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 25 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.

Kerala Became First State To Establishes Senior Citizens Commission

Kerala has made history by becoming the first state in India to set up a Senior Citizens Commission, thanks to the passing of the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill, 2025. This important body is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of our elderly population while also serving as a guiding force for policy decisions. This initiative highlights Kerala’s dedication to the protection, rehabilitation, and empowerment of senior citizens.

About Senior Citizens Commission

What it is

• This is a statutory body set up under the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Act of 2025.

• It’s the first of its kind in India, dedicated solely to the welfare of senior citizens.

• The body serves as an advisory group for state policies that impact the elderly.

Aim of the Commission

• To safeguard the rights and welfare of senior citizens.
• Ensure rehabilitation, protection, and active participation of the elderly in society.
• Promote inclusivity and dignity for senior citizens in Kerala.

Key Features and Functions

• Policy Advisory: Develops and recommends policies for senior citizen welfare.
• Grievance Redressal: Addresses complaints related to neglect, abuse, and exploitation.
• Skill Utilization: Encourages senior citizens to contribute their knowledge and experience to society.
• Legal Support: Assists elderly citizens with legal aid, especially in cases of abuse and property disputes.
• Awareness Campaigns: Organizes programs to educate the public about the rights of senior citizens and the responsibilities of families.
• Regular Reports: Submits periodic recommendations to the state government for policy enhancements.

Ajay Seth Appointed as India’s New Finance Secretary

On March 24, 2025, the Indian government appointed Ajay Seth, the current Economic Affairs Secretary, as the new Finance Secretary. This decision comes at a crucial moment as the government works to find the right balance between fiscal discipline and economic growth. With over thirty years of experience, Seth has been a key player in shaping India’s economic policies and driving financial reforms.

His appointment as finance secretary comes at a critical juncture when the Union government is working hard to maintain fiscal discipline while also pushing for economic growth. India’s economy showed some recovery signs in the December quarter, with growth increasing to 6.2% from 5.6% in the previous three months, which had been the slowest since the March quarter of FY23. This means there’s still a significant amount of work to do in the final quarter of this fiscal year to reach the revised full-year growth target of 6.5%, as indicated by the National Statistical Office on Friday. Even if they manage to hit that target, India’s GDP growth for FY25 would still be 270 basis points (bps) lower than the revised estimate of 9.2% from the previous fiscal year, emphasizing the challenges that Seth will face in guiding the economy.

Government Launches BAANKNET and e-BKray to Enhance PSU Bank E-Auctions for Asset Sales

To enhance the efficiency and transparency of bank e-auctions, the Department of Financial Services has asked Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to redesign their e-auction platform. This effort resulted in the launch of the “e-BKray” platform on February 28, 2019. Furthering this initiative, the government unveiled the enhanced “BAANKNET” portal on January 3, 2025. This new platform is crafted to simplify the listing and auctioning of assets, particularly focusing on the disposal of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), while ensuring secure transactions and maximizing the sale value of properties owned by banks.

Key Features of the BAANKNET Portal

• State-of-the-art Platform: A modern property listing and e-auction system crafted for banks and lending institutions to effectively recover loans through property sales.

• Robust Architecture: Designed for easy access on both mobile and web, ensuring a smooth experience for all users.

• Automated KYC & Secure Payments: Incorporates advanced Know Your Customer (KYC) verification tools and secure payment gateways to enhance both transparency and security.

• Comprehensive Property Listings: Allows for thorough property searches and sales across India, making the auction process simpler.

• User-friendly Navigation: Features an intuitive interface that makes searching for properties and participating in auctions a breeze.

• Smart Auctions & Fair Pricing: Uses intelligent auction methods to ensure fair pricing and maximize value for everyone involved.

• Enhanced Transparency & Seamless Processes: Builds reliability and trust in property transactions.

• Bank-Verified Titles: All properties listed come with verified ownership, ensuring authenticity in every transaction.

Implementation & Adoption

• The BAANKNET portal aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in resolving NPA cases.
• It integrates advanced technology to facilitate seamless property auctions.
• Currently, all 12 Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) are utilizing the platform for listing and auctioning properties nationwide.

Project PARI: Revitalizing Public Spaces Through Art

The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) and the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA), is focused on preserving the public art installations that were created as part of the Public Art of India (PARI) project. As the leading agency, the LKA has developed a detailed preservation strategy to ensure these installations remain sustainable and enduring. This effort not only protects India’s artistic legacy but also revitalizes Delhi’s public spaces, transforming them into dynamic artistic landmarks that promote regional art forms on a global stage.

Key Points:

1. The Ministry of Culture, through the Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) and the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA), is committed to preserving public art installations developed under the Public Art of India (PARI) initiative.

