Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 21 March 2025, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

Cabinet Approves ₹1,500 Crore UPI Incentive Scheme for Banks

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme for banks to encourage Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions that are under ₹2,000 for the fiscal year 2024–25. With this scheme, banks will earn a 0.15% incentive on transactions made by small merchants, and 20% of the payout will be linked to the performance of the bank’s UPI infrastructure. The aim is to promote digital payment usage, particularly among small businesses, while avoiding any merchant fees.

Key Highlights:

• Incentive for Small Transactions: Banks will earn 0.15% of the transaction value for UPI payments under ₹2,000.
• Infrastructure Performance: 20% of the incentive will depend on the reliability of the bank’s UPI infrastructure.
• No Incentive for Large Transactions: Transactions above ₹2,000 will not be eligible for the incentive.
• Encouraging UPI Expansion: The scheme encourages merchants to accept UPI payments without incurring merchant fees, unlike card payments that attract charges.
• Gradual Reduction in Government Outlay: The government aims to promote UPI growth while managing fiscal expenditure. The target for total transaction volumes in 2024-25 is ₹20,000 crore.
• Previous Year’s Payouts: In FY 2023-24, banks received ₹3,631 crore in incentives, exceeding the total of the previous two years. This included incentives for RuPay debit card transactions.

Cabinet Approves Namrup-IV Fertilizer Plant in Assam

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has officially approved the creation of a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex (Namrup-IV) at the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) in Namrup, Assam. This project is set to have an annual production capacity of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of urea and will be developed as a Joint Venture (JV) under the New Investment Policy (NIP) 2012. The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹10,601.40 crore, with a Debt-Equity ratio of 70:30. The plant is anticipated to be operational within 48 months, significantly boosting domestic urea production, enhancing fertilizer availability in Eastern India, and generating new employment opportunities.

Key Highlights:

Project Overview:

• Project Name: Namrup-IV Fertilizer Plant
• Location: Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL), Namrup, Assam
• Type: Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex
• Annual Urea Production Capacity: 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT)
• Estimated Cost: ₹10,601.40 crore
• Debt-Equity Ratio: 70:30
• Implementation Timeline: 48 months

Equity Participation in Joint Venture (JV):

• Government of Assam: 40%
• Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL): 11%
• Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL): 13%
• National Fertilizers Limited (NFL): 18%
• Oil India Limited (OIL): 18%
• BVFCL’s Contribution: In the form of tangible assets

Cabinet Approvals:

• Establishment of the Namrup-IV Fertilizer Plant as a Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex.
• Relaxation of Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines for NFL’s 18% equity participation.
• Formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to oversee project implementation.

Strategic Importance:

• Enhances urea production in the North-Eastern region of India.
• Reduces dependency on urea imports, supporting India’s goal of self-reliance in fertilizer production.
• Ensures fertilizer availability for key agricultural states including Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
• Boosts energy efficiency through the use of modern technology.
• Creates both direct and indirect employment opportunities in the region.

Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with ₹3,400 Crore Allocation

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), which is set to give a significant boost to the livestock sector. This updated scheme, part of the Central Sector component of the Development Programmes initiative, has been allocated a whopping ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (from 2021-22 to 2025-26), along with an extra ₹1,000 crore. The mission’s goals include increasing milk production, enhancing genetic quality, and improving farmers’ incomes, all while ensuring the preservation of India’s native bovine breeds through scientific methods.

Key Highlights

Financial Allocation

• Total outlay: ₹3,400 crore under the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• Additional allocation of ₹1,000 crore for the revised scheme.

New Initiatives Added

• One-time support (35%) for Heifer Rearing Centres
• Setting up 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
• 3% interest subsidy for High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF Heifers
• Farmers who take out loans from milk unions, banks, or financial institutions for HGM IVF heifers will benefit from this interest subsidy.

Ongoing Key Activities

• Strengthening of Artificial Insemination (AI) Network and semen stations.
• Accelerated breed improvement programme using sex-sorted semen.
• Implementation of bull production programmes for genetic advancement.
• Skill development and farmer awareness initiatives.
• Establishment of Centres of Excellence for livestock breeding.
• Strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms.

Impact of Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• 63.55% increase in milk production over the past 10 years.
• Per capita milk availability rose from 307 grams/day (2013-14) to 471 grams/day (2023-24).
• Productivity increased by 26.34% in the last decade.
• 8.39 crore animals covered under the Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP).
• 5.21 crore farmers benefited through free Artificial Insemination (AI) in 605 districts.
• 22 IVF labs established under State Livestock Boards (SLBs) and Universities.
• 2541 High Genetic Merit (HGM) calves born through IVF.

Technological Advancements

• Development of “Gau Chip” & “Mahish Chip”
• Genomic chips for indigenous bovines developed by NDDB and ICAR-NBAGR.
• “Gau Sort” – Indigenously Developed Sex-Sorted Semen Technology
• Developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Livelihood & Economic Impact

• Expected to enhance farmer incomes by increasing milk productivity.
• 8.5 crore farmers engaged in dairy farming will benefit from the scheme.
• Systematic scientific interventions in bull production will help preserve indigenous bovine breeds.

Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female and African President of the International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry, an iconic swimmer from Zimbabwe, made headlines on Thursday by shattering the glass ceiling of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). She has become the first woman and the first African to hold the presidency in the organization’s 130-year history. Her election heralds a new era for the IOC, embodying progress, diversity, and inclusivity in global sports leadership.

A Historic Victory

Coventry’s election as the leader of the world’s most powerful sports organization marks a significant milestone. She clinched a convincing win in the first round of voting, earning 49 out of 97 votes in a secret ballot. This impressive backing showcased a remarkable sense of unity within the IOC and underscored the trust that members place in her leadership.

