Current affairs 19 April 2025

Centre assures SC of temporary suspension on key Waqf Provisions.

• The Supreme Court recorded the Centre’s assurance that neither waqf properties, including waqf by user, will be denotified nor appointments will be made to the central waqf council and boards till May 5.
• The contentious legislation permits the inclusion of non-Muslim members in these key waqf institutions.

SECL to Become First Coal PSU to Use Paste Fill Technology for Mining.

• South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is set to become the first coal PSU in India to adopt paste fill technology for coal mining—marking a major step toward sustainable and environmentally friendly mining practices.
• To implement this innovative underground mining technology, SECL has signed a ₹7040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited.

Ananya Panday becomes Chanel’s first-ever brand ambassador from India.

• French luxury brand Chanel named Bollywood star Ananya Panday as its first-ever brand ambassador from India.
• This comes after Ananya made her presence felt at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris.
• Ananya is also the brand ambassador of international brands such as Swarovski, Jimmy Choo, Lakmé, Beats and Timex.

IBC to organise two-day International Conclave in Arunachal Pradesh.

• The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture is hosting a two-day International Conclave at Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, titled Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of North-East India on 21-22 April 2025.
• North- East India, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

FM Sitharaman Hails BSE’s 150-Year Legacy, Launches BSE 150 Index.

• BSE, Asia’s oldest stock exchange celebrated its 150th anniversary.
• On this landmark occasion, Sitharaman launched the BSE 150 Index, a new benchmark index designed to track the performance of the top 150 listed companies based on market capitalization and liquidity.
• The new index aims to offer investors a more comprehensive view of India’s rapidly evolving equity landscape.