Current Affairs 20 & 21 April 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 20 & 21 April 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurated VVDN’s Largest SMT & Mechanical Innovation Park in HaryanaIn April 2025, 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 ‘Adipoli’ which is equipped with 8 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and was developed by VVDN Technologies.

Points to Note:
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.
About the Facilities:
i.The newly inaugurated SMT Line supports PCB of maximum size 850 millimeter (mm)×560 mm with an industry-leading speed of 250,000 components per hour (CPH).
ii.This ultra-modern infrastructure will enable VVDN to produce large and complex products such as: AI servers, networking equipment,  and motherboards, which will further help in reducing import dependence and bolstering India’s supply chain resilience.
iii.The Mechanical Innovation Park spans an area of 1,50,000 square foot (sq.ft), will house mold and tool-making set ups, wire-cut machines, and advanced injection molding machines, creating a fully integrated mechanical design-to-manufacturing ecosystem.

• These facilities are projected to generate more than 3,000 new skilled jobs, strengthening the Government of India (GoI)’s vision for employment generation and high-tech skills.

About Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) :
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha member- Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada(Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

CREDAI signs MoU with NSDC & QCI to Enhance Skill Development and Sustainability in Indian Real EstateIn April 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 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.

• 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.
• The partnership focuses on delivering industry-aligned training programs, supporting Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to validate existing skills, and promoting sustainable employment through job placements and modern construction practices, including green building techniques.

CREDAI & Canada-based Colliers released the ‘Sustainability in Real Estate’ Report
During the MoU signing, CREDAI and Toronto (Canada)-based Colliers released a report titled ‘Sustainability in Real Estate: Towards a Greener Skyline’, highlighting India’s progress in sustainable real estate.

• Approximately 66% of India’s Grade A office stock is now green-certified, with cities like Hyderabad leading at 75% penetration.
• Industrial and logistics sector leasing in green-certified buildings rose 20% in 2024, reaching 492 lakh square feet (sq. ft) across six cities.

About Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI):
i.CREDAI is India’s apex body of private real estate developers for advocating industry reforms, fostering transparency, and setting new benchmarks in quality and sustainable development. Representing over 13,000 developers across 230 city chapters in 21 states.​
ii.It aims to create a more organized and progressive real estate sector, ensuring sustainable development and contributing significantly to India’s economic growth.
President –Shekhar G Patel
Director General (DG) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Atul Rai
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 1999

India’s 1st Prototype Fast-Breeder Reactor in TN to be Operationalised by September 2026According to Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), under the Prime Minister(PM’s) Office, 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 September 2026.

• 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.
• In July 2024, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted permission to the 1st approach to criticality for the PFBR.

About PFBR:
i.It is the first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor to use plutonium(Pu)-based mixed oxide as fuel and liquid sodium (Na) as coolant.
ii.The reactor will also use the spent fuel of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors(PHWR), which are the integral part of nuclear power in India at present.
iii.It is being developed by Chennai (TN)-based Public Sector Unit (PSU), Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI).
Key Points:
i.The Government of India (GoI) has set the ambitious target of generating 100 Giga Watt (GW) of electricity from nuclear sources by 2047.
ii.At present, India’s total installed nuclear power capacity stands at 8.18 GW. Another 7.30 GW worth of nuclear projects are either under construction or near completion, while an additional 7.00 GW has been approved and is in the pre-project phase.

• After completion of these projects, India’s nuclear power capacity is projected to increase to 22.48 GW by 2031-32.

iii.Also, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) aims to expand its capacity by another 15.40 GW through indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors and another 17.60 GW through Light Water Reactors developed in partnership with global partners, aiming to reach touch capacity of 55 GW.
About Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL):
Chairman- Bhuwan Chandra Pathak
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 1987

CENJOWS Organised 2nd Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’
In April 2025, 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 ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’, focusing on key areas such as Defence Technology, Future Warfare, and Defence Manufacturing.

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

IA Successfully Concludes ARMEX-24 High-Altitude Expedition in Sikkim
The Indian Army (IA) successfully concluded ARMEX-24, 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).

i.A team of 20 military personnel was selected for physical fitness, mental resilience, and teamwork.
ii.The team undertook 18 days (excluding 10 days of acclimatization) of relentless movement across challenging terrains, navigating steep gradients, unpredictable weather, and rugged trails.
iii.The route encompassed dramatic shifts in altitude, from sub-tropical jungles to elevations above 14,000 feet, testing the soldiers’ physical endurance and mental resilience in low-oxygen, high-stress environments.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Bhagavad Gita & Natyashastra Added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World RegisterIn April 2025, the manuscripts of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra 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.

• Both these newly inducted manuscripts are preserved by Pune (Maharashtra)-based Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI).

i.This year UNESCO has included 74 new documentary heritage collections from 72 countries and 4 international organisations to its MoW register. With the inclusion these new entries, the total number of inscribed collections now stands 570.
ii. ShrimadBhagvadGita, a sacred Sanskrit text, traditionally attributed to sage Vyasa. It comprises 700 versus in 18 chapters, embedded in the 6th book (Bhishma Parva) of longest epic poem ‘Mahabharata’.
iii.The Natyashastra, attributed to sage Bharata Muni. It is an ancient Sanskrit text comprising 36,000 versus.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO):
Director-General (DG)- Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established– 1945
>> Read Full News

15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting Held in BrazilIn April 2025, the 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Agriculture Minister Meeting (AMM) held in Brasilia, Brazil. This marked the 1st 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.
India at 15th BRICS AMM:
i.The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW).
ii.While addressing the event, Union Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable agriculture.

• He also underscored the need to place the welfare of small and marginal farmers at the centre of global agricultural strategies.

iii.He highlighted that globally, 510 million smallholder farmers are the backbone of the world food system and are also the most vulnerable section due to climate change, price volatility, and resource scarcity.
Key Points:
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.

Note: Collectively, Brazil countries account for 47% of the world’s population and contribute 36% of world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
About Brazil:
President- Lula da Silva
Capital- Brasilia
Currency- Brazilian Real (BRL)

India Grants USD 990,000 to Sierra Leone for Empowering Persons with Disabilities
In April 2025, the Government of India (GoI)announced a financial assistance of USD 990,000 (~Rs. 8.26 crore) to the Republic of Sierra Leone 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.

Key Project Details:
Components: Refurbishing training centers, developing skill-based curriculum, introducing assistive technologies, establishing loan programs for tools and Forming work cooperatives.
India-Sierra Leone Development Partnership:
i.India’s development cooperation with Sierra Leone through Lines of Credit (LOC) with Lomé, Togolese Republic  based the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development totals USD 250 million, covering various sectors.
ii.More than 450 students from Sierra Leone have received online education through the Pan-African e-Network Project (e-VidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati – e-VBAB) by Indian universities.
iii.Sierra Leone is a key beneficiary of India’s Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships for education and training in Indian institutions.
Note: The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, established in June 2017, has a total commitment of USD 150 million, supporting 86 projects across 65 countries.

WHO Member States Finalize Draft Pandemic Agreement to Strengthen Global Health Preparedness
In April 2025, 194 member states of the Geneva (Switzerland) based World Health Organization (WHO) finalized the draft text of a landmark Pandemic Agreement after 3 years.

• The agreement seeks to strengthen global coordination and preparedness to prevent and respond to future pandemics by addressing the gaps and challenges witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In December 2021, the World Health Assembly (WHA) established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft a legally binding agreement to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

Note: The proposal will be presented at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva (Switzerland) from May 19–27, 2025, for final approval.
i.The key provisions of the draft agreement include the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System for equitable access to pathogens and medical countermeasures.
ii.One Health approach linking human, animal, and environmental health.
iii.Facilitating the transfer of technology, knowledge, and tools for pandemic-related products.
iv.Establishment of a coordinating financial mechanism to support pandemic preparedness and response activities and among others.
v.The agreement reaffirms national sovereignty, clarifying that the WHO cannot mandate travel bans, lockdowns, vaccination/therapeutic measures, or override domestic laws.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Maharashtra Signs MoU with IBM India for AI-Based Administrative TransformationIn April 2025, the Government of Maharashtra 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.

• The MoU was formalised at Mantralaya, Mumbai (Maharashtra) in the presence of Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers (DYCM) Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and other senior officials.
• 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.

Key Features of the Maharashtra-IBM AI Collaboration:
The initiative includes establishing 3 AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, focusing on specialized domains to drive innovation in public systems.
i.Geospatial Analytics in Mumbai: The Mumbai CoE will utilize Geographic Information System (GIS) and satellite data for urban planning, disaster management, and infrastructure development.
ii.Forensic Science Infrastructure in Pune: The Pune centre will integrate AI tools into criminal investigations and judicial processes to improve accuracy and speed in justice delivery.
iii.MARVEL Technology in Nagpur: Nagpur’s CoE will pioneer the Monitoring, Accountability, Regulation, Vigilance, Enforcement, and Legality (MARVEL) platform, an AI-driven framework for law enforcement and governance transparency.
Initiatives:
i.Training Programs: IBM will train government employees and students in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity through its advanced platforms.
ii.MSME Support: The initiative promotes AI adoption in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to boost productivity and global competitiveness.
iii.Inclusive Skilling: A parallel program targets differently-abled youth, offering sign language-based education and tailored Industrial Training Institute (ITI) courses.
About IBM India Private Limited:
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Managing Director (MD) – Sandip Patel

CRISIL Projects 6.5% GDP Growth for India in FY26
In April 2025, 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 6.5% 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.

i.Domestic factors supporting the growth are interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which are likely to enhance consumer spending and promote private sector investments.
ii.Income tax relief, easing inflation, and a normal monsoon season could boost rural incomes and consumption.
iii.A potential decline in global crude oil prices due to a global economic slowdown is expected to reduce input costs and support domestic economic activity.
iv.Overall, Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth averaged 4.0% in fourth quarter(Q4) of FY25, in line with 4.1% in Q3, with manufacturing sub-sectors like petroleum products, machinery, and textiles performing better in the second half of FY25.

MAHAGENCO Signed MoU with Russia’s ROSATOM for Development of India’s First Thorium-based SMR
In April 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) 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.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai (Maharashtra).

Key Features of the Agreement
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.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Five Indian Armed Forces Personnel Honoured with MacGregor Memorial Medal for 2023 & 2024In April 2025, 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.

Book Launch: Bravest of the Brave
During the ceremony, 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)
About the MacGregor Memorial Medal:
i.Instituted on July 3, 1888, the medal honors Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, founder of USI (1870).
ii.Initially awarded for military reconnaissance and exploration, its scope expanded in 1986 to include military expeditions and adventure activities.
iii.Open to all ranks (serving/retired) of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, and Assam Rifles.
iv.The Medal Consists of a gold or silver medal (depending on the year and the rules set by USI)
iv.127 medals have been awarded to date, including 103 pre-independence.
About United Services Institution of India (USI):
USI is India’s oldest tri-service think tank dedicated to defense and security research.
Director – Major General BK Sharma (Retd)
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1870

Palestinian Photographer Samar Abu Elouf Wins 2025 World Press Photo of the YearIn April 2025, Qatar-based Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf 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.

i.The winners and two finalists of the 2024 World Press Photo Contest were announced during the World Press Photo Exhibition in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This exhibition will tour over 60 locations worldwide.
ii.The World Press Photo of the Year winner will also receive a cash prize of 10,000 Euros. 
About World Press Photo:
Executive Director (ED) – Joumana El Zein Khoury
Headquarters – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Founded – 1955
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Duro Macut appointed as new PM of SerbiaOn April 16, 2025, Serbia’s parliament appointed Duro Macut, 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.

• His appointment follows the resignation of former PM Milos Vucevic (President of Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)) on January 28, 2025, after SNS members assaulted a student protester in Novi Sad (Serbia).
• He was nominated by Aleksandar Vucic, the President of Serbia, who has been serving in the position since 2017.

About Duro Macut:
i.Duro Macut is a renowned endocrinologist, currently serving as Deputy Director at the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, part of the University Clinical Center of Serbia.
ii.He is also a full professor at the University of Belgrade Medical School, and lectures in Athens (Greece) and Skopje (North Macedonia).
iii.He is the President of the Serbian Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and a member of the Executive Board of the European Society of Endocrinology.
iv.In 2024, he was awarded the Order of Karađorđe Star, the third-highest state order of Serbia.
About Serbia:
President – Aleksandar Vucic
Prime Minister (PM) – Duro Macut
Capital – Belgrade
Currency – Serbian Dinar (RSD)

ACC Reshuffled Secretaries Across Key Ministries Including Finance, Civil Aviation & CultureIn April 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a major bureaucratic reshuffle across key Ministries, particularly in the Ministry of Finance(MoF), with the appointment of new Secretaries to streamline administrative leadership and policy implementation.
Key Appointments in the MoF:
i.Arvind Shrivastava, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1994 batch from Karnataka cadre, has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Revenue (DoR), MoF.

• He replaced Manoj Govil, who has been appointed as Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat.
• He previously served as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

ii.Vumlunmang Vualnam, an IAS Officer of 1992 batch from Manipur cadre , has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Expenditure (DoE) under the MoF.

• He is currently serving as Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA).

iii.Anuradha Thakur, IAS officer of 1994 batch from Himachal Pradesh(HP) cadre, has been designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), MoF.

• She will take over as Secretary, DEA after Ajay Seth’s superannuation on 30th June 2025.
• She was previously serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MCA).

Note: the tenure of Bharat Lal, IFoS (GJ:1988) (Retd.), Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission, has been extended on a contract basis for one year beyond June 30, 2025, or until further orders.
>> Read Full News

Former Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey appointed Vice-president at AIIB
In April 2025, Beijing (China)-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) appointed Ajay Bhushan Pandey as the Vice President of Investment Solutions.

• 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).

i.Ajay Bhushan Pandey is a Maharashtra cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who retired in February 2021. Prior to his appointment at AIIB, Pandey served as India’s Finance Secretary and Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance(MoF).
ii.He also held the position of Chairperson at the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), where he strengthened auditing and accounting standards, attracting sustainable investments into India’s economy.

• Before his tenure at NFRA, he chaired the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), the technological backbone of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

ii.His contributions have been pivotal in transforming India’s digital and financial infrastructure. Notable initiatives include Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), GSTN, and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
About AIIB:

• Established in 2016, AIIB has 110 member countries.
• Total capital: USD 100 billion.
• India is the second largest shareholder after China.

Mirabai Chanu Elected as Chairperson of IWLF’s Athletes Commission
In April 2025, Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu 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.

About Athletes Commission of IWLF:
The Athletes Commission of the IWLF was newly formed in 2025 to act as a liaison between active athletes and the governing body. It aims to:
i.Represent and advocate the interests of Indian weightlifters in administrative matters.
ii.Facilitate communication between athletes and IWLF officials.
iii.Address concerns related to athlete welfare and ensure uninterrupted focus on training and performance.
Mirabai Chanu’s Sporting Achievements:
i.Olympics: Silver medal (49kg category) at Tokyo 2020 (Total lift: 210kg).
ii.Commonwealth Games: Gold medals in 2018 (Gold Coast) and 2022 (Birmingham).
iii.World Championships: Gold (2017) and Silver (2022).
iv.National Records: 88kg (snatch) and 119kg (clean & jerk) in the 49kg category.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Google Unveils ‘Ironwood Chip’ to Enhance AI Performance
In April 2025, Google, headquartered in Mountain View (California, the United States of America, USA), launched its 7th-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) chip, named ‘Ironwood’. Designed to accelerate AI applications, the Ironwood chip is primarily focused on inference computing, which involves performing rapid calculations to generate responses in AI-powered systems.

•  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.

SPORTS

Rohit Sharma Appointed as Brand Ambassador of T20 Mumbai League Season 3

On April 2025, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially appointed India’s cricket captain Rohit Sharma 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.
Key Features of T20 Mumbai League Season 3:
i.Icon Players: Eight players, including Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, and Prithvi Shaw, will be allocated to teams via a lottery system.
ii.Rohit Sharma unveiled the tournament trophy of the T20 Mumbai League Season 3.
iii.Teams: Sobo Mumbai Falcons, Mumbai South Central, North Mumbai Panthers, ARCS Andheri, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, Namo Bandra Blasters, Eagle Thane Strikers, and Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs.
MCA Renames Wankhede Stadium Stands:
On 16th April 2025, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), during its 86th Annual General Meeting (AGM), approved a resolution to honour former Indian cricket stalwarts Ajit Wadekar and Rohit Sharma, and former MCA, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Sharad Pawar, by naming stands at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai (Maharashtra) after them.

• The AGM also approved renaming the newly developed MCA Office Lounge in memory of Amol Kale, who served as MCA President until his demise in 2023.

Key Decisions:
These resolutions were moved by apex council members Jitendra Awhad and Milind Narvekar.

• Grand Stand Level 3 has been named as Sharad Pawar Stand.
• Grand Stand Level 4 will be known as the Ajit Wadekar Stand.
• Vithal Divecha Pavilion Level 3 will now be called the Rohit Sharma Stand.
• The MCA Office Lounge at the MCA Pavilion has been dedicated as the ‘MCA Office Lounge in memory of Shri Amol Kale’.

About Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA):
President – Ajinkya Naik
Founded – 1930
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Liver Day 2025 – April 19World 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 liver-related 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.

i.World Liver Day(WLD) was first launched in India in 2019 to spread awareness about increasing liver disease cases.
ii.In 2023, major international liver health organisations expanded this initiative into a global observance.
iii.Approximately 20 lakh (2 million) people die annually from liver-related illnesses.

• Cirrhosis is the 11th leading cause of death globally, while liver cancer ranks 16th worldwide and 10th in India.

>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Maharashtra Declares DPS Flamingo Lake as Conservation ReserveIn April 2025, the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board (SBWL) approved the declaration of the 30-acre Delhi Public School (DPS) Flamingo Lake in Navi Mumbai(Maharashtra) as a conservation reserve. The announcement was made during the board meeting chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister(CM) Devendra Fadnavis and attended by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik as well as senior officials.

• This marks an important step, as it becomes the first wetland linked to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) in Mumbai to get this kind of protection.

i.The lake plays an important role in the lives of flamingos, especially during high tide when they move from TCFS to rest and feed..
ii.SBWL also approved the expansion of the Bor Wildlife Sanctuary located in Wardha district of  Maharashtra.

• As part of this move, five nearby villages Garamsur, Yenidodka, Methiraji, Umarvihori, and Maraksur, will now be added to the sanctuary area.

About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM)- Devendra Fadnavis
Governor- Chandrapuram Ponnusamy (C.P.) Radhakrishnan
Capital– Mumbai
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
>> Read Full News

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