April 13th ~ Flashcards
Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Geographical Indications (GI) Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Meghalaya’s indigenous textile, _______ and Khasi handloom products.
- The achievement aligns with the vision of Meghalaya’s Chief Minister (CM) Conrad Kongkal Sangma and Textiles Minister Paul Lyngdoh to promote Meghalaya’s indigenous heritage and establish “Brand Meghalaya” globally.
‘Ryndia’ silk
- The GI recognition applies to Ryndia, a handwoven, hand-spun, naturally dyed, organically produced, and ethically sourced fabric – along with other Meghalaya handloom products.
- Meghalaya’s GI Recognition was catalyzed by the recognition of Umden–Diwon Village under Raid Nongtluh (located in Ri-Bhoi) as Meghalaya’s 1st Eri Silk Village on February 12, 2021.
______ hosted its ‘NXT25 Summit 2025’-Leading the Leap was held from April 7–8, 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The summit brought together Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), global investors, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss India’s growth roadmap for the next 25 years across key sectors including investment, technology, sustainability and innovation.
The India Global Forum (IGF)
- The summit was supported by the United Kingdom (UK) Government, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) of the Government of India (GoI).
- During the IGF NXT25 Summit, the Government of Maharashtra signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth approximately USD 50 billion with leading domestic and global investors to accelerate infrastructure development, economic growth, and innovation in the state.
______, a division of London (UK)-based Unilever PLC, a multinational consumer packed goods company, signed a strategic MoU to:
- Establish its India headquarters in Mumbai, serving as the regional hub for the Middle East, Turkey, and South Asia (METSA).
- Set up a Global Capability Center (GCC) in Pune, Maharashtra, with an investment of Rs. 900 crores (approximately USD 108.4 million), creating over 500 direct jobs by 2029.
Magnum Ice Cream Company
the 8th Session of the ______ under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held in New Delhi, Delhi
India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWGPIP)
India-Russia Investment Forum 2025 :
i. It was organised by New Delhi (Delhi)-based Invest India, which operates under DPIIT (MoC&I) and Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)-based Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, Russia.
ii. The forum saw robust participation from over 80 stakeholders, including business leaders, financial institutions, logistics firms, trade bodies, and senior officials from both countries.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based _______ and Queensland (Australia) based Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a meeting at Cricket Club of India Limited (CCI) in Mumbai (Maharashtra) to enhance cooperation in cotton production, trade trends, pricing, and market insights.
Note: According to the latest ASCA Market Report, India ranked as Australia’s third-largest cotton export market, accounting for 12% of total exports, after China (28%) and Vietnam (26%).
Cotton Association of India (CAI)
- The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade and streamline market access under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which has been operational since 29 December 2022.
Trade Under AI-ECTA:
i. AI-ECTA allows duty-free access for 51,000 tonnes (t) of Australian cotton annually to India, of which 50,000 tonnes are under an ‘allocated’ quota and 1,000 tonnes under a ‘first-come, first-served’ provision.
ii. As per Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) data, the final export volume for 2024 reached 50,719 tonnes, nearly identical to the 50,690 tonnes recorded in 2023.
_______ was named the World’s Best Airport in 2025 during the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025, held at the Passenger Terminal Expo at Institución Ferial de Madrid (IFEMA) in Madrid, Spain.
Doha’s (Qatar) Hamad International Airport (HIA), a former three-time winner of the World’s Best Airport award, is ranked second, and Japan’s Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) is ranked third.
Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore)
- This marks the 13th time, Singapore Changi Airport has won the title, a record in the history of the awards.
Indian Airports in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025:
No Indian airport has been named in the list of the world’s top 20. The Indian Airports that were featured in the World’s Best Airport 2025 Awards are:
i. New Delhi’s (Delhi) Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), or Delhi International Airport, India’s largest, most advanced, and busiest airport, was ranked ______ (36th in 2024). It also earned the title of Best Airport in India and South Asia in 2025.
ii. Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru (Karnataka), was ranked _____ in 2025, and in 2024, it was ranked 58th. KIA has also been named the Best Regional Airport in India & South Asia. T2 of the KIA has received Skytrax’s 5-star airport terminal rating, making it the 1st airport in India to receive its 5-star rating. The 5-Star Airport Rating is granted after a comprehensive audit of over 800 passenger touchpoints across over 30 categories. Taj Bangalore, a luxury hotel near the KIA terminal, was honoured as the Best Airport Hotel in India & South Asia.
iii. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad (Telangana), was ranked _____. In 2024, it was ranked 59th. GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), Hyderabad, which operates the RGIA, was honoured with the ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2025’ award for the 4th time.
iv. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (Maharashtra), was ranked 73rd in 2025. In 2024, it was ranked 95th.
v. Manohar International Airport at Mopa, Goa, was ranked as the Best Airport by Passenger Numbers with less than 5 million passengers. It was ranked 80th in 2025, and in 2024, it was ranked 92nd.
32nd ;
48th ;
56th
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) led the Indian delegation at the 2025 BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- The meeting was attended by agriculture ministers and senior officials of BIMSTEC member countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
- This marks the _____ BAMM, the highest decision-making body shaping regional agricultural cooperation, following previous meetings held in Myanmar (2019) and India (2022).
3rd
i. While addressing the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister reiterated India’s commitment to regional agricultural cooperation and underscored the alignment of BIMSTEC with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
ii. He informed that India has taken the initiative under BIMSTEC Agriculture Cooperation (2023- 2027) by conducting trainings and workshops in the
field of seed development, animal health, and pest
management.
iii. India has proposed to set up a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Agriculture Cooperation in India. The key focus areas for the proposed CoE are: accurate farming, natural and organic agriculture, climate risk mitigation, gender equality, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture. It will also provide a platform for sharing knowledge and skills on emerging technologies like drones, digital technologies to ensure food security, nutrition and livelihood security in the region.
______ became the first African country and fourth country globally after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba, to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a treaty-based intergovernmental organization jointly launched by India and France in 2015.
- : The CPF, introduced by the ISA, is a strategic three-year renewable framework aimed at strengthening long- and medium-term collaboration with its member countries.
Mauritius
- This strategic partnership was formalized by Barakat Ahmed, Regional Programmes Head for Africa at the ISA, and Zeenat Guness-Goolbar, Permanent Secretary of Mauritius’ Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius.
- The signing of CPF took place during the two-day event Global SolarX Accelerator Programme hosted by the ISA in Mauritius.
______ became the 54th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a set of non-binding agreements established by the Washington, D.C., United States of America (USA) based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in October 2020, to promote peaceful, transparent, and cooperative civil exploration of outer space.
Bangladesh
New Delhi (Delhi)-based GAIL (India) Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary named ______ at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gujarat.
