Current Affairs One - Liner : 25th April 2025

National:

• On April 22, 2025, the Ministry of Coal announced incentives to boost underground coal mining in India. These include reducing the floor revenue share to 2%, waiving upfront payment requirements, and a 50% rebate on performance security. The aim is to encourage advanced technologies like AI-based safety mechanisms and longwall systems.

• On April 24, 2025, the Sikkim government announced a 20% reservation for Agniveer Jawans in state police recruitment. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also declared a 10-year age relaxation for former army personnel in various police categories.
• On April 24, 2025, Kala Kendra in Jammu inaugurated a two-day rare coin exhibition as part of World Numismatic Week 2025. Around 1,000 rare coins from the Mughal era, British period, and post-Independence India are on display.

Banking:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has capped the penalty for violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) at ₹2 lakh per contravention. This change, announced on April 24, 2025, aims to ease compliance burdens for individuals and corporations.
• On April 22, 2025, HDFC Bank became the third Indian company to surpass a market capitalization of ₹15 lakh crore, joining Reliance Industries and TCS. This milestone was achieved as its stock price surged to a record ₹1,970.65. The growth reflects strong financial performance, increased investor confidence, and its leadership in India's banking sector.
• On April 22, 2025, Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, acquired a 37.8% stake in Orient Cement Limited (OCL) from the CK Birla Group. This raised Ambuja's total stake in OCL to 46.66%, granting it sole control and promoter status.
• On April 21, 2025, LIC increased its stake in Bank of Baroda (BoB) from 5.03% to 7.05%. This was achieved through the acquisition of 10.45 crore shares via open market purchases over a period of one-and-a-half years, from November 2023 to April 2025.

Economy:

• On April 23, 2025, the World Bank revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 down to 6.3%, a reduction from its earlier estimate of 6.7%. This adjustment reflects global economic uncertainties and domestic policy challenges, including slower private investment and shortfalls in public capital expenditure.

Science & Technology:

• On April 22, 2025, South Korea launched its fourth military reconnaissance satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida. This satellite features synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology for all-weather, day-and-night imaging.
• AIIMS Raipur successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, also known as Kidney Paired Donation (KPD), on March 15, 2025. This complex procedure involved two patients with incompatible donors swapping kidneys to ensure compatibility. It marks a milestone for Chhattisgarh, being the first such transplant in the state.

Reports:

• The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) released the report titled "Plant Breeding Programmes in Indian Zoos: Assessment and Strategic Actions (2024)" in December 2024. It revealed that India has not initiated a breeding program for the conservation of the endangered musk deer. The report highlighted the absence of a founder stock and ongoing threats like poaching and habitat loss.

Sports:

• Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra began his 2025 season with a gold medal at the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on April 16, 2025. He achieved a remarkable throw of 84.52m, outperforming South Africa's Douw Smit (82.44m) and Duncan Robertson (71.22m).

Defence:

• India dispatched the second batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines on April 20, 2025. This delivery is part of a $375 million defense deal to strengthen the Philippines' defense capabilities. The BrahMos system, co-developed by India and Russia, is known for its speed and versatility.

Important Days:

• The World Day for Laboratory Animals 2025, also known as World Day for Animals in Laboratories, was observed on April 24, 2025. Established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), this day raises awareness about the ethical and scientific concerns surrounding animal testing.
• The National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign was launched on April 24, 2025, during World Immunization Week (April 24–30). It aims to achieve 100% immunization coverage and eliminate measles and rubella by 2026. Union Health Minister JP Nadda unveiled multilingual awareness materials for outreach.
• International Girls in ICT Day 2025 was celebrated on April 24, 2025, under the theme "Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation". This global initiative, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), aims to inspire girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, particularly Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
• The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2025 was observed on April 24, 2025. This annual event, established by the UN in 2018, reaffirms the importance of multilateral cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution. It highlights the principles of the UN Charter and their role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Appointments:

• Stacie Sire was appointed as the Vice President and Managing Director of Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) on April 22, 2025, in Bengaluru. She succeeded Ahmed Elsherbini, who now leads Boeing Global Engineering. Stacie will also serve as Chief Engineer for Boeing India, driving strategy and operations.
• Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has been named the first Indian brand ambassador for Dreame Technology, announced on April 24, 2025, in New Delhi. Dreame, known for smart home appliances like robotic vacuums, aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian market.
• On April 22, 2025, Campbell Wilson stepped down as Chairman of Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India. Nipun Aggarwal, the airline group's Chief Commercial Officer, has taken over the role. This leadership change is part of the Tata Group's strategy to enhance coordination between its full-service and low-cost airline operations.

Awards & Honours:

• Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, received the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award on April 24, 2025, in Mumbai. This prestigious honor recognizes his visionary leadership and immense contribution to India's growth story.

Obituaries:

• Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former ISRO chairman, passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 84 in Bengaluru. He played a pivotal role in India's space advancements, including the operationalization of PSLV and GSLV missions.

Questions:

Q.1 Which company became the third Indian firm to cross ₹15 lakh crore in market capitalization on April 22, 2025?
a) Infosys
b) HDFC Bank
c) Adani Enterprises
d) Wipro

Answer: b) HDFC Bank became the third Indian company after Reliance Industries and TCS to achieve a market cap of ₹15 lakh crore, driven by its strong stock performance and financial stability.

Q.2 What is the revised GDP growth forecast for India in FY26 by the World Bank?
a) 6.3%
b) 5.8%
c) 6.7%
d) 7.2%

Answer: a) The World Bank revised India’s GDP growth forecast downward to 6.3% (from 6.7%) due to global uncertainties and slower private investment.