Current Affairs 9 April 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoSPI Released 26th edition of Publication ‘Women & Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data’In April 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of its publication titled ‘Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data’.

• The publications offers comprehensive insights of the gender scenario in India, presenting selected indicators and data across key areas such as population, education, health, economic-participation, and decision-making.
• All data sourced from different ministries/departments/organizations.

i.The data showed that Gender Parity Index (GPI) for primary levels has increased from 1.02 (2020-21) to 1.05 (2022-23) and then decreased to 1.03 (2023-24).

• While, GPI for secondary levels has gradually increased from 0.99 (2020-21) to 1.02 (2023-24).

ii.As per the data of the publication, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in usual status for ages 15 and above has increased from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24).
iii.The data highlighted that women account 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of total deposits.
About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI):
Minister of State(MoS)(Independent Charge, IC)-Rao Inderjit Singh (Constituency- Gurugram, Haryana)
>> Read Full News

MoRD Hosts Webinar & Launches Key Initiatives to Accelerate Rural Women EmpowermentIn April 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organized a webinar involving Lakhpati Didis and representatives from the State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) as part of the post-budget consultation series.

• The session focused on collaborative strategies for implementing the 2025–26 Budget announcements.

Key Points:
i.MoRD launched the Entrepreneurship Planning Digital Tool (EPDT), developed by an Operating System, LoKOS, to support aspiring Lakhpati Didis.
ii.A toll-free helpline (0120-5202521) was launched to assist women aspiring to become Lakhpati Didis.
iii.The MoRD sanctions infrastructure projects under the Connectivity component of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) for Tripura and Odisha to support the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
iv.The MoRD approved new infrastructure projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III to enhance rural connectivity and economic development in Manipur, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh (HP), and Uttarakhand.
About the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD):
Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency – Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Ministers of State (MoS)- Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Constituency – Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, AP) and Kamlesh Paswan (Constituency – Bansgaon, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News

MeitY Launched 1st Digital Threat Report 2024 to Support Cyber Security in BFSI SectorIn April 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the 1st edition of Digital Threat Report 2024 for the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. The report provides a comprehensive overview of current and emerging cyber threats and defense strategies.

• The report aims to highlight adversaries’ playbooks, recommend preventive and detective controls, predict future attacks and highlight current trends and select cases; and examine the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in breaches.

i.The report was developed by CERT-In in collaboration with New Delhi (Delhi)-based Computer Security Incident Response Teams – Finance Sector (CSIRT-Fin) and SISA, a global forensic-driven cybersecurity solutions company for the digital payment industry.
ii.The report provides a multi-dimensional perspective by combining real-time intelligence from national cyber agencies with sector-specific information, identifying key attack vectors, systemic vulnerabilities, and rising threat actor tactics.
About Ministry of Electronic and IT (MeitY):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha member- Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada(Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News

Private firms get Rs.25,000 cr share in HAL’s 156 LCH mega dealIn April 2025, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) secured a big deal of Rs.62,500 crore from the Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS) to supply 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) to the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Air Force(IAF). After getting this deal, HAL has planned to give about Rs.25,000 crore(40%) worth of work to private companies.

• This will also help in growing the defence industrial ecosystem and promote self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing across the country at all levels.

Key Points:
i.The 156 choppers would be divided between the IA (90) and the IAF(66)for operations along the China and Pakistan borders and would be a major step towards creating jobs and expanding the aerospace ecosystem within India.
ii.The HAL will build the helicopters at its facilities in Bengaluru and Tumkur, located in the state of Karnataka.
iii. As India’s largest aerospace company, HAL currently holds an order book exceeding Rs.2 lakh crore, which includes 83 Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) fighter jets (10 of which are trainer variants) and 12 Su-30MKI aircraft.
About Light Combat Helicopter (LCH):
i.The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), named Prachand, is the only attack helicopter in the world capable of taking off and landing at altitudes as high as 5,000 meters(m) (16,400 feet).
ii.This unique capability makes it exceptionally well-suited for high-altitude missions in challenging terrains like the Siachen Glacier and Eastern Ladakh. iii.Equipped to launch a variety of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, the Prachand can effectively neutralize enemy air defense systems and deliver precision strikes.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
HAL is an Indian public sector aerospace and defence company. In 2024, the company was given “Maharatna” status from “Navratna” Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE).
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Dr. DK Sunil
Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1940

MoD Signs Rs.2385.36 Crore Contract with BEL for EW Suites for Mi-17 V5 Helicopters In April 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD)  signed a Rs. 2,385.36 crore contract with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the MoD, for the supply and installation of indigenous Electronic Warfare (EW) Suites and aircraft modification kits for Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• The contract was signed by MoD officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi (Delhi).
• The contract was signed under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured, IDDM) category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).

Key Points:
i.The EW Suite includes three critical components:

• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): Detects hostile radar signals.
• Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS): Alerts pilots to incoming missiles.
• Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS): Deploys countermeasures like chaff and flares.

ii.The advanced EW suite has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Combat Aircraft System Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC) based in Bengaluru, Karnataka and will be manufactured by BEL.
iii.This integrated system will enhance the combat survivability of the Mi-17 V5 helicopters in combat zones by neutralizing threats in hostile environments.
iv.The project is expected to promote the participation of Indian electronics and associated industries, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
About Mi-17 V5 helicopter:
i.The Mi-17 V5 is a Russian-manufactured, multi-role military transport helicopter, serving as a key asset in IAF’s medium-lift helicopter fleet.
ii.Inducted into the IAF in 2012, it is capable of transporting both personnel and cargo.
iii.It has a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour (km/h) and a payload capacity of up to 4,000 kilogram (kg).
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister – Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Sanjay Seth (Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)
About Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) – Manoj Jain
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded – 1954

Agricultural Product ‘Amalsad Chikoo’ from Gujarat Gets GI TagIn April 2025, “Amalsad Chikoo” (sapodilla), a horticultural fruit from South Gujarat, became the first agricultural product from the region to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, granted by the Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based GI Registry, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I).

• The GI tag was granted to the Valsad Navsari Jilla Fal Ane Shakhbhaji Sahakari Sangh Limited (Gujarat) following a joint application submitted by the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), Gandhinagar, and Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari.
• It is the 3rd fruit in Gujarat to get the GI tag after the Gir Kesar Mango and Kutchhi Kharek (date).

Key Details:
i.Amalsad Chikoo, a variety of sapodilla named after the village of Amalsad in Gujarat’s Navsari district, is renowned for its exceptional sweetness, smooth texture, and long shelf life, and is traditionally cultivated using age-old horticultural practices.
ii.The GI-designated region covers 51 villages in Gandevi Taluka, 6 in Jalalpore Taluka, and 30 in Navsari Taluka of Gujarat, collectively contributing 30% of the state’s chikoo production, while Gujarat itself accounts for 98% of India’s chikoo exports.
iii.The fruit is recognised for its exceptional sweetness, smooth texture, and significantly longer shelf life compared to other Indian varieties.
iv.The GI tag enhances export potential to markets like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), and Bahrain, and supports traditional farming while improving the livelihoods of local farmers.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister – Bhupendra Patel
Governor – Acharya Dev Vrat
Capital – Gandhinagar
National Park – Vansda National Park, Blackbuck National Park

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka from April 3-6, 2025 PM of India Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Thailand from April 3 to 4, 2025, on the invitation of the PM of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

• PM Modi and the PM of Thailand Shinawatra held bilateral talk on various areas of cooperation, including defence and security, trade and investment, science and technology (S&T), innovation, space, education, health, culture, tourism, and and signed key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs):

i.PM of India Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka (SL) from April 5 to 6, 2025, on the invitation of the President of SL, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

• This marked PM Narendra Modi’s fourth official visit to Sri Lanka, following previous visits in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

ii.During his visit to Sri Lanka, PM Narendra Modi was honoured with the SL’s highest civilian award, the ‘Mithra Vibhushana’ in a ceremony held in Colombo, SL. ​
iii.PM Narendra Modi held discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) spanning critical sectors such as defence, energy, digital infrastructure, healthcare, and trade.
About Sri Lanka:
President- Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime Minister (PM)-Harini Nireka Amarasuriya
Capital– Colombo
Currency– Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
>> Read Full News

UN Elects India by Acclamation to ISAR for 2025-27 TermIn April 2025, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (UN) announced that India has been elected by acclamation as a member of the UN Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) for a 3 year term i.e. from 2025-2027.

• India in its capacity as an ISAR member is positioned to significantly influence the development of financial reporting structures that promote transparency, responsibility and uniformity across various countries.

About International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR):
i.It is an IWG of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting formed in 1983 by UN-Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and coordinated by Geneva (Switzerland)-based United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

• It conducts its annual sessions in Geneva, Switzerland to address emerging issues in enterprise accounting and reporting.

ii.It has been mandated to assist member states to enhance quality and international comparability of financial reporting and non-financial disclosure like: environmental issues, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
iii.It allows 34 formal members from different regions of the world to serve 3-year term, that includes: Africa (9), Asia (7), Latin America (6), Eastern Europe (3), and Western Europe and other states (9).
Note: the membership of ISAR carries no financial obligation on the part of member countries or UNCTAD.
iv.It organizes regular elections two out of every 3 years, tentatively in the month of April or May.
Member Countries of ISAR:
At present, member states of ISAR are: Algeria, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Gambia, Germany, Guatemala, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the United States of America (USA), Zambia and Zimbabwe.

BANKING & FINANCE

BoB Launched ‘BoB Square Drive Deposit Scheme’ of 444 days tenor at 7.15%In April 2025, Vadodra (Gujarat)-based Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB), Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched a new Fixed Deposit (FD) option named ‘BoB Square Drive Deposit Scheme’, a 444-day period term deposit scheme.

• As per BoB, the revised FD interest rates, along with the new scheme came into force on April 07, 2025.
• The bank has discontinued the ‘BoB Utsav Deposit Scheme’ launched in October 2024 which offered maximum interest rate of 7.90% for super senior citizens, and adjusted FD rates to align with market changes.

Key Points:
i.This newly launched option will be made available in retail term deposits schemes only.
ii.The interest rates offered by the new scheme are applicable to deposits below Rs 3 crore.

• The scheme offers an interest rate of 7.15% per annum for the general  citizens.

iii.While, the scheme offers an interest rate of 7.65% and 7.75% per annum for senior citizens and super senior citizens (aged 80 years and above), respectively.

• Also, the aforementioned category of deposits will earn additional 5 basis points (bps) on non-callable deposits (above Rs 1 crore and below Rs 3 crore).

About Bank of Baroda (BoB):
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)–Debadatta Chand
Headquarters– Vadodara, Gujarat
Tagline– India’s International Bank
Established- 1908

Axis Bank Introduces ‘In-App Mobile OTP’ to Enhance Cybersecurity
In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Axis Bank Limited launched an ‘In-App Mobile OTP’ feature on its Open mobile banking platform, aiming to counter OTP-related frauds like Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) swap and phishing attacks.

• This innovation replaces traditional SMS-based one-time passwords (OTPs) with Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP), generated directly within the application(app).

i.The primary aim is to combat the rising threats associated with SMS-based OTP fraud. By generating OTPs directly on the device, the bank provides a device-bound and time-sensitive alternative, enhancing protection against cyber frauds.
ii.Users can log in to internet banking using the Mobile OTP feature, which can also be used to authenticate transactions. Accessible globally via the internet, this feature ensures seamless authentication even while traveling, making it particularly beneficial for seafarers, frequent international travelers, and Non-Resident Indians(NRIs).
iii.Customers also receive instant alerts for login and transaction attempts, enhancing visibility and giving them greater control over their account activity.

KMBL Partners with KSUM to Boost Kerala’s Startup Ecosystem
In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited(KMBL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the nodal agency under the Government of Kerala, to strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem.

• The collaboration focuses on sectors like agriculture, medical technology (MedTech), electronics, and space technology.
• The MoU aims to provide startups with comprehensive support through banking solutions, capacity-building programs, and global market linkages. This initiative addresses gaps in funding, mentorship, and access to resources, critical for early-stage ventures.

i.As a Scheduled Commercial Bank(SCB), KMBL will offer tailored banking services, including export documentation guidance, fundraising workshops, and masterclasses on financial management.
ii.The bank will also leverage its international branch network to connect Kerala-based startups with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) for global business opportunities.
iii. KSUM will provide incubation support, mentorship programs, funding assistance, and infrastructure access. It will also facilitate networking with investors, industry experts, and government schemes to accelerate startup growth.

RBI Grants CoR to Piramal Finance to Operate as NBFC-ICC
In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted a Certificate of Registration (CoR) to Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Piramal Finance Limited (PFL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Limited (PEL), to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company – Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC) without accepting public deposits. The approval was granted under Section 45 IA of the RBI Act, 1934.

• With this approval, PFL will cease its operations as a Housing Finance Company (HFC) and surrender its HFC registration.

i.In March 2025, PEL infused Rs. 600 crore into PFL through a rights issue to support business operations and corporate needs.
ii.PEL also approved the issuance of secured, rated, listed, redeemable, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) on a private placement basis.

• The issue consists of a base size of Rs. 100 crore, with a green shoe option of Rs. 200 crore, aggregating to a total size of Rs. 300 crore with a 9.30% annual coupon rate, redeemable by 9 April 2029. A 1% penalty interest applies on payment defaults.
• These NCDs will mature and be redeemed on April 9, 2029.

Note: The minimum Net Owned Fund (NOF) requirement to operate as NBFC-ICC is Rs. 5 crore.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Padma Shri Awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik becomes 1st Indian to win Fred Darrington Sand Art AwardIn April 2025, Renowned Indian sand artist and Padma Shri awardee, Sudarshan Pattnaik has become the 1st Indian to win the Fred Darrington Sand Master Award for Excellence in Art and Culture in recognition of his exceptional contributions to sand art.

• The Mayor of Weymouth Cllr Jon Orell presented the award and medal to Sudarshan Pattnaik during the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival held at Weymouth in the United Kingdom (UK).
• He received this award in the presence of eminent dignitaries: Mark Andersen, Director of Sandworld; David Hicks, co-founder of the festival and Naorem J Singh, Minister for Culture at the High Commission of India in London (UK).

Key Points:
i.Sudarshan Pattnaik created a 10-foot-high sculpture of ‘Lord Ganesha’ which symbolizes the universal message of ‘World Peace’ at Sand Art Festival.
ii.This year, the award coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of legendary British sculptor, Fred Darrington.
iii.The Sandworld exhibition at Lodmoor Park is globally known for its massive, detailed sand sculptures created using sand and water, is open till November and features works from artists worldwide.
About Sudarshan Pattnaik:
i.Sudarshan Pattnaik who hails from Odisha, has participated in over 65 international sand sculpture championships and festivals around the world.
ii.In 2014, the Government of India (GoI) awarded him Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civil honour in the field of arts for his contribution to the art of sand sculpting.
iii.In 2024, he won the Golden Sand Master Award with a gold medal at the International Sand Sculpture Championship/Festival 2024 held in St. Petersberg, Russia.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Skyroot Aerospace Successfully Test Kalam-100 Engine for Vikram-1 RocketIn April 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, a spacetech startup, successfully conducted the static fire test of the Kalam-100 engine, the third stage of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle, at the Solar Group’s testbed in Nagpur (Maharashtra).

• This test advances India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, closer to its maiden flight, marking a historic step for India’s space sector.

Kalam-100 Engine:
i.The third stage, Kalam-100, is named after Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India and renowned scientist.
ii.The engine successfully fired for over 102 seconds, producing a peak vacuum thrust of 100 kilonewtons (kN) with an operating area ratio of 60 in flight.
iii.The engine also featured an advanced flex nozzle for precise thrust vector control, demonstrating its capability for targeted maneuvering in orbit.
iv.The Kalam-100 is a solid-fuel stage designed to propel the Vikram-1 rocket after it exits the atmosphere. Its carbon composite structure and EPDM(Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) based thermal protection system ensure lightweight durability and high performance. The test also featured a head-mounted safe arm (HMSA) for operational safety, developed in collaboration with ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Note: In March 2024, the Skyroot Aerospace tested the Kalam-250, a stage-2 of Vikram-1 rocket at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
About Vikram-1 Rocket:
i.The Vikram-1 is India’s first private commercial orbital launch vehicle, designed to carry up to 480 kilograms (kg) of payload to a 500-kilometre (km) Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
ii.It is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme.

• First Stage – Solid-fuel Kalam-1200 motor
• Second Stage – Solid-fuel Kalam-250 motor
• Third Stage – Solid-fuel motor developed by Nagpur (Maharashtra) based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL)
• Fourth Stage – Liquid-fueled Raman engine for final orbital adjustments

iii.The maiden launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 rocket is expected to take place by the end of 2025.
About Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Pawan Kumar Chandana
Headquarters – Telangana (Hyderabad)
Founded – 2018

SDAL Develops Third-Stage Rocket Motor for Vikram-1 Satellite Launch VehicleOn April 5, 2025, Nagpur (Maharashtra) based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL) has successfully developed the propulsion system, including the igniter and third-stage rocket motor, for the Vikram-1 Satellite Launch Vehicle.

• The third-stage rocket motor is critical for propelling the Vikram-1 from Earth’s atmosphere into space.
• The rocket motor underwent Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) like X-ray imaging, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle inspection at SDAL’s advanced Nagpur facility to ensure its strength and safety for space use.

Features of third-stage rocket motor:
i.Propellant mass: 2,400 kilograms (kg)
ii.Maximum thrust: 75,000 Newtons (approximately 7.65 tons)
iii.Payload capacity: Up to 290 kg in a 500 kilogram (km) Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) or 480 kg in a 500 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
iv.The motor integrates a high-performance igniter and a flex nozzle-based Thrust Vector Control (TVC) mechanism for precise trajectory adjustments in space’s vacuum.
About Vikram-1 Satellite Launch Vehicle:
i.The Vikram-1 is India’s first privately built orbital rocket, being developed by Hyderabad (Telangana) based Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited.
ii.The project is supported by the Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACE) under Department of Space (DoS), Government of India (GoI).
iii.The Vikram-1 comprises:

• First stage: Kalam-1200 solid motor
• Second stage: Kalam-250 solid motor
• Third stage: SDAL’s motor
• Fourth stage: Liquid-fueled Raman engine for orbital adjustments

About Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL): 
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) –  Manish Satyanarayan Nuwal
Headquarters – Nagpur, Maharashtra
Founded – 1983

SPORTS

USA and UK Selected to Host FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031 and 2035
In April 2025, Zurich (Switzerland)-based Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino announced that the United States America (USA) is the sole bidder to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the United Kingdom (UK) will host the 2035 edition.

• The announcement was made during the 49th Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Congress in Belgrade, Serbia.
• FIFA plans to expand the 2031 Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, aligning it with the men’s tournament format.
• This marks the first time the tournament will be held in the UK and the third time in the USA, reinforcing efforts to amplify women’s football globally.

i.The USA, potentially in collaboration with other Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) members, is set to host the 11th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, scheduled for 2031.
ii.The UK’s bid, involving England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is currently the only valid submission.
iii.The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup (10th edition), featuring 32 teams, will be hosted by Brazil, the first Women’s World Cup in South America.
iv.The USA, along with Canada and Mexico, is also set to co-host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup (23rd edition).
v.The UEFA European Football Championship 2028 (18th edition), co-hosted by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Prevention of Blindness Week 2025 – April 1 – 7The Government of India (GoI) annually observes Prevention of Blindness Week from 1st to 7th April (the first week of April) to create awareness about blindness prevention, promote regular eye check-ups, and encourage healthy eye care practices.

• In 2025, Prevention of Blindness Week was observed from April 1 to April 7.
• The observance is spearheaded by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (NSPB) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI).

Key Points:
i.2.2 billion people globally suffer from near or distance vision impairment.
ii.1.1 billion people live with vision loss globally; 90% is preventable or treatable.
iii.43 million people are blind globally, with 77% of cases preventable or treatable
iv.By 2050, global blindness cases may rise to 60 million.
>> Read Full News

International Romani Day 2025 – April 8The International Romani Day is observed annually across the globe on April 8 to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness the social, political, and economic issues faced by the Roma community, Europe’s largest ethnic minority.
Background:
i.The International Romani Day commemorates the 1st World Romani Congress held on April 8, 1971 in Orpington, Kent, London, United Kingdom (UK).

• It was organised by the UK based Gypsy Council and Rome (Italy) based the Comité International Rom (CIR) and marked the first international attempt at Romani cooperation.

ii.International Romani Day was officially recognized on April 8 during the 4th World Romani Congress in 1990 held in Serock, Poland.
>> Read Full News

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