Current Affairs One - Liner : 6th & 7th April 2025

National:

• On April 6, 2025, seven West Bengal products earned GI tags, bringing the state's total to 39. Highlights include Nolen Gurer Sandesh (a jaggery-based sweet), Baruipur Guavas, and Malda’s Nistari Silk Yarn. This recognition boosts their market value, supports artisans, and preserves cultural heritage.

• Rama Navami, celebrated on April 6, 2025, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This auspicious day coincides with the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
• On April 4, 2025, India launched a study titled "Building a Surveillance Model for Detecting Zoonotic Spillover Using the One Health Approach" at ICMR Headquarters, New Delhi. The study targets zoonotic diseases in bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
• On April 4, 2025, the Haryana government declared Harappan sites in Tighrana and Mitathal villages as protected monuments. These sites, dating back over 4,400 years, are part of the Sindhu-Saraswati civilization, showcasing ancient artifacts and settlement remains.
• On April 4, 2025, Meghalaya CM Conrad Kongkal Sangma launched the Disaster and Relief Monitoring System (DRMS) in Shillong. Developed by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department and NIC Meghalaya, it enables real-time disaster reporting, automated relief workflows, and transparent fund disbursement integrated with PFMS.
• On April 4, 2025, a Chola inscription dating back to Rajaraja Chola I was discovered atop Somagiri Hills, near Madurai. It mentions Viranarana Pallavarayan, a commander who captured the region, and Malaiyappa Sambu, who built steps to a hill temple.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Rail Bridge on April 6, 2025, in Tamil Nadu. This 2.08-km vertical-lift sea bridge, India's first of its kind, connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland. Built at a cost of ₹531 crore, it enhances rail connectivity, supports maritime navigation, and boosts trade and tourism.
• On April 5, 2025, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off INS Sunayna as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR at Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka. The mission, under the SAGAR initiative (Security and Growth for All in the Region), aims to enhance regional maritime security and cooperation. It includes visits to ports like Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, and Port Victoria.

Banking:

• In 2024-25, 4,991 villages were designated as Adarsh Gram under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) scheme. The initiative focuses on developing Scheduled Caste-dominated villages by improving infrastructure and essential services like education, health, sanitation, and rural roads. It aims to enhance socio-economic conditions and foster holistic development.
• On April 4, 2025, NABARD announced an assistance of ₹5,830 crore to Jharkhand for FY25 to boost rural infrastructure. Major allocations include ₹1,988 crore for irrigation projects in Giridih and Palamu districts, rural godowns, bridges, and drinking water facilities. Additionally, 244 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) were supported, benefiting over 2 lakh farmers. This initiative aims to enhance livelihoods and strengthen rural development.
• On April 2, 2025, HDFC Bank, IDFC First Bank, and stock Holding Securities IFSC Ltd (SSIL) were appointed as corporate agents in GIFT City, Gujarat. This empowers them to sell insurance products globally to NRIs and PIOs, simplifying succession processes under Indian laws. The move enhances accessibility and streamlines insurance services for overseas Indians.

MoUs:

• The MoU between the Union Health Ministry and the Delhi Government was signed on April 5, 2025, at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. The aim is to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in Delhi, providing ₹10 lakh annual health coverage per family and enhancing access to quality healthcare for residents.
• On April 4, 2025, Indian Railways and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) signed an MoU at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, to implement Automatic Wheel Profile Measurement Systems (AWPMS). The aim is to modernize railway maintenance using laser scanners and high-speed cameras for precise, non-contact wheel profile assessment.

Science & Technology:

• On April 4, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, unveiled the HANSA-3 (Next Generation) trainer aircraft at the National Media Centre, New Delhi. Developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), this two-seater aircraft is built for Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training.

Reports:

• The report "Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data" was released on April 6, 2025, by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It features gender-related statistics across areas like population, education, health, and economic participation, highlighting progress in Labour Force Participation Rate for women and financial involvement.
• The report "India’s Infrastructure Delays and Cost Overruns", released by Primus Partners on April 4, 2025, reveals that 43% of projects are delayed and cost overruns exceed ₹5 lakh crore. It highlights issues like outdated PPP agreements and regulatory hurdles.

Sports:

• Indian equestrian Niharika Singhania clinched gold at the prestigious Azelhof CSI Lier Equestrian Competition in Belgium on April 1, 2025. Competing in the Two Phases special event, she rode Hotese Charboniere, finishing with 40.72 and 40.34 penalty points.

Important Days:

• The International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, observed on April 6, highlights the transformative power of sports in fostering social change and peace. The theme for 2025, "Levelling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion," focuses on promoting equality and challenging stereotypes.

Appointments:

• On March 30, 2025, Shaleen Toshniwal assumed charge as the 20th Chairman of MATEXIL, succeeding Bhadresh Dodhia. With over 23 years of experience in textiles, he is the Joint Managing Director of Banswara Syntex Ltd.

Awards & Honours:

• On April 6, 2025, Sudarsan Pattnaik received the Fred Darrington Award for Excellence in Art and Culture at the SandWorld International Sand Art Festival, UK. He created a 10-foot-high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha promoting "World Peace".
• On April 4, 2025, the Adani Group won 4 Gold Awards at the IAA Olive Crown Awards 2025 in Mumbai. These awards include Corporate Social Crusader of the Year, Green Advertiser of the Year, and two golds for their Pankha film. This recognition highlights their efforts in promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Questions:

Q.1 The New Pamban Rail Bridge, inaugurated in April 2025, is India’s first what?
a) Bullet Train Corridor
b) Double-decker Railway
c) Vertical-lift Sea Bridge
d) Underwater Metro

Answer: c) The New Pamban Rail Bridge is India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, enhancing rail and maritime connectivity between Rameswaram Island and mainland Tamil Nadu.

Q.2 Who won the Fred Darrington Award at the SandWorld International Sand Art Festival in the UK?
a) Sudarsan Pattnaik
b) Hitesh Gulia
c) Niharika Singhania
d) Shaleen Toshniwal

Answer: a) Sudarsan Pattnaik Explanation: Sudarsan Pattnaik received this award for his 10-foot-high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha promoting "World Peace."