1 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled coin, logo and index to commemorate 150 years of BSE
On April 17, 2025 , Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , Ministry of Finance(MoF) released a commemorative coin of Rs.150 to celebrate 150 years of Bombay Stock Exchange(BSE), one of Asia’s oldest and world’s largest stock exchanges, at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra . Apart from this coin , Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also launched the BSE@150 logo and the BSE 150 Index , a new benchmark index designed to monitor the performance of top 150 listed companies based on market capitalization and liquidity. Union Minister of State(MoS) Pankaj Choudhary and Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India(SEBI) Tuhin Kanta Pandey were among the key dignitaries present.
2 India and Saudi Arabia signed four MoUs during PM Modi’s visit
India and Saudi Arabia signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreed to expand the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council by adding two new committees. This was agreed upon by the top leadership of the two countries during PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia. PM Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on 22 and 23 April 2025. However, after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on 22 April in which 27 tourists were killed, he cut short his visit and returned to India. This was PM Narendra Modi’s third official visit to Saudi Arabia. He first visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and then in 2019. Four MoUs were signed between India and Saudi Arabia in the presence of the two leaders. These MoUs are :
- Cooperation in the field of space by the space agencies of the two countries,
- Cooperation in the field of health.
- Agreement for cooperation in the field of anti-doping between NADA and Saudi Anti-Doping Agency.
- Cooperation in inward surface parcel between postal authorities of the two countries.
3 UNESCO: Only 60% of countries have laws, standards for food, drinks in schools
According to the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report , the latest publication of the Paris (France) -based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ), only 60% of countries have laws or standards regulating food and beverages in schools , raising concerns over the global commitment to student health. The report was released in partnership with the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition , supported by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine under the School Meals Coalition. The report showed that only 93 out of 187 countries have laws, mandatory standards or norms on school food and beverages in schools. It further revealed that only 29% of these countries have measures to restrict marketing of food and beverages in schools. According to the report, only 3 out of 28 countries had conducted assessments at regular intervals and used the information that included changes in attitudes and perceptions about food and nutrition, knowledge, food practices, etc.
4 Decrease in ice stability in Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra basins: ICIMOD 2025 report
On 21st April 2025, Kathmandu (Nepal) -based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) released the HKH Snow Update Report 2025 , which highlighted a significant decline in snow stability in the Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra river basins of the Indian subcontinent . ICIMOD analysed a 23-year time series (2003-2025) of basin-scale snow stability during the November-March snow season. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, which feeds the Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra basins, recorded its third consecutive below-normal snow year in 2025, with snow stability 23.6% below normal , the lowest in 23 years .
5 Khongjom Day celebrated in Manipur
Khongjom Day observed in Manipur . Every year, Khongjom Day is observed on April 23 to commemorate the valour and sacrifice of Manipuri heroes who laid down their lives in the historic Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. The state-level function was held at the Khongjom War Memorial at Khebaching in Thoubal district. At the function, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla paid tribute to the war heroes by laying a wreath at the war memorial.
6 FTII and SRFTI got deemed university status, permission to start degree and PhD courses
Taking a major decision in the field of film and media education, the Ministry of Education has given the status of ” Deemed to be University ” to Pune -based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Kolkata -based Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) . Now both these institutes will be able to run their own degree and PhD courses . The Ministry of Education informed that this status has been given to them under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956. Now these institutes will also be able to start research, doctoral and innovative programs . Also, both these institutes will now follow the rules of UGC and the guidelines of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). These institutes will now be allowed to participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking and will also be linked to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). An official of the Ministry of Education said that this decision has been taken in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which will give these institutes more freedom, innovation and academic excellence.
7 ASI hosted the 38th meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology
The 38th meeting of the Central Archaeological Advisory Board was held on 23 April 2025 in New Delhi by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) . The meeting was hosted by Yadubir Singh, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India . The 37th meeting of the Central Archaeological Advisory Board was held on 14 June 2022 in New Delhi. The Central Archaeological Advisory Board was constituted by the Government of India in 1945. The Central Archaeological Advisory Board is constituted by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India after every three years. The Board plays a vital role in building strong links between the ASI, Indian universities, state governments and research institutions working in the field of archaeology, heritage studies and cultural conservation. It meets once a year to discuss matters related to archaeology and to advise the Union Ministry of Culture on any matter related to archaeology. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 by the British Indian Government. The ASI comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
8 Japan to gift Shinkansen E5, E3 series for India’s bullet train project
In April 2025 , the Japanese government announced the donation of two Shinkansen train sets, the ‘E5’ and ‘E3’ series, to India . These high-speed trains will aid in testing and inspection of India’s first bullet train project – the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSRC). The train sets, to be delivered in early 2026, will be fitted with special inspection equipment. They will help collect critical operational data, especially related to India’s environmental conditions such as high temperatures and dust. “ Shinkansen ” refers to Japan’s high-speed rail technology .
9 IISR developed new light coloured turmeric variety ‘IISR Surya’
In April 2025 , Kozhikode (Kerala) based Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has developed a new light coloured turmeric variety called ‘ IISR Surya ‘ . The new variety has a light coloured rhizome that meets the specific requirements of the modern powdering (spice) industry. It has a very good aroma, which is expected to benefit farmers significantly, especially in the production of high quality turmeric powder. It is a high-yielding variety of turmeric that offers 20% to 30% yield increase over the existing light coloured local varieties . According to the researchers, it can give a maximum yield of 41 tonnes per hectare. It has a curcumin content of 2% to 3%, which was at par with other light coloured turmeric varieties.
10 Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana named Wisden’s leading cricketers of the world
Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have been named the World’s Leading Male and Female Cricketer respectively by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack . Wisden released its annual list of the World’s Leading Cricketer of 2024 and the five Cricketers of the Year in the 2025 edition of its Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. The cricketers in 2024 were chosen by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack based on their performances across formats. Smriti Mandhana was previously named the World’s Leading Female Cricketer in 2018 as well, while Jasprit Bumrah has been nominated for the first time. Jasprit Bumrah has had a wonderful 2024, where his stellar performances have already earned him the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 as well as the ICC Men’s Player of the Year award in Tests. In 2024, Jasprit Bumrah took 71 Test wickets at an average of under 15 runs. In 2024, he also took the 200th Test wicket of his career. He is the first bowler in the history of cricket to take 200 Test wickets at an average of less than 20 runs. He also led the Indian bowling attack that won the ICC T20 World Championship held in West Indies and USA in June 2024.
11 McLaren’s Oscar Piastri wins F1’s Saudi Arabian GP to take overall lead
In April 2025 , Australian Formula 1 (F1) driver Oscar Jack Piastri representing United Kingdom (UK) -based McLaren won the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (GP) 2025 held at Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia . This was his third win of the F1 2025 season and second consecutive win after winning the Bahrain GP title in April 2025. With this, Oscar Piastri became the first Australian F1 driver after Mark Webber (2010) to lead the Drivers’ Championship standings with 99 points. He is followed by Lando Norris (McLaren) with 89 points and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) with 87 points.