Asia Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 19 Mar 2025
Cabinet approves ₹10,601 crore Namrup-IV brownfield ammonia-urea complex in Assam
The Union Cabinet on 19 March 2025 approved a 12.7 LMT-a-year brownfield ammonia-urea complex (Namrup-IV) within the premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd at Namrup, Assam, at an estimated cost of ₹10,601.40 crore.
C-DOT launches 'Samarth' incubation programme for telecom and ICT startups
The Centre for Development of Telematics launched the first cohort of 'Samarth', an incubation programme for startups in telecom and ICT, with STPI as implementation partner, on 19 March 2025.
Cabinet approves revised National Programme for Dairy Development with ₹2,790 crore budget
The Union Cabinet on 19 March 2025 approved the revised National Programme for Dairy Development, a Central Sector Scheme, adding ₹1,000 crore for a total of ₹2,790 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Rajnath Singh addresses fifth Major Bob Khathing Memorial Event; recalls Tawang's peaceful integration
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh addressed the fifth Major Bob Khathing Memorial Event, organised by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and the United Service Institution of India at Delhi Cantt on 19 March 2025.
President Murmu presents 19th Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards
President Droupadi Murmu presented the 19th Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in New Delhi on 19 March 2025.
Four-day symposium 'India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future' begins at Bharat Mandapam
A four-day symposium, 'India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future', organised by two Harvard University institutes with the Environment Ministry, began at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 19 March 2025.
Tue, 18 Mar 2025
ECI decides EPIC-Aadhaar linking will follow Article 326, RP Act 1950 and Supreme Court ruling; UIDAI consultations to begin
The Election Commission of India led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar decided on 18 March 2025 that linking voter ID (EPIC) with Aadhaar will be done only as per Article 326 of the Constitution, Sections 23(4), 23(5) and 23(6) of the RP Act, 1950, and the Supreme Court judgement in WP (Civil) No. 177/2023.
UIDAI partners Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI for GenAI voice interactions and fraud alerts in Aadhaar services
The Unique Identification Authority of India partnered with Bengaluru-based Generative AI company Sarvam AI, in an agreement effective 18 March 2025, for AI voice interactions and real-time fraud alerts in 10 languages.
Lok Sabha Secretariat and MeitY sign MoU to launch 'Sansad Bhashini' for AI-powered multilingual parliamentary work
The Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Ministry of Electronics and IT signed an MoU on 18 March 2025, in the presence of Speaker Om Birla and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, to develop 'Sansad Bhashini', in-house AI tools for multilingual parliamentary operations.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurates Kamba Ramayana Parayanam at Srirangam to revive oral recital tradition
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the Kamba Ramayana Parayanam at Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, on 18 March 2025, launching a South Zone Cultural Centre initiative to revive the oral tradition of reciting the Tamil epic.
Sonowal flags off L&T-made electrolysers for 1 MW green hydrogen plant at Deendayal Port, Kandla
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off indigenous electrolysers made by L&T for a 1 MW green hydrogen plant at Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, on 18 March 2025.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi inaugurates S N Bose Building at GCNEP; six-month nuclear engineering course launched
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi inaugurated the S N Bose Building of the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership and introduced a six-month Certificate Course on Nuclear Engineering at an event at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, New Delhi, on 18 March 2025.
IndiaAI and Geological Survey of India launch hackathon on AI-driven mineral targeting in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
IndiaAI and the Geological Survey of India launched the IndiaAI Hackathon on Mineral Targeting on 18 March 2025, asking participants to use AI/ML to find new exploration areas for critical minerals in a 39,000 sq km area of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
MeitY and Drone Federation India launch NIDAR drone challenge under SwaYaan with ₹40 lakh prize pool
The Ministry of Electronics and IT and Drone Federation India launched the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) under the SwaYaan initiative on 18 March 2025, with a ₹40 lakh prize pool.
PM Modi addresses Lok Sabha on successful conclusion of Prayagraj Maha Kumbh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on 18 March 2025 on the successful conclusion of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, likening the effort to Bhagirath's endeavour to bring the Ganga to Earth.
Indore to set up India's first PPP green waste processing plant under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban
Indore is setting up India's first green waste processing plant on the public-private partnership model under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said on 18 March 2025.
Rajnath Singh meets Netherlands Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans; shipbuilding, space and AI cooperation discussed
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met Netherlands Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi on 18 March 2025 and discussed collaboration in shipbuilding, equipment, space and artificial intelligence.
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.