Daily Current Affairs April 26th 2025 | Latest News | Download PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

A new system to integrate netbanking, payment aggregators: Netbanking 2.0 by NPCI Bharat BillPay

• NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) is developing Netbanking 2.0, a new payment system aimed at enhancing the netbanking experience for customers.
• The initiative is currently under testing and is expected to launch in the next three to four months.
• Netbanking 2.0 is expected to streamline netbanking processes, enhance interoperability, and improve the digital payment landscape in India.

What is NPCI Bharat BillPay:

• NPCI Bharat BillPay, now known as Bharat Connect, is an integrated bill payment system in India, facilitating convenient and accessible bill payments for customers across the country.

Key Highlights:

1. Project Details:

• Netbanking 2.0 is a novel system distinct from existing technologies like IMPS.
• NBBL, a subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is responsible for systems like UPI and Bharat Connect.
• The project involves collaboration with four major banks and six to eight payment aggregators currently in pilot testing.

1. System Features and Benefits:

• Standardization to enhance customer experiences for netbanking users.
• Eliminates the need for separate partnerships between payment aggregators and each bank, addressing interoperability issues.
• Improvement in processes such as chargebacks, settlements, and reconciliations.
• Dynamic QR code for multi-device flow, facilitating transactions initiated on larger devices and authorized via mobile phones.

iii. Regulatory and Strategic Context:

• Supported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as part of its Payment Vision 2025, aiming to enhance the efficiency of internet banking settlements.
• RBI approved the implementation of the system for NBBL in March last year.

1. Future Prospects:

• NBBL is testing a new business-to-business payments product with companies like Mswipe Technologies and Zoho.
• The initiative aligns with NPCI’s role in pioneering payment solutions like UPI and RuPay.

India’s Inland Waterways achieve record 145.5 MMT cargo movement in FY25, growing nearly 8X Since 2014

• India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector achieved a record cargo movement of 145.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25, nearly eight times the 18.10 MMT recorded in FY 2013–14.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways attributed the achievement to strategic investments, digital tools, and policy reforms led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).

Key Highlights:

• The sector grew at a CAGR of 20.86% over the last decade, with a 9.34% rise over the previous year.
• Five bulk commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68% of the cargo moved.
• Passenger movement reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24.
• Operational National Waterways increased from 5 in 2014 to 29 today, with the navigable length rising from 2,716 km to 4,894 km.
• Infrastructure investment over the decade reached 6,434 crore, with developments such as:
  • Multi-Modal Terminals
  • Community jetties
  • Floating terminals
  • Navigational locks
• The “Jalvahak” Cargo Promotion Scheme launched in December 2024 with a 95.42 crore budget aims to shift freight from road and rail to waterways. It provides 35% reimbursement on operating costs and has introduced scheduled services on major routes like:
  • Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi (NW-1)
  • Kolkata–Pandu (NW-2)
• The 2025 Budget extended the tonnage tax regime to inland vessels to ease taxation and promote shipping under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021.
• New regulations enable private participation in jetty and terminal construction.
• Key terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, Haldia, and Kalughat are being transferred to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata to boost multimodal integration.
• Digital platforms like LADIS, RIS, Car-D, PANI, and MIRS are enhancing navigation and logistics efficiency.
• Cargo hubs like the Freight Village in Varanasi and Integrated Logistics Park at Sahibganj are being developed, with rail connectivity ensured by NHLML and Indian Port and Rail Company Ltd.
• Under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol, trial runs on routes like Maia–Sultanganj have been completed and await formal clearance.
• Over 140 PSUs are being engaged to adopt IWT for cargo, in alignment with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim for 200 MMT cargo by 2030 and 500 MMT by 2047.
• Infrastructure projects are progressing on various waterways, including:
  • NW-1 (Ganga)
  • NW-2 (Brahmaputra)
  • NW-3 (West Coast Canal)
  • NW-4 (Krishna)
  • NW-68 (Goa)
• Projects are also underway on the Yamuna, Narmada, and Gandak rivers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

India’s Ambitious Goal to Boost Hand and Power Tools Exports to $25 Billion by 2035

• India aims to significantly increase its exports of hand and power tools, targeting over $25 billion by 2035.
• This goal is outlined in a report titled “Unlocking $25+ Billion Exports: India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector,” co-released by NITI Aayog and the Foundation for Economic Development.

