🇮🇳 National News
Madhav National Park (Madhya Pradesh) was declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve. The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
With this, Madhya Pradesh now has 9 tiger reserves, reinforcing its “Tiger State” tag.
Location: Shivpuri district in the Gwalior-Chambal region
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and water bodies, supporting tigers and other wildlife
- Name: Madhav National Park
- State: Madhya Pradesh
- District: Shivpuri (Gwalior-Chambal region)
- National rank: 58th Tiger Reserve
- MP tiger reserves: 9 (total)
- Announced by: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
Why it matters: Tiger reserve additions reflect conservation expansion and habitat protection.
The PM Internship Scheme 2025 offers 1,25,000 internships with a monthly stipend of ₹5,000.
Target age group: 21-24 years
Application deadline: March 12, 2025
- Total internships: 1,25,000
- Monthly stipend: ₹5,000
- Age group: 21-24 years
- Apply till: March 12, 2025
- Skilling and workplace exposure initiatives support employability
Union Minister Manohar Lal, with MoS Shripad Yesso Naik, inaugurated GRIDCON 2025.
Venue: IICC, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi
Organized by: POWERGRID in collaboration with CIGRE India
Dates: March 9-11, 2025
Focus: India’s power grid development and renewable energy innovations
- Event: GRIDCON 2025
- Venue: IICC, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi
- Organizers: POWERGRID + CIGRE India
- Dates: March 9-11, 2025
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister Manohar Lal, MoS Shripad Yesso Naik
Why it matters: Power grid modernization is central to renewable integration.
The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was introduced in Parliament.
Objective: Replace outdated laws, strengthen national security, and enforce stricter regulations for foreign nationals.
- Bill name: Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025
- Purpose: Update laws + strengthen security + regulate foreign nationals
- Immigration frameworks affect security, administration, and mobility governance
Muslim literacy rate increased to 79.5% from 68.5% over a decade. The Census 2001 figure was noted as 59.1%.
| Period | Literacy Rate |
|---|---|
| Current (latest decade) | 79.5% |
| One decade ago | 68.5% |
| Census 2001 | 59.1% |
Why it matters: Literacy trends connect to education access and socio-economic outcomes.
The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘KHANJAR-XII’ is scheduled in Kyrgyzstan.
Dates: March 10 to March 23, 2025
Started: 2011
Frequency: Annual
The exercise venue alternates between India and Kyrgyzstan, strengthening defence cooperation.
- Exercise name: KHANJAR-XII (12th edition)
- Countries: India + Kyrgyzstan
- Type: Joint Special Forces Exercise
- Dates: March 10-23, 2025
- Location: Kyrgyzstan
- Started: 2011 (annual event)
Why it matters: Such drills deepen interoperability and strategic coordination.
Sunil Chhetri reversed his retirement and rejoined the national team at 40. He had retired in June 2024 after a World Cup qualifier vs Kuwait.
He remains India’s all-time leading goal scorer.
- Player: Sunil Chhetri
- Age: 40
- Retired: June 2024 (after match vs Kuwait)
- Status: India’s all-time leading goal scorer
- Impacts national team experience and leadership on-field
England player Harry Brook withdrew from IPL 2025 for the second consecutive year. He was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹6.25 crores in the auction.
Under new BCCI rules, he could face a two-year ban from future IPL editions.
- Player: Harry Brook (England)
- Team: Delhi Capitals
- Auction price: ₹6.25 crores
- Withdrawal: Second consecutive year
- Penalty: Possible two-year ban (BCCI rules)
Why it matters: Reinforces league policy on player availability and withdrawals.
🌐 International News
Mark Carney (former central banker) was named Canada’s Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party. He succeeds Justin Trudeau.
Carney won the leadership race with 85.9% of votes. His agenda includes restoring public confidence and addressing challenges linked to U.S. President Donald Trump.
With general elections nearing, he plans to reshape the party image and rebuild voter trust.
- New PM: Mark Carney
- Previous PM: Justin Trudeau
- Party: Liberal Party of Canada
- Vote share: 85.9%
- Background: Former central banker
- Leadership transitions often shift policy priorities and election strategy
💼 Business & Economy
GRM Overseas Limited launched a campaign for 10X Classic Chakki Fresh Atta. Salman Khan is the brand ambassador.
