Current Affairs One - Liner : 26th April 2025

National:

• On April 24, 2025, the Odisha government officially declared Similipal as India's 107th National Park, under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Located in the Mayurbhanj district, Similipal spans 845.70 sq km, making it the largest national park in Odisha.

• India sent $2 million worth of medical aid to Nepal on April 25, 2025, including medicines and vaccines for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease patients. This highlights India's commitment to regional cooperation under its Neighborhood First policy.
• On April 25, 2025, 16 out of 27 districts in Arunachal Pradesh were declared malaria-free, marking a major milestone. This success came from collaborative efforts of health workers and community volunteers. Arunachal Pradesh aims to achieve a malaria-free status statewide by 2027.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved its 2025 Action Plan under the River Cities Alliance (RCA) on April 25, 2025. It focuses on river-sensitive urban planning, with initiatives like capacity-building programs and Urban River Management Plans (URMPs).

International:

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined the Santiago Network on April 23, 2025, under the UNFCCC, to address climate-related loss and damage. This move enhances global cooperation by providing technical assistance and boosting disaster resilience in vulnerable nations. It aligns with mechanisms like the Warsaw International Mechanism and the Loss and Damage Fund.

Banking:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended the deadline for banks to install BIS-certified note sorting machines to November 1, 2025. This extension, announced on April 24, 2025, followed feedback from banks about timeline challenges. These machines ensure the authenticity and fitness of banknotes, enhancing efficiency.
• Edelweiss Mutual Fund launched India’s first BSE Internet Economy Index Fund on April 25, 2025, tracking the BSE Internet Economy Total Return Index. It covers 20 companies from India's digital economy across sectors like e-retail, fintech, and telecom infrastructure.

Science & Technology:

• The ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) unveiled two new freshwater fish species in the Western Ghats on April 23, 2025. These species, Labeo uru and Labeo chekida, were discovered in the Chandragiri River and Chalakkudy River, respectively. The discovery resolved a 150-year-old mystery surrounding the identity of Labeo nigrescens, previously misidentified as Rohu.
• China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed mission to the Tiangong Space Station on April 24, 2025. The crew, led by Chen Dong, will stay for six months to conduct scientific experiments and maintenance tasks.

Summits & Conferences:

• The Global India Summit 2025, held on April 25–26 in Hyderabad, Telangana, was chaired by Telangana's Chief Minister. Organized by the Telangana State Government, it brought 450 delegates from 100 countries to discuss justice, pluralism, climate change, and youth participation. The summit aimed to foster global cooperation and showcase Telangana's initiatives.

Defence:

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a major milestone in scramjet engine development on April 25, 2025, at the Scramjet Connect Test Facility of the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, India.

Important Days:

• World Malaria Day is observed annually on April 25, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007. The theme for 2025 is "Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite", emphasizing renewed global efforts to eliminate malaria through innovation, collaboration, and sustained action.
• International Delegate’s Day is observed annually on April 25, commemorating the opening of the San Francisco Conference in 1945, where delegates from 50 nations drafted the UN Charter. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2019, the day honors the critical role of delegates in promoting peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development.
• World Penguin Day, observed on April 25, coincides with the northward migration of Adélie penguins. It raises awareness about challenges like climate change and promotes efforts to protect penguin habitats. The 2025 theme, "Waddle for a Greener Tomorrow", encourages eco-friendly actions to ensure their survival.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) observed Fire Safety Week from April 21–25, 2025, emphasizing fire safety in healthcare facilities. The initiative included webinars, fire audits, and a nationwide pledge ceremony, with over 3,000 virtual participants. The theme was "Fire Safety in Health Facilities", promoting a culture of safety.

Appointments:

• Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh (BJP) was elected Delhi Mayor on April 25, 2025, with 133 votes, defeating Congress's Mandeep Singh. Jai Bhagwan Yadav (BJP) became Deputy Mayor unopposed.
• The RBI cancelled the licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank, Aurangabad, on April 22, 2025, due to inadequate capital and regulatory non-compliance. Depositors are eligible for up to ₹5 lakh reimbursement from DICGC, with 91.55% coverage already disbursed.
• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, joined the World Bank Group’s Private Sector Investment Lab on April 23, 2025, to boost private investment and jobs in developing economies. The Lab, led by Ajay Banga, focuses on regulatory stability, risk management, and capital solutions.
• On April 18, 2025, K.K. Pathak, a senior IAS officer of the 1990 batch from the Bihar cadre, was appointed as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. This decision was part of a broader bureaucratic reshuffle approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• The government appointed Jitendra Srivastava, a 2000-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of REC Ltd on April 22, 2025. He previously served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Anant Ambani was appointed as Executive Director of Reliance Industries Ltd on April 25, 2025. His five-year term begins on May 1, 2025, marking his first executive role in the company.

Awards & Honours:

• Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia received France's prestigious "Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" on April 23, 2025, for her contributions to cinema. Her film "All We Imagine As Light" won the Grand Prix at Cannes 2024 and earned global recognition.
• Hubballi Airport in Karnataka earned Platinum Recognition under the ACI Green Airports Recognition (GAR) 2025 for its 8 MW solar power plant. Announced during the ACI Regional Assembly in New Delhi on April 16, 2025, the plant generates over 11 million units annually, reducing carbon emissions by 215,000 tonnes over its lifetime.

Obituaries:

• Former Australian cricketer Keith Stackpole passed away on April 22, 2025, at the age of 84. He played 43 Test matches for Australia (1966–1974), amassing 2,807 runs with seven centuries. Known for his iconic Ashes performances, he was named Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1973.
• Historian M.G.S. Narayanan passed away at 92 on April 26, 2025, in Kozhikode, Kerala. Renowned for his works like Perumals of Kerala, he contributed significantly to South Indian history. He also served as Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), leaving a lasting academic legacy.

Questions:

Q.1 Which airport received Platinum Recognition under the ACI Green Airports Recognition 2025?
a) Bengaluru International Airport
b) Mumbai International Airport
c) Delhi International Airport
d) Hubballi Airport

Answer: d) Hubballi Airport in Karnataka earned Platinum Recognition under the ACI Green Airports Recognition 2025 for its 8 MW solar power plant, announced on April 16, 2025.

Q.2 Which Indian state declared Similipal as its largest National Park on April 24, 2025?
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Odisha
c) Kerala
d) Telangana

Answer: b) The Odisha government declared Similipal, located in Mayurbhanj district, as India's 107th National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, on April 24, 2025. It spans 845.70 sq km, making it Odisha’s largest national park.