Key Highlights

• Current Export Level: Approximately $1 billion
• Target Export Value by 2035: $25 billion
  • Hand Tools Export Goal: $15 billion
  • Power Tools Export Goal: $12 billion
• Global Market Potential: The global tools market, valued at $100 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to $190 billion by 2035. India’s target market share:
  • Hand Tools: 25% of the global market
  • Power Tools: 10% of the global market
• Job Creation: The growth is expected to generate 3.5 million direct and indirect jobs.

India’s Market Position

• Global Share:
  • Hand Tools: 1.8%
  • Power Tools: 0.7%
  • India currently holds a small share in the global market for tools but aims to grow through targeted reforms and investment.
• Key Markets:
  • The United States and European Union account for 60% of global imports, presenting a strong opportunity for India’s growth.
  • S. Tariffs on Chinese Tools: The additional tariffs on Chinese tools (7.5%–25%) create a potential for India to capture more market share.

Sector Overview

• Hand Tools:
  • Supported by a well-established MSME base, especially in regions like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Nagaur, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
  • Products include pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches.
• Power Tools:
  • Facing challenges due to a lack of domestic electronics manufacturing, especially for motors and batteries.

Government Support & Policy Measures

• Incentives:
  • Under the RoDTEP Scheme, exporters receive a rebate of 1.1% for hand tools and 0.9% for power tools based on FOB value.
• Manufacturing Clusters:
  • Proposal for 3-4 large-scale manufacturing clusters spread across 4,000 acres by 2035, involving investments of ₹12,000 crore from the government and ₹45,000 crore from the private sector.
  • The clusters would include R&D facilities, worker housing, uninterrupted utilities, and more.
• Bridge Support Package:
  • If implementation is delayed, a temporary support package of ₹5,800 crore over five years would be provided. This would include interest subvention, logistics support, and capital subsidies.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Indian delegation visits South Africa for 2nd India-South Africa Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) session

• A nine-member Indian delegation visited Pretoria, South Africa, for the second session of the India-South Africa Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI), held on April 22–23.
• The delegation, led by Economic Adviser Priya Nair from the Department of Commerce, engaged in extensive discussions with their South African counterparts.

Key Highlights:

• The South African side was co-chaired by Malose Letsoalo, Chief Director, Bilateral Trade Relations, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
• Officials from the High Commission of India in South Africa, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare also participated in the deliberations.
• Both sides expressed a shared commitment to boosting bilateral trade and investment, resolving outstanding issues, and strengthening people-to-people ties.
• Key areas of collaboration included pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, MSMEs, and jewellery manufacturing.
• Other agenda topics covered the revival of the CEO Forum, investment cooperation, market access for agricultural products, recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia, local currency settlement systems, fast payment and unified payment linkages, and a potential India-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Preferential Trade Agreement.
• The two sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral trade and investment, recognizing the significant untapped potential and agreeing to focus on priority sectors to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.
• South Africa remains India’s largest trading partner in the African continent, with bilateral trade reaching USD 19.25 billion in 2023-24.
• Since April 2000, Indian businesses have invested over USD 1.3 billion in South Africa, spanning sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, automotive, banking, and mining.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Madhya Pradesh Government’s ₹145-Crore Plan to Address Human-Tiger Conflict

• To mitigate the increasing incidents of human-tiger conflict, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved a ₹145-crore
• The plan involves installing chain-link fencing across the buffer zones in nine tiger reserves in the state, aiming to reduce human-tiger encounters.
• This plan will be rolled out over three financial years: 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28.

Key Points

• Objective:
  • To regulate human movement in forest-adjacent areas and reduce the likelihood of encounters between humans and tigers.
• Tiger Population Growth:
  • Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a sharp increase in its tiger population, rising from 526 tigers in 2018 to 785 tigers in recent years.
• Rising Incidents of Conflict:
  • A spike in tiger attacks was reported, with four incidents occurring between March and April 2025.
  • Recent incidents include:
    • A tribal man was attacked near Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
    • A 14-year-old boy was killed by a tigress while collecting Mahua flowers.
    • A woman named Rita was attacked by the same tigress in the Pipariya buffer zone.
  • Compensation Scheme:
    • ₹10 lakh for families of deceased victims.
    • Up to ₹2 lakh for injured individuals.
    • Medical expenses of ₹25,000 for minor injuries.
    • Compensation for property damage during elephant encounters is also provided.

