Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 27th March 2025

 National News

 
1. Parliament passed Boilers Bill, 2024 for the regulation of boilers 

•  The Lok Sabha passed Boilers Bill, 2024 for the regulation of boilers, the safety of life and property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam-boilers and uniformity in registration. 
•  The Boilers Bill, of 2024 will repeal the century-old Boilers Act, 1923. 
• The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in December 2024. 
•  The bill has provisions to ensure the safety of persons working inside a boiler and promote ease of doing business. 
•  All the functions/powers of the central, and state governments and Central Boilers Board have been listed in detail to avoid any confusion. 
•  The bill will benefit boiler users including those in the MSME sector by promoting ease of doing business. 
•  The Boilers Act, 1923 was comprehensively amended through the Indian Boilers (Amendment) Act, 2007. 

2. NSO, India and IIMA Join hands to Strengthen Data-Driven Policy and Innovation 

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), has organized a workshop on “Emerging Trends in Public Data and Technology for Research and Policy” at the IIM Ahmedabad campus
• This initiative aligns with MoSPI’s ongoing efforts to enhance the national data ecosystem and advance evidence-based policymaking. 
•  This partnership will serve as a framework for collaborative efforts in data innovation, ensuring that academic research contributes effectively to policy development. 

3. Governor returns Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill 

•  Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2025, saying it will lead to "interference on the powers of elected local bodies" enshrined in the Constitution by the 74th Amendment, and added that it needs a relook.
•   The Bill, which was passed by both Houses of the State legislature during the just-concluded budget session, proposes to split the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into a maximum of seven city corporations in the Greater Bengaluru Area. 
•  While seeking clarifications on the Bill, the Governor said, "It has Thaawarchand Gehlot.
•  been proposed to divide the current BBMP and form seven separate municipal corporations on the model of the Delhi Metropolitan City. But this experiment has failed in Delhi, and a similar situation may likely arise here too." 
•  The Opposition BJP and civic groups have submitted petitions to the Governor opposing the Bill. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra had met the Governor on March 19 and submitted a memorandum against the Bill. 

International News 

4. Russia and Ukraine have agreed on a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea 

•  After three days of talks in Saudi Arabia, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea in separate deals with the US. 
•  Both countries agreed to safe navigation in the Black Sea. They will not attack the energy system of each other. 
•  Russia said that the naval ceasefire would only come into force after a number of sanctions against its food and fertiliser trade were lifted. 
•  Both Ukraine and Russia are major grain exporters, and prices have reached a new height after the start of the war.
•  It is still not clear when or how the Black Sea maritime security deals would start. 
• The Black Sea deal is an important step in US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war.Indonesia will join the BRICS' New Development Bank.
•   Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on March 25 that Indonesia will join the New Development Bank, a multilateral bank developed by BRICS member countries. 
•  Prabowo said joining the NDB as a member would help Indonesia accelerate its economic transformation. 
•  He said the bank is interested in collaborating in areas such as renewable energy and biodiesel as well as technological development. 
•  BRICS is an inter-governmental organisation comprising ten countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. 
•  In 2014, NDB began operating and is headquartered in Shanghai, China, with a regional office in South Africa. 
•  Its objective is to provide financial assistance to sustainable development projects, especially in developing countries. 

State News 

5. A MoU has been signed between Himachal Pradesh Government and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

•   The MoU aims to improve the quality of education in Himachal Pradesh.
• As part of MoU, UNESCO will support Himachal Pradesh in modernizing its education system. 
•  In the agreement, ‘Greening Education’, integrating environmental awareness and sustainable development into school curricula is also emphasized. 
• Value-based education through sports will be promoted.
•  Students will be equipped with 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.

6. 7. Rs 16,196 cr Budget for 2025-26 has been proposed by Sikkim CM 

•  The budget focuses on empowering youth, uplifting farmers, investing in infrastructure and ensuring financial discipline. 
• The budget includes Rs 11,028 crore of revenue expenditure and Rs 5,168 crore of capital outlay. 
• Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang presented the 7th consecutive annual budget for the financial year 2025-26.
•   According to Tamang, central government would give Sikkim grants and aid of Rs 2,600 crore in 2025–2026.
•   This would be in addition to a projected Rs 5,519 crore in devolution of taxes from the Center, a major source of revenue
• .  He stated that the state government will raise Rs 2,651 crore through borrowing. 
•  He also stated that it will produce Rs 2,076 crore in tax revenue and Rs 1,007 crore in non-tax revenue.

