Current Affairs 25 April 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Building a Self-Reliant India: 5 Years of SVAMITVA SchemeThe SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas), a transformative rural governance scheme which was launched on April 24, 2020 on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has completed 5 years of successful implementation.

• The scheme is being implemented by Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) with the support of Dehradun (Uttarakhand)-based Survey of India (SoI) and New Delhi (Delhi)-based National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology partner.

i.The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) which aims to provide the ‘record of rights’ in the form of property cards to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas of the country.
ii.It was launched with initial budget of Rs 566.23 crore from Financial Year 2020-21 (FY21) to FY2, with an extension till FY26.
iii.On January 18 2025, the Government of India (GoI) had distributed total 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards across more than 50,000 villages in 10 states, including 2 Union Territories(UTs).
About Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR):
Union Minister- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS)- S.P. Singh Bhagel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News

GoI Announced 5-Point Action against Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror AttackIn April 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which is the highest decision-making body on national security in India, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has taken series of strict actions against Pakistan after terror attack that killed 26 people including a foreign national in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

• Following the CCS meeting held in New Delhi (Delhi), the Government of India (GoI) has implemented a 5-point action plan which will impact Pakistan’s infrastructure, diplomatic presence, and movement across borders.

i.GoI has decided to suspend the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), a key water-sharing agreement between Indian and Pakistan, with immediate effect.
ii.The government has also decided to close the integrated Attari-Wagah Border with immediate effect. It has clarified that individuals who have already crossed over with valid documents will be allowed to return that route before May 01, 2025.
iii.All Pakistani military, Naval and Air advisors stationed at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi (Delhi) have been expelled.

• Also, GoI has declared these personnel ‘Persona Non Grata’ and they have been asked to leave India within one week.

>> Read Full News

ICAI & CAG Sign MoU for Capacity Building Programs in Public Sector Audits
In April 2025,, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), through its Committee on Public and Government Financial Management (CPGFM), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General (O/o CAG) of India to enhance Capacity Building (CB) in commercial accounting, financial auditing, taxation, and other related aspects in the institution of CAG of India in New Delhi, Delhi.

• K. Sanjay Murthy, CAG of India, and Charanjot Singh Nanda, President of ICAI, exchanged documents of the MoU signed between ICAI and CAG.

i.This collaboration aims to build domain expertise, improve audit quality, and support economic growth through professional development
ii.The MOU will strengthen professional capacity to contribute to India’s economic growth and development through skilled auditing.
iii.The MoU covers training for recent recruits, advanced programmes for experienced officers, and Continuous Professional Education (CPE) programmes.
iv.Training will focus on a practical and application-oriented approach, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, forensic accounting, fraud investigation, etc.
Note: The CAG of India, established in 1949, is a Supreme Audit Institution of India based in New Delhi, Delhi. It is the sole licensing and regulatory body for the financial audit and accounting profession in India.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Official Visit to Saudi Arabia from April 22 -23, 2025Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi, undertook an official two day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April 22-23, 2025 at the invitation of the Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. PM Narendra Modi was given a grand welcome with a 21-gun salute at the airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

• This was PM Narendra Modi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia, highlighting a key step in deepening the relationship between the two countries. This also marked his 15th official trip to the Gulf region since assuming office in 2014.

Highlights of the Visit:
i.During the visit, PM Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman held official talks and co-chaired the second meeting of the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
ii.The SPC has decided to form a new Ministerial Committee focused on Defence Cooperation, Tourism and Cultural Cooperation.
iii.​During PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, India and Saudi Arabia signed 4 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors:
About the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
Prime Minister (PM)– Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Capital-Riyadh
Currency– Saudi Riyal(SAR)
>> Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Data: Outward remittances under RBI’s LRS decline 8.2% in April-FebruaryOutward remittances under the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) during April 2024 to February 2025 in Financial Year (FY)25 remain lower compared to the same period last year.

• Remittances dropped 8.21 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to USD 27.02 billion from USD 29.43 billion in the year-ago period.

Key Findings:
i.International travel, the largest segment, recorded a marginal decline of about 1 per cent, falling to USD 15.84 billion during April–February of FY25 from USD 16 billion in the same period last year.
ii.Remittances for the maintenance of close relatives saw a sharp year-on-year drop of nearly 22 per cent, declining to USD 3,300.5 million.
iii.Remittances for overseas education declined 16 per cent to USD 2758.9 million from last year.
iv.Overseas remittances for purchase of immovable property rose by 28.32 per cent to USD 277.7 million.
v.Investment in equity/debt increased 8.27% to USD 1392.55 million
February Month Data:
i.Overseas remittances slipped 2.44 per cent to USD 1.96 billion from USD 2.01 billion in the same period last year.
ii.Remittances under the international travel segment rose 3.5 per cent to USD 1.09 billion compared to USD 1.05 billion in the February 2024.
iii.Remittances under the scheme for overseas education declined by 26.19 per cent to USD 182.17 million, while funds sent for the maintenance of close relatives fell by 11.78 per cent year-on-year to USD 235 million.
About LRS Scheme:

• It was introduced in 2004, where all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.
• Initially, the scheme was introduced with a limit of USD 25,000. The LRS limit has been revised in stages, consistent with prevailing macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions.

SBI to Deploy ‘Grahak Mitras‘ to Promote Alternate Banking Channels
In April 2025, the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), announced the deployment of “Grahak Mitras” (Customers’ Friends) across 4,500 branches, which accounts for nearly 20% of its total 22,740 branches across India to promote customers to use self-service banking channels and reduce branch congestion.

• These Grahak Mitras will be sourced from New Delhi (Delhi) based State Bank Operations Support Services (SBOSS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBI.
• Focus on branches with high footfall that manage government salary accounts, pensions, and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).

SBI’s Alternate Banking Channels
SBI offers various self-service options, including:

• Automated Teller machine(ATM) and Automated Deposit Cum Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs)
• Self-service kiosks
• SWAYAM barcode-based passbook printing kiosks
• Cheque deposit kiosks
• Internet banking
• Mobile banking via the You Only Need One(YONO) Application(app)
• WhatsApp banking services

These platforms ensure 24/7 access to banking services with ease and security.
Note: As of December 2024, 98.1% of SBI’s total transactions were conducted through these alternate channels, up from 88.1% in March 2019, indicating a significant shift towards digital banking.

HDFC Bank Becomes Third Indian Company to Surpass Rs 15 Lakh Crore m-cap
In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based HDFC Bank Limited achieved a significant milestone by surpassing a market capitalisation(m-cap) of Rs 15 lakh crore, becoming the third Indian company to reach this valuation after Mumbai based Reliance Industries Limited(RIL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

• As of 31 March 2025, HDFC Bank’s m-cap stood at Rs 15,01,289.37 crore, driven by steady share price growth and strong investor confidence.

Financial Highlights for Q4 of FY25:
i.Net Profit: The bank reported a standalone net profit of Rs 17,616 crore for the fourth quarter of 2024-25(Q4 FY25), a 6.7% increase from Rs 16,512 crore in the same quarter the previous year. ​
ii.Net Interest Income (NII): NII rose by 10.3% year-on-year to Rs 32,070 crore, up from Rs 29,080 crore in Q4 of FY24. ​
iii.Total Income: The total income for the quarter stood at Rs 89,488 crore, marginally lower than Rs 89,639 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. ​

RBI Mandates Banks to Transition to ‘.bank.in’ Domain by October 31, 2025
In April 2025, the Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a directive mandating all banks to migrate their digital operations to the exclusive ‘.bank.in’ domain by October 31, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance the security infrastructure of online banking services across the nation.​

• The primary objective of this move is to combat the increasing threats posed by cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities in online platforms.
• This initiative was introduced on February 7, 2025, to strengthen cybersecurity in the financial sector.

Implementation Framework
i.Registrar Authority: Hyderabad (Telangana) based Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) will serve as the registrar for the ‘.bank.in’ domain, authorized by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
ii.Registration Process: Banks must contact IDRBT at [email protected] to initiate migration. IDRBT will guide them on technical and procedural aspects.
iii.Banks will have to modernize their IT infrastructure in response to the new domain mandate, ensuring secure and uninterrupted digital banking services for their customers.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

World Bank Lowers India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.3% for FY26On April 23, 2025, Washington D.C. (United States of America, USA) headquartered World Bank (WB) released “South Asia Development Update April 2025” lowered India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) to 6.3%, a 0.4% point cut from its previous estimate of 6.7%.

• This revision is due to slower growth in private investment and public capital expenditures, coupled with global economic challenges and policy uncertainties.

i.India’s growth in FY2024-25 is expected to slow down to 6.3% from 6.5% because the positive effects of lower interest rates and easier rules for businesses may be reduced due to weak global economic conditions.
ii.The WB highlighted that India’s GDP growth decelerated from 9.2% in FY24 to an estimated 6.5% in FY25, marking the slowest growth rate in the past four years.
iii.The WB projects that the South Asian region’s growth is expected to slow to 5.8% in 2025, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from October 2024 estimates. And for 2026, regional growth is projected to reach 6.1%.
Note: On April 22, 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also lowered India’s GDP growth projection for FY26 to 6.2%, down from its January 2025 estimate of 6.5%.
About World Bank (WB):
President – Ajay Banga
Headquarters – Washington D.C. (United States of America, USA)
Founded – 1944
Members – 189

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Campbell Wilson steps down as Chairman of Air India Express; Nipun Aggarwal to take overIn April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Air India Express(IX), a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, announced that Campbell Wilson, who had been serving as the Chairman of Air India Express since June 2022, stepped down from his position. This leadership change comes as the Tata Group continues to restructure its airline operations.

• He will be succeeded by Nipun Aggarwal, the current Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Air India. He will continue his responsibilities as CCO while assuming the chairmanship of the budget carrier. ​
• To further strengthen operations, Air India’s Chief Operations Officer(COO), Captain Basil Kwauk, will join the Air India Express board, replacing Campbell Wilson, once regulatory approvals are secured.

About Nipun Aggarwal:
 i.​Nipun Aggarwal is a seasoned executive with over 28 years of experience across various industries, including aviation, finance, and energy.
 ii.​He has held positions at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Standard Chartered Bank, and BP PLC, bringing a wealth of experience from the banking and energy sectors.
 iii.​Prior to joining Air India, Aggarwal was the Senior Vice President at Tata Sons, where he played a significant role in transforming multiple Tata Group companies.
About Air India Express (IX):
It  is the low-cost arm of Air India, operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of its parent airline. Along with Air India, it was reacquired by the Tata Group for  Rs 18,000 crore in January 2022.
Headquarters – Gurgaon, Haryana
Established – 2004

T Rabi Sankar Re-appointed as RBI Deputy Governor for One Year
In April 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the reappointment of T. Rabi Sankar as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a one-year extension, commencing on May 3, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

• This marks his second consecutive one-year extension since his initial appointment in May 2021, succeeding B.P. Kanungo.

i.Currently, T. Rabi Sankar oversees key departments within the RBI, including:Foreign Exchange, Currency Management and Government Accounts Department
ii.Before his appointment as Deputy Governor, T. Rabi Sankar served as the Executive Director(ED) of the RBI. He also has experience as an International Monetary Fund(IMF) Consultant, where he worked on developing government bond markets and debt management between 2005-2011.
Additional Roles:
Beyond his duties at the RBI, Rabi Sankar holds prominent positions in affiliated institutions:​

• Chairman, Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS)
• Board Member, Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT)
• Member, Governing Council, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT)

Note: ​As of April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has four Deputy Governors:T. Rabi Sankar, M. Rajeshwar Rao, Swaminathan Janakiraman and Poonam Gupta

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approvals on April 22, 2025On April 22 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following proposals:
i.Approved the proposed combination of Pune (Maharashtra)-based Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) for acquisition of 100% equity shareholding of Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)-based AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited (AAMCPL), with voluntary modifications.
ii.Approved a joint proposal of wealth management company 360 ONE Private Equity Fund and New Delhi (Delhi)-based Bharti Life Ventures Private Limited (BLVPL) to buy certain stakes in Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Bharti Axa Life Insurance Company Limited (BALIC).
iii.Approved the proposed acquisition of the Target Business by South-West Delhi (Delhi)-based Kandhari Global Beverages Private Limited (KGBPL) for Rs 2,000 crore.
>> Read Full News

Ambuja Cements Acquires 37.8% Stake in OCL, Gains Control from CK Birla GroupIn April 2025, Adani Group backed Ambuja Cements based in Mumbai, Maharashtra officially took charge of New Delhi (Delhi)-based Orient Cement Limited (OCL), which was earlier run by the CK Birla Group.

• Ambuja Cements acquired 7.76 crore equity shares, which made up 37.79% of OCL’s total shareholding, from the promoters. In addition, it purchased another 1.82 crore shares, equal to 8.87%, from public shareholders.
• Now, Ambuja owns 46.66% of OCL and has full control.

Key Changes in Leadership:
Several key people from the CK Birla Group have stepped down, following the change in ownership, including:
Chandrakant Birla, Amita Birla, Desh Deepak Khetrapal. Also, four independent directors have resigned.
New appointments include:
Vaibhav Dixit as Executive Director (ED), Vinod Bahety as Chairman and Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, Sudhir Nanavati, Shruti Shah, and Ravi Kapoor as Independent Directors, Kajal Sarda as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 23, 2025, replacing Prakash Chand Jain.
Recent Acquisitions by Ambuja Cements:
Adani Group entered the cement sector in 2022 by acquiring Ambuja Cements from Switzerland-based Holcim Group for Rs 51,000 crore.

• Ambuja Cements is expanding rapidly through takeovers and by upgrading existing plants. Adani group aims to reach a production capacity of 140 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) across India by Financial Year 2028 (FY28).

i.In June 2024, Adani Group acquired Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Penna Cement Industries Limited for Rs 10,422 crore, adding 14 MTPA to its production capacity.
ii.In December 2024, it further expanded by acquiring Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based Sanghi Industries Limited for Rs 5,185 crore.
Note: While Mumbai- based UltraTech Cement backed by Adani Group remains the largest player with 183.06 MTPA capacity.
About Ambuja Cements:
Chairman– Gautam Adani
Established– 1983
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra

LIC Raises Stake in BoB to 7.05%
In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), an Indian state-owned insurance group and investment company, has increased its stake in Vadodara (Gujarat)-based Bank of Baroda (BoB), a leading Public Sector Bank (PSB) by about 2%, to 7.05% from 5.03%.

• This strategic investment move aligns with LIC’s diversified investment strategy and also signals a boost in institutional confidence in the banking sector.

i.The LIC acquired an additional 10.45 crore shares of BoB, and the purchase was made through the Open Market Purchases (OMPs) over one and a half years (between 20 November 2023 and 16 April 2025).
ii.This acquisition raised LIC’s total shareholding in the bank to 36,47,58,678 shares, or equivalent to a 7.053% stake.
iii.This acquisition of BoB’s shares by LIC did not change the total voting capital of BoB, which stood at 10,34,27,24,358.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

South Korea Launched Fourth Military Spy Satellite Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9In April 2025, South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea, ROK) launched its fourth indigenous military spy satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, United States of America (USA) to strengthen independent surveillance capabilities to monitor North Korea’s nuclear/missile activities under the 425 Project.
Key Objectives of the Launch:
i.Enhanced Surveillance: The satellite is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, allowing it to capture high-resolution images, even in adverse weather conditions or at night.
ii.Agency Involvement: Developed by the Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and managed by the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
About the 425 Project:
i.The 425 Project is South Korea’s initiative to establish a comprehensive satellite reconnaissance system aimed at enhancing its surveillance capabilities over North Korea.
ii.The project involves deploying five satellites: one equipped with Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors and four with (SAR).​

• Unit 1 (EO/IR Satellite): Launched on December 1, 2023, this satellite provides high-resolution optical and infrared imagery. ​
• Units 2 & 3 (SAR Satellites): The second SAR satellite was launched on April 7, 2024, and the third on December 21, 2024.
• Unit 4 (SAR Satellite): Successfully launched on April 22, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
• Unit 5 (SAR Satellite): Scheduled for launch later in 2025, completing the constellation. ​

About South Korea:
President – Han Duck-soo
Capital –  Seoul
Currency – South Korean won(KRW)
About SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Elon Musk
Headquarters- Hawthorne, California, United States of America (USA)
Founded- 2002

India Dispatches 2nd Batch of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles to Philippines
In April 2025, India dispatched the 2nd batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines as a part of the USD 375 million(Rs. 3,202 crore) deal signed in 2022.

• The Philippines is the 1st nation to sign an agreement with India to import the BrahMos missile, highlighting India’s growing logistics and manufacturing capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ (MII) initiative.

Background:
i.In January 2022, the agreement was signed between New Delhi (Delhi)-based BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited,an Indian Russian Joint Venture (JV), and the Philippine’s Department of National Defense (DND), including the delivery of three BrahMos missile batteries.
ii.Being transported by ship, this batch follows the first delivery in April 2024, which was transported on an Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft.
Note: With 83% of BrahMos components now indigenised, India aims to produce defence equipment worth Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.
About BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles:
i.The BrahMos system is developed jointly by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), based in New Delhi (Delhi), and the Military Industrial Consortium NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM) of Russia.
ii.The BrahMos system is a medium-range supersonic missile known for its 290-kilometre (km) range and Mach 2.8 speed (3 times the speed of sound), enhancing the Philippines’ coastal defence amid tensions in the South China Sea (SCS).
iii.It is designed to carry the payload to a designated point to destroy the target and is capable of carrying warheads weighing 200 to 300 kilograms (kg).
Note:Vietnam is set to become the 2nd Asian nation to acquire the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with a deal valued at around approximately Rs.5,990 crore (USD 700 million).
About Philippines:
President – Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Capital – Manila
Currency – Philippine Peso

China Launches World’s 1st 10G Broadband Network
In April 2025, China launched the world’s first 10-Gigabit (10G) broadband network in Sunan County, Hebei Province, achieving a major milestone in its internet infrastructure.

• This initiative is a collaborative effort between telecommunications (telecom) giant Huawei and the state-run operator China Unicom to deliver faster internet access.

i.The high-speed internet is powered by next-generation 50G PON (Passive Optical Network) technology, a very advanced system that enhances data transmission capabilities over existing fibre-optic infrastructure.
ii.This infrastructure, likely powered by advanced fibre-optic technology and Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (DWDM), sets a new global standard for internet connectivity.
iii.This upgrade boosts single-user internet speeds from gigabit to 10G levels and reduces latency to just a few milliseconds (ms).
iv.In tests, download speeds reached 9,834 Megabits per second (Mbps), uploads 1,008 Mbps, and latency as low as 3 ms.
v.Applications: The 10G network is designed to support data-intensive, low-latency applications such as seamless cloud gaming, remote surgery, Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven smart homes, smart cities, telemedicine, remote education, and smart agriculture. It can also process real-time data for autonomous driving systems.

SPORTS

Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold at Potch Invitational 2025 in South Africa
In April 2025, Neeraj Chopra, India’s two-time Olympic medallist in javelin throw, opened his 2025 season with a gold medal at the NWU Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

• He achieved a throw of 84.52 meters, surpassing South Africa’s Douw Smit (82.44m) and Duncan Robertson (71.22m) to top the podium. ​

i.This marked Chopra’s first competition of 2025 and set a new Indian season-best, surpassing Sachin Yadav’s 84.39m.
ii.This event marked his first competition under the guidance of new coach Jan Železný, a Czech legend, three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in javelin throw with a mark of 98.48 m.
iii.Neeraj’s personal best stands at 89.94 m, achieved in June 2022.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Girls in ICT Day 2025- April 24International Girls in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Day is observed annually  across the globe on the 4th Thursday of April. It serves as a global initiative to inspire and encourage girls and women to pursue careers in the field of ICT.

• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), is responsible for spearheading this initiative.
• In 2025, International Girls in ICT Day was observed on 24 April 2025.

i.The theme for International Girls in ICT Day 2025 is “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation.”
ii.The idea of International Girls in ICT Day was officially announced by the ITU on 8 April 2011. It was the outcome of the Resolution 70, adopted during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in October 2010 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
iii.The first International Girls in ICT Day was celebrated on 28 April 2011.
About International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
The ITU was established in 1865 in Paris (France) as the International Telegraph Union and became a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) on 1 January 1949.
Secretary-General – Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
>> Read Full News

National Panchayati Raj Day 2025 – April 24National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD), also known as National Local Self-Government Day, is annually observed in India on 24 April to recognise the establishment of the Panchayati Raj System and its significant role in decentralised governance at the grassroots.

• 24 April 2025 marks the observance of the 16th NPRD.
• NPRD 2025 marks 32 years since the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which granted constitutional status to Panchayats.

Background:
i.In 2010, India’s then Prime Minister (PM), Dr. Manmohan Singh, officially declared 24 April of every year as National Panchayati Raj Day.
iii.The first-ever NPRD was observed on 24 April 2010.
2025 Events:
i.On 24 April 2025, the main event of the NPRD was held at Lohna Uttar Gram Panchayat (GP), Jhanjharpur Block, Madhubani District, Bihar, in collaboration with the Government of Bihar.
ii.PM Narendra Modi graced the event as the Chief Guest and addressed PRIs and Gram Sabhas nationwide.

• He also conferred the National Panchayat Awards (Special Categories) 2025, for the 1st time, the MoPR has institutionalized to recognise exemplary efforts in Climate Action, Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance), Capacity Building aligned with Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).

iii.The Quality Council of India (QCI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), celebrated Panchayati Raj Diwas with a thematic program titled ‘Leadership for Swachh & Sujal Grams’.
>> Read Full News

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2025 – April 24The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is annually observed across the globe on 24th April to reaffirm global commitment to multilateral cooperation, peaceful conflict resolution, and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and essential for realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

•  Multilateralism, in contrast to bilateralism and unilateralism, involves cooperation between at least three states.

Background:
i.Establishment:The day was first proposed by the delegation of Azerbaijan to the UN in 2018.

• On 12 December 2018, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/73/127, officially proclaiming 24th April as the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace effective from 73rd session.

ii.First Observance: The Day was first observed on 24th April 2019 and has since become an annual event to foster public understanding of multilateralism.
>> Read Full News

World Day for Laboratory Animals 2025 – April 24The World Day for Laboratory Animals (WDLA), also known as the World Day for Animals in Laboratories (WDAIL) or World Lab Animal Day, is observed annually on April 24 worldwide to raise global awareness about the ethical and scientific concerns associated with the use of animals in laboratory testing and research.

• The day highlights the suffering of millions of animals subjected to experiments for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and medical research.

i.The week surrounding WDLA is marked as Lab Animal Week (or World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week), featuring protests, educational campaigns, and policy dialogues to accelerate the shift toward cruelty-free science.

• 2025 Lab Animal Week is being observed from April 20-26, 2025.

ii.The United Kingdom (UK)-based National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) established WDLA in 1979 to promote compassion and push for policy reforms.
iii.The date 24th April marks the birth anniversary of Lord Hugh Dowding, a former British Air Chief Marshal and NAVS President, who campaigned against animal testing.
>> Read Full News

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