April Flashcards

Question

the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the 12-day **biennial multinational air exercise _______**, held from March 31 to April 11, 2025 at Andravida Air Base of Greece. The exercise is hosted by Greece’s Hellenic Air Force, took place in the historic region of Elis. * This biennial exercise provides an opportunity to train in planning and executing Combined Air operations, refine tactics in complex air warfare scenarios, and exchange operational best practices.

Answer 1

INIOCHOS-25

Answer 2

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

Answer 3

**‘Fram2’ mission** * The mission is named after the Norwegian ‘Fram’ Ship which explored both poles in the early 20th Century. * The privately funded mission carried 4 astronauts on 3-5 days orbital journey.

Answer 4

Russia * The Zircon, also called the 3M22 Zircon, is a Supersonic Combustion Ramjet, or Scramjetpowered, nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile. * It utilises the 3S-14 launch platforms on frigates and submarines, and the missile was first used during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2024.

Answer 5

Grandmaster (GM) Nihal Sarin

Answer 6

Hero Asia Cup 2025

Answer 7

‘ZooWIN’ About ZooWIN: - It is designed to facilitate real-time stock monitoring, ensuring sufficient vaccine availability in health facilities and preventing shortages. * It functions similar to Co-WIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) and U-WIN (Universal Immunization WIN), improving collaboration among healthcare providers, municipal authorities, and veterinary services. Development and Implementation: i. Developed by: New Delhi (Delhi)-based National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India. ii. Pilot Phase: Launched in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Assam, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Answer 8

Rs. 5 About Commemorative Stamp Design: i. Symbolism: Features the RBI’s original headquarters in Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) and its current headquarters in Mumbai, reflecting its evolution. ii. Logo: Features the 90th-anniversary emblem with the motto “Stability. Trust. Growth”, highlighting RBI’s foundational principles.

Answer 9

‘NITI NCAER States Economic Forum‘ i. The portal will provide a comprehensive repository of data on India’s states, encompassing social, economic, and fiscal parameters spanning over three decades (1990-91 to 2022-23). ii. The portal serves as a centralized hub, enabling policymakers, researchers, and analysts to compare and benchmark state-wise data against national figures, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and policy debates. iii. The portal will facilitate an understanding of macro, fiscal, demographic, and socio-economic trends; easily accessible data and user-friendly format and will also address the ongoing need for consolidated sectoral data in one place.

Answer 10

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors ; 18th i. Jensen Huang, the CEO and co-founder of Nvidia, presently positioned at the 10th rank has entered the ranks of the top 10 richest people for the first time. ii. The US topped the list with a record of 902 billionaires, followed by China with 516 billionaires and India at the 3rd position with 205 billionaires. iii. The richest woman of all is Walmart heir Alice Walton, whose fortune stands at an estimated USD 101 billion. She reclaims the title from French L’Oréal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, who now ranks second, at USD 81.6 billion. iv. A record of 15 people worldwide is part of the USD 100 Billion club, up from 14 last year and zero in 2017. This elite group is worth USD 2.4 trillion in all, that is 0.5% of the world’s 3,028 billionaires hold approximately 15% of all billionaire wealth. v. The 2025 ranking features 288 newcomers, and Scale AI cofounder Alexandr Wang is the youngest selfmade billionaire in the world, at the age of 28.

Answer 11

6.5% Key Points: i. Moody’s highlighted that large emerging markets like India and Brazil will continue to attract and retain global capital in risk-averse conditions. * This resilience is due to their large, domestically-oriented economies, robust capital markets, moderate policy credibility and substantial Foreign Exchange Reserves (FER). ii. The report supported its projection related to India growth by showing that India has a low External Vulnerability Indicator (EVI) of 61%, which reflects its relatively lower susceptibility to external financial shocks. * This is further supported by India’s relatively modest external debt-to-GDP ratio of 19% and low dependency on the United States of America (USA) i.e. about 2% of GDP. iii. The report projected that India’s inflation will be at average of 4.5% in FY26 compared to 4.9% in FY25. iv. The Government of India (GoI) significantly increased the income tax exemption limit (from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh) under the new tax regime announced in the Union Budget for FY26. This move is expected to boost consumption and demand in the economy

