26th April 2025 current affairs

We at Edusprint Academy are committed to bringing you the most relevant and updated 26th April 2025 current affairs from trusted and official sources. These updates are designed to keep you ahead in your exam preparation journey.

Our comprehensive Current Affairs of 26th 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

India’s Record Cargo Movement on Inland Waterways

In April 2025, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, reported a record-breaking cargo movement of 145.5 million tonnes during the Financial Year (FY) 2024–25. This marks a significant increase from 18.1 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2013–14, reflecting an impressive Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.86% over the decade.

Exponential Growth in Cargo Traffic (Last 10 Years):

During FY 2025, more than 68% of the total cargo transported on National Waterways (NWs) comprised five key commodities:

• Coal
• Iron Ore
• Iron Ore Fines
• Sand
• Fly Ash

In addition, passenger movement witnessed a significant rise, reaching 1.61 crore in FY 2023–24.

Expansion of National Waterways:

The IWAI, functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W), has undertaken a major expansion initiative by increasing the number of National Waterways from 5 to 111, in line with the provisions of the National Waterways Act, 2016.

Odisha’s Similipal Officially Declared as India’s 107th National Park

In April 2025, Mohan Charan Manjhi, the Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, officially declared the Similipal Tiger Reserve (TR), located in Mayurbhanj district, as a National Park (NP). With this declaration, Similipal becomes India’s 107th National Park and Odisha’s second, following Bhitarkanika National Park, which was designated in 1998.

Now the largest National Park in Odisha, Similipal NP spans an area of 845.70 square kilometres (sq. km). The declaration was made through a notification by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change (FE&CC) Department of Odisha, under Section 35(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

About Similipal National Park (NP):

• The park is divided into two divisions:
  • Similipal South Wildlife Division: Includes 7 ranges such as Pithabata North, Nawana South, and Jenabil.
  • Similipal North Wildlife Division: Comprises 4 ranges, including Barheipani, Chahala, Nawana North, and Talabandh.
• The name Similipal comes from the ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree.
• The park is rich in biodiversity, hosting:
  • Over 360 species of birds
  • 55 species of mammals (including leopards, sambar, etc.)
  • 62 species of reptiles
  • 21 species of amphibians
• It is home to around 40 wild tigers, including the world’s only wild melanistic tigers, and houses 25% of Odisha’s elephant population.
• The entire Similipal region covers about 2,750 sq. km, which includes approximately 2,306 sq. km of Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS).
• In 2007, the Odisha government declared 1,194.75 sq. km of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) as core critical tiger habitat.
• Since 2009, Similipal has been a part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).

 About Odisha:

• Chief Minister: Mohan Charan Manjhi
• Governor: Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati
• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS): Debrigarh WLS, Hadagarh WLS, Kotagarh WLS

International news

UNDP Joined Global Network to Help Countries Cope with Climate Change

In April 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), headquartered in New York, United States of America (USA), officially joined the Santiago Network — a global initiative designed to support vulnerable countries and communities in addressing the irreversible impacts of loss and damage caused by climate change.

This move represents a major step forward in enhancing technical assistance and policy support for nations most affected by climate-induced loss and damage.

About the Santiago Network:

• Established: 2019
• Purpose: To connect organizations, networks, and experts that offer solutions to avert, minimize, and address loss and damage related to climate change.
• Secretariat Co-hosted by:
  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
  • United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
• Location of Secretariat: Geneva, Switzerland

 About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):

• Administrator: Achim Steiner
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Established: 1965

Ranking and report news

THE Asia University Rankings 2025: IISc topped among Indian Institutes; China’s Tsinghua University University Topped the Overall List

In April 2025, the Times Higher Education (THE), based in London, United Kingdom (UK), released its 13th edition of the Asia University Rankings. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, emerged as the highest-ranked Indian institution, securing the 38th position globally with an overall score of 65.2. However, it witnessed a slight decline from its 32nd rank in 2024.