 7. Punjab govt. announces 10-lakh health cover for all in ₹2.36-lakh-cr. budget 

•  Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced a 10 lakh health insurance cover for all families, steps to tackle drug menace and a 'Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme' for holistic development in the 2.36-lakh-crore budget for 2025-26 presented in the Assembly on Wednesday. 
•  With a theme of 'Badal-da Punjab' (transforming Punjab), Mr. Cheema kept the focus on the health, education and other sectors in the fourth budget of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government
• According to the budget documents, the State's out-standing debt is ₹4.17 lakh crore for FY 2025-26 as against revised estimates of ₹3.82 lakh crore for 2024-25.
•  Facing flak from the Opposition over not keeping its poll promise, the budget did not find any mention of giving monthly income of ₹1,000 to women
•  Replying to a question, Mr. Cheema said the government will soon launch it. "Different departments, including Finance and Social, are conducting surveys for it," he said. 
•  Acknowledging that the problem of drugs was the biggest threat to the State's progress and prosperity, the FM said the bulk of the drugs are coming from across the border.
•   He said the government will deploy anti drone systems to track and neutralise the cross-border drones. "I am allocating ₹110 crore towards this," he said. 
•  In another initiative, he said the government has decided to carry out a first-ever 'drug census' next year. "We will use this data to craft an effective and scientific strategy to eradicate the problem of drugs," he said. 
•  On the health front, Mr. Cheema said free and quality healthcare should be available to every citizen of India. 
•  "The second big decision is that we are extending the insurance cover for all the families to 10 lakh per annum. This includes those enrolled in the Central government scheme too, they will get an additional cover of ₹5 lakh from the State government. A sum of ₹778 crore has been allocated," he said. 
•  Mr. Cheema announced 'Khed-da Punjab, Badal Punjab', under which the government will promote sports at the grassroots level by providing playgrounds and indoor gyms in every village. 
•  Mr. Cheema also announced "Badal De Pind, Badal Punjab", an initiative to uplift the infrastructure in all 12,581 villages in the next two years. 
•  For the education sector, Mr. Cheema proposed 17,975 crore, which is around 12% of the total expenditure. 

Defence News 

8. DRDO & Navy successfully test-fired indigenously developed Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

•   The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully tested an indigenously developed Vertically-Lau
• nched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. 

•  The flight test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude.
•   The test was conducted with all weapon system elements deployed in combat configuration. 
• These elements include missiles with indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System. 
•  In the test, the missile executing the high turn rate required for engaging targets at very close range completely destroyed the target. 

9. Rs 6,900 crore contracts for 155mm/52 Calibre ATAGS and High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles inked by MoD

•   On 26 March, contracts for the procurement of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) have been signed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with Bharat Forge Limited. 
•  A contract was also signed with Tata Advanced System Limited to acquire High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles. 
•  The total cost of these contracts amounts to about Rs 6,900 crore.
•   With this agreement, a total of Rs 1.40 lakh crore worth of contracts have been signed by the Ministry of Defence for capital procurement so far in the current financial year, 2024-25. 
• During the contract signing, the project director of ATAGS from DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune, was felicitated by the defense secretary. 
•  This recognition was an honor for his pivotal role and immense contribution to the realization of the project. 
• The 155 mm/52 calibre ATAGS will replace older and smaller calibre guns and enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army.
• The Indian Army has made its first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector, which will boost the Indian gun manufacturing industry and strengthen the indigenous defense manufacturing ecosystem. 

