Current Affairs - March 31, 2025 Current Affairs

Nidhi Tewari has been appointed as the private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) since November 2022. Hailing from Mehmurganj in Varanasi, Tewari’s appointment marks a significant addition to the PM’s team. This role is crucial as it involves managing the Prime Minister’s schedules, correspondence, and official communications. She follows in the footsteps of previous private secretaries, Vivek Kumar and Hardik Satishchandra Shah, who have served in this capacity.

India and Japan signed loan deals totalling ¥191.73 billion for six development projects spanning sectors like water, transport, forestry, and aquaculture. Key projects include the TN Investment Promotion Phase 3, Delhi Metro Phase 4, and Chennai Desalination Plant II. This funding is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India, reflecting the strong bilateral ties and Japan’s commitment to supporting India’s infrastructure and sustainable development goals through strategic financial collaboration.

IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), organized a hackathon focused on exploring Large Language Models and Generative AI to simplify financial statement analysis. The event aimed to transform complex financial data into clear, engaging stories that support better decision-making. The hackathon saw participation from top institutions, with winning teams from VIT Vellore, MNNIT Allahabad, IIT Lucknow, and Rajiv Gandhi University presenting innovative solutions, showcasing the practical applications of AI in the finance sector.

The Indian Air Force participated in Exercise INIOCHOS-25, which took place in Greece from March 31 to April 11, 2025. This biennial multinational air exercise involved Su-30 MKI fighters and support aircraft, with the goal of enhancing air force skills, tactical knowledge, and international cooperation among 15 participating countries. The exercise aimed to improve operational capabilities and strengthen strategic defence partnerships, reflecting Greece’s role as the host nation for this important military drill.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian-American scientist and professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, has been confirmed as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by the U.S. Senate. Nominated by President Donald Trump in November 2024, his confirmation was secured through a 53-47 vote on March 25, 2025. Dr. Bhattacharya, known for his expertise in medical research, public health, and economics, gained prominence as a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for focused protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership at the NIH is expected to emphasize data-driven, innovative public health strategies.

The Telangana government launched India’s first free fine rice scheme, aiming to provide fine rice free of cost to the poor through ration shops. This initiative was unveiled in Huzurnagar, Suryapet district, on Ugadi by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The program is designed to enhance food security with dignity, ensuring that quality rice reaches economically weaker sections without any cost. This landmark effort highlights Telangana’s commitment to social welfare and food security, setting a precedent for similar initiatives across the country.

The theme for the 2025 International Day of Yoga (IDY) is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This theme emphasizes holistic health, focusing on the connection between personal well-being and environmental sustainability. Celebrated annually on June 21 since 2015, IDY was established by the UN in 2014, with each year’s theme highlighting the diverse benefits of yoga. The 2025 theme underscores the role of yoga in fostering both individual health and global ecological balance.

The Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program in India is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This initiative aims to enhance India’s logistics infrastructure, reduce logistics costs, and improve efficiency through multimodal transportation, warehousing standardization, and digital transformation in trade logistics. The SMILE Program supports the National Logistics Policy (NLP) and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, contributing to India’s goal of becoming a global manufacturing and supply chain hub. ADB’s support is vital for aligning India’s logistics sector with international standards and boosting global competitiveness.

Narender Berwal, an Asian Games bronze medallist, will lead the 10-member Indian men's boxing team at the inaugural World Boxing Cup in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. This tournament is significant as it is the first event hosted by World Boxing since it received provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee in February and the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Berwal’s leadership highlights his prominence in the boxing arena and his confidence in his abilities to represent India on this global platform.

The ‘Nutrition for Growth’ event, where UNESCO released the report "Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well," was hosted by France on March 27-28, 2025. The report focuses on the nutritional quality of school meals globally, urging governments to enhance food standards in schools. It highlights the importance of nutritious meals in reducing child undernourishment and boosting academic performance. The event underscored the global need for improved school meal programs, with France playing a key role in promoting nutrition-focused initiatives worldwide.

The Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has announced plans to develop Nangal into a major tourist hub and transform Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary into Punjab’s first leopard safari destination. These projects are part of the ‘Badalda Punjab’ Budget 2025-26, with a ₹10 crore initial investment for Nangal. The initiatives aim to boost tourism, promote wildlife conservation, enhance eco-tourism, create employment opportunities, and preserve Punjab’s cultural heritage. The development of these sites reflects Punjab’s commitment to sustainable tourism and biodiversity conservation.

The Gaia mission, which mapped 2 billion stars, was conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission concluded on January 15, 2025, after 12 years of operation due to the depletion of its cold gas propellant. Gaia provided the most detailed 3D map of the Milky Way, uncovering insights into galactic collisions, star clusters, and black holes. Launched in December 2013, Gaia operated around the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, offering an unparalleled view of our galaxy.

In the Hurun Billionaires List 2025, India ranks 3rd globally with a total of 284 billionaires. This ranking reflects India’s growing economic influence and the significant wealth accumulated by its business leaders. Notably, Adani’s wealth surged by Rs 1 lakh crore, making him the 18th richest person globally, while Ambani remains Asia’s richest despite a decline in wealth. The report covered 3,442 billionaires from 71 countries, showing a 5% global increase in billionaire wealth compared to the previous year, highlighting the dynamic shifts in global wealth distribution.