Tiger Attacks Statistics

• Increase in Tiger Attacks:
  • Attacks on humans increased from 10 in 2019 to 17 in 2020.
  • From 2019-2023, 27 human deaths were reported due to tiger attacks.
  • This number rose to 46 by the end of 2024.

Tiger Reserves and Buffer Zones

• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
  • The reserve has expanded from 105 sq km to 1,526 sq km, including the buffer zone and Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • It is located in Umaria district, which has a tribal population of nearly 50%.
• Kanha Tiger Reserve:
  • The reserve covers 917 sq km as its core area and 1,134 sq km as the buffer zone.
  • Including Phen Wildlife Sanctuary, the total protected area increases by 110 sq km.

RECENT NEWS

• The Madhya Pradesh government has declared a new wildlife sanctuary in Sagar district, covering an area of 258.64 square kilometers. The sanctuary, named Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran, was officially announced ahead of the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which will be observed on April 14.
• Madhya Pradesh has taken a major step in India’s economic landscape by introducing the country’s first dedicated Global Capability Centers (GCC) Policy 2025.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Kumar Mangalam Birla to Receive Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar 2024 for Visionary Leadership

• Kumar Mangalam Birla—57-year-old Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and Padma Bhushan awardee—will be honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Auditorium, Vile Parle East, Mumbai.
• The award will be presented by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Award Citation

• Recognized For: Visionary leadership and transformative contributions to India’s economic growth
• Sectors Impacted: Cement, telecom, financial services, textiles, and more

Event Context

• Marks the 83rd memorial day of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, a luminary of Indian classical music
• Organized by the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan, dedicated to preserving India’s cultural heritage for over 35 years

Other Honourees

• Shraddha Kapoor and Sunil Shetty: Impactful contributions to Indian cinema
• Sachin Pilgaonkar and Sonali Kulkarni: Versatility in theatre and film, with Kulkarni noted for blending emotional depth and cultural richness
• Dr. N. Rajam (violinist): Distinguished service to Indian classical music

About the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar

• Instituted: 2022, in memory of Lata Mangeshkar
• Purpose: Honors individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the nation, society, and the arts
• Past Recipients: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, singer Asha Bhosale, actor Amitabh Bachchan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology Signs Joint Declarations of Intent with Russian Institutions for Critical Mineral Collaboration

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar has signed two Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) with Russian institutions to promote cooperation in critical mineral processing and sustainable resource development.

Partner Institutions in Russia:

• JSC Giredmet (State Research and Design Institute of the Rare Metal Industry, Rosatom, Moscow)
  • JDI was signed by Dr. Ramanuj Narayan (Director, CSIR-IMMT) and Dr. Andrei I. Golinei (Director, Chemical Technology Unit, Rosatom Science).
• NUST MISIS (National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow)
  • JDI signed by Dr. Ramanuj Narayan and Dr. Michael R. Filonov (Vice-Rector, NUST MISIS).

Key Personnel Coordinating the Collaboration:

• CSIR-IMMT: Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head, Business Development
• JSC Giredmet: Dr. Konstantin V. Ivanovskikh, Deputy Director for Science & Innovation
• NUST MISIS: Dr. Korotchenko Natalia, Director, MISIS Information and Marketing Centre

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025: Indian Institute of Science tops in India, Anna University second

• Times Higher Education (THE) has released the Asia University Rankings 2025, evaluating 853 universities across 35 countries and territories.
• Ranking criteria include teaching, research, international outlook, citations, and industry income.

Top Indian Performers:

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) remains the highest-ranked Indian university, placed 38th in Asia (down from 32nd in 2024).
• Indian universities generally saw a dip in rankings, highlighting rising competition in Asia’s higher education sector.