Answer 12

Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited

Answer 13

Subhash Chander (SC) Ralhan About Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO): i. FIEO is an apex body of export promotion councils, commodity boards, and export development authorities in India. * It is an International Organization for Standardization(ISO) 9001:2015 certified organization. ii. It aims to promote Indian exports and facilitate international trade by providing services, advocating for favorable policies, and addressing challenges faced by exporters. President – Subhash Chander (SC) Ralhan Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi) Established – 1965

Answer 14

Sivasubramanian Ramann

Answer 15

Poonam Gupta About National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER): President – Nanan M. Nilekani Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi Founded – 1956 About Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Governor- Sanjay Malhotra (26th Governor of RBI) Headquarter- Mumbai, Maharashtra Established- 1935

Answer 16

Dhruva Space Private Limited

Answer 17

Key Features of SP-95/4: * High Beta-carotene content (8 milligram(mg)/100 gram(g)): Helps combat Vitamin A deficiency, prevalent in tribal areas. * Average tuber weight (300g): Fusiform shape makes it suitable for processing. * Multi-state adaptability: Successfully tested in Odisha, West Bengal(WB), Karnataka, and Kerala. Implementation & Expansion: i. The ‘Rainbow Diet’ programme, launched in 2023 at Attappady, promotes biofortified tubers to tackle malnutrition. Expanded under ‘Punarjeevanam’ programme in 2024. ii. Currently cultivated on 10-15 acres, with plans to scale up to 100 acres by December 2025. iii. A processing unit funded by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives is proposed to enhance economic benefits for farmers.

Answer 18

Vandana Katariya * Katariya made her international debut in 2009 and went on to become the most-capped player in Indian women’s hockey, with 320 appearances and 158 goals. * She was a key member of the historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where she became the first Indian woman to score a hat-trick in Olympic hockey

Answer 19

1. **The United Nations (UN’s) World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD)** is observed annually across the globe on April 2 to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and advocate for the rights and inclusion of autistic individuals. * April 2, 2025, marks the 18th observance of World Autism Awareness Day. * The Switzerland-based Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), a neuro minority-founded organization with a presence in 40 countries, is leading the 2025 event in collaboration with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). * 2025 Theme: The theme for WAAD 2025 is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. The 2025 theme links neurodiversity to SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities). 2. **International Children’s Book Day (ICBD)** is celebrated worldwide on 2 April annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author celebrated as the “father of modern fantasy”. * This day is supported by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) – Body Mind and Wellness (BMW) Club. - Theme: International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) –Netherlands is the official sponsor of ICBD 2025, under the theme “The freedom of imagination” to inspire young readers.

Answer 20

‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan’ (MMMUA) * The scheme aims to promote self-employment and economic independence among women in the state, marking it as one of the largest efforts of its kind in Assam. * This initiative, known as the CM Women Entrepreneurship Campaign, is designed to empower women by providing financial assistance to start and grow their own businesses. - The MMMUA is a structured three-stage financial assistance program to support women entrepreneurs: i. First Year: Each beneficiary receives a seed capital of Rs.10,000 to initiate or expand micro-enterprises in sectors like agriculture, livestock, and small businesses. ii. Second Year: Upon demonstrating effective utilization of the initial funds, beneficiaries become eligible for an additional Rs.25,000, comprising Rs.12,500 as a bank loan and an equal amount as government support. The state government will cover the interest on the bank loan. iii. Third Year: Successful entrepreneurs will qualify for a further Rs.50,000 to scale their ventures.

Answer 21

25 gigawatts (GW) * As of March 2025, the total installed power generation capacity in India was 483.26 GW, marking the highest increase in any year. * As of February 28, 2025, India has installed a total of 222.86 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity. This includes 102.57 GW of solar power, 48.59 GW of wind power, 11.45 GW of biopower, 52.07 GW of hydro power, and 8.18 GW of nuclear power.

Answer 22

1, 500 Megawatt (MW) PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme: i. Component B: 4.4 lakh solar pumps installed in FY25 (4.2 fold higher than FY24). ii. Component C: 2.6 lakh pumps solarized (25 times higher than in FY24). iii. Total solar pumps under PM-KUSUM crossed 10 lakh, with Rs. 2,680 crore spent in FY25 (268% rise).

