Our comprehensive Current Affairs of 23rd April 2025 coverage aims to enhance your knowledge and boost your scores in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, and all State Government Exams. Explore our Current Affairs tailored to simplify your exam preparation.
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National news
Cruise Tourism in India: A Voyage of New Possibilities
Cruise tourism in India offers a nature-centric travel experience, navigating through the country’s rivers, seas, and canals via themed voyages tailored to suit all budget ranges. It ensures safe, comfortable access even to remote locations, thereby enhancing inclusivity and ease of travel.
Cruise tourism in India is categorized into four main segments:
- Ocean cruises (international voyages),
- Coastal and island cruises using smaller ships and luxury yachts,
- Cruises on National Waterways (NWs), and
- Tourism along islands, coasts, and riverbanks.
To accelerate this sector, the Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM) was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) on September 30, 2024, at Mumbai Port, Maharashtra. The mission’s goal is to double cruise passenger numbers within five years, targeting the year 2029.
The Government of India’s Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 further envisions positioning India as a major global player in the ocean and river cruise market.
India’s cruise tourism industry is projected to expand eightfold over the next decade, driven by rising demand and growing disposable incomes.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), functioning under MoPSW, is actively working on improving navigability across waterways. This includes the development of navigational routes, installation of aids to navigation, and dredging operations where needed.
About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
- Established: 1986, under the IWAI Act of 1985
- Mandate: Development and regulation of India’s declared National Waterways
- Chairman: Vijay Kumar
- Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
India’s DBT system saves Rs. 3.48 lakh crore and enhances welfare efficiency
India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has led to total savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore by significantly reducing leakages in welfare distribution, according to a recent quantitative study conducted by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation, based in New Delhi.
- The report highlights a major shift in fiscal efficiency, noting that subsidy allocations have dropped from 16% to 9% of the government’s total expenditure since the adoption of the DBT mechanism.
- Backed by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), these findings emphasize DBT’s transformative impact in improving the efficiency of public spending, simplifying subsidy delivery, and promoting greater social inclusion.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates India’s Largest Cruise Terminal ‘MICT’ in Mumbai
On April 21, 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) inaugurated cruise operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT)—India’s largest world-class cruise terminal—located at Ballard Pier in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The occasion also included the inauguration of several key initiatives:
- Renovated heritage buildings
- A Shore-to-Ship Electric Supply system under the Green Port Initiative
- The Sagar Upvan Garden
- Signing of MoUs worth ₹5,700 crore for infrastructure development at Vadhavan Port
Key dignitaries present at the event included:
- Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, MoPSW
- Sushil Kumar Singh (IRSME), Chairman of Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA)
- Adesh Titarmare, Deputy Chairman of MbPA
- Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)
- Dhruv Kotak, Managing Director of J.M. Baxi, along with other prominent attendees
The MICT has been developed at a cost of ₹556 crore as part of the Cruise Bharat Mission, with the aim of aligning Indian cruise tourism infrastructure with international standards.
India Becomes 17th Country to Establish Athlete Passport Management Unit in New Delhi
In April 2025, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, overseeing the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), officially launched the Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi.
With this development, India becomes the 17th country worldwide to adopt a dedicated system for monitoring athletes’ biological profiles over time, in line with the standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Countries already operating APMU facilities include:
USA, China, Great Britain, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Italy, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Spain, and Switzerland.
Key highlights:
- The APMU is tasked with overseeing the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program.
- The ABP enables long-term monitoring of biological markers such as blood values and hormone levels to detect irregularities that may indicate doping—without directly testing for specific banned substances.
Banking news
RBI Allowed Minors Above 10 Years to Operate Accounts Independently
In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, issued revised guidelines on the opening and operation of deposit accounts for minors. According to the updated directions, minors aged 10 years and above can now independently open and operate savings and term deposit accounts, subject to the specific terms and limits set by individual banks. These new rules took effect from April 21, 2025.
The RBI has directed all banks—including commercial banks, urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks, and district central cooperative banks—to formulate or revise their policies to comply with these new norms by July 1, 2025.
Key highlights of the revised guidelines:
- Banks may now extend additional services such as internet banking, debit cards, and cheque book facilities to minor account holders, based on their risk management policies.
- Minors below 10 years of age can also have accounts opened in their name, but only through a natural or legal guardian.
SEBI Extended Automated Trading Window Framework to Immediate Relatives of DPs
In April 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, announced an expansion of its automated trading window closure mechanism to also cover immediate relatives of Designated Persons (DPs) in listed companies. This move is aimed at preventing inadvertent violations of insider trading norms, especially around the time of financial result announcements when access to Unpublished Price-Sensitive Information (UPSI) is more likely.
Key Highlights:
- The Designated Depository (DD) is now required to offer portal access to listed companies. These companies must upload information including the Permanent Account Numbers (PANs), names, and demat account details of both DPs and their immediate relatives.
- Depositories must submit quarterly reports to SEBI in the prescribed format to ensure transparency and compliance.