- This strategic move aims to diversify GAIL’s operations beyond its traditional natural gas and energy infrastructure businesses.
- This new entity will function as a finance company within the IFSC, adhering to all guidelines of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
GAIL Global IFSC Limited
________, former President of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, passed away at the age of 102 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. He was born on February 08, 1924 in Huakhongphayai village, Siphandone province (now Champasack province) in Lao PDR.
General Khamtay Siphandone
_______, the Oscar-winning American publicist, passed away at the age of 96 in Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA).
Marvin Levy
- Levy became the first and only publicist to receive an Honorary Academy Award in 2018, recognizing his distinguished career and contributions to the film industry.
April 11
- National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed annually in India on 11 April to emphasize the importance of maternal healthcare, promote safe delivery practices, and reduce maternal mortality rates. In 2025, NSMD focussed on accelerating efforts to achieve equitable access to quality maternal care.
- World Parkinson’s Day (WPD) is observed globally on 11 April annually to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD), a chronic degenerative disorder of the central nervous system affecting motor and non-motor functions. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. James Parkinson, the English surgeon who first described PD as “paralysis agitans” in his 1817 publication ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.’
govt. schemes related to safe motherhood
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Launched in April 2005 as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). It is a conditional cash transfer scheme to incentivize institutional deliveries.
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Introduced in 2016 to provide free antenatal check-ups on the 9th of every month.
- Poshan Abhiyaan: Launched in 2018, aiming to improve maternal and child nutrition through community participation.
- LaQshya Initiative: Initiated on 11th December 2017 to enhance the quality of care in labor rooms and maternity operation theatres.
- National Health Mission (NHM): Established in 2013, encompassing the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural regions.
- Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS): Introduced in December 2009 to digitally monitor health services for pregnant women and children
the ______ released a comprehensive report titled “Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains”. This report is the second in the series of Global Value Chains (GVCs). It was launched by Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, of the institution.
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
- The report explores the transformative potential of India’s automotive component industry, outlining a strategic roadmap to elevate India’s presence in the global automotive ecosystem.
- It highlights current trends, challenges, and strategic interventions necessary to strengthen India’s presence in GVCs.
Note: GVC refers to a phenomenon where production is broken into activities and tasks carried out in different countries.
India’s Automotive Industry: (NITI AAYOG REPORT)
i. India has emerged as the ______-largest automobile producer globally, following China, the United States of America (USA), and Japan, with an annual production of nearly 6 million automobile units.
ii. Supported by initiatives like ‘Make In India’ (MII) and its cost-competitive workforce, India is positioning itself as a hub for automotive manufacturing and exports.
iii. India’s automotive industry contributes _____ to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 49% to manufacturing GDP.
iv. The Indian Auto industry produced over 28 million vehicles, including Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and Quadricycles from April 2023 to March 2024.
fourth ;
7.1% ;
Global Automotive Landscape: (NITI AAYOG REPORT)
i. In 2023, global automobile production of cars and commercial vehicles reached approximately 94 million units.
ii. The global automotive components market was valued at around USD 2 trillion in 2022, with the export share reaching approximately _____, equivalent to USD 700 billion. Approximately 70% of automotive components are produced domestically for consumption within their respective markets.
iii. India’s share in the global automotive component trade is around _____ (~USD 20 billion). India’s trade ratio in auto components is near neutral (~0.99), with exports and imports nearly balancing each other.
30% ;
3%
Challenges in India’s Automotive Sector:
i. India’s presence in the global automotive component market is relatively modest, contributing _____ across most segments.
ii. Challenges that restrict the global competitiveness of India’s automotive sector include high operational costs, infrastructure deficits, moderate GVC integration, and low Research and Development (R&D) investment.
iii. The report outlines several strategic fiscal and non-fiscal interventions aimed at enhancing India’s global competitiveness in the automotive sector.
Vision for 2030: Transforming India’s Automotive Sector:
i. This report predicts a bold future where India’s automotive component production reaches USD 145 billion by 2030, with automotive component exports tripling to USD 60 billion (from USD 20 billion).
ii. This growth would lead to a trade surplus of approximately USD 25 billion and a significant increase in India’s share of the global automotive value chain from 3% to 8%
2-4%
About the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 2015
the Ministry of _______ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDCL), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra to develop India’s first of its kind institute focused on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGCXR).
Information & Broadcasting (MoI&B)
- The Institute will be named as Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and it will be set up at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai, developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
the Ministry of Education (MoE) announced a _____ hike in the material cost under the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme, earlier known as the Midday Meal Scheme.
An overall budget of Rs 12,500 crore has been allocated for the PM POSHAN scheme in the Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26), and to implement the revised cooking cost, the Union Government will bear an additional Rs 954 crore
9.5%
- The revision comes in light of inflation trends, based on the Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL), which is compiled by the Chandigarh based Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E).
i. The Constantine the Philosopher University in ________, awarded an Honoris Causa Doctorate (Honorary Doctorate, Dr. h. c.) to Droupadi Murmu, President of India.
ii. The honorary title Doctorate Honoris Causa is conferred by the University’s Scientific Council to individuals with exceptional global contributions in education, science, culture, etc.
Nitra, Slovakia
The inaugural edition of the _____ exercise named ‘Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME 2025)’ which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, a 1st of-its-kind initiative co-hosted by India and Tanzania, commenced in Tanzania on April 13, 2025 and will continue till April 18, 2025.
- The harbour phase of the exercise was jointly inaugurated by Union Minister of State (MoS) Sanjay Seth, Ministry of Defence (MoD), India and Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania Dr. Stergomena Lawrence onboard Indian Naval Ship (INS) Chennai at Dar-es-salam, Tanzania.
- This initiative is in alignment with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
multilateral
- Participating countries: The 6-day multilateral exercise saw participation from various African countries such as: Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa (SA).
- Participating Units from India: INS Chennai (destroyer) and INS Kesari (Large) reached at Dar-esSalaam to participate in the exercise.
- Also, INS Sunayna, renamed Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR and sailed out from Karwar naval base on April 05, 2025 will participate in the exercise.
the “Investigation, Prosecution and Conviction Portal” of______ Police won the SKOCH Award at national level in the ‘Police & Safety’ category.
About SKOCH Awards:
i. SKOCH Awards, established in 2003, recognizes the exceptional contributions of individuals, projects and institutions in the field of governance, inclusive growth, technology excellence, corporate leadership, citizen service delivery, and capacity building.
ii. The awards are presented annually by Gurugram (Haryana)-based SKOCH Group, India’s leading full services consulting firm since 1997
Uttar Pradesh (UP)
- The portal was developed by the technical services unit of UP Police
New Delhi (Delhi)- based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) named _____ from April 8 to 10, 2025. These trials were conducted using the Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.
