Current Affairs - National

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia beginning April 22 at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit aims to enhance India-Saudi bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening strategic and economic cooperation. A key highlight of the trip will be the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, which both leaders will co-chair. The agenda also includes discussions on regional security, particularly in West Asia, and the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Additionally, PM Modi will visit a factory operated by Indian staff, showcasing the workforce collaboration between the two nations.

India’s prison system is experiencing critical levels of overcrowding, with the national average occupancy rate exceeding 131%. This means that the number of inmates far surpasses the official capacity of the prisons, contributing to a host of issues including deteriorating mental and physical health conditions. Overcrowding hampers the delivery of basic healthcare, increases the spread of communicable diseases, and puts additional strain on an already understaffed medical system. The severity of the overcrowding, combined with a lack of mental health professionals and an unfulfilled prisoner–doctor ratio, underlines a systemic crisis in India’s prison infrastructure.

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.

Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant step toward digital healthcare transformation with the launch of the e-SEHAT App by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This innovative platform enables tele-diagnosis and aims to bridge the healthcare gap, particularly in remote and underserved areas of the region. The app caters to the general public, medical professionals, and students, creating an inclusive ecosystem for e-health services. To ensure its success, the government is focusing on staff training and raising public awareness for better implementation and monitoring. This move highlights J&K’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery and accessibility.