🇮🇳 National News
The Ministry of Culture is spearheading the Public Art of India (PARI) initiative through the Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) and the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA), transforming Delhi’s public spaces into vibrant cultural landmarks showcasing traditional Indian art forms.
- Art styles featured – Phad, Thangka, Gond, and Warli
- Participants – Over 200 artists have contributed to the initiative
- LKA’s role – Long-term preservation through regular care, protection from environmental factors, and professional restoration
- Impact – Boosts national pride and elevates global recognition of India’s cultural heritage
Initiative: Project PARI (Public Art of India). Ministry: Ministry of Culture. Key bodies: Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) + NGMA. Art forms: Phad, Thangka, Gond, Warli. Participants: 200+ artists. Focus: preserving & promoting India’s public cultural heritage.
India has imposed anti-dumping duties on five products imported from China to protect domestic manufacturers from unfairly low-priced imports. The duties were recommended by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) and are valid for up to five years.
| Product | Duty Detail |
|---|---|
| Soft Ferrite Cores | Up to 35% duty |
| Vacuum Insulated Flasks | Specific per-tonne tariff |
| Aluminium Foil | Specific per-tonne tariff |
| Trichloro Isocyanuric Acid | Specific per-tonne tariff |
| PVC Paste Resin | Specific per-tonne tariff |
India imposed anti-dumping duties on 5 Chinese products. Recommending body: DGTR (Directorate General of Trade Remedies). Valid for: up to 5 years. Products: Soft Ferrite Cores (up to 35%), Vacuum Insulated Flasks, Aluminium Foil, Trichloro Isocyanuric Acid, PVC Paste Resin. Purpose: protect domestic manufacturers.
The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has obtained the prestigious Oeko-Tex certification from Germany for eri silk, confirming that it is eco-friendly, chemical-free, and fit for international luxury textile markets.
- Certified by – Oeko-Tex (Germany)
- Significance – Enhances consumer trust and strengthens India’s position in global luxury textiles
- Government support – R&D at Central Muga & Eri Research Institute, Assam; enhanced silkworm seed production; modernisation of rearing and processing
Product: Eri Silk. Certification: Oeko-Tex (Germany) — confirms eco-friendly, chemical-free status. Obtained by: NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation). R&D centre: Central Muga & Eri Research Institute, Assam. Benefit: access to international luxury textile markets.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), operating under the Ministry of MSME, hosted a special exhibition and toolkit distribution programme at Khadi and Village Industries Bhawan, Sector-3, Rohini, Delhi, aimed at supporting rural industries and promoting khadi products.
Organisation: KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission). Ministry: Ministry of MSME. Event: Exhibition and toolkit distribution. Venue: Khadi and Village Industries Bhawan, Rohini, Delhi. Objective: support rural industries and promote khadi products.
💼 Business & Economy
According to the latest RBI bulletin, developed nations — led by the US and UK — have surpassed Gulf countries as the largest sources of foreign remittances into India. The shift reflects the growing footprint of Indian professionals and students in Western countries.
| Country / Region | Share in FY17 | Share in FY24 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | 28% (largest single contributor) |
| United Kingdom | 3% | 10.8% |
| Developed nations (combined) | 26% | 40% |
| Others (Canada, Australia, Singapore) | — | Rising contributors |
Source: RBI bulletin. Key shift: US & UK now top remittance sources to India, overtaking Gulf nations. Developed nations’ share: 26% (FY17) → 40% (FY24). Largest single source: USA (28%). UK surge: 3% → 10.8%. Driven by Indian professionals and students abroad.
The Indian government has revised the MSME classification criteria, effective April 1, 2025, as announced in the Union Budget 2025. The updated thresholds are designed to expand MSME eligibility, boost business prospects, and increase credit access for enterprises.
| Category | Investment Limit | Turnover Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | Up to ₹2.5 crore | Up to ₹10 crore |
| Small | Up to ₹25 crore | Up to ₹100 crore |
| Medium | Up to ₹125 crore | Up to ₹500 crore |
Announced in: Union Budget 2025. Effective: April 1, 2025. New MSME limits — Micro: ₹2.5 cr investment / ₹10 cr turnover; Small: ₹25 cr / ₹100 cr; Medium: ₹125 cr / ₹500 cr. Goal: expand MSME eligibility and improve credit access.
🌐 International News
North Korea has successfully launched its latest surface-to-air missile, as reported by state media. Leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the test and expressed satisfaction with the results. The missile has now been placed into full-scale production.
- Type – Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
- Status – Approved for full-scale production following successful test
- Claimed capabilities – High-speed response and reliable performance
- Overseen by – Kim Jong-un
Country: North Korea. Missile type: Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). Witnessed by: Kim Jong-un. Outcome: placed into full-scale production. Claimed features: high-speed response and reliable capabilities. Significance: escalation of North Korea’s missile programme.
Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding win at the Chinese Grand Prix, bouncing back from his setback at the Australian GP. His McLaren teammate Lando Norris finished second despite facing brake problems, and continues to lead the overall drivers’ championship.
- Winner – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 2nd place – Lando Norris (McLaren) — championship leader
- Notable incident – Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) disqualified for technical violations
Race: Chinese Grand Prix. Winner: Oscar Piastri (McLaren). 2nd: Lando Norris (McLaren; championship leader). Disqualified: Charles Leclerc & Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) for technical violations. McLaren secured a 1-2 finish.
👔 Appointments
Mythili Balasubramanian has been appointed as Interim Managing Director & CEO of Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC), with her term running until September 30, 2025. She brings over 40 years of experience in banking, NPA resolution, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
- Role – Interim MD & CEO, Edelweiss ARC
- Term – Until September 30, 2025
- Experience – 40+ years in banking, NPA resolution, and IBC
- Permanent CEO selection – Being handled by a Search Committee in partnership with Korn Ferry
Appointment: Interim MD & CEO of Edelweiss ARC. Person: Mythili Balasubramanian. Term: until September 30, 2025. Expertise: banking, NPA resolution, IBC. Permanent CEO search: via Search Committee + Korn Ferry.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has inducted five new members into its Insurance Advisory Committee, under Section 25 of the IRDA Act, 1999.
| Member | Background |
|---|---|
| MR Kumar | Former Chairman, LIC and Bank of India |
| Dinesh Kumar Khara | Ex-Chairman, SBI |
| Visakha Mule | CEO, Aditya Birla Capital |
| Nilesh Shah | MD, Kotak AMC |
| Ellis G Vaidyan | Former Director at GIC Re, Air India, and Tata AIA |
Body: IRDAI Insurance Advisory Committee. Legal basis: Section 25, IRDA Act 1999. Five new members: MR Kumar (ex-LIC/BoI), Dinesh Kumar Khara (ex-SBI), Visakha Mule (Aditya Birla Capital), Nilesh Shah (Kotak AMC), Ellis G Vaidyan (ex-GIC Re).
🔬 Science & Technology
Astroscale, the Japanese company specialising in orbital debris removal, has partnered with two Bengaluru-based space startups — Digantara and Bellatrix Aerospace — to provide on-orbit servicing solutions for Indian customers within 1 to 2 years.
- Indian partners – Digantara and Bellatrix Aerospace (both based in Bengaluru)
- Focus – On-orbit servicing and space debris management
- Timeline – Solutions targeted within 1–2 years
- Regional significance – Astroscale’s first project in the Asia-Pacific region outside Japan
This partnership places India’s Digantara and Bellatrix Aerospace at the forefront of global space sustainability efforts. It marks Astroscale’s strategic expansion into the Indian space economy, validating the growing maturity of India’s private space sector.
Company: Astroscale (Japan) — specialises in orbital debris removal. Indian partners: Digantara & Bellatrix Aerospace (Bengaluru). Service: on-orbit servicing for Indian customers. Astroscale’s first Asia-Pacific project outside Japan. Timeline: 1–2 years.
📅 Important Days
The International Day of the Unborn Child is observed annually on March 25. The day highlights the importance of unborn life and serves as a global platform to draw attention to the rights and recognition of unborn children.
- Date – March 25 (annually)
- Purpose – Raise awareness about the rights and sanctity of unborn life
- Global significance – Observed as a statement on the ethical and moral considerations surrounding unborn children
Day: International Day of the Unborn Child. Date: March 25. Purpose: recognise the importance and rights of unborn life. Observed as a global ethical statement.
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