Answer 23

(Odisha)-based Paradip Port Authority (PPA), formerly Paradip Port Trust * It is closely followed by Kandla (Gujarat)-based Deendayal Port saw an increase of over 13%, from 132.MMT (in FY24) to 150.15 MMT (in FY25) and Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) saw a growth of 7.4% in cargo handled to 86 MMT. * As per the data, the total coastal cargo handling of PPA, which accounts 42.36% of the total volume, has increased by 7.65% to reach 63.71 MMT. * Also, the port witnessed an exponential growth of 111% in container cargo and flux volume (32%) Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y).

Answer 24

About Two Key Reforms: - Eliminating the Requirement of Uploading Image of Cheque Leaf/Attested Bank Passbook: i. EPFO has completely removed the requirement of uploading an image of a cheque leaf or attested bank passbook while filing for claims through online mode. Initially, this requirement was relaxed on a pilot-basis for certain Know Your Customer (KYC)- updated members. Since its launch on May 28, 2024, 1.7 crore EPF members have already been benefitted. ii. As the bank account holder’s name is already verified with the details of EPF members at the time of bank account seeding with the Universal Account Number (UAN), EPFO has now done away with this additional documentation requirement. This decision of EPFO is expected to benefit nearly 6 crore EPF members, removing claim rejections due to poor-quality uploads and reducing associated grievances. Removal of Requirement of Employer Approval for Seeding Bank Account Details with UAN: EPFO has now eliminated the requirement of employer approval after bank verification. This move aims to streamline the process of seeding bank accounts with UAN. * It has now dispensed the role of employer to approve the verification of bank account within the seeding process of the members’ bank account. i. The above simplified process will provide options to those members who want to change their already seeded bank account by registering their new bank account number along with the Indian Financial System (IFSC Code) duly authenticated through Aadhaar One Time Password (OTP). ii. Also, the members who have not seeded their bank account or change/update their seeded bank account can avail the benefit of the above simplified process to get their bank account at the earliest.

Answer 25

Distribution of Mudra Accounts: i. Out of the 52 crore MUDRA accounts that have been opened in the past 10 years, Shishu constitute 78% of them, 20% are Kishor and the remaining 2% are Tarun/Tarun Plus. ii. The share of Shishu in total has declined from 93% in FY16 to 51.7% in (Financial Year) FY25, while the Kishor account share has increased to 44.7% in FY25 from 5.9% in FY16, indicating the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). State-wise women entrepreneurs: i. Among states, Bihar has the largest number of PMMY women entrepreneurs (4.2 crore), followed by Tamil Nadu (4.0 crore) and West Bengal (3.7 crore). ii. While, Maharashtra has the largest share of women account holders (79%) in total followed by Jharkhand (75%) and West Bengal (73%) iii. The report has also highlighted that PMMY is an effective tool for women’s empowerment at the grassroots level, as 68% of account holders are women. iv. Bihar’s share of PMMY loans has risen from 5.67 percent in FY16 to 10.97 percent in FY2. Uttar Pradesh too has witnessed a rise from 9.27 percent to 11.30 percent, while Odisha’s share in PMMY loans has climbed from 4.24 percent to 4.51 percent.

Answer 26

Citibank (Citi) * The loan aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the financial well-being of small and marginal farmers through improved credit access. * This collaboration builds on Citi’s global commitment of USD 1 trillion towards sustainable finance by 2030, including support for 15 million low-income households worldwide. Objective of the Social Loan: i. The loan will be utilized by SBI to finance its Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan portfolio, providing essential credit support to smallholder farmers. ii. It aims to enhance farmers’ access to credit, enabling them to increase agricultural output and create sustainable livelihoods. iii. The initiative aligns with the broader goal of economic inclusion for underserved farming communities.

