Current Affairs — 17 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 17 Mar 2025
India and New Zealand sign defence cooperation MoU during PM Christopher Luxon's visit; New Zealand joins IPOI and CDRI
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon held talks with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 17 March 2025 during his official visit of 16–20 March; the two sides signed a defence cooperation MoU and New Zealand joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Telangana Assembly passes two Bills to raise Backward Classes reservation to 42% in education, jobs and local bodies; Centre's approval needed
The Telangana Legislative Assembly on 17 March 2025 unanimously passed two Bills raising reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42% in educational institutions, state government jobs and rural and urban local bodies; since total reservation would breach the 50% cap, the laws need the Centre's approval.
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman assumes charge as CEO of Anusandhan National Research Foundation
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on 17 March 2025, taking over from acting CEO Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
Government e Marketplace crosses ₹5 lakh crore gross merchandise value before the end of FY 2024-25
The Government e Marketplace (GeM) crossed ₹5 lakh crore in gross merchandise value (GMV) for FY 2024-25 more than 18 days before the financial year ended, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on 17 March 2025.
Former Union Minister and three-time Odisha BJP president Debendra Pradhan dies at 84 in New Delhi
Debendra Pradhan, former Union Minister in the Vajpayee government, three-time Odisha BJP president and father of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, died in New Delhi on 17 March 2025 at the age of 84.
Wholesale price inflation rises to 2.38% in February 2025 on costlier food products
India's annual inflation based on the all-India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was 2.38% (provisional) in February 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 17 March 2025.
India's total exports in April–February 2024-25 estimated at $750.53 billion, up 6.24%; electronics exports jump 26.46% in February
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 17 March 2025 that India's total exports (merchandise and services) in April–February 2024-25 were an estimated $750.53 billion, up 6.24% from $706.43 billion a year earlier.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini presents ₹2,05,017.29 crore budget for 2025-26; announces 'Department of the Future' and Haryana AI Mission
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who holds the finance portfolio, presented the State's 2025-26 budget of ₹2,05,017.29 crore in the Assembly on 17 March 2025, 13.7% above the revised estimates of 2024-25, and proposed a new 'Department of the Future'.
PM Modi attends 10th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi; New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon delivers inaugural keynote as chief guest
The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue opened in New Delhi on 17 March 2025, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as chief guest delivering the inaugural keynote address and PM Narendra Modi in attendance.
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard calls on PM Modi and meets Rajnath Singh in New Delhi
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called on PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 17 March 2025, the first high-level visit to India from the US in President Trump's second term, and also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Department of Telecommunications and WhatsApp join hands against misuse of telecom resources for digital frauds
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and WhatsApp announced a partnership on 17 March 2025 to combat misuse of telecom resources for cyber frauds and to spread awareness through the 'Scam Se Bacho' campaign and Sanchar Saathi.
9th India–Australia Defence Policy Talks held in New Delhi
The 9th India–Australia Defence Policy Talks were held in New Delhi on 17 March 2025, with the Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and the Australian side by Bernard Philip, First Assistant Secretary, International Policy Division, Department of Defence.