10. GE Aerospace to deliver jet engines for Tejas LCA-MKIA 

•  Engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) Aerospace on Wednesday announced the delivery of the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mark-1A fighter jet, marking the commencement of deliveries for the delayed programme. Defence sources said that 12 engines are expected to be delivered this year. 
•  The first engine to power the LCA-Mk1A moved out of the GE facility on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in India in April, official sources in the know said. At Aero India in February, HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil said that 12 jets would be ready this year.
•  Once the engine arrives, more tests will be done at the HAL facility, sources said, adding that a firm date of delivery to the IAF cannot be given yet. "We are on track to deliver to the latest schedule we have agreed with HAL," GE Aerospace said in response to a query from The Hindu. 
•  Speaking at an event in The first engine to power the LCA-Mk1A is expected to arrive in India in April, official sources say. 
•  Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said the IAF needed to add 35-40 fighter jets every year to fill the shortage in numbers and that HAL had promised to produce 24 Tejas Mark-1A jets next year. 
• Shawn Warren, general manager, combat & trainer engines, GE Aerospace, in a statement, attributed the delays to restarting the production line that was dormant for five years.
•   Challenging process 
• By 2016, GE Aerospace delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the 40 Tejas jets ordered earlier and with no additional engine orders on the horizon, the production line for F404-IN20 was shut down, the statement said. However, when HAL ordered an additional 99 engines in 2021 for the Tejas MkIA LCA, the team began the complex task of restarting the F404-IN20 production line, which had been dormant for five years, and re-engaging the engine's global supply chain, Mr. Warren said. 
• "Restarting a jet engine production line is a challenging process. Restarting the F404-IN20 engine line during the COVID pandemic was even more challenging," he said, adding that they are working closely with their suppliers to ramp up production on parts and materials for the F404-IN20. 
•  At Aero India, Mr. Sunil had said GE's supply chain issues had been resolved and the IAF would receive 12 F-404 engines for the LCA-Mk1A this year. "The GE has stabilised its manufacturing process for the F404 engines. We have already made three aircraft, and by the end of this year, 11 will be manufactured. As the engines start coming in, our delivery to the IAF will start," he had stated.
•   He said three Tejas. Mk1A are flying and by the end of this year, one jet from Nasik and II from Bengaluru will be ready while stressing that the existing order for 87 LCA-Mk1A would be completed in three-and-a-half years and the additional order for 97 jets by FY 2031-32 with production rate going to 24 jets per year.
•   Early this month, a high-level empowered committee headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh constituted to recommend ways for Capability Enhancement of the IAF identified key thrust areas and made recommendations for implementation in the short, medium and long-term in the report presented to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. 

Business News 

11.IT major Wipro bags £500 million, 10-year deal with UK’s Phoenix Group 

•  IT services major Wipro has won a £500 million, 10-year strategic deal with Phoenix Group, the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business. 
•  This will be one of the largest deals for the company as well as for the industry in a long time. As part of this transformational initiative, a number of Phoenix employees will transition to Wipro. 
•  The project is designed to deliver life and pension business administration for the ReAssure business and accelerate Phoenix Group’s operational transformation. 
•  Under the terms of the deal, Wipro’s existing FCA-regulated entity, Wipro Financial Outsourcing Services Limited (WFOSL), will deliver comprehensive life and pension administration services to Phoenix Group’s ReAssure customers. 

12. BOI’s first dollar loan deal in over a decade raises $400 mn, woos 22 banks 

•  Bank of India has raised $400 million via a dollar syndicated loan, according to people familiar with the matter, marking its first such deal since 2012 that expands a list of the country’s borrowers tapping global credit markets.
•   The rarity factor helped attract strong interest in the deal, allowing the borrower to increase the size by $100 million via the so-called greenshoe option. The facility drew a total of 22 lenders including arrangers CTBC Bank Co. and Standard Chartered Plc. 
•  The loan is equally split into three- and five-year tranches, and raised via Bank of India’s branch located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City.

 Economy News

 13. The medium-term and long-term government deposit components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme discontinued by the Centre 

•  25 March, the government announced the discontinuation of the Medium-Term and Long-Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), effective from March 26, 2025. 
•  Accordingly, any gold deposited in designated Collection and Purity Testing Centres (CPTCs) or GMS Mobilisation, Collection and Testing Agents (GMCTAs) or designated bank branches under the said components of GMS shall not be accepted from March 26, 2025. 
•  On September 15, 2015, the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) was announced. 
•  The GMS originally consisted of three components: short-term bank deposits (1–3 years), medium-term government deposits (5–7 years), and long-term government deposits (12–15 years). 
•  Its objective was to reduce the country's dependence on gold imports in the long term and to facilitate the use of gold available with households and institutions for productive purposes. 
• As of November 2024, around 31,164 kg of gold has been mobilised under GMS. 
•  Further, Short Term Bank Deposits (STBDs) offered by banks under GMS shall continue to be at the discretion of individual banks based on their assessment of commercial viability. 