2. As the main agency, the LKA has established a thorough preservation plan to ensure these installations are maintained for the long term. This effort not only protects India’s artistic legacy but also enhances Delhi’s public areas, turning them into lively artistic sites that showcase regional art forms to a global audience.

3. Highlights regional art styles such as Phad, Thangka, Gond, and Warli paintings.

4. More than 200 artists participated in the project.

5. Changes Delhi’s public areas into cultural landmarks.

6. Seeks to showcase India’s rich heritage on an international level.

Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar Honored with Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Violinist R K Shriramkumar has received the esteemed Sangita Kalanidhi award from the Music Academy for 2025. Meanwhile, the talented Carnatic singer Shyamala Venkateswaran and the highly respected tavil artist Thanjavur R Govindarajan have been honored with the Sangita Kala Acharya award.

Shriramkumar is a prominent name in the world of Carnatic music, hailing from the esteemed Rudrapatnam lineage. He had the privilege of training under his grandfather, R K Venkatarama Sastry, as well as the legendary Sangita Kalanidhi D K Jayaraman. Throughout his career, he has had the honor of accompanying musical icons like Semmangudi R Srinivasa Iyer, T Brinda, M S Subbulakshmi, and D K Pattammal. He is especially celebrated for his deep understanding of the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini by Subbarama Dikshitar, which is a significant collection of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s works. This recognition is particularly timely, as 2025 will mark the 250th anniversary of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s birth, as noted by the Music Academy.

R.K. Shriramkumar is widely recognized for his expertise in violin accompaniment, having performed with legendary artists from different generations:

1. Yesteryear stalwarts: Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, D.K. Pattammal, D.K. Jayaraman, T. Brinda, T. Mukta, M. Balamuralikrishna, and K.V. Narayanasamy.
2. Contemporary musicians: Sudha Raghunathan, Vijay Siva, Bombay Jayashree, Sowmya, and T.M. Krishna.
3. His deep knowledge of Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsani, a compilation of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s compositions by Subbarama Dikshitar, has made him an authority in the field.

Unclaimed deposits of over ₹45,000 cr transferred to special fund

The Finance Ministry has reported to the Lok Sabha that public sector banks (PSBs) have transferred over ₹45,000 crore in unclaimed deposits to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund during the period from 2019-20 to 2024-25 (up to December 31, 2024). This fund is managed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as part of the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014.

What is Unclaimed deposits?

Unclaimed deposits refer to the money that’s been sitting idle in savings and checking accounts for ten years without any activity, or term deposits that haven’t been claimed within a decade after they’ve matured. When accounts remain unclaimed for such a long period, banks must transfer the funds to the RBI’s DEA Fund.

Process of Transfer to the DEA Fund

• Identification of Inactive Accounts: Banks identify accounts that have remained dormant for 10 years.
• Declaration as Unclaimed: If no transactions occur in the specified period, they are classified as unclaimed deposits.
• Transfer to the DEA Fund: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintains the DEA Fund, where these unclaimed deposits are pooled.

IRDAI Appoints Five New Members to Insurance Advisory Committee

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has officially announced the addition of five new members to the restructured Insurance Advisory Committee. These appointments are made in accordance with Section 25 of the IRDA Act, 1999, and Regulation 3A of the IRDA (Insurance Advisory Committee) Regulations, 2000. The new members come with a rich background in banking, insurance, and finance. Their roles will commence from the date they are published in the official gazette.

The new members bring extensive experience from the banking, insurance, and financial sectors. The appointments will be effective from the date of publication in the official gazette.

New Members Appointed

1. MR Kumar – Former LIC Chairman, now Non-Executive Chairman of Bank of India.
2. Dinesh Kumar Khara – Former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI).
3. Visakha Mule – CEO of Aditya Birla Capital.
4. Nilesh Shah – MD of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company.
5. Kotak Ellis G Vaidyan – Former CMD of GIC Re, currently Independent Director at Air India and Tata AIA Life Insurance.

First-Ever Export of Anthurium Flowers from Mizoram to Singapore

In a significant achievement for India’s floriculture industry, especially in the North Eastern Region (NER), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has successfully overseen the first-ever export of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore. The shipment, which included 1,024 cut flowers weighing 70 kg packed in 50 corrugated boxes, was sent out through Kolkata. This initiative not only showcases the floriculture potential of Mizoram but also boosts India’s agricultural exports and brings economic advantages to local farmers, including women.

Key Points:

– APEDA has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating the first export of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore.

– The export consisted of 1,024 cut flowers weighing 70 kg, packaged in 50 corrugated boxes, and shipped via Kolkata.

– This initiative showcases the floriculture potential of Mizoram and enhances India’s agricultural export capabilities.

– The export is expected to provide economic benefits to local farmers, particularly women.

– APEDA operates as a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, with a focus on promoting agricultural and processed food exports globally.