NATIONAL NEWS

TN Sets Up Kurian Joseph Committee To Review Center State Relation

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the constitution of a three-member committee headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice Kurian Joseph to review centre-state relations.

The Chief Minister, MK Stalin, announced the decision in the state legislative assembly on 15 April 2025.

The three-member committee, headed by Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Kurian Joseph, also includes former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty and former Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission M Naganathan.

According to the state government, the committee will make a recommendation on the following issues;

Examine the constitutional provisions and recommend appropriate measures to restore subjects that the central government has transferred from the State List to the Concurrent List;

Consider recommendations of the Rajamannar Committee, Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commissions on Centre-state relations in the context of changed socio-political and economic developments;

Suggest reform to ensure maximum autonomy to the states.

The Committee is expected to submit its interim report by January 2026 and its final report within two years.

Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath Announces State Anti-Poverty Scheme

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath announced the 'Zero Poverty' mission will be named after Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.

The mission will launch later this month and aims to lift every underprivileged individual above the poverty line.

Inspired by PM Narendra Modi's vision, it ensures access to basic amenities and welfare schemes for the poor.

In Phase 1, around 14–15 lakh families will be identified; each gram panchayat will cover 20–25 deprived families.

UP will be the first state in India to take such decisive steps toward zero poverty.

A commemorative souvenir was released on Ambedkar Jayanti by the UP government.

CM recalled Ambedkar's higher education in England and his role in uplifting the deprived and marginalised.

Dr Ambedkar was the first Law Minister of India and Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee.

CM hailed the Constitution’s role in making India the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy.

The journey to fulfil Ambedkar’s vision began under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and strengthened under PM Modi.

Nagaland Government Launches Solar Mission

On 14 April,2025 Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio formally launched the Nagaland Solar Mission at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, in presence of Minister KG Kenye and senior officials.

The mission aligns with the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG:MBY) and aims to install residential Rooftop Solar (RTS) systems across the state.

The initiative is a strategic move to address power deficits and support India’s green energy revolution.

The Nagaland Government will provide an additional state subsidy of up to ₹50,000 for solar installations up to 3 kW capacity, over and above the central subsidy.

This combined subsidy model (central + state) will cover most of the installation cost, making solar energy more accessible for households.

Households will also benefit by reducing electricity bills through power generation and grid contribution from the installed rooftop systems.

Citizens of Nagaland were encouraged by the Chief Minister to participate in this shift toward sustainable energy.

Northeast’s First Onco-Robotic Surgery Facility- Guwahati

The Assam State Cancer Institute at Guwahati launched Northeast’s first onco-robotic surgery facility on 14 April, 2025.

This state-of-the-art healthcare facility enables minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision, control and 3D visualization.

The robotic surgeries would significantly reduce operation time, lower the risk of bleeding and allow for more accuracy and ease in complex procedures.

This will be a major milestone in the Northeast in cancer care by enabling advanced surgical precision and improved patient outcomes.

Similar robotic surgery facilities will soon be launched in Dibrugarh and Silchar too.

This will benefit patients from Upper Assam and the Barak Valley.

 

BANKING

IFC Launches Call For Expression Of Interest

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched a call for expression of interest for eligible financial services providers (FSPs) to participate in the Catalytic First Loss Guarantee Facility under its MSME Finance Platform.

The facility’s objective is to increase access to finance for women-owned businesses, promote agriculture and climate financing, and support MSME lending.

It aims to show the commercial viability of these segments and experiment with new products, services, and risk criteria.

The facility will offer a first loss guarantee to eligible FSPs to scale up MSME lending, fostering economic growth and job creation.

MSMEs represent over 90% of all firms, contribute 70% of total employment, and account for 50% of GDP

The MSME finance gap is currently estimated at $5.7 trillion, rising to $8 trillion when informal businesses are included.

Adel Meer, IFC’s Global Manager for Financial Inclusion, emphasized the importance of local currency credit mobilization to support underserved MSMEs.

Eligible FSPs include regulated banks, non-bank financial institutions, digital lenders, leasing companies, and microfinance institutions.

FSPs must meet IFC’s qualification criteria, including Environmental & Social Risk Rating (ESRR), Integrity Due Diligence (IDD), financial and operational capability, and developmental impact.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Airports Council International (ACI) World Report

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been ranked as the 9th busiest airport in the world for 2024, as per the Airports Council International (ACI) World report

Handling 77 million passengers, IGI's consistent growth and expanded international connectivity have elevated its global standing, showcasing India’s rising aviation profile.

Airports Council International (ACI) World based on actual passenger traffic data.

Atlanta Airport (USA) ranked 1st with 108 million passengers.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Meghalaya Bags Two National Awards for Aadhaar Enrolment Excellence

Meghalaya received two prestigious awards from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

The awards were for best-performing state in:

Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) of children

Adult Aadhaar enrolment verification

Awards were presented during the Aadhaar Samvaad event on April 8, 2025.

The awards highlight Meghalaya’s exemplary performance in strengthening Aadhaar services and ensuring accurate enrolments.

The awards were received by Kupar War, Nodal Officer (Aadhaar), General Administration Department, Government of Meghalaya.

P. Sivakami Honoured with Verchol Dalit Literary Award

Acclaimed writer, retired IAS officer, and social activist P. Sivakami was conferred the prestigious Verchol Dalit Literary Award by the Neelam Cultural Centre, an organization founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith.

Prize amount of ₹1 lakh was cited to the awardee.

The award was organized by Neelam Cultural Centre, founded by Ranjith

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy Conferred ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ Award

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, was honored with the prestigious ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ award by the Japanese gastroenterology community for his pioneering work in Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy.

The award was presented at the Tokyo Live Global Endoscopy 2025 event, held at SHOWA Medical University Koto Toyosu Hospital, Tokyo.

He was recognized for pioneering advancements in Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy

He conducted live demonstrations of advanced endoscopic procedures, showcasing global leadership

2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Liu Jiakun, renowned Chinese architect and educator, has been awarded the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious accolade in global architecture.

The award ceremony will take place at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel.

A global video release and the 2025 Laureates’ Lecture and Symposium will follow in May.

He is the second Chinese architect to receive the award.

Liu is recognized for Blending traditional Chinese architecture with modern design and Advocating for social equity in the built environment.

Dr. Uma Sharma Honored with National Award at BRICS CCI WE Women's Summit 2025

Dr. Uma Sharma, Chairperson of Kailash Group of Hospitals, was conferred a National Award at the 5th BRICS CCI WE Women's Summit held in March 2025 at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi.

She is recognized for Expanding accessible healthcare services, Promoting women’s self-reliance and Advancing women’s health and well-being

The BRICS CCI WE Women's Summit brings together women leaders and entrepreneurs from BRICS nations to exchange ideas on Healthcare excellence and Leadership

Sharma’s award highlights her pioneering role in both healthcare innovation and women’s empowerment in India.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Koneru Humpy Joins as Brand Ambassador of Skill Online Games

Koneru Humpy, the youngest-ever Indian woman grandmaster, has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the SOG Grandmaster Series.

Koneru Humpy made history as the youngest woman to achieve the title of grandmaster at the age of 15.

She is one of India's most accomplished chess players, having earned numerous accolades in the international chess arena.

The series will feature top-tier chess tournaments and events aimed at promoting excellence in the sport.

Koneru Humpy’s role as ambassador will help raise awareness and inspire young talent in the chess community.