Buddhist Curriculum, Genome Map, Quantum

Welcome to 1947—your sharp, no-nonsense guide to India’s most important news.

It’s April 9. Today: a new curriculum in Himalayan monasteries, a genome map of 10,000 Indians, and hurdles for India’s quantum ambitions. Plus, job openings at ServiceNow, Alle, American Express, and more in Who’s Hiring.

Policy, Governance & Regulation

> Centre Seeks SC Hearing on Pleas Against Waqf Act
With the Waqf Act now in force, the Centre has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, requesting to be heard before any orders are passed on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Multiple petitions have been filed against the newly enacted law, and a hearing is likely on April 15. (Hindustan Times)

> New Curriculum in Border Monasteries Aims to Bolster National Identity
India will roll out its first unified curriculum for Buddhist monasteries this month, aiming to foster national identity and counter Chinese influence in Himalayan border regions. The initiative will bring consistency to education across 600 monasteries in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh, blending Buddhist teachings with modern subjects and a focus on Indian identity. (Reuters)

> Supreme Court Clears 10 Tamil Nadu Bills Citing Rare Constitutional Provision
The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution — which empowers it to pass orders to ensure “complete justice” — to clear 10 Bills stalled by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. The Court ruled that the Governor’s assent cannot be withheld or indefinitely delayed once a Bill is passed or re-passed by a state Assembly. The Bills, covering university governance, anti-corruption measures, public appointments, and early release of prisoners, had become a flashpoint between the DMK government and the Raj Bhavan. (India Today, Indian Express)

Health & Environment

> Genome Database of 10,000 Healthy Indians Unveiled
Scientists have built a genome database of 10,000 unrelated but healthy individuals from 83 population groups—a first-of-its-kind effort to map the country’s vast genetic diversity. The five-year GenomeIndia project uncovered 180 million DNA variations, 60% of which are rare. The data is expected to accelerate precision medicine research by helping identify disease-linked genetic mutations and tailoring treatments for Indian populations. (Deccan Herald, Nature)

> BPCL and Sembcorp Ink Green Hydrogen JV
State-run refiner Bharat Petroleum and Singapore’s Temasek-backed Sembcorp have formed a joint venture to develop green hydrogen and renewable energy projects across India. The venture may also explore green ammonia production, port emission cuts, and other clean fuel technologies. The move supports India’s push toward 500 GW of clean energy by 2030 and its goal of producing 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. (Reuters)

Business

> How Tariffs Shaped—and Hindered—India’s Economy
India's post-independence experiment with protectionism saw it impose high tariffs to boost local manufacturing—but the approach stifled competition and failed to create a high-growth economy. After liberalizing in the 1990s and slashing average tariffs from 125% to 13%, India experienced rapid economic expansion, rising to the world’s fifth-largest economy. Yet, economists say persistent high tariffs—like those on synthetic fibers—have hurt sectors like apparel exports, allowing countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam to pull ahead. (Wall Street Journal)

> Footwear Sector is Getting a Makeover
A quiet revolution is reshaping India’s footwear industry. Taiwan’s Hong Fu, a Nike supplier, is building a factory in Tamil Nadu that will produce 25 million pairs of shoes annually. The shift comes as India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduces stricter quality norms for all footwear sold in the country, aiming to curb the influx of low-quality imports. Experts say the government is pushing standards while offering support for small manufacturers to upgrade, rather than shutting them down. (BBC)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Uber’s Pricing Shift Sparks Concerns in India’s Ride-Hailing Market
Uber is shifting to a subscription-based pricing model for two- and three-wheelers in India, a move experts say could reshape global ride-hailing economics. While Uber leads the cab segment with 50% market share, it trails Rapido (31%) and Ola (26%) in the two- and three-wheeler space. As Uber slashes fares to retain users, critics warn this could intensify price wars, hurting startups and worsening driver conditions. (Rest of World)

> National Quantum Push Faces Hardware Hurdles
India has launched an ambitious National Quantum Mission integrating research, workforce training, and commercial applications. But despite a strong strategic foundation, it still lacks a domestically built quantum computer—leaving it vulnerable to export controls and supply chain constraints. Efforts at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research face delays due to procurement and funding challenges, highlighting the need for stronger hardware capabilities and industry-academic collaboration. (Quantum Insider)

Quick Hits

> Over ₹33 lakh crore in collateral-free loans have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana since its 2015 launch, PM Modi said, marking a decade of the scheme.

> The UIDAI is launching a new Aadhaar app with facial recognition, allowing users to securely share Aadhaar data without handing over physical copies.

> Bengaluru-based social gaming startup Eloelo has raised ₹114 crore (~$13 million) in a Series B round led by Play Ventures.

> Amazon India will expand its Ashray rest centres for delivery workers from 30 to 100 by year-end, offering facilities like AC seating, water, washrooms, and first aid.

> Pune-based agritech startup AgroStar has raised $6.7 million in a round led by Accel India to expand its tech-driven agri-input and advisory platform.

> Regional Indian restaurants like Semma and Chatti are redefining New York City’s dining scene by celebrating authenticity over Western adaptation.

> Fawad Khan’s Bollywood return is sparking excitement, over a year after India’s court struck down a ban on Pakistani artists.

Worth a Look

Nandan Nilekani’s deck The Great Unlock lays out bold reforms across tech, capital, entrepreneurship, and formalisation at population scale. Well worth a skim (email needed).​

Who’s Hiring

> ServiceNow is hiring a Legal Counsel.

> American Express is hiring an Associate - Digital Product Management.

> Alle, which is building a personal AI stylist, is hiring a Growth Lead.

> Morningstar, an investment insights provider, is hiring an Associate Legal Counsel.

> Google is hiring a Corporate Development Manager.

Social Spotlight

> Health and longevity influencer Bryan Johnson expresses concerns in a video on air pollution in India.

> Perplexity shares a thread on the impact of Apple shifting more production from China to India.

> Blume’s Sajith Pai segments India’s population into three categories, presenting a picture of who’s spending on what.

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