Answer 27

Railway Protection Force (RPF)

Answer 28

69 * GI registry has also granted GI certificates to 8 more traditional products of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and one each from Telangana, Assam and Kerala * With this, total number of GI-registered crafts from Kashmir has reached to 15, of which 7 crafts having already been granted GI certificates

Answer 29

20 * Since many rural women work in agriculture, climate disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones hit their livelihoods hard. * India lacks proper gender-specific data on how such disasters affect women, which is essential for creating effective disaster response policies. iv. Young children, especially those under 5 years old, are at serious risk during extreme weather events like heatwaves. Between 2000 and 2016, India reported over 17,000 child deaths due to natural disasters. Key Facts: i. According to researchers, 27 out of 36 Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) are at high risk of disasters caused by changing weather patterns, such as cyclones, floods, and drought Scientists have also warned about future risks like rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and depleting groundwater. ii. The 2023 ND-GAIN (Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative) index ranked India 138th out of 185 countries, showing that the country is highly vulnerable to climate change and not fully prepared to deal with its effects. iii. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), women and children are 14 times more likely to die in disasters than men. iv. In United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)’s 2021 Child-focused Climate Risk Index, India ranked 26th out of 163 countries, which means that children in India face serious dangers from the ongoing impacts of climate change.

Answer 30

1. Web based ‘Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS)’ portal, 2. a Water Resource Census Application (app) and 3. portal

Answer 31

Raising Day of the Army Medical Corps 2025 – April 3 Every year, the Indian Army (IA) observes the Raising Day of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) on April 3 to honor the founding of the AMC in 1764 and commemorate the sacrifices made by medical professionals in the line of duty. * April 3, 2025, marked the 261st Raising Day of the AMC, a specialized corps dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to active personnel, veterans, and their families.

Answer 32

Sanjeev Chopra

Answer 33

Wayanad landscape of the Western Ghats, Kerala

Answer 34

India Assist * Through this initiative, the company will provide complimentary travel assistance to every UAE visa applicant upon arrival, including real-time support, emergency advice, and on-ground help. i. The initiative aims to cover more than 40 million in-bound visitors to the UAE annually. ii. With this initiative, India Assist marks its debut into the international travel assistance space. iii. Previously, India Assist had supported large-scale events like 2025 Mahakumbh held in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and was an official assistance partner to MotoGP

Answer 35

the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited (MSRDC) * MSRDC won this award in recognition of successful implementation of its flagship project named ‘Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg’.

Answer 36

Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi * He will hold the position for two years, starting April 3, 2025.

Answer 37

Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited

Answer 38

Hanwha Aerospace Company Limited The agreement was signed at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi, Delhi, marking a major milestone in the defense partnership between South Korea. * As per the agreement, the company will supply 100 K9 Vajra-T Howtizers to IA by September 2030

Answer 39

Manoj Kumar

Answer 40

Venugopala Panikkar

Answer 41

**The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action** is annually observed across the globe on 4th April to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) and to promote efforts for their elimination. The annual observance promotes the development of national mine-action capacities in conflictaffected countries, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). * 4th April 2025 marks the observance of the 20th International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. - Theme: The theme for International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2025 is “Safe Futures Start Here”, emphasizing the importance of mine clearance in creating safer environments for communities.

Answer 42

‘HANSA-3 (Next Generation, NG)’ * A two-seater trainer aircraft is indigenously designed and developed by Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL). * This marks the 1st time aircraft will be manufactured in India using fully indigenous design and technology.

Answer 43

Automatic Wheel Profile Measurement Systems (AWPMS) * This collaboration aims to enhance the automation and efficiency of rolling stock maintenance, improving overall operational safety. * This initiative aligns withIR’s Mission Raftar and Kavach initiatives for safer, faster travel.

Answer 44

National One Health Mission (NOHM) * It seeks to establish India’s first Early Warning System (EWS) for zoonotic spillovers, enhancing preparedness against future outbreaks. The study will focus on selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands in Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu (TN), targeting migratory birds, sanctuary workers, and nearby residents. * In TN, the study will be conducted at the Point Calimere bird sanctuary in Nagapattinam and Vaduvur bird sanctuary in Tiruvarur from May 2025.

Answer 45

the Adani Group

Answer 46

Shaleen Toshniwal

Answer 47

Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)

Answer 48

1. **National Maritime Day (NMD)** is observed annually in India on 5th April to recognize the maritime sector’s contributions to the economy, global trade, and international relations. In 2025, India celebrates its 62nd NMD. 2. **The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Conscience (IDC)** is annually observed across the globe on 5 April to promote a culture of peace guided by love, ethical reflection, and collective responsibility. This day encourages individuals and communities to reflect on their moral compass and promote actions that contribute to global harmony and understanding. * 5 April 2025 marks the observance of the 6th IDC.