- The rollout of the PAN-based trading freeze mechanism will take place in two phases:
- Phase I begins on July 1, 2025, and applies to the top 500 listed companies based on market capitalization.
Jharkhand & SBI Sign MoU to Provide Insurance Benefits to Employees
In April 2025, the Government of Jharkhand and the State Bank of India (SBI), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide enhanced insurance and financial benefits to Jharkhand government employees who have salary accounts with SBI.
The MoU was formally signed by Rajeshwari B, Special Secretary of the Finance Department, Jharkhand, and Devesh Mittal, Deputy General Manager of SBI. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Finance Minister Radha Krishana Kishore.
Key Highlights:
- Accidental insurance of up to ₹1 crore in case of death or permanent disability due to an accident.
- Health and life insurance coverage provided at no extra cost to employees.
- Previously, similar benefits were extended to approximately 70,000 police personnel (as of September 2024). With this MoU, an additional 1.05 lakh government employees will be covered, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to around 1.75 lakh.
RBI Cancels Licence of Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank
In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revoked the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank Ltd, located in Indapur, Maharashtra. The cancellation, which came into effect at the close of business on April 11, 2025, bars the bank from conducting any banking operations, including accepting or repaying deposits.
Reasons for Licence Cancellation:
- Inadequate Capital and Earning Prospects:
The bank failed to maintain adequate capital and sustainable earning potential, violating Sections 11(1) and 22(3)(d) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. - Regulatory Non-compliance:
The bank did not adhere to several provisions under Sections 22(3)(a) to (e) of the Banking Regulation Act. - Risk to Depositor Interests:
Continued operations posed a threat to depositors’ interests, as the bank was unable to fully repay its depositors.
Impact on Depositors:
- Deposit Insurance Payout:
The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) has already paid out ₹47.89 crore to eligible depositors, in accordance with Section 18A of the DICGC Act, 1961. - Insurance Limit:
As per DICGC norms, depositors are insured up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank.
State news
Jammu & Kashmir Launches ‘e-SEHAT App’ for Digital Healthcare Services
In April 2025, Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), launched the ‘e-SEHAT App’ (Electronic Solutions for Enabling Health Access Through Technology), a comprehensive digital platform aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility across the Union Territory.
The app offers a range of services such as tele-diagnosis, hospital referrals, and health insurance details, making it an essential tool for patients, doctors, and medical students.
Key Features of the e-SEHAT App:
- Tele-Diagnosis & Remote Healthcare:
- Facilitates virtual consultations, minimizing the need for in-person hospital visits.
- Especially beneficial for rural and remote areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
- Hospital Networking & Referral System:
- Streamlines patient transfers between hospitals.
- Provides swift emergency support through a well-integrated referral system.
Telangana Collaborates with Japanese Firms to Establish Eco Town in Hyderabad
In April 2025, Anumula Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister (CM) of Telangana, signed Letters of Intent (LoIs) with multiple Japanese companies to develop an ‘Eco Town’ in Hyderabad, Telangana. The initiative aims to focus on recycling, waste management, environmental restoration, and fostering a circular economy.
Key Highlights:
- Location of Signing: Kitakyushu, Japan
- Visit Duration: April 16–22, 2025
- Telangana Pavilion: CM Revanth Reddy inaugurated the Telangana Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo, making Telangana the first Indian state to participate in World Expo 2025 (Kansai, Japan).
Japanese Firms Signing LoIs:
- EX Research Institute Limited
- P9 Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd.
- New Chemical Trading Co., Ltd.
- Amita Holdings Co., Ltd.
Major Investment Announcement:
- Toshiba Transmission Distribution Systems (India) Pvt Ltd (TTDI), a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation (Japan), announced an investment of ₹562 crore to:
- Set up a new manufacturing facility for surge arresters
- Expand transformer and gas-insulated switchgear production at its existing plant in Rudraram, Telangana
About Japan:
- Prime Minister: Shigeru Ishiba
- Capital: Tokyo
- Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
Economy news
Fitch Ratings Lowers India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.4% for FY26
In April 2025, Fitch Ratings, based in New York (USA) and London (UK), revised its India GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) downward by 10 basis points (bps) to 6.4% from the earlier estimate of 6.5%. The revision is attributed to escalating global trade tensions.
Key Updates:
- FY2024-25 Growth Estimate: Reduced by 10 bps to 6.2%.
- FY2026-27 Growth Estimate: Retained at 6.3%.
Factors Influencing the Downgrade:
- Global Trade Conflicts: The downgrade is linked to the “severe escalation” in global trade disputes, notably due to US trade policy uncertainty, which has affected business investments and equity markets.
- Global Growth Revision: Fitch reduced its global growth forecast for 2025 by 0.4 percentage points (pp). Specifically, China and the US each saw a 0.5 pp cut.
Global Economic Outlook: World Growth: Expected to be below 2% in 2025, the weakest rate since the 2009 financial crisis (excluding pandemic years).
