Current Affairs Today: 18th March 2025 | Daily GK Update
National News
1. What mobile app was launched to boost youth employment?
Answer: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) mobile app to streamline internship registrations and applications, offering Aadhaar-based access and real-time updates.
International News
2. What is Truth Social and why is it in the news?
Answer: Truth Social, Donald Trump’s social media platform, is set to begin trading on NASDAQ following a merger vote with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC).
3. What initiative did ADB launch to support Pacific economies?
Answer: ADB launched the Frontier Seed (Pacific) program with $4 million to support local businesses and ocean-impact ventures, including SeaPAC and Kahuto Pacific.
4. What were the key outcomes of New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon’s visit to India?
Answer: India and New Zealand launched FTA talks, signed a defence cooperation MoU, and strengthened ties in trade, education, and maritime security. New Zealand also endorsed India’s UNSC bid and joined IPOI and CDRI.
5. What is the proposed US Travel Ban 2025?
Answer: Donald Trump is considering a travel ban targeting 43 countries, categorized into Red (full visa suspension), Orange (strict restrictions), and Yellow (60-day compliance window), citing national security concerns.
6. Who became the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago?
Answer: Stuart Young was sworn in as Prime Minister, succeeding Dr. Keith Rowley, as part of a planned leadership transition.
State News
7. What temple was inaugurated in Maharashtra?
Answer: CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Maharashtra’s first temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Bhiwandi, designed to resemble Maratha forts.
8. What law is Chhattisgarh planning to introduce?
Answer: Chhattisgarh is set to introduce a stricter anti-conversion law to prevent religious conversions through coercion or inducements.
9. What police academy was inaugurated in Assam?
Answer: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam, with advanced facilities and a ₹1,050 crore budget.
10. What are the highlights of Himachal Pradesh’s Budget 2025–26?
Answer: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented a ₹58,514 crore budget focusing on tourism, rural development, and green energy, while addressing debt challenges.
Banking News
11. What new unit is SBI planning to launch?
Answer: SBI will launch a Project Finance Unit for AI, fintech, and e-commerce sectors, recruiting specialists and appointing external consultants.
Economy News
12. What is Morgan Stanley’s GDP forecast for India?
Answer: India’s GDP is projected to reach $5.7 trillion by 2028, becoming the third-largest economy globally, driven by infrastructure and policy reforms.
Appointments News
13. Who was appointed Vice Chairman of TAFE?
Answer: Dr. Lakshmi Venu was appointed Vice Chairman of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE), bringing global experience in farm mechanization.
14. Who became CEO of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?
Answer: Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman was appointed CEO of ANRF to lead India’s R&D and innovation ecosystem.
15. Who is the new CEO of Intel Corporation?
Answer: Lip-Bu Tan was appointed CEO of Intel, succeeding interim co-CEOs and rejoining the board to strengthen semiconductor leadership.
Schemes News
16. What is the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Scheme launched by Telangana?
Answer: Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy launched the ₹6,000 crore scheme to promote self-employment among SC, ST, BC, and Minority youth.
Science & Technology
17. What research center did ISRO launch at IIT Madras?
Answer: ISRO inaugurated the Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research to address thermal challenges in space tech.
18. What is Human Coronavirus HKU1 and where was it detected?
Answer: HKU1, a mild respiratory virus first identified in 2005, was detected in a woman in Kolkata. It is not a pandemic threat and resembles common cold symptoms.
Obituaries
19. Who was Dr. Senkalong (Senka) Yaden and why is he remembered?
Answer: Dr. Senka Yaden, a renowned Naga scientist, passed away at 89 in Texas. Known as the “Man of Science of the USA,” he made significant contributions to education and research.