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CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Financial Intelligence Unit imposes ₹37 lakh penalty on Union Bank of India

• The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has slapped a Rs 37 lakh penalty on Union Bank of India for discrepancies in reporting suspicious transactions for 2011-2014.
• Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) in its order dated April 15 imposed a penalty of Rs 37 lakh for “discrepancies observed in a matter for the year 2011 to 2014 in reporting of suspicious transactions”.

Recent News:

• In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)and the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

About Financial Intelligence Unit:

• Headquarters: Connaught Place, New Delhi
• Founded: 18 November 2004
• Agency executive: Vivek Aggarwal, IAS, Director
• Minister responsible: Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance
• Parent department: Department of Revenue

About Union Bank of India (UBI):

• Founded Year: 1919
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO: A. Manimekhalai
• Slogan: “Good People to Bank With”

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposes higher mutual fund investment limits in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs)

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper dated April 17, 2025, seeking public comments on proposed changes to mutual fund (MF) investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs).
• The proposal aims to broaden investment avenues for mutual funds and enhance liquidity in these instruments by increasing existing investment limits.

Key Highlights:

• Currently, MF schemes are restricted to investing a maximum of 10% of their net asset value (NAV) in REITs and InvITs, with a 5% cap per issuer.
• SEBI proposes raising these limits to 10% per issuer and up to 20% overall for equity and hybrid schemes.
• Debt schemes, however, would maintain the 10% overall cap due to the higher risk profile of REITs and InvITs.
• SEBI has also received suggestions to classify REITs and InvITs as equity instruments and include them in equity indices.
• While stakeholders highlighted features aligning with equity—such as ownership rights and performance-linked distributions—the Mutual Fund Advisory Committee (MFAC) and the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) advised maintaining their classification as hybrid instruments.
• Given their unique structure, the proposal for a dedicated MF scheme was not recommended at this stage, citing limited market size and liquidity.
• As of December 31, 2024, mutual fund exposure to these instruments stood at ₹20,087 crore, with average allocations of 2.1% in equity schemes, 3.7% in debt schemes, and 2.4% in hybrid schemes.
• There are currently four Reits and 17 InvITs listed on Indian exchanges — though many remain illiquid.

Recent News:

• In March 2025, SEBI revised its regulations to lower the minimum investment in the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from ₹10,000 to ₹1,000, making social impact investments more accessible to smaller investors.

About SEBI:

• Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) plans to infuse $800 million in  Climate Fund for small businesses

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will sign an agreement with the Green Climate Fund in mid-May to support small businesses in adopting low-emission and climate-resilient technologies.
• The bank would infuse $800 million, a major portion of which will be raised to build a $1 billion fund, including the existing Global Climate Fund (GCF) for the project.
• Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which the Economic Survey 2024-25 estimated to contribute about 30% of India’s GDP, are a significant emitter of greenhouse gases and vulnerable to extreme weather events.
• The International Energy Agency projects India’s energy consumption to increase by 50% by 2030.
• In July 2024, the GCF approved $215.6 million to implement Financing Mitigation and Adaptation Projects (FMAP) for Indian MSMEs.
• The funding comprised $200 million to be offered at concessional rates, while the remaining $15.6 million is in grant support.
• The programme is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 35.3 million tonnes.

Recent News:

• In April 2025, SEBI revised its regulations to lower the minimum investment in the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from ₹10,000 to ₹1,000, making social impact investments more accessible to smaller investors.

About Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):

• It is an All India Development Financial Institution (DFI) focused on financing and developing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India.
• Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• Founded: April 2, 1990, by the Government of India
• Chairman & Managing Director: Shri Manoj Mittal

About GCF:

• GCF, a multilateral financing entity, was established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010 to support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’: A Cultural Reflection through the Voice of the Prime Minister

• A new book titled ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’ was launched at the Samvet Auditorium, On the occasion of World Heritage Day (18 April), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.
• The book is a curated collection of speeches and thoughts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on India’s cultural, spiritual, and traditional heritage.

Notable Dignitaries Present

• Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj
  • Spiritual head of the Juna Akhara
  • Released the book, adding deep spiritual resonance to the event
• Shri Harivansh
  • Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
  • Presided over the function, highlighting the parliamentary commitment to cultural dialogue
• Shri Ram Bahadur Rai
  • Chairman of IGNCA and Guest of Honour
  • Renowned journalist and promoter of Indian cultural narratives

About the Book: ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’

• Title Meaning: Translates to “The Fifth Chapter of Culture”
• Content Focus:
  • Indian Culture and Heritage
  • Spiritual Philosophy and Indian Wisdom
  • Folk Arts and Traditional Knowledge Systems
  • India’s Cultural Diplomacy and Global Cultural Recognition
• Objective:
  To present the Prime Minister’s vision of India’s cultural essence through his speeches delivered on various national and international platforms.

Editorial Contributions

• Editor: Prabhat Ojha, noted scholar and writer
• Foreword: Authored by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai
• Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan, a leading Indian publisher renowned for political and cultural literature

Jan Dhan Yojana Deposits Cross ₹2.63 Lakh Crore Mark in April 2025

• As of April 9, 2025, deposits in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) no frills accounts climbed to an alltime high of ₹2.63 lakh crore, reflecting strong uptake beyond mere benefit transfers.

Scheme Overview

• Launch Date: August 28, 2014
• Objective: Ensure universal banking access by providing zerobalance accounts to unbanked households.
• Key Features:
  • Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account per unbanked adult
  • Overdraft limit of ₹10,000
  • Free RuPay debit card with ₹2 lakh accident insurance
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Interest of 3–4% on deposits

Account and Deposit Statistics

• Total Accounts: 552.8 million
• RuPay Debit Cards Issued: 379.8 million
• Total Deposits: ₹2,63,145 crore (up from ₹2,34,997 crore a year ago)
• Average Deposit per Account: ₹4,760

Role of the JAM Trinity

• Components: Jan Dhan (bank accounts), Aadhaar (biometric ID), Mobile connectivity
• Impact: Enabled realtime Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs), notably during the COVID19 crisis.
• Savings: DBT of subsidies saved nearly ₹3.5 trillion between FY 2015 and FY 2023.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Telangana’s Bhu Bharati act: A legislation to resolve land issues

• The Government of Telangana has introduced the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act, 2025 to reform land administration.
• The Act addresses major grievances that arose from the earlier Dharani portal system and aims to ensure a transparent, efficient, and inclusive land governance mechanism by promoting decentralisation and citizen participation.

Background: Challenges with the Dharani Portal

• Introduced in 2020 as a unified portal for land transactions and registrations.
• Faced widespread criticism due to:
  • Incorrect classification of land (agricultural/non-agricultural).
  • Missing survey numbers and ownership discrepancies.
  • Absence of local grievance redressal, forcing people to approach civil courts.
  • Highly centralised system, inaccessible to many in rural areas.

Objectives of the Bhu Bharati Act

• To decentralise the grievance redressal process.
• To rectify land record errors and ensure accuracy.
• To create a robust legal and administrative framework for land transactions.
• To introduce cost-free services for farmers and landholders.
• To promote inclusive policy-making through public consultations.

RECENT NEWS

• The Telangana government has become the first in India to implement Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation, following the Supreme Court’s approval. On April 14, 2025—coinciding with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary—the state issued a Government Order (GO) enforcing the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act, 2025.
• Daripalli Ramaiah, a prominent environmentalist known as “Vanajeevi” or “Chettu Ramaiah,” passed away at the age of 87 in Khammam district, Telangana.

Amaravati: World’s First City to Run Entirely on Renewable Energy

• In a historic move towards sustainable urban development, Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is set to become the world’s first city powered 100% by renewable energy.
• Spearheaded by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the project reflects India’s commitment to clean energy and climate-resilient urbanization.