Award news
Simone Biles & Mondo Duplantis Win Top Honours at Laureus World Sports Awards 2025
The Laureus World Sports Awards 2025 took place on April 21, 2025, at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, marking the 25th anniversary of the prestigious global event that honors the most outstanding athletes and sportspersons worldwide.
Key Award Winners:
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2025: Armand Gustav Duplantis (Mondo Duplantis) – Pole Vaulter from Sweden.
- Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year 2025: Simone Biles – Gymnast from the United States of America (USA).
Other Notable Awards:
- Laureus World Team of the Year: Real Madrid Men’s Football Team (Spain).
- Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal – Football player from Spain.
- Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan – Para swimmer from China.
The event celebrated the exceptional achievements of these athletes and highlighted their contributions to the world of sports.
Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2025
The 2025 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has unveiled its Five Cricketers of the Year, recognizing exceptional performances in the cricketing world. The honorees are:
- Gus Atkinson (England)
- Jamie Smith (England)
- Sophie Ecclestone (England)
- Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
- Dan Worral (Australian-born, playing for Surrey, England)
Other Key Awards:
- Wisden Trophy 2024: Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) – for his brilliant match figures of 13 wickets for 157 runs against India.
- Leading Male Cricketer 2024: Jasprit Bumrah (India).
- Leading Female Cricketer 2024: Smriti Mandhana (India).
- Leading T20 Player in the World: Nicholas Pooran (West Indies).
- Wisden Photograph of the Year 2024: A photo by Quinn Rooney showing Nathan Lyon and the Australian team appealing for an LBW against Mohammed Siraj at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Obituary news
Renowned cardiologist and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal Passed Away
Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, a renowned cardiologist and the ‘Father of Angioplasty’ in India, passed away in April 2025 at the age of 77 in Chennai. He was born on 6th January 1948 in Kottayam, Kerala. Dr. Kalarickal made significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in interventional cardiology.
Key Contributions:
- India’s First Coronary Angioplasty: In 1986, Dr. Kalarickal performed India’s first coronary angioplasty, a groundbreaking achievement that marked a milestone in medical history.
- International Influence: He established angioplasty facilities in several countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and several Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian nations.
- National Angioplasty Registry of India (NARI): He founded the National Angioplasty Registry of India to standardize heart procedures and foster innovation in the field.
- Leadership: He served as the President of the Asian-Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology from 1995 to 1997.
Awards and Recognition:
- Padma Shri: Dr. Kalarickal was honored with the Padma Shri in 2000, India’s 4th highest civilian award, in recognition of his contributions to medicine.
- Dr. B.C. Roy Award: He received the Dr. B.C. Roy Award in 1996.
- Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa): In 2003, he was honored with the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai.
- Rashtriya Samman: He was awarded the “Rashtriya Samman” (Top Taxpayers Award) in 2000.
Books and author
Amarjit Singh Dulat launched his Book titled “The Chief Minister and the Spy”
In April 2025, Amarjit Singh Dulat, the former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief, launched his new book titled “The Chief Minister and the Spy” in New Delhi, Delhi. The book, published by Juggernaut Books, provides a personal and political account of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), from the perspective of a top intelligence official.
Key Points:
- Book Overview: The book delves into Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s political journey, offering insights into his leadership of J&K, framed through the eyes of an experienced intelligence official, with a focus on political dynamics and espionage.
About Amarjit Singh Dulat:
- Born: 1940, India.
- Career:
- RAW Chief: Dulat served as the Chief of RAW and has vast experience in the intelligence community.
- Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB): He also held the position of Special Director of the IB.
- Advisor to the PMO: After retiring, Dulat served as an Advisor on Jammu and Kashmir in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from 2000 to 2004.
- Previous Works:
- Dulat is the author of the widely-discussed “Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years” (2015), where he explored the complexities of Kashmir during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- He also co-authored “The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace” (2018) with Asad Durrani, the former ISI chief of Pakistan. The book sparked significant discussion on the intelligence agencies and their roles in the region.
“The Chief Minister and the Spy” is expected to provide readers with a unique and insider’s perspective on the political and intelligence operations surrounding one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most prominent political figures.
Important days
International Mother Earth Day 2025 – April 22
The United Nations (UN) observes International Mother Earth Day, or Earth Day, annually on April 22 to underscore the interconnectedness between humans and the Earth’s ecosystems. This day highlights the collective responsibility to foster harmony with nature and maintain a balance between economic, social, and environmental needs for current and future generations.
In 2025, the observance holds particular importance as it coincides with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a global initiative aimed at combating environmental degradation. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet.”
Background:
- Establishment: International Mother Earth Day was officially recognized in 2009 through UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/278, introduced by Bolivia and supported by over 50 member states. The first observance took place on April 22, 2009.
- First Observance: The concept of Earth Day was proposed by John McConnell, an American peace activist, during a 1969 UNESCO conference in San Francisco, USA. The inaugural Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, marking the beginning of the modern environmental movement.
The year 2025 commemorates the 55th anniversary of this movement, underscoring the enduring global commitment to environmental protection.
