- The article, "Cruise Tourism in India: A Voyage of New Possibilities," published on April 21, 2025, highlights India's vast potential for cruise tourism. With the Cruise Bharat Mission, the government aims to double cruise passenger traffic by 2029 and generate 4 lakh jobs. This sector leverages India's extensive coastline, waterways, and islands, promoting connectivity and economic growth.
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- On April 21, 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier. The terminal spans 415,000 sq. ft., accommodates 5 cruise ships simultaneously, and handles 1 million passengers annually. It is part of the Cruise Bharat Mission to boost maritime tourism and trade.
- On April 21, 2025, the Telangana government signed Letters of Intent (LoIs) with leading Japanese firms to establish an Eco Town in Hyderabad. This initiative focuses on recycling, waste management, and environmental restoration, promoting a circular economy. The collaboration aims to create a Net Zero Future City, inspired by Japan's Kitakyushu Eco Town model.
- On April 22, 2025, a tragic terror attack occurred in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, Jammu & Kashmir. Gunmen opened fire, killing 26 tourists, including locals and foreigners. It marks one of the deadliest attacks in recent years. Security forces are actively pursuing the attackers.
- On April 21, 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated cruise operations at the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT). Spanning 415,000 sq. ft., MICT can handle 1 million passengers annually, docking up to five ships simultaneously. Developed under the Cruise Bharat Mission, this initiative aims to position India as a global cruise tourism hub.
- On April 20, 2025, the Punjab Government launched a ₹500 crore plan to tackle stubble burning. It promotes in-situ crop residue management by offering 50% subsidy to individuals and 80% subsidy to groups for CRM machinery. This initiative aims to achieve zero stubble-burning cases, ensuring cleaner air and sustainable farming.
- On April 21, 2025, discussions highlighted that the ocean absorbs 25% of CO₂ emissions, helping mitigate global warming. However, this leads to ocean acidification, harming ecosystems like coral reefs and shellfish. Initiatives like Project SeaCURE aim to enhance carbon absorption while minimizing ecological damage.
- On April 17, 2025, Tata Sons' Agratas secured a £750 million ($990.79 million) loan from a group of 15 global banks. This funding will develop the UK's largest battery manufacturing facility in Somerset, projected to meet nearly 50% of the UK's automotive battery demand by the 2030s. The project is part of Tata's £4 billion EV battery investment, supporting sustainable mobility and reducing foreign dependency.
- On April 17, 2025, AU Small Finance Bank launched Concierge Services for its premium clients under AU ivy and AU Eternity programs. These services cater to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNI), offering assistance in global travel, luxury stays, dining, and more. This initiative aims to redefine luxury banking with lifestyle-focused offerings.
- On April 11, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank Ltd., Akluj, due to inadequate capital and poor earning prospects. This violated provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- On April 17, 2025, Fitch Ratings revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.4% due to global trade tensions and slower economic projections. The impact of US tariffs and a global slowdown were cited as key factors affecting India's net trade.
- On April 17, 2025, in Ranchi, the Jharkhand government and SBI signed an MoU to provide insurance benefits to state employees. This includes ₹1 crore accidental insurance cover, along with health and life insurance at no extra cost. Around 1.05 lakh employees will benefit, ensuring financial security and welfare.
- On April 17, 2025, C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) achieved India's first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) using a 4-core MCF. Quantum signals were transmitted through one core, while the other three carried high-speed classical data over 100 km.
- The e-SEHAT App was launched on April 16, 2025, by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It aims to provide digital healthcare services, including telemedicine, appointment booking, and health tracking. The app also supports multilingual access and integrates wearable devices for enhanced health monitoring.
- The Save Earth Conclave 2025 was held on April 22, 2025, in New Delhi, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah as its chair. Organized by the Phoenix Foundation Sanstha and the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, it focused on the theme "Bamboo for a Resilient Future".
- On April 23, 2025, the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team performed over JP Ganga Path, Patna, Bihar, celebrating Shaurya Diwas. Flying nine Hawk Mk-132 jets, the team displayed stunning formations like tricolor trails and heart-shaped patterns. The event honored freedom fighter Babu Veer Kunwar Singh's valor during the 1857 rebellion.
- World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated on April 23, promotes reading, publishing, and copyright awareness. The 2025 theme is "The Role of Literature in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)". This year, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the designated World Book Capital, emphasizing the transformative power of books in society.
- English Language Day, celebrated on April 23, honors William Shakespeare's birth and death anniversary. Established by the United Nations in 2010, it promotes multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the global role of English in communication and diplomacy.
- The government has re-appointed T. Rabi Sankar as RBI Deputy Governor for another year, starting May 3, 2025. This is his second one-year extension, following his initial appointment in May 2021. Sankar oversees key areas like foreign exchange and currency management, contributing significantly to RBI's functioning.
- On April 18, 2025, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, received the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025 in Kokrajhar, Assam. The award celebrates his contributions to education and social empowerment and includes a citation, memento, and ₹1 lakh cash prize. Dr. Samanta donated the prize back to the Trust for its development.
- On April 20, 2025, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan presented the Yashraj Bharti Samman Awards 2025 in Mumbai. The awards honored Jan Swasthya Sahayog, Pratham Education Foundation, and Services Plus for their contributions to healthcare, education, and governance, respectively.
- On April 21, 2025, Anil Malik, Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, received the PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in the Innovation category for the Poshan Tracker app. This mobile-based application revolutionizes real-time nutrition service delivery, empowering Anganwadi workers to monitor and improve childcare and nutrition services across India.
- On April 21, 2025, Wisden named England's Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, and Sophie Ecclestone among the Five Cricketers of the Year 2025. Atkinson impressed with 52 Test wickets and a maiden century, while Smith shone as wicketkeeper with his first Test century. Ecclestone, the world's top-ranked ODI and T20 bowler, became England's leading T20 wicket-taker.
- On April 23, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the ‘I Am Circular’ Coffee Table Book, curated by the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE). Authored by Ms. Shalini Goyal Bhalla, it features 30 innovations promoting circular economy principles.
- On April 18, 2025, Amarjit Singh Dulat launched his book, "The Chief Minister and the Spy." The book explores his bond with J&K’s former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah during Kashmir's turbulent times. It covers key events like the abrogation of Article 370 and the hijacking of IC-814, blending untold stories with political insights.
- On April 18, 2025, renowned cardiologist Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, aged 77, passed away in Chennai. Known as the Father of Angioplasty in India, he conducted the country's first coronary angioplasty in 1986. Honored with the Padma Shri in 2000, he revolutionized cardiac care with innovations like bioresorbable stents.
Questions:
Q.1 Who received the PM’s Award for Excellence for the Poshan Tracker App?a) Nirmala Sitharaman
b) Anil Malik
c) Sarbananda Sonowal
d) Amit Shah
Answer: b) Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, won the award for the Poshan Tracker, an innovation in nutrition monitoring.
Q.2 Who authored “The Chief Minister and the Spy” book?
a) Shashi Tharoor
b) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
c) Farooq Abdullah
d) Amarjit Singh Dulat
a) Shashi Tharoor
b) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
c) Farooq Abdullah
d) Amarjit Singh Dulat
Answer: d) On April 18, 2025, Amarjit Singh Dulat launched his book, "The Chief Minister and the Spy."