About the Project

• Location: Between Vijayawada and Guntur, on the banks of the Krishna River
• Area: 217 sq. km (within the larger Andhra Pradesh Capital Region of 8,352 sq. km)
• Estimated Cost: ₹65,000 crore
• Foundation: Expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Vision: A modern, eco-friendly, people-centric capital

Key Renewable Energy Goals

• Total Renewable Energy Target: 2,700 MW from solar, wind, and hydropower
• Purpose: To meet projected electricity demand by 2050 without fossil fuels
• Solar-Wind Contribution: Minimum 30% of total energy
• Rooftop Solar Mandate: At least one-third of government housing roofs must have solar panels
  • Reduces electricity use and carbon emissions

RECENT NEWS

• In March 2025, The Government of Andhra Pradesh is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in New Delhi

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launches ‘Mahila Samvad’ campaign targeting women empowerment ahead of Assembly elections

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched the Mahila Samvad campaign—an ambitious, statewide drive to connect women with welfare schemes and elevate their voices in governance.
• Focusing especially on rural women, the initiative creates a two way communication channel between citizens and officials.

Campaign Objectives

• Educate women on government welfare schemes for healthcare, education, livelihood, and social protection.
• Encourage active utilisation of public resources to improve socioeconomic status.
• Facilitate direct dialogue between women and government authorities to address grievances and suggestions.
• Collect feedback from women to shape future policies and enhance inclusive governance.

RECENT NEWS

• In April 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a series of development projects and welfare schemes worth over Rs 800 crore in Bihar on the occasion of International Cooperative Day.

India’s First Prototype-Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam Set to Be Commissioned in 2026

• India’s first Prototype-Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is set to be commissioned next year in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone in the country’s three-stage nuclear programme.
• This reactor aims to recycle spent fuel and reduce radioactive waste, playing a critical role in India’s energy strategy.
• Location: Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
• Objective: Recycling spent fuel to reduce radioactive waste and advancing towards sustainable nuclear energy.

Details of the PFBR

• Reactor Type: The PFBR is a plutonium-based mixed oxide fuel reactor using liquid sodium as coolant.
• Fuel Source: It will utilise spent fuel from Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which currently form the backbone of India’s nuclear power generation.
• Developer: The reactor is being developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (Bhavini), while Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) operates nuclear plants in India.

India’s Nuclear Energy Capacity Expansion

• Current Capacity: India’s installed nuclear capacity stands at 8.18 GW.
• Upcoming Projects:
  • 30 GW of nuclear projects are currently under construction or nearing completion.
  • 00 GW is in the pre-project phase.
• Future Capacity (by 2031-32): India’s nuclear power capacity is projected to reach 22.48 GW.

Long-term Plans and International Collaborations

• Indigenous Expansion: NPCIL plans to expand capacity by 15.40 GW using Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
• International Collaborations: 17.60 GW is expected to come fro`m Light Water Reactors developed in collaboration with international partners.
• Contribution from Bhavini: 3.80 GW will be contributed by Fast Breeder Reactors.
• Other Technologies: Remaining capacity will be fulfilled by Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Bharat Small Reactors, and next-generation nuclear technologies in partnership with the private sector.

Current and Future Nuclear Capacity

• Installed Capacity (2025): 8.18 GW
• Under Construction/Commissioning: 7.30 GW
• Sanctioned/Preproject Phase: 7.00 GW
• Projected Capacity by 203132: 22.48 GW

RECENT NEWS

• In April 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced in the Legislative Assembly the formation of a high-level committee to review Centre-State relations, constitutional provisions, and policies to suggest measures for enhancing the autonomy of States.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Bihar cadre IAS officer K K Pathak named Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat; Bhuvnesh Kumar new Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chief

• Senior IAS officer Keshav Kumar Pathak (1990 batch, Bihar cadre) has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.
• He is currently serving as Chairman of the Bihar Revenue Board.
• His appointment has been made by temporarily upgrading a vacant Joint Secretary post, as approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Senior bureaucrat Bhuvnesh Kumar has been named as Chief Executive Officer, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
• A 1995 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, Kumar is Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY).

Other Appointments:

• Hirdesh Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, will be Managing Director, Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India.
• Roop Rashi, at present Textile Commissioner, Mumbai, has been named as Chief Executive Officer, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Mihir Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry, has been named Chief Executive Officer, Government e-Marketplace Special Purpose Vehicle, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Jitendra Srivastava, a 2000 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre, will be the Chairman & Managing Director, REC Ltd., Ministry of Power.

