Current Affairs - April 19, 2025 Current Affairs

The state of Andhra Pradesh has taken a landmark decision by approving a draft ordinance aimed at sub-categorising Scheduled Castes (SCs) to ensure a fairer distribution of reservation benefits. The initiative follows the principle of "reservation within reservation" and seeks to address the concerns of underrepresented SC communities like the Madigas, who have historically lagged behind more dominant groups such as the Malas in accessing quotas. Based on recommendations from a commission led by retired IAS officer Rajeev Ranjan Mishra and enabled by a supportive Supreme Court verdict, the ordinance reflects Andhra Pradesh's commitment to social equity and justice.

World Liver Day is observed every year on April 19 to promote awareness about liver-related diseases and their prevention. The observance is supported by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), which initiated the day in 2010. The date also marks the anniversary of EASL’s formation in 1966, giving it historical significance. The theme for the year 2025 is 'Food is Medicine,' highlighting the importance of diet in maintaining liver health. Through various campaigns and educational initiatives on this day, people are encouraged to take preventive measures to protect their livers.

The Asian Under-15 and Under-17 Boxing Championships are being hosted in Amman, the capital city of Jordan. India has sent a strong 56-member squad to compete in this significant continental event. This championship is the first of its kind organized by Asian Boxing and holds official recognition from both the Olympic Council of Asia and the newly established World Boxing body. The selection and participation of Indian athletes in such an important tournament underscore the country's growing emphasis on nurturing young talent in the sport of boxing across international platforms.

The primary goal of the Tata Neu SBI Card partnership between SBI Card and Tata Digital is to enhance the shopping experience by offering significant rewards and exclusive benefits. The card is designed to provide premium shopping experiences, with rewards such as NeuCoins, lounge access, and other lifestyle benefits, which aim to make everyday shopping more rewarding for consumers. The collaboration focuses on customer satisfaction and improved shopping convenience through both physical and digital purchases.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport is situated near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. This strategic location places the port close to international shipping routes, enhancing its potential as a major transhipment hub. Developed through a Public-Private Partnership between the Government of Kerala and Adani Ports, the port is India's first semi-automated deep-water container transhipment terminal. Its natural deep-water harbour allows for the docking of large cargo and container ships without extensive dredging, making it a significant addition to India's maritime infrastructure. The port is expected to boost regional trade with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and contribute to job creation and economic growth in Kerala.

Slovakia became the first nation to sign a defence Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India through the JCBL Group during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit in April 2025. This partnership marks a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing under the "Make-in-India" initiative. The MoU enables co-development of next-generation combat vehicle technologies, with JCBL Group’s defence division, ADSL, spearheading the work. Slovakia will contribute advanced technologies, while manufacturing will occur in India, ensuring technology transfer and boosting local industry. The collaboration also aims to position India as a potential exporter in the global defence market, further enhancing strategic ties.

Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has been appointed as the first-ever brand ambassador from India for the prestigious French luxury fashion house, Chanel. This milestone came shortly after she appeared at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris, marking a significant moment in her fashion journey. Ananya’s association with Chanel adds to her growing portfolio of high-profile international brand endorsements, which already include names like Swarovski, Jimmy Choo, Lakmé, Beats, and Timex. Her rising global presence reflects both her personal style influence and the increasing recognition of Indian talent on international fashion platforms.

BSE, recognized as Asia’s oldest stock exchange, marked its 150th anniversary with a significant development in India’s financial markets—the launch of the BSE 150 Index. This new benchmark index was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to commemorate the exchange's historic legacy. The BSE 150 Index is designed to track the performance of the top 150 companies listed on the exchange, ranked by market capitalization and liquidity. This initiative reflects both the long-standing influence of BSE and its continued commitment to evolving with market trends, offering investors a broader and more insightful perspective on the Indian equity market.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is pioneering a major shift in India’s coal mining sector by becoming the first public sector undertaking (PSU) to adopt paste fill technology. This advanced underground mining method is designed to enhance safety and reduce environmental damage by refilling mined-out areas with a paste made from waste materials. SECL has entered into a ₹7040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited to bring this technology into operation. The move signifies a forward-thinking approach to mining, blending industrial progress with sustainability, and positions SECL as a leader in environmentally responsible coal extraction.

The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission represents a landmark partnership between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Scheduled for launch in June 2025, this Earth observation satellite will use advanced dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar to monitor key environmental changes such as ice sheet melting, forest cover dynamics, and seismic activity. The mission is designed to deliver highly precise data, capable of detecting surface changes as small as 1 cm, making it instrumental for tracking natural disasters and climate impacts. ISRO’s role in this collaboration includes contributing to the launch vehicle and vital payload components, reinforcing its global standing in space science.

Karad, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, has made significant strides in sanitary waste management. The city has successfully implemented a comprehensive system for the segregation, collection, and processing of sanitary and biomedical waste. On a daily basis, Karad handles around 300 to 350 kg of such waste, including items like sanitary napkins, diapers, and hygiene products. These are collected from various sources such as hospitals, clinics, homes, and public places. This achievement underscores the city’s commitment to sustainable and hygienic waste disposal practices, setting an example for other urban areas.