Schemes and Committees News

 14. To ensure accurate crop data collection, the Digital Crop Survey (DCS) system was introduced 

•  The Digital Crop Survey (DCS) System has been introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to gather real-time crop-sown details directly from the field through a mobile interface. 
• This innovative system ensures accurate, up-to-date information on crop areas for each agricultural plot, which will be crucial for accurate production estimation. 
•  As part of this initiative, the Agri Stack has been developed in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and other IT laws of India. 
•  Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur said in an official statement that Agri Stack has been designed to ensure complete privacy and security of farmers' data.
•   Farmers' data is collected only with their consent, ensuring control over how their data is shared is limited to entities authorized for specific purposes. 
•  The data privacy features of AgriStack are strengthened by its federal structure, which allows states t
•  retain control over the entire dataset

. Appointment News 

15.Sunil Kakkar becomes first Indian full-time director of Maruti Suzuki India 

•  Sunil Kakkar, who has been leading the corporate planning division at Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), has become the first homegrown Indian employee to be nominated to the company’s board as a whole-time director. 
• The nomination was made by MSIL’s majority shareholder, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC).
•  MSIL’s board currently comprises 11 members—five Indians and six Japanese. Among the Indian members, four are independent directors, while chairman R C Bhargava is the fifth. With Kakkar’s addition, the board will now have equal representation of six Indians and six Japanese.
•  Kakkar’s tenure as whole-time director will be from April 1 this year to March 31, 2028. 

16. Sanjay Kumar Mishra has been appointed as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister 

• The government approved the appointment of Sanjay Kumar Mishra, the former head of the Enforcement Directorate, as the full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM).  
• he government also appointed former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba as a full-time member of NITI Aayog with immediate effect.  Rajiv Gauba is a retired 1982-batch IAS officer from the Jharkhand cadre. He served as a cabinet secretary for five years from 2019 to 2024
•  Sanjay Kumar Misha is a 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from Uttar Pradesh. 
•  Sanjay Kumar Misha led the ED till September 15, 2023. His term ended after the Supreme Court curtailed his extended tenure
•  EAC-PM is an independent body constituted to advise on economic and related issues to the government.

 Banking and Financial News 

17.RBI, NPCI approve Rs 2 hike in ATM interchange fee 

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have approved an increase in the ATM interchange fee for cash withdrawals from Rs 17 to Rs 19, with effect from May 1, 2025.
•  The interchange has been revised for domestic financial and non-financial transactions Non-financial transactions are subject to an interchange fee of Rs 7, according to an NPCI circular. A separate goods and services tax (GST) is levied on the interchange fee. 
• The revised interchange is not applicable for micro-ATM, interoperable cash deposit (card-based and UPI-based), and international ATM transactions. Such transactions will continue as per the existing rates
•  The interchange fee for balance enquiries has been set at Rs 7 excluding GST for transactions in Nepal and Bhutan.
•  At present, there are 1,349 NFS members, up from 1,296 in February last year, according to NPCI data. 
•  The volume of NFS-approved transactions stood at 315 million in February 2025, down 13.7 per cent from 365 million in February 2024. 

Important Day News 

18. March 26 – Purple Day of Epilepsy 

•  World Purple Day is observed annually on March 26 to raise awareness about epilepsy, a neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide
• .This global movement was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a Canadian girl who wanted to
•  educate people about epilepsy and reduce the stigma surrounding it. 
• What is Epilepsy? 
•  Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden and temporary disturbances in brain activity. During a seizure, brain cells fire abnormally, causing changes in behaviour, sensation, or consciousness. There are three main types of epilepsy: idiopathic, symptomatic, and cryptogenic. 

19. March 27 – World Theatre Day

•  World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27 to recognize the importance of theatre arts and their impact on society.
•  Theme 2025 – Theatre and a Culture of Peace 
•  Established in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), this day highlights the power of theatre in fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and social awareness. 

