Daily Current Affairs- 22nd April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 22nd April 2025

Pahalgam Terror Attack Amid High-Profile U.S. Visit

In the News: On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 tourists and injuries to over 17 others. The assault coincided with the state visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to India, highlighting significant security concerns during high-profile diplomatic engagements.

Factual Details:

• Location and Nature of the Attack: The attack took place in Baisaran, a meadow near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Gunmen opened fire on tourists, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.
• Casualties: At least 26 tourists were killed, and over 17 others sustained injuries. The victims were primarily Indian nationals visiting the region.
• Perpetrators and Motive: A group identifying itself as " The Kashmir Resistance" claimed responsibility for the attack, citing opposition to demographic changes in the region due to India's policies.
• Security Response: Indian security forces launched a manhunt to apprehend the attackers. The region was placed on high alert, and additional troops were deployed to prevent further incidents.
• Political Reactions: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia to return to India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah travelled to Srinagar to assess the situation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also curtailed her foreign visit to be present during this critical time.
• International Condemnation: The attack drew widespread international condemnation. U.S. President Donald Trump, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and leaders from the European Union and Australia expressed their condolences and support for India.

 Anemia Mukt Bharat: Progress Update on India's Fight Against Anemia

In the News: On April 1, 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a progress report on the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) campaign, highlighting India's ongoing efforts to combat anemia—a significant public health challenge affecting women, children, and adolescents.

Factual Details:

• Comprehensive 6x6x6 Strategy: The AMB initiative employs a "6x6x6" approach: six target beneficiary groups, six interventions, and six institutional mechanisms. The target groups include children (6–59 months), children (5–9 years), adolescents (10–19 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers, and women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Interventions encompass prophylactic iron and folic acid supplementation, biannual deworming, behavior change communication, anemia testing and treatment, provision of iron-fortified foods, and addressing non-nutritional causes like malaria and hemoglobinopathies.
• Fortified Rice Distribution: To tackle micronutrient deficiencies, the government supplies fortified rice enriched with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 through various schemes, including the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). By March 2024, all custom-milled rice in government schemes had been replaced with fortified rice.
• Financial Allocation: For the fiscal year 2024–25, ₹805.91 crore has been allocated under the National Health Mission (NHM) to States and Union Territories for implementing various activities under the AMB program.
• Laboratory Support: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified laboratories for testing fortified rice and its components: 57 for fortified rice, 35 for fortified rice kernels, and 15 for premix used in fortified rice kernels.
• Impact: As of April 2025, the AMB initiative has reached approximately 15.4 crore children and adolescents with iron supplementation, reflecting significant progress in addressing anemia among the youth population. 

Breakthrough in India's Longest Transport Tunnel: A Milestone in Himalayan Rail Connectivity

In the News: On April 16, 2025, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) achieved a significant engineering milestone by completing the breakthrough of Tunnel No. 8—a 14.57 km tunnel between Devprayag and Janasu in Uttarakhand. This tunnel, part of the 125 km Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link Project, is now the longest transportation tunnel in India. The breakthrough was accomplished using a state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named 'Shakti', marking the first successful deployment of TBM technology in the Himalayan region for Indian Railways.

• Project Overview: The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail project spans 125 km, connecting key towns like Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gauchar, and Karnaprayag across five Himalayan districts. Approximately 83% of the route comprises tunnels, totaling over 213 km, including 17 main tunnels and 12 escape tunnels.
• Engineering Feats: Tunnel No. 8 was excavated using 'Shakti', a 9.11-meter diameter single-shield rock TBM, achieving an average monthly progress of 413 meters. The remaining 4.11 km of the tunnel was completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). 

RBI Permits Minors Above 10 to Operate Bank Accounts Independently

In the News: On April 21, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised guidelines allowing minors aged 10 years and above to independently open and operate savings and term deposit accounts. This move aims to promote financial literacy among the youth and provide them with early exposure to banking practices.

• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Minors of any age can open savings or term deposit accounts through their natural or legal guardians, including mothers.
  • Minors aged 10 years and above are now permitted to independently open and manage their savings or term deposit accounts, subject to the bank's internal risk management policies.
• Bank Discretion and Policy Implementation:
  • Banks have the discretion to set terms and conditions for minor-operated accounts based on their risk management frameworks.
  • These terms must be clearly communicated to the minor account holders.
  • Banks are required to align their internal policies with the revised norms by July 1, 2025.
• Facilities and Restrictions:
  • Banks may offer additional services such as internet banking, ATM/debit cards, and cheque books to minor account holders, depending on product suitability and customer appropriateness.
  • Minor accounts must not be overdrawn under any circumstances and should always maintain a credit balance.
• Transition Upon Attaining Majority:
  • Upon reaching the age of 18, account holders are required to submit fresh operating instructions and specimen signatures.
  • If the account was previously operated by a guardian, the existing balance must be verified.
  • Banks must take proactive measures to ensure a smooth transition during this process.
• Customer Due Diligence: Banks must conduct customer due diligence at the time of account opening and undertake ongoing due diligence as per the provisions of the Master Direction on Know Your Customer (KYC), 2016. 

PM Modi Co-Chairs Strategic Council with Saudi Crown Prince Before Returning to India

In the News: On April 22, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman co-chaired the second meeting of the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) in Jeddah. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors. However, the visit was cut short due to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, prompting PM Modi's early return to India.

• Strengthening Bilateral Relations: The SPC meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, trade, investment, technology, and cultural exchanges. Both leaders reviewed progress since their last meeting in September 2023 and discussed new initiatives to deepen the strategic partnership.
• Establishment of New Ministerial Committees: Two new ministerial committees were established under the SPC framework: one on Defence Cooperation and another on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation. These additions complement the existing committees on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation, and Economy and Investments.
• Economic Collaboration: Discussions included plans for joint projects in the refinery and petrochemical sectors, as well as feasibility studies for electricity grid interconnectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. These initiatives aim to bolster energy cooperation and infrastructure integration.
• Condemnation of Terrorism: Both leaders strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in multiple casualties. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed deep condolences, and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all forms.
• PM Modi's Early Departure: In light of the Pahalgam attack, PM Modi cancelled his scheduled engagements in Saudi Arabia, including an official dinner, and returned to India to oversee the situation.
• Invitation for Future Engagements: PM Modi extended an invitation to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit India for the third meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, underscoring the ongoing commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. 

BRICS Land Restoration Partnership: A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Agriculture

In the News: On April 18, 2025, during the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Brasília, Brazil, the BRICS nations launched the "BRICS Land Restoration Partnership." This initiative aims to combat land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss across the 11-member bloc, emphasizing sustainable agriculture and the welfare of small and marginal farmers. 

• Objective: The partnership seeks to address critical environmental challenges by restoring degraded lands, enhancing soil health, and promoting sustainable farming practices. It emphasizes creating a fair, inclusive, and sustainable agri-food system.
• India's Role: Represented by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India highlighted the importance of small and marginal farmers in global agricultural strategies. India shared its initiatives like the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), and Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) as models for sustainable agriculture.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on combating land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss.
  • Promotion of sustainable farming practices and climate adaptation.
  • Emphasis on the welfare of small and marginal farmers.
  • Integration of traditional knowledge with scientific innovation.

Significance: The partnership aligns with global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land). It represents a collective commitment by BRICS nations to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable agriculture.