4.5/5
Current Affairs 25th March 2026
NICKNAMES OF METRO CITIES
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Mumbai – City of Dreams
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Delhi – City of Rallies
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Kolkata – City of Joy
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Chennai – Detroit of India
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Bengaluru – Silicon Valley of India
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Hyderabad – City of Pearls
1. Ria Solanki Wins Shot Put Gold at National Para Athletics Championship
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Gold Medal Hattrick: With this victory, Ria has secured a "hattrick" of gold medals, winning the national title in shot put for three consecutive years (2024, 2025, and 2026). This consistent dominance has established her as a premier athlete in the F-46 category (for athletes with upper limb deficiencies).
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Triumph Over Severe Hardship: Born without her left hand below the elbow, Ria’s journey was marked by extreme financial struggle. Her mother works as a housemaid and her father is a driver; the family famously shared stories of cutting back on their own meals to ensure Ria received the protein-rich diet necessary for her athletic training.
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Strategic Career Pivot: Ria originally began her sporting journey in 2018 as a sprinter (100m and 200m).
2. S&P lifts India FY27 GDP forecast to 7.1%
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Drivers of Resilience: The upgrade is fueled by three core pillars: resilient private consumption, a steady recovery in private investment, and robust growth in exports. S&P noted that India remains a global "sweet spot" due to its strong domestic demand, which buffers the economy against slowing global growth.
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Inflation and Monetary Policy: While growth is strong, S&P expects consumer inflation to rise to 4.3% in FY27 as prices normalize from previous lows. Consequently, the agency predicts the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will maintain a neutral stance, holding interest rates steady to balance growth momentum with price stability.
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Geopolitical Risk Factors: The report flags the Middle East conflict as a primary downside risk. Higher global crude oil prices (with Brent projected around $80–$92/bbl) could strain India’s fiscal position by increasing subsidy spending and widening the trade deficit, though a healthy surplus in services trade is expected to provide a necessary cushion.
3. City Union Bank signs Ravindra Jadeja as brand ambassador
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Strategic Brand Alignment: The bank has signed a two-year agreement with Jadeja, facilitated by his talent management agency, Baseline Ventures. The partnership aims to align the bank’s identity with Jadeja’s public image of reliability, consistency, and multifaceted excellence—qualities that resonate with the bank's long-standing institutional values.
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Targeted Growth & Modernization: By roping in one of India's most popular all-rounders, City Union Bank intends to accelerate customer acquisition in both urban and semi-urban markets. A key focus of the collaboration is to modernize the bank's image to better connect with younger, digitally-savvy demographics.
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Expanding Digital & Physical Footprint: The announcement coincides with a period of rapid growth for the bank. As of March 2026, CUB has expanded its network to 932 branches across India.
Footnotes: City Union Bank's MD & CEO: Dr. N. Kamakudhi, HQ: Kumbakonam, Estd: 1904
4. LeBron James breaks record for most NBA games played
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Surpassing the "Chief": By taking the court for his 1,612th regular-season game, LeBron passed the previous record of 1,611 games held by Hall of Famer Robert Parish since 1997. Including playoffs, LeBron’s total career appearances now exceed 1,900, placing him significantly ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,797) and Parish (1,795).
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Unparalleled Longevity and Consistency: At 41 years old, James is playing in a record-breaking 23rd NBA season, surpassing Vince Carter’s mark of 22 seasons. Highlighting the generational gap, there are currently 79 active NBA players who were not yet born when LeBron made his league debut on October 29, 2003.
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A Night of Multi-Records: On the same night he broke the games-played record, LeBron continued to widen his lead in several other all-time categories. He currently holds the top spot for career points (43,000+), minutes played (60,000+), and field goals made, while also holding the record for the most All-Star and All-NBA selections in history.
5. CA P.V. Narayana Rao appointed Co-opted Member of ICAI’s SRSB
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Role in ESG and Global Standards: As a member of the SRSB, CA Narayana Rao will play a direct role in developing globally benchmarked sustainability reporting standards. These frameworks are designed to help Indian companies align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, ensuring transparency and ethical governance.
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Regulatory & Institutional Collaboration: The Board works in close coordination with major regulatory bodies, including SEBI, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), and NITI Aayog. Rao will contribute to key initiatives such as implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) audits and facilitating the growth of the Social Stock Exchange ecosystem in India.
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Strong Leadership Legacy: Hailing from Telangana (Warangal), CA Narayana Rao is a distinguished veteran who served as the Chairman of the ICAI Warangal Branch in 2015 and was previously a co-opted member of the ICAI’s Public Relations Committee (2016).
6. Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik appointed as Brand Ambassador for Census 2027
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Expertise in Sustainability Governance: The appointment to the SRSB—a non-standing committee of the ICAI—recognizes Rao's extensive experience in advancing professional standards. In this role, he will contribute to developing globally aligned Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting frameworks, helping Indian corporates stay future-ready and transparent.
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Strategic Regulatory Alignment: As a member of the SRSB, Rao will work in coordination with key bodies like SEBI, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), and NITI Aayog. The board’s primary mission is to help Indian businesses align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 through structured sustainability audits and reporting mechanisms.
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Distinguished Leadership Record: Based in Hyderabad/Warangal, Rao has a long history of leadership within the ICAI, having served as the Chairman of the Warangal Branch in 2015 and a co-opted member of the ICAI’s Public Relations Committee in 2016.
7. Jharkhand Leader Kalpana Soren Gets International Honour
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Recognition of Grassroots Leadership: The award, presented by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), recognizes her significant contributions to advancing women-led development and strengthening grassroots participation in the economic and social sectors of Jharkhand.
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A Tribute to the "Maiyan" of Jharkhand: Dedicating the award to the women of her state, Kalpana Soren emphasized a shift in the status of women in Jharkhand—moving from being "mere beneficiaries" of government schemes to becoming active entrepreneurs and agents of change through self-help groups and local enterprises.
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Focus on Inclusivity and Marginalized Voices: During her address, she stressed the need for equity over just inclusion, specifically calling for the amplification of voices from marginalized and tribal communities.
Footnotes: Jharkhand's Governor: Santosh Gangwar, CM: Hemant Soren, CS: Avinash Kumar
8. French Former PM Lionel Jospin, Architect of 35-hour Week passed away
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Architect of Major Social Reforms: Jospin is best remembered as the "father of the 35-hour workweek," a landmark labor reform implemented in 2000 to reduce unemployment and improve work-life balance. His tenure also saw the introduction of the PACS (civil solidarity pacts) for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, and the law on gender parity in politics.
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The "Plural Left" and Economic Growth: He successfully led a diverse coalition of Socialists, Communists, and Greens, a period known as "cohabitation." Under his leadership, France experienced a significant economic upturn, characterized by a substantial drop in unemployment and the creation of the CMU (Universal Health Coverage), which ensured healthcare for the most precarious citizens.
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A "Bolt from the Blue" Political Exit: His political career ended abruptly in the 2002 presidential election.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY?
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March 25th: International Day of Solidarity with UN Staff
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“Reaffirming the promise that no colleague is forgotten and strengthening efforts to protect UN personnel.”
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This day is observed annually on March 25, marking the abduction of journalist Alec Collett and highlighting risks faced by UN personnel globally.
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