Daily Current Affairs

The Hurun Global Rich List 2025 has been released, with India ranked 3rd globally, home to 284 billionaires. A notable finding is that Shanghai has overtaken Mumbai as Asia’s top city by billionaire population.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from January 1, 2025.

The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023 incorporates a proposal to establish a National Cooperative University, aligned with the goals of the ‘Sahkar’ mission. The university will offer academic programmes, diplomas, and certifications in cooperative management.

• Legislative basis – Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023
• Mission – Aligned with ‘Sahkar’ (cooperative empowerment) vision
• Programmes offered – Degrees, diplomas, and certifications in cooperative management
• Goal – Train professionals in cooperative governance and financial administration

General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, inaugurated Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur — Asia’s largest technology and entrepreneurial festival — themed “Panta Rhei” (meaning “Everything Flows”). He called on young innovators to contribute to national security through technology.

• Theme – “Panta Rhei” — Everything Flows
• Focus areas highlighted – Cybersecurity, AI, Quantum Computing, Cognitive Warfare
• Defence Expo – ‘Rakshakriti’: showcased AI-based warfare systems, autonomous drones, and indigenous military tech
• Mission alignment – Atmanirbhar Bharat; collaboration between defence, academia, and industry

The 14th edition of Exercise INDRA — the bilateral naval exercise between India and Russia — will be held from March 28 to April 2, 2025, off the Chennai coast in the Bay of Bengal. The exercise has been held since 2003 and focuses on enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.

• Edition – 14th
• Dates – March 28 – April 2, 2025
• Location – Chennai coast / Bay of Bengal
• Initiated – 2003
• Purpose – Enhance naval interoperability and operational coordination between India and Russia

India’s core industrial sector growth fell to 2.9% in February 2025 — the lowest in five months — down sharply from 7.1% in February 2024. The decline is attributed to high base effects and subdued performance in five of the eight core industries.

• Reason – High base effects from February 2024 and weak output in 5 of 8 core sectors
• Downstream impact – Expected to weigh on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) expanded to $11.5 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q3 FY25 (October–December 2024), according to the RBI. The rise is driven primarily by a wider merchandise trade deficit, though it marks an improvement from Q2 FY25.

• Source – RBI
• Main cause – Larger merchandise trade deficit
• Positive note – India’s forex reserves have grown by $311 billion since December 2018 — the highest rise under any RBI Governor

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Centre for Australia-India Relations. The appointment was announced by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, recognising Waugh’s long-standing contributions to India-Australia relations in sports, culture, and philanthropy.

• Board – Advisory Board, Centre for Australia-India Relations
• Announced by – Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister
• Basis of recognition – Strengthening India–Australia ties through sports, culture, and philanthropy

Former Britannia CEO Rajneet Kohli will join Hindustan Unilever (HUL) as Executive Director, Foods & Refreshment, effective April 7, 2025. He also joins HUL’s management committee on the same date, succeeding Shiva Krishnamurthy.

• Role – Executive Director, Foods & Refreshment, HUL
• Effective – April 7, 2025
• Also joins – HUL Management Committee
• Replaces – Shiva Krishnamurthy
• Previous role – CEO, Britannia Industries

The International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on March 30. Declared by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 2022, the day addresses the urgent need to curb unsustainable consumption and production patterns globally.

• Declared by – UN General Assembly (December 14, 2022)
• Date – March 30 (annually)
• 2025 Theme – “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”
• Focus – Promoting circular economy solutions to reduce fashion and textile waste

Celebrated American actor Richard Chamberlain, widely known for his iconic portrayal in the TV series ‘Dr. Kildare’ and his celebrated roles in TV miniseries, passed away at the age of 90 on March 30, 2025, in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to stroke-related complications. His death was confirmed by publicist Harlan Boll.

• Age at death – 90 years
• Date of death – March 30, 2025
• Location – Waimanalo, Hawaii
• Cause – Stroke-related complications
• Known for – ‘Dr. Kildare’ (TV series) and acclaimed TV miniseries roles