NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Govt sets up panel to draft plan for new National Manufacturing Mission: The government has formed an inter-ministerial committee to design the main plan for new national manufacturing mission, an official said. The mission was first announced in the Budget on February 1 to boost the Make in India initiative.The committee is led by Niti Aayog CEO B V R Subrahmanyam and is holding several meetings with important stakeholders.The mission will focus on five key areas: making it easier and cheaper to do business, preparing a future-ready workforce, strengthening the MSME sector, providing better technology, and ensuring high-quality products. It will cover small, medium, and large industries.Currently, manufacturing makes up about 16-17 per cent of India’s GDP. The government wants to raise this share through the new mission. The mission will also offer policy support and create a governance and monitoring system for both central ministries and state governments.
2. NMCG Approves Annual Master Plan to Promote River-Sensitive Urban Planning Under RCA: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved the annual master plan under the River Cities Alliance (RCA) to chart a roadmap of initiatives to be undertaken across the year.As per the Jal Shakti Ministry, the plan focuses on integrating river-sensitive urban planning within India’s growing cities. It encompasses a series of capacity-building programs, knowledge exchange platforms, development of technical tools, expert guidance, and thematic case studies.
The promotion of river considerations within city master plans through the organisation of River-Sensitive Master Planning training programs across states will also be in focus this year. To support the formulation of Urban River Management Plans, the NMCG will conduct training sessions, including onboarding programs specifically for RCA cities in Tamil Nadu, with further sessions planned for additional states.
3. BEML Hands Over India’s Largest Indigenous Electric Rope Shovel to Coal India: State-owned BEML has officially handed over India’s largest indigenously developed electric rope shovel, BRS21, to Northern Coalfields Ltd, a subsidiary of Coal India.The BRS21 shovel weighs 720 tonnes and features a 21 cubic metre bottom dump bucket, making it one of the most capable shovels globally for large-scale open cast mining.Developed in just 24 months, the BRS21 marks a significant achievement in India’s push for self-reliant industrial manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.This milestone showcases BEML’s engineering strength and reinforces sustainable, high-capacity mining solutions for India’s growing energy needs.
4. India Post Unveils ‘Gyan Post’ To Boost Education Access Across Country: The government has announced ‘Gyan Post‘, a new service to make the delivery of educational, social, cultural and religious books more affordable through post offices across the country. The ‘Gyan Post’ service will be operational at all departmental post offices across India from May 1.The service reflects India Post’s continued commitment to supporting education and reaching learners in every part of the country, according to the Ministry of Communications.About ‘Gyan Post’Designed to support learning and knowledge-sharing, ‘Gyan Post’ offers affordable options for sending books and printed educational materials through India’s vast postal network.Books and printed educational materials sent under ‘Gyan Post’ will be trackable and transported through surface mode to ensure cost-effective delivery.
5. Ruchir Dixit Appointed Chairperson of IESA for FY2025-26: Ruchir Dixit has been appointed as the Chairperson of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) for the financial year 2025-26, leading the industry’s efforts in electronics system design and manufacturing.Six new members have been elected to IESA’s Executive Council, including leaders from MediaTech, Applied Materials, 7Rays, Kaynes SemiCon, Alphawave Semi, and Analog Devices.Continuing members from the previous year include Navin Bishnoi (Vice Chairperson), Rajeev Khushu, Sanjeev Keskar (Treasurer), Veerappan VV (Advisor), and Ashok Chandak (President).
