🇮🇳 National News
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum is set to be established within the iconic North and South Blocks of New Delhi as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Plan. The museum will showcase India’s vast cultural and civilizational history through state-of-the-art facilities.
- Technical collaboration – Signed with France Museums Development on December 19, 2024
- Next steps – A detailed feasibility report will determine the budget and timeline for conversion
- Purpose – Transform the historic colonial-era buildings into world-class museum spaces
Museum: Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. Location: North & South Blocks, New Delhi. Part of: Central Vista Redevelopment Plan. International partner: France Museums Development (collaboration signed December 19, 2024). Focus: India’s cultural and civilizational heritage.
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, West Bengal has become the first Indian zoo to commence cryogenic preservation of DNA samples from over 60 wildlife species, including rare animals such as red pandas and snow leopards.
- Samples sourced from – Animals that died due to natural causes or road accidents
- Altitude – Located at 7,050 feet — the highest-altitude zoo in India
- Area – Spans 8 acres
- Significance – Pioneering step in India’s wildlife genetic conservation efforts
Cryogenic DNA banking preserves genetic material at ultra-low temperatures, enabling future conservation, breeding programmes, and scientific research — critical for endangered species like the red panda and snow leopard.
Zoo: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling. Achievement: first Indian zoo for cryogenic DNA preservation. Species covered: 60+ including red pandas and snow leopards. Altitude: 7,050 feet — India’s highest-altitude zoo. State: West Bengal.
The Indian government has levied anti-dumping duties on five Chinese imports — including aluminium foil and vacuum insulated flasks — to protect domestic industries from the adverse effects of cheap, unfairly priced imports. The duties are based on recommendations from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).
Action: Anti-dumping duties on 5 Chinese products. Key products: Aluminium Foil, Vacuum Insulated Flasks, Soft Ferrite Cores, Trichloro Isocyanuric Acid, PVC Paste Resin. Recommending body: DGTR. Validity: up to 5 years. Objective: protect domestic manufacturers from unfair competition.
The Music Academy of Madras has conferred the 2025 Sangita Kalanidhi Award — the most prestigious honour in Carnatic music — on veteran violinist R.K. Shriramkumar, recognising his exceptional talent and decades-long commitment to classical music.
- Award – Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2025
- Awarded by – Music Academy of Madras
- Recipient – Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar
- Significance – Highest honour in Carnatic classical music
Award: Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2025. Recipient: Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar. Conferred by: Music Academy of Madras. Significance: the highest honour in Carnatic music. Awarded annually to outstanding contributors to India’s classical music traditions.
Stumped: Life Behind and Beyond the Twenty-Two Yards is an autobiography co-written by legendary wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani, along with Debashish Sengupta and Dakshesh Pathak. The book offers a deep dive into Kirmani’s career and key moments of Indian cricket history.
- Authors – Syed Kirmani, Debashish Sengupta, and Dakshesh Pathak
- Key content – Kirmani’s legacy as an exceptional wicketkeeper; 1983 Cricket World Cup narrative
- Highlight – Account of Kapil Dev’s iconic 175-run innings against Zimbabwe
Book: Stumped: Life Behind and Beyond the Twenty-Two Yards. Subject: Autobiography of Syed Kirmani (wicketkeeper). Co-authors: Debashish Sengupta & Dakshesh Pathak. Covers: 1983 Cricket World Cup including Kapil Dev’s 175 against Zimbabwe.
💼 Business & Economy
Between 2015 and 2025, India has more than doubled its GDP — from $2.1 trillion to $4.3 trillion — representing a 105% nominal growth over the decade. According to the IMF, inflation-adjusted growth stands at 77%, placing India among the fastest-growing major economies globally.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| GDP in 2015 | $2.1 trillion |
| GDP in 2025 | $4.3 trillion |
| Nominal growth (10 years) | 105% |
| Real (inflation-adjusted) growth | 77% (IMF) |
| Potential ranking milestone (2025) | Surpass Japan |
| Potential ranking milestone (2027) | Overtake Germany |
India’s GDP: $2.1 tn (2015) → $4.3 tn (2025) — a 105% rise. IMF real growth: 77% over the decade. India may surpass Japan in 2025 and Germany by 2027. Recognised as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally.
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has directed Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to enhance the efficiency of e-auctions for Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). A new upgraded portal, BAANKNET, has been introduced, while the existing e-BKray platform will continue operating as part of the revamped strategy to maximise NPA sale value.
- New platform – BAANKNET (upgraded NPA e-auction portal)
- Existing platform – e-BKray (to continue alongside BAANKNET)
- Directed by – Department of Financial Services (DFS)
- Target institutions – Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
- Objective – Improve efficiency and boost recovery value from NPA sales
Initiative: BAANKNET — new upgraded NPA e-auction portal for PSBs. Existing platform: e-BKray (continues). Directed by: DFS (Department of Financial Services). Goal: improve NPA recovery efficiency for Public Sector Banks.
Equitas Small Finance Bank has renewed its role as the Official Banking Partner for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), entering its sixth year with CSK and third year with GT under the “Bank Behind Champions” campaign.
- Branding for 2025 – Logo on the lead helmet of CSK and the back helmet of GT
- Campaign values – Excellence, resilience, and community outreach
Bank: Equitas Small Finance Bank. Role: Official Banking Partner — CSK (6th year) and GT (3rd year). Campaign: “Bank Behind Champions”. 2025 branding: front helmet of CSK; back helmet of GT.
🌐 International News
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, aged 72, has made history by being sworn in as Namibia’s first female president — and only the second woman in Africa to be directly elected as head of state, following Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| Country | Namibia |
| Historic firsts | First female president of Namibia; 2nd directly-elected female head of state in Africa |
| Election votes | 58% (November 2023 elections) |
| Party affiliation | SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organisation) |
| Africa’s first directly elected female HoS | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia) |
Nandi-Ndaitwah is Namibia’s first female president and only the second woman in Africa to be directly elected as head of state. SWAPO has governed Namibia since its independence in 1990.
President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Country: Namibia. Age: 72. Firsts: first female president of Namibia; second directly-elected female head of state in Africa. Votes: 58%. Party: SWAPO. Africa’s first: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia).
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) claimed victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, starting from pole position and dominating the race. Teammate Lando Norris finished second, completing a McLaren 1-2. Three drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, were disqualified post-race for technical infringements.
- Winner – Oscar Piastri (McLaren, from pole position)
- 2nd place – Lando Norris (McLaren) — championship leader
- Disqualified – Lewis Hamilton and two other drivers (Ferrari) for technical violations
Race: Chinese Grand Prix. Winner: Oscar Piastri (McLaren; pole position). 2nd: Lando Norris (McLaren; championship leader). Result: McLaren 1-2 finish. Post-race: Lewis Hamilton among three drivers disqualified for technical violations.
👔 Appointments
S.K. Majumdar has officially assumed charge as the new Executive Director of Canara Bank, effective March 24, 2025. The appointment was approved and announced by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services.
- Role – Executive Director, Canara Bank
- Effective – March 24, 2025
- Appointing authority – Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services
New Executive Director of Canara Bank: S.K. Majumdar. Effective: March 24, 2025. Appointed by: Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services). Canara Bank is a Public Sector Bank headquartered in Bengaluru.
📅 Important Days
Purple Day is observed globally on March 26 each year to raise awareness about epilepsy — a neurological disorder — and to express solidarity with those affected by the condition. The day aims to dispel common myths and misconceptions surrounding epilepsy.
- Date – March 26 (annually)
- Focus – Spreading awareness about epilepsy and supporting affected individuals
- Colour significance – Purple is the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy awareness
Day: Purple Day. Date: March 26. Cause: awareness about epilepsy (neurological disorder). Objective: support those affected and dispel myths about epilepsy. Colour: Purple — the global symbol for epilepsy awareness.
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