27 March 2025 Current Affairs: Key Updates for Judiciary, APO, and JLO Exams

Stay ahead with 27 March 2025 current affairs for Judiciary, APO, and JLO exams, covering Rajiv Gauba’s appointment to NITI Aayog, India’s first indigenous MRI machine at AIIMS Delhi, the Disaster Management Bill 2024, and more. This blog provides detailed insights into legal, economic, and social developments to boost your 2025 exam preparation.

Introduction

Keeping up with 27 March 2025 current affairs is essential for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants preparing for 2025 exams, as these updates often form the basis of general awareness questions in prelims, mains essays, and interview discussions. From Rajiv Gauba’s appointment as a full-time member of NITI Aayog to the development of India’s first indigenous MRI machine at AIIMS Delhi, today’s events span governance, healthcare, disaster management, sports, and economic policy.

Join Telegram Community

Join WhatsApp Community

Explore Courses

This blog provides a detailed overview of these developments, including the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024, Boilers Bill 2024, social protection data pooling, Sanjay Singh’s election to UWW-Asia, Swaminathan S Iyer’s appointment at IRDAI, ATM fee hikes, and the Finance Bill 2025, offering key insights for your exam preparation.

1. Rajiv Gauba Appointed Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog

On March 25, 2025, Rajiv Gauba, a seasoned bureaucrat, was appointed as a full-time member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, with his appointment approved by the Prime Minister. He will serve under the same terms as other full-time members of the organization.

Career Background and Contributions

Profile: Gauba is a 1982-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, who served as the Cabinet Secretary of India from 2019 to August 2024, making him the top bureaucrat during that period.
Key Contributions: He played a pivotal role in shaping India’s COVID-19 response, coordinating inter-ministerial efforts to manage the pandemic, and driving economic recovery strategies post-COVID.
Previous Roles: Gauba has held significant positions, including Union Home Secretary, Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development, and Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, showcasing his extensive experience in governance and policy-making.

About NITI Aayog

Full Form: National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
Established: January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission to align with India’s dynamic, market-driven economy.
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Chairperson: Prime Minister of India (currently Narendra Modi)
Vice Chairperson: Suman Bery (as of 2025)
CEO: B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (as of 2025)
Objective: To foster cooperative federalism and promote sustainable development through policy planning and innovation.
Key Initiatives:
- Aspirational Districts Programme: Focuses on improving socio-economic indicators in underdeveloped districts.
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Promotes entrepreneurship and innovation through initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs.
- India Innovation Index: Ranks states based on their innovation capabilities.
- SDG India Index: Measures progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Governing Council: Comprises Chief Ministers of all states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, and other policymakers.

2. India Develops First Indigenous MRI Machine for Trials at AIIMS Delhi

India has achieved a significant milestone in healthcare technology with the development of its first indigenous MRI machine, set to be installed at AIIMS Delhi for trials by October 2025.

Details of the Initiative

Collaboration: The project is a partnership between AIIMS Delhi and the Society for Applied Microwave Electronic Engineering and Research (SAMEER), an autonomous R&D body under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Technical Specifications: The MRI machine has a 1.5 tesla capacity, suitable for advanced medical imaging and clinical trials. It awaits permission for clinical and human trials, as India currently lacks a validation mechanism for MRI standards.
Objective: The initiative aims to reduce import dependency in medical devices and lower treatment costs, aligning with the Make in India campaign.
Medical Device Imports: In FY24, India’s medical device import bill was ₹68,885 crore, a 13% increase from ₹61,179 crore in FY23, underscoring the need for self-reliance.
Significance: This development is part of the Centre’s push for self-reliance in medical technology, reducing costs for patients and enhancing India’s global standing in healthcare innovation.

3. Parliament Passes Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

The Parliament passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024 with the Rajya Sabha’s approval, following its passage in the Lok Sabha in December 2023, marking a significant update to India’s disaster management framework.

