Exp. CDS Anil Chauhan inaugurates ‘Techkriti 2025’

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival, at IIT Kanpur.

This year’s theme, “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows), highlights the continuous evolution of technology and innovation. Techkriti 2025 promises to be a remarkable celebration of technology, entrepreneurship and collaboration, pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation.

A special segment, ‘Rakshakriti’, a dedicated Defence Expo to showcase the cutting-edge defence technology, was a key feature of Techkriti 2025. Driving further synergy between armed forces, academia and defence industry, Gen Anil Chauhan interacted with budding technologists.

Exp. Insurers can deny health claims for alcohol-related hospitalisation

The Supreme Court has ruled that insurers can deny health insurance claims if a customer had not explicitly disclosed their alcoholism at the time of purchasing a policy.

This judgment serves as a wake-up call in the insurance ecosystem. The principle of utmost good faith will bind both the insurer and the insurer.

Non-disclosure could give the insurer a ground to repudiate the claim, when the claim is arising out of alcohol consumption,” said Alay Razvi, managing partner, Accord Juris.

The case involved a man who bought a policy called Jeevan Arogya from Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in 2013. While completing his application, he did not disclose his long-term heavy alcohol consumption.

Less than a year after purchasing the policy, he was hospitalised in Jhajjar, Haryana, due to severe stomach pain. Following a month of treatment, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

After his death, his wife submitted a claim for medical expenses under the policy. However, LIC rejected it, citing the man’s failure to disclose his alcoholism. The insurer maintained that the policy explicitly excludes coverage for ‘self-inflicted diseases” and “complications caused by excessive alcohol consumption”. Since the man had falsely stated that he did not drink, LIC declared the claim invalid.

Exp. Chhattisgarh Signs MoU with Nasscom to Boost Development and Employment

The Chhattisgarh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) to boost the state’s development and generate employment opportunities.

Under its new industrial policy, Chhattisgarh has attracted investment proposals worth ~4.4 trillion.

About Chhattisgarh

• Capital – Raipur
• Chief Minister – Vishnu Deo Sai (replace Bhupesh Baghel)
• Deputy CM – Arun Sao & Vijay Sharma
• Governor – Biswabhusan Harichandan

Exp. Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees

The Union Cabinet has approved an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to the Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners from effective from January 1, 2025.

The Centre said 48.66 lakh Central Government employees and 66.55 lakhs pensioners will get 2% increase over the existing rate of 53% of the basic pay or pension. It will cost ₹ 6,614.04 crore per annum to the exchequer.

Exp. Cabinet approves Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme for making India Atmanirbhar in electronics supply chain

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme with a funding of Rs.22,919 crore to make India Atmanirbhar in electronics supply chain.

This scheme aims to develop a robust component ecosystem by attracting large investments (global/domestic) in electronics component manufacturing ecosystem, increasing Domestic Value Addition (DVA) by developing capacity and capabilities, and integrating Indian companies with Global Value Chains (GVCs).

The scheme envisages to attract investment of Rs.59,350 crore, result in production of Rs.4,56,500 crore and generate additional direct employment of 91,600 persons and many indirect jobs as well during its tenure.

Salient Features of the Scheme:

• The scheme provides differentiated incentives to Indian manufacturers tailored to overcome specific disabilities for various categories of components and sub-assemblies so that they can acquire technological capabilities and achieve economies of scale.
• The tenure of the scheme is six (6) years with one (1) year of gestation period.
• Payout of a part of the incentive is linked with employment targets achievement.

Exp. Cabinet Approves Nutrient Based Subsidy Rates For Kharif Season 2025

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Kharif Season, 2025 from April 1 to September 30 on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers.

The budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2025 would be Rs 37,216.15 crore, which is Rs 13000 crore more than the budgetary requirement for Rabi season 2024-25.

Benefits:

Availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices will be ensured.

Rationalization of subsidy on P&K fertilizers in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilizers and inputs.

Besides this, Cabinet has also given its nod to inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme.

Estimated cost of the project is Rs 6,282.32 crore, including Rs 3,652.56 crore central assistance to Bihar, is to be completed by March 2029. And remodeling of existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal up to 41.30 km and extension of EKMC up to river Mechi at 117.50 km.

Exp. Final Budget allocation for the Department of Fertilizers has increased to Rs. 1,91,836.29 crore

The final budget for the Department of Fertilizers in 2024-25 was raised from ₹1,68,130.81 crore to ₹1,91,836.29 crore, with the NBS scheme allocation increasing from ₹45,000 crore to ₹54,310 crore through Supplementary Demands for Grants.

The government assesses state-wise and month-wise demand before each cropping season and allocates adequate supplies. The Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS) tracks movement, with weekly video conferences ensuring smooth distribution.

In Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, extended till 2025-26, the overall outlay of Rs. 93,068.56 crores have been approved by the Government for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Urea is provided at a fixed MRP of ₹242 per 45 kg bag, unchanged since 2018. Under the NBS scheme, P&K fertilizers receive subsidies, with companies setting MRPs under government monitoring.

Due to geopolitical challenges, the government approved a ₹3,500 per MT one-time special package on DAP subsidy (April 2024–March 2025) to maintain affordability for farmers.

The government is securing long-term agreements with resource-rich countries to ensure consistent and affordable fertilizer imports, supporting Indian agriculture.

Exp. Cabinet approves construction of 4-Lane greenfield and brownfield Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor (NH-119A) (120.10 km) in Bihar

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of 4-lane access controlled greenfield and brownfield Patna – Arrah – Sasaram corridor starting from Patna to Sasaram (120.10 km) in Bihar. The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of Rs. 3,712.40 crore.

Currently, connectivity between Sasaram, Arrah and Patna relies on existing State Highways (SH-2, SH-12, SH-81 and SH-102) and takes 3-4 hours due to heavy congestion including in Arrah town. A greenfield corridor, along with 10.6 km of upgradation of existing brownfield highway, will be developed to reduce the increasing congestion, catering to the needs of densely built-up areas in places like Arrah, Grahini, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar and Sasaram.

The project alignment integrates with major transport corridors, including NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-131G, and NH-120, providing seamless connectivity to Aurangabad, Kaimur, and Patna. Additionally, the project will also provide connectivity to 02 airports (Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport and upcoming Bihita airport), 04 major railway stations (Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, Patna), and 01 Inland Water Terminal (Patna), and enhance direct access to Patna Ring Road, facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers.

Exp. Cabinet approves inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM Modi, has approved inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) of Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The CCEA has also approved central support of Rs.3,652.56 crore to Bihar for completion of the project by March, 2029 with an estimated cost of Rs.6,282.32 crore.

The Link Project will provide 2,10,516 hectares additional annual irrigation in Kharif season in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar. The project has potential to divert/utilize about 2,050 million cubic meter of surplus water of Kosi through the proposed link canal. Further, after remodelling of existing EKMC, shortfall supply to 1.57 lakh hectare existing command of existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal shall be restored.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) was launched during the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improved on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.

Government of India has approved implementation of PMKSY during 2021-26 with an overall outlay of Rs.93,068.56 crore (central assistance of Rs.37,454 crore).  

Exp. Ex Indra:14th edition of India, Russia bilateral naval exercise set to take place off Chennai

The 14th edition of the India-Russia naval exercise Indra will take place off Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025, reinforcing the strategic naval cooperation between the two nations.

The exercise will be conducted in two phases—the Harbour Phase (March 28-30) in Chennai, featuring subject matter expert exchanges and pre-sail briefings, and the Sea Phase (March 31-April 2) in the Bay of Bengal, including tactical maneuvers and live drills.

The exercise will see participation from Russian Naval Ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, along with Indian Naval Ships Rana, Kuthar, and maritime patrol aircraft P8I.

Recent Exercise

• 23^rd edition of bilateral naval exercise, Varuna 2025 between India and Franc – Arabian Sea
• INS Ranvir participates in Exercise Bongosagar 2025 between India and Bangladesh
• 12th edition of Exercise KHANJAR-XII between India and Kyrgyzstan – Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan
• 7th edition of Security Belt-2025 between Russia, China and Iran – Iranian port of Chabahar near Indian Ocean
• Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 between Indian Navy, Indian Army and India Air Force – Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur

Exp. Govt to mobilise Rs 8 lakh cr via bonds in first half of FY26.

The Centre plans to raise Rs 8 lakh crore through dated securities during April-September period of 2025-26 to fund the revenue gap.

Out of gross market borrowing of Rs 14.82 lakh crore estimated for 2025-26, Rs 8 lakh crore, or 54 per cent, is planned to be borrowed in the first half (H1) through issuance of dated securities, including Rs 10,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs).

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Budget proposed to borrow Rs 14.82 lakh crore by issuing dated securities to meet revenue shortfall in the next financial year.

Fiscal deficit, the gap between the government’s total revenue and total expenditure, is estimated to be 4.4 per cent of GDP for FY26 as compared to 4.8 per cent of the GDP estimated for the current financial year. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit is pegged at Rs 15,68,936 crore for the financial year 2025-26.

To finance the fiscal deficit, the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs 11.54 lakh crore. The balance financing is expected to come from small savings and other sources.

Exp. 28 March – Universal Acceptance Day

Universal Acceptance Day is observed on March 28 every year to promote the idea that all domain names and email addresses should be treated equally and accepted by all internet-enabled applications and systems.

Theme 2025 – Connecting the Unconnected – Building a Multilingual Internet for Viksit Bharat.

Universal Acceptance is a concept that aims to ensure that all domain names, including those with non-ASCII characters, and email addresses are accepted and validated equally by all internet applications and systems.

The first Universal Acceptance Day was observed on 28 March 2023, and since then, it has been celebrated every year.

Exp. Punjab to develop Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary for Leopard safari

The Punjab government will develop the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary as a leopard safari destination to promote eco-tourism in the state.

The Punjab Government will develop the wildlife sanctuary in the Sri Anandpur Sahib as the state’s first wildlife sanctuary of the state where the tourist will view the wildlife in its natural habitat.

The state government has allocated Rs 10 crore for the Nangal project in its 2025-26 budget to develop the tourist infrastructure in the region.

The Jhajjar- Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a protected sanctuary by the Punjab government in 1998 under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

About Punjab

• Capital – Chandigarh
• Chief Minister – Bhagwant Mann
• Governor – Banwarilal Purohit

Exp. Dr Jay Bhattacharya confirmed as Director of NIS of the United States

Indian-American scientist Jay Bhattacharya has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the country’s top health research and funding institutions.

Dr. Bhattacharya, a professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, was confirmed by a 53-47 vote.

Dr Jay Bhattacharya was nominated by Donald Trump as the 18th NIH Director after being elected as the 47th President of the US in November 2024.

Recent Appointment in Foreign

• President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry(first female President in IOC history).
• CEO of Unilever -Fernando Fernandez (replace Hein Schumacher)
• Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Kash Patel (9th)
• Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence by Trump – Sriram Krishnan
• Chairperson of United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC) – Madan B Lokur (for 4 year)