Current affairs 09 April 2025

India Appointed to UN's ISAR for 2025–2027 Term.

• India has been elected uncontested to the UN's Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting for the 2025–2027 period, reflecting its growing role in global financial reporting.
• ISAR, hosted by UNCTAD since 1982, focuses on enhancing global accounting standards and corporate disclosure practices to foster economic stability and investment.

MUDRA Scheme Achieves World’s Lowest NPA Rate, Empowers Entrepreneurs.

• The MUDRA Scheme records the world’s lowest NPA rate at 3.5%, supporting grassroots entrepreneurship.
• MUDRA Yojana:
• Launched in 2015
• Aim: Collateral-free loans for non-corporate, non-farm small & micro entrepreneurs.
• Facilitated through Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA)
• Loan Categories: Shishu: Up to ₹50,000; Kishore: ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, Tarun: ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh

NTPC Talcher Kaniha Achieves 100% Ash Utilization.

• NTPC Talcher Kaniha, a Super Thermal Power Station, has attained 100% ash utilization in the Financial Year 2024–25, up from 68% last year, using 67 LMT of ash.
• Fly ash was used in major NHAI and Odisha road projects.
• The achievement aligns with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s norms, minimizing ash pond storage and promoting eco-friendly practices.

MeitY & UNESCO Host AI Readiness Meet in Hyderabad.

• The 3rd AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) consultation by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology & UNESCO is being held on April 8, 2025, in Hyderabad, focusing on AI governance and readiness.
• The event features the IndiaAI Mission, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on governance, workforce, infrastructure, and use cases.

Finance Ministry Merges 26 RRBs Under "One State, One RRB" Plan.

• The Ministry of Finance has merged 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) as part of the 'One State, One RRB' initiative, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• This is the fourth phase of RRB amalgamation, involving 10 states and one UT.
• After the merger, 28 RRBs will operate across 26 states and 2 UTs, with over 22,000 branches serving 700 districts, predominantly in rural areas.