Top Performers Globally:

• China dominated the rankings, retaining:
  • 1st place: Tsinghua University (score: 92.5)
  • 2nd place: Peking University (score: 92)
• Singapore followed with:
  • 3rd place: National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • 4th place: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Key Highlights of the 2025 Asia Rankings:

• A total of 853 universities from 35 countries/territories were assessed (up from 739 in 2024).
• Evaluation criteria included:
  Research, Teaching, Knowledge Transfer, and International Outlook.

🇮🇳 India’s Performance:

• Among the top 10 Indian institutions, only two IITs featured:
  • IIT-Indore, Madhya Pradesh – Rank: 131st
  • IIT-Guwahati, Assam – Rank: 184th
• Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences (Himachal Pradesh) ranked 146th (up from 150th in 2024) with an overall score of 48.1, making it the highest-ranked private university in India for the second consecutive year.

International news

Pakistan Suspends Simla Agreement and Closes Border, Airspace, Trade with India

The Simla Agreement is a crucial diplomatic accord signed between India and Pakistan on July 2, 1972, following the India-Pakistan war of 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh. This agreement, signed in Simla, Himachal Pradesh, aimed to promote peaceful and friendly relations between the two nations and laid down a framework for resolving outstanding issues, particularly the Kashmir dispute, in a bilateral manner.

Key aspects of the Simla Agreement:

1. Bilateral Dialogue: The agreement emphasized that all disputes between India and Pakistan, including Kashmir, should be settled through peaceful negotiations and direct dialogue, without the involvement of third parties.
2. Respect for Borders: Both countries agreed to respect the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, which was established after the 1971 war. This essentially meant that both sides committed to maintaining the status quo and refraining from cross-border violence or intrusion.
3. Promotion of Peace: Both nations agreed to take measures to ensure peaceful co-existence and security in the region, including reducing military tensions along the border and promoting cooperation in various areas such as trade, communication, and cultural exchange.
4. Commitment to Stability: The agreement also focused on preventing escalation of conflicts between India and Pakistan by encouraging dialogue and mutual understanding. The countries pledged to refrain from the use of force and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.
5. Return of Prisoners: Both countries agreed to the return of prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian prisoners who had been detained during the 1971 conflict. This was aimed at normalizing relations between the two nations after the traumatic events of the war.

Importance of the Simla Agreement:

• It marked a significant step toward diplomatic normalization between the two countries after the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh.
• The agreement reaffirmed India’s stance on Kashmir, which continues to be a central issue in Indo-Pakistani relations. India sees the region as an integral part of its territory, while Pakistan claims it as disputed.
• The Simla Agreement laid the groundwork for future peace talks, though it has been marred by periodic breakdowns in relations, particularly during times of heightened tensions, such as in the wake of terror attacks.

Impact of the Simla Agreement on Bilateral Relations:

• While the Simla Agreement helped establish diplomatic communication channels, its long-term impact has been limited due to recurring conflicts and wars, such as the Kargil War in 1999 and numerous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.
• Over the years, both nations have frequently accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement, especially concerning cross-border terrorism, which remains a persistent issue.
• Despite its stated intent to promote peace and stability, the Simla Agreement has often been undermined by nationalistic sentiments and political agendas, and it has failed to bring about a permanent resolution to the Kashmir issue.

Current Status:

• Given the diplomatic fallout over incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s suspension of the Simla Agreement signals a serious deterioration in bilateral relations. This, coupled with actions like the closure of the Wagah border, banning of Indian airlines from Pakistani airspace, and suspension of trade, represents a major escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
• The Indus Waters Treaty, which has traditionally been a cornerstone of India-Pakistan cooperation, is also under severe strain, with Pakistan warning that any attempt to divert water from the Indus River would be considered an “Act of War.”

In summary, while the Simla Agreement remains a foundational document for India-Pakistan diplomacy, its future is uncertain amid rising tensions and the suspension of key bilateral agreements. The Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism continue to be major roadblocks to peace, making the agreement’s relevance and effectiveness in the current geopolitical climate highly contested.

Banking news

RBI’s Directive To Banks on Migration to ‘.bank.in’ Domain

In a significant effort to enhance digital banking security and combat rising cybersecurity threats, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed all banks to transition their existing web domains to the new ‘.bank.in’ domain by October 31, 2025. This step is in response to the increasing frequency of frauds in digital payment systems and is aimed at creating a more secure and trustworthy online banking environment. By adopting this unique domain, banks will be better equipped to mitigate cybersecurity risks such as phishing attacks and ensure the safety of digital transactions. The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) has been designated as the registrar for the new domain, which will be managed under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Key Aspects of RBI’s Directive:

Objective of the Directive:

• The primary goal is to enhance cybersecurity within the digital banking ecosystem and minimize fraudulent activities like phishing, which are prevalent in online banking.
• The ‘.bank.in’ domain will serve as a unique and secure identifier for Indian banks, strengthening public trust in digital payment systems.

Timeline for Migration:

• Banks must complete the domain migration to ‘.bank.in’ by October 31, 2025.
• The RBI has urged banks to begin the transition process promptly to ensure the security and credibility of their digital banking platforms.

Role of IDRBT:

• The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) has been appointed as the exclusive registrar for the ‘.bank.in’ domain.
• IDRBT will assist banks with the registration process and provide guidance on the technical aspects of the domain migration.

Security Benefits:

• The ‘.bank.in’ domain is tailored specifically for banking institutions in India, making it more secure and less susceptible to cyberattacks.
• This migration will help reduce the risk of fraudulent websites impersonating legitimate bank sites, thus preventing phishing attacks.

Collaboration with NIXI and MeitY:

• The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has been designated as the authority to oversee the operations of the ‘.bank.in’ domain.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) supports this initiative, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

Contact Details for Banks:

• Banks wishing to start the migration process should reach out to IDRBT at sahyog@idrbt.ac.in for support.
• IDRBT will offer the necessary technical and procedural guidance for the migration process.

Impact on Digital Banking and Payments:

Enhanced Trust in Digital Banking:

• By adopting the ‘.bank.in’ domain, banks will not only improve security but also increase consumer confidence in online banking and financial transactions.
• Customers will be able to easily identify legitimate bank websites, reducing the risk of falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

Cybersecurity Strengthening:

• The introduction of the ‘.bank.in’ domain is a step toward fortifying the nation’s cybersecurity and protecting critical financial services from cybercriminals.
• Through this exclusive domain, the RBI aims to build a more resilient and secure digital financial infrastructure.

Streamlined Online Services:

• The migration will simplify the process of verifying legitimate banking sites, improving the customer experience when accessing online banking services.
• By adopting a secure and recognized domain, banks will contribute to a broader effort to improve online security in the financial services sector.

EEMF Launches India’s First BSE Internet Economy Index Fund

Edelweiss Mutual Fund Launches India’s First BSE Internet Economy Index Fund

On April 24, 2025, Edelweiss Mutual Fund (EMF), officially known as Edelweiss Asset Management Limited (EAML) — a subsidiary of Edelweiss Financial Services Limited (EFSL) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra — launched the ‘Edelweiss BSE Internet Economy Index Fund’, marking India’s first index fund focused on the BSE Internet Economy Index.

Investment Objective:

To generate returns (before expenses) that closely mirror the BSE Internet Economy Total Return Index, subject to tracking errors.

The fund follows a transparent, rules-based strategy, specifically excluding traditional IT and software companies, and instead tracks India’s rapidly growing internet-based businesses.