Mumbai Cricket Association adds star power to T20 Mumbai League, unveils Rohit Sharma as Face of Season 3

• Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed India’s World Cup-winning captain and Mumbai’s own cricketing icon, Rohit Sharma, as the official face of Season 3 for T20 Mumbai League.
• The league is set to begin on May 26 and promises an exciting display of Mumbai’s top cricketing talent in one of India’s leading domestic T20 tournaments.
• The MCA further announced the inclusion of two new franchises—Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd. and Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment—as official team operators.
• The league makes a return after a gap of six years.
• Season 3 will maintain an eight-team format, with two new additions.
• Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd. has secured the Sobo Mumbai Falcons franchise for ₹82 crore, while Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment will operate the Mumbai South Central team at ₹57 crore.
• Launched in 2018, the T20 Mumbai League has produced several breakout stars such as Shivam Dube, Tushar Deshpande, and Shams Mulani.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AQUISATION AND MERGERS

Competition Commission of India Approves Patanjali’s ₹4,500 Crore Acquisition of Magma General Insurance via Green Channel

• In a notable development in the Indian insurance sector, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a proposal involving Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. and five associated entities to acquire a majority stake in Magma General Insurance Ltd.
• The approval was granted through the Green Channel route under Section 6(4) of the Competition Act, 2002.

Key Transaction Details

• Deal Value: ₹4,500 crore
• Entities Involved in Acquisition:
  • Patanjali Ayurved Ltd.
  • S R Foundation
  • Riti Foundation
  • RR Foundation
  • Suruchi Foundation
  • Swati Foundation
• Seller: Sanoti Properties LLP, jointly held by Adar Poonawalla and Rising Sun Holdings Pvt. Ltd.
• Post-Deal Status: Patanjali will become the promoter entity of Magma General Insurance

RECENT NEWS

• In March 2025, The Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted approval for Tata Sons to acquire an additional 10% stake in Tata Play, the group’s digital content distribution arm.

Findi Limited Acquires BANKIT Services Private. Limited. for AU$30 Million, Strengthening India’s Digital Financial Services Ecosystem

• Findi Ltd. (ASX: FND), through its majority-owned subsidiary Transaction Solutions International (India) Pvt Ltd (TSI), has successfully completed its acquisition of BANKIT Services Pvt. Ltd. (BANKIT) for AU$30 million (approximately INR 1.6 billion).
• Acquisition Date: Announced in January 2025, now successfully completed.
• Strategic Aim: Strengthen Findi’s position in India’s digital financial services market, enhancing its scale and service capabilities.

Significance of the Acquisition

• Expansion: Findi’s acquisition of BANKIT adds over 1.29 lakh merchant partners and access to 12,000+ pin codes across India.
• Goal: To drive financial inclusion by combining BANKIT’s merchant network with Findi’s existing ATM infrastructure.
• Vision: Transform into a fully integrated Payments Bank by offering a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services to India’s underbanked.

Adani Ports to acquire Australian terminal in $2.4-bn non-cash deal

• Adani Ports and SEZ officially announced that it has acquired a coal export terminal in Australia in a $2.4-billion non-cash deal.
• The company has purchased Abbot Point Port Holdings (APPH), Singapore, from Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Singapore (CRPSHPL).
• APPH owns the entities that own and operate the North Queensland Export Terminal, a dedicated export terminal with a current capacity of 50 million tonne per annum (MTPA).
• The terminal is located at Port of Abbot Point, nearly 25 km north of Bowen in north Queensland on the east coast of Australia.
• APSEZ had originally, in 2011, acquired the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) at Abbott Point for USD 2 billion.
• Two years later, in 2013, the Adani family purchased the asset from APSEZ for the same amount, along with the capital invested, enabling the company to concentrate on expanding its domestic operations.
• This is the fourth overseas acquisition for India’s largest port developer in the past two years. With this, the company will have a portfolio of 19 ports and terminals – 15 domestic and 4 overseas.
  • A port in Israel, terminals in Tanzania and Sri Lanka are the other three international locations where APSEZ has its operations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

AIIMS Delhi Ranked Among the World’s Top 100 Hospitals in 2024

• AIIMS Delhi has been ranked 97th in the world by Newsweek and Statista in their World’s Best Hospitals 2024
• Mayo Clinic (Minnesota, USA) was ranked 1st with a score of 97.51%.
• India’s first indigenous MRI machine was developed and is set to be installed at AIIMS Delhi by October 2025 for trials.