Key Amendments and Features

Empowered Authorities: The bill amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005, empowering the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) to prepare disaster plans at the national and state levels, replacing the roles of the National and State Executive Committees.
Urban Disaster Management: It allows states to establish Urban Disaster Management Authorities for state capitals and cities with municipal corporations, addressing urban-specific disaster risks.
Disaster Database: The bill mandates the creation of a disaster database at both national and state levels to improve data-driven disaster preparedness.
Technological Integration: It promotes a shift from manual monitoring to AI-based real-time monitoring for faster and more accurate disaster responses.
Decentralized Authority: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is granted significant powers, countering concerns of centralization and ensuring localized response capabilities.
Funding and Preparedness: The government has allocated ₹6,194 crore for State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) battalions in 19 states as of June 23, 2023, to enhance disaster response capabilities.
Objective: The bill aims to transition from a reactive response to a proactive risk reduction approach, involving society and citizens in disaster management.

4. Parliament Passes Boilers Bill 2024 to Enhance Safety and Ease of Business

The Parliament passed the Boilers Bill 2024, repealing the Boilers Act, 1923, to modernize regulations for boiler operations and enhance safety measures.

Key Features of the Bill

Objective: The bill aims to protect life and property from boiler explosions by ensuring uniformity in registration and inspection across India.
Ease of Doing Business: It benefits boiler users, particularly MSMEs, by incorporating decriminalization provisions for minor offenses, reducing legal burdens on small businesses.
Penalties: Out of seven offenses, four major ones with potential risks to life and property retain criminal penalties, while the rest are subject to fiscal penalties.
Third-Party Inspection: The bill retains the third-party inspection provision introduced in 2007 during the UPA regime, ensuring independent safety checks.
Environmental Concerns: The government prioritizes climate change and has eased procedures to support small businesses while promoting sustainable practices.
State Definition: The bill defines the state government, a clarification missing in the Boilers Act, 1923, ensuring better implementation.
Significance: The legislation aims to reduce boiler explosion incidents, enhance monitoring and maintenance, and promote industrial safety.

The Labour and Employment Ministry, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and states, has launched a social protection data pooling exercise to enhance welfare coverage in India.

Details of the Initiative

Phase One Implementation: The first phase covers 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, focusing on data consolidation at the central level.
Data Processing: Over 200 crore records were processed using encrypted Aadhaar as a unique identifier across 34 major central schemes, such as MGNREGA, EPFO, ESIC, APY, and PM-POSHAN.
Coverage Statistics: Approximately 65% of India’s population is covered by at least one social protection benefit, with 48.8% receiving cash benefits.
Objective: The initiative aims to help central and state governments optimize welfare spending, move towards sustainable financing, and identify unique beneficiaries under state-specific schemes.

6. Asian Wrestling Championship: Sunil Kumar Wins Bronze in 87 kg Greco-Roman Category

Indian wrestler Sunil Kumar clinched a bronze medal in the 87 kg Greco-Roman category at the Asian Wrestling Championship 2025 held in Amman, Jordan.

Details of the Achievement

Bronze Medal Match: Sunil defeated China’s Jiaxin Huang in the bronze medal match after losing in the semifinals.
Previous Matches: In the quarterfinal, he secured a 10-1 victory over Tajikistan’s Sukhrob Abdulkhaev, scoring all his points in the second period.
Semifinal Loss: Sunil was defeated by Iran’s Yasin Yazdi with a 3-1 score in the semifinal clash.
Other Indian Performance: Sagar Thakran won his 77 kg qualification bout but lost 10-0 in the quarterfinal to Jordan’s Amro Sadeh, who advanced with a 4-point throw from par terre.

