1 Finance Minister launched new credit assessment model for MSMEs
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a new credit assessment model based on scoring of the digital footprint of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) . It was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was also present on the occasion. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that it was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 that public sector banks (PSBs) will build their internal capacity to assess MSMEs for loans instead of relying on external assessment. PSBs will develop a new credit assessment model based on scoring of the digital footprint of MSMEs in the economy. According to the ministry, the new credit assessment model will leverage digitally acquired and verifiable data available in the ecosystem. It will also create an automated journey for MSME loan assessment using objective decision making for all loan applications and model-based limit assessment for both existing and new MSME borrowers.
2 IWAI signs MoU with Jammu and Kashmir to promote river cruise tourism
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to promote river cruise tourism on three National Waterways in Jammu and Kashmir . Out of the 111 National Waterways in the country, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has three declared National Waterways, viz. River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49) and River Ravi (NW-84). With a view to promote river cruise tourism, the recently concluded second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWAI) announced the development of various cruise circuits extending from Kashmir to Kerala and Assam to Gujarat.
3 Yogi government will monitor vaccination through ‘Rise’ app
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched an app called “ RISE ” ( Rapid Immunization Skill Enhancement ) to improve the routine immunization of children . Through this app, staff nurses, ANMs and health visitors are being given digital training so that they can conduct the vaccination process in a more effective and systematic manner. This app will help health workers in vaccination management, vaccine safety, cold chain management, post-vaccination effects and monitoring of those who do not get their children vaccinated for some reason. The main objective of this initiative is to ensure that no child in the state is deprived of vaccination.
4 Despite global challenges, Indian economy will grow at 6.5% in 2026: Crisil
Despite global strategic tensions and trade challenges, the Indian economy will grow at a rate of 6.5% in FY 2026. According to the Crisil report, this growth will mainly depend on normal monsoon and stable commodity prices . In addition, the reduction in food inflation, tax concessions given in the Union Budget 2025-26 and affordable interest rates will help increase the purchasing power of the people, further strengthening the economy. The report shows that India’s economy is now returning to its pre-pandemic state. Despite fluctuations around the world, Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data shows that India is still among the fastest growing countries among major economies.
5 Dr. Ajit Ratnakar Joshi appointed Executive Director of RBI
On 5 March , the Reserve Bank of India has appointed Dr. Ajit Ratnakar Joshi as the new Executive Director. Before being appointed Executive Director, Dr. Joshi was working as Principal Advisor in the Department of Statistics and Information Management. Dr. Joshi has more than 3 decades of experience in the fields of statistics, information technology and cyber risk management.
6 NITI Aayog announced the creation of Frontier Tech Hub
On March 5 , NITI Aayog announced the creation of a Frontier Tech Hub . Its main objective is to enable India’s readiness to advance technological innovation and use for accelerated economic and social development towards a developed India . This Frontier Tech Hub will work together with experts from industry, academia and government to build a deeper understanding of technological trends and their impacts on India.
7 Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Britain and Ireland
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is on a 6-day official visit to Britain and Ireland from 4 to 9 March 2025. During this, he will meet top British officials to strengthen additional bilateral relations. India-UK Free Trade Agreement will also be discussed during this visit of the Foreign Minister. In the last leg of this visit, the Foreign Minister will visit Ireland.
8 Australia-India Sports Excellence Forum held in Gujarat
The Australia-India Sports Excellence Forum was held at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat from March 5-6 . The main objective of this forum is to explore opportunities for cooperation in Olympic and Paralympic bids, talent development, sports science and event management.
9 Two new species of jumping spiders discovered in the Western GhatsTwo new species of jumping spiders discovered in the Western Ghats
In March 2025 , researchers from the University of Kerala discovered two new species of jumping spiders , ‘ Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov ‘ and ‘ Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov ‘, from the Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala . This is the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India. The findings, published in the February 2025 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa, also highlighted the abundant biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
10 NITI Aayog report: 42% increase in women’s credit monitoring, by December 2024, 27 million women were monitoring their credit
On March 3, 2025 , Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, in partnership with TransUnion CIBIL Limited (formerly Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP)-based MicroSave Consulting (MSC), unveiled a new report titled “ From borrowers to builders : The role of women in India’s financial growth story ”. Launched by B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, the report highlights a significant increase in financial awareness among women, with 27 million actively monitoring their loans by December 2024, marking a 42% increase over the previous year.
11 Rupee112 launches India’s first fully automated WhatsApp loan disbursement service
In February 2025, Gurugram (Haryana)-based fintech startup Rupee112 launched India’s first fully automated loan disbursal service via WhatsApp , allowing salaried professionals to access instant unsecured loans. The service uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to speed up the lending process by reducing approval times and eliminating paperwork. The platform allows borrowers to secure loans ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,00,000 by sending a message to Rupee112’s official WhatsApp number. Once the request is submitted, the system verifies user information in real-time and transfers funds directly to their bank accounts within minutes. The launch of this service highlights the growing role of AI in digital lending, especially in simplifying verifications and eliminating manual interactions.
12 Pro-Russian politician Badra Gunba wins Abkhazia’s presidential election
In March 2025 , pro-Russian politician Badra Gunba was declared the winner of the presidential election in Abkhazia , a breakaway region of Georgia that has been under de facto Russian control since a war between Moscow and Tbilisi broke out in 2008. Badra Gunba won 54.73% of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Adgur Ardzinba, who received 41.54%.
13 Indian Grandmaster Pa Iniyan won the 38th ‘Cannes International Open Chess Tournament’
On March 3, 2025 , Indian Grandmaster (GM) Panneerselvam (Pa) Iniyan won the title of the 38th ‘Cannes International Open Chess Tournament 2025’ by defeating compatriot V Pranesh in the ninth and final round held in Cannes, France . Pa Iniyan finished first with an impressive score of 7.5 points while International Master Aradhya Garg of India secured the second spot with 7 points. World Junior Chess Champion Kazybek Nodarbek of Kazakhstan also scored 7 points and finished third after tiebreak.
14 Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim announces retirement from One Day International cricket
Bangladesh veteran cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his retirement from One Day International cricket. The 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman made the announcement through a post on his Facebook page. However, he has said that he will continue to represent Bangladesh in Test cricket.