Book and AuthorsNews

 20. The book 'Ripples of Change' on women-led rural WASH initiatives launched by the Jal Shakti Ministe

• rOn 26 March, 'Ripples of Change: Gender-transformative Rural WASH Programs in India' was launched by Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil. 
•  The book was published by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) in collaboration with UNICEF India. 
•  Ripples of Change features ten powerful stories from rural India. 
•  Documented by UNICEF, these stories showcase the transformative impact of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Jal Jeevan Mission through gender empowerment, community leadership, and grassroots innovation. 
•  Along with the book release, Patil also unveiled the new website of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (WASH) of the Jal Shakti Ministry. 
• The upgraded portal is compliant with the latest Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0. 
•  This makes it one of the first government platforms to fully integrate these standards. 
• The aim of this revamped website is to enhance accessibility, operational efficiency and trust among users.

 Science and Technology News

 21. SAMEER and AIIMS sign MoU for collaborative research on medical devices 

• The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) and AIIMS have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of advanced medical devices. 
•  The partnership aims to drive advancements in high-field and low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) systems. Additionally, the collaboration will focus on research in Radio Frequency (RF) and microwave technologies, all with the goal of enhancing medical applications and fostering innovation in the healthcare sector. 
•  The MoU was signed on the occasion of the 32nd Foundation Day of the Department of NMR at AIIMS, New Delhi

. Infrastructure and Energy News 

22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge on April 6 

•  The new Pamban Rail Bridge is India's first vertical lift bridge. 
•  The 2.5-kilometre Pamban Bridge will help trains to cross the sea between mainland India and Rameswaram island in less than 5 minutes. Currently, it takes 25-30 minutes on the existing structure. 
•  The new bridge will replace the Colonial-era bridge, which was built in 1914. 
•  The bridge has been built in collaboration with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of ₹535 crore
• The new bridge will be operated by an electromechanical system to enable maritime movement.
•  The Prime Minister would also flag off a new train service between Tambaram and Rameswaram on the occasion. 

Miscellaneous News 

23. Santosh, U.K's ocial Oscar entry, blocked by CBFC in India 

•  The internationally acclaimed Santosh has been denied certification for theatrical release in India after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) objected to its portrayal of police brutality, caste discrimination, and misogyny, according to reports from The Guardian.
•  Written and directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, Santosh follows the journey of a 5 young widow who joins the police force and investigates the murder of a Dalit girl. 
• The film, which tackles themes of misogyny, caste-based violence, and institutional Islamophobia, has received widespread criti-cal praise.
•   It was the U.K.'s official 5 entry for the Oscars inter-national feature category, and earned a BAFTA nomination for best debut feature. Lead actor Shahana Goswami won the best actress title at the Asian Film Awards.
•  Despite its success abroad, the CBFC refused to approve Santosh for theatrical release. 
•  'Heartbreaking' 
•  Reacting to the CBFC's decision, Ms. Suri expressed disappointment, calling the move "heartbreaking", in an interview with The Guardian. She noted that while films tackling police violence are not new to Indian cinema, Santosh may have unsettled censors due to its realistic and morally complex portrayal of law enforcement. 
•  "It was surprising for all of us because I didn't feel that these issues were particularly new to Indian cinema or hadn't been raised before by other films," she said. 
•  Suri also revealed that the CBFC's demands for cuts were so extensive that implementing them would have made it "impossible" to retain the integrity of the film.
•  Though she is legally restricted from disclosing specifics, she described the list of requested edits as spanning several pages and touching on core themes of the story.

 Indian Polity News 

24. LS passes law to set up Tribhuvan University

•   The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025, to establish the country's first national cooperative university at the Institute of Rural Management Anand in Gujarat. It aims to revolutionise education, research, and training in the cooperative sector. 
•  Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said the university is proposed to be set up in Gujarat because the State government allotted land for it, adding that the university's jurisdiction will be nationwide. 
•  "The cooperative training institutes in all States will be registered as schools or colleges under the university. It will work on a hub-and-spoke model. It will have degree, diploma, and PhD courses. Around 8 lakh people are expected to get certification from the university per year," Mr. Shah said. 
•  It is named after Tribhuvan Kashibhai Patel, the founder of cooperative dairy giant Amul, he added.