NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Modi launches development works worth over Rs 13,480 crore in Madhubani: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 13,480 crore in Madhubani, Bihar on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.PM laid the foundation stone of an LPG bottling plant with a rail unloading facility at Hathua in Gopalganj District of Bihar worth around Rs 340 crore.This will help in streamlining the supply chain and improving the efficiency of bulk LPG transportation.Boosting power infrastructure in the region, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 1,170 crore and also inaugurated multiple projects worth over Rs 5,030 crore in the power sector in Bihar under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
2. J P Nadda launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025–26, reaffirming India’s goal to eliminate both diseases by 2026, with multilingual awareness materials released across States and UTs.India currently has 93.7% first-dose and 92.2% second-dose MR vaccine coverage; 332 districts reported zero measles cases, and 487 districts reported zero rubella cases between Jan–Mar 2025, earning global recognition with the Measles and Rubella Champion Award in 2024.The campaign emphasises over 95% MR vaccine coverage in all districts, rapid outbreak response, robust surveillance through IDSP, and inter-departmental coordination with a strong focus on public awareness to counter vaccine hesitancy.
3. AIIMS Raipur successfully performs first swap kidney transplant: AIIMS Raipur has successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, also known as a Kidney Paired Transplant.With this achievement, AIIMS Raipur became the first among the newer AIIMS institutions and the first government hospital in Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure.This significant milestone underscores the institute’s commitment to advancing healthcare and providing innovative treatment solutions for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. It is estimated that Swap Kidney Transplant lead to a 15 per cent increase in the number of transplants.Recognising its potential, the National Organisation and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended for the implementation of Swap donor transplantation to all the states and Union Territories, which could increase the number of donors.
4. CCI Approves Bharat Forge’s 100% Acquisition of AAM India with Modifications, Including e-Axle Asset Transfer: The Competition Commission of India approved the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding of AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Pvt. Ltd. (AAMCPL) by Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), subject to voluntary modifications offered by the parties.BFL is a global manufacturer of forged components and critical solutions for sectors like automotive, defence, aerospace, oil & gas, and more. Its promoters (BNK Family) also have stakes in joint ventures with Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems (now part of Cummins Inc.).AAMCPL is engaged in the manufacture and sale of axles for commercial vehicles in India. Before the acquisition, certain business divisions (like the Pune IT office and export components business) will be hived off to affiliates of its parent company, AAM Holdco (USA).
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India decides to suspend visa services to Pak nationals with immediate effect and more: Immediate suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals: India has halted all visa services to Pakistanis and has asked those currently in India to leave within 48 hours.SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme suspended: The 1992 scheme that allowed special visas for 24 categories of dignitaries from SAARC countries, including Pakistan, has been suspended for Pakistani nationals.
2. Indus Water Treaty suspended: India has suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, demanding an end to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism.Closure of Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP): India has closed the Attari Land Port, the only land trade and movement route between India and Pakistan, halting bilateral trade and cross-border movement.Reduction in Pakistan High Commission staff: India will reduce the Pakistani diplomatic staff strength from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025. No Indian High Commissioner has been posted in Pakistan since 2019.
3. 24-30 April – World Immunization Week: World Immunization Week is observed globally from April 24th to 30th each year to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in preventing deadly diseases.Theme 2025 – Immunization for All is Humanly PossibleThe goal of this week is to highlight the role of immunization in protecting people of all ages from preventable diseases and to encourage the use of vaccines to save lives.
4. 24 April 2025 – International Girls in ICT Day 2025: International Girls in ICT Day is observed every fourth Thursday of April, and in 2025, it falls on April 24.The day is celebrated to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It aims to bridge the gender digital divide and promote greater female participation in STEM fields.Theme 2025 – Girls in ICT for inclusive digital transformation
5. 24 April – International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace: International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed every year on 24 April.The day was designated by the UN General Assembly through resolution A/RES/73/127 in 2018, with the first observance on April 24, 2019.