Election Results

• Kirsty Coventry – 49 votes (secured an immediate majority)
• Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. – 28 votes
• Sebastian Coe – 8 votes
• Other candidates, including David Lappartient (France), Prince Feisal (Jordan), Johan Eliasch (Sweden), and Morinari Watanabe (Japan), secured a handful of votes.

Chiranjeevi Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by UK Government

Veteran Telugu cinema superstar Chiranjeevi has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his incredible contributions to Indian cinema, his cultural impact, and his dedication to public service. This honor was bestowed by the London-based think tank Bridge India during a prestigious event at the House of Commons in the UK Parliament. The ceremony, held on Thursday night, recognized the celebrated actor for his unmatched influence on the Indian film industry and his philanthropic endeavors.

A Grand Recognition at the UK Parliament

The award ceremony took place at the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament, marking a significant moment for Indian cinema. British-Indian Member of Parliament Navendu Mishra hosted the event, joined by other distinguished guests like Sojan Joseph and Bob Blackman. A number of Members of Parliament, Ministers, Under Secretaries, and Diplomats were present to celebrate Chiranjeevi’s remarkable legacy and his contributions to Indian cinema.

Chiranjeevi: A Legendary Contribution to Indian Cinema

Chiranjeevi, affectionately known as the Megastar of Telugu Cinema, has had a stellar career that has lasted over four decades. With a filmography of more than 150 movies, he has made a significant impact on Indian cinema through his versatile acting. Some of his standout films include:

• Rudraveena
• Indra
• Khaidi
• Swayamkrushi

His work has not only influenced the entertainment industry but has also inspired generations of actors and filmmakers.

Beyond Cinema: Chiranjeevi’s Philanthropic and Public Service Initiatives

Apart from his cinematic excellence, Chiranjeevi has made remarkable contributions to society through his public service and charitable initiatives. Some of his notable efforts include:

• Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT): Established to provide free medical aid and blood donation services.
• COVID-19 Relief Efforts: Played a crucial role in helping thousands of people during the pandemic.
• Educational Initiatives: Has supported various programs to uplift underprivileged students.
• Political Involvement: Served as a former Minister of Tourism for the Government of India.

His commitment to social causes and humanitarian work has earned him immense respect beyond the entertainment world.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2025

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated every year on March 21. This day serves as a powerful reminder of our dedication to equality and our ongoing fight against racism. Unfortunately, the poison of racism still seeps into our world, a harmful legacy rooted in historical enslavement, colonialism, and discrimination. It damages communities, stifles opportunities, and devastates lives, undermining the very principles of dignity, equality, and justice. Our commitment to eliminating racism and fostering equality not only strengthens our fight against racist attitudes and actions but also aims to boost global awareness and unity, transcending ethnic divides.

Introduction

The adoption of ICERD in 1965 marked a significant milestone in the worldwide battle against racism. This treaty, designed to eradicate all forms of racial discrimination, has been instrumental in influencing international human rights policies. As we approach the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the theme will focus on celebrating the progress we’ve made while also acknowledging the ongoing efforts required to achieve true equality and justice for everyone.

Historical Background

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed in memory of the tragic Sharpeville Massacre that took place on March 21, 1960, in South Africa. During a peaceful protest against apartheid “pass laws,” the police opened fire, killing 69 people and injuring many others. This event highlighted the brutal reality of racial discrimination and intensified global efforts to end apartheid and racial injustices.

ISRO Develops High-Speed Microprocessors: Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) based in Chandigarh, has successfully developed two advanced 32-bit microprocessors: Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201. These processors are designed with space applications in mind and represent a major milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in high-performance computing for launch vehicles.

Key Highlights

Vikram 3201

• India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor qualified for space missions.
• Processes 32-bit data at a time, enabling efficient computations.
• Supports floating-point arithmetic, improving performance in complex calculations.
• Backward compatible with Vikram 1601, which has been in use since 2009.
• Fabricated at SCL’s 180nm CMOS semiconductor fab, reinforcing the Make in India initiative.
• Successfully validated in space during the PSLV-C60 mission.

Kalpana 3201

• A 32-bit SPARC V8 RISC microprocessor, based on IEEE 1754 Instruction Set Architecture.
• Compatible with open-source software toolsets.
• Tested with flight software, making it versatile for various space applications.
• Designed for efficiency and high-speed processing, with an emphasis on simple instructions.

Additional Developments

ISRO and SCL have collaborated to create a Reconfigurable Data Acquisition System and a Multi-Channel Low Drop-out Regulator Integrated Circuit, focusing on the miniaturization of avionics systems. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop miniaturized unsteady pressure sensors for wind tunnel applications, which strengthens their partnership.

World Poetry Day 2025: Date, Theme

World Poetry Day 2025 is celebrated around the world on March 21, shining a light on the importance of poetry as a universal form of expression. This special day was established by UNESCO back in 1999, with the goal of encouraging people to read, write, and publish poetry, as well as to educate others about it. It also recognizes poetry’s vital role in preserving culture and promoting peace.

Introduction

Every year on March 21, we celebrate World Poetry Day, a day dedicated to honoring the amazing power of poetry to ignite creativity, express deep emotions, and enhance cultural understanding. Since UNESCO recognized it in 1999, this day has been all about promoting the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry, which plays a vital role in preserving languages and connecting communities worldwide. This year’s theme, “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion,” highlights how poetry can truly transform society by encouraging social harmony and cultural exchange.

Theme of World Poetry Day 2025

The theme for 2025, “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion,” highlights how poetry can bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds. It serves as a powerful tool for dialogue, promoting respect and unity among various communities. Additionally, poetry gives a voice to those who are often overlooked, making sure that a wide range of perspectives are heard in conversations around the world.