- On April 5, 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) held a webinar and launched initiatives for rural women empowerment. Key efforts included the Entrepreneurship Planning Digital Tool (EPDT) and a helpline for women entrepreneurs (0120-5202521). Infrastructure projects under PM-JANMAN Mission were also announced to boost connectivity in Tripura and Odisha.
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- On April 8, 2025, Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric & Climate Research Centre in Nathatop, Udhampur, J&K. The centre will focus on studying climate phenomena and advancing understanding of climate change. It also launched the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project ICE-CRUNCH, in collaboration with ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
- On April 3, 2025, FIFA announced that the USA will host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, with the UK hosting in 2035. The USA's event marks its third time as host, while it will be the UK's first. Both nations were sole bidders, ensuring smooth approval for their roles.
- India's steel trade deficit hit a 10-year high of 4.5 million tonnes (mt) in FY25, with imports rising to 9.5 mt and exports dropping to 5 mt. The deficit was fueled by cheaper imports from countries like China and Vietnam. On April 8, 2025, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies recommended a 12% safeguard duty on imports to address this issue.
- The NCLAT dismissed IDBI Bank's insolvency petition against Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd on April 7, 2025, citing protection under Section 10A of the IBC. This section shields defaults during the COVID-19 moratorium period (March 25, 2020, to March 25, 2021) from insolvency filings.
- On April 4, 2025, the RBI granted a Certificate of Registration (CoR) to Piramal Finance to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company – Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). This approval allows Piramal Finance to shift its focus from housing finance to investment and credit operations. The move aims to promote specialized services and strengthen India's financial sector.
- On April 7, 2025, Bank of Baroda (BoB) introduced the ‘BoB Square Drive Deposit Scheme’ with a tenure of 444 days. It offers an interest rate of 7.15% for the general public, 7.65% for senior citizens, and 7.75% for super senior citizens. This scheme aims to provide stable and competitive returns.
- On April 7, 2025, Axis Bank introduced the ‘In-App Mobile OTP’ feature to enhance cybersecurity. This generates time-based OTPs directly within its app, eliminating reliance on SMS and reducing risks like phishing and SIM swap attacks. The feature ensures faster, secure authentication for customers.
- On April 5, 2025, SDAL successfully tested the third-stage rocket motor for Vikram-1, featuring a 2400 kg propellant and 75,000 N thrust. The test validated thrust vectoring performance and ensured structural integrity through non-destructive testing.
- On April 8, 2025, Bangladesh signed the Artemis Accords with NASA, becoming the 54th nation to join. The agreement promotes peaceful and sustainable non-military space exploration. It also paves the way for collaborations between Bangladesh's space research institutions and NASA.
- Skyroot Aerospace successfully tested the Kalam-100 engine for its Vikram-1 rocket on April 7, 2025, during a 102-second static fire test. The engine achieved a 100 kN peak vacuum thrust with precise thrust vector control. This milestone advances Vikram-1's development for payload delivery to 500 km orbits.
- On April 6, 2025, HAL secured a ₹62,500 crore deal to deliver 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) to the Indian Army and Air Force. Of this, ₹25,000 crore worth of work will be outsourced to private firms, boosting India's defense ecosystem. The project features 65% indigenous content, aligning with the "Make in India" initiative.
- On April 7, 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,385.36 crore contract with BEL to provide Electronic Warfare (EW) Suites for Mi-17 V5 helicopters. These suites enhance survivability by detecting and countering threats in hostile environments. With over 50% indigenous content, this project supports the Make-in-India initiative.
- International Romani Day, observed on April 8, celebrates the heritage and contributions of Roma communities worldwide. It advocates for equality, inclusion, and human rights, while highlighting the significance of Roma culture and identity. The day commemorates the historic 1971 World Romani Congress.
- Viral Davda was appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on April 10, 2025. With over two decades of experience, he specializes in digital transformation and enterprise system modernization.
- Dr. Mohan Rajan was elected as the Vice-President of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) on April 5, 2025, during AIOS's meeting in New Delhi. He is the fifth Vice-President from Tamil Nadu in AIOS's 84-year history. Dr. Rajan is slated to assume the role of AIOS President in 2027.
- Rajesh Unni, founder of Synergy Marine Group, received the National Maritime Varuna Award on April 5, 2025, during the 62nd National Maritime Day celebrations in Mumbai. The award, India's highest maritime honor, recognizes his contributions to ship management and innovation. It was presented by Director General of Shipping, Shyam Jagannathan.
- The India I Saw is the English translation of S. Ambujammal's autobiography, launched on April 8, 2025, in Chennai. It chronicles her life from the 1920s to 1973, offering insights into India's freedom struggle and social transformation.
- "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism" by Sarah Wynn-Williams was published on March 11, 2025. It critiques Facebook's corporate practices, addressing ethical compromises and unchecked power.
- Dadi Ratan Mohini, spiritual head of the Brahma Kumaris, passed away on April 8, 2025, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, at the age of 101. She dedicated decades to promoting peace, harmony, and spirituality, inspiring millions worldwide.
Questions:
Q.1 Which country will host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup?a) Canada
b) United Kingdom
c) United States of America
d) Australia
Answer: c) The United States of America was announced as the host for the 2031 Women’s World Cup — its third time hosting the tournament.
Q.2 Which countries were major contributors to India’s increased steel imports in FY25?
a) Russia and USA
b) China and Vietnam
c) Japan and Germany
d) South Korea and Brazil
a) Russia and USA
b) China and Vietnam
c) Japan and Germany
d) South Korea and Brazil
Answer: b) India imported cheaper steel from China and Vietnam, leading to a spike in the trade deficit.
