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CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE
Fitch Affirms Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank (PNB) Ratings at BBB- with Stable Outlook
- Fitch Ratings affirmed Union Bank of India and Punjab National Bank (PNB) at ‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook, mirroring India’s sovereign rating.
- The ratings are driven by government support, with the Indian government holding 75% stake in Union Bank of India and 70% in PNB, ensuring a high probability of support.
- Growth in the Indian economy is expected to help both banks sustain profitability.
- Fitch upgraded the Viability Rating (VR) of both banks to ‘bb-‘ from ‘b+’, supported by improvements in their risk profiles and financial performance.
- The Government Support Rating (GSR) was affirmed at ‘BBB-‘.
- For Union Bank of India, Fitch revised the asset-quality score to positive from stable, expecting a further decline in the impaired-loan ratio.
- The risk profile score was upgraded to ‘b+’ from ‘b’, driven by greater loan diversification, reduced corporate loan risk, and limited exposure to unsecured retail loans.
- However, risks remain due to the bank’s history of cyclical growth and financial metric deterioration in economic downturns.
- For Punjab National Bank (PNB), the bank’s large nationwide presence supports profitable business generation.
- The risk profile score was upgraded to ‘b+’ from ‘b’, reflecting improved loan mix diversification, clean-up of legacy bad loans, and limited unsecured retail loan exposure.
- Fitch revised the asset-quality outlook to positive from stable, with the impaired-loan ratio declining to 4.1% (9MFY25) from 5.7% (FY24).
- The earnings and profitability score was upgraded to ‘bb-‘ from ‘b+’, as profitability exceeded expectations.
- Both banks are expected to sustain profitability in the medium term, provided risks are effectively managed.
About Fitch:
- Headquarters: New York City, USA & London, UK
- Operations: Fitch Ratings (Credit Ratings), Fitch Solutions (Financial Intelligence), Fitch Learning (Training & Development)
- President & CEO: Paul Taylor
Finance Ministry notifies 10-year Zero Coupon Bond of Power Finance Corporation
- Finance Ministry has notified Zero Coupon Bond (ZCB) for Power Finance Corporation.
- The company can raise up to ₹10,000
- Zero-Coupon Bond (ZCB) is a bond that does not pay periodic interest but is issued at a discount to its face value.
- At maturity, the investor receives the full face value.
- The bond will be issued at a discount of ₹49,546 for a face value of ₹1 lakh, meaning the investor pays ₹50,454 at issuance and receives ₹1 lakh at maturity.
- Maturity period: 121 months (10 years and 1 month).
- The issuance deadline is March 31, 2027, with a cap of 10 lakh bonds.
Key Highlights:
- Target investors:
- Long-term investors looking for a lump-sum payout instead of periodic interest.
- Suitable for funding future obligations like education, marriage, retirement.
- Low-risk investors seeking fixed returns and portfolio diversification.
- Advantages:
- Fixed returns if held to maturity.
- Less risky than equities or variable-rate bonds.
- Diversification for growth-oriented portfolios.
- Disadvantages:
- Interest rate risk: If sold before maturity, bond value falls when interest rates rise.
- Duration risk: Longer duration increases price sensitivity to interest rate changes.
- Taxation:
- Short-term capital gains tax (if held less than 12 months) as per the investor’s income tax slab.
- Long-term capital gains tax (if held more than 12 months) at 12.5%.
About Ministry of Finance:
- Cabinet Minister: Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
- Minister of State (MoS): Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS
Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh lays foundation stone for North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach permanent campus
- Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, laid the foundation stone for the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.
- NECTAR, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, plays a crucial role in using technology for the socio-economic development of the Northeast region.
Key Highlights of the Event
- About NECTAR
- Established in 2014 under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- Focuses on technology-driven development in the Northeast region.
- Permanent campus foundation stone laid at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.
- Union Minister’s Announcements
- Mission Saffron:
- Launched in 2021 to introduce saffron cultivation in the Northeast.
