CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 March 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS

27 March, 2025

1.      DRDO & INDIAN NAVY SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRE VLSRSAM MISSILE –

•        The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully conducted the flight-test of the Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) on March 26, 2025.

•        The test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. The missile successfully engaged and destroyed a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude, proving its Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability.        

2.      ATM WITHDRAWALS TO GET COSTLIER FROM MAY 1 AS RBI APPROVES FEE HIKE  –

•        Starting May 1, 2025, withdrawing cash from ATMs in India will become more expensive as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved an increase in interchange fees. The interchange fee, which is charged when a customer uses an ATM of a bank other than their own, will rise, leading to higher costs for customers exceeding their free transaction limits.

•        The RBI’s decision comes in response to requests from white-label ATM operators, who cited rising operational expenses. The fee hike is expected to impact customers, especially those from smaller banks, as they rely on larger financial institutions for ATM infrastructure.

Key Highlights

•        Effective Date: May 1, 2025.

•        Reason for Fee Hike: Rising operational costs of white-label ATM operators.

Impact on Customers

•        Additional ₹2 per financial transaction beyond the free limit.

•        Additional ₹1 per non-financial transaction (e.g., balance inquiry).    

3.      KERALA ESTABLISHES FIRST SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION IN INDIA –

•        Kerala became the first state of India to establish a Senior Citizens Commission. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill in early 2025. This initiative aims to enhance the welfare and rights of the elderly population in the state.

•        The need for a dedicated commission arose from the increasing elderly population in Kerala. According to the United Nations Population Fund, by 2036, 22.8% of Kerala’s population will be aged 60 and above. The state already has elderly demographic, with 16.5% recorded in 2021.

•        The commission is a continuation of welfare measures initiated during the previous government.

4.      US ACCESS TO INDIAN MARKET FOR KEY CROPS –

•        The United States is keen to enhance its access to the Indian market for three crops – soybean, corn, and cotton. This interest intensified following statements from former US President Donald Trump, who threatened to impose equal tariffs on Indian exports.

•        The US agricultural sector has historically relied on exports, with a total value of nearly $62 billion in 2022. Recent shifts in global trade dynamics have made India a potential new market for these crops.

5.      CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING PLI SCHEME –

•        India’s government has recently decided to discontinue $23 billion initiative aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing.

•        Launched four years ago, the Production-Linked Initiative (PLI) sought to attract firms away from China. However, the scheme struggled to meet its ambitious targets.

•        This decision marks a very important moment in India’s manufacturing landscape.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Which country is co-hosting the maritime exercise named AIKEYME with India in April 2025 ?

          a) Mauritius

          b) Mozambique

          c) Kenya

          d) Tanzania

Q2.  The sixth edition of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025 initiative was launched in which state ?

          a) Haryana

          b) Gujarat

          c) Rajasthan

          d) Madhya Pradesh

Q3.  Exercise Sea Dragon 2025 was hosted by which country ?

          a) United States

          b) Japan

          c) Australia

          d) India

Q4.  Match the following key judicial provisions with their respective functions:             

          Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

          a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

          b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

          c) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

          d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

Explanation-

•        Article 50 → Separation of Judiciary from the Executive (A-3)

•        Article 235 → High Courts’ supervision of subordinate courts (B-1)

•        Article 124(4) → Removal of Supreme Court judges (C-4)

•        Article 217 → Removal of High Court judges (D-2)

Q5.  Consider the following statements regarding India’s defence sector growth under the Make in India initiative:

          1. Indigenous defence production in India reached ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, marking its highest-ever growth.

          2. Defence exports have increased from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24, a nearly 30-fold rise.

          3. The Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) are located in Maharashtra and Karnataka to boost defence manufacturing.

          How many of the above statements are correct ?

          a) Only 1

          b) Only 2

          c) All three

          d) None

Explanation-

•        Statement 1 is correct: Indigenous defence production reached ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, the highest ever recorded.

•        Statement 2 is correct: Defence exports surged from ₹686 crore (2013-14) to ₹21,083 crore (2023-24), reflecting a major rise in global defence sales.

•        Statement 3 is incorrect: The Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) are located in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, not Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Answer Key