7. Swaminathan S Iyer Appointed as IRDAI Whole-Time Life Member

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Swaminathan S Iyer as the whole-time member (life) of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Details of the Appointment

Tenure: Iyer will serve for five years from the date of assuming charge or until he attains the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier.
Professional Background: Iyer is currently the Executive Vice-President – Head, Legal, Company Secretary, Regulatory Affairs, and ESG at Tata AIA Life Insurance.
Previous Roles: He previously served as Senior Vice-President – Legal and Compliance and Company Secretary at HDFC Standard Life Insurance, bringing over 34 years of experience in the life insurance sector.

About IRDAI

Full Form: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
Established: 1999, under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
Chairperson: Debasish Panda (as of 2025)
Composition: A 10-member body, including 1 chairman, 5 full-time members, and 4 part-time members.
Role:
- Regulates insurance and reinsurance sectors in India.
- Protects policyholders’ interests.
- Monitors policy issuers to prevent consumer exploitation.
FDI in Insurance:
- In 2000, foreign firms were allowed a 26% stake in Indian insurance companies.
- The FDI cap was raised to 49%, and later to 100% in the Budget 2020.

8. RBI and NPCI Approve ₹2 Hike in ATM Interchange Fee from May 1, 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have approved a ₹2 increase in the ATM interchange fee for cash withdrawals, effective from May 1, 2025.

Details of the Fee Hike

Revised Charges:
- Cash Withdrawals: Increased from ₹17 to ₹19.
- Non-Financial Transactions: Set at ₹7 (excluding GST).
Exemptions: The revised fee does not apply to:
- Micro-ATMs
- Interoperable cash deposits (card-based and UPI-based)
- International ATM transactions
Balance Enquiry Fee: Set at ₹7 (excluding GST) for transactions in Nepal and Bhutan.
GST Applicability: Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied separately on the interchange fee.

About NPCI

Full Form: National Payments Corporation of India
Established: 2008
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Regulator: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
Chairman: Biswamohan Mahapatra (as of 2025)
CEO: Dilip Asbe (as of 2025)
Ownership: Owned by RBI and 56 Indian banks, including both public and private sector banks.
Key Products and Services:
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface): Real-time mobile payments system.
- RuPay: Domestic card payment network.
- IMPS (Immediate Payment Service): Instant interbank electronic fund transfer.
- NFS (National Financial Switch): ATM network.
- AePS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System): Aadhaar-linked financial transactions.
- BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System): Bill payments platform.
- NETC (National Electronic Toll Collection): FASTag for toll payments.

Reason for Inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan in NFS Network

Cross-Border Financial Cooperation: Nepal and Bhutan are part of India’s regional financial cooperation efforts, enabling seamless cross-border ATM transactions.
Rupee Usage: The Indian Rupee (INR) is widely accepted in Nepal and Bhutan, facilitating easy access to banking services for Indian travelers.
Bilateral Agreements: India has agreements with Nepal and Bhutan for ATM interoperability, ensuring standardized fees and withdrawal limits.

9. WFI President Sanjay Singh Elected as UWW-Asia Bureau Member

Sanjay Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has been elected as a bureau member of United World Wrestling-Asia (UWW-Asia), securing 22 out of 38 votes during the UWW-Asia General Assembly in Amman, Jordan, ahead of the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championships.

Details of the Election

WFI Leadership: Singh became WFI President in December 2023 after elections following a year-long protest by top Indian wrestlers against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment.
Recent Development: Singh gained complete control of WFI after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports lifted its ban on the federation in March 2025, allowing WFI to resume operations fully.

About United World Wrestling (UWW)

Former Name: Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (FILA)
Founded: 1912
Headquarters: Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland
President: Nenad Lalović (as of 2025)

10. Lok Sabha Passes Finance Bill 2025 with 35 Amendments

The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2025 with 35 amendments, marking a significant step in India’s budgetary process for the fiscal year 2025-26.

