Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) showed the biggest improvements, though they remained at the lower end of the ranking. India, with a score of 62.6, was placed 24th, between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8). At the same time, some authoritarian-leaning nations — such as Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8) — scored high, "suggesting a disconnect between government restrictions and public attitudes".
A recent global survey by the U.S.-based think tank 'The Future of Free Speech' ranked India 24th out of 33 countries in its Free Speech Index. The survey, conducted in October 2024, found that although free speech support in India has declined since 2021, a majority of Indians believe it has improved. The report, titled "Who in the World Supports Free Speech?", highlights the gap between public perception and actual protections for free speech in India, alongside broader global trends showing democratic backsliding in various nations.
Norway and Denmark dominated the rankings finishing at the apex of the Future of the Free Speech Index with scores of 87.9 and 87.0.
India's First PPP Green Waste Processing Plant in Indore
Indore is set to achieve another milestone in sustainable waste management by establishing India's first green waste processing plant under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This project, initiated under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, aims to convert green waste into valuable resources, promoting environmental sustainability and reducing pollution.
The facility will process green waste, generate revenue for the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), and provide an alternative to coal by producing wooden pellets. The plant is a significant step towards innovation, circular economy, and eco-friendly waste management.
Bajaj Auto Reappoints Rajiv Bajaj, Invests Rs. 1,500 Crore in Credit Arm
Bajaj Auto has announced the reappointment of Rajiv Bajaj as Managing Director and CEO for another five-year term, effective April 1, 2025. Alongside this leadership decision, the company has infused Rs. 1,500 crore into its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd (BACL), to support its projected asset growth for the financial year 2025-26. The capital injection aims to enhance BACL's regulatory compliance, capital adequacy, and overall financial stability
RBI and Bank of Mauritius Sign MoU to Promote Trade in Local Currencies
In a significant move to enhance bilateral trade and financial cooperation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius (BOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) for cross-border transactions.
The agreement will enable exporters and importers to settle transactions in their respective domestic currencies, reducing costs and improving efficiency. This initiative is expected to strengthen the economic and financial ties between India and Mauritius.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025 (March 19 in India) after spending over nine months in space due to delays in the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission. Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, Freedom, splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida, concluding a mission that garnered global attention.
The much-anticipated Kabaddi World Cup 2025 is set to commence in England this evening, marking a historic milestone as the tournament is being hosted outside Asia for the first time. The Indian men's team will begin their journey against Italy at Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom.
The tournament will span seven days, featuring over 60 matches across multiple venues, including Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
The men's event will feature 10 teams, split into two groups: Group A and Group B. India has been placed in Group B alongside Italy, Scotland, Wales, and China. Group A consists of Pakistan, England, Canada, Iran, and Kenya.
The women's event will include six teams, divided into two groups: Group D and Group E. The Indian women's team will compete in Group D along with Wales and Poland. Group E includes England, Canada, and Kenya.
City Union Bank Becomes Exclusive Banking Partner of Sunrisers Hyderabad
City Union Bank (CUB) has officially partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as its exclusive banking partner. This strategic collaboration aims to provide SRH fans, players, and staff with customised financial solutions, exclusive offers, and enhanced digital banking services. The partnership also marks a significant step in connecting sports with financial innovation, strengthening CUB's presence among sports enthusiasts in India.
As part of this partnership, City Union Bank will introduce exclusive financial solutions tailored for SRH fans. The bank will offer: customised savings accounts designed specifically for SRH supporters, specialised loans with benefits for SRH fans, and co-branded credit cards with SRH-themed designs, offering unique rewards and discounts.
Indian Long-Distance Runner Archana Jadhav Banned for Four Years Over Doping Violation
Indian long-distance runner Archana Jadhav has been handed a four-year ban by World Athletics' Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a banned substance, Oxandrolone. The decision, which came into effect on January 7, 2025, follows her failure to contest the doping charges despite multiple reminders.
Archana Jadhav's sample was collected during the Pune Half-Marathon in December 2024 and later tested positive for Oxandrolone. This substance, a synthetic anabolic steroid, is commonly used to enhance muscle growth and increase protein production.
The test results led to her provisional suspension, effective January 7, 2025. Despite repeated notices, she did not contest the findings, leading the AIU to consider this as an acceptance of guilt.