‘Gaurav’
India finished its First leg of International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2025 campaign in ______, with a total of eight medals—4 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze—finishing second overall, while China topped the standings with 11 medals, including 5 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze. The event took place from April 1 to April 11, 2025.
- The United States of America (USA) secured third place with a total of 6 medals, including 2 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze
Buenos Aires, Argentina
About ISSF World Cup:
The ISSF World Cup (WC), organised annually by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) headquartered in Munich, Germany, features separate competitions for rifle and pistol events, as well as a dedicated World Cup for shotgun events.
- Totally four World Cups are held every year, only three are organised during Summer Olympic years. The first ISSF World Cup was held in 1986 in Mexico.
About International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF):
President– Luciano Rossi (Italy)
Established– 1907
Headquarters– Munich, Germany
renowned Kathak dancer and Padma Awardee ______ passed away at the age of 95 at her residence in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She was born on May 17, 1930 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- In January 2025, she was conferred with Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd highest civilian honor by the Government of India (GoI) in ‘Arts’ category in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Kathak.
Kumudini Lakhia
Renowned environmentalist ______, popularly called “Vanajeevi Ramaiah,” and “Chettu Ramaiah” passed away at the age of 87. He was known as the “Tree Man of India” for his lifelong efforts in planting and protecting tree
Daripalli Ramaiah
April 12
- The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Human Space Flight is annually observed across the world on April 12 to celebrate the beginning of the space era for mankind and highlights the pivotal role of space science and technology in promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
-
The International Day for Street Children (IDSC) is annually observed across the world on April 12 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by millions of children living on the streets globally. The observance of IDSC is led by London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based Consortium for Street Children (CSC).
* Each year the CSC decides on theme for IDSC to promote the needs of street children globally.
* Theme of IDSC 2025 is ‘Participation’
April 13
- Every year Siachen Day is observed by the Indian Army (IA) on April 13 to commemorate Operation Meghdoot. On this day, Indian troops successfully landed at Bilafond La Pass and captured key positions on the Siachen Glacier, gaining a strategic advantage in the disputed Kashmir region, home to the world’s highest battlefield. The day is observed on April 13 to commemorate the courage and unwavering determination of the IA in the world’s longest active military operation.
* 13th April 2025 marks the 41st year of IA’s presence at Siachen Glacier. - 13th April 2025 marks the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, which took place on 13th April 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab, then part of British India (now in Punjab, India).
India is the second-largest silk producer after _____ and also the largest consumer of silk globally, with the industry holding significant historical, cultural, and economic importance.
China
The Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is implementing the Scheme for Setting up of Plastic Parks under the umbrella scheme of New Scheme of Petrochemicals, to focus on developing Plastic Parks equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and common facilities.
India stands _____ in the world export of plastics, as per the 2022 World Bank estimates. It has experienced significant growth from 8.2 million thousand USD in 2014 to an estimated 27 million thousand USD in 2022
12th
Key Highlights:
i. Under the above scheme, the Government of India provides financial assistance of up to 50% of the project cost, with a maximum limit of Rs.40 crores per project.
ii. The following are the objectives of the scheme:
- Increase the competitiveness, polymer absorption capacity and value addition in the domestic downstream plastic processing industry.
- Increase investments in the sector through additions in capacity and production, facilitation to ensure value addition and increase in exports.
- Achieve environmentally sustainable growth through innovative methods.
- Adopt a cluster development approach to achieve the above objectives, leveraging the benefits of resource optimization and economies of scale
New Delhi (Delhi)-based Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced new category of industries called ______ industries based on the Essential Environmental Services (EES) for managing the pollution caused by the anthropogenic (human-induced) activities. Previously, the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incineration industries which use the process of burning unsegregated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) produces dirty electricity were classified as a ‘Red Category’ industry by CPCB.
‘Blue category’
Key Features:
i. The Blue category industry will get an additional two years validity for Consent to Operate (CTO) i.e. consent to pollute by CPCB, as per the Pollution Index (PI).
ii. As per CPCB, the new classification is based on ‘precautionary principle’ which means the potential of industries to pollute the environment. Also, industries that produce minimum hazardous waste will be classified under the ‘blue industry’ category.
iii. The new blue category will include industries like: composting, Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants, Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Material Recovery Facilities (MRF). It includes WTE plants in this category despite high PI (97.6) due to the services it provides.
the United States of America (USA) based ________, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), initiated a call for expressions of interest for eligible Financial Services Providers (FSPs) to participate in its Catalytic First Loss Guarantee Facility under the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Finance Platform.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
The facility aims to expand access to credit for women-owned businesses, agriculture-focused MSMEs, and climate-related financing while demonstrating the commercial viability of these segments.
The primary goal of the facility is to provide first-loss guarantees to eligible third-party FSPs, enabling
them to scale operations, test innovative products, and adopt inclusive risk criteria.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) and California (the United State of America, USA) based _____, in partnership with IIT-M Pravartak Technologies Foundation, launched ‘Kompact AI’, a platform enabling the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models on Central Processing Units (CPUs) without requiring Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
Ziroh Labs
- This innovation aligns with India’s “AI for All” mission, aiming to bridge the digital divide by providing AI capabilities to regions with limited resources .
- The collaboration also established the Centre of AI Research (CoAIR) to address compute accessibility challenges in India. CoAIR focuses on creating practical AI solutions for CPU-based and edge device inferencing, benefiting startups, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and government agencies
the 11th annual Breakthrough Prizes, also known as the Oscars® of Science, were announced by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation during a grand ceremony in Santa Monica, California, the United States of America (USA).The event was held to celebrate extraordinary contributions in the fields of science and mathematics.
- The High Energy Physics Group from the Department of Physics, University of ______ was recognized as part of the international team awarded the Breakthrough Prize 2025 in Fundamental Physics. The recognition highlights the University’s significant role in global scientific advancements
Jammu, in Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir, J&K)
______ was re-elected as the president of Ecuador for a 4-year term with 55.8% of the votes, defeating Luisa González of the Citizen Revolution Movement, who garnered 44% in the presidential election.
Daniel Roy Gilchrist Noboa Azín
______, the interim President of Gabon, was elected as its President following the official provisional results announced by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of Gabon.
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
- The victory enabled Brice Oligui Nguema to commence a full seven-year presidential term in office.
______ has successfully conducted the field trial of land version of vehicle mounted Mk-II (A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
The Laser-DEW Mark-II(A) was tested for a 3.5 kilometre (km) range in hot weather or extreme conditions. With this, India became the 4th country in the world, after the United States of America (USA), Russia and China, possesse this Star Wars-like DEW system.
New Delhi (Delhi)-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
_______, the Nobel Prize-winning Peruvian novelist and a towering figure in Latin American literature, passed away at the age of 89 in Lima, Peru, on 13th April 2025 surrounded by his family.
