Current Affairs — 20 March 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 20 Mar 2025
World Happiness Report 2025: India ranks 118th of 147; Finland tops for eighth year
The World Happiness Report 2025, released on 20 March 2025, ranked India 118th of 147 countries, up from 126th, while Finland was the happiest country for the eighth year in a row.
India's coal production crosses 1 billion tonnes for the first time in a financial year
India's coal production crossed one billion tonnes in 2024-25 on 20 March 2025, 11 days earlier than the previous year's total of 997.83 million tonnes was reached.
DAC clears proposals worth over ₹54,000 crore including T-90 engines, Varunastra torpedoes and AEW&C systems
The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Rajnath Singh accorded Acceptance of Necessity to eight capital acquisition proposals worth over ₹54,000 crore on 20 March 2025.
14th ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group meeting on Counter-Terrorism concludes in New Delhi
The 14th meeting of the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, the first of the 2024–27 cycle co-chaired by India and Malaysia, concluded in New Delhi on 20 March 2025.
Zoho wins MeitY's Indian Web Browser Development Challenge
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on 20 March 2025 that Zoho had won the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, with Team PING and Team Ajna as first and second runners-up.
Mansukh Mandaviya declares second Khelo India Para Games open in New Delhi
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared the second Khelo India Para Games open at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, New Delhi, on 20 March 2025, with over 1,300 para athletes in six disciplines.
EPFO adds 17.89 lakh net members in January 2025
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation added 17.89 lakh net members in January 2025, according to provisional payroll data released on 20 March 2025.
NHAI debars 14 toll fee collection agencies over irregularities
NHAI said on 20 March 2025 it had debarred 14 user fee collection agencies for irregular fee collection, after a UP Special Task Force raid at the Atraila Shiv Ghulam toll plaza in Mirzapur.
CSIR-IIIM Jammu and HAPICO Industries sign MoU to develop biopesticides
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, signed an MoU with HAPICO Industries on 20 March 2025 to jointly develop novel biopesticides from medicinal and aromatic plants.
President Murmu visits Udyam Utsav for MSMEs at Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Droupadi Murmu visited the Udyam Utsav, an MSME showcase organised by the Ministry of MSME at Rashtrapati Bhavan from 20 to 30 March 2025, on its opening day.
PM addresses Bavaliyali Dham programme of Gujarat's Bharwad community
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a programme of Bavaliyali Dham, linked to Gujarat's Bharwad community, by video message on 20 March 2025, praising the community's service and commitment to cow protection.
National Zoological Park, Delhi, marks World Sparrow Day
The National Zoological Park in New Delhi marked World Sparrow Day on 20 March 2025 with a students' zoo walk and sparrow count, and distributed 100 sparrow nests.