Top 15 Indian Institutions in THE Asia Rankings 2025:

Rank	Institution
38	Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
111	Anna University
131	IIT Indore
140	Mahatma Gandhi University
146	Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences
149	Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
161	Jamia Millia Islamia
184	IIT Guwahati
184	KIIT University
188	Aligarh Muslim University
188	UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies)
191	IIT Patna
191	NIT Rourkela
200	IIIT Hyderabad

Global and Regional Trends:

• China leads the rankings:
  • Tsinghua University – Rank 1
  • Peking University – Rank 2
• Singapore’s universities maintain strong positions:
  • National University of Singapore – Rank 3
  • Nanyang Technological University – Rank 4
• Japan and Hong Kong also feature prominently with institutions like:
  • The University of Tokyo
  • The University of Hong Kong
• New Entrants in 2025 Rankings:
  • Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Mongolia, and Syria participated for the first time.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Retired IAS Neeraj Kumar Gupta Assumes Charge as Chairman & Public Interest Director of NSE International Exchange

• NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) has appointed retired IAS officer Neeraj Kumar Gupta as the Chairman and Public Interest Director (PID) of its governing board.
• His appointment was approved by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
• Gupta is a 1982-batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, with rich experience in finance, governance, and public policy.
• He served as Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) under the Ministry of Finance until his retirement in 2018.
• As DIPAM Secretary, he played a key role in investment and disinvestment efforts and contributed to three Union Budgets (2016–2018).
• He also chaired the National Task Force for Promotion of Digital & Cashless Economy (2016–2018).
• After retirement, he served as the Central Information Commissioner of India until 2023.

Home Credit India Appoints Vivek Singh as New Chief Executive Officer

• At its meeting on April 7, 2025, the Board of Home Credit appointed Vivek Singh as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Home Credit India, with immediate effect.
• Singh brings 20+ years of experience in the financial services sector, with expertise in business scaling, digital transformation, and large-scale operations.
• He will lead Home Credit India into a new growth phase under the TVS Holdings
• He holds an MBA and has earned multiple industry accolades for his contributions to retail lending and customer-focused financial services.
• Prior to this, he held senior leadership roles at several renowned financial institutions.
• Under Singh’s leadership, Home Credit India aims to usher in a new era of inclusive, tech-forward growth while maintaining its commitment to transparent and responsible lending.

About Home Credit India:

• Home Credit India Finance Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of TVS Holdings Ltd. is a leading consumer finance company committed to driving credit penetration and financial inclusion across India.
• Founded: 1997
• Headquarters: Netherlands

IAS Dr A Jayathilak Set to Take Charge as the New Chief Secretary of Kerala

• The government of Kerala has appointed IAS Dr A Jayathilak (1991 batch) as the new Chief Secretary of Kerala, succeeding IAS Sarada Muraleedharan (1990 batch).
• Sarada Muraleedharan is set to retire at the end of April 2025, after taking over as Chief Secretary in August 2024, following the retirement of her husband and batchmate Venu.
• Dr Jayathilak currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and brings over three decades of administrative experience.
• He began his career as sub-collector of Mananthavady, and later held roles such as District Collector of Kollam and Kozhikode, Managing Director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Chairman of the Spices Board, and Secretary of Water Resources and Disaster Management.
• In May 2023, he was appointed Additional Chief Secretary, Taxes and Excise Department.
• In March 2025, he was made Member Secretary of the Kerala State Planning Board, while retaining duties in the Finance Department.
• Dr Jayathilak will serve as Chief Secretary until his retirement in June 2026.

Microsoft announces Himani Agrawal as Chief Operating Officer for India & South Asia amid other leadership appointments

• Microsoft has announced three key leadership appointments in India & South Asia: Nitin Mittal as Industry Leader, Digital Natives; Himani Agrawal as Chief Operating Officer; and Aparna Kondaboina as Head – Human Resources, MCAPS.
• These appointments reflect Microsoft’s commitment to strengthening its regional leadership and accelerating AI-driven transformation.
• Nitin Mittal, who previously held leadership roles at Zee Entertainment, NPCI, and UIDAI, and was the founder of B2B platform SOLV, will now drive Microsoft’s digital native initiatives.
• Himani Agrawal, with over 25 years at Microsoft in roles such as Chief Partner Officer, Chief of Staff, and Country Head for Azure & Business Applications, takes over as COO.
• Aparna Kondaboina, having led HR at Microsoft India Development Centre and worked across India and the US, will now head HR for MCAPS India & South Asia, focusing on talent strategy and culture transformation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Air Force carries out ‘Exercise Aakraman’ after Navy tests missile from INS Surat