6. 25 April – World Malaria Day: World Malaria Day is observed annually on April 25th.Objective: To raise awareness about the global efforts to control and eliminate malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted through the bites of infected femaleAnopheles mosquitoes.Theme for 2025: Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. M4 Carbine Assault Rifles: Recent events in Kashmir have brought into light the alarming use of M4 carbine assault rifles by terrorists. This pattern raises concerns regarding security in the region. The recent attack in Pahalgam, where gunmen armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s targeted tourists, has drawn attention to the origins of these American-made weapons. The M4 carbine is a lightweight, gas-operated firearm. It is a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 rifle. The M4 has been in military service since 1994. It can fire between 700 and 950 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 500 to 600 metres. Its maximum range extends to 3,600 metres. This versatility makes it a preferred choice for modern military operations.
SPORTS
1. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches Issuance of Sports Certificates via DigiLocker: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has launched digital issuance of sports certificates through DigiLocker, empowering athletes with easy and secure access to their achievements.The National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) was inaugurated to become a hub for elite athlete performance research and innovation, supporting India’s long-term sporting goals.The DigiLocker initiative will integrate with the National Sports Repository System (NSRS) to enable Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of rewards without delay or paperwork for medal-winning athletes.
2. 2nd Asian Yogasana Championships to begin in New Delhi: The 2nd Asian Yogasana Championships began at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.The 3-day event by Yogasana Bharat, over 170 athletes from 21 Asian countries will participate, along with several technical officials and team managers and coaches.Yoga is all about connecting with yourself, and it plays an important part in creating balance in everyone’s life.
3. Indian Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy wins Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix: Indian Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy won the Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix with 7/9 points, defeating Nurgyul Salimova in the final round.Chinese Grandmaster Zhu Jiner also scored 7/9 points but finished 2nd due to tiebreaks, sharing Grand Prix points and prize money with Humpy.India’s International Master Divya Deshmukh drew with Alina Kashlinskaya, securing 3rd place with 5.5/9 points.
4.Golf: Inaugural India Championship joins 2025 race to Dubai: The DP World India Championship will debut at the historic Delhi Golf Club from October 16 to 19, 2025, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), and will be part of the ‘Back 9’ series in the 2025 Race to Dubai.With a USD 4 million prize purse, the India Championship becomes the richest golf tournament ever held in India, highlighting the country’s rising prominence in global golf.The tournament will take place at the Lodhi Course at Delhi Golf Club, a course steeped in history, designed by Peter Thomson in 1977 and enhanced by Gary Player Design in 2019. It has hosted the inaugural Indian Open in 1964.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. South Asian Tree Shrews: Recent research by the Zoological Survey of India has transformed the understanding of South Asian tree shrews. This study, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, challenges previous classifications and marks the need for targeted conservation efforts. It uncovered morphological distinctions among these small mammals, which have often been misidentified due to their resemblance to other species. Tree shrews belong to the order Scandentia. They are not true shrews or squirrels. These mammals possess unique features such as elongated snouts and moist nasal pads. Their diet primarily consists of insects and fruits. Tree shrews play a vital role in forest ecosystems as seed dispersers and insect predators.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NABARD buys 10% stake in 24×7 Moneyworks to boost rural credit digitization: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has acquired a 10 per cent stake in agri fintech startup 24×7 Moneyworks Consulting Pvt Ltd.This marks Nabard’s first-ever investment in a bootstrapped startup, reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation in rural India.24×7 Moneyworks Consulting Pvt. Ltd’s flagship platform, eKisanCredit (eKCC), is a fully digital loan origination system designed for Cooperative Banks, PACS and RRBs.The eKCC platform integrates seamlessly with land records, Aadhaar, eKYC, core banking systems and ePACS, enabling end-to-end automation of the rural credit lifecycle.eKCC has demonstrated the potential to improve access, transparency, and efficiency in dispensing agricultural credit. This strategic collaboration will help Cooperative Banks, PACS, and RRBs deliver faster, transparent, and more inclusive credit services to small and marginal farmers.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. AI Kiran Initiative: As the nation’s AI market is projected to reach $17 billion by 2027, the initiative aims to address the gender disparity in this rapidly evolving field. It is co-led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Verix (Blockchain-powered credentialing platform) and INK Women. AI Kiran shines a spotlight on over 250 prominent women in AI across various sectors such as education, healthcare, and sustainability. By celebrating their contributions, the initiative aims to amplify their voices and inspire future generations of female technologists.
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