Current Affairs Today: 31st March 2025 | Daily GK Update
National News
1. What was the highlight of the 37th Kathak Mahotsav 2025?
Answer: The festival featured the world’s first-ever Kathak Literary Festival, showcasing all major gharanas and emphasizing Kathak’s artistic and intellectual legacy.
2. What wage hike was announced under MGNREGS for FY 2025–26?
Answer: Wage rates increased by 2.33% to 7.48%, with Haryana offering the highest at ₹400/day. The hike is based on CPI-AL and effective from April 1, 2025.
3. What initiative did PM Modi launch for children’s summer vacation?
Answer: Under the MY-Bharat Initiative, a summer calendar was launched promoting tech camps, cultural tours, and environmental activities, encouraging families to share experiences via #HolidayMemories.
State News
4. What tourism and wildlife projects were announced by Punjab?
Answer: Nangal will be developed as a tourist hub with ₹10 crore funding, and Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary will become Punjab’s first leopard safari.
International News
5. What crypto regulation update was proposed by Japan?
Answer: Japan’s FSA plans to classify crypto assets as financial products by 2026, introducing insider trading laws and enhancing investor protection.
Banking News
6. What reforms were introduced in the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024?
Answer: Key changes include up to four account nominees, extended tenure for cooperative bank directors, and stricter action against wilful defaulters. Public sector banks posted ₹1.41 lakh crore profit.
7. What new payment service was launched by Axis Bank and J.P. Morgan?
Answer: India’s first 24/7 US dollar payment service for commercial clients was launched from GIFT City, enabling real-time clearing and same-day settlements.
Appointments News
8. Who was appointed Private Secretary to PM Modi?
Answer: IFS officer Nidhi Tiwari, previously Deputy Secretary at PMO, was appointed on March 29, 2025.
9. Who was confirmed as Director of NIH in the U.S.?
Answer: Indian-American scientist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He is known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration.
Defence News
10. What is Exercise INIOCHOS-25 and India’s role in it?
Answer: Hosted by Greece, the IAF will participate with Su-30 MKI, IL-78, and C-17 aircraft to enhance joint air operations and tactical expertise.
Ranks & Reports
11. What did UNESCO’s ‘Education and Nutrition’ report highlight?
Answer: It revealed that 27% of school meals lacked nutritionist input, and only 93 countries had food legislation, urging better standards to combat obesity and food insecurity.
Summits & Conferences
12. What was discussed at the National Conference on ‘Environment – 2025’?
Answer: Inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, the event emphasized sustainability, India’s early achievement of NDCs, and the NGT’s role in environmental governance.
Schemes News
13. What is the SMILE Program funded by ADB?
Answer: It aims to strengthen India’s logistics ecosystem, supporting multimodal transport, warehousing, and digital trade under PM Gati Shakti.
14. What milestone did the Sagarmala Programme reach?
Answer: It completed 10 years, contributing to port modernization and coastal development. Sagarmala 2.0 and S2I2 will boost shipbuilding and trade competitiveness.
Sports News
15. Who won the Indian Open 2025 Squash Titles?
Answer: Anahat Singh won her 11th PSA title in women’s singles, and Kareem El Torkey (Egypt) won the men’s title. The event was India’s first PSA Copper tournament.
Science & Technology
16. What milestone is Microsoft celebrating in April 2025?
Answer: Microsoft marks its 50th anniversary, evolving from PC software to a global leader in cloud and AI innovation.
Important Days
17. Why is Rajasthan Day celebrated on March 30?
Answer: It commemorates the 1949 formation of Greater Rajasthan, merging princely states like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner.
18. What is the theme of International Day of Yoga 2025?
Answer: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” promoting global wellness and traditional Indian knowledge.
Obituaries
19. Who was Richard Chamberlain and what was his legacy?
Answer: Known as the “king of the miniseries,” he starred in Dr. Kildare and passed away at 90 due to stroke complications.
Miscellaneous News
20. What happened to the Sindbad submarine in Egypt?
Answer: It sank off Hurghada, killing six Russian tourists. The incident raises safety concerns for Egypt’s tourism sector.