Answer 49

Tighrana ; Mitathal

Answer 50

Disaster and Relief Monitoring System (DRMS)

Answer 51

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna The flag-off took place on the 10th anniversary of SAGAR which was launched in 2015 and National Maritime Day(on April 5, 2025). * Union Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted **PM Modi’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative**, stating it will take SAGAR’s vision forward with wider and stronger cooperation.

Answer 52

Project Seabird i. The minister opened key facilities including seven piers, around 400 residential units, and main infrastructure such as roads and bridges that will link different sections of the base. ii. He also took part in the Phase 1 of the Naval Commanders’ Conference in Karwar, Karnataka and reviewed the newly developed facilities at the site.

Answer 53

* The primary objective of this new act is to enhance national security, control immigration procedures, and introduce stringent penalties on foreigners who violate entry and stay conditions. * The new act has repealed 4 British- colonial era laws, including the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.

Answer 54

New Pamban Rail Bridge - The 2.07 kilometer (km) long bridge was built by New Delhi (Delhi) based Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR), at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore. - The bridge comprises 99 spans and a 72.5-metre (m) vertical lift span over the Palk Strait, which elevates up to 17 m to enable smooth ship passage. Built using stainless steel reinforcement, fully welded joints, high-grade protective paint, and polysiloxane coating, it ensures durability and resistance to corrosion.

Answer 55

modernize India’s statistical infrastructure

Answer 56

SARVSHAKTI - Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) refers to the integration and coordination of manned platforms (such as helicopters and ground vehicles) with unmanned systems (such as drones and autonomous platforms). - It enables real-time surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and battlefield awareness.

Answer 57

Thailand - The summit was chaired by Thailand Prime Minister(PM) Paetongtarn Shinawatra. * It focused on strengthening collaboration among the 7 member States, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. * The summit was attended by the Heads of State/Government of the member States to address their shared security and developmental challenges through institutional reform, strategic cooperation, and sustainable development.

Answer 58

Hungary * According to Article 127 of the Rome Statute (the treaty that set up the ICC), the withdrawal will become official one year after the notice is sent. * Hungary became a member of the ICC in 1999 when it signed the Rome Statute. It is now set to become the first European Union (EU) country to leave the court. About International Criminal Court (ICC): The ICC is the world’s first permanent court to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. President– Tomoko Akane (Japan) Headquarters – The Hague, Netherlands Members– 125 countries Established – 2002 About Hungary: President– Tamás Sulyok Prime Minister (PM)– Viktor Mihály Orbán Capital– Budapest Currency– Forint

Answer 59

the Konkan region of Maharashtra

Answer 60

Max Verstappen * McLaren’s Lando Norris secured 2nd position (18 points). Currently tops championship leader board. * While, Australian F1 driver, Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who won China GP in March, secured 3rd position (15 points).

Answer 61

Anupama Sharma

Answer 62

**The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP)** is observed annually across the globe on April 6 to acknowledge the role of sport in promoting human rights, fostering social inclusion, and advancing economic development. * April 6, 2025, observance marks the 12th anniversary of IDSDP. - The theme for IDSDP 2025 is “Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion”

Answer 63

1. **The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda** is observed globally on 7th April each year to honor over 1 million victims who perished during the 100-day mass slaughter in Rwanda. The day also acknowledges the suffering of Hutus and others who opposed the genocide. * April 7 2025, marked the 31st anniversary of this tragic event, emphasizing remembrance, education, and prevention of future atrocities. 2. **The United Nations (UN’s) World Health Day** is observed annually across the globe on April 7, to raise awareness about a specific health issue that is of global concern. * April 7, 2025, marks the observance of the 77th anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. - The theme for World Health Day 2025 is “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,”. * It highlights the importance of maternal and newborn health, urging nations to eliminate preventable deaths and prioritize the well-being of women and infants.

Answer 64

26th * The publications offer comprehensive insights of the gender scenario in India, presenting selected indicators and data across key areas such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making. * All data sourced from different ministries/departments/organizations

Answer 65

“Amalsad Chikoo” * The GI tag was granted to the Valsad Navsari Jilla Fal Ane Shakhbhaji Sahakari Sangh Limited (Gujarat) following a joint application submitted by the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), Gandhinagar, and Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari. * It is the 3rd fruit in Gujarat to get the GI tag after the Gir Kesar Mango and Kutchhi Kharek (date).

