The government has said that around 18 lakh new employees have been enrolled under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIC) in the month of January this year.

As per the provisional payroll data of ESIC released on Monday ( 24 March 2025)), 27,805 new establishments were brought under the social security ambit of the ESI Scheme during the month, ensuring social security for more workers.

Out of the total 18.19 lakh employees added during the month, 8.67 lakh employees, amounting to around 47.66 percent of the total registrations, belong to the age group of up to 25 years.

A gender-wise analysis of the payroll data indicated that the net enrollment of female members was 3.65 lakh in January, and a total of 85 transgender employees have also registered under the ESI Scheme during the month.

The National Gandhi Museum in New Delhi has received a significant collection of artefacts, including hand-spun cloths and historical documents related to Mahatma Gandhi, from the Phoenix Settlement Trust-Gandhi Development Trust (PST-GDT) in South Africa.

The collection includes a red-bordered saree that belonged to Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba, along with a lungi and a portion of a garland made of cotton. 

The garland was spun by Gandhi himself and was worn by Sushilaben during her marriage to his son, Manilal Gandhi.

Among the donated documents are the deed of transfer for the Phoenix Settlement, trading accounts, a publishing license for Indian Opinion  - a newspaper managed by Manilal Gandhi in South Africa - a declaration under the 1858 law for Indian Opinion, and letters written by Manilal to Devadas Gandhi, among several other items.

The Delhi Legislative Assembly has taken a significant step towards digital governance by signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (MoPA), Government of India and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) for the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA). 

• Delhi becomes the 28th legislature to sign MoU with the Ministry for implementation of the project, marking a new chapter in its legislative functioning.
• The occasion was graced by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs; Shri Vijender Gupta, Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly & Shri Umang Narula, Secretary, MoPA.
• Dr. Satya Prakash, Additional Secretary, MoPA & Mission Leader (NeVA); Shri Ranjeet Singh, Secretary, Delhi Legislative Assembly; and Shri Reetesh Singh, Principal Secretary (Law), GNCTD signed the MoU for implementation of the project in Delhi Assembly.

NeVA platform

The NeVA platform, developed under the guidance of the MoPA, aims to enhance legislative procedures by promoting greater efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. The adoption of NeVA by the Delhi Assembly will not only reduce paper consumption but also streamline workflows, empowering Members of the Legislative Assembly with digital tools to improve legislative performance.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has elected noted historian Ashok Singh Thakur as its chairman for a three-year term.

• The announcement came after an election process at its annual general meeting in New Delhi on Saturday ( 29 March 2025).
• The AGM of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was held on 22 March 2025 at the Head Office in New Delhi.
• The Elections were held successfully for the post of Chairman and Governing Council members. After following due procedure the results were declared and Ashok Singh Thakur was elected as Chairman for a period of 3 years.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced the appointment of five new members to the reconstituted Insurance Advisory Committee.

The Insurance Advisory Committee is a body set up by the insurance regulator, which has members representing various sectors such as commerce, industry and consumer groups.

The new members include 

MR Kumar, former chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India and currently non-executive chairman of state-owned Bank of India

Dinesh Kumar Khara, former chairman of State Bank of India

Visakha Mule, CEO of Aditya Birla Capital

Nilesh Shah, MD of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company; Kotak 

Ellis G Vaidyan, former CMD, GIC Re and independent director on the boards of Air India and Tata AIA Life Insurance

?Kerala has become the first Indian state to establish a Senior Citizens' Commission, demonstrating its commitment to the welfare of its elderly population. This pioneering initiative aims to address the unique challenges faced by senior citizens and ensure their well-being.?

Key Features of the Commission:

• Policy Formulation: The commission is tasked with developing and recommending policies tailored to the needs of senior citizens, focusing on areas such as healthcare, social security, and legal protection.?

• Grievance Redressal: It serves as a platform for addressing complaints and issues raised by senior citizens, ensuring timely and effective resolution.?

• Awareness Programs: The commission will conduct campaigns to raise awareness about the rights and privileges of senior citizens, promoting a more inclusive society.?

• Collaboration with NGOs: By partnering with non-governmental organizations, the commission aims to leverage additional resources and expertise to enhance the support system for the elderly.

Tata Motors has roped in Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal as its brand ambassador for both passenger EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

• The appointment marks a significant move for the auto giant as it aims to reinforce its leadership in India's electric vehicle (EV) market.
• Tata Motors, while the leading player in the Indian EV sector, has experienced fluctuations in its market share.  
• Reports indicate that in November 2024, the brand held a 49% market share, a sharp decline from 68% in November 2023. 
• Tata Motors aims to strengthen brand recall and consumer engagement by bringing in a high-profile ambassador.
• This marks the brand's inaugural appointment of a celebrity for its EV segment and the first instance since 2018 that Tata Motors has engaged a brand ambassador, following Hrithik Roshan's signing to promote the updated Tata Tigor model.

Violinist R K Shriramkumar has been awarded the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy for 2025. 

• Known for his deep knowledge of Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsani and his expertise in accompanying legendary musicians, Shriramkumar has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the tradition of Carnatic violin.
• Carnatic singer Shyamala Venkateswaran and senior-most tamil artist Thanjavur R Govindarajan were conferred the Sangita Kala Acharya award.
• RK. Shriramkumar hails from the renowned Rudrapatnam family of musicians in Karnataka.
• His grandfather, violinist R.K. Venkatarama Shastry, was instrumental in conducting the Tyagaraja Aradhana at Thiruvaiyaru for nearly four decades.
• Shriramkumar’s musical lineage includes his granduncle, Sangita Kalanidhi R.K. Srikantan, and his uncles, the Rudrapatnam Brothers—R.N. Thyagarajan and R.N. Tharanathan.

The board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has on March 24 approved increasing the threshold for granular disclosures by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to Rs 50,000 crore from the current Rs 25,000 crore.

• These disclosures are related to ensuring compliance with PMLA/PMLR regulations.
• Cash equity market trading volumes have more than doubled between FY 2022-23 (when the limits were set) and the current FY 2024-25. 
• In light of this, the Board approved a proposal to increase the applicable threshold from the present Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore. 
• FPIs holding more than Rs 50,000 crore of equity AUM in the Indian markets will now be required to make additional disclosures as described in the circular dated August 24, 2023.