- Aim: To make the region the next saffron hub of India.
- STEM Education Initiative:
- Collaboration with IISER Pune and Smart Village Movement.
- 100 schools empowered with robotics, 3D printing, and electronics technology.
- Drone Technology Applications:
- Used for flood vulnerability assessments in Morigaon, Dhubri, and Majuli districts of Assam.
- Beekeeping and Honey Mission:
- Aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods in the region.
- Alignment with National Vision:
- NECTAR to contribute to “Atmanirbhar Northeast” and “Viksit Bharat”, in line with PM Modi’s vision for regional growth and self-reliance.
- NECTAR’s Key Focus Areas
- Saffron Cultivation
- Drone Technology
- STEM Education
- Flood Risk Mitigation
- Beekeeping and Honey Mission
- Bamboo Innovation
RECENT NEWS
- Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, will chair the 12th All India Pension Adalat in New Delhi on February 13, 2025.
Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) Mobile App Launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, launched a dedicated mobile application for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) in New Delhi.
- This initiative aims to simplify the registration process, provide real-time updates, and enhance accessibility for candidates seeking internship opportunities.
Key Features of the PMIS App
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed for seamless navigation.
- Easy Registration: Aadhaar face authentication for hassle-free sign-up.
- Real-Time Updates: Instant notifications about internship openings.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Transparent and efficient application process.
- Union Minister Sitharaman highlighted that this scheme is crucial for nation-building and urged industries to actively support youth skill development. Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, also emphasized that the PMIS App will significantly improve access to internships across industries.
About the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS)
- Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25.
- Target: One crore internship opportunities in India’s top 500 companies over five years.
- Objective: Bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements for youth employability.
Pilot Project Implementation
- Before full-scale implementation, a pilot project was launched in October 2024 to test the scheme’s effectiveness.
- Internship locations cover 745 districts across India, ensuring nationwide accessibility.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS
Telangana Assembly passes Bills granting 42% reservations for Backward Classes
- The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed two Bills on March 17, 2025, enhancing Backward Classes (BCs) reservations to 42% in:
- Education and government employment
- Local governance (rural and urban bodies)
- Strengthens social justice and political representation for Backward Classes.
- Ensures legal and technical clarity to avoid past hurdles in BC reservation implementation.
New Bills Passed
- Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments for Posts in Services under the State) Bill, 2025
- Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025
Government’s Stand and Justification
- BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar: Highlighted that BCs are the “backbone classes” of the country and deserve enhanced reservation.
- Chief Minister Revanth Reddy:
- Stated that Telangana is the first state to conduct a 100% genuine socio-economic caste survey.
- Confirmed the new Bill replaces the 2017 proposal (which sought 37% BC reservation) to avoid legal challenges.
- Declared February 4 as ‘Social Justice Day’, marking the Assembly’s commitment to BC reservations.
Recent News:
- In February 2025, The Telangana government mandated Telugu as a subject for Class 9 in all board-affiliated schools from 2025-26, extending to Class 10 in 2026-27.
About Telangana:
- Capital: Hyderabad
- Governor: Jishnu Dev Varma
- Chief Minister: Anumula Revanth Reddy
- National Parks: Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, Mrugavani National Park, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS
India’s Forex Reserves Surge by $15.267 Billion to $653.966 Billion
- India’s foreign exchange reserves saw a sharp rise of $15.267 billion, reaching $653.966 billion for the week ending March 7, 2025.
- This is the largest weekly jump in over two years and is mainly attributed to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) $10 billion forex swap conducted on February 28, 2025, aimed at injecting liquidity and stabilizing the rupee.
Key Highlights
- Forex Reserves Data (March 7, 2025)
- Total Reserves: $653.966 billion.
- Weekly Increase: $15.267 billion (highest in two years).
- Previous Week’s Reserves: $638.698 billion.
- All-time High: $704.885 billion (September 2024).