6. 30 April – Ayushman Bharat Diwas: Ayushman Bharat Diwas is observed every year on April 30 in India. The day is observed to spread awareness about the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which is one of the world’s largest healthcare schemes.The aim of this special day is to remind people about the importance of good health and to make them aware of the benefits they can get through the government’s free healthcare services.The Ayushman Bharat Yojana was launched by the Government of India in 2018 under the National Health Policy. It is also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).The main goal of this scheme is to provide free health insurance to poor and low-income families. It helps them get treatment in hospitals without having to pay from their pockets. Each eligible family can receive up to Rs 5 lakh per year for hospital care.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India & Nepal Sign MoU on cross-border transmission infrastructure: India and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cross-border power transmission infrastructure, which will facilitate the evacuation of power from Nepal and its supply to India.The MoU was signed during the visit of the Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, to Nepal recently.He also visited the Arun 3 hydropower project, which is financed by India, and inaugurated the commencement of electromechanical works at the project site.The MoU was signed between the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Power Grid) and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
2. Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s UNC secures victory in Trinidad and Tobago elections: In a major political shift, the United National Congress (UNC), under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has won the general elections in Trinidad and Tobago, unseating the People’s National Movement (PNM) from governance.Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who served as the nation’s first female Prime Minister between 2010 and 2015, is now set for a prominent return to national politics.An election was held in Trinidad and Tobago on April 28, 2025, to elect the 41 members of the House of Representatives for a new five-year term.
3. Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul Elected BWF President: Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul of Thailand has been elected as the 20th president of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), succeeding Poul-Erik Høyer of Denmark, who held the position for 12 years.She is only the second woman to lead the BWF, after Lu Shengrong of China (1993–2001), and brings a strong leadership track record as the president of the Badminton Association of Thailand.
4. 28 April – World Day for Safety and Health at Work: World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated on April 28 to promote safe and healthy working conditions worldwide.The day aims to raise awareness about occupational safety and health, highlighting the importance of preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.Theme 2025 – Revolutionising health and safety: The role of AI and digitalisation at work.
5. 30 April – International Jazz Day: International Jazz Day is celebrated on April 30 every year to promote peace, cultural dialogue, diversity, and respect for human rights through the universal language of jazz.International Jazz Day aims to unite people worldwide, fostering intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and international cooperation through jazz music.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011.
Theme 2025 – Learning for Lasting Peace – SDG Goal 4: Quality Education
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. 5th Marine Census launched at the 2025 Coastal States Fisheries Meet: The government of India has launched the 5th Marine Census, accompanied by the introduction of a mobile application, Vyas-NAV, for digital-based data collection. The last Marine census was conducted in 2016 in the country.The mobile application was launched during the Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 in Mumbai, which was chaired by the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh.The Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has developed the Vyas-NAV (Village Jetty Appraisal NAVigator) app. Census supervisors will use the Vyas-NAV app for field verification of fishing villages, fish landing centres and fishing harbours.The 5th Marine census is being coordinated by the Department of Fisheries of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is the nodal agency for implementing the marine fisheries census in nine coastal states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
SPORTS
1. Barcelona Beats Real Madrid 3-2 to Win Record 32nd Copa del Rey Title: Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling Copa del Rey final at Estadio de La Cartuja, winning a record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup title.Jules Kounde’s late extra-time strike secured Barcelona’s second trophy of the season, after their Spanish Super Cup victory over Real Madrid.In a dramatic match, Pedri’s first-half goal and Ferran Torres’ equalizer forced extra time, where Barcelona clinched the win after a tense 3-2 scoreline.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Sarvam AI Selected to Build India’s First Sovereign Large Language Model under IndiaAI Mission: Bengaluru-based AI startup Sarvam has been selected by the Government of India under the IndiaAI Mission to build India’s first sovereign large language model (LLM).The model, which will be developed from scratch, will feature reasoning capabilities and be designed for voice fluency in multiple Indian languages.Sarvam aims to create multi-modal, multi-scale foundational models, with a goal of achieving secure, large-scale deployment for national AI infrastructure.The company has already proven its ability to create cost-effective and scalable models, focusing on Indian language proficiency and supporting governments, nonprofits, and enterprises.
2. MP first state to launch AI-based real-time forest alert system: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to implement an AI-based real-time alert system on a pilot basis for active forest management using satellite images, mobile feedback, and machine learning.The Artificial Intelligence system will enable the forest department to detect land encroachment, land use change, and forest degradation.This system is being implemented as a pilot project in five sensitive forest divisions including Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur and Khandwa, which have reported several encroachment and tree felling incidents.
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