Key Features of Edelweiss BSE Internet Economy Index Fund:

• Open-ended index fund replicating the Total Return Index.
• New Fund Offering (NFO) period: April 25 to May 9, 2025.
• Index includes top 20 companies from the BSE 500, based on six-month average market cap.
• 🧩 Covers 11 sub-industries, such as:
  • E-retail
  • Internet & catalogue retail
  • E-learning
  • Digital entertainment
  • FinTech
  • Other digitally driven sectors

Investment & Exit Load:

• Minimum investment: Rs. 100, and in multiples of Rs. 1 thereafter.
• Exit Load:
  • 0.10% if units are redeemed or switched within 30 days of allotment.
  • No exit load if redeemed after 30 days.

Fund Managers:

• Bhavesh Jain & Bharat Lohoti — Co-Heads of Factor Investing, EMF.

About NFO (New Fund Offering): An NFO is the first-time offering of units by a Mutual Fund to raise capital from investors.

About Edelweiss Mutual Fund (EMF):

• MD & CEO: Radhika Gupta
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

RBI Cancels Licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank Due to Capital & Compliance Issues

In April 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank Maryadit, based in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The cancellation was prompted by the bank’s inadequate capital, weak earnings potential, and non-compliance with regulatory norms.

Key Reasons for Licence Cancellation:

• The bank violated several provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, specifically Sections 11(1), 22(3)(a) to 22(3)(e), and 56.
• It failed to maintain adequate capital and showed no viable business prospects.
• The bank’s continued operation was considered harmful to public interest, especially for depositors, as it was unable to repay its current liabilities.

Impact on Depositors:

• Upon liquidation, depositors are entitled to receive up to Rs 5 lakh through the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, as per the DICGC Act, 1961.
• Around 91.55% of depositors are eligible to receive the entire amount of their deposits under the insurance scheme.
• As of April 3, 2025, DICGC has already disbursed Rs 275.22 crore to eligible depositors.

Additional Note:

As of March 31, 2025, 23 Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) were under All-Inclusive Directions (AID).

• Maharashtra led with 9 UCBs under AID, followed by:
  • Karnataka – 5 UCBs
  • Uttar Pradesh – 4 UCBs

Award news

Indian Filmmaker Payal Kapadia Conferred with France’s “Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” for Contribution to Cinema

On April 24, 2025, Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, was honored with the “Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters), one of France’s highest civilian honors in the field of arts and literature. She received this recognition for her remarkable contribution to global cinema and her role in strengthening Indo-French cultural ties.

The award was presented by Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet, the Consul General of France in Mumbai, during a ceremony at the Residence of France in Mumbai.

Achievements of Payal Kapadia:

i. Kapadia is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and is widely known for her bold and experimental approach to storytelling.

ii. Her fiction feature debut, All We Imagine as Light (2024), an Indo-French co-production by France’s petit chaos and Mumbai’s Chalk and Cheese Films, won the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival (CFF). This film became the first Indian movie in 30 years to win a major award in the CFF’s main competition. It was also shortlisted as France’s official entry to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.

iii. In 2017, her short film Afternoon Clouds was the only Indian entry at the 70th Cannes Film Festival.

iv. The experimental short film And What Was the Summer Saying won the Special Jury Prize at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in 2018 and the Pramod Pati Award at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in 2020.

v. In 2021, her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing won the prestigious Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) Award at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.

vi. In 2025, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director and ranked 5th on Cahiers du Cinema’s annual list.

Kumar Mangalam Birla to Receive Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2024

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and Padma Bhushan awardee, is set to receive the prestigious Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2024 on April 24 in Mumbai. The award recognizes his visionary leadership and significant contributions to India’s economic growth.

The award ceremony, presented by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, coincides with the 83rd Memorial Day of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar. The event is organized by the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan.

In addition to Birla, the event will honor several distinguished personalities from the fields of Indian cinema, theatre, and classical music. The honorees include Shraddha Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Sonali Kulkarni, and violinist Dr. N Rajam for their excellence in their respective fields.

