Pacific. The award is presented by Airports Council International (ACI), and Delhi airport has won it for seven consecutive years.
This marks the 7th straight year Delhi airport has received this prestigious recognition, demonstrating consistent excellence in passenger service quality.
Award Details:
- Award – ASQ Airport Experience Award 2024
- Category – Best Airport Over 40 Million Passengers (Asia-Pacific)
- Presented by – Airports Council International (ACI)
- Consecutive wins – 7 years
- Recipient – Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)
Why it matters: Reinforces India’s performance in global service quality benchmarks and aviation infrastructure excellence.
Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Chennai-based Care Earth Trust, won the Ramsar Award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’, becoming the first Indian to receive this award. She was recognized for her work in sustainable wetland management and conservation of India’s wetlands, including Pallikaranai Marsh in Chennai.
Jayshree Vencatesan is among 12 global women leaders acknowledged for wetland conservation, highlighting the critical role of women in environmental stewardship.
Award Highlights:
- Recipient – Jayshree Vencatesan (First Indian)
- Organization – Care Earth Trust, Chennai
- Award Category – Wetland Wise Use
- Global Recognition – Among 12 global women leaders
- Notable Work – Pallikaranai Marsh conservation
Why it matters: Wetlands are high-priority ecology topics in both Prelims and Mains, and this award highlights India’s conservation efforts in this critical ecosystem.
NASA’s SPHEREx telescope launched on a SpaceX rocket from California. The mission aims to map the entire sky and study hundreds of millions of galaxies, with a project cost of $488 million.
- Map the entire sky – Comprehensive celestial survey
- Study universe expansion – Understanding cosmic growth
- Research galaxy formation – Origins and evolution of galaxies
- Analyze life-forming molecules – Water and organic compounds in interstellar clouds
Mission Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | SPHEREx |
| Launch Vehicle | SpaceX Rocket |
| Launch Location | California |
| Project Cost | $488 million |
| Scope | Hundreds of millions of galaxies |
Why it matters: Space missions are frequent current affairs questions with high Prelims relevance, particularly for understanding cosmic research and NASA’s exploration programs.
Tejas LCA AF MK1 successfully test-fired the Astra BVRAAM (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile) off the Odisha coast, scoring a direct hit on the target. This milestone is linked to the development of the LCA AF MK1A.
- Developer – DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
- Range – Over 100 km
- Type – Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM)
- Status – Already in service with Indian Air Force
Test Details:
- Aircraft – Tejas LCA AF MK1
- Missile – Astra BVRAAM
- Location – Off Odisha coast
- Result – Direct hit on target
- Significance – Milestone for LCA AF MK1A development
Why it matters: Indicates progress in indigenous air combat capability and missile integration, strengthening India’s defense self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
🏏 Sports
The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 were held across Leh (Ladakh) and Jammu & Kashmir, with participation from 400+ athletes representing 19 teams. The Indian Army emerged as the overall champion with the most gold medals.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Venues | Leh (Ladakh) and Jammu & Kashmir |
| Athletes | 400+ |
| Teams | 19 |
| Overall Champion | Indian Army |
Tournament Details:
- Event – Khelo India Winter Games 2025
- Locations – Dual venue (Leh and J&K)
- Participation – 400+ athletes from 19 teams
- Winner – Indian Army (most gold medals)
Why it matters: Adds to sports current affairs and highlights institutional dominance in winter sports events, promoting adventure sports in Himalayan regions.
📅 Important Days
The International Day of Action for Rivers is observed on March 14 to raise awareness and promote action for river conservation globally. The day emphasizes the importance of protecting river ecosystems and promoting sustainable water management.
Key Objectives:
- Awareness – Highlighting threats to river ecosystems
- Conservation – Promoting river protection initiatives
- Sustainability – Advocating for sustainable water use
- Community action – Mobilizing local conservation efforts
Why it matters: Environmental observances are recurring Prelims topics, particularly those related to water conservation and ecosystem protection.
World Sleep Day 2025 is observed on March 14 with the theme “Make Sleep Health a Priority”. The day was established by the World Sleep Society in 2008 to raise awareness about the importance of healthy sleep and its impact on overall well-being.
The 2025 theme emphasizes that quality sleep is not a luxury but a fundamental pillar of health, alongside nutrition and exercise.
Day Details:
- Date – March 14, 2025
- Theme – “Make Sleep Health a Priority”
- Established by – World Sleep Society
- Year Started – 2008
- Focus – Promoting healthy sleep habits and awareness
Why it matters: Health observance themes often appear in objective current affairs sections, particularly those related to public health awareness.
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