- Breakdown of Reserve Components
| Component | Change During the Week | Current Value |
| Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) | Increased by $13.993 billion | $557.282 billion |
| Gold Reserves | Decreased by $1.053 billion | $74.325 billion |
| Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) | Increased by $212 million | $18.21 billion |
| Reserve Position with IMF | Decreased by $69 million | $4.148 billion |
- Reasons Behind the Surge
- $10 billion forex swap by RBI on February 28, 2025, to boost liquidity.
- Strategic RBI interventions to reduce rupee volatility.
- Revaluation of foreign assets due to currency fluctuations (dollar, euro, yen, and pound).
CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Stuart Young to be sworn in as new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
- Stuart Young was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, succeeding Keith Rowley, who resigned.
- The swearing-in ceremony took place at the President’s House in the presence of President Christine Kangaloo.
- Young pledged to build a safer nation and called for unity among citizens.
- His first action as PM will be a Cabinet reshuffle.
- Political background:
- Previously served as Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.
- Like Rowley, he belongs to the People’s National Movement (PNM).
- Keith Rowley’s resignation:
- Announced on February 26 that he would step down on March 16.
- Plans to vacate his position as PNM’s political leader in consultation with party leadership.
About Trinidad and Tobago:
- Capital: Port of Spain
- Currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)
- President: Christine Kangaloo
- Prime Minister: Stuart Young
Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) appoints Lakshmi Venu as vice chairman to strengthen leadership
- Lakshmi Venu has been appointed Vice Chairman of TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment), one of the world’s largest tractor manufacturers.
- She is recognized for her contributions to farm mechanization and the auto component business, with a strategic, customer-centric, and innovation-driven leadership approach.
- Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman and MD of TAFE, praised her impactful contributions and leadership in Massey Ferguson and Eicher Tractors.
- Other roles: She is also the Managing Director of Sundaram-Clayton Ltd, a key automotive component manufacturer.
- Educational background: Graduate of Yale University and holds a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the University of Warwick, UK.
Deena Mehta re-appointed as Independent Director of Fino Payments Bank
- Deena Asit Mehta has been reappointed as an Independent Director of Fino Payments Bank Limited, effective March 19, 2025, subject to shareholder approval.
- She has over four decades of experience in capital markets, playing a key role in reforms such as:
- BOLT system at BSE
- Central Depository Service
- Streamlining of Clearing Corporation BOISL
- Served nine years on the BSE Board, including as Vice President & President.
- Has been part of SEBI committees for 21 years, contributing to multiple market reforms.
- Founding member of SAFE, the Association of Stock Exchanges of SAARC countries.
- Delivered over 1,000 lectures across India and published over 100 articles in economic dailies.
- Recognized with several awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
- Holds qualifications as a Chartered Accountant and a Master’s in Management Studies.
About Fino Payments Bank:
- Founded: 2017
- Headquarters: Mumbai, India
- Managing Director & CEO: Rishi Gupta
CURRENT AFFAIRS: ACQUISITION & MERGERS
Tata Sons increases stake in Tata Play following Competition Commission of India approval
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Sons’ acquisition of an additional 10% stake in Tata Play from Temasek-owned Baytree Investments.
- This action has raised Tata Sons’ ownership in the entertainment content distribution platform to 70%.
- Tata Sons purchased the shares for approximately $100 million, valuing Tata Play at $1 billion.
- Walt Disney retains the remaining 30% stake.
- Tata Sons, an investment holding company, is registered with the Reserve Bank of India.
- The CCI’s approval follows a similar decision last year, when it cleared Bharti Airtel’s acquisition of an additional 20% stake in Bharti Telemedia from Lion Meadow Investment.
- Bharti Airtel completed its acquisition of Warburg Pincus’s affiliate stake in Bharti Telemedia in February 2021, paying Rs 3,126 crore.
- This transaction increased Bharti Airtel’s ownership to full ownership, valuing Bharti Telemedia at Rs 15,630 crore.
- Currently, Tata Play and Bharti Airtel are in discussions regarding a potential merger of their DTH businesses.
- The companies are expected to finalize a heads of terms agreement, initiating due diligence.
- Post-merger, Airtel is projected to hold 52-55% of the new entity, while Tata Play’s stakeholders, including Walt Disney, would retain 45-48%.
- Industry sources estimate the combined valuation of both DTH businesses at approximately Rs 6,000-7,000 crore.
- Tata Play reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 354 crore in FY24, while Bharti Telemedia’s net loss narrowed to Rs 76 crore.
- Tata Play’s consolidated revenue was Rs 4,327 crore, and Bharti Telemedia’s revenue grew to Rs 3,045 crore.
About CCI:
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act of 2002.
- Founded: October 14, 2003
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Chairperson: Ravneet Kaur
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), gets Competition Commission of India approval to acquire Minimalist in Rs 2,670 crore deal
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved FMCG major Hindustan Unilever’s (HUL) proposal to acquire beauty and personal care brand Minimalist’s parent company Uprising Science.
- Jaipur-based Uprising Science is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of beauty and personal care products, baby care, and hair care items under the brand name ‘Minimalist’.
- Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), a leading FMCG player, owns more than 50 brands, including Lakme, Lux, Knorr, Kwality Wall’s, and Surf Excel.
- In January, HUL announced that it has signed and executed a share purchase and subscription agreement for the acquisition of 90.5% shareholding of Uprising Science—the firm behind Minimalist—comprising a secondary buyout for a cash consideration of Rs 2,670 crore at a pre-money enterprise valuation of Rs 2,955 crore.
- The company will also make a primary infusion of Rs 45 crore with an eventual acquisition of the remaining 9.5% of Uprising’s shareholding.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS
India, Australia agree to deepen interoperability across maritime, land and air domains
- The 9th edition of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on March 17, 2025.
- The Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary International Policy Division, Department of Defence Australia, Mr. Bernard Philip.
Key Highlights :
- Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises and exchanges.
- The meeting reviewed defence outcomes from previous ministerial and secretary-level consultations and discussed cooperation priorities, including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration, and defence exercises.
- They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
- India and Australia reiterated their commitment to promoting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
- They agreed on priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Australia in 2025 and explored possibilities for defence industry collaboration.
- Both sides called for accelerated cooperation in defence science and technology and agreed to deepen interoperability across maritime, land, and air domains, including engagement with multilateral partners.
- Over the years, defence has emerged as an important pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- The 8th edition of Defence Policy Talks was held in 2023.
- As part of the visit, the Australian delegation will tour Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai.
- The Australian co-chair will also meet Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh on March 18, 2025.
Recent News:
- In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed ₹2,906 crore radar contract with BEL for the Indian Air Force
About Ministry of Defence:
- Cabinet Minister: Rajnath Singh
- Minister of State (MoS): Ajay Bhatt
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman inaugurates new IIT-Madras research centre on fluid and thermal science
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on March 17, 2025, inaugurated the Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
- The newly launched centre, based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT-M, aims to advance research in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management.
- During the inauguration, ISRO chairman, Dr V Narayanan, highlighted India’s progress in cryogenic engine technology, stating that despite initial technological denials, the country now possesses three cryogenic engines, including a human-rated version.
- He noted that only 6 countries have developed this technology.
- The centre is named after Shri S. Ramakrishnan, an IIT Madras alumnus and aerospace engineer known for his contributions to launch vehicle engineering.
- He played key roles as Project Director for the PSLV and GSLV Mk-III and served as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2003.
- IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti emphasized the importance of thermal and cooling technologies in space exploration.
- The centre will focus on:
- Spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management
- Cooling system studies
- High-fidelity simulation and testing
- Capacity building through training programs for ISRO scientists
- Additionally, the Arcot Ramachandran Seminar Hall was inaugurated at IIT Madras by Prof Kamakoti.