Answer 66

3 year term i.e. from 2025-2027. * India in its capacity as an ISAR member is positioned to significantly influence the development of financial reporting structures that promote transparency, responsibility and uniformity across various countries.

Answer 67

Piramal Finance Limited (PFL) * With this approval, PFL will cease its operations as a Housing Finance Company (HFC) and surrender its HFC registration

Answer 68

Sudarshan Pattnaik * The Mayor of Weymouth Cllr Jon Orell presented the award and medal to Sudarshan Pattnaik during the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival held at Weymouth in the United Kingdom (UK).

Answer 69

the United Kingdom (UK) * The announcement was made during the 49th Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Congress in Belgrade, Serbia. * FIFA plans to expand the 2031 Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, aligning it with the men’s tournament format. * This marks the first time the tournament will be held in the UK and the third time in the USA, reinforcing efforts to amplify women’s football globally. i. The USA, potentially in collaboration with other Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) members, is set to host the 11th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, scheduled for 2031. ii. The UK’s bid, involving England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is currently the only valid submission. iii. The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup (10th edition), featuring 32 teams, will be hosted by Brazil, the first Women’s World Cup in South America. iv. The USA, along with Canada and Mexico, is also set to co-host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup (23rd edition). v. The UEFA European Football Championship 2028 (18th edition), co-hosted by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales

Answer 70

The Government of India (GoI) annually observes **Prevention of Blindness Week from 1st to 7th April (the first week of April)** to create awareness about blindness prevention, promote regular eye checkups, and encourage healthy eye care practices. * In 2025, Prevention of Blindness Week was observed from April 1 to April 7. * The observance is spearheaded by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (NSPB) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI).

Answer 71

The World Glaucoma Week 2025 was observed annually across the globe from 9th to 15th March 2025 under the theme “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World”, emphasizes early detection and global collaboration to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Answer 72

**The International Romani Day** is observed annually across the globe on April 8 to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness the social, political, and economic issues faced by the Roma community, Europe’s largest ethnic minority.

Answer 73

Mission Shakti * To address the difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due child care and protection to their children, day-care crèche facilities are being provided through this Palna Scheme.

Answer 74

Rs. 10,000 crore ; Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) ; - He also introduced the formation of a dedicated **Startup India Desk within the MoC&I**. This initiative will serve as a helpline for startups across India, accessible via a simple four-digit toll-free number in regional languages, facilitating support and addressing concerns of entrepreneurs nationwide.

Answer 75

Rs. 20 crore - Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) inaugurated the 2nd edition of Startup Mahakumbh which was held from April 3 to 5, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi.

Answer 76

self-regulatory organisation (SRO) ; NS Viswanathan ; Sai Sudha Chandrasekaran

Answer 77

April 05, 2025 - The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Act,2025, is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Act seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.

Answer 78

26 * Among states that will see consolidation of RRBs include Andhra Pradesh (AP), which has the maximum number of RRBs (4), Uttar Pradesh(UP) and West Bengal (WB) (3 each), and Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh(MP), Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan (2 each). Key Points: i. As per the notification, with the merger of these RRBs into a single entity, will inherit their respective properties, powers, rights, obligations, and duties. ii. This large-scale level consolidation of RRBs aimed at improving the efficiency of these RRBs and minimizing competition among the public sector banks (PSBs) that sponsor them, as part of ‘One State-One RRB’. iii. Each new RRB will function under the sponsorship of a major PSB and will have an **authorised capital of Rs 2,000 crore**.

Answer 79

50% Key Facts about RRB: i. During FY24, RRBs reported the highest ever consolidated net profit of Rs 7,571 crore and their consolidated Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) was at an all-time high of 14.2% (as on March 31, 2024). * While, their Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) at 6.1% was the lowest in the last 10 years. ii. The structural consolidation of RRBs was initiated by GoI in 2004-05, which resulted in reduction of such banks from 196 to 43 till 2020-21, through 3 phases of amalgamation. iii. As of March 2025, 43 RRBs are currently operating across 26 states and 3 UTs (Puducherry, J&K, and Ladakh) of the country.

