Current Affairs - March 20, 2025 Current Affairs

Indranil Bhattacharyya was appointed as the Executive Director (ED) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March 19, 2025. In his new role, he will oversee the Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR), which plays a crucial role in shaping monetary policies and conducting economic research. Bhattacharyya brings with him nearly three decades of experience in critical areas such as monetary policy, fiscal policy, banking regulations, and international economic relations, making him a key figure in the RBI's policy-making processes.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Remittances Survey for 2023-24, the United States has overtaken the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as India's largest source of remittances. The US contributed 27.7% of total remittances to India, surpassing the UAE's contribution of 19.2%. This shift is attributed to an increase in skilled professionals migrating to advanced economies, leading to higher remittance inflows from countries like the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, while Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations' share has decreased.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the NDTL Annual Conference-2025, where the focus was on innovations and challenges in anti-doping science. During the event, he highlighted India's dedication to promoting clean sports, raising awareness about doping, and emphasizing early education, especially in rural areas. His involvement underscores the government's proactive approach to tackling doping-related issues in sports.

Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report. India is ranked 118th in the 2025 report, reflecting challenges in areas like social support and economic disparity. This ranking is based on various factors such as social trust, economic stability, life expectancy, and freedom to make life choices. Despite challenges like increased geopolitical tensions due to its proximity to Russia, Finland continues to maintain high levels of happiness among its citizens, demonstrating the importance of social support and trust in contributing to overall well-being.

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a new 12.7 LMT Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex at Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited in Namrup, Assam. The project, costing Rs. 10,601.40 Crore, aims to boost Urea production capacity, particularly benefiting the North-East and nearby regions. Additionally, the complex will enhance energy efficiency and create employment opportunities, contributing to both local and regional development.

The National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) was launched by MeitY and the Drone Federation India under the 'SwaYaan' initiative. This challenge aims to boost India's capabilities in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), particularly in applications such as agriculture, disaster management, and healthcare. NIDAR is part of India's goal to become a global drone hub by 2030, promoting innovation and research in the drone industry.

The study on melioidosis outbreaks highlights how environmental factors like temperature, rainfall, and solar radiation in Odisha contribute to the peak occurrence of the infection during and after the monsoon season. The state's agricultural areas and extreme weather conditions increase human exposure to melioidosis-causing bacteria, with districts such as Cuttack and Khordha showing a higher rate of infection. This emphasizes the impact of climate and geography on disease transmission in the region.

UN French Language Day is celebrated on March 20, highlighting the significance of multilingualism, cultural diversity, and education. This day commemorates the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) in 1970, which later became the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). The OIF plays a vital role in promoting the French language and cultural cooperation across its 88 member states. The celebration emphasizes the role of education in sustainable development and global peace, contributing to the broader goals of multilingualism within the UN.

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20. This day was established to promote happiness as a fundamental human goal, with the United Nations emphasizing the importance of well-being and sustainable development for global happiness. The celebration encourages governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize happiness in policies and daily life, making it an essential occasion for promoting a more inclusive and balanced approach to economic growth and overall human well-being.

The new plant species, Uniyala keralensis, was discovered in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in Kerala. The species is endemic to southwest India and was first collected in 1998. It has distinctive light purple flowers and stands out from similar species in the Uniyala genus. The species thrives in open areas of the Western Ghats, with an estimated population of around 5,000 individuals, highlighting the region's rich biodiversity.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Sons’ plan to acquire an additional 10% stake in Tata Play from Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd. This move is part of Tata Sons' strategy to strengthen its position in India's digital entertainment and content distribution market. The acquisition will enhance Tata Play’s market standing, especially in providing Pay TV and OTT services, positioning the company more prominently in the growing digital entertainment sector.