- The seminar hall is named after Arcot Ramachandran, a former director of IIT Madras and an expert in heat transfer, who played a key role in establishing the Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory at the institute.
About ISRO:
- Established: 1958
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Chairman: V. Narayanan
CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT
Delhi Government to Implement PM-ABHIM Scheme: 1,139 U-AAMs to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure
- The Delhi government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
- This initiative aims to enhance primary healthcare services and improve preparedness for future pandemics.
Key Highlights of the Deal
- About PM-ABHIM Scheme
- A Central Government scheme to strengthen public health infrastructure.
- Focuses on upgrading primary healthcare facilities in urban and rural areas.
- Aims to improve pandemic preparedness and response to health emergencies.
- Implementation Plan for Delhi
- 1,139 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (U-AAMs) to be established.
- 553 existing Mohalla Clinics to be upgraded into U-AAMs.
- 413 new U-AAMs to be set up.
- Previously, the scheme was implemented only for diagnostic labs at Indira Gandhi Hospital as a pilot project.
- Political and Legal Background
- The AAP government earlier refused to implement the scheme.
- The Delhi High Court ordered the government to sign the MoU by January 5, 2025, despite the Model Code of Conduct.
- On January 17, 2025, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s order.
- In February 2025, the new BJP-led government in Delhi approved the scheme’s implementation.
Bharat Electronics Limited Signs ₹2,906 Crore Deal with Ministry of Defence for Indigenous Ashwini Low-Level Transportable Radar Radar
- In a major boost to India’s air defence capabilities, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the procurement of the Low-Level Transportable Radar (L LTR) Ashwini.
- The indigenously developed radar, designed by DRDO’s Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), strengthens India’s surveillance and tracking systems for aerial threats.
Key Highlights of the Deal
- About Ashwini LLTR Radar
- Type: Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
- Developed by: DRDO and BEL.
- Technology: Solid-state radar with advanced tracking capabilities.
- Capabilities:
- Tracks fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.
- 4D Surveillance: Identifies range, azimuth, elevation, and velocity of aerial targets.
- Integrated IFF System: Identifies friendly and hostile aircraft.
- Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM): Resists enemy jamming and electronic warfare tactics.
- Mobility: Can operate in diverse terrains.
- Significance: Fully indigenous radar, enhancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
- Details of the BEL-MoD Deal
- Contract Value: ₹2,906 crore.
- Date Signed: March 14, 2025.
- Key Official Present: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
- BEL’s Recent Defence Orders:
- ₹577 crore deal for:
- Airborne electronic warfare systems.
- Underwater communication systems.
- Doppler weather radars.
- Train communication systems.
- Radar upgrades and services.
- Strategic Importance
- Enhances India’s air surveillance and defence preparedness.
- Strengthens the Indian Air Force’s ability to detect and track aerial threats.
- Reduces dependence on imported radar systems.
- Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promoting indigenous defence production.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY
Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan died at 84
- Former Union minister Debendra Pradhan, father of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, passed away in New Delhi on Monday at the age of 84.
- Born on July 16, 1941, in Nalam, Dhenkanal district, Odisha, Pradhan completed his MBBS from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, in 1966.
- He began his career as an Assistant Medical Officer in Talcher in 1967 but took voluntary retirement in 1973 to start private practice.
- He entered politics by joining the BJP in 1980 and later became the party president for the undivided Dhenkanal district in
- He served as Odisha BJP president in 1988, 1990, and again from 1995 to 1997, during which time Odisha witnessed the entry of Naveen Patnaik into state politics.
- Pradhan was elected to the Lok Sabha from Deogarh in 1998 and was appointed Minister of State for Surface Transport in the Vajpayee government.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Happiness 2025: March 20
- The International Day of Happiness 2025 is celebrated all over the world on March 20th.
- It is an international event observed annually all over the globe on 20th March every year.