Campaign title: “Better Half Ki Better Choice”
Tagline: “10 Ka Dum”
Focus: Quality, hygiene, and nutritional value. Pushes consumers toward branded packaged wheat flour over unpackaged options.
- Company: GRM Overseas Limited
- Product: 10X Classic Chakki Fresh Atta
- Brand Ambassador: Salman Khan
- Campaign: “Better Half Ki Better Choice”
- Tagline: “10 Ka Dum”
Why it matters: Branding and FMCG campaigns are frequently used in business GK.
Saina Nehwal partnered with Naarica (menstrual hygiene brand). Role: Strategic investor and brand ambassador.
Aim: Promote high-quality, sustainable menstrual hygiene solutions. Nearly 50% of menstruating women in India lack access to proper sanitary products.
Naarica focuses on eco-friendly, reusable, scientifically developed solutions.
- Athlete: Saina Nehwal
- Company: Naarica (menstrual hygiene)
- Roles: Strategic investor + Brand ambassador
- Focus: Eco-friendly, reusable, sustainable solutions
- Context: ~50% of menstruating women lack access to proper products
Why it matters: Highlights public health and accessibility gaps, plus sustainable solutions.
Bank of Baroda launched ‘bob Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account’. BoB is stated as the first public sector bank to offer such an exclusive account for women NRIs.
Benefits include:
- Customized debit card with zero issuance charges
- Free airport lounge access
- Lower interest rates on home and auto loans
- 100% concession on locker rent
BoB also upgraded its ‘bob Premium NRE & NRO Savings Account’.
- Bank: Bank of Baroda
- Product: bob Global Women NRE & NRO Savings Account
- Target: Women NRIs
- Milestone: First public sector bank with exclusive women NRI account
- Specialized banking products improve inclusion and customer targeting
RBI held the 29th Meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee on MSME credit flow in Ahmedabad. Chair: Deputy Governor Swaminathan J.
Key discussion themes:
- Strengthening institutional credit support for MSMEs
- Addressing financial hurdles for small businesses
- Digital lending solutions for better access
- Alternative credit assessment models for transparency and fair lending
- Meeting number: 29th
- Topic: MSME credit flow
- Location: Ahmedabad
- Chairperson: Deputy Governor Swaminathan J
- MSME credit access impacts employment, growth, and financial inclusion
👔 Appointments
Vikas Kaushal was appointed Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of HPCL. Tenure: Five years.
He replaces Rajneesh Narang, interim CMD since September 1, 2024. Kaushal has over three decades of experience across energy, oil & gas, and power, and has led major digital and strategic transformations.
- Name: Vikas Kaushal
- Position: Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)
- Company: HPCL
- Tenure: 5 years
- Predecessor: Rajneesh Narang (interim CMD since Sept 1, 2024)
- Experience: 30+ years in energy, oil & gas, power
Why it matters: Leadership changes can affect strategy, reforms, and performance.
🔬 Science & Technology
AI Kosha is a non-personal data repository meant to help AI model development. It has 316 datasets, with emphasis on Indian languages to aid translation and inclusivity.
It is part of the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission. India expanded AI compute by commissioning 14,000 GPUs, up from 10,000, with further expansions planned quarterly.
- Name: AI Kosha
- Type: Non-personal data repository
- Datasets: 316 (focus on Indian languages)
- Mission: IndiaAI Mission (₹10,370 crore)
- GPU capacity: 14,000 (expanded from 10,000)
- Future plans: Quarterly expansions
Why it matters: Data access + compute capacity are foundational for scaling AI innovation.
🕊️ Obituaries
Ananta Das died at 85 in Bhubaneswar due to age-related ailments. He was a senior BJD leader. He served as Minister of Higher Education & Industries.
- Name: Ananta Das
- Age: 85
- Party: BJD (Biju Janata Dal)
- Portfolios: Higher Education & Industries
- Place of death: Bhubaneswar
- Obituary-based questions test political and administrative recall
📤 Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