• Days after the Pahalgam terror attack in Anantnag district, which killed 26 tourists on April 22, the Indian defence forces have intensified their operational readiness.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting ‘Exercise Aakraman’ in the central sector, featuring Rafale, Su-30MKI, and other frontline fighter aircraft.
• Though described as a routine preparedness drill, the timing of the exercise has attracted strategic and public attention.
• In a show of naval strength, the Indian Navy on April 24 successfully conducted a missile test from INS Surat, its newest indigenously built guided missile destroyer, in the Arabian Sea.
• The warship launched a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) that precisely hit a low-flying, sea-skimming target, demonstrating India’s advanced targeting capability.
• The Navy hailed the launch as a “significant milestone” in boosting national defence.
• Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir on April 25^th, 2025, where he will meet with senior Army commanders and officials of other security agencies.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Sarvam AI, Soket AI Labs Among First to Be Backed Under Rs 10,000 Crore IndiaAI Mission

• The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) will support four startups—Sarvam AI, Soket AI Labs, ai, and Gan.ai—under the Rs 10,000 crore IndiaAI Mission.
• This mission aims to promote the indigenous development of foundational AI models in India.

Key Highlights:

• Soket AI Labs will work on the ‘EKA Project’, developing a 120-billion parameter open-source Indic large language model (LLM), trained on two trillion tokens.
• Sarvam AI is developing a 70-billion parameter multimodal model supporting Indian languages and English and is likely to receive GPU computing resources worth Rs 200 crore instead of direct funding.
• Bengaluru-based Gnani.ai and ai have submitted proposals for smaller-scale language models.
• ai has prior experience with Indic speech-to-speech models and its co-founder, Ananth Nagaraj, contributed to drafting the IndiaAI Mission’s policy framework.
• An official announcement of the selected firms is expected to be made by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• The initiative was fast-tracked following the launch of DeepSeek AI in China, prompting India to accelerate homegrown AI development.
• MeitY previously announced a Rs 1,500 crore incentive fund to support individuals and organisations building AI models from scratch.
• By mid-February, 67 proposals were received, followed by 120 more in March.
• MeitY has partnered with 10 GPU-as-a-service providers like Jio, Yotta, CtrlS, Tata Communications, and NxtGen to offer computer access to AI developers at less than $1 per hour.

China launches 3 astronauts to replace crew on Tiangong space station

• China has launched three astronauts into space to replace the current crew aboard the Tiangong space station.

Key Highlights:

• The Shenzhou 20 spaceship launched atop a Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT), with a journey to the Tiangong space station lasting approximately 5 hours.
• The launch occurred from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, near the Gobi Desert.
• The Tiangong space station, also known as the “Heavenly Palace”, was entirely built by China, following its exclusion from the International Space Station due to U. S. national security concerns.
• China’s space program is overseen by the People’s Liberation Army, the military branch of the ruling Communist Party.
• The Shenzhou 20 mission will be commanded by Chen Dong, making his third flight, and accompanied by Chen Zhongrui, a fighter pilot, and Wang Jie, an engineer—both making their first space missions.
• The three astronauts will replace a crew that has been on the station since October last year. Their mission will last about six months, performing tasks such as conducting medical science experiments, testing new technologies, and performing spacewalks to carry out maintenance and install new equipment.
• The Tiangong station, which was fully assembled in October 2022, can host up to six astronauts at a time.
• China’s space ambitions include landing a person on the Moon before 2030 and further exploration of Mars.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Kasturirangan passed away at 84

• Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan has passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 84.
• He served as ISRO Chairman from 1994 to 2003, playing a pivotal role in shaping India’s space programme.
• Under his leadership, India launched the INSAT-2 series and IRS-1A/1B satellites, and developed IRS-1C/1D, some of the world’s best civilian satellites.
• He oversaw the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operationalisation and the first successful GSLV flight test.
• Spearheaded launches of ocean observation satellites: IRS-P3 and IRS-P4.
• Dr Kasturirangan held a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Physics from Bombay University, and a PhD in Experimental High Energy Astronomy from PRL, Ahmedabad.
• He authored 200+ research papers, edited six books, and received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
• Chaired the drafting committee of the National Education Policy (NEP).
• Held positions such as Chancellor of JNU, Chairman of Karnataka Knowledge Commission, Rajya Sabha member (2003–09), Member of Planning Commission, and Director of NIAS, Bangalore (2004–09).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

South Asian Senior Athletics Championships 2025 Postponed Due to Visa Delays

• The South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships 2025, set to be held at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, have been postponed for the second time.
• Originally slated for October 4–6, 2024, then moved to May 3–5, 2025, the event has been deferred again—now tentatively to the second or third week of June 2025—pending visa clearance for Pakistani athletes.

Key Highlights

• Event Name: South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships 2025
• Original Dates: October 4–6, 2024
• First Reschedule: May 3–5, 2025
• Second Postponement: April 2025
• New Tentative Window: Second/third week of June 2025
• Venue: Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, Ranchi
• Participating Nations:
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Bangladesh
  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Maldives
• Star Athletes Expected:
  • Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) – Olympic javelin champion
  • Yupun Abeykoon (Sri Lanka) – South Asia’s fastest sprinter; Commonwealth bronze medallist
  • Aruna Darshana (Sri Lanka) – 400m bronze medallist at 2022 Asian Games
• Reason for Delay:
  • Visa clearance issues for a 43-member Pakistani team
  • Event timing constrained by the imminent Asian Athletics Championships in late May (Gumi, South Korea)

India Finishes Third at International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Peru

• India’s shooting squad delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru.
• With a total of seven medals—two gold, four silver, and one bronze—India finished third in the overall medal tally, behind China and the United States.
• India’s 42-member squad, one of the largest at the event, showcased remarkable talent and achieved key qualifications for the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

Key Highlights of India’s Campaign

• Location: Lima, Peru
• Dates: April 13–22, 2025
• Participants: Over 400 shooters from 43 nations
• India’s Squad: 42-member team, second largest after China
• India’s Medal Tally:
  • Gold: 2
  • Silver: 4
  • Bronze: 1
  • Total Medals: 7
• India’s Rank: 3rd on the medal table
• Significance: Gold medalists secure qualification for 2025 ISSF World Cup Final in Doha (Dec 4–9, 2025)

India’s Medal Winners – Lima World Cup 2025

Gold Medalists

• Suruchi Singh – Women’s 10m Air Pistol (also gold in Buenos Aires)
• Suruchi Singh & Saurabh Chaudhary – 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team

Silver Medalists

• Manu Bhaker – Women’s 10m Air Pistol
• Arjun Babuta – Men’s 10m Air Rifle
• Simranpreet Kaur Brar – Women’s 25m Pistol (her first World Cup medal)
• Rudranksh Patil & Arya Borse – 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team

Bronze Medalist

• Saurabh Chaudhary – Men’s 10m Air Pistol

About Peru :

• Capital: Lima
• Currency: Sol
• President: Dina Boluarte

Sayani Das: First Indian Woman to Conquer the North Channel in 13h 22m

• At 26 years old, Bengal’s open-water swimmer Sayani Das made history on August 30, 2025, by becoming the first Indian woman to swim the North Channel—a 38 km cold-water stretch between Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, and Portpatrick, Scotland—in 13 hours 22 minutes.

Key Highlights

• Historic Solo Swim
  • Date & Start Point: August 30, 2025, at 7:49 AM IST from Donaghadee
  • Finish Point: Portpatrick, Scotland
  • Distance Covered: 38 km
  • Duration: 13 h 22 m
• Fifth Channel Conquest
  • Part of Sayani’s Oceans Seven ambition
  • Previously completed: English Channel, Catalina Channel, Moloka’i Channel, Cook Strait
• Extreme Conditions
  • Average Sea Temperature: 13 °C, making it one of the coldest open-water swims globally
• Prior Indian Crossings
  • Elvis Ali Hazarika and Rimo Saha crossed the North Channel as a relay team
  • Anshuman Jhingran (Navi Mumbai) became the youngest solo swimmer of the channel in 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Delegate’s Day 2025: April 25

• International Delegate’s Day is observed on April 25 each year to recognize the vital role of delegates in advancing multilateral diplomacy, peace, and global cooperation.
• Delegates—particularly those at the United Nations—negotiate agreements, shape policies, and address transnational challenges through dialogue and consensus.

