Daily Current Affairs and GK | 27 March 2025

Topic: Defence

1. DRDO & Navy successfully test-fired indigenously developed Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully tested an indigenously developed Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
• The flight test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude.
• The test was conducted with all weapon system elements deployed in combat configuration.
• These elements include missiles with indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System.
• In the test, the missile executing the high turn rate required for engaging targets at very close range completely destroyed the target.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge on April 6.

• The new Pamban Rail Bridge is India's first vertical lift bridge.
• The 2.5-kilometre Pamban Bridge will help trains to cross the sea between mainland India and Rameswaram island in less than 5 minutes. Currently, it takes 25-30 minutes on the existing structure.
• The new bridge will replace the Colonial-era bridge, which was built in 1914.
• The bridge has been built in collaboration with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of ₹535 crore.
• The new bridge will be operated by an electromechanical system to enable maritime movement.
• The Prime Minister would also flag off a new train service between Tambaram and Rameswaram on the occasion.

Topic: Agriculture and Allied Sectors

3. To ensure accurate crop data collection, the Digital Crop Survey (DCS) system was introduced.

• The Digital Crop Survey (DCS) System has been introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to gather real-time crop-sown details directly from the field through a mobile interface.
• This innovative system ensures accurate, up-to-date information on crop areas for each agricultural plot, which will be crucial for accurate production estimation.
• As part of this initiative, the Agri Stack has been developed in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and other IT laws of India.
• Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur said in an official statement that Agri Stack has been designed to ensure complete privacy and security of farmers' data.
• Farmers' data is collected only with their consent, ensuring control over how their data is shared is limited to entities authorized for specific purposes.
• The data privacy features of AgriStack are strengthened by its federal structure, which allows states to retain control over the entire dataset.

Topic: Defence

4. Rs 6,900 crore contracts for 155mm/52 Calibre ATAGS and High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles inked by MoD.

• On 26 March, contracts for the procurement of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) have been signed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with Bharat Forge Limited.
• A contract was also signed with Tata Advanced System Limited to acquire High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles.
• The total cost of these contracts amounts to about Rs 6,900 crore.
• With this agreement, a total of Rs 1.40 lakh crore worth of contracts have been signed by the Ministry of Defence for capital procurement so far in the current financial year, 2024-25.
• During the contract signing, the project director of ATAGS from DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune, was felicitated by the defense secretary.
• This recognition was an honor for his pivotal role and immense contribution to the realization of the project.
• The 155 mm/52 calibre ATAGS will replace older and smaller calibre guns and enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army.
• The Indian Army has made its first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector, which will boost the Indian gun manufacturing industry and strengthen the indigenous defense manufacturing ecosystem.

Topic: Books and Authors

5. The book 'Ripples of Change' on women-led rural WASH initiatives launched by the Jal Shakti Minister.

• On 26 March, 'Ripples of Change: Gender-transformative Rural WASH Programs in India' was launched by Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil.
• The book was published by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) in collaboration with UNICEF India.
• Ripples of Change features ten powerful stories from rural India.
• Documented by UNICEF, these stories showcase the transformative impact of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Jal Jeevan Mission through gender empowerment, community leadership, and grassroots innovation.
• Along with the book release, Patil also unveiled the new website of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (WASH) of the Jal Shakti Ministry.
• The upgraded portal is compliant with the latest Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0.
• This makes it one of the first government platforms to fully integrate these standards.
• The aim of this revamped website is to enhance accessibility, operational efficiency and trust among users.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

6. A MoU has been signed between Himachal Pradesh Government and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

• The MoU aims to improve the quality of education in Himachal Pradesh.
• As part of MoU, UNESCO will support Himachal Pradesh in modernizing its education system.
• In the agreement, ‘Greening Education’, integrating environmental awareness and sustainable development into school curricula is also emphasized.
• Value-based education through sports will be promoted.
• Students will be equipped with 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.

Topic: State News/Sikkim

7. Rs 16,196 cr Budget for 2025-26 has been proposed by Sikkim CM.

• The budget focuses on empowering youth, uplifting farmers, investing in infrastructure and ensuring financial discipline.
• The budget includes Rs 11,028 crore of revenue expenditure and Rs 5,168 crore of capital outlay.
• Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang presented the 7th consecutive annual budget for the financial year 2025-26.
• According to Tamang, central government would give Sikkim grants and aid of Rs 2,600 crore in 2025–2026.
• This would be in addition to a projected Rs 5,519 crore in devolution of taxes from the Center, a major source of revenue.
• He stated that the state government will raise Rs 2,651 crore through borrowing.
• He also stated that it will produce Rs 2,076 crore in tax revenue and Rs 1,007 crore in non-tax revenue.

Topic: National Appointments

8. Sanjay Kumar Mishra has been appointed as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.

• The government approved the appointment of Sanjay Kumar Mishra, the former head of the Enforcement Directorate, as the full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM).
• The government also appointed former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba as a full-time member of NITI Aayog with immediate effect.
• Rajiv Gauba is a retired 1982-batch IAS officer from the Jharkhand cadre. He served as a cabinet secretary for five years from 2019 to 2024.
• Sanjay Kumar Misha is a 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from Uttar Pradesh.
• Sanjay Kumar Misha led the ED till September 15, 2023. His term ended after the Supreme Court curtailed his extended tenure.
• EAC-PM is an independent body constituted to advise on economic and related issues to the government.

Topic: Indian Polity

9. Parliament has passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024.

• Rajya Sabha approved the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 26th March. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill.
• The bill will amend the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934, the Banking Regulation Act 1949, the State Bank of India Act 1955, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertaking) Act 1980.
• The bill proposed to increase the option for nominees per bank account to four from one.
• The bill also proposes to redefine substantial interest for directorships, which could increase to two crore rupees from the current limit of five lakh rupees.
• The Bill empowers banks to decide the remuneration of their auditors.
• In 2024, the public sector banks recorded the highest-ever net profit of 1.41 lakh crore rupees.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. The medium-term and long-term government deposit components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme discontinued by the Centre.

• On 25 March, the government announced the discontinuation of the Medium-Term and Long-Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), effective from March 26, 2025.
• Accordingly, any gold deposited in designated Collection and Purity Testing Centres (CPTCs) or GMS Mobilisation, Collection and Testing Agents (GMCTAs) or designated bank branches under the said components of GMS shall not be accepted from March 26, 2025.
• On September 15, 2015, the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) was announced.
• The GMS originally consisted of three components: short-term bank deposits (1–3 years), medium-term government deposits (5–7 years), and long-term government deposits (12–15 years).
• Its objective was to reduce the country's dependence on gold imports in the long term and to facilitate the use of gold available with households and institutions for productive purposes.
• As of November 2024, around 31,164 kg of gold has been mobilised under GMS.
• Further, Short Term Bank Deposits (STBDs) offered by banks under GMS shall continue to be at the discretion of individual banks based on their assessment of commercial viability.

Topic: International News

11. Indonesia will join the BRICS' New Development Bank.

• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on March 25 that Indonesia will join the New Development Bank, a multilateral bank developed by BRICS member countries.
• Prabowo said joining the NDB as a member would help Indonesia accelerate its economic transformation.
• He said the bank is interested in collaborating in areas such as renewable energy and biodiesel as well as technological development.
• BRICS is an inter-governmental organisation comprising ten countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
• In 2014, NDB began operating and is headquartered in Shanghai, China, with a regional office in South Africa.
• Its objective is to provide financial assistance to sustainable development projects, especially in developing countries.

Topic: Indian Polity

12. Parliament passed Boilers Bill, 2024 for the regulation of boilers.

• The Lok Sabha passed Boilers Bill, 2024 for the regulation of boilers, the safety of life and property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam-boilers and uniformity in registration.
• The Boilers Bill, of 2024 will repeal the century-old Boilers Act, 1923.
• The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in December 2024.
• The bill has provisions to ensure the safety of persons working inside a boiler and promote ease of doing business.
• All the functions/powers of the central, and state governments and Central Boilers Board have been listed in detail to avoid any confusion.
• The bill will benefit boiler users including those in the MSME sector by promoting ease of doing business.
• The Boilers Act, 1923 was comprehensively amended through the Indian Boilers (Amendment) Act, 2007.

Topic: International News

13. Russia and Ukraine have agreed on a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea.

• After three days of talks in Saudi Arabia, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea in separate deals with the US.
• Both countries agreed to safe navigation in the Black Sea. They will not attack the energy system of each other.
• Russia said that the naval ceasefire would only come into force after a number of sanctions against its food and fertiliser trade were lifted.
• Both Ukraine and Russia are major grain exporters, and prices have reached a new height after the start of the war.
• It is still not clear when or how the Black Sea maritime security deals would start.
• The Black Sea deal is an important step in US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war.