Answer 80

Israel * The agreements were signed in New Delhi (Delhi) between Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare(MoA&FW), and Avi Dichter, Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who is on his first official visit to India in his current role. * Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan invited the Israeli delegation to participate in the World Food India 2025 which is scheduled to take place from September 25th to 28th in New Delhi.

Answer 81

“Samudra Pradakshina” About the Expedition: i. The expedition will cover a 55-day voyage sailing approximately 4,000 nautical miles from Mumbai to Seychelles and back aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel (IASV) Triveni, and will conclude with a Flag-In Ceremony scheduled in Mumbai on 30th May 2025. ii. It involves a 12-member all-women crew from 41 volunteers across the Indian Army (IA), Indian Navy (IN), and Indian Air Force (AIF) and underwent two years of rigorous ocean sailing training. iii. The initiative is launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to demonstrate the resilience, courage, and determination of women officers while encouraging their participation in maritime and defence activities.

Answer 82

36th * The index has combined key indicators for: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) deployment, skills, Research and Development (R&D) activity, industrial capacity, and access to finance. * India rank on different parameters: ICT deployment (99th), skills (113th), R&D activity (3rd), industrial capacity (10th) and access to finance (70th)

Answer 83

6% India’s Outlook: i. Real GDP growth is forecast to rise to 6.5% in 2025 (up from 6.2% in 2024), with inflation easing to 4.3%. ii. By 2026, GDP growth is projected to reach 6.6%, supported by sound macroeconomic fundamentals, while inflation is expected to drop further to 4%.

Answer 84

Juspay * This round was led by Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Kedaara Capital, with participation from existing investors like: Tokyo (Japan)-based SoftBank Group Corporation and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Accel Limited. * Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Avendus Capital Private Limited acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Juspay for the transaction.

Answer 85

Captain Rajesh Unni

Answer 86

Tata Steel Limited (TSL) * This accolade, announced during Worldsteel’s Special General Meeting (SGM) in Sydney, Australia, highlights Tata Steel’s leadership in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence and sustainable steelmaking.

Answer 87

Soyuz MS27

Answer 88

Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil ; Uzbekistan

Answer 89

Ram Sahay Panday

Answer 90

Dadi Ratan Mohini

Answer 91

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Valour Day, also known as Shaurya Diwas, is observed annually across India on April 9 to commemorate the bravery of CRPF personnel during the 1965 Battle of Sardar Post in Gujarat. * In 2025, India marked the 60th anniversary of this historic event, paying tribute to the sacrifices of CRPF soldiers

Answer 92

Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Online 2.0 (ANMOL 2.0) i. Approximately 20,000 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) have been mapped and trained to utilize the ANMOL 2.0 system effectively. ii. Future plans include integrating Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers into the platform to ensure a holistic approach to maternal and child healthcare. iii. The Government of MP has set specific targets to reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) to below 100 and the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to below 20 by the year 2030

Answer 93

Rs 1,600 crore

Answer 94

Udhampur district, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) * The centre will focus on climate forecasting, aerosol studies, cloud microphysics, and weather pattern analysis in the North-Western Himalayas. * The centre aligns with India’s net-zero commitments and strengthens its role in global climate science.

Answer 95

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

Answer 96

‘Black Box Lab,’ About DFDR & CVR Laboratory: i. The facility has been established with support from Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). ii. The facility helps improve aviation safety in India by allowing AAIB to investigate accidents, repair black boxes, recover data, and support safer aircraft and helicopter designs. iii. It is designed to meet global benchmarks, and supports India in fulfilling its responsibilities as a member of Montreal, Canada based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Answer 97

“India Skills Accelerator” About India Skills Accelerator initiative: The India Skills Accelerator platform brings together multiple sectors to promote innovative ideas and drive systemic solutions to complex skill development challenges through collaborative efforts from various stakeholders. It includes: i. Awareness & Mindset Shift: Highlight future skills needs in high-growth sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, energy, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. ii. Stakeholder Collaboration: Strengthen government-industry partnerships for upskilling/reskilling and lifelong learning. iii. Policy Upgrades: Modernize institutional frameworks to create an adaptive skilling ecosystem.

