India Ranks 36 Out of 170 Nations on Readiness for Frontier Technologies Global
India ranked 36th out of 170 nations on a global index measuring a country's readiness for frontier technologies, improving its ranking from last year, according to a UN report.
The 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, issued by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), stated that India ranked 36th in 2024 on the 'Readiness for Frontier Technologies' index, improving its position from 48th in 2022.
The index combines indicators for ICT deployment, skills, research and development (R&D) activity, industrial capacity, and access to finance.
Federal Bank launched Fed StarBiz, a credit card designed for business customers. The bank introduced the card in collaboration with NPCI and Visa. The card is available in both RuPay and Visa variants.
The launch marks Federal Bank's entry into the business credit card segment.
The bank plans to introduce more specialised payment solutions in 2025 to cater to different business needs.
India Post Partners with Nippon India Mutual Fund to Enhance KYC Verification Services
In a move to facilitate the Mutual Fund industry's customer onboarding process, Department of Posts (DoP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon India Mutual Fund to provide door-to-door KYC verification services for their investors. This partnership aims to streamline the KYC process, ensuring convenience, security, and compliance for investors across India.
The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between Ms. Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager, Business Development Directorate, Department of Post, and Mr. Sundeep Sikka Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd.
SEBI Launches System to Verify Authenticity of Notices and Summons
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the Document Number Verification System (SEBI-DNVS) to ensure transparency and verifiability of documents issued by the market regulator.
Anybody who receives any notice, summons, show-cause notice, or letter from SEBI will be able to verify if the document was issued by the regulator.
Such communications will bear an 'outwards number' for the process.
The verification will be possible only after authentication through a one-time password generated on the recipient's mobile number. However, the verification process will not show the contents of the letter or notice.
Mumbai Has Slowest Fixed Broadband among Indian Cities as Per Ookla
According to Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for February 2025, Mumbai recorded the lowest fixed broadband speed among Indian cities, with a global rank of 123. Despite being a commercial hub, the city lagged significantly behind Delhi, which ranked 89.
This performance contributed to India's overall slip in global broadband rankings.
The Indian Army organised the Batalik Cricket League at Jubar Stadium, Batalik as part of the celebrations for Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025. This event aimed to promote sports, engage local youth, and contribute to regional development. It was a step toward fostering community engagement and supporting local artisans.
NITI Aayog Hosts National Workshop on 'Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation into Local Development Planning'
NITI Aayog convened a National Workshop on 'Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation into Local Development Planning,' bringing together policymakers, climate experts, civil society organisations, and development practitioners to explore effective strategies for integrating climate resilience into Panchayat Development Plans.
The workshop emphasised the need for equipping Gram Panchayats with tools, knowledge, and resources to effectively address climate challenges. It was emphasised that climate adaptation must be woven into all aspects of sectoral planning at the Panchayat level, rather than being treated as a standalone effort. It was underscored that climate modelling must be coupled with community-level knowledge to develop locally relevant adaptation strategies.
A major focus was on institutionalising climate resilience within Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and embedding climate-responsive planning into local development frameworks. Discussions highlighted the growing frequency of extreme weather events and their impacts on rural livelihoods, agriculture, and water security, reinforcing the need for disaggregated Gram Panchayat-level data for precise planning and informed decision-making.
The workshop emphasised the need to encourage Panchayats to integrate climate-smart approaches into their development planning by strengthening their capacity.
Russia Launches Nuclear Submarine Armed With 'Unstoppable' Zircon Hypersonic Missile
Russia launched the Perm, its first nuclear submarine equipped with the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, which is reportedly impossible to intercept. The Perm, part of the Yasen-M class, will be commissioned into the Pacific Fleet next year. President Vladimir Putin hailed the launch as a milestone event, emphasising Russia's continued efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities. The Zircon missile, known for its Mach 8 speed and radar-evading plasma cloud, poses a major challenge to existing air defense systems.
Carrier Midea India Signs Rashmika Mandanna as MIDEA HVAC Brand Ambassador
Carrier Midea India, a leading name in the Indian air conditioning industry, announced the onboarding of actress Rashmika Mandanna as the brand ambassador for its Midea brand in the HVAC category. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen Midea HVAC's positioning in the competitive Indian air conditioning market, expand its consumer outreach, and drive engagement through a comprehensive marketing approach.
International Conscience Day is celebrated every year on April 5. This day is celebrated to remind people to introspect, follow their conscience and do the right thing.
The inaugural International Day of Conscience was first commemorated in 2020 by the United Nations General Assembly. This annual observance was established to encourage people around the world to introspect, follow their conscience, and do what is right.
National Maritime Day
National Maritime Day is celebrated in India every year on April 5. The day aims to raise awareness about maritime trade, shipping, and maritime security. It also honours India's rich maritime history and the achievements of the shipping industry.
India first observed National Maritime Day on April 5, 1964. The significance of this date lies in the historic voyage of Indian ship, SS Loyalty, which sailed from Mumbai to London in 1919. This marked a major milestone in India's maritime industry, breaking the British monopoly on sea trade.
Nikhil Singhal Honoured with Uttar Pradesh Anmol Ratan Award
Nikhil Singhal, a distinguished media strategist, Founder of Vigor Media Worldwide, and President of the Noida High Rise Federation, was honoured with the prestigious Uttar Pradesh Anmol Ratan Award. The award ceremony was organised by the Tapasya Foundation Trust at the Taj Lucknow. This recognition highlights his remarkable contributions to the public relations industry and his exemplary leadership in strategic communication.
The event brought together distinguished personalities from various sectors, including media, public relations, corporate communications, and governance. The award was presented by Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, in recognition of Nikhil Singhal's groundbreaking contributions in revolutionising the PR landscape and crafting impactful communication strategies.
PM Narendra Modi Conferred Sri Lanka's Highest Civilian Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Sri Lanka's highest civilian honour, the Mithra Vibhushana, for his contributions to strengthening the historic ties between India and Sri Lanka. The honour was conferred upon him by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. This prestigious recognition is a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Mithra Vibhushana is Sri Lanka's highest civilian award, first introduced in 2008.
Previous recipients include former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
The Stand-Up India Scheme completed nine years since its launch on April 5, 2016. Initiated by the Ministry of Finance under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the scheme was designed to empower Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women entrepreneurs by facilitating bank loans for setting up new enterprises.
Over the years, the Stand-Up India Scheme has evolved from a funding initiative into a transformative movement that has nurtured entrepreneurial dreams, generated employment, and contributed to inclusive economic growth. Since its inception, the scheme has seen a steady increase in sanctioned loan amounts—from Rs. 16,085.07 crore as of March 31, 2019, to a remarkable Rs. 61,020.41 crore by March 17, 2025. This growth underscores the expanding outreach and impact of the scheme across the nation.
Central Govt. to set up 728 Eklavya Model Residential School
The centre has set a target to set up 728 Eklavya Model Residential Schools benefiting around 3.5 lakh Schedule Tribe students across the country. As of date, a total number of 721 schools have been sanctioned across the country, out of which 477 schools are reported to be functional. Under the scheme, the government has decided to establish one Eklavya Model Residential School in every block having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least 20 thousand tribal persons. The Minister highlighted that the government is implementing several initiatives in collaboration with other government bodies to provide tribal students with access to digital and skill-based education.
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