School Assembly News Headlines: 20 March 2025

1. Telangana Government Presents ₹3.049 Lakh Crore Budget, Focuses on Six Poll Guarantees and Welfare Schemes
The Congress-led Telangana government allocated ₹56,000 crore for welfare schemes. Deputy CM Vikramarka announced plans to raise ₹64,000 crore through market loans, prioritizing agriculture, irrigation, and power sectors.

2. Punjab Farmers and Government Officials Conclude Three-Hour Talks, Next Meeting Scheduled for May 4
Farmer unions met Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Piyush Goyal, and Prahlad Joshi. Punjab Ministers also participated. Discussions continue regarding agricultural policies and farmers’ demands.

3. Telangana Budget Prioritizes Agriculture, Irrigation, and Power With ₹3.04 Lakh Crore Allocation
Deputy CM Vikramarka presented the budget, with ₹24,439 crore allocated to agriculture. The Rythu Bharosa scheme grants ₹12,000 per farmer annually. Capital expenditure is estimated at ₹36,504 crore.

4. Indore’s 200-Year-Old Rangpanchami Ger Procession to Witness Chief Minister’s Participation
The historic Ger procession attracts visitors from across India and abroad. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will join the celebrations, which trace back to the Holkar dynasty’s cultural traditions.

5. Tamil Nadu Launches Open Challenge to Assess Literacy and Numeracy in Primary Schools
The Elementary Education Directorate invites officials, alumni, and stakeholders to evaluate student proficiency in Tamil, English, and Mathematics across 4,552 schools amid concerns over declining literacy levels.

1. France-Algeria Diplomatic Rift Deepens Over Deportation of 60 Algerians
Algeria has rejected France’s list of 60 Algerians marked for deportation, criticizing France for bypassing diplomatic protocols. This dispute further strains bilateral relations, which have deteriorated significantly in the past year.

2. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Collapses as Airstrikes in Gaza Cause Over 400 Casualties
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in over 400 casualties, marking a major escalation. Both sides blame each other for violating the ceasefire, which had held since January, making diplomatic progress increasingly difficult.

3. Sri Lanka Records 5.4% Economic Growth in Q4 2024, Highest Since 2014
Sri Lanka’s economy expanded at its highest rate in a decade, reaching a GDP of $99 billion. Per capita income surpassed $4,000 for the first time, supported by a strengthened rupee appreciating by 10% in 2024.

4. NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Return Safely After Nine-Month Space Mission
NASA astronauts completed their mission aboard the ISS and landed safely off the coast of Florida in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. They will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth’s gravity.

5. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Rejects Trump’s Call to Impeach Judges Over Deportation Ruling
Chief Justice John Roberts dismissed President Trump’s demand to remove a judge who ruled against his deportation plans, deepening tensions between the judiciary and executive branches over constitutional powers.

1. IOC Presidential Race Heats Up: Samaranch Jr., Coe, and Coventry Lead the Contest
The battle to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC President reaches its peak, with Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Sebastian Coe, and Kirsty Coventry emerging as the frontrunners in the historic election set to take place in Greece.

2. Swiss Open 2025: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Enter Women’s Doubles Pre-Quarterfinals
India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a straight-sets victory over Switzerland’s Aline Müller and Netherlands’ Kelly van Buiten in the first round. They will now compete against Germany’s Selin Hubsch and Amelie Lehmann in the next round.

3. Khelo India Para Games 2025 Anthem, Mascot, and Logo Unveiled in New Delhi
The official anthem, mascot, and logo for the Khelo India Para Games 2025 were launched by Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. The games will be held in New Delhi from tomorrow until March 27, providing a platform for para-athletes to shine.

4. Women’s Champions League: Real Madrid Beat Arsenal 2-0, Lyon Secure Victory Over Bayern
Goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo handed Real Madrid a 2-0 win against Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, while eight-time champions Lyon defeated Bayern Munich by the same scoreline.

5. Usman Khawaja Faces Backlash for Attending F1 Grand Prix Despite Injury Layoff
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has sparked controversy after being seen at the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne despite citing a hamstring injury to miss Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match. Queensland Cricket’s Head of Elite Cricket questioned his absence from the game.

1. PhysicsWallah Files Draft Papers for ₹4,600 Crore IPO via Confidential Pre-Filing Route
Edtech giant PhysicsWallah has taken the confidential pre-filing route to raise ₹4,600 crore through an IPO, allowing it to submit documents to SEBI without immediately disclosing financial details, as per an ET report.

2. Commerce Secretary Advocates Mini Trade Agreements to Counter Global Protectionism
Commerce Secretary Sunil Bharthwal emphasized that trade will remain a key growth driver despite rising protectionist trends. He suggested signing phased mini trade agreements with global partners to avoid prolonged negotiations and sustain business interest.

3. Union Cabinet Approves ₹1,500 Crore Incentive Scheme for Low-Value BHIM-UPI Transactions
The government has sanctioned an incentive scheme to promote UPI payments under ₹2,000 among small merchants. Running from April 2024 to March 2025, this ₹1,500 crore initiative aligns with India’s vision of a less-cash economy.

4. National Security Now a Key Factor in Global Business Decisions: EAM Jaishankar
At the Raisina Dialogue, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored how national security concerns are increasingly shaping global business strategies, particularly in the digital age.

5. India’s Financial Inclusion Drive: Over 55 Crore Jan Dhan Accounts Opened Since 2014
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has facilitated the opening of 55.02 crore accounts, with 36.63 crore in rural and semi-urban areas, reinforcing India’s financial inclusion efforts, as per Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.

1. Google Introduces AI-Powered Features in Gemini Chatbot for Enhanced Productivity
Google has launched new AI-driven tools in its Gemini chatbot, including Audio Overview, which creates podcast-style discussions from uploaded files, and Canvas, a collaborative workspace for real-time document and code editing.

2. Nvidia CEO Predicts Humanoid Robots Will Enter Manufacturing Within Five Years
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced that humanoid robots could be widely used in manufacturing within the next five years. Speaking at the company’s annual developer conference, he introduced new software tools designed to help robots navigate and operate more efficiently.

3. Hong Kong Passes Cybersecurity Law with Penalties Up to HK$5 Million
Hong Kong has enacted a cybersecurity law requiring critical infrastructure operators to strengthen systems and report cyber incidents. The law, effective in 2026, imposes penalties of up to HK$5 million ($640,000) for non-compliance.

4. Tencent to Increase AI Investments, Plans Higher Capital Expenditure in 2025
Chinese tech giant Tencent has announced plans to significantly boost capital expenditure in 2025, with a focus on AI development and infrastructure. The company will allocate a “low teens” percentage of its revenue for strategic AI investments.

5. Chinese AI Startup Zhipu AI Secures $41.5 Million Investment from Chengdu Government Fund
Zhipu AI, a leading Chinese AI startup, has received a 300 million yuan ($41.5 million) investment from a Chengdu government-backed fund. This follows multiple funding rounds from local governments, strengthening China’s push for domestic AI development amid competition with the U.S.