US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is on a two-and-a-half-day visit to India as part of a multi-nation tour, marking the first high-level trip by a top official from the Donald Trump administration. 

• Gabbard arrived in New Delhi early Sunday( 16 March 2025) and has since engaged in a series of crucial discussions with Indian officials, focusing on intelligence cooperation, cybersecurity, and defence ties.
• During her stay, Gabbard has participated in multiple high-profile meetings and conferences aimed at strengthening bilateral security collaboration.
• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval  also held a meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, America’s Director of National Intelligence in New Delhi. 
• According to sources, the two leaders had a detailed discussion on several facets of Indo-US relations. Tulsi Gabbard is visiting India as a part of her multi-nation visit. 

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025. It is a six month programme from the telecom department that is aimed at developing innovative prototypes leveragin 5G tech.

• During this three-month period fr0m June 15 to September 15, each selected team will receive a seed fund of Rs 1,00,000 to develop their prototypes.
• Final evaluations will take place in late September 2025, with winners announced on October 1. The Technical Expert Evaluation Committee, comprising experts fr0m government, academia, and industry, will assess projects based on technical execution, scalability, societal impact, and innovation.
• The hackathon offers substantial rewards for winners, including Rs 5,00,000 for first place, Rs 3,00,000 for the runner-up, and Rs 1,50,000 for the second runner-up.
• Special recognition will also be given for the Best Idea and Most Innovative Prototype, each receiving Rs 50,000.

The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.

1. The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be held from 17-19 March, 2025 at New Delhi.

2. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dialogue on 17 March. Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, and deliver the keynote address.

3. The 10th Raisina Dialogue will witness participation of representatives from about 125 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of Industry, Technology Leaders, Academics, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth.

4. The theme of the 2025 edition is "Kalachakra - People, Peace and Planet”.

5. Over the course of three days, decision makers and thought leaders of the world will engage each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars:

(i) Politics Interrupted: Shifting Sands and Rising Tides;

(ii) Resolving the Green Trilemma: Who, Where, & How;

(iii) Digital Planet: Agents, Agencies and Absences;

(iv) Militant Mercantilism: Trade, Supply Chains & the Exchange Rate Addiction;

(v) The Tiger’s Tale: Rewriting Development with a New Plan; and (vi) Investing in Peace: Drivers, Institutions, & Leadership.

6. Over 3500 participants from about 125 countries will be joining the Dialogue in-person, and the proceedings will be viewed by millions across the world on various digital platforms.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday( 17 March, 2025) launched a new mobile application for candidates to access the Pradhan Mantri Internship Scheme (PMIS) and urged the industry to participate in the programme.

• Sitharaman said the scheme helps youth, especially in Tier-II and -III cities, to better understand the job market, and the industry can contribute to the country and the economy by participating in the scheme.
•  The second pilot round of the PMIS is underway and the FM said 325 companies have put up nearly 118,000 internship opportunities.
• The scheme has covered all 735 districts of the country.

Salient features of the Scheme are:

• 12-month paid internships in top companies of India.
• This scheme provides an opportunity to the youth to get training, and gain experience and skills within the real-life environment (at least six months) of the businesses or organizations that help in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, in turn, assisting enhancement of her/his employability.
• The scheme targets individuals aged 21 to 24 who are currently not enrolled in any full-time academic program or not in full-time employment, offering them a unique chance to kick-start their careers.
• Each intern will be supported with monthly financial assistance of Rs.5,000, supplemented by one-time financial assistance of Rs. 6,000.

Veteran South African batter Faf du Plessis has been named the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

• The franchise announced the appointment via its social media handles on Monday ( 17 March 2025).
• The Delhi-based team secured du Plessis at his base price of Rs 2 crore during last year's mega auction in Jeddah, after he was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the auction.
• Axar Patel has been appointed Delhi Capitals’ captain for IPL 2025.
• Having been with the franchise since 2019, he was their top retention pick for Rs 16.50 crore ahead of the mega auction last November. 
• Delhi Capitals (DC) will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 24 (Monday) at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. 

The 353rd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 10 to March 20, 2025.

Key highlights

• The Indian delegation was led by Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• Indian delegation made several interventions on key issues, showcasing India's achievements, learnings and perspectives to advance the shared agenda of promoting labour welfare, social justice and quality employment generation globally.
• India extended its support to ILO on the organization of the UN led Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar later this year, as it aims at reinforcing the social dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Social Development. 
• India's inspiring progress in promoting social justice and development was highlighted, as India has doubled its social protection coverage to 48.8 percent, increasing the average global social protection coverage by over 5 percent.