Current Affairs Today: 19th March 2025 | Daily GK Update
National News
1. Where is India’s first PPP-based green waste processing plant being set up?
Answer: Indore will host India’s first green waste processing plant under the PPP model at Bicholi Hapsi, converting organic waste into wooden pellets as a coal alternative.
State News
2. What initiative has Delhi Police launched to combat eve-teasing?
Answer: Delhi Police launched the ‘Shishtachar’ squads in all districts, comprising male and female officers, to patrol high-risk areas and improve women’s safety.
3. What is the size and focus of Telangana’s Budget 2025–26?
Answer: Telangana presented a ₹3.04 lakh crore budget emphasizing welfare, infrastructure, and inclusive development, with ₹2.26 lakh crore revenue expenditure and ₹36,504 crore capital expenditure.
Banking News
4. Which bank partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025?
Answer: City Union Bank became the exclusive banking partner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, offering SRH-themed accounts, loans, and co-branded credit cards.
Economy News
5. What committee has the government formed to address fintech regulation?
Answer: The Inter-Ministerial-Industry Committee on Fintech (IMICF) was formed to study fintech’s impact, regulatory challenges, and global best practices.
Agreements News
6. What MoU did Andhra Pradesh sign with the Gates Foundation?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh signed an MoU with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to integrate AI in healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance.
7. How is UIDAI enhancing Aadhaar services using AI?
Answer: UIDAI partnered with Sarvam AI to deploy GenAI-powered voice interactions, fraud detection, and multilingual support within its secure infrastructure.
8. What currency agreement was signed between RBI and Bank of Mauritius?
Answer: RBI and BOM signed an MoU to facilitate trade in Indian Rupee (INR) and Mauritian Rupee (MUR), aiming to reduce transaction costs and boost efficiency.
Appointments News
9. Who was reappointed as MD & CEO of Bajaj Auto?
Answer: Rajiv Bajaj was reappointed for a five-year term starting April 1, 2025, and Bajaj Auto infused ₹1,500 crore into its credit arm for asset growth.
10. Who was named Fit India Icon?
Answer: Ayushmann Khurrana was named Fit India Icon by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for promoting healthy lifestyles.
11. Which cricketer joined Skechers as brand ambassador?
Answer: Jasprit Bumrah joined Skechers, expanding its cricket presence alongside Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia.
12. Who was appointed Goodwill Ambassador of VISION 2020 India?
Answer: Krishnamachari Srikkanth was named Goodwill Ambassador to support efforts against avoidable blindness.
Defence News
13. What is VARUNA 2025 and which countries are involved?
Answer: VARUNA 2025 is the 23rd India–France naval exercise, featuring INS Vikrant, Charles de Gaulle, MiG-29K, Rafale-M, and Scorpene-class submarines.
Summits & Conferences
14. What is WAVEX 2025 and its purpose?
Answer: WAVEX 2025 is a startup summit for media and entertainment, hosted by MIB and IAMAI, offering funding and exposure to ventures in gaming, XR, GenAI, and metaverse.
Ranks & Reports
15. What is India’s rank in the Free Speech Index 2025?
Answer: India ranked 24th out of 33 countries with a score of 62.6. While public support for free speech is high, protections remain relatively low.
Sports News
16. Who won the 2025 Australian Grand Prix?
Answer: Lando Norris won for McLaren in a dramatic race featuring weather shifts and late crashes, reclaiming the lead from Max Verstappen.
17. Which Indian athlete was banned for doping?
Answer: Archana Jadhav received a four-year ban for testing positive for Oxandrolone at the Pune Half-Marathon.
18. Where is the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 being held?
Answer: England is hosting the tournament for the first time outside Asia, with India placed in Group B alongside Italy, Scotland, Wales, and China.
Science & Technology
19. What happened after Sunita Williams’ return from space?
Answer: After a nine-month stay due to Boeing Starliner delays, she returned via SpaceX Crew Dragon and underwent medical evaluations and debriefings.
Important Days
20. What is the significance of Ordnance Factory Day?
Answer: Celebrated on March 18, it marks the founding of India’s first ordnance factory in 1802, now restructured into seven DPSUs.
21. Why is World Sparrow Day observed?
Answer: Observed on March 20, it raises awareness about the declining sparrow population and promotes conservation efforts globally.