Daily Current Affairs

The e-Shram portal, launched by the Ministry of Labour & Employment on August 26, 2021, has achieved a significant milestone with total registrations reaching 30.68 crore. The platform serves as a National Database of Unorganised Workers, providing registered workers with a Universal Account Number (UAN) that links them to various welfare and social security schemes.

Key Features of e-Shram:

• Universal Account Number (UAN) – Unique identifier for beneficiaries across schemes
• National-level platform – Centralized registration for unorganised workers
• Welfare scheme linkage – Connects workers to social security benefits
• Verifiable database – Creates unified worker records for policy implementation

Why it matters: The platform helps widen social security coverage by creating a unified, verifiable worker database, enabling better implementation of welfare schemes for the unorganised sector.

Presented by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra Budget 2025-26 emphasizes fiscal sustainability under economic constraints. The budget reflects the Mahayuti government’s strategy following its recent electoral victory, prioritizing the continuation of existing initiatives over launching new large-scale schemes.

Budget Priorities:

• Fiscal sustainability – Managing expenditure within tight financial constraints
• Continuity of schemes – No new large-scale initiatives announced
• Expenditure control – Focus on stability over expansion

Why it matters: The budget signals a policy preference for stability and expenditure control during a period of tight finances, reflecting cautious fiscal management.

Introduced by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 aims to replace colonial-era laws with a modern, structured immigration system. The bill focuses on strengthening national security through stricter rules while regulating the entry and residence of foreign nationals in India.

Key Objectives:

• Stronger national security – Stricter rules for foreign nationals
• Modern framework – Replacing colonial-era legislation
• Regulation of entry and residence – Comprehensive management system
• Stricter penalties – Enhanced enforcement for violations

Why it matters: Consolidation and de-overlap of laws can streamline enforcement and compliance, creating a more efficient immigration management system.

To address underperformance of gas-based power plants due to low Plant Load Factor (PLF), the government has added Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to the Open General License (OGL) category. This policy change allows power plants to import LNG on commercially agreed terms, improving fuel availability and generation efficiency.

Key Terms:

• Plant Load Factor (PLF) – Utilization metric for power plants
• Open General License (OGL) – Permitted category for easier import access
• MMSCMD – Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day

Why it matters: The policy aims to improve fuel availability and generation efficiency for gas-based units, supporting India’s growing power demand.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) have launched nationwide financial literacy campaigns aligned with the National Strategy for Financial Education. The initiative aims to improve financial awareness and inclusion across India, with special focus on vulnerable demographics.

Campaign Goals:

• Improve financial awareness – Educating citizens about financial products and services
• Enhance financial inclusion – Bringing more people into the formal financial system
• Promote responsible management – Encouraging prudent financial decision-making
• Broader participation – Increasing engagement with financial institutions

Why it matters: Better financial literacy supports inclusion and reduces vulnerability to poor financial decisions, scams, and exploitation.

The Indian Navy’s INS Imphal arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius on its maiden port call, coinciding with Mauritius’ 57th National Day on March 12, 2025. This visit marks an important milestone in India-Mauritius maritime cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

Key Terms:

• Maiden port call – First official foreign port visit for a ship
• Port Louis – Capital and main port of Mauritius
• Champs de Mars – Historic racecourse and venue in Port Louis

Why it matters: The visit reinforces maritime and diplomatic engagement in the Indian Ocean region, strengthening bilateral ties with a key strategic partner.

The Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy commenced the 6th Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and 4th BONGOSAGAR exercise in the Bay of Bengal from March 10 to March 12, 2025. These annual exercises demonstrate the growing maritime partnership between the two neighbouring nations.

Exercise Details:

• 6th CORPAT – Coordinated patrol along International Maritime Boundary Line
• 4th BONGOSAGAR – Bilateral naval exercise
• Duration – March 10-12, 2025
• Location – Bay of Bengal

Why it matters: The exercises enhance coordinated action against maritime threats and illegal activities, ensuring safety and security in the Bay of Bengal region.

ICICI Bank Limited has appointed Kamal Wali as Head of Security Operations Center, bringing over 18 years of experience in cybersecurity and IT operations to the role. This appointment underscores the bank’s commitment to strengthening its digital security infrastructure.

Career Background:

Kamal Wali has held leadership roles at several prominent organizations:

• Jio Platforms Limited
• Wipro
• IBM
• Intex Technologies
• Spanco Telesystems

What is SOC? A Security Operations Center is an operational hub for monitoring and responding to cyber threats in real-time.

Why it matters: The appointment highlights ICICI Bank’s focus on institutional cyber resilience in an era of increasing digital threats.

Honda Motor Company has appointed Takashi Nakajima as President & CEO of Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), effective April 1, 2025. He will succeed Takuya Tsumura, who returns to Honda’s headquarters in Japan after three years leading the Indian operations.

Leadership Transition:

• Outgoing CEO – Takuya Tsumura
• Tenure in India – 3 years
• Next assignment – Returning to Honda headquarters in Japan

Why it matters: Leadership transitions often signal operational priorities and strategy shifts, particularly in competitive markets like India’s automotive sector.

India ranked 11th globally in pharmaceutical exports in 2023, accounting for 3% of global exports. To strengthen quality, safety, and efficacy standards, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have introduced comprehensive regulatory reforms.

Regulatory Reforms Introduced:

• Risk-based inspections – Targeted monitoring of manufacturing facilities
• Regulatory amendments – Updated compliance requirements
• Stricter penalties – Enhanced enforcement for non-compliance
• Training programmes – Improving manufacturing standards and quality control

What is CDSCO? The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation is India’s central drug regulatory authority, responsible for approving drugs, conducting clinical trials, and setting manufacturing standards.

Why it matters: Regulatory tightening can improve trust, safety, and long-term competitiveness of India’s pharmaceutical exports in the global market.

England cricketer Harry Brook has withdrawn from IPL 2025, marking his second consecutive year of absence from the tournament. He was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹6.25 crores in the 2024 auction. This withdrawal could trigger a two-year ban from the IPL.

Potential Consequences:

• Two-year ban – Possible exclusion from IPL participation
• Contractual implications – Impact on future auction eligibility
• Franchise planning – Affects Delhi Capitals’ squad composition

Why it matters: The case highlights participation rules and contractual consequences in franchise leagues, setting precedents for player commitments.

National No Smoking Day was observed on March 12, 2025, to promote quitting smoking and raise awareness about the health hazards of tobacco use. The observance has been held annually since 1984 and falls on the second Wednesday of March each year.

Key Objectives:

• Promote quitting – Encourage smokers to quit tobacco use
• Raise awareness – Highlight health risks of smoking
• Public health messaging – Support behaviour change initiatives
• Community support – Provide resources for those trying to quit

Why it matters: Public health messaging supports behaviour change and awareness, contributing to reduced tobacco-related health issues and mortality.

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, renowned classical singer and former Asthana Vidwan of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), passed away at the age of 76 due to a heart attack. He died at his residence in Tirupati, leaving behind a rich legacy in classical and devotional music.

Key Associations:

• Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – Former Asthana Vidwan
• Annamacharya compositions – Renowned for rendering devotional kritis
• Classical music tradition – Contributed to Carnatic music
• Devotional music – Bridged classical and bhakti traditions

What is Asthana Vidwan? An Asthana Vidwan is a court musician or official musician of a temple, a position of high honour in the classical music tradition.

Why it matters: His passing marks the loss of an influential figure in India’s classical and devotional music tradition, particularly in the Carnatic music sphere.