- International Day of Happiness 2025 aims to celebrate happiness all over the world, inspiring people to spread positivity, whether big or small, with others and encouraging each nation to prioritize the happiness of its citizens.
History
- Back in 2011, the idea was introduced to the United Nations by the advisor Jayme Illien. Illien also founded the United Nations New Economic Paradigm project and ‘happytalism’, which aim to change the way nations approach economic growth by focusing on ‘happytalism’ over capitalism.
- The General Assembly of the United Nations agreed with the proposal and officially founded the International Day of Happiness in July 2012, with the occasion first being observed in 2013.
- The celebration acknowledges how important and desirable happiness is to people everywhere and how essential it is that happiness is incorporated into public policy.
World Oral Health Day 2025: March 20
- Every year World Oral Health Day is observed globally and it is an annual event celebrated on March 20th every year.
- Purpose : It focuses on highlighting the benefits of good oral health, spreads awareness about oral diseases, and promotes the maintenance of oral hygiene
- This year, World Dental Federation (FDI) unveiled the three-year theme (2025 – 2026), “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Mind.”
History
- WOHD was first declared and originally celebrated on September 12, 2007, however, the campaign came into action in 2013.
- The day March 20 is marked to celebrate the event to avoid conflicts with FDI World Dental Congress that took place in September.
- The date was also chosen to reflect the importance of oral hygiene and care as the children must have 20 baby teeth and the senior citizens must be left with 20 teeth at the end of their life.
- Healthy adults must have 32 teeth with 0 dental cavities.
World Sparrow Day 2025: March 20
- World Sparrow Day, observed annually on March 20.
- Purpose : World Sparrow Day is a day designated to raise awareness of the House Sparrow and other common birds in urban environments.
- It is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation(France) and numerous other national and international organizations across the world.
History
- World Sparrow Day was first observed in 2010, marking the beginning of a campaign to save these chirpy little birds. Started by the Nature Forever Society, it has now come to be celebrated by conservationists from far and wide.
- The Nature Forever Society was founded by an Indian conservationist Mohammad Dilawar who started his work helping house sparrows in Nashik.
- For his efforts, he was named ‘Heroes of Environment’ for 2008 by Time Magazine.
Daily CA One- Liner: March 19
- Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, laid the foundation stone for the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.
- Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, launched a dedicated mobile application for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) in New Delhi
- India’s foreign exchange reserves saw a sharp rise of $15.267 billion, reaching $653.966 billion for the week ending March 7, 2025.
- The Delhi government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
- In a major boost to India’s air defence capabilities, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the procurement of the Low-Level Transportable Radar (L LTR) Ashwini.
- Fitch Ratings affirmed Union Bank of India and Punjab National Bank (PNB) at ‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook, mirroring India’s sovereign rating.
- The Finance Ministry notified the 10-year Zero Coupon Bond of Power Finance Corporation can raise up to ₹10,000 crore.
- The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed two Bills on March 17, 2025, enhancing Backward Classes (BCs) reservations to 42%.
- Stuart Young was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, succeeding Keith Rowley, who resigned.
- Lakshmi Venu has been appointed Vice Chairman of TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment), one of the world’s largest tractor manufacturers.
- Deena Asit Mehta has been reappointed as an Independent Director of Fino Payments Bank Limited, effective March 19, 2025, subject to shareholder approval.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Sons’ acquisition of an additional 10% stake in Tata Play from Temasek-owned Baytree Investments.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved FMCG major Hindustan Unilever’s (HUL) proposal to acquire beauty and personal care brand Minimalist’s parent company Uprising Science.
- The 9th edition of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on March 17, 2025.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on March 17, 2025, inaugurated the Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
- Former Union minister Debendra Pradhan, father of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, passed away in New Delhi on Monday at the age of 84.
- The International Day of Happiness 2025 is celebrated all over the world on March 20th.
- Every year World Oral Health Day is observed globally and it is an annual event celebrated on March 20th every year
- World Sparrow Day, observed annually on March 20.
