TODAY NEWS ON March 20, 2025

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: THE HINDU

Cabinet approves ₹1,500 crore to incentivise low-value UPI transactions

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) approved an incentives scheme worth approximately ₹1,500 crore to promote UPI transactions below ₹2,000 for 2024-25, an official statement said. Under the scheme, the government will bear MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) expense for payment of less than ₹2,000 made by a person to a merchant. “The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the ‘Incentive Scheme for promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions Person to Merchant (P2M)’ for the financial year 2024-25,” the statement said. The incentive scheme for the promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (P2M) will be implemented at an estimated outlay of 1,500 crore from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

IT Ministry examining issue of Grok using Hindi slang, abuses; in touch with X

The Information and Technology Ministry is in touch with social media platform X over the recent incident of AI chatbot Grok using Hindi slang and abuses and will be examining the issue, according to sources. The Ministry will look into the matter and the factors that led to the use of abusive language, they said.

Punjab Police detains Dallewal, Pandher in Mohali; evicts farmers from protest sites to clear roads

Several farmer leaders including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal were detained in Mohali while returning from a meeting with a central delegation, as Punjab Police evicted farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites and began clearing the roads, which were blocked for more than a year.

ED filed 193 cases against serving, ex-politicians, secured two convictions: Government informs parliament

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a total of 193 cases against politicians, including serving and former MPs and MLAs, over the last 10 years and secured conviction in two of those, the government has informed Parliament. He said the federal anti-money laundering agency has filed cases against politicians, including existing and former MPs, MLAs and MLCs, as well as people affiliated with political parties, but a State-wise data of the same is not maintained.

Zelenskyy agrees to a limited ceasefire as Trump floats U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s power plants

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed Wednesday (March 19, 2025) to a limited ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, as U.S. President Donald Trump suggested during a call with the embattled country’s leader that he consider American ownership of Ukraine’s power plants to ensure their long-term security.

Greenpeace hit with more than $650 mn in damages in case over Dakota Access protest activities

A North Dakota jury on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) found Greenpeace liable for defamation and other claims brought by a pipeline company in connection with protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The nine-person jury awarded Dallas-based Energy Transfer and its subsidiary Dakota Access more than $650 million in damages.

ISRO keen on tapping into expertise and experience of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in space exploration

Congratulating NASA astronaut Sunita Williams on her safe return to Earth after nine months in space, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan said India wishes to utilise her expertise in space exploration. “Welcome back, Sunita William! Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement. A testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA’s commitment to space exploration! Your resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the world,” ISRO posted on X on March 19. It further added a message from Dr. Narayanan. “As Secretary DoS and Chairman ISRO, I, on behalf of my colleagues, extend a warm greetings to you and wish you a great day ahead. When Bharat under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Modi ji is working towards making India as a developed country, we wish to utilise your expertise in the space exploration.”

SC to hear challenge to law on new CEC/EC appointments, raising questions on democracy’s roots

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) scheduled a detailed hearing of a challenge to a law giving the Central government a dominant role in the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners on April 16. A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant listed the case in mid-April following an oral mentioning made by advocate Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for petitioner-NGO Association for Democratic Reform (ADR). The case was originally listed before the Bench for hearing on March 19, but placed towards the fag end of the board. Mr. Bhushan voiced the possibility that the case would not come up for hearing on March 19, and sought a future date. “This case goes to the very roots of democracy,” he submitted.

Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy to speak with Trump after U.S. President’s ceasefire talks with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) to hear more about his call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. “Today I will have contact with President Trump,” Mr. Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. “We will discuss the details of the next steps with him.” Mr. Zelenskyy said that Mr. Putin’s agreement to stop striking energy infrastructure were “very much at odds with reality” following a series of drone attacks across the country. Mr. Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions.

U.S. strikes target areas in Yemen, Houthi media reports

At least 10 U.S. strikes targeted areas in Yemen, including Saada province and Hodeidah, Yemen’s Houthi media reported early on Wednesday (March 19, 2025). The U.S. launched a wave of strikes in areas of Yemen controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthis, who said last week they were resuming attacks on Red Sea shipping to support Palestinians in Gaza. Houthi forces detected hostile military movements in the Red Sea in preparation for launching a large-scale air attack on the country, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Wednesday (March 19, 2025).

Vodafone Idea explores partnership with Musk's Starlink

Vodafone Idea is in exploratory talks with various satellite communication providers, including Starlink, the company said on Wednesday (March 19, 2025), a week after the Indian telecom firm’s rivals signed deals with Elon Musk’s company. The mobile operator made the disclosure after Indian stock exchanges sought a clarification on its stock move and a report by local financial news website Moneycontrol earlier in the day.

IPL 2025: KKR vs LSG match to be rescheduled due to security concerns

Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL home match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 6 at Eden Gardens is likely to be rescheduled, as the city police have not given security clearance due to Ram Navami celebrations. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has earlier announced that over 20,000 processions will take place across West Bengal on Ram Navami, leading to heightened security requirements across the state.