Historical Significance

• Founding Conference: April 25, 1945, marked the convening of delegates from 50 countries in San Francisco, leading to the drafting of the UN Charter.
• UN Charter: Established the legal framework for international relations, peacebuilding, and collective security in the post-World War II era.

2025 Theme

• “Multilateralism, Diplomacy, and Global Cooperation”
  Emphasizes the continued importance of delegates in resolving shared challenges—climate change, conflict, poverty, and public health—through diplomatic engagement.

World Intellectual Property Day 2025: April 26

• Every year April 26 is celebrated as World Intellectual Property Day to learn about the role that intellectual property rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity.
• World Intellectual Property Day 2025 recognizes the huge potential of young people to find new and better solutions that support the transition to a sustainable future.
• The theme of the 2025 World IP Day is “IP and music: Feel the beat of IP”.

History

• World Intellectual Property Day was launched in the year 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization to promote and protect creative ideas, including music, art, trademarks, writings, and inventions.
• The official date of World Intellectual Property Day is April 26 but events are held all over the world throughout the springtime.
• World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated all over the globe in the form of panels, receptions, expos, and educational outreach for students of all ages.

Daily CA One-Liner: April 26

• India aims to significantly increase its exports of hand and power tools, targeting over $25 billion by 2035.
• To mitigate the increasing incidents of human-tiger conflict, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved a ₹145-crore initiative
• Kumar Mangalam Birla—57-year-old Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and Padma Bhushan awardee—will be honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Auditorium, Vile Parle East, Mumbai
• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar has signed two Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) with Russian institutions to promote cooperation in critical mineral processing and sustainable resource development.
• Times Higher Education (THE) has released the Asia University Rankings 2025, evaluating 853 universities across 35 countries and territories
• The South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships 2025, set to be held at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, have been postponed for the second time
• India’s shooting squad delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru.
• At 26 years old, Bengal’s open-water swimmer Sayani Das made history on August 30, 2025, by becoming the first Indian woman to swim the North Channel—a 38 km cold-water stretch between Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, and Portpatrick, Scotland—in 13 hours 22 minutes.
• NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) is developing Netbanking 2.0, a new payment system aimed at enhancing the netbanking experience for customers.
• India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector achieved a record cargo movement of 145.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25, nearly eight times the 10 MMT recorded in FY 2013–14.
• A nine-member Indian delegation visited Pretoria, South Africa, for the second session of the India-South Africa Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI), held on April 22–23.
• NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) has appointed retired IAS officer Neeraj Kumar Gupta as the Chairman and Public Interest Director (PID) of its governing board.
• At its meeting on April 7, 2025, the Board of Home Credit appointed Vivek Singh as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Home Credit India, with immediate effect.
• The government of Kerala has appointed IAS Dr A Jayathilak (1991 batch) as the new Chief Secretary of Kerala, succeeding IAS Sarada Muraleedharan (1990 batch).
• Microsoft has announced three key leadership appointments in India & South Asia: Nitin Mittal as Industry Leader, Digital Natives; Himani Agrawal as Chief Operating Officer; and Aparna Kondaboina as Head – Human Resources, MCAPS.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting ‘Exercise Aakraman’ in the central sector, featuring Rafale, Su-30MKI, and other frontline fighter aircraft.
• The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) will support four startups—Sarvam AI, Soket AI Labs, ai, and Gan.ai—under the Rs 10,000 crore IndiaAI Mission.
• China has launched three astronauts into space to replace the current crew aboard the Tiangong space station.
• Former ISRO Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan has passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 84.
• International Delegate’s Day is observed on April 25 each year to recognize the vital role of delegates in advancing multilateral diplomacy, peace, and global cooperation
• Every year April 26 is celebrated as World Intellectual Property Day to learn about the role that intellectual property rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity