Current Affairs

MeitY Launches ‘I Am Circular’ Coffee Table Book

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted the release of the ‘I Am Circular’ Coffee Table Book, curetted by the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE). The book is a vibrant celebration of India’s innovative spirit in driving the circular economy forward.

Tech-Driven Inclusive Development

In his keynote address, Additional Secretary, MeitY and Director General, National Informatics Centre Shri Abhishek Singh emphasized the importance of enabling ecosystems that foster innovation for sustainability. “This initiative aligns with MeitY’s vision of integrating technology for responsible growth and inclusive development. The ‘I Am Circular’ book stands as a proud representation of India’s innovation potential in the domain of circular economy,” he stated.

MeitY extends its appreciation to the International Council for Circular Economy, for facilitating the successful execution of this initiative, he said. He added that ‘I Am Circular’ Coffee Table Book is not merely a publication—it is a testament to India’s creative potential, an ode to responsible innovation and a symbol of our national commitment to building a sustainable, circular future.



Govt. re-appoints Rabi Sankar as RBI Deputy Governor

The Centre has re-appointed T. Rabi Sankar as Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), for a period of one year with effect from May 3, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This is his second extension. Mr. Sankar is in charge of foreign exchange, currency management and government accounts department in the RBI. He was appointed as the Deputy Governor in May 2021. He was the Executive Director of RBI prior to that.



Centre Fast-Tracks 17 Mega Infra Projects Worth Rs 14,096 Crore Across 4 States

The Centre has accelerated work on 17 major infrastructure projects worth over ₹14,096 crore across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, as part of its ongoing efforts to boost development and streamline project execution.

The projects were reviewed in a high-level meeting chaired by Amardeep Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) framework. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the meeting brought together senior officials from central ministries, state governments, and project developers to assess and address key implementation challenges.

A total of 19 issues affecting these 17 projects were taken up during the review. The discussion focused on resolving delays through stronger inter-ministerial and inter-state coordination. One of the significant projects reviewed was the four-laning of the Jaunpur-Akbarpur road, estimated at ₹3,164.72 crore. The project, which faces hurdles in two work packages, is expected to improve regional connectivity and enhance road infrastructure.



From watches to antiques, these luxury goods above Rs 10 lakh face 1% TCS

A 1% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) will now apply to high-end goods priced above Rs 10 lakh from from April 22, 2025, following amendments introduced in the Finance Act, 2024. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued fresh guidelines to enforce the levy, which aims to plug tax leaks and boost visibility on big-ticket purchases.

Whether you're buying a designer handbag, a vintage watch, a yacht, or even a racehorse—if the price tag crosses Rs 10 lakh, the seller is now required to collect TCS and deposit it against your PAN. Buyers can later claim this tax as credit while filing their income tax returns, similar to how TDS functions for salaries.



Bihar Entrepreneur Establishes Unique ‘Modi Memento Museum’ Showcasing 56 Auctioned Souvenirs

In a remarkable blend of patriotism and innovation, a young entrepreneur from Motihari, Bihar, has launched the state’s first-ever Modi Memento Museum, featuring 56 exclusive souvenirs once gifted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The one-of-its-kind museum is drawing attention for its inspiring origin and for serving as a heartfelt tribute to the Prime Minister’s Namami Gange initiative—a nationwide mission to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga River.

Back in 2019, Prime Minister Modi announced an auction of mementos and gifts he had received at various public functions and official engagements. The proceeds from the auction were directed toward funding the Namami Gange Programme.



Amaravati to be world's first fully renewable-powered city

Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is set to create history as it targets to become the world's first city to be powered entirely by renewable energy as town planners look to build an ultra-modern yet environmentally sustainable 'people's capital'. With an ambitious plan to harness 2,700 megawatts (MW) of green energy, the city aims to meet all its electricity needs through sustainable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, officials said.

Andhra Pradesh chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's dream new capital city project firmly aligns with India's broader commitment to clean energy and climate action.

The foundation stone for the greenfield capital city on the banks of Krishna river is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sometime this month. The Rs 65,000-crore project is spread across 217 square kilometers, with Andhra Pradesh Capital Region spanning an area of 8,352 sq km.



McLaren driver Oscar Piastri wins F1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri has shown he has the pace to fight for the Formula 1 title. In winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, he showed he can win an argument, too.

For the first time this season, a penalty played a key role in deciding a race win as Piastri went top of the standings with his victory.

Piastri’s two earlier wins this season had been dominant drives from pole position. This time he had to get past four-time champion Max Verstappen.

Verstappen started on pole but went off the track when battling for the lead with Piastri at the very first corner. He stayed in front but got a five-second penalty. Piastri argued he had got in front of Verstappen on the inside of the corner and deserved the place.



New CGHS digital platform set to deliver faster

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is all set to roll out a modernized digital health platform from Monday, April 28. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the new Health Management Information System (HMIS) replaces the outdated software that has been in use since 2005 and is no longer compatible with current technology and cybersecurity standards.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry on Wednesday, the revamped HMIS aims to offer faster, transparent, and user-friendly access to CGHS services, ultimately improving service delivery and administrative efficiency. In preparation for the switchover, all CGHS services, including those at Wellness Centres, will remain closed on April 26 (Saturday) to facilitate data migration and final validation.



Scientists taking carbon out of sea to tackle climate change

Scientists across the globe are constantly looking for ways to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth's atmosphere.

And now, some researchers on England's south coast think they've found a good way of doing it.

A small, UK government-funded project called SeaCURE, has found a way of sucking carbon out of the ocean, and storing it.

It's a form of carbon capture, which is a way of removing CO2, a greenhouse gas already in our atmosphere.

However instead of taking it directly out of the air, the scientists are removing it from the sea instead.

This is because the ocean absorbs around a quarter of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere.

By taking it out of the sea, there's more room for more CO2 to be absorbed from the air.



New microcontinent found between Greenland and Canada sheds light on tectonic histor

A major geological find has been unearthed under the frozen waters of the Davis Strait, the narrow ocean channel between Baffin Island in Canada and Greenland. A combined research team from Sweden and the United Kingdom has found a previously unrecognised landmass under this area. The newly identified feature, now called the Davis Strait proto microcontinent, is made up of abnormally thick continental crust and is about 12 to 15 miles (about 19 to 24 kilometres) wide.

Scientists discover buried proto-microcontinent beneath Greenland’s western offshore

This buried landmass is situated under the western offshore sea of Greenland and has been assigned a primitive microcontinent category. Microcontinents are pieces of continental crust that have separated from extended landmasses but did not completely detach in major tectonic episodes. For this proto-microcontinent, it seems to have remained partially attached when Greenland and North America rifted.