Appointment news

Sunil Bharti Mittal Joins WBG’s Private Sector Investment Lab to Boost Developing Economies

On April 23, 2025, the World Bank Group (WBG), headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, launched the next phase of its Private Sector Investment Lab (PSIL). This initiative aims to scale solutions that will help attract private investments and create employment opportunities in developing countries.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises Limited (BEL), based in New Delhi, India, has been inducted into the PSIL. He joins an influential panel of global leaders, including:

• Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG, Germany
• Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, Nigeria
• Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, USA

Bhuvnesh Kumar Appointed CEO of UIDAI; K.K. Pathak Named Additional Secretary in Cabinet Secretariat

In April 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a series of high-level bureaucratic appointments aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and aligning with current governance priorities. These key changes affect the Cabinet Secretariat (CS) and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Key Appointments:

i. Bhuvnesh Kumar, a 1995 batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UIDAI.
He previously served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). He will be succeeded by Amitesh Kumar Sinha, a 1997 Indian Railways Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.

Abhishek Singh, a 1995 batch IAS officer from the Nagaland cadre, has been named Director General of the National Informatics Centre (NIC). He will also serve as Additional Secretary in MeitY.

ii. Keshav Kumar Pathak, a senior IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. He is from the 1990 batch and is currently serving as Chairman of the Bihar Revenue Board.

Defence news

Exercise ‘Aakraman’ Indian Air Force Drills with Rafales and Su-30s

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise ‘Aakraman’, a large-scale military drill featuring Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets. The exercise focused on simulating attacks on mountainous and ground targets, testing electronic warfare capabilities, and carrying out live fire operations.

Utilizing advanced systems such as the Meteor and Rampage missiles, along with the S-400 air defense system, the exercise was designed to boost combat readiness amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Overseen by elite “Top Gun” pilots, the drill emphasized India’s strategic air power and its deterrence capabilities in complex warfare scenarios.

INS Surat Successfully Tests MR–SAM in Arabian Sea

On April 24, 2025, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Surat, a Project 15B Guided Missile Destroyer, successfully conducted a test-firing of the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system, also known as Barak 8, in the Arabian Sea. This achievement demonstrates India’s preparedness to tackle evolving maritime security threats.

About the MR-SAM system:

• MR-SAM is jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• It has a range of up to 70 kilometres and is specially designed to defend against sea-skimming threats.
• The system is an extension of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) and can be deployed from both ship-based vertical launch systems (VLS) and land-based mobile launchers.
• The missile is 4.5 meters long, weighs approximately 275 kilograms, and carries a 60 kg pre-fragmented warhead designed for proximity detonation. The missile’s diameter is 22.5 cm at the body and 54 cm at the booster.
• The first test of MR-SAM was conducted in 2016, followed by several successful trials, proving its capability against high-speed aerial targets.

About INS Surat:

• INS Surat is the fourth and final vessel in the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class of stealth guided missile destroyers.
• It is among the world’s most advanced destroyers, featuring cutting-edge weapon and sensor systems and network-centric warfare capabilities.
• Built with 75 percent indigenous components, it supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission.
• The ship is 164 meters long, has a displacement of around 7,400 tons, and can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots (roughly 56 km/h).

About the Indian Navy:

• Chief of Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Established: 1950

Summit news

NIFTEM-Kundli hosts the 2nd edition of SUFALAM 2025

The National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management (NIFTEM) hosted the second edition of SUFALAM 2025 (Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors) on 25 and 26 April 2025 at its campus in Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana.

SUFALAM is a platform designed to strengthen India’s food processing sector through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

The first edition of SUFALAM was held in New Delhi on 13-14 February 2024.

Inauguration: The event was inaugurated by Chirag Paswan, the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, on 25 April 2025.

About SUFALAM 2025:
Sponsored by the Union Ministry of Food Processing, the initiative aims to promote innovation in the food processing sector.
The conclave offers a platform for industry leaders, academicians, investors, and entrepreneurs to share knowledge and foster inspiration.
Startups are encouraged to present ideas to leading companies in the sector.

Key participants this year include Nestlé, Bühler Group, Eureka Analytical Systems Pvt. Ltd., and the Indian Angel Network.
It also features sessions where successful industrialists share their experiences with new entrepreneurs and allows innovators to showcase their breakthroughs.

Over 250 startups from 23 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, took part in the event.

About NIFTEM: Established in 2012 by the Union Ministry of Food Processing at Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana.

Recognised as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India in 2021.

Aim: To become a leading institute in education, research, and entrepreneurship in the food processing sector.
Promotes research and industry linkage and supports startups and enterprises in strengthening the sector.

Director – Dr Harinder Singh Oberoi

PM Modi inaugurates the India Steel 2025 being held in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 6th edition of India Steel 2025 on April 24, 2025, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The event is being held from 24 to 26 April 2025.

• Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Minister of State, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, attended the inaugural session.
• The India Steel exhibition-cum-conference was first organised in 2013, and the 5th edition was held in Mumbai from 19 to 21 April 2023.

Organisers of India Steel 2025: The event was organised by the Union Ministry of Steel in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Theme of India Steel 2025: “Shaping the Future of Steel: Driving Capacity Augmentation, Sustainability, Digitalisation, and Downstream Applications.”

About India Steel 2025: India Steel is a mega exhibition-cum-conference focused on the Indian steel industry. It serves as a key platform for presenting priorities in steel production, equipment manufacturing, solution supply, and industry strategy formulation.

• The event unites the government, industry leaders, and steel professionals from India and abroad.
• In 2025, more than 250 exhibitors from 15 countries are participating.

India’s Steel Industry Status:
India is the second-largest producer of crude steel globally, after China.
From April to December 2024, India produced 110.99 million tonnes of crude steel.
India ranks as the fourth-largest iron ore producer, after Australia, Brazil, and China.
India is the largest producer of sponge iron worldwide.

National Steel Policy 2017:
The Government of India launched the New Steel Policy in 2017 to transform India into a global steel hub.

Policy Targets:

• 300 million tonnes of annual steel production capacity by 2030
• Per capita steel consumption target of 160 kg per year by 2030

About FICCI:
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is one of India’s oldest and largest business organisations, founded in 1927.
Headquarters: New Delhi
President: Harsha Vardhan Agarwal of the Emami Group

Science and tech news

China Launches Shenzhou-20 Crewed Mission to Tiangong Space Station

On April 24, 2025, China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed mission to the Tiangong Space Station (also known as Heavenly Palace) using the Long March-2F carrier rocket. The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base in northwest China. The mission includes three astronauts who will spend six months aboard the station.

This marks China’s ninth crewed mission to Tiangong and is part of its broader goal to establish a permanent lunar base by 2030.

Mission Objectives:

• Conduct experiments in physics, life sciences, and regenerative biology using planarians (aquatic flatworms).
• Install space debris protection systems on Tiangong.
• Carry out spacewalks, perform equipment maintenance, and manage supply replenishment.
• Replace the Shenzhou-19 crew, who are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29, 2025.

Crew Members:

• Commander Chen Dong (46): A veteran astronaut and former fighter pilot, holding the record for the longest cumulative stay in space (over 200 days) by a Chinese national. This is his third space mission.
• Chen Zhongrui (40): A former Air Force pilot on his first space mission.
• Wang Jie (35): A former space technology engineer, also making his first spaceflight.

About Tiangong Space Station:

• Built and operated by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), Tiangong is a permanently crewed orbital facility that became fully operational in October 2022.
• It features a T-shaped design composed of three modules: Tianhe (Harmony of Heavens), Wentian (Quest for Heavens), and Mengtian (Dreaming of Heavens).
• The station has a mass of about 100 metric tons and orbits the Earth at an altitude of 340 to 450 km in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

About China:

• President: Xi Jinping
• Capital: Beijing
• Currency: Renminbi (Chinese Yuan, CNY)

Sports news

Indian GM Koneru Humpy Clinches FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024-25 in Pune

The fifth leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (WGP) 2024–25 was held from April 13 to 24, 2025, in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Indian Grandmaster (GM) Koneru Humpy claimed the title on tiebreaks, finishing with 7 out of 9 points, tied with Chinese GM Zhu Jiner.