UIDAI Partners with Sarvam AI to Enhance Aadhaar Services with AI-Powered Solutions
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has joined hands with Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based indigenous Generative AI (GenAI) company, to improve the user experience of Aadhaar services. This collaboration, effective from March 18, 2025, introduces AI-powered voice interactions, real-time fraud detection, and multilingual support, making Aadhaar services more accessible, secure, and efficient.
The custom-built GenAI stack will operate within UIDAI's secure infrastructure, ensuring data privacy and sovereignty. This one-year agreement, extendable by another year, reflects UIDAI's commitment to technological advancements and user-centric innovations.
WAVEX 2025: A Game-Changer for Media & Entertainment Startups
Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has launched WAVEX 2025, a pioneering initiative aimed at funding and providing national exposure to startups in the media and entertainment sector. Organised in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), WAVEX 2025 will take place at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, as part of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) which is scheduled to be held from 1st to 4th May, 2025 in Mumbai.
WAVEX 2025 will act as a catalyst for Indian startups to lead this transformation, ensuring they receive the right exposure, and investment, to scale their businesses. Startups will have the chance to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists and celebrity angel investors in dedicated sessions, with extensive national television coverage ensuring maximum visibility.
WAVEX 2025 focuses on gaming, animation, extended reality (XR), metaverse, generative AI, and next-generation content platforms. Beyond funding, the event offers mentorship, investor networking, and collaboration opportunities with major media and technology firms. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, and industry leaders. This exposure will not only help secure direct funding but also create broader business and collaboration opportunities. The fusion of entertainment and technology transforms how content is created, distributed, and consumed.
Government Establishes Fintech Panel to Address Regulatory Challenges
To address regulatory concerns and devise a long-term strategy for the financial technology sector, the Indian government has set up an Inter-Ministerial-Industry Committee on Fintech (IMICF). The committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), aims to evaluate fintech's impact on the banking and financial services industry (BFSI), identify obstacles to growth, and study global best practices in governance and regulation.
The 23rd edition of the bilateral naval exercise VARUNA, a symbol of the strong maritime partnership between India and France, is set to take place from March 19 to March 22, 2025. Established in 2001, this annual exercise has become a key platform for enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy between the two nations.
VARUNA 2025 will witness an impressive display of maritime capabilities across multiple domains, featuring aircraft carriers Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle, along with fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and a Scorpene-class submarine.
The exercise aims to improve coordination in air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat, reinforcing the shared commitment to a free, open, and secure maritime environment.
Delhi Police Launches 'Shishtachar' Squad to Combat Eve-Teasing
To enhance women's safety in public spaces, the Delhi Police has launched 'Shishtachar' squads across all districts. These anti-eve-teasing squads aim to curb harassment through active patrolling, surprise checks, and public outreach. Supervised by senior officials, the initiative focuses on prevention, intervention, and victim assistance to create a secure environment for women in the capital.
Each district will have at least two squads which will be supervised by the ACP of the Crime Against Women (CAW) cell in the respective district.
Jasprit Bumrah Joins Skechers as Brand Ambassador, Strengthening Its Presence in Cricket
Renowned Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah has officially signed with Skechers, the global Comfort Technology Company, further expanding its association with elite cricket athletes. Bumrah, known as one of the world's premier fast bowlers, will now compete in Skechers Cricket footwear and will feature in the brand's marketing campaigns, promoting both its performance and lifestyle collections.
This move comes as Skechers continues to strengthen its presence in cricket, having already signed players like Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia, as well as serving as the official kit sponsor of the Mumbai Indians.
Ayushmann Khurrana Named 'Fit India Icon' by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Renowned Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been officially named as the 'Fit India Icon' by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The announcement was made during the inaugural ceremony of the Fit India Movement in New Delhi. With this, the 40-year-old actor has joined hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Fit India Movement, which aims to inspire citizens to prioritise their health and well-being.
The Fit India Movement is a nationwide campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019. The initiative is dedicated to fostering a culture of fitness and healthy living among Indian citizens.
World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20th to raise awareness about the declining population of house sparrows and encourage conservation efforts. The event was first initiated in 2010 by Nature Forever Society, an Indian bird conservation organisation. Over the years, it has gained global recognition, with more than 50 countries participating in various conservation initiatives.
The theme for World Sparrow Day 2025 is "I Love Sparrows". Urbanisation, pollution, and habitat loss threaten these birds. Initiatives like Save the Sparrow and Early Bird aim to restore their numbers.