NATIONAL NEWS

Delhi Becomes The 36th State/UT To Join Ayushman Bharat Scheme

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government in Delhi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government on 5 April 2025 to join the centrally sponsored scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

Delhi becomes the 36th State/Union Territory to join the AB-PMJAY scheme.

The MoU was signed between the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the National Health Authority in New Delhi in the presence of the Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

The National Health Authority is the implementing agency of the AB-PMJAY.

The beneficiaries in Delhi under the AB-PMJAY scheme will get medical health insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakhs per annum per family.

The central government schemes provide for medical coverage of Rs 5 lakhs per year per family. The Delhi government will provide an additional coverage of Rs 5 lakhs per family.

Thus, the total health insurance coverage per family in Delhi will be Rs 10 lakhs per annum per family.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is part of the flagship Ayushman Bharat health scheme of the government of India.

Indian Railways Partners with DMRC

Indian Railways has signed a significant agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to deploy advanced Automatic Wheel Profile Measurement Systems (AWPMS).

This initiative marks a leap towards modernizing railway maintenance and ensuring safer and more efficient train operations.

AWPMS is touchless, real-time monitoring system to assess the shape and condition of train wheels.

It uses laser scanners and high-speed cameras for accurate and quick wheel inspection.

It detects wheel wear, deformation, and damage and sends automatic alerts for corrective action.

As per the agreement, DMRC will manage the procurement, installation, and commissioning of AWPMS machines.

A total of four AWPMS units will be installed at strategic locations across the Indian Railways network.

 

BANKING

India Fintech Foundation Launched to Strengthen Governance in Fintech Sector

The India Fintech Foundation (IFF), a self-regulatory organization (SRO), was launched at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 to enhance governance and foster innovation in India's fintech sector.

It serves as a nodal body that connects various stakeholders in the fintech ecosystem, aiming to address regulatory deficiencies, promote best practices, and facilitate effective communication between industry players and policymakers.

IFF's membership includes 100 individuals comprising fintech founders, industry professionals, and former officials from institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), SIDBI, and CERSAI.

The foundation will work across multiple fintech sub-sectors, including digitalpayments, lending, wealthtech, insuretech, regtech, account aggregation, embedded finance, decentralized finance (DeFi), central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and Web3.

IFF's launch aligns with the rapid expansion of India’s fintech sector, which is projected to reach a market size of $550 billion by 2030.

Hyderabad Civic Body Adopts Paytm’s Digital Payment System for Property Tax

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has partnered with fintech firm Paytm to digitize property tax collection across the city.

The goal is to make tax payments more accessible and reduce dependence on cash transactions.

GHMC has deployed over 400 Paytm All-In-One EDC devices at collection centers and for door-to-door tax collection.

These devices support credit card, debit card, and QR code payments, offering alternatives to cash, cheques, and demand drafts.

The devices are integrated with the GHMC app, allowing officials to check dues, process transactions instantly, and issue digital receipts.

GHMC currently collects ₹5–7 crore in property tax monthly, with peak collections reaching ₹22 crore.

With Paytm’s digital payment solutions, GHMC aims to streamline tax collection and reduce delays in payments.

Paytm is also expanding its digital services by launching features such as UPI statement downloads, UPI Trading Blocks, and a Receive Money QR Widget.

These offerings support its mission to boost digital payment adoption across sectors.

GHMC’s adoption of Paytm’s technology reflects a growing trend among Indian municipal bodies to modernize tax collection systems through fintech partnerships.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

PM Modi Honoured With ‘Mitra Vibhushana’ Award Of Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with the highest state honour of Sri Lanka, ‘Mitra Vibhushana, by the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on 5th April 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 4-6 April 2025.

He arrived in Sri Lanka from Thailand, where he attended the 6th BIMSTEC summit meeting held in Bangkok on 4th April 2025.

The Mitra Vibhushana was instituted by the government of Sri Lanka in 2008

It is conferred on a foreign Head of State/Government.

The design of the Award includes Dharma Chakra, Sun and Moon, Navarathna, and Pun Kalasha.

The majority population of Sri Lanka follows Buddhism, and the design of the Mitra Vibhushana award reflects the Buddhist Heritage of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conferred on Prime Minister Modi on 5th April in Colombo.

Akarsh Shroff Honoured with National Youth Award 2025

Akarsh Shroff, founder of YuvaSpark, received the National Youth Award, for his innovative work in transforming early childhood educati on across India. His work includes digitising anganwadi centres and improving rural education infrastructure.

The National Youth Award is instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Awarded annually to individuals under 30 years for outstanding social service and national development.

Akarsh received the award from Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at a ceremony in Parliament House, New Delhi.

A total of 22 young changemakers were honoured, covering both current and previous years.

Akarsh founded YuvaSpark in 2018 at the age of 17, while still in high school.

It is aimed to reform grassroots education through community-driven innovation and technology.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chairman Of Asian Cricket Council (ACC)

Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has officially assumed charge as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

He replaced Shammi Silva of Sri Lanka, who had taken over the role in December 2024 after Jay Shah stepped down to become ICC Chair.

In addition to this role, Naqvi also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and was elected PCB chairman in February 2024.

He played a key part in asserting Pakistan’s position on hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy entirely within the country.

Eventually, the PCB and BCCI reached a compromise: matches involving India in Pakistan-hosted events will be played at a neutral venue, and similarly, matches involving Pakistan in India-hosted events will also be played at a neutral venue.

A pressing issue for Naqvi as ACC President will be the venue for the upcoming T20 Asia Cup.

Although India is the official host, Pakistan is likely to demand neutral venues for their matches.

There is a precedent for this arrangement: during the 2023 Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan, Sri Lanka was added as a secondary venue because of India's refusal to travel to Pakistan.

Equitas Small Finance Bank Appoints Balaji Nuthalapadi as Executive Director

Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB), the second largest SFB in India, has appointed Balaji Nuthalapadi as Executive Director – Technology and Operations, effective March 29, 2025.

The appointment was approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Board of Directors.

This move highlights the bank’s focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency, and tech-led customer solutions.

Previously, he served as Managing Director & Head of Centralized Controls Testing Execution at Citi Bank, where he led a 1,100-member team in India for global controls testing.

He also held the position of MD and Head of Operations and Technology for Citi South Asia, overseeing India and Southeast Asia

He was instrumental in scaling Citi’s global hubs in India and ensuring operational excellence.

An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, he brings proven expertise in operations, technology, wealth management, and strategic leadership.

       

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Health Day

World Health Day 2025 is observed worldwide on 7th April.

The World Health Organization's physical, emotional, and mental well-being is promoted and celebrated worldwide to this day.

This year’s theme for World Health Day 2025, “Healthy Beginning, Hopeful Futures,” focuses on the health and well-being of expectant mothers and newborns.

In December 1945 the officials of China and Brazil proposed the creation of an international health organization that is all-encompassing and independent from any government powers.

After half a year the constitution of the World Health Organization was approved in 1946.

The 61 countries signed the agreement for the inception of the Non-Governmental Organization.

World Health Day was created and first celebrated on 22nd July 1949. Later the date was changed to 7th April and the WHO encouraged the students to participate.