He was a prolific author and essayist, renowned for acclaimed novels like The Time of the Hero (La Ciudad y los Perros) and The Feast of the Goat. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010.
Mario Vargas Llosa
April 14
- World Chagas Disease Day (WCDD) is observed globally every year on April 14 to spread awareness about Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi). The theme for WCDD 2025 is “Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s Role in Chagas Disease“, highlighting the collective responsibility in combating this illness.
- National Fire Service Day (NFSD) is observed annually on April 14 in India to pay tribute to the brave firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, particularly during the Bombay Dock Explosion of 1944. The day also marks the beginning of the Fire Service Week (FSW), which is observed annually from April 14 to 20 to raise awareness about fire safety measures among the public, employees, and students. April 14, 2025, marks the 81st anniversary of the 1944 Bombay Dock explosion. The theme of NFSD 2025 and FSW 2025 is “Unite to Ignite, a Fire Safe India – Fire Safety, Contribute towards Nation Building.”
- World Quantum Day is observed annually worldwide on 14th April to promote global awareness and understanding of quantum science and technology. The day aims to highlight quantum science as the language of the universe and encourage global cooperation in its research and application. April 14, 2025, marks the observance of the 4th World Quantum Day.
The Gujarat Police launched the_______, aiming to enhance police response time during crime incidents through drone-based surveillance. As part of the project, whenever an incident is reported through the police control number 100, alerts will be simultaneously sent to both the Police Control Room (PCR) van and the drone base station.
‘Gujarat Police – Drone Response and Aerial Surveillance Tactical Intervention (GP-DRASTI) Project’
i. During a 10-day pilot project conducted in Ahmedabad and Surat, drones were able to reach the scene in 2 to 2.5 minutes, which is less than half the time taken by PCR vans.
ii. The real-time footage captured by drones will be transmitted to officers at the drone base station, enabling quick situation assessment and efficient deployment of police forces.
iii. Initially, the project will be implemented in eight police stations in Ahmedabad. It will later be expanded to Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat with additional drone deployment.
According to the fourth edition of the India Justice Report (IJR 2025) released on 15 April 2025, _______ has topped the list of 18 large and mid-sized Indian states (with population over 1 crore) in terms of justice delivery. It is the only state that fulfilled the reservation quotas for Scheduled Caste (SC), Schedule Tribes (ST), and Other Backward class (OBC) communities in both the police and judiciary.
Karnataka
- Karnataka is followed by Andhra Pradesh (AP) at second place, Telangana at third, Kerala at fourth, and Tamil Nadu (TN) at fifth among the large and mid-sized states in the IJR 2025.
- Telangana made the biggest improvement, moving from 11th to 3rd place. West Bengal (WB) ranked lowest among the 18 large and mid-sized states. Karnataka got a score of 6.78 out of 10, while WB scored 3.63 overall.
- Among smaller states (with population upto 1 crore), Sikkim ranked first, followed by Himachal Pradesh (HP) at second place and Arunachal Pradesh (AR) at third while Goa was at the bottom
the Government of Telangana notified the implementation of the ‘Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2025’, through a gazette notification, marking it as the first state in India to implement sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes (SCs), also known as reservation within reservation, by classifying _____ SC sub-castes into three groups for reservations in education and employment.
59
- The Telangana Government based its decision on empirical data, including the social, economic, educational, employment, and political status of SC communities
the Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri–Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana during an event in Cuttack, Odisha.
Odisha became the _____ state in India to implement the AB PM-JAY scheme.
34th
_____ has been elected to chair International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)’s Committee on Governance, one of the key advisory bodies of INTERPOL. With this, the country became the 1st country to chair this newly formed standing committee, and will serve 2 year-term.
the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General (DG) of the International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior (UAE) got 67% of the total votes from the representatives of INTERPOL member states during the committee’s session held at Lyon, France.
- As part of the committee’s mandate, UAE will be responsible for steering discussions on INTERPOL’s governance, representing the committee in reports to the General Assembly and the Executive Committee and ensuring co-ordination among member states to enhance the functioning of INTERPOL.
the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) has appointed former Supreme Court (SC) judge _______ as the Chairperson of the 23rd Law Commission of India (LCI), succeeding Justice (Retired) Ritu Raj Awasthi.
- Along with him, Advocate Hitesh Jain and Professor D.P. Verma have been appointed as fulltime members of the 23rd LCI for a tenure extending until 31st August 2027.
Justice Dinesh Maheshwari
_______, an Australian Formula One (F1) driver representing the United Kingdom (UK)- based McLaren, won the Formula 1(F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) 2025, held at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain. This marked Piastri’s second victory of the 2025 F1 season and the fourth F1 career win.
Oscar Piastri
- The Bahrain GP marked the 50th career race start for Oscar Piastri in F1 .
- With this, he became the first driver to win multiple races in the 2025 F1 season, following his earlier win at the Chinese GP in March 2025.
Note: Oscar Piastri became First McLaren driver to win in Sakhir (Bahrain), since the circuit’s F1 debut in 2004.
_______, won the 11th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 by defeating Bengaluru FC with a score of 2-1 in the final match held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), a Kolkata (West Bengal)-based football club (FC)
- This marked MBSG’s second ISL title, their first being in the 2022-23 season (then known as ATK Mohun Bagan).
- With this victory, MBSG became the second team in ISL history, after Mumbai City FC (2020-21), to win both the ISL Winners Shield and the ISL Title.
- Pokemon served as the Official Sponsor of the ISL 2024-25 Final, while Hero MotoCorp Limited remained the Title Sponsor of the tournament.
Lausanne, Switzerland based International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that cricket will make its return to the Olympic Games at the _______, after a gap of 128 years.
- The sport will feature six teams each in men’s and women’s T20 (Twenty20) tournaments, marking its first Olympic appearance since the 1900 Paris Games, where a one-off match between Great Britain and France was held.
2028 Los Angeles Olympics
former Indian basketball team captain ______ passed away at the age of 83 years in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. He was born in 1942 in Chiiriyakhan village, located in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.
- He was a recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1969, one of India’s highest honours for outstanding achievement in sports
Hari Dutt Kapri
Historian Sriram V translated freedom fighter S. Ambujammal’s 1973 Tamil autobiography ‘Nan Kanda Bharatham’ into English as ______. It was published by New Delhi (Delhi) based Rupa Publications.
The book stands out for documenting over 65 undocumented rebels, with Sriram V noting there are likely more, shedding light on lesser-known contributors to the freedom struggle
‘The India I Saw:: A Glimpse into the Life of S. Ambujammal
April 15
World Art Day (WAD) is observed annually worldwide on April 15 to strengthen the connection between artistic creations and society, promote awareness of diverse artistic expressions, and acknowledge artists’ contributions to sustainable development.
* The WAD 2025 theme, “DNA – Do No Algorithm,” emphasizes human creativity as a counter to AI-generated art.
* The celebration of WAD centers on the promotion, development, dissemination, and appreciation of art across all forms and cultures
April 16
World Voice Day (WVD) is an annual global event observed on April 16 to celebrate the significance of the human voice in communication, identity, and culture.
- It is a day dedicated to recognising the significance of the human voice, highlighting its vital role in everyday communication, professional interaction, and artistic expression.
- The 2025 campaign, themed “Empower Your Voice,” emphasizes vocal health awareness and the importance of nurturing one’s voice. The theme was chosen by the Voice Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS).
the Government of ______ declared its 25th wildlife sanctuary (WLS), named Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran, covering an area of 258.64 square kilometres (sq. km) in Sagar district, in the said state.
Madhya Pradesh (MP)
- The WLS was notified under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and was inaugurated on 14th April 2025, coinciding with the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
- It has been designated to strengthen wildlife conservation, preserve biodiversity, and support sustainable eco-tourism and employment in MP, which is widely recognized as the “Tiger State of India”
New Delhi (Delhi) based National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog launched a report titled “Unlocking USD25+ Billion Export Potential – India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector.” It indicates that India can achieve USD 25+ billion (Rs. 2,13,925+ crore) in exports within the next ______ years, capturing 25% of the global hand tools market and 10% of the global power tools market.
- India’s share in the global hand and power tools trade is currently valued at USD 100 billion and is expected to grow to USD 190 billion by 2035
10
i. China leads the global export market by holding 50% (USD 13 billion) of the hand tools market and 40% (USD 22 billion) of the power tool exports.
ii. India’s share remains modest at 1.8% (USD 600 million) in hand tools and 0.7% (USD 470 million) in power tools
- The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the world’s ____ largest by volume and 11th largest in terms of value.
- India is globally the largest supplier of generic drugs, accounting for 20% of global supply.
- India is also one of the biggest suppliers of low-cost vaccines in the world.
i. As per FDI Policy 2020, up to 100% foreign investment is allowed under the automatic route in meditech activities.
ii. In Pharmaceuticals, up to 100% FDI in greenfield projects and up to 74% FDI in brownfield projects is allowed under the automatic route
3rd
i. India is the fourth largest medical device market in Asia, after Japan, China and South Korea.
ii. India is among the top 20 global medical device markets in the world.
iii. The total annual turnover of Pharmaceuticals in Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 was Rs.4,17,345 crores, out of which Rs.2,19,439 was from exports
As per the data of Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India’s total exports (merchandise and services) during Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 is estimated at USD 820.93 Billion (bn) registering a growth of _____ percent from USD 778.13 bn in FY 2023-2024.
- Total imports during FY 2024-25 is estimated at USD 915.19 bn registering a growth of 6.85 percent from USD 856.52 bn in FY 2023-2024
5.50
the 6th edition of the India-______ Joint Military Exercise (DUSTLIK-VI) commenced at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Aundh, Pune (Maharashtra). The 13-day exercise is scheduled to be conducted from April 16- 28, 2025.
- The Exercise DUSTLIK-VI focuses on strengthening bilateral defence ties and refining counterterrorism strategies in semi-urban environments.
About DUSTLIK-VI:
i. The DUSTLIK-VI exercise emphasizes Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations within semi-urban environments.
ii. The exercise simulates comprehensive counter-terrorism missions, including territory capture, establishment of a Joint Operations Centre at the battalion level, population control measures, raids, search-and-destroy operations, and coordinated use of air assets.
Uzbekistan
i. The exercise, named ‘Dustlik’ (meaning ‘friendship’ in Uzbek), is an annual bilateral event conducted alternately in India and Uzbekistan since 2019.
ii. DUSTLIKVI facilitates the exchange of best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for subconventional operations. By strengthening defence cooperation, the exercise further augments bilateral relations and mutual trust between India and Uzbekistan.
iii. The previous edition (DUSTLIK-V) was held in Termez District, Uzbekistan, in April 2024.
the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) released trade data showing that ______ continued to be India’s largest trading partner for the 4th consecutive year in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), with bilateral trade reaching USD 131.84 billion.
- In FY25, China was India’s second-largest trading partner with total bilateral trade amounting to USD 127.7 billion, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked third with USD 100.5 billion in trade value
the United States of America (USA)
- Bilateral trade between India and the USA is likely to grow, as both nations are working to increase trade in goods and services from USD 191 billion currently to USD 500 billion by 2030.
India–U.S. Trade Overview in FY25:
i. India’s exports to the USA grew by 11.6% in FY25 to USD 86.51 billion, compared to USD 77.52 billion in FY24.
ii. Imports from the USA rose by 7.44% to USD 45.33 billion, compared to USD 42.2 billion in FY24.
iii. The trade surplus in favour of India with the USA increased to USD 41.18 billion in FY25 from USD 35.32 billion in FY24.
iv. In 2024, India’s main exports to the USA were drug formulations and biologicals (USD 8.1 billion), telecom instruments (USD 6.5 billion), and precious and semi-precious stones (USD 5.3 billion), among others.
- Major imports from the USA included crude oil (USD 4.5 billion), petroleum products (USD 3.6 billion), and coal and coke (USD 3.4 billion), among others.
Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Minister of Cooperation (MoC) addressed the State Level Cooperative Conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP). The event was organized under the ______ to emphasize the importance of cooperative societies in India.
‘2025 – International Cooperative Year’
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Gujarat based National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF) to enhance the role of cooperative dairy societies in milk production across the state.
Montreal (Canada)-based Airports Council International (ACI) World released its Annual Rankings of the World’s busiest Airports 2024 . As per the report, Delhi Airport (DEL), named Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi (Delhi) ranked at _____ spot, among the world’s top 10 busiest airports in 2024 in ‘passenger’ category. Over the years, Delhi airport has improved its ranking from 10th (in 2023), 13th (2021) and 17th (2019).
9th
- IGIA saw passenger traffic of 77 million in 2024, marking an increase of 7.8% compared to 2023 and 13.6% compared to 2019.
- While, the United States of America, USA-based Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) continues to be the world’s busiest airport, handling over 108 million passengers traffic in 2024.
- It is followed by Dubai (the United Arab Emirates, UAE)-based Dubai International Airport (DXB) and USA-based Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) ranked at 2nd and 3rd position, respectively.
Washington, (United States of America, USA)-based _______ released the “State of Social Protection Report 2025: The 2-Billion-Person Challenge”.
- According to the report, three out of four people in low-income countries (LICs) still have no access to social protection services. The report highlights the progress and challenges in expanding social protection around the world.
World Bank (WB)
- Almost, two billion people in LICs and Middle-Income Countries (MICs) lacked access to adequate social protection as of 2022.
- The report finds that social protection benefits are unevenly distributed. Across a sample of 27 countries, women receive, on average, 81 cents for every USD 1 received by men.
Geneva (Switzerland)-based United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released its latest report titled ‘Trade and Development Foresights 2025- Under Pressure: Uncertainty Reshapes Global Economic Prospects’. The report has projected that the Indian economy will grow at _____ in Calendar Year (CY25) compared to estimated 6.9% growth rate in CY24.
- The report cited that this growth projection for CY25 is mainly driven by strong public spending and continuing monetary easing.
- Despite a slowdown in 2024, India is expected to be the fastest growing economy in the world
6.5%
former England fast bowler ______ has been awarded a ‘Knighthood’, one of the greatest honours conferred by the British Monarchy or Commonwealth nations, for his ‘services to cricket’.
- He received this award as part of former Prime Minister (PM) of the United Kingdom (UK) Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list.
- Sir James Anderson is the only sportsperson to feature in the list. He is the 13th England cricketer to be awarded a knighthood for services to cricket
Sir James Michael Anderson
Justice _______, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court of India (SCI), will take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 14th May 2025. He will replace CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who retires on 13th May 2025.
- He will serve as CJI until his retirement on 23rd November 2025 and will be the second Dalit CJI after Justice KG Balakrishnan, who served from 2007 to 2010.
Bhushan Ramkrishna (BR) Gavai
The appointment was made as per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), under which the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) obtains a recommendation from the outgoing CJI for the next appointment
former Indian cricket captain ______ was reappointed as the Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket Committee. He succeeded Anil Kumble, who completed the maximum permitted three three-year terms.
- The ICC Cricket Committees play a crucial role in shaping cricket regulations, playing conditions, and development strategies
Sourav Ganguly
_______, the world’s top-ranked chess player, secured victory at the Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, held at Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy in Paris, France. This tournament marked the second leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025.
Magnus Carlsen of Norway
the former Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia ______ who was affectionately known as ‘Pak Lah’ (uncle Lah) passed away at the age of 85 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was born on November 26, 1939 in the northern state of Penang in Malaysia
Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi
April 17
World Hemophilia Day (WHD) is annually observed on 17 April across the globe to raise awareness about Hemophilia, a rare inherited bleeding disorder, and other related disorders that affect the blood’s ability to clot. The observance is organized by the Canada-based World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). WHD aims to promote understanding and advocacy for improved diagnosis, treatment, and support for people with bleeding disorders. April 17 2025, WHD marks its 31st anniversary. The theme for 2025 is “Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too”.
Chief Minister(CM) of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the ________ portal, an integrated online revenue records management system designed to enhance land security and bring transparency to land records across the state. This initiative replaces the previous Dharani portal, introduced in 2020.
- The portal operates under the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Act, 2024, which consolidates and amends the law relating to the record of rights in land in the state. Under this Act, landowners will be issued a Bhudhaar card.
‘Bhu Bharati’
The Mission Amrit Sarovar, a flagship initiative under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, was announced on ______ by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi during the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day at Palli Gram Panchayat, Samba District, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
24th April 2022
- The objective of this mission is to construct/rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovar (ponds) in every district of the country.
- Each Amrit Sarovar is designed to have a pondage area of minimum of 1 acre (0.4 hectare) with water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic meter (m3).
the Government of India (GoI) signed a Headquarters Agreement with the New Delhi (Delhi) based International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), officially designating ______ as the host country for IBCA’s headquarters and secretariat.
India
Key Highlights of the Agreement:
i. Financial Commitment:
* The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved a budgetary support of Rs 150 crore to IBCA for a period of five years (2023-24 to 2028-29). Funds will be used for creating a corpus, building infrastructure, and recurring expenses.
ii. Operational Framework:
* Provisions include visa facilitation, privileges, and immunities for IBCA personnel and premises. Legal framework enables supplementary agreements for administrative needs.
iii. The alliance plays a crucial role in addressing threats like habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi awarded Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to 21 traditional products from Uttar Pradesh (UP). Among them was the Banarasi Shehnai, a conventional musical instrument deeply rooted in Varanasi’s cultural heritage, along with the Banarasi Tabla and Banarasi Bharwan Mirch.
- UP is No. _____in GI
Tagging in India
1
Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, inaugurated Amravati Airport in Belora, Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The airport is being operated by ______.
- He also flagged off 1st flight from Amravati to Mumbai under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- Ude Desh ka Aaam Nagrik (UDAN).
Alliance Air
- CM Fadnavis also announced that Southeast Asia’s Largest Pilot Training Institute i.e Flying Training Organisation (FTO) will be established in Amravati and is expected to open within the next 6 months.
- The new training facility will feature 34 training aircraft and aims to train 180 pilots each year, marks a major step in India’s aviation education sector.
the New Delhi (Delhi) based Central Electricity Authority (CEA) launched _______, a software tool designed to optimise India’s power generation, transmission, and storage planning.
STELLAR (State-of-the-art, Totally indigenously developed Resource Adequacy model)
India and 62 other countries have agreed to the world’s 1st ever global carbon tax by bringing ______ under this ambit to combat the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the sector.
- This landmark decision was taken after voting at the United Nations (UN)-backed International Maritime Organisation (IMO)’s headquarters in London, the United Kingdom (UK).
- Total 63 countries including India, Brazil, China, the European Union (EU), Japan, South Africa, Singapore, among others voted in the favour of new carbon pricing mechanism on shipping industry while, major oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia and Venezuela voted against it.
commercial shipping
i. The new framework is expected to be formally adopted in October 2025, and after which, it will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships of more than 5,000 gross tonnage, which accounts 85% of total Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from international shipping. Under the new framework, the carbon tax will formally come into effect in 2028.
ii. As per the new framework, ships will either have to switch to low-emission fuels or pay fees in the range of USD 100 to USD 380 per tonne of emission, based on the level of pollution they produce.
- At present, Shipping industry accounts for 3% of global GHG emissions.
i. The new framework is expected to be formally adopted in October 2025, and after which, it will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships of more than 5,000 gross tonnage, which accounts 85% of total Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from international shipping. Under the new framework, the carbon tax will formally come into effect in 2028.
ii. As per the new framework, ships will either have to switch to low-emission fuels or pay fees in the range of USD 100 to USD 380 per tonne of emission, based on the level of pollution they produce.
April 14
New York City (NYC), United States of America (USA) has officially proclaimed April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day’ on the occasion of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s 134th birth anniversary.
- The proclamation was made by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, acknowledging Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions towards justice, equality, and human rights.
S&P Global Market Intelligence released its latest Annual Ranking of the world’s 100 largest banks by assets to showcases the financial powerhouses across the globe. ______ and ______are the only two Indian banks to be featured among the world’s top 100 largest banks by assets
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based State Bank of India (SBI) and Mumbai based HDFC Bank Limited
- SBI climbed 4 places to 43rd position, while HDFC Bank rose 1 spot to 73rd , marking India’s sole representation in the prestigious list.
- China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, ICBC topped in the list followed by Agricultural Bank of China Ltd.(ABC), China Construction Bank Corporation (CCB).
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and New Delhi (Delhi) based ______ under the Department of Revenue (DOR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance coordination in implementation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and its associated rules.
Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU-IND)
i. Exchange of intelligence and database information, establishing a reporting framework for entities submitting data to FIU-IND under the PML Rules, and conducting training and outreach activities.
ii. To strengthen Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) skills and assess Money Laundering/Terror Financing (ML/TF) risks across financial sectors.
iii. Monitor compliance of RBI-regulated entities with PMLA, RBI guidelines, and global standards, and quarterly meetings for issue discussion are key features of the agreement
________, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Finance(MoF), partnered with Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to distribute general insurance products specifically tailored for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
- The collaboration aims to enhance insurance penetration among MSMEs by offering a wide range of general insurance solutions to SIDBI’s customer base across India.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based United India Insurance Company Limited (UIICL)
i. The collaboration aims to provide comprehensive insurance solutions, including home, health, motor, and engineering insurance, to SIDBI’s customers across its 123 branches in India.
ii. The initiative seeks to enhance insurance penetration among MSMEs, a sector crucial to India’s economic growth.
iii. The tie-up will enable MSMEs to access integrated financial and insurance services under a single platform.
New York (the United States of America, USA)-based TIME, the 102-year-old global media brand has revealed the 22nd edition of annual “TIME 100 Most Influential People 2025” in the world. This latest edition of the list has covered global figures from a wide range of fields like: politics, entertainment, science, and business, each recognised for their significant impact and contributions in their respective fields over the last one year.
- This year no Indian names have been featured on the list.
- However, Indian origin ________, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boston, Massachusetts (USA)-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals Limited featured on the list in the ‘Leaders’ category.
Reshma Kewalramani
the World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 2025 list of Young Global Leaders (YGL), recognizing 116 leaders under the age of 40 from around 50 countries who have significantly contributed to various fields, including business, politics, science, and the arts.
- The list includes _____ Indians, such as Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India (GoI), and Ritesh Agarwal, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OYO Hotels and Homes.
seven
- The global list also features prominent leaders such as Sana Mir, Sports Analyst and Commentator at Pakistan Television Corporation Limited (Pakistan), Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister (PM) of Montenegro, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM of Thailand, among others
the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the appointment of Deputy Director General (DG) of Hyderabad (Telangana)-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), _______ as new DG of New Delhi (Delhi)-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat
- He is also appointed as the ex-officio Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW).
- As per ACC, he will hold both these posts for a period of 3 years from the date of assumption charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
India and ______ signed their inaugural defence Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance India’s indigenous defence capabilities.The agreement was signed during the President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to the country.
Slovakia
- The partnership aims to facilitate technology transfer and co-development of combat platforms designed for complex terrains and high-altitude environments, with all manufacturing to be conducted in India.
April 18
The International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), also known as World Heritage Day, is observed annually across the world on April 18 to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage. The theme for IDMS 2025 is “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and
Learning from 60 years of ICOMOS Actions.”
the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) issued a notification appointing Justice ______ as the 38th Chief Justice (CJ) of the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh High Court (HC)
Arun Palli
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated VVDN Technologies’s largest state-of-the-art Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Line and Mechanical Innovation Park at its Global Innovation Park in Manesar, Haryana.
- During the event, he also showcased India’s 1st fully designed Artificial Intelligence (AI) server ______ which is equipped with 8 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and was developed by VVDN Technologies.
‘Adipoli’
i. India’s electronics manufacturing sector has increased 5 times in the last 6 years, with total value exceeding Rs 11 lakh crore, while exports have increased 6 times to more than Rs 3.25 lakh crore.
ii. Also, this sector now employs more than 25 people and is expected to witness exponential growth in the coming years.
New Delhi (Delhi) based _______ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) withthe National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) (New Delhi) and the Quality Council of India (QCI) (New Delhi) to strengthen workforce skills and sustainability in India’s construction and real estate sector.
Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI)
- The agreement was formalized during CREDAI’s leadership transition ceremony, where Shekhar G Patel assumed the role of CREDAI President for the 2025–2027 term.
According to Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India’s first 500 MegaWatt (MW) Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam near Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) is expected to attain 1st criticality by March 2026, while the reactor will be completely operationalised by _______.
- This will mark the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme aiming to recycle spent fuel to reduce the inventory of radioactive waste.
September 2026
- In July 2024, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted permission to the 1st approach to criticality for the PFBR.
the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Ministry of Defence (MoD), in collaboration with New Delhi (Delhi) based Pentagon Press, organised the 2nd edition of the Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
- The theme of the 2025 edition was______, focusing on key areas such as Defence Technology, Future Warfare, and Defence Manufacturing.
‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms
i. ‘Kalam & Kavach’ is India’s leading platform for national security and geopolitics dialogue, bringing together senior military leaders, key policymakers, industry experts, and strategic thinkers from across the
country.
ii. The event focused on discussions on Defence Technology and Future Warfare, including the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, cyber technologies, drones, space technology, and
semiconductors.
iii. It also highlighted key areas such as Defence Manufacturing and Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance), along with Acquisition and Procurement Reforms.
iv. The event took place in the backdrop of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’, aimed at fast-tracking India’s evolution into a combat-ready, tech-driven force
The Indian Army (IA) successfully concluded _______, a 28-day high-altitude adventure expedition, on April 14, 2025, to exemplify the endurance, leadership, and operational readiness of IA in extreme conditions.
- The 28-day mission, including acclimatization, spanned from March 22 to April 14, 2025, covering a distance of 146 kilometres (km) from the dense jungles of Northern West Bengal (India) to the snow-clad heights of Sikkim (India).
ARMEX-24
the manuscripts of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita and Bharat Muni’s ______ have been included to Paris (France)-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s Memory of the World (MoW) Register, a global initiative that preserves documentary heritage of outstanding value. With this, the total number of inscriptions from India now stands at 14.
Natyashastra
- Both these newly inducted manuscripts are preserved by Pune (Maharashtra)-based Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI).
- This year, UNESCO has included 74 new documentary heritage collections from 72 countries and 4 international organisations to its MoW register. With these new entries, the total number of inscribed collections now stands 570.
- These entries cover topics like: scientific revolution, women’s contribution to history and key milestones of multilateralism.
the 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Agriculture Minister Meeting (AMM) held in Brasilia, Brazil. This marked the _____ AMM of the expanded BRICS which now has 11 member countries.
- Theme: “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade Among BRICS Countries’’
Key Participants: The event saw the participation of agriculture ministers and senior officials from BRICS member countries such as: India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
Note: Collectively, Brazil countries account for 47% of the world’s population and contribute 36% of world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
1st
i. During the 15th BRICS AMM, BRICS countries including India, have launched a new initiative named ‘BRICS Land Restoration Partnership’ to address key issues related to agriculture like: land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss.
- This new initiative is expected to benefit small farmers, tribal communities, and local cultivators through the convergence of conventional knowledge and scientific innovation.
ii. BRICS countries issued a joint declaration and collectively reiterated their commitment to make the global agri-food system fair, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.
- The declaration underlined the commitments to food security, climate adaptation, empowerment of women and youth, sustainable fisheries, among others.
- India invited Brics nations to participate in World Food India 2025 and the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit 2025 as platforms for innovation and global collaboration. India will hold BRICS 2026 presidency.
the Government of India (GoI) announced a financial assistance of USD 990,000 (~Rs. 8.26 crore) to ______ for implementing a development project titled “Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons in Sierra Leone (Persons with Disabilities)” under the India United Nations (UN) Development Partnership Fund.
- This initiative aims to empower differently abled individuals in Sierra Leone by enhancing their livelihood opportunities and ensuring economic independence through rural-based cooperatives and skills training.
the Republic of Sierra Leone
the Government of _______ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based IBM India Private Limited, a subsidiary of New York (United States of America, USA) based International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, to boost administrative transformation using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
Maharashtra
The MoU aims to enhance public service delivery, strengthen administrative efficiency, and promote inclusive digital skill development through advanced technologies such as: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Hybrid Cloud, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based CRISIL Limited (formerly Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited), a global credit rating agency, projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by ______ in fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26).
- However, CRISIL cautioned that escalating United States of America (USA) tariffs pose a significant downside risk to this projection.
6.5%
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based the ________ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Moscow (Russia) based State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM for the joint development of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) using thorium fuel.
Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO)
i. The aim is to jointly develop, commercialise, and establish a thorium-based SMR in Maharashtra.
ii. The reactor will be developed in accordance with the safety standards of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and Government of India regulations.
iii. Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will provide strategic support for this joint initiative.
iv. A joint working group comprising representatives from MAHAGENCO, ROSATOM, MITRA, and Global Technology Alliance will coordinate and execute the project.
v. The implementation will strictly follow all legal and safety protocols set by the Department of Atomic Energy (DEA) and AERB.
Note: MAHAGENCO is a major power generation company in Maharashtra, formerly called Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) and was established in 2005.
General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India, felicitated five personnel of the Indian Armed Forces with the ‘MacGregor Memorial Medal’ at the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, Delhi. The awards recognized exceptional contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure activities.
General Anil Chauhan also launched the book ‘Bravest of the Brave : The Extraordinary Story of Indian VCs of World War I’, authored by Lieutenant General Satish Dua (Retired), former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC). The book chronicles the life and heroic journey of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, highlighting the Indian Army (IA) soldier’s valor during conflicts like Kargil (1999) and his resilience in adversity.
Awardees of the MacGregor Memorial Medal:
2023 Recipients:
i. Wing Commander D. Panda, Indian Air Force (IAF)
ii. Electrical Artificer (Radio) (EA (R)) Rahul Kumar Pandey (Retired), Indian Navy (IN)
2024 Recipients:
i. Chief Electrical Aircraft Artificer (Radio) (CHEAA (R)) Ram Ratan Jat (Retired), IN
ii. Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia, IAF
iii. Colonel Ranvir Singh Jamwal, Director of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Arunachal Pradesh (AR)
Qatar-based Palestinian photographer ______ won the ‘2025 World Press Photo of the Year’ for her poignant image of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, a Gazan boy who lost both arms in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City(Palestine) in March 2024.
- The photograph, captured for The New York Times (NYT), a newspaper based in New York, the United States of America (USA), highlights the human cost of the Gaza conflict.
Samar Abu Elouf
- The winners and two finalists of the 2025 World Press Photo Contest were announced during the World Press Photo Exhibition in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This exhibition will tour over 60 locations worldwide.
Serbia’s parliament appointed ______, a 61-year-old doctor and academic with no prior political experience, as the new Prime Minister (PM). He received 153 votes in the 250-seat Parliament, with 199 Members of Parliament (MPs) participating and 46 opposing.
Duro Macut
Beijing (China)-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) appointed ______ as the Vice President of Investment Solutions.
Ajay Bhushan Pandey
- He is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing three critical departments: the Sectors, Themes and Finance Solutions Department (STF), the Sustainability and Fiduciary Solutions Department (SFD), and the Portfolio Management Department (PMD)
Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist _______ was elected as the Chairperson of the Athletes Commission of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF), marking a significant step toward strengthening athlete representation in Indian weightlifting. Hailing from Manipur, she is the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, following Karnam Malleswari.
- Two-time Commonwealth Games (CWG) gold medalist Sathish Kumar Sivalingam was appointed Vice-Chairperson, joining Mirabai Chanu for a 4-year term to give athletes a stronger voice in decisions.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
Google, headquartered in Mountain View (California, the United States of America, USA), launched its 7th-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) chip, named ______. Designed to accelerate AI applications, the chip is primarily focused on inference computing, which involves performing rapid calculations to generate responses in AI-powered systems.
‘Ironwood’
- The Ironwood chip, features 192 GB of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), is designed to handle the type of data crunching required for real-time AI tasks.
i. It also achieves a memory bandwidth of 7.2 Terabits per second(Tbps) per chip, marking a 4.5× improvement over Trillium’s performance.
ii. When scaled to 9,216 chips per pod, Ironwood delivers an impressive 42.5 exaflops of computing power, surpassing El Capitan, the world’s fastest supercomputer(as of November 2024), which achieves a peak performance of 2.79 exaflops.
iii. Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are the backbone of this chip, are currently used exclusively by Google’s engineers or through the company’s cloud services, giving it a competitive edge over rivals.
the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially appointed ______ as the brand ambassador for Season 3 of the Twenty20 (T20) Mumbai League, set to commence on 26th May 2025, after a six-year hiatus since 2019.
India’s cricket
captain Rohit Sharma
April 19
World Liver Day (WLD) is observed annually on April 19 across the globe to create awareness about the importance of liver health and promote actions towards the prevention and management of liverrelated diseases.
- WLD is a collaborative initiative led by major global associations dedicated to the study of the liver and liver diseases.
- The theme for WLD 2025 is ‘Food is Medicine’, emphasizes the essential role of nutrition in maintaining liver health.
- World Liver Day(WLD) was first launched in India in 2019 to spread awareness about increasing liver disease cases.
