Current Affairs One - Liner : 22nd April 2025

National:

• Japan announced on April 16, 2025, that it will gift Shinkansen E5 and E3 series trains to India for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. These trains will test operational data under India's conditions, supporting the design of next-generation E10 series trains.

• On April 20, 2025, the Indian Army launched the ‘Voice of Kinnaur’ community radio station in Pooh, Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, under its flagship Operation Sadbhavana. This initiative aims to promote local news, regional culture, educational content, and public interest information, while fostering community engagement.

International:

• A parliamentary investigation in Nepal revealed massive corruption in the China-financed Pokhara International Airport project on April 20, 2025, with embezzlement totaling Rs. 14 billion. Irregularities included inflated costs and tax exemptions, raising concerns about China's infrastructure model. Built with a Rs. 22 billion loan, the airport struggles to attract international flights.

Banking:

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a Rs. 150 commemorative coin, BSE@150 logo, and BSE 150 Index on April 17, 2025, at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre, marking BSE's 150-year legacy. The coin features the Lion Capital of Ashoka, while the index tracks 150 mid-cap stocks.
• On April 14, 2025, SEBI approved Capitalmind Financial Services to launch Capitalmind Mutual Fund. The Bengaluru-based firm, led by Deepak Shenoy, will offer active equity, debt, and hybrid funds using quantitative strategies. With ₹2,000 crore in PMS/AIF AUM, it aims to tap India’s growing mutual fund market.
• Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance launched the Superwoman Term Plan on April 11, 2025, exclusively for women. It covers 60 critical illnesses, offers optional child care benefits, and includes health management services worth ₹36,500 annually. It aims to support women across various life stages with holistic coverage.

Economy:

• The Indian government imposed a 12% safeguard duty on certain steel imports effective April 21, 2025, for 200 days to protect domestic industries from a surge in low-cost imports. This duty covers five steel categories, targeting imports from countries like China, Japan, and South Korea.
• India's infrastructure output grew by 3.8% in March 2025, driven by strong growth in cement (11.6%), steel (7.1%), and electricity (6.2%). However, crude oil (-1.9%) and natural gas (-12.7%) saw declines. This data, released on April 21, 2025, marks a slight improvement from February's 3.4% growth. Cumulative growth for FY 2024–25 reached 4.4%.

Science & Technology:

• The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) introduced the light-colored turmeric variety IISR Surya on April 16, 2025, for the masala and powdering industry. It offers a 20–30% yield increase, consistent aroma, and 2–3% curcumin content. Suitable for cultivation in states like Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha, it addresses turmeric shortages in domestic and export markets.
• On April 20, 2025, ISRO successfully completed its second satellite docking under the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) Mission, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration. The docking involved the satellites SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target), demonstrating autonomous docking from an inter-satellite distance of 15 meters.

Reports:

• The ICIMOD 2025 Report, released on April 21, 2025, by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, highlights a 23-year low in snow persistence in the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra basins, with levels 23.6% below normal. It warns of water shortages affecting agriculture, hydropower, and drinking water, and recommends science-based policies for mitigation.

Sports:

• At the Asian U-18 Athletics Championship 2025 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Nishchay won a silver medal in the boys' shot put on April 17, 2025, with a personal best throw of 19.59m. This achievement marked his second medal in the championship, showcasing his outstanding talent in athletics.
• Oscar Piastri of McLaren won the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 on April 20, 2025, at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia. This victory, his third of the season, propelled him to the overall lead in the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship. The event showcased his dominance in the Motorsport Formula 1 category.

Govt.Schemes:

• The Madhya Pradesh government announced the Krishak Kalyan Mission on April 15, 2025, to boost farmer income by integrating agricultural schemes. It promotes sustainable farming, climate-resilient crops, and fair pricing. The mission also aims to expand milk collection to 26,000 villages and promote advanced fisheries technologies.

Summits & Conferences:

• The Conclave on Buddhism, held on April 21–22, 2025, in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, was organized by the International Buddhist Confederation and Ministry of Culture. Chaired by CM Pema Khandu and Dy CM Chowna Mein, its theme was "Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of North-East India," aiming to highlight Buddhist heritage and promote cultural diplomacy.

Defence:

• The Indian Navy successfully completed a major refit of the Maldivian Coast Guard Ship MNDF Huravee at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, under India's Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies. The refit, completed on April 21, 2025, involved maintenance of machinery, weapons, sensors, and habitability upgrades.

Important Days:

• UN Chinese Language Day, celebrated on April 20, honors the global significance of the Chinese language and its cultural heritage. Established in 2010, the day aligns with Guyu in the Chinese calendar, commemorating Cangjie, the inventor of Chinese characters. The 2025 theme, "Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space," highlights its historical and cultural impact worldwide.
• World Creativity and Innovation Day, celebrated on April 21, focuses on the role of creativity in solving global challenges. The 2025 theme, "Creativity for Sustainable Futures," emphasizes innovation for tackling climate change, inequality, and sustainability. It highlights the impact of the creative economy, which contributes 3.1% of global GDP and supports 6.2% of global employment.

Appointments:

• On April 21, 2025, the Union Government appointed five Special Directors to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Appointees include Viplav Kumar Choudhry (IPS, 1997 batch), and IRS officers T Sankar (2003 batch), N Padmanaban (2005 batch), Rajnish Dev Barman (1999 batch), and Manu Tentiwal (2003 batch). These officers will oversee regional offices and investigations under the PMLA, FEOA, and FEMA laws.
• Dr. Mangi Lal Jat was appointed as Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR on April 21, 2025. A renowned agronomist with over 25 years of expertise in climate-resilient and conservation agriculture, his leadership is expected to advance agricultural research and sustainability in India.
• Judge Kaveri Baweja, an officer of the Delhi Higher Judicial Service, was appointed as Registrar (Vigilance) of the Delhi High Court on April 22, 2025. She previously served as Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI) at the Rouse Avenue Court, handling significant cases like the Delhi excise policy case and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Questions:

Q.1 What type of trains did Japan gift to India for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor?
a) Shinkansen E10 series
b) Shinkansen E5 and E3 series
c) Shinkansen E7 series
d) Shinkansen E4 series
Answer: b) Japan announced the gifting of Shinkansen E5 and E3 series trains to India to support the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor.

Q.2 Who was appointed as Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR on April 21, 2025?
a) Dr. Mangi Lal Jat
b) Dr. Ramesh Chand
c) Dr. A.K. Singh

d) Dr. Suman Sharma

Answer: a) Dr. Mangi Lal Jat was appointed as Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, recognized for his expertise in climate-resilient and conservation agriculture.