🇮🇳 National News
India added six new properties to its UNESCO Tentative List, taking the total count to 62. The Tentative List is a prerequisite before a site can be nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List, reflecting India’s focus on conserving cultural and natural heritage.
The six new additions include:
- Ashokan Edict Sites – Ancient inscriptions from Emperor Ashoka’s reign
- Chausath Yogini Temples – Historic temples dedicated to 64 Yoginis
- Kanger Valley National Park – Biodiversity hotspot in Chhattisgarh
Understanding the Process:
- UNESCO Tentative List – Inventory of properties each country intends to nominate
- Prerequisite – Sites must be on Tentative List before World Heritage nomination
- Total Count – 62 sites now on India’s Tentative List
- Recent Additions – 6 new properties added
Why it matters: Heritage listings often become direct MCQs and are used in culture and environment questions for competitive exams.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj introduced two initiatives focused on women leadership in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan and Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP).
Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan:
- Build leadership abilities – Strengthen Women Elected Representatives (WERs)
- Enhance decision-making – Empower women in local governance
- Eliminate proxy culture – End “Mukhiya Pati/Sarpanch Pati” practice where male relatives operate in place of elected women
Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP):
- One per district – Develop at least one model panchayat per district
- Gender-sensitive governance – Promote women and girl-friendly administration
Key Details:
- Ministry – Ministry of Panchayati Raj
- Initiative 1 – Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan
- Initiative 2 – Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP)
- Target – Women Elected Representatives (WERs)
- Key Challenge – “Mukhiya Pati/Sarpanch Pati” culture
Why it matters: Fits governance and women empowerment themes that frequently appear in polity and social justice sections of competitive exams.
🌐 International News
China deployed a Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) system in Yunnan province, near the Myanmar border, with a detection range of over 5,000 km. The system enhances surveillance over India and the Indian Ocean region.
- Technology – Electronically controlled antennas for rapid scanning
- Multi-target tracking – Can monitor multiple targets simultaneously
- Ballistic missile detection – Capable of tracking missile movements
- Strategic positioning – 2,000-2,200 km from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island
- Monitoring capability – Can track Indian missile tests like Agni-V and K-4
System Specifications:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| System Type | Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) |
| Location | Yunnan Province (near Myanmar border) |
| Detection Range | Over 5,000 km |
| Distance from Indian Test Site | 2,000-2,200 km |
Why it matters: High relevance for security and international relations questions, particularly concerning surveillance capability and neighborhood developments.
💼 Business & Insurance
IRDAI again designated LIC, New India Assurance, and GIC Re as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for 2024-25. These insurers are highlighted as important for financial stability due to their size, market influence, and global linkages.
Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) are insurance companies identified by regulators as critical to the financial system due to:
- Large size – Significant market share and operations
- Market influence – Impact on overall insurance sector
- Global linkages – International exposure and connections
- Financial stability – Their failure could threaten the financial system
Designated Insurers:
- LIC – Life Insurance Corporation of India
- New India Assurance – General insurance company
- GIC Re – General Insurance Corporation (Reinsurer)
- Period – 2024-25
- Regulator – IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
Why it matters: “Systemically important” classifications frequently appear in banking and insurance MCQs for competitive exams.
Valueattics Reinsurance became India’s first private reinsurer, ending GIC Re’s monopoly since 1972. The firm, backed by Prem Watsa and Kamesh Goyal, received IRDAI approval during its March 12, 2025 board meeting—the last chaired by Debasish Panda as IRDAI Chairperson.
Currently, 13 foreign reinsurance branches (FRBs) operate in India, including major players:
- Munich Re – German reinsurance giant
- Swiss Re – Swiss reinsurance company
- Lloyd’s of London – British insurance and reinsurance market
Key Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Valueattics Reinsurance |
| Status | India’s first private reinsurer |
| Backers | Prem Watsa and Kamesh Goyal |
| Approval Date | March 12, 2025 (IRDAI Board) |
| GIC Re Monopoly | Since 1972 (now ended) |
| IRDAI Chair (then) | Debasish Panda (last meeting) |
Why it matters: Signals structural change in the reinsurance market and regulatory landscape, opening up competition in a previously monopolistic sector.
🏦 Banking & Economy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the Digital Transformation Award 2025 from Central Banking, London, UK. The award recognizes RBI’s in-house digital initiatives: Pravaah and Sarthi, which helped streamline regulatory processes, reduce paperwork, and improve workflow management.
Pravaah and Sarthi are in-house digital platforms that:
- Streamline regulatory processes – Faster approvals and processing
- Reduce paperwork – Digital documentation and workflows
- Improve workflow management – Enhanced efficiency and tracking
Award Details:
- Award – Digital Transformation Award 2025
- Recipient – Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Awarded by – Central Banking, London, UK
- Recognized Initiatives – Pravaah and Sarthi
Why it matters: Digital governance and regulatory tech improvements are recurring exam themes, showcasing India’s fintech and regulatory innovation.
RBI issued a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) framework for Account Aggregators (AA) to regulate and coordinate the AA ecosystem, improve financial data exchange, ensure compliance, and resolve operational issues. The AA framework was originally launched in September 2016.
Account Aggregators (AA) are RBI-regulated entities that enable users to securely share their financial data from one institution to another with explicit consent, facilitating:
- Seamless data sharing – Between financial institutions
- User consent-based – Data shared only with user permission
- Improved access – To credit and financial services
Timeline & Context:
- September 2016 – AA framework launched
- August 2024 – RBI recognized FACE (Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment) as SRO in fintech sector
- Current – SRO framework issued for AA ecosystem
Why it matters: AA ecosystem is a hot topic in fintech and regulation questions, representing the future of consent-based financial data sharing.
Moody’s Ratings projected India’s GDP growth to be above 6.5% in FY 2025-26, compared to 6.3% in FY 2024-25. The rating agency cited higher government capex, tax cuts, and monetary easing through interest rate reductions as key drivers.
Positive Drivers:
- Higher government capex – Increased infrastructure spending
- Tax cuts – Boosting disposable income
- Monetary easing – Lower interest rates supporting consumption
Concerns Flagged:
- Moderate stress on asset quality – Especially in unsecured retail loans
- Microfinance sector – Potential stress indicators
- Small business loans – Vulnerability in certain segments
GDP Growth Trajectory:
| Period | GDP Growth |
|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 | 6.3% |
| FY 2025-26 (Projected) | >6.5% |
| Q2 (Jul-Sep 2024) | 5.6% |
| Q3 (Oct-Dec 2024) | 6.2% |
Why it matters: Growth forecasts and risk flags are high-frequency economy MCQ material, critical for understanding India’s economic trajectory.
👔 Appointments & Defence
N. Ganapathy Subramaniam (NGS) was appointed Chairman of the Board of Tata Communications, effective March 14, 2025. The appointment followed the Nomination and Remuneration Committee recommendation and was communicated via a regulatory filing.
Appointment Details:
- Name – N. Ganapathy Subramaniam (NGS)
- Position – Chairman of the Board
- Company – Tata Communications
- Effective Date – March 14, 2025
- Recommendation – Nomination and Remuneration Committee
- Announcement – Via regulatory filing
Why it matters: Corporate appointments are common in business and economy sections of competitive exams.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully tested Astra BVRAAM from the LCA Tejas AF MK1 prototype off Chandipur, Odisha. The missile, developed by DRDO, successfully hit an airborne target with all subsystems performing optimally.
- Full Name – Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM)
- Developer – DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
- Range – Over 100 km
- Type – Air-to-air missile
- Capability – Beyond visual range engagement
Test Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Missile | Astra BVRAAM |
| Platform | LCA Tejas AF MK1 Prototype |
| Testing Agency | ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) |
| Developer | DRDO |
| Location | Chandipur, Odisha |
| Range | >100 km |
| Result | Successfully hit airborne target |
Why it matters: Indigenous defence capability updates are frequently tested, demonstrating India’s self-reliance in advanced weapons systems.
🔬 Science & Technology
Google unveiled Gemma 3, a lightweight AI model designed for efficient performance across smartphones, laptops, and computing platforms. The model uses the same technology as Google’s Gemini 2.0 models and emphasizes low-latency processing on a single GPU or TPU.
- On-device deployment – Runs locally on user devices
- Low-latency processing – Fast response times
- Single GPU/TPU operation – Efficient hardware utilization
- Energy-efficient – Lower power consumption
- Scalable – Works across multiple device types
Model Details:
- Product Name – Gemma 3
- Developer – Google
- Type – Lightweight AI model
- Technology Base – Gemini 2.0 models
- Target Devices – Smartphones, laptops, computing platforms
- Processing – On-device (not cloud-based)
Why it matters: AI model announcements often appear in S&T current affairs and tech awareness sections, particularly for edge computing and on-device AI trends.
NASA launched the SPHEREx telescope (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on March 11, 2025. The mission costs $488 million.
- Map the entire sky – Comprehensive infrared survey
- Study galaxy evolution – Understanding cosmic development
- Explore early universe – Epoch of Reionization research
- Analyze interstellar ice – Water and organic compounds in space
- Study cosmic glow – Light from galaxies through history
Mission Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Acronym | SPHEREx |
| Full Name | Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer |
| Launch Date | March 11, 2025 |
| Launch Vehicle | SpaceX Falcon 9 |
| Launch Site | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
| Mission Cost | $488 million |
| Survey Type | Infrared sky mapping |
Why it matters: Space missions are high-yield for MCQs due to acronym expansions, objectives, timeline, and launch details being frequently tested.
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