Though both players finished with 7.0 points, Humpy was declared the winner due to her superior tie-break score. In the final round, Humpy defeated Bulgarian IM Nurgyul Salimova, while Zhu Jiner beat Russian IM Polina Shuvalova. Indian IM Divya Deshmukh secured third place with 5.5 points.

Key Highlights:

• The event followed a 10-player round-robin format, featuring players from various countries.
• Both Koneru Humpy and Zhu Jiner earned 117.5 WGP points for their shared first-place finish.
• Current cumulative standings after five legs:
  • Aleksandra Goryachkina (Russia): 308.34 points (3 events)
  • Koneru Humpy (India): 279.17 points (3 events)
  • Zhu Jiner (China): 235 points (2 events)

About FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024–25:

• A series of six tournaments organized by FIDE.
• Each tournament includes ten players, with each participant playing in three of the six events.
• The series acts as a qualifying pathway for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, which selects the challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship.

Note: The final leg of the series is scheduled in Großlobming, Austria, from May 5 to 16, 2025.

About FIDE (International Chess Federation):

• President: Arkady Dvorkovich
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Founded: 1924

Rohit Sharma Becomes Second Indian to Reach 12,000 Runs in T20s

Rohit Sharma has become the second Indian after Virat Kohli and the eighth player overall to score 12,000 runs in T20 cricket, reaching this milestone during an IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

• His consistent performances, particularly for Mumbai Indians (MI) and previously Deccan Chargers, have been vital to his team’s success.
• Rohit now joins an elite group of players, including Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, David Warner, Alex Hales, and Jos Buttler, marking a significant achievement in his T20 career.

Obitutary news

Former ISRO Chairman and Padma Awardee K. Kasturirangan Passes Away

On 26 April 2025, Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, former Chairman of ISRO and renowned Padma awardee, passed away at the age of 84 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was born on 24 October 1940 in Ernakulam, Kerala.

i. Dr Kasturirangan began his journey in space science in 1969 as a researcher at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

ii. He served as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003, during which he led the development and launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). He also initiated India’s planetary exploration, which later led to the Chandrayaan-1 mission.

iii. For his immense contribution to science and engineering, he received India’s prestigious civilian honours:

• Padma Shri in 1982 (India’s fourth-highest civilian award)
• Padma Bhushan in 1992 (third-highest)
• Padma Vibhushan in 2000 (second-highest)

Important days

World Malaria Day 2025 – April 25′

World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed every year on 25 April across the globe. It is an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and promote action for the prevention, control, and elimination of malaria.

The theme for WMD 2025 is Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite, which calls for renewed efforts at all levels—from global policies to community actions—to accelerate the journey toward malaria elimination.

Background:
i. WMD was established by WHO member states at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2007.
ii. The first World Malaria Day was marked on 25 April 2008.
iii. The idea of WMD evolved from Africa Malaria Day, launched in 2001 following the Abuja Declaration, signed by 44 malaria-endemic countries during the African Summit on Malaria.

About WHO:
Director General – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Founded – 1948

World Immunization Week 2025, History, Theme, Importance

World Immunization Week 2025 (April 24–30), organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), promotes the theme “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible”, emphasizing the need for universal access to vaccines across all age groups.

• Since 1974, immunization has saved 154 million lives, including 6 lives every minute, with the measles vaccine alone responsible for 60% of these lives saved.
• Despite significant progress, challenges persist, such as 22 million children missing their measles vaccinations in 2023. Additionally, vaccine misinformation poses a threat to global health advancements.
• The campaign calls for a renewed global commitment to equity in vaccination, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.

26 April 2025 Current Affairs