Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th April 2025

National:

• Mission Amrit Sarovar, launched on April 24, 2022, aims to rejuvenate 75 water bodies per district under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. By March 2025, over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars have been completed, enhancing water availability and ecological balance.

• On April 18, 2025, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) announced using paste fill technology at the Singhali mine, Chhattisgarh, making it the first coal PSU in India to adopt this eco-friendly method. This technology fills voids with a paste of fly ash, overburden, cement, and water, preventing land subsidence and supporting sustainable mining practices.
• Union Minister C.R. Patil reviewed key projects of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on April 16, 2025 in New Delhi. Initiatives included restoring aquatic biodiversity, improving river health, and mobilizing 5,000 Ganga Praharis.
• On April 16, 2025, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Amravati Airport in Vidarbha. He also announced Southeast Asia's largest pilot training institute, set to train 180 pilots annually using 34 aircraft near the airport.
• New York City has declared April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day’ to honor his birth anniversary. The proclamation was made by Mayor Eric Adams at the United Nations Headquarters on April 14, 2025. This move celebrates Ambedkar’s contributions to equality, justice, and human rights.
• The Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra have been added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register on April 18, 2025, recognizing their global cultural significance. These texts are celebrated for shaping India's philosophical and aesthetic heritage. Prime Minister Modi called this a proud moment for India, which now has 14 entries in the register.
• TheCentral Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is setting up its 11th CoBRA battalion for anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, announced on April 17, 2025, during its 86th Raising Day celebrations. This unit specializes in jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics to address rising militancy in regions like Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, and Poonch.
• Maharashtra announced its new language policy on April 17, 2025, under NEP 2020, effective from the 2025-26 academic year. Hindi will be a mandatory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. The rollout begins with Class 1 in 2025 and will include all grades by 2028.

International:

• On April 17, 2025, India signed the Headquarters Agreement with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to host its Secretariat permanently. India committed ₹150 crore for infrastructure and operational costs over five years. The agreement includes provisions for visas and privileges for IBCA staff.
• On April 17, 2025, the United States informed the WTO that its steel and aluminum tariffs were imposed under Section 232 for national security reasons. It rejected India's claim that these tariffs act as safeguard measures requiring WTO consultations.
• The 2025 TIME 100 Most Influential People list, released on April 17, 2025, features global icons like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Muhammad Yunus, but no Indian nationals were included. However, Indian-origin Reshma Kewalramani was recognized for her achievements in biotechnology.
• India and 62 other nations agreed on the world’s first global carbon tax for the shipping industry at the international Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London on April 12, 2025. The tax aims to reduce shipping’s 3% global emissions by promoting cleaner fuels, effective from 2028. It could generate $40 billion by 2030 for decarbonizing shipping.

Banking:

• RBI cancelled the licence of Colour Merchants Co-operative Bank, Ahmedabad, on April 16, 2025, due to inadequate capital and regulatory non-compliance. The bank’s liquidation process will be initiated by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Gujarat. Depositors are insured up to ₹5 lakh under Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), covering 98.51% of depositors.
• The RBI approved UK-based Revolut as a Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) issuer on April 16, 2025. This enables Revolut to offer digital wallets, prepaid cards, and UPI-based services in India. The company aims to merge global fintech innovation with Indian market needs.
• SBI Card and Tata Digital launched the co-branded ‘Tata Neu SBI Card’ on April 16, 2025. It offers rewards in NeuCoins, redeemable via the Tata Neu app, with up to 10% NeuCoins for Tata Neu Infinity users and 7% NeuCoins for Tata Neu Plus.
• The SBI ‘Amrit Vrishti’ FD Scheme is back from April 15, 2025, offering a 444-day tenure. Interest rates are 7.05% for general customers, 7.55% for senior citizens, and 7.65% for super senior citizens. The rates are slightly lower than the previous version of the scheme.
• On April 17, 2025, the RBI imposed fines on Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank, and Punjab National Bank for regulatory non-compliance. Kotak Mahindra was fined ₹61.4 lakh, IDFC First ₹38.6 lakh, and PNB ₹29.6 lakh.
• The CCI approved Patanjali Ayurved and five entities' acquisition of a 98.055% stake in Magma General Insurance Ltd (MGIL) for ₹4,500 crore on April 16, 2025. The deal, cleared under the green channel route, ensures no competition concerns.

MoUs:

• India and Slovakia signed a Defence MoU on April 15, 2025, during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Slovakia. The agreement aims to co-develop and manufacture next-generation combat vehicles under the Make-in-India initiative. It focuses on technology transfer, boosting domestic defence capabilities, and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Sports:

• Will Pucovski, the 27-year-old Australian cricketer, retired from all forms of cricket on April 8, 2025, due to recurring concussions and health issues like motion sickness and fatigue. His decision follows a career impacted by 13 concussions, including one in March 2024.

Important Days:

• The International Day for Monuments and Sites, or World Heritage Day, is observed on April 18 annually. The 2025 theme, "Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage", focuses on safeguarding cultural and natural heritage from challenges. Established by ICOMOS in 1982 and endorsed by UNESCO, it promotes heritage preservation globally.
• World Liver Day, observed on 19 April, raises awareness about liver health and the prevention of liver diseases. The 2025 theme, "Food is Medicine", emphasizes the importance of balanced nutrition in maintaining liver health. It highlights lifestyle changes like healthy eating, exercise, and reducing alcohol consumption.

Appointments:

• Santosh Kumar has been promoted to Deputy CFO of IndusInd Bank, effective April 18, 2025. He will manage the finance and accounts functions until a full-time CFO is appointed. Kumar, with over 20 years of experience, has worked at ICICI Bank and PwC.

Books:

• The book ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’, a compilation of 34 speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Indian culture, traditions, and heritage, was launched on April 18, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi. Published by Prabhat Prakashan.

Questions:

Q.1 The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Secretariat will be hosted by which country?
a) South Africa
b) Russia
c) Brazil
d) India

Answer: d) India signed the Headquarters Agreement with IBCA on April 17, 2025, committing ₹150 crore for infrastructure. The alliance focuses on conserving big cats like tigers, lions, and leopards.

Q.2 Which texts were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register on April 18, 2025?
a) Ramayana and Mahabharata
b) Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra
c) Vedas and Upanishads
d) Arthashastra and Manusmriti

Answer: b) The Bhagavad Gita (philosophical scripture) and Natyashastra (ancient treatise on performing arts) were inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, bringing India’s total entries to 14.