March 15th Top Current Affairs for Competitive Exams

Stay updated with the latest National, International, Economy, Science & Technology, and Sports News. Get insights on major infrastructure projects under PM GatiShakti, the UN80 Initiative for UN efficiency, India’s leadership in green energy financing, ISRO’s Cryogenic Engine test for LVM3, and the Astra missile test by Tejas fighter jet. Also, explore India’s historic victory at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025.

NATIONAL
Network planning group reviews major infrastructure projects under PM GatiShakti

• The Network Planning Group (NPG) on Friday convened for its 89th meeting led by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), to assess critical infrastructure projects across the road, railway, and metro sectors.
• A total of eight projects were reviewed, comprising four road developments, three railway expansions, and one metro initiative. Each project was evaluated for its alignment with PM GatiShakti’s core principles—integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity, and intermodal coordination. These projects are expected to reduce travel time, improve logistics efficiency, and drive socio-economic growth across multiple regions.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) presented several key proposals, including the upgradation of the Darugiri to Dalu section of National Highway 62 (New NH-217) in Meghalaya. The project, covering 136.11 km across East, South, and West Garo Hills, aims to enhance regional connectivity and support cross-border trade.
• Another ambitious plan under review is India’s first road tunnel beneath a major river. The proposed four-lane tunnel under the Brahmaputra will link Gohpur and Numaligarh, reducing travel time from 6.5 hours to just 30 minutes by cutting the journey from 240 km to 34 km. This twin-tube, unidirectional underwater tunnel is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Assam and the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

INTERNATIONAL
UN Chief Announces ‘UN80 Initiative’ to Boost Efficiencies Amid Uncertainty

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the ‘UN80 Initiative’ to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness within the United Nations. This initiative aims to address the shrinking resources, streamline operations, and enhance the organization’s ability to deliver on its mandates effectively.
• The task force will be headed by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder, with representatives from all UN bodies.
• 2025 UN Regular Budget: $3.72 billion.
• 2024-25 Peacekeeping Budget: $5.6 billion.
• The US is the largest contributor (22% of the regular budget and 27% of the peacekeeping budget).
• India paid $37.64 million for the 2025 regular budget, joining the “honor roll” of 35 countries that paid on time.

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ECONOMY
India has taken the lead in financing green energy projects

• India has taken the lead in financing renewable energy projects by including them under priority sector lending to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy in its fight against climate change.
• The RBI Governor pointed out that while the role of central banks in managing financial risks posed by climate change is increasingly recognized, their involvement in facilitating the financing of green and sustainable transitions remains a subject of debate, with multiple perspectives on its scope.
• The RBI Governor also emphasized the critical role of technology and finance in the transition toward a low-carbon economy, underscoring the need for innovative solutions in these areas. It is to be  noted that the Reserve Bank has been actively promoting innovation through its Regulatory Sandbox and Hackathon initiatives in the fintech sector.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ISRO successfully conducts flight acceptance hot test of Cryogenic Engine for LVM3 launch vehicle in Tamil Nadu

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the flight acceptance hot testing of the cryogenic engine designated for the sixth operational mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle (LVM-M6).
• The test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The LVM3, also known as Launch Vehicle Mark-3, is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
• The cryogenic engine of every mission undergoes hot testing as part of its acceptance process for the flight, ISRO said in a statement.
• ISRO highlighted that the innovative test method significantly reduces the setup time and effort required for the flight acceptance test of a cryogenic engine, which in turn helps faster delivery of cryogenic stages for space missions.
• According to ISRO, the CE20 engine’s performance during the test met all objectives, with parameters closely aligning with predictions throughout the test duration.
• The engine will now be integrated into the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3-M6 mission, which is scheduled for the second half of 2025.

Tejas fighter jet successfully test fires air-to-air Astra missile

• The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully conducted the test launch of India’s homegrown Astra, a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF MK1 prototype.
• The launch proved to be a great success, with the Astra missile making a direct hit on a flying target, showcasing its accuracy and effectiveness. All subsystems of the missile performed optimally, meeting all mission parameters and objectives, demonstrating the missile’s advanced capabilities.
• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra missile is designed to engage targets over 100 kilometers away. Its advanced guidance and navigation systems enable it to destroy targets with exceptional precision. The missile has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), further enhancing India’s air defense capabilities.
• This successful test-firing marks a significant milestone toward the induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant, bringing India closer to achieving its goal of strengthening its indigenous defense systems.

SPORTS
India Tops Medal Tally at World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 in New Delhi

• India finished on top of the medal tally at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 held in New Delhi, winning a total of 134 medals, including 45 gold, 40 silver, and 49 bronze. This event marked India’s first time hosting an international para-athletics event, which will now be an annual event till 2028.
• The 12th season of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix witnessed an extraordinary performance by Indian para-athletes, who secured their place at the top of the medal standings.
• This outstanding performance further cements India’s growing strength in para-athletics, demonstrating the country’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence in sports.

Published date : 15 Mar 2025 05:32PM