1 World Happiness Report 2025: India ranked 118th among 147 countries
India has been ranked 118th happiest country in the world out of 147 countries surveyed in the World Happiness Report 2025. India, which was ranked 126th last year, has moved up 8 places in the latest report. Finland has retained its status as the world’s happiest country , while Afghanistan has been ranked the world’s unhappiest country . The 13th edition of the World Happiness Report was released on 20 March 2025 , coinciding with World Happiness Day , observed every year on 20 March . The annual World Happiness Report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network . The first report was released in 2012, after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in April 2011 recognising the pursuit of happiness as a measure of a country’s social and economic development. India has been ranked 118th in the 2025 report. India is ranked below Nepal (92), Pakistan (109), while it is ahead of Sri Lanka (133) and Bangladesh (134).
2 India-Kyrgyzstan joint military exercise ‘Khanjar-XII’ concluded successfully
The ongoing joint special forces exercise ‘ Khanjar-XII ‘ between India and Kyrgyzstan concluded successfully at Tokhmok on 23 March . The exercise began on 10 March and was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the military forces of the two countries, honing high altitude combat skills and improving counter-terrorism strategies. Special forces of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) of India and the Scorpion Brigade of Kyrgyzstan took part in this exercise. Both the armies practiced sniping, infiltration into complex buildings, mountain warfare and special anti-terrorism operations. It is worth noting that the ‘Khanjar’ exercise was first started in 2011 and has now become an annual event. This exercise is held alternately in India and Kyrgyzstan. The last edition was held in India in January 2024.
In March 2025, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Sanmar Group chairman Vijay Shankar , who is also the Honorary Consul General of Denmark for Southern India , was awarded the ‘ Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog’ by King Frederik Andre Henrik Christian of Denmark of Denmark . He was given this award in recognition of his distinguished consular services. Danish Ambassador to India, Rasmus Abildgaard Christensen presented the award to Shankar during a ceremony held in Chennai, TN. Presenting the award, Danish Ambassador Christensen highlighted Shankar’s significant contribution in strengthening India-Denmark relations during his tenure.
4 Gujarat and Nayara Energy sign MoU to restore Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Nayara Energy (formerly Essar Oil Limited ) signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the Forest and Environment Department of the Government of Gujarat and Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education (MoE) in Gandhinagar (Gujarat). Under the MoU with the Gujarat Forest and Environment Department, Nayara Energy will provide financial assistance for the conservation and restoration of Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary , a Ramsar site in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. of Gujarat. It aims to improve the wetland environment, promote local biodiversity and involve local communities in the management of the sanctuary. The MoU signed between Nayara Energy and VSK will promote reading activities in 1,300 government schools and Anganwadis in Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat. Under this three-year initiative, it aims to distribute around 3,75,000 books, thereby creating a strong foundation for reading and learning.
5 Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh announced North India’s first nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur, Haryana
In March 2025, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Jitendra Singh , Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) announced that North India’s first nuclear power plant is being set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana . The initiative is in line with India’s strategy to expand nuclear power generation while cutting carbon emissions. The Union Minister also reaffirmed commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) in Maharashtra, which is set to become India’s largest nuclear power plant. The project has been delayed due to changes in agreements with French stakeholders and procedural issues related to environmental clearance, which expired in December 2022.
Punjab has become the first state in India to broadcast its assembly proceedings in sign language . This information was given by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Government of Punjab. This pioneering initiative will make the proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha accessible to persons with hearing impairment and make them aware of government policies and legislative discussions. The traditional address of Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the beginning of the budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was broadcast in sign language. The initiative to broadcast important parts of the legislative proceedings of the House was taken by the Ministry of Social Security, Women and Child Development of the State Government. The Ministry took this step under Section 40 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Section 40 of the Act provides for the government to make communication systems accessible to persons with disabilities.
7 Goa Shigmo Festival
The traditional Shigmo Festival is in full swing these days in Goa . This grand cultural festival, which will last for two weeks , started on March 15 and will conclude on March 29. This festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring season. During this time, colorful tableaux, folk dances and cultural presentations are organized, which reflect the rich heritage of Goa. Shigmo Festival, called Shigmostav in the local language, holds special significance for the Hindu community of Goa. It is celebrated in the month of Falgun .
8 ADB launches Frontier Seed (Pacific) program to boost local industries and economic development
On March 17, 2025, Philippines -based Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Frontier Seed (Pacific) program to strengthen local capital markets, foster entrepreneurship, and support businesses that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in frontier Pacific markets . The initiative aims to provide funding and technical assistance to businesses with transformational potential. ADB aims to de-risk investments, encourage private sector participation, and help local industries become globally competitive.
9 SEBI partners with DigiLocker to reduce unclaimed assets in Indian securities market
In March 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) , announced that it has partnered with DigiLocker to address the issue of unclaimed assets in securities markets . For this, SEBI issued a circular titled ‘Use of DigiLocker as a Digital Public Infrastructure for Reducing Unclaimed Assets in Indian Securities Market’, exercising powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote and regulate the development of securities market.
10 NIPL partners with Singapore’s HitPay to enable UPI payments
On March 19, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) -based NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) , has partnered with Singapore-based HitPay , a full-stack payments infrastructure firm, to facilitate Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments in Singapore . Indian travellers can now pay using UPI Quick Response (QR) codes at tourist sites, restaurants and shops, with over 12,000 merchants in Singapore accepting UPI. This is NIPL’s second partnership in Singapore after the launch of UPI-PayNow for cross-border transactions in 2023.
11 India’s Pranati Nayak won bronze medal in women’s vault final at the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique World Cup
India’s Pranati Nayak has won the bronze medal in the women’s vault final at the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique World Cup in Antalya , Turkey . Two-time Asian Championship medalist Pranati won her first medal at the World Cup by scoring 13.4-1-7 last evening. Jayla Hang of the USA won the gold medal with a score of 13.6-6-7 and Claire Pease of the USA won the silver medal with 13.5-6-7.
12 Patna: Indian women’s team won silver medal in the doubles event of Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025
In Patna , the Indian women’s team displayed a brilliant performance and won the silver medal in the doubles event of the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025. Myanmar won the gold medal. Japan and Iran were jointly awarded bronze medals. The Indian men’s team jointly won the bronze medal with Malaysia in the doubles event . In the same competition, Thailand got the gold and Myanmar got the silver medal. This tournament will be concluded on March 25.
