Daily Current Affairs – 21-03-2025

Tamil Nadu

India’s military ranking

® According to the ’ 2025 Military Strength ranking ’ released by the Global Firepower Index (GFP) , India is ranked as the world’s 4th most powerful military . ® USA is ranked first, followed by Russia and China . ® In 2025, USA allocated the highest budget to its military ($895 billion ), while India allocated $75 billion .

Report by UNCTAD

® According to the Global Investment Trends Monitor 2024 report released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased by 11% to an estimated $1.4 trillion in 2024. ® FDI in India grew by 13%.

Forbes World Billionaires List 2025

® The combined net worth of the world’s 10 richest individuals is $1.9 trillion . ® SpaceX has become the world’s most valued private company with a valuation of $350 billion . ® USA has the highest number of billionaires (813), followed by China (473) and India (200).

Coffee exports reach new high

® According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), India is the world’s 7th largest coffee producing country , with coffee exports worth $1.29 billion in FY24. ® Over 9,300 tonnes of coffee were exported in the first half of January 2025, with Italy, Belgium, and Russia being the top buyers . ® Domestic coffee consumption in India increased from 84,000 tonnes in 2012 to 91,000 tonnes in 2023. ® Karnataka is the top coffee producing state in India , with a production of 2.48 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) in 2022-23.

Launch of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Portal

® The Ministry of Panchayati Raj recently launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Portal and the Local Indicator Framework (LIF) Booklet for the financial year 2023–24. ® PAI 2.0 is a multidimensional assessment framework designed to evaluate the performance and development of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across nine thematic areas, aligning with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). ® The LIF Booklet provides a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide data collection, validation, and reporting processes, ensuring consistency and accuracy in assessing local governance.

Supreme Court Ruling: K. Umadevi vs Government of Tamil Nadu – Maternity Leave as a Reproductive Right

® In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that maternity leave is an essential part of a woman’s reproductive rights, falling under the ambit of Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). ® The case arose after maternity benefits were denied under Tamil Nadu’s Fundamental Rule 101(a), which restricts maternity benefits only to the first two surviving children. ® The Court held that such a restriction violates a woman’s right to reproductive autonomy. The judgment also invoked: ® Article 42 – mandates just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief. ® Article 51(c) – obliges the State to respect international law and treaty obligations. ® The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (amended in 2017) governs maternity leave policies in India, including extended benefits and workplace protection.

Election Commission Launches ‘ECINET’ Integrated Digital Dashboard

® The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched ‘ECINET’, a unified digital platform to provide single-point access to electoral services for stakeholders. ® The integrates over 40 existing apps and websites, streamlining election-related processes. ® ECINET will be operational during the current Assembly byelections and the upcoming Bihar Assembly election. ® The platform aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and digital governance in election administration.

Election Commission Introduces Mobile Deposit Facility and Canvassing Norms

® The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued new instructions to provide a mobile deposit facility for voters near polling stations and to rationalise canvassing norms. ® These guidelines align with the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. Under the new rules: ® Only mobile phones are allowed within 100 meters of polling stations, and they must be kept switched off. ® Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, which ensures secrecy of voting, will be strictly enforced. ® The mobile deposit facility aims to prevent disturbances and ensure smooth polling while respecting voter convenience.