Key Highlights of the Finance Bill 2025

Major Amendment: The bill abolishes the 6% digital tax, known as the ‘Google Tax’, on online advertisements to address international economic uncertainties.
Budget Overview:
- Total Expenditure: ₹50.65 trillion for FY 2025-26, a 7.4% increase over the ₹47.16 trillion revised estimate for FY25.
- Fiscal Deficit: Projected at 4.4% for FY26, down from 4.8% in FY25.
- Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS): Allocation of ₹5,41,850.21 crore for FY26, up from ₹4,15,356.25 crore for FY25.
Next Steps: The bill will now move to the Rajya Sabha for consideration, and upon approval, the Budget process for 2025-26 will be complete.
New Income Tax Bill: Introduced on February 13, 2025, this bill will be discussed in the Monsoon Session starting in July 2025, currently under review by the Select Committee.

Relevance for Judiciary, APO, and JLO Aspirants

The 27 March 2025 current affairs provide a wealth of information for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants:

Prelims: Focus on factual details like names, dates, and numbers (e.g., Rajiv Gauba, 1.5 tesla MRI, 35 amendments, ₹7 non-financial transaction fee).
Mains: Analyze broader themes such as governance (NITI Aayog’s role in policy-making), public health (indigenous MRI’s impact on healthcare costs), disaster management (DM Bill’s focus on AI-based monitoring), economic policy (Finance Bill’s Google Tax abolition), and social welfare (social protection data pooling).
Interviews: Discuss the implications of these events on policy-making (e.g., Gauba’s role in NITI Aayog), healthcare innovation (indigenous MRI), disaster resilience (DM Bill), economic stability (Finance Bill), and international sports governance (Sanjay Singh’s UWW-Asia role). These topics showcase your awareness of contemporary issues and their legal, social, and economic dimensions.

Conclusion

The 27 March 2025 current affairs offer a diverse range of updates for Judiciary, APO, and JLO aspirants, from Rajiv Gauba’s appointment to NITI Aayog and the development of India’s first indigenous MRI machine to legislative advancements like the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024, Boilers Bill 2024, and Finance Bill 2025. These events, alongside initiatives like social protection data pooling, Sanjay Singh’s election to UWW-Asia, Swaminathan S Iyer’s role at IRDAI, and the ATM fee hike, provide critical insights into governance, healthcare, economic policy, and sports. By integrating these updates into your preparation, you can excel in prelims, mains, and interviews, ensuring you’re well-equipped to tackle the 2025 exams with confidence.

Call-to-Action

Boost your exam prep with the latest 27 March 2025 current affairs! Join Doon Law Mentor’s Courses for expert guidance. Follow @doonlawmentor on Instagram for daily updates!

FAQs

Who has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog in 2025?
Rajiv Gauba, a 1982-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog.
What is the role of NITI Aayog in India’s governance?
NITI Aayog fosters cooperative federalism and promotes sustainable development through policy planning and initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme.
Which organization collaborated with AIIMS Delhi to develop India’s first indigenous MRI machine?
SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronic Engineering and Research) collaborated with AIIMS Delhi.
What is the tesla capacity of India’s first indigenously-developed MRI machine?
The MRI machine has a 1.5 tesla capacity.
Which authorities are empowered to prepare disaster plans under the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024?
The NDMA and SDMA are empowered to prepare disaster plans at the national and state levels.
What technological upgrade does the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024 promote?
It promotes AI-based real-time monitoring for faster and more accurate disaster responses.
Which bill was passed by Parliament in 2024 to regulate boiler operations?
The Boilers Bill 2024 was passed to enhance safety and ease of business.
Which sector benefits from the decriminalization provisions in the Boilers Bill 2024?
The MSME sector benefits from these provisions.
Who has been elected as the bureau member of United World Wrestling-Asia in 2025?
Sanjay Singh, President of the WFI, was elected as a bureau member of UWW-Asia.
How many amendments were included in the Finance Bill 2025 passed by the Lok Sabha?
The Finance Bill 2025 was passed with 35 amendments.