Details of the Report

• Partnership: The rankings were compiled by Newsweek, in collaboration with Statista, an international data platform.
• Annual Release: The report has been released annually since 2019, with this being the 2024 edition.
• Global Inclusion: For the first time, hospitals from Malaysia and Chile were included in the rankings.

Other Notable Indian Hospitals

• Medanta – The Medicity (Gurgaon) ranked 146th, renowned for its advanced technology and expertise in cardiology, oncology, and organ transplantation.
• PGIMER (Chandigarh) ranked 228th, recognized for its significant contributions to medical education, research, and specialized care.

Other Global Rankings

• Top 5 Hospitals:
  1. Mayo Clinic (USA)
  2. Cleveland Clinic (USA)
  3. Toronto General (Canada)
  4. Johns Hopkins Hospital (USA)
  5. Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden)

About AIIMS Delhi

• Established: 1956
• Reputation: AIIMS is India’s flagship medical institute, known for its specialized services, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and highly qualified faculty.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Telangana signs pacts with Japanese firms for eco-town in Hyderabad

• Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy signed Letters of Intent in Kitakyushu, Japan, with several Japanese firms to establish an ‘Eco Town’ in Hyderabad, focusing on recycling, waste management, environmental restoration, and the circular economy.

Why Kitakyushu?

• Global Model: Renowned for its transformation from heavy industry to a sustainable, circulareconomy hub.
• Approach: Emphasizes sharing, reusing, repairing, and recycling to minimise waste.
• Knowledge Transfer: Kitakyushu’s government and industry leaders will share technology, processes, and best practices.

Key Agreements

• Partner Companies:
  • EX Research Institute
  • P9 LLC
  • Nippon Steel Engineering
  • New Chemical Trading
  • Amita Holdings
• Scope:
  • Design and development of Hyderabad’s Eco Town.
  • Technology deployment for advanced environmental engineering and restoration.
  • Exploration of a sister city partnership between Kitakyushu and Hyderabad.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Neeraj Chopra Clinches Gold with 84.52 m at NWU Potch Invitational

• Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medallist, opened his 2025 season in style by winning the gold medal at the NWU Potch Invitational in South Africa with an impressive 84.52 m throw.

Key Highlights

• Top Performance: Chopra’s best throw of 84.52 m secured him first place.
• Podium Finishers:
  • Silver: Douw Smit (South Africa) – 82.44 m
  • Bronze: Duncan Robertson – 71.22 m
• Season Opener: This marked Neeraj’s first competition of 2025, serving as a crucial tuneup for upcoming elite meets.
• New Indian Best (2025): Chopra’s 84.52 m surpasses the previous Indian top mark of 84.39 m, held by Sachin Yadav earlier this year.
• Neeraj’s next major outing will be at the Doha Diamond League, where he aims to build on this strong start.

Rohit Sharma Named Official Face of T20 Mumbai League Season 3

• The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed Rohit Sharma, India’s World Cup–winning captain and Mumbai icon, as the official face of Season 3 of the T20 Mumbai League, which returns after a sixyear hiatus.

League Details

• Start Date: May 26, 2025
• Format: Eight teams, including two new franchises
• Operator Franchises:
  • Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd. (Sobo Mumbai Falcons) – acquired for ₹82 crore
  • Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment (Mumbai South Central) – acquired for ₹57 crore

Franchise Additions

• Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd.
  • Will field the Sobo Mumbai Falcons
• Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment
  • Will operate the Mumbai South Central team

Historical Context

• Inception: Launched in 2018
• Notable Alumni:
  • Shivam Dube
  • Tushar Deshpande
  • Shams Mulani
• Hiatus: No tournaments held from 2019–2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Pope Francis, Leader Of 1.4 Billion Catholics, Died At 88 On Easter Monday

• Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at 7:35 AM (5:35 GMT) at the age of 88.
• He became Pope in 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, and served for 12 years.
• He was the first Latin American and first Jesuit Pope, born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina.
• He was the first pope in over 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican, at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, Rome.
• He rejected the tradition of three coffins, opting for a single wooden and zinc coffin.
• He was known for humility, support for the poor, and focus on social justice, environment, and migrant rights.
• He approved blessings for same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.
• He appointed women to Vatican leadership roles for the first time.
• He created over 900 saints and made 47 foreign trips to more than 65 countries.
• He held five Vatican synods to discuss issues like women’s ordination and sexual teachings.
• His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday from Peter’s Basilica.
• Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will oversee Vatican operations until a new pope is elected.
• The conclave to elect the next pope will occur 15–20 days after his death.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Earth Day 2025: April 22

• Every year April 22nd is celebrated as World Earth Day.
• For the past fifty-six years it has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe.

History

• World Earth Day was first celebrated in 1969 when a US senator named Gaylord Nelson witnessed the effects of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA.
• He called for action on all Americans to take a stand for the environment in 1970 and thousands of colleges and universities across the United Nations organized protests for a healthy sustainable Earth.
• In 1968 the US Public Health Service organized the Human Ecology Symposium.
• The event invited students to come and listen to scientists talking about the impact of the deteriorating environment on human health.
• In 1972 the US government formed the Environmental Protection Agency and passed the Clean Air Act.
• This includes air pollution from factories and freeways as well as the loss of habitats for animals and animal extinction.
• These national rallies helped to create the US Environmental Protection Agency and passed the Clean Air Act. In 1990 Earth Day went global with more than 140 countries participating in the event.
• In 1995 Nelson, the man behind the World Earth Day movement was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Daily CA One- Liner: April 22

• A new book titled ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’ was launched at the Samvet Auditorium, On the occasion of World Heritage Day (18 April), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.
• As of April 9, 2025, deposits in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) no frills accounts climbed to an alltime high of ₹2.63 lakh crore, reflecting strong uptake beyond mere benefit transfers.
• The Government of Telangana has introduced the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act, 2025 to reform land administration
• In a historic move towards sustainable urban development, Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is set to become the world’s first city powered 100% by renewable energy.
• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched the Mahila Samvad campaign—an ambitious, statewide drive to connect women with welfare schemes and elevate their voices in governance
• India’s first Prototype-Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is set to be commissioned next year in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone in the country’s three-stage nuclear programme
• In a notable development in the Indian insurance sector, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a proposal involving Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. and five associated entities to acquire a majority stake in Magma General Insurance Ltd.
• Findi Ltd. (ASX: FND), through its majority-owned subsidiary Transaction Solutions International (India) Pvt Ltd (TSI), has successfully completed its acquisition of BANKIT Services Pvt. Ltd. (BANKIT) for AU$30 million (approximately INR 1.6 billion).
• AIIMS Delhi has been ranked 97th in the world by Newsweek and Statista in their World’s Best Hospitals 2024 report
• Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy signed Letters of Intent in Kitakyushu, Japan, with several Japanese firms to establish an ‘Eco Town’ in Hyderabad, focusing on recycling, waste management, environmental restoration, and the circular economy
• Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medallist, opened his 2025 season in style by winning the gold medal at the NWU Potch Invitational in South Africa with an impressive 84.52 m throw.
• The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed Rohit Sharma, India’s World Cup–winning captain and Mumbai icon, as the official face of Season 3 of the T20 Mumbai League, which returns after a sixyear hiatus
• The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has slapped a Rs 37 lakh penalty on Union Bank of India for discrepancies in reporting suspicious transactions for 2011-2014.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper dated April 17, 2025, seeking public comments on proposed changes to mutual fund (MF) investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs).
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will sign an agreement with the Green Climate Fund in mid-May to support small businesses in adopting low-emission and climate-resilient technologies.
• Senior IAS officer Keshav Kumar Pathak (1990 batch, Bihar cadre) has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.
• Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed India’s World Cup-winning captain and Mumbai’s own cricketing icon, Rohit Sharma, as the official face of Season 3 for T20 Mumbai League.
• Adani Ports and SEZ officially announced that it has acquired a coal export terminal in Australia in a $2.4-billion non-cash deal.
• Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at 7:35 AM (5:35 GMT) at the age of 88.
• Every year April 22nd is celebrated as World Earth Day, or the past fifty-six years it has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe.