Current Affairs One - Liner : 20th & 21st April 2025

National:

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated VVDN’s largest SMT (Surface Mount Technology) Line and Mechanical Innovation Park on April 18, 2025, in Manesar, Haryana. The SMT line enables high-speed PCB production, supporting AI servers, networking devices, and motherboards.

India’s first Prototype Fast-Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu will be commissioned by September 2026, as announced on April 19, 2025. Developed by BHAVINI, it uses plutonium-based mixed oxide fuel with a liquid sodium coolant for efficient energy generation.
CENJOWS (Centre for Joint Warfare Studies) organized the 2nd Defence Literature Festival, ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’, on April 15, 2025, in New Delhi. The event, themed Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms, featured discussions on future warfare, AI, cyber security, and quantum computing.
Google unveiled the Ironwood AI chip on April 9, 2025, at the Google Cloud Next 2025 event. It offers double the efficiency of its predecessor, Trillium, improving AI power consumption and speed. Ironwood can operate in clusters of up to 9,216 chips, delivering 42.5 exaflops of computing power.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav released two cheetahs, Prabhas and Pavak, into Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary on April 20, 2025. The sanctuary, spanning 368.6 sq km, now serves as India’s second cheetah habitat after Kuno National Park.
The US Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants on April 19, 2025. The ruling halted the deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members, citing due process concerns.

International:

India announced USD 990,000 funding for Sierra Leone’s disability empowerment project on April 11, 2025. The initiative aims to promote sustainable livelihoods through training, work cooperatives, and technology adoption. The project is part of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, implemented with UNDP support.

Banking:

India’s coal-based power generation grew by 2.8% in FY25, marking its slowest growth since COVID-19, as reported on April 16, 2025. Meanwhile, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro saw stronger expansion, meeting rising electricity demand.
Razorpay became a public limited company on April 18, 2025, moving closer to its IPO plans. It changed its name from Razorpay Software Private Limited to Razorpay Software Limited for corporate governance. The company is undergoing reverse flipping, shifting its parent entity from the US to India, following a startup trend.

Economy:

CRISIL projected India’s GDP growth at 6.5% for FY26 on April 14, 2025. Key drivers include RBI’s monetary easing and strong domestic consumption. Potential risks include US tariff hikes, impacting investment and exports.

MoUs:

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Quality Council of India (QCI) on April 18, 2025, in New Delhi. This agreement aims to enhance skill development and promote sustainability in the Indian real estate sector.
MAHAGENCO (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company) signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with ROSATOM (Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation) on April 11, 2025, in Maharashtra to develop India's first thorium-based SMR (Small Modular Reactor). The initiative aligns with Make in Maharashtra, establishing thorium reactor assembly lines for clean energy.
Maharashtra signed an MoU with International Business Machines (IBM) India on April 16, 2025, in Mumbai to integrate AI into governance. Three AI hubs will be established in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur for training and innovation. AI-driven automation, hybrid cloud, and data analytics will improve public service efficiency.

Science & Technology:

India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, completed 50 years on April 19, 2025. Launched in 1975 from Kapustin Yar, USSR, it marked India’s space exploration debut. It conducted experiments in solar physics, aeronomy, and X-ray astronomy before a power failure.

Defence:

The Indian Army completed ARMEX-24, a high-altitude adventure expedition, on April 14, 2025, after 28 days in North Bengal and Sikkim. Soldiers covered 146 km, tackling steep terrain and extreme weather to enhance operational readiness.

Appointments:

Ananya Panday became Chanel’s first-ever Indian brand ambassador on April 16, 2025, marking a milestone in luxury fashion. Chanel praised her for representing evolving tastes and independent identities on the global stage.
Rohit Sharma was announced as the brand ambassador for T20 Mumbai League Season 3 on April 18, 2025. The league returns after six years, with over 2,800 player registrations and two new franchises. Season 3 is set to begin on May 26, 2025 under the Mumbai Cricket Association’s banner.
Djuro Macut was appointed as Serbia's new Prime Minister on April 16, 2025. He succeeds Milos Vucevic, who resigned amid student-led protests. Macut, an endocrinologist, aims to prioritize education and foster dialogue.
Ajay Bhushan Pandey was appointed Vice President of Investment Solutions at AIIB on April 16, 2025. He will oversee departments related to finance solutions, sustainability, and portfolio management. A 1984-batch IAS officer, Pandey played a key role in Aadhaar, GST Network, and UPI.

Awards & Honours:

Samar Abu Elouf won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year on April 17, 2025. Her award-winning image captures Mahmoud Ajjour, a nine-year-old Gazan boy who lost both arms. The photograph was praised for its emotional depth and storytelling. It will be featured in the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025, starting on May 23 in London.

Obituaries:

Pope Francis passed away at 88 on April 21, 2025, at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. He suffered a stroke followed by irreversible cardiac arrest after battling bilateral pneumonia. His funeral will take place on April 26, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica, with burial in Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome.