Daily GK One Liners: March 20, 2025

🗞 Daily GK One Liners: March 20, 2025

Your quick summary of the day's important events across National, International, Appointments, Defence, Science, Sports, and Important Days.

MeitY & Drone Federation Launch National Innovation Challenge for Drones: Under the SwaYaan program, this initiative promotes drone research and capacity building across India.
Indore to Set Up India’s First Green Waste Plant via PPP Model: Part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the plant will convert green waste into eco-friendly resources.
Telangana CM Launches ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam’ for Youth Employment: The ₹6,000 crore scheme targets SC, ST, BC, and Minority youth with self-employment loans.
₹620 Crore XV Finance Commission Grants Disbursed to Maharashtra Rural Bodies: Includes ₹611.69 crore untied grants and ₹8.42 crore from withheld first installment.

Jasprit Bumrah Becomes Brand Ambassador for Skechers: He joins Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia to promote Skechers Cricket footwear and campaigns.
Rajiv Bajaj Reappointed as MD & CEO of Bajaj Auto: His new five-year term starts from April 1, 2025. A ₹1,500 crore investment approved for Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd.

India and France Begin 23rd Edition of VARUNA Naval Exercise: Scheduled from March 19–22, 2025, the exercise highlights Indo-French maritime cooperation.

India Ranks 24th in Global Free Speech Index: Scoring 62.6 out of 100, India reflects a decline in protections but growing public optimism.

NASA’s 9-Month Mission Ends as Sunita Williams, Wilmore Return: Originally an 8-day mission, the duo returned after 286 days due to delays with Boeing’s Starliner.
Sansad Bhashini Initiative Introduced for Real-Time AI Parliamentary Translations: A MeitY-Lok Sabha collaboration to enable multilingual, AI-based live parliamentary translation.

India-Malaysia Bilateral Meet Enhances Trade and Investment Ties: Union Minister Jitin Prasada met with Malaysian Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong to discuss mutual cooperation.

England Hosts Kabaddi World Cup 2025 – First Time Outside Asia: India faces Italy in the opening match in Wolverhampton, marking a global expansion of the sport.

World Sparrow Day 2025 – March 20: Celebrated to raise awareness about sparrow conservation; started in 2010 by India’s Nature Forever Society.

For a detailed explanation of all the news highlights for March 20, 2025, check out our complete post here.

📚 Daily Current Affairs March 20, 2025 – Explore the full article and stay updated.

Defence & Indo-Pacific Cooperation: India and New Zealand signed a landmark Defence Cooperation MoU, enabling joint training, naval exchanges, and shared maritime security goals through initiatives like IPOI and CMF.
Launch of FTA Negotiations: Formal talks began on a Free Trade Agreement, alongside a customs streamlining pact (AEO-MRA) and a digital payments dialogue to strengthen economic integration.
Education & Mobility Boost: A renewed Education Cooperation Arrangement will expand scholarships and student mobility, with plans for future workforce agreements.
Clean Tech & Climate Resilience: New Zealand joined India’s CDRI, pledged support to the International Solar Alliance, and deepened cooperation in earthquake preparedness and sustainable infrastructure.
Cultural & Multilateral Alignment: The visit celebrated 100 years of sports ties, and both nations reaffirmed shared stances on maritime security, UNSC reform, and peaceful resolutions in Ukraine and West Asia.

Comprehensive Strategic Reset: Discover how the visit redefined India–New Zealand relations across diplomacy, trade, defence, education, and technology.
Indo-Pacific Power Balance: Learn how both nations are contributing to a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific amidst shifting regional dynamics.
Human-Centric Diplomacy: See how the outcomes empower students, professionals, and cultural exchanges while supporting sustainable global development.