Answer 98

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Niveshak Didi: i. The “Niveshak Didi” initiative is a community-led financial literacy programme that trains women postal workers and community leaders to serve as financial educators in their local areas. ii. It promotes responsible investing, fraud prevention, savings habits, and the use of digital banking tools. Phase 1 Highlights: i. More than 55,000 people participated in IPPB Financial Literacy Camps across India ii. 60% of participants were women, primarily from the youth and economically active age group. iii. Every 2 out of 3 beneficiaries belonged to deep rural areas, ensuring strong grassroots impact. Phase 2 Objectives: i. Under Phase 2, over 4,000 financial literacy camps will be conducted across India. ii. Nearly 40,000 women postal workers will be trained as Niveshak Didis to lead these camps at the community level

Answer 99

* This transformative tool evaluates the performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India using a comprehensive, evidence-based framework aligned with the SDG 2030 Agenda.

Answer 100

“Gyan Bharatam Mission” - Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel unveiled a special philatelic cover at the Gujarat Mineral Development Council (GMDC) Ground, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), to mark World Navkar Mahamantra Day

Answer 101

6.7% India-Specific: i. The report highlighted that India’s growth remains resilient despite global risks, driven by infrastructure development and job creation initiatives by the Government of India (GoI). * It has outlined some of the factors that will support India’s economic growth momentum: strengthening of manufacturing sector, regulatory reforms, robust services sector, and agriculture, and along with the newly announced tax incentives in the Union Budget for FY26. ii. As per the report, India’s inflation rate is projected to decrease in the next two financial years i.e. to 4.3 (FY26) and 4.0% (FY27). iii. Investment in urban infrastructure is expected to increase, supported by a new government fund with an initial allocation of Rs 100 billion (USD 1.17 billion). * While global economic uncertainties may obstruct private investment prospects in the shortterm, but, they are expected to improve with gradual lowering of borrowing costs and planned regulatory reforms could spur investment over time. iv. The report highlighted some of near-term growth risks like: the impact of recent increase in the USA tariffs on Indian exports and global economic developments that could possibly lead to higher commodity prices

Answer 102

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) * The MoU aims to build an efficient and expandable commercial shipbuilding model by using the strengths of GRSE and SDHI in design, infrastructure, and project management to serve both Indian and global markets for ships and offshore structures.

Answer 103

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) i. The MoU leverages Geospatial AI, Object Detection AI, Generative AI, and Digital Twin solutions to optimize vessel design, improve shipyard security, and implement 360-degree surveillance systems. It aligns with Industry 4.0 principles and Quality 4.0 (QA 4.0) strategies to modernize shipbuilding processes, reduce operational costs, and set global benchmarks. ii. The Center for Geospatial AI and Digital Twins (CGDT) at IIT-H, led by Director Prof. BS Murty, will develop advanced Geospatial Digital Twin models to create virtual replicas of shipbuilding environments. iii. This collaboration positions India as a leader in AI-aided maritime innovation, boosting domestic technological capabilities and aligning with global advancements

Answer 104

Odisha i. Additionally, New Delhi-based Petronet LNG Limited(PLL), India’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer, will invest Rs 6,500 crore to set up an LNG import terminal at Gopalpur port, Odisha. * Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISRPL), the special purpose vehicle(SPV) ,will invest Rs 8,743 crore to build a 4-million-tonne(Mt) underground oil storage facility in Chandikhol, Odisha. ii. These projects aim to enhance domestic production capacity, reduce import dependency, and boost Odisha’s industrial growth. Note: India’s petrochemical demand is projected to surge from 30–35 million tonnes (Mt) (current) to 80 Mt by 2040.

Answer 105

**World Homeopathy Day (WHD)** is observed annually on April 10 to raise awareness about homeopathy, its foundational principles, and its contributions to global healthcare. * This day also marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. In 2025, we celebrate his 270th birth anniversary. Background: Since 2016, the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has been commemorating WHD by organizing a series of significant events that underscore the pivotal role of research in the global advancement and acceptance of homoeopathy.

Answer 106

Ratnapur i. The decision to revert to the name Ratnapur aligns with the Maharashtra government’s initiative to restore pre-Mughal names of places that were renamed during Mughal rule ii. Khuldabad, situated approximately 25 kilometers (km) from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is historically significant as the burial site of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The town also houses the graves of his son, Azam Shah, and Asaf Jah I, the founder of the Hyderabad Nizam dynasty.

April Flashcards

(144 cards)