Current affairs 18 March 2025

Global Displacement to Rise by 6.7 Million Amid Aid Cuts.

• The Danish Refugee Council predicts 6.7 million new displacements by 2026, adding to the 117 million forcibly displaced worldwide.
• AI-driven analysis shows Sudan and Myanmar will account for a major share, with Sudan already facing the worst refugee crisis.
• Aid cuts, including U.S. foreign aid reductions, are impacting refugee programs, worsening conditions for millions at risk.

ISRO's Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport to Launch SSLV in 2027.

• ISRO’s Kulasekarapattinam spaceport in Tamil Nadu will launch its first Small Satellite Launch Vehicle in 2027, supporting polar launches of up to 500 kg.
• The spaceport, ISRO’s second outside Andhra Pradesh, will be fully operational in 24 months with industry participation.
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced the launch timeline at IIT Madras while inaugurating a new research center.

Global Engagement Scheme to Promote Indian Art & Culture.

• The Ministry of Culture launched the Global Engagement Scheme to enhance India's cultural presence and strengthen global ties.
• Festival of India enables Indian artists to perform globally, showcasing folk, classical & contemporary art forms.
• Grants support Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies, while ICCR promotes Indian culture through cultural centers, scholarships & global events.

IKS Health Tops AI-Driven RCM in Black Book 2025 Rankings.

• IKS Health was named the 2025 Black Book Research leader in AI-driven Revenue Cycle Management, excelling in claims processing and denial prevention.
• Ranked No.1 among 20 vendors, it supports 700+ U.S. healthcare organizations with AI-powered RCM solutions.
• The ranking is based on a survey of 1,037 RCM professionals across hospitals, health systems, and medical groups.

India’s WPI Inflation Rises to 2.38% in February 2025.

• The annual Wholesale Price Index inflation stood at 2.38% in February 2025, driven by higher price in food products, textile & manufacturing.
• The WPI Food Index dropped from 191.4 in January to 189.0 in February, with food inflation declining from 7.47% to 5.94%.
• Fuel & Power index rose by 2.12%, while Primary Articles fell by 1.74%, Manufactured Products increased by 0.42% month-over-month.